Gala(2)

Eren let a loud snore as he wriggled slightly on the bed, his hair looked like a bird's nest, but even his sleeping face still exuded a captivating charm.

Mikasa brushed off the strands of hair that were on Eren's face and continued to gaze at him. She had to bring the drunkard back from the gala, and right now Eren was lying sprawled out in the middle of the bed - there wasn't any space for her to sleep.

Not that it mattered though, she would never get tired of looking at his face. In a way, she was thankful that Eren wasn't awake. The fact that just looking at him made her so happy was far too embarrassing - she didn't want him to notice it.

Today had been such a pleasant day for her. The way Eren held and danced with her - It was a memory that she would cherish forever.

"I-I should probably help him change his clothes …" She murmured and began to unbutton the stained shirt on Eren's chest, revealing a set of well-toned abs that sent her pulse racing.

She placed a hand on them, her eyes not willing to move away from those pecs. Soon before she knew it, her heartbeat had accelerated.

"Mmm ..."

Eren turned his body sideways and dug his face into a pillow, almost making her jump.

When Mikasa had confirmed that Eren was indeed still asleep - she heaved a sigh of relief and folded the shirt neatly, then placed it in a small basket beside her.

She would continue to stick close by Eren's side and take care of him at the same time. That was all she ever wanted, or maybe she wanted more - but didn't dare to think further.

It was probably just wishful thinking ... them being lovers and living together in a world free of titans, a world where they could enjoy each other's presence daily together in peace; free from war and slaughter. They could even get marrie-

Just as she was about to indulge in her own fantasy, a knock on the door broke her train of thoughts. Mikasa quickly rose to her feet and walked over to open it.

"Commander Erwin?"

"You and Eren need to leave Mitras, right now." Erwin entered the room. "It's too dangerous for both of you to stay here any lo-"

There was a pause, and his gaze seemed to have finally taken in the half-naked figure lying on the bed.

She hurriedly explained. "Eren got drunk at the Gala, I had to bring him back and help him change his clothes."

The Commander's eyebrows pressed together. "I see, there's no time to elaborate. Wake him up and leave through the Yarckel District at once. After you've collected a set of ODM gear each from the Survey Corps depot there, head back to rejoin the Special Squad. They're at the castle you stayed in previously."

"Leave through Yarckel, sir? Wouldn't Ehrmich be faster as it's closer to our destination?"

"The main roads leading out of it are all blocked." Erwin shook his head. "Also, avoid the current Survey Corps HQ on your way back. We can't rule out the possibility yet that we may still have some enemies lurking amongst them. I have an urgent meeting to attend, so I won't be leaving with you."

She responded with a salute. A meeting that late in the night? It was probably something serious.

Once the door had fully closed, she turned her attention back to the sleeping figure lying on the bed. How should she wake him up? From the way Commander Erwin spoke, the situation was dangerous for both of them.

She planted a hand on Eren's shoulder and shook him gently. "E-Eren, wake up. We have to go."

His body didn't even budge one bit and another snore escaped his mouth that hung wide open.

If it wasn't for the Commander's orders, she would have kept on staying silently by his side. Part of her wished that Eren wouldn't wake up - That way, Eren wouldn't go anywhere. He'd stay with her.

Yes … perhaps that was what she really desired all this while. She wanted to be together with Eren, forever.

However, Eren had already grown into a fine young man without her realizing - he was no longer that weak boy that needed her protection as much as before. He was moving further and further ahead, and Mikasa was afraid of the day when Eren would abandon her - the day when he no longer required her protection anymore.

"Eren." She shook him this time harder, but there was still no response.

If she hollered at him, it might work. Yet she couldn't bring herself to awake Eren in such a rough manner, it would make her appear very unsightly - She didn't want Eren to have a bad impression of her.

Or maybe she was just applying physical contact in the wrong spots. She glanced at the sleeping face, her eyes focused on the lips. Perhaps touching that spot might work …

Mikasa took a deep breath and began to lean her head closer to Eren's.

Then came the silence, broken only in part by Eren's snores and her own breathing.

"Wake … wake up."

Her lips were hovering right above his, she paused; gathering her resolve.

(I-I'm just trying to wake Eren up. T-that's right! I'm not taking advantage of him or doing anything like that.)

Eren let out a yawn and rubbed his eyes "... Mikasa?"

"A-ah!"

Eren was finally awake and looking at her in confusion. Mikasa now realized how close she was - to kissing him and making Eren his. She jumped back at once.

Sitting up, Eren stared at her. "Did something happen? This … Why am I not wearing my shirt? Argh, my head hurts." He closed his eyes and gripped his forehead.

She exhaled deeply and felt her shoulders drop. "N-no … I mean Yes! You got so drunk I had to bring you back. Commander Erwin just dropped by. We're to leave Mitras right now."

"Why?"

"The commander didn't explain, he seemed to be in a rush to attend to other matters."

There was a pause. Eren stood up, then staggered as he walked across the room.

She ran over to Eren and put her arm around him to support him; feeling his body that still reeked of beer leaning against hers. It didn't seem like he had fully recovered from the drunkenness in the Gala earlier. It was the middle of the night right now and Eren looked like he had been run over by a cart.

"Thanks." Eren sat down in front of his trunk. "I just need a bit more time, I'll be fine. You should change into your uniform as well."

Mikasa squinted her eyes. Eren looked anything but fine right now. He was surprisingly stubborn in downing the wine at the gala earlier; just what was he thinking?

"Come on, I'm really alright. My head just feels a little heavy, that's all."

She let out a soft sigh, grabbed her uniform and headed to the bathroom. When she was about to close the door, her eyes couldn't help themselves from stealing another glance at Eren's chest, and heat began to rush to her face again.

The incident from a few days ago was still fresh in her mind, the way his hands pressed and gripped her breasts. She had been having dreams about it and they had been getting more and more extreme...

"Uh, Mikasa?"

She stiffened all of a sudden and froze. Did he see right through her thoughts?

Eren eyed her. "Is something wrong? You've been standing there in a daze."

"N-Nothing!"

Her cheeks were now burning hot, and she slammed the bathroom door shut.

(1298 words)