The sun was shining and the wind blowing spindrift sharp on his face. His hood was pushed back because of it. He could hear birds chirping as he entered the countryside where the Orphanage is. Away from the hustle of the city, This place has always given him a sense of comfort. The first time they were here was four years ago and the land was just bare. Historia had them plant more trees around and ensured the pathways were all shaded and they could have activities even when the sun was blazing down.

She thought everything through and yet will still seek out his opinions from time to time. For Levi, so long as the kids were no longer Underground and had a roof on their heads, that would be enough. All of these were just extras.

"But I want the best for them. If you're going to do it half-assed, might as well not!" he remembered her saying years ago. Half-assed? He had never been called that before, in fact, most of his tasks were completed in perfection. God she was a handful. But in truth, he was grateful that the newly appointed Queen had decided to take this seriously.

As he arrived at the Orphanage, the place was unusually quiet than it usually was in his past visits. He did come unannounced due to some unexpected scheduling with the trip. Hange had decided for the Scouts to leave a month earlier as Kiyomi managed to get them some spots in a Forum held in Marley.

He knocked on the door and waited patiently.

The door was opened and there she was, the Queen of Paradis. Her white dress, though humble in the extreme, looked pretty on her. He felt a surge of relief that it was her that greeted him.

"Captain Levi? Did something happen? " she asked, concerned with his sudden arrival. She looked around to see if he came with anybody else but no other presence was around. "You did mention to come but isn't that the following week?"

Ah yes. He was supposed to do his last visit before prepping for Marley in the next three weeks.

"Your Majesty." he greeted. "Is this a bad timing?" he glanced around, still no sound of the kids and no one guarding the place. That irked him. True, he wanted not to be seen by any of the MPs but this was way too easy and too careless for the Queen's safety.

"Come in, Captain. No one is here. The kids are on a field trip and will probably be home in the next few hours. You miss them already? Is that it?" she teased.

"Tsk, not a chance.. You are left alone? Where are the MPs?" he spat, entering the property. "So they really are a bunch of useless shitheads." He needed to address this to Nile once he got back to the Capital.

"There's no need for them to be here, Levi. I'm perfectly safe here. Only the trusted few know about this place anyways. Tea? I just brewed some for me. I'll get you a fresh cup." Historia headed to the kitchen. Levi looked dissatisfied but he just nodded and followed her to the kitchen. He will definitely harass Nile about this.

They were in silence until he could smell the comforting cup of tea placed right in front of him. He, however, made no indication on taking the first sip. Somehow this feeling seems a little unrealistic at the moment, he felt like. Something felt off. As if it would be the last one. He even questioned the actual reason for him being here.

Historia frowned, took a seat next to him at the end of the wooden dining table. She noticed his pensive look and the fact that his tea was still untouched, bothered her.

"What's the matter, Levi?" she asked.

Well, he did come with news though. It wasn't all...

"I'm - We're leaving in a few days. To Marley." he said. "The Association to Protect the subjects of Ymir will be at the International Forum and Kiyomi managed to get us in. We need to know if we can work something out with them."

"Oh. That's almost a month earlier than planned." she responded, realising the reality of it.

"Won't be smart to do a return trip after the Forum. The Marley and Mid-East war will soon end. So we will have to lay low in Azumabito's Estate in the meantime. That would be, assumingly, the next few months. We will get Zeke over right after, should everything go as planned." he explained.

"Right. I'll be ready then. For whatever that comes." she said.

He wanted to tell her that she has nothing to worry about but that would be a blatant lie. And there's this other thing too..

"As per our discussion the other day, we had no choice but to put faith in Zeke's plan, whatever fuck that is. I suspect Zackley and the rest will not go along with it. Zeke will be on a giant-ass plate once he gets here. And you know what that means." his eyes still staring on his untouched tea.

"Of course I know what that means, Levi." she snapped.

Funny, he came because he wanted to see her, but he could not even look at her. It shamed him that his promise before might all just be in vain. So when she snapped, it took him by surprise. He finally lifted his eyes to her, she looked intense.

"Historia…Like we said, we wi-"

"Is everything well-prepared?" she cut him off. "You will be on a foreign land, filled with people who hate our guts. One little blunder can cost you life. So will you be okay, Levi?" she looked at him in despair.

That got him startled at how absurdly unnecessary her concern was.

Has she lost her faith in him to the very extent that he will be incapable of taking care of himself? Wait, he must have heard her wrong. She must mean her friends. Eren, specifically? He knew they were close. That irritates him to no end.

Levi sighed, then downed his drink in one shallow. He felt a tolerable mild burn rushing down his throat. Like a tiny bit of a punishment, for being here, unnecessarily.

"Cant promise shit, Historia, but I'll keep an eye on Eren." he answered.

Eren? Historia blinked. She's infuriated. Somehow his answer angered her in a way.

Fucks sake, what now? He definitely came in at a terrible timing.

"You're unbelievable. Eren can fucking take care of himself." she stood up with a slight flush to her cheeks. Historia's had enough of this. She had been worrying about a certain Captain for weeks. This had all started as some kind of a silly infatuation from years ago and it led to many wicked daydreaming. Then came the day of the Railway banquet where she was almost certain of her feelings. So piling all of these inside was hard. She had snapped and on the verge of ruining the friendship that she very much treasured. She needed to stay calm and stop this stupidity at once. But it's too late now, isn't it?

"What the fuck, Historia?"

"You're done with the tea, so help yourself out." she left the kitchen in an urgency, leaving a very dumbfounded Levi.

Historia practically ran off to the stairs that headed to her room. When she first saw Captain Levi at the front of the door, she was ecstatic. She was not expecting him till the next week. But he brought her back to reality. The reality that everyone was fighting for her, for the people and she can't do shit about it. Then her thoughts wandered deeper, suddenly concerned for the safety of a certain someone who she knew had no problem with that at all. He's the Humanity's Strongest after all. But, she can't help but worry still.

And he dared say her worries were only for Eren? He's been calling people daft, now he's one!

She was alerted by another footsteps coming right up towards her. Her heartbeat quickens. She turned to look and there he was fuming, standing just a few steps below. Within seconds, he was already right next to her. Levi had one hand blocking the way for her to go further up to her bedroom and another was on her side to the wall. She was now trapped in between the arms of the Captain.

Levi sighed, lowered his head as he took a deep breath to calm himself.

Oh no.

When she left hurriedly he was literally confused. He was contemplating to leave but this was not how he wished the day end. Not with Historia being so upset for whatever reasons. His heart felt a little sore.

He needed to find out.

"What the hell was that?" his brow furrowed in deep crease. Keeping his eyes on her, wondering what could possibly made her acting so fucking weird today. He can see that she was trying to figure out a way to sneak out from him.

"Don't..even..try." he drawled. "Did spending too much time with the kids turn you back into one? You're way past that, Historia."

That seemed to pique her curiosity. Perhaps, it was time to let that get the better of her. She's a damned Queen, might as well act like one. She stood still, lifting her eyes up back to him. She saw the intense gazes he held on his eyes. Her heart was burning with desire. She did not know whether it was the cool silence of the house or the fact that she was ready, but it gave her goosebumps.

Levi's expressions softened as he saw her indecipherable look. This was making him uncomfortable as fuck. She has yet to say anything but he was ready to retreat, slightly regretted pursuing her in this state.

As he was about to withdraw one of his arms, she boldly held her fingers around it, as if commanding him to stay still. She felt him twitching a little. Her blue-eyes were still piercing on his. She won't be running away again this time, nor should he.

"So you do see me as a woman, not a child nor a kid, but a woman?" she asked. She sounded so strong however she was shaking inside.

Her questions got him stunned. He could feel his brow furrowed more than ever now. What fuck?

"What's that supposed to mean? Look at you, damn it." The irony was, Levi can't even look at her when he spat that out of his mouth. "You're avoiding my question earlier, Historia. What the hell was that down there?" he asked again.

"Look at me? Then fucking look at me, Levi." she challenged him. Ahh, she stunned him yet again with her boldness. Curse words didn't suit her at all but it got his heart racing and emotion surged. He started this thinking he would be in control but he got owned by the Queen herself.

Can he?

"I can't." he whispered. He tilted his head lightly to the side, refusing to take up the challenge she just proposed. He knew nothing good would come out of it. It will only reveal the truth.

"Why?" she whispered back. Her other hands now ventured slowly to his coat, until it reached the piece of fabric that was just above his waist. She clutched on it as if her life depended on it. Her eyes shut. The unappeasable longing in her heart had not changed, it was now pounding through her chest. She knew there was a big chance of being rejected but having to live in the unknowing was hard as well.

There was the silence again until she heard him sigh. Then, her hand, which was still clutching tight on his coat, felt the warmth of his touch. She opened her eyes and she saw the look that he had on. A strange gleam on his keen grey eyes. And she knew.

It surprised her but she knew then. The troubled look that he had, the lust on his eyes, he was battling with his inner thoughts and she did not want that. She wanted him to concede.

"Why, Levi?" she asked again.

"Cause I can't fucking stop once I did." He answered in defeat.

"Then don't." she pleaded.

"Stop saying nonsense."

"Look at me Levi. Please."

He looked. And really looked. She was shaking but she held her gaze as bravely as she could. That alone had him mesmerized. He knew she was a stubborn one. She would not have gotten far if she was meek.

Historia Reiss continued to impress him in many ways. Levi had to admit defeat. How could he not when she had that look on her. He was only a man, afterall. Got distracted, longed and fallen for somebody he shouldn't.

"I came to see you before I leave. The rest are just excuses. Could have asked anyone to send the news. But I wanted to see you myself." he whispered.

Her eyes widened.

He reached for her chin and slowly guided her trembling lips to his. As his mouth met hers, so warm and gentle, he kissed her. Her lips stiffened at first but gradually softened. To his surprise, she kissed him back and he could feel her warm breath against his cheek as she let out a soft moan of pleasure - teasing him into a state of fiery desire. Levi groaned. There was a sudden rush in his blood that up to no good.

He broke the kiss, clearly didn't anticipate her responding so well to that. She should have slapped him hard so he would know his place. Her face was flushed bright red and so was he.

"Fuck." that was all he managed to say at that point. Historia sounding like that did not help.

"Kiss me again." Historia ran her fingers on his chest. She was serious and he did say he would not stop. But he did not want this to happen only because they were in the heat of a moment. Is she even aware of the consequences?

"Historia, anything further.. It will be-"

"Are you still seeing me as a child? I'm perfectly capable of making my own decision now."

That again. She needs to stop saying that.

"It's not that at all, you fool." She's a fucking attractive grown-ass person, why would she even say that. "Whatever this is, it won't be good for you." he reasoned.

"So everyone seems to know what's good for me, but myself? Is that it?" her hands gripped his hands tightly. "You know who's been good to me? You. You've been brutally honest with me without a shade of lie, you've been protective of me in your own ways. You've given me strengths that I never knew I had. What are we, Levi?. Are we friends? Companions? Are you a soldier serving his Queen? This is all new to me. But I have longed for you..thought of you more than I should. " she blurted out.

This revelation struck him hard. He thought his fascination was one sided or just Devils playing games on him - taking a piece of his heart and letting it wander off to a certain Queen. It should have stayed as it is, never pursuit and no one would ever know. This was not the plan. There was just no time for this.

They are in the middle of war for fuck's sake. It determines whether they get to live or not. This, whatever this is, should not be important. Isn't it?

Or it's just a big fucking excuse? Is this what he has turned into? A coward?

"Fuck, Historia. The timing is just.. " he was still at loss of words.

"Like I said, I will be ready for anything. Whatever the outcome is after Marley. But, in case of my feelings, Levi, can I be selfish for once? Just let me.. even in secret, just let me have this."

In secret? A Queen with no authority on her own feelings. Is this what he put her up into four years ago? And him denying the one thing that she has been keeping inside because he can't be selfish? He's no hero. He's merely a human.

He felt her hands on his cheek, her touch comforted him.

"Why fight for humanity if we can't allow ourselves for.. love. You have looked after everyone for so long is it not the time to look after yourself?

Love? He almost flinched to that. That word was almost as rare as the freedom they seek. He had known no love after his mother's death, even that was a blurry.

Levi cupped his hand on Historia's, which was still holding on his cheek. She'd become so brazen. Showed maturity more than he could have been today. Levi felt slightly ashamed.

Love. Yes, he'd seen it in her. How she had given all her love and passion towards the people, the orphans. Just not to herself. This was what she's trying to say, wasn't it?

Being selfish for once. Being brave and true to himself.

He managed a small smile. Her words were always so driven.

"Is that how you charm your people, Queen Historia? With your enthralling speeches on love and .. feelings?" his fingers run over her soft lips. The lips that he had taken a liking to.

"On love? Quite possibly. Of my feelings? Only the select few have heard of it." she blushed.

"Select few? Tsk. Who else did you blab your feelings to? Here I thought I was the first to hear about this.. confession." he asked, curious.

"Err.. I might have asked Hange too much about your whereabouts these past weeks."

Hange? Shit. That explains her being so pushy about his visit today, and had asked him to keep it low.

"Ahh. So I've got a stalker. I had a feeling of being watched as of late. Was that you lurking in a corner?" he teased.

She gave him a lighthearted punch on his chest. The teasing was too much for her. Almost like he was flirting. It was another side of him that she hadn't seen before and it made her heart race again. Her eyes went back to his lips, remembering the sweet little kiss they just had minutes ago. She gulped. Should she go for another peck? Would that be too much or very, unladylike?

"Well, if you're done with your noble speeches, I'd like to get back to kissing." he stated, as if he could read her mind.

Historia got even redder this time. Her heart was pounding so hard she believed he could have heard as well.

"That was my first time, I apologize if it was.. mediocre." she said in embarrassment.

What fuckery. Did he really need to point out the obvious? He felt very uncomfortable under his pants already.

"First time?" That surprised him. "Well, for someone who thinks she's a know-it-all, haven't you noticed what you are doing to me, Historia?" his voice ragged. His head was getting dizzier as he closed the gap between them again. The sweet smell of her hair came rushing back to his nose. He pushed her lightly against the wall. She gasped.

"You're trouble, you know that?" his fingers ran through her hair and went downwards to her curvy waist. The material of her dress was thin so it helped him feel the heat of her body. Historia shivered into his touch. "Yet, I've carelessly desired you for...ah I don't even know." his hands moved lower to her bottom and gave it a flirty squeeze before drawing her flushed to him.

Desired her? Historia was too hot to respond. Her cheek burned once she felt the steady bulge in his pants. She understood what he meant now. A mix of excitement and nervousness filled in her mind.

"Levi!" she stammered as felt her dress was slightly lifted, making room for both of his hands to lift her hips, clinging onto his waist. She was yet again pushed against the wall and secretly loved it.

"What?" he asked, his stormy grey eyes haunted hers. "Do you want me to stop now?"

"No, don't stop." she responded, daringly. Her eyes showed fierce determination burning in them. Levi smirked.

"Very well." with that being said, he seized her lips. The sound of her moan echoed inside his mouth when he kissed her again, ravishly. He sneaked in his tongue to taste her fully. The kisses were more intoxicating this time around. His tongue went deeper, dueling hers. She tasted like sweet peach and he could not even brain the possibility.

He felt her fingers travel through his hair, giving them a soft yank. He groaned. Sending pleasant shivers down each's spine.

Levi trailed away from her already swollen pink lips, giving her room to breathe. With his eyes shut, his lips moved sensually from her cheek to her throat. Then, he drowned in the smell of her neck. He felt her melted against him. She moaned again when he gave her a lick on her sensitive skin, sucking them hard. The sound of her moans were all very erotic it drove him nuts.

He lifted his head and found her so fucking alluring.

"Historia?" He breathed. "How long do we have before the brats comes back?" he asked before going back for a second round to seduce her neck.