~Elias POV~

Since our fight with the Female Titan, it's been hell.

I was bleeding, Armin thought it was his fault I got hurt, I told him it wasn't and he shouldn't worry about while Reiner was fixing my head up a bit, and Jean was whistling for his sister, I mean, horse to come back.

Reiner: Where'd they get this? How old's your gear?

Elias: Don't worry about that. It came off like it's supposed to, so it didn't break or anything. It should still work.

Reiner: All right. That's something, then. Still down a horse, though. Not an ideal situation. We can't get moving until Jean's ride shows up.

He looked to put on the bandage, but I stopped them.

Elias: No. I'll be fine.

Reiner: Are you sure? You'll bleed again.

Elias: Not for a while.

Armin: Elias, you need the bandage. Don't you think M—

Elias: Don't I think what? That I'm weak? Even though it's normal to be that, I don't wanna be seen as a weak bastard.

Reiner: You don't wanna bleed again, you know? We're just looking out for you.

Elias: I appreciate it, but I said I'm fine. I feel like I have to prove my worth without one right now. Let's just hold off on that. Any problems with that?

These two knew that I was gonna go off on them if they

Reiner: There's no problem there.

Armin: No problem.

Elias: Good.

I got up and started walking towards my horse.

We can't afford to stay out in the open like we're a bunch of drunk idiots. From what I know, if worse comes to worse, one of us will be to get left behind.

And to make sure everyone is safe, I'm gonna have to be the one they leave behind. It only makes sense since I'm the only one who's hurt in this case. I know it's fucked up to consider, but it has to be the only option here.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire we go. It's what get for nearly killing ourselves anyway.

However, I couldn't stop thinking about the Female Titan. Her face looked so familiar for some reason and it's ringing a bell for some odd reason.

It's something I haven't thought about.

Then, Reiner had to call me out.

Reiner: Elias, you still with us? I guess your head's still a little shaken up, huh?

Elias: I'll be fine.

Reiner: You're strong with that character of yours.

Elias: Thanks. Well, at least some girls might find the scar I'll have later on attractive.

Reiner and Armin laughed as I had to smirk a bit. Gotta keep everyone's spirits up while we're stuck here, so why not put out a little joke?

Armin: Wait, shouldn't we at least fire off a smoke signal first? If everyone kept going straight, Row Four, Squad Three ought to be in close proximity to us by now.

Elias: It's a good idea. Shitstain, fire off a signal, purple.

Jean: Yeah, right.

Elias: You don't say "yeah, right" to me, you say "yes sir".

Jean: Yes sir.

After that, Jean fired off the purple smoke signal and now we had to wait, what I hate even more.

Jean: Well, that's the emergency signal, but who knows? I doubt anyone's gonna see it and think, "Hey, somebody must use an extra horse."

Reiner: Elias, listen, we only wait three minutes. If no one shows, we have to decide who stays.

Elias: Then I'll stay. I'll only slow you guys down since we only have three horses, Jean's still calling for his long lost sibling, and I'm still hurt. It's obvious from the look of things. And if I'm gonna be left out here in the open, I need you to relay a message. If possible, give it only to Erwin.

Jean: Hang on, Elias. Looks like you'll be able to tell him yourself.

Elias: What?

Armin: Someone answered the call!

Reiner: Hell yes!

Jean: They got two horses in tow!

Elias: Oh my God.

Jean: Whoa, that's— it's Christa!

Christa: Hey guys, you alright?

When she came up to us with Jean's sister, I mean, his horse while having another for Armin.

Jean: Well, damn! That's my li'l runaway! Easy Buchwald. It's okay. I forgive you.

Oh, it's his brother, never mind.

Christa: Poor thing. He ran to me like the devil was on his tail. So did you guys fight a Titan?

Elias: Yeah, we did. Armin was about to get hurt, but I had to push him away so I could.

Christa: Oh no! Elias!

Elias: No worries, sweetheart. It's just a little bump. Besides, I'm impressed someone actually answered our distress signal.

Christa: Well I wasn't far away, so. That and I found the horse.

Elias: A lot of people wouldn't have risked their lives coming over here.

Reiner: He's right. You're as noble as the steeds you tame. We're all in your debt.

Christa: It was nothing.

Christa then teared up a bit, wiped it away and smiled as she said...

Christa: I'm just glad that you're all okay. What would we do without you?

All of us were entranced by Christa's cuteness and just basking it all in.

Armin: She's an angel.

Jean: A goddess.

Elias: Beautiful.

Reiner: One day, my wife.

Sorry Reiner, but with your physique, you look like you could have a stroke before you could get one stroke in.

Christa: Okay. I suppose we'd better rejoin the formation.

Jean: Yeah! They'll order a retreat any minute now!

Elias: Then let's get going. Staying here's gonna kill us at any moment.

I then looked to get up on my horse, but as I got a hold of the lead, I felt a tear on my shoulder and fell back first to the ground!

Elias: Oh God!

Armin: Elias!

Armin ran up and I had to take my hood and jacket off to see that blood was seeping into my shirt!

My wound's been split open!

Armin: Oh no.

Reiner: Krista, look away.

She did, covering her mouth in horror, as my shirt was off, and my wound really was split open, and blood was flowing out, in moderate rate to where it almost covered my entire shoulder.

Reiner immediately folded up a handkerchief, put it on my shoulder, and wrapped it up tightly with medical tape to keep the bleeding from spreading.

Elias: Thanks, Reiner.

Reiner: It's the least I can do. You're a badass on the field, but you need to get fixed up sooner than later.

Armin: Elias, we're gonna call for medical and take you out the mission.

Elias: No! We are not doing that! You think I wanna be at fucking Wall Sina while you guys put in the work? Not gonna happen.

Jean: But you're hurt! Have some common sense, will ya?

Elias: Shut up! The only common sense is me seeing the mission through! If I'm out, then it won't matter!

Reiner: Elias, listen to me, medical treatment is the best option. We can't lose another when we lost too many already!

Elias: Then you gotta kill me to take me back to the Walls!

Jean: Why are you against going back!

I then had to bring this out, knowing that I'll never be the same after this...

Elias: Because I'm dating Mikasa!

Then, everyone went silent as Jean was shocked, and looking visibly furious.

Jean: What did you just say?

Elias: That's right. I've been with Mikasa for a few months now, but that's beside the point. The point is that she'll FLIP if she finds out about it!

Armin: Elias, she'll understand if you tell her herself!

Elias: No she won't! She'll go crazy! You've seen her act that way in the courtroom when Levi beat the shit out of Eren! Just take my word for it. You don't wanna take me outta here and you don't wanna tell Mikasa what happened. If we tell her, she'll hurt anyone who's in her way. Trust me on that. Please.

They knew they had no choice and had to take my word for it. I don't want them to tell Mikasa, not even tell her that they know about our relationship.

I mean, this is Mikasa I'm talking about, and knowing how she'll react, she'll kill anyone who is my attacker, in her eyes.

It looked like everyone knew that I was doing what I can to keep this a secret from Mikasa because Jean said...

Jean: We won't say anything, then.

Armin: Yeah, Elias. If it means that much to you, we won't tell her anything.

Reiner: If you're willing to see it through, I got mad respect for your toughness, even if you're dating Mikasa.

Elias: And promise me you won't tell anyone else because we were trying to keep it a secret for some time now and we'd like to keep it that way for a good while longer.

Jean: Of course. I won't say a word.

Reiner: If she means that much to you, consider my mouth closed.

Christa: I won't say anything, Elias.

Elias: I know you won't, Christa.

Armin: Come on, let's get you back on your horse.

I was helped back up on Traveller, and once everyone was on their horse, Armin had to tell me this...

Armin: If you're feeling any pain, let us know and we'll stop, okay?

Elias: I appreciate it, but let's just get back to the formation. Let's go!

We all started riding back to the formation as fast as possible.

I mean, if the Titan Killer Corps becomes leaderless without me, it could disband at any point in time, so I had to get there.

After some time riding over to where the Scouts were, which was the forest with the giant trees, I had to let them know and find Eren before the Female Titan can reach him.

Elias: Guys, this is where we gotta split. I gotta go nomad for a bit!

Reiner: Do what you need to do! We'll wait for ya!

I nodded at him, then the rest as I gave Shitstain a stink eye, letting him know that if he tells anyone about my injury or my relationship with Mikasa, I was gonna kill him.

Maybe not really kill him, but I will fuck him up. That is exactly what I will do if he says a word of either thing.

As I made it into the forest, I had to find Eren and the others, but before I do, I gotta tell Hange and let her know what happened, but I won't tell her about my injury.

When I finally saw her, gave my horse to a Scout and flew up to get to Hange.

Hange: Elias!

She looked to hug me but I held her back, only because I'm injured.

Hange: What? No hug for your favorite aunt?

Elias: It's not that, I'm actually hurt at the moment.

Hange: What?!

Elias: Armin, Reiner, Jean, and myself fought the Female Titan, I'm sure you know about her, she was going to kick Armin away, but I pushed him off to get kicked myself, with my head splitting open.

Hange: Oh my God. She's dead!

Elias: Don't worry, I'm fine now, but my shoulder got torn open and I'm hanging onto a thread at this point. Hange, do you know where Eren is? I have to reach him.

Hange: You're not going anywhere, young man. You're hurt, and you're gonna rest.

Elias: Hange, there's no time. That Titan is targeting Eren and if we don't do something about her, he'll be killed.

Hange: We know, and look down below.

I did, and I was surprised by the plan that was being implemented: harpoon like hooks and they looked like mini cannons that would be firing the hooks as well.

I have to say, I think this is genius, but how is it going to work when we got the Female Titan on Eren's trail?

It remains to be seen as I saw Mikasa flying up to see me while I was sitting back first on the trunk, resting up.

Mikasa: Elias! Are you okay?

Elias: I'm fine, just catching my breath.

Hange: Mikasa, you have to get back to your station.

Mikasa: But he's important to me.

Elias: Hange, it's okay. Let her be up here.

She gave out a small smile, nodded, and Mikasa laid her head down on my good shoulder and not my bad one as we waited for the plan to come into action.

Obviously, I didn't tell her about what happened to Armin, Shitstain, Reiner, and myself, but I soothed her the best I could.

To give a bit of love, I kissed her head, causing her to look up at me with a smile.

Mikasa: You're the best boyfriend I've ever had.

Elias: Well, I try to be, regardless of our situation right now.

She kissed the underside of my cheek as we continued to rest, but in a few more minutes, we had to be ready for the fight against the Female Titan.