Attack On Titan: Goodbyes

His eyes flutter open, and the first thing he sees is her.

Bathed in the golden morning light, her face is pressed gently against his, her breath warm against his skin. Her arms are curled around him in a protective embrace.

His own hands rest at her waist, instinctively pulling her closer, their foreheads barely touching. Her body rising and falling with soft, steady breaths.

Outside, the air is crisp, the distant rustling of leaves a quiet reminder that winter is only two months away. But in this moment, wrapped in her warmth, the cold feels like a distant thing.

Then, her eyelashes flutter. A slow inhale.

Sleepy eyes meet his, still heavy with dreams, and for a moment, she simply stares at him. No words, no rush. Just quiet, tender acknowledgment.

Without breaking the gaze, she slowly retracts one arm, her fingers brushing over his cheek before resting there, palm warm against his skin. And then, without hesitation, she leans in, pressing her lips against his in a lingering, unhurried kiss.

He doesn't speak.

He doesn't need to.

"Mama and Papa are flirting..."

Erika's tiny voice rings out from the far side of the bed, her grin wide with mischievous delight as she watches them.

Eren and Mikasa freeze. Their lips part, eyes widening in horror before a deep red flush creeps up their faces.

With a startled jolt, they pull away from each other—Mikasa clearing her throat while Eren awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, avoiding his daughter's knowing stare.

Meanwhile, Erika just giggles, swinging her little legs off the edge of the bed like she's caught them in some grand scandal.

Eren lets out a slow sigh, shooting Mikasa a glance before looking back at Erika, who's still grinning like she's just caught the biggest fish in the world.

"Erika, sweetheart," Eren says, trying to keep his voice steady, "shouldn't you be asleep?"

Erika tilts her head, her tiny hands resting on her lap as she nods. "Nooo~ I wake up and see Mama kiss Papa."

Mikasa groans, burying her face in her hands while Eren drags a hand down his own, exhaling sharply. "Great. We have a spy in the house."

Erika, not understanding the sarcasm, gasps dramatically. "Spy?! No! Erika not spy!" She puffs her cheeks, crossing her arms.

Mikasa peeks through her fingers, barely holding back a smile. "Then why were you watching us?"

Erika blinks, clearly caught, before giggling. "Because Papa is mine!" She suddenly crawls toward Eren, climbing onto his lap and clinging to his shirt. "Mama tries steal Papa, but I no let her!"

Mikasa gasps, pressing herself against Eren's arm playfully. "Ereh! Your child is so toxic! She—she's trying to steal you from me!" And Eren smiles as both mother and daughter get in a friendly quarrel.

"Listen, missy, this cutie belongs to me alone, got it?" Mikasa smirks, scooping Erika up effortlessly and tickling her belly. The little girl erupts into laughter, squirming in her mother's grasp as she kicks her tiny feet in protest.

Eren watches them with a soft smile, but the warmth is short-lived. A faint knock echoes through the house, cutting through the moment like a cold wind. His lips curl into a frown since he already knows who it might be.

Slowly, he rises to his feet, his movements slow yet deliberate, Eren lifts his palm, hesitating just above the door handle. His fingers hover over the cold metal, his breath slow and measured.

With a final sigh, he grips the knob, the chill seeping into his skin as he turns it. The wooden door groans softly as it swings open, revealing a middle-aged Asian woman standing at the threshold.

Her thin eyebrows arch slightly, and her dark eyes—calm yet unreadable—meet his. Black hair are neatly pinned into a bun, not a strand out of place, and the fabric of her traditional Hizuru kimono drapes elegantly over her frame.

A weak smile tugs at her lips, a quiet acknowledgment of the moment between them.

Eren exhales, his gaze lowering for a split second before he steps aside. "Welcome… Please, come in." She thanks him with a voice as smooth as silk, stepping inside with quiet grace.

Her sharp eyes sweep across the modest yet inviting cabin, its warmth evident in the carefully maintained wooden walls and the faint scent of fresh linen.

Though far removed from the town, its elegance is unmatched—a home built with love, standing strong against the solitude of the wilderness.

Eren's gaze flickers past her to the figures standing outside. A few guards clutching an array of gifts remain stationed near the entrance, their expressions unreadable as they move forward to set the items down. His frown deepens.

He doesn't need gifts. Not from them. But doesn't say anything as the guards step inside and finish setting the gifts they step outside and Eren shuts the door.

"Ereh… who is it?" Mikasa's voice drifts from the bedroom, laced with mild curiosity. Footsteps follow, and within moments, she steps into view—alone.

But the instant her eyes land on Kiyomi, she halts. The room stills, tension hanging in the air like an unspoken truth. Her gaze flickers to Eren as if seeking confirmation, as if needing reassurance that what she's seeing is real.

Before Mikasa can react, Kiyomi moves. Rising from her seat, her expression wavers, her composed demeanor cracking just slightly as her eyes glisten with unshed tears. In the next breath, she pulls Mikasa into a gentle embrace.

Mikasa stiffens at first, unprepared for the sudden warmth. But as the familiar scent of Hizuru silk and faint jasmine fills her senses, she exhales, her body relaxing just enough to lean into the touch.

"Lady Mikasa… I'm glad to see you again," Kiyomi whispers, her voice carrying a rare softness.

Mikasa only nods, silent yet composed. In that moment, as Eren watches her—poised, unwavering—he realizes just how much she truly resembles a queen.

The three settle into their respective seats, the crackling fireplace casting flickering shadows across the walls as Kiyomi begins to speak. Her tone remains calm, but the weight of her words is anything but light.

"Marley has revolutionized," she starts. "The resources extracted from Paradis have nearly been extracted, and now, the land itself is being auctioned off. The bidding process might begin within a year…"

Eren frowns. His fingers unconsciously curl into a fist, but before he can speak, he feels Mikasa's hand gently clutch his. A quiet reassurance. Kiyomi notices and smiles faintly before continuing.

"The only remaining Subjects of Ymir still reside within the internment zones," she says, her voice taking on a graver tone. "And as for the Titans… all seven have already been passed on to the next generation."

Eren's brow furrows. He leans forward slightly, his gaze sharp. "Seven?"

His mind races through the numbers, and he shakes his head. "I thought there were only six. The War Hammer was never part of the warriors' rotation—it was always held by the Tybur family, separate from the internment zone."

Kiyomi meets Eren's gaze, her eyes holding something unspoken—something she has yet to reveal. "That was true… but now the Tybur family is nothing but a chapter in history," she says softly. "For the greater good, Marley decided that the Titans should reside only among the warriors from the internment zone, not in the hands of any nobility. They feared that in the long run, it would become a liability." She pauses, her voice cold as she delivers the next truth. "Thus, the Tyburs were eradicated."

Eren's eyes widen, the weight of her words hitting him like a punch to the gut. For a moment, the room falls silent. He exhales deeply, his shoulders sagging in a mix of resignation and disbelief.

"And Hizuru?" he asks quietly, his voice laced with concern. "What are the odds that Marley won't turn on them, too?"

Kiyomi smiles, though it's a smile tinged with something far more complex. "Hizuru doesn't pose a threat to Marley—not in its current state," she replies, her eyes flickering briefly toward Mikasa.

She shifts her gaze back to Eren, her expression more determined now, as if revealing a long-held secret. "And since, Hizuru will be moving out of Marley's shadow—far westward, to the land where it truly belongs. To the place where it all began… where the Shogun clan once thrived, Marley wouldn't care less but would happily accept it."

Eren smiles, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as Kiyomi's words sink in. Her gaze softens, and she continues, "I'm glad to see Lady Mikasa finally getting along with the love of her life..." And Eren blushes as he blinks at Kiyomi caught off guard. "How did... How did you know?" And she chuckles as if it weren't that obvious from the start.

The chatting lingers but with every passing moment Mikasa's frown only deepens. "Lady Mikasa..." Kiyomi mutters her voice laced with urgency, "I know I'm asking a lot from you... But your people are waiting for you..." Her eyes then flicker to Eren, a person she respects from the depths of her heart.

She stands and closes the distance, sitting down in front of Eren and Mikasa, her hands clutching theirs with a gentle strength that speaks of her own unspoken burdens.

"Master Eren... I'm in your debt... Thank you for approaching me... Without you, none of this could've happened... You'll be remembered as the savior of Hizuru..." Her voice trembles, her eyes welling up with emotion as her shaky hands press against Eren's.

He nods, offering a quiet but sincere acknowledgment, feeling the weight of her words settle within him, both a blessing and a reminder of the path that still lay ahead.

Just as the moment lingers, a small, cheerful voice breaks the tension.

"Mama!! Papa!! Hungry!!"

The room falls silent as all eyes shift toward the little girl standing in the doorway, her pouty lips a perfect match for the small crease between her brows.

She looks up at Eren and Mikasa with the urgency only a child could possess, her tiny hands clasped in front of her like she's waiting for them to solve a world crisis.

Both Eren and Mikasa chuckle softly, the warmth of their laughter filling the air. Kiyomi, still holding their hands, turns her gaze to Erika, her teary eyes immediately softening as she takes in the sight of the little girl.

Even amidst the emotions and chaos, Erika stands there—so beautiful, so unbothered. With her wide green eyes, long black hair cascading down her back, and her small, delicate figure, it's impossible to ignore how much she resembled her parents.

Kiyomi's legs tremble as she slowly makes her way to Erika, as if she's walking on a tightrope, before finally sitting down in front of her. With a shaky smile, she wraps her arms around Erika in an awkward but affectionate hug.

Erika gasps, her eyes widening in confusion, before turning to Eren with a bewildered expression, her little face scrunching up as she points a finger at Kiyomi, eyes screaming," Who's this?!"

Eren, unable to suppress his smile, pats Erika's head gently, his fingers ruffling her hair. "It's grandma," he says with a teasing grin.

Kiyomi's eyes widen, as if she's been struck by lightning, before a surprised but affectionate smile spreads across her face. "Grandma?!" Erika blinks, looking between Eren and Kiyomi like she's trying to figure out whether this is a joke or an elaborate game.

The whole room erupts into laughter as Kiyomi embraces Erika even tighter, tears brimming in her eyes, this time from a mix of joy and shock.

Kiyomi gently pulls away, her delicate fingers wrapping around Erika's tiny hands as if memorizing the warmth of her touch. With a trembling breath, she leans down and presses a soft kiss.

Erika's mouth falls open in astonishment, her emerald eyes growing impossibly wide as she stares at the unfamiliar gesture. "This is Erika… our oldest but teases us alot," Eren says, his voice laced with amusement.

Erika instantly pouts, her little brows furrowing as she turns to him in protest. But before she can argue, Eren chuckles and bends down, effortlessly lifting her into his arms. "But also a really good girl," he adds, pressing a reassuring kiss to her forehead.

At his words, Erika's pout vanishes, replaced by a beaming smile as she giggles and nuzzles her cheek against his. Kiyomi watches them, her eyes glistening with emotion, before following Eren inside.

The bedroom is slightly messy—sheets tousled from the children's play, small toys scattered across the wooden floor—but otherwise warm and well-kept.

One by one, Kiyomi kneels and embraces the little ones, her touch lingering on each of them as though afraid they would vanish. She kisses Sae's soft, chubby cheek, strokes Rin's dark locks, and presses her forehead gently to Faya's tiny one.

The weight of her emotions clings to the air, and for a brief moment, there is only silence—only the sound of her quiet, shaky breaths as she holds them close.

Eren glances toward the doorway just as Mikasa steps in. His sharp gaze flickers over her face, instantly catching the faint red marks beneath her eyes—evidence of the tears she had shed in private.

His chest tightens at the sight, but he says nothing. Instead, he reaches for her, his touch featherlight as he presses a lingering kiss to her temple. She closes her eyes briefly at the warmth, leaning into him just enough for him to feel it.

A sudden gasp breaks the moment.

"Oh! I almost forgot… Lady Erika, I brought some gifts for you!" Kiyomi announces, her voice gentle yet filled with warmth.

Erika's eyes widen with delight, her small hands clapping together in excitement. "Really?! I wanna see!" she exclaims, practically bouncing in Eren's hold.

Kiyomi chuckles and leads her toward the gifts, balancing the twins in her arms while Mikasa cradles Faya against her chest.

"Hahhh!! Mama, look!" Erika cries out, lifting a delicate silver necklace between her fingers. The small pendant catches the light, twinkling like a star.

Mikasa smiles, her heart softening at the sight. She turns to Kiyomi with gratitude in her expression. "You didn't have to…" she murmurs, her voice laced with appreciation.

But Kiyomi only smiles knowingly. "Lady Mikasa, please accept this," she says, lifting a kimono in front of her—a beautiful pink one, embroidered with flowers resembling cherry blossoms.

For a moment, Mikasa is silent, her fingers lightly grazing the fabric. It reminds her of the cherry blossom trees she and Eren use to sleep under in spring, after they ran away.

Eren watches her, his expression unreadable, but deep within his chest, something tightens. He swallows against the ache, forcing a small, pained smile before exhaling deeply.

"Mikasa… I'll gather some firewood," he mutters, his voice quieter now.

Mikasa frowns, her brows drawing together. "I'll come too," she insists, concern flickering in her tone. "You weren't feeling well earlier—"

But Eren shakes his head, his gaze distant. He leans in slightly, just enough to whisper, "It's alright… I'll go alone."

For a moment, Mikasa stares at him, studying the lines of his face. Her lips part as if to argue, but in the end, she only watches as he grabs the axe and steps out into the cold, disappearing into the quiet of the forest.

Kiyomi clasps her hands together, her voice filled with sincerity. "Lady Mikasa… thank you. Because of you and Master Eren, Hizuru will return to its former glory. I can never thank you enough."

Mikasa offers her a small, tired smile, but her heart isn't fully present. Even as she lets herself get swept into Erika's boundless energy and Faya's soft cries, a part of her remains distant—her thoughts fixated on Eren.

The hours slip by too quickly. The day fades into dusk, and Eren still hasn't returned.

Kiyomi remains occupied with the children, laughing as they climb onto her lap, treating her like the grandmother they never had.

But Mikasa stands by the kitchen window, her gaze locked onto the darkening forest. Worry gnaws at her chest. She bites her lower lip, trying to push the feeling away, but it lingers.

She misses him. The way things used to be.

The memories creep in, unbidden—the first night they spent in the cabin, the warmth of his embrace, the way he whispered her name like it meant everything. That night had been one of the most blissful in her life, and yet, deep down, she had known the consequences.

She glances down at herself. She's still wearing the kimono. She hadn't changed out of it all day, hoping—no, wanting—Eren to see her in it.

Her thoughts are shattered by Erika's excited voice.

"Mama!! This Grandma also gave me this!!"

Mikasa blinks, turning to see Erika holding up a small doll, her emerald eyes shining with excitement.

Mikasa steps closer, kneeling to take the doll in her hands. A gentle smile tugs at her lips. It's soft, well-made, and oddly familiar. It reminds her of the dolls she used to make as a child—the ones that resembled her and Eren.

A distant noise cuts through the warmth of the moment.

The sheeps outside begin bleating loudly, their cries frantic and restless. Mikasa's breath catches in her throat as realization strikes.

She forgot to feed them.

With everything that had happened today, she had completely overlooked it.

"I'll be back… Please look after the kids," she says, already moving toward the door.

Kiyomi nods, gently patting Erika's head as Mikasa steps outside into the crisp evening air.

The cold bites at her skin, the sky now draped in hues of dark blue and violet. She makes her way to the back of the cabin, where the sheep huddle together, their noises echoing through the clearing. The wooden fence surrounding them.

As Mikasa steps toward the fence, ready to push it open, her entire world comes to a halt.

Her breath catches. Her heart shatters.

There, just beyond the wooden posts, against the cabin sits Eren. A dark, hunched figure sitting on the cold earth, his body trembling with silent agony.

His shoulders quake as relentless tears slip through his fingers, his palm pressed against his face, as if trying to hold himself together. His teeth clenched and visible in the dying light. His other hand grips the damp grass so tightly his knuckles turn white, as though the earth itself is the only thing keeping him grounded.

Beside him, an axe and a basket filled with firewood lay forgotten.

Mikasa's throat tightens. She has never seen him like this.

His cries are not loud, not wailing—no, they are worse. They are suffocating. Oppressive. The broken, soundless sobs of a man who has carried too much for too long. A man who has always stood tall, always been strong, always given her a shoulder to lean on.

But what about him?

What about his pain?

His voice is so faint, so raw, it barely reaches her ears. A strangled whisper lost in the wind.

Tears fall freely from his hidden eyes, dripping onto the earth below—tears not just of grief, but of longing, of exhaustion, of a man who wants to scream but no longer has the strength.

Mikasa grips the fence, her fingers trembling. Her breath, shallow.

She takes a step forward.

Eren looks up immediately. His body stiffens, and in an instant, he drags his sleeve across his tear-streaked face, trying to erase the evidence. "Ah, sorry... I just—"

But before he can finish, she's already there.

Mikasa crashes into him, arms wrapping around his shaking form, pulling him into the warmth of her embrace. And just like that, the dam inside him breaks all over again.

His breath hitches, and without meaning to, his tears spill freely, soaking into the soft fabric of her pink kimono. He wants to stop—he really does—because she looks so beautiful in it, and he doesn't want to ruin it with his grief. But he can't. He just can't.

His fingers clutch at her, holding onto her like she's the only thing anchoring him to the world. His voice is rough, breaking apart between gasps.

"I... I don't want to go..." His grip tightens, his forehead pressing against her shoulder. "I want to stay here... and grow old with you... I want to keep holding you... I just want to live with you..." His breath shudders, and then, a raw, whispered, "I want to die in your arms..."

She doesn't even realize that she's crying too. The warmth of her tears seeps into his hair, her arms tightening around his neck as if she's afraid he'll disappear.

"Become the queen of Hizurus... Tch spare me…" His voice is raw, filled with unfiltered emotion. "You belong to me alone…" His grip tightens and he pulls her closer his face pressed in her chest.

And before he can respond, she pulls back just enough to press her lips against his. It's desperate, needy—not out of passion, but out of sorrow and relief. She's sad yet overwhelmingly happy.

When she finally pulls away, their foreheads stay pressed together, breaths mingling in the cold air. Eren looks at her, eyes searching, as if memorizing every detail of her face. And then, despite the tears streaming down her cheeks, Mikasa smiles—a soft, broken smile.

"Ereh… My Ereh…" Her voice trembles, but there's nothing but certainty in her words. "I don't want to be anything else but your wife… I just want my Eren to look at me and no one else. I don't care about wealth, or power, or anything this world has to offer… I just want you. That's all I've ever lived for… You and me and no one else."

Her hands slide down to his chest and she kisses him again, pressing herself closer.

Eren exhales shakily, his arms wrapping around her with the same desperate force. But deep down, they both know the truth—there's nothing they can do to change fate.

No matter how much they cling to this moment, it's slipping through their fingers like sand. Eren's chest tightens at the thought of leaving her behind. The last thing he wants is for Mikasa to be alone after he's gone.

Eren sighs against her lips, "Hey... Mikasa..." His voice is low, steady, but filled with quiet desperation. "I'll put an end to this. This endless cycle of death, of violence, of suffering..."

He pulls back just enough to cup her face, his thumbs brushing against her damp cheeks. His green eyes, still glistening with unshed tears, hold hers with an intensity that makes her breath hitch.

"I'll find you," he whispers. "And then... We'll be together for eternity."

Mikasa's lips tremble as she presses soft kisses to his palms, her eyes never leaving his. "Promise?" she breathes.

Eren smiles, the kind of smile that carries both sorrow and love, and nods. "I promise."

And for now, that's enough. They let themselves get lost in each other, drowning in the warmth of their shared embrace, the world around them fading into nothing.

Until—

"Aaaah!! Mama and Papa are flirting!!"

Erika's voice cuts through the moment, and both of them jolt, eyes wide, faces turning a deep shade of red.

They glance over to see their daughter standing at the corner with a toothy grin, her small hands on her hips like she just caught them committing some grand offense.

Behind her, Kiyomi stands silently, her expression composed—yet her glistening eyes betray her. She wipes at them subtly before stepping forward, closing the distance between them.

She takes Eren's hand in both of hers, her grip firm yet gentle. "Master Eren… please rest assured," she says softly. "I will care for Lady Mikasa as if she were my own daughter. I cannot promise she won't feel lonely… but she will live a long and happy life." Her voice wavers slightly before she smiles. "And I hope… I truly hope you two will reunite in the next life."

Eren looks at her for a long moment before nodding, his fingers tightening around hers in silent gratitude. "Thank you," he murmurs.

Mikasa watches him, memorizing everything— the way his shoulders straighten despite the weight he carries, the way his eyes, though weary, still shine with love and determination.

And in that fleeting moment, she prays.

That somewhere, somehow—his promise will hold and that they'll be together again.