A:N-First of all I want to say sorry for the late update. I have been very very busy with school work and I have been focusing on my main story. I want to try and update this story more often but for now I am focusing on my primary story.
So please review, follow and enjoy. See ya for chapter five
That night when Bertolt dreamed of fire, he wasn't alone. The flames licked his skin and charred his flesh. But he wasn't alone. His friends watched on with malefic smiles on their faces. Yet despite the maddening agony someone reached out to help. Someone plunged their hands into the blaze to drag him out. Someone with chocolate brown hair, someone with dark tanned skin, someone called Ymir.
When the brilliant light of the morning sun warmed his face Bertolt stirred from his slumber. For the first time in what felt like ages Bertolt had woken up with his lips curled up into a tiny smile. It seemed that he was the first to wake, the dormitory was humming with the echoing snores of sleeping soldiers. I might as well make the most of this. He thought to himself. As silently as he could, Bertolt climbed down the ladder of his bed and donned his trainee outfit. Just as he was about to leave, Bertolt turned around to make sure he hadn't woken anyone up. As he examined the hall he noticed that his friend Eren was starting to wake. The green eyed boy stretched his arms above his head and yawned loudly before focusing on the giant at the door.
''Morning Bertolt.'' Eren said as he rubbed his eyes.
''Good morning Eren.'' Bertolt whispered before he left.
Once he was out of the door, Bertolt started to jog to the mess hall. He knew that to get the best rations you had to be the first one there. As he crossed the field Bertolt realised just how early he had gotten up, the morning sun had yet to fully emerge from the horizon, as a result the sky was a wondrous painting of bright yellows and deep blues. The view was so breathtaking that Bertolt had to stop jogging to admire the beautiful landscape.
''Not a bad view I admit.'' Her voice came from behind him. Bertolt craned his head to find the source of the voice. Ymir was standing only a few feet behind him, she was holding a potato sack which was slung over her shoulder.
''Oh...Yeah, good morning Ymir.'' A light sweat broke out across his forehead. His ashen eyes wandered to the bag over her shoulder. ''What's in the bag?'' He asked.
''Oh this.'' She dropped the bag on the dusty floor. ''This is just a few morsels of food I scrounged together before potato girl could scoff them all.'' Ymir explained as she pulled a loaf of bread from the sack.
''That's actually a good idea. Did you leave any for anyone else.'' Bertolt asked gingerly.
Ymir shrugged her shoulders. ''A little bit, but you better hurry if you want some.''
''T-thanks Ymir.'' With that Bertolt made his way towards the mess hall to get an early breakfast.
Leaving Ymir to admire the explosion of colours above her.
*Later that day*
''LISTEN UP YOU SWINE!'' Shardis's voice echoed through the entire camp, silencing everyone. ''TODAY I HAVE A TREAT FOR YOU PIGS.'' A synchronised moan filled the air. Usually whenever Shardis had a 'treat' it was a hike up a mountain or an extra hour of fitness drills. ''TODAY WE START YOU HORSE RIDING TRAINING.'' Almost everyone stared at the instructor with a look of shock and slight concern. ''The importance of horses to the military can not be overestimated!'' He paused to make sure that everyone was giving him their undivided attention. ''That is why you will spend the next six months learning to ride and groom your own companion! DISMISSED!'' Shardis saluted the 104th before leaving the stage.
Once he had left a rather short man stood up and took his place. He was wearing a white bandanna across his head, Ymir could tell it was to hide his baldness straight away.
''Hello everyone. I am Dita Ness. I will be overseeing your animal companionship training.'' The man beamed at the field of obviously unimpressed cadets. ''All of you will be assigned a horse. It will be your job to feed, groom and look after them. Treat them well. They could save your life one day.'' With that he left the stage and made his way to the stables with the 104th marching behind him.
Only two hours later every member of the 104th was grooming their new companions. Krista was brushing the long silky mane of her muddy brown stallion, Reiner was feeding his ebony black mare. Bertolt was brushing the velvety coat of his young mare. Ymir was scratching behind the ears of her stunning mahogany stallion. ''You know. I like you a lot more than most people.'' Ymir reached for the bucket of feed. ''You want to know why?'' Her new 'friend' was entirely focused on the oats in her hand. ''Yeah you guessed it. You can't talk.'' Little did she know that Bertolt was in the stable next to her.
''Are people really that bad?'' The onyx haired giant poked his head through her door.
Ymir jumped at the sound of his voice. ''What the fuck!'' She shouted causing her horse to step back.
''Don't yell like that you will frighten them.'' Bertolt hoped over the stable door and went to sooth the animal.
''How can someone so tall and lanky sneak up on people like that?'' Ymir huffed.
Bertolt pulled a carrot from his back pocket, the stallion's dark amber eyes widened at the sight of the vegetable. ''What do you mean lanky?'' His voice cracked slightly.
''Well no offence but from what I have seen of you...Well lets say I think Armin has more muscle than you.'' Ymir pointed to a short blond boy who was struggling to carry a small bale of hay to his awaiting foal.
Hurt flashed across Bertolt's face. Sure I lack initiative and will...but that doesn't make me weak. Those were the words he wanted to say. ''You don't know that Armin is stronger than me.'' Bertolt turned his attention back to the horse.
Ymir pouted. ''I said. From what I have seen of you. I haven't enough of you to prove that you're stronger than the little Daffodil over there.'' She pointed at the boy who had finally managed to pick up his bale of hay.
''Well...What would prove to you that I am stronger?'' Bertolt refused to make eye contact with her.
''Taking your shirt off would be a good start.'' Ymir said casually.
Bertolt fell backwards at Ymir's words. He looked up at Ymir, a bright crimson blush rising on his cheeks. ''Wh-what...are you talking...a-about?'' He stuttered.
Ymir had burst into uncontrollable laughter the moment Bertolt fell to the floor. It took her a few minutes to fully recover from her fit and wipe the tears from her eyes. All the time Bertolt glaring at her. ''This is what I mean when I say its fun to tease you.'' She said, offering the boy her hand.
''I thought you were being serious there.'' Bertolt huffed. Ymir pulled him up and reached up to wipe some of the straw from his head.
A bit of me was being serious. Ymir thought to herself. It was a strange feeling for her, everyone of the 104th thought she was gay. Ymir didn't care and she let the rumour run wild like fire to ward off any advances someone might be foolish enough to make. However. Bertolt was different. She saw something in his ashen eyes. Something that wasn't real. It made her curious. ''Oh come on Bertie we both know that you have to have something under that shirt.'' She pointed his brown shirt.
Bertolt scowled at the mention of his nickname. ''I-I said don't call me that.'' He turned his attention back to the horse.
Ymir's lips were moving too fast for her to stop them. ''Sorry Bertolt.'' She clasped her hands over her lips. Bertolt stared at her. His eyes so full of shock that he thought they might pop. Bertolt opened his mouth to reply but he never got the chance. Ymir lunged at him, pinning him to the floor on his chest. ''If you ever tell ANYONE. That I apologised...'' She pinned one of his arms up against his back causing him to yelp in pain. ''Well you get the idea.''
Through the fog of pain that was clouding his mind Bertolt managed to speak. ''Okay Okay! I get the point. Now get off me! You're getting horse dung in my shirt.'' He said through gritted teeth. Content with his reply Ymir let her victim go. He stood up from the floor and sighed. Bertolt looked at his clothes in disgust. ''Look at what you have done.'' A large brown stain covered his torso. ''Well...Turn around so I can...take it off.'' He murmured.
Ymir shrugged. ''Fine.'' She huffed, but as soon as she had turned around an evil smirk curled up on her lips. The wet sound of Bertolt's shirt hitting the floor was her cue. Before he had a chance to cover himself with his spare tunic, Ymir turned on her heels.
''Woah...'' She gasped. Bertolt was staring at her with a look of pure horror. But that wasn't what Ymir was looking at. Her gaze was locked on his chest. Ymir's golden eyes admired everything they saw. The broadness of his shoulders, down across his taught pecks, over each and everyone of his well defined abs where her gaze lingered.
''YMIR!'' Bertolt yelled. He aimed his shirt at her, it flew across the stable and hit her face with a wet 'plop'
Ymir peeled the fabric from her face and started to laugh yet again. ''Calm down. I don't know why you would want to hide those.'' She pointed to his toned chest. Bertolt slipped on his spare shirt and left the stables with a scarlet blush on his cheeks. Certain that she was alone Ymir turned back to her horse and sighed. ''Bertie doesn't seem too bad. What do you think?'' Her horse simply whinnied and nuzzled her shoulder. ''It's not as if I 'like' him. I just like having a friend.''
''Talking to animals now are we?'' Ymir spun on her heels and saw Krista leaning against the stable door, she vaulted over the door and made her way to Ymir.
''At least animals don't talk back.'' Ymir retorted.
Something in far corner of Krista's vision caught her attention. Ymir's eyes widened with realisation. ''Ymir..This is Bertolt's shirt. What is it doing on the floor?'' Krista shot her a sly grin.
''Don't get any idea's, it's not what you think.'' Ymir stuttered.
''Oh? Well I just saw Bertolt leave here.'' Krista leaned towards her tall friend. ''He looked rather... flustered.''
Ymir recoiled and had the fight the blush that was threatening the rise on her cheeks. She cleared her throat and faced her tiny companion. ''Well then go and ask him yourself.'' Ymir said casually. Krista pouted at her and strolled out of the stable with Bertolt's shirt in hand. Ymir sighed when she was certain that she was alone. ''Bertolt does seem nice...maybe I do lik-'' Her lips were moving before she realised. Ymir clasped her hand over her mouth. He is pretty easy on the eyes I have to admit. Ymir thought to herself as she turned her attention to her hungry stallion.