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Let’s go.
Pick up those wings, soldier.
Fly towards the freedom that we’ve carved out.

It was an unbelievable sight indeed. Even the sky seems clearer, blanketed by an innocent shade of baby blue. A flock of birds soared across, far beyond the boundaries of the walls.

“Doesn’t that look like us?” I ask my companion. “Like a bird finally breaking free of its cage flying far, far, far away.”

The man scoffed at my comparison.

“Don’t compare me to a shitty pile of feathers.” He grunts and I let out a chuckle.

“Of course. You’re too good for that now, aren’t you?”

He hums in response and a strong gust of wind blows past us as it ruffles the grass below us. The green strands tickle my fingers.

“I wish I could see the sea.” I muse aloud.

“You will.”

“Are you sure about that, Corporal?”

His hand reaches across the field to grasp mine and gives it a slight squeeze.

“Quit it with that title. There’s no need for it anymore.”

Right. With the Titans completely eradicated, where will us soldiers go now? Is there still a place left for us in society? Us, who’s responsible for the freedom that we have now. Us, who’ve been labeled as a waste of money. Us, the heroes of the Scouting Legion. Will we be branded as such when we return?

“Nonsense! Of course there is! You’re Humanity’s strongest after all.” I cheer with a smile, ignoring the pain that coursed through me. It was a simple white lie to myself. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is just cast aside as a regular civilian. It was human nature to take things for granted.

“Shut up. Stop talking so much.” He whispers. “Just. Don’t talk anymore.” His voice…sounds pained, I note.

“It’s fine, we’ll-“
“Stop.”

With great strength, I tilt my head to look at the man lying beside me.

“It’s fine. This is noth-“ I pause as I study his face for the first time since our victory was declared. It was this sight that I’ll miss the most. His sharp features, the perfect curve of his chin, the lips that have touched mine for so many times before, oh why did everything good have to end?

“Just once. Say my name.”

“Hmm? But I’m used to calling you Corporal, let’s stick with that.”

“Why did you defy me even when you’re practically knocking on death’s door?” He growls in a low whisper as if he suddenly lost the strength to yell at me.

“Because talking sentimental right before we part would be such a predictably ending, I wouldn’t want to leave like this.” I tell him, as I look straight into his dark orbs. They glistened in the sunlight. Long overdue tears threatening to spill.

“You’re such an idiot.” He mumbles his usual insult.

“I thought that’s why you loved me, sir. You swore to protect the clumsy idiot who broke your favorite mop.”

He scoffs and closes his eyes but I could see the tiny hint of a smile on his face.

We lay there for a long time, waiting for it all to end. Either someone finds us or our hearts give in first, the ending isn’t up to us for choosing.

“Do you think Eren will see the outside world that he always speaks of?” I ask, uncomfortable with the sudden silence that dawned on us.

“Ah. That brat will find a way.”

“I wonder how many soldiers made it back…”

“Who knows?”

His hand felt cold. My body as well. It was a numbing sensation. One that crept up and the fear that I’ve been holding back as a trainee resurfaces.

“Rivaille,” I choke out his name as I sense that there wasn’t time left. “I don’t want to die! I want to see the sea! I want to see the vast lands covered in white sand that Armin told me about! I want to see you today and tomorrow and the next day, I don’t want to never you see again! Why now? Why…right after everything’s over…” My voice trailed off as my sobs began to overtake my ability to speak.

“Shit.” He cusses. “This is why you’re an idiot, saying things like that now. Dammit (Name)…”

I manage a half grin at the sound of my name off his lips. It was perfect. Such a shame that I can’t hear it anymore than this one time.

“Rivaille, I’m really glad I met you.”

“Tch, what happened to not saying sappy things?”

“Well I can because I can, alright?”

He nods. “Damn…then I’m glad I met you too.”

“I’m sorry I broke your mop.” I apologize even though the accident happened years ago. I never did properly apologize for it.

He actually laughs at the statement, albeit a weak laugh.

“I’m sleepy, Rivaille.” I mutter as I close my eyes.

“Go to sleep. I’m right here.” He whispers back as he cries tears that I couldn’t see.

“Mm, are you sleeping too?”

“Yeah.”

“Goodnight, Rivaille.”

“G’night, (Name).”

Earlier that day was the battle where mankind’s fate would be decided. I, being the clumsy that I was, focused too intently on two titans, failed to notice the one behind me. Rivaille and I, along with a small handful of soldiers were sent to this grassy hill where a large concentration of Titans were detected.

I was snatched up before I knew it. By this time, over half of our squad had been wiped out. Rivaille swooped in to kill the remaining two that I failed to kill and sliced my captor’s wrist. I fell to the ground with a soft landing thanks to the grassy field but due to the surprise attack, the Titan stomped viciously around. And so, the lower half of my body was crushed. No vital organs were damaged, mostly just my legs. I pushed on through sheer willpower but the excruciating pain cut my life short.

Rivaille, on the other hand, could’ve very well singlehandedly survived. He was more of an idiot than I was. As he crouched over my figure, a spare blade rained down. One that he could easily dodge, but no, he didn’t move. The blade struck him with his head held high, impaling his stomach area.

He was a strong man, given the title of Corporal for a reason. He held on to every second of his life. Nobody from our squad made it back but we knew that victory was here. For the great cheer that came from tens of miles away was our signal. A sign that humanity has won.

Was I able to contribute to mankind, Corporal?
Did I fight well?
We made it, yeah?