AU Headcanon from wishingred on tumblr: Mikasa is a talented dancer, but has performance anxiety and thus, does not want to go on stage. Her brother, Eren, finds her a veteran performer, Levi - who is not known for his patience.
"Mika, just do it, please, for me?" Eren's voice beseeches of his adopted sister. Eren was frustrated by her performance anxiety. She was so incredibly talented! Graceful and quick, she picked up any dance style with an ease that made Eren slightly jealous.
A prominent performing arts company was coming to town and would be holding auditions for a female lead in their dance troop. Eren knew Mikasa was one of the best out there and this was her chance to start a career doing something she loved. If only she wasn't so paralyzingly shy. Her nervousness about being on stage had been the only thing holding her back from greatness.
Eren was determined not to let this opportunity slip by for her, so he set his mind on finding her a dance coach that would be able to force her out on the stage. None of her previous coaches had stuck around long. They had said they had nothing to teach her and said the only way to get over stage fright was to dance on stage. Thus far, Eren had never seen Mikasa perform except when she danced by herself at the studio and she thought no one had been watching.
Seeing her like that had made Eren's heart hurt. She was so beautiful and carefree when she danced. A rare openness displayed on her features, she reminded him of Carla. Carla had ultimately been the one to turn Mikasa on to dancing and Mikasa hadn't looked back since.
Eren scrolled through the webpage, his eyes catching on a name. Levi Ackerman. Clicking on the link, Eren sucked in a quick breath. Wow. He had so many awards and honors it was inconceivable that one person could be that talented.
After sending Levi a short email, Eren closed his laptop with a satisfied sigh. He walked into the kitchen of the apartment and Mikasa shared to find her in there cooking dinner. "Have you thought about it at all, Mika?" he asked. Mikasa didn't even glance up from what she was doing. "No, Eren, I'm not doing it," she replied evenly.
Eren sighed loudly, keeping his frustrations to himself. With a little luck, Levi would change her mind. A ding sounded from the living room and he hurried to his laptop to see an email from one Mr. Levi Ackerman. Opening it he read a short, clipped reply.
I will assess her skills to see if she is worth my time. If she isn't you'll have to find yourself a different coach. If she is, be warned that I am not gentle. I believe that pain is discipline. It will not be easy, but if I stick with her, rest assured she will be out on that stage.
Eren felt a relief blow through him like a breeze. If this worked, Mikasa could get over her stage anxiety and she could chase her dreams of dancing, instilled in her by Carla, her adoptive mother.
"Hey, Mika," he called, "Can you meet someone at the studio for me?" Immediately, her head poked around the door frame, her stormy dark eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Eren, what are you planning?" Eren held his hands up defensively, "It's nothing, Mika, please just do this for me if you won't audition for the performing arts company.
Mikasa sighed. She loved Eren dearly, but sometimes he was such a knucklehead. "Alright Eren, you win. If I do this, will you please drop the subject of the audition?" Eren pursed his lips, wanting to push farther, but knowing that she was stubborn. He relented, "Fine, just give this guy a chance." Mikasa rolled her eyes, "Seriously, Er? Are you trying to set me up with someone?" "No, no!" Eren protested,"I just want you to give this dance coach a chance. His record of achievements is really impressive."
Mikasa said no more on the subject of the dance instructor for the rest of the evening. She pushed the subject from her mind, bidding Eren goodnight she fell onto her bed and was out like a light.
