Calm Before the Storm

Reiner glanced at the spider which was spinning webs across the wooden posts. He heard the squeak of a gate as the smell of manure and moldering straws attacked his nostrils.

"Centre-rear?"Annie asked, her eyes glued to the flies that buzzed around a dirty water bucket not too far from her.

"Yeah, that's where Eren most likely will be. But he's definitely in the center section."Reiner said."It was all thanks to Armin that I figured that out. Heh."

"That's impressive Reiner … my plans were the same as yours. It showed Eren being on the right flank too. I didn't expect that the other units would have different ones from ours." Bertholdt clasped his hands around his knees, leaning against a stack of hay bale.

"Well, to be honest, it was a stroke of luck that I found out about it. I was just conversing with Armin and somehow we ended up talking about the plans we were given for the upcoming expedition."Reiner smirked with satisfaction ."Armin's been drinking a lot more often by himself, ever since Mikasa and Eren graduated early. Even though he's joined the Survey Corps, they haven't gotten a chance to meet each other yet ."

"It must have been tough for him. Since they were childhood friends, and now being separated from them for such a long time ." Bertholdt's tone got softer towards the end, it seemed like he had recalled something.

Reiner replied to him."Armin's an introvert by nature but he possesses very strong analytical skills. Since Trost, I`ve been hanging out a lot with him. Making use of him, I found out about Eren's likely true location, along with some very interesting facts."

"So… what else did you uncover?"Bertholdt asked.

"Eren actually likes Mikasa, and that girl loves him too ."Reiner grinned, whispering into Bertholdt's ears," Just like how you have feelings for Annie, but as for whether she likes you..."

Bertholdt's hands fidgeted with his uniform, trying to avoid looking into Annie's eyes.

"With Mikasa, it's obvious as day, that girl is completely obsessed with Eren. During the cadet days, she was beside him everywhere he went, Eren was her oxygen ... It's just a surprise though, I didn't expect him to like Mikasa. "Annie's mouth turned downwards as she lowered her head.

"Armin mentioned that Eren even gave Mikasa a hairpin for her birthday, and she has been treating that as a treasure ever since ." Reiner gazed at the stars through a gap in the wooden roof. "If only Christa gave me a gift as well, I would have treated it as one of the Five Sacred Artifacts of the World."

"How could he not share such an important secret with me? To think we were such close friends during our cadet days ." Reiner continued as he laughed. "Is that how Eren treats the person he calls his big brother?"

"Hey Reiner …" Berthodt's voice called out.

"He should have told me. As fellow soldiers, I understand how difficult it has been for all of us, training so hard all the time to defend humanity. Well, at least Wall Rose didn't get broken by the titans. I would have definitely gotten him and Mikasa together if he ask-

"Hey, Reiner!" Bertholdt shook his shoulders."You're not a soldier, remember? You and I, we're warriors."

Reiner's eyes widened as he dug his face onto a palm, clenching tightly. The snores that came from the horses sleeping filled the barn. That's right, he was a warrior, and he had a mission to complete. What was he even saying just now?

"That's how it is …" Reiner paused. His eyelids fell as guilt gnawed at his soul. "We are warriors."

=====

The rays from the sickle moon trickled through a window, painting soft rectangles on a table. Mikasa's hand continued scribbling as the gentle warmth of a candle caressed her skin.

'...I was sooo overjoyed that Commander Erwin told me I would be joining Eren as well!'

'We had been training together with the rest of the squad, I love the part especially when we got to practice striking at a titan's eyes. Because Eren and I are so fast, Levi said there wouldn't be a need for a third person to feint. I can buddy together with Eren now!'

'Eren's cooking is also so good too! Honestly, anything he made would taste nice since it's done by him … I think he'd make such a great husb-'

The tip of the quill stopped, her heart beating faster and faster.

She wanted to write something more but decided against it.

It was just a wishful fantasy for her, wasn't it? She wanted but didn't dare ask for more. She could only dream.

'I hope that I can always be by his side.'

'-Mikasa'

She sank against her chair as her eyelids fluttered shut, immersing herself in the peaceful silence, punctuated by the hooting of owls and rustling of leaves.

She remembered the moment when she rested on that warm, smoothly muscled chest of his. How he treated her to a meal and even gave her a birthday gift. The past few months for her had been one of the best days in her life.

*tap* *tap* *tap*

"Mikasa, are u there?"

She jolted upright upon recognizing the voice that called her. That's right, how could she ever mistake that sound? The most important thing in her life.

"Eren? Could you wait for a while?"

"Sure," came a reply from behind the door.

Upon placing the journal in her drawer, Mikasa dashed to the wardrobe, her hands shuffled through the clothes that hung there.

"W-what should I wear?"

She shifted through her collection, trying to look for the smallest shirt that she could find. After running her hands through it several times, she finally decided on a white-buttoned top she wore years ago, similar to what Natalie wore when she hoodwinked Eren.

Mikasa changed into it with great effort. It was uncomfortable, but this was her chance, she wasn't going to let it slip away.

Satisfied with her 'preparations', she opened the door as her heart pounded with excitement.

"Sheesh. What took you so long. The food is already turning cold." Eren said. "Here's the supper I made, Petra told me to bring it to you."

"T -Thanks."

Eren strolled in, his gaze darted from one place to another as he placed the meal on her desk.

It didn't work at all, Eren wasn't paying any attention to what she wore.

"Grilled fish for supper?" she asked, hoping to get Eren's attention on her as she pulled back her shoulders.

"Yeah."

"You made this just for me?"

"Uh-huh."

"All by yourself?"

Eren nodded. He was still not looking at her. His eyes were instead drawn to two small furry creatures that were snuggled together, sleeping peacefully in one corner of the room.

"Is something wrong, Eren?" she asked again, trying to get him to notice her. He was being awfully quiet ."Are you not feeling well?"

His gaze finally swung to her, a lovely scarlet flush colored his cheeks. Eren was acting really weird.

"You still haven't eaten? "Eren avoided the question as his hands reached out towards the tray."You don't have to force yourself if you don't li-"

"N-no! I love it! I-I love grilled fish!" she immediately started cutting the piece of pinkish delight that lay in front of her.

"Oh, that's great."Eren's face lit up."Let me know what you think."

"mHm!" Mikasa's eyes widened upon taking a bite. The fish oil roamed in her mouth, along with the soft and tender sensation of the meat with every chew. The succulent juicy fish along with the spicy flavor sunk deeply in her taste buds.

"It's fantastic. This is … salmon?"

"Yeah, since tomorrow's the expedition, the captain gave us permission to indulge a little." His voice became more lively upon hearing her compliment.

Mikasa wanted to speak, but a burning sensation in her mouth started to spread like wildfire, causing her face to heat up.

"Oh no!" panic seemed to be etched all over Eren's face as he quickly passed her a glass of water.

Bringing it to her lips, Mikasa let the liquid rush down against the fiery feeling in her throat. The numbness now fading away. She was in such a hurry that some of the water spilled out, dark patches now dotted her pants and shirt.

"My bad, I forgot to warn you, there was red chili inside as well."

"I-It's fine, It's my fault for overreac-"Mikasa's mouth paused as she felt something pressing on her thighs.

"No, it's not, you don't have to blame yourself. "Eren shook his head, his hands were dabbing the water on her pants with a tablecloth before they halted abruptly at the waist.

Eren's cheeks pinked up again, his eyes seemed to be finally glued towards her chests.

Upon seeing that, a shrewd look flashed across Mikasa's face, she wasn't going to let this chance slide away.

"Eren, it's still kinda wet here, urm-m , could you dry it too?" asked Mikasa , her hands pointing to the white-colored shirt that clung to her.

Eren swallowed a lump ." S-Sure," moving higher, he traced against her clothes with the tablecloth, pressing it gently.

Mikasa tucked her fidgety hands behind her as she peeked at him, not wanting to let him see how they were shaking. The pair of hands behind the fabric that brushed lightly around her belly sent goosebumps through her. Heat tightened in her stomach.

Straightening her body, she intentionally pushed it outwards, ignoring how the buttons that held her shirt together were almost about to pop out. Tightness ran through her body. She could feel her two small round bumps at the chest stiffening, causing the layer of white fabric that covered it to press down cruelly against it.

The hands behind the tablecloth began to explore higher, every touch against her sensitive skin made her fluttering heartbeat worse. Mikasa's hands clutched the sides of the chair where she had been sitting, her breath became shakier as she felt herself withering before him. A small moan almost escaped her lips.

This was the most intimate encounter she had with Eren yet. Mikasa enjoyed it. She wanted him to continue, for Eren to make her his.

However, just as the hands were about to come in contact with her chests. It stopped.

"I-It's d-done."Eren's voice snapped Mikasa out of her fantasy, her heart shrank. If only the water spilled over there as well…

"T-Thanks," she cleared her throat, trying not to let Eren notice her disappointment.

"Err. Actually, Mikasa, I have something important to tell you."Eren rubbed the back of his neck."It's regarding the expedition tomorrow."

"Oh. What is it?"

"It's going to be extremely dangerous. There's a good chance that I might die."

"E-Eren w-what are y-you saying?"She sprang out of her chair, clasping his hands tightly with hers.

Eren didn't answer her question. His voice became grave ."In the event that happens, Mikasa, promise me ... you won't do anything stupid. Continue to follow the orders from Erwin or Levi."

"NO! I-"

"Mikasa."Eren's firm voice took control, making her sit down.

Silence filled the room except for the sounds that came from the crickets chirping outside. She tightened her grip on the hands that she was holding. The hands that clumsily wrapped a scarf around her on that cold night, that brushed against her hair, that wiped away her tears when she cried during her birthday. She couldn't lose him.

"I know we're family."Eren broke free of Mikasa's grip, before reaching out to trace the red scarf draped around her neck with his fingers. "But humanity's survival is at stake here."

"I have to defeat the titans, and kill every last one of these monsters that caused mom to die." he continued speaking through his clenched teeth."To break free of this cage, of these walls."

"Is that so important to you?"

"Yes, "Eren replied without missing a beat.

"More … than your own life?"

She saw Eren nod. The captivating pair of jade-green eyes that she knew so well staring into hers.

He had always been like this. Hot-headed and reckless, even though not as much as before. At least now there were fewer opportunities for him to run away from her. But one thing that never changed was how stubborn and headstrong he was. It was hopeless to try and change his mind once he had decided on something.

"F-Fine… Eren."Mikasa replied, her voice soft as she shuffled her feet. There was no way she could ever say no to him. She would always give in to him at the end.

Gently raising her hand, she touched the hairpin on her head.

Whoever was coming for Eren, they'd have to pass through her first. She wouldn't let anyone take him away from her. She'd protect him with her life.

A/N: 2.2k words. 1st chapter of the week. Been very busy lately so I`m not sure if I can release the 2nd chapter this week according to schedule. Hopefully, I can :P