Whispers within the Walls || Attack On Titan x OC

The long wooden tables of the mess hall were already filling fast. The familiar clatter of trays and silverware echoed off the stone walls as the cadets filed in, buzzing with conversation. The room smelled like overcooked potatoes, dry bread, and whatever meat the cooks could scrounge up—probably some mystery stew again.

Pierce entered near the back, her tray held with quiet grace. She wasn't a face most people noticed immediately—until they tried talking to her. Despite her quiet demeanor, she had an aura that subtly pulled people in.

Today, her short hair curled slightly from sweat and humidity, and her blue eyes scanned the room carefully.

"Oi, Pierce!" Connie called, half-standing to wave her over. "Sit with us!"

She hesitated, lips twitching into a smile at Connie's overly enthusiastic gesture. With a soft nod, she made her way to the bench next to Armin and Sasha.

"You barely eat, huh?" Sasha said, eyeing Pierce's tray with barely hidden disbelief. "Do you not like food? Because I've never seen you with a full plate."

"I eat enough," Pierce said simply, then glanced at Sasha's mountain of bread. "You're compensating for the rest of us."

"Damn right I am," Sasha said proudly, mouth already full. "Someone has to."

Reiner chuckled across the table. "Sasha, you're gonna pass out during training if you don't slow down. You too, Connie."

"I'll be fine!" Sasha huffed. "Bread gives me power!"

Pierce gave an involuntary side glance at Sasha, her expression twisting in confusion—completely unguarded. Reiner noticed and gave a quiet laugh.

"You make that face a lot," he said to her.

"What face?"

"The 'what-the-hell-am-I-listening-to' one."

Pierce blinked once, then smirked faintly.

"I can't control it."

⸻

Birds dared not sing as the 104th Cadet Corps stood at attention—row upon row of soldiers-in-training on the edge of something greater.

Instructor Shadis stood before them like a monument carved by years of battle, his expression severe under the rising sun.

"Three years. Three years of hell, and now you stand here ready to gamble your lives."

His voice echoed over the open grounds like the beat of a war drum.

"Your scores have been tallied. Your strengths and failures recorded. And today, ten among you will graduate at the top of your class. Come forward if I mention your name."

A hush settled in. Even Sasha stopped chewing mid-snack. Eyes drifted across the line of cadets, some tense, some hopeful, others resigned.

Shadis lifted a clipboard and began to call them, his voice cutting through the morning like a blade.

"At the head of the class, Mikasa Ackerman." At the mention of her name, Mikasa came forward.

"Exceptional in all areas. Near-unmatched in combat efficiency."

Shadis didn't even glance at her—he didn't need to. Mikasa stood quietly, unfazed, her reputation already legend among the cadets.

"Second, Reiner Braun."

"Reliable and strong. A model soldier with natural leadership."

Reiner gave a subtle nod after he came forward. Not prideful—just steady.