A Promise under the Night sky

Mikasa stirred in her sleep, the warmth of the blankets enveloping her. She smiled, recalling the fun they had shared that day. Alaric was different from anyone she had ever met—he was kind, funny, and he listened to her, really listened.

As the moonlight streamed through the window, she glanced over at him, the gentle rise and fall of his chest reassuring her. He looked peaceful, almost like he belonged there, in this little house filled with love and laughter.

Mikasa snuggled deeper into her blankets, her heart fluttering at the thought. She felt a sense of security she hadn't experienced in a long time, especially after their previous encounter with the harsh realities of the world outside. This warmth enveloping her was not just physical; it resonated in her heart, a comforting balm against the fears that lingered in the shadows.

The next morning, the sun's rays streamed through the window, warming the room and gently nudging her awake. Mikasa stretched, blinking against the brightness. She sat up, her mind still wrapped in dreams, but excitement began to stir within her as she remembered Alaric.

"Alaric!" she called out, eager to see him. She swung her legs over the edge of her bed and padded softly across the wooden floor, careful not to wake her parents. As she entered the main room, she found it empty, a moment of disappointment creeping in.

"Maybe he's still sleeping," she muttered to herself, glancing around. The house was quiet, the only sound being the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth. She frowned, wishing she could share her enthusiasm with him right away.

Just as she was about to turn back, she heard a rustling noise from outside. Curiosity piqued, Mikasa hurried to the door and peeked outside. There he was—Alaric was sitting on the front steps, his back to her, watching the sunrise with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Alaric!" she called again, her voice bright with excitement.

He turned, and a slow smile spread across his face. "Good morning, Mikasa!"

She bounded down the steps and sat beside him, the chill of the morning air invigorating her. "What are you doing out here?"

"I couldn't sleep," he replied, glancing back at the horizon where the sun was just beginning to crest over the trees. "I wanted to see the sunrise. It's… beautiful."

Mikasa followed his gaze, watching as the sky transformed into a canvas of oranges and pinks. "It is," she agreed, feeling a sense of wonder. "It's like the sky is waking up, just like us."

Alaric nodded, a contemplative look on his face. "Yeah. It feels peaceful out here."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the beauty of the dawn. Mikasa stole glances at Alaric, noticing how the light caught the tousled strands of his hair, how his eyes sparkled with a hint of determination even in the soft light.

"Do you think we can go on our adventure today?" she asked, breaking the silence, her voice filled with anticipation.

"Definitely!" Alaric replied, his enthusiasm mirroring hers. "But maybe we should gather some supplies first. You know, just in case we run into any dragons or treasure."

Mikasa's eyes widened with delight. "Yes! Let's be prepared! We need snacks and maybe a map!"

"Good idea," Alaric said, his smile widening. "I'll grab some bread and apples from the kitchen."

Mikasa jumped up, her energy bubbling over. "I'll get some string! We can use it for climbing or tying things together!"

As they dashed back into the house, Mikasa felt the thrill of their plan coursing through her. The idea of an adventure filled her with a sense of purpose, and the thought of sharing it with Alaric made her heart race.

They quickly gathered their supplies, the kitchen bustling with energy as they stuffed their bags with food, small tools, and anything else they could find that seemed useful. Kurumi entered, noticing the two of them buzzing with excitement.

"What are you two planning?" she asked, a knowing smile on her face.

"We're going on an adventure, Mom!" Mikasa declared, her voice bright with enthusiasm. "We're explorers!"

Alaric nodded, his bag slung over one shoulder. "We need to find dragons and treasure, and we're going to have a lot of fun!"

"That sounds amazing!" Kurumi replied, her eyes sparkling. "Just be careful, alright? And don't wander too far from home. You can always come back if you need anything."

"Of course!" Mikasa replied, waving her hands dismissively. "We'll be fine! Right, Alaric?"

"Yeah! We'll be super careful!" Alaric added, though he couldn't help but feel a flicker of nervousness at the thought of venturing into the unknown.

As they headed out the door, Mikasa took a deep breath of the crisp morning air, her excitement palpable. "Where should we go first?" she asked, bouncing on her toes.

"Let's go to the forest!" Alaric suggested, pointing toward the trees that bordered the edge of their small village. "It's close, and we can explore without going too far."

"Great idea! There could be hidden caves or ancient trees!" Mikasa's imagination ran wild as they made their way toward the woods, her mind brimming with possibilities.

The moment they stepped into the forest, the world around them transformed. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. The sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves enveloped them, filling the air with an enchanting symphony.

"This is so cool!" Mikasa exclaimed, spinning around to take it all in. "It feels like we're in a different world!"

"It does," Alaric agreed, taking a moment to breathe in the fresh air. "I've never really been in a place like this before."

They wandered deeper into the woods, the path beneath their feet soft with fallen leaves. Mikasa pointed out different plants and trees, her excitement infectious.

"Look at this one!" she said, crouching beside a cluster of wildflowers. "They're so colorful!"

Alaric knelt beside her, marveling at the vibrant petals. "They're beautiful. Do you think we should pick some to take back?"

Mikasa frowned slightly, a hint of concern crossing her features. "Maybe not. We should leave them here for others to enjoy. Plus, we wouldn't want to hurt the plants, right?"

"Right," Alaric agreed, impressed by her consideration. "Let's just admire them."

As they continued their exploration, they stumbled upon a small clearing, sunlight pouring in like liquid gold. It was the perfect spot to take a break, and they settled down, taking out their snacks.

"This is our base camp!" Mikasa declared, unpacking the bread and apples. "We can defend it from dragons if we need to!"

"Good thinking," Alaric said, grinning. "We should make it a stronghold, then!"

They devoured their food, laughter punctuating the air as they shared stories, their imaginations intertwining. Mikasa animatedly described her heroic adventures, each tale more outrageous than the last, while Alaric chimed in with ideas for their own future exploits.

"I want to be a knight!" Mikasa said, her eyes gleaming with passion. "I'll protect the village from the monsters!"

Alaric nodded earnestly. "And I'll be your loyal squire, helping you with your quests!"

"Together, we'll be unstoppable!" Mikasa exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

With their bellies full and their spirits soaring, they decided it was time to explore again. They wandered through the forest, venturing deeper, crossing small streams and climbing over fallen logs. The thrill of adventure filled them, the sense of freedom exhilarating.

As they reached a larger clearing, Mikasa spotted a large, gnarled tree in the center, its trunk thick and twisted. "Look at that tree! It looks like it has a story to tell!"

"Let's climb it!" Alaric suggested, a spark of excitement igniting in his chest.

"Okay!" Mikasa responded, already moving toward the tree. She began to scale the trunk, her hands gripping the rough bark, determination written across her face.

"Be careful!" Alaric called out, his heart racing as he followed her up the tree. The branches were sturdy, and soon they found themselves perched on a large limb, overlooking the clearing.

"This is amazing!" Mikasa shouted, her voice echoing in the open space. "We can see everything from up here!"

Alaric glanced around, the view breathtaking. The forest stretched out endlessly, a sea of green dotted with wildflowers. For a moment, the weight of his past faded, replaced by the exhilaration of being there, alive, in this moment.

"Yeah," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "It really is!"

They spent time perched in the tree, sharing stories and laughter, the world below forgotten. Alaric felt as if they were floating in their own little universe, where nothing could touch them.

Eventually, as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Mikasa sighed contentedly. "We should probably head back soon. I don't want my parents to worry."

"Yeah, I guess so," Alaric replied reluctantly. He didn't want the day to end, but he knew it was for the best. "But I had so much fun today."

"Me too!" Mikasa exclaimed, her voice filled with sincerity. "Can we do this again tomorrow?"

"Definitely," Alaric said, his heart light. "I can't wait."

They climbed down from the tree, and as they walked back, the path illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun, they chatted about their plans for the next adventure, their bond deepening with each shared word.

As they reached the edge of the forest, Mikasa turned to Alaric, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Thanks for today, Alaric. You're the best friend I've ever had."