They landed on the shores of Marley, tasting the saltiness and the vast culture unbeknownst to them. Hange, Connie and Sasha couldn't stop fawning over every single thing, from a car to the simplest delight like ice cream. While Jean and Levi kept trying to hold them back, making sure their cover wasn't blown. Armin was busy staring wide-eyed at the majesty of life and their host Onyankopon smiled, entertained by their child-like reactions. Then there was Eren, empty-eyed staring at everything happening around them. Mikasa wanted to enjoy with her friends, she couldn't help but delve into things like ice cream, but at the back of her mind, she was worried about Eren. He was a quiet, looming figure who had lost every emotion.

"Here you go," Mikasa shoved an ice cream next to his face.

Eren's dead-eyes looked at the ice cream and he slowly held it. "I know what this is, I saw it in my old man's memories."

The ice cream began to melt. He only looked at it and his expressions went unreadable. Mikasa wanted to say something, anything, but what? Since they had reached the sea, Eren had withdrawn. He stopped voicing anything and she was left to pick up the hints. There was only so much she could decipher in those dead-eyes if only she could read that broken mind.

"That doesn't mean you've tasted it," she insisted. Taking hold of his hand and gently shoved the ice cream in his mouth. She thought he'd resist but he obliged, taking a simple bite and continued.

"Just stay close to me okay? I'll make sure nothing happens," Mikasa reassured herself, while Eren couldn't respond.

They were interrupted by a crowd gathering around their friends. Apparently, Levi caught a boy trying to steal money from Sasha. The situation began to get out of hand when the people around wanted to cut off the boys hand, displaying their war refugee hate out wide. But, Levi pegged the boy as Sasha's brother and dragged them out. Following suit, Mikasa linked his arms with Eren's and run after them.

Soon they were far enough and the boy showed them to his refugee camp. There they met the father, although they couldn't communicate because of the language difference, it was evident that he was thankful.

Eren knelt down and held the boy in place, there were tears in his eyes and his face softened by misery. "I'm sorry."

That was all he said and continued to cry. It didn't make sense, no one could ask why, so instead they headed back to Ozmabito's residence. There they discussed how Paradis would make the world believe they weren't Devils, but living breathing humans who just wanted to exist. The conversations turned sour when they acknowledged the immense hatred.

Mikasa knew the outcome, she knew how every conversation like this circled back. She turned around, hoping to see Eren but finding none. Her instinctive need to protect him came into play, where she asked. "Where did Ereh go?"

The room dropped their previous conversation, finding Eren's location to be more important. He was the reason they were even alive, if they lost him then everything would be over. Promptly, all his friends decided to go out and find him, while Hange and Levi stayed behind to continue their negotiations.

Mikasa clutched her scarf. Why did he always leave her behind like this? Some many times she wished so desperately for him to stay by her side, but he always ended up kidnapped. Then so many died to get him back, including people who she cared for. She wasn't afraid to die for him, but she was afraid of not being there. OH. Her face lit up, there was only one place Eren could've gone right now. The only place he showed some kind of emotional response.

She ran to the refugee camp and as expected, Eren was standing on the edge of the cliff overlooking the camp where the boy and his dad stayed. His face was expressionless as he stared into the horizon, his body covered in shadows as little specks of candlelight played on his face.

"There you are," she exhaled coming up close to him. She stood next to him and looked where his eyes were, noticing for the first time how he had grown taller than her.

They stood in silence for a while, as the soft wind breezed by playing with their hair. The same hair she had accidentally cut short just the other day, while Eren was growing his out. A style she was becoming fond of.

"Mikasa, why is it. . . " Eren's voice was soft. "That you care so much about me?"

A blush crept across Mikasa's face, she hadn't questioned it. She simply did and that was all she knew. "Huh?"

Eren swiftly turned to her, his eyes determined and his face set. "Is it because I saved you that day?" He leaned in, those green eyes of his demanding a response. "Or, is it because. . . I am your family." He was close, she could feel his breath.

"Huh?" That was all she could manage. Her face had gone crimson, she never pondered these and now she felt embarrassed. What was this? She stepped back clutching her fist next to her heart.

Eren was waiting, he was waiting to hear the response that would determine everything.

Mikasa's voice began to shake, she wasn't sure but this was what she had always said to everyone. "You're. . . you are. . . family."

Eren's face darkened as if he was hurt. He began to draw back, whatever emotion she had seen was being sucked back. Huh? She couldn't help but feel as if she said the wrong thing, even her heart knew this wasn't just it.

"Actually, that's not just it," she began looking away and clutching her scarf for comfort. "I'd die for you, I'll follow you anywhere, I'll -" she wasn't sure, her voice had gone quiet as she tried but couldn't look into his eyes.

"I joined the Survey Corp because of you, then we-we fought them, I got stronger so I could make sure you were safe and-" the pandora's box was opened, words spilt out and she couldn't stop it. She had never voiced this, she never knew she even felt this. It was oddly relieving saying this.

A little bit of red could be spotted on Eren's face, he continued to stare down at his childhood friend. He knew how she felt, he knew everything, but actually hearing those words was an entirely different experience. He couldn't help but live in that moment. A small smile found a place on his face.

"And you know, with everything and here. I'll make sure you won't die- you're important, I mean to me. But to everyone too, but you are also the Founding titan. . " she continued to ramble on with her haphazard showcase of feelings, too distracted to feel his hands cupping her face and slowly turning it his way.

"We can't lose you! I mean I can't, I can't even think about you dying. We, Armin and everyone don't, I-"

Then there were no words, just unfounded emotions exploding inside. Mikasa went from confused, to shocked, to comfort. Eren had pressed his lips against hers and held it there, lifting her face lightly to get a better angle. She dared not to move, afraid one wrong move and he'd recoil away far away from her. While he had shut his mind off, refusing to let the future bleed over the present.

He pulled away and simply stared. He knew everything and anything, but what do you say after kissing a girl? He couldn't comprehend. The life of a child soldier had no place for moments where they could enjoy life. Everything was revenge and dedicating your heart, then it was the impending doom of his race. No. He wasn't going to let it spoil this moment.

Mikasa returned the stare wide-eyes, her mouth agape as she tried to process what just happened. Eren's soft smile was evident and the sad tinge in his eyes made apparent with how his mouth was set. He stepped back and withdrew his hands, knowing full well they'd be bombarded with company any time soon.

On queue the old man showed up, speaking in a foreign language inviting them for a drink while his friends came running. They were happy to have found them, while the night kept Mikasa's red face a mystery. Soon they were drinking and all of them passed on in the tent, eventually recovered by Hange and Levi.

Mikasa's head lay next to Eren's passed out body, while Armin laid close to his shoulder. Peace.