Chapter Summary

Nothing too crazy. Just trying to get a good feel on writing these two.
I want to stay as close to their characters as possible. Please pay attention to whose point of view everything is written in!

Historia

A crown of gold danced along the warm gentle breeze, the sound of rushing water from the fountain filled the silence in the garden Historia usually ran to find some peace of mind. Sitting upon a bench, hands perfectly placed on her lap with her posture straight – blue irises weighed with sorrow.

A heavy sigh would escape her just as she went to tuck her hair behind her right ear. Being queen wasn't all power and glory – no, it was mostly lonely. – She thought to herself. The different colored lilacs surrounding her filled the area with a sweet natural scent, one she used to take in after a long day. But now, nothing seemed to please her anymore.

This was her fight for humanity; her mission. Then why did she yearn to be out there with her comrades instead? A ruffle in the bushes broke her train of thought, a startled expression replacing her once solemn one. Glancing around she called out,

"…Hello?" Again she heard a noise but this time from a completely different spot. A chill traveled down her spine, forcing her to her feet in apprehension.

"…Who's there?!" She demanded firmly this time. No one dared to tread within her garden without permission. Realizing this, she started backing up toward the exit, keeping a close eye on the two spots she heard noises from. A shadow darted swiftly from her blind spot and just as she went to turn and face the figure, he was met with a harsh knee to the head; sending him flying. With her heart racing, she watched as Levi caught his footing and waited for a moment to make sure the attacker wouldn't rise again.

"…Captain Levi?!" She cried out in confusion before looking at the guy he took down dressed as a common criminal; bandana covering the face and in all black clothing. She stumbled back a step, head becoming dizzy as she tried to process the entire situation.

"…Wha…?" All she could force out. As Levi turned to face her, she watched in horror as his aloof face quickly became distorted in distress as he jumped forward and yelled,

"Historia!"

"…"

"Historia." Faintly, a voice called out through the darkness.

"Hey, wake up."

Who's calling me? She thought.

"Hey!"

Gingerly, azure irises peeked from behind eyelids weighed with exhaustion, her vision a bit dazed until Levi's face became apparent. It was then she finally heard him yelling her name. She winced in discomfort as she adjusted her back off of the bumpy wood she leaned against the entire time she was sleeping.

How long was I sleeping for? Curiously she looked around to see if it was still light outside.

" You slept pretty well for someone who was almost assassinated." There was sarcasm in his tone and annoyance written all over his face.

Guilt riddled her heart, feeling inconsiderate for dozing off at such a time.

"…"

He leaned his back against the wall, one leg bent upward and the other stretched out.

"It's best we move out while it's dark." He said calmly.

"…Are you taking me back to the castle?"

He gave an icy glare, as if she shouldn't have asked something so stupid.

" You really have no idea what's going on do you – your majesty?" He spoke her title with such force.

" I was attacked by assailants while I was alone in my garden." Historia responds bluntly, a hint of irritation within her tone.

"Exactly and tell me, how did they know you would be alone at that exact moment to attack you in broad daylight?"

A weight hit her gut, forcing a storm upon the skin as she was perceptive enough to piece together what he was just about to say. Levi looked forward at the lamp placed before the two of them, gazing at how the flame to the lit candle danced.

"…You've had a schedule for when you would enter your garden – after your last meeting of the day right?" He was asking for confirmation but it sounded like he already knew the answer to it.

"At least that's where you were during the last three times I had to come here in Hange's place."

Again he looked at her, sharp grey eyes staring into her soul.

"…There wasn't a single guard within 12 meters of the place."

She could only sit there and stare with her mouth open and her eyes widened in complete awe. Silence lingered for a moment and he turned to look at the flame once again before standing up.

" We need to figure out what the fuck is going on. So I'm sorry princess – but we can't return you back to the castle."

His tone was stern and displayed his irritation plainly. His choice of words came off as condescending. For reasons unknown, it wounded her pride.

"Excuse me? I'm the queen of the walls not a prince-"

"Then start acting like one." He cut her off and she bit back the remaining of her words. Why did his judgment sting?

"Let's move." Historia stood up, speechless and feeling defeated. Why was this happening? Of all people to be stuck with – it had to be him.

Thinking back on his answer to her question from earlier:

( Levi: "Hange was told by the merchants she's chummy with that there are powerful people who are not too happy about what you're doing as queen. They've said some pretty nasty shit that I doubt you'd like to hear. That is why I was ordered to linger about due to our suspicions. Although, I honestly didn't think they would be bold enough to attack you during daylight - arrogant fucks.")

A sigh hummed from the young ruler.

'Was I really that oblivious?'

Levi

He threw his back against the wall before opening the door slowly, eyes attentive to the area outside. He listened in for a moment, hearing nothing at all. He turned and look at Historia, the sad expression on her face was enough to actually make him feel bad.

'Maybe I was too harsh.' - He thought quietly but decided not to say anything beyond that. There was no point – the damage had been done.

"Hey." He beckoned to get her attention again. He watched her snap out of whatever thoughts she was in before throwing his mantle over her head.

"Try and hide yourself in this. We don't want to draw attention to anyone." He was smaller than the common man but his cloak still looked huge on her.

Something other than his unwelcoming expression came over his features as he thought about how anyone could feel so threatened by someone so small and fragile looking that they would want to brutalize her?

It pissed him off – thinking about how they nearly succeeded too. If he didn't shield Historia with his body, he would've been holding onto her as she bled out.

A force of habit made him reach for his weapons but realized he didn't have his gear. After all, he couldn't draw suspicion by entering the castle grounds with it on.

He grimaced and sucked his teeth.

This was one fucked up situation.

As she went to pull the hood over properly, Levi surveyed the area outside once again before coming back in and saying,

"I need you to keep up. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yes."

"Alright let's go."

He led the way outside, rushing from one wall to another, signaling for Historia to move only on his cue. Being focused on getting out of the city and towards the more rural areas, they carefully jumped around the quieter spots of the city - staying far awayy from the center.

What the fuck am I going to do?

Finally it looked like lady luck was on their side and he found a stable with horses.

He crept up on the dark brown one, knowing well that if it made a noise to alert the sleeping family inside they'd be shit out of luck.

"Hey…" His voice was gentle as he reached up to caress the horse's snout. He could tell by how the steed sank into his touch that he was not going to fight him. This was a relief.

"Good boy." He whispered, petting him a few more times before tugging on his reins and leading him deep into the forest with Historia.

"Sorry Princess - but I could only snag one." He humored himself by calling her that knowing it annoyed her. He glanced her way before saying,

"It's safer if we ride together. Do you have any objections to that – your majesty?"

"Even if I did it's not like you'd care." She spat bitterly. He scoffed before saying,

"Listen, it's not about whether I care or not - I don't like this anymore than you do. But there's work to be done and we need to get you to safety."

' Or at least get myself a damn weapon.'

He hopped up on the horse and then held out his hand to her. As soon as she placed hers within his, he gripped it tightly and with ease pulled her up in front of him. He could feel her body become tense as he went to wrap his arms around her in order to grab ahold of the reins.

His lips were just at her ear when he whispered after sighing heavily,

"Try to calm down. Sorry you're so uncomfortable but I really didn't wanna steal two horses from those poor bastards." He tried to be considerate or at least, more open about how much he actually did care about how she felt.

In a harsh tone he beckoned for the horse to move as he whipped the reins about and they dashed deeper in the woods with only the moonlight above lighting their way.

Honestly just winging things right about now. I find it more exciting that way but I will plot more points once things truly become political and deeper into the plot. I just want to get used to writing as Levi and Historia, given its my first time trying out these two.

So what do you think, how'd I do?!

Thank you so much for reading!