♡

“I don’t know.” He replied flatly. Bertholdt was a timid type, you didn’t know him very well but he reminded you in ways of Armin. Or rather, Armin’s potential. You thought about how the two of them might get along and how Bertholdt could be a good role model for Armin the way he supports Reiner. They reminded of Eren and Armin’s relationship. Wholey equal but one always seems to have a bit more bravado and leadership than their quieter more docile friend. You thought of the parallels for a while more before you decided to speak again.  

“When we arrived, I noticed the village’s horses were all still in their stalls. Do you think... that maybe–-”  

“I hope not. I should catch up with the others now.” He cut you off before you could even finish articulating your thoughts but you understand. You knew full well what you were suggesting and the idea wasn’t pleasant. You gave the lanky brunette a small nod before allowing him to walk away without another word.  

You sighed; you wish you could be more helpful out here. You wish you learned something so that you could be of use. Your shoulders sagged; the stress of the day was wearing on your body. In all of the months you’ve been “you” again this is the longest you’ve been on your feet, the longest you’ve spent in the sun. You were weak, you needed a place to rest when it was safe. You don’t want to drag everybody down because you can’t keep up. Lost in your thoughts you didn’t notice Conny standing next to you once more.  

“Y/N. What do you think happened to them. They’re all gone.” His voice sounded meek and sorrowful. You couldn’t help the sad frown that formed on your lips at the sound of his voice and the prospects that his family was alive were slim to none.  

You opened your mouth to speak to him, to be of comfort to the boy before you were interrupted by a third voice, much deeper and raspier than any you’ve ever heard. A voice you don’t recognize a voice you can't place the origin of. It was loud, it rattled your bones, sending a shiver down your spine. But the voice did not sound menacing. It was devoid of human emotion however the words themselves were kind. 

“Wel...come...home...”  

“Wel...come...home...” 

“Wel...come...home...” 

The look of horror on Conny’s face told you everything you needed to know. The way his eyes stared ahead into a much larger but matching pair. The titan that was crushing his home, the titan that had hazel eyes that were so similar to his own, the only other thing that could make such a sound just spoke. 

“Wel...come...home...Con...ny.” 

... 

In Wall Sina that evening, a carriage is loaded and ready to set off out of the inner city and towards Wall Rose. 

Levi crossed one leg over the other, patting the spot next to him before folding his arms over his chest. 

“You can sit right next to me.” He said, his voice alone left no room for debate. Pastor Nick took his spot next to Levi without a word. He made no eye contact with anyone around him. He simply just looked ahead, working hard to keep his vow of silence. Mikasa sat across from Levi, and next to her was Eren. On Eren’s other side, Armin was taking his seat after meeting up with Hange on the way to the carriage. Hange’s hair was a mess but their eyes were excited, a telltale sign of progress in their research. 

“Um, who is this?” Armin asked politely, point his finger toward Pastor Nick. 

“Ah! This old guy? Armin this is Pastor Nick, Pastor Nick this is Armin.” Hange acquainted them cheerfully.  

“Nick here knew of the titans in the walls and decided humanity was better off not knowing about it.” Levi said dryly, unimpressed with the way the pastor held his head up high when he was mentioned seemingly taking pride in the information he kept hidden. 

“Huh? He knew?!” Eren asked perplexed, his nails digging into the wood that made up his seat in the carriage. 

“Yes, he knew. He’s kept his silence about it and hasn't given us anymore information.” Levi cut in brandishing a pistol from the belt of his trousers. 

“But I have my own ways of making someone speak. It won’t be hard.” He added, nudging Pastor Nick roughly with the gun. Armin swallowed deeply, clearly uncomfortable with the use of force in that manner, but he knew well enough that what he was comfortable with in the moment didn’t matter.  

“Threats dont work Levi, trust me I tried that already.” Hange commented, a silence filled the carriage before they continued addressing everyone. 

“I wonder if he’ll be able to keep his silence after seeing things first hand.” Levi commented through his teeth, irritation lacing his words. He didn’t have the time to babysit Pastor Nick and get information from him, what Levi was far more concerned with was finding your location and finding you alive. He wasn’t quite sure yet why the thought of you in danger out in the world right now irked him beyond belief, but what he did know was that when you were back under his watchful eye, he’d feel better. You’d be safe, and then he could think about making you useful for the time being so you can stand on your own two feet and he’d worry less. All of this was giving him a killer of a headache, it was going to be a long night trying to find the missing scouts in Rose. 

“No! It’s wasting time! If he knows something he should just tell us!” Eren barks, standing up from his seat, but his rage was quickly snuffed as a sharp pain shot through his skull. He still wasn’t feeling himself after everything he’s been through the past few weeks. After Annie, Eren’s stress was through the rough, there was a lot of warring feelings and chaos in his head that he struggled to deal with alone. Who else would betray him? Who else would betray humanity within the walls? Who else wanted to put an end to everything he held dear? His friends, his family, his pride, his freedom.  

“Eren, calm down and sit.” Mikasa said softly, lowering him down to his seat and wrapping him back up in a spare blanket she brought to keep him warm. Levi rolled his eyes secretly at the way Mikasa cared for Eren. “Babied” would be the word Levi used, but he was working on his patience with the brats, per your advice. 

“You’re correct Eren, but he won't tell us using humane means. So, what if the reason he doesn’t talk is because he knows of something far more important than the fate of humanity?” Hange theorized pinching their thumb, pleased with the hypothesis they came to. Armin was on the same train of thought, his ears perked up at the idea. He hummed to himself as he thought of the prospects of something more important than keeping the remains of humanity alive. 

“Something more important than the fate of humanity?” Eren asked in disbelief. The idea was preposterous enough, but Pastor Nick’s visceral response to the words worried his soul.