MorningWood

Chapter 1

Artwork is not mine but is used with author's permission. See: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/sellechu

Preface: This is simply a collection of one-shots focusing on Eren and Mikasa from Attack on Titan (though I may write other couples if requested or happen upon an idea I'd like to write). I assume you are here for the same reason I am writing and posting such content: because you want MikEren/EM/EreKasa (however tf you want to abbreviate it) action. 😉 So, don't try bringing any 'big-brain' thinking to it (while I hypocritically and somewhat ironically fail to do so).

If it matters to you, headcanon for post S4/comic content is that Eren survives, without Titan shifter abilities nor the "Curse of Ymir" and that most of the negative opinions/actions of/by him (a la war crimes and the like) are reduced, diminished, or otherwise righted - for reasons too lengthy to describe here. A partial consequence of this is that Eren relaxes a fair bit and is not as single-minded as he has been, resulting in less dysfunction with his friendships/relationship. I will be following these assumptions for this anthology.

You can assume these take place after this time frame, and if not, I will preface or give context clues. I will also give any relevant trigger warnings specific to each chapter as a foreword.

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A calm morning dew drips down bright green grass along the shoreline. Sun rays break over the sea's horizon, bringing bright contrast between the blues of the sea and the greens of the isolated grass plateaus beside the coast.

Mikasa wakes first, drawing in a slow breath of fresh air morning air slightly tinged by the ocean spray. Bright white clouds fade to light golden puffs at the edges of her view. She stretches silently.

A quiet moment passes as her mind collects itself from a night's sleep. Her hand rustles past the medium blanket and grabs the red scarf neatly folded on top of the mini camper table beside her bed. The fabric brushes against her nose as she folds it over her exposed neck and face not covered by the blanket. A deep breath filters out much of the salty taste to the air, bringing the familiar warm comfort of its fibers to her nose, tickling her brain.

Another silent moment passes as she takes comfort in the stillness and the pleasant comfort of her scarf.

Eren rustles around under his covers in the bed adjacent to hers in a sleepy nascent haze. He comes to a rest facing her, eyes closed, arms folded comfortably to his chest under the blanket. Mikasa turns to look at him, beaming at him in a familiar, admiring gaze. Her eyes float over his dark hair, resting on his eye lids and seeing the especial, lively sea-colored eyes under them without the need for them to be open. Her eyes belie a wandering mind, moments of closeness passing through her mind from the years passed.

Her hand broaches from the warmth of the blanket. She hesitates as her hand hovers in the cool air between them, the view of his hair obscured by her outreached fingers.

Eren's eyes flash open. Their eyes meet at an uncertain moment in her own mind.

She hides behind her scarf, "Good morning."

Eren smiles back, holding back a gentle laugh at her awkward reach. His arm snakes out from his comfortable pocket and grabs her hand. Mikasa's head further retreats behind her red scarf. Eren's grin widens, "Good morning." Her eyes just barely peak back at him over the confines of the scarf.

His grasp around her hand solidifies, pulling it towards him. In a brief moment her arm is fully extended, her fingers barely touching the confines of his cot. His pull continues, awkwardly stretching her arm into an open, if somewhat awkwardly emphatic invitation.