Queen Historia never got much sleep nowadays. Royalty was hard enough, but being royalty when your land faces war-both against Titans and the people of Marley?

She sighed, rubbing the bump on her stomach, containing the future ruler of this land.

"I hope it's easier for you, little one." Historia whispered, leaning back and reflecting on the past, "I want to see a world you'll be safe in."

Safe.

That was a word the queen was foreign to, as the only person that made her experience that was Ymir-and Ymir was long gone. Devoured, like many other countless souls, by a Titan. Not even the father of the royal's child made her feel safe. It wasn't that she didn't care for the man at all, but he could never compare to her first-and only-love.

Historia sighed, leaning back into her bed, and tried to push the concerns and unanswered questions out of her mind. She had to keep moving forward, no matter what, for the future of Paradis and her unborn child. In order to do that, she needed to try and rest.

Minutes passed-or perhaps hours-the queen never knew nowadays, before sleep finally welcomed her.

When she opened her eyes, relieved to finally seem to rest without nightmares, she was shocked to find herself in a desert-beautiful lights in the sky showing a path to somewhere.

Confused and disorientated, Historia started to follow the path, wondering how she was so conscious of her actions inside a dream. The royal never had an experience with lucid dreaming, and never one so...vivid.

"Historia?"

The voice, flooding back so many memories into the girl's mind, was both jarring and euphoric.

Hesitantly, Historia turned around, and her breath caught at the sight.

"Y...Ymir?" She managed to rasp out, a mixture of disbelief and love taking over her system. If this was a dream, it was the best one she ever had.

But, there Ymir stood. The girl that, until their last moments, she didn't even realize how much she loved. Yet, Historia couldn't help but smile at the sight of the beautiful girl. Tall, brunette, and her freckles seemed to shine underneath the stars.

Ymir was equally shocked, not understanding how a spirit could meet a living. Could it mean Historia had died? That thought was heartbreaking, yet happy, as they could finally be together. But, that wouldn't be possible. Titan-shifter spirits don't go to the same land as human spirits. Even if Ymir had spent her entire time since her death searching for a way to enter the spirit land for humans, she hadn't found an answer yet. She figured she'd have years before Historia passed away, and time to figure things out. But, with the young queen standing in front of her, the questions seemed to dissipate and all she felt was pure adoration.

Historia, unable to believe her eyes, ran out and hugged the taller girl-she relished in the fact that she could feel her. Feel her muscular arms wrap around her, and hear her breaths as she hugged her tight. She was real, well, maybe not real. But, she was here. Ymir was there and it was all that mattered.

"I don't know how this is happening, but can we please get married now?" Was all Ymir could manage to say, as she hugged the smaller girl as if she was the last thing in the universe.

"You haven't changed one bit." Historia said, before pulling away from the hug in sadness, "you..you haven't changed a bit."

Confused by the girl's sadness, Ymir tilted her head and looked at the royal before realizing what she meant. Her blue eyes, that always seemed to light up the world, were dulled and exhausted. Age was evident on Historia, not considerable age-nothing like wrinkles or the such. But, she was older. She was older and she was-

"You're pregnant?" Ymir asked, gasping slightly and feeling a twinge of pain inside. While it was unrealistic, she had always imagined Historia waiting for her. A part of her was happy the girl could find happiness in someone knew, but the selfish side always wanted her to love her and only her.

"Yes." Historia said, looking down at the sand, "But….it's not romantic. Not...like that. It's hard to explain but-"

Ymir cut her off, cupping the girl's face in her hands and smiling, "it's okay. Life happens. I'm sure you had your reasons, and you can move on."

"No, no. Ymir, I can't move on from you." Historia said, tears starting to spill from her eyes, "I know you're not really here, you're dead, at least I don't think you're really here. I know we weren't official, and our story never completed. But, I can't move on from you. Not one makes me safe like you do, no one makes me feel….strong and invincible like you. Ever since you left me to go with Reiner, there's been a hollowness inside that I can't fill. Ymir, I'm sorry I didn't realize until the end, but I loved you. I love you."

Ymir, never the crier, had to fight the tears building in her eyes. Here was her love, the girl she wanted to marry, here she was in front of her. And she was so perfect, she always was. Even with the age, and the exhaustion, Historia was still the most beautiful thing Ymir had ever seen-even more beautiful than the path of lights where they currently stood.

"I'm here." She whispered, "I'm here with you, and I don't know how. But, I love you. I always have."

"There's so much I need to tell you, but I don't know how much time we have here." Historia said, "so, just in case, there's something I've wanted to do for years."

With that, the girl reached up and brought Ymir's face down, before leaning up. The taller girl matched the younger, and their lips met. For both, it was a feeling a home they've never felt. A feeling from heaven, it was something that nothing could ever top. True happiness, and true love. The years Ymir spent pinning, and the years Historia grieved, finally amounting up to what they both wanted.

Neither felt like they could stop the kiss, and their hands gripped at each other tight. Historia's hands tangled in Ymir's hair, and Ymir's arms just wrapping around the smaller girl. It was so natural for both of them, and so right.

When they finally withdrew, something inside them both said their time was ending soon. The lights in the sky were starting to dim, signaling the sun rising.

"Historia, " Ymir started to say quickly, "I never wanted to leave you. I wanted to live forever with you. But, I took the titan from their friend-Reiner and Bertholdt-I didn't want them to suffer for my gift of getting to know you. I had to go, I guess in a minute of selflessness that I'll never get again. I regret leaving you, I regret not marrying you, but I'd do it all again to assure your safety. I'm so sorry I hurt you."

"Oh Ymir." Historia sighed, hugging the girl again, and taking in her scent-just so that she'd never forget, "I don't know we've met like this, and I don't know if we will again. But, I've forgiven you a thousand times over. Be at peace. We'll meet again, I don't know how. But, we will."

"I love you so much." Ymir said, squeezing her once more before letting go, "But I have to leave. I have to follow the path before the sun rises."

Historia nodded, watching as Ymir started to walk away. It was a feeling Historia was familiar with, Ymir leaving her. But, this time it wasn't out of fear-the queen felt at peace. She felt at home, and safe.

"Ymir!" Historia yelled, watching as the taller girl turned around in confusion, "Yes! When we meet again, yes! I will marry you!"

Before Historia faded into consciousness-and a wakeful state-she swore that even from the long distance between them, she saw Ymir smile.

When the queen finally woke up, a pang of sadness greeted her at the sight of her ceiling. But, after more consideration, Historia smiled and rubbed her belly lovingly.

That was the best sleep she had gotten in ages.

And, for the first time in forever, she felt safe-knowing Ymir's spirit was still out there, and that there was a possibility for them to live happily after.

One day.