The evening was quiet, a faint chill drifting through the open window as Eren and Mikasa sat together in the warmth of their cabin.
She was propped up on the couch in other words on Eren's lap who sat on the couch, her head resting on Eren's shoulder, while he absentmindedly traced circles over her belly.
"You know," she began, her voice soft but playful, "if you're going to keep growing that beard, you might as well start carrying an axe everywhere."
Eren huffed a laugh, tilting his head to glance at her. "I don't see the problem. I think it makes me look distinguished."
"Distinguished?" Mikasa raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. "More like unkempt. I liked it better when you looked like my Eren, not some wild man from the forest."
"Oh, so now I'm not your Eren?" he teased, leaning closer. "I see how it is."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her grin. "You're still my Eren, beard or not. But if I'm being honest…" She leaned up to kiss his cheek, her voice dropping to a mock-serious tone. "You're more kissable without it."
Eren chuckled, his green eyes softening. "Alright, alright. Maybe I'll trim it tomorrow—if you promise to stop roasting me every five minutes."
"No promises," she replied, snuggling closer.
The warmth of the fire and the weight of his arm around her lulled Mikasa into a peaceful haze. They sat in comfortable silence, the steady rhythm of their breathing blending with the crackling fire.
Their teasing carried on as the hours grew later, the fire in the hearth casting flickering shadows on the walls. Eventually, Mikasa stretched, shifting slightly on the couch. A faint discomfort pulled at her, but she brushed it off, settling back against the cushions.
"You okay?" Eren asked, his eyes darting to her face.
"Yeah," she replied with a small smile. "Just the usual."
But as the night deepened, the twinges in her abdomen grew sharper. She stirred, her hand instinctively resting on her belly as her breathing slowed. Eren noticed immediately, his teasing fading into quiet concern.
"Mika?" he asked softly, moving to sit beside her.
"I think I'm fine," she said, though her voice carried a faint waver. "It's just… a little tight."
Before he could respond, a sudden, sharper jolt made her gasp. She grabbed his arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve.
"Eren," she whispered, her voice strained.
His heart clenched as he saw the fear flicker in her eyes. "Mikasa, talk to me. What's wrong?"
Her response was cut off by another wave of pain, this one more intense. She clutched at him, her head bowing as she let out a shaky breath.
"It hurts," Mikasa murmured, her voice trembling as her other hand instinctively gripped Eren's sleeve.
Eren froze, his teasing demeanor evaporating as his green eyes fixed on her. "What hurts?" he asked, his voice low and steady, though his pulse quickened.
She took a shaky breath, her hand pressing against her belly. "Here… It's just— tight. Really tight." Her brows knit together as a flicker of pain crossed her features.
"Okay, okay," Eren said, sliding closer to her on the couch. "Is it... different from before?"
She nodded slowly, her breathing uneven. "It feels... sharper. Like everything's pulling."
Eren's lips parted, but no words came out. His mind raced through everything they'd read and prepared for, but seeing Mikasa like this—her strength faltering—was enough to make his chest tighten.
Mikasa inhaled deeply, as if trying to steady herself, and pushed herself upright. The movement brought another sharp jolt, and she let out a quiet gasp, leaning into him.
Eren's arm was around her in an instant. "Mika... wait... I'll bring you some water..."
Eren quickly went to the kitchen pouring some water in the glass before returning back in a glimpse. "Here..." He whispered helping her to drink it slowly.
"You alright?" Eren reconfirmed.
"I'm fine," she insisted, though her voice wavered. "I just need to... breathe."
They stayed like that for a moment, her head resting against his shoulder as she tried to regulate her breathing. Eren held her firmly, his hand tracing soothing circles on her back. But as the minutes passed, the tension in her body didn't ease.
Another contraction hit, harder this time, and she doubled over, clutching her belly. A low, pained sound escaped her lips, and Eren felt panic bloom in his chest.
"Ughhh... Ereh! The baby... It's... , I think..." Her voice cracked as she looked at him her eyes teary with pain yet somewhat joy?
Eren swallowed hard, nodding without another word he carried her to the bed, the firelight casting flickering shadows across the room. Mikasa leaned against the headboard, her breaths shallow and quick. Eren knelt beside her, holding her hand tightly.
"I'll get the towels," he said, but before he could move, she pulled him back with surprising strength.
"Don't leave me." she whispered, her eyes locking onto his.
"I'm not going anywhere," he promised, his voice firm as he squeezed her hand. "I'll bring everything here. Just focus on breathing, okay?"
Another contraction tore through her, and this time she cried out, her grip on his hand almost crushing. Eren winced but said nothing, his other hand brushing the damp hair from her face.
"Dont worry... I'll be back just... Keep breathing," he murmured, his voice softer now, as if trying to ground her in his presence.
Eren once again didn't flinch and quickly went clutching a bucket of water with some wet towels.
He quickly grabbed Mikasa her head resting on his chest as the pain enveloped her entirely. Mikasa exhaled shakily, her gaze flickering between him and the firelight. "It hurts so much... Ereh... Ereh... Stay with me.." she whispered, her vulnerability raw.
"I'm not going anywhere..." Eren said, leaning closer so their foreheads almost touched.
Another wave of pain hit, and this time she let out a sharp, guttural cry, her body curling forward. Eren steadied her, his arm slipping around her back as he whispered soothing words, though his own breathing had quickened.
"Eren," she choked out between gasps. "I'm scared."
His heart twisted at her words, but he didn't let it show. He pressed a kiss to her temple and said, "I'm here. I'm with you. We'll get through this together."
The minutes crawled by, each contraction leaving her more breathless than the last. Eren stayed by her side, fetching water and towels with one hand while holding hers with the other.
He wiped her brow when the sweat began to bead, whispered encouragements when the pain stole her words, and kept her grounded with his steady presence.
As the hours wore on, Mikasa's strength seemed to waver, and her cries grew louder, more anguished. She clung to him as if he were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality.
"You're doing so good, Mika," he said, his voice hoarse but unwavering. "Just a little longer. You can do this."
"Eren," she whimpered, her tears soaking into his shirt as she clung to him. "It's too much."
He tightened his hold on her, his own eyes stinging as he whispered, "I know. I know it hurts. But you're almost there."
He interlocked his fingers with her allowing her sweaty back to find place on his chest as he cradled her.
"Just foc—"
Crack.
"Ahhhh, fuck!" Eren shouted, his voice filled with raw pain as a sharp jolt ran through his hand. Mikasa's iron grip had crushed his interlocked fingers, the force of her agony manifesting in the unintentional brutality of her hold.
"Ereh... Honey... What's wrong?" She asked with her shaky breath, her charcoal blues slightly opened.
"Mika!" Eren protested, holding up his now misshapen hand, steam already rising from the injury as it began to heal. "You broke my damn fingers!"
Her eyes, glistening with tears, widened in a mixture of panic and guilt. "S-Sowwy... Ereh..." she stammered, her voice trembling as another contraction hit her like a storm. "I... I didn't know I was squeezing that hard!"
"No need to apologize cutie..." Eren muttered despite the pain coursing through his hand, Eren managed a breathless laugh, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her lips.
Her mouth quivered under his, her agony making her breaths uneven, but she kissed him back, drawing strength from the connection.
When they parted, her tearful gaze locked onto his, but a faint smirk played on her lips. Even amidst the torment, Mikasa couldn't resist teasing him.
"Ereh... This is all your fault, you know. If only you hadn't done all those things to me in the nights..." Her voice was weak, but her tone carried its usual sly humor.
Eren sighed, running a cloth gently over her damp forehead trying to keep her distracted. "Oh, so now it's my fault?" he muttered, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
He wiped away the sweat trickling down her temple, his touch tender despite the heat of the moment.
"Yeah," she rasped, her breathing labored but still teasing. "You just... couldn't keep your hands to yourself."
"Right, and who was the person to rip of my clothes every night." he shot back.
She chuckled lightly her head resting on his shoulder her ragged and warm breaths falling on his cheeks as he held her close. "You really are amazing Ereh!" Even she could see the concern and the pain in his emerald gaze.
Her lips twitched into a fragile smile, even as her body writhed with pain. "You say that now," he murmured, his voice cracking. "Just don't give up on me... Kay?" He murmured and she nodded kissing his cheek.
Her kiss was brief, broken by another scream as the contraction overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she reached for his other hand, gripping it fiercely. "Gimme that..."
"Wait, wait, not the other hand!" Eren protested, jerking his arm away before she could crush that one too but failed to. "You're gonna kill me before this baby even gets here!"
Her laughter, strained but genuine, filled the room for a fleeting moment. "Serves you right." she whispered, her voice fading into another pained groan.
"Yeah, yeah, blame me all you want," Eren muttered, cradling Mikasa in his arms. He kissed her temple, his lips lingering against her heated skin as he interlocked his fingers with hers.
"If only Eren was a girl and I was a guy..." Mikasa teased, her voice wavering as another sharp jolt of pain cut her off. She chuckled through clenched teeth, her breath quickening.
Eren looked down at her in disbelief, a flicker of confusion flashing in his eyes. "Wait, what?!" he stammered, his hands instinctively tightening around hers. "Mikasa, now of all times, you're making jokes about that again?"
She let out a breathy laugh, despite the pain. "Yeah, just imagine it," Mikasa continued, grinning through her strained breath. "If you were a girl, I'd be the one shoving you against the wall and tieing your hands doing wicked things to you... pushing my thing deep inside you... Just imagine." Her eyes twinkled with mischief, even in the midst of her suffering.
Eren groaned, the blush creeping up his neck. "Idiot... Even now as a girl you shove me against the wall and tie my hands... And the fuck... Why are you making jokes of all time." He shook his head in mock exasperation. "I can't believe this..."
"I'm just saying," she gasped, her grip on his hand tightening once again, "I think you'd make a pretty cute girl, don't you think too?"
Eren laughed despite himself, looking at her with a mix of amazement and affection. "Mikasa, you're impossible. You're in labor and you're still managing to flirt with me."
"Hey," she said, her voice softening between the waves of pain, "if I can't joke with you now, when can I? I need a distraction... from all this..." She winced as another contraction took hold.
Eren smiled, brushing the hair from her face, his thumb gently caressing her cheek. "You're unbelievable, Mikasa. But I love you for it," he said quietly.
Mikasa's expression softened, the teasing fading into something deeper as she met his gaze. "I love you too, Eren..." she whispered, her breath shaky but her voice filled with certainty.
And as another contraction struck, she didn't tease him this time—she just squeezed his hand, needing him now more than ever, and he held her through it, steady and strong.
The night stretched on, an endless passage of time that seemed to wrap itself around them both, heavy with exhaustion and pain.
Mikasa's body trembled with each wave of agony, but through it all, Eren remained by her side, his heart breaking each time she grimaced, each time she gripped his hand tighter. His smile was a mask, but it couldn't hide the turmoil beneath.
He was helpless—just as helpless as he had been all those years ago, but this time, it was different. This time, they were bringing life into the world.
"Mikasa…" His voice was strained, his hands trembling as he gently wiped the sweat from her brow. "Just one more push… And it'll be over."
Mikasa didn't respond immediately, her eyes closed in concentration as she fought against the waves of pain crashing over her. Her grip on his hand tightened, her nails digging into his skin, trails of crimson leaving the deep cuts from Eren's hands, as she fought through the exhaustion.
A sharp breath escaped her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut and pushed forward with all the strength she had left.
With one final surge of agony, the pressure that had been building for so long finally released. Mikasa collapsed back against the pillow, her body exhausted and broken.
Her breaths came in ragged, shallow gasps, her entire form shaking with the effort. Eren's own body was just as exhausted, but it didn't matter. Nothing else mattered.
Mikasa's teary eyes met his, filled with pain and relief, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Eren's hand shook as he gently cradled the tiny, swaddled bundle in his arms.
Their baby—their little one. A soft, frantic cry filled the cabin, echoing through the small space, and Mikasa's breath hitched in her chest.
Eren looked down at the fragile bundle in his arms, his own tears flowing freely, mixing with the sweat on his brow. He couldn't believe it.
Their child—this little life they had created together. He felt the weight of it, the overwhelming love and responsibility, but in that moment, he couldn't help but smile through his tears.
"Mikasa…" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he carefully placed the baby in her arms. She looked up at him, her eyes shining, the faintest of smiles tugging at the corners of her lips. She looked tired, broken, but she was radiant. She had done it.
Her shaky hands cradled the baby gently, and Eren moved closer, sitting beside her. The silence between them was filled with the quiet sounds of the baby's cries, but it was a soft, comforting sound. The sound of life.
Mikasa's voice was hoarse as she looked down at their child, her expression softening as tears welled in her eyes. "We did it, Eren," she whispered, the words carrying the weight of everything they had gone through to get here.
Mikasa's gaze shifted to Eren, and her breath caught at the sight of him. His emerald eyes were wide with wonder, his lips parted in an unguarded, radiant smile.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, falling freely as he stared at their little one. A sob escaped him, raw and unrestrained "She's… she's so beautiful… Just like you," he choked out, his voice trembling with overwhelming emotion his hands trying to wipe away the tears that just won't stop.
Watching him, Mikasa felt her own tears well up, her heart swelling at the depth of his joy. She gently raised their child toward him, offering the fragile bundle with a reassuring smile. "Here, Eren… hold her."
But Eren shook his head, panic flickering across his tear-streaked face. "I… I can't. I might drop her…" His voice wavered, and she could feel his body trembling against her.
"Hey…" Mikasa whispered softly, her tone soothing and full of trust. "Don't worry. You'll be fine." She reached out, carefully guiding his hands. "Here."
Eren hesitated, his gaze flickering between her and the baby, before finally nodding. Slowly, as if cradling the most fragile treasure in the world, he released his grip on Mikasa and carefully took their daughter into his arms. His hands, so steady in battle, shook as he held the tiny bundle close, his breath catching in his throat.
Soon the baby's cries quieted, replaced by soft, melodic giggles as her big, green eyes opened for the first time. The sight struck Eren like lightning, his heart aching with a love so profound it left him speechless. Her gaze, a perfect reflection of his own, locked onto his, and his lips quivered as fresh tears spilled down his cheeks.
"She… she has my eyes," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, his chest heaving with sobs.
Mikasa watched him, her smile tender and full of pride. Gathering what strength she had left, she cupped his tear-soaked cheeks, guiding his face toward hers. "And your heart," she whispered before pulling him into a long, slow kiss.
Eren leaned into her, their breaths mingling, his sobs quieted by the warmth of her lips. The love between them, unspoken yet palpable, seemed to wrap around the three of them, sealing the moment in eternity.
Their little one, nestled in his arms, laughed softly again, as if she understood that she was the center of a love so fierce, so infinite, it could overcome anything.