VOL I, PART I
ONE, SWEET REJECTION

BLUE. IT TOOK over the atmosphere above stretching out from horizon to horizon painted with different shaped clouds that if you looked closely enough they slowly began to move. A flock of birds that took the sky in the opposite direction flying past on a journey to reach their destination. The gentle breeze blew west making the pretty flowers and trees sway. It was a pleasant sight, nothing too special- the people of the Shiganshina District had grown used to it as the years pass by and didn't pay it any mind.

To Fleur Beaumont, however, the ordinary view was the most breathtaking scenery she'd ever seen, she stared at it with silver eyes filled with so much wonder as she rested her small body on top of the rim of the fountain, her legs kicking in a childish manner. A fountain that she had previously fallen into a couple of days ago because she couldn't balance herself while trying to walk around it and so she slipped and fell.

Luckily, there was a girl, who looked about her age, that helped Fleur. She couldn't remember her face due to the embarrassment of the situation but she'd never forget those obsidian irises, the finest black diamonds mined and carved into them.

Fleur extended her wounded right hand up at the sky as if she were trying to desperately touch it. A strange habit she's developed ever since she was little like she was yearning for a life outside of the walls. She'd asked every day why isn't anyone allowed to leave and every day the answer she received was always the same "it's dangerous out there you wouldn't survive."

The young girl always believed there was more out there than people say. And she understood it was for her safety to stay behind the walls, of course, she does but there was nothing more she desired than to see past the 50-meter stone barriers that held her prisoner since she had been born, she longed for an adventure beyond them. Sadly, that wasn't possible no matter how much hope she had in her heart because the second Fleur steps into the outer world Titans would be ready to devour her without a second thought or mercy.

Fleur remembered it when her father use to tell her stories about his missions as a scout and how he'd kill most abnormals -that's what he'd call them- and even though he told his daughter he was scared while fighting for his life. His dream, his promise to Léonie, of seeing Fleur being able to live without a single ounce of fear, to be happy, overpowered the terror every single time. He fought so effortlessly driven by such ambition, that's what made Dean Beaumont an amazing soldier and father.

"I want you to have this to remember me." He says removing a ring from his smallest finger holding it out to the young girl who looked up at him. The ring was engraved with rhododendron flowers around it, "it won't fit now but you'll grow into it when you're older." He took the piece of jewelry and looped it into a thread-like chain.

His demeanor seemed different than usual that day. There were no real smiles or horrible dad jokes he usually told to make Fleur feel better, no, his teary amber eyes were telling another story- one that she didn't want to read the tragic ending of.

"For now you can wear it as a necklace." He placed it around her small neck.

"Why are you crying? You are coming back like always, aren't you?" Fleur glances up at him as she touched the silver band confused as to why this is sounding like a goodbye. He's coming back, right? He always does.

"You know I always give you a straightforward answer but today I'm not so sure." The man lies avoiding eye contact keeping his gaze to the ground, he knew he wasn't coming back, "if I don't that means you won't need me anymore and I know you'll be in good hands. You'll be okay."

"Stay. Don't leave." The red-haired girl interrupts wrapping her arms around her father tightly with tears escaping her eyes as she squeezed them shut, "don't go, please." But no matter how much she begged him to stay she knew she would have to let go soon. They needed him out there more than ever these days, the number of titans had increased immensely, still, it wasn't fair. Not to her at least.

The worse expected part is that he didn't come back from the mission. Not even his body was returned to give him a proper burial. And the fact that her father never mentioned her mother was strange but Fleur thought it must've been for good reason, she hoped at least- the only time her father ever spoke about her was when he complimented his daughter saying that she had the same type of tenderness. Granted, Fleur was absolutely clueless that his compliments were connected to her mother.

All of that means nothing now. They weren't here, they're gone. And now she's alone.

"I love you, Fleur." Her father's words echoed in her head trying to keep herself from crying at the memory of him. Ever since his death, there had been a pit of emptiness in her that consumed her each day for the last six months. Although, She's learned to live with the feeling it still hurt. The pain never goes away- just like the raw burn markings on her hands that were a reminder of what waited for her once she returned to the person who had caused them.

The girl winced bringing her hand back down as she stared at it afraid to make any sudden movement that could cause more discomfort. She had no way of reducing the irritation and at home, there was no remedy because well that's where her suffering was rooted from. The burn marks would remain on her skin whether she liked it or not. She hated the way her hands looked, they were covered in so many scars, flaws, as she calls them.

Raspberry kisses decorated both her hands for being disobedient toward an adult.

Glancing up once more at the sky Fleur noticed the sun was beginning to set on the west over the concrete walls. It was getting dark which meant it was time to go home. She sighed rising to her feet and grabbing the empty basket that was supposed to have food in it. As she began to walk she started to come up with the best excuses she could think of before she reached her house to avoid any conflict with that old woman- Fleur's grandmother. The thought of her made the young girl flinch but despite hating the woman she was the only family she had left so for now, she would endure the pain. She had to.

Only a couple more years until she could join the scouts and make her father proud. She could handle it, right? Right, she thought to herself sighing softly. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to join them. After what happened to her father, staying inside the walls might be the best decision for her because if she was being perfectly honest with herself, she's not fit to be a soldier. In her opinion, you had to be valorous or stupid enough to go head-to-head and look a titan in the eye and kill it, Fleur was neither of the two.

But oh, that itch to explore the outside world was torture. She envied those who could fight without fear or if they were scared but didn't show it like her father, either way, she was jealous of them and how they could fight so easily. Defying the Titans, she means.

As her pace became faster and the sky started to turn into a mixture of yellows and oranges that faded into each other making the sun disappear completely- panic started to fill her up rushing into the streets full of markets praying one of them was still open. This had only happened a few times before and Fleur should've probably learned her lesson by now, but the young girl wasn't one to listen to those who show no respect towards her even if she had to deal with consequences later on.

Her eyes glanced around seeing people still buying items, the parents, their children, and those who roam the streets alone, which calmed her down realizing she still had time. It wasn't crowded like usual since the day was almost over. The girl quickly ran to the nearest bakery like her life depended on it, seeing her favorite store owner there.

Fleur might have been in her own world and not recognized that folks were walking in front of her, that she couldn't exactly walk through people when she bumped into one of them.

A boy.

The boy's arms were wrapped securely around a book. He had golden-like hair that reached down to his chin, and even though it was slightly dark out his eyes still stood out. They were so beautiful, dancing with curiosity and adventure in them. Every shade of blue that existed lived in his eyes. They reminded her of the sky- the only other pretty blue thing she can compare them to. If Fleur could stare into them all day she would without a doubt.

"I'm sorry," The Beaumont girl immediately began to apologize feeling a bit embarrassed since she was the one not paying attention.

"It's okay. Really. You look like you're in a hurry, anyway," He cut her off picking up Fleur's empty small basket that had fallen from the collision, "uh here." Just as he gave Fleur her basket he noticed the burn marks on her skin. They seemed to be fresh and poorly taken care of. Did she not have any bandages? That's weird. Instead of saying anything about it, the boy didn't mention it. He simply speculated as to why there were wounds on her hands. Looking up at the taller girl in front of him, he also noticed she had red hair that reached the middle of her back.

Her complexion complimented her deep silver eyes. He swore he could see the snowy mountains in them just like they described it in his grandpa's book. And like Fleur, he believed they were just as beautiful- the Beige freckles that were spread across her cheeks like stars, too, unique patterns that created a constellation. The boy hadn't realized it but there was a slight red glow to his cheeks.

"Thank you, I should get going and again I am sorry." She apologizes once more grabbing the basket back avoiding any physical contact with him when doing so and walked past the boy.

The blonde watched the girl make her way to the nearest bakery. Although he had never met her until today and her name is still unknown to him, and he told himself he wouldn't bring up her hands he couldn't help but to say something about it. Aside from the fact that she was pretty, by the few moments he spent with her she seemed nice enough to make a friend out of- a new friend wouldn't hurt.

Eren and Mikasa would like her.

"Hey uh wait!" His soft voice calls out to her, "um... do you any need bandages? My grandpa has some."

This took Fleur by surprise as she turned around meeting his Sapphire-blue eyes again. Kindness radiated off him, a thing she wasn't used to recently which was quite sad and refreshing at the same time.

"Why do you ask?" Her face frowning in confusion about this unexpected question. He'd just met her today, why is he acting nice? She could be a murderer for all he knows.

"I could give you some if you meet me here tomorrow and I could show you something too?" He replied tapping the large book that he had been carrying with him. Fleur's face flashed with interest, she'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious to see what was in that book he held so close to him. Still, it wasn't enough to convince her.

The blond-haired boy took note of the slight facial expression change. Her interest was piqued.

"I mean if that's okay with you." He adds on taking a step closer trying to convince her, "it's just... I've never seen you before and I want to help."

"Help?" She repeats his words slowly her frown deepening.

"Your hands." Oh. Fleur's eyes widen for a split second caught off guard, he must've seen them when she grabbed her basket back from him. Whether if it was a kind gesture or not (and it was), the girl couldn't accept it no matter how much she needed it. What would her grandmother say? She couldn't risk it.

Observing the boy he looked like he wanted to eat his words, regretting them instantly, afraid of how it may have sounded. He stood there waiting for a response from the unnamed girl.

"No. I'm alright." She says harshly feeling awful about rejecting his kind gesture. She watched his body tense up, his face flushed in embarrassment as he lowered his head at her bluntness. The boy squeezed the book tighter and nodded with a forced thin smile in response as he disappeared into one of the dark alleys. Guilt took over Fleur observing the boy, she didn't mean to sound rude or anything like that, but it was for the best. And anyway, he'll probably forget about her soon.

They'll never see each other again.

Turning to the bakery owner she sat down the little money her grandmother had given her, the man Stanley, in return gave Fleur four freshly baked loaves of bread. Her stomach grumbled of how delicious they smelt, how she hasn't eaten a proper meal in days. She hastily took them with a 'thank you', shoving the food in her small basket and her legs moved before she could say so- this time being cautious of her surroundings not wanting a repeat of the last time. She followed the cobblestone path to reach her house rested all the way in the front of Shiganshina near the stone walls.

Approaching it this overwhelming feeling of nervousness shot up her spine causing the young girl to slow herself down, halting completely. The brown door before her felt as if it were miles away. How can one person inflict so much fear in her heart? It's silly. She shouldn't be this afraid yet, here she is not moving an inch. Her body wasn't allowing her to.

Breathe Fleur and stop being such a coward, she tried comforting herself. Holding tight to the hem of her thin soft lilac sweater that was too big for her, she pushed the door open with her foot preparing for anything and everything the old woman would throw her way. Though to her surprise, she was met with silence. The silence didn't soothe her, in fact, it made her more cautious than ever. It was unsettling, nothing good ever came from it. Taking a step forward she caught sight of the half-empty alcohol bottle that was open and her grandmother asleep next to it on the table.

The crackling of wood-burning, the smell of it filled her nose, to her right the tamed flames reflected themselves onto her eyes. The wood that kept them alive was almost gone burning to crisp.

"Not again." She mumbled her voice sounding low and disappointed as she put the fire out. What did she expect? The woman was dangerously careless when drunk.

It began when Dean passed away. At first, it was a glass then came multiple, now it's a bottle a day. Fleur could sympathize with her because she also lost him too. Yet, whenever she did attempt to comfort her grandmother it always ends up badly. Like she was the one to blame for him dying. The girl couldn't understand what she had done wrong to make the woman feel that way.

If she could back whatever she did, she would with a snap of a finger.

Fleur moved toward one of the soft blankets that she and Dean had knitted together, planning on placing it on the woman so she wouldn't freeze because, unlike her grandmother, Fleur wasn't nasty and mean for no reason. Then, she spotted the metal bar on the opposite side that made her body become paralyzed, her heart became uneasy. The memories of all the times the woman had used it on the girl came flashing back in an instant.

That's what would've waited for her if her grandmother hadn't fallen asleep. Maybe it was the universe giving Fleur a break from this unfair world, no, not possible. The universe doesn't care for one singular girl, it had other things to worry about. She's learned that life is violent and unfair to many who have done nothing wrong in theirs, that she was one of those few people who were chosen to endure the evil-doings of said universe. So, she made a promise to herself that under any circumstances, whether it be bad or good, she'd survive through it.

Her situation makes it easier said than done.

Regardless, she could do it, and for now, everything was calm. She couldn't be more thankful for this moment of peace.