A few of the cadets gathered around to discuss the upcoming assault on the supply depot when a question was raised.

Armin: I don't like to think about it but...

Armin trailed off, glancing over his shoulder at you. You had been laid up against a wall, another cadet conversing with you to keep you awake.

Armin: Are we sure the supply depot has medical aid that can help (Y/n)?

Conny: Of course it does! It has too! 

Sasha: We can't just let him die!

Armin let out a sigh before explaining further. 

Armin: (L/n) has lost way too much blood and that was before he forced himself to glide across Trost. Even if we can bandage his wound properly, I worry... What do you think Jean, Marco?

The two seemingly were put on the spot as they glanced over to you.

Jean: We shouldn't just let another one of our comrades bleed out if we can keep him alive.

Marco: It's one thing to die in service to the King but... this is wrong. Let's get moving so we can help him.

Sasha: Should one of us stay with him? I don't think he can make it into position.

Jean: Just leave someone from the supply squad. The bastards can do one thing at least...

Jean trailed off looking over at you. In truth, compared to many of the others you were becoming dead weight. You could barely move by this point and you had managed to bleed through another bandage due to moving across Trost. However, you still got up and moved forward, just like every other soldier despite your wounds. 

Armin also couldn't help but glance at you as everyone prepared to retake the depot. You seemed even paler, the rain from before and the blood loss taking a toll on your body as you could barely move. They needed to retake the supply room quickly to try and possibly stitch up the wound, though Sasha was right as well. If you went into shock while they were away, it would cripple morale and deprive the 104th of another comrade.

???: I'll stay with him. 

Armin glanced up to see a familiar blonde girl from the 104th, a look of determination as she took a look over her shoulder at you.

???: No way. It's too dangerous. What if those titans come back, Christa?

Christa: (L/n) is in too much pain to retake the depot but if we leave him here he will die! I won't allow anyone else to die, Ymir.

It was here you started to focus back in, your mind finally overcoming the sudden sleepiness as you noticed someone had been talking to you. A garrison jacket had been placed over you to keep you warm as you watched the other cadets start to move through the doorway, probably off to complete some grand mission. Yet here you were, bleeding like a stuck pig against some wall. That inner voice of yours started kicking in again, raking you through the dirt as your confusion turned sour. 

Why can't I do anything? My friends are dying and I can't even move... what the hell is wrong with me? I should be up and helping them do... whatever it is they are doing.

???: Can you hear me?

You blinked a bit, managing to focus your attention on the person speaking to you. She looked... really familiar. Her vibrant blue eyes staring back into your dull (E/c) ones as she smiled gently, her long blonde hair framing her face perfectly as you could feel your heart skip a beat, which wasn't all that good considering the blood loss.

???: Can you hear me (L/n)?

(Y/n): I... yeah I can hear you.

???: Good! Please stay awake so we can get you some help. 

(Y/n): I... I truly want to... but it's very difficult at the moment.

???: Just focus on me then, ok? Drown out everything that is distracting you and focus on me. IF you fall asleep then that will be very bad!

The blonde poked at your cheek playfully. You took a moment yo take a breath only to find it was harder to breath, your body trying to suck up air as your heart worked in overdrive to make up for the loss of fluid. You started breathing slowly in an attempt to manage it but somewhere in your mind you knew it might be coming to a close. 

(Y/n): I'm sorry... Erika... not sure If I can honor...

???: What's wrong-

(Y/n): I'm not some super solider, I'm not strong, I'm not smart... everyone here around me is so much better... I tried my best though.

The blonde once more poked at your softly, forcing your attention back to her. You could spot the almost pleading look in her eyes as your mini speech seemed to spook her. 

???: Please don't talk like that... I'm gonna do my best to keep you here with us!

You were still amazed by the girl's determination. To anyone else you were a lost cause, probably still are, but you reasoned that if you were going to be fulfilling last requests you wouldn't mind the small blondes. You tried to shift forward, the weak feeling in your body causing you to feel sick as the girl moved forward and decided you were asking for comfort, which she surprisingly gave. your head rested against her shoulder and your eyes widened softly. The last person that hugged you had been Sasha, in the wet and cold, though that had been more of a fall that she caught. The gentle scent of the blonde filled your senses as you managed to rest your head in the crook of her neck, wanting to finish the hug though the rest of your body was in a resting state.

(Y/n): Thank you...

???: It's alright (L/n).

(Y/n): Please call me (Y/n). My last name... reminds me of unsavory things.

???: W-Well... ok (Y/n). Did I say that right?

You nodded a bit, feeling the warmth of the hug spread through your face down to your shoulders as the girl shifted a bit more so you didn't have to arch your aching back.

(Y/n): Your name...

Christa: Christa Lenz. We met before the operation started. 

(Y/n): At the... headquarters, yeah. I see why so many people called you an angel Ms. Lenz.

Christa waved her head softly.

Christa: Please if I'm calling you by your name, you can call me by mine...

(Y/n): Alright... C-Christa...

You nodded into the crook of her neck once more. You both took a moment of silence, Christa shifting every once in a while to ensure you were still moving while you simply relished in the calm moment of warmth. It was in this moment, the true feeling of helplessness filled you. It was truly as you stated, you weren't some special guy that was going to stop the titans. You weren't some hero, medic, or commander in the making. You barely passed any of your training and now in your first battle, you were on the verge of bleeding out after a titan yanked your wires and spiraled you into a window. 

(Y/n): I wish I could...

Christa: Hmm, what was that?

(Y/n): I wish I could protect the people I care about.

It was Christa's moment to be a bit surprised, her eyes widening.

Christa: But you have protected them. I remember you took care of Sasha and Conny throughout training.

You found the strength to lift your hand only for it to fall, the girl quickly catching it only to nearly drop it out of the shock of how cold you were. The warmth brought to your hand was incredible, pulling a smile to your features.

 (Y/n): I guess... I did... but I can't protect them now. I can't protect anyone like this. 

Christa: I think... I think you can (Y/n). 

You took a moment to let her words sink in as you managed a chuckle.

Christa: How about... we make a promise?! Promise to protect everyone and I'll do my best to make sure you're ready to do that!

A promise... to protect everyone? Who? Your friends? The 104th? Why would you want to do that? But... Christa was trying to save you so it was only right you tried to indulge but... You managed to force yourself up startling the girl as you lifted your lefthand from her grip and let it rest on her shoulder, your determined eyes looking into her bright blue ones.

(Y/n): Can I protect you, Christa?

Christa: H-Huh?

(Y/n): You're trying to save my life... it's only right I protect yours too. 

Christa processed your words for a bit before giving you one of the most gentle smiles you had seen. It almost seemingly forced a smile onto your face as you rested back once more, your eyes sliding closed.

Christa: (Y/n)? H-Hey wake up... You have to stay awake!

You did your best to pry your eyes open but you just felt so tired, that sudden burst of energy probably running out your engines as you did your best to stay awake, hearing footsteps across the room as they had seemingly returned from somewhere. you wondered what Sasha and Conny had been up to, maybe Mikasa and Armin? You hadn't seen Eren around but he was probably in that group from earlier. Hmm... That could actually be your purpose. Your life didn't have anything other than being a puppet and Erika snipped the strings with her speech earlier. Now you might just have another purpose... one you were much more willing to defend...