arnings: Swearing as usual. I always forget to put warnings up for all my chapters... Oops, my bad.

Tender Care

Chapter 14

The atmosphere around us was tense. Very tense. I didn't know if it was because Mikasa was visiting or because Eren and she were in the same room. I had a feeling that it had a little something to do with both.

"Mika, how was your report this term?" I ask, trying to ease some of the tension between them but I doubted I would be of any help. I'm not the best person to ease anything. Especially when it came to Mikasa and Eren. They just oozed murderous intent, well Mikasa did, Eren on the other hand just seemed annoyed by her presence.

I don't know why they didn't like each other that much. Eren's dad had even said they'd hated each other when they were smaller. If Mikasa hated him because I was closer to him then I was to her then she's just being childish. It wasn't like me and her weren't close. In fact we were extremely close.

There had been a time though when we absolutely hated each other, but the death of our mother brought us together. But if Mikasa didn't grow up and try to be less hostile towards Eren I'm afraid that we would go back to how we were when we were younger. And I didn't want that.

"My grades were good as usual" Mikasa said as she looked at me, her eyes holding a cold depth. "How's school then?" I asked and she shrugged. "Boring as usual. Sasha says hi by the way, and Connie and the rest of my friends"

"I'm surprised those fucked up brats even remember me now that I'm gone" I said and Mikasa glared at me. "Don't call my friends fucked up when yours are just as bad" she said and I just rolled my eyes at her. "They aren't that bad"

"Hanje asked me once if she could slice a piece of my skin off so she could conduct some fucking research! How is that not "that bad"?" she asked, flailing her arms. "Hange is the special case" I said, waving my hand dismissively

"I think Erwin's the fucking special case for liking that crazy bitch. And fuck don't get me started on Isabel and Farlan" she started, "That bitch is probably the most fucking annoying piece of shit I've ever met. And that asshole is just a damn creep"

"For a girl you swear way too much" Eren said, speaking for the first time since we had all gathered in the kitchen for breakfast. Mikasa looked over at him and glared, though he didn't seem to be affected by it. That was to be expected. My glares were far worse than Mikasa's. If he could shake off my glares' he can certainly shake off hers with ease.

"And you're a brat" she said and this time it was Eren's turn to glare. "I don't think you have any right to call me that when you are one yourself" he said and I could just feel the murderous intent radiate even more off of my little sister.

"What is your problem with me anyway? I didn't do anything to you" Eren said, oblivious to my sister's anger. Sometimes he was too stubborn for his own good. I don't doubt the fact that he might have ugly bruises again by the end of the week. "And if you're still angry about him having to look after me then you're just being childish"

I looked over at the stupid brat and gave him a warning look. Of course this is Eren and he's a obstinate brat. He didn't look like he was going to stop speaking any time soon and Mikasa didn't look like she was going to refrain herself from beating the shit out of him. If she does happen to start beating him, I won't refrain from knocking her down a peg or two.

I'll admit that the last time she'd gone crazy bitch on him I'd just let her go at it because I wasn't going to fight Eren's battles for him, but when I had to tend to his wounds I had felt some guilt for allowing him to be beaten to a pulp. I felt proud though. He kept his words about not hitting girls. Though I hope that if Mikasa did happen to go bitch again, he'd forget about being a gentleman and hit the crazy idiot.

I knew that Eren was more than capable of looking out for himself when it came to fights. All he had to do was figure out that when fighting against my sister is that she isn't a girl. Hell she isn't even a human. She's a demon sent from hell. Not that I'm any different when it comes to fighting. I might just be the devil himself.

And I'm not even bragging.

"This isn't about him having to look after you" Mikasa said, her glare becoming even more deadly. "Then what is it about? Seriously… I never did anything bad to you. I've been nothing but good-natured towards you. You're the one that's being hostile here. Why can't you just tell me what's wrong so that we can sort this shit out"

"Fuck you," she hissed and I just knew she was seconds away from jumping on the brunette like the ravaged beast she is. "I don't have to tell you anything, asshole" she murmured.

"You're a pain in the neck" Eren muttered. I could tell that his annoyance was turning into something vaguely recognized as anger. I knew I should have started intervening but I found this whole situation somewhat amusing. I mean it's not every day I get to see a flustered Eren.

Oh wait, I do. But that's flustered in a different way. He's oddly adorable when angry. He's almost like a little brooding puppy. Or a vicious hound, depending on his anger. If it's the brooding puppy, then you know he's adorable. If it's the vicious hound, well then he's just fucking sexy.

Now, I wasn't really keen on ever being topped, but when Eren got angry to the point of killing something I wouldn't mind being taken by him then. Then again, I didn't even know how Eren looked when extremely mad. Although I doubt it'll stay like that for long because the more time he stayed in Mikasa's company, the more annoyed and angry he got. I'm sure it wouldn't take too long for him to start oozing murderous intent, much like my sister.

Oh but how lovely it would be if Eren turned into a beast blinded by rage. Maybe Mikasa should carry on being a bitch.

"What the fuck are you drooling about, big-brother" I heard Mikasa's annoyed question break my wonderful train of thought. I look over at her and glare. "I was doing something productive with my brain cells"

Thinking of Eren was very productive. The blood rushing down south was proof of that.

"And you have to drool why?" Eren asked, though I was too sure he knew that my thoughts probably weren't the cleanest of thoughts right now, if the knowing look he gave me wasn't proof of that. "Sometimes I can't help but salivate over 'good thoughts'"

"That's gross"

"You didn't complain the other day"

"You're a dickhead"

"Indeed"

"You two are too close for comfort" Mikasa said and both Eren and I had turned to look at her before looking back at each other. Eren got up from his seat and huffed out. "I'm going to Armins place for a bit" he announced before taking his dirty plates and cutlery and putting it into the sink and then walking out the room, leaving me and Mikasa in complete silence.

I just sighed and got up from my seat as well. I took mine and Mikasa's plates off the table, not even caring about the fact that she hadn't even finished her food yet, and walked over to the sink. I first threw the left-overs into Levi's dish and then filled the sink with soapy water and let the dirty dishes soak in it for a bit.

"Mikasa, could you at least act like you like him?" I asked after a while, looking over at the blackette that seemed to be planning a very gruesome death to a certain brunette in her mind. Once she snapped out of her thoughts she looked over at me and glared. "Don't even try and ask for the impossible" she hissed and I had to roll my eyes at her.

"You're really stubborn" I said and this time she rolled her eyes at me. "Whatever" she said as a fond smile formed at her lips, "would you like some mornin' juice?" She asked and I nodded my head. "Yes please. You know where all the stuff is?" I asked. She shook her head. "No, but I'll figure it out" she said as she got up and searched around.

I shook my head and turned back to the sink to wash the dishes. After a while I heard Mika put on the coffee machine and the sound of an animal growling. I turned my head slightly to see Levi had come in the kitchen and was currently snarling at Mikasa. That didn't surprise me. The moment Mika had stepped into this house the dog hadn't taken much of a liking towards her. I wasn't sure if it was because he felt like she was a threat or because his owner didn't like her that much either.

I had a feeling it was a little bit of both.

"Fucking mutt" She hissed out as she glared at the black furball that could no longer looked like a small little puppy. He wasn't at his full size yet, but he certainly had grown up a lot since Eren had gotten him. I was sure that he, the smallest of the litter, would become larger than his brothers and sisters. Well, they say that sometimes the runt is better than the colonel.

"That's a pure breed, dumb ass" and that was Eren, who took offence to Mika calling his beloved dog a mutt. I didn't blame him for getting offended though. Since the dog was named after me I kinda felt like she was calling me a mutt as well. And I took a liking to the furball so I didn't like her insulting him. Of course I wouldn't voice any of this.

"What a pure breed of mutt?" Mikasa said, smirk playing at her lips. I didn't have to look at Eren to know he was probably giving her the stink eye. Had I been him I would have fucking slapped her already. Of course I wasn't him.

"I'm not even going to reply to your childishness" he said, choosing to be the bigger person and ignoring the rude cow. I didn't blame him. Mikasa was becoming way too childish and quite frankly her rude attitude was really unnecessary. Even I was starting to get irritated with her behavior towards my little brat.

Yes, my little brat. I may have physically been shorter than him, but he was still my little brat.

We all know what I'm pointing at.

He'll grow soon. Hopefully.

"Mika, shut up and make the coffee, and you" I pointed at the brunette, "I thought you were going to Armin's?" I said and he just shrugged. "I came to say goodbye. Or would you prefer for me to just leave?" he said, feigning a hurt look. I just shook my head. "I would have loved that" I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes at him.

He chuckled before walking towards me, completely ignoring my sister's presence. Once he stopped in front of me he smiled brightly, so brightly I thought I saw sparkles around his face. "fucking pretty boy" I said as I turned away from him. I couldn't stand how that smile made me feel. I couldn't stand how any smile he directs at me makes me feel.

It wasn't like it made me annoyed or anything. It was the complete opposite. I felt warmth whenever he smiled and I couldn't help but hate that. I knew that one smile he made would make me putty in his hands. And that thought alone was very scary.

I was interrupted from my thoughts by the brunette hugging me from behind and whispering into my ear. "You've been washing that dish for the last five minutes" he said and I looked down to see that I had indeed still been scrubbing the same dish for a while now. I had been too distracted by Mika and Eren, and my own thoughts that I'd forgotten about what I was doing. Sorta.

"I got distracted by you brats' and your childishness" I muttered out, trying my hardest not to press my back against that wonderful body. I may have been a bold asshole but I did not want to get hot and bothered with the brunette while my sister was in the same room. That would just be awkward.

For her.

"Well I'm going to be heading out now" Eren said as he turned me around slightly and gave me a small peck, "Don't miss me too much" and with that he let go of me and made his way out the kitchen. It didn't take a genius to tell that Mikasa was probably gaping at that Eren was undoubtedly taking pride in the female's shock.

Childish brat.

"Byee Mikasa~" he singed as he finally left the kitchen. Not even a minute later I heard the front door open and close, indicating that he was gone and that the only ones left in the house was Mikasa, Levi and me.

And it was mighty awkward.

"Here, your coffees on the table. I'm going to go take a nap. I'm not feeling well" Mikasa said after a long, uncomfortable silence. I turned to watch her leave the room and I swear there was a dark cloud following her. "Okay" I mumble.

What's up with her?

"Mika, are you still sleeping or are you just being childish by locking yourself up in there?" I asked as I knocked continuously on my room door. Mikasa had been inside for most of the day and I was starting to get annoyed with her.

"The doors not locked" I assume she said. I couldn't really tell because the door muffled her voice. "I'm coming in. you better have something decent on" I warned as opened the door and walked in. I was not pleased when I did though.

"Look at this mess" I say, looking around the once clean, now cluttered room. I traveled my gaze over to Mikasa, only to find her curled in on herself on the bed. I tried my hardest to just ignore the mess for now and just focus on the real reason I had come here.

"Mika, what's wrong? And don't give me shit about you being sick because we both know that isn't true" I said as I sat on the edge of the bed, "Tell me what's wrong or else I'll have to use the ultimate weapon on you" I threaten playfully, but she doesn't say anything. She just stayed curled in on herself, not even looking up at me.

Something must have been really wrong to make her this upset.

"Mikasa… I know you don't like Eren and all, but this is seriously pathetic. If you knew you were just going to brood like this then why did you want to visit?" I asked and again all I received was silence. i felt my eyebrow twitch in annoyance. "Listen here brat, I don't care how upset you are, you will fucking tell me what's wrong or else I will force it out of you"

"Fuck you" she finally spat up, sitting up from her curled position and glaring daggers at me. I of course returned the glare. "What is your problem?" I asked, not even trying to hide the annoyance in my voice. Mikasa didn't seem to appreciate that though as her eyes darkened. I swear soon she'll look like a real demon.

"I don't have to tell you anything" she hissed out and I contemplated slapping her. "Now you're just being a childish brat" I said, "Seriously. What's your fucking deal? First you treat Eren like the ground you walk on and now you're treating me like that as well"

"Like you would understand, prick" and that was the last straw for me. I leaned forward and grabbed her by the collar of her shirt, not even caring about the fact that the material was most probably going to rip with my grip. She deserved this fucking treatment.

"I will not hesitate to hit you, Mika. So you tell me what the fuck is going through that head of yours or else I'll give you the same treatment you gave Eren when he stayed over by us" I threatened. She didn't even flinch. As expected from this demon.

"fuck you" she spat out as she pushed me away from her and got up from the bed, "All you talk about is Eren. Eren this Eren that! I'm so fucking sick of hearing that name. Tell me big bro… do you even know why I hate that asshole so much?" she asked, her tone cold.

"Because you're a childish swine" I spat out. I really didn't like the way she spoke of my little brat. "Because he's always with you" she hissed and I had to roll my eyes at that. "He's always with you. Then and even now"

"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked and this time she rolled her eyes at me. "I'm not an idiot. I know that we were all buddies with the stupid Yeager's some time back. I never forgot like you did. I always knew. I mean how I could forget!" she yelled, laughing. I was starting to question her sanity.

"How could I forget about the asshole that stole my dear brother from me?" She muttered out, pointedly glaring at me. I just knit my brows together in a frown. "You're fucking delusional" I stated and she just laughed.

"Delusional? Yeah, I thought I was delusional back then as well. After all there was a time when I liked that pathetic piece of shit. But all he ever cared about was you. Why do you think I hated you so much back then?" she asked and before I could say anything she had opened her mouth again to speak

"I tried so hard to get him to notice me but no matter what his attention was always directed at you. And I hated that. One day I eventually had enough and asked the idiot what he fucking liked about your sorry excuse of a human being, and I will never forget the reply he gave me. "What's not to like? He's kind, funny and has the best smile in the world" and ever since he had said that the idiot had changed my point of view on you. I started seeing you in a different light… and I started hating that numbskull"

"So what you're basically saying is you hate him because he didn't like you? That's just childish Mikasa. You're fucking better than this" I said and she looked at me in amazement. "You can't be that dense" she said and I didn't like those words one bit, or where this conversation was heading to.

"I didn't hate him for not returning my delusional feelings. I hated him because he had you. He had my beloved brother" she said and I just rolled my eyes. "We were kids back then. He didn't have me. We were just friends. You were my sister. You would have always had me. We're blood and nothing can separate us"

"Eren did!" she screeched and I actually flinched at the sound. "That bastard always stood between you and me! Always! I wish he'd never been fucking born. That way he wouldn't have stolen you from me or make me realize that I loved my own fucking brother!"

Silence

Absolute silence.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" I asked, genuinely confused. "Of course you love your brother. It's only natural" I said and she just laughed. "It is. I always thought it was the type of love any sister held towards her brother. But as I grew up I fucking realized that it wasn't"

"What the hell are you trying to say?" I asked as I felt panic rise in me. "You're fucking dense" she spat and I couldn't even retort to that. It dawned on me what she was trying to say. And it freaked me the fuck out. "You're talking shit" I said, trying to deny her words. "You really are delusional"

"I fucking wish I was" she said, her tone bitter, "That way this wouldn't hurt so much… that way seeing you and him… being close… kissing… it wouldn't hurt at all…"

"Mikasa stop it. This is fucking crazy. There's no way-"

"That I'm in-love with my brother?" she asked and I nearly gagged. "It isn't uncommon for siblings' to fall in love with each other. It's just unfortunate for me to have to be one of those siblings" she said and I just couldn't face her anymore. "Mikasa this is just fucking wrong. I'm your damn brother! Where the fuck did your brain go?!"

"You're not my fucking brother!"

And just like that I was stunned into silence. What the fuck was the idiot going on about now?

"What are you fucking talking about…? Of course I'm your brother…" I said. I couldn't help but feel hurt by the words that she had said. "You aren't… you never have been… you're my cousin…your mom never wanted you… she gave you to uncle Kenny and not even he wanted you… my parents were her last resort… At first they didn't want you either, but not even they would leave you in the hands of that fucking drug-using whore. They ended up loving you as if you were their own. They planned on never telling you that you weren't their real son. Because they didn't want you to know that you weren't wanted, not even by your own birth mother and probably not even by your own fat-"

Sma-CK!

"Shut up… just shut up already" I stared wide eyed in front of me. "Eren… when did you…?" I said in disbelief as I stared at the brunette that had somehow managed to side slap my sister. I hadn't even known he had been home.

"You claim to be in love with him… yet you won't even let him be happy. All you're doing is thinking about yourself… only yourself" he growled out, "How the fuck do you think he's supposed to feel?! His whole fucking life he believed you were his sister! He believed you were his real family! And what the fuck do you go and do?! You confess your fucking love to him because you can't stand the fact that he's with someone else!"

"And even worse you go and tell him that he isn't even your real brother! It's almost like you wanted to fucking use that as an excuse, hoping that maybe he would fucking drop me and fall for you! Grow up! This isn't some fucking fairy tale. All you've done is fucking hurt him, of course you wouldn't know that because you're so fucking blinded by jealousy and your own feelings to even notice that he's fucking crying!"

I stared at him in shock. I brought a hand up to my cheek and weakly felt at the skin. It was moist. Am I crying? Why didn't I notice?

"Try putting yourself in his shoes. Imagine you're him and your little sister confessed her love for you. One that you will never in a million years return because you believe her to be your goddamned blood relative! Then imagine that same sister, the one who you trusted would never fucking hurt you in any way, tells you that you aren't even her real brother! You've hurt him in the worst possibly way… you… you made him realize that his whole life has been nothing but a pretty illusion… a lie… and you didn't even tell him in a nice way. You just couldn't bite your tongue and leave things be… no… you just did this for your own selfish desires…"

By that point the brunette's voice had grown weak. Most of his words towards the end had started making less sense and before he could say anything more I wiped at my eyes and walked over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "Calm down" I said and he just looked at me and then back at Mikasa. My eyes followed his.

I hadn't even spared her a look when Eren showed up. The whole time I had kept my gaze on him. But I looked at her this time and I thought I would feel hurt, hate or even disgust, but all I felt was guilt and sympathy as I looked at her mortified expression. Guilt because I somehow felt at fault for this whole thing, and sympathy because I knew that the mistake she had made today was going to eat at her for a long time.

Somehow that thought brought an odd feeling of delight and forlornness. I didn't know why, but knowing that she would suffer the consequences of her own mishaps made me happy and sad at the same time.

"Hope you think about your stupid mistake" Eren spat out before turning around and walking out the room. I stared at her for a moment longer before following after the brunette. Once I was in his room, which he had stormed off to, he had come up to me and pulled me into a tight hug. He rested his head on my shoulder and not even seconds later I could feel my shirt dampen up from what I suspected were his tears. "Why are you crying, dummy?" I asked my tone oddly soft.

"I'm crying for you, Damnit" he said and I couldn't help but smile. It felt warmth in my chest at the thought of him crying for me and not because of me. It was oddly nostalgic.

"You can cry too" he said after a moment of sobbing. I just chuckled weakly at him. "Don't be stupid. I don't cry" I said but my even I did sound convinced by my own words for once. "Sometimes even the strongest need to let it all out… Let it out… and don't hold back" he said and I couldn't help my knees from weakening at his words which made me fall to my knees, Eren following.

He held me tight and I returned the embrace. "It's okay to let it out once in a while" he started, "Let out all those feelings"

And that's exactly what I did. For the first time in a very long time I cried, silently. And I can tell you that finally letting go of some of those bottled up feelings wasn't fun at all. It was frustrating, pitiful and most of all it hurt.

Well that's chapter 14. Don't know if it's any good... Anyway. Hope you somewhat liked this chapter! Sorry if you didn't like the twist!

Anywhooooo, soooo, tell me what you think! Gimme some love and I'll give you some chapters!

Bye~