Additional Pairings: N/A

Rating: K+

Words: 6680

Inspired By: Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum), Come and Get Your Love (Redbone), Fooled Around and Fell in Love (Elvin Bishop)

Notes: Written for Eremika Week Day 7: Song but I never posted it WHOOPS so have it for Eremika Genre Week Day 3: Sci-Fi lmao. I've wanted to write this one since pretty much the day after I saw Guardians of the Galaxy. It's been on my to-do list for so long and I'm so happy I can finally put some shape to it. It's a little Guardians and a little Firefly since I thought the characters fit that world a little better but at its heart is that rag tag crew who comes together to be their own family. That being said, as much as I love Sci-Fi, I've only ever written Fantasy haha So I hope this turned out okay! Title is of course from that fantastic opening to Guardians of the Galaxy (is it time for the sequel yet please ;-;)

Don't You Feel Right, Baby

(Day 21 – Sci-Fi)

"The first thing I'm doing when I get outta here is kicking your ass, Jaeger."

Yeah, like it was the first time Eren ever heard that.

He had his face pressed against the bars of the jail cell, looking out at the guard on duty; a bored looking fellow who was probably only faking being disinterested and really watching them like a hawk. Jean was fuming on the bench, squished between the wall and a burley, grumpy looking man who took up the majority of the bench.

"Is that anyway to talk to your captain?" Eren asked not bothering to look back to Jean.

"One who gets us arrested after five minutes of being on this planet? Yes, it's incredibly appropriate."

Eren was never gonna hear the end of this one. Whatever. It wasn't all his fault. Jean had a big mouth too.

Out of the corner of Eren's eye her saw two long arms resting outside the bars of the jail cell next to his. He knew those hands, like they were his own but it was the black tattoo on the inside of the wrist that gave it away completely.

Mikasa was tapping against the bars absent mindedly but Eren knew better. It wasn't even the first time they were arrested together. He waited for the one certain pattern, one that would signal him onto what was going on. There it was.

Eren cleared his throat. "Excuse me, sir," he called to the guard who didn't even look up. Of course, he had to make things difficult. "Sorry to bother you, but it's been a long time since I got anything to drink."

"Are you kidding me right now?" Jean said.

The guard did look up that time. "Too bad."

"How is that ethical treatment of prisoners?"

"Dunno what planet you come from, kid," the guard snorted. "But you're the one who broke the law, you pay the consequences."

"C'mon, I only stole some bread to feed my sister's starving child."

The guard arched an eyebrow and finally got his fat ass out of his chair. "You decked a city official in the face."

"He was hitting on my friend over here." Eren waved over towards Jean. "I had to defend his honor like any good friend would."

"I hate you so much," Jean said and Eren could almost see that vein about to burst on Jean's forehead.

Really, the city official or whoever the hell it was tried to cop a feel on Mikasa as they walked by. Eren was pretty sure he did the guy a favor, cause if Eren hadn't punched the jackass, Mikasa would've killed him on the spot.

The guard arched an eyebrow, coming to stand in front of Eren. "It's illegal to lay your hands on any city official let alone give them a sucker punch to the face."

A smile pulled at Eren's lips. "It was a good hit wasn't it."

"Hope you didn't have any place important to be, cause you are you're friends are gonna be here for a while."

Eren barely saw Mikasa reach her hands back into her cell. "Ah, well, as long as I get to stay with my good buddies here, I'll be okay ."

The guard snorted but moved to sit back down. He didn't get very far though because another officer can running down the stairs.

"You gotta get up here quick!" she exclaimed. "There's some kinda commotion outside and everyone is requested out to get it under control."

The guard cursed as he scrambled to his feet. He hesitated, looking over at the cells where Eren gave a smile and a wave.

"C'mon!" the officer called and the guard ran up the stairs.

"Do you really have to antagonize everyone you come in contact with?" Jean asked.

"It's part of the charm," Eren said.

Jean opened his mouth probably to say something snarky but the sounds of a metal lock clicking open, and the creaking of cell gate cut him off. Eren stepped back from the bars just in time for Mikasa, holding the keys in her hand, to open their cell.

"You're the best, Mik," Eren said, clasping a hand down on her shoulder.

She rolled her eyes but there was a small smile on her lips so he'd take it.

"Are you coming or what?" Eren asked turning back to face Jean and the burly man who was on his feet already; Jean just had that stupid surprised look on his face.

"How did you…?" he asked but finally stood up.

Eren stepped aside so the other man wouldn't plow him over. He opened his mouth to say that him and Mikasa were the best when they worked together but she reached in to grab Jean by the arm, pulling him all the way out of the cell.

"This isn't the first time he's gotten us arrested on different planets," she said, which, well wasn't wrong.

"C'mon, it's not always me," Eren tried to defend himself but she was already halfway up the stairs and he quickly followed, Jean hurrying behind.

The station looked like a detonator went off or something. Everyone was running around going crazy and those who weren't were trying to tackle the other man Eren let out of the cell to the ground.

A loud crash outside made Jean nearly jump out of his skin but Mikasa kept leading the way through the mess off the room. Another crash and fizzle made more officers shout and rush outside. They were so distracted they didn't even notice the three prisoners hurrying out with them. The sky lit up in front of them, people in the town square watching up in awe and officers trying to shout over the noises.

"Fireworks? Really?" Eren said, looking up at the firecracker that was fizzling back down much to the crowds enjoyment. "That was as best as he got?"

"Without potentially getting even more arrested for a felony," Connie said, popping his head out of a nearby alley. His googles that normally sat on his head were over his eyes as he looked down at the device in his gloved hands.

Another firework shot off in the distance, causing most all the officers to run after it which was of course the wrong direction.

"You're a genius, Connie, but now we gotta go," Eren said. "Or we're all gonna get arrested this time."

"Wait, wait just one-"

Mikasa grabbed the back of Connie's jacket and started to drag him down the alley much to his dismay.

Once they were away from the station they were much safer, but Eren didn't stop running, avoiding low flying ships and as many people as he possibly could while leading his crew through the busy city streets. They still had to get to the ship before the commotion died down and the officers sent out a city wide search for the escaped prisoners.

Thankfully, Eren was only neatly doubled over by the time they reached the docks, his ship already waiting and ready for the missing members. Mikasa was the first one up the loading dock, with Jean following behind and Eren grabbed a hold of the fading fast Connie, pulling him up as Mikasa closed the dock door.

"Geez, way to go you guys," Sasha said from her spot sitting onto of a few cargo boxes. "Get arrested in the first five minutes you land. Is that a record?"

"No," Mikasa said, already halfway up the ladder that led to the rest of the ship.

"Thanks, Mik," Eren snorted, though he was still trying to catch his breath.

Jean didn't even look back before following Mikasa up the ladder. Whatever. He could go sulk in his bunk.

"Welcome back, jail birds," Armin's voice cracked over one of the coms on the wall.

"Will, you just get this ship moving," Eren said, pressing the worn down button.

"Did you at least get what you needed?" The ship jerked as Armin already started taking off.

Eren patted his jacket, in a pocket that was oh so conveniently not checked for the pendant he ripped off the city official's neck. The buyer had some weird obsession with political memorabilia. Eren didn't care; the guy only made it easier to steal from when he went after Mikasa. "One ruby and gold pendant coming right up."

"You should've seen it, Sash," Connie said, jumping up onto the cargo next to her. "They were some good damn fireworks. Worked like a charm."

"You better get up here, Eren," Armin's voice buzzed. "Levi wants to talk to you."

Eren groaned, Connie still chattering in the background trying to impress the brunette mechanic. "Do I have to?"

"Yes," Armin said. "Come up now and I won't tell him you got his sister arrested again."

"On my way," Eren sighed, rubbing his hand against his forehead.

"Good luck, Captain," Sasha said as Eren walked across the cargo bay to the ladder, giving him a half assed salute.

"Thanks," he grunted, pulling himself up the familiar metal rings. "Don't either of you mess up anything down here. This stuff has to get delivered in one piece, Connie."

"One time. That was one time!" he exclaimed but Eren was already pushing himself up to the next floor of the ship.

He heard some noise from the mess hall in the opposite direction but he kept walking towards the cockpit where Armin would be waiting for him. Might as well get this over with first. Eren passed some of their rooms, turning at the end of the hallway climb up into the tight quarters of the control room.

Armin was leaning back in the pilot's chair, auto pilot already taking them wherever they needed to go. Mikasa was sitting sideways in the copilot seat, eyes staring out at the vast space in front of them, and also meaning she was probably still annoyed with him.

"Alright, bring him up," Eren sighed, crouching down between the two seats. "Let's get this over with."

"Get what over with, kid?" Levi's voice crackled from one of the speakers. "Are you insulating that it's a chore to talk to the person who gave you this damn ship to begin with?"

Mikasa snorted in suppressed laughter while Eren reached over to shove at Armin who was grinning. It was the three of them together, always the three of them.

"Course not, Levi," Eren said though Armin started laughing. "You know I love you."

Levi made some kinda disgusted noise that Eren took as, "gee, thanks, buddy, love you too" in Levi language. "I'm calling to make sure you didn't get yourself into trouble again and that you'll make it to the drop on time."

"Yeah," Eren said glancing over to Armin who rolled his eyes but nodded. "We'll be there right on time provided nothing dire happens from here to there."

"Good, that's all I need is to have irate buyers once again."

"You know, maybe you shouldn't deal with such angry people. It might help business. I know they're you're people and all but-"

"Goodbye, Jaeger."

The stream clicked off signaling their good benefactor was already gone.

"Always a pleasure," Eren grunted, leaning back to sit on the ground. It's not like Levi was a bad guy, hell, he was the only family any of them had any more. He just had his grumpy way of doing things and that was that. Eren was more than a little thankful Levi found him and Armin, taking them both in and training them alongside Mikasa in the family business. It was better than the alternative in the least.

"So," Amrin said, flipping some switches on the console, probably to cut off the signal he had on to get Levi's call. "Are we heading straight to the drop like you told him or do you have other plans today?"

"No, we'll go," Eren said. "Last time I was late I nearly watched my life flash before my eyes. I'd prefer to keep living."

"Smart choice," Mikasa said, though her eyes were on a book in her lap, one Armin was probably reading when he was flying. She flipped a page, black hair falling into her face some while her eyes focused down on the pages.

Mikasa Ackerman was something else entirely. Armin Eren knew since he was just a kid; they had always been inseparable so it was natural for them to start this life of theirs as captain and first mate. They balanced each other out as Eren was up in the clouds were Armin was grounded. Eren always thought they were the best team and that there was nothing else they needed until he met her.

She was the fighter of the three with her heightened awareness, hard hits and killer aim. Eren could always take care of himself, but he never quite realized just how reckless he could be until she was by his side, dragging him out of situations where he likely would've been killed without her quick thinking. Mikasa was grounded like Armin was but in a different way; Eren didn't even always know how to explain it. She kept him calm and in a sound state of mind where normally his temper or emotions would get the best of him. It was just easier when she was around.

Mikasa looked up from the book, glancing over to Eren's eyes. He quickly looked away, realizing far too late he had been staring at her.

He jumped up to his feet. "I'm gonna go find something to eat, let me know if you need anything, Ar."

"Got it," Armin said, a small smile on his lips.

Eren climbed back down into the hallway that would lead him down to the mess hall. Hopefully there was some food considering he didn't exactly have much time to take stock when they landed today.

The hallway was quiet meaning his crew was dispersed throughout the ship. Jean was probably down in the infirmary where the medic chose to spend a good majority of his time when he was pissed off at Eren. Jean was the newest member of the crew only begrudgingly coming along once his life was accidentally saved by Eren (something Jean loathed being reminded of). Eren still wasn't one hundred percent sure why the doctor in training abandoned his schooling and home to join Eren's ship but everyone had their secrets he supposed.

He popped his head into the mess hall which was also completely empty meaning Connie and Sasha either hadn't come up from the cargo bay yet or they retreated to the engine room. Eren grabbed an apple off the table before sitting down, eyes glancing around the small but efficient dining room. It could be a little cramped at times but normally it was filled with laughter and that was enough to keep everyone's demons at bay for even a little while.

Sasha was the first one to join after Eren set out with Armin and Mikasa in their own ship. Eren could work the mechanics well enough but he was no expert, stumbling across wide eyed Sasha as she gave him a lecture on everything he was doing wrong was more than a little perfect. Her enthusiasm never stopped from the moment she stepped foot on board as the resident mechanic. She was also the one who found Connie who was working on some planet in the middle of nowhere making scraps into various weaponry. It was handy to have him around, save for the times he nearly blew up the damn ship with his tinkering.

Eren sighed into his apple, leaning back in his chair.

The days weren't so bad. Well, the days he didn't end up thrown in jail or running for his life from a pack of alien dogs or being shot at by an angry client but even still that was adventure. That was adrenaline pumping, that was exhilaration, it was something to do, something to distract him. The days were filled with Connie's laughter, Sasha rattling on about some mechanics no one but she understood, Armin's quiet quips, Jean's sarcastic tone, and Mikasa's warm presence. The nights were quiet and cold. Everyone was asleep in their own bunks and only the creaks of the ship were there to keep Eren awake.

He tended to climb up the ladder from where his, Mikasa, and Sasha's rooms were, back up into the hallway. Connie, Jean, and Armin would be sound asleep in their own rooms and Eren would slip up into the cockpit. At least the hum of the ship controls, the buzz of the engine, the vast expanses of space right in front of him could be comforting. It was better than laying alone in bed with only himself to fill his mind; normally that didn't end in sleep filled nights.

Eren leaned forward in the pilot's chair to flip a switch, lowering the volume as crackly music began to play. He knew Armin never listened to any music so the old, worn out cassette that Eren kept in was still there, picking up right where he left off last night. The tune was so familiar he could feel it in his bones, the words rolling in his head as he heard them at least a million times by this point in his life. He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes and letting the music take him back to a much simpler time. There was no jobs, no ship, no crew, no danger, just an open field and the warm hands of someone who loved him on his small shoulders.

"That's can't be very comfortable."

Eren didn't even crack an eye open; he didn't need to see to know who was standing next to his seat. "Actually, it's incredibly comfortable. Armin leaves a great ass indent in this thing." Eren could almost see her rolling her eyes, the creaking of the chair next to his telling him she was sitting down. He opened his eyes to see her in just some plain sleep clothes, feet tucked underneath her and eyes looking out into the black space. "Did I wake you?"

She shook her head. "I was already awake."

He didn't really need to ask; he knew he wasn't the only one on this ship who had their fair share of demons and unlike some of the others on the ship, he knew what hers were. Eren turned back to look at the blinking lights of the console, only the light music of the radio and the occasionally beeps interrupting the silence.

It wasn't the first time she followed him up here and he doubted it would be the last. There was a certain comfort when it was just Mikasa. She knew him better then he knew himself sometimes, and she always knew just what kinda comfort would lull him back to sleep. Eren was fairly certain he never saw Armin look so amused as the first morning he woke up to both Eren and Mikasa passed out in the cockpit chair.

"I like this one," she said in that soft tone of hers, one she only used in the early hours of the morning when she was talking to him.

"What one?"

She gestured to the console. "The song, I like this one."

Eren listened to the soft melody for a moment, the crackling words he knew like the back of his hand. "Me too, my mom used to sing this one."

A shiver went down Mikasa's spine, causing her to pull her knees up to her chest. "You sing like your mom."

He snorted. "You don't know that."

"Eren," she said, turning her head to give him an amused look. "The walls aren't that thin. I hear you all the time."

He wasn't embarrassed; it wasn't like he didn't know anyone could hear him if he decided to pass his boredom with turning up his music. "She sang much better than me."

"You should go home and tell her that then."

Eren should've known that was coming. A lump started to rise in his throat but he bit it back down. "You're freezing," he said, changing the subject.

She gave him a look that kinda made him feel guilty for backing away from what she was trying to tell him.

"I can see the goose bumps on your skin from here." He opened his arm towards her. "C'mere, even assassins can catch a cold."

"Eren…" she started like she was gonna tell him to give it a rest but she didn't actually say the words.

"Nope, get over here or I'll get you myself."

She sighed but she stood to her feet, walking the short distance to the pilot's chair where Eren was sitting up so there was more room. She sat down carefully between his legs, letting her back rest against his chest and her head lean back against his shoulder. Despite the fact he knew she was cold, all he felt was her warmth, the comfort she always brought him.

"Reminds me of when we were kids," he murmured, his voice suddenly sounding way too loud in the quiet cockpit.

She snorted. "You mean when you used to push me out of bed in the middle of the night."

"Accidentally and it was only like one time."

"It was more than once. I was the one who ended up on the floor, I remember."

They were only twelve when the met; Eren and Armin as stowaways that ended up on Levi's ship. Mikasa recognized Eren's nightmares right away since she had similar ones herself. Even now, sometimes a room away was too far when he was used to her breathing, her legs shifting, light motions on the bed to lull him back to sleep.

She chuckled, her eyes fluttering shut.

"Hey, Mik?" he breathed, well aware of when he turned to look at her how close their faces actually were.

"Yeah?"

He could feel her breath on his face. "Still mad at me about today?"

"Am I ever?"

"You did threaten to kill me if I got you in jail again. I'd hope you wouldn't but I've also seen you and I know you could kill me with any household item on this ship."

Mikasa paused for a moment. He knew she was only teasing him, but at the same time he really wasn't kidding about what she was capable of. "Buy me strawberries on the next stop and we'll call it good."

The simple things, she always liked the simplest things. Some people would think it lucky that such a strong and powerful woman never asked for anything in return and use that to take advantage of her but to Eren, it was one of the most endearing things about her.

"Done deal."

"Guys, we might have a minor problem." Sasha's voice crackled through the intercom that sat next to Armin's chair.

Eren instantly sat up in the co-pilot chair but Armin was already on it.

He leaned over to press the red button. "How minor are we talking Sasha?"

"Well, in the engine there's a-"

Eren leaned over Armin to get to the intercom. "Without the nitty gritty details, Sash."

She huffed. "There's a part that's broken and it needs to be fixed."

"How quickly?" Armin asked. "Can it wait till we reach our rendezvous or is it an immediate issue?"

"Oh, it can wait, unless you'd like to be stuck up here without being able to move the ship."

"Sasha," Eren groaned. "That's not a minor issue."

Armin pushed Eren back down into the chair, batting his hands away.

"Relax, Cap," she said. "Stop at any nearby planet and I can get the part, and fix it right up."

"Where's the nearest planet?" Eren asked but Armin was already looking at the radar screen.

"There's one we can reach in about ten minutes if I rewrite our course. But…"

Eren's stomach sank; he hated it when Armin trailed off like that. "But what?"

He turned to look at Eren, a hesitation in Armin's blue eyes. "It's Earth."

Shit.

No. Eren wanted to say no way, but if they were all the way out here there's no way they'd make it to the next planet without getting stuck. He reached up to rub his face in his hands.

"What's the word, Captain?"

God Dammit. Eren had to make the call. There was more at stake than his pride.

He leaned over the intercom again, pressing the button that would send his voice through all parts of the ship. "We're taking an immediate stop and I need all of you on guard. Earth has the strictest landing checks. Be prepared should they board us."

"Aye aye, Captain," Connie's voice crackled back.

"Earth? Why?" Jean asked from wherever in the ship he was.

"Maintenance," Armin said. "It's the closest planet to us, but don't worry. I have plenty of ways to slip under the radar."

Eren wouldn't expect anything less, but his stomach was still in his throat. Even if they did get passed without getting caught, it had been at least ten years since he stepped foot on his home planet. This was breaking the biggest promise he ever made to himself and he had no say in the matter.

Armin's fingers moved about the console, rerouting the ship to take it through Earth's customs. Once they entered into Earth's atmosphere it didn't take long for a smaller ship to approach them. It hovered about them, clearly doing some scanning that Eren knew Armin had modified to make the ship seem anything but what it was used for.

A light blinked on the console causing Armin to reach up and flip the radio communication one.

"Freight Class 2B3, what is your business on Earth?" A male voice called in.

"Maintenance," Armin responded. "Our mechanic just informed us of an issue we need fixed immediately."

"How many crew members do you have aboard?"

"Six including myself, Sir."

"What does your ship freight?"

"We work for a private contractor so it varies. Generally it's equipment for construction or merchant goods."

It wasn't nearly the first time they'd been stopped. Almost every heavily populated planet had check points freights had to get through but Eren's hands wouldn't stop tapping at the side of his chair. The man questioning them went quiet meaning they were about to be in the clear or about to be boarded. Generally with Armin's skill with cloaking, they were never boarded but it was always risk.

"Freight Class 2B3, please be prepared to be boarded just so we can make sure everything is in the clear."

"Got it." Armin sat back in his chair, looking over to Eren who was already on his feet.

"Let everyone know, I'm going to the bay," he said, going to the ladder.

"Relax," Armin said. "It'll be fine. Well, unless you end up in jail without a firework explosion to get you out."

Eren was already climbing down the ladder but he had time to flip his oldest friend off before his feet hit the next floor. By the time he made it down to the cargo bay he could already hear the outer bay door being opened.

Mikasa was standing by the controls, a clipboard in her hand as she opened the inner door.

The man who Eren assumed was the one who was talking to them was in the front, a device in his hands that he was typing on and two armed guards on either side. That was common enough, nothing to worry about, well, unless they found out what this ship was actually used for.

Mikasa moved back to a stack of boxes that were already opened, pencil in her hand checking off whatever was written there. It wasn't how they checked in loads, legal or not, so Eren had no idea what she was actually writing.

"Are you the Captain?" the man asked, looking up from his device that was probably scanning the bay.

"Yes, Sir," Eren answered, walking over to where they were standing.

The man arched an eyebrow. "Little young aren't you?"

Eren gave them an easy smile. "Gotta start somewhere, eh?"

The man didn't look like he cared one way or another; he just walked over to Mikasa to see what she was doing. "What's in the boxes?"

She looked up from her notes, and nodded in front of her. "Same as what's in here; merchandise for market. Mainly secondhand clothing from various planets."

The man nodded, typing something else down. "From where?"

"Various merchandizers who sell secondhand for retail sales," Eren answered. "Each box will be labeled with the vendor we got it from, what's in it, and where it's headed if you'd like to check."

The man looked around the room for a moment before nodding to his guards. "No, that's okay. I appreciate you being cooperative. I'll clear you for landing."

Eren tried not to breathe a visible sigh of relief. "Thank you. Mikasa, would you see them out?"

She nodded and headed back over to the controls, closing the inner door behind the three men. She waiting for the light to flicker on and then closed the outer door too. Eren still didn't move from his spot, not until he heard the crackle of the intercom.

"We're cleared, getting ready to land in the nearest docks," Armin said.

Eren nearly fell back against the crates. "What did you do with everything?" he asked, looking over at Mikasa.

She gave him a knowing smile, before gesturing towards the wall. "In the side panels. Armin designed it with material to block scanning, remember? So to them they just looked like regular walls."

He knew they had that, but he had no idea she had enough time to get everything in there before they were boarded. "What was on your sheet then?"

Mikasa flipped the clipboard around. "The last time we took passengers, the kid left a coloring book down here."

God, he had no idea what he'd do without her and Armin. Well, he'd probably really be in jail. "Jesus, Mik, you're the best, you know that?"

There was a smile on her lips, on that lit up her eyes just enough for his breath to catch in his throat. "Yeah, I know."

He had this undying feeling tugging at him to just grab the face he knew so well and kiss her. It certainly wasn't the first time he ever felt that way, and it probably wouldn't be the last but hesitation made him freeze. She was still watching him but he couldn't move, he couldn't even take one step closer to her.

Connie cheered as he jumped off the rest of the ladder, feet hitting the ground and making Eren nearly jump out of his skin. "Jail two days in row," Connie chuckled. "Would that've been a record?"

"No," Mikasa said, a different type of smile on her face as she looked away.

Jean was climbing down the ladder next and the moment was gone, just like it always was. Instead he was only filled with dread when he felt the ship start to land. Eren was a runaway; he knew it and he fully accepted it was who he was. Runaways didn't go home.

He felt the warm air the moment they landed and Sasha, who had excitedly clambered down the ladder after Jean, opened both bay doors. It had been years but he recognized the scent, the humidity in the air, the bustle of the docks, the songs of the birds.

"Don't take forever," he called after Sasha who was dragging Connie out, Jean following behind. "In and out!"

"Yeah, yeah!" She waved over her shoulder.

Eren sighed. She better not take her time. He was about to just go back up when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You going?" Armin asked, his eyes looking out into the planet that was his home too.

"No," Eren breathed. "I'll watch the ship."

Armin didn't say anything though Eren was pretty sure the blond really wanted to. Instead he looked over in the bay. "You gonna come, Mikasa?"

She shook her head and Eren felt a bit of relief creep up in his chest. "I can stay."

"Alright," Armin sighed but he followed after the other crew who were already out of sight.

Silence settled over the bay, nothing but the outside noise leaking in. He didn't know what to say to Mikasa or even to himself. He was so close and yet, all he could do was do what he always did. Eren turned on his heels and jumped up onto the ladder, not stopping until he was in the cockpit.

His heart was pounding in his chest and he really didn't even know why. He wanted this. He promised himself. Nothing good would ever come from him stepping foot on that God forsaken planet. Eren reached over to flip on the radio, turning up the music much louder than it was the night before. He could almost hear his mom singing along to the songs, making him want to sing along too.

"Eren?"

He turned his head to see Mikasa standing behind the chairs, watching him with that concerned look in her eyes. "Dance with me."

It seemed to catch her off guard as much as the words falling from his lips caught him off guard. "What?"

Instead of answering he reached out to grab her hands, pulling her unto him. She could only blink at him as he held their entwined hands up to his chest. He gently swayed his body to the song that was playing, one he danced to in his house countless time. She still looked concerned for him but she went along, following his lead, bodies just barely brushing against each other.

He closed his eyes and he could see it. He could see his home, his dad sitting on the couch reading, his mom taking Eren's small hands and leading him in a dance. He didn't open his eyes again until he felt Mikasa's hands reach up to his face.

"I can't do it," he said, his voice breaking.

"You can," she said, dark eyes making sure he was watching her. "You can do anything."

"It's been too long and it hasn't been long enough."

"You still have a chance, Eren." There was a look in Mikasa's eyes, one he couldn't quite read. "I wish I still had a way to get back to my family. You do, you owe it to yourself to put yourself at peace. I know I never met your mother, but I know she'd be proud of the person you've become." She paused, a smile pulling at her lips. "Give or take the jail."

Mikasa's parents were taken from her in an instant right in front of her eyes. She never got the chance to give them a last I love you, not even a goodbye. Yet she was still here encouraging him instead of getting mad at him for having things she'd never have. That was Mikasa, selfless, kind, and forgiving Mikasa.

He didn't think about it this time. He leaned in until his lips were pressed to hers. Eren's mind went hazy when she kissed him back. This, this is what felt right, what always felt right. Maybe she was right, maybe running away from everything meant he'd miss out on the good things too.

"My mom would love you, Mikasa," he murmured, her lips still close to his.

Her eyes flickered up to his. "I'd like to meet her."

His heart leapt up into his throat, his chest clenching so much he thought he might start shaking. No, no, no was all his mind was screaming at him, but in all the years he knew Mikasa, she was never wrong and she always had his best intentions at heart. If there was one thing his mom taught him, it was to trust those people, the people who loved you.

"Okay."

Carla Jaeger

2020-2062

Loving Wife, Mother, and Woman who fought valiantly up until the very end.

You are gone but never forgotten.

Eren crouched down in front of the marble grave, placing a fresh bouquet of flowers next to ones that had already dried. It was the first time he came to see her since the day they had to bury her. He was nine years old but the memory of holding onto his father's hand, of Armin by Eren's side as he watched them lower her into the ground was as clear as yesterday. He thought if he left, if he ran away and never had to face the cold hard truth that somehow, somewhere it wouldn't be true.

"Hey, Mom," he said, his voice already hoarse. "I know you're probably yelling at me for never visiting, but…well, you know."

He felt Mikasa's legs by his side as she stood next to him. He never knew how much strength she gave him until that moment. How important that seemingly cold twelve year old girl would become to him.

"I'm good though," he continued. "I get to see the stars every night now, new planets every day. Living the dream, eh? Yeah, Armin still puts up with me believe it or not. He's good too, gets to use the brain of his to make sure I don't get in too much trouble."

Eren hesitated. "I still have your tapes, the ones you used to play all the time, all your songs. I can still hear you singing them to me, so you're never far from my thoughts even though…even though I never came home again. I'll, um, I'll do better. I know you'd probably hate that I don't even know where Dad is let alone him knowing where I've gone. I know it's not what you'd want. It was just…I was just a kid, I was hurt and scared and I left. I thought it would make it stop hurting but it never did."

He cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the lump that was already forming. "Hey, um, this is Mikasa. Her older brother took care of me and Ar when we left."

Mikasa crouched down next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder, that soft smile on her lips.

"You'd love her, Ma. She's just like you; doesn't take anyone's shit but has the biggest heart I know. I, um, I promise I'll come back. I'll bring Armin next time too." He bit down on his lip, but he already felt like a weight was lifting from his. His heart was still heavy, still longing to see his mom's face again but the stomach turning guilt was finally drifting away. "I love you, Ma, never stopped."

Mikasa took his hand in hers and helped him up to his feet. "Feel a little better?" she asked when he was standing in front of her.

Eren took in a deep breath of the air he grew up surrounded by. "Almost." He reached into his bag and pulled out a wrapped up bag of strawberries he managed to snag at the flower booth without her noticing. "I promised didn't I?"

"You never break your promises," she smiled taking the bag in her hand.

"I try," he said, earning a nudge from her. He looked one last time at the grave stone before leading Mikasa back the way they came. She was already untying the bag, ready to eat her favorite treat, and that was enough for Eren.

He wasn't perfect and never would be, hell, he worked for an illegal smuggling ring led by someone who could kill a person with a lightbulb probably. Yet now, he wasn't a runaway on top of it.

Well, until the next time he got cornered by the nearest unhappy bartender after being a little bit swindled.