A Step Closer

Timing it perfectly, Kaito launched himself into her trajectory, meeting her in mid-air. In that fleeting moment, their eyes locked. 

The sun hung behind Kaito, casting a halo around him as they descended. A shower of Titan blood erupted from the one she had just slain, painting a vivid, almost picturesque scene.

His strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. True to her Ackerman lineage, Mikasa reacted with lightning speed, struggling to free herself from his grip. However, Kaito's supernatural strength easily subdued her efforts, leaving her with no choice but to remain in his embrace.

Kaito's body crashed through a window, shattering the glass as they both tumbled inside a building. It was all part of his calculated plan.

His gaze met hers, and momentarily, they were suspended in time, the chaos of battle momentarily forgotten.

"Let go!" Mikasa muttered, her voice quivering as she attempted to maintain her usual stoic facade. She pushed against Kaito's arms, her muscles straining and her eyes defiant. Her voice, although strained, held an edge of anger.

Kaito's grip remained unwavering, but he didn't just restrain her physically. He spoke softly, almost whispering, "Mikasa, you don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to feel pain and sadness."

"Let me go, damn it!" Mikasa's voice cracked as she yelled.

But Kaito didn't give in. He knew that sometimes, the only way to heal was to confront the pain head-on. He held her closer, whispering softly, "Mikasa, it's alright. You can cry. I'm here for you."

Mikasa's defenses began to crack, her once fierce resistance now turning into a tremor of vulnerability. She bit her lip, holding back the emotions that threatened to spill over.

Her resistance began to wane, and her voice quivered. "I don't need your help. I can handle this on my own."

Kaito's voice was soothing as he replied, "I know you can, Mikasa, but you don't have to." He could see her defenses slowly breaking down. "It's okay to be vulnerable."

"No, I... I can't," Mikasa managed to utter between strained breaths. Her voice wavered, and she closed her eyes tightly, as if trying to deny the tears that were welling up.

Mikasa's struggles weakened, and the façade of emotionlessness began to crumble. A few tears escaped, tracing down her cheeks. She bit her lip, fighting against the tide of emotions threatening to drown her. But Kaito's unwavering support, understanding, and empathy made it increasingly difficult for her to keep up the pretense.

Mikasa's struggles became feeble, and her resistance seemed to diminish with every passing moment. She looked up at Kaito, her eyes filled with sorrow, and she finally allowed herself to speak the words that had been buried deep within her. "Eren... he is gone. He is really gone."

Kaito held her close, offering his presence as a solace. Mikasa's tears flowed freely now, her sobs wracking her body as she buried her face in Kaito's chest. He continued to hold her, letting her release the pent-up pain and sorrow she had carried.

After some time, she lifted her head and looked into Kaito's eyes, her own still glistening with tears. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse but filled with gratitude.

Kaito smiled warmly, a reassuring presence in her darkest moments. "You're welcome, but I have to say, you really soaked my clothes."

Mikasa felt her cheeks heat up as she realized her proximity to Kaito. She was sitting on his lap while her whole body practically clung to him and her hands lying on his chest. She quickly disentangled herself from him, standing up and brushing off her uniform.

Kaito followed suit, dusting his clothes and paying no mind to the small tears in his uniform caused by the shattered window. Luckily, Mikasa had not noticed his unblemished skin or that would have been quite hectic to answer.

"We should mo-"

ARGGGGGGG

Kaito's voice was cut off by an extremely loud roar that resounded through the entire surroundings. It wasn't a sound that anyone could ignore, and its ominous tone sent shivers down their spines.

"What was that?" Mikasa appeared taken aback by the deafening roar.

Kaito didn't seem fazed. "Who knows? Let's leave before we get swarmed by titans," he suggested, pushing aside the unnerving sound.

However, something felt amiss to Kaito. The situation didn't quite align with what he knew from his previous experiences. The Abnormal Titan, which should have been here, was now somewhere far away, roaring in the distance. It was a stark reminder of how the future could change, influenced by various factors, including the number and positions of titans.

"Future changes, very understandable," Kaito thought to himself. The appearance of the Abnormal Titan was highly dependent on the intricate interplay of titans in the city, and it seemed that the circumstances had evolved differently from what he had anticipated.

The blank expression on Mikasa's face Mikasa's voice brought him back to the present. "I can't go. My gas cylinder is empty," she said with resignation. "You should go."

Kaito found her response reminiscent of Carla, Eren's mother, and that struck a chord with him.

"You know what? Just hop on," Kaito suggested with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"H-Hop on? What do you mean?" Mikasa questioned, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Kaito pointed to his back, indicating a piggyback ride. "I can carry you. It's faster, and we can conserve your gas. Trust me; I've done this before."

Mikasa's expression shifted from uncertainty to reluctance. The idea of such close contact with Kaito made her uncomfortable. "I can manage on my own. I don't need your help."

Kaito chuckled. "Come on, Mikasa. We need to get out of here quickly. I promise I won't bite."

She eyed him skeptically, the weight of recent events and the loss of Eren making her hesitant. "I'm not sure about this."

Kaito chuckled. "Come on, Mikasa. We don't have time for pride. It's either this or risk getting caught by Titans. Your choice. I promise I won't bite."

Mikasa glared at him for a moment, then sighed in reluctant agreement. "Fine, but don't get any funny ideas."

"Great choice," Kaito grinned. "Hop on, and let's show these Titans what real speed looks like."

Mikasa sighed, "Just until we find a working ODM gear."

"Scout's honor," Kaito replied, holding his hand over his heart in a mock-serious gesture. He knelt down, allowing Mikasa to climb onto his back.

As Mikasa reluctantly hopped on, Kaito couldn't help but smirk. "See? Not so bad, right?"

"Let's just go," Mikasa muttered, a faint blush tinting her cheeks.

As Mikasa reluctantly hopped on Kaito's back, the proximity triggered an unsettling mix of discomfort and emotions within her. Her heart still ached from the recent loss of Eren, and the wounds were too fresh for her to accept comfort or closeness easily.

Kaito started moving through the desolate streets, and with every step, Mikasa clung tighter to his back, as if the physical closeness could offer some solace to her shattered emotions.

"You okay back there?" Kaito asked, trying to break the tension. He felt the tension in her body and knew she was far from okay.

Mikasa took a deep breath before responding, her voice almost a whisper. "Yeah, I'm fine."

But Kaito could sense the lie. He adjusted his pace, slowing down, giving her a moment to collect herself. The weight of loss pressed heavily on Mikasa's shoulders, and Kaito understood that sometimes, silence was the only solace in such moments.

The wind carried the faint scent of blood and despair, a stark reminder of the brutality they had witnessed. Mikasa's usually stoic demeanor cracked for a moment, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. Kaito could feel the weight of her sorrow pressing against him. 

Even if he knew the truth, he couldn't help but feel empathy for her. Kaito really wondered how one moment he lived in a state of utter apathy, and at others, he found himself shaken by their mere emotions.

The world around them seemed to blur, and the only constants were the rhythmic voice of wires zipping and the uneven breaths shared between them.

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Whassup Guys? How have u been? Here's another chapter.

Thanks to all the reader for reading till now and Special Thanks to _Pochitalover_ for his review. I really appreciate when you guys talk about this story and all.

Stay Safe, Stay Happy!