abandonhumanity | PSL / MEME CONTINUATION

[With a nudge:]

Found you. Like she said she would.

[Aubrey feels a bit like she should tell Mikasa it’s fine, no need to drop her hand, or hold back on those kisses they both seem to want. But Aubrey’s own face warms at the attention, and… selfishly, she’s a little glad that Mikasa noticed.

[So for once, she won’t deflect.] I did.

I told him I’d find him peace… and his peace is the people he loves.

[Like you. It reaches both of them. He means for it to.

[He keeps an arm around Mikasa. Even as she drops her hands, she keeps an arm around him too. It would be cruel to let go of each other now. Still, Eren's other arm wants for Aubrey. Something gives him pause though; the very young sensation of "women can be weird" - why did it feel different with Armin? Maybe because they're close too.]

Thanks for that. [It might sound casual, but it's only for how at peace he feels - and it's very sincere.]

[Mikasa's face only grows more pink.

[This is strange, and more than a little painful; after all, she'd always pictured Eren's wedding with a different bride. Still, she has no reason to dislike Aubrey, really, other than petty jealousy - and she's just been through too much to entertain that sort of thing anymore.

[Aside from that, if Aubrey has shown him peace, and if he loves her - well, she saw the ceremony, didn't she? She's not sure she'd ever seen Eren looking so happy.

[She's been able to do what none of them could...]

If that's the case, then...I should thank you too, and...

[Blushing ever harder. She's not equipped for talking to other women, really - especially about things like this. She bows her head just a bit.]

Congratulations. Also.

[The extra blush gives Mikasa away before her words; if Armin saw the wedding, and Eren wanted him to be there.... Reiner must’ve known, too, though he didn’t let on. What a world…]

Thanks. [It feels strange standing back; and it feels strange walking forward, but—well, she doesn’t have to apologize. A tentative approach, to Eren’s other side, and mostly eyeing Mikasa. Not out of any distrust, exactly, just… uncertainty.

[It was different with Armin. Aubrey already knew Armin. Eren didn’t run away with Armin. It’s strange, almost tense, knowing that Mikasa must be hurting infinitely more—and having to remind herself of that, voluntarily. There’s really no need for pettiness....

[Maybe Aubrey just needs to get to know her more.]

Eren wishes you’d been there.

[There's a pleasant relief to Aubrey's approach. Eren is eager to put his arm around her - protective, warm, all his forever. If Mikasa minds, she only shows it in moving maybe a half inch back - Eren pulls her in closer again too.]

Like I said...

It's normal to have guests at that sort of thing.

[Not with the same level of embarrassment he'd shown when she mentioned as much to Armin. Of course, it isn't lost on him that it must hurt Mikasa, but...he made a vow to Aubrey, and he meant it. He's not going to shy away from it now.

[He and Mikasa can have their happiness too, somehow...Aubrey's what's made that possible, at least this time around.]

[Mikasa's grateful to be pulled back in, even for how...mixed up she feels about the whole situation.

[Eren's here. He's alive - or, at least something close. That's what matters more than anything. Back home, they couldn't have had a wedding, or anything like this. It never would have happened. Their runaway reality was only a fantasy in the end.

[But there is a peace to this. It might as well be Heaven, she thinks; he's here, he's here, he's here. And they can be free - closer to free than they ever could have been before.

[She never wants to go back.

[Aside from all that, if she wanted to dwell on her more foolish feelings, it's worth considering that Aubrey isn't really...precluding her from anything. They can be at peace too. Maybe they can even be friends. They probably should be, considering...]

I'm happy for you. [She isn't looking at either of them, but it's sincere.] I wish I could have been there too.

[As they so often do, Aubrey’s doubts and frets melt away in Eren’s arms—well, arm, singular, this time, but it’s her husband’s hold nonetheless. Physical cold pales next to his peace, which is warmer than anything temperature can measure.]

Well… you’re here now. [Offering Mikasa a smile, finally; still unfamiliar, but soft.]

[And, to either:] How do you guys… usually celebrate, anyway?

[Quite simply:]

You remember that dance, right?

Things like that. Drinks too.

[Usually not food - certainly not a wedding cake or anything like that. Rations were always scarce, even before the walls were compromised; after that, people were starving. Celebrations had to be what people made of them.]

Drinks, huh…

[Aubrey’s not sure she wants to find out what kind of drunk she is today. Or ever, really.]

You know— how about a dance for three?

[At this, a raised eyebrow. He glances between Aubrey and Mikasa; weirdly enough, it's his cheeks that go pink this time (he'd like them to think it's weird, anyway, but Eren has never really been above blushing when the occasion calls for it).]

It's similar to the one I showed you. As many people as you can fit, really.

Me...?

[She stares at Aubrey.]

Yeah. You.

[An olive branch for thoughts that Mikasa could not have possibly been privy t— Well, thoughts that didn’t feel strong enough to get shared. They were silly, either way.]

You ever danced before?

[She does notice Eren’s blush, too. Gives an air of mischief to her smile. He’s cute.]

Once or twice. [She still looks surprised, flustered; it's an innocent sort of thing, and very genuine.

[Most wives would probably be mad at how they were holding each other, right...?]

I'm not very good at it.

[How drastic a difference this is, when Mikasa took one look at Aubrey’s name on Eren’s neck and looked ready to slash her neck. They really are just kids, aren’t they…?]

Me too. [About dancing, that is.] I’m sure you’ll learn fast. [And, taking his hand:] Eren’s a good teacher.

We've danced before.

[As Eren says this, he steps back, finally letting go of each girl just long enough to raise his arm between them; the first step. As if on cue, familiar music begins floating up the hill to surround them.]

You remember how, don't you?

[To both of them.]

Yes...

[Mikasa lifts her hand as well, pressing her wrist against Eren's but leaving room on the other side for Aubrey too - not something you'd do in a typical, two-person dance.]

We were only kids. Trying to imitate your parents...

[A few yards away from them down the hill, two small, faceless facsimiles - Eren and Mikasa, as the memory recalls them - with their wrists touching, their bodies echoing each other in a low bow. Childlike giggles float up the hill, mixing in easily with the music.]

[It’s a sweet, beautiful giggle. Aubrey’s smile widens as she offers a bow to the both of them, then locks her wrist with Eren’s.]

I’m not sure how you’ll manage the two of us… [A tease, just for Eren. If anyone’s “managing” anyone…] …but we’ll figure it out together. [All-inclusive.]

[And together they do; wrist to wrist, step to step, hand in hand. Come a switchoff, even Armin joins the spin; they’d be remiss to celebrate without the man who first suggested it, after all. All four smiling, laughing; even Mikasa giggles, and it’s even more lovely than the shadows’, sweeter for its rarity.

[It’s everything. It’s perfect. They dance over Eren Jaeger’s grave, music and hearts swelling in a way they never could when he was alive, swirling between each other like songbirds—and, finally, at peace.]

Edited (that’s a wrap!) 2023-11-15 18:46 (UTC)

PSL / MEME CONTINUATION

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2/2 curse me not having any blushing mikasa icons

the girls (eren-inclusive) are blushiiinnng… icons be darned

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