35 Training

(Mikasa POV)

Mikasa walked alongside Eren, stealing another glance at him. All she wanted was to be where he was. She could never get tired of looking at that face of his; especially those mesmerizing green eyes of his that made her heart flutter in her chest.

A few birds chirped on a tree near her as they entered into a broad field behind the hotel. The rectangular area of low-cut grass, littered with blue flowers, was surrounded by a metal fence; clearly well-maintained.

"Let's start." Eren stepped away and turned to face her, his hands curling into fists.

Recalling what that pair of hands did to her the previous night, Mikasa's face flushed with heat. How they played with her chest and plucked at her nipples. The way Eren's fingers flicked against it had sent ripples of sheer ecstasy through her. It was the first time the most guarded place between her legs had turned so moist and warm, and it was because of Eren - she wanted him to do it again.

"Mikasa?" Eren's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

She lifted both her fists. "Yes."

"I won't hold back!" Eren charged right at her, his speed taking Mikasa by surprise. She knew Eren was fast, but that was when he was in his odm gear. During their cadet days as sparring partners, he wasn't that quick. Eren definitely had been doing some secret training behind her back. She already had her suspicions when she noticed his biceps previously; there was no reason otherwise to explain how his agility and strength had improved so much.

Did Eren train with someone secretly? Who was it? It definitely wasn't Petra; they had an agreement already that Eren belonged to her. That meant that his improvement must have happened before they joined the Special Operations Squad. Could it be, Natalie?

She sidestepped the onrushing figure, barely dodging his tackle. The moment Eren missed her, Mikasa spun around and straightened the fingers in her left hand; then sent it chopping down on his back.

Eren's body slammed against the grass with a thud.

"Ouch ..."

Mikasa silently cursed herself for being so distracted. The thought of that woman seducing Eren had made her stomach sink, and she forgot to hold back.

She held his hand, pulling him up. "Sorry, I used too much force."

"It's fine. Let's continue."

Eren walked back to his original position and came at her again. They continued the exchange a few more times, the result no different from the first; except that she had made sure to strike and immobilize Eren delicately so that it wouldn't hurt him.

Another thud sounded as Eren's body hit the ground once more.

"It's no good, this is already the fifth time you've beaten me." Eren stood up, brushing off the strands of grass stuck to his clothes, and then there was a pause. He looked at her. "Do you think you could teach me the technique Annie used on you? During our cadet days, when Instructor Shadis swapped Annie out for you as my sparring partner, she approached you after the session for a fight. I saw her use it."

Mikasa's lips curled into a snarl. That girl as well, Annie. She was trying to seduce Eren too back then and thought she could impress him by defeating her. Thankfully, she was able to beat Annie in front of Eren and stop her schemes. She wouldn't let anyone take Eren from her.

"Are my techniques not good enough for you ... Why do you want to learn Annie's?" She tried to keep her voice even and not let the displeasure show.

"It's not that, I remember her telling me before the technique was useful against an opponent of superior strength. Erwin also talked with me this morning and told me to learn some combat skills from you. Since there are many enemies after me, it would be good to brush up on my physical fighting methods."

Her hands clutched his. "I will protect you, Eren."

"Thanks. But I want to be able to do so myself too." His captivating green eyes stared back at hers. "Teach me, Mikasa. Please."

How could she ever refuse, when he even thanked her for being concerned for him? She would do anything Eren asked her to.

Thinking back, Eren had really changed a lot since that day he passed out. He used to have a habit of running off on his own, leaving her behind. She had to always follow after him, to save him each time he got himself into trouble. When she tried to show him concern, he would scold or headbutt her, yelling that he didn't need her protection nor for her to be by his side; and it hurt her so much each time he said it.

He had been so different since then.

She studied Eren's face carefully for any clues. "Okay. However, this isn't because of any particular emotion you have towards Annie, right?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Mikasa avoided his gaze, twisting long strands of hair around her fingers. "Nothing … I mean sure, I'll show you how that technique works."

"Really? Great!" Eren's face brightened up and he clasped both of her hands. "Let's start right now."

"Yeah, but I will need to d-demonstrate it on you," she said, her heart racing at the thought of how her body would be brushing against his, side by side,

Eren nodded and took his stance. "I won't just roll over though, you won't get me easily. We have to make this as realistic as possible."

She would definitely get him no matter what; as if she was going to miss this chance. Mikasa took a deep breath, then launched herself at him.

Eren stood still and turned his body, swinging his right arm behind him.

Upon seeing his arms move, she lowered her body and dodged his fist, the punch flying right past her shoulder.

"What in t-"

Mikasa hooked her right arm around Eren's neck before he could finish his sentence, connected it with her left hand; then used the momentum to bring him to the ground with her.

"How is it?" She asked. Her face was close to him, her body right beside his.

Her pulse quickened as she imagined Eren turning around and pressing his body right on top of hers; his playful hands roaming around her chest and his lips meeting hers and then his fingers sinking into her pants and ...

"Mmmmm!" Eren tapped on the ground.

Realizing she was suffocating him, she loosened her grip at once. "Sorry. Are you hurt?"

"I-It's o-okay. I think I have an idea of how it works now. You're really good at this, Mikasa." Eren sat up and leaned slightly backward, supporting it with his hands behind him on the ground. "Come to think of it, even when we were children, none of the bullies could beat you. I don't think there's anyone in the Survey Corps stronger than you except Levi. How are you so good at fighting?"

She sat down beside him. "I'm not too sure as well. There was a moment when I just felt like power awakening inside of me, and I knew exactly what to do since then."

"A moment?"

She shuffled herself closer to Eren's side, her shoulders now brushing against his; finding familiar comfort from his presence and touch.

"It was when you saved me from the robbers." Mikasa caressed the scarf around her neck, recalling how Eren's clumsy hands wrapped it around her on that cold, harsh and unforgiving night. It was as comforting as her mom's hug.

"My bad, I didn't mean to bring that up."

"It's fine. I wouldn't be here today," she said. "If you didn't save me back then."

"Is that the reason, Mikasa? Why do you care for me so much? If you're doing this to repay me, you've already done more than enough." His captivating green eyes flickered over to hers. "Especially what happened last night, I was so rough when touching you ... "

Mikasa bowed her head slightly. "No, you weren't. I l-liked it." Her toes curled up. "You can just ask me for it anytime you want, Eren. I really d-don't mind at all."

There was a long and heavy silence as Eren's gaze continued to be fixed on her, unwavering. She felt her body seemingly naked in front of that gaze, her mind blanking out; afraid that her innermost desires would be exposed in front of it.

Eren brought his face close to hers, his warm breath now on her cheeks. "I treated you so badly when we were children, and yet you still always looked out for me, going even that far yesterday night just to-" He paused. "Why would you do so much for me? What am I exactly to you, Mikasa? "

"Huh?" More heat rose to her face. "You're … You're …"

Mikasa's heartbeat was racing and the words were stuck in her mouth. Should she be honest about it? But what if Eren rejected her feelings and left her? Her breathing was becoming more ragged by the second.

Eren kept quiet, his hair swaying in the light breeze that drifted across the field; his eyes still glued to hers.

She began to squeeze out the words, her heart in her throat. "You're someone I-I l-lo-"

No sooner did she reach the crucial part, thunder roared across the skies; a steady pattering of rain drummed against her clothes.

"Geez, it's raining again. It's been happening so often lately." Eren stood up and tucked his hands in his pockets. "Never mind, we can talk about this another time, it's not that important anyway." He turned. "Let's head back and get lunch, I'm hungry already."

Mikasa nodded, her lips pressed tight. This was the second time she had gathered up the courage to confess, but it was interrupted again. The first time it was by Instructor Keith, and now it was by a stupid thunder …

Running after Eren, she sighed softly.

A/N: 1.7k words