Leader of the 19th

"Marco…" Armin began, he really didn’t know what to say to the taller male without suggesting different theories. "It was Jean who found you, I don’t think he could identify someone else as you." The boy let out a heavy sigh, he cared for Marco a lot, so he wouldn’t misidentify someone as him that easily. "None of anything we’re saying makes sense Marco!" With this, he grew a bit quiet, thinking over what he was about to say. "Either way… I… promise I won’t say anything to anyone no matter what happened, this is yours to go about. Okay Marco? I’m just… here to help in any way I can."

Marco's lips twitched into a smile, but it soon fell again. He was glad to know Armin would help him; it relieved him greatly that if he had found more answers, he had someone to listen. Nevertheless, he couldn't tell him now when he had nothing to show for it and no answers to give. All he knew for certain was that he had died, but his memory of it was still so unclear. He trusted Armin, he really did, but this was an odd situation to put him in. He wouldn't believe him; how could he? "I wish there was something to tell." Wiping the frown off his face, Marco returned his expression to a lighter more cheerful one. "Thanks. It does help to know your willing to help. I can't say anything right now, since I'm kind of at a loss myself, but I'll figure out. Though...I don't know how I'm going to face anyone when they think I'm dead."

Speaking of that. "Armin, you didn't freak out when you saw me. Why?"

          “I… guess it does.” He mumbled, his expression a bit blank as he processed things in his head. It still didn’t add up, now looking up at Marco, his expression stayed the same. “If that’s the fact though, why weren’t you with us the rest of the time? You disappeared if that’s why, and why dissapear?” Armin was always the one to find out different scenarios and try to piece together what one felt like it worked best. 

"Armin, I'm not sure myself." Marco replied, with a frown and genuine look of how lost he was about finding an answer to his question. "All I remember is losing conciousness during the battle and then waking up in one of the barracks at training camp." He longed to tell him directly, but what would he tell Armin? That he thought he died and came back to life? That was more unbelievable than his lie. This type of information would get him labelled as some lunatic. "But I didn't die. How would I be here now? It doesn't make sense."

“What can I say, we work our asses off doing research.” Aside it took her good amount of years to get to where she stood now. But after she learned to view titans in a different perspective she felt a little less hopeless about humanity’s faith. It was that or because she had Levi around and he’d kick ass. “Marco Bodt…” She repeated as her smile disappeared slowly.”You have a dream division to be part of?” She knew because of the recent events most of the soldiers would join something far away from titans, as well she knew how some people just never considered the Recon corps, she did not blame them at all.

Crossing her arms never losing sight of the young one in front of her she could see his own need of suppressing whichever doubt he had in his mind, perhaps any worry as well. It did not seem like he had run into his comrades yet or at least that’s what he stated clearly to the woman. "Cheer up, freckled boy. You have woken up and that’s what counts. There’s nothing to sulk around of what happened during the retake of Trost. And if you got injured is better to have you here healing your wounds than count you in the increasing number of dead soldiers during the event.”

The question though caught her off guard. What could she think about those who had given their lives during that battle. “Well, I think they were brave. See we weren’t around when the titans had breached the wall and got inside the district, unfortunately we were in an expedition in the outer lands, by the time we got back most of the Garrison and the trainees who had just graduated faced those titans trying to protect Eren.”

Marco's expression brightened at the question. He knew what he would be thought of if he said his dream division. He'd look like another boy who was running away to be tucked in the safety of Wall Sina. That was a benefit, yes, but that wasn't why he wanted to join it; that would never be a reason why. He didn't have the motivation to join the Recon Corps, nor was he all that fast to be able to escape a titan's grip if he was running, but if he had to face a titan to save someone else's life, he would do it. His main goal, though, was to be the King's personal guard. It had been his dream since he was small. "I want to serve the king and join the Military Police." He answered proudly, almost in a too excited voice.

Her solace did cheer him up. Overall, she was right. He shouldn't be upset over this. He was alive and he could find a way to work around 'being missing.' The situation could've been worse; Marco could've been deemed dead and then he really would've been in trouble for reappearing. He was alive and who could be more thankful for that? "Thanks. I guess I'm just a little frazzled by the situation. You forget to see the good out of the bad sometimes."

Marco listened attentively. It did help knowing that they were respected, he just wished they would've known that. They did have a choice to leave without punishment, yet so many stayed to fight and they still faced disillusionment. Not that Marco could blame them since he had started to doubt their mission would be successful too. Knowing that they at least were appreciated after giving their life showed that they had helped humanity progress.

He hadn't been expecting the return of the question so the first thing that left his mouth was a hum in thought. "Er...So many of them died before Eren had lifted the rock. Most of them were just like I was in the beginning; distraught for having to face the titans again. They had a drive to be a part of the plan, but even that dwindled after waiting for the plan to take action. So many died seeing the mission as a failure and so many thought their death was for nothing." His face remained stoic, starting to gain the capability of talking about the dead soldiers with indifference. He cared, but he didn't want to show sorrow every time he mentioned them. "I wish that they just knew how much their life was worth and that their death was more than just another soldier dying."

          “Yeah… where do people come up with this stuff?” He began, sighing as his hands went to rest at his sides. As Marco leaned  to whisper something to him, he put his hand to his mouth to muffle his laughter. Is that really how bad the rumors got around here? “Wonder who’s starting them…” He trailed off, still laughing a bit as he talked from what the taller male told him. Now growing serious, Armin gave a nod, trying to be as calm as possible when going about this. “Yeah I—- Marco… everyone thinks you’re dead, Jean said he saw you…”

Marco didn't notice how solemn Armin grew until he voiced his thoughts. His face paled and his cheerful demeanor faded. That was unexpected. He hadn't even thought Armin knew. It took him two seconds to catch himself; his smile returned to his face and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Huh? Armin, doesn't that sound a little crazy?" Marco asked, feeling a light blush crawl up his neck in embarrassment from the situation. "He must've identified the wrong person."

MY LUNGS AREN’T WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE OF YOU AND THAT ANON