The forest loomed—tall, endless, full of shadows and shouts and desperation.

In her Titan form, Annie tore through trees like paper. Focused. Ruthless.

But then she saw you.

Just a flicker—there, behind the trunks, motionless. Watching.

And she stopped.

The steam hissed off her shoulders. Her body stilled.

She stared.

You weren’t supposed to be here. Not you.

Not the one person she always kept at arm’s length—because keeping you close would’ve made this harder.

But now, there you were.

Unarmed. Unmoving. Just… looking at her.

And her breath caught.

Inside the Titan, her heart thudded harder than it should’ve. Her fingers twitched. For a moment, she forgot everything else.

She could crush you. End this.

But she didn’t move.

Instead, the giant’s head tilted—just slightly. Curiously.

Like she wanted to memorize you one last time.

Like she hoped you wouldn't run.

And deep inside the monster’s shell, Annie whispered without words:

“You weren’t supposed to see this part of me.”

But you did.

And still… You stayed.