The Next Morning

Nine-year-old Eren Jaeger stood by the doorway, watching their new houseguest sleep. Mikasa Ackerman had watched her parents die today, and had also assisted him in killing their murderers. Now she was curled up on the Jaeger's couch with nowhere else to go.

She was still wearing the red scarf he had wrapped around her neck earlier. He wondered if she was cold. She stirred slightly, frowning in her sleep. Eren walked to his room, only to return with his own quilt. He slowly crept towards the couch and placed it over Mikasa, careful not to wake her up. Smiling, he patted her head slowly, before returning to his own bed.

Eren shivered as he slept that night.

***

When he woke up, Mikasa was already awake and was picking at the loaf before her. The red scarf was still around her neck. His mother had put the kettle on and his father was nowhere to be seen. Carla Jaeger gave him a look as he entered, as if to say, "Be nice to her. She's been through a lot."

"Morning, Mom," he said brightly, picking up a loaf of his own. "Morning, Mikasa."

Mikasa opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind and shook her head instead. He frowned, his heart filled with pity. He was determined to get this girl to talk to him as soon as possible.

After breakfast, Carla spoke up. "Alright, Mikasa, how about I give you some of Eren's clothes and you give me yours to wash? Maybe later we could go shopping and buy you some new clothes to wear. How does that sound?"

Mikasa nodded stiffly, not looking up from her breakfast. Her bread was still whole, and the tea had gone cold. Carla left the room, and Eren and Mikasa were alone.

He decided to try something. "So, um, if Mom doesn't have any chores for me, d'you wanna play later? There's this field that I usually play in, and. . . ." He trailed off as he saw no response.

Mikasa just stared at him, not saying anything. Eren felt helpless. He wished he could say the right words and make her smile. Make her forget for a moment the terrible events of yesterday. But Mikasa seemed just as despondent as before.

Of course, that didn't mean he was going to stop trying.

Eren's mother returned with a tunic and a pair of pants. Mikasa mutely accepted them and disappeared to change. As soon as she returned, Eren bit his lip to stop himself from smiling. She looked very strange in his clothes, and the red scarf was still wrapped around her neck.

"Honey," said Carla gently. "Why don't you take that scarf off? You've been wearing it all night. I can wash it and give it back to you. I'm sure Eren wouldn't mind."

Mikasa shook her head violently, and pulled up the scarf over her nose, as if Carla would snatch it away any second.

"Alright, alright," laughed Carla. "So, Eren, why don't you go outside and play? Mikasa can help me with the sewing. How do you feel about that, Mikasa? Do you know how to sew?"

To Eren's horror, the girl's eyes filled with tears. She hung her head in shame, but he could still see little droplets fall to the floor. He shot his mother a panicked look that said, "What have you done?"

"Oh, my," Carla's hand flew to her mouth. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories for you." She wrapped the girl into a tight hug. "There, there."

Mikasa stood mutely, letting Mrs. Jaeger hug her. Tears flowed freely down her face and she began to sniffle. Carla handed her a handkerchief and the little girl blew her nose loudly.