From Across the Sea (Attack on Titan/OC) [ON HOLD]

Chapter 12

"Auntie Ang, why is your hair blonde, but my dad's is brown?" Eren asked her one day sitting at the dinner table of their home in Shiganshina. She sat across from him and watched as he adjusted Mikasa's red scarf, so it was kept out of the way of her cooking. Carla was teaching them how to knead the dough for bread before they were supposed to go out and collect firewood for the oncoming winter.

Mikasa's bangs fell into her face and without even thinking about it, Ang reached out and pushed them out of the way for her. The young raven haired 9-year old ducked her head into her scarf as she remembered the first time Ang had done that for her. She was so gentle, it reminded of when her own mother would do the same thing.

A knock at the door startled the family in the dining room. Grisha rushed off the couch from taking care of Mikasa to open the door while Carla began to grab extra blankets from the closet. Angharad was revealed on the other side of the door, her dark green cloak wrapped around her shoulders.

"Hey, I'm sorry I'm late. I got held up with paperwork." Ang, now at 33 years old, had recently been promoted to squad leader, and she was still adjusting to the extra responsibility. She walked into the house and shrugged off her cloak and jacket, hanging them off one of the chairs at the kitchen table. She looked to her nephew on the couch when she noticed the presence of the young girl sitting next to him. "Who's this?" Her voice was gentle as she spoke.

Grisha pulled her into the corner of the kitchen as he explained to her what had happened. How Eren had gone to the house alone, how both children had been forced to defend themselves from child traffickers. And how Eren had so helplessly told Mikasa she could come live with them. She found it hard to believe that her sweet, selfless nephew had stabbed somebody, and a fully grown man no less. She knew Eren got into fights with the neighborhood kids, and often defended Armin when he was picked on as well. But to kill someone? She couldn't believe it.

"That's my Auntie Ang." Eren said proudly from the seat next to Mikasa. The young Asian girl still hadn't spoke more than a few words since they'd arrived at her new home in Shiganshina. "She's a Squad Leader for the Survey Corps."

Mikasa looked at the boy next to her on the couch for a moment. She could tell he was trying to distract her from the night's previous events. Footsteps echoed through the room as Angharad walked over to kneel in front of the couch. Eren leaned forwards and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and she squeezed him back just as tightly. Ang then turned to the dark haired child before her. Her head was ducked into Eren's dark red scarf, her bangs falling into her field of vision. Ang reached up and used one hand to gently move her hair out of her face to tuck it behind her ear.

"Hello Mikasa." Ang's voice was a gentle whisper. "I'm Eren's Aunt, Angharad." She smiled gently and Mikasa was reminded of her own mother who would often move her hair out of her face with the same expression. "But you can call me Ang." Mikasa felt at ease with the woman before her. "My brother tells me you're going to be living with them from now on. I try to come visit as often as I can, but should you ever need anything from me, don't hesitate to ask." Ang smiled to Eren before she turned to look the young girl in her dark grey eyes. "We'll keep you safe."

Safe. Mikasa did feel safe. She felt safe with Eren, and Armin, and Carla, and Ang. She felt safe with her new family. She was brought out of her memories when Ang answered Eren's question.

"I don't know, actually." Ang smiled as she sipped her tea, the scent of citrus and cinnamon wafting through the kitchen. It was getting closer to Spring, but there was still a chill in the air, and the clouds were overcast in the sky most days with the promise of rain. "Both our parents had dark brown hair, and grey eyes. It's always been sort-of a mystery where I got my looks."

Ang smiled as she leaned over to nuzzle a kiss to Eren's cheek, cradling his head to her as she often did when he was growing up. He pushed her away gently, no longer wanting to be treated like a baby anymore. He was almost 10 now, and he was going to grow up to be a strong fighter and a soldier like his Aunt! Ang finished her tea as she stood and grabbed her tan Scout jacket, swinging it over her shoulders before putting her arms through the sleeves.

"Are you leaving already?" Eren was suddenly on his feet as he watched her get dressed to go outside into the chilly air.

"I have to go, unfortunately." She wrapped her green cloak around her shoulders. "I have some important business to see to in the interior. I won't be back until next week." She leaned down to give him another kiss goodbye, and this time Eren let her nuzzle his face affectionately. His Aunt turned to kiss the crown of Mikasa's head, his new female friend having gotten more comfortable with physical comforts. "I'll see you both soon. I promise." Eren waved goodbye at her from the front door and watched the Wings of Freedom on her back until she disappeared from his sight altogether. Eren sighed and turned back to the kitchen to finish helping Mikasa with their chores.