Enjoyed the Season 2 finale?
This will be an Eren/Mikasa fic, but I will work around with other members of the cast. I usually do oneshots, but this will be a multi-chapter work.
The night was a fairly average one for Shiganshina. The skies remained mostly clear, save for a stray cloud or two. The weather was neither hot nor cold. Voices and raucous cheering of the city's nightlife drifted over to the residential district, where one household was experiencing anything but an average night.
At this time on any normal evening, a young, beautiful barmaid-turned wife and mother would be enjoying herself with her husband, their young son peacefully sleeping in his room.
Instead, however...
"Maybe I should contact Father." The young woman hesitantly remarked to herself, interrupting her brisk pacing in her home's living room. "Have him pull a few strings with his connections at the Military Police and get a search party going now."
She spent a few seconds in thought, trying to ease her panic, the stillness of her empty home not doing her any favors.
"No, no, Grisha wouldn't be pleased at all," Carla Jaeger said, shaking her head. "I can wait."
Carla resumed her pacing, stealing glances at her family picture hanging over her home's fireplace, at the smiling faces of herself and the two she cherished over all else: Her husband and hero Grisha Jaeger and their rambunctious but beautiful son, Eren.
A sudden series of knocks on her door broke her out of her trance. Listening intently, Carla recognized her husband's signature knock pattern he had her specifically memorize. She bolted to the front door, caught between feeling relief and fury. Much as she was ready to embrace her husband, she was ready to chew Grisha out for keeping Eren far past his bedtime.
Carla opened the door and three tired-looking figures greeted her sight. She turned to her husband, who gave her a kiss before briefly making his way in, leading in the other two before closing and locking the door.
"I'm sorry, Carla." Grisha apologized, his voice hoarse.
Grisha turned to the two smaller figures, and Carla felt a surge of overpowering relief as she laid eyes on Eren, who looked exhausted but otherwise uninjured. She immediately turned to the other person.
"...Mikasa?" Carla asked, recognizing her close friend's daughter. She took note of Eren's scarf wrapped around her neck and face, hiding her mouth.
The raven-haired girl looked up at Carla with emotionless eyes, one hand on her scarf, the other grasping Eren's hand.
Grisha placed a hand on Carla's shoulder, giving her a look.
"Eren, take Mikasa upstairs to your room and stay there until I say otherwise." Grisha ordered with a firm tone. He looked at Mikasa. "Get some sleep." He said softly.
Eren nodded, gave his mother an apologetic look, and lead Mikasa to his room by her hand. Mikasa followed close behind.
Carla watched her son and her close friend's daughter disappear from sight, into his room. At the sound of his door closing, Grisha turned to her, a hard expression on his face.
"Matthew and Yui were murdered." He said grimly.
Carla felt her stomach drop, and grabbed a nearby chair to steady herself. Flashes of her younger years with Yui Ackerman and her group of friends ran through her mind as she struggled to comprehend the reality that she was no longer with them.
"Who...and why?" Carla whispered.
Grisha sighed as he sat Carla down at the kitchen table. "Kidnappers. When Eren and I arrived at their place, the door was already opened. And they were gone, I couldn't do anything. Mikasa was missing."
"Eren and I went down to local police to report, and somehow he slipped away." Grisha continued, holding Carla's hand as she drew a sharp breath. "I found him hours later at a small cabin a few miles away, where three of the kidnappers had been holding Mikasa."
Grisha leaned in, grabbing Carla's other hand and holding it tightly.
"By the time I found them with the police, Eren and Mikasa had somehow killed them all. By themselves."
Carla reeled, feeling Grisha's eyes studying her intently. She remembering her beautiful son, her adorable bundle of joy. He had his fits of disobedience and mischief, but she couldn't imagine him ever...
"He's been unpredictable, but he's a very passionate and principled boy." Grisha said, reading Carla's mind from her expression. "When he's made his mind up about standing up for someone or something, he won't let anyone deter him."
Carla sighed as she tried to manage her many emotions, from grief for her close friend's senseless murder, and a mix of worry and pride for Eren. She laid her head on her husband's shoulder.
"Don't be hard on him, please. I've already told him off and he's been through enough as is." Grisha said softly, his arms wrapping around Carla.
"What about Yui's daughter?" Carla asked, remembering their guest. "Poor Mikasa, she's a carbon copy of Yui at her age."
Grisha looked upward, hearing Eren's muffled voice through the doorway of the room.
"She's...no family nearby to take her in." He said. "I told her she was welcome to stay with us."
Carla stayed quiet as she processed Grisha's words. Her heart ached for Yui, Mikasa, and Eren. "Of course she's welcome."
Grisha relaxed slightly, before looking out the window into the dark Shiganshina night.
"I think it's time we head to bed," He said, making to get up.
Carla lifted her head, nodding as she made to follow suit. Her exhaustion from waiting had worn her out.
A loud, inhuman scream ripped through the air from Eren's room, jolting the two parents wide awake.
Carla exchanged a frightened look with Grisha before bolting upstairs, her loud steps echoing throughout their home.
She slammed the bedroom door open, Grisha right at her heels.
"EREN!? MIKASA!?" Carla cried.
"Mom!" Eren responded from the corner of his room, fear in his voice.
Carla turned towards him, before looking at his bed, seeing a figure jerk violently and moan ghoulishly.
"Mikasa!" Grisha said, gliding swiftly over to Eren's bedside.
Mikasa's eyes rolled back into her eye as she gripped the sheets, her back arching. "Mommy….DADDY!" She screamed.
"Mikasa!" Grisha called out, holding her shoulders down while giving the struggling girl light slaps on her cheek, trying to wake her.
Carla moved over to Eren, hugging him to her tightly as the two moved closer to the bed, watching Mikasa struggle.
"Eren, Carla! Grab her legs!" Grisha instructed, feeling his grip slipping.
Despite the pronounced fright on their faces, the young mother and her son took their places and held Mikasa's legs down as much as they could.
Carla noted the considerable effort it took her just to keep one leg down, before she looked at Eren, who was barely able to balance himself.
Suddenly, Mikasa went limp, her form crashing on the bed.
The three Jaegers took a moment to steady their breath. Grisha moved upward, checking her breathing and her pulse.
"Night terror," He said softly. He put a head to her forehead. "She's burning up as well, a light fever."
Eren looked at Mikasa's sleeping form worriedly. "Is she gonna to be okay? Will she have another night terror thing?"
Carla looked at Grisha nervously, who frowned.
"Very likely. Only way to help is to have a talk with her tomorrow." Grisha said. Carla nodded, watching Mikasa's ostensibly peaceful sleep closely, feeling her heart ache.
"I'll be back, give me a moment." Grisha said, leaving the room.
He returned a few moments later, carrying a bucket of water and a handful of small towels. He set them down.
"For the time being, I'll stay with her." Grisha said, drawing Eren's desk chair to the bedside and sitting down.
"The whole night?" Eren asked.
"Eren," Grisha called out tiredly, not looking at him, "You'll sleep with your mother in our room. No arguments."
Carla stared at her husband disbelievingly. "Honey, no." She said, feeling Eren's and Grisha's eyes on her. "I'll stay with her. You've had a long day, you need your rest."
Grisha looked at Carla intently, his eyes studying his wife.
Carla looked back steadfastly. She had made up her mind. If she was to take in Mikasa as her own, she would need to do this. For Mikasa's sake, for her sake, and for her family's sake.
Grisha nodded at last, accepting her answer. He stood up and grasped Carla's hand.
"Very well. Let me know if you need me, I'll be right here."
Carla nodded.
Eren watched his parents' interaction with a mix of curiosity. He'd never seen either of them as exhausted and pushed to their limit like this.
Grisha looked over at Eren. "Eren, let's get some sleep."
"Yes," Eren yawned. As he followed his father, he approached Carla, hugging her tightly.
"Eren…" Carla whispered as she responded with increased intensity, holding her son to her chest as she felt her overbearing emotions suddenly well her eyes with tears.
She sniffed, suddenly feeling Eren tug her blouse, pulling her ear to his mouth.
"Mom," He whispered guiltily, "I'm sorry for making you worry."
That was the final straw. Carla buckled her knees and gave way to her sobs. She knelt, burying her face into Eren's neck.
As upset as she was at Eren's recklessness, as relieved she was that he was safe, she knew that her son's actions were nothing short of heroic. He acted in a way that many trained soldiers would feel skittish about, and he did so with no hesitation. He was certainly Mikasa's hero.
"I'm proud of you." She whispered, pulling back and looking at her son.
Eren stared into her eyes, stunned. He then beamed, his face his usual bright and cheery. "Thanks Mom." He said sweetly, with a smile that melted Carla's heart.
"Go with your father, now." Carla smiled back, her eyes shining.
Eren nodded and followed Grisha out. Grisha gave her an appreciative look before closing the door.
Carla turned back towards Eren's bed, which now hosted an orphan, the newest member of the Jaeger household.
She sat down on the bedside chair, her hands working with the towel next to the bucket of water. She squeezed the cold water out, before laying the cold press on the girl's forehead.
She watched as Mikasa's chest heaved up and down with the rhythm of sleep, and stared into the young girl's face. She grabbed hold of her hand and squeezed it lightly.
"Welcome to our little happy family, Mikasa." Carla said softly.
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Stay tuned for Chapter 2!
