The Intern

Chapter 24

Mikasa stood up from her seat and clutched the scarf around her throat, fear and yearning clashing in her dark eyes. She opened her mouth as if searching for something to say, but I couldn't give her the time to figure out what it was she wanted to tell me. My feet carried me quickly as I crossed the distance between us, and my arms were around her the instant I was close enough. A sound left her throat and the air rushed from her lungs as I crushed her against me, gripping her as if she would disappear again if I didn't hold tight enough.

She was here. She was actually here, in my arms, as if she'd never been gone at all. And the whole reason I had her now was because of the man that stood a few feet away, watching us with an unfathomable expression. How was it that he was able to find her so easily when I had been trying for months with no success? How did he get her here and where had she come from? I couldn't even begin to think about how difficult it must have been to convince her to be here. It was rare when I was able to talk Mikasa into anything she didn't want to do. Did she do this willingly?

Her arms circled around me and suddenly the crushing grip was not my own. She always had a powerful hug, which I'd grown to appreciate in the rare moments that we actually exchanged them. I kind of had a feeling that she wasn't fond of physical displays of affection and that her hugs were actually just an attempt to crush ribs. But the crushing sensation felt amazing now. I wanted her close. I needed her closer. The strength of her grip was a much-needed reminder that she was actually here and I wasn't caught in yet another dream.

"I can't believe you're here," I muttered into her hair, which was much shorter than before she'd left, and somehow managed to squeeze her tighter.

"I can't believe you're gay," she spoke muffled words against my shirt, "You have a very convincing boyfriend. He doesn't take no for an answer."

"Boyfriend..." I blinked slowly in response to the word and felt the blood rush into my cheeks. I hadn't fully considered the idea that Levi was actually my boyfriend, and hearing Mikasa say the word just made it seem strange. Of course, that was probably because I wasn't expecting to hear it from her at all. "Wait, who told you that I'm gay?"

Levi cleared his throat and started walking over to the coffee counter, "Are either of you thirsty?"

"You told her?"

He paused and took a deep breath through his teeth before letting it out in a rush, turning to face me as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, kid. I know that was yours to tell. It wasn't like I did it on purpose. It just kind of slipped out."

I didn't know whether to be mad that he had told Mikasa something so big, or to be thrilled that he had talked so naturally about our relationship with someone he barely knew. To be honest, I had been struggling with the idea of how I would tell her something so important. Of course I knew that I had to tell her. Levi was one of the many reasons I wanted to stay, and the main reason I wouldn't agree to go with her in the end. I was dreading her reaction when I finally got up the nerve to tell her myself, but now it was done.

"It's okay," I said at last, and was surprised to see that Levi actually looked a little relieved. The fact that he was genuinely upset that he told her before I could made his apology seem far more sincere. Of course, I still didn't know Mikasa's full reaction to it. I took a deep breath and turned my attention back to Mikasa, scanning her expression warily. "It is okay, right?"

"What, that we both like guys?" Mikasa's expression was bordering on amused and I felt myself begin to relax. "Of course it's okay, Eren. Do you think that would actually change how I feel about you? You're my brother. You'll always be exactly who you are, regardless of who you love."

I felt an overwhelming wave of gratefulness in the same moment that I felt undeniable dread. I still had everyone else to tell, and I knew that some of them would not handle the news as easily as she had. "I'm worried mom and dad aren't going to feel the same way you do."