Pairing: Eren/Mikasa

Setting: A few weeks after Chapter 50

Rating: T (for language and sexual situations; this is the edited version. AO3 and Tumblr have the unedited one!)

Words: 3487

Notes: Oh, I loved writing this one. It was nice to explore the three of them through situations such as love and sexuality. This is just how I feel they would react, especially Armin lol so I hope everyone feels they are in character ^^ I just love writing them being able to just be carefree teenagers for once.

November 13th – Beautiful World

Eren hoped to whatever higher power there was that Armin was the only one in the rec hall because what was on Eren's mind was embarrassing enough to talk about with Armin let alone the rest of his squad. Eren pushed open the wooden door and peered in. A sigh of relief fell from his mouth when he saw the back of Armin's head at one of the tables. The candle Armin was reading by flickered when Eren walked by causing the whole room to look like it was moving.

Armin looked up from his book, his face a bit confused. "Hey," he greeted, closing his book slightly. "What're you doing up?"

"I…couldn't sleep." Eren sat down on the bench next to his friend. It wasn't a lie really. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep so he just didn't bother.

Armin didn't look like he was buying it. Why was he so observant? It made hiding anything from him very difficult.

"What's on your mind?" Armin asked obviously trying to prompt Eren to start talking.

"Who says anything is?"

Armin gave him a look Eren has seen countless times before. The "I see right through your bullshit, Eren, so knock it off" look. "It's the middle of the night and you're sitting here instead of passed out, twiddling your thumbs and looking terrified. I say something is."

Well, there went any of Eren's excuses.

"Its…well, it's about a few weeks ago, y'know, when we were all trapped…in the fields." Eren looked tentatively over at Armin who just stared back with his knowing eyes, and a slight smile.

"So it is about Mikasa then."

"I never said that," Eren said, but he felt his cheeks heating up.

"No, but your face does." Armin removed his finger from his book and turned to face Eren fully. "I couldn't really see you guys what with…everything that was going on but I knew you were together. Did she say something to you?"

"Ah, yeah," Eren said. "She…she thanked me for everything I had done, for saving her, and giving her my scarf, but it was her face when she said that. I hadn't seen her that happy in…God knows how long. Like at the end of it all, she was happy to…be with me." Eren hadn't realized he was staring at his hands and when he looked up Armin watching was him.

"That sounds like Mikasa," Armin said. "But it wasn't the end."

"Well, clearly not, but that was because…of me I guess." Eren hesitated for a moment. "I just looked in her eyes and there was no way in hell I was letting it end there. There was still too much…" he trailed off, his eyes watching the candle.

Armin didn't say anything for a moment but Eren could still feel Armin watching him.

"Do you finally understand why she's protected you for so long? It was never because she thought you weren't capable but because she couldn't bear to lose you."

Eren nodded slightly. "And I treated her so shitty for it. It's a miracle she still talks to me." He let out a small sigh as he propped his arm up on the table. "The worst part is I was never mad at her; just fucking frustrated with myself. I'm the one who should have been protecting her. All these years it should have been me."

"You have, more than you give yourself credit for," Armin said nudging Eren with his elbow. "She's the reason you got that moronic idea to punch a titan, huh?"

Eren had to laugh; it hadn't been his best idea. "I had to do something. I wasn't letting her die there." He paused again for a moment, wondering if he should even voice came to his mind next; he had come this far though. "I, uh, promised her that we'd always be together."

"Like it was ever going to be any different," Armin rolled his eyes at him, but a smile was on his lips. "Eren, maybe you should, you know, tell her all this. Not me."

"There's, ah, one more thing."

Armin gestured for him to continue and Eren knew his face wasn't about to cool down anytime soon. "Right before I…I stood up to punch that bastard…you know the one who-"

"Eren, I know, out with it."

"Mikasa…I think she meant…I think she was going to…kiss me."

"Oh wow did she."

"You don't seem very surprised."

"I'm not."

Eren probably should have expected that.

"Maybe you should go finish the job," Armin said just grinning openly now.

"Right now? It's the middle of the night."

"And she's probably sleeping as much as you are. Trust me. You'll feel a lot better if you do."

"But-"

"Go, Eren. If I catch you lingering outside her door, I'll shove you in there myself."

"Fine," he grunted, pushing himself to his feet. He walked towards the door, but glanced back. "Hey, Armin?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

Armin looked over his shoulder to grin at Eren. "Just go."

He pushed the door open to leave but before the door could shut he heard Armin shout, "It's about damn time, too!"

Eren walked the familiar path to the room Mikasa was staying in. He knew the way by heart by now, after the amount of times he went to make sure she was okay. His heart was pounding in his chest, his hands wouldn't stop fiddling around with his shirt, or his pockets, or each other. He didn't understand why he was acting this way, it was just Mikasa.

There was the problem. He had only recently realized there was no just when it came to her. He couldn't believe there ever had been; the day he met her, he killed for her. If that's not binding your life to someone else's, he wasn't sure what was. He also knew for so long he was blinded by rage, blinded to the world, and the people who meant the most to him.

He was facing her door before he even knew it. With a hard swallow, he turned the knob and peered into her room. The moonlight was shining in through the window, illuminating the room somewhat. He saw her body in bed but it was impossible to tell if she was awake or not. Well, if she was asleep he wasn't gonna wake her for something stupid like-

"Who…? Eren? Is that you?" her voice rang out through the room telling Eren that Armin was right. What else was new.

"Ah, yeah, it's me," Eren said, stepping inside the door and shutting it quickly behind him.

"Wha-what's going on? Is something wrong?" Mikasa was already sitting up in bed and from the looks of it about to jump out. While one of her legs was healed the other wasn't there yet.

"Hey, hey nothing's wrong I promise." He hurried to her bed to make sure she'd actually listen to him.

Mikasa eyed him but she made no more moves to dive out of her bed. "Then what is it?"

"Its…nothing," he shrugged, sitting down on the edge of her bed. Yeah, real smooth, Jaeger.

"From my knowledge you don't normally come to me at 3am for 'nothing'. What is it?"

So this is what it was like when your best friends knew you too damn well. "I just…wanted to talk, that's all."

Mikasa seemed to accept that answer as she settled down against the backboard of her bed.

That seemed to be the signal to talk. "Well, um, about…I was just thinking…" Oh for fucks sake. This was Mikasa, he had talked to her a million times; this shouldn't be so hard. Except it was always hard trying to tell someone how much you care when you've been a complete asshole.

"I've been a complete asshole." Well, it was a start.

"What're you talking about?" Her face was twisted in confusion.

"To you, Mikasa," he said, his hands dropping in his lap. "You've done nothing but look out for me all these years, and I gave you such shit for it. I knew it too; I could see it in your eyes but I was too stubborn to go back and say I'm sorry. So I'm saying it now. I'm sorry, Mikasa, you never deserved any of that."

Her dark eyes were watching his, but she didn't say a word. She didn't even move actually; an apology from Eren Jaeger probably had that effect on anyone.

He moved closer to her on her bed, feeling too far away for how he knew this conversation was about to turn but he couldn't back down now if he wanted to. Seeing her face, the one which always cared for him and the one he realized too late he cared for too, he had to get it out.

"I was never mad at you though. Only me. It shouldn't have been you protecting me all the time, it should've been me protecting you. I was frustrated with myself and I took it out on you." Eren shrugged. "I just…wanted to tell you."

Mikasa was still quiet as she watched him; he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"I meant what I said, y'know. About…" There was the heat to his face again. "Always being together. I, uh, couldn't imagine my life without you. I wouldn't want it." Eren looked down at his hands in his lap. He didn't even know what he was doing; how could he ever express how much she meant to him.

A warm touch on his cheek made him look up. Mikasa had inched closer to him, her hand on his face. A small smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes were just as intense as before. "What are you trying to say, Eren?" she spoke softly.

Eren expected to say "I have no idea" when he opened his mouth, but it wasn't what came out. Instead all he could see was her face, her eyes, her hair, her lips, her cheeks, her nose. It was familiar to him, but all so new, as if he was seeing her through different eyes; ones that finally saw her for what he always should've.

"That I'm in love with you." The words surprised him, but at the same time nothing felt more right. He heard Mikasa breath in quickly, clearly not expecting what he said. "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to realize." He reached up to brush some of her hair out of her face, but the moment he felt his hand touch her skin, her lips were on his.

He could feel his eyes widen but the feeling of her soft lips against his, the way it made his pulse pound in his ears, his eyes fluttered shut as he moved his mouth with hers. He really had no idea what do to, how to act, how to move, but it didn't really matter. He didn't even have to think, not with her. His hand reached up to the back of her head, tangling in her thick hair and pulling his body closer to hers. She tasted so…Eren didn't even know how to properly describe it, or how he was feeling. He just couldn't believe he was stupid enough to let her pass him by for so long.

Mikasa pulled away from him slightly, leaning her forehead against his as heavy breaths came from her mouth. "I've loved you for a long time longer than I probably even know. I never wanted to make you so upset all the time, it's just…you made me life better the moment I met you. I only ever wanted to be by your side."

"I know." He nodded against her head. "Well, I know now. I was too stupid to recognize it before."

"Not true. Just driven to make the world a better place."

"The world wouldn't even have hope to be a better place without you. Not for the military, the people, or me." He could see her cheeks turn red at his words. It wasn't the first time he had seen her blush, but the first time he understood how she was feeling.

"Or without you," she said breathlessly. "You've always been my hero, but now you'll be the world's. I know you will be."

"The world doesn't matter," he mumbled before tilting his head down to push his lips to hers once more.

He felt her fingers run through his hair sending chills down every part of his spine. His fingers slipped down her back, feeling her warm skin through the thin material. Mikasa's hands pulled against his head with enough force that Eren felt like he was gonna lose his balance off the side of the bed. He adjusted his body to face her better, his hands pressing into her back, but she still kept pulling at him. She moved her hands down his back, fingers bunching in his shirt as she tugged him forward into her while she leaned backwards.

Oh. Oh.

That's what she wanted; Eren was more than happy to give her that.

As carefully as he could he pulled his legs up onto the bed, careful not to hit her leg. Mikasa didn't let him go as her back fell against the mattress. Eren braced his hands on either side of her head pulling his body over hers. He could feel her body heat against him even though he was just hovering over her.

"Is your leg okay?" He pulled away from her, looking down at her half blanketed form. He wasn't stupid enough to never notice her body, but seeing her this close, and this intimately was enough to send heat pooling in the pit of his stomach.

"It's fine," she said, pulling his face back down to hers but not before kicking her blanket off the bed.

Eren let his body gently settle down against hers, his legs in between hers, and his arms slipping under hers. He could feel every inch over her body under him; every curve, every dip. Her skin radiated through her clothing sending more chills through his body. He felt his pants getting tighter with every second she had her hands on him. He broke their kiss but only so he could kiss more of her; he moved his lips over her jaw, her cheek, and down to her neck. He could hear her gasp lightly which only fueled him more. He was thanking that higher power that his dad was a doctor and they had snuck all those books out of his office to giggle at when they were kids.

Her hands moved down his back till he felt them bunch up the hem of his shirt. She tugged it upwards, her fingers leaving a trail of goose bumps where she brushed up against his bare skin. He shrugged it off of himself but where she tossed it he could care less. Eren's eyes shut at the feeling of her hands running over his skin. Her hands were rough with wear and callouses but they felt soft and gentle against him.

"When did your shoulders get so broad," Mikasa said while her fingers lingered over him.

"Are you trying to tell me I was scrawny?" Eren slipped his hands underneath her shirt to wiggle them against her skin.

"No!" she laughed trying to squirm away.

Eren pressed his lips back against hers, his hands resting against her waist. He supposed he should feel nervous, or afraid, but this was Mikasa. Even through the world had gone to shit around them, all he saw was her.

He gently pulled her shirt over her head, leaving her in her bra below him. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was always pretty, Eren would have never denied that, but she was so much more than that. He pressed his lips to her neck once more, this time traveling lower down her chest while his hands held onto her waist. A soft cry from her lips had Eren really feeling just how painfully tight his pants were now. He felt her back arch into him the lower his mouth got, her hips pressing into his.

He couldn't have held in his moan even if he tried. He looked up to Mikasa's bright eyes watching him. Her fingers fiddled with the buttons on Eren's pants before she pushed them down leaving him in just his underwear, and not much to hide how much he was enjoying her company. Without hesitating, Eren dipped his fingers in her loose pants, pulling them down for her to kick them off. With a sharp intake of breath, his eyes roamed over her.

"You're gorgeous, you know," he breathed. He didn't miss that blush that crept across her face.

"Eren?"

"Yeah?"

"Is this really what you want?"

His forehead scrunched together while his mind tried to process what she meant but the look on her face gave her away. After all these years of caring for someone in what seemed like a one way adoration, how could she not worry he didn't feel the same way.

"No," he said his eyes locking with hers. "Not just this, but you. It's always been you. It always will be."

Mikasa reached up to pull his face down to hers, her lips pressing against his fiercely. Eren grabbed a hold of her as his body rested against hers once more. He felt like his skin was on fire against hers, like he could just melt right into her. Her hips rolled up into his and Eren lost the ability to think about anything else but making the girl below him the happiest she ever could be. She deserved that a hundred times over.

For a moment, he could forget what was outside this room; he could forget what he faced in the morning, what they all faced in the morning and every day until their world was safe and free. He could just see Mikasa, and the life he promised himself he would have with her someday.

Eren was mildly aware of the sun shining down on his face but he was more aware of the warm presence next to him; the one that was very familiar. Even without opening his eyes, he knew that touch against his chest, the way her head rested against him, her smell, her body fitting to his. His hands were around her, keeping her close to him as he had slept; judging by the way she wasn't stirring she was still fast asleep. His hands rubbed her soft skin as thoughts of the night came to his awakening mind. With a grin he opened his eyes expecting for Mikasa to be the first thing he saw.

He wasn't expecting Armin to be standing over her bed.

"Holy shit!" Eren nearly jumped out of the bed and his skin. Mikasa's head and body snapped up, her eyes quickly scanning the room, until she saw Armin too. She let out a small noise, her eyes wide.

Armin reached forward quickly to grab the blanket that was falling down her body and held it up for her to take.

"Well, good morning to you guys too," he said, but he was grinning.

"What're you doing here?" Eren gasped, still recovering from his mild heart attack.

"As much as I'd love to say I'm here for the congratulations, though it really is about time." Armin wasn't even bothering to hide his amusement. "It's because its nearly 8am and if the medical workers or worse the Lance Corporal finds you in here clearly not just stopping by for morning tea, you'll probably never be able to-"

"Okay, okay I get the point," Eren waved his hands to get Armin to stop talking.

"Then let's get going." He threw Eren's clothes at him. "Good morning, Mikasa, you look well rested."

Even Eren could see that blush creep across her cheeks as he shoved his clothes back on. "Alright, alright come on, wise ass." He slid off the bed and gave Armin a shove towards the door. Eren turned around and quickly grabbed a hold of Mikasa's face, pulling himself down to her. "I'll see you at breakfast, okay?" he pressed his lips to hers one last time before he felt Armin tugging on the waistband of his pants. "Alright already!" he tried to be mad, but he couldn't. He just laughed and swatted him away.

"Stop looking so cocky," Armin chuckled pushing Eren out of the room. "See you, Mikasa," he waved before shutting the door. "You know the Lance Corporal is gonna see right through that."

"Ah, whatever," Eren shrugged with a smile. "Let him talk." It didn't matter anyway. How could anything be bad when the world was such a beautiful place?