Pairing: Eren/Mikasa & Mikasa's implying Eren/Annie

Setting: During their training.

Words: 1589

Rating: K

Notes: A request left in a review on one of my chapters for Eremika week. It's kinda sad, at least sad to me. I tried to remember how I felt when I was fifteen and I saw the guy I liked hanging out with another girl. Mikasa is a strong person and a strong solider, but she's still a teenage girl, and has all the heartache that goes with that.The title is from Adele's "Make You Feel My Love".

I Knew it From the Moment We Met

"Mikasa…? Did…did you hear me?"

Mikasa knew she should be focusing on her own partner, making sure both her and Sasha were learning the drills and landing each move perfectly, but Mikasa's eyes would not stop drifting across the crowded area.

"No," she said looking back over to Sasha who was standing across from her in their area of the training grounds. Mikasa looked over her shoulder again to see the same sight she saw all day: Annie knocking Eren into the ground. No matter how many times Mikasa looked away she couldn't shake the sinking feeling she had in her stomach, the way her pulse was pounding in her ears, the way it was hard to breath. Her palms were clammy, and her mind was jumbled. She tried to focus herself; focus on her situation at hand. She told herself to stop looking, to watch her own partner, but she couldn't stop herself.

Eren went down again, and Mikasa resisted the urge to go over there herself, but she knew how he would react. It wouldn't be pretty. She felt a jab in her chest, only making the way her heart felt like it was in the pit of her stomach worse.

"Should we go again?" Sasha prompted.

Mikasa blinked at her for a moment. What were they doing again? Oh yeah, training. How could she forget? It's not like they didn't do it every day. Mikasa shook her head slightly to try and rid her overrun mind of its thoughts. "Sure."

Sasha's eyebrows furrowed together as she looked at Mikasa then jumped up to her tiptoes and to look over at the two people Mikasa couldn't get her mind off. Sasha made an understanding noise causing Mikasa to eye her.

The brunette settled back down, looking over to Mikasa. "Its Eren and Annie, isn't it? That's what's bothering you."

"What? Why would I care who he trains with." Mikasa kept her voice steady, not even letting the slightest tremor out, but she knew. She knew that was exactly what was bothering her. She just couldn't understand why because it shouldn't bother her at all. Eren had always been with her and Armin. Nothing was gonna change that.

Then why did she feel so horrible?

"Are you jealous, Mikasa?"

Jealous? Why would she be? No other girls cared to hang out with them and Eren never seemed to care about other girls; she was always the only one.

With a few quick moves, Mikasa had Sasha on her back.

She groaned as she pushed herself with her hands. "That wasn't fair, I wasn't even ready."

"I'm going to get some water."

Jealous.

Mikasa walked away from Sasha, heading towards where she left her small canteen of water for the hot days out in the sun. Their instructors didn't particularly care since it was more of a hassle if one of them passed out from heat stroke. She heard Annie saying something to Eren as Mikasa walked by, but she couldn't make out what it was. Whatever it was Eren simply nodded and got up without a fight.

Her stomach clenched as she tugged at her scarf, pulling it over her mouth even despite the sun shining down on her. She leaned up against one of the nearby buildings before bending down to pick up her water. Mikasa placed the cover to her lips and let a little of the water into her mouth.

Eren was still in her sight; she watched Annie talk to him and Mikasa watched a small smile tug at his lips. Her stomach turned.

Sasha had nailed it on the head.

Mikasa was used to being the only girl Eren ever even looked at really. He never had any other friends but Armin and herself, let alone female friends.

She took another sip of water.

She figured it was just something she had to get used to; there were plenty other people, both male and female, Eren was bound to get close to. It clear now more than ever that it wasn't always just gonna be the three of them.

Mikasa felt another sharp jab in her chest as she watched Annie reach out a hand to help Eren up, smiling at her as he talked. Mikasa hadn't seen that smile directed at her in what seemed like ages. Her eyes started to sting. She knew. She knew her feelings weren't Eren just making new friends.

It was that Mikasa wished that was her not Annie.

Mikasa wanted to be the one to help him back up to his feet, have him smiling, talking to her, to have his hand in hers. She was jealous. Jealous because…what if Eren wanted to be with Annie more than he wanted to be with herself?

She shook her head harshly. This was Eren; love was the last thing on his mind, especially regarding herself. Mikasa watched them fight with Eren getting knocked down again and again. He never snapped, never yelled at Annie like he would have with Mikasa; he just got up and tired again.

Why didn't he ask her? She would have helped him in an instant. Maybe he liked Annie's company better.

Mikasa's stomach lurched again at the thought. He hadn't wanted her around like he used to lately; maybe that was-

"Ackerman! Back to work!"

Mikasa quickly saluted her instructor before walking back to where Sasha was waiting.

"So…have a good drink?"

Mikasa ignored her and raised her fists to tell Sasha what Mikasa thought on the matter.

Sasha sighed and went to attack. Mikasa moved her body to place well timed hits on her partner like she had been doing all morning. It was more than a little surprise when Mikasa found herself on her back, Sasha looking down at her.

"It's okay, you know, to feel that way," she said, holding her hand out to help Mikasa up. "I see the way you look at him. It's only natural."

Mikasa pushed herself up and reached out to take Sasha's hand. She brushed the dirt off her uniform once she was back on her feet.

The loud familiar ringing filled the small space; breaths of relief were heard all around at the sound of the lunch bell. Mikasa felt one slip from her own lips, and she knew it had nothing to do with food. Sasha was already long gone as Mikasa watched her comrades file to get inside; Armin was off to the side waving at her but Eren was nowhere in the area.

"Eren!" she called, making her way over to the same spot she had been watching all day. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when those blue eyes met hers. She had been unsure of her feelings for him when they were younger, wondering if she felt such adoration for him just because he saved her life, but it wasn't true and looking into his eyes she couldn't question that. A smile tugged at her lips, her heart pounded in her chest.

"You guys go on ahead," Eren said. "I'm gonna stay here for a little longer."

Her stomach dropped and her smile faded as fast as it had come. Why not? She wanted to ask him. Why am I not good enough for you anymore?

"Okay," was all she said instead. Mikasa turned to leave, keeping her head held high. She was afraid if her shoulders slumped like they wanted to, if her head sunk down, everyone would see how she felt; that Eren would see and that he wouldn't care. She walked towards the mess hall, keeping her eyes on the door.

"Mikasa! Wait a second."

She turned her head back at Eren's voice. He was jogging towards her, his face red and sweaty, but a small smile on his lips. She hated the way her heart was beating again, the way her breath would catch in her throat when he called her name.

"Mind sneaking me some food from the hall?" he asked in a low tone. He was so close to her she could feel his body heat radiating against her, his warm breath on her cheek. "I'll come get it from you later. Okay?"

He looked so happy, so proud almost though Mikasa wasn't quite sure of what. Maybe it was because of all the time he was getting to spend with Annie today and now all the extra time too. Mikasa wanted to say no, to tell him to have his new friend get it for him since he clearly wanted to hang out with her instead but how could she ever say no to him? She cared for more than anyone in the world, even when he had absolutely no clue how much she would give for him.

"Yeah, just don't get us both caught," she said.

"Thanks!" He started to walk backwards to where Annie was waiting. "You're the best!"

A smile pulled at her lips as she watched his retreating back. She turned back to the building in front of her. Armin was still standing outside waiting for her. He gave her a warm smile and gestured for her to come with him as if he could sense her mood from there; which knowing Armin, he probably could. She felt her smile leave her lips the moment she heard Eren talking with Annie behind her. Mikasa walked towards where Armin was standing, not even bothering to look back behind.

If only Eren ever meant what he said.