The barracks were quieter than usual.
A few days had passed since Mikasa's midnight visit. Annie had kept to herself, training hard but with a gnawing tension still lingering in her chest. Every time she closed her eyes, she could feel Mikasa's presence. Not the touch — not yet. But the weight. The threat. The promise.
The storm had passed, and the mission was close — everyone was preparing. Gear was being checked, supplies accounted for, but Annie didn't participate in the idle chatter. It didn't matter. No one here could really understand what was happening.
Or, at least, that's what she told herself.
"Annie."
She didn't need to look up.
"I thought you'd be more focused," Mikasa said, standing in the doorway, her voice carrying an edge. "You're staring at your gear like it's going to get up and walk itself out there."
Annie's eyes flicked over her shoulder, barely acknowledging Mikasa's words. "I'm fine."
"Good. Because I'll be expecting you to stay out of trouble tomorrow."
Annie smirked bitterly. "You think you can stop me?"
Mikasa didn't answer. Her eyes narrowed in that way Annie had come to hate — the way she measured, calculated, and silently judged. The way Mikasa always thought she was one step ahead.
"Don't let your arrogance get the better of you," Mikasa finally said, stepping forward, her boots quiet on the wooden floor. She leaned in just enough to close the distance between them, her presence suffocating.
Annie held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, then stood abruptly, walking past her without another word.
As she passed, Mikasa's hand reached out, brushing against the back of her arm — a simple touch, but it burned. The sensation lingered, the heat radiating into her skin. It wasn't a gesture of care or warning — it was command. And Annie hated how much it affected her.
---
Later that night, as the moon dipped low, the barracks were half-empty.
Some were already asleep. Others were sharpening blades, mentally preparing for the mission ahead. Annie sat in a corner of the room, half-listening to the low murmurs.
Then came a voice she wasn't expecting.
"Hey, Annie."
She looked up to find Sasha, her eyes bright with mischief. Behind her, Connie stood awkwardly, as if he'd been dragged into a conversation he didn't want to have.
"What is it, Sasha?"
"Are you okay? You've been looking pretty intense lately." Sasha's tone was playful, but there was a hint of concern. "Something on your mind?"
Annie narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I'm fine."
Connie shifted uncomfortably beside Sasha. "You've been, uh... acting different. Lately."
Annie's breath quickened — not out of fear, but frustration. She could feel their eyes on her, their silent judgment. It was as though they could see through her, see the thing she was trying so desperately to keep buried.
"Different?" she asked, her voice sharp.
Sasha's smile faltered. "Yeah. I don't know. You've been—" she hesitated, glancing at Connie for support. "You've been pretty cold. And, uh... you've been spending a lot of time with Mikasa. I mean, more than usual, right?"
Annie froze.
It didn't take much to piece it together. There were rumors — whispers in the hallways. Some soldiers were smart enough to notice the strange shifts, even if they didn't know exactly what was going on. Sasha, in her usual way, was just bold enough to voice it.
Connie cleared his throat. "I'm just saying... Mikasa's pretty... intense. You should watch yourself."
Annie's chest tightened. "I'm fine. I don't need advice from you."
Sasha took a step back, clearly not expecting the hostility in Annie's voice. "Okay, okay... just wanted to check in. You've been... distant."
"Thanks for the concern," Annie said flatly, turning away from them both.
Sasha's eyes followed her, but she didn't press. Connie glanced once more at Annie before they both retreated, leaving her alone with the dull buzzing of her thoughts.
---
Later that night, the mission had come, and the soldiers were gathered for final instructions.
Mikasa stood at the front, her usual calm and authoritative presence commanding the room. As the group prepared, Annie felt Mikasa's gaze on her — sharp, calculated, like she was studying every movement Annie made. It should've been uncomfortable. It should've made her want to leave the room, but instead, it made her stay rooted to the spot.
Her heart beat heavier with each passing second.
When Mikasa spoke, her voice cut through the room. "Everyone needs to stay focused. Don't get reckless out there. Follow orders. And for those who still think they can go off-script—"
Her eyes flicked toward Annie.
Annie met her gaze, unwilling to look away.
Mikasa's lips tightened, a fraction of a smile flickering at the corners.
Then, she turned to give the rest of her instructions.
Annie didn't look away, even as the others around her began to gather their things. She didn't care what they thought. What mattered was the way Mikasa watched her — like a predator, always assessing, always waiting.
And Annie realized, for the first time, that it wasn't just Mikasa testing her.
Annie had been testing Mikasa too.
But Mikasa was winning.