The days that followed were a blur of desperation and hope. Karol's life hung in the balance, but Eren's swift action and the arrival of the medical team from Mitras had given her a fighting chance. The heart surgery had been a success, and now she lay in recovery, her fragile body slowly healing.
As Eren watched over her, he couldn't help but think of the weight of responsibility he'd shouldered. He'd promised Grisha he'd do everything in his power to help Karol recover, and he'd meant it. But it was Mikasa who'd been by her mother's side throughout, her quiet strength and resilience inspiring Eren to keep going.
With Karol on the mend, Eren found himself drawn to Mikasa's family, visiting them every two weeks to ensure they had the medication and support they needed. It was during these visits that he began to see Mikasa in a different light...
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Mikasa's POV
Two weeks had passed since the heart surgery, and the morning sun cast its golden glow on the wooden house, barely penetrating the dense forest. As the sun rose above the horizon, a faint knock broke the eerie silence within the house. "Coming..." Jacob called from inside, opening the door to reveal Grisha and Eren alongside the medication.
Jacob's weary eyes softened as he greeted them, his gaze lingering on Grisha before shifting to Eren. "Ah, look who it is. Good morning. Please come in." He stepped aside, allowing them to enter.
The interior was warm and inviting, filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering stew. Grisha's eyes scanned the room, his gaze settling on Karol's frail form. She smiled weakly, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
"Good morning, Grisha...Eren," she whispered, her voice still fragile.
Eren's face lit up with a gentle smile as he approached Karol grasping her hand," How are feeling aunt." Karol gently replied," I'm fine... It's only because of you... My dear child..... I'm really grateful.." Karol wanted to talk more but Eren interrupted," Aunt you should rest for now we will talk once you have fully recovered. I want you on your feet as soon as possible. I've been craving your cooking recently especially your fried turkey." She smiled caressing Eren's cheeks before closing her eyes.
Suddenly, Mikasa emerged from the adjacent room, her eyes fixed on Eren with a shy smile. "Ummm...G-good morning, Eren," she stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Eren's gaze met hers, and he returned her smile. "Good morning, Mikasa. It's great to see you."
Grisha cleared his throat saying. "We brought more medication." Grisha handed it to Jacob who preserved it in a cold container.
As they spoke, Eren's gaze lingered on Mikasa, noticing the faint blush on her cheeks. He felt a warmth in his chest, happy to see her smiling after her disastrous break down in his arms during the surgery.
"Hey, son..." Grisha called out, requesting Eren to buy some fruits for Karol, which he had forgotten earlier. Eren nodded and offered Mikasa a chance to join him, "Hey, wanna come along, Mikasa? I'll treat you to some delicious cookies." Mikasa agreed, her voice barely above a whisper,
"O... Okay."
As they rode the cart towards the nearest town, Eren chatted enthusiastically, while Mikasa responded with her usual brief replies. However, Eren noticed Mikasa's peculiar behavior and asked, "Is something bothering you?" Mikasa tried to brush it off, but Eren's concern and curiosity got the better of him. "C'mon, tell me now. I'm way too curious," he said, moving his face closer to hers, their eyes locking in a gentle gaze.
Mikasa hesitated, unsure if she should ask, but Eren's persistence encouraged her to open up. "Umm... Eren, you've helped us a lot over the past few months..." she began, her voice barely audible. "And? What's up with that?" Eren asked, still confused. Mikasa's question tumbled out, "But why... Why do all this for us, even though we never did anything for you but be a burden? We aren't even blood-related... then why?"
Eren's smile was gentle as he patted Mikasa's hair, his touch sending a blush to her cheeks. "It's because you guys are important to me... You are the only family I have left." Mikasa's face turned crimson, her eyes cast downward, as she processed Eren's heartfelt words.
Mikasa's gaze remained downcast, her cheeks still flushed. Eren's words had touched her deeply, and she didn't know how to respond. She felt a mix of emotions: gratitude, shame, and a hint of happiness.
Eren's eyes gazed into the distance, his voice barely above a whisper. "Listen, Mikasa... the day I found out Grisha and Carla weren't my parents... I was truly broken.... Broken with the fact that they weren't my real family...."
The air grew thick with emotion as Mikasa's eyes locked onto Eren's, her expression softening.
Eren's voice cracked. "And then I learned my real parents were already dead... it felt like my world had shattered."
Mikasa's gaze never wavered, her face reflecting Eren's pain." Karen Ackerman and Eren Kruger.... My parents huh. "
Eren's eyes refocused, his voice filled with determination. "That's why I help people, Mikasa. They're lucky to have families they can love... and I won't let anything take that away."
Eren's gaze intensified, his voice gentle. "Same goes for you, Mikasa. I couldn't bear it if your smile was taken away... because of Aunt Karol's death or anything else."
Mikasa's eyes dropped, her cheeks flushing.
Eren's voice became a warm whisper. "Just seeing the people I've helped... and knowing I made a difference... it makes me really happy."
The air was filled with a sense of camaraderie, Eren and Mikasa connected by their shared experiences.
Eren's eyes locked onto Mikasa's, his voice firm. "So don't worry about anything, Mikasa. Feel free to call out my name whenever you need help... we'll face it together."
Mikasa nodded her face crimson, her voice filled with sincerity. "Thank you for everything, Eren. I'm truly grateful." Her gaze drifted to the wooden base of the cart as Eren chuckled and continued patting her hair. "You're welcome," he replied with a warm smile.
As they arrived in town, the cart came to a halt, and Eren and Mikasa set out to buy the necessary fruits for Karol. The day passed uneventfully, and they returned to the forest without any issues.
After eating the supper, Eren excused himself, but Mikasa's faint voice stopped him in his tracks. "Eren..."
He turned around at the door, his gaze shifting towards Mikasa, who was clutching two handmade dolls in her hands. Eren's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the intricate details of the dolls. One doll resembled him, wearing a black undercoat, black trousers, and a scarf wrapped around its neck. The other doll looked like Mikasa, dressed in a pink top and a flowy skirt.
Karol's voice rang out from across the room, "Ah, Mikasa, I see you've finally mustered the courage to give it to him!" Mikasa's face turned an even deeper shade of red as she clutched the dolls tightly.
Eren felt a surge of awkwardness, unsure how to react. He was only 8 years old, but he knew dolls weren't exactly his thing anymore. Still, he didn't want to hurt Mikasa's feelings.
"Come on, Yeager, don't mess this up," he thought to himself. "Make me proud today this is your moment. Damn it! Just don't embarrass yourself!"
Eren's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the dolls trying to sound enthusiastic, forcing a smile, "Mikasa, where did you...?" He trailed off, his gaze fixed on the doll that looked like him.
Mikasa's face turned bright red as she looked down, her voice barely audible. "I-I made them... I wanted to give you something, Eren."
Eren's expression softened, and he walked back to Mikasa, his eyes shining with warmth. "Mikasa, they're beautiful," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Mikasa's voide trailed off," R... Really? You like them ?" Eren nodded feeling a bit weird,
" Yeah they're awesome. You are really talented Mikasa."
He gently took the dolls from Mikasa's hands, examining them in wonder. The attention to detail was astonishing - from the scarf around his neck to the pink shirt and frock on Mikasa's doll.
"I'll treasure these always."Eren said, looking up at her with a smile.
Mikasa's face glowed with happiness, and she smiled shyly at Eren. "I'm glad you like them, Eren."
"Nice work, kid," he thought to himself, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he left the wooden house,"You've finally done something right... I'm proud."
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Mikasa's POV
Eren fulfilled his promise, visiting the Ackermans every two weeks with Grisha. As the days passed, Mikasa's initial shyness around Eren gave way to effortless conversation. She blossomed into a chatterbox, always initiating discussions and sharing her thoughts.
During one visit, as they sat beneath a tree near the Ackermans' house, Mikasa asked, "Hey Eren, you told me that Armin was smart so does he know how babies are made?" Eren, feigning confidence, replied, "Even I know that." Little did he know, he was about to dive into uncharted territory.
Mikasa's curiosity was piqued. "Really? Tell me." Eren, undeterred, spun a whimsical tale. "A stork comes at night and places the baby inside the mother's stomach." Mikasa's eyes widened, her voice filled with wonder. "How does the stork carry the baby, Eren?"
Eren hesitated, his imagination faltering. "On its back, I think." Mikasa's quick wit caught him off guard. "But that way, it'll fall!" Eren's smile faltered, and he shrugged, "Well, I think... ya..."
As the sun began to set, Eren settled onto the soft fabric beneath the tree, his eyelids growing heavy. Mikasa gazed at him, her heart filled with affection, her mind still whirling with thoughts of storks and babies. As Eren's soft breaths filled the air, Mikasa's smile never wavered, her eyes shining with warmth.
As they sat there, basking in the warm sunlight filtering through the tree's leaves, Mikasa felt a deep connection to Eren. She loved seeing this carefree side of him, away from the pressures of being a Scout.
Eren, too, felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He enjoyed Mikasa's company, and her smile lit up his world. Mikasa's gaze at Eren conveyed something else that he wasn't just a friend but someone she would cherish her entire life now and forever.
With the medication proving effective, Karol devoted her time to sewing clothes or engaging in lively conversations with Carla. Eren, on the other hand, deliberately avoided talking to Carla, knowing she would inevitably bring up the Scouts. This was why he preferred spending time with Mikasa outside, helping her with chores, cutting fresh vegetables from their garden, and playing with the dolls she lovingly crafted.
Mikasa would often sneak up on Eren, pouncing on him and tickling his stomach for no reason at all. Eren, being extremely ticklish, would burst into laughter, becoming her helpless victim. This was Mikasa's playful way of punishing him when he refused to listen to her demands.
However, their carefree moments were short-lived. Eren's inevitable argument with Carla arrived, and his hurtful words cut deep. "What do you mean? The hell with the Military Police! I'm done trying to convince you... You don't own the right to stop me... You're not even my real mother, so why won't you stop? This is the destiny I chose, and no one owns the right to stop me from achieving the freedom I desire!"
Carla's heart was pierced by his venomous words, and she cried uncontrollably. Eren knew he had gone too far, but Carla's relentless demands had pushed him to the limit. He left instantly, severing ties.
Afterward, Eren stopped visiting Shiganshina or the Ackermans in Wall Maria. The medication was supplied by one of Erwin's cart drivers. As for Eren he focused on the upcoming expedition to the south, which would depart from Artemis, a journey that would be long and arduous.
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Two months went by, and the snow fell heavily, shrouding the landscape in white. Mikasa would gaze out the misty window pane every two weeks, hoping to catch a glimpse of Eren, but only Grisha and Carla would appear, bringing medication for Karol from Erwin's driver.
Meanwhile, Eren's expeditions were a resounding success. He slew 58 Titans, including 14 Aberrants, alongside the Levi Squad, earning legendary status among the people within the walls. His image, alongside the Levi Squad, was printed in newspapers, spreading like wildfire. Mikasa's worry for Eren only grew, and she'd often break down in tears, longing to see him more than anything. Her tears would often soak in Eren's doll her plea was," Please I want to see Eren... Just once... Please"
Her family was well aware of it and started to loathe themselves for it discussing it with the Yeagers.
Mikasa's wishes finally came true when Grisha decided to meet Eren in Odel and also had some urgent work so he invited her to join him. Mikasa eagerly agreed, as her parents had also been encouraging her to visit. It was a blessing in disguise that Carla chose to stay behind with the Ackermans, still nursing her heartache. This way, Mikasa could reunite with Eren without any tension or awkwardness. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, Mikasa set off with Grisha, her heart racing at the thought of seeing Eren again.