A New Beginning

Chapter Nine: Recovery

I awoke to familiar voices arguing. My vision was blurry, and I was laying in a bed that wasn't mine.

Where am I?

What am I doing here?

I took a few minutes to remember how I got here.

Oh. Now I remember. That drunk man knocked me out. As soon as I remembered that, I felt sharp pain on one side of my head. I slowly touch my head, and winced at the immediate pain.

Damn it. I was distracted by Eren, and this happened. Levi is going to be pissed.

My vision was finally clear. It looks like I'm staying at an Inn. I saw Levi blocking the doorway, as he argued with the person outside.

Eren. The man outside was Eren.

"Get the hell out of here. If Historia finds out what's going on, we are all in trouble", Levi argued.

"Not a fucking chance, Levi. I need to see her, and make sure she is alright", Eren shouted.

They fumbled to push the door back and forth. All the sudden, Eren ran towards the door, and shoved it open. This pushed Levi back into the wall.

Our eyes met.

My heart hurt when I saw the pain in Eren's eyes.

He ran to me, and touched the uninjured side of my face.

"Mikasa, how are you feeling?", His worried voice trembled.

I smiled, "I'm fine, Eren. Really. Worse has happened."

He let out a sigh of relief, and gently pulled me into an embrace.

Eren started, "What the hell were you doing there, Mikasa? Why didn't you tell me? Don't ever do that to me again. I can never see you get hurt like that again."

I chuckled, "It's cute to see you all worried about me."

He pouted, "Hey I'm being serious. You are really lucky, this could've ended much worse."

I nodded, "I know, but I'm okay I promise."

He gently placed our foreheads together.

Levi interrupted our sweet moment, "I hate to break this up, but you can't be here, Eren."

Eren sighed, "I know. I'll leave soon. I can tell Historia I checked on the guard that was injured to get the full story. She won't know it's Mikasa."

I questioned, "Why can't Historia know I'm here? I'm tired of being left out of the loop. Historia and I used to be somewhat friends, why would she care if I'm with Eren?"

Levi and Eren looked at each other for a moment. Levi shook his head. Eren's head fell.

Levi looked at me and said, "That is none of your concern."

I was shocked.

I argued, "None of my concern?! What the hell do you mean? I can't fucking be with Eren because of this. I have the right to know what's going on." My voice shaked, and my eyes started to well up.

Levi sighed, "I'm sorry Mikasa, but Historia is the Queen. These issues are bigger than your relationship with Eren. We are protecting you by not telling you. Please understand this."

My voice trembled as I whispered, "This isn't how it's supposed to be. I love you, Eren. I just want to be with you."

The pain in my head paled in comparison to what I experienced in my heart.

Eren's eyes welled up at my words.

"I'll be outside. Quickly say your goodbyes", Levi said as he walked out the door.

Eren held my hand, "I'm so sorry it has to be this way. I understand if you want to break off our secret relationship."

My head snapped up, "Does that mean you want to?"

Tears were streaming down my face. Of course he would much rather be with someone he didn't have to hide. What was I thinking?

He grabbed my face, "Don't ever say that again, Mikasa. I was only asking you, because I know how hard this is on you. I will stand by your side forever, but only if that's what you want."

I whispered, "Of course that's what I want, Eren. That's all I've ever wanted."

He smiled, "Good."

He gently pulled me in, and kissed my lips.

We both had a light blush as we pulled away.

I asked, "Oh. What ever happened to the man who fought me?"

Eren's face hardened, "He will rot in jail for the rest of his life. I nearly beat him to death, but Levi stopped me."

I responded, "He was drunk, I do think you should go a little easier on him."

He kissed my nose, "Not going to happen."

Eren pulled me in for another kiss, this one was longer. I could feel his yearning for me, for more time together.

I whispered, "I love you. Be safe."

He nodded, "I love you too. You're the one who needs to be safe. Don't get in anymore fights."

I chuckled and then became serious, "When will I see you again?"

He sighed, "I don't know. I won't be able to come to the Shiganshina District for another couple weeks, maybe even for another month."

My head dropped, "I understand. Maybe I'll see you in passing at another event?"

"Maybe. It will all just depend on if Levi lets you. He was not happy about you getting distracted", Eren responded.

"Yeah. I was caught off guard, but I will convince him. Maybe he'll even let me help with tomorrow", I smiled. "Oh that reminds me, where are you staying since you'll be here tomorrow?"

He replied, "I'm at an Inn a few blocks away. It has much more security, for obvious reasons."

I said, "Maybe I'll sneak over to see you."

He chuckled, "I wish, but not tonight. We need to lay low after the incident today. Maybe next time?"

"Next time", I agreed.

"It's a date. I need to get going before Historia gets suspicious, I've already stayed here for too long. Get some rest, and feel better", He said.

Eren kissed me, and just like that he was gone.

I laid back into my bed.

I have to make this work. I can't keep making Eren feel bad for the fact that are relationship has to be a secret. It's not his fault.

The event with the Queen isn't until tomorrow evening. Maybe they will be staying in this district again tomorrow.

Maybe tomorrow I can sneak into Eren's room, and wait for him to get back from the event. It's worth a shot. Besides, I may not get to spend quality time with him for another month.

I began my devious plans to surprise my secret boyfriend.