With a little time on hand, the Survey Coup was able to have fun. Connie used the Ozmabito's money to buy branded hats and leather cowboy boots, a fondness for the style of the man who terrified him – Kenny Ackerman. Jean got a haircut, more to get his overgrowing hair set and new suits to complement his figure. Sasha found comfort in every fine cuisine, while Hange ran to every new equipment she saw. Levi kept an eye on everyone, but couldn't help but try out different types of teas.
Unlike everyone else, Mikasa was distraught by the events of that night. She kept remembering it and blushing, when asked why she was red she said she had grown allergic to 'ice cream'. Eren on the other hand maintained his lifeless approach to everything, but occasionally he'd look Mikasa's way and swiftly avert his eyes. They continued this dance till they finally got home. A journey they hadn't imagined to be this fun or fruitful.
The Scouts were lodged in the capital, where they turned in their finding. While the higher-ups plotted and schemed, the rest were simply missing all those new things they had discovered. Eren wasn't present, he was locked up in his room and no one wanted to address it. Except for Mikasa, who was still fazed by that night and found approaching him to be hard.
Onyonkapon knocked on Eren's room. He didn't get a response but entered anyway. There he saw Eren sitting next to the window, watching the moonlight.
"Yelena wanted me to tell you that Zeke is ready so whenever you . . . "he began, surveying the room and finding it to be secure.
Eren didn't respond.
"Well?" Onyonkapon got closer and set down next to him. The Volunteers weren't allowed to meet with Eren, but their mission to Marley had gone so well that this rule wasn't applicable anymore. Even then, he had to be careful.
"I know what Zeke will do, I know his plan. Tell Yelena I won't be going through with it," Eren responded in his monotone voice.
Sweat formed on Onyonkapon's forehead, this wasn't what they had planned. "Why is that?"
Eren didn't budge from where he sat, the only thing that moved was his mouth. "I don't want my friends to die. I don't want any of them to die, I will do something else entirely."
"Which is?" Onyonkapon asked, feeling the pressuring growing.
"Simply tell Yelena to bring Zeke to me. We can handle this in a very bloodless way." That was all he said.
They set there in silence, as the night brought out its own tunes. The wind fluttered by and the moonlight cast on their faces; a beautiful night it was, majestic in all the right ways. Eren's mind had cleared, he could feel a weight lift off his shoulders. He could feel as if he was eighteen again. Not a being transcending time and bearing the weight of the world.
"I do wonder what changed your mind. I guess the talks were a victory, even if it was small. I can imagine why you'd put your comrades above everything else," Onyonkapon speculated, rubbing his chin.
Eren sighed. "That's all true. And I did, well-"he cut himself off. Was he going to tell this man what conspired that night? That night where he acted out of impulse and didn't quite evaluate how his actions would play out.
"Well? What did you do?" Onyonkapon swallowed, imagining a horrible confession, which would endanger everyone.
Eren turned his face to him. There was distress written all over it and a faint glow could be spotted. Not the face Onyonkapon was expecting, nor the words he was ready to hear.
"Well, I kissed my childhood friend. Slash adopted sister?" Eren blurted out. He turned away and covered his face with his hand. "Well, she wasn't actually adopted, she stayed with us for a year or two. I mean, I thought she was like a sister growing up. I don't know, isn't that how a kid would see another kid living with them?" He continued to ramble on, unsure of how he was at a point where he felt comfortable telling.
Onyonkapon's face was set in shock. The moment they first saw Eren he was like their messiah. The one who'd lead them, the one with all the powers- then it finally dawned on him, Eren was still a kid. A simple kid experiences emotions at the ripe age of eighteen. He did feel sorry for him, knowing full well how the war had stagnated any chance of them growing up 'normally'.
"I see, I'm not sure which one is your childhood friend, but if I take a guess," he hummed and stroked his chin. "The strong one with a scarf, Mikasa? She and Armin are the ones always around you."
Eren nodded, not sure why he even told this man anything. Perhaps he just needed a 'calm' adult in his life, who would react in a 'normal' way.
"I don't see the problem even if you did. Does she not like you back?" Onyonkapon proceeded with a slight smirk. He was rather glad to have a conversation that didn't include genocide.
Eren scratched the side of his head. "She does, actually. I think, I mean I know she does but she hasn't said the exact words to me." He vividly did remember every word she said to him, it did flutter his heart just the tiniest bit.
"Then why are you here moping and not out there talking with her?" Onyonkapon placed a hand on Eren's shoulder. He couldn't help but smile in endearment, there was something innocent about the entire ordeal.
"I don't know," Eren muttered looking away. He had found talking with her to be difficult, not sure as to why it happened.
"I'd say you're embarrassed, being your first kiss and all. You shouldn't waste so much time dwelling on it, though. Just go out there and talk to her, rest will follow," Onyonkapon advised, feeling as though it was his duty to enable this attraction. He was shipping them, one could say.
"What if I say something wrong?" Eren's voice wavered and raised unevenly. "What if she hates me then?"
Onyonkapon chuckled. "If she was going to hate you, she would've already. I'm sure you've driven her hell and back, now is not the time to second guess yourself."
Eren stared wide-eyed at his newfound friend. An adult who was actually responsible and dispatched good advice, while having no screws loose. He was right too. He never bothered with considering his thoughts twice, he'd always just go and do it. However, he cared about Mikasa, but being an Ackerman she always got out unscathed. In turn, risked her life for him. The thought did pain him, yet this was how it had always been.
He stood up, nearly sending his chair tumbling down. "You're right." He declared with newfound vigour.
Before Onyonkapon could proceed, Eren was already on his way out.
Author's note: I always thought it would be fun seeing Eren and Onyonkapon talk. Ever needed romantic advice?