Unconditional (Jean x Mikasa)

The Proposal

Mikasa woke-up and noticed the yellow floral dress hanging in her room. She noticed that there is a note stuck in it. She stood and read the note. It says:

"Mikasa happy birthday. Wear this today. We're going on a picnic.—Jean"

Jean caught a glimpse of Mikasa as she went downstairs. He blushed seeing how the dress showed the perfect shape of her body. The color of the dress fits her pale skin well, as though she's glowing like sunshine.

"How do I look?" She asked Jean who's jaw almost dropped. He couldn't utter a word.

"You look wonderful Mikasa. Happy Birthday. " Jean's mom said in delight. "You two should hurry, your friends are waiting for you." She said handing Jean the picnic basket.

They rode a carriage on the way to the hill where Eren is buried.

"Thank you for this dress." She said smiling at him.

"I'm glad you like it." He said then stared out of the window.

The carriage halted when it reached the foot of the hill. The two alighted the vehicle and from afar they could see Armin and Annie wave at them as they sit on the grass.

Annie hugged Mikasa, "Happy birthday! You look so pretty." She said giggling.

Simultaneously, Reiner and Connie greeted Mikasa. Then, Armin called Jean who is kneeling in front of Eren's grave as if talking.

"Oi, Jean. We're hungry. Can we start eating?" Armin exclaimed.

Jean came near them and brought out the food in the basket.

"What were you telling Eren?" Armin asked him.

"Oh, not much. I was just reminding him that it's Mikasa's birthday today, so he should make sure that the weather will continue to be good, if he has that power." He chukled.

"That's weird thing to Jean. You realize that?"

"Whatever, come on. Dig in."

There is a wide variety of food such as lobster, crab, beef, roasted chicken, and pasta. Everyone is in awe and excited with the food.

"Jean, look what love can do to you. Did you prepare all this?" Reiner teased him.

"No, I did not prepare all this, idiot. Niccolo sent the lobster and crab."

Jean blushed in Reiner's remark hoping that Mikasa won't take notice and wouldn't make a big deal out of it. He does not want to add more awkwardness in his relationship with her.

"Mikasa, I have a gift for you." Armin said as they finished eating. "In fact, all of us has prepared something for you."

"Yeah, because Jean won't stop nagging us in Marley." Annie added.

"Annie!" Jean exclaimed signaling her to stop.

"What? It's true. Whenever we get to the shopping area, you would tell us, 'remember to take something home for Mikasa." Annie continued to tease.

"Really?" Mikasa sounded delighted. "Thank you Jean. Thank you everyone."

Mikasa started opening gifts from Armin, Reiner and Connie. Then Annie handed her gift. "Here's mine. But don't open it in front of everyone. You should open it on your wedding night." She said giggling.

Mikasa is surprised by what Annie just said. "Annie, what do you mean?"

"Oh, woman. Don't you have a plan of ever getting married?" Annie shrugged.

"Well, I might. If you go first." Mikasa threw her a formidable look. "Why don't you marry Armin already, you've been living together for quite sometime now."

"If that's your basis for getting married, you should marry Jean too. You've been living together, am I right?" Annie said teasing Mikasa then throwing her gaze on Jean who looked uncomfortable from the conversation.

"Annie, that's different." Armin said.

"Oh, obviously. They are not having se..." Annie continued but Armin covered her mouth with his hand.

"Too dirty. Don't corrupt Mikasa's mind, Annie." Armin said. "Maybe you should give your gift now, Jean."

Jean took out a expensive looking box and handed it to Mikasa. She opened it and saw a lustrous white pearl necklace. She gasped upon seeing it. She held it with her fingers and adored its beauty.

"Do you like it?" Connie asked. "You know, we have no money when we were in Marley, but Jean worked like a slave in a farm for 3 months just to buy that."

"Connie, shut it." Jean said making hand signal to stop talking about it.

"That's true. Every week, we visit the jewelry shop just to see if it has not been sold." Reiner added as he sipped wine.

"Damn it. You don't have to tell everything." Jean said frustrated.

Mikasa looked at Jean in the eye, "You didn't have to. This is too beautiful. Thank you Jean. I don't even know where or when I can wear it."

"On your wedding. This would look perfect on your wedding dress." Annie said giggling.

"Annie!" Armin shouted.

"Oh, okay. Maybe when Queen Historia invites us for a banquet. That's a perfect occasion. Besides, you can keep it and pass it down eventually." Annie shrugged.

__________________

Mikasa searched for Jean in the house. She wants to thank him for everything he has done to make her birthday special. She climbed the roof and found him there, lying and staring at the dark sky.

"Found you." Mikasa said and he sat up as soon as he spotted her. She sat down beside him and asked, "What are you doing up here?"

He took a deep breath and answered, "It's my favorite spot in the house. What are you doing here anyway?"

"I was looking for you. I wanted to thank you for throwing a birthday celebration for me. Also, the necklace, it's so beautiful. I think I don't deserve to have such expensive jewelry."

"Don't say that. It suits you. You're precious and beautiful, so don't think you don't deserve to have fine things." Jean stated. He wanted to say more but is a little hesitant.

Mikasa moved a little closer to him so that he could feel her arms rubbed against his.

"Mikasa, do you think you'll ever marry?" He casually asked. The air blew and cold air engulfed them.

"Maybe." She said shrugging. "If I'll marry, it might be for companionship. I just want someone to be with. You're mom said it's lonely to grow old alone. But it's not easy to find someone who would want to marry for the same reason as I have." She said bowing her head knowing that her wish is not possible.

"What if..." Jean doesn't know what words to say. "What if, we get married? I can give you the life you want. I'll be your companion forever, until we're old. I'll be with you." Jean said, nervously as his cheeks is burning from what he just said.

He's afraid she might reject him, but he still decided to take risks.

"Jean..." Mikasa couldn't find words to say. She's aghast with his proposal.

"You don't have to love me. I know, no one will ever replace Eren in your heart. But please, just let me take care of you for the rest of our lives." Jean said with his eyes already watery.

Mikasa placed her hand on his hand. She looked at him in the eyes and said, "let's get married."