The neverending exhaustion of being a queer couple, constantly stigmatised and harassed for so much as showing affection in public. We just want to exist and people will berate and hate us for it.
Mikasa and Sasha held each other's hands happily, Sasha eagerly leading her into a bar with a bright smile. Excitement filled them as they walked down the street, holding the other close. It wasn't often they got to treat themselves like this, no studying, no part time jobs and no time to just have fun. Sasha had begged Mikasa that they needed to plan a date, they needed to find time to do something romantic and couple orientated. Eventually after much planning and finally getting everything out of the way, they had found a rather trendy bar and decided to get a drink.
Mikasa admitted it looked perfect, they may even come back with their friends, all of them celebrating together. A nice break from their constant studying and gruelling hours at work, burning the midnight oil, sitting up all night with caffeine and preparing for studying and tests. Working long hours at their jobs to form an income to pay rent, balancing their personal lives, work lives and student life in order to live. Going out on dates or having alone time together like this was very rare, everything just accumulated and formed into chaos. They could finally relax and have time off, they didn't have work in the morning and they had no prior engagements. They could breathe easier, they could let their hair down and have a little fun, making memories together.
Mikasa and Sasha leaned against the bar chatting, admiring the decor, the vibes and the music, eager to have a drink before they found a table and decided to order food. Sasha eagerly browsing the menu for what she fancied while Mikasa admired her, standing nearby protectively. Sasha was in awe, unable to draw her eyes away from the interior design and almost jumping with excitement. "This place is so nice, better than all the student bars" Sasha hummed. The floor wasn't sticky, the music was actually nice, everything looked so fancy and there was so much more choice.
Mikasa removed her coat and Sasha's, placing it on a nearby bar stool, brushing her hair from her face "Nobody for Even to pick fights with and no cheap beer either" Mikasa chuckled. While she loved the student bars and the fun they had, it was nice to also visit more adult venues. Eren often butted heads with the wrong people, got into fist fights which someone else had to break up. There were more bar fights and other messes in student bars, they weren't perfect.
Sasha hummed, reaching out her hand to squeeze Mikasa's affectionately "I'm glad we did this, we never get dates anymore". They had earned this, after weeks of being holed up, studying over paperwork and focusing on little else. Staying up late hours to hand in paperwork they spent hours pouring over. Staring at screens until their brains went fuzzy. This felt like a well deserved treat, this felt like a reward after putting in the effort and having fun.
Mikasa gazed at her fondly, she knew how much stress Sasha was under and how much it all piled up. They both struggled with their mental health and even Sasha hadn't been eating well due to stress. They had both been under so much pressure and now they had time together, all of their studying was behind them and there were no more exams to worry about. Seeing Sasha so happy, energetic and excited warmed her heart, like a small child at Christmas. Everything was exciting to Sasha, everything was a new experience and she loved that, she could already see Sasha admiring the decor and making plans to come back. She loved that about her, it was one of the many reasons she fell in love with her.
Nearby a man and a woman were sat at a table, maybe a few years older than them, enjoying their own drinks. She couldn't explain why but something about them rubbed Mikasa the wrong way. The woman's attention briefly deviated to them as they entered, but then as soon as Mikasa took her hand and they began flirting her expression changed. Warping into surprise and then thinly veiled disgust, she knew that look anywhere and what to expect. Some men in the bar watched them from over their drinks, whispering amongst themselves and smirking smugly.
Mikasa didn't have to guess to know what they were thinking, the judgemental gaze, the cruel words and ignorance. Being a mixed race child, being a bisexual woman, Mikasa was more than used to the ignorance and hatred of other people. She was used to being alienated, she had been her whole life, she had very prominent features from her mother, black eyes, silky black hair, her complexion, skin tone and more. She was used to the ignorance of people, she was used to their hateful words. She had struggled for years with her disconnection from her asian roots after her mother's death and how much she tried to reconnect with them. Her uncle had protected her as much as possible growing up, but she would always have a fight to face. Sasha also being a mixed race woman, she understood Mikasa completely, coming from a poorer background and having worked on a farm her whole life. Sasha had been subjected to assumptions of being a country bumpkin, naive and stupid. They made fun of her accent, they assumed she was stupid and also made fun of her for her skin tone. Her father had installed into her knowledge of farming, foraging and even hunting, which Sasha still knew how to do. She was more intuitive than given credit for and often misunderstood.
Mikasa could feel their eyes on them, speculating them like ants under a magnifying glass. Assuming they knew everything about them, making fun of them for being different and trying to isolate them. They wanted to make them uncomfortable, hoping they would leave and they would win the game, but she refused to be chased out of a bar because of assholes. They had as much right to be here as anyone, their love was as real and valid as anyone else's, she wasn't ashamed of her feelings for Sasha or the relationship they had.
"Here you are, sorry for the wait" the bartender smiled, sliding their drinks across the bar towards them.
Sasha happily took her glass, Mikasa delicately grasping her own, wrapping her fingers around the stem and happily enjoying a stress relief. Disconnecting from reality and enjoying the flavours of her drink. Something about a well made drink when earned hit differently, it just hit the spot. Sasha clinked her glass against Mikasa's, a subtle romantic gesture "Cheers" she smiled. Sasha wasn't paying attention to their surroundings and was blissfully unaware of the unwanted attention drawing closer. Mikasa smiled fondly, Sasha's constant enthusiastic and optimistic energy was endearing, leaning across to kiss Sasha before taking a sip of her drink. The sweetness of Sasha's gloss hitting her lips. The men leered, chuckling among themselves and making sleazy comments, Mikasa ignored them, putting them to the back of their mind. They didn't mean anything and they wouldn't ruin this moment.
The woman winced and scoffed in disgust, drawing attention to herself, like an entitled child who hated being told no. When she noticed that neither Sasha or Mikasa was paying attention she spoke up "Excuse me?" the girl snapped, her gaze directed at the pair. The usual rhetoric Mikasa was used to, acting as though their opinion was law, as if they spoke for everyone and refused to admit they were wrong. Trying to speak on an opinion they knew nothing about and refused to educate themselves on.
Sasha turned her head in the direction of the woman, confusion formed on her face. So lost in the moment that she had forgotten they weren't the only people in the room. Mikasa's gaze formed into a semi glare, her eyes hardened and rage forming behind them, warning her. She wasn't going to let a bully run them out or ruin this moment for them. If she was trying to pick a fight she had chosen the wrong person to mess with. She could fight this woman without breaking a sweat, the strength of the Ackerman lineage. She could walk away with her dignity in tact or she would be entering a losing fight "Can we help you?" Mikasa asked coldly. She wouldn't be chased out of a bar because this woman was ignorant and hateful.
The girl scoffed, couldn't they do this elsewhere? It was a public place for other people? This woman seemed to be ignoring her and when she finally noticed her, she was giving her a scary look. Just what the hell was her problem? "Do you have to do that in public?" the girl snapped. Her boyfriend beside her shifted uncomfortably, embarrassed by his girlfriend's antics and Mikasa could only assume this was a regular issue.
Mikasa scoffed, unfazed, she wasn't groping Sasha, all they were doing was flirting and showing affection. She had kissed her girlfriend and that was all, but from the expression on this girls face, you'd have thought she started stripping Sasha. She sipped her drink calmly, not breaking eye contact "Do what? Order drinks on our day off? It's a public place" she replied. She had won fights with worse people, supposedly stronger people and won that fight. Remembering when those girls body shamed Sasha and she managed to scare them off. This girl was nothing in comparison. If she didn't like it, she could leave, nobody was keeping her here against her will.
The girl winced, not expecting Mikasa's sharp response and intimidation tactics. But not taking the hint she kept pushing her opinion and trying to make her point clear "My boyfriend and I are trying to eat" she snapped. Behind her the men whom had been ogling and staring at Mikasa and Sasha groaned, sending complaints directed at the girl. Obviously not happy at their fun being spoiled at watching a queer couple.
"Why don't you guys leave spoilsport?" one of the men huffed
"Nobody's making you stay princess" another mocked
The bartender whom had served them hardened, his gaze forming into anger and disgust, his gaze directed at the girl, ashamed of what was transpiring. Obviously hoping she would get the hint and shut up before he had to throw her out.
"You appear to be doing so just fine, unless you got the wrong order?" Mikasa replied, she was still picking at her food and had been just fine when they entered. She didn't seem to care until they started being affectionate, that's what ruined her appetite. This girl had never been called out on her shitty actions until now she guessed, but this was a wake up call she needed. She wouldn't be scared off by some ignorant entitled bitch.
The woman shifted, obviously annoyed that Mikasa was so unfazed at she wasn't leaving, desperate to find an excuse for her actions. She opened her mouth hesitantly trying to form words, her gaze flicking around the bar to find help, but nobody joined in. She licked her lips, focusing her words before once again speaking "Y... You're making people uncomfortable" the girl replied intently.
Mikasa snorted, raising her eyebrow suspiciously, was that the best she could come up with? Until she raised her voice nobody else had seemed to care, they were happily minding their own business "People? The guests? Or just you" Mikasa huffed. Nobody else seemed to care, nobody else had made a scene or spoken up. They had simply walked in, ordered a drink and were conversing to each other. But this woman acted like they had made the entire bar uncomfortable. She would have loved to see her uncle's face if he was here, she would have loved to see her pick a fight with Eren. The girl glared, bitterness and anger formed on her face at being confronted, angry that she was being humiliated. Baring her teeth in a growl as she glared Mikasa down. Mikasa slowly stepped forward, attempting to approach to attack, rage burning behind her eyes. She could make this quick and easy, she wouldn't even break a sweat.
A look of fear formed on the girls face, backtracking to defend herself. Realising the mess she had gotten herself into and the person she was picking a fight gaze deviated towards the bartender, hoping that he would help them "Excuse me, these customers are bothering us, please make them leave" she protested, lying. Mikasa knew she wanted them to leave, she would pull every trick in the book to make herself the victim to avoid consequences. She wondered how often the girl had used this tactic to cover herself.
Sasha stood in front of Mikasa, she wouldn't let her get her hands dirty, while Mikasa could easily hospitalise this girl without breaking a sweat. It would leave her in a bad mood and the bar would become uncomfortable, this was nothing but playground drama. There was no need for Mikasa to hurt this woman or get herself in trouble over her ignorance, she wasn't worth it and she wouldn't let Mikasa be taunted. She sighed heavily, giving Mikasa a knowing look, silently asking to let her handle it. She forced a smile on her face and stepped towards the woman, the latter surprised at Sasha acting out "I'm sorry..." she started.
The girl relaxed, the anger from her face soothing and she appeared smug, thinking she had won, believing she could eat her food in peace. An entitled expression formed on her face and she summoned false confidence "Great, we don't need lesbo's in a public space, you can just go home" she growled quietly.
Sasha glared, her hazel eyes darkening, this woman could have walked away with dignity and left them alone. Instead she decided to insult them further and dig herself in deeper. She couldn't wait to see Mikasa bury this woman and make her look like an idiot. While Sasha may have lacked the abnormal strength of her girlfriend, she wasn't a pushover nor was she a coward. A scary smile formed on her face "I'm sorry you're such an entitled, ignorant and homophobic bitch. Running and crying wolf to the bartender, bossing people around like you own the bar and feeling like your opinion speaks for everyone. Acting like we should leave, but nobody else seems to be complaining" Sasha mocked. She singled them out as soon as they walked in, she went out of her way to make a scene and embarrass them. She and Mikasa had simply ordered drinks and started conversing, as soon as they implied they were a couple she became antagonistic.
The woman's expression warped into shock then anger, humiliated at being confronted and insulted. First the dark haired girl had attempted to attack her and now her partner was insulting her. Why wasn't anyone doing anything to stop them?
Mikasa's expression formed into shock then amazement, in awe of Sasha's outburst, her eyes aching with love. She had expected to be Sasha's knight in shining armour, getting into a fight with this woman but Sasha instead berated her with words. Hitting her where it hurt and publicly shaming her for being a bigot. She had never felt prouder of her girlfriend than she had in that moment. Sasha folded her arms, staring the woman down, she wasn't going to apologise as she had no reason to. She was merely returning her energy and mirroring how she had treated them. She had no patience or tolerance for people who acted like assholes.
"You're happy enough to share spit with your boyfriend, but I hold Mikasa's hand and kiss her, suddenly we aren't welcome. Sorry to break it to you, but we aren't leaving, but you can" she snapped. She had been flirting with her boyfriend the entire time, acting the exact same as Mikasa and herself. Only she had an issue with it when it was two women. She acted like she and Mikasa had started having sex in the middle of the bar, at least by the way she was acting. They were going to sit at the bar with their drinks, wait for a table and enjoy the rest of their date.
The girl stared in awe, shocked at being shamed in public and her intimidation hadn't worked, expecting the two girls to leave. Instead she was being intimidated, confronted and insulted. The two women instead insulted her on her behaviour and attitude towards them, making her more of an asshole. The scary glare that the black haired girl was giving her and the attitude given by the brunette wasn't expected. Neither of them wanted to back down.
Mikasa admiring Sasha and her eyes filling with pride and affection, she wanted to pull her into her arms and kiss her all over again, just to annoy the woman further. Sasha had been there for her when she needed someone most, the person who saw past her brave face and saw her vulnerability. Sasha made her believe that good people still existed and she found a person she never wanted to be without. Many people perceived Sasha to be a socially awkward dork, but she was more than that, she was in awe of her girlfriend. She couldn't believe how cool Sasha was, this was a story she would never shut up about.
"How... how dare you..." the girl stammered, gritting her teeth angrily and prepared to jump up and slap one of them. But she remained frozen in her seat, unable to move.
The bartender smiled in amusement, giving a knowing look to Mikasa, he had overheard everything and witnessed this woman throwing insults at them. He had heard more than enough but they had handled it well enough on their own. He had to say he was impressed by the intimidation and fearlessness they both showed. After this they definitely deserved a drink on the house, at least after all the trouble this woman had caused them. He stepped nearby Mikasa, giving the girl a look, if she knew what was good for her she would keep her mouth shut. She had a tab to pay and he wasn't planning on serving her anymore. "Are you ladies ok?" he asked calmly.
Sasha pointed to the couple accusingly, anger in her eyes "Those customers started harassing us for simply standing here. All we did was order drinks, I don't appreciate being yelled at for simply standing here". She had insulted them for being a queer couple, for showing affection, for simply existing. Singling them out as soon as they entered the premises, making them feel unwelcome. She and Mikasa had been planning this for weeks, working around their schedules to finally get a date. And now that was being spoiled by this woman and her entitled bigotry. She would happily let Mikasa drag this woman outside and make a fool of her, but she would rather Mikasa didn't get her hands dirty.
The bartender frowned, glowering at the girl, the latter shrinking in her seat like a scolded child. He tried to keep a good reputation in his bar, but he couldn't prevent hateful people from walking in. He'd overheard everything and said nothing, but now he had enough, he was sick of this woman spewing harassment. The bar was a friendly, welcoming place to everyone, just a place to grab a drink and enjoy their evening. "Enough is enough, we don't allow that sort of vitriol and hateful rhetoric here. You two gotta leave, pay your tab and get out" he warned. If they couldn't pay he was suing, he didn't want to hear any more excuses, he was willing to get the police involved.
The girls expression formed into awe, she looked appalled, nearly spilling her drink in surprise. She had just been sat here having a drink with her partner and now she was being kicked out? Was he serious? She scowled in anger and got to her feet, attempting to make an excuse "But..." she snapped. The bartender shot them a look, he didn't want to hear it, she had said all she needed to and had made an embarrassment of herself. Her boyfriend looked even more uncomfortable. She stormed towards the bar with her wallet, glaring at Mikasa the whole time, shooting daggers at her. Bitter that her actions had consequences and she was being thrown out on account. Before storming out angrily with her boyfriend in tow, ranting the entire time.
Mikasa glared at the woman as she left, before she softened after they had departed, glad that he had finally left. She and Sasha could be left in peace to enjoy themselves and have a drink. The danger was gone, they wouldn't be harassed any further, she didn't need to watch her back. She would be telling Eren, their friends and her uncle about this later, they would be dying to hear this story. But now they could just forget about it, sit and finally enjoy their date together. Turning her attention to Sasha with a fond smile, basking in the brightness of her smile, stroking her hand fondly. "You were so cool Sasha, the way you just charged at her like that" she hummed.
Sasha smiled, taking a hefty sip of her drink proudly and approaching the newly abandoned table, they had just got the best seats in the house for free. She knew the bartender was on their side so they had nothing to worry about "Anything for my girl" she smirked.