Disclaimer: I do not own Attack On Titan or anything related to it...
Writers Note: This fanfic will be updated once every two weeks or so because I also need to study for school. Here is the new chapter...
Chapter 3
"You...you are...you are my friend." she answered him. "You're my family." she added.
" But most of all...you are the man that I love."
The silence was so loud it was deafening. Mikasa could feel her heart beating out of her chest. After so long she finally found the courage to tell Eren how she truly felt, and she felt like a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders. Even though she was somehow happy and relieved, she was still nervous and filled with fear and anxiety as she wasn't sure how Eren would react.
As for Eren, he stood there with his mouth agape. To say he was shocked would be an understatement. He was trying not to freak out and cause a scene all the while trying to process Mikasa's words.
"Wha...wh...what do you mean by I'm the man that you love?" he asked.
"It's exactly as I said, you are the man that I love...always have been." she answered while tugging on her scarf to cover up her blushing face.
"But we're siblings. We've always seen each other as that." Eren said as he tried to comprehend what Mikasa was telling him.
"No. You may have seen and perceived us as siblings, but I haven't." she said as she looked him in the eyes. "When you saved me and wrapped this scarf around me, I saw you in a different light."
"But I gave it to comfort and you keep you warm that night because it was chilly and it looked like you needed it." he told her.
"And it has kept me warm and comforted me more than you would know." she said. "And ever since that moment, I've loved you."
"I don't know how I should react to all this." Eren said as he ran his hand over his hair in frustration. "How does anyone react to this?" he yelled out.
Mikasa's eyes were starting to fill with tears in fear of rejection from Eren. Their minds were running at a hundred miles per second that they didn't hear the sound of footsteps approaching them.
"Hey guys." Hange said when she reach them. " I was just checking up on you and I really hope that you standing around means that you are done with your task." she said with a sardonic tone.
"We were just about to finish up." Eren hurriedly told her. "Just give us ten minutes and we'll be done."
"That doesn't excuse you lounging around." Hange admonished them. "If anything, with your titan abilities it should have taken you five minutes."
"We'll be done in five minutes and head in to help wherever we can." Mikasa said while trying to maintain her composure and not let her tears fall.
"Oh well, I guess I'll leave you two to it." Hange said and turned around to leave. As she was leaving, she suddenly stopped. "Oh shoot." she said. "Silly me, I forgot about watering to the horses."
"Oh I know...Eren, you head to the stables and water the horses." she informed him.
"What about taking inventory and inspecting the ODM gear?" he asked.
"Don't worry, Mikasa will do it." Hange answered while looking at Mikasa.
Eren tried to protest Hange's decision but was interrupted by Hange herself. "Eren, that wasn't a request but an order." she said with a glare. "Are you disobeying a direct order from your superior?" she asked him.
"No ma'am." he answered with a salute as he felt like his chest was getting tight from the cold stare she was giving him.
"Well then, get to it." she told with a sardonic smile. "Those horses won't water themselves. And also don't forget to feed them." she added.
"Yes ma'am." he said and left for the stables all the while asking himself how was it that he not only got a proposal from one of his friends but the girl that he saw as his sister and friend just told her that she had romantic feelings for him...all in one day.
Hange turned to Mikasa to find her lifting a crate over her shoulder with ease. "Your physical strength never ceases to amaze me." said Hange. "Are you sure that I can't run tests on you to find out the source of power in the Ackerman family." she added with a pleading look.
"Why don't you ask Captain Levi, he's also an Ackerman." said Mikasa.
"Ha!" Hange barked. "He'd probably gorge out my remaining eye if I even went through all the trouble of wooing and bribing him." she added.
"Can I get back to work and take this to storage." Mikasa said as she wasn't comfortable with Hange bringing up using her as a lab rat.
"Oh my, sorry for distracting you for so long." Hange apologized. "Guess I'll be going back to the kitchen, I'm sure that the veggies have soaked real good by now." she added and left MIkasa to her task.
As Hange was walking away, she turned to check if she was far enough that Mikasa wouldn't hear her. Upon concluding that she was far enough, she squalled. "I can't believe she finally told him that she loved him." she said to herself. "And not that silly sibling love that Eren thinks of."
Turns out that when she was heading to check on their work, she overheard them talking an heard MIkasa's confession.
"And it's a good thing I was there too or else Eren would have said something stupid and end up breaking Mikasa's heart." she thought out. "Sending Eren to the stables was a good idea to give him some time to calm down, think it through and come to terms with all that." she added as she opened the front door to the headquarters to find Levi cleaning the windows with a piece of cloth.
"What's up with the stupid smile?" Levi asked her as he put the cloth down.
"Nothing, just thinking about dinner." she lied.
"You're lying." he told her.
"And how would you know that I'm lying Levi?" she asked.
"Because there's no way you'd have a goofy smile just because of food." he answered. "One of the brats maybe, but not you." he added. "So spill it."
"Well if you must know." Hange said as she adjusted her glasses. "I was thinking about putting you under the table and figuring out where the Ackerman clan get's their power from." she lied through her teeth.
"I said it before and I'll say it again. No way am I going to be your guinea pig!" Levi barked and got back to scrubbing the windows angrily.
"Where's your love for science? Your thrill for discovery?" a shocked Hange yelled as she put her foot on a chair and raised her fist high. "Without science we wouldn't have made it this far. Without discovery there would be no thrill and life would have no meaning."
"First of all, get your dirty feet off that chair cause I just cleaned it." Levi said as he hit Hange's knee with the soaked cloth eliciting a yelp from her. "And secondly, science and discovery can kiss my indecisive ass crack." he added in a bored tone.
"You're no fun." Hange humphed as she stomped from the room feeling relieved that Levi bought her lie. It wasn't her secret to tell and she didn't want to get her hopes high incase Eren did something stupid and screwed it up.
Hange headed to the kitchen to find Armin having finished cleaning the dishes and helping Jean with firing up the stove. She went to the counter sink and drained the water from the vegetables to prepare for cooking.
"Make sure that the fire isn't too high." she told them as she set the vegetables in a pot and added some oil to them.
"Sure thing Hange." Armin replied.
"I hope that you added some spices to the stew." said Jean as he set a pot full of potatoes on the lit stove.
"Already used half on the veggies, the other half we'll put in the potatoes when they're ready to be mashed." she informed them.
She set her pot on the stove and started stirring the veggies. They cooked the dinner in awkward silence not knowing what to talk about.
"So, how do you feel about getting new recruits for the survey corps?" Hange asked, trying to break the silence.
"It would be nice to bolster up our numbers." answered Armin with a small smile.
"Yeah, it figures our numbers would rise since there aren't any titans outside the walls." said Jean while crossing his arms. "But won't they be timid and weak." he added.
"What do you mean?" Armin asked.
"Look...the cadets have probably heard about how the scouts are heroes and all, and they'll sign up to join because of that." he answered.
"I joined the scouts because I wanted to see the outside world." said Armin. "Guess I bit off more than I could chew." he added with a dry chuckle.
"Everyone has their reasons for choosing the regiment they wish to be in." said Hange. "It maybe for safety, adventure or even revenge. We shouldn't mock others for their choices." she added.
"But they don't know the hardships we faced nor the countless lives lost. They'll think about the glory but forget about the sacrifices made " Jean said.
"And it's our duty to inform and educate them." said Hange. "I honestly don't know how we'll handle this, but we'll do it together." she added with a smile as she put her hands over their shoulders.
"I bet commander Erwin would know what to do." Armin said with a sad smile.
"Who knows, maybe he would have or maybe he wouldn't have. We can't be sure of his choices and decisions." said Hange.
"Armin, I thought we already went past this. Levi chose you instead of Erwin because he saw you as the best option." Jean said.
"I've come to terms with everything and accept the cards I've been dealt with." Armin said. "But his decision was based on emotion. What was required was a tactical decision." he added.
"Levi choosing you instead of Erwin may have been an emotional decision, yes, but it was also a tactical decision." Hange said.
"How?" Armin asked.
"You are an exceptional strategist and tactician." she answered. " Why do you think Erwin gave you command while retaking Shiganshina."
"Hange's right." said Jean. "You found out that Reiner was hiding in the walls. Your plans helped out in plugging up the wall and helping Trost district. Your plans helped us in taking out the titans in the armoury." he added.
"And you are smartest person in the 104th cadets squad." said Hange. "You have no idea how long I've waited for someone with a mind like yours."
"Exactly." Jean said. "I'm pretty sure we'd all be dead without your plans because when push comes to shove, you're the person we look up to for direction." he added.
"So stop thinking and ruminating on the what ifs and start thinking about how you're going to use this golden chance." said Hange.
"Quit bringing yourself down and start believing in yourself and your capabilities because we all believe in you." Jean said as he clasped Armin's shoulders.
"Thanks." Armin said with a grateful smile and accepted the advice and compliments. "I doubt I'll be able to fit in Erwin's shoes, but I'll try my best to honour his sacrifice." he added.
"And another thing Armin," said Hange. "stop comparing yourself to Erwin. Yes, he was a brilliant commander, but you also have the potential to be one too. So be your own man and don't let the ghosts of the past control you. You don't need their validation" she passionately added.
"Thank you Hange. I really appreciate your advice." he thanked her.
"You're welcome." she said with a smile. "Now let's get back to making the food. I'm sure by now the stew is ready and the potatoes can be mashed. Armin, could you please set the table."
"Of course Hange" Armin said and picked some plates and glasses and headed to the dining room as Jean took the pots out the stoves.
"Let's mash these quick and don't forget to add the rest of the spices." Hange told Jean. "I'm sure by now everyone will be done with their chores. Well, except for Eren.
"Why would Eren be late for dinner?" he asked her as he started mashing the potatoes.
"I sent him to the stables to tend to the horses." she answered.
"Talk about bad luck. I wouldn't want to be the one dealing with the stench of manure." he shuddered.
"Wonderful, because you'll be tending to them tomorrow." she told him with a smile, leaving him with a frown and questioning his luck.
They put the food in two serving bowls and headed to the hall. There they found Sasha and Connie each gulping down a glass of water with Armin holding the jug.
"Who knew cleaning could make someone this thirsty." sighed Connie as he finished his glass.
"I know right." said Sasha as she set her's on the table.
"Did you finish all your chores?" Hange asked them.
"Sure did." Sasha answered with a triumphant smile. "And I worked up an appetite."
"As long as they are done, I'm satisfied." Hange said as the front door opened and in walked Mikasa.
"You can either eat or shower first, the choice is yours really." Hange told them.
"I think we'll have dinner first then take a shower." Connie said to the sound of his stomach grumbling to his embarrassment.
"Well you can go ahead and wash your hands while serve the food." Armin told his friends.
They clamoured to the kitchen sink as Levi and Floch entered the room. "I guess dinner's ready from the looks of it." Floch said.
"Yeah you can wash your hands in the kitchen." Jean told him.
As Floch left the room Levi sat down and poured himself a glass of water. "What, no tea today?" he asked.
"I'm sorry Levi. We forgot about your tea." Hange apologized.
"Don't worry about it." said Levi. "You'd probably ruin it, I'll just make some later. "
"I beg your pardon." said Hange with a slight twitch on her right eye.
"It's surprising that you can literally cook a four course meal yet you're terrible when it comes to making tea." Levi said after taking a sip of the water.
"I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted." Hange said as everyone came back and sat on the table for dinner.
"Where's Eren?" Armin asked as he set he served his friends.
"I had him go the stables and tend to the horses." Hange answered.
"I wouldn't want to be him." Floch said as he dug into his food.
"You can say that again." said Connie with a mouthful of food.
"Talk after you swallow." Levi glared at Connie to which he instantly swallowed. "Sorry." he apologized.
The rest of dinner eaten in silence with the occassional chit chat of Sasha and Connie. "Everyone can take a break and head out after dinner if they wish to. You deserve it." Hange informed them.
"Great." Jean said. "We can go to that new tavern that's down the street." he added.
"I don't care what you do as long as you are here by midnight." Levi told them. "Anyone who is out past curfew can spend the night outside." he added.
"You can't give us a curfew. We're not little kids." complained Floch.
"I wonder, did you happen to here me stutter?" Levi asked cooly as the table feel silent that you could hear a pin drop.
"No Captain." Floch answered.
"Good, now do as your superior commander instructs you to...brat." Levi told him.
The tension in the air was palpably thick that you had to have a cleaver to cut it. Levi and Floch were on the verge of having a heated argument when the door opened and in walked Eren.
"Eren! Good, you're done with your chores. Come over and have some dinner." Connie said trying to defuse the situation before it escalated.
"Nah. I'm not hungry really." he declined. "I'm beat and I've got alot on my mind. I'll just take a bath and go to sleep. Goodnight guys." he said as he ascended the stairs not noticing Mikasa's frown.
"What's up with Eren?" Armin asked out of concern for his friend.
"It's probably nothing." answered Hange. "Like he said, he's probably too tired and we should respect his wishes." she added as they went back to eating their dinner.
"Does that mean I can have his dinner?" Sasha asked having finished her plate.
And chapter three is done. I wanted to do it longer but I figured I'd not drag it out. Don't forget to follow & favourite as well as review. Til' next time.
Crescent cut 101: Yes, this is an Eremikahisu story. I never knew that was their ship name.
Traitor of All Traitors: I honestly don't know what you mean by benevolence but there is hope.
Guest: I do have plans for Annie, but you'll have to wait for a while.