The Saving Grace

Chapter 1

A breeze brushed past Mikasa and I as we gathered sticks, "You don't have to help me, you know."

I giggled lightly, "Of course I know that Mikasa. If I didn't want to help, I wouldn't have come with you and Eren." I paused before turning around, "Speaking of, where is he?"

Mikasa glanced around as well, "Over there." I followed her gaze to see Eren laying on his back under a large tree.

"Oh, how hard of a worker," I muttered sarcastically as I walked towards him while Mikasa huffed in amusement before following. "Eren," I groaned as I tapped his leg with my foot, "get up." I kicked him a little harder, but he didn't respond. I turned to look at Mikasa and she shook her head before walking up to Eren and calling his name. Eventually, his eyes shot open as he gasped.

"Mikasa. Y/n. Hey," Eren muttered, his breathing evening out.

"We should head back."

"Where are we exactly?" Eren asked as he looked around.

Mikasa stood up, "Try asking me again when you're awake." A small smile crept across my face at her words.

"I-I'm up, I just.. It's like the dream I was having went on forever," He sat up, rubbing his eyes before looking at me, "It's gone now. What was it about?" I shrugged my shoulders, having no true answer for him before going to Mikasa and helping balance the sticks we had collected.

Eren hadn't moved from his spot so I was going to say something sarcastic before I saw his face, "Eren, have.. have you been crying?" Mikasa's head turned suddenly to face him, concern plastered on her. Eren's fingertips rose to his eyes before he paused.

We walked back to Shiganshina after Eren grumbled about how he wasn't crying and neither Mikasa or I wanted to argue with him. He got his stick carrier on his back before we left towards home, a breeze brushing past us every couple minutes or so. We arrived at the gate into Shiganshina before Eren glanced at both of us, "Do me a favor huh? Don't let anyone know I was crying." I rolled my eyes at him, 'As if I was going to say anything in the first place.'

Mikasa grumbled, "yeah, yeah yeah."

I turned to look at him, "Still though, you don't even remember why?"

Mikasa shook her head in agreement, "Might wanna have your dad look into that."

Eren's demeanor changed in an instant to defensive, "Right, because tearing up is usually a medical thing."

"Eren," I scolded.

"Somebody messing with ya?"

"Hu?" we turned to look at the person.

"Oh, hey Mr. Hannes," Eren spoke.

"Or'd you just get on Mikasa or Y/n's bad side," Mr. Hannes said with a smirk.

"No! What are you even talking about?" Eren barked before he choked. "You smell like a tavern."

One of the Garrison officers' voices could be heard from where we're standing, "If only tears were cups of ale!"

"Of course," Eren and I spoke in unison.

"You kids care for a swig?" Hannes asked, his balance clearly off.

Eren looked at the man confusedly, "Aren't you uh.. on watch?"

"Yup!" Hannes smiled as he brought his left arm up to his chest, "Watching the old gate, we are. Thirsty work playin' keeper. Pinochle only goes so far to chase off the boredom. Little nip now and then keeps all us all on our courage for a spell. Perks of being a guard, hu."