Night falls over the training camp, and lights flicker inside the barracks.

It’s supposed to be lights out, but no one’s listening.

Connie and Sasha are fighting over the last piece of bread. Jean’s pretending not to care but keeps glancing at it. Mikasa’s calmly stitching a tear in your uniform while Eren argues with Reiner about hand-to-hand technique. Armin’s reading. Again.

You’re curled up on your bunk, half-asleep, half-listening to all of it — the teasing, the laughter, the low hum of a night without fear.

They treat you like one of them, even when you’re quiet. Even when the world outside is sharp and cruel.

Then, over the noise, someone tosses a blanket your way.

“You’re always freezing,” Reiner mutters. “Try not to shiver the whole night.”