WARNING: Smutttttttt.

Aubrey had forced Levi to leave ahead of her with the first load of boxes. He'd resisted, asking her why but had eventually given up. She wasn't going to give in.

As soon as he'd gone around the corner, Aubrey had opened the door to his room and pushed in any boxes she couldn't carry. She was still worried about leaving them unattended while they took their first trip. When they returned for their second load, she'd just run ahead of him and take them out. She was starting to get the feeling that he didn't like when she hid things like this from him but she figured she could get away with it one last time. She didn't want him to have to open that door again after it had taken him so much effort to close it.

Levi had been waiting for her outside the barracks and they'd made their trip back to the castle in silence.

As soon as they'd set the boxes down in their new room, they'd headed back for the second round.

Aubrey's plan had gone off without a hitch and she'd only received a strange look from Levi when she ran ahead of him.

Their second trip had been just as silent as their first but it was a calm silence. Both of them were reflecting… but not in a bad way. They'd come so far, were so ready to start again. Their final walk to the castle seemed… surreal.

Finally, they reached their new room again and Aubrey heard the familiar thump of boxes as they were set down all over. She could already tell that living with Levi would mean making some serious changes to her habit. His boxes were stacked neatly against the wall while hers were scattered randomly. That was alright, though. She'd get used to it. If being neat and clean was all she had to do to live with him, she'd do it happily.

When Levi set down his final box, he turned to her and Aubrey couldn't help the small smile that came to her lips. They'd done it. The worst was over.

Levi walked to her and Aubrey reached her arms out. When he embraced her, she hugged him tightly. She was so in love with him that it almost hurt.

She kissed across his cheek and rested her chin in the curve of his neck. The worst might have been over but they still had one last thing to do.

She sighed.

"I'm sorry to say that we have one more room to clean out."

Levi groaned. He knew exactly what she was talking about. Their old room in the castle still needed to be gone through. He couldn't think of much in the room that he wanted to keep but it still needed to be straightened before they left it alone.

Aubrey chuckled at his groan.

"I don't want to, either, but I think we should just get it over with."

Levi held her tighter.

"Tch. Can't it wait?"

Aubrey ran her fingers through his hair.

"It could, but… once we get that room done… it's over, Levi. It'll be done. All of it."

Levi sighed. She was right. They shouldn't put it off.

Slowly, he moved away from her, placing a light kiss on her lips and he passed.

Aubrey smiled again. At least this room would go more quickly than the others.

Levi took her hand and soon they were back in the halls, traveling to the other side of the castle. Aubrey didn't bother to bring another box. Everything of value would fit in the satchel.

When they finally arrived, Levi didn't hesitate to practically bust the door down. He wanted all of this done and over with.

He immediately pulled Aubrey to the bed and began stripping the sheets.

She was a bit caught off guard by his intensity but she didn't say anything. The sooner they were done, the better.

Aubrey helped him with the bed and it was bare in just a few minutes. Levi tossed the sheets into the corner with the rest of the laundry they'd managed to make over the last couple of days.

As soon as that was done, he moved to pick up their discarded 3DMG and set it on the desk. He'd come back for it when they were ready to leave.

Aubrey was already gathering any bits of scattered clothing or other items that had somehow been left on the floor. She only found a few socks and a pillow that had managed to slip under the bed.

Levi watched her as she finished up and moved into the bathroom to get a head start. That was where most of their things were, anyway.

He walked in and found the satchel in the corner. He went through its contents, throwing out the old food but leaving everything else. All of it was very unexciting.

He moved to the bathtub and gathered the soap, towels, and washcloths that they'd used. All of it fit into the bag easily.

He glanced around, seeing that everything had already been picked up and put away. The place looked clean.

His eyes landed on the sink and then slid down to the cabinet beneath it. He didn't think there would be anything in it, but better safe than sorry.

His fingers found the handle and he crouched down to pull it open.

Aubrey walked in at just the right, or maybe wrong, moment. She saw Levi's eyes widen and the muscles in his jaw clench as he stared at the bloody uniform she'd hidden away so long ago.

She'd completely forgotten about it.

Within a second, her hands were reaching into the cabinet, frantically trying to get the clothes out of sight.

But just as she came into contact with the fabric, Aubrey felt Levi's hand clamp around her wrist.

She turned to him, panicking. She needed to get the uniform out of there.

"Stop, Aubrey. Let me do it."

Aubrey shook her head, her anxiety growing.

"No, Levi, you don't have to. Let me handle th-"

"Stop, Aubrey."

Her jaw clicked shut. Damn that tone of voice.

Levi took a deep breath and turned his eyes back to the uniform.

"I know I don't have to… but I need to."

Aubrey scanned his features. All of the shock and horror from just a moment ago had been replaced by a hard look of determination. He was going to do it on his own whether she liked it or not.

Aubrey gave in. If he was so intent on facing this obstacle on his own then she wasn't going to risk further upsetting him with an argument.

She sank to the floor, sitting beside him and placing one light touch on his cheekbone.

Levi got the message. She was going to let him go on. She wouldn't try to stop him.

He shot her a soothing glance and then, after a slight pause, he reached for the uniform. He gripped it tightly and pulled it out piece by piece. The clothing was ripped, disgusting… and covered in the blood of his friends. It was exactly how he remembered it.

The waves of pain were intense but he refused to let them take over. He searched for Aubrey's hand and she was with him instantly. She laced their fingers and kneeled next to him, pressing her forehead into his shoulder.

It was enough to give him the strength to stand.

Aubrey kept her hands on him as they rose. She was afraid to let go.

Levi stared down at the clothing in his hands. The sight of the dried blood sent a shiver down his spine. He'd never know exactly whose it was… and he didn't want to.

He turned, walked into the main room, and threw the uniform into the trash. It was just one more thing to leave instead of keep.

Levi looked back to see Aubrey watching him from the doorway of the bathroom. He'd moved too fast for her to follow.

Her expression was somber, perhaps even a bit apologetic. His brows furrowed. What was she sorry for?

"Levi…" Her voice was soft and low. "There's more."

Levi watched as Aubrey leaned down again and then returned to look at him. Her hand shifted and suddenly he saw a necklace dangling from her fingers. It was Isabel's necklace… and it was caked in blood.

Levi froze for a second. He'd almost forgotten about the necklace entirely.

The jewelry was covered in brown, dried, blood and the thought of… whose blood it was…

A surge of pain hit him in the chest. He felt the urge to drift away, to let his mind wander back to the past again, but he refused to let that happen. He still had an obstacle to face.

Levi shook his head and walked to Aubrey, holding out his hand.

She looked up at him. There was worry, fear, concern, in her eyes and Levi knew she needed a bit more reassurance.

He held her jaw and pulled her in for a gentle kiss before returning his attention to the necklace. He hoped she could tell that he was ready, that he wanted to do this.

She must have understood because she sighed and dropped the jewelry into his palm. Levi closed his fingers around the necklace and grabbed her hand. He might be facing this himself but he still needed her.

Levi led them back into the bathroom and paused at the sink. He paused, taking one last look at the jewels in their bloodied state and then turned on the water.

He watched the necklace reappear as the blood washed away in brown streaks to reveal the gold. This time, he couldn't help drifting to the past a bit. All he could think of was how happy Isabel had been when he'd given it to her. The day after, she'd practically been jumping on him all day and he'd had to tell her to knock it off. Now… he wished that maybe he hadn't.

"Levi."

He blinked and suddenly felt Aubrey's fingers combing through his hair. She must have recognized that he was lost.

His eyes returned to the necklace only to see that it was completely clean. All traces of blood and dirt had been carried away by the water and now… it was just the necklace he remembered.

Levi saw Aubrey's hand reach over to turn off the water and then she placed her fingers on his jaw. She turned him away from the sink and forced him to face her.

"That's everything, Levi. It's over now. For real."

Aubrey raised both hands to his cheeks and pulled him closer until their foreheads touched.

"It's over. It's over."

Levi couldn't take it anymore.

He ran a hand into her hair, locking it against her scalp, and then dragged her lips to his.

Aubrey's arms wrapped around his neck as she kissed him back. She almost felt like crying. It was so strange, so unreal that they were finally going to be able to move on. She'd fought against the urge to be with him for so long and now… she could.

Aubrey broke away. As much as she wanted to keep her lips locked with his, she also wanted to get out of this room, to leave it all behind.

"Let's go home, Levi."

Levi nearly choked at her words. Home. They had a home now. Together.

He kissed her again but didn't let it last long. He wanted to go, too.

When they broke away, Aubrey grabbed the satchel and threw it over her shoulder. Levi watched curiously as she reached into the cabinet one last time and pulled out Tika's rock. Aubrey just shoved it into her pocket without saying a word.

She didn't seem bothered at all so, after glancing at her features one last time, Levi moved on. He went to the main room and picked up their sets of 3DMG. Aubrey could carry the bag, he would carry these.

Finally, he turned and saw that Aubrey was gathering their pile of dirty sheets in her arms. She tucked the bundle of cloth under her arm and then looked to him.

"Let's go."

Levi nodded and walked to the door. He stopped, waiting for her to join him. He saw her eyes glide over the space one last time. Then, she met his gaze, and just a second later, they were gone.

Aubrey made a stop at the laundry room to drop off the sheets. She'd come back and wash them later. For now, she wanted to get back to their room as soon as possible.

Finally, they arrived at their door and Aubrey threw it open. As soon as Levi was in, it slammed closed again and Aubrey heard the clatter of the 3DMG on the floor as she dropped her own bag.

Levi's hands were on her hips in second and he twisted her around to face him. His lips crashed into her immediately.

Aubrey returned his intensity. They'd done it. They'd really, truly, done it. This was their home now, a place where they could be together and heal. And she wanted to start right now.

Aubrey put her hand on his chest and pushed until they backed into the bed.

Levi didn't hesitate to lie back, pulling her down on top of him. They scrambled further onto the mattress and Aubrey realized that there weren't even any sheets. Oh well.

She crawled onto him, her legs going on either side of his torso as her lips met his again and again.

This time felt different. It was so gentle, so tender. She knew there would be no teasing, no drawn out torture. Both of them just wanted to hold each other.

Levi wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her closer as she ran her hands down his chest.

Aubrey found the seam of his shirt and tugged. Levi got the message and he sat up just enough for her to pull it over his head. She pushed him back into the mattress as soon as the shirt hit the floor.

Her mouth left his lips and she instead turned her attention to his newly exposed skin. She followed her old pattern of kissing over his scars but when she ran out of lines to trace she just let her mouth wander.

Levi sighed as he stared at the ceiling. Her lips were intoxicating and the feeling of her hands roaming over his chest was overwhelming. Every touch sent flames through his entire body and yet he still felt… calm. Somehow she always managed to make him feel both at the same time.

Levi let his body go limp as he enjoyed the attention Aubrey was giving him. He wasn't in a rush, neither of them were.

Aubrey savoured the feeling of his body beneath her. She knew she'd never grow tired of it, that she would never not be shocked by how perfect he was.

Aubrey kept going until she finally felt Levi's hands slide up her thighs and land on her hips. She lifted her head and saw the hunger in his eyes. He was ready to move on.

She brought her lips to his for one last kiss and didn't resist when Levi sat up and seated her in his lap. His mouth found her neck and she tilted her head to give him better access. It was her turn to relax.

Levi dragged his lips over her skin until he came to the sensitive spot. He nibbled at it and Aubrey squeezed his shoulders as her head lolled even further to the side.

He stayed there for a minute, relishing in the way her little gasps and moans filled the silence. When he finally pulled away, he saw that he'd left a red mark and had to suppress a smirk. Hopefully her clothes would cover it.

Levi went back to her lips as he bunched her shirt in his hands. Aubrey lifted her arms and he removed it quickly, only breaking away long enough for the cloth to get out of the way.

Aubrey leaned in closer and nipped at his lip, gasping when he bit right back and took control of the kiss.

Levi hummed into her mouth and reached around her back, throwing her bra to the floor the second he got it off.

He moved on from her lips and brought his head to her chest.

Aubrey inhaled sharply when he found her breast and her hands automatically flew to his hair, grasping at the strands for some kind of stability.

Her gasps continued as Levi traveled across her skin, his teeth grazing and causing her to shake as he held her up.

She could think of nothing but the way he was touching her, the way he managed to make her tremble with just the lightest brush of his lips.

Soon, Aubrey couldn't take it anymore and she brought her hand to his chin, lifting his back to her mouth. Levi heeded her request. He was going to give her whatever she wanted tonight. No games, no plans. Whatever she wanted, she would get.

Levi kissed her deeply, his hand splaying across her cheek as their mouths locked together repeatedly. He felt like he couldn't stop… so he didn't.
Even as he lowered her onto the mattress, he never let their lips part.

Aubrey felt his hands wander down her sides until he reached her waistband. Levi never stopped kissing her even as he undid the button on her pants. It took him a little longer than usual but Aubrey didn't mind one bit. Their slow pace was just what she wanted.

When he finally got the button undone, Aubrey lifted her hips and let him slide the clothing down her thighs.

Levi groaned when he realized that he'd have to break away to get her pants off. He decided to just do it as quickly as possible. He pulled away, slid her pants the rest of the way down her legs and then he was back on her lips before the clothing had even hit the ground.

Aubrey kissed him back happily but she was starting to realize that she needed more. She wanted him. Soon.

Her legs tightened around his knee but after just a few seconds she felt Levi's hand go down her side. He stopped between her legs and pressed down over her underwear.

Aubrey gasped and her back arched off the mattress. His lips moved to her neck again and she felt his teeth on the sensitive spot.

She whined and squirmed beneath him. He always knew exactly how to make her crazy.

Levi didn't wait long to give her what she needed. He was going to stay true to his earlier decision. Whatever she wanted, she'd get.

His fingers slid beneath the fabric of her panties and he slid them down, pulling away again to get them completely off.

He put his lips on hers one last time, exploring every bit of her mouth before he finally crept back, his hands finding her knees.

Aubrey let her head fall back and she tried to catch her breath. She didn't get to.

Levi's tongue went between her legs and she wailed. Her back arched, her toes curled, and her hands gripped the sheets. Aubrey felt his fingers join in after just a few seconds and she yelped again.

Her hips would have been jerking in every direction were it not for his arm pressing into her and holding her down.

Aubrey felt him sucking, licking, prodding. It was an unimaginable sensation. She'd thought he couldn't get any better… but he had.

She couldn't stop the squeals, moans, and small cries that escaped her. The feeling was so intense that her entire body was tingling.

It didn't take long before Levi had her trembling and he felt her hands in his hair as he pushed her to the limit.

Aubrey grasped at the strands in her hands. He had her so close and she could tell that the familiar rise in her core was almost to its peak.

Finally, Levi moved his tongue one last time and Aubrey felt her eyes roll back. She cried out and her body went limp as Levi pulled his mouth away from her.

She lay there, gasping and panting as she came back down.

But Levi didn't give her much time to relax.

She gasped as she felt him push inside of her. The gasp was less from pain and more from surprise. How had he managed to get his pants off so fast?

Levi hovered over her and instantly found her lips.

Aubrey kissed him back but she was still shocked by the suddenness of his advance. She didn't stay shocked for long.

Levi started to rock them back and forth and Aubrey wrapped her legs around his back almost automatically. But when she felt his hand going down her side again she knew exactly why he was moving so fast. He was going to push her over the edge again without giving her break. Just like last time.

Aubrey was squirming before he even touched her. She practically screamed when he did.

She was still too sensitive and every touch was amplified ten times over.

She felt the ache that came along whenever he pushed her again so soon. She whimpered.

"Levi…"

Levi tucked his head into her neck and whispered in her ear, his voice low and rough as he struggled to contain himself.

"Let it happen."

Aubrey groaned, her back arching even further off the bed. Everything was right on the edge of being too much but she did her best to relax.

Levi quickened their pace and Aubrey whined again. She sucked in shaky breaths and dug her fingernails into his shoulders. She felt his lips on her skin and then noticed that he was slowly moving down. His teeth hit the sensitive spot again and she squealed, no longer able to hold it in. She started writhing around but Levi just pressed further into her, holding her still.

He could feel her starting to shake again and knew that she was almost there. He pushed her faster and she whimpered loudly, gripping his shoulders even tighter.

Levi scraped at her neck one last time and felt her whole body tense beneath him as she screamed his name.

Levi let himself go and then fell onto the bed beside her. He only paused for a second before he reached over and pulled her onto his chest. He didn't want to go one second without her skin on his.

She was panting but he couldn't help placing a kiss on her lips. He kept it short and then moved to her cheek and then her collarbone. He was still breathless himself, but he had such an urge to be near her that he didn't care.

Aubrey sighed even as she struggled for air. His touch was the most comforting thing in the world to her and in that moment she felt so loved that she thought she might fall apart.

Levi took a bit longer to calm his breathing than he usually did but as soon as he felt he could, he locked their lips again.

When he pulled away, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even closer, clutching her to his chest. If it were up to him, he'd never let her go.

"I love you."

Aubrey melted, tears coming to her eyes. It was so rare that he said it first.

She buried herself in his chest and just barely managed to respond.

"I love you, too."

A/N: Okay, honestly, one of the things I'm looking forward to most about writing book 2 is being able to start a new google doc. Like, for real, my internet cannot handle a 650 page fanfic anymore. It does NOT know what's going on lol. Can't wait to write without waiting 5 minutes for the words to load. And, yes, I refuse to separate it by chapter. I need it all in one place lol.

As for the *spice* in this chapter, I kept it a bit more… um, mellow? I mean, I don't know if I would call any smut mellow but, like, there wasn't anything super crazy in there lol. I just couldn't picture them having a steamy smut session directly after cleaning out the rooms of their dead friends… yes, I said that. But, I DID think they'd want to be close to each other. So… yeah, lol. I'm thinking there are only going to be one or two more smut chapters in this book before it ends. Y'all are telling me it's not too much and that I manage to make it fit into the plot well so I'll stop asking every time I think I should write one and just do it, hah.

There's going to be a little more fluff here (because I'm a sucker for fluff and these two have been through a lot of rough stuff lately and I want them to just be happy for a bit lol) and then I'll pick up the story and end it. We're getting there, y'all.

Thank you for all of the well wishes with school! It means a lot! Anything to get me through that 40 page reading on Ancient Roman Religion lol. AND, UM, CAN I JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE COMMENTS ON THE LAST CHAPTER. THEY LITERALLY MADE MY DAY AND GOT ME OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING. I wake up every day and the first thing I do is check my email for comments lol. If anything, y'all are a good alarm clock. SO KEEP LEAVING THEM. The serotonin is working. THANK YOU.