Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no kyojin, please support the original creator: Isayama Hijime.


After Eren leaves Petra and the rest of the team, both him and Armin walk around the castle-like structure to find Hanji. The auburn-haired teen had a few questions itching at his skin that he needed answers to immediately. Unfortunately for him, after he found Hanji, he got another thing coming.

The interrogation had started with Eren attempting to get some well-overdue answers, but in some miraculous way the glasses-wearing scientist had completely turned the tables on him and pounded him with multiple questions about his titan form. She would ask him things like what it felt like to be inside a titan body; if he could feel pain. If he could feel the scorching heat radiate from his titan body or if he could talk or even move his own limbs inside there.

She barraged him with so many questions that Eren had forgotten the initial reason why he had attempted to find Hanji in the first place. Whatever the reason was, he was starting to regret coming to her at all. Hell, now they were being forced to sit through one of Hanji's numerous rambles, this happened when the eccentric woman allowed all of her thoughts to come out at once.

But then she decided to asked him a few questions about the latest mission he had went on, the mission at the warehouse and the one he had discovered Mikasa at. Now he really wanted the ground to swallow him.

"Eren, are you sure this is all you found inside those crates at the warehouse?" Hanji inquired as she twirled a syringe in between her thumb and index finger, observing it's every inch and detail. Engraving the image in her peerless mind. The syringe had been one of the objects that the brunet had been ordered to retrieved, and sure enough, he gave the agency exactly what they wanted.

At first, Eren had found seizing the damn thing to be very undemanding of the agency, but now, seeing as how Hanji wouldn't stop drilling his ass with questions about it, the object was now a source of aggravation.

"Yeah, that's all I found, I opened each crate and they were filled to the rim with needles." the disgruntled teen muttered, heaving a tired sigh as he slouched deeper into the chair he was in. Eren attempted to keep his burning eyes open but it was proving to be difficult. I mean could you really blame him? It was 3AM for Christ sake, and Eren and Armin were beginning to feel the numbing anchor of sleep weigh them down.

"How strange." Hanji cocked her head to the side, examining the needle further while she rubbed her chin softly. She stopped suddenly, and turned to Armin with a sort of jolt.

"What do you think of this, Armin? What are they planning?" Hanji's eyes narrowed, she knew that if anyone could help her decipher the enemy's thoughts, it would be Armin and that brilliant mind of his. His opinion was by far one of the most crucial inputs on their team, it was no surprise the chestnut-haired scientist relied on him so much. The boy had a knack for piecing information together and developing a feasible hypothesis that usually, if not always, ended up being true.

"Well," Armin looked to the ceiling, tapping into his mind for information as he tapped his fingers on the table. "It's obvious their injecting something into someone. The question is, what are they injecting? And into what?" Armin dabbed at his chin now, his eyes looking set and sharp as a blade. Something told Eren that his blond best friend already had a good idea what the subjects were.

"Yes, and what does the fluid do to the victim."Hanji added.

"It's too early to come up with any solid conclusion, with the limited information we have and all, but—" Armin paused, as if to readjust his thoughts, "what if they're trying to create something similar to Eren? I mean, you said so yourself, you said that there were a few groups doing underground business and conducting suspicious activity. And their manipulative influence in the black market had intensified over the course of a few months. It's a scary thought but maybe they're trying to copy Dr Yeager's work," Armin leaned forward and glanced over at his best friend softly, giving him an apologetic look for bringing the topic up.

But the blond didn't regret speaking his mind, after all, he knew these things had to be said at some point. He was tired of keeping these creeping suspicions to himself, he had to know if, at least, Hanji had the same suspicions as he did. But it didn't bother Eren either, the young man knew, hell, he expected this topic to come back and punch him square in the face. He was already prepared to face this matter, if it came down to it.

Armin glanced back over to his superior. "Perhaps there could have been a spy amongst our father's research team. Maybe someone got a small percentage of information, something limited, and their basing themselves off of that information to make a vial similar to the one Dr. Yeager destroyed years ago." the blond stopped, and he leaned back into his chair with a sigh.

"I know, I'm practically pulling this out of thin air, and I know I have no real evidence to back up my allegations. But something tells me I might be right. Call it gut instinct, I don't know." Armin pulled his bangs over his forehead in distress as he breathed out.

"Truly a scary speculation," Hanji grunts, patting Armin's shoulder. "But I do agree." she later adds to which the blond perks up. "Yet, we must conduct more research on the matter before we go around investing ourselves fully. I've also had my own share of doubts whether Eren is the only one out there with his ability. Actually, Erwin is also quite aware of this possibility, and he's currently conducting a few private investigations."

Eren and Armin nod a bit hesitantly, both of them are emotionally and physically shaken by the fact that their father's research could, once again, affect their lives. But now it wasn't just about themselves, now this involve many other innocent lives.

The glasses-wearing scientist walked around the room while examining the syringe she held in her hand, and then she stopped in the center of the room. "But let's just go out in a limb here and say our suspicions are true, let's say there is a group of people out there trying to bring back the research your father's tried to destroy. If they are testing it on people, then that would give a good explanation for all those needles Eren found at the compound."

"Right, and the only reason why their manufacturing so many needles is because they must have a lot of trial and errors. Since, you know, they don't have the full extent of information they need." Armin added.

"Trial and errors?" Eren looked over at his best friend, confused.

Armin nods. "Yes, unfortunately in the scientific field nothing can be achieved without trial and error. You see Eren, this group of people probably need a countless supply of needles to sustain their research. If my hypothesis is correct and they are in fact basing themselves off of limited information, then they have a wider range for error. They have to use up more supplies and more—" Armin stops, his eyes glazed over with a hint of remorse.

"Guinea pigs." Hanji opted with saying, not helping to alleviating the tense atmosphere at all. Eren's skin pales as his hands clench, and he adopts a disgusted look to his face.

Armin looked down at the floor, at his feet. "I'm not saying my idea is correct, honestly, it has so many holes and dead ends, but it doesn't hurt to keep an eye out for suspicious things."he murmured and Hanji noded her head in agreement.

She then ambled over to her desk and plopped down on her chair with a loud sigh. "So many problems," she twirled a slim finger in the air, "so little solutions. Why can't we all just live in peace?" a smile spreads across her cheeks, the ever so present jest in her voice.

"The world is too complicated for that." Eren mumbled coarsely, his shoulders and muscles tense.

"Ah, you're right!" Hanji grins at the brunet. "Oh! Speaking of problems, what did you two think of neat-freak and his statue-like subordinate? Pretty uptight, right?" she snorts, as if the two teens in the room were suppose to get some kind of joke. But neither Armin or Eren laughed, they only looked over at Hanji wryly.

Eren raised a thick eyebrow. "Do you mean Corporal Levi and Mi—I mean, Ackerman?" he almost let her name slip past my lips, but he recovered himself before he could say more and sound odd. He was rather cautious with what he said in front of his caretaker. Hanji was, after all, known for blowing situations out of proportion. And I mean way out of proportion.

"Well, yes, come on! Don't be shy now, tell me!" Hanji beamed, swinging from side to side on her chair, she truly resembled an immature kid at the moment.

"No comment." Eren said flatly, looking away as his lips form into a line.

"What?" Hanji gaped at the green-eyed teen. "Have you guys at least seen her at school? I specifically put you there for a reason you know. I even arranged the same home room as her, don't tell me all my efforts have gone to waist?" she dropped her shoulders in mock disappointment.

Efforts?! Eren jerked his head toward Hanji as though he had smelled spoiled milk, and he tries to hide his annoyed glare. It was her all this time, she's the one responsible for putting us in the same home room! Eren's eyebrows almost twitch. He swore a vein popped somewhere in his brain from the rush of anger.

"What is the matter with you boy?" Hanji questioned, but Eren doesn't respond. He is silently seething while Armin tried to act as though he was oblivious to the whole situation.

"Well, have you two gotten acquainted with her during school or not? You two are being awfully suspicious right now." Hanji states as she leans over her desk to stare booth teens down with an iron gaze.

Oh yeah, we've done more than get acquainted with ourselves alright. The brunet wanted to blurt out but decided to keeping that to myself. Then, something important that escaped his mind hit him in that exact moment. The mission! he thinks.

"Hey four-eyes, why the hell didn't you tell me that Ackerman was going to be at the warehouse that one night Armin and I went on a mission? Did you know about this? Did Ackerman even know I was going to be there at all?" Eren yell out, his bright green eyes shimmering with a great, vicious intensity.

"Ah—about that—" Hanji fumbled nervously with a pen she got in her hand. "I wasn't exactly given a detailed report on her whereabouts or if she was going to bet there." she avoided their eyes.

"In other words, you didn't even read the report, did you?" Armin claimed; he wasn't upset, honestly, he looked accustomed to his superiors habitual antics.

"Well," Hanji seemed to sweat out her soul. "Are you disappointed with me?" she wailed.

"Greatly," Eren gritted out between clenched teeth while Hanji flinched at the sound of his voice. But without mercy the brunet continued. "What were you thinking, Hanji!? I could have seriously hurt her! And she could have done the same to me! And not only that but we failed the mission because we didn't know that small detail!" Eren let out all of his anger in one go.

"Will you ever forgive me Eren?" was all Hanji could say and the chestnut-haired boy only thought she looked pathetic for using such a sorry tactic to get out of her own mess.

"Forget it!" Eren breathed out exasperated, standing up from his seat with enraged movements.

"Do you have a sexual attraction towards Ackerman, Eren?" Hanji blurts out impulsively and Eren stops mid-step towards the door, his blood running cold. If he'd had liquid in my mouth, he would have surely spit it out in that moment.

"What the fuck did you just ask? What kind of question is that?" he barked out in a dour voice, yet his rosening cheeks betrayed that enraged look on his face.

"Well, you just seemed jittery around her." Hanji adjusted her glasses over her head.

"That has nothing to do with what we were just talking about. Can't you be serious for one goddamn second?" the boy howled out.

"Ah, but it has everything to do with what we're talking about. Plus, I didn't hear a no—"

"NO!" Eren cuts her off quickly and effectively. They hear a soft chuckle of amusement come from Armin, and the green-eyed teen turned to him with betrayal written all over his eyes. Armin cleared his throat and shrugged his shoulders, smiling all the while.

Then the silent blond decided to chip in. "We actually know Mikasa, Hanji. She was our friend and an especially close friend to Eren." Armin informed while Eren almost explodes.

"Oh, was she now? Eren, remember what I taught you today: sexual relationships within a team is prohibited!" was Hanji's crude response as she pointed an accusing finger at the brunet, but she didn't really look mad. If anything, Hanji was getting an extreme kick out of this whole situation.

"I know that! There's nothing sexual about our relationship! I don't like her!" Eren exclaimed out in desperation, and anger. You can't forget the ever present sound of anger in his voice, it was too thick to miss.

"I knew it! I just knew you two had already met her!" Hanji snapped her fingers in victory. "I could immediately tell by the way you guys acted around her. She was harder to read though, that girl is a walking statue after all, but around you Eren, she let her mask slip just a tad. Oh, Eren my boy! You're such a player!" the glasses-wearing scientist huged her own body as she wiggled like a damn worm in her own seat, and to Eren's utter dismay, she began to make kissing noises. Nice and wet, it made the brunet shudder at the sound.

"Shut the hell up! I'm not a player and I'm not interested in her! Stop fucking turning the goddamn tables on me!" he shouted but his fiery pleas were met by a frenzy of roaring laughter, Hanji couldn't help the untamed snorts coming from her nose at the moment.

"You're such a tease! Hahaha! And what a potty mouth!" she fans a jittery hand in the air, a huge grin plastered across her face as her laughter died down into chuckles. But as quick as the chuckles ceased Hanji returned to her normal state, though, something about her face seemed different, it looked a bit pensive.

She sat properly into her chair as she leans her elbows on the desk while she interlocked her fingers. "But in all seriousness, I can see why it was somewhat of an odd meeting for you two back in the warehouse. To see a fellow classmate turn out like this, and on top of that, to learn that the person was holding such an important secret. I can't imagine what Mikasa feels right now." Hanji wonders. "I'm sorry about all of this boys." she sounded ernest, Eren noted with a bit of trepidation.

But the emerald-eyed teen's aggravation withers down and he thinks about Mikasa. He hadn't really taken the time to consider the way Mikasa felt about this whole dilemma. How did she feel when she saw Eren at the warehouse that night? What did she think? Did she feel as conflicted as he did? Had it hurt and shocked her as much as it did him?

Did she feel the fear he did?

Eren lowered his head in shame, he felt like a jerk for giving her the cold-shoulder treatment after the incident. She didn't deserve it, it wasn't her fault after all, and the worst part was that she probably thought it was her fault. But the brunet also had a good reason for keeping his distance from her.

It was more dangerous to be around her, Eren didn't know what he would do if she ever found out about his titan side. He didn't even want to imagine that day, the fear was sprouting in his heart like some deadly vine, in consequence, he decided to keep his distance from her. Even if it was hard to stay away, to not talk to her or touch her. He wanted to keep their relationship as safe as he possibly could, even if it meant destroying it, as long as she didn't find out about the monster he was. As long as he didn't end up hurting her, then he would be content, incomplete, but content.

This whole situation didn't only affect her, it affected Eren as well. When he initially found out about her, he was mad and confused of course, but then that anger gave out into dejection, only for that sadness to erode into fear. And he was almost sure he had the same affect on her. And the brunet accepted it as his own fault, not the other way around. He blamed himself for everything. It was him, him, him, him!

He didn't want to hurt her, he just couldn't stand the thought of hurting her. Eren was scared of losing her, and yet, it already felt like she was slipping away. And he didn't know whether to be thankful or angry. He felt both, both overpowering sensations swirling inside of him, causing his head to go numb.

This made the brunet wanted to bash his head against something hard. Why did he have to be such a dick though? He was sure there was another effective way of keeping his secret safe without hurting her emotionally, he just didn't know how. Why did he have to be such an airhead sometimes?

He was sure Armin knew of a good way to help him, but out of sheer pride, Eren didn't want to tell his best friend about the personal conflict he was having with himself.

Yet, the brunet couldn't ignore the elephant in the room: his feelings for the ebony-haired girl were increasing rapidly, and there was nothing he could do. He was surprised to still find himself strongly attached to Mikasa. He didn't even know the reason why the girl enthralled him so much, he was simply fond of her.

The feeling was heart-wrenching but it was accompanied by a warm feeling as well, a bittersweet radiation emitting from his entire body that had him addicted to everything she was. It was a foreign taste in Eren's mouth and as much as he tried to ease the feeling down, he just couldn't. It either came back stronger than before, or it pestered him constantly with no signs of lifting up.

"Eren, you seem to be zoning out." Hanji's voice brought the tanned teen back to reality as she stands erect. Eren was surprised to find Hanji in front of him, poking his forehead with her index finger. When did she get there? The brunet smacks her hand away lightly and he bypasses her.

"It's nothing, just a lot on my mind." Eren breathed out, his aloof personality getting the better of him.

"Well, you better get your head in the game, boy! We have a ball to go to in one day! Levi and Mikasa are going to attend as well! Now, you can't say I didn't warn you this time." Hanji beamed at the two teens in the room. Eren instantly freezed near the door yet again, his hand hovered over the door knob. His eyes were slightly ajar, surprised by the news.

"What?" he barks as he jerks his head back with bolting speed, it almost made his neck snap.


(Eren's POV)

At school Mikasa was still keeping her distance from me, which was finesince I wasn't up for much conversation either. Deep down I did want to talk to her, to hang out like before but that was unthinkable now, so I decided to leave it be.

What was strange though, was that Annie also seemed to be avoiding me, and finally, I got an elbow to the head by Sasha who was next to me during lunch, she was fighting for a damn honey bun with Connie. The day hadn't really gone according to plan so after school, once the sun had gone down, I found myself in Armin's apartment room, laying on his bed while the blond worked over at his desk with a single lamp beside him. His calm presence always seemed to relax me on a hectic day such as this one.

I had my arms behind my head, using them as a pillow, I was looking up at the ceiling with nothing to think about and everything on my mind all at once. But then something funny entered my mind. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't talked with Armin properly for a while now, we hadn't had a one-on-one talk like old times. Back when we were kids we would talk all night long, that was only a warm memory now. Things were different now, for example, when we talked it was only in short burst, usually accompanied by stressful situations. Which, if you do the math, didn't add up to a healthy conversation.

"Hey, Armin?" I sit up, glancing at his back and shoulder-length blond hair. His hair had gotten longer than I remembered. When had it gotten so long? Why hadn't I noticed?

"Huh?" his answer was absent minded, his full concentration was on the work on his desk.

"What are you working on?" I ask, finding anything to start the poor conversation. I realized that now was probably not the most opportune time to strike a conversation, seeing as how he was really busy. I rub my sun-kissed hand behind my neck in discomfort.

"I'm looking over all the information Hanji gave me, I'm going to try and find evidence—" he pauses to jot down something on a piece of paper, " that maybe lead us to discover something else about our father's work, and the people I believe are trying to bring it back. From what I'm seeing, there might be others like you, Eren. The speculation always bothered me, but I never paid much attention to it or divulged into the subject because...well, because I hoped it wasn't true." he mumbles as he writes down more things on his journal.

I notice how tense Armin's shoulders were, and before I could say anything he speaks again. "If it's true, and there are others like you, then we might be in trouble." he claims lowly, almost frightful so.

I pull a chair next to him and he looks sideways to face me, but I'm looking down at his notes that resembled a hurricane of nothing but chicken scratch. It was a mixture of his writing and Hanji's, I couldn't really understand any of it.

"What will this mean for us? If there are others like me?" I inquire lowly.

"Well, the mere possibility that there might be others like you existing in this world brings numerous complications and questions. Have they always existed? Or were they created? How long have they been in existence? Were they science experiments as well? Or is there something more we don't know? Why haven't we known about them sooner? If someone did create them, who was the original creator and for what purpose?" the blond's sky-blue eyes scan his notes in a wild frenzy.

"And then this also implies that your father might have based his own research off these creatures. So then, he knew about them beforehand? Who gave him the information? I mean, there's just so many possibilities and questions. But then there's that first question that evokes the most fear." he pauses to look over at me, and I could decipher true fear in his eyes. "If they exist and they've been hiding, why have they been hiding, and for how long?" Armin finishes and I look at him with amazement set deep in my eyes. I could see by the wrinkles between his eyebrows that he was really stressed out and that his work was starting to weigh heavily on his shoulders.

Yet, the simple fact that Armin could draw out so much useful information by a simple speculation was amazing. Even if his hypothesis could amount to nothing at all in the end, it still deserved a standing ovation in my opinion.

"Wow, Armin, you're amazing." I couldn't contain my astonishment, so I spoke my admiration.

And an embarrassed smile creeps on his lips. "No, nothing to praise, after all, this is mostly Hanji's research. It's only speculation, after all." is his humble reply. I roll my eyes at his modesty.

"Come on, Armin, you're amazing for coming up with all of this as well. You're as much of a contributor to this theory as Hanji. I only wish I was as smart as you, but I think my head would explode." I give him a genuine smile and Armin grins back at me, overjoyed with my praise.

"You are smart, Eren." He says and I snort viciously.

"Sure," I whirle around in my chair, not too convinced about that fact.

Armin leans back on his chair as well, he keeps that smile on his juvenile face. "You haven't smiled like that in a while." the fair-haired boy points out suddenly and I cock my head to the side. I hadn't even noticed.

"You think so?" I scratch my temple and my best friend simply nods, then, he turns back to his work. I get up and stretch like some overslept cat, deciding that it was time to take my leave and head to my own room.

"I'll see you tomorrow then, Armin." I wave a lazy hand, lethargy getting the better of me. I place my other hand in my pocket and I immediately feel something metallic between my fingertips. It was cold and smooth to the touch, I couldn't identify its shape thought, nor could I remember what it was and why it was in my pocket.

"Goodnight, Eren. Remember, tomorrow is the ball. Don't forget." Armin gives me a dreadful reminder of what was to come the next day, and I almost cringe at the memory.

"Ugh, don't remind me." I say, fumbling with the object in my pocket a bit more. I still didn't know what it was, I couldn't tell by touch as much as I groped for it. I walked out of Armin's apartment and head to my own, which was next to his. Before entering my own place I fish out the foreign object and bring it to eye level.

I stare at it in bewilderment at first, but then the flicker of recognition hit me hard in the head like a sack of bricks. It was the bracelet I had bought Mikasa not too long ago, on the day we had ventured into the city shopping centers. I guess I placed it in my pants and forgot about it. My eyes glaze over with nostalgia, I feel this tightness in my chest that was all too familiar. I had gotten too preoccupied with everything that had been going on that I had forgot to give it to her.

I felt this sense of disappointment wash over me. Well now I couldn't really give it to her, now could I? It was pointless.

Then, an idea struck me and without even realizing it I began to walk down the metal stairs of the apartment complex. My mind was scattered, it screamed out for me to halt but I just kept walking.

"The hell am I doing?" I mutter between clenched teeth, but even then my legs didn't stop moving. Before I realized it, I was in front of Mikasa's apartment door, standing erect with absolutely no clue as to what I should do next. I felt embarrassed and pathetic. What in the world am I doing? I kept repeating that phrase my head like some chant. As if the answer would come to me eventually in the form of a miracle.

Mikasa was probably sleeping right now, my heart jumped at the thought of her sleeping form. I ran a hand through my untamed hair in an attempt to subdue my growing thoughts. I felt this grand surge of regret flow through me like a moving current and I found myself longing to talk to her again. I wanted to do more than talk to her. I wanted to hold her, and stare deeply in her eyes. I could never get enough of her dark orbs. Those beautiful pools of vast emotion that was hid securely behind a white sheet.

"I'm sorry." was all I could say as I ground my teeth. I was a coward, I had to admit, all I was was a shit-filled coward.

I should have apologized sooner, to her face, not like this, not like a coward hiding behind a closed door. Walking away from her apartment, I decided to leave the bracelet in her mailbox. I wondered idly if she would find it? Did she even check her mailbox? Would she ever wear it? That would be nice if she did. I proceeded to walk back to my apartment, still feeling like a useless jerk.

However, the chances of her wearing, I had to admit, were zero.


(Mikasa's POV)

Today was the night of the ball, luckily, school had passed by rather quickly. Just like any other day, it had been a blur of mixed colors, of different people and repetitive lectures. And I didn't even try to look or speak to Eren, what was the point if all he was going to do was ignore me anyway?

Once school was done, and the sun was setting in the distance, I went straight to my apartment. However, before I advanced towards my door, I routinely checked my mail, like I often did, only to find a few scattered letters and a silver bracelet lying amid my mail. It was odd because I couldn't remember ordering such a trinket, but I had to admit that it was beautiful, so I took it inside with me. I searched it for any bugs or hidden cameras, but it came out clean so I decided it was safe to have.

Once my mind was fully cleared, dread began to settled at the pit of my stomach. Today was the day. The dreaded ball. I didn't want to go. I plopped myself on my couch once I arrived and I placed a closed palm over my eyes. Levi had informed me that Armin and Eren were also going to be attending the ball.

The thought of Eren being there made my head swirl and caused my heart to jumping crazily within my rib cage. I would have been fine going as long as Eren wasn't there. But he was going and that fact perturbed me to no end.

I bit the inside of my mouth till I could taste blood.

Why was I worried? He was probably going to ignore me the whole night as well. Yeah, I shouldn't be anxious. The stoic Mikasa Ackerman does not act like this! Fuck Eren! Yeah, I don't need him. When did I get so soft?

Yet, the thought of my green-eyed romeo being there was killing me. Not talking to him was also killing me among other things.

I walked to my bathroom and took a cold shower, deciding to leave my worry wash down the drain along with the sweat and dirt of today. After I stepped out I began preparing myself for tonight. In nothing but a towel I look at my damp hair in the mirror. I had to do something with it, right? But what?

I wasn't exactly the expert on hair and the different styles I could do with it, I always allowed my hair do wherever it wanted to do. I rarely did anything ostentatious to it and I always kept it short so it wouldn't get in the way of work. As a consequence, I was left with no real idea of what I could do. I searched my drawers for anything useful, anything I could use to decorate my hair, to no avail. Then, I recalled something and I head towards my closet, I open it and took out an old, dusty box.

"Mom's pins," I breath, walking to my bed and gently placing the box on my lap as if it were made out of glass. I blow dust particles off the lid which had collected over the years of neglect. Suddenly, an air of nostalgia hits me and I'm almost scared to open the box. Mom's jewelry laid beneath that lid, she would call them her "precious items", then she would turn to me and say I was her most precious item of all.

The words were a warm memory but it was accompanied by a great pain as well. I yielded to sadness, these items were the only possessions I was able to salvage back then, after all. It wasn't a lot, but it meant the world to me.

Removing the lid carefully I begin rummaging through it's contents, a lapse in my concentration makes me weak to my hands but I swallow the feeling down. I find some shimmering pins for my hair and a diamond necklace, then, I return everything else neatly and carefully back into it's original state. I stare at the jewelry delicately, my hands cupping them as if they were ice and they would melt away within seconds.

I set them down and begin experimenting with my hair, placing it up then down, then up again. I couldn't decide what I wanted but finally went with a simple hairstyle. I pinned most of my silken hair to the back and only let down a few strands to shape my face. I placed my mother's pins in my hair neatly and they resemble sparkling stars in the middle of the black, inky sky.

I thanked her for being able to still make me feel like the most precious item to her, even in death.

Then, I head to my dresser to fish out the dress Levi had bought for me."Tch," I stare at it in distaste, not because it was ugly, if I had to be honest it was truly beautiful. I glared at it because it had been a present from my ever so loving and kind captain. The gown was simple but elegant, the matching black heels made a perfect fit. Nothing was too extravagant which pleased me a great deal. It was an all black dress, it's fabric felt cool to the touch and smooth as silk.

It was close-fitting and extended below the knees. The straps along my shoulders flowed down into a V around my breasts and a delicate slit was placed at the hem of the dress which ascended up my thigh a bit. The gown was elegant; definitely Levi's style, I thought.

I felt disgusted by it yet strangely confident in it. Leave it to Levi to make me feel like this, he knew exactly what to get and I loathed him for it.

After everything was set and done I look myself over in the mirror, pleased with what I had accomplished yet, strangely bizarre. I felt out of my skin, as though I was staring into a different person and the one reflected in the mirror was another wearing my own skin. Something felt out of place, almost as if something was missing.

Red appeared in my head and my eyes quickly rove around my room in search of the long strip of scarlet fabric. I find it and cradle it in my arms, as if it were a small child crying for it's mother's warmth. I couldn't wear the scarf to such an elegant ball, disappointed, I delicately fold it and place it over my bed. Yet another warm memory accompanied by pain.

Missing the smell of its previous owner I digress, of course, his scent was already gone, replaced by my own but I liked to imagine his fragrance was still impregnated in the smooth cloth. It reassured me at times, even though right now we were at a standstill, that he still cared, somehow.

I hear a knock at the front door and I quickly make my way to open it, sure enough there was Levi standing in all of his midget glory. He was in a black tuxedo and staring at the time on his wristwatch, my eyebrows almost twitch, almost. He finally looks up and runs his inky eyes over me once, I fight to remain unserved.

"It suits you." he spoke. "I was confident it would." he sounded pleased with himself. "And you look presentable." he adds flatly.

I wanted to roll my eyes in annoyance, despite that, I tried answering politely. "Thank you," I say.

"Yeah, just don't get it dirty." he scoffs right after as he turns and walks back to the black limousine in front of my apartment, I ground my teeth in anger. Before I forget, I walk inside and grab the silver bracelet I found in my mailbox after school, I rap it around my wrist and walk outside. It gave it a nice touch, I believe.

I step into the luxurious limousine and sit next to Levi, I notice the presence of Erwin Smith accompanying us as well. He sat with a stern look at first, but as soon as we step in he greeted us with an honorable and polite smile. Both men looked fantastic in their suits, I almost felt out of place. I was just a low-bred addition amongst kings, it seemed.

"Good evening Miss Ackerman." Erwin greets me softly and I bow my head lightly. "You look magnificent." he adds.

"Thank you, Mr Smith." I say.

"Please," he chuckles, and somehow, he even managed to make his chuckles sound elegant. "Call me Erwin, everyone else does. I feel like an old man if you call me by my last name."

"Forgive me." I nod mechanically, I'm almost certain he can sense my tension.

"This should be fun," I hear Levi mutter grimly beside me and I turn to him. He was seated with one leg over his left knee, he was staring outside collectively and although he looked secure, I could feel he was perturbed. I felt uneasy attending this ball. What was the purpose behind it all? What could we gain from attending it?

There had to be a logical reason behind it, after all, it was unreasonable to believe that Levi and Erwin were the type of men to indulge in these types of events for the simple act of distraction and amusement. No, there was something behind their actions. These two men were far too maniacal and ambiguous to care about a trifling matter such as a ball. And I knew for a fact that they weren't chasing after fame, they could care less about climbing that selfish ladder that led to prominence, unlike most of the money-sucking people that went for the mere fact of social status.

No, there had to be a plan, something behind it, something they could gain from this. I was almost certain of this fact, but, I sat in silence and waited, like a still predator with its ears erect awaiting on its prey.

"Mikasa, you seem unsettled. What's wrong?" Erwin catches my attention with his soft inquisition, yet his tone was neutral and devoid of any real emotion.

"It's nothing." I say impassively.

"Tell me what's on your mind." he demands quite suddenly and I stare at him for a while.

"Answer the man, that's an order, Ackerman." I hear Levi's stern voice.

I wanted to sigh but refrained from doing so. "Forgive me, I mean no disrespect when I say this but, is there a reason why we're going to this ball. I find it hard to believe that we're going for entertainment. There's a reason why we're going, is that right?" I finish, looking at Erwin dead in his blue eyes.

He held my gaze with a hint of amusement, a loose smile playing across those lips, his strong-formed jaw set. "You're right, Mikasa. We're certainly not going for the sole purpose of entertainment, honestly, that isn't even a reason why we're attending this event. I'm knew you would see right through it, this speaks highly of you." Erwin complimented me once again, he was full of those lately. But it wasn't really anything outstanding, nothing deserving of praise, for that matter. No, he was just humoring me. But I played along with it, it was the only thing I could do.

"Tch," Levi spat, something told me he could tell what was going on as well.

Erwin places his ankle over his knee. "You see, we have a mission for you." the masculine blond claims, and I, anticipating the request, lean back in my seat.

I knew it. I knew this was going to involve a mission somehow, it would have been stupid not to. Yet, the fact that they didn't warn me until now unsettled me. What were they trying to achieve exactly? My eyes flicker over to Levi for a second, but he was looking away. So I wasn't going to get anything out of him it seemed. Not that I could, even if I saw his expression, that man was hard to scrutinize.

I hear Erwin continue. "At exactly 1 AM you will ascend a building adjacent to the ballroom where we're going to be hosted in, your going to climb it and retrieve a rifle placed there for you. Your mission is to exterminate our host. His name is Clyde Ainsley." his eyes darkened, there was no jest in them at all. Just cold, unforgiving, merciless eyes. His expression and posture told me there was no room for rebuttal or inquisitions.

I nod, with a blank stare. This request was in no way surprising to me, after all, the agency was infamous for making carry out their dirty work, now was no exception. However, there was still this question aching at my throat. I knew why I had to attend the ball but, why did Eren and Armin have to be there as well? They were somehow involved in this plan, I knew. But how?

Erwin, Hanji, and even my commander, Levi, had an air of suspicion trailing behind each of them that I couldn't ignore. I still recalled the files Levi had on his desk that contained information on Eren and Armin. In hindsight, I could see now why he had them there, they were transferred agents from a different facility, he had to possess information and paperwork on them.

Yet, something was amiss.

For now, all I would do was remain vigilant, obey their orders without much trouble. I wouldn't cause a ruckus, yet.

The remainder of the car ride was silent which was, in my personal opinion, prefered.


(Eren's POV)

Christ, I was nervous. My palms were cold and sweaty, I was almost certain I could fill a pool with my own sweat by now. Sure, on the outside I seemed calm and collective, but on the inside I was a wreck. I sipped on a glass of water I took from some of the bountiful waiters going around and about. I was in a tuxedo, my hair was somewhat tamed and brushed back, courtesy of Hanji. God, this suit felt more uncomfortable by the second, it felt tight around my neck. Suffocating almost. I fought the urge to rip my tie and my luxurious tuxedo right off my chest.

I wasn't accustomed to wearing these types of clothes, but upon request, or more like obligation, I was required to wear one.

I was standing at the top of a granite staircase with Armin and Hanji behind me, they were engaged in a conversation while I rested my arms on the smooth, wide rock. I turn to gaze down at the guest below mindlessly. The staircase wasn't that high from the first floor, just enough to keep an eye on everyone in the broad, white ballroom and notice detail. Everyone was chatting incidentally, with no real reason. And I noted, with a hint of dissatisfaction, that mostly all of the guests smelled of thick perfume and expensive cigarettes.

I sigh as my eyes catch sight of an older fat woman whose dress was hugging all the wrong places, I turn away, just in time to catch a flicker of orange rush towards me. I turn my head to the right fully, only to find myself face-to-face with a pair of enormous green orbs, similar to my own. I edge back slightly, caught off guard by the proximity this stranger was engaging I step back to examine a strange girl with red locks who had seemingly appeared out of thin air. She was observing me like some nocturnal owl, we stay in silence for a while, then she breaks it.

"Hello!" she smiles at me brightly and it seems odd to me how straightforward she was being. I'm a stranger to her, after all.

"Hey," I say with less enthusiasm, and I lift an eyebrow when she boldly inches closer to my face. I lean back slightly as I wonder why she was staring at me like that. The mysterious girl seizes my hand then, and she begins to blush, I cock another eyebrow at this. Her skin was a creamy color and because of this you could see that rosy blush right through her skin.

"You're exquisite," she mumbles coyly yet sweetly and it was my turn to blush. Not because she made me nervous or anything, though she was very pretty, but because no one really gave me compliments like that. I mean, it wasn't an everyday occurance, and I didn't really know how to react.

"Thanks, I guess," I utter, stiff as a log.

"Eren don't be rude! Greet our host! Hello, little Miss Ainsley." Hanji nears us and she extends her hand for the young girl to take, they greet and then Hanji turns to someone else. Suddenly, I feel the looming presence of someone behind me, I turn and almost jump. I hadn't noticed until now but a tall man with a foreboding look on his face stared down at me, I edge to the side to give him a proper handshake. He took it rather displeased as he eyed the girl next to me, who was still holding my hand.

Luckily, I'm saved from an awkward silence when Hanji and Armin come to greet the man as well.

"Mr Ainsley, it's been a while." Hanji greets.

"That it has Miss Zoe, that it has. I take it Mr Smith is here?" the man's stifling scrutiny lifts from me and lands on my commander. Thank, God.

"Not yet, I'm afraid. You know how he likes to arrive fashionably late." the brunette bursts into laughter that wasn't all that contagious to people around her. "But he will be arriving very soon."

"Well, I'm pleased to hear that. Now, if you would excuse me, I'll have a word with my daughter." the strong-built man turns to look at the girl still clutching my hand and my sweat runs cold. I wanted to let go of her hand, mind you, but she wouldn't release me one bit.

Goddammit.

"Aila, what are you doing with this young man?" Mr Ainsley inquires with a stern, demanding tone as he strokes his thick beard.

"I'm going to dance with him, Papa." she declares rather boldly and my eyes widen in horror.

Papa? Shit, shit shit. This man was her papa? I'm dead, I'm so fucking dead.

I look up at the bearded man in his black suit and swallow, his glare is filled with so much scorn I could practically feel the heat. I wanted to tell him I had no part or say in this but I found my mouth dry. It seemed like the pair of balls I had worked so hard to grow had suddenly vanished in that instant.

His eyes were intimidating and fierce, like a lion. Luckily, the man said nothing and nodded his head before walking off with his hands behind his back. I weave of relief washes over me, I had lived to see another day, it seemed.

"What is your name, good sir?" the feeling of Aila squeezing my hand brings me back to reality, and it causes me to tense. I didn't know what to do. Should I push her away? That would be kind of a dick move. But I couldn't possibly let this continue...

"It's Eren." I say, trying to pull my hand free.

"Eren? That is a wonderful name! My name is Aila!" she beamed without budging her hold. Curse my damn luck.

"Oh, that's nice," I nodded rigidly, finding no further words to say. I try to subtly pull my hand away but she remained clung to it like some kind of machine. There was no way I could get loose without looking like a complete asshole. I turn to look at Armin and Hanji with a look of absolute discomfort. My eyes practically pleading with them to help me in some way.

Armin shrugged his shoulders and gave me his most apologetic gaze ever. That look told me he could do anything for me, I was a lost cause.

Armin, mah boy, why?

Hanji was just grinning at me, ridiculously amused. Oh, how I wish I could just bust that shit-filled smirk off her face.

Aila tugs on my arm. "Ne, Eren, let's dance, Yes?"

"Oh uhh," I begin to sweat; no, I didn't want to dance, not when I knew Mikasa was going to be entering through those enormous, white double-doors any time now. "I can't." I settle with saying, though I had no real reason.

"Why not?" she pouts and cocks her head. She was definitely cute, but I couldn't!

Dammit Yeager, think of something quick!

"I do not know how to dance." I piece together a quick lie, albite, a poorly executed lie.

"I can teach you!" she offers as her smile intensifies, I could have sworn I saw sparkles in her eyes.

Fuck! Shit! What now?

"No!" I say rather loudly, "I mean, I don't want to step on you." I save myself with ungraceful tact.

"I don't care, as long as I get to dance with you." she says brightly, and I had to admit it was kind of adorable but it wasn't what I wanted. Reasoning with this girl was completely useless, I realized.

But before I can give out another retort, the doors to the entrance open widely, everyone on the dance floor turn to stare at the entrance in anticipation. My heart took a leap in my chest because I was almost certain I knew who it was. And sure enough, in came Erwin, then Levi accompanied by Mikasa, her arm was hooked around the ebony-haired male's arm. I frown, jealousy taking hold of my insides like a constrictive snake.

I tentatively fix my gaze on Mikasa, paying close attention to her every detail. She had on a long black dress that reached her upper knees, and I noticed, with slight delight, that a delicate slit on one side of the dress exposed part of her slim thigh. It had me swallowing audibly. Her ebony hair was pinned up with multiple shimmering, silver pins that twinkled like stars every time she took a step. By God, the sight of her was breathtaking. She looked absolutely sublime tonight.

My throat begins to constrict out of nervousness and I tug at my collar, while never tearing my eyes off of her. I was bewitched by her image. Mikasa's lucid eyes scanned the enormous ballroom, searching for something it seemed. Then, her eyes flicker up and she finds mine, almost out of destiny it seemed, as cliche as that sounded. We remain gazing at eachother for some time and I felt like I couldn't breathe.

Then she breaks her gaze and refers her eyes aimlessly into the crowd. I missed the heat of the moment already but I felt a tug at my arm, and suddenly I'm being jerked down the staircase by Aila.

"Aila, what are you doing?" I question, almost forgetting her name.

"Let's go greet Levi! He's so handsome, don't you think?" she beams and I deadpan; why would I find the tiny man handsome? Didn't this girl care about anything else other than appearance? Levi wasn't cute, he was a jerk!

But then I wondered how she knew Levi? What was her connection to him? Was her father and Levi business partners or something? Does that mean this guy has a connection to Erwin as well? Maybe even to his own father? This catches my attention fully, and I decided being around this dull witted girl was going to benefit me a little.

So I let Aila drag me, I knew she was taking me straight to Mikasa, which pleased me. I see Armin and Hanji trail behind us. Soon, I find myself in front of Erwin, Levi, and Mikasa herself. I search for her eyes, but she was avoiding mine. Still mad, it seemed, and she had a good reason to be, too.

"Hello, Eren." Erwin speaks up and I turn to him, he was smiling down at me. I give him a firm handshake.

"Hello, Erwin." I nod, on my best-boy behaviour.

"Hello Levi, it's nice to see you again." Aila offered a coy smile towards the short man, she lets go of my hand to take hold of his and he lightly shakes it. Levi was being surprisingly polite, it was freaking me out.

Then Hanji, Armin and Aila's father, Mr Ainsley, emerge from the crowd, they greet Erwin, Levi, and Mikasa. Erwin took hold of the man's strong hand and quizzed it firmly.

"Mr Ainsley Clyde, a pleasure, once again." Erwin greets.

The strong gentleman nodded. "The pleasure all is mine, Mr Smith. You seem well and strong, befitting of a male of your stature." Mr Ainsley greeted and Erwin takes the compliment with a humble smile.

"Papa! Look it's Levi!" Aila beams up at her father as she went right back to clinging onto my arm tightly, despite swooning over another male. I fight the urge to tear my arm away harshly.

"Greetings, Levi, I've heard much about you." Mr Ainsley says, shaking Levi's hand.

"Pleasure," is Levi's short reply.

"And this dazzling maiden?" Mr Ainsley turns to Mikasa, who finally turned her eyes toward us. And for a fraction of a second, I could have sworn they flickered over to me.

"Miyako Abe." Levi responds for Mikasa, who stood silent like a glass doll. Mr Ainsley was an old fashioned man, and because of this, he took hold of Mikasa's hand and brought it to his still lips as he pressed them down on her delicate skin.

I feel my blood boil again. Though, the fact that they gave Mikasa an alias indicated that Erwin had a plan behind all of this. Cation began to set into my skin and I feel goosebumps crawl up my neck.

"Come, I had a table arranged specifically for us." Mr Ainsley informs, extending his hand out to guide us toward the general direction of the secluded table.

"You are too kind." Erwin smiles as we trail behind our host. I see Mikasa's eyes flicker toward Aila's father momentarily, then back to the front. I feel the redhead clinging to my arm tug forward as she strained to keep up with Levi. Honestly, if she wanted to be with the short man so bad she should just let go of my damn arm.

We make it to a long, translucent glass table that was near the playing orchestra. In front of us were the numerous guest chatting and dancing along the center. Two butlers dressed in black vests came to place a long, cream-colored mantel over the table for us to drink and talk.

Erwin, Levi, and Mikasa sit on one side, while Hanji, Armin, Aila and I sit on the other. Aila finally released my arm, but with alternative consequences because she plops me down next to her, which successfully ensured her seat in front of Levi, and to my pleasure, positioned me in front of the ice queen herself.

I was directly in front of Mikasa now, which irked her to no end. I could see the displeasure in her eyes but it strangely pleased me to the greatest lengths, it even excited me a bit. Mr Ainsley sat at the front of the table, like a king on his own thrown. They all began to chat and discuss trivial matters that were of no importance to me, all that I could focus on was the ebony-haired woman in front of me.

Mikasa was desperately trying to uphold her gaze from mine and I give her a sly smile. I nudge her lightly with my foot underneath the table causing her to jerk slightly in surprise; she glares at me intensely. I shot her one of my wicked smiles that I knew looked good on me, but when I feel a strong kick to my shin, I'm swallowed by electrifying pain. My eyes begin to sting but I bite back the grunt and moan of discomfort, I couldn't let everyone become aware of our little game.

I didn't know what was coming over me, I knew I shouldn't be playing with her like this but all of the pent up anger was getting to me. And all I wanted to do was be with her. I couldn't control myself when I was around her, that much was certain.

Suddenly, I get a devilish idea. Oh, I was going to love the look on Mikasa's face after I do this. I lightly run my leg against Mikasa calf, causing her to stiffen. Her heated glare wavers as I keep running my leg carefully up and down her own, massaging her smooth skin. I see a faint tint of red creep on her face and I feel a swell of satisfaction take hold of me.

Shit, I was actually getting kind of turned on now. That wasn't good.

Quite suddenly then, all my senses blur and I feel something between my legs. Holly shit, was she doing what I think she was doing? I feel her foot creep closer to my crotch and begin to massage my thighs. It felt smooth so she must have slipped off her heel to do this. The audacity Mikasa was displaying right now was marvelous and it was turning me on even more. I never wanted her to stop. I wanted her to keep inching closer until she touched more.

I never imagined she would take it this far. She was inching closer and closer, teasingly, sensual and painfully slow. She was toying with me. I begin to feel heat run down my chest to my lower regions and I panic.

It would be a grave problem if I were to get excited down there right now, not only that but I would embarrass myself and my superiors as well. Furtively, I sneak a hand underneath the mantle and I grab her foot sternly but with care.

I give her ankle a firm squeeze and Mikasa's dangerous eyes shift to me. I stop her advances, she was stubborn as hell and I couldn't quite gauge her emotions as she steers her gaze away from mine. I caressed her skin slightly before I let it rest on the floor; I just couldn't resist myself.

Promptly, I feel someone pulling at my arm again and I look beside me to see Aila standing up. "Eren, will you dance with me? Come on, I want to dance with you!" She smiles down at me, completely oblivious of the whole event that had transpired under the table.

"I don't know." I fumble for words, unsure of what to do. Why did she want to dance so bad?

"Papa, oh Papa! Can we? Please?" Aila begs her father as she hopped up and down, shaking my arm in the process. Please say no. Please say no. Please say no, dammit.

"Very well, don't get too out of hand, Alia." Aila's father says and my heart sinks.

"We should all dance! Levi, take your joyful pupil out to dance as well!" Hanji roars up with amused laughter. She spoke in jest but Levi, nonetheless, rose from his seat and extended his hand elegantly towards the ebony-haired girl beside him.

"Fine, I think I will. Let's go." he orders and Mikasa, like an obedient dog, takes his hand without hesitation. I had to admit that little action riled me up, but I act unfazed.

"How bold! I didn't think you would actually do it!" Hanji snorts, smiling as she did so, swirling her glass of wine.

"Tch, watch me." Levi said as he guides Mikasa to the dance floor.

"On second thought, let's go dance." I say, my eyes never leaving the back of Mikasa's head as I dragged Aila with me.

"I thought you said you couldn't dance." the redhead pointed out innocently.

"I want to give it a try now." I pull her close to me, my hand on the dip of her waist as I clutch her right hand. The girl's cheeks redden as she looks up at me, but I never really make eye contact with her. All my attention was focused on one girl, and one girl only. But somehow I lost sight of Mikasa in the crowd. I needed to find her.


I know I know, nothing too interesting! But I thought I was kind of funny with the whole Eren Aila thing! *high fives myself* So I created the two OC's strictly for plot devices, I just had to.

Till next time, BTR.

Oh! Tell me what you think! Your support is always appreciated.