He Was There All Along || An Eremika Fanfiction ||

Chapter 18 - At least pretend to like me

About two weeks after Christmas, I found myself in a silent apartment. Usually, at twelve in the afternoon Armin would be up to talk to, but he had since moved out. Instead, I was relaxing in the living room with coffee, randomly doodling in one of my many sketchbooks.

New Years had come and gone, and I was thankful for that. In my mind, there was a big question about what exactly to do on New Years Eve. As much as I longed for another kiss, I didn't know whether to expect one from Eren at midnight. And, since I was a bit overwhelmed with the anxiety, I opted to stay home as Eren and Armin went out to party.

I really had to talk about things with Eren, but I found myself unable to. Even after what Armin and Christa told me, I still wasn't sure that he liked me at all.

"Mikasa!" Eren's voice called out from the bedroom, quite rough from just waking up. So much for the silence. I sighed and got up, entering the bedroom. Our shared bedroom was much more spacious without Armin's bed. Now, Eren and I both had our own sides, although it wasn't much, it was better than the beds being inches apart.

Eren was sitting up in his bed, his hair a complete disaster. "Mika, remember when I said that I wanted to take you out somewhere fancy? Let's go tonight"

I blushed at the thought of it. He had said before that he wanting to take me on a date, but I was almost positive that he was joking. "Sure, where do you want to go?"

"There's a new restaurant that opened up not too far away from here, wanna try it?" He said, and his eyes lit up.

"Yeah, that sounds good Eren", I noticed that he was smiling like crazy, "What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing, really. I just really expected you to not want to go." He looked away, "You didn't want to go out for New Years, afterall."

That hit me. Was it possible that he was as nervous as I was? "I just didn't feel comfortable with a ton of people around. I can handle a dinner"

"Mikasa, I just wanted to let you know that I'm glad that you are talking to me more. You know, instead of keeping your feelings to yourself?"

"I'm just happy that we're not arguing anymore." I said, turning to leave. "I'll make something for lunch and help you with your bandages whenever you want to change them"

I went into the kitchen to get started on lunch. I was probably just going to make Mac and cheese, but my mind kept on going back to Eren. He really didn't have to wear his bandages anymore, they were well scabbed over, but he preferred to have them on. He told me that it was because he didn't like to look at them, that they just made him upset, so I continued to help him put fresh gauze on every day.

I was just boiling the pasta, when Eren wrapped his arms around my waist. He rested his chin on my shoulder, and swayed back and forth slowly, "Thank you, Mikasa".

"It's fine, Eren, you can't cook anyway." I said, ignoring him.

"No - for taking care of me in general. I would be a mess without you, and I just wanted to thank you." I smiled, and lightly took his hand from my waist.

"Well, I don't know what I would do without you either"

"You look so adorable with a smile," He squeezed my hand, and I blushed. No matter who says it, I still don't like compliments.
~
Later that evening, I was making sure that I was ready for this date. Well, it was a date according to Eren, anyway.

I was wearing the same fitted black dress, and overall, pretty much the same look. Christa had given me some tips with the makeup, and I think I actually did a good job. Who knew how long it could take to get winged eyeliner perfect?

Now, all I had to do was sit around and wait for Eren. He had left to buy a dress shirt (of course, the idiot did not have one), but he had called to say that he was on his way to pick me up.

I nervously played with me necklace, the one that Eren had given me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I never knew that a date could be so intimidating. Sure, I was nervous for previous dates, but it was an excited nervous. This time, since it was with Eren, I felt like I was going to be sick. I really didn't want to mess this up, it has taken all of this time just to get him to notice me, and I can't throw it away.

A knock on the door scared me out of my thoughts. I jumped up off the couch, and rushed to the door.

I opened it to see Eren standing there, with a bouquet of red roses. "Hey Mikasa." He said with a smirk.

I took the roses with a blush, "Thank you, you really didn't need to get flowers-"

"Nah, you need the flowers." He laughed, "And you look beautiful."

I grabbed a vase (that is usually empty) from the kitchen and filled it with water. "Well, you look nice as well."

And he most definitely did. He was wearing a new white button down with black slacks. Seriously, the boy that I grew up with looked extremely handsome.

"Ready to go?" He asked as I placed the flowers in the vase.

"Sure." I slipped on my jacket before walking out the door with Eren. As we headed down the steps, I felt his hand grab for mine. Out of habit, I yanked my hand away.

"Geez Mika, at least pretend to like me," He laughed.

"Sorry," I muttered, lacing my fingers through his, "Your hands are cold." I said with a smile.

"Excuses, excuses." He joked. We got into our car and headed into the deeper into the city. Even after years of living here, I still couldn't get over how beautiful New York is a night. I looked over at Eren, who was singing the lyrics of the Panic! At the Disco song playing. He didn't believe it, but he is actually an amazing singer. I could never get tired of his voice.

"Hey, what'cha thinking Mikasa?" Eren asked, keeping his eyes on the traffic.

"I like your singing." I said, thinking back to what Christa said about him wanting me to speak my mind more.

"I'm not good." He said, looking away. It might have been my imagination, but he looked to be blushing.

I took that as an advantage, "Aw, look. You're blushing"

"Am not." He said, turning up the music.

"Hey! Unfair, you're allowed to tease me." I laughed, turning the music back down.

Eren smiled, "I can never get sick of your laugh," He looked over at me with his beautiful green eyes, "What can I do to make you laugh more?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Just be cute, I guess." Conversation was now coming easily, and I completely forgot about being nervous.

"Me? Cute?" He said in a mocking tone, "I am not cute"

I smiled, "Hate to tell you, but you are definitely cute. Like when you give me those puppy dog eyes when you want something from me"

"Well damn. I was gonna try to go with more of a sexy", He said, gently hitting my shoulder.

"You're both, happy?" I said, looking at the traffic ahead.

"Was that just Mikasa Ackerman flirting with me?" He said with a teasing smile, "I never thought I would live to see this day"

We sat in silence, listening to the music. I couldn't help to realize that this was how it was supposed to be. We haven't been this comfortable with each other for years. For the first time in a while, I was happy. There was no overshadowing darkness, I just felt so damn happy.