Attack On Titan: Goodbyes

Faint sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. I slowly opened my eyes, only to be met with the sight of my wife gazing at me, a wide smile on her lips, her eyes slightly narrowed with mischief.

I couldn't help but smile back, my hand instinctively rising to cup her cheek. She closed her eyes, leaning into my touch with quiet affection.

"Morning… darling," I whispered.

She nodded softly, her fingers wrapping around my wrist, guiding my hand downward until it rested against her abdomen. Beneath my palm, I felt it—a small, gentle swell.

"Teasing Mama this early in the morning, huh?" I murmured with a grin. My hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer until she settled onto my lap. Our eyes never wavered, locked in silent conversation.

It had been four months since I shared the news about Paradis' with her. No matter how much I grieved, she never let me drown in sorrow—not for a second. She kept me occupied, filling my days and nights with warmth, refusing to let me be consumed by the past.

"Mm… but I know for sure this time, it'll be a he," she mused, her voice laced with certainty.

I chuckled at her confidence before leaning in, capturing her lips with mine in a slow, tender kiss, easing her back against the mattress. She tried to press forward, wanting more, but I pulled away just before she could, teasing her with a smirk. She pouted, making me smile even more.

"Ereh~sama… um… can we… can we do it?" she murmured, her voice laced with a shyness that only made her more irresistible.

My hands trailed wickedly over her skin, a quiet chuckle escaping me as I leaned in, letting my teeth sink playfully into the soft flesh of her neck.

"Uh... Um... Ereh~chan... Not there..."

I had gotten better—much, much better. And I loved it… because it was with Mik—

…

"Ereh-chan… s-sorry… I didn't mean to shatter them! I didn't know I was moving that fast…"

Never mind. I suck at this.

——————

"Dada… Dada…"

Little Erika clung to his long hair from behind, hanging at an unnatural angle as he chopped eggplants. Her tiny hands gripped onto him like a stubborn little monkey, her giggles warm against his back.

"Ereh~chan… I… I wanted meat," Beside him Mikasa whined, pressing herself against him, her voice carrying that familiar, teasing lilt.

Eren smirked, setting the knife down for a moment. "Which one?"

Her cheeks flared red in an instant. "Ereh~sama, y-you used to be so pure and innocent… I…"

She turned away, flustered, but he was already moving, his arms winding snugly around her waist. His fingers traced slow, lazy circles against her abdomen, his breath ghosting over the sensitive skin of her neck before his tongue flicked against it.

"What'd you expect? We've been living together for more than two years." he murmured against her skin. "That's more than enough time for a pure man like me to get corrupted by your dirty jokes."

She spun around dramatically, locking eyes with him, her expression wide and innocent. "Anyhow… can we eat beef today? I… I really want some… But I won't force Ereh if he doesn't want to… I mean, I really wanted to eat some…"

Her lips quirked slightly, betraying the mischievous gleam in her eyes.

Eren narrowed his own. "No way. You ate beef for breakfast. You should eat more vegetables."

The effect was immediate. Mikasa gasped, her eyes flying open in pure betrayal as a single dramatic tear slid down her cheek.

"I… I thought Ereh considered me his queen… Ereh-chan… You broke my heart… H-how could you?"

With an exaggerated sob, she began fisting his chest with her small hands, her punches growing in intensity.

"Heheh—ugh…!" Eren groaned as the playful hits turned into something more powerful, sending actual shockwaves through his body.

Erika, still dangling from his back, clapped her tiny hands together. "Mama strong!"

He muttered. "Yeah, yeah… I know…" Eren sighed as he reached into the pantry, pulling out a slab of beef. Meanwhile, Mikasa gently clutched Erika, who was on the verge of slipping from Eren's head.

She placed the baby onto the bed, tucking her in carefully before returning to the kitchen. Rolling up her sleeves, she grabbed a knife and began chopping onions with practiced ease.

Eren's voice broke the quiet hum of the morning. "I received a letter from Azumabito..." His tone was soft, but Mikasa already knew where this conversation was headed.

She exhaled, her shoulders subtly tensing.

"She's pleased," Eren continued, setting the knife down. "When I told her you're already the mother of three children… with one on the way, she was delighted."

He stepped closer, his hands resting gently on her shoulders, forehead pressing against her long hair as he smiled down at her. "My queen will become the queen of the Shogun clan."

Mikasa didn't look back. Instead, she focused on the steady rhythm of the blade against the cutting board.

Eren's gaze flickered toward the bedroom, where their children slept soundly, "And our children… the rulers of the clan." He whispered before returning to her. His smile deepened, but there was something underneath it—something quieter, heavier.

"I'm relieved," he murmured. "Knowing that you'll be in safe hands after I'm gone."

The knife stilled.

Mikasa's breath hitched, and for a moment, she couldn't move.

She had seen him like this before—accepting, resigned. The way his voice carried a certainty she refused to acknowledge.

Her grip on the knife tightened. She wanted to stop him, wanted to shake him and tell him to stop talking like that.

Then, slowly, she turned to face him. Mikasa lowered her gaze, her fingers trembling as she gripped the edge of the counter.

But the way he looked at her, the way his smile lingered—it had been so long since she'd seen him happy.

Eren's expression was unreadable, but his voice was steady, almost gentle. "Hey… Mikasa… After I'm gone… take care of yourself. Take care of our children. You'll live a long life after me."

Her breath hitched.

She lifted her head, her eyes locking onto his—onto the sincerity in his smile, the quiet acceptance in his gaze.

"Don't let your light die."

The words shattered something inside her.

Her lips trembled, her body quaking as tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks in unstoppable waves. She didn't try to hold them back—she couldn't.

"I understand so... Don't say anything like that ever again..."

Eren didn't hesitate. He pulled her into his embrace, his warmth surrounding her like a shield against the unbearable weight of his words.

She clung to him, burying her face into his chest, as if holding on tight enough could keep him from slipping away.