Pairing: Eren/Mikasa

Setting: Modern Day AU where they've never met before

Rating: K

Words: 3250

Notes: I'm so sorry to whoever requested this one because I can't for the life of me find your url ;-; I know it had music in it but I lost it please forgive me ;-; They requested a fic where Mikasa taught Eren how to play the piano and found themselves in close proximity because of it. I revered it a bit just cause I like making Eren stronger in the arts and guys who play the piano are hot ;3

I'm Gonna Try For a Uptown Girl

"Mikasa," Sasha whined as she followed her friend down the sidewalk. "Do we have to go back to this place? We go every single Thursday night. Can we maybe eat somewhere else for once?"

"No," was Mikasa's answer as she glanced back to Sasha, who had her shoulders slumped. "If you don't want to come you didn't have to."

Sasha perked up a bit as she moved to walk next to Mikasa as opposed to behind her. "No way! I'm not gonna just let you go alone. We're friends, we have to stick together. I just wish we'd stick together somewhere else."

Mikasa rolled her eyes but she couldn't help but smile at Sasha's expressions. Yeah, Mikasa wanted her friend to be happy and have nice nights out, but Mikasa liked this particular coffee house on Thursday nights. "What's wrong with this place?"

"Nothing really, it's nice enough. I just thought we could do something different. I mean we've been going every week for like a month now."

"Isn't it nice to have a familiar place to go once a week?"

"We might live in a city but this isn't Cheers, Mikasa," Sasha laughed, pushing her shoulder into Mikasa's. "There's so many places we can go to and see new things, new people."

"There's always tomorrow, we can go where you'd like then," Mikasa said, opening the door to the familiar coffee shop to let Sasha in.

"Okay, fine," Sasha said, but she still seemed to be in perfect spirits as she stepped into the dim lighting of the coffee house. She might've talked a lot but Mikasa knew Sasha was fine with pretty much everything, including coming to the same place every night if it was what Mikasa wanted to do; there was a reason they were roommates after all.

Mikasa lead them to the same small table they always ate at, one that was a little bit in the back but still had a nice view of the small stage. She would never deny she didn't like the same comfortable things when she left the house.

Sasha plopped herself down in her usual cushioned seat and dropped her bag on the ground. "It looks a bit more crowded in here tonight. I wonder if the artist is getting more popular these days."

Mikasa hummed her agreement as she pulled off her jacket, leaving her in just her simple dress and cardigan. It was looking a bit busier than a normal Thursday night even though the same artist played every Thursday night; Sasha had to be right, that or some event got out nearby and people finally realized this place had wonderful drinks and food.

"Hello, ladies," Krista smiled as she walked over to their table, notebook in hand. "The usual tonight?"

Mikasa nodded as Krista scribble down an order before looking to Sasha.

"An extra scone for me tonight," Sasha said. "Oh! And a lemon tart too."

Krista giggled but she wrote it down. "Okay I'll be back soon."

Mikasa looked down at her hands in her lap as she straightened her dress against her legs, at least that's what she wanted it to look like, really she was trying to wipe her sweaty palms against something and to ignore the pounding in her chest. Sasha seemed blissfully unaware which Mikasa was thankful for; all she needed was her loud mouthed roommate to get wind of how Mikasa was feeling.

"Mmm," Sasha sighed. "It smells so good in here tonight. I bet they are making some fresh pastries or something. Hopefully Krista will snag us a few."

"Yeah," Mikasa said trying to give her a smile but there was a lump in her throat as she glanced down at the time on her cellphone. She leaned back in the cushioned chair and crossed her leg over her knee, trying to will herself to relax a little more. It really was a nice café. It was roomy with equally spread out tables and all sorts of chairs and couches to sit on. They kept the lights dimmer at night so it wasn't ridiculously bright against the night atmosphere but it gave the whole place the right feel mixed with the kinda old world and classy setting the whole place gave off. She had stumbled in on accident but she found she liked it very much the more she stayed.

"Okay here we go," Krista said, breaking Mikasa's thoughts. "Chai Tea Latte and orange scone for Mikasa." The small blonde girl placed a plate and a large mug onto the table. "And a Mocha Latte with extra whipped cream, two raspberry scones, a slice of crumb bread, and one lemon tart."

"You are wonderful," Sasha said, helping Krista with the plates on the tray she was holding.

"I actually got Ymir to sneak you guys some fresh chocolate cake too," Krista hushed sliding two more plates off the tray before she gave them a wink and scurried away.

"I take it back," Sasha said, diving for the cake. "We can come here all the time."

Mikasa rolled her eyes as she sipped her tea. "At least I always know the way to your heart."

Sasha wasn't listening though; she was already going after her food. Mikasa was about to follow suit, after all that cake looked amazing, but a figure moved towards the stage and her breath caught in her throat. She watched him walk across the stage and sit down at the baby grand piano that was permanently off to the side of the stage. He let his fingers brush over the keys, soft chords ringing out and quieting the café.

"Hey guys," his voice rang out through the microphone that was stationed above the music stand. "Thanks for coming out, granted, I'm pretty sure that was probably for the food here and not so much me but I don't mind sharing the spotlight with Ymir's cheesecake. It's pretty damn heavenly."

There was some laughter scattered throughout the crowd.

"I have to plug her or she'll kick me out but really, I do appreciate it." A few more light chords. "It's nice to see some new faces." His bright eyes scanned the crowd and Mikasa's heart nearly stopped when they met hers. "And familiar ones."

He looked away again, talking about how they were gonna have some fun tonight but Mikasa had to quickly sip down her tea to hide her embarrassing smile. She was twenty five years old and she had the biggest school girl crush on the cute boy who played the piano every Thursday night at the café.

Eren, his name was Eren Jaeger. He was friends with the owners so he played here every Thursday night as the entertainment and he was very good at what he did. From what she could tell he did it just for fun but he never used sheet music and could play at least a bit of most every request someone gave him. Not to mention between his shaggy brown hair, tanned skin, toothy grin, and bright turquoise eyes Mikasa had a hard time breathing every time he looked at her, which despite only seeing him once a night for a few weeks was more often than normal.

Yet she couldn't bring herself to actually talk to him.

Yeah, she was an adult and she shouldn't be afraid to talk to a boy just because he was gorgeous, but she chickened out every time. She slipped out after the show before she could embarrass herself more than trying not to stare at him all night.

Someone requested some 80's glam song that would sound ridiculous on the piano but Eren started playing and singing to it like it was the most natural thing in the world. The room was already up in laughter. Mikasa had to keep hiding her grin behind her mug; he was even cute mimicking David Bowie.

"Oh my God," Sasha's voice snapped Mikasa out of her trance as someone else requested a new song for Eren.

"What?" Mikasa breathed looking over to her friend.

Sasha was staring over to Mikasa with wide eyes. "You don't come here every week cause you like this place."

"Of course I do," Mikasa said, reaching up to brush some of her hair behind her ear. "You've already eaten most all your pastries; you know it's good here."

Sasha shook her head, a wide smile pulling at her lips. "But you haven't touched any of yours and you've been staring at him from the moment he got on that stage."

Mikasa felt her cheeks heat up as she looked away from Sasha's knowing eyes. "That's not true."

"Oh, yes it is. I know you."

Someone apparently liked the way Eren did the 80s cause he was pounding out another song full of power chords and large notes.

"I can't believe I never noticed it till now." Sasha leaned in across the table looking giddier than when all the food first came out. "Have you talked to him yet?"

"No," Mikasa shushed her, not wanting anyone around them to hear in case they knew Eren.

"Figures." Sasha rolled her eyes. "I can't believe I missed that. I knew he kept looking over here all the time but I didn't think about-"

Mikasa choked on her tea. "What?"

"Are you seriously telling me you never noticed how much he looks over at here, at you?"

Her heart was pounding in her chest now; yeah, their eyes crossed paths every now in then but that…that wasn't intentional. "I..what..no…" Sasha was just being ridiculous; Mikasa wasn't anybody, why would he ever look her way?

A mischievous look crossed Sasha's eyes instead. "I'll prove it to you."

Mikasa panicked. "Sasha, don't you da-"

Eren was already looking out in the crowd for another request when Sasha jumped up out of her seat, her hand up in the air.

"Billy Joel!" she announced loudly.

Eren rolled his eyes with a laugh. "Like I haven't heard that one before. Should I go ahead with the cliché and do 'Piano Man' too?"

Sasha shook her head. "'Uptown Girl'. It's Mikasa's favorite." Sasha must've nodded her head towards Mikasa or gestured towards her somehow because the next thing she knew Eren was looking at her.

"Well," he said his fingers already playing the opening to the song. "If its Mikasa's favorite how could I ever say no?"

Mikasa felt her cheeks heat up and she hoped the dim lighting of the café hide the redness in her face from both Sasha calling her out and Eren now singing, yes, one of her favorite songs, almost directly to her.

"There," Sasha said, sounding very pleased when the snippet of the song was over (granted he did play the song longer than he played the other songs). "He knows your name now."

"I'm going to kill you," she groaned in response, resisting tossing her face in her hands.

"No, you won't. I bet he'll come talk to you after the show today so don't be a baby and talk to the boy. He's cute, you deserve it."

Mikasa made an effort not to talk to Sasha for the rest of the time Eren was playing but it didn't seem to bother her, she still was looking as smug and as happy as could be while she ate her and Mikasa's chocolate cake. A part of Mikasa was happy because it felt like a step in the right direction but the other part of her was terrified. It had been so long since she had felt this way about a guy she didn't know; her heart pounding in her chest wasn't exactly comfortable.

"Alright, thanks so much for coming out, guys. I really appreciate it," Eren said standing up to give a very exaggerated bow while the rest of the people in the café clapped and started to get up to pay their bills and head out.

Mikasa stood up as well, trying not to look anywhere in the café but especially not Sasha or Eren which she didn't even know where he had walked off to.

"I'll pay," Sasha said, grabbing the bill Krista left on the table for them.

Mikasa didn't fight over the bill for once she just reached for her jacket ready to leave before Sasha could embarrass her further.

"I see your drink's empty, mind if I treat you to one?"

The voice made Mikasa freeze mid putting on her jacket. She looked up to see Eren standing by her table, giving her one of those smiles she had gotten so used to seeing every Thursday night. Her mind went blank when she realized he was looking directly at her. "Isn't the café closing?" Yeah, that was perfect, Mikasa, turn down the guy why don't you?

He didn't seem bothered by it though, he just laughed. "I know the owner, I'm sure she won't mind. Besides I used to work here, I could make you one myself." He looked over at the counter where Krista was dealing with a line of people trying to cash out. "Which I'll have to do or Krista will probably throw a mug at my head."

Mikasa laughed despite herself and Sasha's words rang in her ears. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. "Okay, I'd like that."

"Okay, Chai Tea Latte right?" Eren said as he started to walk backwards to the counter.

"Yeah," she nodded biting her lips lightly; she didn't bothering asking how he knew.

"Got it," he gave her another smile before disappearing behind the various machines and pasty cases that were surrounding the counter.

"I hate to say I told you so," Sasha sing-songed as she grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair. "No, wait, I totally don't. I'll see you at home!" She gave Mikasa wink and rushed out the door before Mikasa could even get a word in. Some best friend she was wasn't even sticking around to actually support Mikasa in the situation that was Sasha's fault she was in to begin with. Yet as Mikasa looked over to where she could just barely see Eren's head as he made her a drink she couldn't actually be mad at Sasha.

Mikasa waked over to the counter, avoiding people who were heading out the door and took a seat at one of the stools. She watched Eren pour some liquid into a mug from a silver container.

"Okay, so it's been a while." Eren passed the mug to Mikasa. "If it tastes like crap just tell me and I'll make Krista do it."

"No you won't!" Krista said, following the last customers out of the café to lock the door. "I'm officially off."

"You still have to count the drawers and clean up with Ymir."

"I meant making drinks, smart ass."

Mikasa brought the cup up to her lips and took a careful sip of the hot drink; it was a little bit different than the way Krista made it but it was still good.

"I'd say considering she didn't spit it out you're in the okay, Eren," Krista said by the door to the kitchen. Eren looked like he was going to toss the towel he had been wiping his hands with but she held her hands up. "I'm going in the back to help Ymir clean first, okay?"

Eren laughed with a nod before turning back to Mikasa when the back door swung shut. "So," he started, watching her as she tried not to joke on her tea due to her increased heart rate. "I've seen you here before on some other Thursday nights. Live in the area?"

Mikasa nodded. "A little bit away but close enough still to walk. I found this place on night and I…" Well, he did ask her to stay after close with him so maybe it was okay to tell him the truth. "I happened to like the musical guest they have her on Thursday nights."

He snorted but his smile got a little wider. "Yeah, I don't know where they pick up these people to play. His mom is probably the owner or something."

"Hey," Mikasa said, putting her drink down on the counter. "I happen to think you're very good. I don't have any sort of musical bone in my body so what you do is really amazing."

As Eren watched her he got a different look in his eyes, one Mikasa couldn't place nor did she have the time because he was already walking away.

"I doubt that," he said, gesturing for her to follow him away from the counter.

"Doubt what?" He didn't need to ask her to follow twice.

"That you don't have a musical bone in your body, everyone has at least one. It's scientifically proven."

Mikasa laughed and was gonna say she doubted that but he was already sitting down at the piano.

"Wanna learn?"

She just stared dumbfounded at him.

"Don't look at me like that," he laughed. "It's easy."

Mikasa crossed her arms against her chest. "And just how long have you been playing?"

"Since I was six years old but that's beside the point, c'mere."

She couldn't exactly resist that toothy smile of his, so she sat down next to him on the bench but that didn't seem to be what Eren meant. He reached over to grab a hold over her waist and pulled her into his lap till she was sitting firmly between his legs.

He positioned his hands over the piano. "Place your hands over mine so your fingers are directly on each one of my fingers." His breath was warm in her ear and it sent chills down her spine.

"Okay," she breathed. The moment she had her hands over his he started to press down on the keys playing a few chords she recognized to be the opening to "Uptown Girl" again. It was a strange feeling; she felt exactly how his fingers moved to make the keys play a song she knew but she didn't know any of the notes what so ever. It was still exhilarating though, well, she wasn't sure if that was from the music or Eren's warm body so close to hers.

"See, easy," he said. "Is this really one of your favorites or did your friend just want to announce your name?"

She almost heard the laugher in his tone and she hoped he couldn't see the way her face flushed. "Yes, it is. My dad used to sing it to me when I was little."

"See! You do have a musical bone if your dad used to sing."

"I never said he sang it well."

Eren laughed and she felt the vibrations from his chest on her back. "Well…" His hands moved on to keep playing the rest of the song while he spoke. "If you keep coming back I can show you how to play any song you'd like."

Her breath caught in her throat and she turned her head to look at him. His hands halted on the piano when her lips nearly brushed his. He looked a little surprised that they were so close or maybe just that she turned back to look at him at such close proximity; Eren really did have beautiful eyes.

"Does it have to be just Thursdays?" she asked breathlessly.

The surprised look on his face was replaced by a smile. "No, it definitely does not."