Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin nor the characters.

Eren was now running.

The moment he heard the key unlocking his damn cell, he sprinted away and towards the docks. Clenched in his fist were a red scarf and a piece of paper where Armin jotted down the exact location where Mikasa would be at.

As he ran, he began to remember the things Armin said to him the other day…

The things he said about Mikasa.

But before his thoughts could dive any further, he spotted a figure standing at the docks, which he didn't fail to recognize immediately.

"M…Mikasa!" He called out hastily.

He hoped it wasn't too late.

The figure turned, and his pair of emerald orb finally meets her obsidian orbs that soon widen in shock.

"E-Eren?!"

As Eren was running, what Armin said about Mikasa the other day had come flashing in his mind.

"…How do you know I'll be able to stop her…?" Eren mumbled out subconsciously. Undoubtedly, he did want to stop her. He… couldn't bare the idea of her leaving, especially when he hadn't had the chance to speak to her. But given the fact she had given the red scarf back to Eren, he wasn't even sure if she wanted to see him, or if she'd even listen to him at this point.

Armin only scoffed, which was followed by a small smile that formed on his lips. "Because you're Eren Jaeger… you would never let someone you care about so deeply, leave for a reason like that."

When Armin had said those words, Eren heaved a heavy sigh as he clenched onto her red scarf tightly. "I can never win an argument with you, you know that?"

The blonde smirked. But before he could respond, Eren continued. "But I have to admit, I'm a little scared…"

It astounded Armin, it really did. It astounded how this man who brought the chaos to an end, who threw his humanity away for the sake of others was scared. Though, it couldn't be helped.

"Before you say something sarcastic or taunting," Eren spoke, as if he had predicted his friend's next few words and actions, "I just… I mean, you're right. I'm not the type to easily give up."

Armin raised a brow, "So what's the problem?" He queried.

Eren's eyes briefly looked towards the scarf, before turning and facing back to Armin. "What if she hates me? Though, if she does, I deser—"

"Eren." Armin stopped him before he could've completed his sentence. "Stop doubting. By now, you should very well know how she feels, right?"

And when Eren didn't respond immediately, he continued. "Do you love Mikasa?"

The moment that question left the lips of the blonde, he instantly turned away from him, facing one of the brick walls that confined him. Though, the blue-eyed male had already caught a glance of the brunette's widened emerald hues.

That question was so familiar, and Eren knew why.

What am I to you, Mikasa?

It was a question he had asked.

Admittedly, it wasn't the same question. But both questions were similar in one sole thing—feelings.

Right now, as the topic of romance floated in the air, the brunette should be blushing. He should be feeling butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He should feel his heart racing at the mere thought of her.

But he wasn't and it wasn't because he didn't feel those sort of emotions towards her.

He felt pain and regret for saying harsh things to her. But at the same time, if he hadn't said those harsh things to severe their bond, he knew she'd continue to chase after him, endangering herself. The last thing he wanted was her to get tangled up into affairs that she shouldn't be in— that he didn't want her to be in.

I want to be the one protecting you instead. He had promised himself, back then.

He didn't know when he caught such feelings for her. He just knew another powerful, overwhelming emotion had always belittled that little spark of touching feelings.

Revenge. Revenge and Anger were something he felt for so long. And sometimes, they tend to drown the other emotions he felt.

He now felt pain, because he wasn't sure if these new blossoming feelings that decided to grow deserved to be reciprocated by her.

Not to mention, this was the first time he ever felt these sort of feelings. This feeling. He didn't know how to deal with it or how to act on it.

It was all just new, too new to him.

Unknown to Eren, he had been subconsciously gripping the red fabric even tighter, as if he feared to let go. And though Armin was unable to face him now, he smiled. Because at least that could confirm something.

"The war's finally over, Eren." Armin started calmly, "Before you decide to lose your determination overnight, and decide to let go of her, I suggest you let go of your anger, your vengeful heart and your burden as 'humanity's last hope'."

"It's over, Eren." Armin continued, "Let loose and sink yourself in the freedom you returned to Paradis. Open up your heart to new feelings and embrace them." The blonde smiled a little. "Mikasa... she… most likely has a lot of things to say to you. And like I said, you're Eren Jaeger. I'm pretty sure even if you tell yourself that it's okay to 'give up', your instinct will just pull you out. Because I know Eren Jaeger wouldn't let Mikasa Ackerman leave for a reason like that."

When he didn't respond, Armin turned his back, about to take his leave. He already said his part, now it was just up to Eren.

"What about you?" He finally voiced out the moment the blonde took a step away, about to leave. "Don't you have a lot of things to say to me too?"

"Yeah," Armin scoffed. "A lot. A lot of questions. But," He turned, to see Eren turned towards his direction a little. He took a brief glimpse at him before turning back, and continued with his walk as he said, "But, I'm not the one leaving tomorrow, am I?"

Now, Eren was face-to-face with Mikasa.

There was a brief silence between the two, until Mikasa noticed the red scarf Eren held, and Eren noticed the red ruby necklace on her neck.

"Why did you bring that here?"

"Why are you wearing that?"

They both said in synch, before Eren bit his lip and Mikasa looked away.

Mikasa should've known Armin would've done something like this. A part of her wished she had trusted this scarf to a stranger to return it to Eren. Because she knew even if she had asked Connie, Jean or even that damned midget, it'd still be in his hands before she left. But then again… she couldn't bring herself to trust a stranger to be responsible for returning that red piece of fabric.

Maybe she still cared for that scarf after all.

"Because this doesn't belong to me." Eren was the first to answer. "It belongs to you." He sounded firm, and it reminded how stubborn he could be. She already knew how persistent he was going to be.

"It should be around your neck, instead of that." He referred to the red ruby necklace around her neck, to which was to act as a welcome gift for Mikasa if she chose to return back to Hizuru. For one reason or another, Eren didn't like the fact that that was around her neck, instead of her scarf which had been gifted by him a long time ago.

Even if Armin never told him what that red ruby necklace was or meant, he already knew. He wasn't naïve nor so dense to not understand.

"It's a gift." Mikasa murmured, albeit still looking towards the ocean. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, not now at least. "That's why I'm wearing it."

Eren frowned. "So is this." He argued back, raising the scarf. But she didn't turn around. "And it's yours. It's not mine, Mikasa." He sounded softer now, and she noticed.

It ached her heart so much to hear the softer side of the brunette speak. She didn't know how long she had last heard it… but she knew it was most likely a long time. To say she missed it was an understatement.

She felt herself slowly sinking in her vulnerability. Why did Eren had this power over her? To make her feel so…

Maybe she was a slave to him after all, to her Ackerman genes.

Mikasa chose not to say anything, in fear that she might say something that might just reveal all too much, all things that she might not even know or rather, acknowledge yet.

But, alas, Eren said some words that just made her want to reply.

"I'm sorry." It was a personal apologise, and there wasn't a faintest insincerity in his tone. It was a genuine apology, one of sorrow.

"For what?" She murmured, still looking away. Her question wasn't meant to give him a cold shoulder. She was genuinely curious of what he was sorry for. And a malicious voice in her head whispered doubts in her ear, convincing her that if anything, the last thing he was sorry for was calling her a slave.

But that wasn't the case.

"For everything." Eren answered, and the softness in his tone remained. "I'm sorry for everything."

Mikasa finally turned around. Though, with a distressed expression all over her face.

She had a million things she wanted to say to him. She wanted to shout at him. She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to say something in a similar soft tone to him. She wanted to speak with him gently. She wanted to cry out to him, in both anger and sadness. She wanted those feelings that she had deep down, to come out and reveal themselves.

But all that came out was one painful sentence.

"I'm still leaving for Hizuru."

And the moment those words left her lips for Eren's ears to hear, Mikasa saw something she hadn't seen in a long time.

There was sadness in Eren's eyes. Or maybe it was misery, or pain. Maybe all three. For a long time, Mikasa hadn't seen such despondent and heart-wrenching emotions in him. Even during the war, he looked… empty. But perhaps, that was just a mask he had worn to trick the enemy. A mask so convincing that she had failed to see through it completely. And she wondered, how long had he been feeling this way? Since Sasha's death…? Or since the day he left that conference…? Or, was it much earlier?

She recalled seeing him cry in his sleep, under a tree at the young age of nine or ten. Apparently, he had been having a bad dream that he had no recollection of. And with all these revelation about the history of Ymir and the titans, changing the future… she could only wonder what he had seen back then which had pushed him to tears.

It took Mikasa a fleeting moment to realise that her heart was beginning to ache. And she wasn't too blur to not know why. Though, she may not fully understand why.

Seeing Eren look like that… pained her.

The words Eren had said to her back then began to ring in her ears.

What am I to you, Mikasa?

She answered, 'family', back then. But even back then, she knew she was just lying to herself… or rather, she found it hard to convey such complex emotions at that time. He was more than just family to her.

For a long time, Mikasa Ackerman was in love with Eren Jaeger. Despite the amount of times he had pushed her away and even hurt her feelings during the times where he had to put her in place, her love for him remained unwavering.

It wasn't just because he saved her back then, and had given her a second chance at life. It was much more than that. She admired his strength and his determination. But at the same time, she had always feared that those two things would drive him towards a fate leading to death. He had been stubborn, hot-headed and impulsive. If he wanted something, he was going to get it no matter what. And maybe that was why the raven had been more inclined to display her protective nature towards him. Because unlike Armin, there were several times he did things without thinking twice or without logic.

Though admittedly, the Eren standing in front of her now, seemed to have outgrown that hot-tempered phase of his. He looked and seemed more mature now, if anything.

She also loved him because of the warmth he gave her. He taught her how to live, and gave her comfort during tough periods in life. Though, he might not know this. He always did such… touching things without knowing that he did.

But the day he called her a slave, she felt the coldness sweep over her, extinguishing most, if not all the warmth he had given her. Even if he had come out and told the truth, that he hadn't meant anything he had said, and that it was all just a part of his scheme to achieve the peace and freedom that everyone had now… the hurt remained. And Mikasa wanted to get away from it.

She wasn't sure if her supposedly unwavering love had been extinguished along with his warmth at that time, but she knew she felt one thing back then: pain.

The man she came to love had called her a slave, and had also more or less claimed that any feelings she had held for him were all due to some Ackerman instinct and genetics. And then she felt another emotion: confusion. She couldn't believe that this man who taught her how to live, threw her off to suffer in some sort of identity crisis.

Even till now, she was still confused. Because now, in the present, she didn't know what she felt for him. Perhaps she did still have that unwavering love for him, because deep down, even at that time, a tiny flame in her heart which had survived from the brunette's sudden coldness, had refused to believe that that man was the boy she grew up with, the boy she came to love and the boy who willingly saved her. That small part of her refused to believe that that was Eren Jaeger talking. As for the majority part of her… it had all sunken into despair, believing this fake truth he had said about the Ackerman genetics.

His words had bothered her so much to the extent that she had even reached out to that midget during Eren's detainment after the war.

"Hah? Slave? Ackerman genetics?" Levi had scoffed. "I don't know what that shitty brat is talking about. But as long as you're a living, breathing thing, you have the choice of freedom, nobody else dictates that. They can throw you in a shitty dirty cage, but as long as you keep fighting and refuse to submit, you're no longer tied down or trapped."

Perhaps if Mikasa prolonged the conversation, her glum mind-set would've changed just a little from that Ackerman talk. But instead, she only nodded, murmured a thanks as she made her way towards the door. And all she thought was this: Can slaves even fight back?

Before she left his office, almost as if he read her mind, Levi said one last thing to her, "Oi, gloomy brat." Mikasa paused in her steps briefly, and maybe if she hadn't been in a sullen mood that day, she'd have retorted and called him a shortass. "You're not a slave."

Armin had also told her that. To no avail, the raven was still… uncertain. And she still didn't know why. To reiterate, after Eren's apology and revelation that he had been fooling the enemy all along, she then had some sort of awareness that the things he said back in that room were all fake, that it was just a façade. So why? Why did she still feel so—

"You're not a slave, Mikasa." That was Eren talking.

Perhaps, pain can blind people, and maybe it blinded Mikasa from accepting the fact that she wasn't a slave to her genetics. Emotions have strong powers like that.

The raven's eyes widened and before she knew it, her own pain began to pool in her eyes. She was crying.

"I'm sorry for calling you that. I… didn't realise the extent it'd have affected you." Eren murmured as he took a singular step forward, only for the raven to take a step back. He bit his lip. If he had known his words would've hurt her so deeply, then maybe he would've said something else.

Mikasa suddenly felt anger arising in her, accompanied by other emotions she had been bottling up ever since Eren came back to their side. Or maybe, ever since a longer time. And all those emotions, came out in her scream.

"You're… just saying that!" She cried, "Armin told you to say that didn't he?!" Mikasa already knew the amount of opposition her childhood friend had of having her leave like this. It wouldn't surprise her if he had convinced Eren to say things like that for the sake of her staying. For all she knew, this was a lie, too.

Those words he had said—about her not being a slave—were something she wanted to hear from him for quite a while now. She didn't think she'd have actually heard it. So when he had actually said it… she couldn't believe it. She found it hard to believe. She was still in denial that he actually ran for her, to stop her from leaving.

Did he… really not see her as a slave?

"He didn't!" The brunette fiercely retorted, "He told me you were leaving! I came here to stop you out of my own will! How… How could I let you leave like this? How could you leave without even saying a goodbye? Before I could ever have a chance to talk to y—"

"I…! I… I was afraid, Eren. Afraid." She finally admitted, having cut him off, "I'm a coward, fine I admit that. I am running away from you. Isn't this what you want?"

Eren blinked in disbelief. "Since when did I ever say that I wanted you to leave—"

"If I leave you, then I'm not a slave to you anymore right? I won't be tied down to my Ackerman instincts anymore, right? If I am away from you then—"

Mikasa halted in her sentence mid-way upon noticing that his sad eyes were now leaking tears. He was crying too. Seeing Mikasa like this… just made Eren feel so sad, because he had unintentionally made her this way—that she still thought she was a slave. He had wanted to protect everyone, her included, so desperately. He wanted to save everyone from being trapped, he wanted to give everyone freedom beyond the walls. And yet, he failed to do so for the person he had cared for so deeply.

"I'm sorry." He said again, but with more anguish that Mikasa didn't fail to notice. "But Mikasa… you're not a slave. Really, you aren't. What I said back then… about you clinging to me because of your genetics… it isn't true. It was never true. I know. I know you did that ever since we were kids because you cared."

Eren was no longer blind to what Mikasa felt or what she had done for him all this time. He wasn't a little reckless boy anymore, for the most part at least.

When she didn't respond he continued, "And… ever since we were kids, Mikasa… I…"

Those familiar words caused her eyes to widen, they sounded extremely familiar and she knew why.

It was those words that had been haunting her for quite a while now. And she began to tremble, because she was afraid of what he might say next.

Ever since we were kids, Mikasa. I've always hated you.

She was afraid that he was going to say that next. But she was wrong, so wrong.

"I've never hated you. Not even once. Even when I shouted at you, I've never hated you." It was the honest tone he had and the fact he had sounded so genuine that convinced her that this was the truth. From the way his eyes were still watery, from the way that his eyes still looked so soft… that she knew he wasn't lying about that. And Mikasa didn't take a step back this time.

"I don't know when it was… when it all started… but Mikasa, for a while now… I… I—" Eren was cut off by the sound of a ship's horn. Immediately, the two young adults turned to the ocean to see a ship with the same crest that was carved into Mikasa's skin approaching.

The sun slowly began to wake up, and Eren didn't have much time left before the ship approached the shores of Paradis.

"Please don't go." He quickly said. "Is… freedom what you want?" He suddenly asked.

Mikasa only looked back towards him, with tears still streaming down her face. She didn't know what to believe anymore.

Why did emotions have to be so complicated?

But to Eren's question, the answer was obvious enough. Who wouldn't want freedom?

"Then stay, please." He was pleading. "I…I will take away whatever pains you. I will remove the pain I gave you. I… I'll make you happy, Mikasa. I won't make you sad anymore. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for pushing you and everyone away. I wanted to carry this burden alone, so you and everyone else wouldn't suffer. I wanted to finally put an end to everything, and achieve freedom. That's why I said what I said. To severe bonds, because I didn't want to risk any of you. And I regretted it. I still regret it… what I said to you. I didn't think it'd… I… Mikasa, you are not a slave. You were never and will never be one. You… you are an amazing person, Mikasa. You… are free now, here, so don't let my stupid and untrue words trap you."

And just like that, she began to cry even more. Not because she still felt like he was lying. But because for the first time for as long as she could remember, her heart felt something other than pain from him. It felt touched.

And then, she felt a warm piece of fabric began to wrap itself around her neck. It felt nostalgic. This warmth was nostalgic. She missed it. She craved it. She loved it. It had always comforted her during cold times. Though, unlike last time, it seemed the matured male knew how to tie her red scarf more properly this time. "Remember… that time? When I said I'd wrap this around you as many times as you want."

She nodded slowly. And before Eren could continue with his sentence, Mikasa murmured a question, "Why… do you want me to stay?"

Eren smiled a little, yet it looked so sorrowful. Shouldn't it be obvious why?

"Because, Mikasa… you mean a lot to me, and I don't want to let you go." He mumbled softly, and he slowly closed the distance between them. The raven grew nervous, her heart was palpitating—and suddenly, she found herself melting in his warmth the moment she felt his sudden embrace.

When was the last time he had hugged her? The last time she remembered, the younger Eren was always bashful and shy towards hugs, so he was barely the one doing the hugging.

"You're more than family to me, Mikasa…" He whispered softly into her ear, and Mikasa couldn't tell if it was because of her scarf that her cheeks suddenly felt warm. "Mikasa… I… I l—"

"Sorry to ruin the moment!" A voice erupted, and interrupted the two. Reluctantly pulling away, the two turned to see Kiyomi Azumabito's ship having reached their docks.

How long had they been there already…? It seemed like the two of them had been too caught up in the moment. The sun was already up.

Despite the fact the raven now wore her red scarf, Kiyomi's eyes had been sharp enough to notice the red ruby necklace she wore underneath it. "Ah, so I see you've accepted our invitation!" She exclaimed with delight. A platform was slowly lowered for Mikasa to enter the ship. "Come aboard! We don't have all day. The earlier we leave, the earlier we'll arrive back to your home!"

Kiyomi gave a brief hidden signal to the guards, she wasn't going to let that boy stop her from bringing the last descendant of the Azumabito back to Hizuru. If the girl willingly wanted to return home, she didn't want to have any hindrances that could prevent her from doing as such. Once the platform was lowered, two guards came down and awaited for her to board the ship safely.

Mikasa's hand raised up and wiped her tears away. And slowly, she took a small step back away from Eren. "Sorry, Eren." She murmured as she carefully and gently removed the scarf from her neck. "Hold onto this for me." She smiled.

Eren's eyes widened as she placed the scarf in his hands and began to walk away, towards the ship. "Mikasa?! Wait—" Before he had the chance to chase after her, the two guards immediately held him back.

"Mikasa! Wait, no! Mikasa!" He called out, his tone growing desperate after each call—the same went with his struggles. But the raven continued to walk onto the platform, up towards Kiyomi who couldn't hide her smirk.

Now, Mikasa was one step away from entering the ship. But, that's when she stopped. Kiyomi raised a brow. "What are you waiting for?" She said calmly. "It's best not to associate with a man who may be regarded as a criminal." She added, as if to clear any doubts the raven had.

Except, all her doubts had already been cleared.

"Sorry." She apologised to Kiyomi as her hands reached for behind her neck, taking off the necklace and then handing it back to her. "I'm not going to Hizuru." She smiled as she turned back to the brunette who stopped struggling in the guard's grasp. "I'll stay here. This is my home after all."

After apologising to Kiyomi for more or less wasting her time, the money-faced woman only heaved a heavy sigh. She was disappointed. She couldn't believe that she didn't want to return back to Hizuru. But, she knew she couldn't force her back against her will, the last thing she wanted was to raise tensions between her and Paradis, and maybe even with that green-eyed male. She didn't wish to start an argument with her nor be on bad terms with her. "You're always welcomed to visit, young one." With that, the ship left and they parted.

Mikasa rushed over to Eren, the soft smile still plastered on her lips. "You scared me there." He sighed as he scratched the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry." Mikasa apologised, which was accompanied with a small light-hearted laugh. "I just wanted you to hold onto the scarf so I could return the necklace."

"Yeah, but you didn't have to say it in a way that made it seem like you were really going to leave…" He murmured, and Mikasa swore he was pouting. How long has it been since she last saw him this childish?

She then started to laugh a little, she couldn't contain it. And it seemed Eren caught onto it as he began to laugh too.

Meanwhile, somewhere behind a tree, there stood a blonde who sighed in relief. "I guess, I was worried for nothing." He smiled.

Author's note: Phew! Finally done with this mini-series! I might add an epilogue when I have time haha. For now, I'll mark this as completed. And lol, Kiyomi and her ship cutting off Eren words. Who knows what he was going to say… hm. Oh well haha :). On another note, I hope this was an okay last chapter!

Please Leave a Review! I'd love to hear your thoughts!