Odel District
3 days after the 57th expedition
The dim light from the burning candles flickered, casting eerie, elongated shadows on the rough stone walls. The faint glow illuminated the worn faces of the two Ackermans, each bearing the weight of grief and exhaustion. Levi sat in a silence that felt heavy, his presence the only anchor for Petra, who continuously cried for hours.
His lips brushed against her cheek, a quiet reassurance in the darkness, as if trying to convince her that, somehow, everything was gonna be fine soon. The only words she had been able to muster were filled with guilt, "Levi, Eren... I'm the reason they died..."
Eren had been there too, his hand gently smoothing her hair as he whispered, "Don't worry... Just rest for now. We'll talk later, 'kay?" His voice was calm, but beneath it simmered a quiet storm of rage and thirst for revenge.
He left them in the dim room, leaving Levi to continue his silent vigil. Levi's hands moved absently through Petra's hair as she leaned into his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt, her anguish slowly dissipating into the quiet as she finally succumbed to sleep.
In another part of the compound, Eren made his way toward the dining room. The air felt thick, heavy with the weight of decisions that had yet to be made. Mikasa waited for him, her gaze sharp despite the fatigue that dulled her features.
She sat at the old wooden table, the flickering candlelight throwing ghostly reflections in her eyes as she waited for him to return. Eren entered the room with a yawn, running a hand through his unruly hair. His steps were slow, his mind heavy with the thoughts he hadn't yet shared.
"You look tired," Mikasa said softly, the words gentle but pointed, trying to open a conversation she wasn't sure she was ready to have.
Eren gave a faint nod before collapsing into the chair beside her, his head resting against the cool surface of the table. His eyes met hers, a shadow of exhaustion and something more lurking in their depths.
"Yeah... sorry for calling you out this late. But there's something I needed to discuss with everyone. Let's wait for others to arrive first." His voice was quieter than usual, as though weighed down by the enormity of whatever he was about to say.
"Ummm, 'kay..." Mikasa smiled softly, inching closer until their faces were barely apart. She mirrored his posture, her gray eyes studying his tired, emerald gaze. "Ne, Ereh..."
"Hmmm..." Eren muttered through another yawn, barely registering her words.
Mikasa's heart fluttered, her cheeks warming as she struggled to find the right words. "What... What are you planning to do after you've killed all the Titans?" Her voice wavered, laced with a shy hopefulness as her flushed face neared his.
Eren blinked, taken aback by the suddenness of her question. "Hmm... Dunno. What about you?" he murmured, glancing away as if searching for the right response. Deep down, he wanted to tell her something, something more, but he knew now wasn't the time. Not yet.
Mikasa's face grew redder, her thoughts tumbling over one another in a rush of dreams and silent wishes. She have had dreams of this moment so many times—dreamed of a life where the war was over, where she and Eren could be together without the shadows of death looming over them away from everything and everyone just the two of them living together forever. "Ah, Ereh... I—"
But before she could finish, the door creaked open, and the room filled with the others, breaking the quiet intimacy like shattered glass. Both jumped in surprise, quickly sitting upright, their awkward tension palpable.
"Did we interrupt you brats?" Levi teased, his tone flat, though the sharp glint in his eyes revealed he had already seen their closeness before entering.
"What are you talking about, Levi?" Eren shot back, deflecting the attention as his cheeks tinged faintly red. Standing up, he addressed the group with sudden seriousness, "Everyone, thanks for coming. Commander, I appreciate you being here aswell despite your schedule."
Erwin, ever stoic, nodded as he took his seat at the head of the table, his eyes calmly assessing Eren. " No problem dear Eren. However it's quite rare seeing you call us here at this hour. I hope everything is alright."
Eren took a deep breath, locking eyes with the Commander. His next words fell heavy like stones in the air, sending a cold shock through the room. The words that trailed off his mouth were suffocating, the weight of his declaration paralyzing everyone in the room.
"I've uncovered the identity of the Female Titan..." Eren's voice was steady, the weight of his revelation sent a ripple of tension through the room. Erwin's brow furrowed in response, his expression sharpening.
"I see..." Erwin replied his expression stoic, his curiosity piqued, leaning forward slightly, signaling for Eren to continue. The room seemed to hold its breath.
"However," Eren began, his voice louder now, "before I continue jump to conclusions, I need to clear something up." His gaze shifted, locking onto his childhood friend. "Armin Arlert!"
"Yes!" Armin shot up from his seat, saluting with the rigid discipline expected of a scout, even though his confusion was palpable.
"Mikasa Ackerman informed me that during the mission, you were ambushed by the Female Titan... your squad was wiped out except for you, Reiner Braun, and Bertholdt Hoover. Why?!" Eren's question hung in the air, sharp as a blade.
Armin, caught off guard, stammered, "Y-Yes, that's correct, Eren... But I—I'm afraid I don't know how I survived... The Titan just... ignored us."
A slight smile crept onto Erwin's face, his keen mind already piecing together the implications. Levi, always a step ahead, interjected, "So what you're saying, Eren, is that the Female Titan is basically one of the cadets from the 104th?"
Eren nodded gravely, "Bingo." His gaze flickered over the faces of his comrades, searching for understanding.
" What...." Armin whispered his breath shaky the three scouts Jean, Mikasa and Armin shared shocking glances. "You mean we trained..... We trained with her? How can you be so sure about that" Armin asked, his voice trembling slightly, as if the very idea unsettled him.
Eren's eyes hardened as he answered, "Arlert... I fought the Female Titan in hand-to-hand combat. For a moment, I recognized her technique. Her posture was familiar—too familiar."
His words sent a cold chill through the room. Eren's gaze shifted at Mikasa who was looking at Eren almost paralyzed. Words seemed to get stuck in her mouth. Slowly, realization dawned, her face paling as she connected the dots.
"Eren... There's... no way..." she whispered, her disbelief clear, her wide eyes filled with the weight of the unspoken truth.
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The sun cast an ominous glow on Eren and Mikasa as they faced off in their daily hand-to-hand combat session. Eren was exhausted, his muscles aching after a rigorous ODM practice with Levi, but he didn't want Mikasa to feel neglected.
Despite his weariness, he squared up, determined to give her the challenge she sought. Mikasa, dressed in long shorts and a training vest that exposed her toned abs and biceps, looked ready to unleash her Ackerman strength. Eren, barefoot, wore black pants, his stance relaxed but poised.
"Alright, Mikasa. Come at me," Eren commanded, his voice steady despite his fatigue.
"Okay!" Mikasa replied, her focus sharpening. With a deep breath, she tapped into her Ackerman instincts, launching forward with a punch aimed directly at Eren. He moved like water, his torso twisting effortlessly to avoid her strike, his feet firmly planted.
"Ugh..." Mikasa grunted, recovering quickly as she swung her elbow toward his chest.
"Good..." Eren admired her form, catching her elbow with his hand. "But you've left yourself vulnerable." His fist shot toward her abs, stopping just short, careful not to hurt her.
"Ah... sorry, Ereh..." Mikasa mumbled, her dissatisfaction evident, but Eren flashed her a warm smile.
"We're not done, Ackerman. Keep going."
Mikasa grinned, her eyes lighting up with renewed determination. She lunged at him again, her movements becoming smoother, more fluid with every exchange. Each missed punch, each blocked kick, made her adapt, and soon, her style began to mirror Eren's—flowing, precise, relentless.
Watching from a distance, Levi stood beside Petra, sipping from his water bottle, his gaze fixed on the pair. "That idiot's still holding back," he muttered, his elbow lightly resting on Petra's shoulder as she watched with quiet admiration. " But Levi that's exactly how you taught Eren when he was a little kid..." Petra said her gaze fixed at Eren with a warm smile.
Levi let out a low hum of acknowledgment, his eyes briefly darting from Eren and Mikasa to his squad—Oluo, Gunther, and Eld—each perfectly in sync, their every attack lethal in precision. "Ya, ya just like I taught him," Levi murmured, his thoughts briefly wandering to Eren's early training days. It felt strange watching him now, strong but still holding back.
"Ugh…" Eren grunted as Mikasa finally managed to land a solid punch against his abs, her fist connecting with satisfying force. Though in truth, Eren had allowed it. He knew Mikasa wouldn't stop until she felt she'd earned it, until she could prove herself. He chuckled, half-amused, half-proud. "Nice... nice one, Mikasa. You got me."
"Ereh… I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hit you so hard," Mikasa apologized, her face flushing with guilt.
Eren, always the actor, waved it off with a grin. "Shit I didn't know you were this strong. But don't worry Mikasa I've been through worse... No big deal." He reached out, ruffling her hair in that familiar way that always seemed to make her heart race, her face now as red as the scarf she always wore—her scarf, which he wrapped around her nearly every day.
"Ne, Ereh… There's this technique I picked up back at the academy…" Mikasa's voice softened as excitement took over, her hands clutching his tightly. "It'll really help against the titans, I promise."
"Hm... another teacher besides me, huh?" Eren teased, smiling at her. Even though she was clearly exhausted, she still wanted to offer him something—to teach him for once, since lately, he had been tirelessly training her and Armin that's how she convinced herself however deep down she had ulterior motives— to hug Eren real tight a sense of gratitude and affection for everything he's done for her but she was too shy to ask right now.
"Well, she's not a teacher, just… a moody girl. Hmph" Mikasa pouted, but it didn't matter now. She was eager to show him what she'd learned. "Just stand still, okay? Don't dodge it…"
She stepped back, gaining some distance, determination flickering in her eyes as she prepared to demonstrate.
Breath
Mikasa shifted her stance, raising her fists in a boxing pose. Her left ankle lifted off toe still intact with the ground as she tried to channel her energy. Eren watched, his eyebrows furrowed. "What is she doing?" he muttered under his breath a bit dissatisfied, expecting something more from the usually precise and deadly Mikasa.
But then, without warning, she moved in, her arms quickly wrapping around Eren's neck. It was sudden, unexpected, and caught him completely off guard. At first, it seemed like a simple grapple, but there was something different—her grip was tightening with each passing second. Her face was flushed, but it wasn't from embarrassment—it was clear she wasn't in control of her strength.
"Mikasa... w-wait…" Eren gasped, his voice strained as her grip tightened even more. "Sh... Shit... Mikasa..." His words barely escaped before his vision began to fade, the world around him spinning as he lost consciousness.
That's how Annie Leonhart strangled her till she started to choke and fainted. However she expected more from Eren but since the immense force blocked the blood vessels supplying blood to the head it was logical to loose consciousness.
"Erehhhhhhh...???" Mikasa's whispered as she suddenly realized her mistake. Eren had stopped moving and his body was still. Panic set in, her hands trembling as she released him, watching Eren slump to the ground, his body limp.
Levi, quick to sense the danger, rushed over. His eyes were sharp as ever, but there was a flicker of concern in his otherwise stoic demeanor. "Idiot," he snapped, as he bent down to lift Eren off the ground. Petra hurried over, assisting Levi. "You could've broken his neck." He said.
Mikasa stood frozen, guilt coursing through her veins as she watched them carry Eren away, her heart racing with dread. She hadn't meant to hurt him—not like this.
Later that night
Moonlight filtered through the misty windowpane, casting a soft glow on Eren's face. His eyes fluttered open, his thoughts hazy, struggling to make sense of the evening's events.
Slowly, it all came back—the near-strangulation, Mikasa's unintentional grip that almost choked the life out of him. But as his mind cleared, he didn't care. It was Mikasa, after all—and that thought brought an amused grin to his face ~Hehehe… what a pervert.
His gaze shifted to Mikasa, seated beside him, her shoulders trembling as she wept quietly. Tears streamed down her face, and her eyes were swollen from crying for what seemed like hours.
"Mika… Mikasa… What happened?" Eren whispered, his voice still groggy from the ordeal.
Mikasa gasped softly, lifting her head from where it had rested against the bed. Her tear-filled grey eyes met his, shock and relief washing over her.
"I'm sorry… Ereh… I'm so sorry…" she stammered, her voice breaking between sobs. "I didn't mean to… All I wanted was to hug you.... To thank you....,but instead I… I almost…" Her words trailed off into more tears as she buried her face in her hands, clearly torn by guilt.
Eren, understanding the real intent behind her actions, chuckled softly. Without warning, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. Mikasa fell forward, collapsing into his embrace.
"Idiot," Eren murmured, gently running his hand through her long hair. "If you wanted a hug, you could've just said so. I don't mind… I don't mind at all."
Mikasa froze for a moment, her face pressed against his chest, before letting out a shaky breath. His touch calmed her, the weight of her guilt lifting slightly as she felt his heartbeat steady beneath her cheek.
Then, suddenly—
"Bleugh!"
Eren, in the middle of the tender moment, made a muffled sound, immediately ruining the atmosphere.
"Ereh?" Mikasa pulled back, alarmed. "What happened?" Her worried expression softened when she saw Eren struggling with something in his mouth. A small giggle escaped her lips when she realized—her long hair had gotten caught inside his mouth.
Eren, trying to spit the strands out, looked utterly ridiculous.
Mikasa chuckled, wiping away the last of her tears. "That's why you shouldn't talk while hugging a girl with long hair. Didn't that shorty taught you that?"
Eren grinned sheepishly. "Y-Yes, ma'am…" he mumbled, still working to get the strands out.
With a playful smile, Mikasa leaned closer, pulling her hair free from his mouth. She then rested her head gently on his shoulder, tightening her arms around his strong back. Eren's heart pounded fast—so fast he thought it might leap from his chest.
"Good job, Mikasa…" Eren whispered maintaining his usual calm demour, his voice soft as they held each other close. "You've gotten really good at training…" His words trailed off, but the moment spoke for itself as they simply cherished being in each other's arms, finally at peace.
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"Idiot, you should try summarizing more..." Levi's sharp voice cut through the silence, his gaze fixed on Eren. Mikasa, seated beside Eren, had her hand covering her mouth, her face scarlet red, matching her iconic crimson scarf. Eren, caught in the flow of his own excitement, had just blurted out everything—his entire encounter with Mikasa, right down to the most intimate moments.
Jean, sitting across the room, looked like he wanted to cry. He had no idea what these two lovebirds had been up to recently, and the realization hit him hard.
Eren quickly tried to recover, his face as red as Mikasa's. "Uhm... Uhm... Anyway, that doesn't matter... right now, of course..." He said, trying to divert the topic, just as his Aunt Karol used to do when caught in an awkward situation.
Armin, still bewildered by the conversation, whispered, "I still don't get it, Eren... I don't know where you're going with this..."
Only Mikasa and Eren had fully pieced together the mystery. Eren's voice dropped, his tone turning serious. "Armin... it's Annie Leonhart. The one who ranked 4th in the class of the 104th Cadet Corps."
The room went dead silent.
Armin's expression twisted in disbelief. "Eren, come on, stop joking around. That doesn't prove anything. Nothing at all. You don't even know who she is. I know her, Eren. We spent three years in the academy together. I know her better than anyone… Trust me." Eren hearing just some words from Armin's mouth concluded right away— the douche was head over heels for her like he was for Mikasa and she was for him.
Eren's patience thinned as his frustration crept in. "Scout Arlet, are you questioning me?" His tone grew cold, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "It's not your eyes that are blind, Armin—it's your heart. I bet there are emotions preventing you from accepting the inevitable. Just for a moment, throw it all away your feelings, your thoughts, everything. Think like the Armin I've known since childhood. Your intellect surpasses mine. Just think. "
Armin's eyes widened, the weight of Eren's words settling in. Jean too fell silent, both of them slowly starting to grasp the grim possibility that Eren might be right.
"That's not the only thing, Armin. During Trost... I saw her myself," Eren said, his voice low but firm as he leaned closer to Armin, locking his gaze on the boy's azure eyes. "She was at the far left of our formation, and I saw her leave the group. Right after she left us, we heard the thunderclap—the noise after a titan shifter fully transforms. At first I thought it was just a coincidence but now it all sums up...."
"Even if right now you aren't satisfied. Then tell me why in trost was I the only target. Why didn't the female titan attack anyone else.?" Eren's question hung in the air like a death sentence leaving everyone wondering.
Armin's voice faltered, his mind racing to piece together the fragments. "It's because…"
"Because the only soldiers present were the cadets from the 104th Cadet Corps who were important to Leonhart" Eren whispered, the weight of his realization settling heavily in the room. "She didn't want to loose her fellow trainees… That's the whole reason she didn't kill you in the field during the expedition. She just didn't want to. Understand?"
"Ereh… you… you're right," Mikasa said, her breath shaky as memories flooded back. "Right after you got caught in the titan's jaws after saving me, the female titan left immediately. In a glimpse, Annie appeared out of nowhere…"
Armin interjected, his voice rising in disbelief. "Mikasa, you too? I know you had a grudge against her in the academy, but we are talking about life and death situation here— you both might damn well be accusing an innocent girl here. Don't you realize we can't just ambush her on some half assed assumptions."
"Oi, calm down..." Levi commanded, his voice steady as he leveled a piercing gaze at Armin, who was clearly agitated. Meanwhile, Erwin sat with a faint smile, the weight of the conversation settling around him like a dense fog.
" Erwin....." Eren said but before he could go furthur Armin's emotions burst forward showcasing how blind he's become.
"Commander! With all due respect, I ask for further investigation!" Armin interjected, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as he shot a glare at both Eren and Mikasa.
"Arlet!!!! Stop! Know your limits!! Who gave you the permission to interrupt your seniors?" Hange boomed, her voice echoing off the walls and silencing Armin in an instant. His bravado flickered, leaving him feeling like an intruder in a conversation far beyond his control.
Eren took a deep breath, placing a calming hand on Armin's shoulder. "Hey, Armin... I don't know how you feel, but I know what I saw. I don't know a damn thing about her, so I don't have the right to hate or like her. But we have to make a decision. I'll be more than happy if she's not the female titan, but we're scouts. We don't get second chances; we always take the shot. If she's not the titan, well and good, end of story. But if she is… not even our friendship can save her from my wrath. I'll rip her apart limb by limb, make her suffer a pain no being has ever felt."
His voice resonated with a raw intensity, a fury that churned deep within him, fueled by the loss and betrayal he had witnessed.
Erwin intervened, his tone firm yet measured. "Do whatever you'd like, Eren, but no matter the cost, don't kill her. We need her alive."
Eren nodded, the weight of Erwin's words grounding him. " Very Well..."
Erwin feeling a sense of pride in Eren already knew he might've even planned something to catch her. " So Vice Commander got any plans..."
"Ya I got a strategy to capture her. It'll cost many innocent lives, but we've run out of choices. We will capture her in Stohess five days from now. Prepare yourselves, scouts... Expect the worst." Eren said as his gaze darting from one to another who listened in awe except for Armin unable to absorb anything. The girl he shared laughter, joy and found solace with being accused of being a titan and a mass murder unbelievable.
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Eren's voice cut through the tension like a knife as he fixed his gaze on Annie, the female titan bringing Armin back to his senses. "Well then... is that all the evidence you needed, Armin?" With a swift motion, he threw his cloak aside, the fabric fluttering to the ground, revealing the glint of his blades.
His expression hardened, a tempest of anger and determination swirling in his emerald eyes. "I'll carve this bitch out, and no one in hell can save her now—not even you."