The barracks were unusually quiet that evening. Most of the cadets had already retired to their bunks, their exhaustion from the day's exercise leaving them too tired for idle chatter. Even Sasha had barely touched her dinner, choosing instead to collapse on her bed without a word. The usual banter, the friendly ribbing that often filled the air, was replaced by a heavy silence.

Eren sat on the edge of his bunk, staring at the floor. His mind was a storm of conflicting emotions—relief that they had made it back alive, anger at himself for letting things get out of control, and an ever-growing sense of doubt gnawing at his confidence. The others had fallen asleep, but Eren's mind wouldn't let him rest.

He glanced across the room at Armin, who was lying on his side, his back to the rest of the room. Eren could tell by the way Armin's shoulders were tense that he wasn't asleep either. The day's events had taken a toll on all of them.

Eren sighed quietly and stood up, slipping out of the barracks as silently as he could. The cool night air hit his face as he stepped outside, the sky above dotted with stars. The training grounds were bathed in moonlight, casting long shadows across the empty space.

He needed to clear his head.

Eren wandered toward the edge of the training grounds, his thoughts heavy. The weight of leadership had hit him harder than he expected. He had always thought of himself as someone who could carry the burden of responsibility, someone who could lead others into battle without hesitation. But today had shown him just how fragile that confidence could be.

"Eren?"

The familiar voice made him turn. Mikasa was standing a few feet behind him, her expression soft yet concerned. She must have followed him out of the barracks. She always had a way of sensing when something was bothering him.

"Mikasa," Eren said quietly, turning back to face the night sky. "I couldn't sleep."

Mikasa walked over to stand beside him, her eyes following his gaze up to the stars. "Neither could I."

They stood in silence for a few moments, the cool breeze ruffling their hair. Eren could feel the weight of Mikasa's concern, but he didn't know how to put his feelings into words. Everything felt so… complicated.

Finally, Mikasa broke the silence. "You did well today, Eren. We all made it back because of you."

Eren clenched his fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Did I? Or did we just get lucky? If those Titans had been a little faster, or if we hadn't found each other in time… I could have gotten you all killed."

Mikasa looked at him, her expression calm but firm. "That's what leadership is, Eren. It's not about always making the right decisions. It's about doing your best, even when the odds are against you. You're not alone in this. We're all in it together."

Eren shook his head. "But it feels like I'm carrying this weight alone. Everyone's looking at me, expecting me to lead, to protect them. What if I'm not strong enough? What if I let them down?"

Mikasa placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and steady. "You're strong, Eren. Stronger than you know. But you don't have to carry everything by yourself. That's why we're here—for each other."

Eren looked at her, his frustration easing slightly at her words. She was right, of course. Mikasa had always been his anchor, the one who kept him grounded when his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. But even with her support, the weight of his responsibilities felt immense.

"I just… I don't want to lose anyone," Eren admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't stand the thought of it."

Mikasa's grip on his shoulder tightened. "You won't. Not if we keep fighting together. You've always been someone who never gives up, Eren. That's why we all believe in you."

Eren sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I just wish… I wish I could be stronger. I wish I could do more."

Mikasa let her hand fall to her side, her expression softening. "We'll all get stronger, together. That's the only way we'll survive."

Eren nodded, though the doubts still lingered in the back of his mind. He knew Mikasa was right. He had to trust in his comrades, in their strength and their resolve. But the fear of losing them, of failing them, was a shadow that he couldn't shake.

As they stood there in the quiet night, Eren's thoughts wandered back to his family. To his mother's words, to the promise he had made to her to protect those he loved. He had thought that his anger, his determination to destroy the Titans, would be enough to carry him through. But now, he realized that it wasn't just about fighting. It was about leading, about protecting the people who stood beside him.

And that was a responsibility he couldn't take lightly.

"Thanks, Mikasa," Eren said quietly. "For always being there."

Mikasa nodded, her gaze never leaving him. "Always."

They stood in silence for a while longer, letting the cool night air wash over them. Eventually, the weight in Eren's chest began to ease, if only slightly. He still had doubts, still had fears. But with Mikasa by his side, he knew that he wasn't alone.

And for now, that was enough.