Hello everyone! I am having an awesome holiday, with minimal access to wifi, but whenever I do get it? I have been getting wonderful reviews from you guys - shoutouts will be at the end. But thank you to EVERYONE who reads, follows, and favourites as well. You're all awesome, I hope it was worth the wait!

Disclaimer: I don't own Attack On Titan.

Enjoy!

P.S hope you appreciate the slightly longer than usual update ;) felt like giving some extra this time! More reviews really put me in a generous mood!


LEVI POV

The wagon begins to move and I stand there watching her turn around and flex her shoulders. She's readying for battle even now? I don't know how the brat is even standing, let alone thinking of fighting. I see the long streaks of blood that have already run down her back, leaking from the crystal husk she created to protect herself. That isn't Titan blood either, it would have evaporated by now. That's her. The real her. She wouldn't last like that, no matter how well she fought. The smell of the blood would surely lead the Titans to attacking that spot immediately. Even those idiots knew how to smell surely? I see her sinking further into the thicket and my chest aches again.

Leaving someone out here.

I'd already done that. We'd already lost Petra, Oluo, Gunter and Eld… did I really have to lose everyone? Did I have to accept inevitability every fucking time? I'd already fought with the decision of abandoning comrades, I'd fought with that decision for too many years.

No more.

I turn and shout over to Erwin, my patience all but gone. He rides closer, considering me with cold eyes. He looks displeased, but I will no longer obey his damned commands. I can't. Not now. Not this fucking time. I was done with that, and I knew if I didn't do this, I'd regret it. That wasn't something I'd ever allow myself.

"We can't leave her." I state, and he glances back and gives an almost sorry shake of his head. Cold bastard.

"There's no helping her now, Levi. She's too far gone."

"As a weapon she's useful, she's willing to fight."

"We can't be sure of that."

"You've seen her handiwork first-hand. She should be considered as helpful, a damn sight more so than that brat there." I say with my mask in place despite the growing distance. Erwin glances over the where Jeager lies, unconscious and tended to. "You know I'm right."

"I know you believe yourself to be right."

"We can't leave her here." I say through my teeth.

"I cannot waste more men."

"She's worth a thousand soldiers."

"She'll make it back to the wall if she can."

"No." I turn to the end of the wagon and get ready to launch, I wasn't wasting more time on his nonsense. I'd already done that for too long. Just hold on Alexia, I'm going to get you out of there, whether you fucking like it or not.

"Levi!" Erwin barks, and I pause momentarily. "This is an order, stay your blades and stay in this wagon. I repeat, this is an order!"

"You made me lead someone else out here to die, remember Erwin?" I say, turning to glare at him over my shoulder. I ignore the concerned looks of our subordinates as he glares right back. "I won't let you do it again."

"Levi—"

"We'll get back to the wall on our own. Leave a couple horses at the edge of the forest. We'll return as soon as able."

"You can't save her." He says in that infuriating tone, as though he can read me like a damn book. The worst part is he can, but I just hold the blades tighter. "Even if she does survive her injuries, she's lost."

"The hell are you talking about?"

"She did all that to save her comrades, your squad. As far as I'm aware you, her and Eren are all that made it. She's lost. You really think that woman, so stubborn, will come back from that? Her pride will break her."

"Look at your own damn pride Erwin, then judge. I've never seen someone get up from a beating like her. If I can fucking make it, so can she."

"You over estimate her."

"You underestimate everyone." I snap, "Three days, Erwin, four at max. I expect decent horses."

I fire off and head to where I can hear howls and thundering movements. Just hold on Alexia, just be the stubborn ass I know you as for a little longer. Don't you dare make me regret, don't you fucking dare.

She stands in amongst eight or nine Titans, their messy movements make it hard to tell, but there's clearly already bodies littering the clearing. She's fighting well, but steam is rising, they're already gnawing on her. Her shrieking howls cut into me. Just get her out you idiot, then you can panic. It's obvious she's wounded, and it's clear that she isn't going to last much longer.

"Alexia!" I shout, unsure of her reacting to any other name, and right now I don't want to use anything else. Her blazing eyes turn my way, and she gives a strangled wail. Is that pain? Or anger at me ignoring her putting me in that wagon. She shakes her head at me as she sinks to her knees, clawing at another enemy. Even now, whilst losing, she keeps attacking. I'd never seen such stubbornness. Except perhaps in myself, though even I had my limits. But still, she is losing in this. But I can't let this happen on my watch. Nothing takes her down, and I can't allow this to either.

Go on big-Bro we're counting on you!

I shudder at the memory and slice through napes like I would slice into my morning roll. I attack until all I can taste on my tongue is filthy steam. It rises sluggishly from the pile of bodies. But it's done at least. As the murk clears, I land on a branch and watch her as she sits upon her knees, holding herself up on her hands. Her body shudders all over. In pain? I assume so. Her back is completely covered in crimson, and the crystal bubbles at the edges. Titan blood has clearly started to pool inside.

Shit, was the idiot drowning in her own blood?!

But suddenly she's upright. The fuck is she doing? She begins to stagger away from the scene of destruction, growling all the while. Her pace is surprisingly strong, and I know I won't keep up, not without wasting all my gas. I latch onto her shoulder and hold on as she stumbles, grunting as her breathing cuts in and out of existence. This is useless.

"Stop! You need to fucking rest, idiot."

"T… TITANS… SC…. SCENT..." she chokes, eyes half lidded. I look back and see trees shift beyond the gravesite. Would they gather there? Or does she mean her scent? If she means the latter, this running made no sense. She was shedding so much blood, Titans within a thousand miles would smell her. I slap her shoulder with the flat of my blade, ignoring her hiss of objection.

"Get out of that nape. I'll get some distance between us and this useless thing." She hesitates, still lumbering on. "Dammit brat, that's an order."

She jolts to a stop and shivers violently.

I wonder if she remembers my previous order.

She was to survive, surely she could manage something so simple.

Insubordinate idiot wasn't about to break that order, she would survive.

Slowly she nods and braces against a tree. The heat flashes over her skin, and I wonder if it's melted the bottom of my damn boots. Nothing happens at first, and I'm about to attempt cutting her out myself, when finally something cracks. It's like bones splintering. I hoist myself round to the nape and wait, ready to catch her if the idiot toppled straight out. I won't let that happen, I can't lose anyone else.

Not out here.

Not today.

Not again.

The crystal falls away, and she finally she is revealed. Hanging there she gasps as the steaming liquid glugs away. Her eyes look at me, but I'm not sure she actually sees me. With her looking at me I feel formality return to my mind, despite the relief I feel to see her still mainly in one piece.

"Senefold? You conscious?"

"Kin…da…" she gulps with a half-assed smile.

"Idiot."

I hold onto her waist, and tug her out of the scalding mess of muscle. She has no fight left, body like a dolls as she lies limply in my arms. Her head lolls onto my shoulder, I look and almost wish I hadn't. The gash runs from her real nape to just above the small of her back. Damn, she was lucky not to be torn in half, and amazingly I see no damage to the bones. I tug again and she finally disconnects. I retract my wires, and we land upon a branch. I set her down and try to better wrap her cape around her.

"Oi, brat, stay awake if you can."

"Mm?"

"If you meant they'll swarm round that carcass down there, you need to hold on so I can get us out of here. You're too damn heavy to carry on my own."

"Yeshir…"

"What?" I ask, holding her chin up and waiting for her blown pupils to at least slightly focus on me. I need her to stay awake, she needs to make it. It takes a few attempts but she manages it, pausing for a moment as a confused look passes over her paled face as tears start to fall. Shit, don't do that, I can't deal with that.

"Yes…" she gulps thickly, "Sir."

I nod and hoist her up, she's wavering, barely able to stand. I take her arms and wrap them round my neck, she holds as tight as she can, and I just hope it's enough. I push her head to rest against the crook of my neck, hoping to minimise the turbulence on her injuries, as well as allowing me to know she was still breathing.

"Now where the fuck do I go…" I mutter looking around, she grumbles a little.

"S-south… clearing… giant… g-g… p-pale—"

"Giant pale oak?" I finish and she nods as she begins to shiver violently.

I know where she means, and I set off, conserving gas as possible whilst gaining a decent speed. She's like ice in my arms, and I can hear far off Titan movements, but we encounter nothing more than a few startled birds, and a deer down below. I can't believe she actually lived in this damn tree. We'd thought she might, but surmised it'd be too obvious. That instead she would go for something that blended in. I almost smile at the memory of that discussion; had we known of her obnoxious ways, and stubborn attitude, we'd have checked here for sure.

"Hnn…" she whimpers quietly, but it's barely audible. I can tell she's trying to stay quiet, and really I'm thankful for it. There's only so much I can deal with at once. The sensation of her blood seeping into my clothing is bad enough, it makes my skin crawl, and yet I'm more concerned by how much she's still losing. With that wound on her back it wasn't surprising, but there still being any left in her body was. She should be screaming in pain. Is it her nerves that she's clinging onto, or is it simply she can't cry because she's too damn weak to? For once I hope she's being a stubborn jackass.

Please?

Finally we reach the clearing. It's full of white flowers, and their perfume is incredibly strong. I wonder if that was why the Titans didn't seem to venture this far, maybe the perfume put them off. If so, she was a clever little shit.

"The tree's just ahead, Senefold, we're nearly there."

"Gnh…"

As she replies her grip loosens. Shit. I put extra gas into our progress, and see a small structure near the top of the tree. I vault up there, gripping her with one arm as she becomes limp again. Shit, I already told you, you're too damn heavy for that! It was a lie, but it still throws me off balance.

Landing in a heap I lay there with her on top of me as I try to catch my breath. That had been too close. I retract my wires and quickly lay her down. I'm hoping to see her looking up at me, scowling at me, or even smirking at my slightly panicked demeanour. But there's nothing but the blankness of sleep. Peaceful, and pale. Only I feel like this might be more severe than a nap. I tap her cheek but there's no response, come on you damn brat. I lift her gently and check the wound on her back, shuddering at the deepness of the cut. It's still bleeding though. So she still has a heartbeat somewhere, but as I feel at her neck I don't feel much.

"Dammit brat wake up."

Nothing.

My chest aches again, and I hiss at the sudden pain. Dammit you stupid bastard, keep it together. Panic isn't going to help her. I try to swallow the sensation clouding my mind. But it just stays there, fogging me as I see those faces again.

Eld.

Gunter.

Oluo.

Petra.

I push Alexia's dark hair back from her face. It had been so short when we found her, but it's softer now, laying against her cheekbones and across her eyes. I see my hand shake as I push the clammy locks back. She's somehow colder.

Don't add your name to the list.

Eld.

Gunter.

Oluo.

Petra.

Isabel.

Farlan.

Alexia, don't you fucking dare.

"Oi! Brat! How many times do I have to say it? Wake up!" I shake her shoulders roughly, "you're not going out too! Come on, not you! Nothing takes you down, nothing you hear? Wake up now!" I shake her again, slapping her cheek. Finally she gives small gasps, but they're strained, painful sounding. I get rid of her straps, and remove her gear as carefully and quickly as I can. I ignore my own heartbeat as it thunders in my ears.

"Come on, brat, come back! Wake up!"

I sit her up, still slapping her face to get a response. Her breathing seems a little less strained sat like this. I clench my teeth and grab the bag of supplies. Even if she did wake up, which she fucking would if I had anything to do with it, I couldn't let infection set in. Then it'd all be pointless. I pour some cleansing fluid onto rags and peel back what remains of her shirt. It's a fairly clean cut, but the fact I can see the bone turns my stomach a bit. I press the rag in, knowing it should sting like hell, and worried by her lacking flinches. That clearly isn't her being a stubborn asshole either. I press the rag a little harder; partially to push the serum deeper, and partly to get a response. My mind is full of images; of her defiant figure chained to the wall, of her laughing at me as I loomed over her in that cell.

Where was the fire now?

Where was the damn fight?!

I refuse the memories, feeling like they're a prelude to saying goodbye. Not again. I'm sick of saying goodbye. Or not getting the chance to. It seemed to be all I was capable of. I look up but can't see much through the thick canopy. I guess it acted as a decent roof, the brat had brains; that was for sure. But the sky is still there, clouding over with sunset.

"At least give me one… just one? One person… just… one damn it." I curse as I hold her to my chest for a moment, simply because I don't know what else to do. It was the damn Glasses that did this medical shit. I hadn't tended to stuff like this since… I could barely even remember. I shuffle her towards the trunk, and prop her there, putting my cape between her and the harsh bark. Still no more movement in either her chest, or lips. She's breathing, but only just. I tug at what remains of her uniform, but it's not much as she's covered in cuts. But I need to get the rest of her bound up. I need to at least fucking try. I use as many bandages as I can, binding everything I can see. But still I'm not sure it'll be enough.

"Come on woman. Keep fighting me." I shout at her. "Go on, you still want to kill me right? You want to crush the life out of me don't you?" I don't know why I'm raising my voice like this, all I'm doing is annoying some squirrels.

She stirs a little.

I shake her again.

I feel like time is slipping through my hands, and so I let go a little. She isn't awake anyway. She can't use it against me. I kneel by her side and pull her to my chest again, it felt oddly soothing to myself. I tangle a hand in her hair, and speak loud and clear. I'm clutching at straws, and her life is the only one left to grab.

"Come on, regenerate… heal… wake up and be an asshole. Just don't make me regret. Don't you dare do that to me, you fucking… you fucking… damn it Alex… please."

She groans a little, her head slightly moving against me. I grip her hair tighter, holding my breath. I hear her whimper again, and she tenses the tiniest bit. To the pain? To the cleansing fluid? To me holding her? I guess it doesn't matter, as long as she's waking up.

"Come on, brat. I know you can do it, you're too fucking stubborn not to."

"Mm… sd… ff." She hisses through clenched teeth. It sounds like she's still in a lot of pain, but at least that meant she was conscious. I lean her back, cradling her kind of. I continue to slap at her cheek, I wasn't about to let up now. Not when I was so damn close. I lean down and hear her breathing get less frantic. Though it was only slightly, it was something. She's warmer too I think. I feel the bandages I wound round her, they're a little damp and warm; Titan steam? Or more blood? I don't have the stomach to look.

"Cptn?" she mumbles, I jolt a little and look down, seeing her eyes scrunch in effort. I sit her up a little more, knowing she won't want to be cradled.

"I'm here brat, come on, open your eyes. That's an order."

"Srsly?" she frowns, and I fight the laugh that occurs to me in my onslaught of relief. When the hell was the last time I felt that? I can't even remember. But I stop myself. No. Right now she needs her Captain, not some chuckling idiot. The ache in my chest has lessened with each sign of life, of potential recovery but I try and deny that fact a little. She isn't affecting me that much.

Not at all.

She gasps and I hold tighter – shit maybe she was then.

"Try and stay calm, Senefold. We're safe up here, I got you to one of your old hovels. In the pale oak."

I'm only saying this to keep her heading for my voice, if that was what she was doing, and also to distract myself from the silence. Usually the quiet was something I welcomed, but right now it made my head hurt. I reason with myself determinedly; she's focusing, trying to get her healing into high gear. It takes concentration. That's why she's quiet. And yet with each passing second of silence, I feel that straw slip from my grasp.

Fuck I was pathetic.

I look around to distract myself, and feel a twinge of guilt for using the word 'hovel'. It had two floors, built with sturdy planks of wood. Clearly indicating she had stolen several axes over the years, not to mention building materials. But holy shit she'd put them to good use. I think most houses within the walls were in worse state than this, and it hadn't been lived in for months.

"You really were free…"

"Mm?" she mumbles as her head slumps against my shoulder. At first I panic, but as I see her sleeping face I calm myself, she needed to rest. At least she doesn't look in as much pain this way. Whether that was simply an advantage for me, or she genuinely didn't feel the pain as much in slumber, I couldn't be sure. But I had to get a fire going, or we'd both freeze for sure.

"Don't suppose you'd have fire supplies hidden somewhere up here?"

She shifts a little, presumably still hearing my voice. I edge away, leaning her back against the trunk so I can search out supplies. Considering the well-built manner of her base, her having a decent amount of supplies hidden up here seemed plausible.

The canopy shifts, and I can smell rain, but we're pretty sheltered here so I reckon it should pass over without issue. There's tonnes of little nooks and hidden cupboards, it's amazing she ever found anything. But fucking hell is she well stocked. I internally thank past Alexia for being so well organised. It made sense though, I guess she never knew when a day would bring injury, or illness, and it wasn't as if she had anyone else to rely on. Eventually I find wood and build it up in the small pit on the main level where I left her sleeping.

Her breathing has improved, though still hitching as she shifts in her sleep. Her expression is calm, though occasionally twitching in discomfort. I know the only thing I can do is get this fire going, although as I edge round to double check her bandages, I feel the heat coming off her. It's incredible. At first I think to try and bring her fever down. But then I remember what she is. Eren always ran hot after transforming, especially when it had been taxing, Mikasa had told us that much. I just hope that's what this is. Her bandages are pretty wet at this point, blotched with blood, but mainly it seems to be the result of her healing ability. She's getting paler though, that much is clear.

She's forcing her healing, pushing herself even now.

Fucking moron of a woman.

"Oi, brat." I say by her ear, she shifts a little, a small whimper escaping. "Stop forcing your healing, give yourself time you idiot. I got a fire going, and hopefully you have some food stashed here. Just let yourself heal, you idiot." I say, pushing her hair back again. She whimpers again, but a small smile appears momentarily as well. I pause, watching the way her lips relax again and continue to gasp at the chilled air.

I could do this.

I could manage to keep someone.

Couldn't I?

The fire is soon crackling away and I search out some food. During which I can't deny her resourcefulness. The woman could have lived up here for years without so much as lifting a finger beyond. This explained her infrequent supply trips. I glance to her sleeping form, so unguarded and seemingly at peace. What the hell had made her run from the walls? Why would she come out here alone? For all the splendour of her home, and well stocked cupboards, I couldn't help but notice the lonely nature of the world around us. And I had someone with me. Albeit unconscious, bleeding and on the edge of death. But still, how had she not gone raving mad?

"The hell were you running from?" I murmur as I grab a couple jars of preserved goods. There was some meat, and even some jam. It makes my nose wrinkle at the very thought of how long these had lingered, but they're unopened and would stop my stomachs angry churning. Plus the brat would need to eat once she finally woke up.

If she woke up.

I pause on the stairs between landings and watch her sleep.

No.

When she woke up.

I settle down next to her, able to hear her breathing. Having already eaten my share I attempt to sleep, seeing no point in fighting my exhaustion. She was sleeping soundly, and the Titans couldn't climb up here even if they did turn up. But as I listen to the whirl of the wind, and the gentle rustle of the leaves, the only other living creature I can hear is a few birds twittering and a couple rodents squeaking. Otherwise it's all quiet. She had it pretty good. I frown as I realise what we had taken from her.

I remember watching her approach the wall, readying the squad as we waited for her to make the climb. None of us knew what to expect, and in all honesty we were shitting it. Well aware of the possibility of her being the Colossal. It seemed stupid now. But at that point, it was the only real lead we had. And we'd struck out hard to attain it. I run my hand over the part of her leg that my wire pierced when she fell. At the time I'd been glad to cause some pain to the bitch we had to find, but now I just grit my teeth. I'd done awful things to her. Yet somehow she didn't seem to hate me, she'd even admitted to respecting me. I pull the cape over myself slightly, and glare at her sleeping face. The hell was this woman's brain like? She was a fucking maniac that was for sure.

I think I've slept a couple hours when she starts convulsing and wakes me up. At first I feel irritable, wondering why the hell some shitty-brat was interrupting my sleep. But then I remember where I am, and why the hell I'm there. I turn to her and see the pained expression on her face in the dying light of the fire, she's white as death and sweating buckets. Her eyes flicker about, and her mouth shifts as she mumbles incoherently. I reach out to touch her forehead, but I retract it, feeling how the heat radiates from her skin. This couldn't be good, even for a shifter. I put my arm around her, and shift her forward, she whimpers something but doesn't wake. I check her wound and am amazed to see it partially healed – but then I'm pissed. This was why she was sick, despite my telling her to stop forcing it. Idiot was going to kill herself through exhaustion at this rate.

"Fucking idiot…" I sigh, leaning her back against the trunk and begin walking around, looking for some kind of water source in the dim light. I needed cold water to bring that fever down, but it's not like there's a fucking tap.

"P-Petra…" she murmurs, head rolling from side to side. Shit. My stomach clenches and I slowly stagger back over to her, unsure of what I can do. Do I wake her? But she needed rest. Did it even count as rest if she was having a nightmare? I have no clue. I know I always felt exhausted after a nightmare, but mine were pretty intense. Then again, as her breathing becomes forced, I doubt this was a mild dream.

"Gunter… Eld!... Oluo… shit… shit! No!" she's suddenly screaming and I'll bet she just relived being used to kill Oluo. I shudder at the memory myself, the woman had tried so hard to save them, and yet… none of it had made a difference. I kneel down next to her and watch her squirm. I reach out and touch her shoulder gently.

"N-No! Petra don't!" she cries out through clenched teeth, breathing even more ragged than before, "Captain please… I-I didn't… I only wanted to h-help, please understand… shit… no!" her body convulses as though she was just kicked in the stomach, and I swallow hard. Dammit. We'd just fought an eighteen meter monster, who had massacred countless soldiers, and yet she still had nightmares about me. The ache in my chest returns with a vengeance.

"Alexia… I—"

"Please believe me! Please!" she screams and I cringe back from the harsh noise, and feel hollow as tears begin to seep from her scrunched eyes. Holy shit what had I done?

"I… I only wanted… to help… t-to…" she's calming down now as I run a hand through her hair, trying to ignore its shaking. "I saved you… right?" she sobs and goes rigid for a moment before her eyes snap open and she's staring right at me. Having been stroking her hair, and monitoring her breathing I'm very close, and her pupils focus a little as she stares, her breath held in as I stare back.

"You're safe Alexia, try and rest." I try to keep my voice even, but I'm not sure it works.

"Y-you're… not…"

"I'm not going to hurt you." I sigh and lean my forehead against hers, my chest pangs as she gives a small mumble of confusion. Could she really not believe that? Was I really such a monster?

"You're nt ddd…" she groans, leaning against me more with a frown, I try and hitch her up a little, not understanding her. I tap at her cheek gently, and she blinks slowly, sinking back into oblivion. "You're…"

"I'm what?" I ask, stopping my tapping and instead gently stroking against her cheekbone with my fingertips. This makes the ghost of a smile appear before it becomes the strained look again. "Come on brat, spit it out, I'm what?"

"Not… dead…" she groans, the smile flickering again, "At least I saved… someone… decent…" and then she goes limp. When she slumps forward I'm struck dumb, her head lands on my shoulder but I can't move. She was so relieved I was alive. For a moment the ache dims, but as I feel her breath against my throat it returns tenfold. The hell was this woman doing to me?

"Shit." I hiss, gently laying her back and making sure the cape was covering her. She's still shivering with a sheen of sweat on her, but her breathing has calmed down again. "Just get better?"

She had fooled us all.

She had fooled me.

And I really was a damn fool.


NORMAL POV

"Son-of-a-bitch!" I cry out as I feel my body burn. I look around and see a smouldering fire in the middle of my landing, at first I just groan and roll over, assuming I fell over in my last supply run. What a weird dream.

"Finally awake then?" the deep voice makes me jolt and sit up too fast, head spinning as I lean against the trunk panting a little.

"Fuck…"

"Take it easy, brat. You're in no state to move."

I guess it wasn't a dream after all. Everything really happened. I really did fuck it all up.

"Captain?" I whisper peering through my lashes gingerly, was he going to beat me? Lash me? Was I to be dragged back to the walls and chained up again? How the hell did we even get here? My head continues to spin. "How… d-did we get hr?"

"You don't even remember? Typical." He huffs, sitting down by me and shoving some jam and dried meat in my direction. I nibble, though can't take much. "I carried your heavy ass here. You've been out a day at most, but you were a fucking idiot and kept forcing your healing. Despite my orders." He adds with a shake of his head. I give a meek smile and shift a little to relieve the tension in my back.

"Apologies I guess… though really… nngh… really you should be thankful, the faster I heal, the less you have to put up with my whining… gah." I hiss between my teeth as pain slices at my nerves. My spine was still not fully healed, but it was only muscles torn and flesh, the bones were all right. Somehow. "I guess I owe you, again."

"You don't owe me anything." He says a little coldly, getting up and brushing down his trousers. I look at the fire and frown, the echoes of death ringing in my ears as I see the Squad laid out in corpses.

"They really all died didn't they?"

"A lot more would have without your intervention, so don't go wallowing." He walks away for a moment, to reappear with logs that he feeds to the fire. I watch him work, his eyes focused on the flames.

"Why…" I draw carefully on my breath, ribs burning dully. At my hesitation he turns his head to me slightly, quick eyes watchful. "Why the hell are you here Captain?"

"Is that what you call gratitude?" he scoffs, finishing his work with the fire.

"I left you on the w-wagon… and now y-you're here… what the hell were you thinking?" I murmur, holding my ribs steady as they seize. He sees my action and frowns a little.

"You're a worthwhile ally. I mean, you're a lying piece of shit, but still… a lot more of my regiment would have died to that bitch had you not intervened."

"I guess…" I bite my lip, refusing the tears.

"I didn't fancy leaving someone else out here either."

"So I still count as human?" I laugh with a shake of my head, he frowns again, "Didn't see that coming."

"Of course you're still human, you idiot."

"Calling me an idiot now? My, my, that g-gratitude for saving some asses was short lived wasn't it?" I try to sit up, but just fall back down. "Fuck… this is… annoying."

"It's called healing." He says sitting down next to me.

"Oh and I'm sure… you make a great patient." I raise a brow at him and he just rolls his eyes, I know I'm right though. "Do you know if the rest got out?"

"Don't see why they wouldn't, your damn heroics saw to that."

"Now they're damn heroics… shit things are turning round quick." I rasp closing my eyes. "I-I…" I groan and cling to his arm suddenly, tears falling from my eyes as the pain mounts beyond my ability to mask it. Especially when this weak. "Shit sorry… gah…"

"Just breathe, Senefold… just breathe." He soothes as I suck in a quick breath, unable to fully catch it. "Focus, Alexia. Now."

"Yeshir…" I gulp, eyes rolling back with the agony. I'm sure my grip on his arm is painful, but he doesn't mention it. His kindness is unnerving to me but I just wait. I feel fucking helpless. I wonder how long his patience can hold out.

"All right, brat just breathe. In and out, even you can manage that."

"Shut up." I cough slapping at his arm, flinching a little when he gives a chuckle. "Why is it… you're being so nice? It's a bit… unnerving."

"I'm not." He snorts, still not taking back his arm from my grasp. "It's like I said, I'm getting sick of leaving people out here."

"Glad to know I count as people." I wheeze, and he tugs the cape closer round me. As far as I was aware, this counted as nice. So he could take those refusals and shove them back up his arse.

"We already covered that, brat. You're human."

"There's a difference… b-between people and human"

"The hell are you talking about now?"

"A human is a basic biological make-up of cells…" I cringe at a surge of pain, before licking my lips and continuing, eyes still closed. "A person, or people, is someone with a personality worth knowing. At least… that's how it works in my book."

"You sound like Glasses."

"I'll take that as a… c-compliment."

"Take it how you like." He shrugs, looking round at my home with something close to being impressed. "You had it pretty good here didn't you?"

"Wasn't b-bad…" I breathe, the world whirs a little with the pain. "By the way… I'm S-sorry…"

"What the hell are you apologising for? If you can talk, you can fucking survive. Got it?"

I find it interesting he thinks I'd be apologising for dying. There was a time when he'd have revelled in such an idea. It felt like a lifetime ago his boot had been so overly attached to my stomach. We had come a long way it seemed. But that isn't why I'm apologising. I smile a little and look at him with tired eyes.

"Yes… sir." I watch his frown deepen, a hand prodding at his chest. "Did you get injured?"

"That's sir for the time being, brat." He says with a quick glance my way, his hand immediately dropping away from his chest. I shrug a little at his reaction.

"No need… to get… pissy…" I gasp as my ribs flare. "When I said sorry… I meant… nngh…"

"Just stay calm, cadet. I've had enough dramatics from you."

"I…" I swallow hard and look him straight in the eye, which makes me feel a little cold. "I meant… sorry about the freedom." It's really starting to annoy me, the way my breathing is still ragged. But I was clearly on the mend, it was all progress. I can't quite keep the guilt from my look, being here was kind of rubbing it all in his face. I still didn't know who he had lost, and yet right now it was being underlined that I had survived out here so well.

"Never apologise for freedom." He finally says after a long pause, and I see something odd in his eyes as he sits there so close to me. I can't even begin to understand it. I shift uneasily beneath his gaze.

"I never… I never earned it."

"I think you're making up for that now," he throws a random twig into the flames and glances down at my arm which he has bound up. "Don't you?"

"N-not really." I shiver a little and tug the cape closer, he lays a hand to my forehead and sighs, shifting closer to me and pulling the cape over himself as well. It's remarkable how warm he is, I don't bother resisting to rest my head on his shoulder. I expect him to shrug me off, or make some curt remark, but he doesn't, in fact I feel him shift closer.

"It's better to keep you warm, you troublesome brat."

"Apologies again, sir." I mumble a little sleepily.

"At least you shifters seem to heal fast."

"Thought you were complaining about that before… no?"

"Only when you were causing yourself over-exertion..." he prods at his chest again.

"Figured it was better than making you linger… I already let the Squad die… least I can do is try and get you home sooner, rather than later." He turns to me a little more, and I just shy away from the heat of his glare.

"They fought well, they don't need your babysitting."

"Seems so judging by their continued survival." I sigh tiredly, eyes warming a little. I am wearied by this world. I am wearied by humans and their messy society. He tenses, but just sighs along with me.

"You tried, that is effort enough in my book."

"Oh really? Seems like a complete failure to me…"

"I think you're being a little harsh, don't you? Idiot." He says, and I chuckle at him coarsely, small coughs littered in between. "Laughing at your Captain, bold move, brat."

"I'm being harsh." I repeat, voice catching still. "What a way for… the tables to turn…"

"They seem to be doing that a lot lately." He murmurs, glancing my way with a frown again. I groan and raise my hand to prod his cheek. He leans away, but doesn't shrug me off. Something isn't right here. Something is weird. I prod his cheek again and he takes a deep breath through the nose.

"Hey… Captain?"

"Yes, brat?" he says quietly, through his teeth and I prod his cheek a third time. "Stop that."

"You're acting… strange." I flinched a little, but took note of his quick eyes scanning over me. Yup, something was going on.

"Says the woman prodding her superior officer in the face? Right… makes sense." He slaps my hand away when I reach over again. "And what the hell are you talking about?"

I stare up at him and his eyes narrow, I wonder if I'm being a complete idiot here. It's entirely likely, and possibly partially down to my blood loss. But his kindness is almost seeming like affection. Actual affection, perhaps beyond that of a comrade. Plus if I was wrong, and made a tit of myself, what was the worst that'd happen? He'd smirk at me and call me a fool? I'd had worse. And judging from my progress on the recovery front, I'd likely have worse again.

I slowly reach round to his other cheek and gently pull, and whilst I expected him to get annoyed and move away, he doesn't. In fact, he lets me do as I wish, turning his head to me and meeting my gaze. I still can't read those pale eyes of his, but I know what it means when his pulse quickens. The way my head is lain against him, I can hear it pick up as my fingers make their way round to run along his bottom lip. By the time I lean up till our lips are only an instant apart, with my hand having slipping down to rest against his throat, I feel like his heart is doing a hundred yard dash. Holy shit I wasn't wrong was I?

But I don't get to question it any longer.

He presses his lips to mine, and I watch his eyes slide closed, and allow mine to do the same. One of his hands reaches up to cover mine against his neck, and the other tangles into my hair, gently pulling me closer. I have no idea why this is happening, or even how. But I can't deny it feels good. No, it feels amazing. I edge closer, and shiver as I feel his tongue caress my lips, nervously asking for permission. I part my lips and meet him halfway, sighing slightly at the tingling sensation. Soon enough he gives a small sigh of content as well, a slight groan to the noise as he squeezes my hand and I tilt my head to deepen the kiss. All I can hear is my pounding heartbeat, and our shared ragged breath.

I don't know how long we sit there, but eventually we break apart.

I stare at him, and he stares at me.

The silence is heavy, but not entirely uncomfortable.

"Um…" I start, and he just continues to stare, seemingly unable to do anything else. Maybe he's in shock? Oh god, maybe he's having a stroke? Nah… I'm over reacting. He's just not sure how to react to human contact? Seemed the most likely. "So… that happened…"

"It did." He says a little huskily, and I hate the fact my body shivers at that. It's not an unpleasant sensation, but I don't enjoy being affected by him like that. For a long time I'd wondered if I felt something for him, but thus far I had managed to deny it. Humans were messy, but emotional connection was as messy as it got. Especially when with a man who had previously beaten me to a pulp and tormented me to the point of despair. Even for me that was a little twisted, and yet I remained glued to the spot, heart in my mouth as my body leans into him. Logic? Logic where the fuck did you go?

I frown at him and prod his cheek again, this time he smirks a little.

"So what exactly… was that?" I ask, watching the way his pale eyes soften.

"I know you lived on your own for ten years but—"

"You're gonna choose now to be a sassy bitch?"

"Following your lead." He murmurs leaning in and catching my lips again.

Humans were messy.

But it would seem that us two were a fucking catastrophe.


Thank you all for reading, THE PAIRING FINALLY HAPPENED! Well... kind of ;) a sneaky preview if you will!

All of you that reviewed are AWESOME for doing so. Really you have all just made my day every single time, I can't believe you guys like this so much, and I'm just so very grateful that you do!

LynnStark (so glad to have you back! Sorry for more feels.)

Ashnic (Apologies for causing such havoc with your life, but hey, new update now! Yay?)

Booklover4ever (Thanks, I am so mean for cliffhangers I know)

anime goddess (i honestly dunno if that was a positive or negative review, but thanks all the same! haha!)

XBeccaX (Wow, thank you so so so! much for your review, long reviews like that really do just strike me breathless. Thank you so much, I am very glad you have got so into this, and are really getting her character! I hope the story continues to please!)

Gracexxxx (I feel like I should supply tissues? Sorry!)

(Thanks for your review, and your welcome for the payback, haha! And thanks for the rating :) )

Freyja (apologies for making you cry! And thank you so much for your review/continued support :D means the world)

Guest (stay tuned, plenty more to come!)