A Line nearly Crossed
As predicted, the giant tree's started to shorten, seeing the light at the never ended tunnel, they came out to a clear rocky field, with boulders in places as if they rolled into place, the journey took longer than expected, as boredom seem to set in the group rather easily, as half of the group preferring silence, and the scratching of both pen and pencil of both respective users wrote in their respective books, Daz, recording the decisions made, with the help from Mikasa, as she pointed out key details on their journey that Daz missed out.
Mikasa meeting the eyes of Alan who seem to be listening as he seems to draw in his diary, looks away back to Daz with a hint of redness to her cheeks.
It's good that she's being a bit more talkative than the usual silence she has been the past year when not around Eren, Alan is aiming for her to open up and make decisions for herself without outside influence, as he did once, shaking the unwanted memory creeping in, he resumed focus onto his drawing, trying his hardest to get that smile correctly he has seen this morning.
Garrus on the other hand gotten irritated with the scratching of pencils and pens decided to side up behind Mikasa's horse and swat again the Arse of a tied up Sasha Blouse, eliciting another yelp, 'Ah music to his ears' as the curses come rolling in from the irritated hunter.
"Stop doing that Dreiken" Daz annoyed with his behaviour, trying his very hardest not to write it in the black leather-bound logbook. Since this morning Garrus threatened to ram said book down his throat so Shadis can read his own shit, petrifying the hopeless Cadet.
Rolling his eyes, Garrus galloped to the front to speak with Alan.
Sensing his presence incoming, he closed his diary and slip it into the inside of his jacket, waiting for another possible question from the bored 'Daddy issues' cadet.
"let's see that map, scratcher" Garrus demanded, giving raise of another questioning look from the 'scratcher', shrugging "All I can hear from you is just scratching of that pencil, scratching, scratching, scratching" voice getting morose and deeper with each syllable, black eyes widening as well.
"You saw this map a dozen times, ever since we got out the clearing Garrus, we are going the right way" Alan stated, but to shut him up he handed the map to him.
Reading the map Garrus points his finger and shown it to Alan, "over this hill, if your way is the right way, we should come across in view of the mountain pass AND a RIVER" he emphasized on the river more intensely.
"If there's a point to this, you better get to it" Alan face stoic, slightly getting agitated to his behaviour, even Alan has his patience limits.
Shrugging to his remark "We need to fill on water, fresh clean water mind you, plus drink for the horses and also to throw shit breath in there" Garrus pointing at Sasha on the back of Mikasa's horse.
Hearing this, her head raised trying to get a good luck at him "Again with the shit breath, why should I be thrown in there"
Nonchalantly as if reciting from a book "because you reek of a decaying corpse, on a hot summer day, we be doing the world a favour in throwing you in there" remembering her breath that invaded his nostrils when he woke up that morning.
Slowly Mikasa moved in front of Daz, nodding her head to him to secretly record everything, with Daz nodding and grinning mischievously.
"What?! How about I drown you, you, you, aaargh" Giving up on an insult she turned her head to Mikasa "Can you untie me now, we are close to the mountain pass"
"That depends, are you going to kill Dreiken?" bluntly speaking, eyes forward, as they climb the rocky hill before them.
Stuttering Sasha remains quiet, unable to answer honestly.
As they reached the top, their eye's gazed upon the long and rather large river with the pass not so far after it, gazing to the sky the sun appears to be midday, taking this as a sign they pressed on intending to arrive at the river within the hour.
Seeing their horses getting tired and in need with water, they pressed at a reasonable pace until they reached the river. Unsaddling Alan removed his boots to cool his feet and to test how deep the waters are.
To his relief the water goes as deep to his shins, Mikasa brought the horses to the river edge, allowing them to drink quenching their thirst from carrying the riders and the baggage they brought.
Mikasa lifting Sasha off the horse, carefully placing Sasha to the water's edge. Sasha looked annoyingly to Mikasa as if to say is she serious by not untying her, which she just casually shrugs to proceeds to untie the knots in her wrists.
"Good news shit breath, water isn't deep enough for a bath" Garrus laughed until Mikasa released her hands.
Hoisting herself up she hopped to the laughing bastard and planted a fist on his already broken nose, causing him the clench it tight, from preventing it from bleeding, failing miserably. Mikasa now holding the raging huntress back swinging her tied legs. An amusing sight to say the least.
Howling in pain, Garrus cracked his nose back into its previous condition, with Daz unsurprisingly holding onto the med kit as if foreseeing this outcome.
"You should have saw that one coming Dreiken" shaking his head Daz handed over small buds of wool, for Garrus snatching the handed fabric and placing up his nose to soak up the flow of blood, eye's black from the pain.
"Aren't you going to record that Daz" he asked pointing to the book in the holster on the horse.
Daz shrugged "Nothing of importance happened, so there's no need" causing Garrus to squint and mutter fucker to the guy who is growing a bit of a backbone towards him, after one and half day the meekly guy grows a spine towards him. Grunting he removes his flask and proceed to fill it up careful not to get any blood in it.
Alan was getting his boots back on until he heard someone calling his name, looking up not so far down the river a familiar black headed tall boy, standing there smiling at him.
"Bertholdt!" Alan exclaimed jogging to his direction grasping his arm and bringing him into a hug. "Damn good sight to see you" smiling at his friend.
"Well we shortly arrived here after you and seeing that" Bertholdt pointing to Sasha "I figured that you guys need cooling down" receiving a laugh.
Soon after Annie and Ymir strolled down with their horses in tow. "Well, well, well, who would have thought Dreiken, you look like shit" Ymir called out receiving a fuck you, to her own amusement.
Looking to Alan "it seemed you have some fun as well" gazing to the scratch on his face, to which Bertholdt nervously looked at, concerned.
"It's nothing, got it cleaned up and it be healed and leaving no scar in no time" Alan grinned "I still get to keep my good looks scar free"
Annie rolled her eyes and grunted, noticing Mikasa glancing to their direction, and seeing Sasha on the floor untying the ropes around her feet. She really does not want to know what went on within his group.
Glancing to Alan "Are you going to take the mountain pass?" receiving a nod of confirmation "I wouldn't risk it, quick as it maybe, it is said that rain will come later and I rather not be on a death trap when it happens."
Grabbing onto his arm Annie looked into his eye's making Mikasa stomach take a turn for the worse as her eyes darkened at the sight, it made her uneasy again and she's not liking it one bit causing her to focusing on her horse and gear, taking her mind off the scene.
"You be careful Alan" she said concerningly
"You know me, I'm always careful" Alan shrugged and grinned.
"Seriously Alan" Bertholdt retorted with a serious look in his eye "Be careful, I hate to be the guy to tell Reiner if something happens to you, he worries for you sometimes"
"It's his duty as a soldier to worry, Bert, I be fine, trust me" returning the serious look, to which Bertholdt nodded.
"See you at the finishing line" Bertholdt called out with his group heading west avoiding the mountain pass.
Alan watched them leave, having his attention brought by Sasha egging him to get his body into gear, taking the group as sign that they maybe lagging behind.
Trotting across the river they come across the mountain pass, looking at the map the village is just pass it, as if they are at the entrance on the other side.
Unsaddling and edging into and looking down the narrow lane they see smalls rocks crumbling down the sides as if begging for the rest to be released. Seeing that Garrus and Daz paled.
"Nope, Fuck that, not in a million years" Garrus stated, leaving no intention for him to go through there turns around and walks the other direction.
Sasha grabbing his arm, her face darkened "are you scared of a few rocks? We can simply just use our ODM gear to zip right through there in no time, we can be done in no time and the MEAT will be ours" revealing her eyes shining at the prospect of earning that glorious meat.
'Yeah definitely needs her priorities straightened out'
Shocked and mouth opening and shutting again Garrus shook from his stupor "Are you seriously willing to get us killed over fucking meat, your fucking worse than Captain suicidal bastard himself, HE at least wouldn't tempt this" Garrus exclaimed causing the loud noise echoing through pass.
Silence with Alan giving a pointed look to keep his mouth shut. Daz panting from fear, chuckled "Well that was scary" leaning and tripping onto the side of the rocks causing some rocks to fall with a bang in front.
Suddenly a rumbling from above, looking up they see boulders crashing down with a thunderous crash they bounce towards side to side the group.
Sasha and Garrus pull Daz away from the entrance with Alan grabbing hold of Mikasa and leaped to the other side narrowly getting crushed. Protecting her head and body with his own, they stopped until the fall quietens, Mikasa heart pounding being in proximity with him, feeling his breath against hers. Her mind was hazy making out what just happened.
Shouts from the other side was barely audible to her as she's only processing on what just happened.
"You guys ok? Call out if your still alive" recognising the voice as Garrus, Alan called out in return.
"We're fine, is there any way out or you know, use your ODM to get over?" concern in his voice.
Silence crept as they hear a cable whirl with a hook attached above the top of a huge boulder pile in between them and the entrance, latching onto soft rock, more rocks started to slide down added more to the pile, Mikasa and Alan jump back avoided any more hassle than needed, they can hear Daz whimpering from the other end, saying it's all his fault, with Sasha crying over how they nearly got killed.
Alan looking back to the narrow pass behind, they have no choice, they must move forward. "Garrus, you three take the long way around, see if you can catch up to Bertholdt's group tell him what happened, we can manage to navigate this death trap of a pass"
"Yeah, good plan, have you gotten anything off the horses before we enter this fucking death trap?" Garrus called out.
Looking to Mikasa, she holds to her side a satchel with what's left of the cooked rabbits, sadly no first aid. "Only the meat from the satchel you gave Mikasa" rolling his eyes as he heard a few curses and a choking sound from the other end. 'They seriously need to get their priorities straight'
Picking up Mikasa they check each other for injuries and a cold gust of wind come across them, holding onto their cloaks for protection from their biting cold. Wishing each group good luck, they proceed forward, each step of a time.
If he were to say today was the worst day of his military training, he be pretty close, leading to the front, hoods up protecting their brow taking the brunt of heavy rain pelting to his front, with Mikasa behind leaning in to protect her eyes.
"Rain she said, be careful she said, one way to jinx the whole thing Annie" cursing under his breath, climbing the rocks, moving upwards into the pass, regretting to come this way in the first place, avoiding any missteps or wrong movements they climbed slowly and carefully, hoping that the ground they walk on wouldn't give way beneath them.
The wind relentlessly soars through them, threatening them to fall backwards down the steep slope they climbed. The rain pounding mercilessly, soaking them to the point of them shivering.
Mikasa determined to get through this, opens her eyes a bit more seeking any form of shelter, at the far edge, she could make out a black hole, hoping for it to be cave unless the storm was playing tricks on her. Pushing through she pointed the direction of a potential shelter, giving a nod they braved the winds, few rocks fallen from above behind them. Tired and cold they arrived and to their relief it was a cave of some sorts, toeing into the darkness out of the weathering storm, they took a moment to catch their breath.
Staring into the darkness, they moved further in, getting away from the gale pounding at their doorstep. Alan placed held his hand backwards implying for Mikasa to stop, but without realising Mikasa moved forward accidently pressing her breast against his hand, feeling the softness of her mound and the hardness of her… oh shit. Alan quickly moved his hand away and froze attention, Mikasa, blinked a few seconds and realised what happened and gazed the away from him, thankful for both of their deepening red blushes hidden in the darkness.
Clearing his throat Alan hesitantly turned to see the outline of her head "You happen to have any wood in that bag?"
Opening the satchel, she moved her hand around the clothed meat hoping to find something, "No" she calmly whispered, hearing him curse, she felt him crouched on the ground as if feeling for something.
Alan crawling on his hands and knees praying, for something at least something to be lying on the floor, if by a miracle chance his prayers has been answered. Feeling the roughness of logs, he sighed in relief. Stacking a few together, he crawled around for stone. Upon searching Mikasa kept her ears sharp in case they are the only ones in this cave, closing her eyes she allow her sense to sharpen, only sounds she can make out is the shuffling of her fellow crawling on the floor, and a sudden squelch, hearing a unexpected whimper from the poor man crawling on the floor.
He is not having a good day, putting his hand in something he really doesn't want to know, he found two sharp rocks he could use to make a spark. Crawling to his log placement, the sound of clicking resonated in the cave, within the darkness tiny sparks clashes as Alan bashes each stone together, hoping to set the logs alight.
A few minutes later he manages to cause small embers, reluctantly pulling his diary out, he ripped some empty pages out of the book, to give life to the embers he created, blowing ever so carefully as his baby slowly builds up to life. Mikasa watches with interest, the thought he would sacrifice a small part of himself to keep them alive, she clung to her soaked scarf unable to perish the thought that she could do the same.
The fire has started to build and Mikasa finally feeling the warmth hitting them, embracing the warmth as the flame's licks over their bodies, the cave is now slightly illuminated, able to see further. Apparently, logs were placed before by the previous occupants, for future cases as they are in.
Their clothes soaked due to the harsh conditions to the weather raging outside.
Unable to resist the shiver, Alan removed his cloak placing it to the side near the fire following his cadet jacket unceremonious bearing the insignia of two swords, underneath all that clothing Mikasa, blushed to see his undershirt, a long sleeved v neck grey top, with roughly sewn buttons, sporting to favour he prefers his sleeves rolled up pass his forearms.
Seeing the fabric clung to his body shaping his form, he grumbled and with a swift movement removed the unwanted fabric tossing it near the fire for it to dry.
Mikasa eye's widened, cheeks giving it's red glow as witnessing his body in detail.
His body muscular round the shoulders yet lean coming to his waist, for a man to be able to beat nearly anyone in his fights, his body is clean of any wounds and scars, hairs stands on his chest as he slouched tending to the fire with revealing two pieces of metal dangle around his neck, hoping to make it slightly bigger to warm the clothes carelessly thrown nearby, thankfully he only stopped at his boots, leaving only the white uniform trousers, with his knife still clinging on his person. Her eyes diverted to the fire to distract the feeling stirring in her head.
Shivering due to her clothes being soaked, she proceeds to her undress, glancing to the half-naked man to see where his eye's is lingered.
Clearing his throat noticing her movements, keeping his focus on the fire, glancing down his side seeing clothes carefully placed near the fire, blood rushes to his cheeks catching one of the fabrics is a long white sleeve shirt.
'sweet mother of the walls' resisting the urge to look.
"thank you for your decency" the voice whispered nearby, unsure it's an invitation to able to look at her, he took the risk.
Keeping his eye's fixed on her face, noticing, her blush across her face as her eye's lingered on the fire.
Taking this opportunity, he gave in to the urge to glance over her. To his relief she wore a black bra covering and trapping her assets. Her body smooth in places, bruises here and there on her skin from the fall of the rocks that nearly crushed them. He gazed further down to her abs and the curve of her waists passing down to the hips, 'Garrus, you have missed out a bountiful sight' he chuckled gaining the attention of the portrait before him, eyebrow cocking up, Alan cleared his throat quickly focusing on this now rather interesting fire he keeps tending to.
Fortunately for them the cave they have taken residence of was cool, protecting them from the harsh conditions outside. Glancing to the Asian goddess, noticing her form still shivering, her red scarf still wrapped around her neck, dripping from water. Sighing to her high affection for that scarf.
"You are going to get that dried right? Won't do much wrapped around you." Letting out a weak joke, causing Mikasa to tense clinging ever so tightly to it.
Assuming it's a touchier subject concerning that thing, ever since Garrus's unwanted intrusion towards it.
Breathing out again "I won't take it off you, your free to choose what you want to do" glancing to the woman, visibly relaxing a bit to his reassurance.
A moment of silence lingered until Mikasa broke the silence "You sound like Eren just then" causing the man to look to her direction. "Always said that I am free to choose what I want to do, yet I always want to be by his side, through everything"
"Because he's family Mikasa" as if understanding her situation, receiving an agreeing hum. "I may not know everything, from what you tell me about Eren, is that he cares deeply for his friends and family above all" eliciting a smile from her lips, eyes still gazing to the fire.
"But I doubt he wants you to have you freeze to death over the scarf, if I assume right, gave you" receiving a widen eyed reaction. Pulling the chain around his neck "Reiner gave me these, never took them off" staring back to the fire, he sported his usual grin "But sadly these are not the ones keeping me cold?" cocking his usual eye to her direction.
Mikasa heart skipped a few, touched of his understanding. Yet knowing if she willing remove this through another mans words, she feels like she is betraying Eren, yet he is right, she has the freedom to make her own choices, as if he's trying to free the burden of her caged self. Hesitating for a bit she slowly removed the scarf and neatly folded next to the fire with great care. Alan smiled seeing it as a start.
Moments pass as they wait for the storm to pass, a strong gust of wind intruded their needed warmth, suddenly both are shivering cursing at their luck.
Mikasa face stoic as usual showing no emotion, but her body is giving her away of how she truly feels, feeling damn cold, her body shaking uncontrollably, water still on her skin from the scarf she wore. Unknowingly an arm went around her shoulder, bringing her closer, tensing at the sudden contact, whirling her head to the man calmly with one arm tending to the fire. As if aware of her uncomfortable glare.
"Don't take it the wrong way Mikasa, your shivering and I'm only doing this to give you extra warmth" glancing to her direction. "I am pretty hot" grinning with the said joke.
Mikasa's mind falling blank, processing his words, he wasn't taking advantage of her vulnerability but helping her discomfort. Mixed feelings choosing whether to refuse the offer or allow the comfort he is giving willingly. Breathing slowly, she weighs her mind, her heart beating faster with the contact, reaching around her neck to find her comfort is no longer there.
Closing her eyes, she leaned closer placing her head on his shoulder, his arm wrapped further around her shoulder, 'He is extremely hot' Mikasa thought.
Alan was surprised to say the least, he expected a refusal in an instant, knowing she still feels towards Eren, but this was a good step for now. Suddenly Mikasa stirred in her movements still feeling the biting cold against her back. Slightly moving she placed herself into his lap, taking advantage of his boiling body, head now on his chest. Smiling at catching the emotion-controlled man by surprise, closing her eye's, listening to his heartbeat, the pounding of the drums danced until it steadied, slowly like a steady war drum.
Blood rushing to his cheeks, feeling the skin to skin contact of her to his chest, as she nestled into his lap. 'HOLY fucking shit' blood rushing all over his body in a frenzy, feeling her breath steady against his chest, assuming she's listening to his heart. During his distress, he regrets glancing down able to see her cleavage of her breasts. A sudden rush of his blood went further down to member, threatening to poke as she was close.
Squinting his eyes to the traitor he willed the thought away, keeping in control with his heart steadied. He is not going to let that little shit ruin this moment.
Moments passed, as the gentle breeze flow through the cave, arms wrapping around her protectively, keeping any cold from reaching her he placed his head on the top of her head, thinking of some ways to distract his mind from the image now threatening his friend to come and say hello.
'Think Alan, think of Garrus. Now thinking of Garrus stripping naked, abs all out, sexily removing his underwear, moving to himself asking to be taken' a sudden cringe formed on his face at the sudden thought with involuntary shudder, cringing that he actually went as far to image that piece of shit like that. Causing Mikasa to look up to his face to see the concern etching over her brow.
Blue meets grey, both of their hearts beat faster to the closeness they are sharing, it felt intimate, too intimate. Moving closer, lips edging closer ever so dangerously.
A sudden crash from the outside grabbed their attention, halting their train of movement, to Alan's dismay, Mikasa taking the opportunity scooted off him to check on the situation outside.
Gazing outside the weather cleared, with the sunny sky, signalling the danger has passed, judging the position of the sun, they have six hours left of light. Trailing back inside, she blushed at the sight of the man she just nearly. Dismissing the thought and ignoring her heart and the feeling raging and chastising her mind and cursing the moment disturbed.
"Storm has cleared, we have six hours of light left to get through the pass" she spoke, face no stoic. Nodding he start to check on the clothes, satisfied that they are drier than earlier, begins to put the clothes back, Mikasa staring at him, causing him to turn away so she can haver her peace, changing into her clothes.
During the silence, Alan tossed her some wrapped food, hearing the growl from his left, with a chuckle. Mikasa stared at the cold rabbit and thought of Sasha, possibly strangling Garrus for losing their spoils, biting down on the meat still tasty from when Daz has cooked it. A worried thought crossed her mind, hoping the others are safe and making it to the village. Glancing to Alan fastening his knife tightly to his leg.
"Do you think the others are safe?" waiting for the reply thar did not come, she tried to make out his face, which drew her concern as his face was stoic but his eye's speak of something else, she couldn't place.
"They be fine, they're soldiers" he calmly stated, raising a questioning eye, since Alan rarely calls them soldiers, he usually makes a joke at Garrus expense than saying it as a matter of fact.
"You sound like Reiner" bluntly stating, receiving a sharp look. Looking down and her face blushed to the near kiss that nearly happened. Unsure what to do about it.
"Well that's who we are Mikasa, just soldiers" sighing and noticing his change of behaviour, cursing himself "Let's just get changed and get out of here".
Humming in agreement she returned to getting dressed, unsure on his turn of behaviour, turning his back to him.
Alan fixing his cloak on, looked to her direction, feeling a pang of guilt, he's angry towards the interruption but couldn't blame her. She still has her heart on Eren, it's stupidly obvious. He's angry with himself for allowing himself to entertain the idea due to the closeness they shared. Noticing she's neglecting the scarf as she is putting her cadet jacket, he decided to apologise in his own way.
After placing the jacket onto her, she reached up to her neck realising she have forgotten her scarf in her haste to change, frantically searching no where in sight on the ground she placed it on. Her heart frantically pounding, concern and unrest, plastered on her face.
Until the very said object was wrapped around her neck, ever so carefully, turning the gaze into the dark blue, concentration upon his stoic face.
It felt like forever as Mikasa gaze laid on him, as if time has stopped between them, until to her dismay he finished, his blue's meeting, the rare genuine smile, melting her walls.
"Come on, let's go home" he softly spoke, leaving her mind flashing back to when Eren have done it to her a long time ago.
Nodding meekly, they venture out of their shelter, looking down the mountain pass, surprised etched on their face that the supposedly narrow pass turned into a death trap with them being on the edge, that simple misstep could lead to their demise. Laughing at the situation, Alan lifted his hood covering his head, looking to Mikasa's face with actual emotion of concern etched on her face, realising the awkward situation they nearly crossed. "Nothing happened in there Mikasa" he grunted, trying to pass off the near kiss as mere nothing.
Too Mikasa something did happen, not the near kiss that didn't reach, but her heart and her mind has changed, unable to pinpoint on the sudden change.
Looking to the clear sky she wondered on the others after their separation.