"M-Mikasa!" He stammered. "What are you doing here? Or better yet, why are you here?"

"I-we were searching for you." He stood in front of Annie, trying to cover her but not being too obvious. "Who's that behind you?" He froze, not literally but metaphorically. He started panicking. However, Annie had a different idea as she revealed herself by pulling Eren towards herself and looking Mikasa straight in the eye. The two girls stared at each other for some few hour long seconds,"Eren, care to explain why she is here?", he was quite shocked by the amount of poison she used to address Annie.

"You said 'we were searching for you', what did you mean?" he tried deflecting her question. A bead of sweat dropped from his forehead, not because of the climate, but because he was panicking and didn't know how to proceed forward.

"Eren Yeager, why is she here?"Her voice was fierce and the venom was dripping from it.

Fortunately, the others arrived just in time.

"Eren!"

No doubt Armin. He looked from Mikasa to where Armin was coming from."Oh thank god you're okay! We were so worried, especially Mikasa. Where were you since morning? Have you eaten something since morning? Are you hungry? You didn't get in a fight did you?" He laughed and patted Armin's back.

"Everything's positive Armin, so don't worry. And where are the others?" he asked while looking around.

''Who are you talking about?",Armin asked,It's only the two of us who were searching for you, it that's what you meant."he finished, answering Eren's unasked question.

He stealed his nerve and strengthened his resolve,"Mikasa, as for your question, you will be answered shortly. We must meet with commander Erwin and captain Levi. Don't ask why you guys. It's of utmost importance."

"Eren-" Mikasa started, but stopped once she saw his eyes then sighed,"Very well."

Eren smiled brightly and gave her a quick hug which earned him a blush. However, he was too dense to notice it, but it was noticed by the other two teens who didn't comment on it.

After about an hour or two, the four sat in a room awaiting their superior officers who unfortunately, were being arses and taking their sweet time coming. Few minutes later, the door opened and stepped in commander Erwin, squad leader Hanji Zoe and captain Levi. Upon seeing Annie there, all of their expressions harden and turned serious. Especially Levi's, as his eyes narrowed to slits and his body language suggested 'aggressiveness'.

"Eren,'' the commander started," You wanted to speak to us."

Eren nodded and stood up . He looked at Annie, she gave him a nod so he started his testimony. Of course he skipped the part where he and Annie were hugging each other and the part where they were hanging out as if old friends or blackmailing shopkeepers. By the time he finished, their superiors were in deep thoughts." So your saying that she is willing to surrender, just like that?" Hanji inquired.

Eren nodded." I trust her."

"Trust?" Levi questioned," You trusted my squadmates and look how that turned out. Not only is she the titan trash we planned to capture and torture, but a manipulative witch too. You must be even dumber than I thought Yeager."

Eren glared at him but didn't retrot. How could he? The matter at hand was worse already as it is. Instead,'' Think about it sir, Annie's titan form could be useful to our cause. While you may have me, I'm only raw strength. Annie has skills far greater than mine."

"That's not for us to decide Eren," Hanji stated," While you're correct, she can be very useful, the court will decide whether she lives or not."

This angered him immensely," The court?" he questioned, "What do those bastards know anything that's outside the walls. They live here peacefully while we die out there and they don't give a damn about us. Tell me Hanji, when was the last time the 'court' contributed to those who have fallen or gave a proper and well deserved burial." he shouted.

" As a child, me and Mikasa would run and see whenever the scouts returned from a mission. The soldiers had to give the remaining parts of the body to the fallen's family. The government never showed any signs of sympathy for the family of the fallen or at least sooth them somehow. Instead they'd let them live just like that, in remorse. You think I care about those bribe taking and giving bastards?"

" I know that Annie killed many innocents, but she saved many citizens too by avoiding our plan of tomorrow. Surly many hundreds could've died, right? Captain, be honest with yourself, would you want your squadmates, or a shifter no two shifters that are loyal to the core."

The captain merely showed any signs of agreement or disagreement. However, his eyes suggested he'd choose the best option. ( Titan )

Erwin seemed to have come to a conclusion," Very well, Eren. She can stay with us. However, she is your responsibility. If she betrays us again, you will be held accountable, and you will have to face the consequences. She will stay with you for now Eren, underground, until further notice."

He was beyond ecstatic, but more than him, Annie. She felt that same foreign emotion course through her. What was it? Love?

He nodded enthusiastically." Thank you,commander."

The commander nodded" You may leave."

A while later, the two shifters were in Eren's cell/room. Annie turned to Eren and hugged him."Thank you, Eren. For speaking up for me and defending me."

Eren, being him, hugged her her back,"As I said before Annie, I'm willing to disobey direct orders for you. You know why? Cuz-"

"Yeah yeah, cuz you love me and all." She smiled at his silliness and at the same time she adored it.

"Truth is Annie, when Hanji said the court deciding your fate which would definitely end up you being executed, I had decided that if that occurs, I would transform mid-session, rescue you, and escape outside the walls. Of course that'd be a huge risk, but I'd be willing to wing it."

The flutter in her heart wouldn't stop. So she leaned up and pressed her lips against his. Their kiss was short but it was brief. They broke off due to inexperience, she laid her head against his chest, his frantic heartbeat soothing her." Don't get used to it Yeager. This won't happen anytime soon again."

And that night, Eren had the best sleep ever since his mother's death.

Scattershot98 I really appreciate you praising my story instead of criticizing it.