The group moved into the main part of the house, the warmth of the hearth making the cozy space feel inviting. Carla was already preparing a few extra blankets in the living room, her soft humming audible from the hallway.
"Now, as for sleeping arrangements," Grisha began, glancing between them, "we'll set up the spare room for Mikasa. Eren, you can stay in your usual spot. Kiyotaka, you can take—"
 "I'll sleep wherever. It doesn't matter to me."
Eren suddenly perked up, his voice full of energy despite his earlier drowsiness. "You can sleep with me!"
At the same time, Mikasa tugged on Kiyotaka's sleeve. Her voice was much quieter but no less insistent. "Can you... sleep with me?"
Kiyotaka froze, his expression blank as his mind momentarily spiralled into chaos. Both children stared at him with expectant eyes, and for the first time in the entire evening, he was utterly dumbfounded.
"You've got quite the fan club, young man."
Kiyotaka stared into the middle distance, his thoughts turning to mush. 
'I am not fit for this...'
He finally sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I think I'll take the couch."
Mikasa looked disappointed, her small hand still holding his sleeve. Eren pouted but didn't argue.
Grisha shook his head, still smiling. "Alright, alright. Let's get everyone settled in. Tomorrow's another day, and I think we could all use some rest."
"Right, r—Hey, Mikasa don't drag—me!"
"No. You're coming with me."
"Hey! That's not fair! He said he's going to sleep on the couch!"
Oh no.
'Someone send me back to Japan...'









|| 𝙏𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 ||








It was early morning, and I was awake before the first light of day touched the cobbled streets of Shiganshina. 
The compromise I'd negotiated the night before seemed like a win at the time: I'd sleep on the couch, and Eren would show me around the district today, with a detour to introduce me to his friend Armin. 
Eren had seemed satisfied with this arrangement, declaring it a fair trade, and I thought that would be the end of it.
Apparently, Mikasa had other plans.
I glanced down, somehow keeping my expression blank despite the absurdity of the situation. 
Her small frame was curled up against mine, her dark hair spilling over my arm as she slept. Somehow, in the middle of the night, she'd decided that she didn't want to sleep in the extra room and had climbed in next to me. 
Her hands gripped my shirt loosely, and her head rested against my chest as though this was the most natural thing in the world.
Someone get this child off me.
I mentally sighed, staring up at the ceiling. 
This was my life now.
Part of me wanted to move—badly. 
My left arm had gone numb, and I couldn't feel my fingers anymore. 
But every time I so much as shifted, Mikasa stirred, letting out a soft sound like she was on the verge of waking. At one point, I tried to sit up, thinking I could untangle myself without disturbing her too much, but the moment I started, she shuddered in her sleep, clutching tighter at my shirt.