Born and Raised

Part 6~Miko

Sitting in the forest, Eren tapped his feet. Jericho was currently trying to use the MOD gear to move about the treetops but kept missing and almost falling to his death before catching himself last minute. The whole ordeal was incredibly stressful.

Missing yet another tree, Jericho almost fell to his death before he managed to tangle his wire on a branch and save himself.

"Please stop doing that." Eren shook his head as Jericho laughed, scratching his neck.

"I make no promises." He grinned as the branch broke, dropping him on the floor. Eren rushed forward, leaning over Jericho as he hissed. "Well, that hurt."

"Are you okay?" Eren kneeled beside Jericho as he nodded. Barking, Miko the dog began attacking Jericho as well, hopping on her three legs as she licked him.

Jericho cooed as he picked up his dog, praising her as he petted her affectionately.

"I think that's enough training for today."

Jericho nodded, taking off the MOD gear and sitting up properly. He petted Miko's head, letting her climb onto his lap.

"How is she?" Eren glanced at Miko as Jericho picked her up, waving Miko's paw at Eren.

"Completely healed. Ain't that right, Miko? Eren made you all better." Miko barked, her tail wagging excitedly, jumping out of Jericho's arms and licking Eren. Eren chuckled, patting Miko's head.

Eren shuffled back, whistling for Miko to follow him as he leaned against a tree. He pulled out a strip of dried meat, feeding her as Jericho wandered the forest floor, sitting a little away from Eren.

Eren didn't disturb Jericho, resting peacefully as Miko lay on his lap, butting her head against his palm as he stroked her ears and fur. Jericho began humming to himself, singing a soft lullaby as Eren smiled and listened to the melody.

~~~

"Eren?" Jericho giggled as he shook Eren awake. Eren grumbled, rubbing his eyes as he looked at Jericho.

"You hungry?"

Jericho shook his head, grinning as he placed the flower crown on Eren's head.

"What? What is this?"

"It's a flower crown." Jericho sat down, smiling as Miko bounced over to him. "I made it for you. It suits you, especially with your hair down." He grinned, flicking at Eren's hair.

So long without a titan or scout attack had made Eren relax. He no longer slept with a knife and kept his hair down for most of the day, something that amused Jericho. "It's... nice." Eren paused, not wanting to touch the flower crown for fear of damaging it.

Jericho snorted, shuffling closer. "If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it."

"It's not that." Eren carefully removed the flower crown, placing it on Jericho's head. "It's just... You're more in the king role than I am."

Jericho blinked, a mischievous smile coming to his face. "Does that make you my knight in shining armour?"

Eren hummed, moving so he could kneel in front of Jericho. "I don't have shining armour, but I thought I was clear. I will protect you to the day I die."

Coughing, Jericho snapped his head away, covering his face. "You need to stop saying stuff like that." He bit his lip as he shivered. The night was rolling in, and with it, so was the cold.

"Here." Taking off the cloak, Eren wrapped it around Jericho. "I've got to keep my king warm, don't I?"

"Seriously?! Stop it!" Jericho covered his face with his hands, blushing heavily as Eren chuckled, pulling his hands down.