Drabble. For EreMika week, day four: Warmth.
Enjoy!
It had been a month since Mikasa had moved in with the Jeager family. Without fail, each night she ended up waking from nightmares, screaming and covered in sweat. By the end of the month, she'd contracted the flu; the strain she put on her body, emotionally and mentally, had drained her and made her an easy target for the harsh winter climate.
Kalura clucked her tongue, pitying the small girl as she curled herself up in front of the fireplace. Mikasa had refused to move from there much, keeping Eren's big red scarf wrapped around her neck, her blanket covering her body. Bringing a cup of tea to the girl, Kalura began to speak. "Mikasa, dear, it's very late. Can I take you into the bedroom now, please?"
"Mom, I'm so cold." Mikasa mumbled, shivering. As she said this, Kalura knew the child wasn't truly speaking to her; Mikasa rarely looked her in the eyes or spoke to her. Perhaps she reminded Mikasa too much of her own mother. The poor thing, Kalura thought. She set the teacup down, kneeling next to Mikasa. Placing her hand on the pale girl's forehead, she frowned. "You're burning up. I know you're cold, Mikasa, but you have the chills right now. If you go to sleep, you'll wake up feeling better. Let's go; I'll bring in more blankets for you."She pulled Mikasa upright and carried her into her and Eren's shared bedroom, laying her on the bed very gently. "I'll be back, okay?"
Mikasa pulled the red scarf up to her nose, covering it. She shivered, her whole body shaking. Her teeth began to chatter just as Kalura brought another blanket into the room. "Are you okay?" The older woman questioned. She received no answer. The only one who could ever get the girl to talk so far was Eren, and those words came few and far between. "Eren will be home from his friend's house soon." Kalura said, trying in vain yet again to start a conversation. Sighing, she gave up and bid Mikasa a good night.
Mikasa curled herself into a ball again, trying to keep the small amount of heat she could muster up. She felt clammy and sweaty but she was ice cold. "I just want my mom and dad," Mikasa said, a long time after Mrs. Jeager had left the room. "I just want Mom to hold me and Dad to hug me again."
"Well, I'm not either of them, but I'll still give you hugs, Mikasa."
Mikasa lifted her head from her pillow, looking up. "Hi, Eren." She said. "I'm cold."
Eren smiled, slipping off his winter boots. "I'll hold you, Mikasa." Eren sat on the bed next to her and pulled the covers up, wrapping her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Mikasa. I wish they were here, too." He told her, pulling her closer to him. He held her through the night as they slept.
Mikasa couldn't really explain it, but she felt very warm.
Notes: Shingeki no Kyojin is not mine.
