♡︎𝑨𝑶𝑻 𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑷 𝑶𝑵𝑬-𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑻𝑺♡︎

Eren x Mikasa: Awkwardness

Overgrown, tall grass shifts around each of Eren's steps as he departs from the cabin. As is everyday, the squad members each have their own duties. While Jean and Levi are on look-out, calmly surveying the land in their reflective silences, Mikasa has her role of chopping fireword.

Her movements are sharp and mechanical, swinging her arms forward and back, forward and back, like she has become lost to the activity. Completely in the zone. Eren approaches her anxiously, his words running around in his head with each step closer. What to say and what to do.

"Hey, er- Mikasa?" he greets awkwardly, waiting for her to notice his presence.

She does a second later, turning her head to catch his gaze. As she looks behind her shoulder at him, her hands still readily grasp the axe.

"Yes, Eren?" she asks.

"I was just wondering," Eren answers with a flustered tone. "Can I stay out here, with you, for a second?"

Her dim eyes show sparks of interest. "Why? Do you want to chop more wood?"

"No, I just have something to say to you. In private."

Mikasa glares at him, truly attempting to figure out what thoughts are going on behind deep, green eyes. 

"Alright," she answers after a few seconds.

Turning around swiftly, she slams the sharp, metal head of her axe into a tree beside her. The action creates a jarring 'smack' that has Eren just slightly caught off guard. Well, there's the brash sound of it, and her cold, calculated movement. No straining, no grumble from the weight, just a smooth hit without any hesitation. It feels almost like a threat.

She states with her back to him, "what did you want to talk about?"

"You and I, I guess.

"Mhm." There's a short-lived silence, while both parties wait on the other to speak. Turning back around to face him, Mikasa is treated to his highly-focused stare, gaze distracted as it pauses on her. She states bluntly, "Eren, stop staring."

"What?" his eyes turn bright from the accusation, a vibrant blush turning over his features in an instant. It's bashful incarnate, though, such an embarrassed expression doesn't take long to turn into a frown. He turns his gaze away and scowls. "I wasn't... staring. It's just..."

Her emotionless glare doesn't falter. "Yes?"

Unbeknownst to Mikasa, through the cabin windows, a group of eager scouts watch their conversation. Heads perched up, peering through cracked glass to watch the show go down. Anticipation filters through the room, yet, with every second, their collective trust in Eren dwindles more.

"God, he's blowing it," groans Sasha, face-palming at the display.

"No, give them time," Armin reasons.

Connie remarks with a sigh, "they've had six years."

Sasha has had enough. Her thumbs twiddle against the window pane in an irritated, fidgety motion. "If he doesn't do it, I'm going out there," she states with a scowl.

Smiling mischievously, Connie remarks, "no, send Jean that way."

"That's the last resort," adds Historia.

Eren's glance at the glass, eyes growing wide at the sight of four heads peaking through, waiting on his every move. A scowl presents on his face.

"He's looking- he's looking!" Sasha whisper-shouts hurriedly.

"Shh- thumbs up, everyone," says Connie.

The scowl quickly drops to horrified disbelief as each of the four scouts raise their thumbs, sparking cheerful, supportive grins.

"Eren," Mikasa states, pulling him out of his fixated gaze. "What are you here for?"

"Sorry, um- what I was saying was..." his swallows a lump in his throat. "I was just... looking at your scarf."

"My scarf?" she repeats sharply.

"Yes. It's old."

"So?"

Eren spits out a random statement, "get a new one."

It amazes him how Mikasa doesn't seem to notice the window sighing at that.

Instead, she looks just slightly offended. "I like this one."

"Why?"

"We met that day. You gave it to me," Mikasa answers calmly, shrugging as if it's obvious.

His expression softens into disbelief, puzzle pieces clicking together in an instant. "That's why you wear it...?"

"Yes, Eren. Why did you bring me out here? I'm not getting a new scarf." 

"Because... I just..."

Armin whispers, "you've got this."

"Say it!" says Historia desperately.

"Come on!" Sasha hisses.

The girl's hushed statement is just loud enough to alert Mikasa, as she immediately turns her head in the direction of the window.

Connie states fast, "duck!" yet, he's far too late.

Each of their heads hide from her expecting glare several seconds after she has already noticed them. The sight of four scouts poking up from the window-sill is a surprising enough sight to distract her.

"Did you see that?" she asks, gaze fixated on them.

Thrown with uncertainty, Eren attempts to cover the situation up.

He says confusedly, "see what?"

"They're watching us."

Mikasa takes a step forward, approaching the window from afar with her back to Eren. As the four scouts internally freak out, he is given a sense of worry at what will come. Those four will tell her he was planning on asking her out, his whole secret will be blown.

He gasps, "hey, wait!"

"What's going on...?" she mumbles as she takes a step forward. "Why are you hiding? Why are-?"

In one last stroke of desperation, Eren says aloud, "Mikasa, I like you!" 

The group of four can barely hold back their excitement as cheerful glee seeps through the window. This feels like the greatest victory they've ever had.

She pauses, turning her head to look at him. "Huh?"

"I like you. I want- want you to be my girlfriend, okay?"

They hold eye-contact for a beat, mutually analysing each others expressions and features. Mikasa's dry, calm expression lifts into surprise, not unlike their first battle, when she found out he was still alive. It's a sweet stare.

As blush takes her, she replies as simply as possible. "Okay."