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"Thank you for wrapping this scarf around me, Eren."
Eren woke up after a few hours of slumber. It had to be somewhere past midnight, for the moon was high in the sky. Lately, he has been waking up like this more often.
It was June, the middle of the year. Where it was hot in the day, with a cool breeze at night. He reminisced on the past 3 Junes, where the warm days were filled with laughter and bliss. He had promised Mikasa a life where it was just the two of them. No more wars, bloodshed, or titans. Just the two of them together. Forever.
But life isn't always fair. Halfway through the year this time around meant another half a year of life for him. For the last 3 years he ignored death, pushing the terrible reality out of his head whenever it came to him. But recently, it has become impossible to ignore. He knows his term is almost up. It has been tougher to live by the day.
He looked over to his left where Mikasa lay, who was in deep sleep. The fair-skinned, dark haired woman he loved with all his heart. The love of his life. The woman his heart beats for. The woman keeping him alive. The woman he once took for granted.
It's true, he used to think of her as a nagging little girl rather than his lover. But, he missed the days when Mikasa would jump in and save him from bullies in Shiganshina. He missed the days when she would tell Mom about his dreams and ambitions. He knows he spent way too long pushing her aside. He knew he always loved her deep down, but his own goals always came first. He knows he spent way too long disregarding her feelings. He's mad at himself for being so stupid back then. He knows it's too late. He must spend the time he has left with her, thriving.
When he knows when he is going to die, he appreciates the smaller things. Such as the sight of his love resting. He doesn't tell Mikasa any of this though, he doesn't want her to worry. He hopes Mikasa will one day move on from him. He wants her to be happy, and grieving over a dead man isn't how you achieve that. He wants her to be hung up on him for at least 10 years. But knowing her, he knows she will never let go of him. That's his biggest worry. He doesn't want to die. He doesn't want to leave Mikasa alone. He wants to live a long life. He wants to marry Mikasa and build a family with her. He wants to be happy with her, forever.
He glances at Mikasa again, before lying back down. He tightly wraps his arms around her torso, before burying his face in the nape of her neck. He grabs a hold of one of her hands and intertwines their fingers. He lies there, inhaling her scent. "I love you, my most beloved. My dearest." Eren whispers. His eyes are growing tired. It had to be really late by then. He relaxed as his eyes fluttered close. And he drifted off to sleep, embracing his love. All he can do now is bask in her presence for the rest of his life.