***
Tell me you don't love me
Tell me that you never did
Tell me our relationship was a mess
I wanna move from on the idea of us
I'm not over you just yet
I'm not over you yet
I'm not over but I don't want you back
***
All week everyone was absorbed in work. In the palace, some meetings and discussions were held every day, in which almost all Y/N's acquaintances participated. She was absorbed in her work - she was glad to return to the Capital, to return to work. Hitch, by virtue of her «double» job, brought Y/N news of the negotiations. According to her, everything went surprisingly well. Also, Hitch said that Historia wants to bring a delegation to unit and show successes. Y/N didn't particularly like this idea, it only meant the need to communicate with someone, talk about her work, and also, maybe someone might start asking something, clarifying... The very idea that she would have to explain her working like to a fool... made her nervous.
- Everything will be fine, well, they will come for an hour, well tell everything and show and...
- And why can't I entrust this to you...
- Ahah, I don't understand any of this. Only if I read on a piece of paper, or maybe...
- No, then it will look stupid...
Y/N and Hitch sat in Y/N's office, contemplating a plan of action. Historia and the Marley delegation were supposed to come today. And the girls thought about how to make it all end faster.
- Or maybe I should blow something up, and they will leave...
- Y/N, it's just a few people, we'll tell them quickly what we're doing here and that's it.
- It's not for you to tell them everything... You know, I hate to talk with ignorant people. They then start asking questions, or even worse... arguing.
- Show them your secret project and...
- No, I just told you, because you accidentally saw it. It's still so... raw. And I don't understand at all, Historia showed them an underground power plant, what else do they need, what are they waiting to see here...
- Rather, I would say that it's about you. Your ideas make Historia very happy. By the way, I wanted to ask you something...
- What?
- Take me to work.
- You already work here.
- No, full time. I don't want to work in the military police anymore.
- So quit and that's it, I'll transfer you to a full time.
- He won't let me go.
- Don't ask to beg for you, I will not.
- You need my talents too. So, I'll be working full time and I'll always cover for you, isn't it cool?
- In a couple of months we will have a review of weapons - there I will try to «bargain» you from this idiot. The only way. I don't see any other options.
Hitch folded the papers in order of their projects, which Y/N was ready to talk about while Y/N sipped her tea and looked out the window. All this work so occupied her days that she didn't have time to solve her problem. She wished she had time to sort out herself and her feelings and decide something. Understand how she feels and whether these feelings are real. She had to decide if she loved Armin or that image of him from the past. Perhaps her heart is deceiving her, because he hurt her, but she still loves him. But how to understand it...
- They are here.
Y/N saw cars pulling up in the window, from which people started getting out.
- So, give me all the papers. Let's go over the plan again.
***
Everything went well. As part of the arrivals were all those who arrived from Marley, which means that there were also Y/N's friends. And Armin. In the very moment when she saw him in the group that she forced herself to avoid his gaze, because now wasn't the time for that. She had a job, and she had to do it one hundred percent. Now - she was the head of the engineering unit, and not a girl with a broken heart. She was comforted by the presence of Hitch, who skillfully joked and spoke to the people of Marley in «human» language, not scientific.
Y/N held a short presentation for the arrivals, talking about the Underground City development project, what has been done so far, and what is planned to be done in the near future. She told them about new mines that were planned to open in the coming months in the north of the island. She spoke about the new weapons that were currently in the development stages, as well as public benefit projects, such as urban restructuring, the introduction of electrical grids and modern sewerage and water systems in cities throughout the island.
Its noteworthy that the Marleyans were more interested in some kind of military technology than in the general development of the island. Y/N understood this - it was a burning problem. But in a conversation with the Marleyans, Y/N didn't hesitate to speak out - Paradis wasn't ready to abandon the development of weapons, because... many still didn't support Paradis, and they needed to have «insurance», otherwise it was simply unreasonable.
Also, the Marleyans were interested in the extraction of iceburst and heavy-duty metals, which were available only on Paradis. Its these resources that have always attracted other countries here. Y/N said that after the collapse of the walls, the very material of the walls was also recycled and used to reinforce new power plants - the conductivity of this material was much higher than ordinary iron.
After the end of the «excursion», the Marleyans went further along with Historia. The guys stayed at the military unit, Sasha invited them to show how everything is now arranged. From what Y/N understood, Jean, Connie and Armin were determined to stay on Paradis and return to duty again. Y/N found out from Hitch that Armin and Annie were no longer together, and she noticed how Annie was still looking at him, how she tried to be near him, but... That's all. Y/N didn't know the reason for their breakup, she was interested, but not enough to ask about it. She was sure that eventually Hitch would find out and tell her anyway, as she usually did.
- «Let's go, I'll show you everything here, maybe if the Captain is there, we'll go to him», Sasha said, inviting friends.
- «Y/N, Hitch, are you with us?» Jean asked the girl.
- «Enough work for today», Y/N said. «We did a lot today»
- «Yeah, we're going to the spa», Hitch said with a smile. «Baths, masks and massage... God, it's great. By the way, would you like to join us?»
- «Hey Hitchi, I agreed to pay only for us, so don't give away invitations», Y/N said jokingly.
- «This is some girly nonsense, right?» asked Connie.
- «Yes, for sure. We'd rather sit in a bar, no offense», Jean said.
- «And I want to go», said Pieck. «It's probably great. Annie, let's go with the girls? Let's have fun? And Sasha - let's go too!»
- «I can't, girls», Sasha said. «Over the weekend, as we know, Historia is throwing a party for Niccolo and me, and we are going to Trost today to help my parents come to Capital. They need help on the farm there a little and we will most likely be back tomorrow, but... you go, although I want to be with you...»
- «It's a pity... But we will still have the opportunity!» Hitch said. «So Pieck, Annie - are you coming or...?»
- «I'm going, it sounds great» answered Pieck.
- «I probably refuse. All this is doubtful», Annie answered.
- «Annie, why? Its nice, you'll be so beautiful later, you know how your skin will shine and you will smell like flowers», Hitch began to tell.
- «Don't tell her, if Annie has made up her mind, she's not likely to change her mind», Pieck said. «She's always been like this, hasn't you, Annie?»
- «No, Annie, let's go! We haven't seen each other for so long, you have to go! For me!» Hitch began to beg her.
Y/N stood and listened to all this, thinking about whether it was good or bad for Annie to go with them. She still didn't know much about Annie, and their last conversation had been quite strange. She didn't know what would happen, but she was reassured by the fact that both Hitch and Pieck were actively communicating with Annie, which meant that there would be no awkward pauses.
***
In the end, Pieck and Hitch talked Annie into it. The girls headed together to the spa, which was a couple of blocks from the palace. They ordered aromatic baths, massages and a sauna. After having baths and massages, Y/N sat alone in the sauna, with a mask on her face to open her pores more thoroughly. She was waiting for the others to return from the massage. She was wearing a white sheet wrapped like a tunic around her body. She lay on the top step, enjoying the silence and solitude.
She heard the door to the sauna open and someone come in. It was Annie. She sat down on the bottom step and sighed. The girls were silent. Y/N wasn't eager to start a conversation, she was comfortable and in silence.
- Y/N, I'm sorry... for being rude to you in our last conversation.
- «I didn't expect these words from you, but believe me, I forgot it a long time ago. It was... as if in another life», Y/N answered her, a little perplexed by what she was said.
- «I just wanted to apologize», Annie said. «I... was rude. I had no right to demand anything from you. You don't owe me anything. I thought I understood everything correctly, but... I'm not like you, I can't... help people. Not like you»
Y/N got up and sat down.
- Are you okay, Annie? Do you want to talk?
- It's all right, but thanks for asking. Everything somehow... went wrong, not as I thought...
- It happens. It seems to me that everyone has such a habit of imagining what the future will be, but... as a rule, everything doesn't turn out the way you think. After all, this is life. We can't predict other people's decisions. Everything will work out in the end, trust me.
Annie was silent, considering Y/N's words. Y/N saw that Annie was going through something in her head.
- I feel like I ruined everything myself.
- What are you talking about, Annie?
- About Armin... I tried to help him... but... I... couldn't. And our relationship...
- Don't blame yourself, I think that in any case, there is no one side to blame in the breakup.
- He closed himself from me, I tried to do everything I could. But he... I decided to end it. And now... I want everything to be the same as before. And now that he wants to stay here and I...
- Annie, that's what I was talking about. We can't predict other people's decisions. You can only decide for yourself.
- I wanted to help him, I sincerely wanted to. I wanted everything to be fine with us. But he closed himself in and... I don't know, eventually I realized that he didn't seem to trust me. I just wanted him to talk to me...
Y/N chuckled. Annie looked at her, not understanding her reactions.
- Annie, you know, I have long ceased to understand what was going on in his head. And if a person doesn't want to speak himself, then how can you force him... It's like with therapy - if a person refuses, you are unlikely to be able to force him. He must want to. And then... Just move on, Annie. Trust me, don't waste your time on regrets.
- Did you... stop being friends because of this? Because he stopped trusting you?
- Not really. Or maybe... you know, I don't really know why myself. But I left it in the past, and I try to live on.
- How can you not know?
- Simply, at a certain moment everything changed and that's all. We stopped talking and... that's it. I don't blame him or myself. It's been a tough time for both of us, and I'm moving on, getting my life back on track, and all that was... is all in the past. What is the point of further digging up the past in search of the guilty ones...
- Maybe you're right... but feelings are hard to let go...
- Yeah...
- Are you happy here at home?
- Yes, more than that. Here is my home, I do what I love, there are people dear to me nearby... Life is never easy, but... even difficult times can be happy.
- I hope that if I stay here, I will not regret it.
- Do you want to stay? What for? You have a father on the mainland, your whole life is there, isn't it?
- Yes, but... I still want to believe that... everything can be returned, that...
The door opened again. Hitch and Pieck came in.
- «Girls, this is great», Hitch said as she sat down next to Annie. «I got such a handsome massage therapist, we had such a good chat, he even invited me to drink with him one day and...»
Hitch began talking about her «success» as the girls listened to her chatter. Y/N thought about what Annie had told her. About what happened between her and Armin. Something happened while she was gone. They were no longer together, but Annie still held on to the hope of getting everything back. She hoped that by staying with Armin when he felt better, they could be together again. Y/N understood her desire to be with her loved one. And... if you think about it, Annie had a better chance than Y/N...
«Another pros on the list of «why you should let him go»
***
After taking a tour of the military and engineering units, Armin decided he needed to talk to Y/N. Looking at her today, how her eyes burned about the ideas that she talked about, with what enthusiasm she showed and talked about her achievements and plans... This was Y/N, whom he fell in love with... A girl full of fire and desire for knowledge. He remembered how she told him about her ideas, the most crazy ones, chatting non-stop. He always listened to her as if spellbound. And today he felt like he was fourteen again, when he first felt this pleasant feeling in his chest.
The guys say goodbye to Sasha, Connie and Jean went to the palace, and Armin decided to walk around the city. He wanted to find Y/N alone after her meeting with her friends. He was already approaching his destination. He saw four girls coming out of the building, Hitch and Pieck talking, Y/N walking in front, rummaging through her bag, and Annie walking behind, looking down. Armin wondered what they might be talking about at this time. He wondered if Annie could tell Y/N everything. He thought for a long time that he had missed his chance.
- Y/N, ladies!
From afar, Armin noticed how a guy approached the girls. «Damian, of course...» Damian walked up to the girls, starting to talk to them about something, which made everyone, even Annie, start to smile. He was very open and charismatic, self-confident. After talking with them for a couple of minutes, he left, and Y/N left with him, holding the guy by the arm, and the rest of the girls, whispering, went towards the palace.
Armin was even more convinced that his idea would fail, and by talking to her, making sure of his suspicions, he would feel even worse. But he must do it.
***
- You specifically waited for me there?
- No, Jean and Connie returned to the palace and said that you and your friends went to the spa, so I decided that you definitely wouldn't go to work after that and... took advantage of the moment.
- What am I, a stylist? You couldn't choose your own costume?
Y/N and Damian were walking through a large men's clothing store, choosing a suit for Damian to wear on the weekend.
- We haven't spent time together in a long time, I thought it was a good reason. And... you always dress beautifully, you even made uniform so stylish... what are you going to wear to the evening, by the way?
- A dress. I bought it in Marley, but only wore it once. I thought why buy something else. It's more of a party than some formal evening. It fits perfectly.
- What is it?
- Relatively simple. Dark blue, straps, silk. In general, beautiful simplicity.
- Maybe I should take something dark blue too?
- Do you want to match?
- It will be cool. Yes, blue suits me too.
- But we still don't go together as a couple.
- But we will dance! Like before. Do you remember how we fooled around at palace parties when we were kids?
- How can I forget that, it was fun.
- And I promise you that this time will be fun.
- But, if someone else invites me to dance, I will not refuse!
- But most of the dances will still be mine.
Y/N looked at him, Damian had a mischievous smile on his face.
- So, did you like something? I would still like to have time to relax at home, since I returned, there was a lot of work.
- Hard to be the boss? I understand that we have now stepped up security because of our «guests», and the riots have begun again downstairs, but so far we are coping. What do you want to do?
- Read, take a bath, cook something... just lie down and think not about work...
- Is there anything to think about?
- Yes... You yourself understand how everything is changing rapidly, and we practically dont have time to adapt...
- Does that include a certain blond?
Y/N looked at him and sighed.
- Don't start. Just because you know it doesn't mean I'll fill you in on all the details.
- I'm worried about you, Y/N. I don't want you to be sad again.
- Can you see that I'm sad?
- Not really. The rest did you good, and for a long time you... weren't really sad. I think you look... even happy. You are finally doing what you dreamed of. You live how you want.
- Exactly, you don't have to worry about me, I can handle it. Yes, deep down it's not easy for me, but in the end I'll figure it out. We are both adults, we can somehow coexist.
- You don't communicate, do you?
- No, you know, when I found out that he and Annie were no longer together, I thought that this would change something, but no. I think their breakup didn't reflect well on him, he looks tired and... God, what am I... I shouldn't care!
- Don't reproach yourself, he is still dear to you, don't deny it, and... you always take care of those who are dear to you, and you do it with all your heart. Great feature.
Y/N smiled at him, she was pleased that he understood her. She was glad to be with a friend. As she said, the last few days have been quite busy for her, and this day was a welcome change.
- I will not detain you, just help me decide on a suit. And then I'll walk you home, I want to chat with you a little more.
- Okay, I agree. Show what you like.
***
Y/N stood in front of the mirror, studying herself. In an hour, she should be at the palace, where there will be a party in honor of the engagement of Sasha and Niccolo. Y/N was in anticipation, she was happy for her friends, and expected to have a good evening. Damian had promised her dancing, so she had the foresight not to wear heels.
Dressed in a silk dress, she was pleased with the image. Today she decided not to wear her favorite pendant, preferring to add jewelry to her hair. She pulled her hair into a puffy bun, and, instead of a scarf, she secured her hair with weightless silver hairpins, and put on brooch earrings. Putting on light makeup, she was pleased with the image.
Arriving at the place, she at first thought that she had mixed up the time. There were few people, and most of her friends were still gone. Sasha ran up to her. She wore an off-the-shoulder emerald dress.
- Y/N! Well, at least you came!
- Sasha, you look great! Where is everyone? I thought I got the timing wrong or...
- No, they suddenly convened a council and, in fact, everyone is there. And why do all my friends have to be there...
- Well, not all, I'm here. Although, I think they just didn't find me when they needed to.
- That's most likely the case. Even Reiner and other Marleyans were called there. Who knows what they're discussing... But Hitch is already here somewhere and...
- «Oh, Y/N!» the girls were approached by Damian and Niccolo, «I thought you were on the council too»
- Fortunately, no, and I don't have the habit of working on weekends. So we're just waiting for them?
- «Yeah, the rest of them all sort of got together», Niccolo said.
Y/N looked around the room. She saw Sasha's family, along with some of the children they had taken in, Niccolo's colleagues from the restaurant, several people from the Marley delegation, several members of the Survey corps, several royal guards, and even two engineers. Everyone wasn't dressed in their usual work clothes, which made the evening really a celebration, and not some kind of official meeting.
There were several tables along the perimeter of the hall, in the center there was a large open space in front of the stage - a place for dancing. In one corner there was a bar counter, where a group of vacationers had already formed. While the musicians quietly played some calm melodies, filling the hall with pleasant sounds.
Sasha and Niccolo moved on to greet the guests and chat, while Damian stayed with Y/N.
- Historia did a good job on the evening. Everything looks great.
- And you imagine what she will do here if someone decides to marry.
- Why aren't you on the council? Isn't the head of the royal guard supposed to be there?
- They didn't invite me, so I didn't go. Then we will ask others what was there. Maybe this is nonsense. Let's go have a drink, otherwise it's boring here.
- All you need is to have fun.
- I am that I am. By the way, Y/N, you look gorgeous. I won't be surprised if there are many who want to dance with you.
- Would you be envious?
- What... I will be jealous. Still, rumors about you and me are still circulating around the palace, so... we must comply.
- Are you kidding me? It's ridiculous.
- Yes, I love fooling people. Let them speculate about what it is. Neither I nor you are in a relationship, so... there will be no problems.
They went to the bar. Damian ordered them a shot of some liquor. Y/N liked this drink - it was strong, but slightly sweet and pleasantly enveloping. They stood at the bar and chatted, remembering how, as children, their fathers took them to parties in the palace, where they had fun among the adults. An hour later, no one showed up, and Sasha decided it was time to start, as the guests were starting to get bored.
The waiters began to bring out different dishes, and the musicians began to play cheerful music. Damian immediately dragged Y/N to dance as promised. Damian was one of those who was very confident in himself, he didn't hold back his impulses, so their dances were like something very chaotic. They laughed, making fun of each other, not noticing other people. They had fun, letting go of all the problems, as if they were children again.
***
- «Well, finally, you all came», Sasha said, seeing how Historia entered the hall, and the others followed her. «We started without you, otherwise the guests started to get bored»
- «Sasha, please forgive me», Historia said. «I know that I arranged it all myself and in the end it turned out like this... But I just wanted to solve everything so that tomorrow everyone could relax without thinking about work. I had to linger a bit, please forgive me...»
- Stop it, Historia. I understand everything, so... everyone quickly connect to the party.
Historia went along with Sasha, asking her about what was happening. The rest also came into the hall. Jean, Connie, Reiner and Armin walked together.
- «So you're all staying?» Reiner asked them.
- «Its foolish to refuse when the Queen herself offers to return to the same positions as before», Connie said. «And Jean was generally offered the position of executive officer, and Armin...»
- «I'm not sure I want to accept this position, its too much... What kind of commander can I be...» Armin said uncertainly.
- «Hange entrusted you with this position, and Commander Erwin believed in you, Armin. You have to agree, I think», Jean told him, encouraging his friend. «Since we're staying, it's foolish to refuse such opportunities»
- «It's a pity you're staying, we'll miss you, though... we've gotten used to each other over the years», Reiner said. «But we will come, that's for sure. Ill sign up for any diplomatic work so that I can come here more often... Pieck will probably do the same. She likes to travel, and... her friends stay here...»
- «Do you think she will miss us that much?» asked Connie.
- «Not you, but rather Y/N, they bonded over that year, and Annie, of course», Reiner said.
- «What?» Jean asked. «Annie wants to stay here? Why?»
- «Who would know. You know her, she said she would stay and didn't explain further», Reiner said. «Too bad, I wouldn't want her to stay...»
They were distracted by laughter. All the boys looked towards the center of the room. They saw dancing people, among whom were familiar faces. Armin was in the middle of thinking that Annie was going to stay on Paradis. He understood why. He noticed that lately she often tried to be near him. He remembered how they'd broken up and how Annie still thought they could do something. Armin was uncomfortable thinking about what he had done to her. It wasn't fair to Annie. But that wasn't his priority at the moment. He wanted to sort out the Y/Ns situation.
His eyes found her. She laughed as Damian lifted her up and twirled her around to the music. It hurt him to look at this, and he looked away, looking somewhere but at her. She was wearing the very dress that had rekindled his feelings for her.
- «Look, someone is already full of fun», said Connie. «I think its time for us to relax a little too. Let's talk about work later»
And the guys dispersed to their places where Historia had placed them.
***
After a short rest from work, the guests settled in their places. Y/N sat next to Levi on one side and Hitch on the other. Also, there were some other scouts sitting at the table with them that Y/N didn't really know, but they actively communicated with Levi, so she gave all her attention to Hitch, who chatted incessantly.
- «I don't understand why they put us separately?» Hitch chatted. «The guys sit more or less all together, and the two of us here»
- «I was put next to Levi, because he can only talk not about work with me, and you... you are here to entertain me. And we still don't really sit, if you haven't noticed. How many invitations have you already collected?» asked Y/N.
- Well, at least five, I don't really count.
- And you agree to each?
- Well, what is wrong, I want to have a good evening. The boys are so cute, it's stupid to refuse attention. You yourself have...
- I don't agree to everything. And Damian still, as they say, «took» most of the time.
- It's a pity that you broke up, you would be the perfect couple.
- You know, I am of the opinion that there is still no such thing as a «perfect couple». All people are imperfect...
- But together two imperfect people can become a perfect couple. Don't argue with me, Y/N.
- Yes, yes, you are our relationship guru, I remember...
The girls laughed. After chatting for a couple more minutes, the main dishes began to serve. And also, the guests began to congratulate the newlyweds, Sasha and Niccolo thanked everyone for the congratulations, periodically embarrassed by the words of the guests. Y/N also decided to say a few words.
She stood up and tapped her fork on her glass.
- «I would also like to say a few words for my friends, Sasha and Niccolo», Y/N said. «Who doesn't know me, I'm Y/N, Sasha and me have known each other since the days of the cadet corps. Sasha has always loved to eat delicious food, it's not a secret for anyone. And, I'm glad that she found a man who not only loves her, but also indulges her with delicious food. Niccolo is an amazing chef, that's for sure. My teacher, thank you», Y/N laughed lightly, causing many to smile. «So what I want to say... Sasha and Niccolo, I am extremely happy for you, we are both my good friends, and I wish you happiness, boundless happiness, so that your dreams come true. In such a difficult time for everyone - you didn't leave each other, having gone through all the trials together, and... here is your reward. This pure and sincere love, which can only be envied. We were just talking about perfect couples here... And you know, you are the perfect couple. Two imperfect people who complement each other perfectly. I wish you to remain yourself and continue to go your own way, hand in hand. Congratulations, my dears!»
Y/N raised her glass, looking at her friends who were smiling at her. And then everyone also raised their glasses.
After drinking, Y/N sat back at the table. The music began to play again in the hall, and Hitch ran off to dance with her next boyfriend.
- «Nice toast, Y/N», Levi told her quietly.
- «They are my friends, I'm sincerely happy for them», she answered him. «And you decided to talk to me? Where have your colleagues gone?»
- «Since I don't drink alcohol, they seem to be bored», he shook his head in the direction of the bar where his colleagues had retired. «I don't think they will be able to maintain any conversation now»
- What happened at the meeting today?
- Discussed the continuation of all this, which is rather tired already. The Marleyans don't want to leave, wanting to know literally everything. And Historia is trying to somehow maneuver between their desires and our capabilities. And she got everyone back to work.
- In the sense of former Survey officers? Who ultimately decided to stay?
- Kirschtein, Springer, Arlert, and Leonhart, which is quite surprising, to be honest, after everything she's done.
- Don't be like that. Although I'm myself not particularly enthusiastic about Annie, she also has a difficult fate, let her live as she wants.
- It's not for you to work with all of them, so don't judge.
- And that's right.
- Your annoying assistant left?
- Yes, everyone invites her to dance, I'm already tired of her today. But she's good, don't hurt her.
- You can endure it, I don't care... Why don't you dance?
- Don't want yet... Do you want...?
- No. Don't offer me that, I think you know me very well.
- You're a bore.
She turned away from him, returning to her food and drink, looking at the dancing people. She saw Sasha and Niccolo, Hitch and one of the royal guards, whose name Y/N didn't remember. Also, she saw Connie and Pieck laughing at something, as well as Reiner and Annie, who both looked at Connie a little annoyed. And Jean danced with Mikasa. Y/N looked at them and smiled. She knew that Jean always liked Mikasa, and Mikasa... never noticed Jean because she had Eren. And now... «Maybe they can build something? After all, how many chances can be missed by chasing one thing...» These thoughts reminded her of him. Her eyes found Armin, who was sitting at the table, some girl was sitting next to him, Y/N didn't know her. They were talking about something, the girl smiled sweetly, and Armin didn't really look at her, he looked tired. They hadn't spoken since his return, and Y/N knew that it was unlikely to happen, and if it did, then this conversation was unlikely to change anything. She thought that Armin had already decided everything for himself, and it was time for her to decide something too. Everything would be easier if she knew that he didn't love her. And never love. But she didn't know anything. She only wanted to know that her hope was hopeless. Then, she would be able to let go without regrets. She poured herself another glass of gin.
- Do not overdo it with alcohol.
- I'm fine. Don't worry. It's still a party.
- Is that the case?
- Oh, shut up.
She leaned back in her chair, sipping slowly from her glass, still watching the dancers. Her heart slowly grew sad.
- Y/N...
- What else?
- You look good today.
She looked at him. Levi didn't look at her, also looking somewhere in the crowd. His words made her smile softly. She studied him, distracted from sad thoughts. He always looked so serious and stern, but she knew another side of him. She liked the idea that only she knew him like that.
- Thanks... you... you look good too.
They sat awkwardly silent until Y/N was approached by Damian and led her away to dance.
***
The evening was very eventful and long. Y/N danced a lot. Damian entertained her by telling different stories, fooling around with her. Also, Y/N danced with Reiner, they discussed his success in self-treatment, he told her about how he coped without her. Y/N suggested that they meet sometime and talk like before, if he needed to. She was ready to help a friend.
Also, she danced with Jean several times. He behaved with her very courteously, making compliments to her. Y/N was pleased with his attention, but she understood that he would like more than that. However, they were all a little drunk now, and no one wanted to talk about serious things. Everyone was just enjoying the moment.
Connie and Jean tried to sing again, as they always did when they were drinking. Everyone laughed at them, as their «performances» often reminded of the cadet times, when they were all together and life was more or less cloudless. Closer to the night, some guests left. The guys occupied one of the tables and sat all over the place, chatting about everything.
- «Damian, I'll go to my friends, have a little chat», Y/N said.
She stood with Damian and his fellow guardsmen.
- «Yes, of course, go. Moreover, I'm already a little tired of these dances», he answered Y/N.
Y/N went up to the guys and sat next to them. They were actively discussing something, or remembering... But, after a couple of minutes, Armin, without saying anything, got up and left. Y/N didn't understand why. During the evening, she periodically found him with her eyes in the crowd, but he was always talking to someone, or looking somewhere. He didn't dance. Drank a lot. While Y/N was thinking, and the guys next to her were all immersed in memories, several minutes passed.
Y/Ns eyes again found him. He was again with that girl with a glass in his hands. Also, her eyes fell on Annie, who was sitting with Pieck, who was fighting the urge to sleep. Annie's gaze was fixed on Armin, jealousy in her eyes.
«And what the hell should I do with all this?»
A/N
Next chapter will be with ☆ and drunk bad decisions... probably will be a skip for many... I just carried away at some point...