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After arriving in Marley, they’ve seen and learned a lot. It was sort of overwhelming. Now though, Mikasa felt the complete opposite of overwhelmed. Slipping in and out of consciousness, resting her head on strong shoulders.
Calloused fingers run through her hair as she sighs comfortably. Soft rain pitter-pattered outside of the tent like a faint lullaby. Their friends had succumbed to unconsciousness, asleep in a messy tangle of limbs. Armin sleeps peacefully within the pile of bodies.
She let herself think everything might be okay. They’ll make connections beyond the walls and start trading resources, then Armin and Hange could figure out how to get Marley and the world to stop hating Eldians. She, Eren, and Armin would then move back to Shiganshina and never have to face war again.
That train of thought didn’t last long.
•
Eren looks at her, eyes darker than she remembers them to be, “What am I to you?”
She felt her face heat up, "Family."
•
Mikasa buries her face into Eren's shoulder embarrassed. “What was he trying to say?”
A soft hum of music in a foreign language is heard mixed with the rain. Even though Mikasa could not understand what the words meant, it sounded nostalgic somehow. She feels more than hears Eren humming along.
“Eren.”
He turns his head to look at her, “Yeah?”
Mikasa meets his gaze. When did his eyes get so lifeless? “How do you know this song?“ she whispers, her voice scratchy and rough.
He frowns as he looks out into the rain, “I don’t know.” He hums contemplatively, “Maybe from my father's memories… I can’t remember, my brain is all messed up.”
Mikasa closes her eyes again enjoying the warmth Eren radiated and the sound of soft music and rain. Mikasa always feels warm whenever she stands by Eren, it was one of the reasons she wants to always stay by his side. Upholding the promise she made to Carla all those years ago.
“Do you want to dance?”
Mikasa opens her eyes to find Eren seemingly studying her face. She flushes and nods without thinking. He stands guiding her up with him. Eren’s hand is warm, grasping Mikasa's leading her through the tangle of bodies.
The rain has died down to a trickle falling from the sky. A strong arm wraps around her waist.
“I’ve never danced before,” she frowns.
“Me neither,” he says, pulling her closer. Mikasa lets him lead as they sway to the foreign music. It feels surreal, she once again lets herself drift head against his chest. Eren hums along to the music again while they dance slowly.
A couple minutes later, an hour or maybe two thousand years later they stop dancing. The song had long since finished, a new tune replacing it. Mikasa feels content for the first time in a while, half asleep leaning against Eren.
Without a word, they reluctantly go back inside the tent. Armin stirs as they lay close by to him. Before Mikasa completely passes out, she feels Eren press a soft kiss to the crown of her head.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers.
•
The next day, they’re hit with the terrible realization that the outside world really does think of them as devils. During the conference she notices Eren leaving. The next time Mikasa sees him, it's too late.