A Second Chance (Marco x Fem Reader)

Chapter 10

"And ranking as number one is Mikasa Ackerman!", Sadies concluded. This was no shock and you smiled as you saw Mikasa stand to your left in the corner of your eye.

Another officer took Sadies place and started talking.

"As of this moment, you have three options open to you. Choose wisely!", he informed us firmly. "The Garrison regiment, whose job is to reinforce the walls. The Scout regiment, who rides out into titan territory to take back what was once ours! The MP regiment, maintaining law and order under orders from his royal majesty. Those cadets eligible for the MP have already been named. The rest of you take a look at the top of your class!".

You looked at the others in the corner of your eye. They all looked either ecstatic or just content. Jean had a dissatisfied look on his face that you guessed formed after Eren's name was called.

'We are not going to hear the end of this tonight are we..'

You had never really talked about which regiment you were going to join. Unlike Eren, Jean and Marco, you hadn't talked freely of where you were going after training. You weren't really sure why, every time the subject came up you just said you hadn't decided yet. You just didn't feel like hearing Jean's objections or even Marco's. You knew he would love for you to join one of the safer regiments. He cared for your safety. You were pretty sure that those two just expected you to join the MP's with them at this point.

'I have to have a talk with the four of them before we decide. I don't want me joining the scout's to come as a shock during the ceremony'

You decided to do it at dinner tomorrow after you finished your daily duties in Trost. Tonight was a night of celebration and you didn't want to ruin the atmosphere by basically telling your friends that you're signing up to die.

~

Connie and Sasha brought their drinks together with a clink.

"Alright! MP's, here I come!", Connie exclaimed. Looks like he has made his choice.

"Three square meals a day for life!", Sasha chimed in. She was also joining the MP's it seemed. Marco smiled at them, happy all his closest friends were joining with him, at least to his current knowledge. You just looked at the four of them with a smile, happy at least knowing they would be safe in your absence.

"How in god's name did I get ranked under Eren, tch!", Jean muttered and took a sip of his drink. You rolled your eyes.

'I knew it...'

"You're really gonna turn your back on the MP's for the scouts?", Thomas asked Eren in disbelief. They, along with Armin and Mikasa, were standing close to your table. "Why in the world would you wanna do that? You are in the top ten!". The comment made your stomach turn.

"The scout's have always been my goal. I don't want the easy life, not with all the work I have put in to get here.", Eren answered, his voice becoming more and more firm as he talked. "I trained to fight titans!".

"Are you insane!", Thomas suddenly yelled, grabbing the attention from everyone in the room. Thomas looked uncomfortable as he realized the sudden shift in atmosphere he just caused. "How many have died? We're talking a fifth of the population. If that doesn't paint a picture for you I don't know what will..", he paused. "This is our life now. We can't beat them...", he added barely loud enough for you to hear. A long pause ensued as people looked down, saddened by the state of the situation humanity was in at the moment.

"Yeah, so what?", Eren suddenly spoke, his tone harsh. "We buckle, take it all lying down? Things have changed. Maybe not a hell of a lot, but enough. They aren't the mystery they were five years ago! We make progress even as we lose. Every failed battle taught us a lesson- gave us the tiniest inroad to something like hope! And you're telling me it's better to cut our losses? Let all the death and destruction be meaningless? Just ball it up and accept it?", Eren was now yelling. His word's inspired you and reflected some of your feelings and thoughts, the same way they did on the boat five years ago.