There Is Freedom Here

Chapter 13: Bend Backwards

After Eren had told you how he had feelings for Mikasa back in his world, you gave him your phone and allowed him to look at Instagram by himself. You suddenly felt unmotivated to do anything with him at the moment.

As you were waiting for the cookies in the oven to finish baking, you stared at the back of Erens head. He was sitting on the couch silently, staring at the blank screen in front of him. It seemed something was up with him as well.

You double-checked to make sure your phone was on for the translation and said, "Hey, are you alright?" He turned around and studied your face before answering.

"I'm fine, but are you okay?" You were taken aback by the question. Yeah, he worried about you when you were out with your friends, but this felt different... it felt nice. You smiled to yourself and allowed your gaze to pick up from the counter to his face.

"I'm completely fine. Why do you ask?" He raised his eyebrows as if he didn't believe you. You turned around to avoid him staring at you once again and refocused your attention on the oven. It had three minutes left. Then, you could shove the cookies in your mouth and ignore his questions.

You heard the couch creak. He was coming over here. He walked so quietly, you couldn't even tell what direction he was coming from.

"Hey," he began. You could feel his presence to your left, so you shifted to the right. You felt like a child, but you would rather not talk to him at the moment. It wasn't even his fault. It was completely yours. You just didn't want to deal with your feelings; they all stem from him, so ignoring him would probably be best. "Look at me."

The demand came out strong and powerful, to the point you had almost turned to look at him immediately. You bit your lip but kept your ground. You could hear a soft chuckle.

"Are you upset by me saying that I loved Mikasa?" You choked on your breath. "You know, just because I'm from a different universe doesn't mean I'm dumb. Well, technically I used to be dumb until I realized what all that blushing and protectiveness meant. At least what I think it means."

"I'm not protective of you!" you yelped. You immediately clasped your mouth with your hand, embarrassed by your outburst. You were staring at the floor in order to save yourself from whatever disapproving expression he was making.

"I meant Mikasa. She was really protective. I'm pretty sure it meant that she liked me, more than family."

You stared at him with a shocked expression, mouth agape. "She's your sister?" You shouted in disbelief and took a step back, putting your hands up in defense for whatever reason, as if he was going to pounce on you even though you weren't his sister. Eren shook his head quickly.

"Ok, holy shit. That sounds horrid. She's adopted," he quickly added.

"Oh," you said quietly. "I guess that's not too bad." So, he loved his adopted sister romantically. I guess that's not that weird. A smidge of weirdness, but they're not actually related.

"Anyway, are you upset by me telling you that?" Eren brought the topic back up and you sighed. You wished the incest talk would make him forget.

You clicked your tongue. "Isn't that a little self-absorbed of you to assume? That my mood is ruined all because you love this girl?" You were becoming defensive, even a little offended. Although what he was saying was true, it was rude of him to assume it for whatever reason your mind couldn't even come up with.

"I guess, but it's worth asking."

"And it also implies that I would like you."

"I guess that's true as well."