Juliet Diekman is the daughter of a well-respected Marleyan scientist who works alongside the military.
In a new proposal, he is asked to go on an expedition to Paradis for research purposes before planning their big attack. He agrees, only if his b...
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After everything from the Rumbling, the meetings, and the speeches across seas and borders, the Ambassadors for Peace finally made it full circle. Waiting for them at the dock was Queen Historia, her hands were folded neatly in front of her, and she was surrounded by officials dressed in suits.
Upon their arrival, Armin quickly made a request to visit Mikasa first. Though there was a brief silence that passed between the officials, Historia understood and agreed to let them see their friend first with a smile.
With a climb up that familiar hill, the same hill Armin remembers climbing so many times, they soon made it to its peak. The sky above was a quiet blue, the sun soft behind the thin clouds.
Mikasa is already there, sitting under the tree. Her fingers moving slowly over her beloved's grave stone, tracing the edges etched into it. The scarf she always wore was wrapped neatly around her neck, the red in contrast to the day's colors.
Armin, Juliet, Reiner, Jean, Connie, and Annie all carry something in their arms. Among them, a small cake with white frosting and strawberries lining the top, a bouquet of flowers, a woven basket full of breads, fruits, and homemade dishes to enjoy this day.
"Happy Birthday, Eren."
Mikasa's dark eyes sweep over the group, her old friends all changed in ways only time could manage. As soon as her gaze lands on Armin, she rises. A smile, warm and genuine, blooms on her face.
She steps toward Armin without a word and wraps her arms tightly around him. He embraces her just as fiercely, arms circling around her, and chin resting lightly on her shoulder.
"It's been too long," she murmurs against him.
"I know," he whispers, "I'm sorry I haven't visited sooner."
Mikasa pulls back slightly to look at him, her hands still gripping his sleeves, "You're here now."
The others respectfully give them their moment. Reiner's working on lowering the basket near the tree's roots. Jean pulls off the cloth cover to reveal the food. Connie flops dramatically onto the blanket he lay on the grass, muttering something about how he better get a big slice of cake for halting it all the way up the hill.
Juliet takes a seat near the headstone, leaving room for Armin to sit next to it. She grazes her fingers against the edges of the flowers she picked out before laying them down gently near Eren.
Soon, Armin joins the circle, sitting right next to Juliet as he places his arm right behind her for support. Armin thought seeing Eren like this would be difficult, but being with Juliet and all his friends made it a little easier.
Just as Mikasa is beginning to lower herself onto the grass beside Eren's grave, Jean clears his throat and stands up. There's a sudden stiffness to his movements like someone bracing for impact.
