Shinganshiana 834
Iliana rubbed her sleeve across her eyes, wincing as blood streaked it. Tears poured down her cheeks again as she spat on the ground, blood staining the cobblestones by her shoes. Her chin wobbled and she sniffled as she climbed up a familiar set of steps. Right as she hit the top step, the front door swung open, revealing Carla standing there. Carla gasped as she studied the tiny slip of a girl. Her mouth was bleeding, and her eyes were red and teary. Iliana twisted her hands nervously as Carla bent down to her level.
Iliana sniffled again and tugged at the bottom of her shirt. Looking down at her shoes, she spoke softly, at a near whisper. "Papa said there was a doctor who lived here."
"There is. He's, my husband." Carla smiled gently, standing back up and moving out of the doorway to motion the small girl inside. "His name is Doctor Yeager. Why don't you come inside, and I'll go get him?"
Iliana nodded silently and followed Carla into the house. Carla closed the door gently, laying her hand on the girl's shoulder to guide her in. Iliana flinched as Carla reached for her. Carla tried her best not to let the heartbreak show in her face at the young girl's skittish nature. She ushered her into the kitchen, keeping her tone soft as she spoke. "Dr. Yeager is downstairs in his office. Just relax right here for a moment and I'll go get him. Once he gives you all clear to eat and drink, I can make you a snack, okay?"
"Um, okay but- "
"I'll be right back!" Carla swished out of the room, down a set of stairs that seemed to lead into the cellar of the house. Iliana stood in the middle of the room, still sniffling and rubbing at her eyes. Carla stood just outside the door to Grisha's office, listening to the small girl's sniffling. She knocked softly on the door, waiting until it swung open to shed a few tears of her own.
"Carla dear! What on earth?"
"Come with me." She grabbed Grisha's hand, hauling him up the stairs until they were back in the kitchen. Grisha froze as Iliana turned wide eyes towards him. Her small frame shook as she stared at him. His heart cracked a little as he watched her eyes drop to her feet. Kneeling to her level, he gave her a soft smile.
"Well, hello there." Grisha pulled a handkerchief out from his jacket pocket. "My name is Dr. Yeager. What's yours?"
Iliana wiped her nose and mouth again, blood and tears streaking her sleeve. "I- My name is Iliana."
"That's a very pretty name." He held out the small piece of cloth to her and she took it. "This is my wife Carla, she told me you needed to see a doctor. Would you mind sitting on that chair behind you there?"
Iliana nodded and sat down. She sniffled again, her tears finally starting to dry at the doctor's kind tone and his wife's soft smile. She twisted the handkerchief she held in her hands as Grisha knelt directly in front of her. "May I see that?" Iliana handed it back to him and studied him as he inspected her outward appearance. The poor girl didn't seem to be bleeding from anywhere else except her mouth and nose.
"I'm just gonna look inside your mouth, okay? Does it hurt?" Iliana stared down at her shoes as she shook her head. Dr. Yeager grabbed her chin with a feather light touch. Iliana opened her mouth. Dr. Yeager smiled and poked around her mouth with his handkerchief. He pulled his hand out after another moment and patted her knee. "As I suspected, just a small scrape from your teeth hitting your cheek. It's already almost done bleeding."
Iliana took a shuddering breath, her tears finally fully dry. Grisha dabbed at her cheeks with a towel and tilted her head back so he could see her nose. "Hmm. Looks like everything is good here as well. So." He brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes. "Would you mind telling me how you got hurt?"
Iliana paled and wrung her hands in her lap nervously. "I fell."
"Ahhh. I see." He stood, taking a cup of tea that Carla offered to him. He set it down in front of her and took the seat beside her. Carla stood behind Iliana with pleading eyes. She flicked her eyes down at the young girl. Clearing his throat, he drummed his fingers on the table. Iliana peeked at him through her lashes, curious eyes roving over the quaint kitchen.
"Would you like a cookie?" Carla set a plate with a single sugar cookie in front of Iliana. Taking a seat next to her with a plate of her own, she smiled as Iliana broke off a small piece. Iliana chewed slowly as she studied the two quiet and contemplative adults.
"Thank you."
Carla beamed at her. "These are from one of my favorite bakeries down by the water." She propped her chin in her hand. "Although sometimes I have a really hard time being able to carry my groceries and a box or two of baked goods."
Iliana studied Carla out of the corner of her eye. She could hear the underlying message the woman was trying to convey. "Um, I… I could help you if you wanted."
"Perfect idea! I'd love some help keeping the house clean a few days a week! How does that sound to you Grisha?"
"That sounds wonderful to me dear." He smoothed Iliana's hair back. "I think this little one will be some wonderful company for you."
Carla grinned wide and clasped Iliana's hand. "I think you and I are going to get a long great."
Shinganshina 844
Iliana blinked slowly to clear the sleep from her eyes as the bell tolled outside. Her mind felt fuzzy, the edges of sleep rescinding. The sun wasn't peeking through the clouds yet, her room still cloaked in darkness. Slipping deeper in between the blankets, she curled into their warmth, thanking the heavens that she was off today. Her eyes drifted shut as her eyes grew heavier, sleep claiming her all over again.
Shinganshina 834
Iliana watched with curious eyes as Grisha loaded his wagon up with various medical supplies. She stood, holding her mother's hand as her mother and Carla chatted. They'd become fast friends after they'd bumped into each other at the market one day, Iliana telling her mom how much she liked the kind people down the street. Her mother's hand squeezed hers as the door to their house slammed open, Dane screaming out of it.
"Marie! Get your ass in here woman!"
Marie turned and Carla watched her face pale. Taking a hold of Iliana, she scooped her up and placed her in the back of the wagon. Grisha casually moved in front of her, blocking her father's view of her as she tucked her legs up, so they weren't dangling off the side. He threw a cover over the back of the wagon, tying it down so it laid flat over her.
"Where is she?"
Marie smiled a tight smile. "She went to go play with some friends today. Shell be back soon dear."
Dan grunted and nodded at Carla and Grisha. "Get your ass in the house regardless. We need to talk."
There was a moment of silence and then Iliana could hear them walking away. Grisha lifted the cover and grinned at her. "Would you like to go with me on a small adventure? Carla said she told your mom you were gonna stay with us for a few days." Iliana studied him as she mulled it over. "I could really use your help on this one."
Iliana nodded and he helped her out, guiding her to sit up front with him. Carla smiled and brushed the girl's hair back, fixing it from the style she'd shown Marie how to do that morning. Two braids pulled the longer strands of hair back from her face, leaving half of it long and the rest framing her face. She plopped a straw hat on Iliana's head, smiling as she waved them off.
"Where are we going?"
"We're going to the Underground city. There are some people there who were able to get money for some medicine, but there are many more people who need help. So, we'll help where we can." He handed her a piece of bread from the lunch basket that sat in between them.
"It's nice."
"Hmm?"
"What you're doing. It's nice. People down there don't have a lot. Doctors and money for doctors is hard to come by."
"You've been there?"
Iliana blinked as she frowned at him. Didn't he know? Didn't her mama tell him? "We lived there. We only got our citizen ship papers last year."
Grisha's eyebrows hit his hairline as he stared at the tiny girl. "Ahh, I see. Do you think you could help me get around there? Find people who need help?"
Iliana nodded solemnly. "I can help. I want to help."
"Good. You'll be the perfect partner."
They spent the rest of the ride in silence, both lost in their thoughts. When they finally reached the city of Stohess, Grisha realized that it was almost dark. "Should we stop for the evening?"
Iliana shrugged her shoulders. Grisha pulled close to a small quaint inn. "We'll stay here for the evening, and you can help show me around in the morning."
Iliana nodded and turned her head back to the opening for the Underground city that they were standing in front of. Tomorrow she would be going back into that dank, dark, abyss.
Shinganshina 844
Iliana finally opened her eyes sometime in the early morning, right when the sun was beginning to peek through the clouds. A golden glow bathed her room in morning sunlight. Throwing an arm across her eyes, she laid there for a few moments more before deciding it was time to get up for the day. A knock at her door had her groaning. It was way too early for whoever was trying to bug her. She swung the door open while rubbing her eyes. "What?"
"The good doctor is downstairs waiting for you." Hannes leaned against the doorway as he watched her flick him the finger. He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "What are your plans for today then?"
"Go see what Dr. Yeager needs help with I guess."
Hannes grinned at her. "Oh yeah? Take your kid to work day?"
Iliana rolled her eyes as she pulled some civilian clothes. A simple red skirt and an off the shoulder black shirt with a lace up vest. "Something we used to do a lot. I always liked helping people. And so does he." She shrugged as she walked towards him. "Now out."
Hannes pouted as Iliana shoved him out of the door, closing with a solid snap. She dressed quickly, plaiting her wild hair in a side braid and plopping on a wide brimmed black hat. Snagging her journal and pulling on her boots on she ran outside as fast as she could.
"Hey!" She waved and laughed at the pouty look on Eren's face. Ruffling his hair and pulling him into her side, he groaned and shoved her hand off him. "Why so moody today bub?"
"I don't wanna go to the Ackerman's. I wanna stay and play with Armin." Eren furrowed his brow, looking away stubbornly as he slid his hand into hers. Iliana couldn't help but grin at the fact that even though he was annoyed, he still insisted on being close.
"I've met them before." Iliana glanced around making sure no one had heard them speak the name. "They have a girl around your age. She's nice. You'll like her."
"Doubt it. Girls are stupid."
"Hey! I take offense to that sir!" Iliana flicked his ear, smirking when he scowled at her. She wrapped her free arm around Grisha. "Ready to go?"
They all started their walk, heading on the pathway towards the inner gate and the mountains. They stopped in the market to grab some food and Iliana took Eren around to pick out his favorites. After loading up her bag, Eren grabbed her hand again and they trailed behind Grisha, who walked slightly ahead of them as if sensing Eren's need to talk.
"You know, when I was a little younger than you, I used to do this kind of stuff with your dad all the time." Eren glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. When Iliana was sure that she had his attention, she continued talking. "Except, I went with him to the Underground. I don't know if your dad ever told you but I'm from there. We came to Shinganshina and that's where I met your dad. My dad wasn't the nicest man. He was mean to me and my mom. There was one day he got angry. Your dad let me hide in his wagon and I ended up going with him to help administer medicine."
Eren stared up at her with wide eyes. "Woah. Really?"
"Mihm. But it's because your dad took me with him that I met my first friend." She squeezed Eren's hand. "I always carried extra food in my bag. There are always shortages down there and it's difficult for some people to survive. So, when I would go with him, I would hand the food out to people who needed it the most. One happened to be a boy a little bit older than me. I met him near the market down there. He'd followed us for a while before I even noticed him. He was cut really badly on his arm." Iliana sighed as she remembered that day.
The Underground 834
Iliana shivered as her and Grisha made their way down the stairs towards the entrance to the Underground. She grasped his hand tightly, squeezing as they walked further down into the darkness. She breathed deeply, trying not to show how badly she was panicking. The dank smell of disease and earth floated around them, and it felt like it was choking her. Finally, they reached the last staircase. A military guard had guided them most of the way, but now he walked ahead of them.
"Sometimes there are men that sit at the bottom of the stairs. They charge for people to come and go."
"Hmm." Grisha's eyebrows knotted together as he watched the small girl pull her shawl in closer.
"The bad thing about that is you can have the money to go up but if you don't have papers, they'll send you right back here."
"Ahh, I see." Grisha straightened up as they made their way through the check point. The guard helped them get through but stopped just short after they made it down the stairs.
"This is as far as I can take you, but I will wait for you to return."
Grisha and Iliana bid him goodbye, and Iliana began to lead Grisha through the maze of the underground city towards the dismal market. They spent most of the morning helping the few who came to help in the market before stopping for lunch.
"Do you think more people will come by here?"
Iliana looked up at Grisha as she chewed on her bread and cheese. "Probably not. We may have to go walking around to find more people to help."
"Guess that settles it then." He patted her head and dusted off his coat as she finished up the last of her lunch. "Ready to go see if we can find more people to help?"
Iliana nodded, and grabbed her bag, pulling it over her shoulders. She made sure she had everything they would need packed up, before grabbing his hand and leading him through the marketplace. "If we walk this way, we should be able to meet more people."
He squeezed her hand, shaking his head at the girl's solemn nature. They walked in silence for a while before she stopped in a doorway, knocking on the door, glancing over her shoulder. "Mrs. Hurst?"
The door swung open, a slender woman answering. She nearly cried out with joy as she spotted Iliana in front of her. Drawing her into a fierce hug. "What are you doing here? Last I heard from you and your mum you had gotten your citizenship papers."
"We did. But I brought a doctor."
Mrs. Hurst straightened up, eyeing Grisha with a suspicious eye, pulling Iliana close to her by her shoulders. "I see. And your name doctor?"
"I'm Dr. Yeager." He stuck out his hand for a handshake, unsurprised when she didn't shake it. "I came to offer my services to anyone in need, with Iliana as a guide."
"Hmm. And what do you get in exchange for that?" She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Nothing and I wish for nothing in return just trying to help where I can. I've seen the few patients that wanted to pay for services. I have extra supplies and medicine why waste it and haul it home?"
Mrs. Hurst pursed her lips and then grabbed Iliana's hand, slamming the door after stepping out of it. "Well then. Where are we off to next?"
She helped guide them through the city, watching and hovering over Iliana as they stopped and treated. Her stance and prickly demeanor slowly relaxed as she watched Dr. Yeager with Iliana, watching as he slowly guided her through each step. Inspected them as he led her through which medicine did what. Smiled at the girl's kind nature as she held each patient's hand and listened. Finally, hours later with the evening ending, they were walking back to her home. Mrs. Hurst nudged Iliana forwards. The girl turned back and frowned. She knew the signal for let the adults talk. Huffing, she blew a strand of hair that had drifted into her face out. Grisha chuckled at her pout before reaching in his pocket. Handing her a couple of coins, he dropped them into her palm. "Why don't you run along to the market and grab us something for the journey home." He pulled out a few more coins and dropped those into her other palm. "Make sure to get something for the horse too, he's probably antsy from waiting on us all day."
"Yes sir."
They both chuckled as she stomped off, watching as the surly child made her way up the street. When they reached Mrs. Hurst's doorway they paused. "You know I was afraid at first that you didn't have good intentions with that child. I see now that I was wrong. Please look out for her. Her father has a bit of a temper, and that family has suffered so much."
"I know about the father's temper. I'll do my best to look out for her."
"If anyone comes asking about them, you don't know them. You've never heard of them much less seen them. I know there's been folks before, poking their noses around about her mum, but we look out for our own down here. Got it?"
"Now why would they be looking for Marie?"
"That you would have to ask Marie yourself."
Mrs. Hurst disappeared into her home, closing the door solidly behind her. Grisha hummed, turning back to the way that he saw Iliana go. Now what was that family hiding?
Iliana wove her way through the streets, heading for the marketplace while waiting for Grisha. She sighed as she walked, constantly looking over her shoulder. She thought she saw someone following her a couple of times, but she couldn't be sure. Stepping up her pace, she breathed out a sigh of relief as she finally made it. Stopping at a couple of stalls, she picked out a few apples and a loaf of bread, grateful that Grisha had given her more than enough to cover the expenses. Food this fresh sometimes came at a hefty price. Sticking it in her satchel at her side, Iliana walked towards where they had been set up before when a hand snagged her arm hard.
She cried out in pain as the hand on her arm squeezed. "HEY! That hurts!"
"Hey missy. I wanna know what you got in that bag of yours." A man with yellowing teeth and a gaunt face leaned down close to her, his rotten breath turning her stomach.
"Nothing that concerns you." She narrowed her eyes into slits.
"Heh. You need a lesson in respecting your elders. 'Sides, you look too clean to be from down here. I'd be careful I was you. Someone like you would earn a pretty penny." He shook her for emphasis and leaned down again. Just as he was about to open his mouth to speak again another, small but firm voice interrupted them.
"Let her go."
"Eh?" The man whirled around, dragging Iliana with him.
"I said let her go." Stepping from the shadows, a small, yet sturdy boy in a hooded sweatshirt stepped out. He had his hands in the pockets of his tan pants, haunting steel grey eyes bored but angry as he studied the man in front of him. "Scum like you has no business even talking to a girl. Let her go."
He cocked his head as he spoke. The man growled and reached for him. "Look here you little shit- "
The boy side stepped him and drove his fist into the man's stomach. The hit was so forceful and solid, Iliana swore she felt it vibrate through his hand on her arm. He slackened his grip on her and she slipped out of his grip, running until she was pressed against the wall behind the boy with the steely grey eyes. She pressed her back against the wall watching with wide eyes as the boy effortlessly took down a grown man triple his size. She shook, her heart pounding as fear flooded her.
She was terrified that the man would overpower him, and they were both going to be screwed. The boy glanced at her, catching her wide-eyed stare. "Close your eyes."
Iliana listened, shutting her eyes tightly. All she heard was skin smacking on skin, a grunt or two before a voice sounded out next to her. "Take my hand."
Iliana peeked an eye open to see that they boy was now in front of her, a scowl on his face. She shakily reached out, taking his hand as he led her back the way she came, back to the crowded busy market. Something felt wet and sticky on her palm and she flinched when she saw red streaks of blood dripping down his arm. "You're hurt."
"I'm fine can you just shut up and keep moving? It was stupid to walk by yourself down here." He didn't even glance back at her as he kept moving, practically dragging her with him. Iliana frowned and tried to tug her hand out of his. He glanced back, steely grey eyes narrowing at her. "Seriously don't let go. You'll get lost."
Iliana snorted and tugged again. "I used to live here too I know my way around just fine."
The boy snorted and finally stopped at the place they'd been set up at before. "And yet you were stupid enough to wander off on your own looking way too clean for this shit place."
Iliana narrowed her eyes before pushing him down on to a crate. "Shut up." Picking up his arm, she inspected it. "Take your jacket off this arm."
He obliged with an eye roll, sliding his hooded sweatshirt off his arm. Iliana picked it up again and hissed through her teeth. It was too big of a wound for her to fix on her own, she'd have to wait for Dr. Yeager to get back. She slid her backpack off her back, rooting through it so she could find the bandages he'd helped her stuff in there. She pulled out the roll and cut off a long strip, laying it over the cut that ran on the back of the boy's forearm. It stretched from elbow to wrist and was quite deep. She pressed both hands on it, keeping pressure down like Dr. Yeager had taught her. They said nothing to each other, just stood in silence waiting for him.
After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Yeager finally showed up, clicking his tongue when he spotted Iliana with the boy's arm in her hands. Making quick work of asking them what had happened and patching the quiet, sullen boy up, he decided that it was time for him and Iliana to leave. She turned towards the boy and dug in the bag at her side. Pulling out a shiny red apple and a small loaf of bread, she stood in front of him, shoving the gifts into his chest. "It's not much but thank you for saving me."
The boy grunted, a little stunned as he looked at the gifts in his hands. His heart warmed a little, but his face remained impassive as he studied the girl in front of him. "Be careful next time down here."
With that, he stepped back into the shadows, taking off for the small place he called home.
Shinganshina 844
Eren stared up at Iliana with wide eyes as she finished her story. They were already more than halfway to the Ackerman's, Eren riveted by the tale of Iliana and Grisha's time in the Underground.
"Did you keep going back?"
"A few times." Iliana chewed on the inside of her cheek. "I go with your dad pretty often on stuff like that."
"Do you ever see your friend again? Well, he'd be grown like you now, right?" Eren bounced on the balls of his feet as he tugged her to stop.
"Um. A time or two. I will tell you that no one ever messed with me again though. I always had a shadow looking out for me." She tapped his nose and tugged him along with her as they fell back into step with Grisha.
"That's so cool." Eren sighed. "You had a dark prince looking out for you."
Iliana laughed at the dreamy faraway look in his eyes. Eren had always been one for stories. "Yeah, I guess. Something like that for sure. But now you know it's not always a bad thing to make friends in the most unexpected of places. So can you please try to help me and your dad out by being nice to Mikasa?"
"Yeah, I can do that." He contemplated something as they walked along, silence falling between them for a few minutes. "Do you think I could be someone's prince one day? How can I protect people like you do when I keep losing?"
"You'll get there bud. The best thing about you is you continue to press on. You don't give up. You fight for what you believe in." Iliana glanced up as she watched Dr. Yeager approach the Ackerman's house. She smiled as Eren hauled her forward. Her smiled dropped a little as Dr. Yeager knocked on the door only to receive no response. They traded a look. "Were they expecting you?"
"Yeah, they were." He knocked again and Iliana frowned as her instincts screamed out that something was wrong. She stepped in front of him and Eren, her brow furrowing when she realized the door was cracked.
"Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman? It's Dr. Yeager and Iliana! Are you home?" She nudged the door open, her breath leaving her in a gasp as she stared at the two bloody bodies on the floor.
"Oh no." She turned, bringing Eren's face against her body. "Grisha, they..."
He patted her shoulder, then slid past her closing the door partially to block Eren's view. "Check the grounds for Mikasa. Quickly."
"Yes sir." She took Eren's hand and pulled him away from the cabin and took Eren's face in her hands as she crouched down. "Think you could be a brave heroic prince for me today?"
He nodded a determined look in his eyes. "I can!"
"Alright. Listen to me carefully, I'm going to run down into town and get some help. You stay right here and look around the outside of the cabin for Mikasa. She's got black hair and big grey eyes. I think you'll be able to know when you spot her. Look for her and if you can't find her stay right here and wait for dad, okay?" When Eren nodded she pressed shaky lips to his forehead. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Iliana took off for the path leading to town before pausing again as she turned over her shoulder to Eren. "Whatever you do, don't go into the woods you hear me?"
He nodded again and Iliana gathered her skirt in her hands and took off in a full sprint, running as fast as she could for the town to get the Military police. Dread pooled in her gut as she pictured Mikasa's wide grey eyes and sweet smile.
Where the hell is she?
There's so much blood.
Iliana took a deep breath and cursed loudly, tipping her head back and staring at the ceiling as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. She hadn't been fast enough. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest and her stomach rolled. Grisha stood next to her, trying to suck in air.
"What the hell did you do?" His loud shout snapped her out of her thoughts, and she walked forwards, grabbing Eren and Mikasa, hauling them both out of the house as Grisha followed them, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Grisha." Iliana's voice was low, too low to cut through his loud shouts. "GRISHA."
He finally stopped yelling as her voice rose. She pulled the kids onto the porch. Noticing Mikasa's shivering, she locked eyes with Grisha, and he pulled off his coat, wrapping it around the small girl. She brought them close, looking at Eren as she grabbed his shoulders. Drawing him torwards her, she held him close, breathing in his scent as her heart finally started to beat normally. She could pick up the sounds of the MP's walking around the cabin. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she pulled back.
"Eren. Do you have any idea of what you just did? I told you not to step foot in those woods. You could have died! You could have gotten Mikasa killed! What the hell were you thinking?" Iliana's voice was firm as she scolded him.
"No! You never would have made it back on time. Neither would have the military police or dad! I did good! I saved her!" His voice broke a little as he yelled, and Iliana felt guilt was over her. "I stopped dangerous beasts!"
"You did do good, but you got lucky!" She shook his shoulders for emphasis as tears started to form. "You almost died. What would we have done if we lost you?"
Eren shuffled his feet and looked down, swallowing hard. "I just wanted to help her. I wanted to be a brave prince. She didn't deserve what those animals were going to do to her!"
Iliana gasped and brought him to her, his face buried in her shoulder as they held onto each other. "I'm sorry buddy. You did so good. I'm sorry I got mad I was just scared."
They stayed like that for a few more moments, Eren's eyes finally drying as Dr. Yeager turned to Mikasa.
"Hey Mikasa. Do you remember us? I'm Dr. Yeager and this is Iliana. We've been quite a few times to see you and your parents."
Mikasa studied them with blank, haunted eyes. "I think I should go home."
Iliana traded a look with Dr. Yeager. Standing up, she pressed a kiss to Eren's head. Squeezing Dr. Yeager's bicep, she slipped back inside the cabin to handle the MP's.
"I just don't know how two kids could cause this much damage."
"It was self-defense."
They turned to her, stunned at her sudden presence. They traded a look before nodding in agreement. "So, what are you going to do with the little one?"
"Dr. Yeager will be taking her. I think it's what her parents would have wanted. They have no other family here." Another tense heartbeat went by as Iliana rubbed her temples. She was so damn tired. "If that's all gentlemen I'll be leaving with Dr. Yeager to get the children all tucked away for the night. If you have any questions, you can find me through the Garrison unit's HQ in Shinganshina."
"Thanks for your help, Cadet Hawthorne."
She gave them a half wave before walking out. Her heart warmed as she spotted the two kids, Eren wrapping his scarf around Mikasa's neck. What a prince indeed. She grabbed his hand and smiled softly as he squeezed hers back. "Ready to go home?"
"Yeah. Come on Mikasa, let's go home."
Mikasa gave a little sniffle and nodded, trailing a little behind them. Eren and Iliana paused to let her catch up. Eren leaned close to Mikasa whispering to her. Eventually the small girl looked up at Iliana. "Will you really keep us safe?"
Iliana reached out, brushing some of the hair out of her eyes. "For as long as I live kid."
Mikasa nodded and slipped her hand into Iliana's squeezing hard. "Thank you."
"Always." Iliana sighed as they began walking. She couldn't help but feel like that promise was going to cause her a lot of trouble when it came to these two. If only she had known in that moment how right she was.
