Notes: Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter fic AU. This is my first AU with a series to it, so I would really love to have some feedback. This fic contains some future Non-Con just to warn you. It also includes genderbent!Mikasa whose name I changed to Mikato; (I was planning on leaving it as Mikasa but when I read it over, it was just one huge nope + Mikato is the fandom's name for male!Mikasa.) Please feel free to comment and share. This story will also be posted on Archive of Our Own and on my Tumblr under the same username. Enjoy! More SNK AU fics in the future since summer is here~

Mikato = Mikasa

The branches in the trees swayed gently in the wind like a slow and elegant waltz. The morning sun began to rise, it's rays of sunlight hitting the earth; the last of the darkness of the night tuning into shadows. A beam of sunlight hit one of the windows of the Jaeger mansion, shining the inside of the room where Eren was sleeping in his soft, canopy bed. He was in a deep slumber, a soft and serene sleeping expression on his face until the sound of the bedroom curtains were pulled open with a whoosh! Eren's face scrunched up as the sunlight hit his face and buried his face in his soft white pillow.

"Wake up Eren…." Armin said cheerfully. "It's time for breakfast… you've got a busy day today…."

"Ngh… can't you cancel it all? Let me just sleep in today.." Eren groaned, slamming the pillow down on his head.

"Oh Eren… I wish I could, but your father is here today… he has someone very important from the Ackerman family with him and it involves you in a meeting this morning."

Eren sighed, then removed the pillow from his face. "..Is it Mikato? Only Mikato would convince my father to make me think the situation is life or death just so he could see me."

Armin stayed silent for a brief moment before finally answering. "Well, I can't say for sure what it is about… but I know it involves you and Mikato. That's all I know.."

That was enough for Eren to hear. He sat up on the edge of his bed after receiving another scolding from Armin and watched him as laid out Eren's clothing for the day. When Armin finally helped Eren out of his night clothes and into his daywear, he stood him in front of the mirror and smoothed out any wrinkles in Eren's emerald colored coat, the contrast bringing out the green in his eyes.

Eren and Armin had been friends ever since they were little. They both remember the day Armin was brought to the Jaeger mansion. The Arlert family has always served the Jaegers. Armin's parents were researchers, collaborating with Eren's father, Grisha in creating new cures for a recent disease that was going around. Since finding new resources were necessary in order to get information, the Arlerts had to go overseas. Armin was far too young to come with them and couldn't care himself yet, so they agreed with Grisha to allow him to stay in the mansion and become Eren's friend and servant. Armin was scared at first, being in an unknown place without knowing anyone. But after Eren gave him a smile and invited him to play in the garden after their introduction, he knew he would have a warm stay. Every now and then, Armin would receive a letter from his parents along with a little gift from the country they were visiting, describing the beautiful area they were in and how much they missed and loved him and how they would be back soon. For Armin's 9th birthday, his parents sent him a book that belonged to his grandfather. The ancient book was filled with details of the earth and what treasures lied within. Flaming water, lands of ice, fields of grass, the list went on and on. Armin and Eren would sit together underneath the trees in the mansion's garden and just read and get excited over the details. What they really vowed most to see, was the ocean. The beauty and wonders that was described just caused an undying desire to discover the world themselves.

Armin fixed the ribbon around Eren's collar and made any final adjustments to his outfit. "That should do it! Now let's get going…"

Eren took one final look in the mirror at himself and sighed. He may have been dressed like the young lord he was, but he certainly didn't feel like it. He ran a hand through his messy brown hair and followed Armin out of his room and into the courtyard where breakfast was being served to his father and their family friend, Lord Ackerman.

"Ah, there he is… Eren, glad you're here. We have much to discuss." Grisha stood up along with Lord Ackerman. Eren bowed politely and smiled small at them.

"Good morning father, Lord Ackerman…. Sorry I'm a little late."

"You're right on time, Eren. We were actually just discussing your father's recent development. It's nice to see you again, Armin.."

Armin bowed and smiled back. "Hello Lord Ackerman."

"Please sit Eren… Mikato is on his way."

Eren took a seat across from them at the small round table, Armin standing by his side with a cloth hanging on his arm in front him.

"As I was saying, We've been able to create a vaccine, but we must dilute it first. The Arlerts have been testing out different substances, but they haven't found anything strong enough yet."

"Oh I see. Well- Ah! Here comes Mikato!"

Mikato came riding down on his horse, pulling on the reins slightly to halt the horse. Once it came to a complete stop, he climbed off and tugged the horse gently towards the others. Mikato's chin length dark hair flowed slightly in the light breeze, his navy blue riding uniform stretched across his body, showing off the defined muscles underneath.

"Good morning Dr. Jaeger, Eren.." Mikato's dark brown eyes brightened like they always did when he saw Eren.

"Morning Mikato, how was the hunt?" Eren asked with a smile.

"I caught five rabbits and nearly sliced the flesh of the man who said I was a weak boy. I never seen such a man cry on the floor and beg for his life.." Mikato smiled small in triumph. Eren knew too well if you dared to lower Mikato less than what he was, it would be a death sentence. After all, cutting flesh was his specialty.

"That's my son alright.." Lord Ackerman laughed and patted Mikato's shoulder. "Well since the two of them are here, I suppose we can share the news with them."

"Here Armin, take the horse." Mikato handed the reins to Armin. He tugged the horse lightly and walked him over to the stables, mouthing "Let me know what happens." to the young men.

"Bye Jean, see you later…" Eren snorted at his own joke.

"Eren. The Kirschstein boy isn't a horse… I thought you two settled the dispute already." Grisha sighed and shook his head. Eren rolled his eyes and slumped in his seat, his chin resting on the palm of his hand. Mikato took a seat next to Eren, occasionally glancing over at him to gaze at his beauty.

Lord Ackerman cleared his throat. "Well I… don't know how to start this…. It's going to be harder than I thought. Not that this was an easy explanation in the first place, but I didn't think it would have to come to this…."

Eren looked at him in puzzlement. "What do you mean, Lord Ackerman?"

"Eren, Mikato…" Grisha began, slightly hesitating before continuing. "I trust both of you know that our families do business together."

"Of course we do…. How can we forget?" An unsettling sensation began to boil in Eren's lower abdomen.

"... Well, recently we've had trouble with one of our supposed trusted accountant, Kenny Ackerman. He was stealing from the company and forging fake reports. We happened catch him on time before we were truly in trouble, but unfortunately for us, the bankers refuse to believe that we are capable of doing business together."

"They cut off our assets for the time being. Our business is in jeopardy and at this point, we won't be able to get the vaccine to be properly made for the people. The only way to convince the bank that we are indeed capable of working together and that no grudge is held against our two families..."

"... Is through matrimony." Lord Ackerman finished despite his discomfort.

Eren stared at the two of them in confusion. There was something off about the whole thing, but he knew more was to come. "B.. But our families don't have any females to wed yet- and those who are, they're either married or way too young for marriage!"

"That's where you two step in..." Grisha looked at them intensely, his eyes shadowed from view. "... You two are arranged to be married in a month."

If you were to tell Eren Jaeger that he would be marrying a man, he would have laughed it off in discomfort and take it as a joke. Eren couldn't see himself marrying anyone just yet, let alone a man, Let alone Mikato. In fact, Mikato was more of an elder brother figure to Eren. He'd known the well built man for as long as he had known Armin. It all began when Mikato was only nine and still had yet to build his strong, masculine features that he had today. He happened to be strolling among the forest near his estate when a group of perverts mistaken him for a young female and drugged him, tied him up and disappear into the forest in a small abandoned shack. That same day, Grisha and Eren paid a visit to the Ackerman mansion where the maids where searching for young Mikato like crazy. Eren couldn't just stand there while someone innocent who was his age just disappear into thin air. He grabbed a pocket knife and searched into the forest until he found a small abandoned shack where his soon to be friend was being held. It took great willpower to bring down the three men, but with the new found energy in Mikato, the two of them ended the people they called monsters in disguise. Ever since then, Mikato made a vow to protect Eren and save him from harms way. Even as they reached the age of 18, Mikato checked in with Eren every single day since he was so susceptible to getting himself in trouble. Even if Mikato's actions annoyed and suffocated Eren sometimes, he still loved him like family.

No, he couldn't marry Mikato. It was just too unlikely to see himself bound to him in that way. And yet- here they were, their fathers discussing how they were to become engaged by force to fix a ridiculous problem. (granted, the cause was very important)

"W.. What?" was the only thing that could leave Eren's mouth despite the outbursts that were slowly building up within in him when he saw the two men has no intention of laughing. "T... This is a joke? Right? It's meant to be funny.. H- Ha ha ha... Good one father..."

Lord Ackerman and Grisha didn't as much smile. They looked just as pained as Eren was. Mikato seemed unaffected. He sat there with a straight face as if he knew sooner or later it would happen.

"For fucks sake, dad! Say something!" Eren banged a fist on the table, the delicate china clattering against the silverware.

"Eren! Watch your mouth in front of your family!" Grisha scolded. Eren's heart dropped, all hope of it being nothing but a cruel joke fading away.

"H... How? How will this be normal to others? Does the bank even approve of this-?!"

"It's not at all bizarre, Eren." Lord Ackerman tried to smile. "The queen, Historia Reiss is married to the leading knight, Ymir. So if the queen herself if fine with it, so is everyone else..." He slightly laughed, trying to bring humor into the conversation. "Although I must say, that Ymir of the royal highness does mistake for a man..."

"I can't believe this..." The look of surprise and slight fear never left Eren's face. "There was so much I wanted to do... Before I had to..."

"Eren..." Mikato's calm, monotone voice broke Eren's train of thoughts as he stood up and kneeled on one knee before Eren and held his hand within his strong ones; staring into his vibrant gem-like eyes. "I promise you... A life of happiness and security with me. I won't let harm come to you or let anything or anyone hurt you. I will vow on this day to make you happy, even if it costs me my very life." He placed a gentle, loving kiss on Eren's hand, causing the boy to blush and cover his mouth with his free hand.

Lord Ackerman smiled. "See? You two will be just fine together. It will be as if nothing had changed. You two will still be close friends."

"But... I don't know if I'm ready to marry yet! Father! You're okay with this?!"

"Eren... Trust me when I say, this wasn't our first choice. We really thought it out, we tried proposing other ideas to the bank, but it simply wasn't enough." When he saw that Eren still remained stubborn, he sighed. "Think about what your mother would want. She would want you to do the right thing. Right now, people who are in dire need of this vaccine are dying. I know it is a lot to ask, but this truly is life or death."

The thought of his mother was too overbearing. Eren was being selfish, thinking about his comfort rather than the lives of others.

All Eren could do was submit to the proposal.

"Ehhh? Y.. you're going to marry Mikato?!" Armin asked as he walked down the outside corridor with Eren.

"Armin, I had no choice. I wanted to say no, I really did and it's not because I don't love Mikato, it's because I just can't."

Armin gazed at Eren for a while before turning his head away. "Do you love Mikato?"

"I love him the same way I love you Armin, like a brother. I'm just… so angry that my father had pushed this on me. I get it that people are dying and my dad's work is extremely important but was this really a way to go?"

"Then why did you accept?"

Eren stopped walking and looked down at his feet. "... I had to do my part. Did I also mention my father used my mother as persuasion?"

"What? That's not like him to just say that. You said he hasn't said a word about your mother in almost nine years."

"Well this reason must have been that important because he brought her up suddenly after almost reaching a decade."

Armin tried to give a warm smile. "Hey, everything will be okay… I mean, it's not going to be much a difference. We'll still see each other, right?"

Eren smiled back. "Of course. The wedding is in a month, so we'll have plenty of time before hand to spend our last moments together. I'm probably going to have to live with Mikato so I won't be too far away. I'll visit everyday, in fact, maybe I can convince my father to let you come with me."

"You think so?" Armin's sky blue eyes brightened in excitement. Eren chuckled.

"It's a promise. Maybe afterward, we can see the ocean like we said we would."

"All right then!" Armin nodded happily. "It's a deal."

"You bet it is." Eren turned his head to the side where the lavish garden was glowing in the morning sun. "Say Armin… I'm going to go take a walk. I need sometime to think."

"Ah, sure thing. Do you want me to come with you?"

"No I'll be fine. I'll meet up with you later, okay?"

With that, Armin agreed and made his way back into the mansion to do other things. Eren stood alone for a while until he moved and walked down the gravel path into the garden.

It had been years since he last came into the garden. Eren stopped coming back after his mother died from a grave illness. He just couldn't handle not being able to sit with her underneath a tree anymore. The memories of their time together were fading away every single day and Eren wasn't sure if he wanted to keep them alive or just let go of it all. Walking down the path, he wondered why he stopped coming to visit in the first place. The garden was well maintained, not a single weed or trash in sight. Whoever was in charge of taking care of the garden must have been very passionate about it. The roses were fully bloomed, the petals fully opened to flaunt their vibrant hue. Eren couldn't help himself from smiling and bending over slightly to gently touch the flower and sniff it's sweet, floral scent.

"Oi! Your hands better be clean!" A distance voice scolded. Eren snapped his head back up, directing his attention to the sound of the voice.

Walking into view, a slightly short, yet very toned and muscular man with raven hair and an undercut made his way towards Eren. His white shirt open at just the first three buttons, showing off his strong collar bones. The man's eyebrows were furrowed, his coal grey eyes staring right into the younger man's. He looked highly intimidating, though something about him made Eren swallow.

"I.. I'm sorry… they are clean. I just-"

The raven haired man made an agitated noise and grabbed Eren's fingers, causing him to slightly yelp and blush faintly. The man inspected them closely and when he saw Eren was true to his word, he let go and brushed his hand off on a white handkerchief hanging by the side of his waist.

"Tch, you're lucky this time, brat. Or else I would have buried you underneath that very rose bush you were sniffing."

"U.. um.." Eren stuttered, looking down at his hands to avoid showing the blush on his cheeks. "Are you… the gardener?"

"No, I'm serial killer who happened to break into your garden and steal all of your hydrangea and sell it to the black market." When Eren didn't get the joke, the man rolled his eyes. "I'm being sarcastic, little shit. Of course I'm the gardener, I've been working here for at least seven years. "

"O.. oh.." Eren managed to laugh awkwardly before raising one eyebrow. "H.. hey!"

The gardener ignored him. "..And who are you exactly?"

"I live here… I'm Eren Jaeger." The boy eyed the older man closely. "What's your name?"

".. Levi." The said man ran his long, skinny fingers through his bangs that were moist with sweat.

"It's nice to meet you. Sorry about earlier… I didn't mean to ruin your work. It really is beautiful.." Eren turned his head towards the fully bloomed red rose. Levi looked at him for a while then sighed. With a pair of small shears that he extracted from his pocket, Levi held the stem of the rose with two fingers and cut it off with his other hand. He carefully pulled the rose out and held it out towards Eren.

"W.. what?" Eren looked highly confused, turning his head from side to side as if the man were offering it to someone else who wasn't there.

"Take it. You already touched it, you can have it. Besides, take it as an apology for yelling at you earlier.."

A faint hint of red came to Eren's face as he graciously accepted the flower with both hands. "T.. thank you, really. I'll take care of it." A bright smile came to his face. Levi cleared his throat.

"Well I can't stay and chat all day, there's work to be done." He turned around and walked away, only to stop when he was a feet away and turn his head slightly with a small smirk. "But I'll see you around. You're the brat of the mansion, right?"

Without another word, Levi walked back into the maze of the garden, leaving Eren to stand there as he gazed at the red beauty in his hands.