Hello! I wrote this conclusion(ish) on a whim. I was in an angsty writing mood and this drabble is the product. Enjoy.
Eren knew what was coming. He would not fight it. He would not fight her. Mikasa did not deserve any more pain at his hand. No matter how terribly he wished he could gaze at her for his entire life.
She reached him, a sober expression on her face. It cracked for a moment, and he saw so clearly the pain she was feeling. The pain she had no doubt been feeling for eons at his hand.
Wordlessly, he urged her to keep going. He looked into her stone-grey eyes. There was so much there that he would not ever be able to speak words to, to address with her. He was never meant to stay long enough to fix the mess he was destined to make. What pain did he know other than the knowledge of letting her down?
Eren gazed at Mikasa through heavy-lidded eyes, clouded by the turmoil that had finally taken its full toll on him.
She paused only for a split second, and he knew why. He tried with all his might to send her one final message. An apology for all he had put her through, for not making good on his promise to wrap her scarf around her forever. When had he last done so?
Now, he would leave her on her own. For the first time in over a decade, he would not return home to her. She would be here, and he -he would be gone. His mistakes hers to live with.
She released a breath into the red around her neck, that scarf still tied firmly around her even now. He had once hoped she would lose it, forget him and finally find happiness. A lie he told himself, really. Though he did hope she would find the one who would never leave her side someday. It would be worth it then, perhaps.
Her gaze held his for a moment. Silently, he again urged her not to hesitate with what needed to be done. Yet, all stood still.
Redemption was in her eyes as she contemplated him. He craved it so much. Needed it. Needed it from her.
And with one quick swipe, she gave it to him.
He hoped his memory would stay with her forever.
Thank you for reading! Until next time.