Eren

He had to know... why? Why does she follow him, does she really love him or is it because of her blood? He had already asked her. What was he to her? Family or savior? Why did she care? At the time, he had just accepted accepted his fate. He didn't want to change his future... he wanted it to become real. He will walk the path of destruction and ruin to try and protect those he loves. Or he at least hopes he can protect them all...

That memory...

"See you later, Eren." She was crying with a smile on her face. What happened next? He wasn't able to see anymore in his future memories. Was he going to kill her? Was it inevitable that they would have to fight? He wanted to hope with all his heart that it won't happen. While he doesn't want to ever fight his friends, especially Armin and Mikasa... he knows he can't prioritize them anymore.

"Zeke..." He starts.

"Yes Eren?" His half-brother asks.

"There's this girl I know. Her name is Mikasa..."

"The Ackerman girl? Hmm yes, Reiner has told me about her. She followed you everywhere you went if I remember correctly."

"Yeah... I don't know why she follows me. I think she has attached herself to me, like a host. I believe it's an ingrained behavior. It might be a disease unique to the Ackerman clan, when they awaken their power. When we were 9, I think she awakened hers when she saved me. She also has a lot of headaches and I think it might be her true self trying to resist. But I'm not sure. Why does she care about me so much?" Eren waits for his brother to respond.

"Headaches? A disease unique to the Ackerman...? I've never heard about anything like that, not even from the Titan research society or from Mister Ksaver. Though a lot of records do show Ackermans awakening to their power when their survival instincts are triggered. Ingrained behavior? To protect a host?... I'm pretty sure that's not the case. So... you want to know why it is that this Ackerman girl shows you much kindness and affection?"

Eren knew what the answer was going to be now. That made it so much more painful now.

"Listen Eren, What I think is that there's no "true reason" or ingrained behavior, or compelling impulse. She just likes you so much that she'd snap a Ttan's neck in two for you." Zeke says with a knowing smile.

"Well. Eren." Historia puts her hand over her heart, looking straight into his eyes.

His thoughts drifted to his wife, his eyes wandering and looking downwards, away from Zeke. He knows it's impossible for him to return Mikasa's feelings. His heart and soul belonged to another woman until the day he dies, which isn't too far away. That day Historia stood before him and offered to give him the last bit of hope, a final bit of freedom he longed for. She made him so selfish. Historia made him feel human again. She-

"So? How will you respond?" Zeke asks, snapping him out of his thoughts. Eren knew exactly what Zeke was trying to do. Like hell he would fall for Zeke's trick. He didn't dare risk letting Zeke know he has any romantic attachment to anyone.

"What are you even talking about? I've got four more years to live at most." He states monotonously.

"What would you think... about me having a child?" Historia asks. Her blue eyes piercing his green ones.

With the little time he had left, he had to make the most of it. No matter what he had to sacrifice... his arms, his legs, his eyes, his morals, his humanity... he'll save them. He will make a free world for his child. Through blood, bones, and corpses. No matter how many people he has to kill... no matter how many have to be crushed under the feet of the colossal Titans...

"I don't have much time but my friends do..." Zeke looks curiously at Eren.

"Their lives will continue after I die..." He already knows who he has chosen. But with all his heart... no matter what happens... even if they have to fight... even if they have to kill each other... even if it's a foolish wish...

"I want them to. I want for them to live long, happy lives."