Chapter 16

The lieutenant's eyes flicked up from the reports, sharp and assessing, as Alex approached. Her hand rested lightly on the hilt of her sword.

"Name," she said, voice clipped.

"Alex," he replied, keeping his tone even. "I was with Mikasa."

Her gaze narrowed, scanning him head to toe. The blood on his sleeve, the torn coat, the faint shake in his hands—it all registered in her expression. "You're the one from the storeroom attack," 

"Stay here. We're still sorting out who's who."

Alex nodded, stepping back to lean against the wall. His legs felt heavy, like the adrenaline crash was finally catching up.

The lieutenant returned to her reports, scribbling something with a quill, but her posture stayed tense, like she expected trouble to walk through the door any second.

The corridor was a mess—cracked stone, blood smears, a shattered lantern spilling oil across the floor.

A soft shuffle broke his thoughts. Historia appeared at the corridor's end, her cloak gone, replaced by a simple gray dress stained with dust. Her hair was still loose, framing her face in soft waves. Two royal guards trailed her, but she waved them back as she approached.

"Alex," she said, voice low but urgent. "You're alright?"

He straightened, brushing off the wall. "Yeah. ""

Historia stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper now. "I saw the fire. Heard the gunshots near the east wing. They said a group tried to break through the servant halls—"

"I know," Alex cut in gently. "I was there. Mikasa kept me alive."

Her eyes darted to his hands, then back to his face. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have been in the middle of this."

He gave a tired shrug. "Kind of hard to avoid when they lock all the doors."

That almost earned a smile, but it faded quickly. She took a small step back, eyes flicking over her shoulder toward the stairwell.

"I have to go," she said. "They're waiting. I'm supposed to read a statement in the square."

"What are you telling them?" Alex asked.

She hesitated for half a second, then met his eyes. "That it was a coup attempt by a fringe group loyal to the old monarchy. That it failed. the capital is secure. everything is safe now."

"You believe that?"

"No," she said flatly. "But they need to."

"Stay put," she said quietly. "Don't speak to anyone unless it's Mikasa or someone you trust. There are still names we don't know—still people unaccounted for."

Alex nodded. "I understand."

"I'll send for you after the speech." Her tone softened. "We'll talk then."

Then she turned, walking swiftly down the corridor with her guards falling into step behind her. Her back straight, hair swinging softly as she disappeared around the corner, toward the sound of raised voices and hastily scribbled orders.

Alex leaned against the cold stone again, letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. 

He needed to check on Mikasa, bandaged and recovering in the west wing's triage point. 

He pushed through the battered halls, the air thick with smoke and the bite of disinfectant. The west wing's makeshift hospital was a grim sprawl—cots packed tight, medics snapping orders, soldiers groaning.

Alex slipped past a nurse hauling bloody rags, his eyes locked on Mikasa's room. The door was ajar, lantern light flickering through the gap.

A voice stopped him—Eren's, low and venomous, slicing through the hum. Alex froze, pressing against the wall, his pulse spiking. He caught only the end, but it was enough.

"Enough," Eren growled. "I don't have time for this. Get it together, or you're no use to anyone."

Boots scuffed, heavy and sharp. Alex flattened himself against the wall as Eren stormed out, his cloak snapping behind him. 

Alex stepped into the room slowly, quiet enough not to startle her. Mikasa was awake, sitting against a stack of folded blankets, one arm across her ribs. The bandages looked tight. Her face was blank.

He lingered at the door for a beat, then stepped closer.

"Didn't mean to interrupt," he said gently. "Just… wanted to check in."

Mikasa didn't speak right away. She watched him carefully—like she always did. But not with hostility. Just… guarded.

He walked toward the side table and picked up a folded cloth, idly rolling it in his fingers. "You moved fast. Back in the council chamber."

Her eyes flicked to him, wary.

He smiled faintly. "I didn't even register the noise before you were pulling me out from under that thing. If you hadn't been there…"

He trailed off, let the silence say the rest. Then he looked at her again, softer this time.

"Guess you're used to that. Saving people."

Still no reply—but she didn't look away.

He let a small, quiet breath out. "I saw Eren storm out earlier."

That got something—a subtle change in her posture. Tension? Guilt?

Alex didn't push. Just kept his tone even.

"I get it," he said. "Sometimes people don't know how to say what they're really feeling. So it comes out harsh. Detached."

Mikasa blinked. She didn't speak—but her shoulders sank slightly. She was listening now.

Alex sat beside the bed, careful to give her space. "Some people have a hard time showing it. That they care. That they're scared too."

Another pause. A glance. Her eyes searched his, unsure.

He leaned forward just a little. Voice quieter. Warmer.

"But just because someone's distant… doesn't mean you have to be alone."

Still subtle. Still not directly criticizing Eren. Just… re-framing things. Making it about her. About the emotional burden she carries. Letting her draw her own conclusions.

He reached out, not grabbing—just brushing his knuckles lightly against her unbandaged hand.

Mikasa's hand didn't flinch. 

"…Why are you like this?" she asked softly, not looking at him.

Alex smiled faintly, pulling his hand back, like he'd never meant anything by it. Like he hadn't just slipped the smallest hook under her armor.

"I don't know," he said, voice quiet and low. "Maybe I'm just not good at pretending people don't matter."

He stood slowly, letting his eyes scan over her bandages with just the right amount of concern. "Can I…?" He gestured gently to her ribs. "I won't touch anything. Just want to see if it's bad."