"A friends son"

The evening sun poured through the windows, casting a soft glow over the room. Mikasa sat quietly near the window, glancing every so often at Aiden, who was seated in the center of the group. Around him were some of the closest people in Eren's life—Jean, Connie, Sasha, Armin, and Hange—all gathered in an attempt to connect with Eren's son, to get to know him after everything that had just happened.

The atmosphere was calm but tinged with a subtle tension. This wasn't just an ordinary visit. Aiden had transformed into something none of them were ready for, and now, they were trying to reach him in the aftermath of it all.

Sasha was the first to speak, her voice light and friendly. "So, Aiden, how've you been holding up? It's been… a lot, huh?"

Aiden glanced at her, his eyes flickering with a mix of uncertainty and something darker, but he managed a small smile. "Yeah… it's a lot to process."

Jean leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I bet. I mean, we all know how tough it can be to handle something like this. But you're handling it better than I would've at your age."

Connie, sitting beside Jean, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, man, it's not easy. But you've got us. Whatever you need, we're here."

Aiden nodded, his gaze drifting as though he was thinking about something far away. "Thanks."

Hange, always the one to bring energy into the room, leaned forward with her usual enthusiasm. "Aiden, I've been dying to know—how are you feeling? And not just physically. You've been through a huge transformation, not just in body, but in mind. What's going through that head of yours?"

Aiden paused for a moment, his hands resting in his lap. He seemed hesitant, as if he wasn't quite sure how to put his thoughts into words. "I… don't really know how to explain it. It's like… everything's different now. I'm different."

Mikasa's gaze softened, her heart heavy as she watched her son wrestle with emotions she knew all too well. "It's okay to feel that way, Aiden. It's a lot to take in."

Armin, who had been watching Aiden closely, chimed in, his voice gentle. "You're not alone, Aiden. It's overwhelming right now, but we've all been through something similar. It'll take time to figure out what this means for you."

Aiden's eyes flickered to Armin, and for a brief moment, there was something unreadable in his expression. "I don't know if it's the same, though."

The room fell into a brief silence, everyone sensing the weight of Aiden's words. He wasn't just talking about the transformation—he was talking about something deeper, something that perhaps even he couldn't fully understand yet.

Sasha, trying to lighten the mood, smiled warmly. "You know, we've all been wondering if you've had the chance to make any friends yet. You're your father's son, but you don't have to be a loner like him."

Aiden gave a slight shrug. "I haven't really had time for that."

Jean chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry, there'll be plenty of time. Besides, with everything going on, it's not like you've had the chance to even think about that."

Armin looked at Aiden carefully, his brows furrowed slightly. "It's okay to not have it all figured out yet. We're here for you, no matter what."

Aiden looked down at his hands, his fingers fidgeting slightly. "I know."

Hange leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she studied him. "You're Eren's son, that much is clear. But you don't have to follow his path, Aiden. You're free to make your own choices. Don't let the weight of the past dictate your future."

Aiden's expression darkened slightly at Hange's words, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something deeper, almost dangerous. He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the group before settling on Hange. "Maybe some things… aren't meant to be different."

Mikasa tensed, her eyes narrowing as she watched her son closely. She could sense the shift in his tone, the subtle edge creeping into his words. But before she could say anything, Jean spoke up, his usual casual tone breaking the tension.

"Well, whatever happens, you've got us. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. We're all here for you."

Connie nodded in agreement, smiling brightly. "Yeah, man, we've got your back."

Sasha, always the optimist, leaned forward, her voice full of warmth. "And if you ever need someone to just hang out with, I'm your girl. We can have a big meal and talk about nothing for hours!"

Aiden smiled faintly at Sasha's offer, though there was still a heaviness in his eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."

As the conversation continued, the atmosphere slowly relaxed again, with everyone sharing stories about their experiences, reminiscing about the past, and laughing at the lighter moments of their battles. But despite the warmth in the room, Mikasa couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She exchanged a brief glance with Armin, who seemed to be thinking the same thing.

The evening sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the room. As the group began to wrap up their conversation, Jean stretched and stood up. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I could use a drink after all this heavy talk."

Sasha and Connie laughed, standing up with him, while Hange grinned mischievously. "I'm always up for a drink. Let's go!"

Mikasa remained seated, her eyes on Aiden as he rose to his feet, his expression unreadable. She felt the weight of unspoken words between them, but she didn't push him. Not yet.

"We'll talk later," she said softly, her voice steady but filled with concern.

Aiden nodded, his gaze meeting hers for a brief moment before he turned and followed the others out of the room. As they left, Mikasa and Armin stayed behind, sharing a quiet moment together.

"He's hiding something," Armin said quietly, his voice filled with the same concern that had been growing inside Mikasa.

"I know," she replied softly, her eyes distant. "And whatever it is… it's not going to be good"