Chapter 73 - Francis

                                    

                                          
Vien's POV
                          
"Damn it, what is Captain Levi's plan for the Beast Titan? It's already been a month" He groans
                          
Francis takes another gulp of the Marley's wine he's drunk every night. Since we were both just sitting on the branches being on the lookout everyday, drinking wasn't a problem. He also offered me every now and then, but Levi was never allowing me to get hands on alcohol. So I just listened
                          
"Tsk, it must be nice to drink your heart out everyday" I roll my eyes
                          
"But this wine is those special types Vien. Can't you see the name on it?"
                          
I spared a short glance at the bottle he showed to me, and for some reasons, it looks a little bit familiar
                          
"No matter how hard you try to convince me, I can't drink. Levi will figure it out sooner or later. He'll kill me if I get my hands on it"
                          
"Whatever you say" Francis rolls his eyes "I'm just drinking to get my mind off my wife, I don't know what to say when I return this late"
                          
"I recently heard from Levi and Valis' conversation that they're planning to have a Jaegerist eat Zeke, I'm sure you'll be able to go home after that" I reassure him
                          
And although it was a very unusual sight, Francis smiled when he looked away. "Thanks Vien" He said
                          
"Really? For what?" I raised a brow
                          
"For everything" Francis chuckles, averting his gaze to me "To be honest, when I first met you guys during our squad selection, I always thought you would be a nuisance to me ever since you and Aaron got scolded by Captain Levi"
                          
"I've never had friends my whole life because everyone saw me as an ignorant snob, no one even dared to go near me back then. I thought that it would stay the same till I die, so I didn't try changing my personality when I got here. But somehow you guys considered me part of your circle, it all felt unreal"
                          
"Hurts my pride to say this, but I've been hiding it for years so I guess I can say it now" Francis speaks, bluntness finally fleeing from his voice "I'm thankful I got to know you. The three of you are special to me, and I still want to be your friend even if all this shit is over"
                          
I never saw his side of him, so it all rendered me speechless. I smack him lightly on the head to ease his awkwardness, we both laugh it off
                          
"Three of you guys hold a special place in my heart as well Francis" I faintly smile "There's still so much things I want to do with my best friends, so of course we won't separate even if everything is over. We'll never leave you alone, 'kay?"
                          
"Don't ask me questions like that Vien, you make everything so awkward" Francis glanced away
                          
He holds his nape "But fine I guess, I'll never leave you guys alone too"
                          
I rolled my eyes at his embarrassed gestures, and flicked my eyes down to Zeke who was reading his book. But from his expression, it seemed like he was eavesdropping to the Captain's conversation. So I used my maneuvering gear to get down to his level, but I was left hanging upside down when he looks at me
                          
"Huh? Why are you hanging upside down Dr. Vien, won't that upset your stomach?" Zeke questions
                          
I simper "I do feel like my stomach is upset, but I actually think it's because of the sight in front of me"
                          
He laughs my remark off, averting his attention back to his book. I squinted my eyes at the book he was reading, then back to him "You don't have to pretend if you're just heeding to all of our conversations"
                          
"You have a good eye as always Dr. Vien, but only if you had one on the back of your head" Zeke smirks
                          
I raised a brow confusingly at him before turning around. My eyes meet the Captain's blank stare, although he looked like a hanging bat from my point of view. He walked closer towards me and stopped inches away from my face