Pairing: Eren/Mikasa

Setting: Modern Day/Reincarnation

Rating: K+

Words:2351

Notes: I used to never like reincarnation fics until I got into SnK. I feel like since they live such hard lives, and since chances are they won't get happy endings, a reincarnation setting just makes it so heartwarming that even in multiple lives they'd find each other again.

May 7th – Under the Stars

It wasn't like Eren to not want to go to a party, but as he sat on the steps of the back porch, beer swirling in his cup, all he wanted to was go home. Armin forced him out, saying Eren spent way too much time in their dorm, but a rowdy party where his loud mouthed ex-girlfriend of a few weeks was bound to show up didn't exactly seem relaxing to him. In fact, he was pretty sure he heard her voice blabbing away to her friends from inside; probably telling them what an ass he was for breaking up with her and how he better never show his face around her or them again. That's fine; he was more than happy sitting out here.

Eren brought the cup to his lips, letting the liquid pour down his throat. At least it was a nice night; the salty air blew off the ocean, keeping him cool on his spot on the steps, and he even saw the stars over his head.

A few people fumbled down the stairs nearly tripping over Eren as they joined a small group of people standing underneath the hanging lanterns in the backyard. Armin was nowhere to be seen, which was unusual for the normally quiet boy, but whatever, as long as no one bothered him Eren was happy.

It was strange, he used to love this; staying out at people's houses, drinking all night but now it just seemed so pointless. Maybe he was getting old, maybe it was his graduation date looming near. Whatever it was, it made him just want to sit in the comfort of his own dorm. It sure as hell made him realize he didn't want to be with his ex, something she hadn't taken so well.

Eren took another sip of his drink. He did feel a little better once she wasn't texting and calling him all the time, begging him to come out, but it didn't fix everything. Eren still felt like there was a void missing in his life; he still felt empty. He leaned his head back to look up at the sky. Maybe he was just thinking about it too much, maybe it was just stress but he couldn't shake the feeling. It only grew stronger making him even more miserable.

With a sigh, he looked back to the yard overlooking the ocean. He didn't recognize anyone standing around, but that wasn't all that new; he didn't even know whose house this was. Armin probably did, but Eren didn't feel like going to find him just to ask. Eren finished off the last of his drink and pushed himself up to get a refill but something caught his eye.

It was a bright red scarf, blowing in the breeze.

The backyard wasn't incredibly well lit, but the scarf almost looked like it was glowing under the lanterns. His eyes followed the fabric until he saw it wrapped around the neck of a girl he had never seen before; he looked up to see her dark eyes looking back at him.

Eren glanced behind him for a moment, to see if she was looking at someone else, but there was no one there. He looked back and her eyes were still on him, a small smile on her lips. Normally he would've never cared about some girl watching him from across the room. He always considered himself to be a pretty attractive guy and he got that from girls fairly regularly, but he was already on his feet walking over to her without a second thought.

She watched him as he got closer, her short black hair blowing with her scarf in the wind. She was about his height with a small frame and a soft face; he could tell she was of Asian descent, but he didn't think about it too much, mainly because she was absolutely beautiful. She was only wearing a simple shirt and shorts but she was just…beautiful, he had no other word for her.

Eren stopped when he stood in front of her, clearly letting her know that he came over to talk to her. Of course, now that he was here, he had no idea what to say. He felt like he was in high school again the way his mind just blanked on him.

"Hi," she said. Her voice was light but firm; she was eyeing him, but still was smiling.

"Hi," Eren responded to her prompting. "I, uh, saw you standing her alone." Okay, Eren, way to be smooth.

She nodded with a small laugh, her fingers reaching for one edge of her scarf. "Yeah, I got dragged here by my friend."

"I know the feeling." Eren felt his heart starting to pound in his ears, his hand starting to fiddle with his cup. He tipped the cup up to his lips only to remember there was nothing left. Well, it was too late now; he pretended to drink and hoped she didn't notice.

"I really only agreed because I love the ocean. It was a nice excuse."

Eren put his cup down on a chair nearby so he wouldn't be tempted to make an ass out of himself with it. "So do I, and the city isn't exactly overflowing with salt water."

She laughed, her eyes not leaving his and he had to remind himself to talk.

"Do you want to go down by the water? Get away from the noise a little?" So it was a long shot, he didn't even know her name but it really didn't matter; the thought of going back to sitting on the porch was painful. It was as if everything he had been feeling before didn't matter anymore; all he could think about was this girl in front of him and he had no idea why.

"Yeah," she answered. "That sounds nice."

Eren let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Okay, I think I saw some stairs over here." He gestured towards the edge of the yard before he started to walk over. "I'm Eren, by the way."

"I'm Mikasa," she said as she started to walk next to him.

Mikasa. The name sent chills down his spine.

"It's nice to meet you, Eren." She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his.

His name on her lips sounded better than he ever heard it before. He stepped aside and gestured for her to head down the stairs first with him following behind. "Do you live around here?" he asked.

Mikasa shook her head. "I'm from a few towns away. My friend lives around here though."

Which would explain why he never saw her around before. She kicked off her sandals the moment she reached the sand, turning around to wait for him as he did the same. The sand was cool on his feet as he walked beside her. Despite their brief meeting, Eren couldn't help but find this calm, easy. She was quiet but it wasn't uncomfortable at all, it was peaceful.

"Are you cold?" he asked, gently picking up the end of her scarf.

Mikasa stopped, looking down at the fabric in his hands. She put her hand over his, touching the soft material along with him. "No. Well, not right now. I've had this for as long as I can remember." She met his eyes with a smile. "It's just a comfort to have with me."

Eren brushed his fingers against hers, trying not to note how soft her skin was, before letting the scarf drop.

"It's silly, I know," she shrugged as they started to walk towards the water again.

"No, not at all." The moon was shining on the water, causing the whole area to be illuminated. "It makes you feel safe, right? Nothing silly about that."

The cool water hit his feet as a wave came up to meet them. Mikasa let out a small cry of surprise causing Eren to look at her.

She was covering her mouth, clearly embarrassed. "That was colder than I was expecting."

He felt a grin pull at his lips. "Oh was it?" Eren didn't even think about it, he just reached out for her arm and waist and pushed her farther into the water. He didn't let go, of course, so she wouldn't actually fall.

"Eren!" she cried, a mix of surprise and laughter.

He pulled her back, his shorts getting wet from her feet kicking against the waves, till her back was against his chest. Her head turned slightly, her face close to his.

"Ah, sorry," Eren said, feeling heat rise up to his cheeks as he let her go.

"Sorry for trying to scare me or trying to throw me into the ocean?" Her eyes were bright and her smile was wide as she turned to slap him on the arm.

Eren chuckled. "Sorry for forgetting I just met you.

She started to walk backwards on the beach, her eyes never leaving his. "Or maybe we met in another life."

"Do you believe in that kinda stuff?" He walked after her, the water swashing around his feet.

Mikasa shrugged but she was still smiling and Eren couldn't take his eyes off of her. "I believe some strong friendships transcend lifetimes and I think…" She paused for a moment. "I think soul mates will always find each other."

"That's a nice thought. That someone could put up with me enough she finds me every lifetime."

"Or," Mikasa held up a finger to point at him. "You find her."

"I'd rather think I haven't met her yet rather than I screwed up and missed her. Which knowing me would be likely."

Mikasa chuckled, lightly moving the water around with her feet. She looked up at the water spread out in front of them, the moonlight making her face glow. "I've always loved the ocean, ever since I was a kid. It's just so…"

"Free?"

She looked back at him. "Yeah, that's exactly what it is." She opened her mouth to say something else but her eyes dropped to the water instead. "Eren, move!" she called out.

He barely processed what she was saying to him before she ran over and grabbed a hold of him, pushing him out of the way. Eren tripped over his feet as she dragged him up onto the beach and away from the water causing him to fall and take her with him. He grabbed a hold of her to make sure he hit the ground first. The sand was soft, but not that soft; he groaned as Mikasa landed right on top of him.

"I'm so sorry, Eren," she said, her hands pressing against the sand to lift herself off of him. "There was a jellyfish by your leg. I didn't want you to get stung,

"It's okay." He lifted his head off the sand, his eyes opening up to see her face inches from him. She was watching him with wide eyes, her breath on his lips. It took Eren a moment to realize his arms were wrapped firmly around her waist.

"Thank you for saving my leg," he murmured, unable to look away from her.

"Anytime," she breathed.

Eren knew he should let her go, let her stand up; he barely even knew her, and yet he couldn't move. He couldn't bring himself to let her body leave his. She didn't seem to mind since she wasn't making any effort to move away, just watching his face, her lips slightly parted.

He didn't even realize he moved his face closer to hers until his lips brushed against her. He leaned in closer, unable to resist pressing his mouth to hers until he felt her gasp against his lips. Eren went to jerk away, to apologize but the moment he broke their small kiss, Mikasa's hands were on his face, pulling him back to her. She moved her mouth fiercely against his, holding him firmly against her. Eren's hands grasped against her waist as he held her close, fitting right into him, kissing her right back with as much passion as she was pouring into him.

This was insane. He just met her and yet he felt a warmth flow through his veins that filled his entire body; it was as if that empty void in his life was being filled. One of his hands reached up to her back, holding her as close as he could, his lips never leaving hers. It wasn't an object, or a job, or a life he was missing. It was her. He was looking for her.

Eren felt ridiculous just thinking about it, but nothing felt more right than knowing she was in his life now. He pushed himself off the sand and carefully pressed his weight against hers until she was laying on the beach. Her hands were still on his face as she leaned her head down on the sand, her eyes meeting his.

"It's not just me right?" her voice was soft, her thumb stroking his cheek.

"No," Eren said. "No, it's definitely not just you."

He felt a breath of relief fall from her lips, a smile on her face. Mikasa tugged his face down to her, her mouth meeting his; it was softer this time, enough to make Eren melt into her. He wrapped his arms around her, his body pressing into her's once more.

He had this feeling, this horrible gut wrenching feeling, that he lost her once; that it was unfair, that she was ripped away from him, and there was nothing he could do about it but watch it happen. It was so strong and so overwhelming that Eren felt like he had to clench his eyes shut in order to keep from tearing up as feeling she never felt before raced through his body. It only made him hold onto her tighter.

It was a distant memory, one he didn't even know the details of but he knew he'd never let that happen again. He'd never lose her again.