Additional Pairings: N/A

Rating: K

Words: 8769

Inspired By: Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy (Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker), Be My Baby (The Ronnettes), Save the Last Dance (as covered by Michael Buble)

Notes: I've wanted to do this one for ages so I'm so thankful I finally have an excuse to write this super cliché performing arts school au. I've wanted to do them as dance partners since someone posted on the tag about them as partners on So You Think You Can Dance. I really, really wanted to do that but describing full dance scenes is too difficult for someone who hasn't danced in years and years and nowhere near the level of that show. So I compromised and came up with this one instead. I had to pick ballet of course one of the types of dance I never did take (but I can see Mikasa performing ballet so beautifully) so forgive me for my glossing over of certain details to get around the fact I have a very basic level of the details of that dance. I did take swing but it was years ago so again forgive anything I may misremember. The title is from "Save the Last Dance" as covered by Michael Buble.

Can't You Feel It When We Touch

(Day 8 – High School)

Mikasa practically ran up to the announcement board in the dance department, the place that announced parts, shows, awards, and in this case the pairing list for her ballet class. The one that would determine who her partner was for the spring showcase auditions. She could barely eat this morning she was too excited to see who Miss Ral paired her with.

The white paper labeled "Ballet II: Pairing Assignment" was hanging there on the board with no one even around for Mikasa to fight her way through. She held her bag tight on her shoulder as she looked right at the top for Ackerman, Mikasa. She held her breathe as she followed the dotted lines over to the next column. She expected it to Jean; he was the best male in class, and she figured naturally Miss Ral would put them together for something that was so important.

Mikasa's heart sank when she saw the name that was there. It wasn't Jean, it wasn't anyone she would've dreamed Miss Ral would pair Mikasa with. No, it had to be a mistake that was the only way. It had to be.

She held her bag on her shoulder, as close to her as she could as she weaved through the hall as it filled with other dance students just getting out of their own classes. Thankfully the school kept all the departments together so she didn't have to go too far to find the dance department's offices. Miss Ral had to still be there, she only just put the assignment list up on the board ten minutes ago probably. She had to be there. Mikasa couldn't go to class without getting this resolved. It already had her stomach in angry, anxious knots. There just had to be some kinda mistake.

She turned into the area where the instructor offices were and even though the girl in the front office waved to Mikasa, she only kept walking. She couldn't think of anything but resolving this situation. She had to or she'd be completely ruined in her school career. Mikasa breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Miss Ral's door open, the petite auburn haired woman sitting behind her desk already dressed for their class in a few minutes.

"Miss Ral?" Mikasa knocked on the door to get her instructor's attention.

"Ah, Mikasa," Miss Ral said as she looked up with a smile. "Please sit down, how can I help you?"

Mikasa dropped her bag off to the side of the chair and sat down, her hands falling into her lap. "I just…I wanted to talk to you about the assignment sheet you posted today."

"Mmm, and is there an issue?" Miss Ral crossed her arms against the table, giving Mikasa a bit of a knowing smile.

"You paired me with Eren Jaeger."

"Yes, that I did. Again, is there an issue, Mikasa?"

Mikasa was trying to keep calm but something inside her snapped. Miss Ral very well knew what she did, this was no mistake. "How could you do that to me? He's the worst in our entire class. He doesn't take anything seriously. He never practices; all he does is goof off the whole time. There's no way he isn't gonna ruin all of this for me. A year wouldn't be enough time for me to teach him everything he'd need to know to be on par with me. These duets are our audition pieces for the spring showcase. I'll never get a decent part with him as my partner."

"Miss Ackerman," Miss Ral said, her tone changing to the voice she used in class. She was small but she demanded attention and respect with every word; it made Mikasa feel about two feet tall when it was directed at her. "You're good, yes; probably the best in the class, but that doesn't mean you still don't have things to learn. Did you ever think I paired you with Mr. Jaeger because I thought he could teach you something?"

"What could a slacker who never listens ever teach me?" she murmured knowing full well she was in trouble, but she couldn't help it. It wasn't fair. None of this was fair.

This time Miss Ral did smile. "You'd be surprised, Mikasa. Now, go get changed for class. I expect you there right on time for warm ups."

This conversation was over. "Yes, Miss Ral," she said before grabbing her bag and leaving the office.

This was going to absolutely end her. All Mikasa wanted to do as she slipped into the nearest bathroom to change from street clothes into her familiar leotard and tights was cry. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. She'd never have enough time to get Eren Jaeger into a suitable partner before the auditions. All she did since she was four years old was dance, that was all she wanted to do and now she was stuck with someone who just didn't care about what she loved.

She wiped her eyes before slipping on her dance flats and pushing open the stall door. Why did it have to be her? She pulled her hair up into a quick tight bun to keep it out of her face as she walked back out into the school hall, absolutely dreading going to class.

"Miky! There you are!"

Mikasa was nearly bombarded by a body coming towards her, luckily she recognized the girl; it was hard not when they lived together. "Hello, Sasha," Mikasa answered.

Sasha had a grin as wide as her face, already dressed in her own leotard and tights though she had neon green leg warmers on as well. Sasha never much had a taste for the classic looks. "You left before I could even walk down to school with you."

Mikasa shrugged. She loved Sasha but Mikasa wasn't in the mood to be bubbly today, not when she had to go to the class she used to love but was now dreading.

Sasha frowned as she hurried to catch up to Mikasa. "I take it you saw the sheet, huh."

"I really don't wanna talk about it, Sasha."

"C'mon, Mikasa," Sasha said, following aside Mikasa as they walked to ballet class. "I mean, I know he's not the best in class but it could be worse."

"How could it be worse?" Mikasa glanced over to Sasha who was practically dragging her bag along the tile floor. "I don't know how he even passed Ballet I last year, let alone was let into a more advanced class."

Sasha got a grin on her lips as she raised her eyebrows. "At least he's hot."

Mikasa rolled her eyes. "Looks mean nothing if you can't keep up in a dance."

"Always have your priorities straight, don't you, Miky?"

Of course she did. Mikasa always did. She wanted to dance for a prestigious ballet company; it was all she ever wanted. No one could get in the way of that. She pushed open the class room door and held it for Sasha before dropping her bag off to the side with the rest of the classes' personal items.

Most the class was already there. Marco was helping Jean stretch out his legs off to the side, Annie was already starting a few warm ups on the bar, and a few others like Mina and Hannah dispersed through the room also doing their warm ups. Her new partner wasn't there yet which wasn't too much of a surprise. He came in at the last minute almost every day.

"I gotta go talk to Marco about one of our assignments for voice. I'll be right back, kay?" Sasha said though she left no time for Mikasa to actually respond before running off to talk to her other classmate. Sasha and Marco, like quite a few people in Mikasa's classes, concentrated in other elements of the arts. For them it was musical theatre as well but not Mikasa. Ballet was what she loved, it was the only thing she wanted to do.

She sat down on the ground to do some quick warm ups before the actual class warm ups started like she did every day of classes. It was always the same, dance classes in the morning, school classes in the afternoon. It made for long days but she liked it better than the rotating weeks of school classes and arts classes. She liked to make sure she danced every day to keep in form, so this worked just fine for her. It was part of the reason she asked her parents if she could come here instead of another school, even if it was in the city, hours away from her home. Once she auditioned and got in her parents didn't mind paying the money for her to do what she loved. They were always so proud of her, she'd never let them down just because she was paired with someone who wasn't on the same level as her. She couldn't do that to them or to herself.

She stood up to do a few practice moves against the bar since Miss Ral wasn't here yet. Thankfully she didn't have to do anything on pointe for this class today; she'd take the breaks when she could get them.

"Hey, Mikasa," a voice she was hoping not to hear at all today was right behind her.

Mikasa turned her head slightly mid plié to see Eren standing behind her. He was still wearing a light jacket and some dance pants, face red like he just ran all the way over here just to be on time; which admittedly was a sight she never thought she'd see.

"Hello," Mikasa said coolly, turning back around to finish her set but she found Eren standing in front of her this time, leaning up against the bar she was warming up on.

"I saw Miss Ral paired us together."

Mikasa arched an eyebrow. "Oh, so you woke up early enough to look at the board?"

He obviously missed the tone to her voice because he laughed, his turquoise eyes lighting up a little. "No way, Armin, my roommate, told me. He's always here a million hours too early so he stopped by after his early violin lesson."

Mikasa eyed Eren slightly. Figures.

Eren's smile faltered when she didn't respond, just continued with her warm ups. Mikasa did feel a bit guilty. He had never actually been mean or rude to her before, but that didn't mean he'd make a good dance partner.

"Are you doing something after class today?" she asked, pausing against the bar.

"I have another class an hour later but nothing right after," Eren said.

"Good, meet me in front of the practice rooms." She moved back into her warm ups.

He looked like he was gonna say something else to her but Miss Ral entered the room before he could.

"Places, class," she said clapping her hands together once as she moved to the sound system to put on some light music and Mikasa's classmates hurried to their places on the bar for more warm ups.

Eren left without another word when Sasha came up to stand in front of Mikasa. Sasha gave her a grin and a thumbs up before turning back around but Mikasa couldn't share the brunette's enthusiasm. This was gonna be a long day.

Sure enough, once class was over and she headed over to the practice rooms that were only one floor above the classrooms, Eren was nowhere to be found. Had he never been to these rooms before? Mikasa was inclined to guess yes judging by his performance in class. She wanted to tell herself she was being too harsh on someone she didn't even know past seeing him in one ballet class a day but she just couldn't take someone seriously when he didn't take her art seriously.

"Hey!" Eren breathed, as he climbed up the last few steps. "Sorry, one of my instructors stopped me to ask me a question."

Well, maybe she was a little harsh on him. "It's fine," she said nodding towards the door she was standing near. She opened it as he followed her in. The sheet on the door said it was free for the time being so it worked just fine for her. Mikasa dropped her bag on the ground. Her pointe shoes where in there but she didn't bother bringing them into the mix quite yet. She needed to know what Eren knew before they could actually start to work.

"Have you ever danced with a partner before?" she asked as he placed his bag next to hers.

"Yes," he said confidently, and with his usual carefree grin like this wasn't incredibly important.

"For ballet?"

He reached behind his head to scratch. "A little last year, but it was real basic. Just what we learned in Ballet I really."

Mikasa crossed her arms against her chest. "Was that the first time you ever did ballet?"

"No, but it was the first time in a long time. I obviously wasn't the best at it so it wasn't something I actively pursued."

At least he could admit it. "And you only took it cause you had to right?"

"You got it."

Mikasa sighed. This was gonna be harder than she thought. She thought about asking what his background was but it wasn't gonna help her so she didn't bother. "Let's start with the basics then."

Eren nodded though the confident air he had about him in class wasn't quite there and Mikasa quickly found out why. While some of the basics he could do, almost every move Mikasa wanted him to do, he had no idea what it was or how to do it. An hour went by very slowly when she had to keep stopping to show him how to correctly do something. She felt more like a teacher than a student working on par with another student.

It was more than a little frustrating. At this rate she was gonna spend two months just trying to get him to be able to lift her, which she didn't even bother trying with him this time. She didn't feel like getting dropped over and over today. He was pretty decent at keeping in time with her when they did synchronized movements which was surprising to say the least but it was about that only thing that went well during their practice. To make matters worse he just had to keep making cracks and not being serious about anything which drove Mikasa even crazier than she already was.

Needless to say, by the time an hour was up she scooped everything up and left the room, murmuring just a hurried goodbye so she didn't snap on him and make matters worse.

"I take it that it went pretty badly?" Sasha asked nearly making Mikasa jump when she stepped down from the last step on the staircase.

"It was a nightmare," Mikasa said. "I have no idea how I'm gonna be able to make this work. He doesn't know how to do anything that I had in mind, and nothing less is gonna land a place in the showcase but he can't do any of it. It's infuriating that Miss Ral did this."

"Don't you think you're being a little hard on him, Miky?" Sasha said, walking beside Mikasa down the hall to her next class. "I mean, not everyone has been doing ballet since they were four in that class, not even me. It's a general dance requirement, not one of your niche ballet classes."

"I know, Sasha," Mikasa sighed. "But it's for the showcase audition."

"And you have time to perfect something with him. Just try and go a little easier on the kid. Even you weren't always as good as you are, it takes time and practice. Remember that."

"I'll try," Mikasa said as Sasha waved heading into her classroom.

Guilt swirled a little in Mikasa's stomach. She started to head down the hall to her class, and she could easily remember the days she sat on the dance floor crying because she couldn't hit the move that came to her so easily now. Maybe she was being too harsh on him. Eren said himself he hadn't done much ballet and it's much harder to jump into as an adult, really for someone who hadn't done it that long he wasn't too bad.

It was only one day, one day out of many. Tomorrow maybe she could be a nicer teacher, like the ones who helped her when she was young and unsure.


Mikasa yawned stretching her arms over her head as she walked up the steps to the practice rooms. She thought she'd get a head start by working out some easier routines for Eren to start off on. Most all the practice rooms were open since as students everyone liked to sleep as much as they could; arts school or not some things never changed.

She was about to enter one of the dark practice rooms when she noticed a light coming from one of them. Who else would be here so early? Feeling a little nosey she walked over to the door to peek in the window. She nearly fell over when she did.

Eren was trying to do one of the routines she taught him yesterday but he kept hitting his foot in the wrong place, causing him to fall on his ass. He'd still get up and try again though, like nothing was wrong. Her stomach turned over the way she had treated him, the things she thought of him. He was trying.

She opened the door, hoping she wouldn't scare him as she walked in.

Eren didn't look startled when he saw her, just surprised. He stood in the center of the room watching her like he didn't know what to say.

She supposed that was her fault. "Um, try kicking your foot out farther to the side, and see if that helps your balance any."

"Oh, thanks," Eren said. He reached up to rub the back of his neck as he watched her. "I didn't really know if you were gonna come back. I know it was kinda rough yesterday."

Mikasa dropped her bag to the ground and started her warm up so she could join him on the floor. "Everyone has to start somewhere, Eren. I'm…I'm sorry I forget that sometimes."

He waved her off giving her that warm smile she didn't feel like she deserved. "Someone as good as you has every right to forget that. I bet you've been doing this before you could walk."

For whatever reason, she felt her face heat up a little bit. "Oh, um, well, I did walk first but shortly after my mom put me in ballet shoes. What about you?"

"I was six," Eren said, placing his hands on his hips. "My parents took me to the ballet when I was around that age and I loved it so much I asked them to put me in classes. Like I said, turned out ballet wasn't my forte but through that I found other things I loved to dance."

"I took a few other things too," Mikasa said as she stood up, finishing up some warm ups on her feet. "But ballet always had my heart."

"You can tell, when you dance. It's clear it's what you love. Which is why I was a wee bit intimidated when I saw you were my partner. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what Miss Ral was thinking putting me with the best dancer in my grade."

She paused mid warm up. "You, um, you think I'm the best in the class?"

"God, yeah," he laughed a little, his eyes bright. "I've seen you in all the recitals and class performances. You outshine them all."

Mikasa definitely felt her face heat up this time. "Oh, well, thank you." She slowly started to walk to the center of the room to meet where he was standing. "So what's your background then if it's not ballet?" Unlike yesterday, Mikasa was actually finding herself wanting to know the answer now.

A smile pulled at his lips making Mikasa question herself if Eren always this cute. "Well, you asked me if I did partner dancing yesterday."

"Yeah?"

In a moment Eren had her in his arms, tilting her back but holding her so secure that she knew he wasn't even close to dropping her despite the fact he had all of her body weight. He looked down at her, messy brown hair falling in his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat at the look on his face, the way his eyes shone, the smirk on his lips. Yeah, she never noticed how gorgeous the boy who stood behind her in ballet was until right about now.

"That's what I do. Ballroom, tango, salsa, swing," he said, still holding her body down at an angle. "Anything that needs a partner to swing around, to dip, I'm your guy."

"Can you lift?" she breathed, afraid if she didn't ask something ballet related her voice wouldn't come out at all.

Eren watched her for a moment before he pulled her back up and spun her out of his arms, Mikasa catching herself a few steps away from him. "I'm sure I could lift you, but I know it's different in ballet, more stylized, so if you teach me how to do what you want to do I would."

"What's your favorite dance?"

He did grin at her that time. "Swing. It's just so free, you know? It's just you feel a beat from the band and as long as your partner trusts you, you go with whatever you feel at the time. Maybe that's why I suck at ballet, too many rules for me."

"You don't suck." The words were out of her mouth before she even really thought about them. "You just need practice and a good teacher."

Eren arched an eyebrow at her, a smile on his mouth. "Are you my good teacher?"

For the first time since Mikasa found out just who her partner was she smiled. "Yes, I am."


It was wrong. Mikasa who was always so sure of herself, of her dance, was so unsure now and it was just wrong. She was so wrong about Eren, the boy she spent every day with now for weeks. The boy who made her laugh at his dumb jokes, who made practicing fun not stressful, who made her heart skip, who made it hard to breath when she jumped into his arms, when he caught her flawlessly. He still wasn't the best ballet dancer in the class, but he tried and he got better every day. She admired his passion, his dedication, but most all she found herself melting whenever he smiled at her.

The boy she couldn't stand was quickly becoming the boy she was most fond of and it was wrong. She had plenty of ballet partners over the years and she never felt for any of them. Mikasa knew how to keep herself away from things like boys and relationships because they only pulled her away from her complete dedication to dance. She knew this all too well, and yet, she couldn't control it. He was infectious. She found meeting him before or after class for practice was her favorite part of the day, even more so on weekends when they could rehearse longer together.

He just made her feel like a completely different person; someone who was fun, who could laugh, who could goof around sometimes instead of doing real work. Mikasa didn't recognize herself sometimes when she was with him but she wondered if that really was bad? He brought out something in her she didn't even know was inside of her after years of strict and controlled rules.

"Hey, Mika," Eren said as she shut her locker with a jump.

"Oh, hey," Mikasa said, trying to catch her breath looking over at him leaning up against the lockers.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you," he chuckled watching her with those eyes she learned to adore so much. "I just wanted to ask you about Saturday."

"Yeah, right," she murmured reaching out to push him in the shoulder. "What time do you wanna meet tomorrow then?"

"Well, that's the thing," he said, shifting his weight as he watched her. "I can't do tomorrow."

Mikasa's heart sank almost immediately at the words. "Oh," she said, trying not to let her disappointment slip through her tone. "Okay."

"I'm actually going home for the weekend, it's been awhile, you know?"

Mikasa nodded, feeling a little better; at least he wasn't ditching her to hang out with someone else. Even if it was for someone else, that was none of her business; at least that's what she told herself. "Well, good, I'll see you on Monday then?"

"Actually," Eren said, closing her locker with his hand, bright eyes meeting hers and nearly taking her breath away. "I was wondering if you wanted to come? I noticed you never really go home so I thought maybe you could use a break too."

She couldn't do much but stare at him. He was inviting her home? To see his parents?To stay in his house? Her breath was stuck in her throat and she wasn't sure if she could actually speak.

"Don't feel like you have to," he said holding his hands up slightly. "But we have a guest room you could stay in. I already asked my mom if it was okay, and she didn't mind. So totally up to you."

Over these weeks, her hours spent with him had become her absolute favorite so the prospect of spending the whole weekend with him was more than a little appealing. He thought of her. He was going home for the weekend and he thought of her to come with him.

"Yes," she breathed trying to keep her heart from racing. "I'd love to."

A smile spread across his lips. "Okay, um, meet me at the main entrance of this building at like four okay?"

"Okay," Mikasa said unable to bite back her own smile.

"Okay." Eren backed up slowly giving her a wave before disappearing behind a corner.

She leaned back against the locker, holding her books to her chest trying to keep her stomach from fluttering. Yeah, she was in trouble alright.

The rest of the school day dragged on so bad that Mikasa practically ran to her dorm to pack once the last class was up. Sasha tried to beg for details but Mikasa just waved and headed down to where Eren said he'd be. Sure enough he was waiting for her, that toothy smile on his lips when he saw her. Which was how Mikasa found herself sitting on a bus next to him driving from the city to upper state where she learned Eren lived.

"I know it's kinda a ways," Eren said, once they were settled in seats next to each other, the bus starting to drive through the city. "A few hours at least."

Mikasa was still trying to keep control over her pounding her heart, her sweaty palms sitting so close and so casually next to Eren. "Shorter a drive than it would be to see my she didn't ask before leaving campus. Maybe she should've but she was pretty sure they wouldn't be okay with her going to a boy's house for the weekend, a boy her parents never met before. Mikasa wasn't taking a chance they'd tell her no, so she conveniently just didn't ask at all; it was something she never did before, something that was so unlike her but Mikasa was beginning to realize maybe it was okay to do things that were unlike what she had done and who she was for her entire life.

Eren clicked his tongue. "I don't even think I know where you're from."

"Not even the same state."

"Wow, and you came all the way out here for school?"

"Yeah, didn't you?" she asked, giving him a nudge with her shoulder.

He snorted. "Yeah, you're right. So, did your parents dance? Or siblings?"

Mikasa laid her head back against the seat, settling in for the long trip to the mountains she had never been to before. "My mom did briefly. She liked it but couldn't continue with it so like any good parent she had me fulfill her dreams instead. I'm an only child though."

"Me too," Eren nodded. "Just me, my dad, and mom, who, just so you know, already probably filled the entire house with food. You don't have to eat it all, she knows what it's like to follow a strict diet for dance but it's there so you know. Normally Armin comes home with me, and as a musician he can eat just about whatever he wants to so it thrills my mom."

"Have you and Armin been friends long?" Mikasa met the blond violinist a few times when he came to get Eren or talk to him while he was in practice. Armin was always very kind even if he was quiet like she was.

"Since we were kids," Eren said. "Lucky us got into the same school and now he's really stuck with me."

"I didn't know anyone when I came to this school."

Eren let out a low whistle. "That was brave of you, coming all the way here and not knowing a single person."

"Well, lucky for me Sasha is outgoing enough for five people."

"That sounds like Sasha alright."

Mikasa's forehead furrowed. "Do you know her? I mean, outside of class."

"Yeah," Eren nodded. "I met her freshman year, we still hang out every now and then."

"She never told me that."

He looked over to Mikasa, giving her a smile. "Maybe she wanted you to make your own opinion of me."

Well, that did sound like Sasha and explained why she stuck up for him when Mikasa was frustrated.

"Am I doing a good job?"

Mikasa nearly laughed. "Admittedly, not at first but…" She looked up at him, his eyes watching her. "It's much better now."

The smile on his face was completely worth it.


Somewhere between talking to Eren about everything from dance to favorite places in the city to worst TV shows ever made and looking out at the beautiful scenery they were driving through Mikasa must've fallen asleep. The next thing she knew Eren was nudging her head with his shoulder. She snapped up, realizing she must've leaned on him somewhere in her slumber. He didn't seem to mind though, he was still just grinning at her.

People were bustling around the bus, and it was then Mikasa noticed they stopped moving. "Are we here?" she asked, trying and failing to stifle a yawn.

"Yep, c'mon," he nodded towards the aisle where people were moving to exit the bus.

She grabbed her backpack and followed him outside into the terminal. The bus station wasn't very big, at least not in comparison to the one in the city but once Eren led her outside she couldn't believe her eyes. The sun was just starting to go down; pinks, reds, and oranges reflecting against the mountain and pine tree backdrop all around her. "It's beautiful," she said, breathing in the cool but fresh air. It was such a stark difference than in the city and even the suburbs where she was from.

"Yeah, home sweet home," Eren said, walking down into the parking lot, Mikasa hurrying behind to follow. "I hope you don't mind if we walk, I live just up the street and I like to try and keep it easy on my mom."

"Oh, of course," Mikasa said, walking behind him as he led her down onto the side of the road, walking into what seemed almost like the wilderness.

"It was part of the reason my parents were okay with sending me so far, at least that's what they told people. I'm pretty sure they were ready for an extended break of me," he laughed, looking up at the road in front of them.

"Did you grow up here?" Mikasa asked, following alongside the not so busy road despite the fact they were coming from a bus terminal.

"Actually, no. I'm from the South believe it or not, but my dad got a better job at a hospital up here so we moved up North. I'm still not the biggest fan of the snow."

"Is your dad a doctor?"

"Yeah, he is, a good one at that and one who wasn't disappointed when his son wanted to dance and not go to med school."

Mikasa chuckled. "That's good."

Eren reached out and tapped a mailbox that was next to what looked like a dirt road. "Here we are, told you it wasn't that far. Town is the opposite direction which is why barely any of the cars are headed this way, not that we can see the road from the house anyways." He turned down the driveway with Mikasa still tagging along next to him.

His driveway was like walking down a forest trail. She only knew they were close to the road because she could still see it behind her but everything else was woods. She didn't even see his house or any other houses but she could hear noises of animals crunching along fallen leaves.

"Deer probably," Eren said probably noticing the way she was staring off into the woods. "Though I hope not, then you'd have to see my mom running out of the house chasing the deer with a broom so they don't eat her flowers."

"Your mom sounds like something else," Mikasa said laughing lightly.

"You'll find out soon enough." Eren nodded forward and Mikasa could see a clearing with one car and a house that was like a cabin but bigger, much bigger.

She knew Eren said his dad was a doctor but that was a pretty big house.

Eren jumped up the steps of the porch that led up to the wooden door was a fall themed wreath hanging on it. "Hey, Ma," he said, pushing open the door and holding it for Mikasa to come in. "We're here."

Mikasa was almost too distracted staring at the high wooden ceilings of the living room and what looked like a dining room to see Eren's mother walk into the room from some sliding glass doors.

"Eren," she said, walking into the room with help from a cane. "I'm so glad you made it in okay."

She looked so young, too young to need a cane, but as Eren walked over to hug her it was so clear where he got his looks from; he looked exactly like his mom.

"Mom, this is Mikasa," Eren said gesturing over to Mikasa who was still standing by the door. "Mikasa, this is my mom, Carla Jaeger."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Mikasa said, hurrying over to shake the woman's hand but Carla reached out and pulled Mikasa into a hug instead.

"No need to be so formal, dear," Carla smiled pulling Mikasa away but keeping one hand on her shoulder. "Eren's told me all about you already. Top of your class and everything, now, don't you just look like a perfect ballerina." She glanced over to Eren. "Remember when I used to look like that."

"No offence, Ma," Eren snorted. "But you never looked like that."

Carla hit him in the leg with her cane as she started to head back around the corner, and judging by the smell that was coming from this side of the house it was the kitchen. "I did too, before you and before you stressed me out too much and made my body old."

"Oh, so it's my fault is it?"

"No one could tell me otherwise." She was still smiling and Mikasa could tell this was just how they were together. It was nice, easy, not tense like her household could get. Not that her house was a bad place to be, she loved her home, but she was pretty sure her parents didn't even know how to tease or joke around with anyone.

"Um, Mrs. Jaeger?"Mikasa asked tentatively.

"Please, call me Carla, dear," she said from the doorway of the kitchen. "What can I do for you?"

"Were you a dancer too?" It was easy to tell, she had the body for it, and it was more than likely her need for a cane came from years and years of strain dance could cause or an old injury.

Carla looked from Mikasa to Eren. "Did you not tell her about your legacy?"

"What legacy?" he said. "I suck at ballet, Ma, I didn't get that from you."

"Well, that's true, you never were too good at that," Carla said, winking over to Mikasa.

"Thanks for your confidence, I really appreciate it."

Carla ignored him. "Yes, Mikasa, to answer your question, I was a dancer. I did ballet from my childhood until I had that one. I tried to go back when he was old enough but my legs aren't what they used to be. Sometimes there's sacrifice to do what you love but I don't regret my life one bit." She paused for a moment, a knowing smile pulling at her lips. "Eren told me you're quite the ballerina yourself. He said he's never seen anyone dance as beautifully as you do."

Mikasa didn't even had a chance for heat to rise to her cheeks because Eren clapped his hands together loudly. "So," he said, a red tint to his cheeks. "Mom, would you show Mikasa where the guest room is? I figured she might wanna shower."

"Taking her to the resort tonight I take it," Carla said. She was still smiling as she gestured for Mikasa to follow into the kitchen.

"Yeah, do you have something from the ancient times when you were our age that would fit her?"

"Eren Jaeger, you better watch it or you won't be getting dinner at all this weekend."

Eren just laughed and walked over to press a kiss to her cheek before slipping down a staircase that led down a floor.

"I swear," Carla said. "It's a miracle he's still alive."

"Oh, it's really okay, I already have something to wear," Mikasa said, tugging on the strap of her backpack.

Carla got that grin on her face again, like she knew something Mikasa didn't. "Probably nothing for where he's taking you though."

Mikasa didn't know if she should be terrified or excited.


Well, by the time she put the dress on that Carla left out for Mikasa in the guest room, she wasn't terrified, just confused. It was a beautiful red dress, one that looked straight out of one of those old movies. It buttoned down the center from the bottom of the full skirt that twirled widely whenever she turned and all the way up to the black Peter Pan collar, short sleeves covering just her upper arms. She pulled her hair back like she normally did but left it in a ponytail instead of a tight bun, it just fit better.

"Come in," Mikasa said when she heard a knock on the door.

"Well, look at you," Carla said as she stepped in carrying a pair of black Mary Janes with her and a black shawl over her shoulder. "It fits you perfectly, hmm?"

"It's beautiful, thank you," Mikasa nodded glancing back at her reflection.

"Here see if these fit," Carla placed the shoes on the ground in front of Mikasa. "They should, but I just wanna make sure."

Mikasa slipped into the shoes which as predicted fit just fine. "Um, Carla? What is all of this for?"

"Oh, did he not tell you anything?" Carla arched an eyebrow. "Well, I won't ruin the surprise then but Eren's father has had a membership at a nearby mountain resort since a little after we moved here. They have dance nights on the weekends and Eren always loved to go. Friday night is his favorite so I'm sure he just wants to show you a good time."

"Thank you, for doing all of this." Mikasa didn't think she had ever met a nicer stranger before, well, except for maybe Eren himself.

Carla draped the shawl over Mikasa's shoulders. "No need to thank me. It's not often my son brings home a lovely girl for me to fuss over, hmm? C'mon, he's probably already waiting downstairs."

It was almost too much to process, everything seemed to be happening so fast. Normally she liked to breathe, to think things through fully, but for once, Mikasa thought maybe it was okay to just throw herself into whatever was happening here. She followed Carla back down the stairs to the kitchen where Eren was waiting.

He wasn't facing them fully, eyes watching some of the food that was cooking, but he had dressed up too. He was wearing just some brown slacks, a white button up with his sleeves rolled up and brown vest. When he looked over to her, eyes lighting up, he took her breath away. Mikasa never went to any school dances when she was in public school, her life was too busy for that but she thought, maybe this is how she'd feel if she did go.

"Hey look at that," he smiled. "Fits you great."

She really hoped her cheeks didn't look as hot as she thought they were. "Oh, thank you."

"Don't stay out all night please," Carla said as Eren jangled the car keys in his hand.

"Yeah, sure, Ma. Tell Dad I said hi if he's in bed before we get back," Eren said, reaching over to drag Mikasa out of the room.

Carla called out something else but Mikasa couldn't hear it when Eren shut the front door behind them.

"Do you ever plan on telling me where we're going?" Mikasa asked as they walked out to the car that was parked in the driveway.

"Not a chance," he grinned at her making her heart skip before she slipped in the passenger side of the car, Eren getting in the driver's side. He turned on the car and just like that they were on the road driving up deeper into the mountains.

The sun was completely set, leaving only the lights of the car and the moon to guide their way up the twisting roads. Eren seemed to drive it just fine though, but judging by what Carla said earlier, he had been going here for years. Granted, when Carla said resort, Mikasa still wasn't expecting the nearly full parking lot of a huge hotel like building nestled in in the trees of the mountain.

"Okay, Eren, how rich are you, seriously?" she asked as she stepped out of the car, staring wide eyes at the building.

He chuckled locking up the car and stepping out into the parking lot where she was standing. "I'm not rich at all." He extended his arm to her, prompting Mikasa to take it with a small smile. "My parents on the other hand."

She hit him lightly on the shoulder knowing he was teasing her. "So what is this, an open dance night?"

Eren shrugged. "Kinda. They like to do events for the members and for the people who come stay at the resort. On the weekends they do dance nights, yeah." The doorman held the door open for them, letting them into the bright lobby of the resort. There were nicely dressed people standing around, some at the front desks checking in and some sitting down looking out the bay windows at the view, but the loud music coming from upstairs was almost too distracting to take in everything.

Eren grabbed a hold of her hand and started to tug her off to the side and up a grand staircase, the music getting louder every moment. One of the ballrooms was open, a man standing at the door who waved the moment he saw Eren.

"Hey, kid," the older man said reaching up to ruffle Eren's hair when they got closer. "Haven't seen you in awhile."

"I'm in school, old man, what do you expect?" Eren snorted.

"Oh, yes, how could I forget a city big shot like you," the man grinned.

Eren rolled his eyes but he pulled Mikasa up a little bit so she was standing next to him. "Hannes, this is Mikasa. She goes to school with me."

"Hello, Miss Mikasa, it's a pleasure to meet you." Hannes reached out to take her other hand, pressing a kiss to the top of it.

"Alright, knock it off," Eren said when Mikasa started to giggle at the gesture. "Can we come in?"

"She can, I dunno about you, kid. Been a while since I saw you on the dance floor."

"Well," Eren gave Hannes a wide grin. "That's gonna change tonight."

Hannes laughed and stepped aside so they could go in.

Even though the music was loud outside the room, it was almost overwhelming stepping in. Not only was there a live band on stage playing out the upbeat music, dresses of all different colors spinning on the dance floor, people of all ages dancing along from just swaying in place to guys tossing their partner around in a style that shouldn't have surprised her. Eren told her his favorite dance was swing. She knew the type of dance from movies and brief overviews in general dance classes but she never saw it like this. It was less structured and less controlled than ballet but there was a grace and energy too it that left Mikasa breathless just watching.

Suddenly she found herself being pulled towards the dance floor. Eren had taken both her hands while she was watching and was walking backwards towards the floor. The grin on his lips told her all she needed to know.

"Eren," she said, panic rising in her stomach as she stopped where she was halting Eren too. "I can't dance like that."

"Course you can," he said, taking a few steps towards her. "It's easy."

"Says you," she murmured looking back towards the dance floor.

"And that's exactly what I said about ballet before I met you." Eren placed his hand under her chin, making her look back at him. "All you need is a good teacher."

It was nearly impossible to say no to that face, the look in his eyes. He wanted to share this with her like she shared her love for ballet with him. Mikasa nodded that it was okay causing Eren to grin and nearly dragging her on the floor. She still felt a little like she was gonna throw up when she saw everyone dancing so smoothly around them but Eren grabbed a hold of her, on hand firmly on her back and the other on her hip, and she really thought she was gonna throw up.

He leaned in close so his lips were near her ear, and effectively sending shivers down her spine. "We'll start off real easy okay, just follow me."

She nodded and he started to dance, just simple like he said. A few steps forwards and few steps back which her feet got a few times of doing it.

"Good," he said. "Try getting your whole body into it, you're stiff." He dropped his other hand to her hip, forcing her hips to move more in rhythm to the music.

She couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous she felt but at the same time it felt nice to just move her body and not worry about hitting a mark just the right way. Even after Eren moved his hand back to her back she still kept her body moving the way he showed her, matching the rhythm he was following.

"I'm gonna spin you, okay?"

"Okay," Mikasa said. Sure enough she found herself twirling out away from Eren, his hand never letting go of her. He spun her back into him but this time she landed with back to his chest and his arms wrapped securely around her, his chin on her shoulder. Mikasa breathed out a shaky breath, but not because of nerves anymore. She loved ballet with all her heart, the grace and strength of it but there was something about this that was just freeing.

"I want you to jump up when I say," Eren said against her ear.

Mikasa nodded knowing he'd feel the motion against his head.

"Jump."

She did as she was told and Mikasa had no idea how he did it but the way he let go of her when she jumped had her do a short spin, landing on her feet so she was facing him again. Eren quickly pulled her back into his arms, starting the easy back and forth steps again.

"Wow," she breathed look up at him with wide eyes. "You are good."

Eren laughed, his face so close to hers that she felt his breath against her lips. "It's not all me. I can't do that the first time with most all the partners I've had. We're good together you know. You're a natural."

"Eren?" she breathed

"Yes?"

"Thank you. Thank you for doing this, and showing me first looks aren't always what they seem."

He smiled, that one smile that made her knees weak. Eren grabbed a hold of one of her hands, extending it out with his. "Do you trust me?"

Weeks ago she would've said no, no way. She didn't even trust him to try doing any sort of lift but after she saw the person he really was, the one who opened her eyes, the one who showed her his home, who showed her kindness when she didn't give it to him right away, it was such an easy answer.

"Yes."

Eren gave her a grin. "Crouch down and hold your other hand out."

She did as she was told, watching his leg swing over her head. When his back was facing her, she reached her other hand out to take the one he was holding out to her under his legs. With a sudden force Eren pulled her through his legs, her body feeling like it was almost flying even though she really was just sliding before her feet hit the ground again in front of him.

Mikasa jumped and twisted to face him again but she must've mistimed something because she lost her balance, starting to fall backwards. Eren reacted quickly, pulling her back so she fell into him instead of on the floor. Maybe it was the exhilaration of feeling like she was flying then falling, or maybe it was because of the freedom this type of dance allowed her that she never had in ballet before but she suddenly couldn't stop laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she laughed as hard as she was.

"What?" Eren chuckled.

When she looked up at him, she felt nothing but the affection that had been building up in her for weeks now. Eren was something else. He brought a sense of carelessness into her otherwise strict world and that was something she never had before, something she never knew she needed before. Without thinking she leaned in, pressing her lips against his. Mikasa nearly melted on the stop when he reached a hand up to cup her face, kissing her back right there in the middle of the song, in the middle of the dance floor. She never wanted him to stop.

Ballet would always be the dance that had her heart but for the first time she realized learning other dances that were nothing like the one she studied wasn't such a bad idea. Especially if she had this good of a teacher.


Mikasa practically ran up to the announcement board in the dance department. There were a few papers but only one that had her name on it. She put her finger up against her name and followed the dotted line leading to her partner's name.

She grinned widely when she saw the name her finger landed on. It was gonna be a good year.

Jazz II: Swing Partner Assignment for the quarter:

Ackerman, Mikasa…Jaeger, Eren