Capítulo 20: The Cabin
As the first rays of the morning sun poured over the unknown land, casting a warm, orange glow, the train halted at its final destination. I felt Eren's gentle voice stir me from sleep, "Mikasa… wake up. We're here…"
Even as I blinked awake, the remnants of a dream about him clung to my thoughts. "Hm…" I mumbled, glancing around. The train was empty, just us two remaining, alone in this new, untouched place. Yawning, I released my hold on Eren's arm, which I must have been clinging to while sleeping.
Not wanting to draw any attention, Eren didn't ask about our location or the name of the place; a question like that might raise suspicion. We quietly stepped off the train, and I took in the breathtaking scene that unfolded around us.
Cherry blossoms floated lazily through the air, their delicate petals spiraling down as if they were a part of some gentle snowfall, welcoming us to spring. We stood at the base of a towering mountain, where a river wound down its slope, the clear water glinting under the morning light.
Eren slipped his hand into mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in a silent promise. We started walking, our footsteps falling into a quiet rhythm as we wandered away from the station, letting the serenity of this beautiful, untouched region surround us.
Hours passed as we walked, the peaceful quiet only broken by our murmurs and laughter. Eventually, we spotted a small town nestled in the valley, and Eren—always thinking ahead—managed to buy us some food and a couple of ice cream cones.
We shared them, his expression softening as he savored each bite. The sight of him enjoying something so simple sent a warm sense of pride through me; I was the one who got to see him like this, so utterly at ease.
As the sun began to cast long shadows across the open plains, we found ourselves far from the town, with no plan yet on where we'd settle for the night. The sky grew darker, the moon rising high, casting a silvery light over the grassy field.
The cold started to seep in, and despite my white coat and the familiar warmth of the red scarf Eren had given me, a shiver slipped through me. Eren noticed immediately, pressing his warm lips against my hair as he draped his own black coat around my shoulders.
"Eren, no… you'll catch a cold," I murmured, resisting, but he simply smiled, adjusting his hat over my head and pulling the scarf snugly around my ears.
"I'm fine," he whispered, but I could see his breath, misty and white in the chill. Just as I opened my mouth to protest again, he pointed toward a dim yellow light in the distance. Nestled between thick trees, an old wooden cabin stood within a fenced area, its warm glow a welcoming beacon.
As we approached, hope rose in our chests. The place looked abandoned, a little weatherworn but still standing. We walked up to the door, preparing to knock, but before we could, the thundering sound of hooves echoed through the air, growing louder with each second.
Suddenly, an older man rode up, stopping a few paces in front of us. He sat tall and stern on his horse, his sharp gaze fixed on us. "Oi, you two, what're you doing here? Are you runaways… slaves?" His voice was harsh, and the accusation made my hands clench, ready to defend us if necessary.
But Eren's grip tightened around my hand, his calm, quiet voice cutting through my tension. "No... we aren't slaves..." he began, meeting the man's gaze with an unwavering look, his tone respectful yet firm. I could sense the careful, calculating calm behind his eyes, ready for whatever response came next.
The old man narrowed his eyes as he tied his horse to the fence and looked us over. "Heh? Then what are you doing here, and who's the girl beside you?"
Eren didn't miss a beat. "She's my wife." I felt my cheeks flush, moving a little closer to Eren under the man's piercing gaze.
"Tch… seriously.... you're already married? At this age?" the man scoffed, his voice thick with skepticism.
Eren's response was seamless, his voice taking on a somber tone. "My parents wanted me to marry someone before they passed. Both were suffering from a fatal disease, so they made sure I married this girl before… before it was too late."
My admiration swelled; Eren was so smooth, his story flawless. I couldn't help but feel a small rush of pride as he continued.
Eren turned his attention to the cabin. "Does this house belong to you?"
The man nodded, producing a set of keys and unlocking the door. As it opened, I caught a quick peek inside—it was clean, even cozy, with a warm, lived-in feel to it. Eren noticed my interest and looked back at the old man.
"Well, if you're interested, I'd like to buy it off you. Name your price," Eren said with quiet confidence.
The old man scoffed, shaking his head. "Hahaha... Kid, I don't sell my house to just anyone....."
"Forty gold coins"
"Deal!"
"Deal!"
The man's eyes widened in surprise, but without a second thought, he thrust out his hand. They shook on it, and just like that, Eren had bought our first home.
The man spent a few moments gathering his belongings, leaving behind everything he didn't need. Then, with a final nod in our direction, he mounted his horse and left, disappearing into the dimming light.
As we stood alone in our new home, Eren glanced at me, his gaze following mine to the modest bedroom. My face went red as I stared at the single bed inside—a simple wooden frame with a soft quilt and barely enough room for two.
"What's wrong?" he asked, a gentle smile on his face as he reached out and patted my hair, noticing my gaze fixed on the bed.
"Er…" I managed, cheeks burning as I tried to find the words.
Eren hesitated before speaking. "I'll sleep on the floor. You can take the bed…"
Before he could turn away, I tugged on his hand. "Eren… we're… we're married. I don't think there should be a problem if we share the bed. We'll manage, okay?"
A hint of surprise crossed his face, but he gave a quiet nod. "Okay…"
And so, moments later, we found ourselves lying side by side, sharing the same pillow and tucked under the same blanket. Eren's arm brushed against mine, his warmth a comforting presence in the stillness.
He wore his usual half-sleeve shirt with the lace at the center and his trousers, while I was dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt and black trousers. The light from the skylight filtered softly over us, illuminating his face in a gentle, golden glow.
We were close, so close, and his steady breathing was the only sound in the quiet room. I could see the soft rise and fall of his chest, his eyes heavy with fatigue.
And for a moment, under the comforting glow of the quiet night, it felt as if we were the only two people in the world, bound together by the weight of all we'd been through and all that lay ahead.
"Eren…" I broke the silence, my voice barely a whisper.
He turned to me, our faces just inches apart. His gaze met mine, and in that quiet, lingering moment, we both seemed to understand just how vulnerable we were to each other.
I didn't know why my heart was racing like this—after all, we'd kissed, held each other, been through so much together. But something about tonight felt different.
Ah-choo!
I sneezed softly, realizing too late that the chill had snuck its way in and he chuckled. Despite everything, Eren hadn't caught a cold, thankfully, even though he'd been in his thin shirt this whole time.
"Here… come here. I'll keep you warm, Mika," he whispered, his arms opening toward me. His cheeks were flushed, his expression both shy and inviting, with a warmth that seemed to chase the cold away.
I gave him a small, equally flustered smile as I melted into his embrace. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close until our bodies were pressed together, my head resting against his shoulder, my hands pressing against his chest feeling his heartbeat steady and sure. It was so warm, so safe—every worry faded as I nestled closer, letting his warmth surround me.
"You tired?" he asked softly, his voice laced with tenderness.
I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "Mm-hmm…"
"Then why aren't you asleep by now,?" he murmured, his hand brushing a gentle line down my back.
"Hmm… I will now…" I whispered back, my voice low, as sleep began to settle in. His warmth was all around me, and I pressed closer, unwilling to let go.
As I drifted off, the feeling washed over me—a deep, nostalgic calm, like I was right where I was meant to be.
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