Eren was sitting at Mikasa's bedside. He was clasping her weak hand softly, stroking it with his thumb. She was lying there, her breathing labored.
"Mikasa…"
Mikasa's eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked to her right, seeing Eren there.
"Eren…"
"Hey…how are you feeling?" Eren asked, not letting her hand go. Mikasa laid there, her whole body throbbing.
"…I can't breathe deeply…it hurts too much…" Mikasa said. Eren nodded in understanding. He suddenly felt tears fall onto his hands.
"…Eren?" Mikasa asked worriedly. He looked up at her, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Mikasa…I can't believe myself…I've been so blind…"
"What do you mean, Eren?"
"All this time…I have been pushing you away…but when you got injured, and I had to wait for the doctors to tell me if you were okay…for the first time…I saw what it was like to have to worry for someone you care about…and…it was awful…and now, just thinking about how often you must've gone through it…I'm sorry… Mikasa…ever since my mom died, I've been so blinded. I could never see what was right in front of me…and now, my vision seems so clear…Mikasa…since the day we met, and I wrapped that scarf around you I've wanted to protect you…but all I've been doing is pushing you away… I'm sorry," Eren said, squeezing her hand.
There was a minute of silence.
"Eren…what you said out there….did you…did you mean it?" Mikasa asked, looking down.
Eren nodded.
"I promise. No matter what it takes, I'll wrap it back around you…forever," Eren said.
Mikasa's cheeks turned slightly red.
"Eren…ever since we were kids…I…I've wanted to be by your side…at the moment I had nothing, you gave me something to cling to…and…I've always wanted you to know that I'm thankful for that…" Mikasa said quietly.
The two looked each other in the eyes.
"Mikasa…you should get some more rest," Eren said.
"Eren…will you…stay here with me?" Mikasa asked.
Eren nodded.
"I won't leave."
Mikasa laid her head back down. She closed her eyes, slowly falling back to sleep.
"I'll never leave you, Mikasa. Never."