(Year 843, 23rd July, Odel District)
"Petra I'm not going on a wedding." Eren said looking at Petra who was helping Eren get changed. The room buzzed with anticipation as Petra fussed over Eren's attire, her fingers nimbly securing the buttons on his crisp white shirt. "It's been ages since you've seen your mother, Eren. I want you to make a good impression," she said, her eyes shining with a mix of excitement and nostalgia.
Oluo, Gunthur, and Eld entered, their footsteps echoing through the room. "The carriage is ready, Eren. Your bags are stowed away," Oluo announced, his voice tinged with a hint of adventure.
Just then, Levi strode in, his eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Petra, what's the meaning of this?" he asked, his gaze flicking to Eren's formal attire. "He's not attending a gala, you know."
Hange burst into the room, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Oh, Eren, you look like a miniature merchant! I almost didn't recognize you!"
Levi's expression turned pained. "I'm surrounded by idiots. Eren, do you plan on wearing that getup for the entire three-day journey?"
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of fabric as Petra finished tying Eren's shoelaces. Levi's words hung in the air like a challenge, and the group exchanged sheepish glances, realizing their oversight.
"Well, Eren, I suppose you can change during the journey," Levi said with a sigh. "Good luck, and don't keep the driver waiting he's not our servant." With that, Levi turned on his heel and exited the room, leaving the group to scramble into action.
Petra's face turned a deep shade of crimson as Eren burst into laughter, his eyes sparkling with mirth. She swiftly retaliated, her elbow jabbing into his stomach. "Aghhh... Hey, what's that for?" Eren asked, his eyes wide with feigned innocence.
Petra's pout deepened, her eyes flashing with playful warning. " Well I guess it's about time I reveal your huge crus..." Before Eren could utter another word, she swiftly covered his mouth with her left hand and wrapped her right arm around his neck, her voice taking on a sweet, menacing tone. "Dear Eren, I think it's best you keep quiet for now."
Eren's laughter turned into a mimicked gesture, his eyes wide with mock fear, not wanting to provoke Petra further. Levi, who had been observing from beside the door, chimed in, "Alright, let's go. Eren, you've caused enough trouble for one morning." Petra's face flushed even deeper, realizing she'd been caught off guard. Seizing the moment, Eren skillfully escaped Petra's grasp, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Thanks, Levi, I owe you one!" Eren called out as he rushed towards the carriage, which had been waiting outside for what felt like an eternity.
The Levi Squad assisted Eren in loading his belongings and bid him farewell with friendly pats on the back and wishes for a safe journey. As Eren mounted the carriage, Levi approached him with a serious expression.
"Take care, Eren. We'll expect you back soon, and then we'll start your ODM training in earnest," Levi said, his eyes gleaming with a hint of anticipation.
Eren nodded, his heart racing with excitement and a touch of nervousness. With a final wave, he settled into the carriage, ready to embark on the long journey to Shiganshina.
The carriage rattled towards Wall Rose- Trost Gate, Eren's his nerves humming with anticipation. The sun cast a warm glow on the cobblestone roads as they traversed the landscape.
As they approached Trost, the bustling streets and vibrant markets came into view. Eren's eyes widened with wonder, his stomach growling with hunger. He devoured a hearty lunch of bread, cheese, and dried meat, washing it down with a swig of water.
Next, the carriage rattled into Wall Maria's shadow, the imposing wall looming above. Eren's heart raced as they passed through the gates, the air growing thick with tension. The silence was punctuated only by the creaking of the carriage wheels.
As they journeyed on, the landscape shifted from dense forests to rolling hills and vast plains. Eren watched in awe as the sun rose and set, casting a golden glow over the landscape. He slept fitfully, his dreams filled with visions of the unknown.
Days passed, and the carriage finally crested a hill, revealing the distant wall of Shiganshina. Eren's heart soared, his excitement overflowing. The carriage rattled down the hill, carrying him closer to his destination.
As the carriage halted before Wall Shiganshina, Eren's heart swelled with joy. He thanked the driver, paid for the Gate pass, and bid him farewell. Stepping into the crisp morning air, he took a deep breath, feeling the familiar scent of his hometown. "Well, I guess I'll change my clothes first; I look like an idiot in these," he said to himself, grinning since he didn't change the clothes Petra forced him to wear though he could have.
After purchasing fresh clothes - a half-sleeve orange t-shirt, trousers, and shoes - Eren felt revitalized. He headed towards his house, about half an hour away, his footsteps echoing through the quiet streets. The morning sun cast a gentle glow on his face, and the town was slowly coming to life. Eren's heart raced with excitement, thinking about reuniting with his mother, Carla, and his childhood friend, Armin.
Just as he was about to turn a corner, a familiar voice called out, "Eren, is that you?" Hannes, a tall and blonde man with a growing mustache, placed a hand on Eren's shoulder from behind. Eren turned, and Hannes enveloped him in a warm hug. "You stink, Hannes! Have you been drinking lately?" Eren teased, his eyes shining with happiness.
Hannes chuckled, his eyes sparkling with joy. "Where were you all this time, Eren? I heard rumors, but I couldn't believe them." Eren smiled, not wanting to delve into the past. "I became stronger and joined the Scouts." He patted Hannes on the back and continued towards his house, leaving Hannes with a knowing smile.
As Eren walked through the main streets, memories flooded his mind. He passed by the same bread shop where he used to buy fresh loaves, and the vegetable market where he and his mother would shop, the boys who used to bully Armin working alongside their father who were cutting fish. "2 years, huh?" he whispered to himself, clutching his briefcase and suitcase. The morning sun cast a gentle glow, and the town seemed to welcome him back with open arms.
After a long stroll, Eren finally reached his wooden house, the familiar structure seeming unchanged by time. Memories flooded his mind as he approached the door, the creaking of the wooden floorboards beneath his feet echoing through the silence. His heart raced with anticipation, his smile faltering as nerves began to overwhelm him.
With a deep breath, he gently placed his briefcase on the freshly polished cobblestone steps and raised his hand towards the door knocker. The metal felt cold against his skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the memories that surged in his mind. The air was heavy with expectation, the silence palpable as Eren's heart hammered in his chest.
He hesitated, his hand hovering above the knocker, as if the simple act of knocking could shatter the fragile peace that had settled over the house. The stillness was oppressive, weighing him down with the weight of the past. Yet, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of hope, a longing to reconnect with the people and the place that had once been his home. With a gentle touch, he finally knocked, the sound echoing through the silence like a whispered greeting.
*Knock*Knock*
Eren's knock on the door was hesitant, but the moment it creaked open, his heart overflowed with emotion. Carla's face, etched with shock and disbelief, was the first thing he saw. Her eyes widened, and her hand flew to her mouth as she stumbled backward, as if her legs had given way.
"Mom," Eren whispered, his voice cracking as tears burst forth like a dam breaking.
Carla's face contorted, and she let out a sob as she rushed forward, arms outstretched. "Eren, my son!" she wailed, her voice shattering with emotion.
The two embraced, holding each other tightly as tears streamed down their faces. Carla kissed Eren's forehead, her lips trembling with joy and sorrow. Eren clung to her, his fingers digging into her shoulders as he inhaled her familiar scent, a mix of warmth and comfort.
As they held each other, the world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in a sea of emotions. Time stood still as they savored this moment, a moment they thought they might never experience again.
Carla stepped back, her eyes shining with tears as she was drinking in the sight of her son. "You're so thin," she whispered, her hands brushing against his cheeks as if to assure herself he was really there. "And your eyes... they're as beautiful as always, shining like emeralds." She tried to wipe away his tears, her fingers gentle on his skin.
Eren's smile faltered, but he nodded, his throat constricting with emotion. "Mother, I'm back," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Carla's face contorted in pain, and she pulled him into another tight hug, holding him as if she'd never let him go. "I'm so sorry, Eren," she whispered, her voice cracking with sorrow. "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you."
Eren's heart swelled, and he hugged her back, feeling the warmth of her embrace. "You did what you could, Mother," he whispered, his voice muffled against her shoulder. "You kept me safe for as long as you could. That's all anyone could ask for."
Two long years felt like an eternity for both of them as they clung to each other, their tears and sobs mingling in a heart-wrenching reunion. Finally, Eren whispered, "I'm here to take you away, Mother. I won't let you stay with him anymore." His gaze bore into hers, searching for any sign of the pain he knew Grisha had inflicted. "I don't know what he's done to you while I was gone, but it ends now. We're leaving together."
Carla's expression faltered, and she avoided his eyes, her voice trembling as she gestured towards the house. "Come inside, Eren. Let's... let's talk about this later." Eren's instincts screamed warning, but he hesitated, his desire to protect his mother warring with his wariness of Grisha's influence.
As they stepped inside, the familiar creak of the wooden floorboards beneath his feet echoed through the silent halls, transporting Eren back to a time when life was simpler. He remembered running through these same halls as a child, laughing and playing with Armin, the warm scent of freshly baked cookies wafting from the kitchen. But now, the once-cozy home felt oppressive, the shadows cast by the fading light of day seeming to hide secrets and lies.
The interior was just as he remembered it except for a few renovations – the same faded couch and the same worn rug were no where to be found but replaced by lavish furniture though the old family portraits were in their places which made Eren sick. But something felt off, like a thin layer of dust had settled over everything, suffocating the life out of it. Eren's heart raced as he followed Carla into the living room, his eyes scanning the space for any sign of Grisha's presence.
Suddenly, the main bedroom door creaked open, revealing a man with a gentlemanly appearance. He was fairly tall and slender, with straight brown hair neatly parted down the middle, teal-green eyes, and a thin beard and mustache. He wore circular spectacles ,a brown suit with a white cravat, and a white shirt with ruffled sleeves.
"Who is it, Carla?" Grisha asked, stepping out of his room. Carla, who had gone into the kitchen to fetch Eren a glass of water and some freshly baked cookies, rushed towards the impending disaster. Though she wasn't too late, she observed Eren standing ready to face Grisha.
As Grisha entered the living room, his eyes widened in shock at the sight of Eren. "Eren... Eren," he whispered, tears escaping his eyes as he ran towards his son with arms wide open, ready to embrace him.
But..."Don't you dare come anywhere near me or my mother, Grisha," Eren's stern voice halted him, his green eyes sparking with fury as memories of the past flooded his mind.
Carla approached Eren gently, placing her hands on his shoulders to calm him down from behind. "Son... I..." Grisha began, but Eren cut him off, his voice heavy with anger.
"Don't you dare call me your son," he spat, hurling the briefcase he had been clutching at full speed. It barely missed Grisha, crashing into the wall behind him and opening to reveal a large sum of money - more than even merchants could gather in a lifetime.
Eren charged at Grisha, shoving him violently and sending him crashing to the wooden floor. Eren pounced on top of him, his eyes blazing with fury. "Is this the money you so desperately craved? Well, here it is, Grisha!" Eren bellowed, grabbing handfuls of gold coins and stuffing them into Grisha's mouth.
Carla screamed in horror, rushing towards them and wrapping her arms around Eren, trying to pull him away. "Let go, Mom!" Eren struggled, his face red with rage.
"Son, please, I beg you, stop!" Carla whispered urgently in his ear, finally managing to calm him down. Grisha stumbled to his feet, vomiting the coins Eren had forced into his mouth, his once-refined appearance now disheveled and ruined.
Carla grasped Eren's hand, leading him to his room. "Let's go, Eren," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion.
Eren listened to her and followed her without resistance. As they entered his room, he observed the familiar surroundings, the same bed, the same desk, the same bookshelf. The room was frozen in time, unchanged since he had left. Eren sat on his bed, his eyes fixed on the floor, his mind still reeling from the confrontation with Grisha. Carla disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a glass of water, her eyes filled with concern. "Here, honey, drink this," she said softly, her hand on his shoulder.
Eren sat there and quickly chugged the glass of water. "Honey, I'll be right back," Carla said, her thoughts fixed on Grisha. "You're going after him, aren't you?" Eren said, reading his mother's mind. Carla nodded, her expression grim, as she hurried downstairs towards Grisha, who sat on the floor, his head lowered in embarrassment.
"He's still mad, isn't he?" Grisha said, his voice heavy with grief. "Maybe he won't forgive me, not now, not ever." He rose to his feet, tears streaming down his face, as Carla approached him. She embraced him, offering comfort, "Darling, don't worry, I'll talk to him. You should go to work."
Grisha nodded, a faint smile on his lips, and lifted his bag, heading towards the door. "Have a safe trip," Carla said, her goodbyes laced with a mix of concern and understanding. Apparently, he had to tend to some soldiers from the recent expedition in Wall Rose, on the outskirts of the Stohess District, and he wouldn't be back for a week.
Carla headed towards Eren's bedroom, where he waited impatiently. She turned the door knob, observing Eren, who wore the Scout Regiment cloak he had bought about two years ago. "It doesn't fit anymore," Eren said, folding the cloak and placing it back in the drawer. "It's because my child has grown," Carla said, her voice filled with emotion, as she hugged Eren from behind.
Carla continued, "Son, your dad is off for work. We can talk all we want now." Eren nodded in agreement, and they both sat on the tiny bed, making themselves comfortable. Carla began to tell him the events that had occurred, without hiding anything, her words painting a picture of the truth.
Eren's eyes widened in disbelief as Carla finished her story, the room falling silent like a graveyard. "The hell..." he muttered, his voice laced with anger and confusion. "But Hange told me you were alright." Carla nodded, her eyes cast downward like a guilty plea. "Sweetheart, I stopped her from telling you."
Eren's eyes blazed with fury, his teeth clenched so hard they seemed to grind. "It doesn't matter how dare she lie about dad beating you until you got hospitalized... And Erwin, on top of getting him out of jail and helping him get a new job in Rose." The air in the room seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken words.
Carla tried to calm him down, her voice soft and soothing. "Honey, I know what Grisha did was wrong... But he's not the Grisha we once knew. He's changed a lot, and..." Eren's gaze snapped at her, his eyes blazing with anger.
"He assaulted you, Mother! Why don't you understand? He almost took your life away!" Eren's fists clenched tighter, his voice rising like a storm. "I won't forgive Hange and Erwin and that Grisha. They all will pay." His gaze fixed on Carla's brown eyes, his voice cracking with emotion. "But I don't understand... Even after what he did to you, how can you come to terms with forgiving him?"
Carla's eyes welled up with tears, her voice cracking. "Honey... I know I'm an idiot... But I loved him once... And I still love him." Tears streamed down her face like raindrops on a window pane, her body shaking with sobs.
The room seemed to shrink, the silence suffocating. Eren's anger slowly gave way to confusion and frustration, his eyes fixed on his mother's tears. He couldn't understand why she would forgive Grisha, why she would still love him after all he had done. The question hung in the air like a challenge, a wound that refused to heal.
Eren decided to change the subject, not wanting to hurt Carla further. "Alright, mom, stop with the crying," he said, forcing a smile as he patted her shoulder. Carla nodded, wiping her tears away. "Mmm, okay."
Eren asked, "Hey, mom, so did you visit your sister, you told me about?" Carla's face lit up. "Yes, I did! After you were gone, I met her after three months. She looked really happy with Jacob... And Mikasa she's grown up so much, just a month or two older than you, but a bit shorter than you." Eren's expression remained neutral, but his eyes betrayed his interest.
Eren said, "I see... That Ackerman girl... I hope she grows up to be a soldier too." Carla chuckled as she replied," Well sweetheart not everyone share the same dream as you." Eren's eyebrow rose, "Dream, huh." He paused, lost in thought, before suddenly sitting up. "Dream, shit! I forgot, mom, how's Armin? Is he alright? How's he doing? I should probably visit him." His eyes filled with concern. "And the three brothers, have they been bullying Armin while I was gone?"
Carla chuckled, reassuring him. "Well, sweetie, he's alright. He visits two or three times a week. Don't worry." Eren lay back in her lap, relieved. "Oh, well, then I guess I'll visit him later in the evening." Suddenly, his gaze met Carla's, who had been watching him with a warm smile.
For Eren, it felt a bit awkward, but it was like he was back with his mother. Carla suggested, "Honey, I was wondering if we visit Karol tomorrow... if you're free. You can meet Jacob too; he's an Ackerman and super strong." Eren's eyes sparkled with excitement as he jumped up. "Ackerman! Hey, mom, I wanted to tell you something really crazy."
Carla's curiosity was piqued. "And what's that?" Eren grasped her shoulder, his eyes shining with excitement. "Well, you know who Levi is, right? Captain Levi... humanity's strongest soldier." Carla looked confused. "Yes...?"
Eren's grin widened. "Guess what? We're related! He's the son of my biological aunt, Kuchel. And... and I even train with him! I'm super strong now, so I can protect you too, just like I promised." Carla's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of emotions on her face. " Well, I'll be in your care my little soldier." Carla said as she patted Eren's head.
"Hey, mom, so tell me more about these Asains," Eren said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. He knew the history of the Asians, but he wanted to keep Carla engaged and distracted from the earlier tension.
Carla's eyes lit up, and she began a long story, her voice filled with nostalgia. "Well, sweetie, we Asians are a rare breed, even rarer than the Ackermans. We usually lived in Sina, but our tribe joined hands with the Ackermans to overthrow the empire. Soon we were attacked by the military police, and my parents fled here, where they had me and Karol..."
Before Carla could finish her story, she heard Eren's soft snores, his chest rising and falling peacefully in her lap. She smiled warmly, gazing at her son with a mix of love and pride. Eren looked like a little kid, sleeping innocently, but Carla knew that inside, he was a mature and strong individual who had seen too much in his young years.
Carla leaned down and kissed Eren's cheeks, her lips gentle on his skin. She continued to watch him, her heart filled with love and gratitude for this precious moment together. The room was silent, the only sound Eren's soft snores, as Carla cherished this peaceful moment with her son.
Carla gazed at Eren's peaceful face and felt a sense of closure and new beginnings. She realized that Eren had grown into a strong and capable individual, despite the hardships he had faced. She was proud of the person he had become and knew that he would always carry her love and support with him.
With a gentle smile, Carla softly hummed a lullaby, her voice barely audible over Eren's snores. The room was bathed in a warm, golden light, symbolizing the love and warmth that filled their hearts.
As the sun rose above the horizon, casting a peaceful glow over the room, Carla whispered, "I love you, Eren. Always remember, no matter where life takes you, I'll always be here for you."
And with that, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as they both drifted off into a peaceful slumber, surrounded by the warmth and love that only a mother and son could share.