Hopelessly Romantic

Part 28

You make it, you fulfill your promise. It takes a while to get to the stadium, but when you do, you watch Annie beat her. You almost think she was waiting, her last round meant something when you weren't there for the beginning ones. So, your mind played a trick on you, and for a second your heart skipped a beat when you watched the girl suddenly fall back, mouth guard slipping onto the floor with her. You thought she waited for you, wanted you there. And then you had to remind yourself that you came here with Mikasa trailing behind you, and when you shouted her name, Hitch found Annie's arms. They held each other for a bit, and you had to stand there, letting it happen. You weren't dating her, and feeling Mikasa squeeze your shoulder reminded you of that.

You made it over to her, congratulated her the way you always did, but you still hadn't apologized. You were still excited for her, still slapped her back, albeit lighter, but you still shouted her name, still wore a smile that you're glad reached your eyes even after watching her and Hitch hug. You still held her eyes like they meant the world and you said, "I'm so proud of you, Annie. Your father's so proud-" And she still interrupted you like before. "Gods, don't get all sentimental. Just a congrats is fine... But thanks anyway." Smiling, you turned around to look at Mikasa. That's when all the happiness, the post-win high really ended. You and Annie still talked, but she knew why you were late, and she knew that you and Mikasa may have apologized, but you didn't to her. So, after the game, after vending machine food, you four went your separate ways.

And now it's been five days into winter break, and you all are still at college, refusing to leave, which you honestly found odd of Annie, but she said her father and her were just going to video call because of the intense snowfall. You still haven't talked to your grandmother, so your excuse was nonexistent, but you'll find out Mikasa's tonight. She'd found you right when you were done with your vending machine groceries, leaning on the machine and throwing out a pickup line which had you giggling in a cringe from the cheesiness, then she asked you out on a date, a real date outside of her dorm- She wants to date you for the first time since you've started dating. For the first time since you started dating her, Mikasa is giving you your sun and stars. It's been a couple hours since then, and you're getting ready for said date. She said it wasn't too fancy, you're glad, and that it was on campus, but honestly, you'll take it. Anything to feel like Mikasa doesn't hate dating you, you'll take. That's wrong, and you know it, but here you are in a red dress like the one Mikasa wore from Hitch's closet, slipping on a pair of black sneakers. You're still burnt out, every reaction given to others muted from you, but you're trying, and you think it's because of Mikasa. Maybe dating Mikasa is the only way you'll be okay in life. Or maybe she'll lead you to be okay, then drop you back to your nothingness.

There's a knock at your door. Not far from it, you open it immediately, a smile already on your lips before you see your ravenette. "Hey," you say, a bit breathless, your face not meeting your excitement. She takes a moment, like you're back at the restaurant, her eyes admiring your form. She's in something casual yet formal. It suits her, almost reminds you of Eren with how much you've been hanging out with him. "You look... breathtaking," she says, meeting your eyes as she breathes out her last word. You feel heat to your cheeks, your exposed shoulders. You don't linger on it, turning around to grab your phone and tiny purse that has your dorm key in it. "Okay, where to m'lady?" She smiles, grabbing your hand as if it's delicate, as if it holds her world and leading it to her pink lips, kissing it as she answers, "A surprise." You roll your eyes, nodding your head as she leads you down the halls.

It only takes a second before entering the cafeteria, do you realize what you're going to be doing. "Cooking?" There's a bit more of a smile on your lips than your new usual smile. That's the only thing that Mikasa takes as affirmation she's done something right since dating you. "Baking, technically." Your eyes go to all the bowls already out, measuring cups, and flour, and eggs, and cinnamon. Your eyes find Mikasa's when she asks, "You're okay with this?" Without a breath to spare, you admit to her, "More than." You've never been on a date, had a relationship, but you do know what you've always wanted from them. Late nights together, no good morning or nights texts or calls ever spared, dates that have meaning, and a confession that's so intimate, telling people sounds like sins falling from your lips. "Well, m'lady, shall we get started?" It takes a moment, one full moment for you to soak up her appearance, but when you do, you think you see her actually, truly fall in love with you just from the look in her eyes, one miniscule look that you'll never get tired of, only more grateful with time. "Yes, Mika."