You weren’t one to believe in soulmates. The same way you weren’t one to believe that these “island devils” were any different from the Eldians from Marley, like you.

Even though you didn’t believe it, you still fought for Marley’s cause, becoming a titan shifter secured protection for your family, the highest form of dignity an Eldian from the internment zone could earn.

You were among the few remaining scouts and Marleyans, banded together to help stop the Rumbling. You had fought Eren and Zeke in your Titan form back at the wall, and your energy had been drained despite the rest you got in the cart on the way to the forest.

You were in the process of building the fire that Hange, the scouts’ commander, was planning to use to cook stew. Your eyes burned with fatigue, hands shaking as you add logs to the flame.

“Here…” A voice calls out from behind you. You turn around to see Jean, walking toward you with something in his hand.

You had only talked to Jean a handful of times in the last two days, exchanging curt words when the situation necessitated it. He didn’t treat you as coldly as Reiner, yet was still weary towards you and the alliance you have with him.

You look down at his hand, seeing a small protein bar. Half eaten, but still something.

“This should hold you over until the stew is ready.” He explains, not even waiting for you to respond before dropping it into your hand.

“Finally warming up to me?” You muse, turning the bar over in your hand before looking back up at him.

To this he scoffs, wiping a hand over his mouth.

“Get over yourself. We need your titan form for when we get to the Yeagerists. If you don’t get your energy back tomorrow, you’ll screw everything up.” He says, his eyes running over your tattered marleyan uniform neutrally, landing on the torn red Eldian band.

“May as well take that off, too…” He adds, nodding toward your arm.