Standing there for a moment in the cold, staring up at a strikingly beautiful woman with the coldest gray eyes was the first encounter Historia had with Mikasa. Ymir was standing beside, grinning in all her dorkish charm at Mikasa. Mikasa only offered a hard look in reply, expressing no emotion. Historia wondered briefly if maybe she hated Ymir.
The thought was quickly disregarded as a little bundle of energy flew by Mikasa and tumbling straight into Ymir's legs, almost immediately Mikasa's eyes softened with warmth at the sight.
"Ymir!" Carly wrapped herself around the taller woman, a wide smile spread across her face.
"Carly," Ymir said, peeling the girl off her legs and lifting her up. For a moment Ymir winced at the effort, the weight of a seven-year-old a bigger difference compared to when carrying a toddler. "How's my favorite girl doing?"
Instead of replying, Carly turned her head to eye Historia. Carly glanced at the presents in Historia's hands then back to her face. Her green eyes narrowed and then she cupped a hand over Ymir's ear. She whispered, "Is this her?"
Ymir nodded in reply and put Carly down. The little girl stepped in front of Historia and offered her hand. "My name is Carly!"
Historia offered a tiny smile, shifting the presents in one arm and bent over to shake the girl's hand. "Historia. You have quite the manners, Carly."
"Mom said it's the best way to make friends with strangers," Carly informed, turning to grin at her mother. "Her name is Mikasa."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Historia said politely.
Mikasa's grey eyes looked the blond up and down for a moment before she stepped aside to allow them in. "Same here. You can put the presents under the tree."
As they walked in, Historia couldn't help but admire the interior of the house. It was modern and quite clean. When she walked towards the Christmas tree, she stopped for a moment to look at the homemade decorations. The messy handwriting implied it was Carly's and she figured the arts and crafts project the most prized decorations on the tree. Placing the presents down, Historia met up with the others in the kitchen.
Eren was just getting out of a batch of cookies, looking awkward in the oven mitts. He placed the cooking sheet on the kitchen island then took off his mitts.
"Ymir! Historia!" Eren greeted with bright eyes. "Glad you could make it!"
"You're really in the Christmas spirit, huh?" Ymir commented, picking up a cookie before inhaling sharply and dropping it due to its temperature.
Eren laughed. "You literally watched me take them out of the oven, how stupid are you?"
Carly hopped on a stool beside her dad and sent a frown at him. "Stupid is a mean word."
"But Carly, it's Ymir," Eren empathized by gesturing to the brunette who was giving him a scowl in reply.
"Listen to your daughter, Eren," Mikasa sighed, taking a step to stand beside Historia.
Historia couldn't help but lightly chuckle at the exchange. The atmosphere was warm and friendly. She enjoyed this feeling of comfort that enwrapped them and found a heavy weight in her chest lift.
"You wanna help me decorate the cookies, Historia?" Carly asked with puppy dog eyes. Her attention drifted away from her parents and towards the woman, she knew as a stranger.
"I would love to," How could she say no to that face? For a moment, she caught sight of Ymir's gaze, her gold orbs swarming with emotion that said something far more than appreciation.
"How about Ymir and I start barbecuing while you guys decorate the cookies?" Eren suggested, already getting utensils from the drawer and meat from the fridge.
When no one disagreed, Historia watched them leave the room and into the backyard. She turned back and met stares from both Carly and Mikasa. Carly looked at her with eager energetic eyes while her mother's seemed analytical. Clearing her throat, Historia made her way beside Carly and the both started getting to work.
While Historia felt Mikasa staring quite often, overall the experience was light-hearted and fun. Carly warmed up quickly to Historia, rambling about everything she could think of. Mikasa offered her input every now and then, just to clarify things for Historia when her daughter spoke a little too vague. With help from Mikasa and Historia, Carly seemed quite proud of the final product of her cookies, begging her mother to go show her father and Ymir one of them so they could try it out.
"Go ahead," Mikasa gave her approval. After Carly disappeared, Mikasa started cleaning up the mess and Historia was quick to help.
"You have a lovely daughter," Historia said, breaking the silence between the two of them. "I've heard so much about her from Ymir and Eren."
Mikasa tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear and wiped down the counter. "I could say the same about you."
"That I am lovely?" Historia couldn't help but tease.
Unaffected, Mikasa continued. "Both Eren and Ymir spoke fondly of you. Mostly Ymir. I do have to say that you don't look like how I expected you to."
Historia flinched for a moment, wondering what that was supposed to mean. "Well, I didn't expect you to look this beautiful, you know."
"Funny," Mikasa scoffed, not making eye contact.
"No, I mean it."
"I know you do."
"Oh," Historia paused for a moment then shook her head. "Ymir really seems to care about you guys. Especially Carly." Briefly, the same thought, the one she had at the mall when she and Ymir went Christmas shopping, crossed her mind. Was Ymir trying to make up for the fact that she lost her own child? To satisfy her guilt?
Almost as if Mikasa had read her mind, the woman said, "She's known Eren for quite a while. She was there for when Carly was born and she loves her the same as she would love her own child." Mikasa paused for a moment, looking as she regretted saying that last part.
"She told me already," Historia informed Mikasa, trying to reassure her that she didn't betray her friend.
"Hmph," Mikasa looked at Historia, her eyebrows knitted together. "You two finally talked? Good to know. I was a little worried for a moment."
"Why's that?"
Her eyes hardened, making direct eye contact with Historia. "It would have meant that Ymir just allowed a stranger in my house."
Taken back, Historia bit her lip. Her tone shifted for a moment, on a more serious and defensive note. "Even if we didn't talk about that, I don't think Ymir would consider me a stranger."
"Oh, I have no doubt about that. But you would still be someone untrustworthy in my eyes."
"I am having a hard time following."
Mikasa sighed and took a step closer. Historia wasn't sure if it was to intimidate her or not. Instead, she tensed up, a little scared. Why was Mikasa being this way? She had not expected this.
"To clarify," Mikasa said steadily, "Ymir had talked about you a lot to me. And from what I heard, she barely knew anything about you. You seemed very hesitant to open up about your personal life and for a moment, I was concerned that you were using her. While Ymir is a good person, she's quite oblivious at times and her affections towards you could have made her blind to your true intent."
"I would never do tha-"
"But," Mikasa cut Historia off and took a deep breath. "You know about Ymir's girl. This means you opened up to her also and that's all I could ask for when it comes to Ymir." She looked away as she continued, almost as if she was embarrassed. "Carly adores Ymir. Eren cares about her. And despite it all, I love her the same way my family does. After all the shit she's been through, the last she needs is you breaking her heart."
Historia faltered. So this was it. This is what it meant to have people care about you. This was Ymir's family, it was clear. Eren, Mikasa, Carly, and Ilse. They all cared about the brunette and they just wanted the best for her and it was up to Historia help decide. Historia inhaled sharply and her throat tightened.
"I won't, Mikasa," She promised, the emotion thick in her voice. She moved to grasp Mikasa's hand and she squeezed it. "I care for her too. I care about Ymir a lot."
Mikasa tightened their grip for a moment then released, the tension leaving her shoulders. "Hmm," She hummed, a glint in her eyes, and the corner of her lip quirked upwards. "You two should start dating then. Preferably when you leave my house, I wouldn't appreciate it if it ends up getting a little too passionate."
Historia felt her cheeks flare and she laughed in disbelief. "And here I thought you weren't one for jokes."
"That wasn't a joke. I'm being serious."
"Oh."
…
Ymir was quite relieved that Eren and his family were pretty friendly towards Historia. And while Mikasa was more of her worry, Ymir was glad to see that Mikasa and Historia got along, surprisingly. Carly was quick to enwrap Historia with her games and Historia never seemed to mind. Ymir couldn't help but enjoy the sight of them together, finding it quite wholesome. Of course, it was. Ymir cared about the two of them a lot.
"Only one present for tonight," Mikasa told Carly, who was begging her parents to open up the presents now. "You can open the rest Christmas morning."
Carly's eyes lit up excitedly and she darted towards the tree, rummaging through the small group of gifts. She picked up each one that had her name marked on it. After she chose one, she scuttled towards Historia and sat beside her on the couch.
"Who is that one from?" Ymir enquired, taking a sip of her eggnog. Eren and Mikasa kept their eyes stuck on Carly, the warmth of a parent's love in their eyes.
Carly looked down again and read the tag out loud. "From Uncle Zeke."
Ymir paused for a moment, stiffening. The memory of Marcel calling her phone this morning appeared in her mind. She pushed it aside and sent a look towards Eren. "Zeke came over?"
"Briefly," He replied, tearing his gaze away from his daughter. His eyebrows scrunched up together with a frown. "Which reminds me, he left a gift for you too."
Ymir scoffed in disbelief. "Seriously?"
Eren shrugged, his expression looking as if he didn't really want to discuss the topic at the moment. Ymir didn't blame him, it wasn't exactly an appropriate time. Especially now that Mikasa's eyes were narrowed in suspicion. Historia looked a little confused while Carly shifted with impatience.
Sour bile formed in the back of her throat and she took another drink of her eggnog to drown the flavor. No one actually knew what Ymir had been doing for these past few months. They just knew she had a job and was getting by. Ilse was the only one who had a vague idea since Ymir had chipped in more on the bills but even then she didn't know the truth. Eren didn't even know that Marcel had been in town for a bit. Her lips pressed together and she took a deep breath to clear her head. She couldn't spare to think about it at the moment. Not now when everyone was so happy.
"Wow!" Carly exclaimed as she tore the gift wrapping apart. "Roller skates!"
"Rollerskates," Mikasa echoed, her features relaxing as if she had been expecting something else. She elbowed Eren. "Looks like someone will have to give her lessons."
"Oh, I can do that if you like, if you don't mind," Historia politely cut in, her hands in her lap.
Ymir sent her a raised eyebrow which was returned with a tiny smile. The brunette smirked lightly as Carly tugged on Historia's wrist.
"You would really teach me?! Can you show me how to please?"
"Of course," Historia told Carly. Her head then turned to look at Mikasa. "If your mother is okay with that."
Mikasa sighed with an eye roll. "I am. But not today because someone needs to start getting ready for bed."
Carly pouted but Mikasa's authoritative gaze kept her from complaining. She placed her skates against the wall and went towards the bathroom to get ready, Mikasa following from behind.
"Why'd you offer?" Eren couldn't help but ask with a puzzled expression. He placed himself next to Ymir who was still nursing on her eggnog.
"I used to skate a lot when I was younger," Historia explained, a shadow briefly flickering over her face before it lightened up again. "Besides, Carly is quite pleasant. Ymir was right, she's a charm."
"Y'know it," Ymir couldn't help but chirp.
"She gets it from her dad," Eren laughed with a playful wink. "She really is something though. I honestly have no regret having a kid."
"Same here," Ymir said, her lips pressed together. Her finger tapped the rim of her glass and she felt something swell in her chest. Eren and Historia looked at her, silence falling over them. She could tell from the way they stared that her statement was rather vague, not sure if she was referring to her own daughter or Carly. In all honesty, Ymir didn't know either but she figured it was both because that was how she felt. She didn't mean to ruin the mood but it slipped out.
Ymir wondered briefly how she was doing. How her Christmas was going with her father. She was probably happy, he always managed to keep her happy. Something she thanked him for but also hated him for. She shook her head. She couldn't dwell on that right now.
…
"Ymir, wake up! Wake up!"
A heavy weight fell on her stomach and the brunette woke up with a jolt. "Oof," Ymir puffed out and sat up. Scrubbing the blurriness from her eyes, she turned her head to see Carly standing at the side, bouncing excitedly on her toes.
"Wha..What's wrong?" Ymir yawned, turning herself over to place her feet on the floor. She glanced over at the living room clock and saw that it was 6:45 in the morning.
"It's snowing!" Carly exclaimed in a whisper, raising her arms in the air. She was wrapped up in a thick jacket and a scarf around her neck. Was Mikasa awake or did Carly get herself dressed?
Before Ymir could ask, Historia appeared around the corner in her own apparel to keep herself warm. Ymir quirked an eyebrow at her in confusion, wondering where she got the clothing.
"Carly woke me up," Historia explained. She had taken the guest bedroom while Ymir had slept on the couch. "She wanted to go out and play. I got these clothes from the closet."
"Hm," Ymir turned to Carly, who was staring at her with wide green eyes. "And you woke us up because you knew your parents wouldn't let you out?"
Carly nodded, without a hint of shame. "Please Ymir? Pleaaaseee, pleeease?"
Ymir huffed and placed her hand on Carly's head, ruffling her hair. "How can I say no to that damn face?"
"A dollar in the swear jar!"
"Ok, maybe I can say no."
"W-wait!" Carly waved her hands frantically and shook her head. "Nevermind, let's just go out, please?"
"Alright," Ymir smirked and got up to get dressed.
After she was done, she slid on her jacket and quietly opened the front door. Carly was quick to dart out and almost slipped down the porch stairs. Ymir was thankfully fast enough to catch her by the hood and help her rebalance.
The flakes glittered in the sunlight as they joined the rest of their companions on the ground that had formed a thick blanket of snow. Carly stumbled in it and bent over to throw some in the air, laughing. Ymir followed carefully after her, stopping at the bottom of the stairs, she waited for Historia to join them. While Historia tried to be careful, her foot ultimately ended up slipping which caused her to tumble into Ymir.
The oxygen left her lungs on impact as her back hit the softness of the snow. For a moment, Ymir laid there, winded. Then with a surge of energy, she moved back to sit up. She froze instantly as Historia laid between her legs, rubbing her head. When she looked up, their gazes met, almost nose-to-nose.
Ymir starred for a moment, caught off guard as she looked into the depths of Historia's eyes. It wasn't the first time she had done this as making eye contact seemed to be their thing that they did often. Her blue eyes glittered in the winter's light and she thought briefly that her own gold eyes were probably doing the same thing. Pulling herself out of her trance, Ymir offered an awkward grin towards Historia.
She blinked for a moment, breaking herself out of her daze. Then with a chuckle, she smiled warmly and scooped up a handful of snow to shove in Ymir's face. Ymir scrambled backwards in surprise as Historia separated herself from the brunette and got back onto her feet.
Wiping the snow off her face which chilled her cheeks, Ymir got up and scraped the snow off her knees. Barely having a chance to recover, Ymir was soon met with snow in her face again, this time from Carly.
"Come on guys," Ymir grumbled, wiping the snow from her eyes. She pouted at them, who were both grinning with amusement. "That's just playing dirty."
"That's for swearing!" Carly said instead with a giggle. She then tugged on Historia's sleeve and gestured to the ground. "Both of you need to help me build a snowman!"
"Have you ever built one before?" Historia asked, kneeling down to help Carly gather snow to start forming the bottom.
"Nope!"
Ymir rolled her eyes and started to help them with their task. After a bit of gathering and Historia lecturing Carly on what to do, they managed to build one. It was a little lopsided but overall fine. Ymir helped Carly with digging through the snow to find pebbles and sticks to give the snowman a face and arms. Once they finished, they all took a step back to admire their craftsmanship.
Carly put her hands on her hips and nodded. "His name is Loppy."
"Loppy?" Ymir echoed, looking down at the girl.
"Yeah, he told me," Carly said matter-of-factly then fell backward into the snow.
Ymir followed after her, settling herself down more gently. Historia laid on the other side of Ymir with a content expression.
As Carly started to occupy herself by making a snow angel, Ymir turned her head to look at Historia.
"It feels like forever since I've seen snow," Historia commented, her fingers digging into the substance before relaxing.
"It's been a year or two since it's snowed," Ymir said, wondering if Historia was thinking about her former relationship. Ymir didn't try to think too much about it due to how frustrated she got but she knew Historia probably thought about it constantly.
Historia shifted herself to face Ymir and leaned on her own arm to separate her face from the ground. "It's nice."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Historia closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. "For the first time in my life, everything seems right."
Hearing those words come from Historia made Ymir's heart swell. She had never felt this way about anyone else in her whole entire life. Not even Ilse when they were romantically involved. "What can I do for you? What can I do to keep you feeling this way?"
Historia bit her lip and reached forward to intertwine their fingers together. "You've already done so much for me, Ymir."
"I can do more."
"You can. But not for me, for yourself."
Ymir blinked once. Then twice. And then suddenly there was a surge of tears and she turned away from Historia. Letting go of her hand, she used the heel of both her hands to scrub her eyes.
"Ymir, it's alright." Her voice was soft and caring.
She faltered for a moment then chuckled. "I-...crap, sorry I didn't expect that." Ymir took a deep breath, gathering herself and relaxing. "I don't even know if I'm ready. Even though I've been striving towards my goal, I haven't actually done anything."
"You've been bettering yourself. You looked far different from when I first met you. You seemed empty, devoid of life and you looked sick. Now, there's life inside you. I can see that determination every time I look in your eyes, Ymir. You're ready, you always have been."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"I-," I love you. That's what she wanted to say. Desperately. Yet, she didn't. "I...I don't know." Ymir really didn't know how to put it in words. She didn't want to lose Historia. She didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable or left out. Ymir didn't know if she would actually stay if she got back her daughter. Could they be a family? So soon?
"Think about it," Historia whispered, grabbing her hand once more. She squeezed it comfortingly. "We'll figure this out once you know what to do."
Ymir sighed, the cold starting to prickle her skin. "Merry Christmas, Historia."
"Merry Christmas, Ymir."
…
So I pumped out this chapter a lot sooner than expected. This chapter was supposed to be longer but I decided to save the rest for Chapter 25. After Chapter 25, I believe there's going to be a shift of tone in the story since things will start picking up. I am hoping that I laid enough hints throughout the story so that when everything happens, it makes enough sense. I will go ahead and say it's concerning specific characters such as Ilse, Willy, Zeke, and of course, Marcel. So look forward to that.
Until then, Zouboss.