❝ OPERATION FOUR ❞
everybody gangsta' on the last chap.

"43 heartbeats in a minute."

"Doc, blood is still gushing from her head—"

"Doctor Y/N! Doctor Y/N!!"

"How the hell did this happen?!"

You just stared at nothingness with your half-lidded eyes. Everything is blurry. The sounds they make are gurgle-like. Is it just you or your brain isn't really processing properly? You tried to move your pinkie finger, and then your thumb, and then. . .

"Y/N, hang in there!"

Was that Eren? No. That man was blonde. What was his name again? Arnie? Ar. . .nold? A-Armin? Yes, Armin. The newly appointed doctor in your hospital, your former best friend, and your ex-boyfriend. Yes, your brain is somewhat 45% functioning. You move your head to look at your left, but the view was covered by Gabi panicking beside you. You're not sure but there's another patient with you.

What happened? It's your question too.

Hah. . .thinking makes my brain ache.

Your body slowly became numb due to loss of blood, and your head became a whole lot dizzier. The noise that the people around you make isn't helping at all. No matter how much you wanted to fight the urge to pass out, you don't want to. You want to know what's happening, what going to happen, and what happened before all of this.

I am missing something.

Yes. Certainly.

No—someone! W-Who was it—

"E-Eren. . ." Your voice cracked. Fuck, it was your anniversary today, and you two were about to leave the restaurant when. . .when a truck hit your car and everything just turned black—

"H-He'll be fine, Y/N! Hang in there, we're almost at the—"

Why is he the one talking to me? You looked at Armin. Your sight is blurry, but you never care. You just wanted to stare at him, and beg for something. He's a doctor, right? He can make miracles too. He can save people too. He can. . .

"S-Save Eren." A tear escaped your eye. "Save my b-boyfriend. . .Armin, please."

He holds your hand before bringing it near his lips. He was about to—no, he suddenly realized it was wrong to kiss someone else's hands—so, he just brushed your palm with his to create friction and at least, give warmth to your almost frozen body.

"Y-Yes, I will, Y/N. Don't worry, I will save the both of you."

In the meantime, you let your guard down and let yourself cry in front of him. In front of Armin—after six years. You cried there like a child begging for her parent to buy her candy. You cried as if there's no tomorrow. You cried and cried. . .and cried.

"In your hands—" You swallowed the lump in your throat.

You're about to pass out. "—I trust our lives."

You opened your eyes. Slowly. Scared that you might realize you're dead. The first thing that greeted you was the tall pole of dextrose standing beside you. Is there a hospital in Heaven? You guessed no. You're still alive. Breathing, but still hospitalized.

"Eren. . ." was the first word that came out your mouth before your parents came rushing on your side, tears falling from their eyes. They all released a sigh of relief the moment your eyes met.

"Oh my God, she's awake!"

"Call Armin!"

"Doctor Y/N!!!!"

"Gabi, tone down your voice!"

"Shut up, Falco! Doctor Y/N!!!"

"Are you feeling alright, sweetheart? Does your head hurt? Tell Mommy, sweetie. Water, water! Get her some—"

You tried to sit and your father automatically helped you to do so. Still having a hard time breathing properly, you tried your best to act okay. Familiar faces surrounded you, everyone with that concerned look painted on their eyes. You felt safe. They were worried about you, but at least you realized that many people still love you.

"Y/N, can you hear me properly?"

It was Arm—Doctor Armin. You nodded. "Yes, Doctor."

"Armin's just fine."

"Okay, Doctor Armin."

He sighed. "Gabi, 70 beats per minute."

The brown-haired girl soon took down the detail on her notebook. "Roger!"

"Do you recognize everyone—"

"How long was I asleep?" You looked at him straightly in the eyes. "Where is—"

"Three straight days. Do you recognize ever—"

"Three?!" You exclaimed. Shit, that was really long. "T-Then, where is—"

"I believe I am the one asking questions here, Ms. L/N. For the last time, let me ask you. Do you recognize everyone inside this room?"

You nodded, starting to panic a bit. "Y-Yes! Yes! Now, where is Eren?!"

Everyone turned silent. Fuck.

"H-He's in the—"

You helplessly grabbed the hem of Armin's laboratory coat. "Is he okay? Can I see him, please?! I-I can walk now, right? Please, take me to—"

"Y/N."

Your father's voice was stern. Solid. It made you confused.

"Dad, why? C-Can't I see him? Is he still confined? What is his room number? I'll just check him later or after I take my medicines. Wait, do I have meds? I-I am certainly feeling okay now—"

"Honey," Your mother cooed, hugging you. "Eren is fine—"

"Eren is gone."

You choked on your saliva, throwing Armin a very deadly look. "Hey, fucker."

The nerve of this man! I know he's my ex, but who allowed him to mess with me like that?! "Don't give me jokes like—"

Wait. Why is he crying? Why is he looking so sad?

You grabbed his collar, bringing his face near to yours. "Why the hell are you crying?! Why the hell aren't you looking happy?! Tell me, Armin! Where is Eren?!"

"I-I told you!" He cried. "H-He's. . .gone."

The longer he speaks, the lower his voice gets. And the longer he speaks, the more you loosen the grip on his clothes. You must be hearing everything wrong. What happened to his brain? Why is everyone looking so gloomy?! They're taking Armin's joke seriously?! Hey, jokes are half-meant, right?! It means. . .

You're a licensed doctor. You graduated college. You were a Summa Cum Laude. Many people acknowledge you. You saved a lot of lives before. You're smart. . .that's why you can't bring to believe a bluff like that. Wanting to see the truth for yourself, you tried to stand up from your bed, only to be stopped by your parents. The longer you tried to get away from their grips, the more you realize the tears falling from your eyes. The more you realize how loud your cries are.

"Let me go! Eren!! Let me see my—"

"He's dead, Y/N!"

Your palm landed on Armin's cheek. "If you're telling me the truth, why?! Why is he dead?! You're a doctor, right?! You should save people's lives! You should always do your best! I-I can still remember that night before I pass out when you were rushing me and Eren towards the Emergency Room, I begged you! I begged you, right, Armin?!"

He remained silent.

"I told you that in your arms, I trust our lives! Because you are his best friend! Because he believes in you! Because. . .you're Armin! Are you jealous?! Are you trying to get revenge on me because I ended up on Eren after you broke up with me?! Armin, tell me. . ."

You held onto his lab coat, slowly descending on your knees.

"What did I do? What did I fail to do? Does Eren deserve to die this early? Tell me, where did we go wrong? Where did I go wrong? I can't think of any reason. . ."

You shook your head.

"Why?"

"I'm sorry. . ." As usual, that's all he can say. That's all Armin can say.

You cried and cried as long as your throat can endure. You can't find any other words to say and shout at him. You're already tired. It's funny that you're a doctor yourself yet you can't even save your boyfriend. Who should you blame? Where should you start again? How? When? Why? And. . .for who?

"I'm tired," You whispered.

Armin's embrace was so warm that even you wanted to push him off, you have no energy left in you to do that. You just let him do what he wants.

"I'm sorry, Y/N. . ."

"Can't. . ."

You bit your lip. "Can't you think of any other word to say?" You chuckled, staring at nothingness.

"I'm tired of hearing that word coming from you. Please. . ."

He nodded. "O-Okay, Y/N."

Then, you put your head on his shoulder, closing your eyes. Silently, you prayed. And prayed. And prayed.

Praying that everything. . .is just a dream.

But it wasn't.