Attack On Titan: Goodbyes

"Ereh... Ereh... Wake up..."

A soft voice called out to him, pulling him from the depths of slumber. His eyes cracked open, met instantly by the golden sunrays filtering through the dense tree canopy.

The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and autumn leaves. He blinked sluggishly, adjusting to the warm light, before his gaze settled on the figure beside him—Mikasa, her short black hair framing her face.

Beside her, Erika giggled, her fairly long hair swaying as she shifted her weight. The little girl yawned, rubbing her drowsy eyes before mumbling, "Mama, I'll take Sae and Rin..." Her tiny arms clutched the sleeping twins protectively as she waddled off, her small form disappearing toward the distant house perched on the hill.

Eren watched her go, still dazed, his body heavy with sleep.

"Darling... wake up," Mikasa murmured again, this time pressing her forehead lightly against his. "Today it's your turn to change the diapers."

His blurry vision sharpened as he looked down at the bundle she cradled so carefully. The misty window behind her cast a soft glow over her face, making her look ethereal. His gaze then dropped lower—to her rounded belly, still swollen with life—before trailing back up to the infant wrapped snugly in her arms.

A deep furrow formed on his brow. He raised a sluggish finger, pointing at the baby, blinking in complete and utter confusion.

"Who's that?" he asked blankly.

Mikasa's jaw dropped. Her expression twisted into disbelief, her lips parting as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, she let out a sharp, exasperated sigh.

Mikasa stared at him, her lips twitching. "You're kidding, right?"

Eren, still half-asleep, merely blinked at her, his brain struggling to catch up. He rubbed his eyes, then looked at the tiny bundle in her arms again. "No, seriously... Who is that?" His voice was laced with genuine confusion.

Mikasa inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as if calling upon every ounce of patience in her body. When she reopened them, they gleamed with a quiet menace. "Eren... This. Is. Your. Daughter." She enunciated each word slowly, as if explaining something to a very dumb child.

Eren stiffened, his eyes widening. He pointed towards him. "Mine?"

"Yes, yours!"

He slowly sat up against the tree, now fully awake, looking between the baby, her belly, and then back to her exhausted yet fierce expression. His mind reeled, trying to process everything. "Wait... but I thought we were still at three?"

Mikasa's jaw clenched. "We were. Now we're at four."

Eren stared at her, then at the infant, then at her belly. "And soon five...?" His voice cracked slightly.

Mikasa smiled at him placing the kid at the grass before wrapping her arms around him, "Um...hm. Soon five." Shifting to her flirty stance.

There was a long silence. Eren let out a slow exhale, running a hand through his messy hair. "Shit... I need to sit down."

"You're already sitting," she reminded him.

He groaned, head falling back against the tree. "Why do I feel like every time I wake up, there's a new kid?"

Mikasa smirked, the edge of her earlier frustration softening into amusement. She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his cheek. "Because, Ereh, can't resist pushing me against the wall."

Eren flushed, looking away. "Eh..." He paused.

Mikasa nodded dryly, "And also because our writer wants to end the story as soon as possible."

"Hmm... Well it can't be helped then. Anyhow what's his name?" Eren scratched the back of his neck.

Mikasa raised a brow. "You really don't remember? We talked about this for weeks."

Eren grimaced, racking his memory. He had a vague recollection of late-night conversations, Mikasa curled against him, whispering names while he nodded sleepily. But at this moment, his mind was completely blank.

Seeing his struggle, Mikasa sighed, shifting the baby's blanket slightly to reveal her tiny face. "Her name is Faya."

Eren stared at the little girl, finally taking her in properly. Faya's tiny fingers twitched in her sleep, her breathing soft and even.

She had a dusting of dark hair, barely visible, and her face—though small and delicate—carried a striking resemblance to his siblings, except for she had grey eyes like her mother.

Something inside Eren twisted, a slow warmth spreading in his chest.

"Faya..." he murmured, reaching out to gently touch the baby's tiny hand. The infant stirred slightly but didn't wake. Mikasa watched him quietly, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips.

Eren exhaled, his earlier panic fading into something calmer. He leaned his head against Mikasa's shoulder, watching their newborn son in silence.

"Ano... Ereh~chan... You do remember I guessed that this time it's gonna be a girl, right? Which means… I get three wishes."

Mikasa's voice reached him through the hazy veil of thoughts, soft and teasing, but Eren barely processed it at first and blinked at her, before he pulled her in. His arms instinctively tightened around her, his body warm against hers. And he smirked at her, her words from about three months ago echoing in his mind.

"Hahaha, Yeager, you're on. A girl? What sort of a guess is that? Spare me. Ahhh.... Fine.... Don't look at me with those cute eyes, fine... , since I'm your beloved, adorable, cute, beautiful, and—most importantly—your queen, I'll give you a chance to think again, peasant."

And here she was, grinning in front of him as if she had actually won. Eren sighed, reaching out to gently pinch her cheeks, but she only giggled, undeterred. With the confidence of a queen claiming her spoils, she began listing her wishes—

First, unlimited naps on him, no complaints allowed.

Second, the right to kiss him as much as she wanted, again, no complaints.

And then, her voice wavered.

Her playful expression shattered completely as she clutched his shirt, eyes overflowing with tears, searching his. And his eyes widened because she wasn't smiling anymore and she started to weep—this was a plea, one that went beyond wishes, beyond playful bargains.

She slowly hugged him arms encircling around his neck.

This was her heart laid bare.

"Please... do something... and stay with me forever."

Her grip tightened. Her voice cracked and he kissed her cheek and her forehead.

"I don't want to leave this place. I don't want to leave Eren... Please, just... stay."

"6 months left, huh?"