Eremika Week 2018

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Eremika Week Day 5: Living Together/Family

Rating: T

Mikasa has a shocking revelation one year prior to Eren's demise. [MANGA SPOILERS]

You'd think I'd write some tooth-rotting fluff for the family prompt, but no, it's raw, emotional angst that will most likely result in emotional turmoil. I like to make my readers suffer apparently.
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"I'm pregnant," Mikasa says simply as she leans into the doorway of Eren's room. He sitting on his bed with his hands on his knees, staring up at her as she speaks.

She watches him stiffen as soon as the words leave her mouth and slowly angle his head downwards. Eren runs his rough, calloused fingers through the dark hair that's been pulled back. Mikasa is quiet, watching him take the news in silence. He makes no sound, save for the faint sigh that echoes from his mouth.

A night of passion mixed with heartbreak and had led to this situation a month earlier. Both had been weary and distraught over the war with Marley and Eren's fleeting life, and so they had both sought comfort in each other, trying to bring themselves pleasure in a world that lacked sense of that word altogether.

"I want to keep it," Mikasa adds when Eren still hasn't responded.

He finally glances up at her. Pain reflects in his light eyes, and Mikasa swears she can see the faintest glint of tears mixed in there as well. She takes a step forward, then pauses again when he exhales.

"Why?" Eren asks. "You know that I—"

"I know you only have a year left," Mikasa interrupts. She takes the initiative and moves closer before sitting down on the edge of his bed beside him. Mikasa avoids eye-contact, staring forward at the blank wall ahead of her as she speaks.

"I'm selfish," she says quietly. "The curse is going to take you from me too soon. And this...this baby—our child—is the last I have of you."

"You don't want to raise a child on your own," Eren murmurs, refusing eye contact as well. "Besides, Captain Levi will be furious that you're in this condition when a war is still going on. You're one of our best soldiers."

"I know," Mikasa says. She glances down at her hands and folds them together as she thinks. That's all she's done the past few days since finding out. Think about the future that she truly wants.

"But we've lost a bit of our population already, and it's time to start growing it anew," Mikasa says after a pause. "I never wanted to be a soldier anyway."

"What?"

"I only joined to protect you. I've done my duty as best as I can. But I've always wanted to be a mother and to have a peaceful little home of my own," Mikasa says softly.

"But I can't join you," Eren sighs.

"I knew that dream would never come true. A part of me hoped, but—" she pauses, taking in another deep breath, "—but the curse changed all that."

The conversation pauses as the two of them stare forward. Both are unmoving and deathly quiet. Then, Eren finally sighs and turns to look at her. Mikasa can clearly see the anguish in his green eyes now.

"You really want to do this?" he asks.

Mikasa nods her head slowly. She reaches a hand forward to stroke his cheek. Her fingers trace across the stubble growing there.

Eren grasps onto her arm and slowly moves it away from his face. Mikasa opens her mouth as if to defend herself, but in one quick motion, he embraces her and presses her tightly to his chest. Mikasa inhales sharply but relaxes as she feels him rest his head over her shoulder. His body is beginning to tremble as she feels his fingertips press deeply into her back.