I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan nor its characters.

"Is she okay?" Jean asked, almost immediately in worry when the brunette had entered the room.

"She's…doing some tests for now... and I have to tell all of you something…" Eren grumbled miserably as he looked up from the ground to see everyone's eyes fixed on him which added pressure to the male. "I have something to speak of as well." Armin spoke out, in an unusually grim tone. Just a moment ago he was in tears with the others and it was odd to see him change expressions that quick.

Then again, everything's different.

Everybody's changed.

Eren looked up at the blonde, he was as unsure as everybody else on what the blonde had to say in such a stoic tone, and to be frank that terrified them.

"And I'm sure it's going to be similar to what Eren was going to say..." He took a deep breath.

"About…Mikasa…"

Eren remembered that conversation ever so clearly, the one where the squad and him had a discussion. For one reason or another, the memory of it was flashing back into his brain at the sudden sight of the pitiful raven. The raven in which his emerald orbs softened painfully at her dulled, obsidian orbs.

"About…Mikasa…"

"What about Mikasa?" Jean had questioned.

"Most likely, she will be blind." Armin stated simply, there was no need to hide behind falseness, or any sort of false hope which had obviously blended into fogs of despair.

Just before he could continue, Sasha had cut him off, "B-But she'll be fine right?! How did this happen?!" She spoke, anxiousness running through her veins.

Armin didn't respond, instead, he took one glance at Eren before staring blankly at the palm of his hand, leaving everyone puzzled, clueless. Until Jean pieced them together, giving Eren a piercing glare as he gripped him by the collar. "You did this?!" He snarled in rage.

Normally, the brunette would fightback. Normally, he would be using hurtful words to curse at his defence. Normally, he wouldn't have been quiet. And yet, his emerald eyes only glanced at Jean for a moment, giving an eerie feel which was enough for Jean to let go of his collar grudgingly. "Yes. I did this. I fucking did this to Mikasa. And you think I like it…? You think id hurt her like this, on purpose?" Eren finally spoke. Although, he sounded more disappointed— in himself— rather than angered or infuriated. It was a shock indeed.

"It was my fault too." Armin admitted. "I wasn't able to save her… and I really, really hate myself for it. "I…" Taking a deep breath to recollect his thoughts, and not have a mental or emotional breakdown, the blonde briefly explained what had exactly happened, not wishing to go into further detail—unwilling to revisit that traumatic event that'll either way be stained in his brain.

Despite knowing the cruel truth, the cruel reality of what had happened, no one cursed at the other. No one shot menacing looks at Eren or Armin, No one… was mad.

"…It wasn't intentional. And there's no point in looking back. I'm sure neither of you two wanted it to have happened… if you're telling us this to ask for forgiveness, there is no need to. It is unnecessary… but… whatever you do from now on, if it hurts Mikasa deeply, I'm sure none of us will forgive you." Jean had voiced out, sounding rather genuine. The others nodded in agreement as Armin looked away, both in guilt yet relief, whereas, Eren scoffed.

"We're not asking for forgiveness, we're just telling you the facts. Whether you forgive me or not doesn't matter—"

"What about Mikasa?" Jean brought up, unhesitatingly, leaving Eren caught within a few moments before he responded, "She… why do you even care so much about this horse-face?"

"Because, you plan to lie and hide away from her don't you? Because you're afraid of what's the consequences of her knowing? That's sickening, even Armin isn't afraid to tell her and you—"

Armin quickly covered his mouth, giving him a look before he let out a weary sigh. "End of conversation. We don't need any more arguments, or fights. The war is over, let us enjoy the peace for a bit." He reasoned, which jean grudgingly agreed to. Whereas, Eren was just gazing out the window, blankly staring into mid-air. He didn't seem enraged at Jean's statement. He had his reasons.

"You're right though, Jean. As much as I hate to admit it." Eren grumbled before he faced back at them, having a sorrowful look before he did something.

Something that no one would ever thought Eren Jaeger would do. He kneeled down, setting his pride aside for a moment, before giving a pleading and desperate look, his voice only exaggerated it more. "Please… don't tell Mikasa, I beg of you. I know karma will bite me back but... for now, please…"

Thinking back about it now, he had wondered why he'd have requested or rather, begged for such a thing, when he knew those lies would bite him back. That he'd have eventually been exposed.

"Mikasa…" He spoke quietly, as slowly and carefully did he approach her. Armin giving him warning glares, a sign to not mess up and not worsen the raven's emotions. "I'll leave you two alone, if anything happens Mikasa, scream." Armin said simply, before he got up and left the room.

Eren couldn't even be mad at him, already knowing his secrets were out, and in came the harsh truths that were about to slaughter him.

Slowly, his hand reached out to grip Mikasa's slowly. She didn't tense, which led Eren to have instinctively given her a hug.

There was a small silence between them, Mikasa's sobs had stopped as the warm embraced managed to shoo the gloom away—for now.

The silence was great and all, but she knew peace wasn't forever.

At least, for now.

"Will I finally be able to find you Eren?" Mikasa asked softly. "Will I finally know what you're hiding…?"

Eren's hug tightened, his eyes filled with uncertainty, worry and of course, despair. A part of him was thankful that Mikasa wasn't able to see him like this. But hell, he would rather have her see how much of a mess he was than not see at all. He would rather have her see, instead of for her to grief, to suffer in this annoying silence and darkness, growing agitating each second.

As much as he would like to act all blunt, and ask what she meant, in hope to find an escape, but he could no longer use the coward's way out no longer. Not like this.

"Armin told you everything didn't he? What else do you want to know…?"

"Your feelings."

The fact there was no hesitation in what she wanted to know had definitely caught Eren off guard, for he was unsure of what response he had wanted to give her that was able to satisfy and relief her of her worries.

And the thing she wanted to know… 'Feelings'… what did Armin exactly tell her? Or did she…

"Your emotions." She said simply. "There's something… burdening you, isn't there? I can feel it…" Mikasa emphasised, hoping to receive a response, and yet all she got was a hug that grew tighter, but comforting each second. It was calming to feel his warmth, but what she sought wasn't that, it was to understand the brunette.

"Remember that one day we went to that dandelion, make-a-wish field?" Mikasa spoke, side tracking for a bit.

"Yeah… what about it…?" Eren finally spoke.

"What did you wish for…?" Mikasa asked, her curiosity growing. "We both know… that wishes like that won't be granted so easily, even if the smart one says otherwise." She gave off a light chuckle.

It was sad, really. The fact that Mikasa had maybe felt a glimpse of hope when she had made whatever wish she had made, and now, she sounded as if she had given up on such a thing. And it ached the brunette's heart to even assume such things.

And then, again, there was silence, from Eren.

What he had wished for…

That wish…

Was it alright to confess it? To her?

After another moment of silence, Mikasa continued, "Well, I'll tell you mine first… It wasn't for my vision, if that was what you were thinking. No one, in this day and time, in this hell of a cruel world could ever restore it. Even if there was a way… fate has a twisted way to grant me such selfish wishes."

Scoffing softly, the raven slowly pulled away from the brunette's embrace, as her hand searched for his cheek, which she then caressed ever so gently at.

If only peaceful moments could be longer. And even If they could have been extended, Eren's deadline wasn't. Death was an inevitable thing. Even if the brunette can escape from it, there was no doubt that in return, someone else would not be spared from death's grasp. And for one reason or another, he felt the person to suffer such tragedy would be Mikasa.

There was no doubt, after all, she was always the one saving him from death, back then when his reckless tendencies were more frequent as compared to now. And she'd always get hurt from saving him. Even if the injury was something simple like a mini paper cut, she was still hurt. To make things worse, somethings it would be his yells that would've emotionally hurt her.

That was the worst thing he could've ever done to her, and he did.

He regretted it.

Most of his yells would either be because Mikasa was either being protective, or if she did anything dangerous or worrying. Although recently, before all this, he found himself being a little... softer towards her.

When did that start again…?

Ah, he remembered. Maybe, it was that day when Mikasa had expressed how thankful she was to Eren, and why she was. Why she felt indebted to him. He only wished she'd have done that anywhere except in that dangerous situation they were both in— when they were about to have been eaten by a titan. Then maybe, the two could've had more of a proper conversation. Instead of one where it felt death was after them

But now… can they even hold such a conversation filled with much depth of emotions?

Ah, he didn't know, neither did she, probably.

He somehow found his emerald eyes instantly gluing itself to Mikasa's pained orbs. It had hurt him too, definitely.

She probably knew he was making eye contact with her—despite her being blind, she knew. She knew whenever Eren's eyes were on her. Only his, and she wished she knew why, and why did it feel so…

No words could've described what she felt whenever the brunette would explore deeper into her eyes, such emotions were indescribable, and she wasn't sure whether it was a good or bad thing.

Though dull, there was always something beautiful Eren would've seen in her eyes, whenever she was excited, exhilarated… happy.

Shaking his head a little, to drag himself back to reality, he spoke, "So… what was that wish…?"

"… It sounds selfish. It does. I wished… for the people whom I consider dear… to stay with me a little longer. To stay." She confessed, forcing a smile. "It hurts, when you go, I won't be able to see you in the end, when you… leave. You won't get it… but…" She closed her eyes, to both keep her tears in and to avoid his eyes diving into hers, for reasons she didn't wish to express. "It's a painful… agonizing feeling."

"It's selfish, I know. And fate may twist that wish terribly… but if anything, it's obvious I'll receive those terrible consequences." Mikasa laughed a little, though it sounded fake, just like her smile earlier.

'So she… still has hope after all?' Eren thought silently, but he was half-right. She had hope, but not for herself. But instead, for the 'people she found dear.'

Who were they…?

"One of them is you. Please don't leave me all alone." Mikasa said suddenly, the hand on his cheek suddenly trembling, which Eren quickly grip, tightly, before pulling her into another embrace.

And again, silence—with soft-sounding sobs from the raven.

"Mikasa… how I feel…" Eren mumbled, deciding it was right that he could at least have tried to express how he was feeling. Although the only thing that could've described it right now would be missy scribbles.

"Guilt… I guess. I mean… this was all my fault…" Eren admitted quietly, as he felt Mikasa wrapping around him as well, tightly, comfortingly.

Both seeking solace from the other.

"You're wrong... it wasn't..."

"It was, Mikasa—"

"It wasn't!" She yelled as her embraced tightened. "Don't you dare say that. How can you say that? Why are you blaming yourself? I don't even blame you—or anyone! Eren… Eren believe me when I say this wasn't your fault, and that you shouldn't feel any burden. Thinking that you're the guilty one? No… stop this… stop carrying this unnecessary burdening guilt!" Mikasa wailed, and it got louder each moment.

She couldn't take it, and neither could the brunette who was starting to tear up himself.

"I'm sorry… I don't know… I just… I just want you to be happy." Eren cried softly.

"But why? You deserve more happiness… you have so little time left…"

Eren frowned, "No… you deserve it. Don't you dare think you don't deserve happiness because you do! …You deserve everything and anything good."

"Why… do you care so much about me? I don't understand. Why?! Why… Eren, I am a burden. Stop caring already. I'm your burden right? Then discard, avoid me! Hate me… yell at me like before. Tell me that I should back off!" Mikasa retorted which only caused Eren to pull away—but to only end up gripping her shoulders tightly, whether it be out of rage or an act to reassure her, it was all good intentions.

"Mikasa! Stop it with this nonsense…don't you know why... why I care so much… my feelings..."

"Huh..? What are you saying…?" Mikasa asked after some hesitance, sounding unsure, and afraid to even know what he had meant.

"Mikasa Ackerman, I'm in love with you." Eren said firmly, and he could've swore, he saw disbelief in her eyes which had opened widely in shock, and he also saw a form of sadness yet happiness at hearing those words.

His memory suddenly flashed back to his wish, back then in the meadow of wishes.

He didn't wish for something he had wanted, but instead, what he wished was for someone.

He had wished for Mikasa to be able to move on, and live happily without him. For he, to find happiness without him or anyone. Her own happiness.

Eren now only realised a possible reason why it hadn't come true, it wasn't because it was just a 'myth', but rather Mikasa's wish, for him to stay probably got tangled and conflicted up in his.

That's probably explain the situation he was in, the twisted way of fate… but was this really twisted?

To tell Mikasa how he felt… 2 or 3 years before his death day. When he could've lived in silence, and not mess anymore of her emotions up?

He hated himself so much now.

"E-Eren… w-what…?"

"I love you, Mikasa Ackerman…" He mumbled, as even more tears flooded his eyes, and he didn't know why.

Author's Notes: Chapter 10 finally done! I hope it's okay. More to come... after my next hiatus ends. To be continued in May! I have exams, so i have to sadly set this aside for now. Please leave a review!