I went back into the room right as Molbit finished briefing him. I hoped hearing how little information we had might convince him to stay behind, but I knew the second I walked in the room he was determined. He looked at me and gave me a nod. "When do we leave?" He asked. I just let out a sigh knowing that nothing I could say would stop him from tagging along.
"I'm leaving at two to make sure Franz's power has time to recharge so he can bring us home since Erwin is still out of commission.
"Okay, do you want to do any training beforehand or are we just going into it?"
"We don't know enough to practice for it. Like Molbit explained we are going in blind and we are sure this is probably a trap."
"Okay, then I'll meet you in the common area just before 2 am. Until then if you need me I'll be in my room."
He left and I let out a sigh. Great, this is just great now not only do I have to worry about this being a trap but I also have to babysit now.
"So when put in a difficult situation you ended up caving," Pixis said once we were left alone in his office. "How hypocritical of you."
"It's not like I had much of a choice. He wasn't going to give up. Not to mention that you were no help. You could have tried to talk him out of it. They listen to you more than they listen to me."
"You think?" he laughed, "I don't think it matters who tells them what I think no matter what they are going to be just as stubborn."
I just sat back in the chair and rolled my eyes. "Whatever."
"Pixis, Shadis, Good news," Ms. Magnolia said walking into the room. We both turned to look at her, "Mina woke up!"
"That's good," Pixis let out a sigh of relief and so did I. Now we are just waiting on Berthold and Erwin.
I walked back into the room and saw Annie leaning up against the wall watching Berthold. "Can I go now?" She asked seeing me walk back in.
"Yes, thanks for watching him," I mumbled before going back to sit on the bed next to him. I didn't want to take my eyes off him. "If he's not up before 1 am can you watch him? I'm going on a mission tonight."
"A mission? No one told us there was a mission."
"That's because it was a last-minute one. Don't worry about it, it should be an easy one." I lied knowing damn well if I told her we were walking into a trap she would march straight down to Pixis's office and threaten them to cancel it. She doesn't tell us she cares, but she sure does show it.
"Fine, then it shouldn't take you long to get back?"
"Two hours at most," I said. I mean if we left at 2 and the mission was supposed to happen at 3 then we would definitely be back well before 4 but I gave us some leeway in case something goes wrong.
"Alright, I'll watch him. What do I tell him if he wakes up and you aren't here?"
"That I love him and I'll be back soon."
"Sappy shit," she mumbled.
"Yes sappy shit," I said, turning back to look at him. He looked so peaceful. So fragile. I wanted to reach my hand out and run my fingers through his hair, but I felt like if I touched him I would hurt him more.
She started heading out of the room but not before stopping in the doorway and turning back around. "Hey, whatever happened it wasn't your fault."
"You weren't there."
"No I wasn't, but unless you picked up the gun and shot him yourself it wasn't your fault."
"He jumped in front of me. That bullet was meant for me not him. I mean what would you do if Mikasa- Never mind it's not like it matters since she literally can't get hurt. You have no clue how I feel and you never will." I turned back towards him. She's a hypocrite. I know damn well if it was possible for something to happen to Mikasa and something did she would be feeling exactly like I do.
"Reiner, I mean this in the nicest way possible. Get over yourself."
My eyes shot up to hers and before I knew it I was on my feet. Now she's trying to pick a fight. "What did you-."
"Don't try and square up with me. When I say get over yourself I'm not trying to fight. I'm trying to say that you dwelling on what you should have done or what you did or didn't do isn't going to help him. So stop with the pity party and take care of your damn boyfriend. You think he took that bullet for you wanting you to blame yourself for it? Or do you think that if the roles were reversed you wouldn't take the bullet for him?"
"Of course I would!"
"Then would you want him blaming himself for it?" She asked and I froze. My eyes fell to the ground.
"I hate it when you're right," I mumbled.
"Then stop doing shit you know is wrong," she said before walking out of the room. I just walked back over and plopped on the bed next to Berthold. Well, I should get some sleep before tonight, but I don't want to take my eyes off him. What if he wakes up while I'm sleeping? What if something else happens while I'm sleeping? What if he stops breathing and-." No stop, I can't be thinking like that. They said he is okay. He will be okay. I need to get some rest and I'll be lying right next to him.
I laid down on the bed and had to stop myself from scooting closer to him. I didn't want to hurt him. I just have to keep my distance for now. I closed my eyes but moved my hand out to grab his. I let my hand lightly sit over the top of his hoping that he would squeezy my hand like he always does, but it never happened. I just focused on getting some sleep. Even though it took me a while I managed to fall asleep eventually.
I opened my eyes a while later and before I could sit up I felt a familiar feeling. An arm around me? I looked up and saw Berthold's eyes meet mine. "You're awake," he said happily.
"That's my line," I couldn't help but smile as relief washed over me. "I have to go tell mom and Pixis that you woke up."
"No need I already did. Mom came in about an hour ago to check in and I told her then."
"You've been up for an hour. Why didn't you wake me?"
"Actually it was closer to two hours, and because you looked exhausted. You needed sleep."
"Wait what time is it?" I asked sitting up and looking around.
"About 1 am why?"
"Oh good, because I have to leave at 2."
"What why?"
"I'm going on a mission with Shadis tonight."
"I'm going too," he said sitting up and wincing a bit as he did.
"No. I can't let you come with me this time. It will be too dangerous especially if you are still healing. It shouldn't take us long, it's just a quick simple mission. Just try and get some rest until I get back." I hated lying to him, but if he knew I might be walking into a trap he would never let me go, but I can't just let Shadis go alone on this one he needs some backup. Not to mention I have a debt I owe him I can't just ignore it.
"How am I supposed to rest knowing you will be out there?"
I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek before putting my hand in my pocket and feeling the plastic. I pulled it out of my pocket and had him hold out his hand before putting it in the palm of his hand and wrapping his fingers around it.
He opened his hand and looked at it. "A plastic ring?" he asked, confused.
"A promise. That when this is all over I'll give you a real one."
He just let out a big smile before slipping on the plastic ring. "Well, then I'll wear this one until then so you won't forget."
I leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips before leaning over and whispering in his ear. "I have to get ready now, but I love you and I promise I'll be back soon."
I finished getting dressed before walking over to Berthold one last time before I had to leave. "I love you," I said leaning in and placing a kiss on his lips.
"You promise you will be home soon?"
"Yes, cross my heart," I smiled seeing Annie standing in the doorway. "Until then Annie promised to hang out with you.
"You mean keep an eye on me?"
"Same thing."
I leaned in and gave him one last kiss and gave his cheek a light pinch, "love you." I said walking out the door hearing him whisper it back.
Annie nudged my arm as I walked by. She didn't say anything but I knew that was her way of telling me to stay safe out there.
I headed into the common area and saw Shadis walking up in his costume. "Ready?" he asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be." I nodded.