Recovery is a slow and boring process. There was only so much excitement to the cycle of waiting, relieving your trauma, and sneaking out to see Erika. She provided a bit of brightness to your dark moments but there was only so much she could do while you and she were trapped in that building. Your darkness slowly began to dissipate three days after you woke up from the initial surgery. Your comrades from the 104th had discovered where you had been and began visiting in small droves. A few here... a few there... Armin and Mikasa visited just before lunch to check on you. Jean also came to talk for a few moments, which surprised you as well, though he managed to explain most of what happened in Trost. The Titans, Eren, plugging up the hole, and the casualties... A peculiar visitor came approximately an hour before visiting stopped. Your door slid open with the familiar creak you had grown accustomed to as you sat on the edge of your bed, examing the outside. 

???: I see you're up and about.

The cold female voice instantly struck a chord as you glanced over your shoulder. Annie Leonhart. She never seemed like the type to care though here she stood in your room.

(Y/n): Hey... 

Annie remained silent as she moved a bit closer.

Annie: I heard your injuries were more severe than they thought. It was a few days before anyone even knew you had been moved, though I guess you know that.

(Y/n): Yeah... the others were excited to see me.

Annie: I bet that felt nice.

(Y/n): No... no, it didn't. 

Annie allowed an eyebrow to raise softly as she glanced at you, moving around your bed to lean against the side of the windowsill, gazing outside as well. Her silence egged you on to explain.

(Y/n): Sometime during the battle, I figured out that my life, no matter how small... had some sort of meaning.  To keep the ones I care for safe. Every time I saw them, it reminded me how easily they could be gone. A reminder of how weak I still am. I've never had a purpose before so...

Your eyes glanced up, your (E/c) eyes softly admiring the clear blue gems that Annie possessed and how her hair seemingly glowed in the light of the sun. Clearing your throat with a gulp, you continued.

(Y/n): I'm... scared. Scared that now that I have something I want it will be taken from me. I'm not strong enough to protect them and it shows.

You gestured to yourself softly.

(Y/n): The 104th certainly doesn't need me to protect them but I can't let this go anymore. 

Annie: Why are you scared? 

(Y/n): I just sai-

Annie: Tell me the real reason why. If you're gonna rant at me you might as well pull back the smoke and mirrors.

(Y/n): I... pfft... Alright. I'm scared to die. For a long time, I've said that my death wouldn't mean anything but now I'm more scared than I've been in a long time. I can't even stomach the type of person I used to be and it's all because of facing death in Trost.

Annie: So you want to protect the 104th but you are scared to die.

(Y/n): You're pretty good at summarizing things I see.

Annie: So...

The blonde turned to you with a determined look in her eyes, though her face remained completely the same. Annie took a step closer and spoke once more.

Annie: Become stronger. If you're scared then get over it. This world will screw you over before you know it. So only you can take hold of your fate and try to steer it through this hell. 

(Y/n): Annie...

Annie: I don't really know you (Y/n). I'm not going to lie and say I do, but I'm not going to let you fall back into the same pit those other cowards in the 104th fell into. Their weakness killed them, and everyone you see is alive because they were strong enough to keep going.

You couldn't even find the words to respond as you took a moment to let the words sink in that Annie said. She was right, she didn't know you and you didn't know her. Aside from the fact she didn't really show emotions and could break every bone in your body without trying, Annie was a mystery to you. Which made her visit today even more mysterious for you. Your hand unconsciously lifted and ended taking Annie's by her fingers. Annie pulled her fingers back softly... taking a moment before twisting her hands so she could look at your fingers.

(Y/n): I'll get stronger... I promise I will.

Annie: You don't need to promise me anything, just do it.

(Y/n): But... you're a part of the 104th, right?

Annie glanced up from your hand before dropping it, a soft scowl on her face.

Annie: I don't need-

(Y/n): You don't think I know that? You... you have to be one of the strongest people I know. That doesn't change the fact that I will protect you.

Annie let her eyes widen, her face changing to look different than anything you knew from her. You had only trained with her a few times to be honest. There was no reason to promise her anything but here as the only person in the room, you thought it would be nice to talk to her. Despite her cold exterior, Annie sat and listened to all of your problems. Not only that, but she deemed you worthy of dispensing some of her knowledge of weakness and purpose. 

Your conversation with Annie didn't seem to last much longer. Your declaration seemed to have fried her social skills as she remained quiet, throwing you soft glances before eventually saying her goodbyes and leaving. Annie was the last visitor that day. The next day you only received one visitor. Your legs had grown much stronger by now but the mysterious cane still remained by your side as you used it to counterbalance anything that might trip you up. Your fingers had just brushed the metal of the doorknob as it turned out of your grasp softly, being pulled away from you. Your (E/c) eyes met familiar gentle brown ones of the girl you had last seen on the outside of these walls. Your heart leaped at the sight of the girl as you took a moment to straighten yourself, a breath filling your lungs shakily, emotions you didn't know had built up making you feel a rush as Sasha straightened herself as well.

Sasha: Hey...

(Y/n): Hey.

Sasha: So um... how is your side?

(Y/n): It's better. Much in fact.

Sasha: Hmm. 

Neither of you needed another moment as Sasha made the first move, taking a step into the room and wrapping her hands carefully around your torso. She rested her head against your shoulder as your free hand lifted to wrap around her back, pulling her closer into the hug, though still watching your side.

(Y/n): Where is Conny?

Sasha: He... he said he would visit later. He had some things to think about.

You couldn't get over the feeling of Sasha's warmth against the cold produced by the old walls of the building. you allowed yourself a moment, your head lowering to rest in the crook of Sasha's neck. Her brown hair tickled your face but her warmth and scent calmed you. Leave it to her to smell like leather and potatoes.

(Y/n): How are you? Did you get hurt?

Sasha: Are you really asking me that?

She chuckled softly as you lifted your cane, hooking onto the doorknob and pulling it closed as Sasha pulled away from you, moving further into the room to take a seat.

Sasha: I'm sorry for not coming sooner. When I saw you on that cart... I thought you were leaving to die. Most of us thought you had really, that's why no one visited until yesterday.

(Y/n): I expected that really. I... I was dead in a sense.

You muttered out quietly. Your feet shuffled over to the window, standing nearly exactly to where Annie had been the day prior.

(Y/n): But... I'm here now. And I won't let anything happen to any of you again. I may not be strong...

Your body turned to face Sasha with a soft smile growing on your face. The words of Erika and Annie filling your ears as the girl before you looked on incuriously.

(Y/n): I may not be strong but all I ask is that you give me a chance. If even just one of you believes in me I know I can do it!

You declared softly, the girl not even taking a moment before giggling.

Sasha: You didn't need to ask me all dramatic like that. Conny and I have your back always. Well, Conny is a shorty so it isn't much back to give but eh, I make up for it.

Now it was your turn to chuckle as you smiled fondly on the girl, missing this feeling in your medically induced prison. You simply hoped within the next few days you could get out of here and at least take a breath. 

The last person to visit you actually caught you on your way out. You had been discharged with a nice scar to show for your "heroic" actions. Erika was asked to stay a few more days to check up on her legs after her rough landing but should be released in time for the regiment induction ceremony. Taking your first steps outside in a long time, you could feel the tightness of the clothing you had been provided. The shirt you had been given from home had torn during the battle and now you wore a white button-up as a substitute under your usual military attire. 

???: (Y/n)?

Your eyes slowly peeled around to see a familiar blonde angel. Or did everyone refer to her as a goddess? You could certainly see why, her angelic features slowing brightly in the sun as she smiled brightly upon finding you were alive. She approached you quickly, looking up at you with such vigor it shocked you.

Christa: I'm so happy you are ok! nobody would tell me what happened to you...

(Y/n): Yeah I've been hearing that a lot. Hey um... Christa?

She glanced up at you before tilting her head to the side. It took every fiber of your body not to lift your hand and run it through her blonde hair, knowing that guardian of hers would probably cut off each finger that touched a precious strand on her head.

(Y/n): I wanted to thank you again. If you hadn't stayed with me... I probably would have died there, alone. but your brightness kept me awake. You saved my life.

Christa: A-Ah don't go saying such dramatic stuff. I just did my best to help.

(Y/n): Well... You were still there for me, so I will make sure to uphold my promise. 

Christa: Promise? 

(Y/n): I will protect you. I don't know about... Ymir? Was that her name? I don't know about her, but I am more than capable of protecting you. I just ask you to give me a little time to get stronger.

Christa took a moment to look over your features and determined she couldn't dissuade you from your resolution. You seemed determined and that fiery look in your (E/c) eyes was so much better than the dull look of death that clouded them just a few days ago.

Christa: Thank you!

You smiled softly as she thanked you, your body warming as you and she began to walk toward the barracks, ready to let the others know about your status as well as find a place to store the cane by your side.  In a few day's time, you would get to pick your regiment and with everything that has been going on, you needed to make a serious choice right now. You weren't going to allow yourself to be a puppet anymore, but was it smart to put all of your chips into a dangerous choice like this? You certainly were glad for the extra time, even if it meant the cloud of doubt hanging over you in the meantime.