Attack On Titan: Goodbyes

The town bustled with life, a lively symphony of merchants calling out their wares and villagers chattering as they went about their day. The rich aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat mingled in the air, laced with the delicate sweetness of flowers from the nearby stalls.

Eren walked beside Mikasa, a basket of groceries in one hand, the other occasionally brushing against hers. He glanced at her, his brows furrowed with unease. "Mika... I don't think we should've left the kids alone." His voice carried the weight of fatherly concern.

Mikasa merely smiled, intertwining her fingers with his. "They were sleeping when we left. They'll be fine."

Eren, however, remained unconvinced. He scratched the back of his neck, his thoughts racing. "But what if they wake up crying? What if they're hungry? What if—" His eyes widened slightly. "Damn it, I forgot to change their diapers before we left!"

Mikasa let out a soft chuckle, amused by his spiraling worries. "Eren, relax. It's just for a little while." He sighed, still not entirely at ease, but her fingers tightened around his in reassurance.

As they reached a vegetable and fruit stand, she tilted her head slightly, her voice turning gentle. "It's been a while since it's just been the two of us, hasn't it?"

Eren exhaled, his tension easing as he looked at Mikasa. "Hm, it has," he admitted, grabbing a few fresh oranges and inspecting them.

Mikasa leaned in, eyeing the selection. "Ereh, don't forget pickles. You know I like them." Eren gave her a deadpan look before sighing and professionally selecting the best ones. "Happy now?"

She grinned but quickly changed her approach, eyes widening in that deliberate, innocent way he knew all too well. "Ewreh... Can we also get some ice cream?" Eren paused mid-reach, slowly turning to her. "It's the middle of winter, and you want ice cream?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

He sighed, rubbing his forehead before relenting. "Fine, fine… Let's find a bench first." They strolled through the bustling streets, finally settling on a wooden bench near the town square. Mikasa adjusted the grocery basket on her lap while Eren stretched his arms.

"Wait for me here. I'll grab your ice cream," he said, already walking away. "Go through the groceries in the meantime."

Mikasa sat on the wooden bench, pulling the basket onto her lap as she rummaged through the groceries. The cool winter air nipped at her cheeks, but she didn't mind—it was rare for them to spend time like this, just the two of them.

She could see Eren in the distance, standing near a small food stall, his posture relaxed but focused as he waited for the ice cream. Even after all this time, the sight of him still made her heart race.

As she idly checked the produce, a small group of girls nearby caught her attention. They were whispering, giggling, and—Mikasa's brows twitched—stealing glances at Eren.

One of them, a blonde with bright sapphire eyes, took a deep breath and stepped closer to him. "Um... excuse me," she said hesitantly.

Eren turned, blinking at her. "Yeah?"

The girl fidgeted with the hem of her coat. "I just wanted to say, uh... you're really handsome."

Mikasa's grip on the basket tightened.

Eren, oblivious as ever, just chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, uh... thanks, I guess?" He scratched his cheek.

The girl beamed. "Are you from around here? I don't think I've seen you before."

Mikasa's eye twitched.

Eren gave a polite nod. "I live a bit outside town."

"Oh..." And she turned a deep shade of crimson, Eren took a step forward a bit concerned," Um are you alright? You haven't caught a flu, have you? You're a bit red."

Another girl, a brunette, nudged her friend forward, making the blonde turn even more red "Oh... I'm sorry... it's just that you have really beautiful eyes. I find them... really captivating."

Mikasa's mouth shut open, her eyes burning with fury.

"Oh... Thank you.." Eren replied.

The blonde gulped her lips twitching," Um... If you're not busy afterwards would you like to hang out with—"

Crack.

The sound of bones cracking filled the air drawing the girls attention. Eren looked to the side aswell where Mikasa stood, eyes dead, cold stare as she dusted off her coat.

Eren, now noticing her, smiled. "Mika, I got your ice—"

She took the cup from his hand without breaking eye contact with the blonde. "Thank you, darling," she said, her voice heavy.

Eren blinked. "...You're acting weird."

Mikasa turned to the girls, her expression unreadable. "Oh? I was just enjoying watching you make new friends, my dear husband. My childhood lover. My everything I keep close to my heart."

Eren raised an eyebrow. "What ar—"

"So," Mikasa continued, cutting him off as she turned her full attention to the girls, cold grey eyes fixed at them,"You were saying something?"

The blonde girl paled slightly under her sharp gaze. "Uh, n-nothing!" She grabbed her friend's arm. "We should go!"

"Yeah, let's go!" the brunette agreed, dragging the rest of the group away in a flurry of panicked whispers.

Eren, still clueless, watched them leave before looking at Mikasa. "What was that about?"

She took a bite of her ice cream, glaring at him as she glared at him, speaking with her mouth full and heavy voice. "Handsome, huh?"

The entire day passed with Mikasa throwing random compliments at Eren, and him struggling to understand any of it. He was far too pure to catch on, and she was far too overprotective to let it go.

"You have really beautiful green eyes, did you know that until today, Yeager?" she mused, staring at him.

Eren blinked. "Huh?"

Night spilled into their room, wrapping them in a quiet, heavy stillness. Eren hugged her from behind, his hand resting against her belly as she faced the other way. His breath was warm against the back of her neck, their bodies relaxed in the comfortable silence.

And then—

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

Mikasa jolted straight up, eyes wide as she spun around.

Eren grinned like he'd just uncovered the biggest mystery in history.

"Sooooo..." He leaned closer, his voice teasing. "You were jealous, huhhhhhhhhh."

Mikasa froze.

Then, without a word, she grabbed the nearest pillow and slammed it into his face.

Eren chuckled, the pillow still in his face as he leaned back, dodging her playful assault. "Okay, okay, I get it. No need to get violent."

Mikasa crossed her arms, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm not jealous," she muttered, though the way she refused to meet his gaze said otherwise.

"Oh really?" Eren propped himself up on his elbows, eyes narrowing in amusement, before pulling her, his nose brushing against her cheek, before biting them playfully. "So when you saw those girls talking to me, it didn't bother you?"

Mikasa turned her face away, the pink tint on her cheeks only deepening. "It's... it's nothing," she mumbled.

Eren's smile softened, and he reached out, gently tilting her chin to meet his eyes. "Mikasa..." he whispered, voice low and sincere. "You don't need to be jealous. Because I only belong to you."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she could feel the tension in her chest loosening. She melted into his touch, the warmth of his hands against her skin grounding her.

"You're the only one I care about, Mikasa," he said softly, his thumb brushing her lower lip. "No one else matters."

Mikasa swallowed hard, fighting the lump in her throat. "Really?" she whispered back, her voice barely audible, and looked him back with kitten like eyes and he smiled biting the tip of her scarlet nose.

"Um hm..."

They stayed like that for a moment. Then, as if on cue, Eren pulled her back into a tight hug, his warmth wrapping around her like a protective shield.

Mikasa closed her eyes, letting herself relax into the embrace. "I love you, Eren," she murmured.

"I love you too, Mika." he replied, his voice steady and unwavering.