Her eyes fluttered open ever so slowly, at first everything was a messy blur. Historia could make out smears of colors and blobs of shapes. She didn't know how long it took her mind to register in her disoriented state but once it did, the familiarity of it made her foggy mind think of one word.

Hospital.

Historia wondered for the briefest of moments why she was there. The overwhelming mist of exhaustion kept her from comprehending anything more than what she saw. What she stared at.

White walls. Bright lights. A thin pale sheet. An iv trailed alongside the inside of her arm. The monitor, beside her hospital bed, beeped distantly and faintly. A muffled noise. And then there was….Ymir?

The thought of the woman sparked something in her. The blond opened her mouth to attempt saying the name aloud. The name tumbled out of her mouth sloppily due to her current state. Thankfully, the pathetic noise was enough to wake the brunette as she dozed uneasily on a chair by the window of her hospital room.

Quickly, the freckled woman stood up with wide eyes. She made her way to Historia's side in one swift side and crouched down to peer at those glazed ocean eyes. It was like a frost took over the blond. The tired woman felt a chill in her bones. She stared absentmindedly at Ymir, so confused but unable to manage an appropriate sentence in able to communicate with a stranger she had a connection with.

"You've been asleep for a while...you're in the hospital," The brunette's voice sounded as if it were far away. So far. Historia wished it was closer.

"Wha...what happen...ed…?" The question sputtered out in a sluggish rasp.

Her gold eyes stared deeply into her blue ones. For one hesitant moment, the woman didn't speak. Then, reaching forward, Ymir grabbed one of her frigid hands and squeezed it. "I don't know."

If she didn't know, then did Historia have the answers? She tried to recall a memory. Anything but she couldn't think of anything through the grogginess. Almost as if she didn't have any memories at all. Everything was blank. And she was just….tired. Oh so tired. Her eyelids dropped and the comfort of sleep called towards her. She welcomed it and feel deep into the abyss of unconsciousness.

Dark.

Dark.

Dark.

Then light.

When she opened her eyes again, the sunlight filtered onto her face. She twitched for a moment, unwilling to move but then shifted her head. She looked around for a moment, noticing the room was empty. Historia wasn't bothered for a few seconds until everything flooded back into her mind. Every memory she had. What she went through. What she endured. What she escaped. What she did. How she got here.

Her shoulders slumped wearily and tears started to form at the corners of her eyes. Every bad thing toppled over themselves, trying to attack both her mind and heart with sharp daggers. The pain. She felt it. Emotionally and physically. The aching. The sadness. The stiff limbs. The frustration. Everything he did to her was still here. On her arms, the red angry marks around her neck, on the side of her torso. And yet, even though she was in such a position, she remembered that he fled. He left. Like a coward. Ever so slightly, she felt a little better.

"Historia!"

The mentioned blond looked up, directing her head towards the door of her room. There, she stood. Ymir. Looking more alive than ever before. Seeing her that way made Historia feel good. It was more satisfying than knowing Porco was gone. The brunette, despite the concern that made her eyebrows knit together, appeared healthier and more energized compared to when she first met her. Since the last time she saw her. When was that? How long ago was the night? The night where she fled from Sasha and Ymir with no explanation?

"You're awake," She made her way towards the blond with relief. With a crooked, slightly awkward, grin, she added, "Good Afternoon."

"Afternoon?" Historia echoed. She glanced over at the window, noticing the blinds were slightly opened. The sunlight that crawled through was definitely not morning light. Historia placed a hand on her forehead. "How long was I out for?"

Ymir's eyes mimicked hers, looking at the window briefly. Then, turning her attention back to the blond, she said, "A little more than a day, not counting last time when you woke up for a short minute. How do you feel?"

"I feel better than before," Historia replied honestly, looking into those golden orbs. She liked the way they appeared. Determination laid within the depths with a small ounce of desperation. Almost like a hunger that wouldn't be satisfied until she achieved her desired goal. The blond wanted to ask about it. She wondered what happened to make the brunette have a sudden drive. A will. She looked so much healthier and not as tired. "What about you?"

"I don't think that matters right now," Ymir chuckled dryly. "I am not the one in the hospital bed." She paused, her gaze drifting away. She bit her lip, implying there was something she wanted to say. Whatever it was, the brunette didn't state or ask. Instead, she straightened herself and cleared her throat. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

The woman felt her stomach clench at the thought of food. Sudden nausea surprised her for a moment and she had to swallow the bile that formed in her throat. "No," The blond shook her head. "I don't think I could handle food right now, but water would be nice."

"Water, got it," Ymir snapped her fingers and started to head out the door. Then stopping in her tracks, she looked back and asked for clarification, "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"

"I am fine," Historia replied, trying to reassure the brunette. "But thank you."

"Uh, no problemo, I'll be back."

"You will be back," The blond echoed as the freckled woman left the room. She couldn't help but smile to herself. She's a dork. Historia hardly knew anything about Ymir but she felt drawn to her. She was a comforting presence to have around. Her serious demeanor hardly drew Historia away. She just wanted to know her even more. Experience all the emotions that the brunette had to offer.

Unconsciously, her fingers curled and clenched onto the thin sheet beneath her. When she noticed, she raised her hand up and examined her palm. Warmth was on the edge of her fingertips and creeping ever so slowly throughout her body. A part of her felt free. A heavy weight was missing and she knew it was because of her newfound freedom. It didn't mean she was completely healed though. She knew it would take a long time before she would actually be fine. The blond being self-aware of this made her feel slightly comforted. At least she wasn't completely fucked up. Despite the scars and memories she would carry from a man who didn't love her. Or the fact that she was always isolated and trapped. There was a nervous anxious feeling spawning inside her and she felt like she was going to throw up. Even though there was a relief, she felt extremely stressed and overwhelmed after everything that happened. She didn't want to think about it but it was so recent and fresh. It was hard not to.

From this point on, things will be different. The blond sighed, feeling tired. She wanted to sleep. She didn't have to think about anything when she slept. Well even if there was that, she was also genuinely tired. She usually was an uneasy sleeper and was easily woken. Even if she had already slept for more than 24 hours, at least from what Ymir said.

Speaking of the brunette, she walked in with two bottles of water and a nurse. The nurse was a thin woman with short cherry brown hair. The two of them walked to Historia's bedside. Ymir placed the bottled water by the small table stand and jerked a thumb over her shoulder, "I'll give you two some privacy and wait outside."

Historia wanted to say, "You don't have to" but the words never managed to form. Something pulled at her, telling her it would be better off she was outside the room for a bit. She didn't think it would be appropriate either considering their relationship was still new. Relationship. Her heart skipped a beat, knowing that their status was of questionable friendship. She wasn't even sure if there was a correct label between them but the idea of having Ymir as a friend wasn't a displeasing one.

"Hello Historia, my name is Nifa," The nurse looked around the same age as her. Her eyes were bright gold and she offered a friendly smile. "I am just here to ask a few questions and check up on your vitals."

"Oh, okay," Historia nodded slowly. The nurse took up the bottle of water that rested beside the hospital bed and offered it to the blond. She took it with gratitude.

"I'll have to say, you're admission process was a little difficult," Nifa commented as she watched Historia drink the entire bottle. There was a shadow of concern that covered her face as she spoke. "Your friend helped as much as she could, though." Nifa took the bottle and disposed of it after Historia finished. Her eyebrows knitted together. "Before I ask any questions, I would like to inform you that you collapsed due to malnutrition. You currently don't have enough nutrients in your body and you are dangerously underweight."

Historia didn't feel it until now but she realized how small she felt in her hospital gown. Her fingers fiddled with the plastic bracelet that was around her wrist which was placed when she was unconscious. The blond bit her lip.

The questioning process made her anxious and there were times when Nifa sent her suspicious looks. Historia did her best to answer her questions and she was relieved when the question of how she ended up in this position wasn't asked. Nifa then proceeded to check her treatment, heart rate, blood pressure and more. After the procedure finished, the nurse gave a small gentle smile and nodded. "You have bruised ribs and as stated previously, you are malnourished. The healing process will take a couple of weeks but it will go by in no time."

"How long do I have to stay here?" Historia isn't sure why she asked. She knew there was nothing waiting at home and she wasn't sure if she would know what to do with herself after...everything.

"The doctor will give you the official date when he comes to talk to you," Nifa informed. "But my guess is no more than two weeks. As long as you are eating, exercising and resting properly, you will recover."

After everything, she would finally have time to recover. Recover both physically and mentally. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. Once Nifa left, Ymir walked in. As the brunette neared her, Historia spoke. "She said that it might be two weeks before I get out."

The freckled individual looked at the woman, scratching the nape of her neck. With hesitance, she asked, "Does your family know about what happened?"

The blond froze, inwardly cringing. When Nifa asked if there was anyone they would be able to call, Historia had told her no. It was a sad truth. She hadn't heard from her father in forever. The aunt who raised her for a few years was halfway across the world, the last time she heard, and Historia wasn't sure she cared enough to come see her. She knew of her older sister, Freida, but didn't know her number and hadn't talked to her since she married Porco. When she thought about it, the only person who was closest to her was Ymir. And the brunette hardly knew her…..

"No," Historia replied honestly, looking at Ymir. And then with a shaky and emotional voice, she looked down at her lap and confessed. "You're the only one…." The way she said those words left an open meaning. The small blond didn't know any other way to say it. Ymir was the only one for a lot of things that she couldn't list in one breath. More importantly, Historia felt as if Ymir was the only one that cared. Weary and exhausted, the woman felt tears form at the edge of her eyes. A storm of emotions hitting her. She shuddered.

Unexpectedly, she felt a hand on her shoulder and the blond tilted her head to look at the only other person in the room. Ymir stared back at her with her eyes heavy with unspoken feelings. It felt like an eternity. The two of them just looking at each other as one cried silently.

One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. Three heartbeats. And then she leaned in.

Ymir wrapped her arms around Historia, gripping her in a comforting embrace.

Historia felt herself come undone.

At least this time, she felt safe.

She felt loved.