Breathless •Eremika (Love. Me. Now. Or. Never.)

VI: Tang of Blood

Mikasa's eyes could not pick him up at first. She was outside the boys' dormitory, panting, her gaze sweeping the place frantically, in search of Eren. Then she saw him. A silhouette outlined by the scarce moonlight, crouched by the creek running alongside the dorms, presumably staring down at his own reflection on the water surface. She jogged over to him, then slowed, not wanting to break his wistful moment of silence.

"Eren," she muttered. She was certain that he had heard her approach and was aware of her presence, yet he did not show any signs of acknowledgement. 

"Eren," she repeated, taking the spot beside him, sitting down cross-legged. As soon as she saw her reflection and Eren's on the surface of the stagnant water, it struck her. The mirrored image of them was somehow hypnotic and held a sort of serenity to it. She looked into Eren's enervated eyes through their reflection, hoping that he would give her some response.

Drearily, he eventually turned his attention to her. Mikasa's breath caught when she saw the extent of the injuries Levi had inflicted on him. Levi's punch had left a raging and swollen bruise on his left face and there was a dried, crusted and smeared rivet of blood from the corner of his mouth to his chin.

"Mikasa," Eren had never sounded this terrible before.

"I'm sorry, Eren, I should've stood by you," Mikasa apologized, and as a response, Eren chose to not respond, only turning his head back to stare at his reflection. She continued anyway, "You're my closest friend and I can't do much without you. You've been my best friend since we were nine and we have never had a serious argument before."

"Mikasa, I have a question," Eren did not shift his gaze.

"Yes?"

"Do you only consider me as a friend?" he tilted his head sideways to glimpse at her.

She stilled, unsure of how she should reply. It was not a question she predicted he would ask. She had, in her mind, always asked herself that question over and over again and refused to answer every time.

Eren, seeing her waver, added to his question, "Actually, it's fine. You don't have to tell me because I'm not sure if I want to know. I'm not prepared to know yet, with whatever answer you give me. I'm going back to my room."

They stood up in complete silence. Mikasa had chosen to escort him back and they strolled together to the boys' dormitory, the tension between them nearly tangible.

They paused in front of his room. "Goodnight," Eren murmured while he dug his hand into his jeans pocket to fish for his keys to the door.

"Eren, I'm sorry," Mikasa sighed, and flung her arms around him. His reaction was more unpredictable than the question he had raised when they were perching by the creek. He crashed his lips into hers ravenously, locking them together. This time, she couldn't bear to draw away. She returned his kiss with the same ferocity, their teeth clashing. She could taste the tears and the small traces of blood in his mouth, bringing her a bittersweet sense of melancholy.

He continued to fumble for his keys, this time with more desperation. His arm snaked around Mikasa's waist, pressing her closer to him, if to ensure that she would not run away. Finally managing the find the correct key, he forced the door open with his back, guiding Mikasa into the room with him.

She snuck her hand out and closed the door behind them. For a second or two, she reeled away from Eren to search for the light switches. He rested his hand on hers, breathing hard, "No, leave it this way."

Although she could hardly see a thing in the pitch darkness, she agreed, resuming their intimate moment. His room had a pleasant aroma to it, with a home-like aura, despite the fact that this is simply his temporary dwelling. He secured her to the wall, and his kisses grew deeper, craving for more.