Hey doods! Happy Halloween ;) I gotta admit though, this chapter is full on EreMika. So I inserted chat messages that would add some comedic content~ And I must say, Eren is a bit out of character. I did my best to make him stay in character though...

So uh... hope you enjoy this oh-so weird chapter.

Eren and Mikasa stood in front of the sink, both just looking at each other and not moving nor saying anything. Eren was thinking of phrases— no, words to say, anything just to break the silence that overcame them. At the same time, he was wondering what Mikasa was going to do. She, too, just stood there, staring back at him. It took them a few seconds to realize their distances, as they both instantly looked back down at the sink spontaneously.

"I'll dry the dishes." Mikasa said as she moved to where Armin was. She didn't even wait for Eren's reply.

"Sure." the brunet said.

Ah dammit. What was I supposed to say? Eren thought, scraping the dirt off the dishes with a sponge.

Thus the two soldiers continued with the dishes in awkward silence.

the _genius entered the chatroom

the _genius added the _sniffer, the _commander and the_cleanfreak to the chatroom

the _genius: Greetings everyone! Let the meeting commence! I hope you liked the usernames I gave you :D

the _cleanfreak: What the hell did you do to my username, four-eyes?

the _genius: I can't think of anything. And that's the first adjective that came to my mind when I thought of you.

the_cleanfreak: Change it before I go there and slice you up like the nape of an abnormal.

the _commander: I think we can discuss such matters in a later time, shall we Levi?

the_cleanfreak: Whatever.

the_cleanfreak: I am not helping that weirdo catch a titan ever again.

the_genius: Oh come on Levi! I was just joshing with you! I'll change it into something cooler, okay?

the_genius: Just take back what you said please.

the_cleanfreak: Depends on what you'll come up next.

the_genius: I assure you, you will love it.

the_commander: I am sure Levi trusts your word on that, Hanji.

the _cleanfreak: Trust is such a heavy word, commander.

the_commander: Moving on, can I hear some status report regarding on the new invention?

the_genius: The soldiers are actually maximizing the use of the messenger. I have seen them use them day and night.

the_cleanfreak: They use it to deliver messages cabin to cabin.

the_commander: How about you, Mike? Anything to report?

the_sniffer: the kids are using it for their personal messages as well

the_sniffer: there might be some intel being passed on

the_genius: Good point, Mike.

the_commander: Good observation, everyone. That would help us in improving the messenger.

the_genius: Speaking of observation, I just saw Eren and Mikasa having quite a moment tonight.

the_genius: god they look so cute

the_cleanfreak: I will never understand how you find those brats cute.

the_genius: THEY ARE!

the_cleanfreak: You really are a freak.

the_commander: At ease, Levi.

the_commander: Hanji has a point though. Despite the war raging inside and outside the walls, don't you think it's quite pleasant to see that they are still able to normally experience such circumstances?

the_cleanfreak: No, I don't think so.

the_commander: Oh come on, corporal. I had to make sacrifices just for humanity's sake. And I made that decision with no regrets.

the_sniffer: you did the logical thing, Erwin. You had to let her go somehow.

the_cleanfreak: Let's not meddle with the past, shall we?

the_genius: Yeah, it would be best.

the_genius: Anyways, who do you guys think will our cadets end up with?

the_commander: Specifically?

the_genius: Yep.

the_cleanfreak: oh god. We don't have time for this shit.

the_sniffer: the two youngsters you saw at the kitchen. I can smell the potential.

the_genius: What? I thought they already are?

the_sniffer: No. They're not yet.

the_commander: The first time I saw them at the trial, I thought they were lovers

the_cleanfreak: For the whole month that they were under me, I thought Ackerman was Jaeger's woman.

the_cleanfreak: Turns out, he was too dense to even notice her feelings.

the_genius: Then we have to get them together! The universe says so!

the_cleanfreak: You need to seriously get your shit together, Hanji.

the_genius: Alright. Let's bet on it. You owe me a titan once I win this bet.

the _cleanfreak: and if I win?

the _genius: I won't bother you for a month.

the_genius: And I promise to take a bath every day.

the _cleanfreak: deal. I bet Eren would spill his feelings for her during training tomorrow morning.

the _commander: That's… quite specific and a tad early.

the _genius: I BET AFTER BREAKFAST.

the_cleanfreak: you're on, four-eyes

the_sniffer: Moving on, please.

the_genius: Anyway, I feel kinda bad for Jean. It's pretty obvious how he likes Mikasa.

the_genius: To the friendzone he belongs :(

the_commander: How about Arlert and Leonhart?

the_commander: I've seen them combat. Leonhart always trains with Arlert.

the_genius: Yeah, I noticed the chemistry.

the_genius: How about Connie and Sasha? They're always like, together.

the_genius: Makes me wonder how that small kid can control that hungry huntress.

the_cleanfreak: Don't we have anything to talk about other than the brats' freaking love lives?

the_cleanfreak: Erwin, don't we have matters to discuss?

the _commander: Right, I apologize.

the_genius: Geez, ease up killjoy.

the_commander: Levi's right. Let's move on to our agenda.

the _genius: Alright, alright.

foodloverrr entered the chatroom

foodloverrr added annieleonhart, mikasa_ackerman, theangel and ymir-sama to the chatroom

foodloverrr: HEYYY

ymir-sama: what is it potato?

theangel: hi guys!

annieleonhart: Is it just us, girls in the chatroom?

foodloverrr: hell yeah! We need our moment too, right?

ymir-sama: good point. Being with those dummies can be a pain in the ass sometimes

annieleonhart: I agree

mikasa_ackerman: I don't find them annoying. Eren and Armin, at least.

foodloverrr: Oh come on Mikasa! We all know how you love Eren ;) And you can't stand being at least an hour away from him lolz

ymir-sama: I don't get you, Mikasa. I mean you freakin' have everything. Beauty, brains, brawns. Hell, you don't even need a man.

foodloverrr: Yeah, you have everything.

annieleonhart: Everything, except for Eren.

ymir-sama: OHOHOHOHO OUCH

mikasa_ackerman: It's… it's not like that. I have to be there for him all the time. If I'm not, who knows what will happen to him.

mikasa_ackerman: Plus that stupid midget of a corporal is just around the corner.

ymir-sama: I can feel the hatred hahaha

theangel: You mean Corporal Levi?

mikasa_ackerman: That asshole beat the crap out of Eren at the trial.

mikasa _ackerman: Unforgivable.

mikasa_ackerman: He might do it again.

foodloverrr: Wow. I've never seen Mikasa talk so much.

annieleonhart: We all know that when it comes to that suicidal bastard, she gets all worked up.

mikasa_ackerman: Don't call him that. He's just determined to kill all the titans. It's not like he's so eager to die.

annieleonhart: see?

ymir-sama: I rest my case.

mikasa_ackerman: What do you guys mean?

theangel: Okay, so we all know how Mikasa likes Eren, right? How about you guys? :)

ymir-sama: you know you're the only one for me, Krista ;)

foodloverrr: we all know. How about you, Annie? :))))

ymir-sama: this is going to be good

annieleonhart: what about me?

theangel: it's not impossible for you to like anyone, right?

ymir-sama: there must be someone, right?

ymir-sama: is it Big-B?

annieleonhart: hell no

ymir-sama: so there is someone

mikasa_ackerman: Is it Eren?

annieleonhart: calm down, Mikasa. We all know he's untouchable territory. It's a no.

foodloverrr: yeah, we know the boundaries

theangel: come on Annie! Tell us who you like!

annieleonhart: can it just be none of your business?

foodloverrr: We're girls! It's always our business!

ymir-sama: plus we all know who likes who

ymir-sama: Krista and I are obviously meant to be. Mikasa's hot for Jaeger. Potato girl's got it going with baldie. How about you, Leonhart?

foodloverrr: what do you mean by baldie? As in Connie?

ymir-sama: don't bother denying it, Sasha. It's as obvious as Berth's crush on Annie

foodloverrr: I wasn't going to deny it…

theangel: Come on Annie!

ymir-sama: yeah Annie. Tell us. We don't judge.

foodloverrr: Annie! Annie! Annie! Annie!

mikasa _ackerman: It won't hurt to tell us.

annieleonhart: I'm logging out. Have a good night.

annieleonhart left the chatroom

mikasa_ackerman: She will have her day.

ymir-sama: right back at ya, Mikasa. We'll get her

foodloverrr: When she least expects it!

theangel: uh… guys? Don't you think it's a bit too much?

foodloverrr: not in the least!

The next day, everyone was up early for the morning training. Not a single soldier was late, afraid of Levi's punishments. Everyone lined up in their usual positions as their captain checked their attendance. They started with the warm-ups.

"Pair up. We'll start with the sit-ups." Levi's stern voice instantly made the cadets move. As Eren was about to walk towards Armin to pair up, the corporal's command made him stop in his tracks.

"Ackerman. Do Jaeger."

All of the cadets had their eyes on Levi, just as shocked and confused as Eren and Mikasa. The raven-haired cadet didn't know what to react; would she get cross with the corporal or will she be grateful? Either way, she could see the hesitation in Eren's eyes, unable to look at her. Somehow, she felt regret.

"P-pardon, Corporal?" Eren sputtered, unable to move.

Levi walked towards him briskly, as if ready to take aim and punch the daylights out of him.

"Pair up with Ackerman. You seem to be out of sorts lately. She's your squad's top soldier. You can learn a thing or two from her."

"Y-yes, sir!"

Mikasa walked out of the line and made her way towards Eren. The soldiers prepared for the warm-up, as Eren got on his back while Mikasa held his knees and help spot him. The awkwardness was obvious between them, even the other soldiers were aware of it.

"Why would the corporal pair them up? Their awkward air is quite obvious…" Armin muttered to himself.

"Come on Armin, let's start the exercise." Connie said, interrupting Armin's thoughts. He nodded and went on.

"1… 2… 3… 4…" Mikasa started her counting as Eren did his sit-ups. Her façade looked so blank, that Eren wondered if last night happened at all.

"Mikasa."

"5… 6… 7… 8… 9…"

"Mikasa."

"10... 11… 12…"

"Mikasa, listen to me just for one damn second!" the brunet almost shouted, but not too loud for the corporal to hear. Mikasa on the other hand paused in her counting, her gaze stopping at Eren.

"What is it?" she asked, mentally counting the sit-ups.

"You're acting like nothing happened last night." Eren said.

"Before I act like something happened, I need to know what your response is." Mikasa rebutted, still keeping count.

"I like you too, goddammit! Can't you even get that by the way I'm acting? I thought you were supposed to be the smart one between us!" Eren replied brashly, as he sat up and stopped the exercise mid-way from Mikasa's counting. His childhood friend, on the other hand, was so surprised that all the thoughts in her hand began to vanish, even the numbers that kept count on Eren's sit-ups.

Eren didn't realize that he said that so loud for everyone in the training grounds to hear. Spontaneously, they all stopped from their exercise. Even the corporal was a bit surprised from what he just heard. Yet again, the brunet titan-shifter was caught up by his emotions.

"Way to go, Eren." Armin muttered, a smile playing on his lips.

Slowly, realization dawned upon Eren as he felt the stares of his classmates and the glare from his superior. He suddenly felt his face burn up.

Ah shit. Good one, Eren.

"Who told you brats to stop? Everyone, get back to your exercises." The corporal commanded, as the cadets continued their exercise, including Eren and Mikasa.

We'll have to talk later then. Eren thought as he continued with his sit-ups, not noticing that Mikasa wasn't keeping count anymore. There wasn't even any thoughts on her head now, just the shock from what Eren said.

As the soldiers went inside the dining hall for breakfast, Squad Leader Hanji stood by the doorway of the hall's entrance with her arms crossed, as if waiting for someone. Levi walked towards the door, eyeing the squad leader. He stopped on his tracks, exactly where she was standing.

"What?" he asked.

"You totally did it on purpose." Hanji replied.

Levi rolled his eyes nonchalantly, as if Hanji was talking nonsense.

"I had a bet to win. The stakes are high."

Hanji chuckled. She knew that Levi really cared, bet or not. Despite the scowl that seemed to be forever plastered on his face, humanity's strongest human has emotions buried deep inside of him. Emotions that normal human beings possess.

"It's amazing to see that you, Corporal Levi, whose heart is as cold as ice, actually cared." the squad leader teased. Levi was used to her jokes and he always found them annoying. He had nothing else to do but to give her intimidating glares and threats that that would turn into reality.

"Shut up, four-eyes. Now a bet's a bet. You have to take a freaking bath every day." Levi muttered as he entered the dining hall.

"Right, right. It's going to be a looooong month." Hanji replied, following behind him.

That night it was Sasha and Mikasa's turn for kitchen duty. After enduring the pain of washing the dishes with Sasha, Mikasa found relief that they were about to place their aprons back to the hanger and walk out of the kitchen and rest for the night. It was a long day, and she didn't even had a chance to talk to Eren. She has to admit, it was mostly on the side that she decided not to talk to Eren yet.

"Hey, Mikasa. It kinda seems like you're up on the clouds all day. Is it because of Eren?" Sasha asked as they walked out of the dining hall. Mikasa adjusted the scarf around her neck before answering.

"A little, yes." she replied.

"Oh come on! That's what you've been waiting for, right? Eren's feelings to match with yours?"

"Yeah, but…"

"Is it because you weren't mentally prepared, huh?"

Mikasa sighed. She didn't want to admit it.

"Yes." she answered meekly.

"Well don't worry. You guys have known each other for so long. Just go with it! Follow your instincts! That's the first rule in hunting!" Sasha happily said, as she playfully marched towards their cabin. Mikasa couldn't help but smile.

As they were nearing their quarters, the two girls stopped walking when they noticed Eren leaning on their cabin's wall, waiting for someone. Sasha elbowed Mikasa playfully as she entered the cabin, leaving Mikasa.

"Don't stay out too late, kiddos~" she teasingly said before closing the door behind her.

Mikasa glanced at the wooden door, then at her brunet childhood friend who had his stare at her this whole time. She couldn't help but feel awkward.

"What brings you here, Eren?" she asked, trying to sound normal.

"Waiting for you. We seriously need to talk, Mikasa. Come on, follow me."

And with that, Eren led Mikasa towards the training grounds, and walking even further to reach the forest. They didn't stray out of the path nor did they walked too far from the grounds. There was a spot where they would chop down lumber for firewood in the forest that was only a few feet away from the training grounds. Eren sat down near the small cottage and leaned on the wall as Mikasa did the same. Feeling slightly cold, Mikasa adjusted her scarf once more, absorbing the warmth of the scarf.

Eren scratched his head, not knowing how to start their conversation.

"Eren?" Mikasa's voice broke the silence between them.

"Y-yeah?" the brunet stuttered, a bit startled.

"What are we going to talk about?" Mikasa asked, making Eren feel even more awkward.

"About… us?"

Eren was sure as hell that he was looking like a complete idiot right about now. Perfect, he thought.

"What about us?"

"You. And me. About… feelings." Eren slowly said, not sure on what to say next. He sounded so stupid, like a 5-year old stuck in a puppy love romance, that it makes him want to bang his head on a nearby tree.

"Feelings?" Mikasa asked once more. She knows where Eren was headed, but she decided to let him talk on his own.

"Oh come on. Don't make this hard for me, Mikasa."

"I'm not doing anything." his childhood friend replied, trying to sound innocent.

Exactly. Ugh. Dammit, fine. Eren thought gingerly.

On impulse, Eren leaned close towards Mikasa and placed a small peck on her lips. This caught the raven-haired soldier in complete shock.

"That… that pretty much sums up what I want to say." he said sheepishly.

Mikasa could only nod shyly, she could feel her cheeks burn up.

The two childhood friends didn't know where to place their gazes, feeling a bit awkward within each other's presence. Eren kept on scratching the back of his head, even though it wasn't really itchy whilst Mikasa kept her gaze on the ground. In short, the two looked like a scene straight from a corny teenage movie. The moment was right, they were in a secluded area, the wind blew gently, the crickets hummed softly, the stars twinkled brightly and they were alone. Everything seemed perfect—

THUD

Except for a noise that startled the both of them.

"Oh god, Springer you idiot. You only had one job and that was to stay completely still!" Ymir said, glaring at Connie.

"What? I did, but then Sasha was busy eating this steamed potato that fell on my head! I thought it was a beetle or something…" Connie reasoned as he massaged his head.

"It's not like it fell from my hand on purpose! My hand cramped up from staying still—" Sasha said as she held her other hand gently.

"Shut up! If only you'd left that damn potato back in the kitchen! The corporal might punish us, y'know!" Jean yelled back.

"Shh! Be quiet horse-face!" Ymir said.

"I told you guys to not bring these two along." Annie muttered.

"It can't be helped, they're here." Reiner answered.

"Uh guys… we've been found out." Armin meekly said, making everyone stare at the Mikasa and Eren spontaneously.

"Ah… hey Mikasa, Eren." Krista softly said with a small wave, the guilt obvious in her voice.

Meanwhile, the two childhood friends could only stare at their classmates, not knowing what to do nor say.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?!" Eren shouted at their guilty classmates, feeling infuriated.

Tonight was quite a night.

Probably update in a week or two.