This is gonna be two parts, at first it wasn't gonna end the way it is but that's sorta how it turned out.
Disclamer: I don't own the characters but a girl can dream right?
The color purple was a sad and beautiful color, Randel mused. His Lieutenant stood beside him on the grassy hill, hands on her hips, smile splayed on her noble features. 'My Lieutenant, huh? Only in my wildest dreams,' a small smile crept onto his face.
"Come Corporal! There's always more work for us to do!" Lieutenant Alice Malvin said. She seemed rather proud that this mission was just helping a town reclaim their farms from local bandits. Dirt was on her face, but it never bothered her. She was so strong, even though she was so small. Yet he, in his oversized body felt small and weak. Looking to his Lieutenant for strength, yet he also wanted to protect her. He rested his hand on the lantern, if he had to he would kill to protect his Lieutenant. He stood up and smiled at the woman, whom he had sworn to protect and always have her back.
"Sir, yes sir!" his smile was soft and he followed her in the dying colors of the sunset. Every time the sun set he had to part from the Lieutenant, that's why the color purple was a sad color for him. Yet its beauty was always perfect behind the small woman with golden hair and fierce blue eyes.
Taking his normal spot in the back of the car, his eyes lingered on his teammates. Martis took the driver's seat, Oreldo took the passenger seat, and usually that was the Lieutenant's seat. The Lieutenant sat beside him and let out a yawn. "Thanks Oreldo, I need the break," she stifled another yawn in her hand. Randel smiled as she closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep as the car rumbled forward. The vehicle jostled slightly and the weight of the Lieutenant fell on his arm. He stiffened, not wanting to wake the sleeping angel beside him. The look on her sleeping face was angelic, he would do anything to protect that.
Slowly opening his own weary eyes he felt soft warmth nuzzled into his side. Shock registered first, then the realization that he had wrapped his arm around her sunk in. He wasn't worthy of this, he was a monster and a murderer. As if responding to his negative thoughts the Lieutenant tried to bury herself further into his side. Swallowing hard he decided he better wake her now before the other… His eyes widened as he looked around, they were parked in the garage. Oreldo would never let him live this down, they definitely saw him with his arm around the Lieutenant. He was beyond dead. Cold sweat poured down his back, he gently lifted the arm from around her. A noise of displeasure escaped the small woman and he froze in place. Once he was sure he hadn't really disturbed her he gently shook her with the arm he just removed, "Lieutenant, Lieutenant. We're back already."
The small woman grumbled, detaching herself from his side and gently rubbing her eyes, "Randel? What time is it? Where are we?"
His heart stopped, the way his name sounded from her mouth was something he never even dreamed of. "We're back at the garage, we both fell asleep and the Warrant Officers left us here," he scratched he back of his neck, face flushing a light pink.
"Is that so?" the Lieutenant yawned. Stretching her stiff limbs, "Maybe I should just camp here overnight."
"That won't do!" Randel surprised himself by arguing with the Lieutenant.
Glazed blue eyes looked deep into his grey eyes. Shifting closer to him she wrapped her arms around him again. Immediately he stiffened, "Yet this is the most comfortable I have been in a while." He could feel her breathing evening out as she fell back to sleep. He held his breath, this was mildly confusing, did the Lieutenant feel that comfortable around him? "Go. Sleep. Randel," her sleepy voice mumbled quietly into his jacket.
"Sweet dreams," pausing unsure if he should say it, "Alice."
He woke feeling the full weight of the small Lieutenant on him. At some point while they slept they managed to get into a semi-laying position. Shifting he realized how close their faces were, her breath tickling his neck. He gulped, he would die, probably when those beautiful fierce eyes opened. The eyes in question began to open slowly and he closed his eyes and let his head lull to the side. A small groan escaped her and he had to suppress a shudder as her breath brushed across his neck once more.
"G'morning, Randel," her hand gently touched his cheek. "Sorry I made you put up with my selfishness," both her hands steadied her weight on his chest and he could feel her leaning towards him. He tried to keep his breathing steady but if she could feel his heart it would give him away. Her weight continued to shift forward despite his racing heart, and his heart stopped when he felt her lips gently brush his cheek. The sudden loss of her weight signaled that he should pretend to wake.
"Uhn," he groaned, moving as slow as his racing heart would allow. His back was sore, as were his legs, after all he couldn't really fit in the car with his height. Fully sitting up-right he looked at the Lieutenant, "Did I fall asleep in the vehicle? Sorry Ma'am."
She cleared her throat, "Corporal, I find it very inappropriate that you slept in the vehicle all night long." Her face still held a slight flush from her earlier actions but he paid it no mind. "Make sure you're on-time, you're already here, no reason to be late," she turned on her heels and walked stiffly away.
He took a moment to relax letting his racing heart resume it's normal rate. Slowly getting out of the vehicle he stood, brushed himself off and headed for the canteen. Normally he would be feeding his cats right now but if he left and came back he would be very, very tardy. Receiving the morning portion of his meals, he saw something he typically didn't see, the Lieutenant. A lot of soldiers ate breakfast at home, only the ones living in the barracks tended to eat in the canteen in the morning. Even he rarely ate in the canteen, skipping breakfast to instead feed his cats. Not once had he ever seen the Lieutenant's presence in the canteen in the morning. He gently set his tray beside her, if he sat beside her she wouldn't have to look at him, and he wouldn't have to look at her. It was hard enough that he remembered how soft and light her lips were upon his cheek. They both ate in silence and left in silence, he was too nervous to speak to the Lieutenant. Walking slightly behind the Lieutenant he was beginning to become mesmerized by the slight sway of her hips. Shaking his head in an attempt to clear it he continued to follow the small leader.
After everyone had left for the day it was just him and the Lieutenant. They always sat back to back, but today he was more aware of her presence then usual and barely got any of the paper work done. He was snapped out of his thoughts by the Lieutenant's hands slamming her hands on the desk. Swallowing instinctively he turned his head slightly, the Lieutenant was standing, both hands on the desk. His eyebrows shot up, her shoulders were shaking slightly, was she upset about something?
"Corporal!" her voice caused him to shoot out of his chair, it clattered to the floor causing him to wince. "I can't take it anymore!" her hands struck the desk again. She turned to look at him and he wanted to step away but he didn't dare. Her small hands gripped the front of his jacket and pulled down hard. He was shocked at her sudden aggressiveness, what had gotten into her? He shut his eyes thinking he was found out from this morning, bracing himself for the impact of her hand on his face. Instead his eyes shot open when he felt her soft lips on his.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed away from the smaller woman. "L-lieutenant? What's going on?" his own face was flushed, as was hers.
"What does it seem like Corporal?" the Lieutenant seemed on edge, like if she didn't figure out what she wanted she would break down or explode. She bit her bottom lip lightly, "I'm trying to figure out how I feel about you Corporal. I know this is wrong, but I need to know." He was taken aback by the look of determination in her eyes, directed solely at him.
"We can't do this here, if anyone… I don't want you to get in trouble," Randel stood and rubbed the back of his head. This seemed bad, or like a terrible prank. He was not worthy of the affections of this beautiful woman in front of him.
His words fell on deaf ears, she crossed her arms and stared at him, "Then let us go somewhere else. The sun is setting why don't you walk me home, you guys are always worrying about me correct?"
He swallowed hard, this had to be a very bad joke, "You're… Joking, right?"
She had already started for the door, "Do I seem like I am joking Corporal? Now come."
Wordlessly he followed her, unsure of how he should react. He admired the Lieutenant sure, but did he have deeper feelings for her? Her kisses did make his heart race, but that could easily be his inexperience with women.
Arriving at the Malvin mansion his heart stopped. There was no way they were going to let a lowly soldier into their home. He stopped at the front gate, "You're home now Lieutenant, I will be on my way."
"I came this far and you're coming with me," her hands wrapped around his wrist and pulled him towards the mansion. The grounds were bathed in the pink-purple light of the sunset, and again he thought it was a beautiful color but he felt a little sad, and a little excited. She dragged him straight through the front door, past the maids and straight up the stairs. Once she shut the door to what he thought was her room she slumped against the door. "How nerve wracking," she sighed quietly.
"Lieu-" he was cut off by her tugging on his jacket again. Her gentle lips pressed against his softly, making his heart race. The taste of her lips was sweet, and he leaned into the kiss hoping to taste more of that sweetness. She pushed him gently backwards, the feeling of the bed behind his knees made him fall onto it. "Uhm, are you-" she silenced him again with her mouth. Her hands fumbled with the front of his jacket. This time he pulled far enough back that she couldn't catch his mouth a third time, "What are you doing?"
"I want to see you," her voice was soft, yet demanding. Feather light her thumb ran down the scar on his chin.
Hesitating a moment, he nodded and shed his jacket. The holster for the Door Knocker would be a pain to remove with how nervous he felt. The Lieutenant seemed more than willing to help, her hands deftly removing the straps to his holster and ammo cuff. She gently placed his weapon and cuff on her bedside table next to a picture frame. Her own jacket was discarded and so was her shirt leaving her in just her skin tight black undershirt. He swallowed hard, his heart picking up speed again, she was amazing. Wearing a dress or just in her uniform the Lieutenant was stunning. He turned his gaze away from her, he wasn't worthy of her.
"Where do you think you're looking off to Randel Oland?" soft hands gently held his face and tried to turn it towards herself.
"You shouldn't sully yourself as such Lieutenant. I'm a monster, unworthy of your affections," he refused to look at the Lieutenant. His heart hurt saying those words, but he knew it was for the best. The best for her. Even if he felt love for the small woman it was for the best.
"Anyone that fought in the war believes them self a monster. It was kill or be killed. Now you have also dedicated your life to the war relief, have you not?" her voice was gentle, caring. Enough to make him want to cry.
His hand rested on the lantern, "I am a monster Lieu-" He stopped again, not because of her kisses but because of her hands. They nimbly unbuckled his belt and she gently pried the lantern away from him, "Stop… I told you not to-"
"Sully myself? Is that not for me to decide who does and doesn't sully my name or my body?" on the last word he stared at her slack-jawed. She took the opportunity to place the lantern beside the rest of his belongings. "Randel while you are here in my room, use my name. Rankings have no place here, and I chose to bring you here so social standings can also be pushed aside," she stood with a hand on her hip and a small smile on her lips.
She was so beautiful, and she was accepting him, even if she didn't know the extent of his past she was still accepting him. He reached out to her and she took a hold of his glove and pulled it off. She let it drop to the floor before taking his scarred hand into her own. She gently placed her hand on the side of his face and leaned in for another kiss.