It was late at night. Eren and Mikasa were fast asleep in bed. They were cuddled close, the room dark. It was only around midnight.
Mikasa slept on her side, facing Eren. Her old Sailor Saturn plush was near her, while Eren drooled in his sleep, laying on his back.
Mikasa was sound asleep, wearing her nightgown, and of course her red scarf.
Her sound sleep however...was plagued with vivid nightmares. Mikasa still did get them once in a while.
But the older she got, the more vivid they got. She was tense in her sleep, turning pale as she saw the same images again and again.
Her father's head getting blown off, blood and brains splattering the entire kitchen, as his lifeless body hit the floor.
Her mother...protecting her. Her mother's tearful face, begging Mikasa to run...before getting shot again, hitting the floor.
On a torturous repeat. Every time she dreamed this, the gunshots sounded so loud. Like she was really there again. Experiencing it all over again.
Mikasa suddenly cried out, in horror, as her eyes flew opened, and she sat up quickly, startled awake from the dream.
"M-Mikasa..?", Eren jumped slightly, still half asleep. Mikasa sat on the bed, her breathing labored, as she sweated.
Her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest.
Eren blinked, waking more, worried. "Mikasa...baby, what is it? Another nightmare?", he quickly turned the lamp on, and placed a comforting hand on Mikasa's shoulder.
Mikasa looked at him, as she panted for air, her heart still beating nonstop.
She swallowed hard, and nodded. "Yeah...that...one", she said, her voice shaky. "Oh Mikasa...", Eren gently pulled her close, rubbing her back.
Mikasa clung to Eren tightly, tears in her eyes. Eren kissed her forehead, gently rocking her back and fourth.
"Easy, easy...it's over, baby, it's over", he assured her.
After a few moments of silence, Mikasa grimaced weakly. She gently sat up out of Eren's arms, clutching her head.
"Mika..?", Eren's tone became urgent, seeing the pained look on her face.
"My head's killing me...", Mikasa admitted, gritting her teeth. It felt like a hammer was pounding against her forehead from the inside, slowly cracking her skull.
She suddenly gripped Eren's hand, crushing it tightly, as she cried out in pain. She clutched her forehead, panting heavier.
"It seems like a migraine...no wonder with the dreams you've been having. Easy...I'll get you some medicine", Eren soothed her.
"...oh god..!", Mikasa began to hypervenulate a bit from the pain, as she continued to clutch her head, doubling over in pain.
Eren hurried back in with the medicine and some water in a flash. Mikasa took the medicine, still breathing deeply, groaning in pain.
"Easy, easy baby. It should stop soon...come here", Eren sat in the bed, and pulled her into his arms, stroking her shoulder.
Mikasa nuzzled against him, gripping his hand as she continued to try and endure the painful throbbing in her head.
It took a good two hours, but eventually, his migraine left. Mikasa exhaled weakly, falling asleep in Eren's arms, completely exhausted from the pain.
Eren continued to hold her, worried. She's gotten headaches in the past, but never one this severe.
Mikasa was a strong girl, she could endure pain fairly well. But this migraine had her almost in tears.
By the next day, it was quite sunny outside. But there was also a cool, gentle occasional breeze.
Eren groaned, bored. They were in class, and Rico was giving her usual "do something with your life" lecture.
"Here you ungrateful brats are in year two of high school! No plans! Do any of you know what majors you plan on applying to in college?", Rico demanded.
"I want to work at a job where I can eat potatoes!", Sasha raised her hair. Some students laughed. "Sasha, if you graduate high school that will be a miracle on its own!", Rico growled.
"Ma'am, I do plan on going to medical school", Rubi admitted then, raising her hand. "Finally! A student who has her life figured out!", Rico said, impressed.
"I'd like to be a writer", Armin admitted. "Very nice, Armin. What about you Eren?", Rico asked.
Eren shrugged. "I can't think of anything", he admitted. Rico frowned.
"Why doesn't that surprise me? Mikasa?", Rico turned to Mikasa. Mikasa thought for a few seconds.
"To be honest ma'am, I haven't decided yet. The only thing I'm talented in is Physical ed", admitted Mikasa.
Eren blinked, looking at her. "Nonsense, Mikasa! You're one of my brightest students! Give yourself some credit!", Rico told her.
When Rico finished her lecture, Eren leaned back in his seat. "Mikasa, what are you saying? You have a lot of talent. You're a genius, you can cook, you can horseback ride, you can even speak four languages perfectly!", he pointed out.
This was true, Mikasa was one of the smartest in the class. Right next to Rubi and Armin. Mikasa was a genius at math, reading, history, and she could speak English, Japanese, French, and German.
"I know Eren, I just...haven't thought of something yet", Mikasa said softly.
Eren looked at her...it seemed like Mikasa was distant about the topic. He couldn't understand why.
"What about you, Eren?", Mikasa asked. "Meh...I'll think of something", Eren shrugged it off.
"Eren, you have to do something with your life", Mikasa pressed, worriedly.
"Don't worry about it! We got time to decide", Eren assured her, yawning lazily.
"Jaeger! Straighten yourself up!", Rico scolded.
When class ended, Eren and Mikasa headed to P.E. Eren was in the gym, playing basketball with Connie, Jean and Ymir.
"Eren! I'm opened!", Connie said. Eren threw the ball over at Connie, only for him to miss it. Eren frowned, while Connie looked confused.
"Huh...how'd I miss that?", he scratched his head. Jean facepalmed. "What an idiot", Ymir commented.
Mikasa had finished her P.E class early. She wrapped her red scarf back around her neck, and then tucked her hand under her shirt.
She pulled out the golden heart locket, that Eren gave her. It had a photo of her parents. Mikasa gently cupped it in her hand, as she exhaled.
She held it close to her heart, and then headed up to the school roof.
Armin and Rubi were in the library, having a free period.
"Rubi, I have to admit. The fact you want to go to medical school after college is really admirable", Armin admitted, as they studied.
Rubi blinked. "I mean...that's not an easy job to have. To be a doctor", Armin explained. Rubi looked down softly.
"I want to help people, Armin. If it means I could save someone's life...", Rubi said softly.
"I think that's great, Rubi", Armin smiled. Rubi blinked, looking at him. Some color reached her face. She then shook her head, a bit nervously.
"T-Thanks. Why do you want to be a writer...?", she asked.
"I've always loved books, and novels. I couldn't imagine how much fun it would be to write one. Getting your story out in the world for everyone to read", Armin replied.
"You sound passionate about it", Rubi noticed.
"Well of course", Armin smiled. He sighed then. "Meanwhile, Eren and Mikasa don't seem to have a plan", he said.
Rubi nodded. "Miki's got such talent too. She could be a teacher, a doctor, maybe even go to law school", she agreed.
"Yeah, although Eren...while he's got some skill, its his motivation that's the problem", Armin gave an ironic chuckle.
"Eren's got a sick obsession with video games, honestly", Rubi agreed, shaking her head.
Armin shrugged. "It can't be helped", he stated.
"I assume Miki would want to go to the same college as Eren..", Rubi said then. Armin nodded. "Of course", he said.
"One good thing is, we'll all most likely end up in the same one", he added. Rubi looked down a bit. "Armin...do you think Miki's okay?", she asked then.
Armin blinked, this was out of the blue. "How do you mean?", he asked.
"I know she has Eren, and us but...it doesn't change the fact Mikasa saw her parents murdered in cold blood when she was just a child. I see her often starring into space. I'm speaking from a medical stand point...", Rubi explained.
Armin looked down softly. "Well..there is one thing. Mikasa got a bad migraine last night", Armin confessed then.
Rubi blinked. "She most likely had her first the night her parents died, but she was so little at the time. It started last night...Eren called and told me", Armin said.
"Stress migraines, maybe. Seeing trauma at such a young age could cause that", Rubi concluded.
Armin looked at her. "I'm simply saying, no matter how many years pass, Miki is never going to fully get over that. Or recover mentally for that matter. She needs all of our support, and always will. And also...someone like that, could snap", Rubi explained.
"Trust me, I know. I think its great Mikasa and you became so close so fast. She needs a girl to talk to sometimes", Armin smiled.
When Eren finished basketball, he exited the gym. He wiped his neck with a wet towel, and blinked.
He heard something from the roof of the school. A soft singing voice.
"What is that...?", curious, Eren went inside to get up to the roof. He hurried up the stairs, as the voice got louder and louder.
As he got closer...the voice sounded more and more beautiful. Like the voice of an angel.
"...Ano hi kowai yume kara. Nigashite kureta nukumori...", the lyrics became clear as Eren rushed up the stairs to the roof.
He blinked...it was Japanese. And they translated to "The Nightmare of that day...you rescued me from it, gave me warmness"
Eren made it to the last flight of stairs, his heart was beating hard in his chest. This voice...was it...
He grabbed the door handle, and flung the door open to the roof. The sunlight was bright, as Mikasa stood there, near the fence.
The wind breezes through her hair and scarf. Her heart locket was also exposed, resting against her chest.
"Douka ikanaide Soba ni ite mo obiete iru", she hit a high note, singing passionately, her eyes closed, her hands cupped together.
"Ah kienaide...Watashi nitotte ", she continued. Eren starred, wide eyed.
He slowly walked over. Mikasa blinked softly, seeing him. "Oh, Eren...I didn't hear you come up", she said.
Eren suddenly pulled her close, and kissed her deeply. Mikasa turned red, her eyes widening in surprise a little, but she returned the passionate kiss.
Mikasa wrapped her arms around Eren's neck. They gently broke the kiss after a few seconds.
"Mikasa...why didn't you tell me you had such a beautiful voice?", Eren asked, still in shock. Mikasa blushed a bit, looking down.
"Hey, look at me Mika", Eren gently cupped her cheek then. Mikasa nuzzled against his hand, before opening her eyes to look at him.
"It's because...my mother used to sing", Mikasa revealed then. Eren blinked, listening. He gently held her hand.
"She had the most...beautiful singing voice. She used to sing to me when I was little...", Mikasa went on. "Was it the song you were just singing?", asked Eren softly.
Mikasa shook her head. "No. I...wrote that", Mikasa confessed. Eren's eyes grew wide. "Seriously?! Mikasa...it was beautiful, and I only heard a little bit of it!", Eren praised, impressed.
Mikasa looked down again. "Mika, that's what you should be applying for in college!", Eren pressed, excited.
"I..didn't think my voice was as good as mom's..so...", Mikasa admitted.
"Are you kidding? You're her daughter. So of course you have a beautiful voice like hers", Eren stated. Mikasa looked at him, she gave a sad smile.
"Eren, thank you...I needed to hear that", she admitted.
The school day was about to end. Students flooded the halls, heading down to the locker rooms.
Mikasa stayed near Eren, Armin and Rubi. Sasha went to open her locker, and a bunch of snacks fell out. "Oh, shoot!", she went to pick them up.
"Seriously, babe?", Connie helped her pick up the Pringles cans, candy bar wrappers, and even a half of a watermelon wrapped in plastic.
Mikasa ran her hand through her hair, as Eren closed his locker.
"Nice singing voice, Mikasa", Annie sneered then. Eren glared, so did Rubi. Annie was near her own locker with her friends.
"What, you spy on us now, you freak?", Rubi growled darkly.
Annie ignored Rubi. "I don't think you have to worry that you don't sound like your mother...after all, you sound like a corpse", Annie growled.
Mikasa's heart sunk, at first in shock. Eren glared dangerously, so did Rubi.
"You heartless bitch...!", Rubi snarled, slamming her locker door loudly.
"Why don't you SHUT YOUR MOUTH?!", Eren suddenly went to punch Annie.
"EREN!", cried Mikasa worriedly, as Annie suddenly kicked Eren hard, and threw him to the ground. Eren grunted in pain, his nose broken, blood appearing.
"Eren!", Armin yelled, while Rubi glared. Annie went to glance up, and before she could react, Mikasa swung punches at Annie.
Annie narrowly dodged the first few, as Mikasa glared dangerously.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!", Mikasa's fist then slammed into Annie's mouth, blood coming out.
"EPIC MATCH TIME!", Sasha yelled, as the students all gathered. Some hid as well.
Annie glared, and suddenly went to punch Mikasa. Mikasa dodged it, glaring. "Wait! Mikasa!", Eren said worriedly, but Rubi pulled him away.
"Eren, let Mikasa have this. She needs this right now...", Rubi said worriedly.
Eren watched anxiously. "I bet my money on Mikasa!", Jean cheered.
"Annie's so dead!", Connie agreed. "Can't you two just talk it out...?", Krista asked worriedly, Ymir holding her close protectively.
Annie went to kick Mikasa, but Mikasa managed to just dodge it. She then grabbed Annie's hair, and slammed her against the locker.
Some students gasped, including Armin, as Annie cried out in pain, her face hitting the locker hard.
"Do you have anythiing else to say Annie?", Mikasa growled, dangerously. Eren, Armin, and Rubi all watched in shock.
Before Annie could answer, Mikasa slammed her face into the locker again, making Krista and Sasha jump.
"WELL!? How many times do I have to bash your skull into this locker before you learn your lesson?!", Mikasa then slammed Annie into the locker three more times, the metal began to dent a bit, blood all over the locker door.
"M-Mikasa...!", Armin cried. "Mikasa, stop! You'll kill her!", Jean yelled urgently. The students who were making bets, now looked scared.
Mikasa let Annie drop to the floor. Annie lay there, her face bloody and mangled. She coughed up blood, shaking.
"Jesus christ...", Sasha muttered. Everyone starred tense. Mikasa glared dangerously down at Annie.
She then glanced over, seeing an opened, empty classroom.
"Miki...?", Rubi asked nervously. Mikasa walked into the classroom, she then picked up one of the desks.
Eren's eyes grew wide. "Mikasa...?!", he asked fearfully.
Mikasa raised the desk up over her head, about to throw it down at Annie.
"EREN! Get her under control!", Sasha yelled.
"MIKI! Snap out of it!", Rubi cried fearfully. 'She...she snapped...like Rubi predicted...', Armin realizied.
Mikasa glared, and just as she was about to throw the desk down, Eren grabbed her. "MIKASA, STOP IT!", he held onto her tightly.
Mikasa struggled against his grip, glaring at Annie. "LET ME GO, EREN!", she growled.
"SHE'S NOT WORTH IT, MIKASA!", Eren yelled back, as the two struggled with each other. Armin and Rubi also hurried over to restrain Mikasa.
They knew if this went any further, Mikasa could end up in prison. Plus it didn't help Annie's father was some bigwig. And he was also a drunk psychopath.
"EREN I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! She deserves this!", Mikasa screamed then. They had been putting up with Annie for a year now.
But this was the first time Annie said something directly insulting towards Mikasa's parents.
"We agree, Miki! But you need to calm down!", Rubi cried. "You'll just get in trouble!", Armin added.
Mikasa gritted her teeth, glaring. Annie glared back at her. "Go on, beast", she taunted. Mikasa.
"Shut your mouth, Annie!", Rubi growled at her.
"Mikasa! This isn't what your parents would want!", Eren said then, anxiously.
Mikasa froze then, she suddenly stopped struggling, her heart sinking. Light returned to her eyes, as she began to tremble.
"My..parents...", Mikasa shook badly. She suddenly dropped the desk. It hit the floor loudly.
"What's wrong, beast? Your boyfriend rein you in?", Annie spat out blood as she said this. Rubi suddenly glared dangerously.
She kicked Annie hard in the abdomen. Annie fell back down in pain.
"Mikasa...", Eren held onto her. Mikasa was shaking badly. She suddenly fell to her knees, and looked at her heart locket.
Tears appeared in Mikasa's eyes...she missed them so much. "Mikasa..", Eren gently knelt down beside her.
"Oh Eren...I miss them so much...", she suddenly sobbed, holding her locket close to her chest. Eren pulled Mikasa close then, hugging her tightly, as Mikasa clung to him, sobbing.
She hadn't broke down about her parents in so long...and Annie's comments didn't help.
Everyone watched, as Eren held Mikasa close in his arms.
The following day, Mikasa and Eren were at the cemetery. Mikasa gently placed fresh Sakura petals at her parents graves.
"I'm sorry...that Annie talks about you both in such a vile way. And I...", Mikasa trembled then, her voice cracked.
Eren gently knelt down beside her, rubbing her back. "Your parents would be proud of you, Mika. You were able to stop yourself. Annie still got what she had coming, but you didn't lose your humanity", Eren assured her.
Mikasa leaned against him, exhaling softly.
Annie had to go to the hospital after school. Things were quiet today, but both Eren and Mikasa knew this wasn't the end of it.