Attack on Titan X Male reader

In The Shadows Of Fear

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The quietness of the barracks had settled like a blanket over the entire camp. Only the occasional murmurs of soldiers and the rustling of leaves outside broke the silence. In her bunk, Mikasa lay wide awake, her mind plagued by the lingering shadows of a recurring nightmare that left her breathless and trembling.

In the nightmare, Y/n had turned away from her once more, retreating into that lonely isolation she remembered all too well. He had walked into the distance, disappearing without a word, and she was left reaching out for him, unable to stop him or even move. She’d jolted awake from the dream with her heart pounding and her chest tight, the image of his retreating back burned vividly into her mind.

The fear of losing him was more than she could bear. She’d seen how much he’d changed since they’d reconnected, but the memories of his isolation and the walls he’d built around himself were still fresh in her heart. She couldn’t lose him like that again.

Unable to shake the anxiety, Mikasa threw back her blanket and quietly made her way to the boys' dormitory. She knew it was risky and that she could get in trouble if anyone saw her, but at that moment, her need to see him outweighed any thoughts of consequences. She just needed to know he was there—that he hadn’t left.

The dormitory was dimly lit, but she knew exactly where Y/n’s bunk was. She crept through the rows of beds until she found him, sleeping soundly, his chest rising and falling with each slow breath. There was a peacefulness to his face that tugged at her heart. This was the Y/n she knew and cared for—the one she had come to rely on, the one who’d somehow managed to fill her life in ways she couldn’t explain.

Taking a shaky breath, Mikasa sat carefully on the edge of his bed, watching him, feeling the calmness of his presence. She hadn’t planned on staying, just on seeing him for a moment to ease her mind. But as she sat there, a wave of exhaustion washed over her, and without thinking, she curled up next to him, letting his warmth surround her.

Just as she was about to pull back, Y/n stirred. Before she could slip away, his arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer as he muttered something under his breath, still fast asleep. Her heart raced, but she stayed still, watching him breathe. There was something grounding about being there beside him, and for the first time that night, her mind began to settle.

She thought about how much had changed between them, about the obstacles they had faced. She thought about the time he had shut everyone out, how he’d once chosen solitude over friendship. And yet here he was, holding her close, a quiet strength she had come to admire and treasure.

But just as she felt herself beginning to relax, a pang of worry shot through her. What if this was temporary? What if one day he decided to walk away again, leaving her standing alone in the dark? The nightmares, those shadows of fear, made it hard to shake that thought.

Lost in her own emotions, Mikasa closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest. She could feel the steady beat of his heart, and the sound soothed her in ways she couldn’t explain. But there was no escaping the fact that she was stuck, his arm holding her in a gentle but unbreakable grip. Her cheeks flushed at the realization—she hadn’t intended to stay, yet here she was, locked in place by his embrace.

As the minutes turned into an hour, Mikasa’s mind drifted, her thoughts swirling with memories of the past and hopes for the future. She remembered the long days of training together, the shared laughter and the quiet moments that made their bond stronger. She had come to care for him deeply, perhaps more than she was willing to admit even to herself.

A soft murmur escaped from Y/n as he shifted slightly, his hold around her tightening just a bit. Mikasa’s face grew warm as she realized there was no way to leave without waking him. The thought made her heart race, but at the same time, a strange comfort washed over her. Maybe, just for tonight, she didn’t have to let go.