A Second Chance (Marco x Fem Reader)

Chapter 39

"Eren will be eaten?!", Armin repeated in disbelief. You all looked at Hange with the same look of shock as him after she broke the news early the next morning.

"Yeah, Eren remembered a conversation between Ymir and Bertholdt were she asked him if he 'resented her for it'- Bertholdt answering her that he wasn't sure because she probably didn't mean or want to eat a human. Based on that information we can assume Ymir was a titan wandering alone outside the wall. Bertholdt, Reiner and Annie must have had a comrade she ate, inheriting said comrade's titan abilities", Hange explained further.

"So in other words... Titans who eat people with those powers become shifters themselves and return to normal human form?", you broke your silence, your understanding of her theory needing confirming.

"That's what it sounds like at least", Hange said with a nod. "During the battle the other day, Reiner was throwing titans at Eren, who had escaped. He was trying to snatch that power with those titans".

"By letting someone else eat Eren, then take the new person with them instead... I wondered why they were so careless about Eren's life around the titans...", Marco said, almost whispered, in revelation.

"Yes... In that case, Eren is just a vessel who is bound to be replaced. If the government were to have a titan of their own, they'll be the one to eat Eren", Hange finally said serious, the urgency in her tone was not to be mistaken. Mikasa didn't hesitate, storming off towards the door, only to be stopped by Levi once again.

"Calm down. Even if you go out on a rampage, they're not going to give Eren back to us. We need to go by a strategy for this", Levi loosened the grip on Mikasa's shoulder, looking back towards the rest of you. "We head for the land of this Rod Reiss. Get ready to leave at once".

~

It was now mid-day; you, Sasha, Connie and Levi standing by on a little campsite you had made for yourselves in the middle of some woods. Jean, Mikasa, Armin and Marco had long left to get some supplies from the walled city of Stohess. It was a tiresome march to get to where you were, and you appreciated the chance to rest up a bit.

"How far have you guys gotten on the boats?", Connie asked. You continued carving your little piece of bark as you looked over at him.

"Why? You need more time?", you teased, noticing he was far from done, while you were already starting on the details. Connie gave you a little glare, the competitive side of him overtaking him as he aimed all his focus back to the block of bark in his hands. You giggled slightly, looking over at Sasha who was carving with her tongue sticking out the way it does whenever she is heavily concentrated.

"What are you guys even doing?", Levi asked with a raised brow. He had tried to just let you just do your thing, minding his business, but decided to finally ask. 

"Captain don't tell me you never raced with carved bark-boats when you were a kid?", Connie exclaimed surprised.

"No", was all Levi had to say to that. You knew why though, remembering his underground upbringing didn't involve much nature or proper water sources even. Connie looked at him for a few seconds more, half expecting him to keep going, before letting it go.

"Well, I guess today is your lucky day!", Connie said, throwing a leftover block of bark at him, Levi catching it with ease.

"Tch, I don't have time to play", Levi scoffed, looking at the content in his hand.

"It's not just a childish game! Sir, you have never experienced the triumphs and defeats, the epic highs and lows of bark-boat racing!", Connie dramatically said, making you and Sasha laugh slightly. (A/N: Riverdale quote anyone? No?, Just me?... Okay, I'll leave)