Days passed, their vacation nearing its end. Historia had already been counting. Two more days. Two more days, a car trip, and then their world would be open to everyone from the outside. It's been nice. Being by themselves. She's learned about Ymir and Ymir's learned about her.

She could tell Ymir was just finally recovering from the first night they arrived. Historia watched her come undone and she was so glad that she was there to catch her. Ymir was just overwhelmed, it was so obvious from the way she held herself. She was coping with the fact that this; they were real and it was happening. Historia understood her, she empathized because she felt the same way. It wasn't Porco who kissed her so tenderly, it was Ymir. And it was hard to grasp that the abuse was finally over.

She opened her eyes. The weight of sleep weighed against her limbs and she took a deep breath. She laid there, taking in the morning. Her head turned, her eyes falling on the sleeping figure beside her.

Ymir's brown hair rested messily on the pillow she clutched with one arm under it. Her free one was tucked against her torso. Her strong features were relaxed as she slept peacefully. Historia could count the freckles that were dotted across her cheeks and nose.

Getting up quietly, Historia washed in the shower then made her way into the kitchen. The radio played acoustic songs and indie as she cooked breakfast for the two of them. As the bacon sizzled on the frying pan, she went to the sink to do a quick rinse and looked up to glance outside the window right above the sink. It faintly reminded her of her old home. The one with Porco. Before the violence. They had lived their life fairly domestic before the domestic turned into abuse.

A body pressed up against her from behind and she stiffened. Cold fear instilled as almost instinct flooded through her veins and she was prepared to shut down. To not hear his words. To avoid the feel of his touch.

Familiar warmth beat her frigid posture. And it took a brief heartbeat for it to click in her mind. Ymir. Historia was safe. She didn't have to worry anymore. Her hands moved to grip the arms that wrapped around her waist. She leaned back to lift her head and look at Ymir.

"Mornin'," Ymir muttered groggily, her chin resting on the top of Historia's head.

Her lips curved into a soft smile. This was their relationship now. This was their love. And Historia would do anything to keep it this way.

…

They ventured further out this time into the woods, away from the trails. Historia could tell Ymir was a little nervous, keeping a protective eye on her as she walked ahead. Her adventurous nature, the one that had been hidden for so long, finally free. Historia was eager to explore everything she could and enjoy the nature around them.

She pushed through the brush and found herself outside of the mass of trees. Historia called over her shoulder, "Ymir, I found the train tracks."

Ymir trudged after her, her fingers wrapped securely around the straps of her backpack. They had heard the train from a distance plenty of times while they were in the cabin. Ymir seemed unamused by this but her willingness to stay by Historia's side kept her from saying anything negative.

Historia moved forward to grab Ymir by the wrist and pulled her onto the tracks. She teetered for a moment, losing her balance but was quick to regain it.

"Were you always this energetic?" Ymir huffed as they started to walk the path. Historia stood on the side, steadily walking on the railing. Ymir stayed by her, to keep the woman from toppling over.

"You should try it," Historia said, her eyes glued onto her feet as she placed one before the other. "Makes you feel younger."

"We're not old."

"We might as well be," Historia replied, vaguely referencing their experiences.

Ymir looked away for a moment, grumbling something before she lifted a hand to grip Historia's as she continued walking forward. "Was nature all it took for you to be yourself?"

"That, and, well, you," Historia grinned cheekily. Ymir blushed and Historia found it adorable.

The brunette cleared her throat, recovering. "You should act like this more….it's nice."

"You think Ilse can handle this energy?"

"If anything, can I handle the two of you?"

"Depends if Ilse recovers."

"She will, I know she will."

"How did you two meet?"

Ymir paused for a moment and looked in the distance. "We just happened to bump into each other one day and it went from there. She was an eager journalist back then, more excitable and hopeful when she was younger, definitely a bigger pain in the ass compared to now. Ilse has matured a lot since then."

Historia laughed lightly wondering how Ilse was a few years ago. She knew Ymir and Ilse had a relationship at one point but she didn't bother asking about it. It was obvious there was nothing romantic between them. Ilse was occupied with Onyankopon while Ymir was...y'know. She gave a small grin.

As they continued walking, the sound of rushing water was heard from the distance. A bridge supported itself over a raging river and Ymir grabbed Historia by the shirt before she could get too close to the edge.

"I'm not taking that risk," Ymir said, pulling her away. "Let's go back."

"Does the water make you nervous?"

Ymir snorted and didn't meet her eyes. "I just don't want either of us falling in."

Historia hummed her agreement and moved a hand to place on Ymir's face. "Adorable that you want to protect me." Ymir flushed, grabbing Historia's wrist to take it away from her face. "Don't be like that, Ymir."

"Shouldn't I be the one teasing?" Ymir grumbled, her cheeks still burning as she scrubbed at her face.

"We can both tease, it's just my turn," Historia chuckled, bumping her shoulder against Ymir's. "Besides, you're the one who gets flustered easier."

Ymir groaned and covered her face. "You saying that just makes it worse."

"I would like to think it makes it better," Historia's heart fluttered. She wanted these moments more, where they could just be honest. It was nice that they could just be. It was relieving that the weight of her past wasn't tensing her whole body up and for once she felt like she was walking on air.

…

"Fuck, w-wait," Ymir stuttered, scrambling away from Historia. She felt like she could die at this moment. She had been blushing like a hormonal teenager almost this whole trip and Historia had obviously been taking advantage of that. She's so different, It wasn't a complaint, it was just a thought. This was the real Historia finally coming out of her shell; It was a little overwhelming on Ymir's part. Historia was just...such a tease.

"What's wrong?" Historia asked, her eyebrows knitted together in concern and for a moment, the same scared girl she met so long ago flickered in the depths of her eyes.

Ymir grabbed her hand and squeezed it in reassurance. Both of their cheeks were equally flushed and Ymir was trying her best to keep her composure. She hadn't made out with someone in so long and that thrill was making her tremble like some sort of virgin. Ymir was embarrassed by that and she wished she could grip some sort of self-control for the sake of not scaring Historia with her nervousness. She took a breath steadying herself and ran a hand through her hair. "It's just...don't you think we are taking this little too fast?"

She was referring to the fact that Historia had crept her hands under Ymir's shirt and slowly towards the waistband of her shorts. As much as Ymir wanted to go to that base with Historia, her worries about Historia's past was keeping her from even making that sort of move.

"I-I...I'm sorry," Historia sat back, separating the distance between them. Her back pressed against the arm of the couch and she looked away. Her arms wrapped around herself securely.

"Don't apologize, Historia," Ymir wanted to explain her reason but she was a little too afraid to say it out loud. It was something that made her angry, Historia had been abused in that way and Ymir didn't want to bring back the trauma that was tied to those memories.

As if Historia was reading her mind, she whispered, "I understand. I get it, I do and I appreciate the concer-."

"You shouldn't feel like you haveto do this for my sake," Ymir blurted, her gold eyes burning into Historia's blue orbs. "It doesn't matter what I want. I am not the one with the fucked up trauma."

"Ymir, I-"

"I only have my imagination to guess all the fucked up shit your husband did to you," Her throat tightened and her hands curled into a fist. "Idon't want to do anything until you're ready."

Historia's eyes softened and her lips quivered. Ymir thought she would cry for a moment but the thought fleeted as Historia leaned forward to kiss Ymir tenderly. Ymir closed her eyes, feeling Historia's shaking lips against hers. Her muscles eased as she felt Historia's body pressed against her own. Her fingers tangled into her golden locks and she drew her closer, the gravitation between them growing heavier.

…

The night before they had to leave was restless for Historia. As much as she tried to go to sleep, her efforts were futile. She knew Ymir was having the same issue as the brunette seemed to shift around ever so often. Historia's back was facing Ymir's though, leaving her face hidden and giving off the illusion that she was asleep.

Her life had changed so much these past few months and the past few days, her relationship with Ymir had become more intimate.

Historia thought back to the previous night and felt her stomach curl. Ymir was still cautious and Historia understood why. It wasn't that she didn't want to have sex but she knew Ymir had a right to be worried. Wedged deep in her mind, Historia still had those immediate reactions when it came to sudden touches. The stiffness, the way her mind darkened and Historia was a breath away from completely shutting down until it was over. Until he stopped touching her.

Ymir wouldn't hurt her though.

Historia knew that.

Her effort to put all those hauntings away from her mind was enough encouragement to at least try giving Ymir what they both wanted.

But Ymir was right.

They were probably taking this a little fast and Historia's desire to move forward was scaring her.

Historia was terrified herself.

She was finally feeling the love all over again and her mindsets from all parts of her life were coming to clash together, causing irrationality that seemed justified.

That missing part of her.

The one when she first fell in love with Porco.

It was creeping back in and settling itself comfortably in Historia's head. Not that it was necessarily a bad thing, but the shift in personality was becoming a problem for both of them. Ymir was overwhelmed, still processing the fact that this was Historia. Before the emotional and physical trauma.

And she couldn't help herself. Selfishly she was acting out for the sake of reclaiming the youth that was stripped away the moment she was harmed by the man she once loved.

The creak of the bed made Historia alert and she listened intently as Ymir moved behind her. Ymir didn't make much noise but it was still enough to get some sort of idea of what was going on. The outline of her shadow, from the moonlight reflecting against the wall, Historia could see she was sitting up. Scrubbing a hand against her face, Ymir sighed wearily. After a few minutes of silence, she moved over to reach for something in the drawer next to her.

Historia waited for a few moments then she turned over slowly, looking Ymir's way. "What's wrong?"

Ymir drew back, a small gift in her hands. Historia recognized it as the one Eren had handed her from his brother. Ymir's eyes flicked to the tiny box then back at Historia. "I..I couldn't sleep."

"Have you opened it?" Historia asked quietly, scooting over to lean against Ymir, resting her chin on her shoulder.

Ymir took an airy breath. "Not yet, I was about to though."

Historia could feel Ymir's shoulders tensing underneath her cheek. She moved a hand to squeeze her bicep. "What's the matter?"

"I, uh, have a complicated history with Eren's brother," Ymir said, her lips pressing together to form a thin line. Even in the night's darkness, Historia could see how Ymir's gold eyes were deep with thought. She looked as if she wanted to say more but didn't.

"Are you afraid?"

Ymir stiffened briefly then shook her head. "No, but he's a...troublemaker. He's successful like his father but Zeke's nothing like Eren."

Historia closed her eyes, breathing slowly. "You can open it, I won't look."

Ymir didn't say anything but Historia could hear her fingers working as she opened the gift. Ymir's breath hitched momentarily which made Historia's eyes open but she kept them shut. Instead, she dug her face deeper into the crook of Ymir's neck, avoiding the temptation.

Maybe a minute passed by before Ymir finally gave her permission to open her eyes again. Historia did, seeing that the gift was no longer in sight. She stared curiously at Ymir but didn't pry. Well, she didn't even have to make an effort as Ymir sighed, "It was nothing bad. Just a note."

"A note?" Historia echoed, shifting her head on Ymir's shoulder to gaze up at Ymir.

"Yeah," Ymir leaned in, her cheek placed on the top of Historia's head.

"We should sleep, you have to drive tomorrow," Historia reminded, breaking the silence between them that had fallen for a few minutes.

Ymir nodded her agreement and moved over for both of them to settle down in a comfortable position. Ymir's chest was pressed to Historia's back as she spooned her and Historia could feel Ymir's heart beating against her skin. Historia moved her hand to place on Ymir's, who's arms had snaked around her waist. Her fingers rubbed her knuckles in reassurance and ever so slowly, Ymir's breaths evened out as she fell asleep. Historia smiled warmly to herself, her heart fluttering in her chest.

…

Ymir stumbled through the front door of their apartment, their luggage in tow. She froze for a moment, processing what she saw in front of her. Her dumbstruck expression morphed into a clever smirk and she motioned a hand behind her for Historia to stay there.

She crept up from behind the couch, two slumped over figures leaning on each other as they snoozed peacefully. Then with a huff, Ymir slammed her hands on the rim of the furniture and shouted as loud as she could.

In a frantic tangle of limbs, Ilse and Onyankopon fell to the floor with a thump. Ymir cackled at the sight and she could tell Historia was doing her best not to laugh for Ilse's sake.

Ilse looked up, her eyes bleary with confusion, then glancing at Ymir, and back at Onyan, her expression faltered. For the first time since Ymir had known the dark-haired woman, her face turned a deep shade red.

Onyan looked a little perplexed at first but only offered a kind shy smile towards Historia before getting up and rubbing the back of his head. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Ymir."

"Likewise," The corner of Ymir's lip twitched in amusement and her attention went back to Ilse as Onyan made an attempt to help her up. "Give her a moment, she's trying to cope."

Ilse's hands covered her face and she only seemed to dig her face deeper at Ymir's words. "You came home early," She mumbled around her palms.

"We're right on time, sweetheart," Ymir replied, her eyes drifting towards the coffee table. Notes, newspapers, and photographs were sprawled all over the place.

Onyan followed her gaze. "Uh, we've been working together for a couple of days now. I apologize for the mess."

"A couple of days?" Ymir repeated.

He nodded politely and turned towards Historia. "I don't believe we have met before, my name is Onyankopon Schröder."

"Historia."

"Historia?"

"Historia Reiss," The blond said slowly, her expression a little unsure of herself.

Onyan's eyebrows only raised in surprise at the name but didn't press. "I'm Ilse's partner."

"So I've heard," Historia responded as Ilse finally got up from the ground, her face returning to its natural color. "What have you guys been working on?"

Ilse perked, her eyes lighting up. "Ohhh, you won't believe this," Ilse enthusiastically motioned for Ymir and Historia to come forward. She started pointing at everything that was relevant as she explained to them what she figured out.

"These missing girls and women, they're all connected. There's either one person or a group that is responsible," Ilse finished, after going on to a ramble about their work with Onyan interjecting politely to provide further information.

"Wow, you guys are devoted," Ymir breathed, not sure how to process what she had been told.

"It's serious work," Ilse's eyes darkened and her tone resembled the works she spoke. "The faster we can solve this, the faster we can save their lives. If Ellie Weber was found alive, then they all have to be. Everyone disappeared in the same general location, it isn't a coincidence. We just have to figure out where they are and who is responsible."

As Ilse spoke heavily, it was the first time Ymir noticed how tired she actually looked. Her hair was in a messy bun and dark circles wrapped around her eyes. No one wonder the both of them had dozed off, they had been working themselves to the bone.

Ymir turned to Onyan. "You don't plan on staying, do you?"

"I shouldn't intervene-"

"Ok, then you're staying," Ymir cut him off with a sly smile and patted his shoulder. "Since you're Ilse's "partner" again, you're one of us now."

Onyan grinned in a flustered manner. "If you insist."

"Wow," Ilse huffed. "That did not just happen."

"It totally did," Ymir bounced back.

After putting up their luggage, Ymir ordered pizza for the four of them and Historia was allowed to choose the movie. As the evening went by, Ymir noticed how the tension from Ilse's body seemed to fade and there was a sparkle in her eyes every time she spoke with Onyan. The man was a little awkward at first, not used to the banter between the three women at first but after enough time, he got along well. Ymir, Historia, and he even managed to gang up on Ilse, the journalist looking as she would combust since she never usually was the target of teasing.

"She was like a heartbroken teen," Ymir told Onyan as they brought up the conflict that happened between the two partners.

"I didn't think Ilse had it in her until you did what you did," Historia added. "You're truly a heartbreaker, Onyan."

Instead of Onyan joining in though, he looked at Ilse with a concerned look. "Is that true?"

Ilse shifted uncomfortably. "I mean-, yeah? We talked about it already, you really fucked me up, Onyan. It was like all my hard work was just disregarded. I figured out where she was, I should have been part of finding her."

"I'm sorry," His voice was gentle low and he grabbed Ilse's hands. "It was foolish. We're partners, Ilse. This time we're going to work together from beginning to end. I promise." He leaned in to kiss her lips tenderly.

"Awww," Historia gushed.

"Blegh," Ymir gagged, pretending to put two fingers in her mouth. Historia hit her softly in a warning and Ymir just laughed in reply.

Ilse placed a hand on Onyan's chest to push him away and she wiped her face in embarrassment. "I am seriously going to die," She muttered and then sent a glare at her friends. "And you two, shut up. You're the ones who probably got it like rabbits during your vacation."

Ymir choked to the point she couldn't breathe.

"And where did you two do it?" Historia replied evenly and Ymir had to process what the hell was happening. Historia pulled her hand away which was resting on the couch and quickly got off it. "Don't tell me you did it on the couch?! Ilse, come on, have some decency!"

Both Ilse and Ymir's jaws hanging low and while Onyan was blushing, as the one sitting between the two women, he raised his hands to close their mouths.

Recovering, Ilse got up and placed her hands on the blond's shoulders. Then shaking her, she yelped, "Who are you and what did you do to Historia?!"

Historia only chuckled in reply.

…

When the night finally calmed, Ymir and Ilse were the only ones still awake, laying on the couch and staring at the ceiling. Onyan was asleep in Ilse's room while Historia was in Ymir's.

The brunette breathed heavily and closed her eyes. "Ilse?"

"Hm?" She hummed.

"How would you feel if I moved out?"

"I'd celebrate."

"Hey, come on."

"Hello," Ilse paused then supported herself up with her arms, peering at Ymir. "Why, do you plan on leaving soon?"

Ymir sat herself up, cross-legged. "I've been thinking-"

"Uh-oh."

"I've been thinking that I'll have to."

"You don't have to, I honestly don't mind sharing a place with you or Historia. Besides, we've been rooming for almost a decade now."

"This place is too small for a family."

"A family?" Ilse leaned back with her mouth forming an "o" in realization. "You...well fuck."

"It's been obvious for a while."

"I know that it's just...I guess it's really happening, huh?"

"I still have to get a judge's approval and actually talk to her father," Ymir said, wringing her hands. "After I cut some ties, I think moving out would be the appropriate step."

"Why are you being vague, Ymir? Be honest."

Ymir huffed and looked away.

"Ymmmiiirrr," Ilse sang. "Tell, por favor."

"It's Marcel."

Ilse froze for a moment, blinking a couple of times then made an expression of disappointment. "What did he make you do this time?"

Ymir took a deep breath. "Drug dealing?"

"Why are you saying that like it is a question," Her eyes were narrowed in suspicion.

"Ok. Drug dealing," Ymir finalized. "I haven't seen Marcel in, like, months now. I haven't even been doing it for weeks but I am still getting paid and I am going to see Zeke tomorrow to quit."

"What. The. Fuck."

"I know."

"It's weird."

"I guess?"

"No, I mean," Ilse waved her hands. "When you got fired from your last job, I joked about you doing that to pay our bills. And turns out, you've been able to pay our bills because of that."

"Why...why would you remember something like that?" Ymir asked, a little flabbergasted.

Ilse shrugged nonchalantly. "I remember a lot of moments of when you were actually happy during that whole feeling-sorry-for-myself-as-I-grieve period of your life."

"Was I that bad?"

"I mean, I don't blame you for it," Ilse said slowly. "I understand, she was your world. I adored her just as much as you did but I didn't have that connection you did. You're a mother, Ymir. And a true mother never wants to lose their child."

Ymir's throat tightened and she swallowed. "Y'know, sometimes I forget that you were around. I don't even know why. You were always there, you helped me take care of her."

"I honestly should be offended but I've been bullied for most of the night so I'll spare myself," Ilse leaned forward and patted Ymir's cheek. Her voice was suddenly thick with emotion as her tone softened, "I love her too. She's an amazing kid and you deserve her back."

"Ilse-,"

"We should get to bed, it's late."

Ymir only nodded because she didn't think she had anything to say. But hearing those words from her best friend was enough for Ymir.

Tomorrow, She thought to herself. Tomorrow would be her next step towards a new beginning.