A/N: As written before, chapter nine is originally the second part of the previous chapter that was broken into two. The writing muse for this chapter was inspired by SnK Season 3's Symphonicsuite (Aot) Part2-6th: Thanksat by Hiroyuki Sawano and Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up . As usual, happy reading do share your favorite moments below.
As You Are
Chapter Nine
I Won't Give Up
Beyond Wall Maria
Southern Coast of Paradis
The open fields overlooking the ocean had been unanimously chosen by the representatives of the alliance as the grounds for both the execution of the tri-titan holder and the forced release of the crystallized Female Titan shifter, Annie Leonhardt, although the latter had already been done without his intention the moment he initiated the Rumbling using the Founder Ymir's will. The sunny weather, the windy calmness and the gleeful chirping of the sea birds contradicted the nature of the event that was about to take place.
Eren had also expressed his final request of having his last moments on top of the hill overlooking the vast sea and humbly plead to see his own child for the first and the last time - even from afar - to which the council half heartedly agreed to. Even then, the Council had been responding with nothing short of reluctance until came the persistent plea through a vouch of confidence from Marley's War Chief. Reiner took a risk and vowed to take full and adamant responsibility, placing his own life at stake should Eren intercepted his own execution, much to Magath and Kiyomi's concern.
The moment Eren Jeager was escorted from the carriage transporting him from his last detainment, all in attendance stopped their conversation as they eyed the titan shifter warily. With less than thirty notable individuals in attendance, the execution was meant to be a private circumstance with only the higher ranking officials from members of the Paradis-Liberio axis and the overseers as witnesses.
Anka, whose presence was required as the temporary caretaker to the heir of Paradis' throne, held the infant tightly in her arms. She was very, very sure that the Queen's last words specifically mentioned that Eren Jeager was not allowed near the child, let alone touching it. Yet Commander Hange rested a comforting hand on the Garrison officer's shoulder, assuring her that the Council decided to grant one last compassionate request from their war criminal. The auburn-haired officer sent a concerned look at Mikasa who only gave the said woman a nod to ease her concerns in return. Therefore, Anka gradually calmed herself enough the moment Eren approached her and gently kiss the top of Ymir's tiny head - the only part of her visible from the snug wrap that kept her warm. Eren's eyes were closed with unspeakable peace on his face. Mikasa felt a tender pull happening inside her chest the moment she witnessed Eren's gentleness, even more so from the way he was savoring the only chance he ever had to touch his own child by inhaling the sweet scent from the wisps of Ymir's thin hair - those of the same color as her father's.
After a respectful amount of minutes, Hange cleared her throat and reminded, "It's time, Eren."
Nodding, Eren turned his head towards his former immediate superior and begged, "Please take good care of her and love her as you would your own, Captain." Levi, who had been amongst the attending higher military officials in presence, coolly nodded to respect the young father's wish.
However, the moment Eren passed by the front row of witnesses, his steps approaching the execution spot were halted unexpectedly. There was a solemn look on the Attack Titan holder's face as he blurted out an unwarranted confession. "I lied when I said I've always hated you, Mikasa. Just know that I have nothing but love-"
Armin stopped his words dead in its tracks. Whatever Eren needed to get off his chest should've been done the night before. "Eren, don't you dare hurt her with your words again. She doesn't need to hear any more lies from you."
Eren insisted, "Please listen before I go, Mikasa, I am very sorry I couldn't love you the way you needed me to."
Levi stepped in next to his kin using the walking aid under his arm and snapped dangerously, "Jeager, stop." Despite his recovering injuries, he had no qualms in smacking the brat even right before the younger man's execution. The young heir to one of the most powerful empires in the world did not emit even the slightest reaction upon her superior's intervention.
The Attack Titan holder nodded dejectedly towards his former superior though he didn't heed the older man's warning. He was not going to bring any more future knowledge to the grave with him. "You're always my family, Mikasa. And also…..," there was a slow intake of breath in between before he continued, "because the girl that I saved from the kidnappers ten years ago was never meant to be with me."
Her heartbeat increased rapidly, thundering in her ears with a deafening throb and drowning out all the other sounds surrounding her form. She could sense the beginnings of manic hyperventilation. She always had everything under a calm reign even in the eyes of an impending disaster
Why must he say it now? Why won't he just keep his words to himself? Why must it be her feelings that he kills every time he wants to keep his conscience clean?
Mikasa shook her head, again with her tears trickling down her cheeks, struggling to breathe in the air that couldn't seem to flow inside her lungs. Her body began to shake in a mild though unstable rhythm. She wasn't supposed to break down in front of her friends and everyone present at the execution.
She can't do this again.
"-can't do this. I can't…." Her pleading words were strained, low and hurting the moment they left her trembling lips as she fought to breathe in the ironically calm ocean breeze. Dark spots began to cloud her vision and she strained to stop herself from falling down the dark hole in the back of her mind.
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. In the reflection of the engulfing morning sun, her eyes saw a fleeting vision of the light embracing the taller man standing next to her - like the brightest star in her darkest night - clearing away the metaphorical blemishes. Her eyes blinked several times in disbelief before his deep voice pulled her back from her wandering thoughts, reminding her of where she was at that moment. "Breath, Mikasa…." Reiner's voice was a low, bolstering gesture that accompanied the simplest of his touch.
A deep breath that she had been holding in escaped her lips in a calm exhale. "I kept on denying it but maybe you're right. You were what I desired, Eren but I might have found what I truly needed."
Pieck, who was also in attendance amongst the Marley unit, reveled upon the shared sentimental moment between the newlyweds in silence. No matter how much Reiner and the Hizuru princess tried so hard to avoid from emoting their feelings in the public eye, it was fairly obvious at least to her that both of them had at least warm up to each other despite the existing hostility between them.
On the other hand, the corners of Eren's lips curved into a serene, knowing smile of his own. "That you have. Everything is happening the way it has always meant to be for you." And him.
Reiner didn't miss Eren's gaze when their eyes locked from across the vast, empty space between them. As if he knew something that no one else did.
The raven-haired royalty shook her head in further confusion. "Eren, you're not making any sense-"
Hange sternly reminded the two childhood friends of the time-sensitive event at hand. "It's time."
Eren nodded. "Thank you for everything." He was escorted to the extraction point with his hands remained in cuffs and stood calmly to wait for the inevitable.
Porco, who had been entrusted with the primary task of execution and taking the Titan powers that Eren held, unsheathed the blade tucked between his belt and began to make a small cut against his palm but to no avail, there was no spark to signify an impending transformation. "Something's not right."
"What happened, Galliard?" Commander Theo Magath approached the Jaw Titan holder and asked as the latter's hand turned into a bloody mess of cuts but failed to trigger a transformation.
The blonde-haired Jaw shifter shook his head in sheer puzzlement. "It's weird. I'm not shifting."
Reiner stepped forward to move closer to the edge of the hill and in the process ensuring that he was a safe distance away from all in presence, proceeded to lift Masamune's hilt and sliced his own thumb with the steel blade.
It bled with the intent to shift but there was no longer the transdimensional heed to the Paths and there was no steam on the fresh cut. There was only regular crimson fluid pulsating out from his finger.
He shook his head back to everyone in doubt.
Hange's eyes and mouth widened as she exchanged confused looks with Levi who was standing next to her. "Eren did it then. There are no more Titan powers. I couldn't believe it. It definitely changes everything."
The lead advisor, much to the other council members' surprise, persisted as he exclaimed, "It does not. Call forth your shooters, Supreme General." He sent a fearful look towards Dot Pixis' direction. "The execution must go on."
"No. Hold on for a minute!!" Mikasa cried out in a feeble attempt to halt the proceedings.
"Your Highness," remarked the lead advisor sternly, "I believe you are well aware that obstruction of justice is a treason and regardless of your stature, you will not be exempted from incarcera--" His words were cut dead in its tracks the moment a tall, domineering figure stepped in front of him. The towering, intimidating form belonging to the War Chief of Marley looked down on the now frail, jittery form of the Council's head. Cold sweats began to perspire in nervousness as he tried to fight back the icy, condescending stare from the younger Eldian man.
Reiner's voice was a deep warning growl the moment his hand rested against Masamune's sheath. "I'd appreciate it if you watch the tone that you are using with the princess. I would not allow anyone to disrespect my bride nor would I allow anyone to threaten her, even more so in my presence."
The woman in subject swore there was a small, unexpected thump inside her chest the moment she witnessed the way Reiner defended her in front of the mousy old man's face, literally. Mikasa felt warmth creeping up her cheeks unhurriedly, coloring her porcelain skin with the most untimely shade of crimson as their eyes clashed in that instance.
The intensity in Reiner's gaze elicited an unexplainable prickling deep within her belly as if she had a bunch of pins and needles shoved inside her and all were pressing deep against her skin in a subtly pleasant kind of way. What was that? Mikasa suddenly found herself struggling to retain the air that she breathed as she placed a hand to calm the raging heart within her chest.
Reiner looked back at the shorter, older man in front of him and strictly proceeded with further caution. "-- and need not I remind you of your role, Your Excellency. You are here as an overseer and until we have placed our initials on that parchment, the verdict is not final."
The cowering old man was at a loss for words. He couldn't believe that this young man was the same desolate soldier from yesterday and apparently a jab at the young Hizuru princess's honor was all it took to trigger the intimidating side of the Armored Titan shifter from Marley. Now, he finally understood the source of hearsay amongst Marley's enemies in the mid-east region of the terrifying Eldian tank from the slums of Liberio.
Fortunately for him, his fellow council members aided to remedy the situation by apologizing for his lowly blunder. Alden Viktor, the same well-intentioned advisor - the elderly man with a refined mustache - from yesterday, lowered himself into a bow. "We apologize on behalf of the council, young Lord of Hizuru. Please forgive our leader's apparent error though it was anything but intentional on his part. We have the utmost respect to the Lord and Lady of the greatest empire in the East Sea. Although, we would eventually have to address this new development. We can all agree that Eren Jeager is too dangerous to remain in either here or Marley if he is not facing immediate termination."
Reiner nodded his head in agreement before suggesting the unexpected. "Therefore, the only logical outcome is for him to be sentenced to a lifetime of banishment to Hizuru. It will be just and ideal for him to be under the Hizuru government's custody."
He received several oppositions at first yet he remained objective. "I have known Eren Jeager since we were young recruits -- we were brothers-in-arms and now, in a sense, family. Without the power of the Titans, us, the shifters are the same as everyone else. Eren was a threat before he turned the tide of battle. However, right now, we could safely say that he may no longer be able to utilize the Founder's powers to influence the transience of time or memories."
To his surprise, his prompt recommendation received no objection in return as all of the military commanders in attendance nodded their heads, slowly but surely they did.
However, Viktor mused, his concern apparent on another vital point. "What about the late Queen's demands? Surely having the father to the infant princess on the same land would endanger the princess' safety?"
Hange, being the only official present who had notarized the Queen's will during her last moments, proceeded to share her thought. "Pardon, gentlemen. I do recall the will of the late Queen which specifically mentioned that Eren Jeager must be stopped at all costs. Even so, she did not prohibit the father from having any contact with their daughter, considering at that point the Titan powers are still in existence."
Pixis, the newly-appointed Supreme General, voiced out his support for the notion. "Eren Jeager will remain in lifetime imprisonment and Captain Levi would still be the designated guardian of the child. However, whether the child gets to know about her father will depend on Eren's behavior and risk. What do you think of this, Captain?"
All eyes turned towards Paradis' infamous Humanity's Strongest Soldier, waiting for his response. Levi, who sent a firmly resolved glare at his former subordinate using the only good eye he still has left, inevitably gave a single nod while exchanging a concerned look with his longtime comrade. Hange only gave him a 'trust me' look in return.
"Tch, I have no other option then. If he endangers anyone, my words stayed true. I will end him without any further negotiations." It seemed like he would still have to uphold the promise he had made publicly during Eren's Court-martial five years ago.
Great, now he'll have to babysit both father and daughter.
Viktor's head nodded upon receiving the assurance as soon as he perceived the vote of confidence given from both the Supreme General of Paradis and the young Lord of Hizuru. "We must make haste for the amendments then."
XoXoX
International Harbor
Northern Coast, Paradis
On that same evening itself, the Hizuru transporters docked at the Island's only functional harbor could already be seen blowing up steam as the naval officers and crews were gearing up for the departure towards their respective destinations. As soon as the execution of Eren Jeager was halted, upon further re-examination and another round of exhaustive lengthy debates, the Council and the representatives of all nations involved finally advocated the notion to place the former tri-Titan holder to a lifetime of incarceration on the land of Hizuru. The main argument had been suggested from the gifted strategist of the Survey Corps division; namely Armin, as he disputed that being alive, Eren could provide more vital information towards building Paradis' first historical records for future generations as he was the only shifter to have had access to the memories as well as powers of the first Titan.
However, due to the insoluble nature of concern on whether the absence of Titan powers would still influence the remaining titan shifters' lifespan, the Council deemed it justifiable to omit the second paragraph outlined under the Pillar Three of the Binding Agreement for an unspecified period of time.
On the main dock, Lord Takeshi could be seen reporting the status of all transporters back to Reiner who, after arranging for most of the Hizuru soldiers to board the aircraft under Commander Magath's leadership, instructed the remaining seventy men to accompany the main entourage via the two sea transporters back to Marley. While the third transporter will soon be departing to provide extra security for the main ship that will be carrying Lady Kiyomi and the important company from Paradis - namely their prisoner of war.
Standing next to Hange, a faint grunt could be heard from the raven-haired former Captain of the Survey Corps as he adjusted his walking aid. "So much for a 'peaceful retirement'. You brats owe me for the rest of your lives," pressed Levi, while looking at his former unit members, with the exception of Eren himself as he was not allowed any further send-off.
Mikasa only responded with a respectful bow instead, uttering, "The House of Azumabito will never be able to repay you for all your kind services in lieu to our family and our new ward. But rest assured all of your needs will be taken care of by the Royal House." Even Armin felt compelled to bow his head down at their former superior upon seeing his childhood friend's action, while Connie and Jean observed the interaction on the side silently.
Levi exchanged a mutual look of amusement with his longtime comrade and Commander, Hange before the latter cracked with a burst of lighthearted laughter. "You can cut the formal shit out with me, brat. The ol' lady's not around." He was obviously referring to the Azumabito family's matriarch, who fortunately had been onboard the vessel already.
The younger Ackerman lifted her head again. There was no denying the tears that were threatening to escape her eyelids. "Please take the greatest care of them for me, Captain."
"You have my word, but remember, I will not hesitate to put him down for good if he decides to make another 'smart' move again."
Mikasa couldn't suppress the laugh from her lips despite her already glistening eyes.
Nonetheless, Levi began to sigh and murmured low, "No more tears for that brat, Mikasa. You're a married woman now."
She crossed her arms, her hands gripping against them in a self-soothing manner. "And I'm still not sure if it's a good thing or not." Her insecurities were resurfacing at another untimely circumstance.
Her older kin shrugged. "How the hell would we know, kid? None of us here had been married. You've beaten the odds already." There was a short pause as Levi tried to find the appropriate words of advice to offer instead. "Look at all the good that has come from your union and consider more good that will happen in the future. Also, you're my only hope to continue the Ackerman bloodline. So, 'do it' for our family." No one missed the subtle humor in the older man's tone, much to everyone's sheer astonishment and Mikasa's awkwardness.
Levi unfortunately, was on a roll as he basked in the younger woman's mortification. "Oh, please. I might have lost an eye but I am very sure you kids were practically eye-fucking each other earlier."
Someone screamed Levi's name. It was Hange. Or maybe Armin. While Jean and Connie could only exchange nervous cackles between them.
Mikasa's eyebrow twitched in between anger and self-consciousness. "Be glad we're related. I would've kicked you into the water."
Levi gave her a sarcastic smile in return. Even with a missing eye, fingers and a broken leg, the younger Ackerman would never get to best him even on a better day. "Well, it made you stopped crying isn't it?"
She nodded her head before laughing in surprise and at that moment, a voice could be heard calling out for her name from onboard the ship. It was Gabi, waving her arms high with the ever-loyal Akane standing right beside her and the young Falco together with someone who looked like his big brother next to him. They were soon joined by Reiner's approaching figure as he stopped short next to where she was standing within a respectable distance, facing the comrades and friends whom they would have to bid their farewells to. Despite the space between them, she did not shift away in discomfort the moment he leaned his head closer to remind her that it was indeed time for them to start their journey.
For some reason, Levi's earlier words stayed at the back of her mind and that same reason caused her to cast her eyes downwards, trying her damndest to avoid looking at her newly-wedded husband's face. She was afraid that her older kin's words might be proven to be true. While the clueless Reiner could only gaze at the young woman's face in concern. He understood how difficult this part would have meant to her.
She nodded respectfully at the timely reminder. It would have been a lot harder to part ways with everyone if she allowed her tears to fall freely again.
Reiner went ahead to address the others as he remarked unhurriedly, "I guess this is a permanent farewell for me," he proceeded to bow down and lowering himself, taking everyone by surprise, "I apologize for everything I have caused under the name of Marley. My apologies would not change the actions of my past but I humbly promise to spend the rest of my life atoning for the sins I have done with God and my wife, the Lady Mikasa as my witness."
Jean, Connie, and Hange had a calm and considerate look on their faces, while the surprise was very apparent on Mikasa's face. She still wasn't used to seeing the many different sides to him but she couldn't stop telling herself that everything from him was an incomparable world-class act. She was slightly frustrated that her former Commander and teammates would believe Reiner's apology like it were the sincerest words to ever come out from the former shifter's lips.
He was a good pretender, Mikasa. An excellent one at it. Never fall for his words.
She repeated the words 'pretender' again and again at the back of her mind like a mantra. Her immense sadness was soon replaced with doubt and the feelings in her heart grew heavier by the moment.
It will be a long journey to Marley once again and she wasn't sure she would be ready for it.
"Hey," a soft female voice pulled Mikasa back from her musing. Hange was already standing in front of her, clutching the younger woman's arms tightly with hopes that the tiny action could once again channel a much-needed strength as it did before. The first female Commander of the Survey Corps had undeniably become the mother figure to her for the past five years.
Here they were, at the same place from two weeks ago. "I still believe this is not goodbye. It'll always be 'See you again'. Make full use of the gift, you would need it especially more now than ever. You will know when would be the right time for it, though I hope you would not need to." The brown-haired older woman tilted her former subordinate's chin up and said, "You could be so much more than a soldier, Mikasa. Live your life to the fullest."
"Co-commander…." Mikasa's voice began to choke with well-restrained tears and she was immediately pulled into Hange's arms as the older woman patted her back in a motherly manner.
"As of today onwards, I am officially no longer your Commander, Your Highness. Thank you very much for your services to our people here in Paradis. Live well and happy. We will see each other again."
Only Hange's crisp overcoat's fabric muffled Mikasa's anguished sobbing as she held the girl who she had witnessed growing so much from a young pre-teen recruit to the woman that she was at that moment. She couldn't be more proud of the girl in her hold.
She looked back at the young blonde-haired War Chief from Marley - the one she had almost killed back in Shinganshina five years ago. Maybe there had been a divine intervention that's been protecting him after all these years -- like an immortal blessed by the Gods himself.
XoXoX
The large iron-hulled ship with its black and silver body glided across the water on a cruising speed ever since its departure from Paradis' newly-christened international harbor more than an hour ago. Reiner went through every section and compartments of the whole ship, ensuring that every part of the transporter was fully functional. Aptly-named with 'Amatsukaze' or Heavenly Wind, the illustrious one-time destroyer of the East Sea waters had now been refurbished to be the Royal Family's main vehicle of emissary, proudly bearing the insignia of Azumabito clan's three blades on its sails.
The moment he climbed up the ship's quarterdeck from the lower deck, he could see the sun slowly descending into the far horizon, with the fine glow of dusk curtaining the early night skies. The temperature dropping even lower than usual as the winter was around the corner. Most of the crew on deck had been making a beeline for the mess hall in the lower level of the ship, leaving only the scout on the crow's nest, waiting patiently to be relieved from his duty.
He caught the sight of Falco and Gabi leaning against the railings, talking about the things they can't wait to return to in Marley with Colt and Mikasa's young handmaiden standing nearby, having a conversation of their own.
Akane rushed towards him, greeting him with a bow before saying, "Milord, I apologize for losing track of time. I will bring Lady Gabi and young Master Grice down to wash up and get ready for dinner at the main room."
"Much appreciated. Thank you." He nodded gratefully, exchanging a smile with Colt who caught Falco's head in his arms and wrestled playfully with his younger brother.
"Is Mikasa--?" He didn't need to finish his sentence as Akane was very quick in pointing towards the elevated rear deck of the ship, where the woman in question was gazing far into the direction of the island they left behind.
The moment they saw Mikasa getting onboard the ship to the joyful awaiting girls, Levi sent a good-natured swipe at his former subordinate. "I'm quite surprised that you're bending over backward for her happiness. It's more than guilt, isn't it, Braun?" He didn't miss the nervousness on Arlert's face as the younger lad was unfortunately caught in between the conversation between the two men of authority.
Reiner only gave a bewildered expression in return, his lips formed a tight line. "I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that, sir." Be that as it may, his eyes gave away the truth the moment he looked back at the older man.
"I'm not her father but I'm as good as one, still living and as far as blood ties are considered. So, no matter what it takes, her happiness will always come first before your duty." The shorter man sent an intimidating gaze filled with promises of pain through his only visible eye. "She shed so many tears for Jeager so don't you dare make her cry for you. You might be the new Lord but I can still kick your ass."
"You're not the only one though that's for sure." There was a cynical grin on Reiner's face before it turned serious again. "I've made a sacred vow and I don't take it lightly."
"Good. Maybe married life suits you well, after all, Braun," observed Levi nonchalantly.
"Reiner….," Armin called out to his former comrade. "I'm truly sorry about Bertolt. I didn't deserve-He didn't deserve--"
"Maybe we both don't deserve to still live after all these years but here we are." The taller blonde looked back at the younger man with a faraway look in his eyes. Long gone the innocence on the face of the younger boy he used to help a lot when they were recruits and there was nothing but just and maturity in its place. "It's been fated this way, Armin. Perhaps through you, Bertolt's spirit will live on and somehow will still get to watch over Annie from above."
Armin nodded in pain yet with a sorrowful hope and a solid promise in return. "I will care for and love Annie for the rest of my life." His face reddened after realizing the unintended confession that just came out from his mouth.
At the same time, Reiner's eyes hardened into a resolute gaze the moment they went back to the raven-haired woman onboard the docking ship in front of them who was smiling shyly at something his younger cousin said. "And I will build her dreams with my own two hands."
I don't want to be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use the tools and gifts
We got yeah we got a lot at stake
He climbed up the stairs leading all the way to the elevated section of the warship, cleared his throat before settling himself next to her, his own upper body leaning hard against the carved wooden palisade. She tilted her head slightly with a wordless admission of his presence. His mouth was itching for a smoke but he didn't want to be disrespectful of her personal space. Up close and personal, in the dim light of the new moon, he could finally see the dark circles under her eyes which added more weight to the obvious exhaustion on her pale face.
He wondered if he could soothe away her worries by running his fingers against her beautiful face, wondered if he could make her flushed with joy instead of darkened with sorrow.
He would wait until she was ready to break the silence, even if it would take the whole night. He just wanted her to know that he was not going anywhere and he was not going to let her be by herself either. They both had gone through a lot - even more so for her - for the past two weeks.
It was a companionable arrangement and during that moment he made a mental note to sit down with Lord Takeshi the day after to further discuss on the relief and reconstruction plans that are waiting for their orders back in Marley.
"He said-...that I'm nothing without him….." He'd heard her words trailed unexpectedly, breaking his musing yet he stayed silent. "I don't know who I am ever since...maybe he's right….." The short, dark bangs framing the side of her face fluttered wildly in the evening breeze. "I've always lived chasing after his shadow or being inside it. "
His right arm moved across the ledge sliding through the distance between them and he rested his hand against her own, offering its warmth. "You've been one of the strongest, bravest girl I've ever known and you still are but I can't find the right words to give you justice. I just wish you could see yourself through my eyes."
Who was she kidding? She shook her head in utter wariness as she was not expecting him to be 'empathetic' with her plight. She sighed bitterly while turning her body towards his direction and murmured, "There's no one around. You can drop the act. We both know that every word that comes out from your mouth are blatant lies."
His amber eyes glinted solemnly under the moonlight as his heart fired up to an absurdly rapid rhythm that drove him to instantaneously close the distance between them without any warning.
Maybe he should let his lips do things differently then.
"Wh-..."
The rest of her protest remained unspoken when his lips caught on to hers in a deep, desperate kiss and he pulled her willowy body into his strong embrace, delighting in her softness even with the solid muscles underneath. The underlying burgeoning tension from the past two weeks had finally reached its pinnacle from amongst erratic hormones, displacement of trust and painful loneliness. His resolve manifested itself in the way he gently bent her head backwards and yet hopelessly consumed all of her breath away. His large hand ensnared the short tendrils of her silken midnight hair, faint with the fragrance of a floral scent that he discovered had become a newly-found addiction of his, amplified the moment the tip of his sharp nose grazed gently against her cheek. Even through the thick fabric of their overcoats, none of them could deny the searing fervent heat generating between them, providing a much-needed warmth in the cold night air.
Mikasa felt herself rushing into another bout of helplessness as a strong wild tremor racing up along the veins heading straight to her spine. The moment her skin brushed against the coarse thin facial hair around his jaw, she swore a zing electrified the icy shards within as she allowed him to sip her worries away using the tip of his hot tongue as it glided effortlessly inside her mouth - exploring her uncharted territory within. Oh God, she could taste the light aftertaste of tobacco from the cigarette sticks that kept him grounded. The hands that tried to push his body away ended up entangling themselves around his neck, the ends of her fingertips brushing lightly against the metal chain around his neck - one that she never realized he'd been having on his person all this time. The clink of metal pendants caused by their movements sent a strange tingling all the way down her belly…..and lower.
"Mikasa, I won't-" he pledged in between the kiss, "-give up", another lick of his burning tongue against her own before it pulled back to whisper, "on you-", followed by a tender tug from his teeth on her lower lips before he pleaded, "--on us…."
"Don't-" She whimpered and pulled her head away, forcing his lips to stop its movements as it began to detach itself from its other half. He expected the inevitable rejection, for her to push him away.
"Don't let go….." She latched on to him even closer as their lips and bodies met again, driven by their unquenchable thirst, reckless hunger and unbridled lust - feelings they never knew could possibly exist. She wasn't sure where their paths would lead them but at that particular point of time, she'd let him take her down into the deepest, darkest abyss and she would still cling to him so tight that she'd ceased breathing either way.
He was more than ready to take her and she never knew how badly she wanted to surrender her everything to him.
I won't give up on us
God knows I'm tough, he knows
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
"Reiner! Mikasa! Are you guys up there?" A small voice called out to them from the lower level, causing Reiner to exhale the crudest profanity ever existed and forcing them both to break apart before they could press themselves to cross a line they could never undo.
True enough, Gabi's little head appeared from the spiral stairs and jovially asked the man standing with a fuming, frustrated expression on his face. "Hey Reiner, why is your face so red? Are you angry?"
YES. Well, that was what he wanted to say but he couldn't possibly hold his cousin's innocence responsible for it.
"No, do you need anything, Gabi?"
She put on a hopeful smile on her face. "Can I sleep with Mikasa again tonight?"
Oh, Gabi…..
He pulled his hair back in sheer frustration. It was going to be a long two-day trip back home for him.
However, the sound of soft laughter coming from his beaming young bride who was amused with their situation absolutely canceled out any traces of his prior annoyance.
Reiner swore it was the most pleasant sound he has ever heard in his life and he wanted to hear it again every day for the rest of his life.
XoXoX
A/N: Thank you very much for reading! I had been driven by several strong emotions while in the process of working on these last two chapters but I truly hope you'll find the new updates as enjoyable as the previous ones. There might be some uncertainties as there are still unanswered questions in the current manga that the way I took with Eren's direction in As You Are's universe might be somewhat 'indefinite' in a sense. However, if this chapter ends up being rewritten in the future to rectify any inconsistencies, I will definitely let everyone know!
So, the next chapter will be the tenth installment in this story and what better way to celebrate AYA's first milestone? Does anyone want to take a guess?
Also, if you've read my other ReiKasa stories on my profile here, thank you very much once again! I also have an original story posted up on Wattpad under the pen name NightDuchess511. Do check it out if you're interested to read my non-SnK stories there. It would mean a lot to me if you could ever lend me your kind, generous support on that platform as well. Thank you and see you in the next chapter!
