Chapter 27: Rekindled Embers
Mikasa POV
"Umm..." I murmured softly, nestling closer to Eren, who lay beside me with a contented smile etched across his face. The warmth of his presence felt like sunlight filtering through winter clouds—gentle and unwavering.
As I opened my eyes, my charcoal blues met the vibrant glint of his emeralds, his gaze steady and tender. Without a word, his hand cupped my cheek, roughened by the trials we had faced but impossibly soft against my skin, and he placed a feather-light kiss on my lips.
"Morning, darling," he whispered, his voice carrying a faint rasp, a trace of exhaustion laced within it. Despite that, his words wrapped around me like a warm quilt on a chilly dawn. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me as I pressed my head against his shoulder, feeling the rhythm of his heart sync with mine.
Turning my gaze toward the window, I realized the sun had long climbed past its zenith. Afternoon already? Guilt prickled at the edge of my thoughts. How could I have slept this much? Eren must be hungry by now, waiting on me while I laze away. Ugh... How careless could I get? I thought, my mind racing with ideas to whip up a meal.
"Hungry?" Eren's voice broke through my spiral of thoughts, his tone gentle but laced with a knowing playfulness. He grinned at me, the kind of grin that could melt glaciers, and I blinked. Wait... Did he cook?
Before I could respond, I found myself nodding unconsciously. "Kay... wait here. I'll be right back," he murmured, sliding his arm out from beneath me with careful precision.
He replaced his arm with a soft pillow, tucking it beneath my head like he was handling something fragile and precious. His lips brushed my cheek, a touch so fleeting it felt like the whisper of the wind.
Usually, I'd be the one to wake before him, stealing those quiet hours to cook something from the fish or deer he'd bring back. It was a comforting routine, a quiet ritual we shared amidst the chaos of life. But now, everything had shifted.
My hand instinctively rested against my growing belly. He's taken over my responsibilities... or at least, he's trying. My sweet, selfless Eren. The thought made my lips curve upward, a fond chuckle escaping me.
Moments later, Eren reappeared, looking impossibly endearing—and maybe just a little embarrassed—in my apron. It draped awkwardly over his broad frame, the strings tied too tight around his waist. He pressed his knees together, avoiding my gaze, his usual stoic demeanor replaced with an almost childlike bashfulness.
My attention shifted to the dish he carried, a plate of grilled fish, its smoky aroma wafting through the air. The seasoning smelled tantalizingly close to perfect, but the uneven shape of the fish betrayed his struggles. I could tell he'd carefully cut away the burnt parts with a knife, leaving only the best for me.
It wasn't flawless, no, but it was beautiful in its imperfections—just like Eren himself.
Eren had also prepared a glass of orange juice along with an assortment of fruits, the ones I often craved lately. The sight of it all left me in awe, pride swelling in my chest. "Eren… You didn't have to," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, eyes fixated on him.
How did I end up so lucky? He's only eighteen but has already grown into a man who makes me feel so cherished. Though I'm a few months older, he treats me like I'm the fragile one.
Eren scratched the back of his head, avoiding my gaze, his cheeks lightly tinted with red. "I… I didn't want Mikasa to do anything now," he stuttered, fumbling slightly over his words.
"Since our baby is in her… she needs to rest from now on. I'll handle the house and the chores…" His voice was soft, tender, but his attention stayed on the food he prepared, as though trying to avoid the weight of my gaze.
I couldn't help the smile that spread across my lips. "Eren, you're too sweet." I reached out and gently pulled him closer so we could sit side by side.
Playfully, I opened my mouth, signaling for him to feed me. But to my shock, Eren's face turned beet red,"Right now?" Eren stuttered as I nodded and suddenly, he began tugging at his pants. My cheeks burned as realization struck. "Eren! Not that!" I exclaimed, burying my face in my shoulder. "I meant the food!"
His face flushed even darker as he froze, awkwardly avoiding eye contact. "Oh… uh… right.... sorry" He fumbled to gather himself, quickly grabbing the plate of grilled fish. My heart swelled as I watched him feed me, his every movement careful, his eyes scanning the plate making sure the fish doesn't contain any bones. He's so thoughtful. He's… perfect.
The moment the first bite touched my tongue, I was stunned. "Eren…" I gasped, my eyes widening as the flavors hit me. "This is… really good!" How on earth had he learned to cook this well? I never imagined he'd mastered something like this.
He smiled sheepishly, his green eyes lighting up with pride. "You think so?" He placed another bite in my mouth, the fish flaking apart perfectly, each piece tender and boneless.
Before I realized it, the plate was empty. I blinked, glancing at him with a mix of surprise and embarrassment. Eren chuckled softly, his laugh warm and rich, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You must've liked it," he teased. "Want some more?"
I hesitated, my hands fidgeting with the fabric of his shirt. "Eren… I might gain weight if I eat too much," I mumbled, stealing shy glances at him.
His grin widened, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Oh, you're already pretty heavy. A little more fish won't hurt," he quipped.
"Eren!" I gasped, my arms crossing in mock indignation, though my lips betrayed me with a smile. His laugh came again, that boyish laugh I loved so much.
Despite my protests, he went back for seconds, returning with a fresh plate. "Here you go, my lady," he said with a playful bow before resuming his seat beside me. He began feeding me again, taking his time, ensuring I was fully satisfied.
Once I was finally full, I leaned closer to him, resting my head against his shoulder. "Come here, Eren. It's my turn to feed you now," I whispered, my voice soft, and he complied without hesitation.
"Here... Have some orange juice," Eren said, offering me the fresh glass he'd prepared. His voice was soft, almost shy, but the way his emerald eyes met mine made my heart flutter. As I took the cup, an impish idea sparked within me.
I couldn't help the smirk that played on my lips. My cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as I leaned closer, closing the space between us until our faces were mere inches apart.
"Mika?" Eren blinked, slightly startled, his voice catching in his throat. My smirk widened as I whispered, my voice low and teasing, "But... but... I love Eren's juice more. It's much more refreshing and tasty."
His reaction was priceless. "Ew," Eren muttered, his face twisting in mock disgust as he pulled away, his cheeks flushed.
I couldn't stop myself from giggling at his expression. "Gosh, I never imagined Mikasa Ackerman—the girl who barely spoke, always so serious, so strong—would turn out like this," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Ignoring him, I chugged the juice in one go, setting the cup aside before crawling closer to him. My arms looped around his neck, and before I knew it, I was perched on his lap, my body pressing against his as I whispered, "It's all your fault, Yeager. You've spoiled me." My voice didn't falter, though my heart raced in my chest. What had I turned into?
Eren's smile softened, his hands instinctively resting on my back as he chuckled. "Mhm… and I'll keep spoiling you," he said, his voice dipping lower. "So you'll always remember me."
Before I could respond, he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear as he bit my earlobe gently. His words sent a shiver down my spine, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot to breathe. But the weight of his words hit me harder than I expected. "So you'll always remember me?"
For a moment, the warmth of the room seemed to dim, and the idea of a world without him cast a shadow over my heart. My arms tightened around him instinctively as he pulled back slightly to study my face.
His gaze was steady, unwavering, but behind his smile, I could sense he knew the storm brewing inside me. His eyes shifted briefly, falling to my abdomen, and then he spoke again.
"But…" he began softly, his voice holding a bittersweet edge, "there will be someone who'll always be by your side. Someone who'll keep you company after I'm gone. You'll never be alone, I promise." His words pierced through me, cutting deeper than I thought possible.
I fought to keep my composure, biting the inside of my cheek as I offered him a faint smile, but my voice trembled. "Eren…" I whispered, leaning into his chest.
He wrapped his arms around me, his hand tracing gentle circles on my back, and the simple gesture brought me a fleeting sense of peace.
"Don't say that again," I murmured against him.
Eren tensed slightly, his confusion evident. "What do you mean?"
"I mean…" I pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, my charcoal eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Don't say you'll leave me. Not now, not in a few years, not ever. I don't want to think about it. I don't want to picture a world where you're not with me. I just want to be with you, Eren. To stay like this… to keep doing what we always do."
His smile returned, faint but filled with so much warmth it nearly broke me. He nodded, murmuring an apology, though I could tell it wasn't his fault—not really. I rested my forehead against his, closing my eyes, letting the silence speak for us.
Then, with a soft giggle, I pulled away, brushing away my tears. "Now that we're not hungry anymore…" I whispered, letting a playful smile grace my lips. The light that danced in my eyes must've struck something within him because Eren froze, his expression unreadable.
For a fleeting moment, I felt as if the room had been illuminated—not by the afternoon sun spilling through the windows, but by the sheer happiness radiating from us.
"Spread your legs now, won't you, Eren? Just for me..." I purred, my smile curling with playful mischief as I closed my eyes briefly, savoring the tension.
My hands trailed down to the waistband of his pants, my touch deliberate, and with a quick motion, I tugged them slightly—enough to fluster but not reveal too much.
"iieyahhhhh!" Eren screamed, scrambling backward like a startled deer caught in the sights of a predator. His cheeks flushed crimson, his hands flailing as he clutched at his waistband in a desperate attempt to preserve his dignity.
"Mikasa, not today! We, uh, have to head to town for checkups and, you know, important stuff! Hehehe..." His nervous laugh filled the room, his gaze darting from the window to me, a hint of panic flickering in his brilliant emerald eyes.
I tilted my head, the scarf around my neck brushing against my chin as I loomed over him, casting a long shadow across the room. He looked so small, so endearing, huddled in the corner like a guilty child.
My tongue darted out to moisten my lips as I spread my arms wide, grinning like a wolf who'd cornered her prey. "Oh, Eren," I teased, my voice dropping an octave, dripping with faux menace. "If you won't play along willingly... I guess I'll just have to convince you."
The words hung in the air as I lunged forward, a burst of laughter escaping my lips as Eren's panicked protests filled the room. My heart swelled at how easily he melted under my teasing, his reactions always managing to brighten even the dullest of days.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone