Mikasa POV

Mikasa was currently sitting in a small café waiting nervously for her mother. She recalled the phone call, Mary had sounded frantic and almost scared. She asked to meet in a public space where she could talk to Mikasa privately. She also stated that she was alone. Was this something about Grisha? When she was a child he had seemed somewhat off, detached from the world, always with a glaze in his eyes. But Mary had said that was due to the alcohol. Her thoughts were interrupted by the bell above the door. Mikasa stood when she saw her mother to wave her over. Mary was pale, and haggard, wearing wrinkled clothing and no make-up, which was very rare. Her mother always had a pristine appearance and was a neat freak. Mikasa's eyebrows furrowed and she pulled her scarf over her nose to hide her concern when she sat down with Mary across from her. Mary smiled wanly,

"Hello dear. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Mikasa nodded. "What's wrong, Mom?"

Her mothers smile faded and she glanced over her shoulder before hunching forwards on the table to lean closer to her daughter.

"Things have been… a bit tough."

"Does it have something to do with Grisha?"

Mary blinked in surprise and then hesitantly nodded. "About his visit… You told me he hit Eren. Grisha has been acting differently lately, drinking more and more and almost always being drunk." Mary sighed and ran her hand through her tangled hair. "He quit his job and just stays home all the time. The smallest thing will set him off and he will be angry. He rants to himself and paces the living room, and recently has been ranting about Eren, muttering about all sorts of things, how much he hates him." Mary finally glanced up. Mikasa had been still and listening but had stiffened in her seat. Mary met her eyes and leaned forwards even more. "I heard him whispering about even killing Eren a couple times." Mikasa's eyes widened and an almost inaudible gasp escaped her lips.

"Have you called the police?!"

Mary shook her head. "I don't have any evidence, and he said it while he was drunk. I don't know how he made it all the way here and even found Eren in his state."

Her mother seemed frustrated and angry, sitting tense in her chair with her head down. Mikasa took this as guilt. She reached a hand forwards and placed it on her shoulder.

"It's not your fault, you can't work and keep an eye on him." Her mother just sighed and slumped in her chair.

"Mom?" Mikasa asked cautiously. "Has Grisha ever hit you?" Mary tensed and slowly lifted her head, her faced closed.

"Um, rarely, only when he is really, really drunk. And he doesn't hit very hard either, it isn't enough to be concerned about."

That made Mikasa angry. "It is! Does he verbally insult you too? Or threaten you?" Her mother remained silent in her chair. Mikasa stood halfway out of her chair, her scarf slipping down from her face. "This isn't okay, Mom!"

Mary reached across the table and shushed her daughter, begging her to sit and quiet down while glancing around. Mikasa slowly obliged, her eyes furious.

"Mom, you can live with me for a while, get away from him!"

Mary shook her head and smiled gently.

"No, sweetheart, he will probably kill himself if I don't go back, and I still have work." She cut off Mikasa's next retort. "But I took some vacation time and decided to stay here for a week to visit you, if that's alright?"

Mikasa eagerly nodded her head. "Of course it is! You can stay with me."

Her mothers smile faltered, "No, no, it's fine, I don't want to intrude. I have a place at Cherry's Bed and Breakfast. It's a nice little place."

"But Mom-"

"Really, dear. I insist."

Mikasa huffed and glared at her mother but finally relented, falling back into her chair. She took a deep breath, if Mary was here for only a week then she shouldn't be so angry. She forced a small smile on her face and gestured to the counter across the room.

"Do you want a coffee or tea? I wouldn't mind getting you one."

Mary shook her head and stood, suddenly more energetic. Mikasa stood as well, slightly confused.

"It's alright, dear." She pulled Mikasa into a hug. "I best be off, I have some groceries to pick up. Let's get together tomorrow, alright? Just call me when and where!" She stepped back and turned to leave, waving over her shoulder, leaving a dumbfounded Mikasa behind. She shook her head and went to the counter to order a small pick me up.

As she walked back to her dorm she couldn't help but think about the conversation. She was really concerned for her mother, especially if Grisha was abusing her and she was playing it off lightly. But when Mary left the restaurant she seemed almost… satisfied. But she should be, considering she was away from Grisha. But something still seemed off, maybe Mary wasn't telling her everything. Was Grisha going to come here? Is he coming after Eren? Is Mary running for her safety?

Before she knew it Mikasa was back to her building and stood staring at the door before eventually pulling out her key card to get in. When she got to her room she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Eren's number.

Eren POV

Eren sat in Levi's living room listening to random music as he anxiously waited for his phone to ring. He had it in his hands and kept checking it for missed calls, even though he knew if he couldn't hear it he would be able to feel it vibrate as well. Eren wanted to be up and pacing around but Levi had him tucked securely in his arms as he attempted to keep him calm. Eren sighed and leaned back into Levi, trying to relax his muscles but mostly failing. Levi hugged him closer. After Mikasa had first called he managed to fall asleep once more but woke up a few hours later. He shot up and had grabbed his phone, thinking he missed a call. Levi had quickly assured him that he had been paying attention and it didn't go off. Now, Eren didn't know how much time had passed, probably not a lot, but with how worried he was it felt like a long time.

Eren nearly jumped off the couch when his phone finally went off in his hands, he did however, break out of Levi's embrace. Eren immediately answered it and held the phone to his ear, Levi leaning up to listen.

Once he heard his sisters voice he starting shooting off questions. "Mikasa? How was she? What did she want to talk about? Was it about Gr-"

"Eren! Slow down!" Mikasa interrupted. When Eren quieted she took a deep breath and recounted the events at the café. When she finished Eren had calmed down and sat thinking over what she said.

"Do you really think he is abusing her?"

"He did hit you, remember?"

"Of course I do! But that was only once! I don't… I can't really imagine him…" Eren sighed. "I don't know."

"Try not to worry about it so much. We'll figure it out and deal with whatever problem there is."She paused. "If you wanted, you could talk to her yourself."She suggested quietly. Eren thought for a moment.

"Maybe… I don't know anymore. What did your instincts tell you?"

"Something was different, I don't think she is telling me everything. I think she is holding back, but I don't know what it is or why, but I plan on figuring it out."

"You said she is staying for a week? Maybe we could get her to relax a bit, take her out and show her around, get her to a quiet and secluded place and then confront her about it."

"So does that mean you are willing to meet up with her?"

"If it means finding the truth, yea I guess."

"Don't do this if you really don't want to, Eren, okay? She told me to call her tomorrow to set up a time and place. If you want to join just call me in the morning around ten and we can come up with a plan."

"Alright then. Get some sleep, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Eren hung up and sat with the phone in his hands. He almost forgot about Levi's presence until his arms wound around him once more.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Eren nodded. "I need answers."

Levi kissed the top of his head. "I'm worried about you." He muttered.

Eren maneuvured around until he was laying on top of him. He cradled Levi's face in his hands and gave him a quick peck.

"I think I know what I am doing, Mikasa will keep me safe. I would love for you to come but she will never open up in front of a stranger."

Levi sighed. "I know, just… be careful. I don't like how all of this sounds."

They lay in silence for a bit before Eren broke it.

"Hey, Levi." He poked the raven in the chest. Levi hummed. "Can we order takeout?"

Levi huffed, "What, don't like my cooking?"

"Nah, I'm just in the mood for Chinese."

Levi shook his head and leaned to grab the phone, muttering about silly brats and shitty food. The rest of the evening was uneventful and quiet as Eren mentally prepared himself for the next day and Levi thought about what he was supposed do by himself.