COTE x AOT: Ashes in The Sky

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Carla Yeager had welcomed them warmly, her kind smile immediately putting Mikasa at ease.

After hearing the 온라인카지노게임, atop of feeling horrible for what Mikasa had been through, she quipped with a laugh, trying to ease the mood, "I've always wanted more kids anyway."

It was well past midnight now, and the air inside the clinic was still, save for the soft rustling of Grisha's medical tools. Mikasa sat quietly on the examination table, her pale face showing signs of exhaustion. Grisha wiped the blood from her lip and carefully checked her mouth for any signs of internal bleeding.

Nearby, Eren sat slouched in a wooden chair, his arms crossed and eyes drooping. His head bobbed slightly as sleep threatened to take him.

Grisha glanced at him and smiled. "Getting tired, Eren?"

Eren snapped his head up, blinking rapidly. "No! I'm not tired. I'm just... closing my eyes for a second."

The words barely left his mouth before he let out a wide yawn.

Grisha chuckled. "Of course, you're not tired. Well, I'm almost done here. Once Mikasa's all set, I'll take a look at your friend over there."

At this, Kiyotaka, who had been standing silently by the window, turned his head toward Grisha with a questioning look. "Check me? I don't need that. I'm fine."

Grisha raised an eyebrow, his tone taking on a note of authority. "I'll be the judge of that. Those thugs might've gotten a sneaky hit on you that you didn't notice. Sit down."

Kiyotaka hesitated for a moment, clearly debating whether to argue, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. Instead, he sighed softly and remained standing.

Grisha gave him a knowing smile before returning to Mikasa. "Alright, that should do it," he said gently, patting her shoulder. "No internal injuries, just some bruising. You're going to be fine, Mikasa. Let's get you settled into bed soon."

Mikasa nodded quietly, her dark eyes flicking toward Kiyotaka for a brief moment before looking down again.

Grisha turned his attention back to Kiyotaka, who was still standing stiffly. "Now, let me see your hands."

"I told you, I'm fine. I don't see the point."

Grisha wasn't having it. "Show me your hands. Unless you're secretly a doctor, I'd appreciate it if you let me do my job."

Reluctantly, Kiyotaka stepped forward and held out his hands. Grisha examined them carefully, turning them over and pressing lightly along the knuckles and joints.

"Hm," Grisha murmured, noting the bruising on Kiyotaka's knuckles. "That's some nasty bruising. Surprised you didn't break anything with how hard you must've hit those men."

"I've been in fights before," Kiyotaka replied evenly. "I know how to handle myself."

Grisha gave him a curious look. "You're tougher than you look. Most people would've walked away from that kind of confrontation with at least a few broken bones."

He wasn't exactly normal...

Kiyotaka shrugged. "It's just about knowing where to strike."

Grisha sighed lightly, clearly impressed but unwilling to press further. "Alright, you're in good shape. Just be mindful of those bruises. They'll heal in time." He straightened up and motioned for everyone to follow him. "Come on, let's get inside. Mikasa can sleep in the spare room we have."

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.

"Seriously?" I muttered under my breath, easing myself back onto the couch.

As much as I wanted to complain, I couldn't. She'd been through something unimaginable. If this was what she needed to feel safe, who was I to deny her? It wasn't like I had anywhere else to be.

Probably in my old world? But that's just me.

Still, I wasn't built for this.

I could barely take care of myself in this world, let alone a kid. Responsibility wasn't something I sought out—it always seemed to find me, like a clingy ex-girlfriend.

I thought about Kei for a moment, about the plans I'd carefully laid for her for the second year... an individual so reliant on others for emotional support needed to be able to stand on their own.

The memory passed quickly, leaving me with a faint headache.

Mikasa shifted again, and I looked down at her peaceful face, her soft breathing steady. "This isn't fun at all," I murmured quietly.

No response, of course. I sighed and leaned back, resigning myself to the situation.

It was then that I sensed a presence descending the stairs.

I turned my head, hoping for salvation.

As the footsteps drew closer, I silently chanted, My saviour has arrived.

When Carla appeared at the bottom of the staircase, our eyes met.

I mouthed a desperate, "Help me".

She tilted her head, confused at first, before walking closer. Her gaze fell on Mikasa, and a soft giggle escaped her lips.

"Oh my," she said, her tone light and teasing. "You two look adorable."

"My arm's asleep."

Carla smiled, clearly amused. "And yet, you haven't moved. How sweet of you."

"Sweet isn't the word I'd use," I said dryly, shifting slightly to emphasize my discomfort. "I'm immobilized by circumstance."

Carla waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. She must've felt safe with you. That's a good thing, you know."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she cut me off.

"Why don't you stay put?" she said in a soothing tone, as though addressing a stubborn child. Wait, was I the stubborn child? "I'll get breakfast started for everyone. You've earned a little rest."

"I can help," I offered, though the suggestion was half-hearted at best.

"Ah ah," Carla said, wagging a finger at me. "You're a guest. Besides, it'd be rude to interrupt such a precious moment."

I sighed again, closing my eyes for a moment. "I don't want this role."

Carla chuckled softly. "Well, it seems the role has chosen you. You're a good boy, Kiyotaka. Breakfast will be ready soon."

With that, she left for the kitchen, leaving me alone with Mikasa once more.

The warmth of the room was comforting, but the absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on me. This wasn't my life—at least, it wasn't supposed to be. But here I was, lying on a couch with a traumatized child in my arms, waiting for breakfast in a strange world I didn't belong to.

I stared up at the ceiling again, "This is my life now," I muttered.

Mikasa stirred slightly, her grip loosening just enough to let me adjust my position.

I'm really not fit for this...

‎

───

Carla had insisted I eat a second helping, likely as some subtle way to make me feel more at home. Mikasa had sat close by, eating in silence, while Eren talked non-stop about his plans for the day.

Nothing remarkable had happened since then, except for a small moment where I lightly chided Mikasa for earlier this morning.

"You should've told me what you were doing," I had said.

She'd looked at me with those wide, dark eyes, her voice soft. "I thought... you didn't want to be alone."

That had made me pause. I hadn't been able to find a response that didn't sound hollow, so I'd left it at that.

Hahh... great.

Now, my focus shifted to the present.

Outside the Yeager home, Eren was pacing and bouncing on the balls of his feet, his excitement practically radiating off him. His energy was palpable, and it was hard not to notice how his enthusiasm lit up the street.

I wonder if I had a normal childhood, would I have been like that? 

Not in the sense where I would try and kill someone I had just met but... energetic.

"Armin's gonna love meeting you guys," he said, his voice filled with zeal. "And then we can go by the lookout point! Oh, and there's this stall that sells the best bread—wait, do you like bread? Mikasa, do you like bread?"

I glanced to my side, where Mikasa stood quietly. She was dressed in new clothes that Carla had found for her—a simple dress that fit her small frame well, and a sunhat that shaded her face.

Her lips twitched faintly, and though she didn't smile outright, it was clear Eren's energy amused her in some small way.

Eren turned and waved us over. "Come on! Let's go find Armin first, and then we can do some sightseeing!"

Before either of us could respond, he took off down the street, disappearing around a corner.

Carla sighed from the doorway, watching her son disappear. "That boy... always in such a hurry." She turned to me, her expression softening. "Kiyotaka, can I ask you for a favour?"

"Of course."

"Could you keep an eye on Eren for me?" she asked. Her tone was tinged with concern. "He got into a fight recently with some of the local kids. He's a good boy, but he has a bit of a temper, and I worry he might get himself into trouble again."

I nodded. "I'll make sure he stays out of trouble."

Carla smiled, looking relieved. "Thank you. And take care of yourselves too, alright?"

"Of course," I replied, before turning to follow after Eren.

We hadn't gone far when I felt a small hand brush against mine. I glanced down and saw Mikasa reaching for my hand.

"What are you doing?"

She looked up at me with an innocent look. "I'm holding it."

"...Do you have to?"

Her grip tightened slightly as she nodded. "Do you not want me to?"

Don't look at me like that.

I inhaled softly, taking in a deep breath. "It's fine," I said finally. "But let's focus on finding Eren before he gets himself into trouble."

Mikasa nodded but didn't let go.

As we walked, I glanced down at her again. The scarf Eren had given her was wrapped snugly around her neck, despite the general warmth today. It was clear she held onto it tightly, both physically and emotionally.

"You should try to befriend Eren," I said.  "He seems nice, and he gave you that scarf, didn't he?"

Her fingers brushed over the fabric at her neck, and she gave a small nod. "He did."

"It wouldn't hurt to try then, wouldn't it?"

"...Okay... Maybe."

"It's a yes or no question."

"Oh," she murmured, "Then yes."

Better than nothing.

For the next several minutes, we walked in relative silence. I let my eyes wander, taking in the layout of Shiganshina. It was quieter than I'd expected but not in a way that felt unnatural. People moved about their routines, chatting, laughing, and bartering.

"It's peaceful," I murmured, more to myself than her. "Everyone seems happy."

Mikasa looked up at me. "What's Wall Sina like?"

I considered the question for a moment. "It looks nice. Clean, organized." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "But you still have to work. It's not as perfect as people think."

She seemed to mull that over but didn't say anything else. Silence settled between us, broken only by the sound of our steps.

Ahead, we spotted Eren, standing on his tiptoes, scanning the area with an impatient look. Beside him stood a smaller boy with blonde hair cut into a bowl shape and wide, nervous blue eyes. I didn't need confirmation to know this was Armin.

His stance screamed apprehension as if he were unsure about being there at all.

Anxiety?

Eren spotted us first and waved frantically. "Finally! What took you so long?"

The blonde turned his head, his eyes darting between us before settling on Mikasa's scarf. His curiosity was obvious, though he didn't voice it.

"We're here now, aren't we?"

"Oh!" Eren grinned, gesturing to his friend. "This is Armin. He's super smart and loves books. Like, a lot."

Armin chuckled nervously at the introduction, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, hi..."

I decided to introduce myself first, offering a short nod. "Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Nice to meet you."

Mikasa stepped forward, also nodding, "Mikasa Ackerman. Nice to meet you."

I raised an eyebrow at her, but she avoided my gaze.

Don't tell me you're trying to copy me.

Armin blinked, clearly caught off guard by the formality. "Oh, um, I'm Armin Arlert. Nice to meet you too." His voice wavered slightly, but he managed a small smile.

Noticing the unease in his tone, I glanced at Eren.

"What exactly did you tell him about me?"

Eren beamed, completely unbothered by the question. "I told him you beat the crap outta some bad guys and me! It was super cool! Oh—" His eyes lit up, and he leaned forward eagerly. "Can you teach me how to fight?!"

I stared at him, unsure how to respond. Before I could form an answer, Mikasa tugged lightly on my sleeve.

"I want to learn too," she said, her tone firm despite its softness. "Teach me."

Kill me, please.

Eren turned to Armin, grinning. "You should join us, Armin!"

The blonde stepped back, waving his hands defensively. "Oh, no, no, I'm not... uh, fighting's not really my thing."

The beginnings of a headache stirred behind my eyes. At least Armin was reasonable.

"No," I said flatly, holding up a hand to preempt any further requests. "We're not doing this now."

"But—"

"We're here to tour Shiganshina, right?" I cut him off, redirecting the conversation.

Eren blinked, then smacked his forehead. "Oh yeah! How could I forget?!" He turned on his heel, already in motion. "There's this place that sells the best pastries—oh! You guys are gonna love it!"

I glanced at Mikasa, who looked curious, then back to Eren. "If you're talking about the shop near the main square, I think I know the one. I can buy something for us to share if you want."

Eren stopped mid-step, turning back to me with wide eyes. "Wait, really? Like a whole pie?!"

"You shouldn't be eating too much sugar, so maybe 3 slices for the 3 of you. That would be fine, right?"

Mikasa tilted her head slightly. "You'd do that?"

"If you kept it a secret from your parents, then yes."

Eren grinned, practically bouncing on his feet. "Alright! Let's go then as our first stop!"

As we started walking again, I caught a glimpse of Mikasa tugging her scarf a little tighter around her neck, a faint smile pulling at the corners of her lips. Armin chuckled softly, his nervousness fading while Eren launched into an excited rant about the pastries.

He really liked his mother's baked goods, huh?

...

...

...

The line at the pastry shop stretched out the door, which was annoying but gave me more time to think.

Eren and Armin were practically bouncing on their feet, craning their necks to peer at the display case inside. Their chatter blurred into background noise as I knelt next to Mikasa, who stood quietly by my side.

"What do you want?" I asked, keeping my tone low enough not to attract attention.

Her hands tugged at the scarf around her neck as she hesitated.

"I... I don't know. I've never had anything like this before."

"Then I'd recommend the strawberry pie slice. It's simple, and most people like it."

She blinked up at me, considering it for a moment before nodding slowly. "Okay."

I stood back up, glancing at the prices on the menu board. The pastries were surprisingly cheap in comparison to the ones in Wall Sina.

When it was finally our turn, I placed the order, paying for the kids without hesitation. I didn't get anything for myself, though; I wasn't particularly hungry, and watching them eat would be enough.

As we stepped away from the counter, Mikasa glanced at me. "Does it taste good?"

"It's a solid choice," I replied evenly.

Her gaze flicked to Eren and Armin, who were still debating over their options at the counter. "Are they getting it too?"

"You could use it as a way to make friends."

"How?"

I gestured toward the boys. "Offer them a bite. In return, you can try whatever they get. It's an easy way to start sharing things."

She tilted her head, mulling it over before a small 'oh' escaped her lips. Then, she turned her obsidian eyes back to me. "You're smart."

I resisted the urge to sigh. "Not really. Friends are important. They're nice to have and worth cherishing. This is nothing."

She stared at me a moment longer before nodding, clutching her pie slice like a tiny treasure.

Next, we found a table outside the shop, a modest wooden thing under the shade of a weathered awning. Mikasa sat next to Eren, who was already digging into a sticky cinnamon roll. Armin and I sat across from them, the blonde carefully nibbling on a cream-filled pastry that looked as delicate as a...

Wait is that a Twinky?

Mikasa's strawberry pie sat in front of her. She stared at it for a moment, the way one might study an unfamiliar object before slowly picking up her fork.

The kids were deep in conversation—Eren recounting some half-formed plan for exploring outside the Walls, like somehow finding an unlimited source of ODM Gear gas. Armin nervously chuckled at that absurd notion.

I stayed quiet, observing.

Eventually, I caught Mikasa's eye and gave her a small nod. She straightened slightly, gripping her fork a bit tighter as if steeling herself for battle. Then, awkwardly, she scooped up a small piece of pie and held it out toward Eren.

"Do you want to try some?" she asked.

Her voice was even, though there was a slight tremor of uncertainty. Plus, her hands were shaking.

Eren froze mid-bite, his cheeks puffed out comically around a mouthful of cinnamon roll.

He swallowed hastily, his face flushing pink. "W-Why? I mean, uh, are you sure? You don't have to—"

"It's fine," she interrupted blandly, pointing her fork slightly in my direction. "He said sharing food is a good way to make friends."

I felt my soul leave my body.

Eren's gaze snapped to me, wide-eyed. "You said that?!"

"It's practical advice," I muttered, resisting the urge to bury my face in my hands.

I'm never giving advice to children again.

Eren, still pink-faced, cautiously leaned forward and took the offered bite. "Uh, thanks. It's... it's good," he mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Mikasa turned to Armin next. "Do you want some too?"

Armin blinked, startled. "Oh! Uh, no, that's okay! I mean—thanks for offering!"

"Okay," Mikasa replied simply, returning to her pie.

Eren, apparently emboldened by the gesture, cut a small piece of his cinnamon roll and pushed it toward Mikasa. "Here, try this. It's amazing!"

"Thank you."

Armin, despite his earlier reluctance, eventually joined in. Mikasa then shared a piece of her pie with Armin in return, and the three of them quickly fell into an easy rhythm of swapping bites and flavours.

As Mikasa took another bite of Eren's cinnamon roll, I exhaled quietly. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't the worst way to spend the day, watching over these kids and making sure they...

"..."

"..."

"..."

Was it wrong to want whatever they're feeling all to myself and only to myself?

───

Eren had been bursting with energy all day, dragging us from place to place with Armin quietly chiming in to add bits of historical or local context. From the Military HQ at the heart of the district to the calm, shimmering river he proudly declared their new hangout spot, the entire day felt like an exhausting marathon of sightseeing.

Even Mikasa seemed to soften a bit, though she stuck close to my side. I could tell she was trying to absorb it all.

Now, it wasn't loud anymore—just the quiet sounds of footsteps on the dirt path and the occasional murmured word between us.

By the time we'd returned Armin to his grandfather's house, the sun was already leaning toward the horizon. The walk back to the Yeager household was quieter than before.

Everyone was tired, I could only assume.

Mikasa walked closer than usual, her head slightly bowed.

She murmured, barely audible, "Do you really have to go back?"

I glanced down at her. "I can't stay here forever. But I've already given Mr. and Mrs. Yeager my address. You can always write letters if you want to talk."

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Letters aren't the same."

"Then I'll visit when I can," I offered. "Every now and then."

"Every week?"

"Every two weeks," I countered, holding her gaze. "That's the best I can do."

Mikasa hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if you're lying..." She trailed off, before muttering, "I'm going to tell everyone about the pies."

Am I being blackmailed by a kid?

"I won't lie," I said, sighing heavily. "I'll see you in two weeks."

Satisfied—or as much as she could be—she stepped back.

Eren was less subdued. He stood in front of the door, arms crossed, a slight pout on his face. "You'll come back, right?"

He appeared more optimistic than doubtful.

"Of course."

"Then you have to teach me how to fight when you come back!" he declared.

From behind him, I could hear Carla groan, muttering something about her reckless son.

"We'll see..." I said, trying to keep things vague. I didn't want Carla Yeager chiding me about things like this at the moment.

"Mhm! You better!" That seemed to placate him for now.

Carla stepped forward then, her warm smile softening the moment. "You're a fine young man, Kiyotaka," she said. "Kids like Eren and Mikasa could learn a thing or two from someone like you."

Before I could respond, she pulled me into a hug. It wasn't something I was used to, and for a moment, I stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Slowly, I brought my arms up, patting her back awkwardly.

Please don't do this every time I come here. If I come back here, that is.

She pulled back and chuckled at my torment. "Not much for hugs, huh? Well, get used to them. You'll always have a place here."

I nodded, feeling a bit off-balance. "Thank you."

Grisha stepped forward next. "Take care of yourself, Kiyotaka. And thank you for looking out for these kids. You've done more than most would."

"It's nothing," I replied, my usual default response.

With one last wave, I turned towards the direction of my cart and started walking. Behind me, I could hear Eren shouting something about remembering his promise, Mikasa murmuring softly to herself, and Carla's voice carrying through the air, wishing me a safe journey.

What... nice people.

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Words: 4277

Author Notes:

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