A/N: Chapter 28. It's party time!

As a heads up, Levi uses some choice words in this chapter. He may refer to the female genitalia as that other word we use for cat 😻

...

Levi

Yeah…

I'm going to hell. Well, back to hell.

The underground was no country park after all.

I did unspeakable things to the queen with just my thumb and finger, and even that was enough to undo her.

How adorable. She really is a naïve, young virgin.

But what was I thinking? She still has yet to be eighteen.

My squad found us all tangled up in the tree. I've never been so embarrassed in my entire life. I've been using ODM gear for years, and not once have I blundered.

The queen's turning me into a clumsy idiot.

In the end, it was Arlert who got us out of our mess with his amazing brain, and now Historia and I nurse our bruised egos as we gather around the campfire.

We're both covered in tree sap and pine needles — a show of our sinful exploits. Historia and I really shouldn't be anything more than a queen and her knight. It will mess up our whole arrangement. Never get attached, they say. It can break you.

But every time I peer into those sweet, bubbly blue eyes, I melt. Historia has definitely thawed my cold heart. That's for sure.

I never thought it would thaw again after Farlan and Isabel died. Even my heart's beating in ways it never has before. Its only function before was to transport oxygen throughout my bloodstream, but it now beats for the queen.

Historia and I pluck sappy needles out of our hair, avoiding each other's eyes. The others watch us confused, unsure of what to say.

My squad has never looked so uncomfortable as they throw us nervous glances.

I grit my teeth. How could I have been so foolish and let myself get carried away? I'm supposed to be on constant alert twenty-four seven. Ready to attack at the first strike.

A man bound by his duty.

Armin and Mikasa are suspiciously quiet. Sasha scratches the back of her head while Connie looks gormless. Jean keeps his serious gaze on us, and Eren… he's indifferent (though I don't miss that green-eyed glare).

"So… let me get this straight…" Jean says. "A squirrel jumped out from the tree and attacked Historia, and you swooped down and saved her, Captain? That's why you got your wires tangled up?"

I suck my teeth. It was the first thing that came to mind, and I've never heard so much bullshit.

Squirrels can be quite dangerous, I guess.

"Yes," I reply. "It jumped out from the branches and aimed for the queen's face after she stole its pinecone, and that's how we got tangled up. Right, Your Majesty?"

I turn her way, meeting that furious gaze.

I arch a brow. Well, you going to help me out or what?

She narrows her eyes. Fine, but a squirrel? Seriously, Captain?

My jaw ticks as I match her dark glower. Well, I didn't see you coming up with any cover stories…

"Uh-hum?"

We flinch as Jean calls us both to attention. He really is becoming one smug bastard, ordering me about now of all people, but I have to hand it to him. He's doing a bloody good job of it. He definitely makes a better captain than me at the moment.

Shit. How long were Historia and I staring at each other, having an internal monologue of all things? I don't even know how we do it. We must look crazy to everyone else on the outside; I bet our facial expressions were all over the place.

"Are we interrupting something?" Jean speaks again.

I release a gritty sigh, standing up straight to address my subordinate. I'm still his captain after all. He should know his place.

"No. Interrogation time is over now. As I said, a squirrel was to blame. Pesky little creatures..."

Sasha waves her arms around. "Ooh, ooh, want me to track it down for us, sir? Cooked squirrel... It tastes good with wild berries..."

She drools at the mouth and I fix my eyes on her. "No, we've got enough food and drink to go around. That reminds me." I glance at Armin. "It's Armin's birthday today. He's eighteen, and we're going to celebrate."

Everyone gasps and turns to Armin. He gives off a nervous sound. "Yeah... b-but it's no big deal..."

"Armin, why didn't you say anything?" Historia cries, rising to her feet.

He gazes down at the floor all guiltily now while his best friends flank his sides. They regard him sadly. "I… I didn't want to cause any trouble. Keeping you safe comes first, Historia."

"Still, Armin," Eren says. "You should take the opportunity to celebrate with the people you care about. A titan shifter's days are numbered after all. It's the least we can do to give ourselves normal, fulfilling lives."

Jaeger stares at the flickering fire, and something ignites inside his flaming green eyes.

"He's right, Armin," Historia interjects. "How could you think that your birthday was any less important than my safety? In fact, I don't care if my safety is jeopardised for the moment. I'd much rather you had a birthday to remember. Birthdays are special after all."

I peer around at her. If that's the case, then maybe I should tell her when my birthday is?

Yeah, when hell freezes over.

Armin's eyes fill with tears, and there's no going back on my decision. I want this kid to have the best goddamn birthday he's ever had. Plus, I know it would make Historia smile at me.

"Connie, Sasha, go get the ale you smuggled onto the wagons. We're celebrating tonight."

They both startle. "What… we… we didn't smuggle any—" Sasha starts.

I throw the girl an accusing look. "It's you, Sasha. You're always the first to think of your belly. Now go on, go. Before I change my mind."

Connie and Sasha scramble to their feet. "Yes, sir!"

I watch them disappearing into the forest then roll my eyes. That's when I spot Historia smiling at me. I turn away before she can see the smile of my own.

It was worth it to make her look at me like that.

…

Okay, maybe allowing my squad to get rotten drunk wasn't the best idea after all.

I nurse a warm cup of black tea as they hover around the campsite in various positions.

What a bunch of lightweights.

Sasha slumps over a log, gnawing on a piece of bread, while Jean crouches by a tree, massaging his head. Connie rocks back and forth to one side, questioning all of his life's choices by the looks of things.

But Armin… he's still going strong. He laughs and jokes with his old pal Mikasa as they talk about people they used to know back in Shiganshina, and the sight warms your heart.

Eren is MIA.

Nothing new there.

I didn't drink any ale. I need to keep my wits about me after all — black tea is good enough for me. So I take another sip as Historia plops down on the log beside me, kicking up dirt with her feet. She wears a happy smile on her face as she stares up at the stars.

"Tch," I say.

It turns out she's an annoying drunk.

"I knew it," she giggles drunkenly. "You do have a heart deep, deep down, Captain..."

I glare at her. "Go to bed, Your Majesty. You're drunk. How much ale have you had?"

She hiccups, staring at me cross-eyed. "Um… two cups… no, three cups…" She counts her fingers, but then she stops and stares up at the stars again, and another vacant smile forms over her face.

I almost choke on my tea. Two or three cups and she's already this trashed?

She really is fucking adorable.

"You… you know what I think…?" she continues, tearing her gaze away from the pretty stars now.

I sip tea. "No."

Historia scoots up closer, and now she bumps into my side. I almost spill my tea as I glare around at her, but she laughs completely oblivious.

I smell the ale on her breath as she hangs on my arm, but it doesn't bother me so much with her. In fact, it feels rather nice to have her warm body pressed up close.

She looks me in the eyes all cross-eyed again. "I think you really do love us all... You just don't like to show it. You want everyone to think that you're mean and grumpy Captain Levi all the time, but really you have a heart as big as Sasha's stomach."

She taps my chest where my heart allegedly is, and I clench my jaw. "Please don't touch my uniform."

"Please don't touch my uniform," she mocks, trying to imitate me as best as she can as she speaks in a lower register.

I sound nothing like that.

Well, she's not the only one who can imitate. I raise my voice so I sound like a little girl. "Look at me, I'm Queen Historia. I save orphans because I don't like to see anyone sad."

I offer her a pointed look. "Not nice being mocked is it, Your Majesty?"

She watches me strangely for a while, and just as I think she's about to scold me for making fun of her, she bursts into laughter, shoving me aside. "Oh, Captain! You really are a hoot! And so talented! That sounds exactly like me."

"Thanks." I take another sip of my tea.

She stands up, holding her hand out. I stare at her open palm, arching a brow.

"Let's dance," she says.

"I don't dance... and there's no music."

She smirks, leaning down. "Well, we'll make music..."

I scowl. "No."

She pouts then folds her arms, looking like a spoilt brat. Then she laughs evilly and says, "As your queen, I—"

"Oh, don't even go there. You'll just embarrass yourself."

Historia stamps her foot. "Fine! I'll just dance by myself then."

I watch horrified as the queen steps into the middle of the campsite and starts doing some stupid, folky dance.

Tch. Does she even know how to dance? Must be some country thing; she did grow up on a farm after all.

What are they teaching her at that palace?

Next, she starts spinning around as Connie and Sasha clap along. All the while the queen smiles at the pretty stars as she continues to twirl and twirl, and if she doesn't stop soon, she's going to hurt herself.

At that thought she trips on her feet, releasing a sharp yelp.

"Historia!" Armin yells, but he stops short as I rush to her side, holding her up in my arms.

Like I'd let her fall...

She gazes up at me dazed and confused, then produces a small, sweet smile.

I can't take my eyes off her as I cradle her in my arms. She barely weighs a thing as I press her close to my chest, and then a sudden rush of emotion floods my veins as I stare into her beautiful, blue eyes.

I want to hold her like this forever…

Fuck. I really am in love with the queen.

"You… you saved me, Captain… again…" she mumbles.

I blink. "I… guess I did."

She giggles, tapping me on the nose, and then she slumps her head back, passing out at last. "My… my hero…"

Now I hold her limp like a ragdoll as the others stare at me. Only Mikasa and Armin seem to be paying any attention though. Luckily Jean, Connie, and Sasha go back to being drunk, useless idiots.

I meet Ackerman and Arlert's eyes. "I best get the queen to bed."

"All… all right," Armin peeps, looking at Historia concerned. "We'll… we'll clean up, Captain."

I sigh. "It's fine. We'll clean in the morning. Enjoy the rest of your birthday, Armin."

He blinks then stammers. "S-sure... T-thanks, Captain."

I offer him a curt nod then cart Historia away to her tent.

She's the queen after all. You didn't think I was going to let her sleep on the floor outside, did you? Despite the fact she protested and demanded to sleep rough like a fellow soldier. I only brought the tent as an extra safety measure. Anything to keep her hidden from the wolves.

Besides, I'll be up all night to keep watch over her.

I don't need sleep.

As I nestle her down into her sleeping bag fully dressed in her Scout uniform, she opens her eyes, and now it's like I'm the only thing she sees.

"C-Captain…?" she whispers.

I blink, unable to take my own eyes off her. "Yes?"

Slowly, she reaches up a hand and caresses my cheek, and I freeze under her electrifying touch. It sends shockwaves down my spinal cord, jolting me awake, and it's like she's bringing me back to life.

Now I feel a sudden impulse to fight any bastard who dares lay a finger on her. I'll take on the whole world if I have to.

Whatever it takes to protect my queen…

She massages her thumb over my lips, and my breathing accelerates. All I can hear is my thumping heart.

The last thing I want to do is take advantage of her when she's drunk, but fuck am I tempted. She's the sweetest, most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on, and she brings out everything that's male in me… I feel it throbbing inside my breeches, yet I hold back.

Now's not the time. It was bad enough before, but damn her pussy felt so gloriously tight beneath my strong fingers.

Pussy… I haven't heard that word since my underground days. It's right up there with the C-word.

Despite my love of all things clean, I always did like it dirty under the sheets…

Finally, her eyes settle on mine again, and now I melt when I stare into those ocean blues.

"I… I love you, Captain…"

My eyes bulge and I choke on words. "Huh…?"

Historia doesn't reply as she finally closes her eyes, disappearing to dreamland at last, and now she leaves me fucking speechless.

Suddenly, I grip my chest as a throbbing pain gnaws on my heart, and then I dash out the tent, falling back against a tree.

My breaths come too fast as I try to stop the flood of emotion.

No. This is all wrong... It shouldn't be this way.

I really am going to hell. Because one day I will have to break her heart and leave her, and I will never be able to look at myself in the mirror again.

I really did fuck up this time, and now I growl, pulling on my hair. When I turn around, I come face to face with Jaeger.

"What do you want?!"

My voice is a little harsh, but who cares. Eren just happens to be in perfect kicking position right now anyway, even though he's taller than me.

Never stopped me before…

He just blinks and I push him aside, stalking off into the forest for some air.

I need to be alone.

All the while I can feel his probing eyes boring into my back. "Be careful, Captain. This will not end well. For either of you..."

I grind my teeth, stomping further into the woods.

I really can't deal with his bullshit right now.

AN: Ooh, I wonder if Eren has foreseen how it will end.

I'm not sure if I'm going to go down the road of a love triangle between Eren, Levi, and Historia. I did show hints of it earlier in this fanfic, but that's only to show how bitter Eren was feeling since he was envious of the captain since he wished that he could protect Historia instead. Not because he loves her. Erehisu is an amazing ship, and I do plan to write for that ship too in future, but it won't go any further than friendship for Eren and Historia here. Sorry about that. There's a hell of a lot Erehisu out there; I know for a fact I'd get way more reviews if this was an Erehisu, but I needed my queen and knight to get together...

Put it this way. Eren does not support Rivahisu...

Besides... what makes you so sure Eren is even jealous of Levi in this particular scenario? He may very well be jealous of Historia... Ereri anyone?

I bloody loved Historia and Levi's inner monologue. Levi has a similar interaction with Hange in the manga (and hopefully soon to be season 4) when they first meet Yelena, and Hange gets all worried when she learns about airplanes for the first time. It's adorable.

I had to show Levi's shock as it's very important to his development. Historia dropped a big bombshell after all. "I love you?" Come on! I don't think he'd take that very well. I think he'd go off the rails.

He kinda reminds me of the Grinch when his heart grows three times bigger. "I'm feeeelllliiiingggg!"

Squirrels are dangerous. I don't care what anyone says.

I will post again next week around Tuesday or Wednesday.

CartoonPrincessSigningOff.