Mikasa Ackerman

The rubble still smoldered in the destroyed village. There were traces of blood among the stones, but no titans in sight. It was strange. Suspicious.

Mikasa: Don't let your guard down — Levi said in that dry tone that seemed carved from stone —. This smells bad.

Mikasa wasn't really listening. Her attention was on Cid, who had moved only a few meters away, examining a fallen structure. Just a few meters. But for her, that was already too much.

Mikasa: "[Your name]!, get away from there"—she ordered, not shouting, but with a sharpness in her voice that was enough to make everyone look at her.

"I'm fine. I'm just checking for signs of a struggle," he replied calmly, without turning around completely.

She was already walking towards him.

Mikasa: "I told you to stay back. You don't know if there are gas remnants, or traps, or a sleeping titan."

Mikasa: "And that's enough for something to happen."

He stood right in front of her, barely a foot closer than necessary. Between them, the tension was like a taut wire. Armin, in the distance, lowered his gaze with a mixture of understanding and concern.

Armin: He's doing it again — he muttered.

Jean: "What?" Jean asked, adjusting his equipment.

Armin: He's overprotecting him. Like with Eren. But… this is different.

Jean: Different how?

Armin thought for a second.

Armin: With Eren, it was like his Ackerman instinct kicked in. Something internal, inevitable. But with him... it seems he's afraid. Not of losing a battle. But of losing him, as a person.

Jean clicked his tongue.

Jean: He can't go on like this. In this world, you can't love someone without risking them. If he keeps squeezing him so tight, he'll end up suffocating him.

Mikasa remained calmly by your side, making sure nothing bad happened to you.

You might be one of the strongest soldiers. But Mikasa, the woman who secretly loves you with all her heart, won't let anything bad happen to you.

Mikasa: "Stay by my side." She ordered again.