"Christa!" Reiner's voice tore through the early dawn, raw and desperate, his arm stretched toward her as he sprinted forward. "Don't you dare touch her!" He readied his arm to bite down, the urge to transform a visceral need as he watched her face the imminent threat.
"Idiots, always getting worked up over the smallest things…"
Slash
Levi's voice cut through, just as his blade cleaved through a Titan's nape in one fluid motion. The creature's head dropped from its shoulders, collapsing mid-air.
At the same time, Mikasa swooped in, grasping Christa and pulling her clear of the Titan's lifeless bulk crashing into the dirt beside them.
"Scouts, advance! What the...." Hange's eyes darted over the scene half-confused, half-impressed, as she ordered the scouts to take down the remaining Titans but caught the sight of Eren already drenched in blood, moving like a force of nature, cutting down the titans with Levi by his side.
As the dust settled, everyone had their gazes fixed on Eren, surrounded by fallen Titans, his breathing steady. His expression however was hard, edged with frustration, his form dripping with blood from head to toe as he muttered, "Man... my movements have gotten sluggish...."
"Is that… Vice Commander?" Connie's voice was almost a whisper, his face reflecting a combination of awe and disbelief as he alongside others approached the horde of scouts feeling relieved.
"You could leave some for the rest of us," Hange said as she approached, a small, warm smile tugging at her lips. Relief was evident on everyone's faces as they regrouped around Eren, reassured by his presence.
Eren nodded at Hange, his gaze shifting to Christa, who had broken away from the crowd to rush to Ymir's side. A slight change flickered in his expression as he watched her for a brief moment, then turned his attention to Sasha, who seemed to be fidgeting, as though unsure where to place herself.
"You—Potato Girl," he called, voice low but firm, catching her by surprise. "Report."
Sasha's eyes widened, a weird smirk slipping through her face. "Sir… We were told to alert the nearby districts… about the breach… sir?"
Eren's brow creased, his expression unreadable as he considered her words.
"Oh, don't mind me. Continue," Eren said, though his mind was clearly somewhere else, distant.
Sasha hesitated, but finally gathered her words. "After informing the nearby districts, we were supposed to regroup at Utgard Castle with the rest of the scouts… But… we were ambushed, sir. The entire Miche squad was wiped out."
Both Levi's and Eren's eyes widened, unable to fully process the words.
"And Miche… what happened to him?" Eren took a few steps forward, his tone hardening as he searched her eyes.
Sasha's expression crumpled, and despite her reluctance, her voice cracked as she spoke. "One of the scouts… saw him from afar. He was… killed by the Beast Titan." Her voice trailed off as she tried to keep steady.
Eren clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding together, but Levi maintained his usual steely mask, though Petra, sensing his tightly held grief, stood silently at his side, slipping her fingers into his for a moment's quiet support.
Eren took a steadying breath, pressing down his own pain. He gestured toward where Christa sat, her expression serene as she revealed her true name. "And that… what's her story?"
Sasha blinked, seeming to regain herself, and answered. "Well… I'm not sure sir... but she transformed into a Titan out of nowhere..... Much like yours..... and saved us. If it weren't for her, we would've been… long gone."
Eren nodded thoughtfully, casting a glance at the blonde, Historia, whom Mikasa was now trying to pull away from Ymir, murmuring warnings about staying close.
As the group of three stood away from everyone else. Hange, watching Eren closely, finally spoke. "We don't know if she's on our side, Eren. Could be in league with the Armored and Colossal. This could be a trick.... To get on our good side." Her gaze lingered on Eren, waiting for his thoughts.
Levi remained silent but finally gave a terse nod. "Eren, let's keep her as a captive for now. Once we're back, Erwin will decide her fate."
Eren sighed deeply and nodded. "Hange, deploy a team to tend her wounds. She won't be able to transform for a couple of hours in her current state, but no one lets their guard down. And—" He staggered, his legs buckling as a sudden rush of crimson ran from his nose, trailing down to his mouth.
Levi was at his side in an instant, steadying him, pressing a napkin into his hand. "Easy," he muttered, his brow furrowing just slightly.
Eren clenched the cloth, wiping the blood away, a frustrated smile ghosting over his face. "Damn… how pathetic can I get…" he muttered, the forced calm in his tone betraying his irritation. But he was just grateful his overprotective mother wasn't nearby to witness it, sparing him the need for constant explanations.
Both Hange and Levi exchanged a glance, their concern evident but tempered by understanding. They knew well that this blood loss happened whenever Eren pushed his limits, his body beginning to falter under the strain. Levi asked quietly, "You alright?"
Eren gave a curt nod, wiping away the trails of crimson before shoving the napkin into his pocket. Regaining his composure, he raised his voice. "Scouts, take her" he ordered. Hange and a few others approached, lifting the unconscious Ymir and separating her from Historia, who immediately began protesting.
"Christa, keep quiet. Don't make a scene," Connie murmured as he mounted his horse, urging her to follow. Stunned, she didn't respond until Sasha gave her a gentle push onto the same horse.
The sky darkened as heavy clouds rolled in, filtering thin rays of sunlight over the field. Eren mounted his horse, leading the scouts back toward Wall Rose. With the garrison soldiers lowering elevators, they carefully transported the injured over the wall, a tense silence settling over the group as they finally reached the top.
Once there, Eren turned to Levi and Hange, assessing their next steps. "We should inform Erwin. Locking her in the same underground cell as Annie might be safest option —for now, at least." His gaze shifted between Reiner and Bertholdt before settling on Levi handing him a folded piece of paper.
"Agreed," Levi replied, a steely determination in his voice. Levi immediately signaled a soldier, handing him the note and sending him off toward Karanes District.
"Scouts, prepare to deploy in a few minutes!" Eren's voice rang out against the gathering winds as he adjusted his cape, struggling to keep it in check amidst the blustery currents.
"Hey, Eren, come here for a second... Let me check your ankle first." Mikasa finally approached him after treating others, her heart racing as she held the medical kit, concern etched on her features.
"Heh? You alright Eren?" Hange asked placing her hand on his shoulder oblivious of what Mikasa was saying.
"I'm fine. Check up on your friends if anyone needs your assistance," Eren replied, his voice low, but Mikasa didn't budge. Her gaze was locked on him, unwavering and intense.
"Fine…" Eren muttered, frustration bubbling beneath the surface, though only Mikasa could sense it. While riding, she had watched him in pain, aware of how he had messed up his landing after killing the Titans, straining his ankle badly.
"Come here…" Mikasa's voice was soft, her fingers curling around his hand as she gently led him away from the crowd. She guided him to a quiet spot near the edge of the wall, where the murmured voices of the scouts became a distant backdrop, leaving them in a small, private world of their own.
As Eren settled beside her, he removed his long boot, revealing scarlet, swollen skin underneath. Mikasa's gaze lingered on his ankle, worry knitting her brow, yet she was silent, her hand resting lightly on his, a steady warmth against the chill in the air.
"Sometimes it's kinda scary seeing you stare at me all the time... Wait, are you a stalker of some kind, Ackerman?" Eren teased, a playful smirk crossing his lips, gently placing his leg on her lap. A soft smile tugged at Mikasa's lips as she met his gaze.
"Whatever you think.... But there should be someone to care of someone like you...." Her voice was warm, filled with a tenderness that made Eren's heart flutter.
As she wrapped the meshy bandages around his ankle, her fingers brushed against his skin, and he watched her intently, admiring how focused she was, determined not to hurt him.
Unable to resist, he yelped playfully, and the sight of her flustered, motherly concern made him realize just how cute she looked when she worried about him, reminding him of Carla.
"I'm just joking…" Eren said softly, a smile lingering on his lips as he slowly retracted his leg from her lap, slipping his shoe back on.
Just before Mikasa could stand up Eren's hand instinctively shot up catching hers. "Let's... Let's just stay here till everyone's treated....." Mikasa though a bit red nodded sitting right back.
They sat side by side, their feet dangling over the edge of the wall, as the wind caressed their faces, creating a serene atmosphere around them.
Mikasa felt the shift in the air, the beauty of the moment pulling her closer to him until their shoulders brushed against each other.
The warmth radiating between them felt electric, and before she could speak, Eren gently placed his hand over her, resting lightly on her shoulder.
Moving his head closer to hers till they slightly touched, their hair dancing together in the breeze. "Eren.....?" Mikasa whispered her voice cracking not knowing what to say.
They were close really close, there were times when they were even closer but each one was filled with heart shattering reasons but this time it was different.
Before Mikasa could say anything Eren's voice almost a melody to her ears filled the air. "Sorry… Mikasa, I still remember my promise that I'd take you to a good restaurant but I never got the chance…"
Mikasa had almost forgotten about Eren's promise; it had been months, and so much had happened since then that the memory slipped away like grains of sand through her fingers.
A warm smile flickered on her face as she leaned in closer, muffling a response, rubbing her head against his, eyes fluttering shut.
"Ummm... It's alright... you've been through a lot since then. And it was all my fault... So I can't really complain..." Eren nodded slightly, the tension in the air palpable.
Eren slightly blushed as he continued, "The truth is... it was just an excuse... because I wanted to... There's something... I... need to tell you.... something really important," Eren murmured, his voice low and shaky.
Her cheeks flushed a soft red under the weight of his straightforwardness and the gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder.
But she won't back down, not now it was her perfect chance, " Wh... Yes, Eren?" Though Mikasa's voice cracked making her to kill herself right there she carried on to hear what he wanted to say.
Mikasa felt her heart quicken at the shift in his tone, sensing the weight of his words. But before she think of anything further, he continued, "I don't... know.... how to put this.... it's just that.... "
Eren's grip on her soft shoulder tightened,
"There were times when I was facing death head on.... And the only person that flashed through my eyes was.... It was you.... Mikasa...."
Eren's own voice cracked as he tried to deepen it trying to sound more manly.
Don't mess up, don't mess up or else I'll kill you Yeager....
Eren signed before his gaze met Mikasa's who was deep red, matching her scarf's color but her eyes those beautiful grey orbs sparkled, eager to hear more. Eren continued anyways,"Because.....I don't want to have any regrets before I die."
Without warning, Eren's grip on her loosened, and he turned slightly toward her, both hands pressing firmly but gently on her shoulders, urging her to focus more at him, look at him and only him.
Their eyes locked—Mikasa's charcoal blue meeting his deep emerald green that seemed to bore deep into her soul. She felt her breath catch as she noticed the color of his cheeks matching the deep shade of her scarlet scarf.
"That day... when Annie was about to kill you... I was scared... really scared that... you might slip away.... That I might loose you... that we might get—" Eren's words faltered, and he gulped, searching for the right way to express himself as his confidence began to crumble.
Mikasa's heart raced as she watched him struggle, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, a beautiful smile gracing her lips, captivating him with her charm more than anything else. Their hair blew in unison with the gentle breeze, creating a bubble of intimacy around them.
Finally, Eren found his voice again, though it trembled slightly. "I was afraid... that we might get separated before... I could tell you... how—" He gulped again, breaking eye contact, looking sideways as anxiety bubbled within him.
"Uh..." Mikasa gasped, her hands shooting out to cup his cheeks, warmth radiating from her touch as she searched his eyes, begging him to finish, pleading him to say what she wanted to hear so badly.
A faint smile appeared on Eren's crimson face as his hands slid down to her waist pulling her even closer their foreheads touching, her nose sliding against his. Their heart beating at an abnormal rate. Finally Eren once again spoke up, "That how much... I..."
"Vice Commander... I need to talk to you urgently..." Historia's voice boomed across the beautiful moment, shattering the fragile intimacy that had enveloped them. Both jumped to the side completely red, avoiding eye contact.
Mikasa's expression shifted, teeth and fists clenched, eyes once filled with love and affection, turned icy and deadly. "YOU FUCKING LESBIAN HOE, I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE!!!" she thought, her gaze shifting to Historia, who approached with all the confidence of someone oblivious to the emotional bombshell she had just crumbled. Eren, too, felt his courage dissipate like mist in the morning sun, his heart sinking with the interruption.
Levi and Petra, spying from a distance, mirrored the stunned expressions of Eren and Mikasa, both caught in the aftermath of the disrupted moment. Historia felt a shiver run down her spine, sensing the weight of their gazes.
Frustrated, Eren stuttered, avoiding Mikasa's eyes. "Um... Sorry... Let's... let's finish this once we're alone..." His heart pounded against his chest as he stood, his gaze now shifting to the blonde bitch who had so rudely interrupted their tender moment.
"So, daughter of Rod Reiss, what do you want to say?"