About this chapter, I decided to omit giving any details about Rod Reiss or Kenny, because as I'd mentioned earlier it would involve taking lots and lots of issues and possibilities into consideration and that's not what I wanted to concentrate on while writing this story. Next chapter, which is also the last one, will focus mainly on Eren and Mikasa.

Sentinel07: You beat me to it. Actually yes, I've been thinking of this story as a continuation of "The Words Unspoken", but the connection isn't that significant to the plot itself. It only explains the development of the relations between Eren and Mikasa, so basically…

To all Readers: if you haven't read my previous eremika fanfiction, all you need to know is that Eren has already realized how he truly feels about Mikasa and they've shared their first kiss.


A column of dense steam kept rising from the titan's decomposing body amidst the tall trees. It was ascending into the clear sky, darkening the first light of the new day above the heads of Levi's squad members. They had just managed to retrieve Eren from his titan form. The task would have been much more difficult if he hadn't chosen to remove the hardened skin from his nape before losing control over the huge exhausted body. He had taken his friends as far away from the ruined chapel as he could until the serum lost its effect and he collapsed at the edge of a forest.

Mikasa was kneeling on the soft grass beside her hero. He was lying on Sasha's green cloak and under Historia's outer white robe. It was all they could give to shield him from the cool of the crispy morning. Behind her the rest of the squad were hurriedly tending to each other's wounds. It was a miracle that all of them had made it out alive. Although there seemed to be no sign of human activity in view, they were still in the Inner District. It was only a matter of time before someone found them, lured by the clouds of steam hovering above the trees, and there was no guarantee that it would be an ally. Soon they would have to continue their escape.

But none of these concerns could cloud the relief which filled the black-haired girl's heart. No lives had been lost, primarily thanks to Eren again. Mikasa leaned over him and brushed loose strands of hair away from his forehead. The long gash which had marred it was now gone. Only the marks left by titan's flesh stretched across his cheeks, but soon they would fade away, too.

There they were again, reunited after what seemed to be ages of separation – two young soldiers who had been walking through life together ever since they met. Whenever someone was bold enough to part them, Mikasa would never falter in chasing them down until he was back with her, safe and sound. Each time she felt her heart being ripped out at the news of either his death or capture, and each time it leaped up with relief and pure joy, knowing that she hadn't lost him after all.

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it tenderly, closing her eyes to stop them from welling up with tears. Even such simple gesture reassured her, as if the fact that he was right there next to her wasn't enough. His hand was warm to the touch and she felt like she never wanted to let go of it, lest he end up far away from her again.

Suddenly she felt his fingers clenching weakly around hers. Her eyes snapped open immediately. "Armin" she called out, quietly, but sharply, her gaze never leaving Eren's face. A second later the blond-haired soldier knelt hastily opposite her and leaned over their friend. He didn't need her to explain why she called for him.

Slowly and steadily, Eren lifted his eyelids to see Mikasa and Armin's worried faces above him. Despite his vision being still somewhat blurry he could see their eyes gleaming softly with joy. Their hair was disheveled, their clothes stained with blood, but they were happy. Slowly, everything started coming back to him and he had a vague idea of what had just happened.

"Eren, how are you feeling?" Armin asked apprehensively, whereas Mikasa kept looking straight into his greenish eyes, wordlessly, as a genuine soft smile was lighting up her beautiful features more and more.

Eren felt his stomach clench at the long-awaited sight. He let go of Mikasa's hand and with great effort he started to heave himself up to a sitting position, trying to support himself with his elbows. Every muscle in his body was throbbing and he winced in pain, but he couldn't care less. He yearned to embrace them, hold them in his arms and let them know how terribly he missed them, how happy he was to see that they were all-right. As he expected, Mikasa put her hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him back onto the cloak before he could hurt himself even more.

"Rest, while you still can." she whispered, as her palm lingered a little longer on his chest above his heart.

"You're going to need your strength again soon." Armin added.

Eren's head started spinning after the failed attempt. He knew there was no point in bickering with his worried friends. They always knew what was best for him and they were right, he had to admit it. "Is… everyone okay?" he asked hoarsely, dreading the answer.

Typical Eren, thought Armin. He closed his eyes and smiled to himself faintly. He had known the titan-shifter since they were small kids and little had changed since that time. Eren would always put the wellbeing of his friends before his own.

"Some of us were less lucky than others, but yeah, we all live." said Connie, who had just walked up to them, grinning from ear to ear. On his face there were traces of blood, hopefully not his own. That wasn't all the information Eren needed, but still it did get a huge burden off his chest. Then he heard Jean's voice above his head.

"That's right. We saved your sorry ass and then it was your turn to save ours." He seemed to be in good condition as well. He crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. "Just don't rest on your laurels, shirtless wonder. It's not over yet."