Summary:
Emotions were running high as everyone deals with the aftermath of the confrontation with the Jeager brothers. As their marriage comes into the light, Reiner and Mikasa agreed to tolerate each other's presence, least expecting for genuine feelings and physical attraction to surface before they found themselves trapped by a misconception.
A/N: A special shout out to my lovely readers for your beautiful comments and inspiring words on the previous chapters. It always brings me great joy upon reading your amazing feedback and it truly motivates me further to work on this story.
I apologize as it has been more than four months since the last chapter was published. I was a bit torn in the direction of this story with each new manga chapter that comes out every month. I would like to preempt the readers of As You Are that although I have mapped out roughly on how I want this story to progress, new plot points have come to me recently. It will add more dramatic elements, which includes a potential separation of an already established ship in the story so far with only their best ending in mine (Spoiler Alert/Hint: I love Porco so much that I would like him to continue living in As You Are's universe and I have so many plans for him. We all know what happened to him in canon. My heart is still breaking! And Pieck is one of my best girls and I want her to have a happy ending too!)
This chapter is dedicated to Reiner, who just celebrated his birthday a few days earlier on the first day of August. I will continue to write a happy ending for you in my universe, bud.
Without further ado, this chapter is inspired by Svrcina's Meet Me on The Battlefield . Happy reading! Do share your thoughts or favorite moments in the comments below :)
As You Are
Chapter Seven
Battlefield
Meet me on the battlefield
Even on the darkest night
I will be your sword shield, your camouflage
And you will be mine
Echos and the shots ring out
We may be the first to fall
Everything can stay the same or we can change it all
Meet me on the battlefield
We stand face-to-face
With our unhuman race
We commit the sins again and our sons and daughters pay
Our tainted history, it's playing on repeat
But we could change it if we stand up strong and take the lead
12 days after the attack on Liberio.
Mikasa stared helplessly at the Attack Titan's action as it inflicted destruction on the many soldiers trying to stop him with their bullets and cannons. Eren's Titan roared loudly in frustration before it stomped his feet around to repel the small, annoying attacks.
Like pests.
He stomped down on those soldiers protecting the town and the people of Paradis like annoying little insects, whose lives meant nothing to him. They were nothing more than mere, puny obstacles in his path to trigger the Rumbling and give the rest of the world his middle finger in protest.
Those soldiers fought on even if they have no interests or profit to gain from Paradis nor they knew of anyone there.
They were only soldiers following orders to protect their leader's people.
The Cart Titan provided her very best to shield as many soldiers of various colored military attires as she could from on top of the Wall, with the steel armor on its body. On top of her back was an improvised set of turrets - like a battle station, complete with its own cannons - one of the many reinforcements that were flown in from Marley just when the confrontation with Eren Jeager began. The turrets were bleeding clouds of smoke after firing the previous set of bullets towards the Attack and Warhammer Titan's circle of crystallized spikes. One of the spikes pierced through the Armored Titan's form.
"Commander Magath, please reload the next round while the Attack Titan is still down," instructed the Cart Titan. Pieck knew the next opening is the critical point - one could determine the fate of humanity's survival.
The Jaw Titan, previously stuck on top of one of crystal spikes lunged at the Attack Titan, its jaw wide open, aiming straight to the Attack Titan's back. But Eren was having none of the Jaw's sneak attack. His Titan form generated multiple spikes on its back, pushing Galliard's Titan back. The moment the Attack Titan's focus was shifted to the Jaw, Reiner took the opening and tackled its opponent, locking it in a prime position - for the target of the cannon from the Cart Titan's arsenal.
The Attack Titan's head exploded the moment the cannonball hit its target, cutting it off from its neck, the remaining entrails oozing a large cloud of smoke from within the opening. The Attack Titan stood still, as still as the battlefield and the armies looking up anxiously for the menacing Titan's impending retaliation. The Armored Titan stood tall, immobile as it had its opponent's Titan figure in a tight grip. Reiner could sense The Jaw Titan's figure approaching, its wide jaw expanded, ready to devour Eren Jeager.
"Wait!" Her voice was loud in the deafening silence. The Armored Titan lifted his left hand up, signaling the Jaw to stand down and wait. They both could see the Hizuru princess' body propelling upwards and landing on the juncture of the Attack Titan's left shoulder.
She used her gear's sharp steel blade to slice the Attack Titan's nape open, revealing the Titan shifter's figure, encased in a cluster of Titan shifting veins.
"Why did you stop me? You are not supposed to be here!" Eren's angry emerald eyes was a deathly glare against her face. "I will kill you and everyone here!"
"Eren, please. Stop. You don't have to do this anymore."
"I will never stop until I have taken all of the shifters powers. This is the only way to save you, Armin and her."
Releasing her grip from her gear's handles, she lifted her hands and cupped them around the raving mad shifter's face. The shifter lines seemed more painful and terrifying than they had ever been before. "Eren...you're not making everything better. She-Historia has passed on giving birth to her daughter. YOUR daughter."
"Historia...What are you saying? She's….." The light began to lose its gleam in Eren's emerald green eyes, as his childhood friend's words began to sink in slowly into his mind and consciousness. He shook his head slowly in pure disbelief. "No-it's not possible! I'm supposed to get it right this time! Mikasa, I'm supposed to save her!"
Her tears began trickling down her cheeks again for that day. Regardless of how he pushed them away, seeing Eren hurt still pains her every time - without fail.
"You can still save your daughter's future. If you surrender now, they will ensure that you still get to be with her. Peace will be the answer for her without us having to shed more blood. We have found another way to end all of this." Mikasa's own conscience was eating her soul from the inside but she disregarded the gnawing feeling. There was no way in hell the Council and the Commander would let Eren be even ten feet away from his own child. Yet this could be the only opportunity she has for them to put an end to the century-long oppression and prejudice.
He gritted his teeth. "Step aside. This isn't your fight!"
"Is that how you would honor her mother?"
"I love her. All of this is for them, Mikasa. Their future. I can't screw this one chance up."
"I know..." Mikasa shook her head weakly as a response. "Do you believe what Zeke wants is the right thing? To deny all Eldians' existence in the future? Is this what Historia would have wanted?" She needed to hear it from him directly. She needed to be sure that her next course of action would be the right one as well.
"Not a chance in the devil's hell, Mikasa. The Rumbling is meant to divert Zeke's focus all along. I promised that I would end all of this pain. I promise you, Armin, Historia and our child a safe future."
Mikasa drew in a long breath. She wasn't very certain if she could still and truly trust any of Eren's words. "If only you could just listen. There are people who want the same things as you do. Hizuru, Marley and the rest of the world. They understand now. I've helped make them understand."
"They are too proud to bow down to others."
"Marley and Paradis have agreed on a permanent alliance. We can end this war. Haven't we been fighting for peace? And I-"
A strong object propelled to the top of the roof next to their location, it exploded instantaneously upon contact. The sudden impact robbed her of the rest of the words that could have helped her seize the moment. Mikasa gritted her teeth in frustration. This was the only opportunity to negotiate for a truce in the midst of battle. She looked around for the source of the interruption.
The straggling object came from the top of Wall Maria followed by a dark shadow - its stature tall on top of the northern gate. The new yet familiar arrival's dark figure - long furry limbs and blood-red eyes - loomed over the watchful eyes of the soldiers below.
'You've done your part, Eren. Now, let big brother protect you.'
The Beast Titan's sudden assault from the top of the walls caught everyone off guard, but not to Pieck's surprise as she prepared herself by evading the incoming projectiles. The Cart Titan barely escaped the consecutive waves of sharp rocks unscathed.
"Zeke!" Eren sent a sharp gaze at his own brother's hulking Titan form. Part of him was glad that Zeke appeared to his aid, but his friends were not supposed to be in the line of fire. The remaining members of the 104th Survey corps division are not miscalculations he was willing to make.
He knew Zeke well enough to know that his estranged older brother would decimate everyone on sight if they are a hindrance to his mission. It was the sole reason why he had to push Mikasa, Armin, Jean, and Connie away. They had lost Sasha, he would not lose another person he cared about. Not if he has everything under his control.
Zeke was smart and Eren thought he could outsmart his own flesh and blood with his last, final plan.
He had to hurt Mikasa and Armin.
He'd rather be the arsehole that pushed his loved ones away into safety even if it meant burning everything in sight, ripping the world apart and let them rebuild it in new infinite peace after his death.
Mikasa's eyes widened in shock. Zeke perished in the explosion at the barn hours earlier. Didn't he?
How could he still be here and alive?
"Mikasa!" Eren's voice was like a thunderous noise resounding in her head.
She looked back at him in an anticipated aggravation. She believed she was but she realized that her heart was still unwilling to be the one who slays him today if he proves to be supporting Zeke's mad ambition.
The soft glint in Eren's eyes turned darker again. His cold, icy stare went straight to her aching heart. "How would you even think that they would accept our people here in Paradis? You're just a naive girl, Mikasa. Why would these people even listen to you?" 'I'm sorry, Mikasa. Hate me. Leave me. I just want you safe.'
Her lips quivered in disbelief, a dark contradiction to the pooling tears in her eyes. "Are you aware that Zeke poisoned the wines Yelena brought with her from Marley? Almost all of our people drank his spinal fluid. That poor boy from Marley had -"
Eren's jaw tightened upon hearing the information. It seemed that his older brother is beating him again in his plans. "Like I would give a damn about that boy and everyone whose stupid enough to take in whatever Marley feeds us!"
"Please, Eren. You're not making any sense! Historia-"
"-is gone and there's nothing left for me here. Stop me again and I will kill you too."
Yet again, Eren knew he might be able to kill two birds with one stone after all. Take down one Titan shifter and fulfill two of his missions - both as the Attack and the Founding. He could use Zeke's miscalculation to his advantage.
All while his mind was conjuring up a contingency move, a large piece from the broken parts of the wall - as big as the boulder that he had used to plug the hole in Wall Rose - was heading straight to his childhood friend and adopted sister, accompanied by a sinister laugh from Zeke's Titan.
By the time he realized the approaching projectile - he resented the fact that it was almost too late.
He turned his head around towards her direction, hands clenched tightly into hardened fists. "I had enough of your incessant meddling. JUST DIE!" 'I'm sorry, Mikasa. I need you and Armin to live.'
He pushed her off the Attack Titan's broken shoulders down onto the uncertain streets below.
'Why??' Mikasa struggled in grasping the handles of her gear - for the first time ever. She wanted to believe that there is still goodness in the young man's heart. Oh Kami, she desperately wanted to believe. If she dies in front of his eyes right now, would it finally bring him the peace he was searching for?
Her eyes took in the vision of the attack Titan holder's cold, unperturbed face as the image gradually becoming smaller and smaller the further and further down her body fell. The initial impact shoved the handles away from her tight grip and she could only in hopelessness, watched the way the end of her fingertips was barely brushing against the tip of the steel surface as they slid further away from her, its distance grew significantly larger with her thundering heartbeat.
'Give up, Mikasa. The very reason for your living is the very same one hellbent in ceasing its existence.'
She failed. She failed everyone. She crushed their hopes of peace. Historia. Armin. Captain. Commander. Everyone in Paradis. Madam Kiyomi. Lord Hosokawa.
Her eyes closed in ultimate dejection. Maybe Eren was right all along. She was powerless to make a change and save more innocents from death.
She was engulfed in immediate darkness the moment she felt her back landed against a warm surface. 'What happened?' Still lying down on whatever it was that saved her from an inevitable end, she groped around blindly in the dark, hoping to shed a figurative light to her predicament.
After several more seconds of feeling the warm and sturdy ground underneath her, the light finally came when she felt the light breeze of air against her face the moment she looked up to see the Jaw Titan's face looking down at her perched against its giant palm. The hulking Titan figure took caution with its long, sharp talons from grazing the Hizuru princess.
'Galliard…..'
Galliard's fortunate rescue was not an unwelcomed assistance yet Mikasa could only muster an appreciative nod before they both looked on as the Armored Titan's figure swerved by and tackled the Attack Titan's lifeless form to the ground, with Eren barely evading the incoming attack. The Armored Titan pummeled its opponent in a raged frenzy before holding the Attack Titan's form in its ironclad grip, causing Mikasa to stand up abruptly in a reflexive stance when she earned a low warning grunt from the Jaw. The raven-haired female soldier looked on in defeat as she did not need another reminder that the new alliance's objective was to stop both the Beast and the Attack Titan at all cause - even if the only option left available was for an instant kill.
Mikasa felt herself elevated and realized that Galliard was placing her on a rooftop belonging to one of the nearby abandoned buildings a safe distance away from the fight. She wanted to protest but Galliard didn't waste any seconds longer in lunging towards the Beast Titan's direction, providing aid to the Cart Titan's counterattack.
"Mikasa!!" A masculine voice called out, followed by the landing of three soldiers next to her on the abandoned building's rooftop.
Jean approached her, his hands tight against his own gear. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head weakly. "I'm fine. All thanks to the Jaw." Her eyes landed on the blonde-hair strategist and offered her status update. "Armin, Eren is beyond saving. If we don't do something, Zeke will trigger the Rumbling and the euthanization. Or just as worst, scream and turn our higher-ups into pure Titans."
"You can take my extra gear handles, Mikasa," offered Connie upon realizing that Mikasa's hand gears had lost the main triggers in the earlier altercation. He was very quick to attach the missing parts to the equipment Mikasa was using.
"Thank you, Connie."
The Colossal Titan holder's face was drenched in cold sweat as his brain tried to conjure up a possible contingency plan at that particular moment. Reiner warned him that he should only shift if all of the three shifters from Marley are completely decimated but it would still be at the cost of the innocent soldiers' lives fighting down below and the ones with him. "Jean, Connie, you have to support Reiner in keeping or adding the distance between Eren and Zeke. Mikasa and I will assist the Marley Commander with the Bea-".
"Hold it right there." A strong voice interrupted their strategizing. A gun grasped tightly in her hand, the tall, blonde female made herself known the moment the four soldiers turned their bodies around towards her direction.
Yelena cocked the gun once, giving a smug and confident grin. Her messiahs will succeed in bringing the world to its ultimate destruction and making sure these heathens stay out of Zeke's way is her only priority. "No one moves or I will blow a hole in your head. You shall not interfere with the great Zeke's ambitions."
Connie spat to the ground in utter disgust upon hearing Yelena's crazy idolization of Zeke's selfish ideals. "Great ambition, my ass. You're supporting mass murder!"
A loud laugh could be heard coming out of the Marleyan traitor's lips. "What are the merciful killings of a group on non-believers compared to the greater good? Zeke's utopia will be the ultimate way of living."
"Thing is," Jean interrupted her speech. There was a glint of anger in his light brown eyes. "There's no way of living if you have no legacy or children to leave behind."
Yelena snickered back. "You're content in continuing the filthy Eldian blood currently flooding the world we live in?"
Mikasa's eyes squinted in annoyance. "Isn't it rich coming from someone who has dirty Eldian blood flowing inside her own veins? Armin, can't you see she's stalling? We have no time for this!"
"Nah uh-uh, Ackerman. Maybe if I shoot you in the head right now, you'll take my words seriously. Oh, as a matter of fact, if you die this very instance, all sides will be fucked, isn't it? Wouldn't that be interesting? Maybe I should just make this easier for everyone."
A loud roar halted Yelena's ongoing threat. Connie and Armin rushed towards the rooftop's brick edges, with Mikasa and Jean following closely behind.
"Reiner's down!" Connie shouted as soon as he observed the battle happening below, looking back at Armin's face while the latter immediately turned his gaze towards his raven-haired childhood friend.
Mikasa cleverly hid the concerned look on her face but Armin knew her better. The wrinkles between her eyebrows were a dead giveaway and her eyes….he knew that Eren was not her biggest worry at that moment.
Jean clasped Armin's shoulder, breaking his thought process. "Armin, Eren's on the run and he's heading straight for Zeke! We have to go. NOW!"
Yelena stood on a brick wall, protruding dangerously at the corner of the rooftop, holding her hands up high in celebration as she sang deranged praises to worship her chosen Messiah.
The stark raving madness on Yelena's face was the last thing Mikasa remembered right before she jumped downwards and propelled towards the fallen titans.
XoXoX
14 days after the attack on Liberio.
"Your Highness...Princess Mikasa, are you still with us?" A low, hoarse voice broke her clouded thoughts of falling bodies and screaming soldiers clad in uniforms of different colors and insignias.
Black. Wings of Freedom. Survey Corps of Paradis.
Beige. Star of Marley. Titan Support unit of Liberio.
Dark blue. Three warrior blades. An emblem of a mythical creature. The naval fleet of Hizuru.
In the still conference space, the only sound she could hear was her own breathing, coming into and out of her lungs in a restrained, cathartic rhythm. Her eyes glazed over the various drapes displaying the official sigils of the four main forces in attendance inside that hall, represented by nothing less than the top-ranking officials for each nation. Lauded as the first World Peace Conference by the press - both locally and all over the world, never would Mikasa imagined that one day, she would be sitting here and carried a very critical role in Paradis' first step towards a peaceful existence.
"Your highness, could you recall back the moment when you informed the accused, of the deceased Zeke Jeager's plot in turning Paradis' military personnel into pure, mindless titans for his own control. Do you believe the accused was in cohorts with the deceased - who is also his own brother - to orchestrate a global-wide mass euthanization or worst, mass murder?"
From general public observation, the young heir of the East Sea Empire was calm and collected but only those close enough would be able to decipher the agitation hidden within.
This was not the first time she was in audience with the advisors of the World Allied Nation's council. A deep breath escaped her lips as she knew it will never get easier to be in the center of a proceeding, even more so when her words would be one of the many pivotal factors that will determine the verdict of Eren's actions.
As a soldier, Eren would have been trialed in a court marshall, but as a global 'terrorist', the Council rejected the pleas for a trial on the grounds of the humanitarian law of the council, hellbent in preserving humanity and justice.
Both Hange and Armin noticed the way her hands fidgeted against the surface of her royal house's emblem, made of silk embroidery, sewn tightly against the light blue satin drape she was wearing as the official representative of the Azumabito family. She was wearing the formal color of the Hizuru empire, even though she would rather be donning her light brown military overcoat and be seated amongst the members of the Survey Corps instead.
Her gunmetal eyes moved from the faces of the council's advisors to Hange, Nile Dawk, Dot Pixis, Keith Shadis, Armin, Jean, and Connie sitting in the first row behind them, meant for the representatives of Paradis.
While she was seated at the front - the central point of the discussion where the witnesses take their stand. She was called in as a witness yet she felt she was the one being placed on trial and under scrutiny.
"I believe that Eren has his goals, ones he wasn't- no, wouldn't disclose to his own comrades, let alone his Commanding Officer. But I do believe that he was taken aback when I informed him of the Beast holder's actual plan."
"You do agree that his goals were radical?"
"He is not a terrorist. He fights for Eldians' right of continuity, future, and peace."
"But his assault in Liberio proved otherwise, Your Highness. You would know it best - you were there, didn't you? You went to his aid."
"Yes I did come to his aid but that wasn't-" There was a slight pause in her response. She wasn't going to divulge the rather complicated nature of his childhood friend's intentions nor executions and yet whatever her response would be next - it would be determinant to relieve Eren of a heavier sentence or send him straight to the executioner's block.
Who was she trying to convince otherwise? Eren's actions are irredeemable with mere imprisonment.
It was an awful truth she wasn't ready to accept. They will rule out an immediate termination.
This was even worse than Eren's first court marshall after the Battle of Trost six years ago. Eren is not around to offer a defense nor Captain Levi to offer his assurance.
"All I can say is that, in the end, Eren sacrificed his own brother to save everyone."
"He did, Your Highness. But isn't that more proof that the power of the Titans, especially the Founding are dangerous and must be contained effective immediately?"
"That is what Eren was trying to do."
"The end doesn't justify the means. Are you saying that you supported his actions?"
"Absolutely not."
"Tell us, Your Highness. Where does your loyalty lie?"
"I do not see how my loyalty is relevant in this situation."
"Your answer will make or break the alliance proposed by the Council. It determines the course of action against Eren Jeager's heinous act of terror against all humans - Eldians or not. It determines whether Marley and Paradis can call upon a permanent truce for peace. Did you not vow your loyalty to Marley only four days ago? If we do not pass a fair judgment towards the mass-murderer who attacked the Eldians in Marley two weeks ago, then who should be held responsible for all of this never-ending attack on humanity? Eren Jeager's execution is only one of the many decisions the council and the representatives from all the nations involved must decide on today. Please understand our urgency, Your Highness."
She decided she was not a fan of the tone the lead advisor took with her.
There was a long silence before a deep voice intervened, "Pardon me, Your Excellency." The voice could be heard coming from the left side of the hall - where the delegates of Marley were seated. All heads turned to look at the man standing at the front row, garbed in light brown formal overcoat bearing the star of Marley insignia on its lapel and left arm sleeve.
Apparently, Mikasa wasn't the only one who has an issue with the way the lead advisor is conducting his questioning.
The lead advisor turned his head around with a scrutinizing gaze, hidden behind a pair of tinted lenses, at the same gentleman who had the audacity to interrupt his questioning. "Yes, young man?"
More out of courtesy than respect, the person who spoke out took the cue to provide a more formal introduction of himself. "I am Reiner Braun, the War Chief of the Titan Unit in Marley, second detachment infantry from Liberio." The tall, blonde-haired young military veteran cleared his sparse throat before continuing his words. "I am also the Armored Titan holder."
"Young War Chief, would you have anything against the assault by Eren Jeager on your hometown? Are you supporting or against his execution?"
"If Eren is to be executed for the attack on Liberio, then I should be executed the same way for initiating the first attack against the Eldians in Paradis nine years ago. I am the only survivor from the three Titan holders responsible for the attack. At least, from what I know." He wasn't even sure if Annie is somewhat still alive somewhere, yet, if she were, he'd still take full responsibility for their actions.
Small collective gasps could be heard coming from the Marley and Hizuru entourage.
'Are you crazy?' Galliard whispered through gritted teeth as he exchanged looks with Magath who was sitting next to Reiner.
The lead advisor gripped the feathered quill in his hand. "Are you volunteering to go down the same route as Eren Jeager's potential verdict, War Chief Braun?"
There was a slight pause when he looked down at his own hands, grasping at the wooden table's surface. As if he was recalling the amount of immeasurable blood he has had in his hands for the past eleven years.
"I am very affected as the assault had robbed Liberio of countless deaths and destruction but I could not close my eyes to the fact that it was a retaliation against my own actions towards Paradis years before, even though I was an eleven-year-old child soldier at that time, executing only what my government demanded me to do. It only means that I have, in a deliberate way, played a part in the attack," pleaded Reiner, all while his gaze alternatively moved from the lead advisor and occasionally lingered at the young woman sitting directly in front of the Council members.
The lead advisor lifted a hand up in a questioning manner, absolutely taken aback by the younger man's confession. "You're out of your mind, son! Are you pleading guilty for the attack against humanity in Paradis nine years ago?"
Reiner nodded. Firm and resolute. "Yes, I do and I deserve the same verdict as Eren Jeager."
"Objection!" Magath stood up but the lead advisor lifted up one hand, telling the hall to remain calm. Mikasa could observe that Madam Kiyomi was about to stand up and make her opinions known too.
The rest of the council members could be seen whispering to one another, and the rest of the hall's occupants began to throw out their own opinions amongst themselves - some objecting to the War Chief's plea and some actually agreeing for his retribution. Mikasa looked at the faces she knew and for some reason, the way Jean looked back at her - it was as if he was dying to know what would be her stand in regards to Reiner's earlier plea.
Now that they have reached a point where everything - past, history, and reasons - has been placed on the table. It was rather clear what her stand would be.
She was angry, disappointed but she wouldn't wish for either Eren or Reiner to be executed.
The council members took control of the situation and it wasn't long before one of them stood up and asked for the lead advisor's permission to speak up.
"Young War Chief, do you acknowledge the fact that you are in a very unique position, as we might say…." There was a sudden pause as the elderly man with a refined mustache took one glimpse at the light brown parchment in his hand before continuing, "As of four days ago, you were elected as the new Lord of the Hizuru empire instantaneously after you have joined the Princess, who is sitting right in front of us, in holy matrimony. Do you understand that we could not simply call on a verdict that could jeopardize the very global alliance we are establishing right now? Are you willing to thrust a whole empire and two feuding nations into another World War?"
Reiner took in a deep breath, before letting out a long exhale. "I understand. It is not my intention to worsen the already strained current state of affairs. I would only like to plea that whatever the verdict is for Eren Jeager, as it was very apparent imprisoning him would no longer be a viable option considering that he succeeded in escaping his solitary confinement before - I would like to humbly negotiate for his sentence to be merciful enough to give him a bit more time with his family."
The council member shook his head softly. "The late Queen Historia of Paradis strictly insisted in her last will that the father of her heir shall not be in any form of contact with the infant."
"If I - if you or anyone find themselves in his position where you know you'll be facing imminent death, wouldn't you want the remaining time you still have left to be spent with your own loved ones?"
Mikasa exchanged a mutual look of confusion with Armin from across the short distance between them.
"It appears that you have a change of heart, War Chief. Care to share with us your honest thoughts?"
Reiner took in another long, deep breath. "I am very sure you are aware that Mikasa Ackerman has been raised by the Jeager family as one of their own some time in the past."
All of the advisors nod together in acknowledgment.
Mikasa remained calm yet unsure how to respond to the words coming out of the lips belonging to the young man she involuntarily swore her life and death to, only several days ago.
He continued on, "The day I took my bride's hand in marriage was also the day Eren Jeager became family to me. I can't ask the Council to pardon Eren's crime, but it would give the princess of Hizuru a peace of mind if she is given ample time to say her farewell to someone she had cared for as a sibling."
The raven-haired royal heir sat still in a daze, as she took in all the words that came out of the young Marley War Chief's lips. His words couldn't be stretched even further from the truth.
Reiner's explanation was accepted with a contemplative nod in return. "We will take your plea into consideration, War Chief. Until then, the Council has gathered sufficient evidence to rule out the key verdicts from all of our witnesses' statements. The Council is adjourned and will resume tomorrow morning. We shall have our final verdicts and binding agreement of the alliance by then."
The occupants of the hall stood to accompany the council members' exit in respect. The only ones left behind were the higher-ups from Marley, the ambassador from Hizuru and the senior members of the Paradis military body.
Armin made a move to approach the front of the hall, where the witness seat was located. Presumably to offer a much-needed comfort to his childhood friend after a strenuous session of questioning. However, Mikasa was faster as her hurried steps shifted her closer to where the Marley entourage was sitting.
"How could you? You didn't even try to negotiate for a chance for Eren to defend himself. How dare you even call yourself family when you're practically shoving Eren to death?!" Her words were a struggle between a choked sigh and anger, catching everyone left off guard.
"Mikasa…." Armin began but Hange rested a hand on his shoulder, halting his words.
Yet Reiner remained calm as he looked at his seething young bride - so emotionally driven that she had somehow forgotten that she was publicly humiliating not only the War Chief of Marley but also her husband in front of their comrades and close friends. "Were you able to do the same thing earlier?"
"You're infuriating! Don't even start another fight you can't finish."
"Listen to your logic, do you even think they will spare Eren's life after everything?" There was a hopeless look in his amber eyes as he stared back at her disappointed face. There was a nagging phantom pain inside his chest yet he pushed it aside. "It's just a matter of how soon, Mikasa."
Mikasa wanted to rebut his words but even she was at a loss - she would never admit it out loud but Reiner was right and the obvious truth pained her.
Reiner swallowed the lump in his throat bitterly. "I understand that nothing will erase the anger that you have towards me and my people, but I am trying all that I can in my power to make it less hard for everyone, especially you. Will it make you happier if I'm also executed with Eren? Because that was what I was aiming for."
"Lady Mikasa, Lord Reiner...I believe everyone has heard more than they should." Kiyomi Azumabito intervened. "Maybe this conversation is best suited to be carried out further in private?"
There was a fit of obvious anger on Mikasa's face and she was very quick to oppose. "No. There is no need. I have nothing left to be kept hidden. Everybody here already knows my private affairs anyway since my right to live has been dictated by everyone but me."
Hange sent a sympathetic look at Mikasa's direction. It was very obvious to her that Mikasa was under duress and the stress that she had been repressing ever since she left for Hizuru had been taking its toll on her better judgment.
Kiyomi sighed. "Lady Mikasa, you are showing your disrespect towards your lord husband right now and it is not in everyone's best interest to carry on this conversation with your current state of mind." She really didn't want to have to reprimand the young princess like she was a small child, but she must not allow the young woman from displeasing their new lord. He only had her and their people's best interest in mind and in heart.
"Are you siding with him right now, Miss Kiyomi?"
Kiyomi's response was firm. "I am serving the lord of our country and our family."
"Mikasa's right, Lady Kiyomi," agreed Reiner, his eyes moved from the Azumabito family matriarch to the younger woman. "My bride has been through a lot for the past two weeks. A lot has happened, new changes - one thing after another. She hasn't been able to rest properly. I am the one at fault as I have been neglecting her well-being. If anything, I should be more understanding of her current situation." Even he wholeheartedly believe the lies that were coming out of his mouth, all the excuses he's making to justify Mikasa's stubbornness. He had already been yearning for the Mikasa he knew back at the farmhouse but he had the notion that something traumatized her after the barn exploded. Yet, he still couldn't pinpoint the exact reason why.
Both Connie and Armin looked at their old friend in something akin to admiration towards the tall blonde-haired shifter's maturity as Reiner politely steered the direction of the strained conversation in the most respectful and political way he could while Jean couldn't conceal the skeptical look on his face.
'The what?' One of Mikasa's eyebrows lifted in a mixture of both confusion and annoyance. 'Oh, suddenly he's the dutiful husband now?'
Kiyomi nodded, indeed the newlyweds weren't able to spend even a private time together since the morning after the wedding. "I strongly recommend you two to retire to the private chamber our host has graciously prepared for you both."
Mikasa shook her head before turning her body towards the main door of the hall. "That's not going to happen."
"Lady Mikasa," Kiyomi sternly called out to her. "That is not how you take your leave in front of your lord husband."
'Shit.' She had forgotten that Madam Kiyomi is with them at that moment. Mikasa's body stood straight and rigid before turning back, while Reiner was quick to dismiss Kiyomi's words. "There's no need, Lady Kiyomi. We're amongst close friends."
"With all due respect, My Lord, the Princess has learned our tradition and she should have been practicing it flawlessly without the need for constant reminders. Or else, what will she impart to your future heir, Lord Reiner? Am I wrong, Your Highness?" The older Azumabito woman turned a sharp gaze at her kin's direction.
A disrespect to your Lord husband would implicate poorly on his honor and authority. You shall not disrespect your lord husband in any way, even more so in the public eye.
Shiori-han made sure those words were drilled inside her brain over and over again before she left Hizuru.
She mustered up her usual mask of indifference even though she was already seething silently from the inside. Armin, Connie, Jean, and the Commander did not need to witness this, as she begrudgingly made her way back to the tall Titan shifter.
"My Lord," greeted Mikasa, sarcastically, followed by a bow. "May I excuse myself now?"
His lips tightened into a thin line. "You may. Excuse us, everyone. My bride and I could use some alone time," said Reiner which earned him a hearty, understanding chuckle from the older folks, as opposed to the nervous looks from his former comrades. It didn't escape Reiner's perceptive observation that his old friends, especially Jean weren't too keen on seeing how he took the liberty to proclaim Mikasa's status to everyone and how he was whisking her away from the hall.
'He did not just say that!' Mikasa bit her lip in frustration yet she couldn't force herself to fight back the hand that nudged her none too gently towards the door.
As soon as they both disappeared behind the closed door, Kiyomi exchanged a knowing smile with the only other woman in the hall. "Newlyweds." Hange nodded and rested her hands on Jean and Armin's shoulders, assuring them. "She'll be fine, boys."
Jean looked back to his commander. "Commander, you do remember that this is the very same person who you almost killed five years ago?"
Hange let out a loud, good-natured laugh. "Hah, good old times, Jean. Commander Magath, would you and your team like to join us for drinks at my office? And we are definitely not going to break out the wines from Marley this time around."
Armin placed a palm on his face. Too soon, Commander.
But much to their surprise, Hange's humor was greeted with a burst of loud laughter from the Marley commander and even a smile from the Jaw Titan holder.
They were certainly making major progress indeed after all hell and deaths that had happened between their two nations.
XoXoX
Their steps were inadvertently in sync with each other as they walked down the hallways of the main administration office as soon as they exited the conference hall. The soles of their boots tapped unhurriedly against the polished marble floor.
"What are you doing? Do you realize that you're giving everyone the wrong message?" Mikasa hissed under her breath, as she stopped short right before they reached the main entrance to the building for an exit. She was obviously referring to his earlier insinuation.
Reiner pulled her aside into a secluded hallway and spoke in a hushed tone. If she's giving him the cold stranger treatment then he'll give her what she wants. "After the blundering stunt you just pulled inside the hall, a simple thank you would suffice for the effort that I took to prevent you from making a bigger fool of yourself, Ackerman."
"Thank you?? You're the one who's giving everyone a questionable explanation."
"Really? Now that the secret's out, everyone knows that we just got married four days ago AND, we just ended a war. I'm a man and you're my wife. Everyone's an adult. All of them can put two and two together."
Mikasa covered her face with a hand and sighed. "Oh, God….." A tinge of blush began to creep up her porcelain cheeks.
Reiner shrugged with a questionable smirk on his face. "Unless we can just stop beating around the bush and just tell people that 'Excuse us but we must make haste in producing an heir for the Hizuru empire and in order for us to do that, we must have sex. A lot of sex immediately-"
"Oh my God...shhhhh!" Mikasa lunged towards the older Titan shifter and pressed him hard against the wall behind him. Her right index finger shot up to seal his mouth shut.
It was very unfortunate that at the same time, two military personnel walked by to exit the building and five more walked in, causing Reiner and Mikasa to fluster in embarrassment, much to the soldiers' amusement of having incidentally passed by a rather private exchange between the newlyweds.
"War Chief, Princess," greeted one of the Marley soldiers who were made aware of the current state of their relationship, followed by a respectful salute by the Survey Corps members.
Reiner nodded - with Mikasa's finger still tightly latched against his lips - to acknowledge the greeting salutes given to him by the soldiers. From the friendly nature of their conversation, it was apparent that the Survey Corps members were playing the kind host by giving their guests from across the seas a tour of their vicinity.
Never would they ever imagined that they would be alive to witness such a small but significant sight in history.
The troupe then walked away, but not without a meaningful smile on their faces.
Reiner looked down at the way her other hand pressed flat against his own chest, her warmth could be felt even through the thick fabric of his military attire. He took in a deep breath, relishing in her touches. It was inappropriate of him to even entertain such thoughts at that moment yet he liked the softness of her lone digit against his thin lips. A simple touch of her skin against his was enough to initiate all kinds of desire a man could ever know and especially when his own had been lying dormant and forgotten for a very long time due to his overbearing guilt.
It was critical. Any seconds longer, he'd be eating out of the palm of her hand. Both figuratively and literally.
He is still a man after all.
He teased her mercilessly to break the tension between them. "And you claimed that I'm the one who's giving everyone the wrong idea?"
As if she was scalded with hot water, there was a look of sheer horror on Mikasa's face before she took her hands away and shifted back in more steps than it was necessary to place a comfortable distance between them.
Reiner crossed his arms and pretended to be unaffected by her sudden response. "Don't flatter yourself, Ackerman. I'll never desire you in that way. I'm a good actor, remember?" His amber eyes gazed sharply into her face, the muscles of his lower jaw tightened. His own conscience was snickering at the hypocritical proclamation.
"Jerk-" Mikasa squinted her eyes and grumbled under her breath. Annoyed she was with the Titan shifter, yet it felt so eerily familiar. Like a fleeting moment that was disregarded as quick as it appeared in the past.
"What was that?"
"You do realize that the council straight up questioned your loyalty right in front of everyone and that is not helpful to our current situation."
Mikasa steered her gaze away, afraid that if she looked directly into his eyes, her resolve would crumble straight into an irreversible weakness.
Nevertheless, he continued, "Until we step foot in Marley, we need to put up a united front and for the sake of our people, I need us to convince everyone that our union is the right choice. So please. If it means that we have to declare out loud again and again to the whole world that we are accepting each other, that we can move forward and find 'happiness' together, even after all this war between us, then so be it."
She looked up at him, yet her lips remained shut.
Upon realizing that he would not be getting any verbal response from her, Reiner let out a long breath. "I'm not asking you to pretend that you're suddenly crazy about me, let alone putting up a loving act as my wife. I can't ask you for that favor. I know where I stand in your life but if it's not too much, could I ask if we could have a more civil interaction with each other from here onwards at least in front of everyone? It'll be more than enough. Can we do that together?"
Dejected, Mikasa responded with a weak nod of her head. She knew of the sacrifices she has made and will be making the moment she agreed to the arranged union. No one told her that she would like any part of it.
His voice was a tormented crack as the incident that took place on their wedding night suddenly came back to him in a painful reminiscence. He truly meant every single word he said that night despite his frantic state of mind. "You of all people should realize by now that if I could switch places with Eren right now, I would do it in a heartbeat. Because that would make you happy, right?"
No.
Yet that word remained jammed inside her throat.
"Why would it matter to you whether I'm happy or not?"
"My people demand it."
Duty. They were nothing more than a duty to each other.
When she mustered up the courage to look back at his face, there was only a faraway, hurting gaze in his eyes - like again, he was lost in the looming cloud of self-depreciation that had never left. Just like he did the first night he became her consort.
'What is going on inside your mind, Reiner?'
They have finally received the answers to their burning questions when it comes to his initial betrayal. Still, she felt like more new questions arose - more than she was mentally prepared to face - left to be addressed.
They continued their walk towards the entrance of the administration building and parted ways wordlessly - him towards the guest room and her towards the barracks, back to where her previous dwelling was. It didn't matter if she had no more personal keepsakes there, she was home.
She just wanted to be alone.
On a second thought…….
She switched her directions and headed towards the memorial site instead, oblivious to a pair of light brown eyes who was watching her from the building's main arch.
XoXoX
A clattering sound jolted her body up in an unexpected awakening. She tried to look for the source of the intrusion and failed the moment the bright lights hit her tunnel vision. She took in several deep breaths, willing her body to relax and slowly adjusting to her environment.
Pieck opened her eyes again, only to be welcomed by a white surface - the ceiling, it seemed to be. She gathered all her strength before turning her body to the side and pushed herself up against the lumpy bed by using her hands. Her form was a bit jittery yet it wasn't something she was not accustomed to after a long battle. She gritted her teeth the moment the tips of her toes touched the cool floors - she could never get used to the pin-prickling sensation that follows the moment her legs began to work again. Her skin felt like she was stabbed by a hundred needles, signifying that her blood flow had begun to circulate throughout her whole system again and she tried to soothe her limbs by wiggling her toes while taking in her surroundings. The white-washed walls, linen curtains of the same color to white storage cabinets and the unmistakable smell of bleach and sterilized equipment helped her conclude that she was in a hospital or a medical center.
The last thing she remembered was shooting the back of the Beast Titan's nape and finding some satisfaction the moment she saw Zeke's real body dropped down from his Titan form.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted a pair of wooden crutches resting against the metal frame at the foot of the bed. It brought a tiny smile on her face. It must have definitely been Porco who left them there for her.
Another sound of clattering, followed by a clank of an object hitting the floor once again stole her attention. Her head instantaneously looked upwards between the railings of the pristine white curtains separating the occupants inside the room. It must have been the patient next to her.
She shifted her body and reached out to the crutches, taking them in each hand. Slowly and surely she used the lower end of the walking aid as a leverage to push her petite form up and rested her upper arms on the wooden handles. She took small steps forward and pushed the curtain of her own cubicle aside. After a while, she successfully reached her intended destination - her neighbor inside that room. The cubicle's curtain was only shut halfway, therefore she could perceive a body bending downwards and a bandaged hand desperately reaching out towards the scattered items on the floor - a wooden cup, a feather quill and a journal made of sandalwood paper.
She never hesitated to offer a helping hand. "Please, let me help you, Sir." She released one of the crutches and picked up the items as quickly as possible and replaced them back at their original positions.
"Thank you……" The patient said, weakly in return.
Pieck shook her head as she picked up the drinking cup. "It's no trouble at all." She almost gasped when she saw the face of the man lying on the bed in front of her. Even with the bandage around his hand, torso and half of his face, she could still recognize the raven-haired man with the deadly face and incomparable titan-killing skills.
"Captain Ackerman."
His only visible eye too widened upon hearing his name being called out by someone in a very unfamiliar way.
The Cart Titan girl.
"You are….."
"I'm Pieck." She offered the information. Fully aware of the fact that they both never had a proper formal introduction with each other before this. "How are you feeling, Captain?"
Levi inhaled a long breath and responded. "Like shit."
Pieck snorted before breaking into a peal of small laughter. She quickly covered her mouth and uttered a simple sorry for the unintentional disrespect. However, instead of receiving another sarcastic quip or a deathly stare from the infamous military veteran, she looked back at him and only saw the end of his lips curving slightly into a subtle smile.
Levi tried to reach out for the wooden pitcher but Pieck was quicker to offer her assistance.
That cup had been on the floor, unwashed or sanitized and who knows how many germs are there on its surface but then, he has learned that receiving help is not a sign of weakness or detrimental to his health nor character. Not washing the cup will not kill him this time.
However, much to his surprise, he saw the way she took the cup to the nearest faucet and basin, rinsed it and not before using a clean napkin to wipe it dry. He watched with silent interest as the younger girl poured some water into the now clean drinking cup and offered it to him.
Never was he ever more grateful for a simple cup of water from a stranger.
Not out of the awkwardness of the silence between them, Pieck wanted to excuse herself for Captain Ackerman's own comfort. They are still enemies until the alliance has been fortified on official paper and print. Pieck knew how much the last male of the Ackerman clan felt about Zeke and Marley in general. But then again, Pieck shared the same deceitful feeling nevertheless.
Levi cleared his throat. "If it's alright, stay. I've been cooped up in this room for God knows how long, I would kill for a conversation."
The young Marleyan girl nodded, his pun never escaped her observation and settled on a chair next to her, her crutches leaning against the wall behind her. The late afternoon breeze billowed gently through the cracks of the open windowpane. The gentle light from the sun gave her a better view of the infamous military veteran from Paradis.
She had heard from Reiner that Captain Levi Ackerman was a man in his late thirties or early forties but she was very sure, up close and personal - he does not look a day over 30 at all. The last time they were in the same space together, it was right before Zeke pulled the trigger to the explosives and blew up the whole farmhouse. Pieck was quick to shift but she wasn't fast enough to shield the Captain of the Survey Corps with her Titan form. She wasn't sure to what extent was his losses, but she felt compelled to apologize.
She should've been faster.
She sent him a solemn look from across the short distance between. "Captain Ackerman, I just want to apologize-."
"Stop."
He took in her slightly slumping form with one half of his available vision. "I'm still alive because of you, girl."
He didn't need her sorry and she didn't need his thank you.
Despite the huge differences in their years of military experience, they both understood well how meaningless apologies and gratitude would be in a war. Both sides have suffered unimaginable losses.
"Tell me what happened to the Jeagers after the explosion, if you don't mind."
He is a titan killer and yet here he was, sitting and having a casual conversation with an enemy titan shifter. Especially if the said shifter was also the one responsible in robbing him of the opportunity to deliver Zeke's death blow in Shinganshina five years ago.
Yet, she never hesitated to protect him and Hange inside that barn even when she could've chosen not to intervene.
His life would have ended not once but two times on the same day if it wasn't for the help from this girl and her comrades.
XoXoX
As soon as the evening rolled in, the elders and representatives of Hizuru, Marley as well as Paradis were gathered inside Hange's office room, winding down and exchanging pleasantries amidst the negotiation of peace among the three main powers in presence. It was safe to say that no wine or any forms of alcohol was served between them but only tea, along with coffee - a gift from the Marley delegates to the commanders of Paradis, a delicacy that the dwellers within the walls have never had the privilege to experience yet.
"So Commander Magath," Hange could be heard conversing with the top brass from Marley and Hizuru. "Are you saying that our countries belong on the same continent? Are there other continents then? Have you been there?" The brown-haired leader of the Survey Corps couldn't contain her excitement as Nile, Pixis and a recovering Shadis were listening intently to the conversation with Commander Magath from Marley, who was more than happy to share the knowledge of the world with their host.
Reiner, who was standing next to his superior could only pretend that he was as invested in the discussion but his mind was obviously not present with the rest. He excused himself to the nearest open window and fished out a pack of cigarettes from the side pocket of his overcoat.
"I swore if you pull a smoke in front of my face seven years ago, I would've given you an ass whooping on the dot." A low, gruff voice from behind him caused Reiner to pause his action as he turned his head around to see none other than his former instructor. There was a small smile on his face when he saluted to Keith Shadis. "That you would have, Sir." He offered the pack to the older man, who hesitated at first but gave in and took a stick in the end.
"Yet, here we are." Shadis lit his cigarette with the light from Reiner's match and took a puff. He was the only one who noticed the absence of consciousness on his former trainee's face. There was a comfortable silence before he exhaled a long drawl of smoke and said, "I always knew there was something different about you the first day I met you three kids. You, Hoover and Leonhardt were exceptionally strong for normal recruits."
"We never meant to hurt or deceive anyone. We were only following orders, Commander."
"You are just kids. Young soldiers who were trained to carry your mission till the end. That doesn't make us any better than your government. Paradis is no different than Marley."
"If only there was any other way….."
"Look at your commanders. Would you ever imagined that one day, we will be here, standing in the same room, talking without hurting each other?"
Reiner looked back at his former and current superiors who were engrossed in a very pleasant conversation about the rest of the world, exchanging knowledge about science and innovations.
Shadis continued, "There's so much we don't know but we are now learning because of you."
"I've killed innocent people…." Like Marco.
"We all have blood on our hands, Braun because it was needed from us even when it was for the wrong reasons. We think that we do not deserve to keep on living but until we have served our purpose in life - the God of Death will not be gracing us with his presence as yet. You, me, Jeager and everyone else." Shadis directed his gaze to the door of the holding room the moment the group consisted of what was left of his 104th batch recruits came in - Arlert, Kirschtein, Springer, and Ackerman. "And I believe your purpose just walked through that door."
Reiner followed his line of vision and looked confused.
Shadis gave him a fatherly smile in return. "Who would have thought that one day, I would find out that my top two trainees are now married to each other?"
He shook his head. "It wasn't what we both wanted." The uncertainty was very apparent in his tone.
"But maybe that is what everyone needed. Mayhap the role you were destined to carry the moment you were born into this world is far from done yet." Shadis drawled his last puff of smoke and snuffed the cigarette butt on the ashtray sitting on the window sill. He patted the younger man's shoulder in a reassuring manner, right before he withdrew himself to rejoin the rest of the elders. He remained in his solitude, afraid that he would feel even more out of place than ever.
Yet his solitude didn't last long as another voice piped in.
"May I join you?" asked the newcomer.
He shrugged, nevertheless lifted his hand to welcome the next person who would still want to converse with him after all he has done.
He turned his head to his right and realized it was Jean, the recruit who had grown so much from the young boy he used to know. The young boy who has never made his feelings for his wife a secret and he forced himself to put up a facade just like he used to do when they were still recruits.
"I'm not going to take much of your time but…" Jean paused to gather his next words. "Please take good care of her," he pleaded with his former comrade.
He had no time or the energy to start a debate yet he couldn't help it. "It depends. Will you let her go?"
Jean appeared to be taken aback by his words. "She will always be my friend and I will never stop caring about her but we were never together. You shouldn't be worrying about something that was never there."
There was a pause as he took another puff of the stick in his hand. "I've seen the way you look at her, Jean. How you're looking at her now is the same as how it used to be back then. Besides, I know very well that I don't deserve her."
"No one does. Not even Eren."
There was a short silence before they both erupted into a burst of small laughter upon realizing the irony of the situation.
After taking a deep breath Jean regained his seriousness from before. "But I would die for that woman, Reiner. I would kill for her happiness."
"I know." Reiner nodded, snuffing his cigarette on the same ashtray next to him.
At first, Jean had issues upon realizing who Mikasa's arranged husband was but after a while, he came to understand that Reiner was and had always been a person with a good heart. Even good people will do bad things when they were desperate. As much as he wouldn't want to admit it out loud, even though he personally believed that Reiner (or even anyone) doesn't deserve Mikasa but maybe there is a reason why their destinies would be intertwined again in this way.
"Mr. Braun!!" A small voice could be heard coming from the main door, catching their attention away from their conversation.
A young boy with dirty blonde hair came running through the door and headed straight for the Marley War Chief. Jean remembered that it was the young boy that they had tried to save at Niccolo's eatery from way before. There was no doubt that the kid was very close to Reiner, could be family even - evident from the way he hugged the shifter.
Reiner heaved a sigh of relief the moment he ruffled the top of young Falco's head. "I'm so glad that you're alright."
Jean perceived the two new guests who had just walked in through the door - the Jaw Titan holder followed by another young man of Oriental descent. The latter bowed down as they stopped in front of him and Reiner.
"Lord Reiner, please accept my apologies. The children persisted that I bring them along with me. I- I couldn't really say no." Lord Takeshi uttered sheepishly and received a deep laugh from both the Marley shifters in return.
At that moment, Reiner learned that just like him, Lord Takeshi's weakness happened to be in the form of children. "I hope both kids haven't been giving you any troubles, Lord Takeshi." It wasn't a surprise to him that Falco and Gabi could even get a noble and high-ranking military leader bent to their will with their hard-headed persistence.
"No, My Lord. They were a bit shaken when they got on board the ship. Otherwise, they have been very well-behaved. Although we had to store all the firearms under lock and key so that your little cousin couldn't get a hold of one."
Porco shrugged. "That's Gabi for you."
Reiner looked down at the boy in his hold. "Falco, where's Gabi?"
The young boy pointed his index finger towards the direction across the room where they could see Gabi who was already enveloping the royal heir in a tight embrace.
Porco snickered. "Seems like your cousin has ditched you for your wife."
Falco looked surprised the moment he heard Galliard's exclamation.
"Wife? When did you get married, Mr. Braun?" asked Falco with obvious confusion on his innocent face.
"It's a long story, Falco. I will tell you and Gabi about it." Reiner answered yet he didn't stop Falco when the little boy took his hand and lead him to where his little cousin was standing.
He could hear the bits and pieces of conversation between his cousin and his bride, the closer he got to where they were.
"I'm really grateful that you and your friend are safe," said Mikasa with Gabi still being held tight in her arms.
The little dark-haired girl nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Ackerman. I should return this to you." She began to undo the crimson-colored wrap around her neck, to which she was stopped by the older woman.
"I'd like you to have it." Mikasa adjusted the wrap again so it fits snugly around the girl's neck, just like the way Eren did it to her that night when they met for the first time. She received another big smile in return.
"I would take good care of it. Thank you, Ms. Ackerman."
Reiner cleared his throat and gushed, "I see you two have met."
Gabi lunged at Reiner and gave him a hug. "Reiner!!! I'm so glad you're safe."
Reiner nodded, sending a soft look towards his young cousin as he assured both Gabi as well as Falco that their families back in Marley was safe, alive and unharmed from the recent attack. Even when listening to Gabi and Falco's story about their time in the Island, he never took his eyes off of Mikasa.
He saw the way she excused herself to be on her own, stepping out to the open doors heading towards the balcony of the holding room for much-needed air and space. He knew what was running through her mind and he understood well how it must have felt for her - to be surrounded by people who wouldn't be mulling over Eren's time and day of execution, or how many more hours he might have left when that would be the only thing that robs her of her sleep and peace.
He knew he should have been the one who gave her a warm drink to soothe her nerves, not Connie.
He knew he should have been the one who draped a coat to keep her warm, not Armin.
He knew he should have been the one to say something reassuring that could make the corners of her lips lifted up in a shy smile, not Jean.
And yet he knew he didn't earn the right to be standing next to her, caring for her the way her close friends do.
He was nothing to her.
Gabi blurted out, "Hey Reiner, why are you looking so weirdly at Ms. Ackerman?"
Her question made his eyes widened like he was a deer caught in headlights and he stammered for a reply, "Well, Gabi ... a lot has happened when you and Falco were here."
However, the good-natured Falco pulled Gabi closer and whispered - or tried to - with nothing but innocence, offered a much-needed answer, "She's Mr. Braun's wife and sometimes husbands give their wives weird looks, Gabi."
"Yeah like he wants to 'eat' her up," snickered Galliard unabashedly before lifting his hands up in mock surrender, hinting that Reiner should've explained the whole situation more thoroughly to the kids before looking like a wounded domesticated animal yearning for its owner's tender loving care. Reiner could silently hope that the earlier innuendo implied by the other shifter would go unnoticed by the children.
"Wait, you're married to Ms. Ackerman? Seriously?!" Gabi's jaw dropped open.
Galliard, with another improper quip, decided to toss him into the fire by saying, "Wait till she finds out about the baby."
Gabi screamed in response, much to his horror. "SHUT UP. MS. ACKERMAN IS HAVING YOUR BABY ALREADY???!!"
Everybody froze and the whole room went silent. He swore he could hear a pin drop somewhere in the middle of the room the moment all eyes began to fixate on him. Including Mikasa's.
'Fuck you to the seven hells, Galliard.'
The moment he saw his fuming young wife striding across the room towards his direction, he knew he was a dead man.
However, before Mikasa could even say anything to clarify the misunderstanding, Gabi was already crying as she wrapped her arms around Mikasa's body. "I'm so glad to know that you won't be alone anymore, Reiner. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy." Ms. Ackerman was the kindest, most forgiving person she has ever met. No one would have been a better match for Reiner!
He sent her a helpless look, silently pleading her to rectify or deny another time.
Mikasa wasn't having another lie. It had only been a few days after the wedding. It was impossible in every single way even if they did consummate their marriage (which they didn't) the very first night itself. "Gabi, it's-"
"I can't wait to see you, little one." The young girl was already comforting and pledging towards her belly. "I promise I will protect you."
The raven-haired princess of the East Sea empire could only rub his cousin's back gently without a word. While the tender feeling Mikasa was experiencing in her chest only reminded her how much she always wanted to hold her family - a cousin, a sister or a daughter - in whatever form she could have it in, to share her happiness with, her sadness, her everything.
She could be angry at the inadvertent lie.
Her eyes darted back to Reiner who was standing with a burning face in front of her.
She chose to be grateful instead.
They will have a lot of time to explain the truth later. Hope was scarce and if a farfetched lie could help these kids forget the horrors inflicted by the war, then she could let it slide for a while.
Meanwhile, Connie was whispering to Armin and Jean, "Wow, Reiner works fast!"
Armin let out a nervous laugh. "I don't think the kids realised that they've only been here 2 weeks and not 2 months. Unless..."
They both looked at Jean together.
Jean squinted his eyes in irritation. "What the fuck, guys?? That's not cool. We've never even- wait why should I even explain myself?"
Connie had a curious look upon his face. "But then again, Titan shifters can heal faster than regular people, maybe it's not impossible that she's already with Reiner's kid. Mikasa is also an Ackerman. Their unborn spawn could be a superhuman."
Armin covered his face with his hands. "Can we please stop discussing about this? It's making me uncomfortable..."
Jean smacked the back of Connie's head gently. "Thanks for the mental image and Armin, you know that Mikasa would make an amazing mother one day. Just give Reiner a chance."
XoXoX
A/N: I hope this chapter fills the long void I've unintentionally left through the previous chapter. I apologize for some parts that might be a bit OOC for some of the characters but I hope it still fits into the universe that I have created. Do share your thoughts and comments below or feel free to say hi on my Tumblr page :) Thank you for reading!
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There was a solemn look on the Attack Titan holder's face as he confessed, " I lied when I said I've always hated you, Mikasa. Just know that I have nothing but love-"
Armin stopped him. "Eren, don't you dare hurt her with your words again. She doesn't need to hear any more lies from you."
Eren pleaded, "Please listen before I go. I'm sorry I couldn't love you the way you needed me to."
Mikasa shook her head, again with her tears trickling down her cheeks. She wasn't supposed to break down in front of her friends and everyone present at the execution. Yet, a warm, steady hand against her back gave her the courage to look back at her childhood friend, brother and unfulfilled love.
She turned her head to the side to see the face of the Armored Titan holder giving her the gentlest of smiles and the courage for her to seize her closure. "You were what I desired, Eren but I have found what I truly needed."
