Attack On Titan: Dreams

Her eyes fluttered open as a warm breath grazed her chilled cheeks. "Wake up, beautiful... it's morning," came Eren's soft voice, his frosted lips brushing her skin. She blinked slowly, her damp lashes trembling as her blurry vision adjusted to the little figure before her.

"Mama... wake up... Mama! I'm hungry!"

A tender smile curved her lips despite the fog of her exhaustion. The first rays of morning light seeped through the translucent curtains, painting her features in a soft glow. It felt so familiar, so achingly nostalgic, and yet, it brought a quiet joy. She reached out, pulling her child close, and began tickling him playfully.

Laughter spilled into the room, light and unburdened. She kissed his cheeks as he giggled, and he leaned forward to press a small kiss to her forehead in return.

"And what does my little hero want for breakfast?" she asked, her voice warm and motherly, carrying a sweetness that only motherhood could weave.

"Meat!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

She chuckled, nodding as she pushed herself up and kissed his forehead again. "Meat it is." With a lighthearted energy, she made her way to the restroom, the remnants of Eren's voice echoing in her mind.

"A part of you and a part of me..."

Her smile deepened as she opened the kitchen, her hands steady as she began cutting the beef. "He's more like you," she murmured to herself, seasoning the meat with care. The familiar rhythm of her actions brought a quiet comfort, grounding her in a moment of peace before the day fully began.

Her gaze fell on the turquoise ring gracing her finger, the emerald at its center catching the soft morning light. Its serene glow brought a tender smile to her face as memories surged back.

"I... I don't know how to flirt," he had said, his voice trembling yet steady with determination. "So I'm just gonna kneel here holding this ring... till you marry me."

A tear glistened at the corner of her eye, though she resisted the urge to let it fall, choosing instead to cherish the warmth of the memory. She still remembered that day vividly—the way her tears had streamed uncontrollably as he slid the ring onto her finger, the way she had thrown her arms around him, kissing him through her sobs of joy, only to faint in his arms, overwhelmed by happiness.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a small, sheepish voice.

"Mama... Can we buy new toys today? I accidentally broke the wooden bear..."

Mikasa blinked, looking down at Rin, who clutched the broken toy in his small hands, his other hand rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Heh? Rin..." Mikasa pouted, folding her arms as she crouched to meet his gaze. "We bought that bear just two days ago, and you already broke it? Honestly..."

Rin's wide, pleading eyes, resembling a kitten's, met hers. "Mama? Then we can't...?"

She sighed, her faux sternness melting away as she scooped him up effortlessly. Lifting him high, she nuzzled her nose against his belly, making him squeal with laughter. "Your papa wanted me to treat you like a prince... so I guess I can't ignore his request, can I?"

Rin's laughter rang out, a sound that seemed to brighten even the dullest of days.

The mother and son shared a simple yet hearty breakfast together before setting out for the market, Rin happily clutching her hand as they walked. Their destination was clear—groceries for the house and, of course, a new toy to replace the broken one.

The bustling streets of Mitras were alive with activity, the hum of merchants calling out their wares blending with the chatter of passersby. Mikasa and Rin moved through the crowd, their presence drawing respectful glances and whispers. Eren's legend had cast a long shadow, and the Ackermans carried the weight of that reverence wherever they went.

Rin hopped along beside her, his excitement bubbling over as Mikasa kept him close, her hand never straying from his. She adjusted her scarf instinctively, its familiar texture grounding her amidst the chaos.

"Ereh... Can we move to Shiganshina?"

"No, Mika. It's safer for you and Rin to stay in the capital rather than in Shiganshina."

Eren's words echoed in her mind, fragments of a dream she couldn't shake. A longing she had once voiced, only to be met with his unyielding pragmatism.

"Mama! That one!" Rin's delighted voice pulled her back to the present, his small hand pointing eagerly toward a handcrafted wooden sword displayed at a stall.

Mikasa frowned, crouching slightly to meet his gaze. "No way, Rin. Only toys. You could hurt yourself with something like that," she said, ruffling his hair. Rin opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it. He was clever for his age, a child who had grown up faster than most, shouldering the emotional weight of his mother's pain without ever being asked.

"Kay, then how about that one?" He shifted his attention to a stuffed bear, its soft fabric clearly more forgiving than the wooden toy he had first chosen.

Mikasa smiled, her expression softening. "That's better." She paid for the bear and knelt down to hand it to him, watching as his face lit up with happiness.

As they continued down the street, Mikasa balanced their purchases in her arms while Rin insisted he could carry them instead. "I'm a man, Mama!" he declared, puffing out his chest.

She laughed softly, shaking her head. His determination and stubbornness were so much like Eren's.

"Ne, Mama..." Rin's voice broke her thoughts, his tone suddenly curious. "You told me once that you and the Queen were friends, right?"

Mikasa raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden question. "Hm... What about it?"

Rin hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "Nothing important," he muttered, his small hand clutching the stuffed bear tighter as they walked on.

Mikasa's gaze lingered on him, a quiet smile on her lips. He was his father's son, in ways both big and small, and the thought warmed her heart as they wove through the lively streets of Mitras.

Out of nowhere, a voice cut through the hum of the busy street, piercing Mikasa's ears with both familiarity and heartache.

"Mikasa!!!"

Hange's unmistakable call carried through the crowd, her wide, infectious grin already visible as she weaved her way toward them. Mikasa turned, her expression softening at the sight of her old comrade.

"Ah, Rin!" Hange exclaimed, crouching down to the boy's level and playfully tugging at his cheeks. Rin laughed, his eyes wide with delight as he met the eccentric scout's gaze. Her eye patch, covering the left side of her face, gave her a rugged yet resolute appearance, one Rin seemed to admire.

After a warm exchange of hugs and a few chuckles, the conversation turned serious, as it often did when Hange was involved.

"Apparently," Hange began, her voice dropping slightly as they walked, "Marley has transferred the Titan powers to the next generation. Those bastards are long gone, Mikasa. Now, it's kids who hold the powers of the Titans."

She leaned closer, her voice low but laced with excitement. "Don't tell anyone yet, but we've already planned to attack Marley's capital, Liberio. With Erwin's Colossal Titan powers, we'll wipe out their army and secure the Titan powers for good."

Rin's eyes widened, his young mind caught between amazement and confusion as he absorbed Hange's words. Mikasa, however, frowned, her expression betraying her unease. She listened intently, though her heart wrestled with the morality of such plans.

"But," Hange continued, gesturing animatedly, "we're still at a bit of a disadvantage. With the Founding Titan's powers tied to Historia—and her bound by the First King's vow—the Founding Titan is essentially useless to us."

She glanced at Mikasa, her tone lightening. "But thanks to you and Rin—being the prince of the Shogun clan, no less—we've successfully established trade with Azumabito. Your bloodline's connection has improved our military beyond what we could've imagined."

Mikasa sighed quietly. She already knew all this—Hange had a habit of repeating herself when excited.

But then Hange's tone shifted, becoming softer, more contemplative. Her smile lingered, though it held a bittersweet edge. "It's crazy, isn't it? Even after dying, he left Paradis with hope... like he always said he would. That he'd always protect his people, no matter what. A loud and irritating scout to the very end."

Hange chuckled weakly, but her voice cracked as she added, "Even now, I can feel it. He died without any regrets... or maybe…" She hesitated, wiping her eye with her sleeve, as a single tear escaped. "Maybe he did regret something." She smiled placing her hand on Rin's hair,"Like never getting the chance to hold his son in his arms."

Mikasa's chest tightened, but she said nothing.

Hange forced a laugh, straightening herself and pushing her emotions aside. "Ah, anyway, I should get going. There's work to do at the castle." She gave Rin's hair a playful ruffle and nodded at Mikasa. "Take care, you two."

Without waiting for a response, Hange turned and disappeared into the crowd. "Rin... Let's head back for now... Mama... Mama should prepare for supper..."