It was quiet in the waiting room of the ER, Akane and Herrick were sitting on one of the benches. Eren was getting Sebastian some snacks from the nearby vending machine, while their parents spoke softly.
Akane had her hand against her forehead, her head about to split open. She was rocking herself slightly, while Herrick was rubbing her back. Carla was sitting across from them.
"Carla...we can't accept this...", Akane spoke, but there were tears of relief and gratefulness in her eyes. "Nonsense Akane...you have to. You shouldn't have to move into a tiny apartment just because of health insurance", Carla insisted firmly.
"But..its Eren's college fund...", Herrick started. Eren walked over with Sebastian, the little boy was munching on some cheetos, sitting down by his parents.
"And it was my idea...I've never been the career pursuing type, I can get work in retail or something. And if it makes you feel better, I can work on your farm, and you can pay me back at your own pace for one day in case I change my mind about college", Eren explained softly, sitting down by his mother.
"The college fund was something I always handled, Eren never had interest in college. He still doesn't...", Carla added. "But...that could be your future Eren...", Akane started.
"Mrs. Ackerman, if it wasn't for you and your husband, my mom and I may not have even made it this far", Eren reminded her kindly.
Akane blinked, and Carla softly took her best friend's hand, squeezing it assuringly. "Akane...you and your husband took me and my son in when we had no where to go. You let us live with you until Eren was 13 and we finally could afford our own place, and even though we could get our own place, you still insisted if it doesn't work out, we could always come back to your home", Carla reminded her.
"Its because you're like family to us, both you and Eren", Herrick said softly. Carla nodded.
"The same goes for you and Mikasa, and I'd never be able to live with myself if I let you go through losing your home, when you gave me and my son one...", Carla said.
Akane's eyes welled up once more. She sobbed softly, and the two women hugged. As they spoke, Mikasa was being properly treated for her injuries and pneumonia. Carla had paid the medical bills with Eren's saved up college fund.
It was a much larger college fund than normal because Grisha had been a doctor. When he wasn't having his violent episodes, he did put money into Eren's college funds.
"Thank you both...so much", Akane cried, so relieved as Herrick pulled Eren into a hug.
After hours, Mikasa was finally allowed visitors. She was very weak still, and needed months to fully recover due to her neglected care by the hospital, but she would recover. The doctors stitched her wound back up, and provided her with some blood along with fluids. Her fever broke and she was resting so much easier now.
She slept on her back, propped up, and some color returned to her cheeks. Akane was on her left side, squeezing her hand and kissing her forehead several times in great relief.
Eren was on the other side of the bed, holding her other hand. The relief on his face said it all. Herrick glanced at the IV bag. "She's being given plenty of morphine, right?", he asked the nurse, protective.
"Yes, plenty", the nurse replied simply, before exiting. Herrick frowned and gave a small scoff. "Money talks with these places", he sighed, a bit sickened at the fact how easily and quickly the hospital treated his daughter only when money was offered.
"All that matters is our baby's going to be alright...", Akane reminded him softly. Though she shared his disgust, at the moment Akane was just relieved her daughter would be alright, and they wouldn't have to sell the house.
Hearing the voices of her loved ones close, and feeling a little bit of strength return, Mikasa stirred ever so softly, her eyes cracking opening a bit.
"M-Mom...?", she asked, her voice quite weak. Akane's eyes lit up. "Mommy's right here angel, we're at the hospital..you're going to be okay", Akane assured her, smoothing her bangs back.
"You're going to be just fine princess, rest easy", Herrick added, also tearful. Mikasa glanced around the room weakly, and saw Eren on her other side.
"Eren...", she breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey beautiful", Eren said sweetly, kissing her forehead. Mikasa smiled faintly...she could feel her strength returning, slowly but surely.
She didn't know how they were at the hospital, but she was just relieved to be recovering.
Three Years Later...
It was a beautiful spring day, the flowers were in full bloom and the birds were singing. Passed the short pathway behind the Ackermans farm was a large beautiful field.
The grass was green and their were several flowers coloring the field, the sky a pretty blue color. It had been raining all week and this was the first nice day in a while.
Two eighteen year olds were taking advantage of the beautiful day. The couple were laying in the flowerbed.
Eren and Mikasa were kissing passionately, laying on their sides facing each other. Eren was stroking her cheek, his other hand caressing down her shoulder while Mikasa's hand intertwined with his now long hair. Mikasa's black hair had grown out long again as well.
Mikasa blushed as they continued to kiss, their breathing picked up as it got more intense. Eren broke the kiss gently and began to kiss her neck, stroking her hair.
"Mmm...Eren...", Mikasa released a soft moan, closing her eyes but just as she began to relax, she felt Eren's hand cup over her right breast after sliding under her top.
She could hear in his breathing, and feel in his body language but he was trying to do. She opened her eyes, with a hesitant expression. "Eren...", she started, biting her lip.
"It's alright baby...", Eren spoke softly, continuing to kiss her neck and feel her up. Mikasa didn't seem assured. "What if someone sees us...", she started.
"Angel, we're in the center of a forest...the most we'll get is some peeping birds or chipmunks", Eren reassured, he groaned very slightly, growing impatient as he started to unclip the front of her bra.
Mikasa tensed, she swallowed hard as Eren's fingers traced over her side, where a gruesome scar was.
"Eren...stop...Stop!", she cried then, sitting up quickly, breathing a bit heavy. Eren backed off, he exhaled and looked a mix of worried and frustrated.
Mikasa looked down, going quiet and reclipping her bra and pulling her shirt down. "I'm sorry I just...", she started shakily.
"Mikasa, you're beautiful...everyone can see that but you", Eren stated, looking at her. Mikasa remained silent, tying up her hair in a ponytail. Since her injury, she had developed a nasty and large scar in her side. Because of how grotesque it looked, she had self conscious issues with it.
It sometimes almost made her forget about the fact she used to be self conscious of the butterfly shaped birthmark on her tummy way back when she was just a little girl.
If she had ever known her body would one day harbor such a scar, she would have been proud of her beautiful birthmark.
This self consciousness she felt made a physical relationship with her boyfriend complicated. They had never made love once, and now that they were both legal adults, it was natural for them both to want to start trying.
After a few minutes of silence, Mikasa finally spoke. "I want to...", her voice was soft, almost cracked. Eren watched her worriedly.
"Believe me...I want to, so badly...its torture. I mean...how are we supposed to have a future together if we can't even-", she wiped her eyes.
Eren's eyes softened, he scooted closer to her. "Hey, hey...", he wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, kissing her forehead.
"Listen Mikasa...your pace. I'm willing to go at your pace for as long as it takes. I love you...I don't want you to be forced into anything you don't want...ever. That's the last thing I ever want to do to you...", Eren told her.
As it was, he still secretly blamed himself for her severe injuries and how bad it had gotten. Mikasa sniffled a bit, giving a small nod. "I'm sorry...I promise I'll be ready soon", she assured him.
"It's alright sweetheart...listen we can do anything else you want, we could go see a movie", Eren offered. "Yeah..that would be nice", Mikasa agreed.
The two made their way back to the Ackerman home, Mikasa still wore her red scarf after all these years. Some things had changed in the passed three years. Sebastian was around eight years old and making friends in school.
The Ackermans old Foxhound Sam passed away a year ago of old age and cancer, he was 12 years old. Snow, Mikasa's rabbit had died not long before of old age when Mikasa was 16.
But because the Ackerman still had sheep, they got a new sheepdog. This time they adopted a Border Collie named Lacy. She was currently only 2 years old so she'd be around for a long time yet. They adopted her from a local shelter just four months ago and she was still in sheepdog training.
They also had some new hutch rabbits, most of these ones were black or brown instead of snowy white. Apart from that they still had a goat, chickens, a rooster, and two barn cats.
Mikasa hadn't applied for college yet despite being graduated from high school, she wanted to wait until both she and Eren could attend together. Eren worked part time at a local Gamestop while Mikasa worked part time as a waitress at a diner nearby.
Carla continued to work at the market while Herrick and Akane continued work on their farm. At this point, Armin and Sasha were dating and also waiting on college.
Since it was such a nice day, Eren and Mikasa decided to walk to the cinema. "I let mom know we'd be out for the afternoon...oh, and Sasha and Armin are meeting us", Mikasa said. "Double date then?", Eren grinned.
"Which means we'll all have to decide on a movie", Mikasa reminded him. "Armin and I have been dying to see the new Avengers film", Eren admitted, and Mikasa rolled her eyes.
"Well, Sasha and I actually want to see A Silent Voice, our cinema finally has it", Mikasa said. "Isn't it that anime movie about the deaf girl?", asked Eren. "Yes, and its so beautiful looking", Mikasa nodded.
Before Eren could give his input, his phone rang. He glanced at the number, frowned and put it away. Mikasa's expression changed.
"Everything okay?", she asked, though in a tone of more accusing rather than asking. "Yeah, fine", Eren replied quickly. "Was it your dad...?", Mikasa pressed.
Just two weeks ago, Eren's father was let out of the asylum. He had been treated and was currently on medication that seemed to be treating his mental illness fairly well.
When he was first released, he actually saw Eren and Carla briefly. There was obvious grief and regret in the ill man's eyes, and Carla forgave him. She wasn't ready to get back together with him, but the two came to civil terms, especially for the sake of their son.
Eren on the other hand, hadn't forgiven his father. And he made it a clear point. Mikasa watched Eren with a frown. "Eren...you didn't even...look at him the day he was released", she reminded him slowly.
Eren remained silent at first, looking ahead. "He begged, and...cried for you to just look at him...", Mikasa pushed. Eren cringed, glaring.
"Jesus christ Mikasa, does my mom tell your mom everything?!", he snapped then. "Of course she does, its always been that way!", Mikasa snapped back, not backing down.
"Eren, I know what your father did was wrong and horrible, but the fact he was put in an asylum and not a prison...its obvious he's mentally ill. What should matter is that he's staying on his medication and trying to have some form of relationship with you...your mom forgave him...", Mikasa started.
"That's just because mom's like that...but I'm not. I couldn't look at his face...because it DISGUSTED me. After all he did...after beating my mother, making her fear for her life, destroying my arm...and its because of that I couldn't get you out of that fire quicker...that bastard's actions caused so much harm to people I love...and yet he gets a free out of jail card because of MENTAL ILLNESS? That just excuses all his actions?! HE gets to be the victim now?!", Eren snapped, shaking furiously, before punching the lamppost they had stopped by.
Mikasa had gone quiet, not answering. She knew Eren had been holding this in for the passed two weeks.
Eren took some deep breaths before blinking. "Mikasa..I..", he started but Mikasa shook her head. "I understand Eren...you have every right to be frustrated over this...but just promise me something", she started.
"Please...try and just talk to your father. Even if its just once and the last time...because if he truly does feel sorry for everything he did, no human deserves to hold that much guilt within them with no closure", she said seriously.
Eren swallowed hard, going quiet, his eyes even a bit wide. He sighed, looking down slightly. "You've always been so much more mature than me...", he said.
Mikasa smiled softly. "I'm sorry for yelling like that...we'll watch the movie you and Sasha wanna see, to make it up to you", Eren decided.
During the film, Mikasa and Sasha were mesmerized, watching it intently their eyes never leaving the screen. Mikasa barely touched her food while Sasha scarfed down the popcorn and soda. She shoved handfuls of popcorn into her mouth, slurping the soda.
Mikasa chewed on a Twizzler, too transfixed on the movie to really eat. Armin gave Eren a look. "What happened to Infinity Wars?", he muttered.
"Sorry, I kinda owe it to Mikasa...we had a small fight on the way over", Eren explained quietly. As they watched the film, Eren's mind wandered. He wanted to do something to help Mikasa with her self conscious issues...but he didn't know what.
In the end, all of them ended up enjoying the film. That night, Eren called Sasha for some advice. "Hello?", Sasha answered, her voice muffled. "Sasha hey-are you eating again?", Eren asked.
"They don't put as much popcorn in those buckets as they used to, so whats up?", asked Sasha, she was eating some ramen and pocky, playing a video game with Armin.
"I was wondering...I had a question, its about Mikasa", Eren started slowly. Sasha blinked. "Hmmm, talk to me", she said, sounding intrigued.
"Well, I guess its more of a girls general question but...how do you make a girl feel beautiful?", Eren asked. Sasha chewed on her pocky before answering.
"I know Mikasa's been self conscious...is that why you're asking?", she asked. "Yeah", Eren admitted. "Well, this is going to sound a bit random but I've heard if you get a tattoo or two, it helps you feel more confident and attractive", Sasha admitted.
"A tattoo?", Eren said, at first that seemed a bit odd. "Well, I mean I never tried it but it would be cool to have a Pocky or potato tattoo I suppose...", as Sasha began to ramble, Eren froze up.
In that moment...an old memory returned to him. From back when they were kids...he recalled Mikasa and him talking about maybe one day getting tattoos as adults. His eyes widened.
"Sasha, you're a genius!", he proclaimed then. Sasha blinked. "Huh? I am?", she asked. "I'll explain tomorrow!", Eren hung up and began looking up nearby tattoo parlors.
By the following day, Eren and Mikasa were walking into town. "Eren, what's this about?", asked Mikasa. "Well, I was wondering, do you remember when we talked about wanting to get tattoos as kids?", Eren asked her, with a grin.
Mikasa blinked, thinking for a moment. "I do...whoa..I forgot about that, you had wanted a dragon and I...wait..", Mikasa paused, as she realized what he was up to, just as they arrived in front of the parlor.
"Well I decided, we're both 18...why not?", Eren pointed out. Mikasa looked surprised but also couldn't help but smile. She knew why Eren was doing this...he wanted her to feel beautiful again. She gave a shrug. "Why not? Let's just hope my dad doesn't freak", she gave in. Her dad was a bit old fashioned.
They walked inside the parlor, and after speaking with the artist they decided on their tattoos. Mikasa would be getting a small blue butterfly on her outer left wrist, right under her hand. Eren decided on a medium sized red fire breathing dragon on his shoulder.
As the two artists got to work, Mikasa was taking the pain of the needle rather well. She winced slightly once in a while, but mostly did just fine. Eren on the other hand was extremely tense, looking like he might be sick, gritting his teeth.
"Eren? How you holding up?", Mikasa asked with a small grin. "Fantastic!", Eren answered, but in an obvious pained voice. "I did warn you to go for a smaller one for your first time like me", Mikasa reminded him.
"This is nothing-OW! That was bone!", Eren winced in pain, jumping slightly. The artist rolled her eyes. "Men always trying to be masculine by getting a giant tattoo their first go", she shook her head.
"I'll have you know this doesn't hurt at all-AH SHIT!", Eren yelled out in pain again as the artist snickered. Mikasa couldn't help but chuckle a little.
By the end of it, they both had their new tattoos. Mikasa's butterfly one was beautiful, while Eren's dragon looked pretty amazing.
"We're not supposed to itch them for weeks", Mikasa read the instructions for after care. "Easier said than done!", Eren groaned, struggling not to itch.
Mikasa smiled softly. She then stopped and kissed him. Eren blinked surprised but relaxed, and returned the sweet kiss. "Thank you...", Mikasa whispered after gently breaking the kiss. Eren blushed with a smile.
A few days later, Mikasa was getting ready to head out to the store for her mom. She came into the kitchen, her hair tied in its ponytail. "I'm heading out, just bread and desserts, right mom?", Mikasa asked.
Her mother didn't answer, she and Herrick were watching the news on the TV, with concerned...even shocked expressions.
"Mom...?", Mikasa came over. "Herrick, turn it up", Akane said urgently. Herrick turned the TV up, and Mikasa looked at it.
"...Early this morning, police found the body of Frieda Reiss in the local park. Her body contained multiple stab wounds, and it seems she was murdered on sight...the suspect has been taken into police custody...", the news showed the mugshot photo and Mikasa gasped.
Her heart sunk, and all the color drained from her horrified face. In the mugshot photo was Eren's father, Grisha. He had that deranged look back in his eyes.
"Oh my god...", Mikasa was speechless at first. "We think he stopped taking his meds and just..snapped again", Herrick explained grimly.
"Thank God it wasn't Carla...but that poor girl...", Akane said, a bit shakily. Frieda was well known around town. She was a kindergarten teacher and attended Church. She was also known for being Historia's older sister.
Mikasa blinked then. "Eren...", she had to go to him...he had to know by now. He needed her.
She ran out of the house, and headed for Carla's home. But on the way there, she had to pass the police station.
As she approached it, her heart sunk. Eren was standing outside it, being restrained by two officers. "LET ME GO, I'M GONNA BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF HIM! THAT BASTARD...!", Eren screamed furiously, struggling against the officers grip.
He must have heard it on the news and ran here first, his anger boiling over. "Enough! He's locked up now!", the officer insisted firmly.
Eren gritted his teeth, glaring but slowly stopped struggling. "Throw a rock at our building again, and you'll be his cell neighbor, just please go home son. We'll handle it from here", the officer warned him, before they both headed inside the station.
Mikasa slowly approached cautiously, biting her lip. Eren glared at the station, shaking. "You better hope to God they don't let you back out...because if they do dad...I'll fucking kill you...YOU HEAR ME YOU BASTARD?! I'LL KILL YOU BEFORE YOU CAN HARM ANOTHER SOUL!", Eren reached to throw another rock, yelling loud enough in hopes his father heard him from inside.
"EREN! STOP!", Mikasa ran over, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Enough! You don't want to go to jail!", she cried, as he struggled a bit.
"At least if I'm in there I can yell at him and he'll actually hear me!", Eren growled. "What good would that do your mother for BOTH of you to be in jail?!", Mikasa pressed, gripping his arms.
Eren glared, shaking. But he slowly dropped the rock. It fell to the ground and he exhaled, tears appearing in his eyes. "Eren...", Mikasa spoke softly.
"Eren, look at me...", she forced him to turn around and face her. She could see his eyes were flooded with tears. Mikasa cupped his face, pressing her forehead to his.
"Its going to be alright...I'm here", she assured him gently. She knew the best thing for Eren right now was to walk away and try to calm down from this. Eren's expression softened more and more, and the two then shared a deep kiss.
Mikasa wrapped her arms around Eren's neck, and his around her waist. "Come on...", Mikasa took his hand, and the two left the station. They went to Eren's house, Carla was at work and would be for a few more hours.
Still holding hands, the two went upstairs and into Eren's bedroom, shutting the door. Sitting on the bed, they simply continued to kiss. Mikasa wanted Eren to be as distracted from what happened as possible...it was all too much.
They grew lost in each other in that moment, and before either of them realized it..Eren was on top of Mikasa in the bed, their clothes removed. As they began to make love, the only sound was Mikasa's moaning as it grew gradually louder before eventually there was bliss silence after a powerful climax the two shared.
That night, Eren and Mikasa slept in each other's arms, both of them completely undressed. Their clothes scattered around the room.
Mikasa rested with her head against Eren's chest, her black hair out of its ponytail. Eren's hair was in a tied bun as he also slept, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. This peaceful and blissful night was needed for what was to come.