A/N: Welcome back! So here's the first of (hopefully) at least a few extra chapters. I'll be using this "story" for all of the additions, so check back here for new content. Basically, chapters will be scenes that didn't make the final cut of the story, or were thought of after it was complete. Chapters will be one-shots unless otherwise noted. All that being said...if there is a scene you would like to see written, or if you have an idea for another chapter, please shoot it my way, via PM or review. Enjoy!
Thump. Cursing. Mikasa didn't even have to look up to realize who it was. Annie appeared in the doorway, rubbing her forehead while muttering incoherently.
"I'm gonna end up with a permanent lump on my head." Annie griped as she slowly made her way around behind Mikasa's desk. The taller woman focused on the computer, ignoring Annie's advances. She wasn't exactly sure what Annie was doing at the gym; it had been about a month since the title fight, and Annie popped up in the gym here and there, but for the most part, Mikasa couldn't say for certain where the blonde was at any given time of the day.
"You'll adjust. You've just got to give it a little time." Mikasa encouraged. Annie scoffed, but leant over behind Mikasa, brushing her lips against Mikasa's ear just softly enough to get the other woman's attention. Mikasa felt the cold from the harsh winter outside radiate off the other woman; she must have just arrived at the gym.
"Speaking of time…when can you get out of here?"
Annie's hot breath tickled Mikasa, sending a fit of shivers up her spine.
"I've got a little more to do with bank statements, but it shouldn't take more than a half an hour."
Even though Mikasa didn't turn to face her, she could feel Annie's lips pull back into a slight smirk.
"I'll meet you at your place."
Without another word, Annie pulled away. Keys had swapped hands, and it was more often than not that Annie got to Mikasa's apartment before she did. Mikasa didn't look up to watch her leave. She didn't have to.
Thump.
"Fuck."
Mikasa pulled up to her building, parking in the back lot. It was strange of Annie to come visit her at the gym, only to leave a few minutes later. She was surprisingly good with the other gym-goers, giving them pointers when she walked past and noticed flawed positioning or form. However, she didn't let this fact bother her too much. If there was anything she had learned about Annie, it was that the woman did as she pleased. If she just felt like stopping by for a moment, it was because that's just what she felt like doing.
She fumbled with her keys for a moment before entering her apartment. To her surprise, the door had been locked. Annie almost always left the door unlocked for her. When she entered, she immediately looked for Annie in her usual spot, laying out on the couch. But when the smaller woman was nowhere to be seen, Mikasa was left even more confused. It seemed her only clue, and a very intentional one at that, was taped to her television screen. Curious, she approached the note and pulled it off the monitor, reading it carefully. An address she didn't recognize was written in Annie's surprisingly neat handwriting. Mikasa pondered the note for a moment, wondering exactly what it meant. Clearly, Annie wanted her to meet her there. But she had failed to give anything other than a location; no time, no hint to what it was.
With a smirk, Mikasa made her way to her bedroom to change clothes. There, another surprise awaited her. Laid out on her bed was a brand new black pea coat, one Mikasa had had her eye on for a while. Another simple note was left on the jacket.
Wear it tonight.
Mikasa just laughed. Even Annie's notes were short and to the point. But Misaka obliged, pulling the coat over sweater she had just picked out. A glance at the clock told her that it would soon be dinner time; the address was likely to some new restaurant. Once she checked herself over in the mirror, the realization hit her.
She was going on a date. With Annie.
She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but all the clues, or rather post its, lead to the conclusion that Annie wanted to take her out. Mikasa immediately began second guessing her choices. Should she redo her makeup? Do her hair differently? Was the outfit dressy enough? Slightly concerned, she rushed back into her room and chose a classy button up, one she reserved for the finest occasions. She even ditched the tattered red scarf that Eren had given her ages ago. The pea coat complemented her ensemble nicely, and she decided that the outfit change would have to do. She looked up directions to the mystery location, and was surprised when she found that it was easily within walking distance. Grabbing her things, she left the apartment, ready to make the journey on foot.
Of all the places Mikasa expected to end up, the library was not one of them.
She walked up the stone steps, careful of the ice and snow that dusted them, and entered the old building. A familiar smell greeted her; even though she hadn't been to the library in years, she instantly recognized the scent. The old moth bitten pages of ancient books had an aroma all their own. It vaguely reminded her of Annie.
She gazed around the entryway, looking for another post it clue left behind by the blonde. Fiddling with the buttons on her new coat, she explored the open building. Tables with old lamps scattered the space, rows of computers, mostly occupied, thrown into the mix. Row upon row of shelves lined the walls, each filled with books about anything and everything one could ever hope to know.
Mikasa was drawn back by a subtle cough. A short, dark haired woman with braided hair had approached her, and was clearly trying to get her attention.
"Yes?"
"Are you Mikasa Ackerman?"
"I am."
"Great." The woman, who Mikasa assumed was the librarian, smiled. "This is for you, then." She held out a yellowed piece of paper, no doubt from the library itself. A strange assortment of letters and numbers were filled out in Annie's script, along with a page number. Mikasa furrowed her brow. What the hell was this? The librarian, sensing Mikasa's confusion, spoke again. "Are you familiar with the library?"
"Not exactly."
"Would you like some help finding that book?"
It's a book? That code…was a book?
"No thanks, I can figure it out." Mikasa lied. Something told her having the librarian lead her around wasn't what Annie had in mind.
"Well, if you need any help, just let me know." The woman said cheerily, and turned to return to her desk.
Mikasa set out immediately for one of the computers. After about a half an hour of milling around the internet, trying to figure out exactly what the hell the numbers and letters meant, she finally learned that they belonged to a system known as the Dewey Decimal Classification. It was how the library organized their books, using distinguishing factors such as subject, author, and even edition number.
Well…that doesn't tell me shit. Mikasa thought angrily. She knew for a fact that these numbers were leading her to a specific book. A specific page, even. But she had no idea how to find it. She heard someone walking behind her, and turned to see who it was. It was the librarian, and she was smiling.
"You don't have any idea what you're doing, do you?"
Mikasa flushed. It was slightly embarrassing to admit, yes, but the need to know what Annie had planned was outweighing her pride at the moment.
"Nope. Can you show me where this book is?"
"Of course."
The shorter woman took the lead and Mikasa followed her through the maze of shelves, listening intently as she expertly explained how books were organized, what each of the numbers meant on her slip of paper, and where each of the subjects could be found in the library. When they got close, she let Mikasa find the book herself, with a few hints here and there. Finally, about an hour after arrival, Mikasa had arrived at the location of the next clue.
After a quick thank you, the librarian departed. Mikasa pulled the tome off the shelf. Titled Dangerous Liasions, Mikasa scrunched her face. She had never heard of the book before in her life. Still, she flipped through the pages until she found the one Annie had denoted on her paper. She found it, and to her surprise, two more scraps of paper were wedged in between the pages. One simply had a page number and a paragraph number on it. The other was filled with more Dewey Decimal numbers. Mikasa read the passage denoted by the first piece of paper.
Now, I'm not going to deny that I was aware of your beauty. But the point is, this has nothing to do with your beauty. As I got to know you, I began to realise that beauty was the least of your qualities. I became fascinated by your goodness. I was drawn in by it. I didn't understand what was happening to me. And it was only when I began to feel actual, physical pain every time you left the room that it finally dawned on me: I was in love, for the first time in my life. I knew it was hopeless, but that didn't matter to me. And it's not that I want to have you. All I want is to deserve you. Tell me what to do. Show me how to behave. I'll do anything you say.
Mikasa smiled. It was crystal clear why Annie had marked that passage. Starting to catch on, Mikasa looked at the next clue, and began towards that book as well.
Each book that Mikasa found had the same two notes in them; one with the passage she was supposed to read, the other with the location of the next book.
You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought.
Each time you happen to me all over again.
It has made me better loving you… it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter. I used to want a great many things before, and to be angry that I did not have them. Theoretically, I was satisfied. I flattered myself that I had limited my wants. But I was subject to irritation; I used to have morbid sterile hateful fits of hunger, of desire. Now I really am satisfied, because I can't think of anything better.
I've never had a moment's doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.
Each book made Mikasa smile wider and wider. Annie had never been one to shy from letting Mikasa know how much she loved her, especially in the bedroom. But words had never been her strong suit. This was her way of saying all the things she said with her touches.
Finally, after wandering from book to book, Mikasa pulled one off the shelf that she actually recognized. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. She opened the book to the page specified by the last scrap of paper, but to her surprise, there was no other papers tucked away in this one's pages. Instead, a single line was highlighted.
You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
Mikasa laughed quietly, holding her free hand to her mouth to stifle the noise. Of all the quotes she had read so far, this was definitely Annie. She flipped the book around, checking to see if any other notes were hidden in its pages, but no such luck.
Just then, she heard it.
Thump.
"God-fucking-dammit."
Mikasa whirled around to the source of the profanity. Annie stood at the end of the row, pressing both hands to her face. The blonde peered at her through her uncovered eye, then dropped her hands. Annie approached Mikasa slowly. She stopped just short of Mikasa, looking away, a slight blush creeping across her nose.
"I was trying to sneak up on you." She mumbled.
Mikasa wound her free hand around the back of Annie's neck and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "You've surprised me enough today already."
Annie stepped back. Looking Mikasa up and down, she let a small smile tug at her lips. "You look good."
"How'd you know I wanted it?"
"You pointed it out once when we passed the shops on the way to Armin's."
"You remember that?"
"Of course."
Mikasa was stunned. She had hardly mentioned the coat, pointing it out only in passing, and Annie remembered that well? Smiling again, she looked at the shorter woman.
"Have you read all those books? The ones you left notes in."
"Yeah."
Annie really was full of surprises.
"I didn't know you liked to read so much."
Surprisingly, Annie smiled. The topic of literature seemed to excite her. "I do enjoy a good read. Have you read this one?" She said, motioning to the book Mikasa was still holding.
"No. But I've heard of it."
Annie's eyes lit up. "Do you want to read it?"
Mikasa could see how much of an interest this was of Annie's. The only thing she had seen her this passionate about was fighting. "Sure."
"Sit." Annie commanded.
"Here?"
"Yeah."
Mikasa obliged, peeling off the coat on the way down. Annie stared when she saw the shirt Mikasa had chosen.
"Where did you think we were going?"
Mikasa looked up. This time, it was her turn to be embarrassed. "I wasn't sure. And I didn't want to be underdressed." She said sheepishly.
"I guess it can't be helped." Annie said decisively. She lowered herself down between Mikasa's legs to sit in her lap, leaning against the taller woman's frame. She took the book from Mikasa's hand and opened it to the first page.
"Can you see?"
Mikasa shifted so that her arms were wrapped around Annie's waist, her chin resting softly on Annie's shoulder.
"Now I can."
"Just tell me when to turn the page."
They sat like this, reading page by page together for a while before Mikasa noticed Annie slowing. She had started off totally relaxed, but she could feel the blonde tense against her. After finishing the chapter they were on, Mikasa spoke, interrupting the peaceful silence.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, fine. Reading just gives me a headache now. I think it's eye strain."
"I'll just read for the both of us, then." Mikasa concluded. She unwound her arms and took Annie's hands in hers, holding on to both Annie and the book. She began reading aloud softly, so that Annie could just hear what she was saying. Annie sank back against Mikasa contentedly, and they continued to read until the library closed. As they ventured back out into the cold winter air, Annie spoke.
"Well?"
"Next time, I'll pick the book. And wear something a little more comfy."
Annie smiled, apparently pleased with the response. They hustled down the street, burying their faces in their coats to protect themselves from the bite of the arctic wind. A particularly powerful gust pushed Annie into Mikasa's side. Without thinking, Mikasa withdrew her hand from her pocket and linked her arm with Annie's before putting it back. Soon, they fell into step, walking together while admiring the snowflakes blowing around them.
"Annie?"
The shorter woman looked up at her, her gaze travelling to meet Mikasa's. Her uninjured eye was still as vibrant as ever, almost as cold as the weather itself. But the newly blinded eye had lost some of its clarity; the pale blue lacked the same piercing color as its counterpart. Mikasa found herself lost in Annie's gaze all the same, her train of thought derailed by the eyes locked with her own.
"Why did you join the gym?"
Annie furrowed her brow in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Mikasa looked away sheepishly as they continued walking. It was a question she had been pondering for a long time; since Annie had told her about her boxing past, she had wondered why she had agreed to take her offer.
"I just meant…I know you had a rough past with the sport…why did you say yes when I asked you to fight for the gym?"
Annie looked at Mikasa thoughtfully. "Well, in part, I needed the cash." She said bluntly. But she continued, more softly this time. "I was actually working at that library before I started fighting for you. Unfortunately, library jobs aren't exactly high paying. And I owed a lot of people a lot of money. I got caught up in some bad stuff, trying to pay bills and whatnot. I knew that wasn't how I wanted my life to be."
They reached a street corner and waited for the walk signal. Annie pressed herself even more into Mikasa's side, trying to hide from the frigid wind whipping around them.
"When I met you at the bar, I decided to take a chance. It was an opportunity to make some money, and to get my life turned around."
Mikasa let a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. The dark haired woman noticed the redness on Annie's nose, no doubt a result of the wind chill, and noted that she found it rather endearing. Unable to help herself, she pressed her lips to Annie's suddenly, relishing the feeling of Annie's mouth moving in tandem with her own. She pulled away and instantly regretted it, the frozen air rushing against her face.
"What was that for?" Annie pouted, clearly upset about the cold as well.
"You never cease to amaze me."
Annie just rolled her eyes, then nodded and pulled at Mikasa's elbow, signaling that the light had turned and she wanted to keep moving towards the apartment. By the time they had reached the building, Annie was all but frozen to Mikasa's side, something both had absolutely no issues with. Mikasa only wished the walk was longer.