Chapter Text
The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of Eren's room, casting golden stripes across the tangled sheets.
Mikasa's breath hitched as she rode him, her hips moving in a rhythm that had become as familiar to them as breathing over the four years they'd been together. Her hands were planted firmly on his chest, fingers digging into his skin just enough to leave temporary marks that would fade by morning.
"God, Ereh," she gasped, throwing her head back.
The morning light caught the silver chain around her neck, the small pendant swinging with her movements, occasionally tapping against her collarbone. It had been his sixteenth birthday gift to her—a symbol of how she held the key to his heart, and he hers. Her long black hair cascaded down her back and shoulders, a stark, beautiful contrast to her pale skin, now glistening with drops of sweat.
Eren's hands roamed her body, one gripping her ass with bruising force, his fingers digging into the soft flesh, while the other alternated between squeezing her breast and tweaking her hardened nipple through the fabric of his shirt that she still wore. He loved seeing her in his clothes.
His gaze was fixed on where their bodies joined, watching his cock disappear inside her pussy, over and over. His abs, that perfect eight-pack she loved so much, tensed with each upward thrust of his hips to meet hers, the muscles flexing and rolling under his tanned skin. Eren was a work of art, and he was all hers.
"Look at me," he demanded, his voice husky with desire, rougher than usual from sleep.
Mikasa's head snapped downwards, her dark eyes, heavy with lust, meeting his intense green. He smiled, a slow, predatory thing that never failed to make her stomach flutter. "You're so beautiful like this, Mika. All flushed and desperate for me."
A blush crept up her cheeks and down her neck, but she didn't break eye contact. Instead, she leaned down, capturing his lips in a searing kiss that was all tongues and teeth and desperate need. She loved these morning moments, before the world intruded, when it was just them and the pleasure they found in each other's bodies. It was a sacred time, a reinforcement of their bond that silenced the lingering whispers of her anxiety.
"I love you so much Ereh," she whispered against his mouth, her movements becoming more erratic as she chased her release. "So, so much. You're mine. All mine."
"Always," he grunted, slapping her ass again—harder this time—making her cry out in a mix of pleasure and pain. "Come on, Mikasa. I'm close. Let me fucking feel you. Ride me faster baby. Squeeze me tight."
She obliged, riding him faster until her inner walls started clamping down around him as waves of pleasure washed over her. Her vision went white for a moment, her body arching as she cried out his name. Eren followed soon after, his hips jerking upward one last time as he emptied himself inside her with a guttural groan, pulling her down with him onto his chest.
They lay tangled together for several minutes, catching their breath as the morning light grew stronger. Mikasa traced patterns on his chest, occasionally leaning to place soft kisses on his jawline, his collarbone, anywhere she could reach. She could feel his heart beating wildly against her cheek, a steady, reassuring rhythm that grounded her.
"We should get up soon," she murmured, though she made no move to leave, her limbs feeling heavy and sated.
"Five more minutes," Eren grumbled, pulling her closer, his hands running down her back to rest possessively on her ass. "It's the first day of senior year. Let me enjoy this while I can."
Mikasa giggled, nuzzling his neck, pressing a soft kiss to his pulse point. "You say that every single morning."
"And every morning, I mean it," he insisted, rolling them over so he was hovering above her. His hair fell into his eyes, and she reached up to brush it away, her fingers lingering on his cheek. "But you're right. We should probably shower before mom calls us."
As if on cue, Carla's voice floated up from downstairs. "Kids! Breakfast is ready!"
"Aaaand there we go..."
They both laughed, sharing a look that spoke volumes of their comfortable, domestic life together.
"We'll be down in a minute!" Eren called back, then turned to Mikasa with a mischievous grin. "Shower with me?"
"Mmm, as tempting as that is, we'll never make it to school on time if we do," she said, though the thought was incredibly appealing.
He pouted, and she relented, pecking his lips. "Fine. But just a quick shower. No funny business."
"No promises," he teased, already pulling her toward the bathroom, his eyes gleaming with promises of more to come later. "You know, if we're late, maybe I can just blame it on you trying to seduce me."
Mikasa rolled her eyes playfully, swatting his arm. "Oh, so it's my fault now? You're the one who started this."
"Started what?" he asked, stepping into the shower and pulling her in after him. "I was just sleeping peacefully like I always do, until you decided to mount me like a—"
His words were cut off by her lips on his, the warm water cascading over them as she pressed her body against his. "Just shut up and wash my hair," she murmured against his mouth.
He chuckled, his hands tangling in her wet hair as he reached for the shampoo. "Anything for you, my love."
Twenty minutes later, they were downstairs in the kitchen, where Carla was setting plates on the table. She looked up with a warm smile as they entered, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"There's my favorite couple," she said, kissing each of them on the cheek. "Sleep well?"
"Great," Eren replied, already reaching for the pancakes on the table.
Mikasa swatted his hand away. "Wait for me to serve you properly." She turned to the fridge, where she puts their lunch boxes before bed every school night. "I made your favorite for lunch. Turkey on sourdough with eggs and vegetables. And I packed you an apple and banana instead of those chocolate bars you like."
Eren groaned dramatically. "Mikasa, it's the first day of school. Can't I have the chocolate for the first few weeks?"
She fixed him with a look that brooked no argument, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You're starting football practice this week, and your coach will kill you if you're not in top shape. Besides, you know how me and Carla feel about all that processed sugar."
He sighed but didn't argue further. As much as he complained, he secretly loved how she took care of him, even if it meant scolding him about his diet occasionally. It was her way of showing she loved him, and he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
"Speaking of football," Carla said, pouring them each a glass of orange juice, "Hannes called yesterday. He wants to talk to you about possibly getting a scholarship."
Eren's eyes lit up. "Seriously? That's amazing!"
Mikasa beamed with pride, squeezing his hand under the table. "I knew you could do it."
"We'll see," Eren replied, trying to sound humble but failing miserably. "But if I do get it, we'll have more money for college."
"College is still a year away," Carla reminded them gently. "For now, focus on your senior year. Have you thought about what classes you'll be taking?"
"Same as always," Eren shrugged. "Me and Mikasa still have the same classes, Mom. Just like we have since elementary school."
Carla nodded. "I'm still grateful the school agreed to that arrangement all those years ago. It's made such a difference for you, dear." she said, as she turned to Mikasa
Mikasa smiled softly, remembering how difficult those first few weeks had been after she moved in with the Yeagers. The panic attacks, the nightmares, the constant need to be near Eren, the fear that he would leave her too... It seemed like a lifetime ago, yet the memories were still vivid, a reminder of how far she'd come.
"Hey," Eren said, sensing her thoughts. He squeezed her hand. "You okay?"
She nodded, returning his smile. "With you, always."
The comfortable domesticity of the Yeager kitchen was a familiar blanket Mikasa wrapped herself in every morning. As much as she loved the holidays and spending time with Eren every day, it felt good to fall back to the usual routine.
Eren was already halfway through his first stack of pancakes, shoveling the food into his mouth with the same boundless energy that characterized everything he did.
"Eren, slow down," Mikasa chided gently. "You're going to choke."
"Can't help it," he mumbled through a mouthful of food. "Mom's pancakes are legendary."
"They are," Carla agreed with a warm smile, setting another plate on the table. She was already dressed for work in her pale blue nurse scrubs, her dark hair pulled back in a neat bun. "But they're not going anywhere. You've got time."
"Well, I'm off," she announced, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Mrs. Peterson gets antsy if her meds are even a minute late." She grabbed her purse from the counter and moved around the table. She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Mikasa's temple. "Have a good first day, sweetheart."
"You too, Carla," Mikasa replied, her voice soft with affection.
Carla then moved to Eren's side, ruffling his messy brown hair before kissing his temple as well.
"And you. Try not to get into any fights on the first day, okay?"
Eren rolled his eyes but grinned. "No promises, Mom."
She laughed, giving them both one last fond look before heading for the door. "Love you both! Call me if you need anything!"
"Love you too!" they called in unison.
The front door clicked shut, leaving them in the comfortable silence of the house. Eren finished his last pancake and pushed his plate away with a satisfied sigh.
"Alright," he said, standing and stretching his arms over his head, his t-shirt riding up to reveal a tantalizing strip of his toned stomach. "Let's do this. Senior year."
Mikasa's eyes lingered on his abs for a moment before she stood to clear their plates. "Yep. But first, brush your teeth."
He groaned but followed her upstairs, their footsteps a familiar rhythm on the wooden stairs. They brushed their teeth side-by-side in the small bathroom, Eren bumping her with his hip playfully, her nudging him back with a small smile. It was these small, mundane moments that she cherished most. The simple, unshakeable knowledge that they were a unit, a team.
Back in his room, they grabbed their backpacks. Mikasa slung hers over her shoulder, then paused, her eyes catching his in the mirror as he checked his reflection one last time.
"You look handsome," she said softly, walking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his broad back.
He covered her hands with his own, his thumbs stroking her knuckles. "And you look beautiful. As always."
They stood there for a moment, just breathing together, a silent communion passing between them. The world outside this room—with its pressures and expectations and uncertainties—could wait.
"Ready?" he asked, turning in her arms to face her.
She nodded, tilting her head up for a quick, soft kiss. "Ready."
Hand in hand, they stepped out into the bright morning sunshine. The walk to school was a well-worn path, one they had traveled together for nearly a decade. The neighborhood was alive with the sounds of the morning: lawnmowers, dogs barking, the distant rumble of the school bus.
"Think Jean got even uglier over the summer?" Eren asked, swinging their joined hands between them.
Mikasa sighed. "Eren, be nice."
"I am being nice," he protested. "I'm refraining from calling him a horse to his face. That's the pinnacle of self-control."
She couldn't help but smile. "Your self-control is truly an inspiration to us all."
"Damn right it is," he said, puffing out his chest dramatically. "I'm practically a monk."
Mikasa giggled, the sound light and free. It was moments like this, when he was being his ridiculous, cocky self, that she loved him most. He was so unapologetically Eren, and she wouldn't have him any other way.
As they approached the school, the familiar building came into view, already buzzing with students reuniting after summer break. The air crackled with excited chatter and laughter. They spotted their friends gathered by the main entrance, a chaotic mix of waving arms and bright smiles.
"There they are!" Connie shouted, spotting them first. "The lovebirds have emerged from hibernation!"
Sasha broke away from the group, running to meet them and enveloping Mikasa in a bone-crushing hug. "Mikiiii! I missed you! You wouldn't believe what my dad did this summer, he tried to teach a pig to—"
"Sasha, breathe," Mikasa said, laughing as she hugged her friend back.
The rest of the group descended upon them. Armin was already deep in conversation with Annie about some documentary he'd watched, while Jean and Eren immediately fell into their usual bickering.
"At least I don't have hair that looks like shit, Horseface," Eren shot back.
"Why you little—"
"Boys," Historia said sweetly, though her tone held a warning. "It's the first day. Can't you go five minutes without trying to kill each other?"
Ymir, standing behind Historia with an arm draped possessively over her shoulders, snorted.
"Not a chance in hell. It's their love language."
The group made their way inside, the noise level rising as they filled the hallways. They stopped at their lockers, trading stories about their summer vacations. Sasha had indeed been on an adventure with a pig, Jean had gotten a terrible sunburn at the beach, and Armin had read twenty books.
"It was so good," Armin was saying, his blue eyes shining with enthusiasm. "It was about marine biology, and the migration patterns of whales, and—"
"Boring," Connie interrupted, earning a light punch from Eren.
Finally, the bell rang, a shrill signal that summer was officially over. Eren and Mikasa walked to their homeroom together with the others, parting ways with a quick squeeze of hands before heading to their separate seats.
Mikasa sat with Sasha near the windows, while Eren and Armin took their usual spots in the back row. The classroom was already full, the air thick with the scent of chalk dust and floor wax. Students were chatting excitedly, their voices a low hum that filled the room.
"Alright, settle down, everyone," a cheerful voice called from the front of the room.
Petra Ral, their homeroom teacher, stood at her desk, a bright smile on her face. She was young and energetic, and had a way of making even the most boring subjects seem interesting.
"Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful summer," she said, her eyes sweeping over the class. "Now, I know we're all eager to jump right into the wonders of senior literature, but since we have a few new students joining us this year, I thought we'd take some time to reintroduce ourselves. We'll go around the room. Just tell us your name, and maybe share something interesting you did over the break."
A collective groan went through the room, but Petra just laughed. "Come on, it'll be fun! Let's start with you, Armin."
Armin, ever the diligent student, stood up, his face flushing slightly. "Hi, I'm Armin Arlert. This summer, I worked at the library, and I read a lot of books about marine biology. It was fascinating. I also spent some time with my girlfriend and my grandpa."
One by one, their classmates introduced themselves. Sasha talked about her family's farm, Jean bragged about a new part-time job he'd gotten, and Historia shared a sweet story about volunteering at an animal shelter. Mikasa listened with half an ear, her gaze drifting around the room, her mind already on the day ahead.
Then, Petra called her name. "Mikasa."
Mikasa stood up, smoothing down her skirt. It was a simple, pleated thing that ended mid-thigh, a choice she made for the warm late-summer weather. She felt a sudden, intense heat on her and knew, without even having to look, that her boyfriend was watching her.
Across the room, Eren's breath hitched.
His eyes, which had been idly tracing the patterns on the ceiling, were now glued to her. Her long, toned legs seemed to go on for days, and the way the skirt hugged her hips...
Fuck, why was he getting turned on in class?
He shifted in his seat, willing his body to get the memo.
Get it together, Eren. You already had your quickie this morning.
Mikasa, oblivious to the internal crisis she was causing, began to speak.
"Hi, I'm Mikasa Ackerman," she said, her voice clear and steady, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. "My hobbies are volleyball and MMA. This summer, my family and I went to Paris, and we visited Disneyland."
She said it so simply, so matter-of-factly, but the words hung in the air with a profound weight that only those who truly knew them could understand. Everyone in the room knew Mikasa's story, knew that her parents were gone. So when she said "my family," there was no awkward pause, no confused glances. There was only a quiet, shared understanding.
For Mikasa, referring to Eren and Carla as her family was a declaration of love and belonging that still made her heart beat faster and send a wave of warmth through her chest. She wasn't a Yeager by name, not legally adopted for a tangle of complicated reasons Grisha had once explained to them. But in every way that mattered, she was theirs. And they were hers.
Across the room, Eren felt that same warmth spread through his own chest. He watched her, a soft smile touching his lips as she sat back down. They didn't have that problem anymore, that "what are we" uncertainty that had plagued them in their early teens. What they were to each other was more than family, more than the childhood best friends everyone saw. They were lovers, yes, but it was deeper than that. It was a connection forged in trauma and strengthened by years of unwavering devotion. Soulmates, maybe. The label didn't really matter. They loved each other. It was as simple and as complicated as that.
Petra smiled warmly at Mikasa. "Paris sounds wonderful, Mikasa. I'm so glad you had a good time."
She then scanned her list. "Ah, Eren. You're up next."
Eren stood up, and the entire dynamic of the room shifted. All eyes turned to him. He had that effect on people, a magnetic presence that was hard to ignore. He ran a hand through his already messy brown hair, a casual, confident gesture that had several girls in the front row sighing softly.
"Hi," he began, his voice a low, pleasant rumble. "My name is Eren Yeager. My hobbies include playing football and watching sports in general. I also like playing video games with my friends and spending time with my girlfriend." He paused, a slow, deliberate smirk spreading across his face as he turned his gaze directly to Mikasa. "This summer, I was in Paris with my family, where we went to Disneyland."
He let the silence hang for a moment, enjoying the suspense.
Then, he added, "I also have the most beautiful girlfriend in the entire world."
He winked, a quick, cheeky gesture that was caught by everyone. He sat back down, looking immensely pleased with himself, slinging an arm over the back of his chair as if he'd just delivered the state of the union address.
The classroom erupted.
"Ooooooh!" Connie and a few other boys chorused, while the girls erupted into a flurry of giggles and whispers. Sasha was practically vibrating in her seat next to Mikasa, nudging her with an excited elbow.
Mikasa, for her part, felt a wave of heat so intense it was a wonder her hair didn't catch fire. She shot Eren an exasperated glare from across the room, her dark eyes promising a swift retribution later. But she couldn't suppress the small, helpless smile that tugged at her lips or the deep blush that crept up her cheeks. She was annoyed, yes, but a secret, thrilled part of her was soaring. He was hers, and he wanted everyone to know it on the first day.
Petra, ever the professional, managed to regain control of her classroom with a few gentle claps of her hands. "Alright, alright, settle down. Thank you for that... passionate introduction, Eren. Let's move on. Jean."
Jean stood up, puffing his chest out in a pathetic attempt to one-up Eren. "Yeah, I'm Jean. I spent my summer working at the country club, where I learned to sail. It's a real sport, not like just kicking a ball around."
Eren snorted from the back of the room. "Ooh, sailing. Did you wear a cute little sailor outfit, Horseface?"
Jean's face turned red. "At least I don't spend my summers playing princess at Disneyland with my mommy."
"That's it," Eren started to stand, but Armin put a firm hand on his arm, pulling him back down.
"Eren, not now," he whispered urgently.
"Boys," Petra said, her voice losing some of its cheerfulness. "That's enough. Jean, thank you. Please sit down. Pieck, you're next."
The introductions continued, but the charged atmosphere between Eren and Mikasa remained. They were hyper-aware of each other, a silent current flowing between them across the crowded room. Every so often, Mikasa would risk a glance in his direction, only to find him already looking at her, his green eyes intense and unwavering. Each time, a fresh wave of heat would wash over her.
Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom and the start of their first real class of the day.
"Freedom!" Connie, Floch and Niccolo shouted, grabbing their backpacks and bolting for the door.
The hallway was a chaotic river of students. Eren and Mikasa were separated by the tide, but he fought his way through the crowd, his hand finding hers as soon as he was close enough.
He pulled her aside into a small alcove by the lockers, away from the main flow of traffic in the hallway.
"Hey," he said, his voice low and intimate.
"Hey yourself," she replied, trying to sound stern but failing miserably. "You are the most insufferable, arrogant, show-off boy I have ever met my entire life."
He grinned, undeterred. "And you love it."
"I do not," she lied, crossing her arms over her chest.
He took a step closer, crowding her against the lockers, his hands resting on either side of her head, caging her in. "Really? Cause your face was pretty red back there. And I saw you smiling."
"That was a grimace of annoyance," she insisted.
"Is that so?" he murmured, leaning down until his face was inches from hers. "Well, let me see if I can get a real smile out of you."
He didn't give her a chance to respond. His lips were on hers, claiming her in a deep, possessive kiss that was all tongue and raw, unfiltered Eren. It was the kind of kiss that made her knees weak and her head spin, the kind that reminded her exactly why she put up with all his nonsense. She melted against him, her hands coming up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer.
He broke the kiss first, resting his forehead against hers, both of them breathing heavily.
"Still annoyed?" he asked, his voice husky.
"Extremely," she breathed, tilting her head up to capture his lips in another, softer kiss. "We're going to be late for literature."
"Let them wait," he muttered, but he pulled away anyway, grabbing her hand. "Come on. Let's go be seniors."
They walked to their next class together, their hands clasped tightly between them. The rest of the morning passed in a blur of syllabi and introductory lectures. They sat together in every class, of course, their shared desk a small island of familiarity in the sea of new faces and new challenges.
At lunch, they met their friends at their usual table in the crowded cafeteria. Sasha was already halfway through her sandwich, while she was trying to steal some of the food from Connie and Niccolo's trays.
"So," Ymir said, her sharp gaze landing on Eren and Mikasa as they sat down. "We heard all about your big romantic trip to Paris. Did you two at least manage to keep your hands off each other long enough to see the Eiffel Tower?"
"Ymir!" Historia scolded, her cheeks flushing.
Eren just laughed, unwrapping the lunch Mikasa had made for him. "What do you think, Ymir?"
Mikasa rolled her eyes. "We saw the Eiffel Tower. And the Louvre. And we ate a lot of croissants."
"Sounds boring," Jean said, earning himself a kick under the table from Eren. "Ow! What was that for?"
"Existing," Eren replied, taking a large bite of his turkey sandwich. "Damn, Mika, this is good. As always."
"Of course it is," Sasha said, her mouth full. "Mikasa is the best cook ever. Mikasa, can you make me those cupcakes you made last year for my birthday?"
"Sure, Sasha," Mikasa replied, her eyes softening as she looked at her friend.
The conversation flowed easily around them, a comfortable tapestry of inside jokes and friendly banter. Eren listened, one arm draped casually over the back of Mikasa's chair, his fingers tracing absentminded patterns on her shoulder. He loved this, their group, their life. He loved watching Mikasa relax with her friends, the rare, genuine smiles she reserved for them lighting up her face. He loved the way she fussed over him, making sure he ate his vegetables and drank his water, even when he complained.
The final bell of the day was a sweet sound of freedom, signaling the end of the first-day formalities and the true beginning of their senior year.
"Thank God that's over," Eren groaned, slinging his backpack over one shoulder. He immediately reached for Mikasa's hand, his fingers lacing with hers as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I think I got whiplash from how many times Petra smiled at us. It's unsettling."
Their friends caught up with them by the main entrance, a boisterous, chaotic group that spilled out onto the front lawn. The sun was still high in the late afternoon sky, casting long shadows and bathing the school grounds in a golden light.
"So, practice tomorrow?" Floch asked. "Levi's probably got some new torture device for us."
"Probably," Eren replied. "He mentioned something about a new drill. Said it was gonna 'separate the men from the boys'."
"Please," Jean scoffed, falling into step beside them. "The only thing separating you from the boys is your inability to grow a proper beard."
Eren stopped, turning to face him with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were taking beauty tips from the guy whose face looks like it lost a fight with a lawnmower."
Mikasa sighed as she pulled him along, ignoring Jean's sputtering. "Ignore him, Eren. We have to stop by the store."
"What for?" he asked, his irritation instantly forgotten as he focused on her.
"We're out of milk," she said simply. "Carla gave me a shopping list."
"Right," he said, then leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "Can we also get those ice cream bars from last week?"
Mikasa felt a shiver go down her spine at the proximity of his voice, the warmth of his breath against her ear.
"If you behave," she whispered back, a small smile playing on her lips.
They said their goodbyes to the group, promising to meet up before heading their separate ways.
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the chirping of birds and the distant rumble of traffic. It was these moments, the quiet in-between moments, that Mikasa cherished most. The simple act of walking beside him, his hand in hers, was enough to fill her with a sense of peace that she had once thought impossible.
The bell above the door jingled as they stepped inside the small corner store near their neighborhood. The store was a familiar labyrinth of shelves stocked with everything from canned goods to comic books. Eren immediately made a beeline for the ice cream freezer, while Mikasa went to the refrigerated section for the milk.
"Found them!" Eren called out, holding up a box of the chocolate-covered ice cream bars. "Can we get two?"
"Eren, you just had a huge lunch," she said, though she was already reaching for her wallet.
"But I'm a growing boy," he whined, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.
Mikasa sighed, but she was smiling. "Fine. But you're sharing them with me."
"Deal," he said.
They paid for their purchases, and Eren being his impatient self already started to tear the box open, stuffing an ice cream in his mouth as they headed back out into the warm afternoon sun.
By the time they reached their street, the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting the houses in a warm, golden glow. They walked up the path to their front door, the familiar sight of their home a welcome sight after a long day.
"Home sweet home," Eren said, unlocking the door and stepping inside.
The house was quiet, the only sound the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Eren immediately dropped his backpack by the door and made a beeline for the couch, flopping down onto it with a satisfied groan. He didn't even bother to take off his shoes. He simply grabbed the remote, turned on the TV before pulling out his phone and beginning to scroll through his social media feeds.
Mikasa watched him for a moment with a fond smile on her face. He was so predictable, so wonderfully Eren. She shook her head, dropping her own backpack by his before heading upstairs.
She went to her room first, a space that was both hers and not hers. It was filled with her things, her books, her volleyball trophies, her drawings and pictures of her and Eren. She quickly changed out of her school clothes, pulling on a pair of black shorts that hugged her ass and a simple gray tank top. She knew Eren liked the shorts because they were tight, but she wore them because they were comfortable.
She then went to the bathroom, carefully removing the light makeup she wore to school. It wasn't much, just a bit of mascara and some concealer to hide the dark circles that sometimes appeared under her eyes, a lingering remnant of the nightmares that still plagued her on occasion.
By the time she was done, she could hear the sound of Carla's car pulling into the driveway. She went downstairs to find Eren still sprawled on the couch, his eyes glued to his phone, completely oblivious to the world around him.
"Hey," Mikasa said, poking him on the cheek.
"Hey," he grunted, not looking up from his phone.
The front door opened, and Carla walked in, her face etched with the weariness that came with a long shift at the hospital. She smiled when she saw them, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Hi, kids," she said, dropping her purse on the counter. "How was your first day?"
"It was good," Mikasa replied, moving to help Carla with her things. "We met some new students. And someone made a spectacle of himself, as usual."
"Hey," Eren protested, finally looking up from his phone. "I was just being honest."
Carla laughed, a genuine, tired laugh. "I'm sure you were, sweetie. But can you please get up and put your shoes away properly? And for heaven's sake, change out of your school clothes."
Eren groaned, but he did as he was told.
"I was comfortable," he whined, kicking his shoes into a messy pile by the door.
"You're a mess," Carla said. "Mikasa, honey, can you help me with dinner?"
"Of course," Mikasa replied, already heading towards the kitchen. "What are we making?"
"I was thinking spaghetti and meatballs," Carla said, rolling her shoulders to relieve some of the tension.
"Perfect," Mikasa said, already pulling out the necessary ingredients from the refrigerator and pantry. "I'll start on the meatballs."
Eren, who had reluctantly dragged himself from the couch and was now attempting to organize his shoes into a slightly less offensive pile, perked up. "Spaghetti? Awesome! Need help?"
Carla and Mikasa exchanged a look, a silent conversation that had been perfected over years of shared domestic life.
"No, honey," Carla said, her voice gentle but firm. "You just go... freshen up. And maybe start on your homework."
"I can help," Eren insisted, though he made no move towards the kitchen, instead leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. "I'm a great helper."
Mikasa raised an eyebrow, her hands already busy mixing ground beef, breadcrumbs, and herbs in a large bowl. "Really? Was that before or after you set the kitchen towel on fire last time you tried to 'help'?"
"That was an accident," Eren protested, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"And it was a small fire. Very small." he said as he gestured with his fingers.
"Small enough that we needed the fire extinguisher," Carla reminded him, a twinkle in her eye. "Go on, sweetie. We've got this. Besides, you smell like a high school locker room."
Eren sighed dramatically, but he knew when he was beaten. "Fine. But if you need me, I'll be... not here."
He trudged upstairs, the sound of his footsteps fading as he disappeared into his room. Carla watched him go, a fond smile on her face.
"That boy," she said, shaking her head. "I swear, sometimes I think he'd forget to breathe if you weren't there to remind him."
"He's not that bad," Mikasa defended, though she was smiling. "He just... needs a little guidance."
"And you're always there to give it to him," Carla said, her voice soft with affection. "You're good for him, Mikasa. You keep him grounded."
Mikasa's heart swelled with warmth at the praise. She loved Carla like a mother, and hearing her say things like that meant the world to her. "He's good for me, too," she replied softly. "He keeps me... safe."
Carla reached out, placing a hand on Mikasa's cheek. "You're safe here, honey. Always."
Mikasa leaned into the touch, closing her eyes for a moment.
In moments like these, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world despite how cruel the world had already been to her. She had a family, a home, and a boy who loved her more than anything. It was more than she had ever dared to hope for after that terrible night so long ago.