"Mikasa, are you sure you're okay doing this? You can hardly breathe to talk, let alone sing", Eren fussed, worriedly.
Mikasa was holding a notepad with a pen. She looked at him, and wrote on it. It said "I told you Eren, I'll be fine".
She was saving her breath, to be able to sing. She was singing for the children in the cancer ward today. The kids, along with even the hospital staff were all very excited and grateful.
Grisha was worried naturally, since Mikasa hasn't fully recovered yet, but he wasn't going to forbid her from it either. It would be good for her, and the kids.
To save on her breath, Mikasa didn't talk at all that morning, only writing notes to Eren. She had even written a song for them.
She had plenty of spare time in the hospital, so it was easy. "If you're sure, Mika...", Eren sighed, still a bit worried.
Mikasa gave him an assuring smile. Eren smiled back then. He gently squeezed her hand.
"Hey...I think what you're doing is amazing...I'm proud of you, baby. So proud...", he said. Mikasa blushed a bit, she looked down smiling.
"Miki, are you sure you can sing the full song? It's over 4 minutes...", Rubi asked worriedly, she and Armin were walking with them.
Mikasa nodded, determined. Rubi gave her an encouraging smile. "You got this...", she said. "The kids are really excited about this", Eren added.
"Of course they are, Mikasa's become a bit of a celebrity to them. News travels fast in a hospital, so they all know why Mikasa's here, and the fact she...had a near death experience. The fact she came out of that gives kids like these hope", Armin explained.
"These are kids who realize they could die any day from their diseases...a life no child should have to live. So...to meet someone who's been at death's door and came back...its a miracle to them", Rubi added.
"To all of us", Eren said softly.
They entered the room where Mikasa would be singing. It was in a large room that worked as a sort of play room for the children.
There were around 15 children with cancer in this room. They first looked in the large window. Jessica, the little girl who originally requested this, was sitting at a table with some other children her age, looking excited.
Some children looked sicker than others, some already lost their hair. Jessica hadn't yet, although Mikasa noticed the little girl looked paler than she had last week, indicating she started chemo either today or yesterday.
The nurse spotted the group outside, smiled and hurried out.
"Oh I'm so glad you could come! The kids have been talking about it all morning!", she cried, happily. She shook Mikasa's hands, along with Eren's, Armin's and Rubi's.
"Are you sure you can do it? I heard what happened to you sweetie...", the nurse asked Mikasa worriedly, knowing about it all.
Mikasa gave her a thumbs up, giving an assuring smile. "She's saving her breath to sing", Eren explained. "Very smart, honey. Thank you so much for doing this, I haven't seen these children so happy in so long", the nurse said.
"Miki's excited to do this anyway, so its fine", Rubi smiled.
"What song will you be singing?", the nurse asked curiously. "A song she wrote actually", Eren answered. Mikasa nodded.
"Oh, that's great! Okay...so, I'm sorry but Eren, Armin and Rubi will have to wait outside, since the children in here are...", the nurse began.
"The germs, we understand ma'am. Kids with cancer have extremely weak immune systems. We don't want to take risks", Rubi smiled, knowing.
Mikasa nodded. "Okay, you three can watch from the window", the nurse told them. Eren gave Mikasa a quick kiss on the cheek before she headed in.
"You're gonna be great, baby", he assured her. Mikasa smiled, as she followed the nurse inside the room.
Eren, Armin and Rubi watched from the window.
Mikasa entered the room. Before the nurse could even announce it, Jessica saw her.
"Miss. Mikasa!", she ran over, excited. Mikasa smiled. "Hello sweetie...", she said softly, being careful with her breath.
"I knew you'd come!", Jessica cried happily.
Some other chlildren came over, while the sicker ones had to stay seated, but looked excited.
"Miss. Mikasa! Is it true? Did you really survive getting hit by a truck!", one girl asked.
"That's badass!", a 12 year old boy said, stars in his eyes. "Mike, language", the nurse facepalmed, but Mikasa chuckled.
"Can I have your autograph?", a 5 year old girl asked, beaming. "Now children, don't crowd her. She's a patient too just like all of you", the nurse told them.
"It's all right, I can sign anything you guys want after I sing", Mikasa assured them softly.
The children all beamed, excited. They all found a place to sit in the middle of the room, as Mikasa stood on one side. The nurse was able to get her a microphone, so the weaker kids could hear it all.
"When you're ready, Mikasa", the nurse smiled. Mikasa nodded, she looked at all the children. Jessica was in the front row, grinning ear to ear.
Mikasa smiled, she then took a very deep breath, and began to sing.
She sung in Japanese, and it was a song called "Flowery". The song was extremely soothing, and beautiful.
The kids all listened, smiling. They all looked in awe by her voice, even the nurse did.
Mikasa took breaths in between lyrics, but she sounded amazing.
Eren, Armin and Rubi watched and listened, amazed. "She sounds so beautiful...", Rubi mused, closing her eyes, enjoying it.
"She sounds like an angel..", Armin agreed.
"That's my girl...", Eren smiled, watching. As she continued to sing, Eren's thoughts traveled a bit. This is what Mikasa wanted to use her talent for.
Mikasa wasn't interested in fame, or money, or becoming some famous singer. She wanted to use her voice for purity. For people who needed to hear it, to gain hope.
And children with cancer was just the beginning. "She could sing for charities, other hospitals, homeless shelters, even animal shelters...", Armin said, confirming Eren's thoughts.
"If say an animal shelter had her singing at their event, so many people would come, to donate, or adopt", Rubi added, excited.
Mikasa continued to sing her heart out, the children soothed by it. Some even tried singing it softly along with her.
After Mikasa finished her song, she took a deep exhale, looking a bit breathless, but she smiled.
The children instantly broke into applause, so did the nurse, and of course Eren, Armin and Rubi.
"That was so awesome!", a 8 year old boy said. "It was beautiful!", cried Jessica.
"You put Taylor Swift to shame!", that same funny 12 year old boy said. Mikasa blushed, she smiled, her eyes expressing surprise.
They really loved her.
While signing autographs for each of the children, Mikasa was signing one for a little boy who was only 9, and he was in a wheelchair.
He had extra medical machines hooked to him, and he was very small, and pale. "Thank you Miss. Mikasa...", he smiled, happily.
"It's no problem, sweetie", Mikasa smiled at him. "You really have a voice of an angel...so...", the little boy looked down.
"I'm...having surgery tonight. Brain surgery...", he revealed then. Mikasa blinked, her eyes showing worry, even horror.
"You have brain cancer...?", she realized. The little boy nodded. "But you know...if I don't survive, I'll get to hear singing like yours in Heaven...", the boy said.
Mikasa's heart sunk, as she looked at this child. "Hey...", she gently took his hand then.
"Don't give up, okay? You'll be fine, you're strong. You still have a whole future ahead of you", Mikasa assured him.
The little boy smiled weakly. "Thank you, miss", he said.
Eren watched the two, even though he couldn't hear what they were saying he could tell by Mikasa's expression it was something serious.
After spending a good two hours with the children, it was lunch time. Eren, Mikasa, Armin and Rubi went to the cafeteria.
"Miki, you were amazing!", Rubi cried, hugging her friend gently. Mikasa smiled.
"I'm just glad I could brighten their day. No child should have to suffer like that...", Mikasa said softly. She sounded a bit breathless.
"Mikasa, hey...easy, can you breathe all right?", Eren asked worriedly, rubbing her back.
"It's hurting quite a bit, but I'm fine. It was worth it", Mikasa gave him a weak smile. "We better get you off your feet", Eren said worriedly.
That night, Eren stayed in Mikasa's room. She was sleeping in her hospital bed, oxygen tubes in her nostrils.
There was a small, dim light in the room on the nightstand by all of her get well cards. Eren was sitting in the chair beside her, holding her hand.
He was reading a magazine, unable to really sleep. Mikasa seemed sound asleep for a good hour.
Eren blinked worried then, hearing her breathing grow heavy, and uneven.
"Mika...", Eren gently stroked her hair, getting up. Mikasa's eyes opened, as her breathing remained labored. He knew this sound...she was struggling.
"Eren...I can't breathe too well...", she admitted, gasping weakly.
"I'll get dad, hang in there", Eren pressed the button. Within seconds, Grisha and a nurse hurried in.
"Mikasa? Having trouble breathing honey?", Grisha asked, already expecting this since she sang. Mikasa could only nod, gasping weakly.
"Easy sweetheart, sit up...", the nurse helped Mikasa sit up, as Grisha adjusted Mikasa's bed so it was more like a recliner.
"It's because she sang eariler, right dad?", asked Eren worriedly.
"Afraid so...", Grisha gently removed Mikasa's oxygen tubes, and got an oxygen mask on her.
"Sorry about this honey, you need extra air tonight, to be safe. Nurse, please up her morphine", Grisha instructed.
Mikasa gave a weak nod. She went to take a breath in, desperate for air, but she winced, grimacing, her ribs felt like they were on fire.
"Breathe in gently sweetheart, let the oxygen do the work. Just relax", Eren soothed her, as he kissed her forehead.
Mikasa weakly nodded, her tense body relaxed as the morphine took effect.
After about 15 minutes Mikasa was able to drift back to sleep. Eren didn't let go of her hand, watching over her the rest of the night.
Another week went by...Mikasa would have to spend one more whole week in the hospital. But she was about to lose it.
She had cabin fever bad, and couldn't take being stuck in a hospital bed anymore. The majority of the cancer children were moved to a bigger hospital at this point, including Jessica and the little boy.
Plus she already had ideas to sing for other places, like an animal shelter in their town that was struggling badly.
Because news spread from the hospital, to town, people wanted to hear Mikasa sing. So if she were to sing at an adoption event, it would encourage people to donate and adopt.
But...there was another place she wanted to bring her singing talent too. A very special place.
But for now she was still stuck in the hospital.
"Mikasa, dad said another week", Eren said, urgently. Mikasa was pacing in her room. "Eren, I can't take this anymore! I feel fine! I hate being this useless...", Mikasa sighed.
"You're not useless, babe. You're injured. Don't get yourself worked up..", Eren said anxiously. Mikasa groaned.
"Eren, I don't want to be in here anymore. I want to be home with you...and your parents. And I want to get back to school, and sing...", Mikasa admitted.
"I know, Mika. I know..but its too risky. You're really hurt...", Eren said worriedly, he then gently brushed his finger against the scar on her cheek.
Mikasa glanced at him. "I love you, and I don't want to ever see you suffer like that again...", Eren stated, he gently kissed her scar.
Mikasa blushed a bit. "Please...I want to ask your dad if I can go home a week early. I can't take this...I...I'm homesick", Mikasa confessed, looking down.
Eren sighed worriedly. "Okay...okay, Mika. We'll see what dad says", he gave in.
Grisha entered then. "I have some interesting news...not only has Mr. Leonhart been sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder...but look at this", he handed an envelope to Mikasa.
Mikasa blinked, opening it. Her eyes widened a bit then. "Holy shit..!", Eren yelled.
It was a check for $4000.
"Directly out of that scumbag drunk's bank account. Since I'm the doctor who treated you, you have no medical bills to pay obviously, so...you can use this money as you choose", Grisha smiled.
"Eren...this is so much...", Mikasa cried, in shock. "4 thousand, what are you going to do with it Mika?", asked Eren curiously.
"I'll need time to figure it all...Grisha, I was wondering...if I could go home tomorrow?", asked Mikasa. Grisha blinked, surprised.
"Sweetie, you really should stay another week", he said softly. "I know...but I'm homesick. And...I want to recover as fast as possible", Mikasa replied, anxiously.
"She's got cabin fever bad", Eren added worriedly. Grisha thought for a moment.
"All right...we can try it. You'll still need oxygen at the house", he gave in. Mikasa nodded. "Thank you, Grisha", she said.
By the next day, after Mikasa was back home, she revealed to everyone what she was going to do with the money.
"WHAT?!", Eren, Rubi and Armin yelled.
They were in the Jaeger's living room. Mikasa was on the sofa with Eren and Rubi, while Armin was in the chair.
"You're donating ALL of it?!", Eren gawked at her. "Calm down, Eren. Let me explain", Mikasa said simply.
"I'm giving $1000 to the Children's cancer hospital, $1000 to the Orphanage, and another $1000 to the animal shelter", Mikasa explained.
"So that only leaves you $1000 though, Miki", Rubi pointed out softly.
"I'll be putting $500 of it away for college, that way Eren's parents won't have to pay for my grocery money for first three months at our dorm", Mikasa explained.
"Just until you and Eren get a part time time during college? That makes sense", Armin agreed.
"Mika...you need to use some of this for fun money, seriously. You earned it", Eren stated, worriedly.
"You just want a new game, Eren", Rubi teased. "You be quiet!", Eren growled, the two often bickering, but in a comical way.
"Well, I plan spending a lot of the last $500 on these things. All of us going out to dinner, including Eren's parents, and Rubi's parents, and Armin's grandfather. Rubi and I are going to have a shopping day, since we earned it, and then I'll use the rest for myself", Mikasa explained.
"A fancy dinner and a shopping spree...Miki, you'll most likely only have around $200 left for yourself", Rubi counted.
"Actually, only $180", Mikasa corrected. "What do you need another $20 for?", Armin asked.
"Train tickets...I..", Mikasa looked down a bit then. She held a piece of her scarf.
"I want to visit the Orphanage...and sing for them. I've already talked to them on the phone. And explained...my childhood", she revealed.
"Mikasa...", Eren gently squeezed her hand then, Rubi and Armin looked worried.
"I can relate to them...so much. And...I was lucky. I had you Eren, and your parents. These children have no one...", Mikasa said softly.
"I think that's a great idea, Mikasa", Eren smiled. "I agree", Rubi said.
Mikasa smiled softly, looking down.
"Hey, speaking of college! Okay Jaeger, its about time you decide!", Rubi said then. "Huh? I got time! We're still only in our second year!", Eren said, nervously.
"I'm going to be a doctor, Armin wants to be a writer, and Miki's going to sing for charities. What's your future?", Rubi frowned.
"She's got a point, Eren. You're the only one left who doesn't have a clue", Mikasa admitted.
Eren whined. "Give me a break!", he groaned. "Well you do love video games a lot Eren...maybe you could apply for graphic designer?", Armin suggested then.
"Huh?", Eren blinked. "You could learn how to design video game covers, or characters, or even backgrounds", Mikasa explained.
"Nice thinking, Armin", Rubi smiled. Armin blushed, looking away shyly.
"Hey...that's not a bad idea!", Eren grinned, excited.
"Then I suppose it's settled", Mikasa said. "And of course after college, you and Eren could always get married and have kids Miki", Rubi teased then, nudging her best friend.
Eren and Mikasa both instantly turned red, glancing at each other.
"Rubi, seriously?!", Eren asked, embarrassed. Mikasa looked down, as red as her scarf. But at the same time, her eyes turned serious.
"I'd..like that", she confessed. Eren blinked, looking at her. "Mikasa...", he said, both touched and surprised.
They hadn't even had sex yet of course, and were still in high school...but that was Mikasa's dream future. To have a family with Eren.
"Miki, you'd make an amazing mother", Rubi added. Mikasa blushed a bit more. She smiled, looking down.
After Armin and Rubi went home for the night, Mikasa was getting ready for bed. Eren was in the bathroom brushing his teeth.
There was a oxygen setup in the bedroom since Mikasa still wasn't fully recovered.
But so far, she was doing a bit better. She gently massaged her chest, as she walked passed her mirror. She blinked then, looking at herself in it.
Her scar was quite obvious under her eyes. She then looked down...remembering what Rubi said. She'd make a great mother...
Mikasa felt color reach her cheeks, thinking about it for a moment. If she and Eren ever had a baby together.
Mikasa did always want to be a mother...because she wanted to be just like her own mother, and Carla. She remembered how excited and relieved she got, when she finally had her first period.
Because she knew what it meant.
Mikasa gazed in the mirror, she heard Eren was still busy in the bathroom, so she grabbed a pillow from the bed.
Out of mere curiosity, and since she was still a teenager with emotions, she slipped the pillow under her nightgown, just to see how it would look...if she ever got pregnant. With...Eren's baby.
Mikasa blushed more at the thought of it, as she looked at herself in the mirror, adjusting the pillow under her nightgown.
She looked at herself, and she blushed, her eyes expressed softness..even excitement, for this one day.
"Hey Mikasa, have you seen the floss...?", Eren began to walk in. Mikasa jumped, and quickly threw the pillow on the bed, very red in the face.
"Um...no, Eren, why?", she asked. Eren blinked, noticing her flushed look.
"You okay, baby?", he walked up to her, taking her hands. "Yeah...sorry Eren, I just...was thinking about what Rubi said. About us...having kids one day", Mikasa admitted.
Eren blinked, he smiled then, seeing the pillow was not in its usual spot.
"Don't judge me...", Mikasa muttered then. Eren blinked again, he then couldn't help but laugh. Mikasa looked at him.
"I'm sorry, Mikasa! I'm not laughing at you, its the way you said that...that's so cute..", Eren admitted, blushing, as he stopped laughing.
Mikasa blushed, looking down.
Eren sat down next to her then, turning serious. "Mikasa...", he then gently pressed his forehead to hers. Mikasa gazed into his eyes.
"You'd make a wonderful mother...Rubi's right", Eren stated simply, in such a sure, matter of fact tone. Mikasa blushed, her eyes even sparkled with tears.
"Eren...", she cried, wiping her eyes.
"And well...", Eren turned red then. Mikasa looked at him. "I'd...love it...if..when we have kids one day", he said.
Mikasa's eyes lit up. "Eren...!", she hugged him then, tackling him on the bed. Eren laughed, as he caressed her cheek.
They gazed into each other's eyes, Mikasa on top of him. They both turned red then.
"Ahem...no baby making tonight...or any night in this house", Carla frowned, suddenly standing in the doorway. Eren groaned, embarrassing, while Mikasa blinked.
"Mooommm, don't you knock anymore?!", Eren asked. "The door was wide open. Mikasa, how are you feeling sweetie?", Carla asked worriedly, walking over. Mikasa got off of Eren. "I'm much better, Carla", she assured her.
Carla smiled softly, she then hugged Mikasa suddenly. Mikasa blinked, while Eren looked a bit surprised.
"Sorry sweetheart, I just...am so relieved you're okay. You're both growing up so fast", Carla admitted softly.
"Mom, we're not going anywhere", Eren said, embarrassed.
"I'm okay now, Carla...besides, even if we are growing, we'll always come back here. This is our home", Mikasa smiled softly.
Carla gave a small smile. "I know...you two better get to sleep", she said. Carla went to exit the room. Mikasa blinked softly, she then got up.
Eren watched her, confused at first. Mikasa then walked up to Carla, and hugged her.
"Thank you...mom", Mikasa said then. Eren's eyes widened, and Carla's did as well. Tears even filled Carla's eyes. Tears of happiness.
She gently hugged Mikasa back, close.
"Mikasa...", she cried happily. It was true...for a long time Carla felt like she could never fill the void Mikasa had in her heart.
While it was true Carla would never replace Akane, it didn't change the fact Carla raised Mikasa like her own daughter.
And for that...Mikasa was grateful. And loved Carla like her own mother.
Eren smiled softly, watching.