Author's Note: Well hello there! So this is something a little different …
For a good while now, I have been roleplaying as Historia with the wonderful Caesar's Levi on Discord – in both canon and AU settings – and between us, we've amassed quite the collection of Rivahisu storylines!
After posting a snippet of one of our RPs set in the Canon-verse on Tumblr, we got several requests to post the whole thing – so here it is, in all it's glory!
We've split it up into manageable chunks, as it's a big-ass story ( … so far!) so we'll keep adding new chapters as it progresses. Caesar will be uploading on AO3 also, so you can check it out there too!
PLEASE REMEMBER … This isn't a fanfic in the traditional sense … it's a roleplay between two people, written completely on the spot, so some parts may not flow quite as smoothly as others, and of course each section jumps between POVs so sometimes there might be a little repetition. Hopefully though, you guys can have at least some of the fun reading this as we had writing it!
Caesar & Rocket Roleplay:
Pure Shores
Until I Saw the Sea – Part 1
Historia is getting fed up with listening to prissy nobles witter on about absolute rubbish.
It's the fourth meeting this week that she's had to attend, only to listen to them moaning about the most trivial matters which could easily be resolved if they weren't so pig headed.
She needs a break. And so, an idea comes to fruition in her mind as her eyes scan the meeting chamber, the dreary faces and scenery enough to make her wail.
The ocean. She's had hardly any chance to visit it since the reclamation of Shiganshina, and she's most definitely due the break. That's where she'll go for some peace and quiet.
The only sound other than droning voices in the stuffy room is the impatient, almost inaudible tap of a booted foot.
Captain Levi.
He looks as board as she is. Her eyes meet his across the room, and for some reason, she's desperate to grin stupidly at him. She doesn't, though; he'd probably throw something at her.
But at least she's not alone in her boredom.
Maybe he fancies a trip to the ocean? She's going to need an escort. At least he might keep to himself and allow her to actually enjoy the trip, moody ass that he is.
Levi hates attending these awful fucking meeting. He knows with him being the second most tenured member of the Survey Corps, as well as being tasked with handling Eren, that attendance is a requirement for him.
That doesn't mean that he has to like it.
He's zoned out, staring at the wall past Historia across the room.
And then her eyes meet his.
He holds her gaze evenly, wondering what is running through her mind. She seems disinterested in this meeting—not that he blames her—but there's a flash of something in her eyes. He realizes that she has an idea, and his jaw tightens minutely.
Great.
The look he gives her across the room as she stares is less than amused, but it doesn't deter her.
She's having her afternoon out, and she's decided he is going to escort her, because she cannot abide another moment with any stuck up person from Mitras, and that includes the Royal Guard and MPs.
As soon as the meeting concludes, she rises hastily, nodding at the bows she receives.
Once she's outside, she dismisses those accompanying her, and lies in wait for Commander Hange and Captain Levi to step through the door.
At the sight of them Levi, she steps forward, beaming.
"Good afternoon Captain. Could I borrow you for just a moment?"
By the looks of things, the Commander must still be inside, chatting.
As he anticipates, Historia herself stops him as he steps through the doorway.
Her smile is bright and surprisingly genuine, despite the regal tone she uses with him given that others are still present. He notices that she talks more freely with less of her Mitras accompaniment hanging around, changing to a more official tone when she has an audience.
He narrows his eyes as he tries to think of what she could possibly want with him.
"I can't really say no—I'm waiting on Hange anyway," he shrugs, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets. "What is it?"
Well, that's a great start.
Not that she expected him to be all rainbows and butterflies.
"Well, I was just wondering if you had some free time this afternoon? I'm in need of an escort."
She fiddles with the brooch at the breast pocket of her long, military style coat - a formality to be worn for her state meetings. Levi stopped intimidating her a long time ago, but she still feels a little awkward sometimes in his presence. She can't put her finger on quite why, but it started way back when he began helping her with the Orphanage.
Escort.
She needs an escort.
"Don't you have your guard for that? Or the military police?" He asks as he cocks an eyebrow. He wants to ask what's the real reason she's requesting this of him, but he waits to see if she'll do so herself. "Where are you trying to go?"
She waves her hand dismissively at the mention of her other options. "No. Not them. I'm ... Er ... giving them a break for the afternoon." She rolls her eyes, before adding under her breath, "or I'm giving me the break, whatever works."
He's eyeing her, wondering where she's going. Well, he kind of does need to know that.
"The Ocean." She watches him for his reaction, before swiftly adding, "not anywhere where there'll be lots of people about, mind you. I need a break."
He's so going to say no. She can feel it.
"You want to go to the ocean," he repeats in a deadpan. "And you want me to escort you?" He frowns again, trying to see the underlying plan and becoming frustrated when he fails. "Why do you need me to babysit? Regardless of what I say, anyway, it's not up to me—that's Hange's decision."
"You're not babysitting me, I'm not a child."
For some reason, the idea that Levi sees her as a child is more annoying than it should be. "And well ... you're just, you know. You."
She realises she's not making much sense, so she scuffs her shoe on the floor, eyes glancing downwards, as she tries to explain better - and less embarrassingly. "I mean, you'll just let me enjoy the afternoon without trying to engage in unnecessary small talk and bothering me about what I should and shouldn't be doing as Queen."
He's never been one to impress upon her his own opinions on ruling, and for that she finds herself continuously grateful.
She glances up at him again, feeling a little self conscious about her words, but thankfully, Commander Hange comes suddenly striding around the corner to save her.
Her comment bothers him.
It bothers him so fucking much, because he knows that she's not a child. He's watched her grow from a girl into a woman, from a cadet into the god damn Queen.
This woman standing before him, asking him to escort her to the Ocean simply because she wants to go.
He clenches his jaw as he grinds his teeth together, his stress only increasing tenfold when Hange rounds the corner.
"Shitty Glasses," he grabs her arm to keep her from running off.
"What's up, Levi?" Hange's glasses flash as she notices Historia standing beside the Captain, arms crossed.
Historia decides to get in before Levi has the chance. "Commander Hange - would it be alright for me to commandeer Captain Levi for a few hours this afternoon? I require an escort to ride out to the Ocean, and other options are unavailable to me."
She grits her teeth at the last words, hoping Hange doesn't start questioning her about MPs and Royal Guards and whoever else people just expect her to have traipsing about behind her at any given moment.
She misses just being a simple solider, sometimes.
Levi's eyes narrow at Historia's comment, wondering why she's lying to Hange. He supposed he can understand not wanting to be around the incessant and insufferable watch of her troupe, but he doesn't want to be thrust into a situation alone with her even if he knows he's better protection than the whole lot of the MP.
"I told her it's up to you—I don't know what other shit you have lined up for us today," he adds, fixing his attention to his Commander.
Hange looks back and to between Queen and Captain.
Historia stares at her.
Oh, no. She already has stuff planned for him?
Well, that puts a stop to her plans, then.
The Commander brings a finger to the bottom of her chin, thoughtful for a moment. "To the Ocean, you say? Well ... we can't have you going there alone, and who am I to refuse a request from our Queen, hey? Of course you can have him - I had nothing of importance planned. And I'm sure Levi could use some sea air."
Historia doesn't miss the rough dig to the ribs the Commander gives Levi. She raises her brows curiously.
What's that about?
Levi's eyes widen a little in horror at her words.
Is he that transparent that even Hange can see through him?
He could kill her. Absolutely fucking kill her.
"Fine," he grits out, turning back to Historia. "I suppose I'm yours the rest of the day, Your Majesty," he raises an eyebrow as he tacks on her title before looking pointedly at Hange. "Have fun with the pigs, Four-Eyes."
Historia does an inward fist bump of victory.
The ocean it is, then.
"Excellent. Captain, I'll take my carriage to the royal quarters. Meet me out front in thirty minutes. Bring me a horse; I'll sort the rest."
She nods at him, before shooting off to change into more comfortable riding clothes, more than ready for an afternoon of relaxing by the ocean.
Levi nods back in acknowledgment before turning back to Hange, eyes bright with annoyance despite his stony expression.
"What's your angle here, Hange?" He hisses lowly at her, grabbing her arm roughly, their company around them be damned.
"Don't know what you mean, Levi." Hange straightens her glasses with the arm that isn't currently pinned in Levi's grasp. "Just thought you might like the afternoon off to do some sight seeing at the ocean, if you know what I mean". She wiggles her brows pointedly. "Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick here? Hmm?"
Levi changes his mind. He will kill Hange.
"Oh, fuck off."
He shoves her arm away before storming off. He gets some newer MP to bring around one of Historia's horses while he goes to get his own ready to go. His horse, a dark gray stallion, patiently waits as Levi takes off his jacket, tucking it away in one of the bags by the saddle. "You'll probably enjoy this trip, asshole," he mumbles to the horse. "One of us should be allowed to."
Historia sets about quickly preparing for the trip once they've returned to her quarters in the Capital. She leaves her hair pinned back in a neat bun - it can get windy by the ocean - but changes into casual riding pants and boots and a fitted white blouse. Her bolo tie which signifies her position remains around her neck, but she tucks it under her shirt, wanted to forget about her responsibilities for an afternoon. She also has the sense to grab a large towel, so that she can sit in comfort on the sand to watch the rolling waves, and a couple of pieces of fruit and sweet rolls from the little basket always laid out for her by the maids, just in case she should feel peckish later.
She closes her eyes for a moment, picturing the scene. She can't wait to inhale the salty air. Just as she's about to walk through her door, a thought occurs to her.
Levi probably wouldn't have thought about food, and it is a long ride to the edge of the island ...
She hurriedly swipes up an extra apple and roll for him, shoving them in the saddle bag she has with her, before heading out to meet the Captain.
Even though he's not totally keen on being alone with Historia, Levi is certainly itching to get out of the city where he can feel eyes on him wherever he goes. He's never been used to the attention he receives throughout his life—first out of fear, now out of reverence for his title. He focuses on the horses instead. His own, being well-trained, is watching him patiently as he checks Historia's horse over for the third time. He's more bored than anything, wanting something to do while he waits on the Queen.
"Can't have you getting me in trouble if you're not saddled right," he grumbles quietly to the horses, finally catching sight of Historia out of the corner of his eye.
Historia skips down the steps toward the waiting Captain and the two horses.
"Hey, Captain." Her smile is warm and cheery as she greets him, grateful to finally be free for a few hours.
"Do you have everything you need?" She asks as she straps her bag to the saddle of her horse; a pretty white mare, given to her when she took the title of Queen (apparently royalty should only be seen atop white horses, or so she was told. What a load of rubbish.)
He raises his head as she approaches, evening out his expression as he takes in her casual appearance.
"Historia," he nods at her. He doesn't address her by her title if he doesn't have to, simply because he knows that there's a mutual respect there that permits him to ignore the regal nature of her now. Their collaboration on the orphanage also made it so that he can call her by her name—constantly saying "Your Majesty" gets annoying very fast.
"Yeah," he tells her, wanting to get this whole day over with. "We're good to go if you are."
When she hears him use her actual name, instead of her title, it makes her heart glow a little. She appreciates how he drops the formalities whenever it's appropriate, and for a split second, she wonders why she still clings on so desperately to his title when it's just the two of them. Would he mind her calling him simply 'Levi'?
Even after all they've done together; during the uprising and her coronation, and then the Orphanage ... she's still a little intimidated by him. That's what those butterflies are she feels in the pit of her stomach, right?
"Excellent." She smiles warmly as she checks over her horses tack, impressed to see Levi has clearly already made absolutely sure all is as it should be. She glances over to him, wondering if he'll offer to give her a leg up, or if she'll have to ask. She doesn't get to ride as much anymore, so she's not quite as nimble at mounting as she had been back in her scout days.
Levi watches as she looks over her horse, biting back a smart remark about if she thinks she can do a better job, wondering if she'll be able to tell that he's joking.
When she doesn't move to mount the mare, his stomach flips with a realization. "Do you need a leg up?" He asks, suddenly aware that she may not ride out often at all anymore given her duties.
She's so glad he asks. "Erm, if you wouldn't mind?"
She smiles again, this time awkwardly, as she waits for him to come up next to her. When it's her Royal Guard or just one of the MPs, she doesn't give this a second thought. So why does she suddenly feel so self conscious asking Captain Levi? The prospect of his hands touching her leg makes her feel suddenly dizzy.
He makes the first move.
He comes up beside her, pleasantly reminded that she hasn't grown since her coronation and that she's still a solid few inches smaller than him as he approaches.
Mentally bracing himself for the brief moment of contact they're about to share, he says quietly, "When you're ready, then."
Oh damn.
When she's ready. Alright, then.
She moves to stand right up against him, lifting her leg hesitantly, averting her eyes as she waits for him to take hold of her calf.
Why is this so awkward? It's just Captain Levi.
She mentally scolds herself for being such an idiot.
He wonders why she doesn't just put her fucking leg in his hands, and he's getting impatient.
He reaches for her calf and takes a firm hold in his hands, suddenly taken aback at the muscle that's still present even with her being out of active duty for so long.
She can't help but suck in a breath when he grabs her, fingers so firm they could leave a bruise.
He's so strong.
Literally, to the tips of his fingers.
She counts, and on three, feels him propel her up onto her horse with such ease, she thinks she might actually have looked graceful. She glances down at him, picking up her reins. "Um, thank you."
"You're welcome," he nods as he sees her settled atop her horse.
He turns to mount his own, easily leaping up onto his stallion. He pats the horse's neck once seated, knowing there's a bit of a journey ahead of them to the ocean.
"Let's get this trip over with," he says aloud, more to himself than to Historia as he spurs his horse into a trot without waiting on her.
She can't help but stare a little at the easy way he vaults up onto his horse.
How can he do that so easily?
She knows how difficult it is when you're short, and hell, his stallion stands a good few hands taller than anyone else's she's seen, except maybe Commander Erwin's when he was alive.
She visualises the muscles he must have beneath his uniform to allow him to make such a leap, before realising exactly what it is she's doing and kicking herself inwardly.
What's gotten into her?
She spurs her horse after him, thankful that they've finally started out, so that she can take in the scenery of their ride rather than gawping at the Captain.
It's not long before they're out of the city and she forgets about her strange thoughts. There's nothing on her mind but the wind in her hair and the feel of the powerful horse as it's hoofbeats reach her ears. It feels so good to be out riding again, and it awakens a strange longing within her for her scout days.
Forgetting who she's speaking to for a moment, she twists in the saddle to shout over to Levi. "I've missed this!"
Levi tosses a look of disbelief at Historia as she shouts at him gleefully, his heart twisting a little in his chest as she beams at him.
Willing his second of adoration to fade, he rolls his eyes at her. "It must be nice to reap the benefits of riding out here with no titans. You're welcome for that!"
She frowns at him then. Moody asshole.
"Huh - I think I did my fair share before I got manhandled into taking the crown, thanks!"
She feels a little bad at biting at him, but she's not prepared to let him bring down her spirits for the afternoon, so she adds, "I am grateful, though."
Eventually, they reach the the part of the island where grass plains dissolve into sand dunes, and Historia knows the beautiful, big, blue expanse of water is just over the horizon. Despite her initial joy at getting to ride out again, lack of time spent in the saddle these last few years has made her muscles stiff and sore.
"Hey," she calls over to the Captain, speaking for the first time in what must be hours. "It's just over there, right? Are we taking the horses onto the beach? It might be nice to cool their legs off in the water."
The ride to the ocean is surprisingly relaxing for Levi, being able to ride out in the open fields with no threats of titans looming thanks to the diligent efforts of the scouts recently. He tosses occasional glances at Historia, who looks over the moon with joy to be riding alongside him. His heart flutters at the thought before focusing on the horizon.
When she calls to him, his muscles tighten in anticipation of their arrival. "They'll ride out close to it. There's a pathway nearby so it's a smooth run down for them," he replies.
He's thankful that they're at a part well away from the docks and the travel between Paradis and Liberio so they can have some semblance of privacy.
"Perfect." Historia follows his lead, and suddenly, that breathtaking mass of cobalt water is in view.
"Oh wow ... isn't it beautiful!?" She calls from atop her horse, throwing her hands up into the salty air like a child.
Levi looks over to her, caught off guard by her obvious bliss. He's reminded of when he saw the open sky on his first expedition.
"Yeah," he agrees as he turns back to the vast blue that extends to the horizon. He won't admit it, but even with how much the ocean makes him feel uneasy, it's absolutely stunning.
"C'mon, Captain; last one in the water's an island devil!" She laughs, urging her horse forward down the bank towards where the white sand is turned pearly by the ocean's damp.
Her reservations and odd nervousness around Levi are forgotten now that she's here, in such striking surroundings.
She dismounts nimbly from her horse, setting her to graze on the sparse clumps of grass where the sand is dryer, and skips towards the water's edge, tossing off her boots and yanking her trouser legs up as she goes.
Levi widens his eyes at her remark and her sudden eagerness to bolt into the water.
"Historia!" He bellows as she's already pulling up the ankles of her trousers with each step.
He shouts as he dismounts in a swift leap, turning on his heel as he moves to catch up with the Queen. "Don't just run in, you daft—"
He's cut off by the sound of splashing as she already runs in, kicking up water with each step as she lifts her feet.
Mirthful peals escape from her as she splashes about in the cool water, the sand between her toes such an oddly satisfying sensation.
"Why?" She calls back to Levi, shrugging her shoulders. "The water's lovely after such a long ride! Come and dip your toes in."
She turns back, inhaling the sea air. The ocean before her looks so inviting, and she can't help distant memories fading into view. Memories of sneaking off to the river near the farmhouse where she worked as a little girl to swim and cool off in summer months.
How different can the Ocean be, really? If she could swim in a river, couldn't she swim in the sea?
She glances back at Levi again, trying to contain her scheming grin. It's not like he'll care that much, right? He'll get bored in a minute, and go and sit and brood somewhere like she'd always catch him doing back at the Orphanage.
His expression pinches into one of disgust at the suggestion.
"Are you fucking kidding?" He balks at her, lingering at the edge of the water.
He secretly thinks about how the salt water will ruin his shirt, about how messy it is, about how cold the water must be—not to mention he doesn't know what the fuck is in the water where he can't see.
"Well, suit yourself," she says, kicking up the water, marveling at how the little droplets glisten in the sunlight. "I may even go for a swim." Her voice is nonchalant as she throws the comment back to him. She brought a towel, after all, so she'd be able to get dry. When's the last time she did anything even a little reckless?
Screw it.
She wades back out of the water, heading back to where the Captain is stood, still watching her like a hawk.
"Please watch my clothes."
It's a simple order from her as she quickly begins unbuttoning her riding pants. She makes quick work of her bottoms and shirt, although a deep rouge spreads gradually up her face as she realises Levi is going to see her in her underwear. It's stuff he's seen a million times before, she reminds herself; there are plenty of female soldiers in the corps to share showers with. She still can't help but turn her back to him, however.
Once her clothes are off, and she's clad in only her brassiere and knickers, she quickly folds the shirt and pants and drops them in a pile at the Captain's feet.
Without another word or a backward glance to him, she heads back down to the water's edge. Hopefully he'll just leave her to it and go and admire the scenery, or pet his horse, or something; anything that doesn't involve nagging her.
Before Levi can say anything, Historia is undressing.
His face flushes a deep shade of red, mildly mortified that she's just going for it.
He averts his gaze but doesn't leave, determined to try and see this effort through. He can't help but glance back to her once she drops her clothes at his feet, practically demanding his attention without so many words. His eyes wander over her for a moment as she walks back to the water in her underwear before he shakes his head and remembers himself.
"Historia, come on," he tries again. "You don't know what the fuck is in there."
She turns back as he shouts at her, making a face. "Well, if there are any Titans lurking beneath the surface, I'm sure you'll come diving in to protect me."
She knows the others have been swimming in here multiple times. It's perfectly safe. And if he thinks it's not, well he can damn well try and stop her. She didn't ask him along to be such a bore.
She wades into the water quickly, keen to be out of Levi's eye-line parading about in her underwear, and as she hits the deeper water, she dives forward.
"Oh wow ... it is not the warmest in here!" She throws back, kicking her legs as the chilling water clutches at her bare skin. "Refreshing though!"
"What the fuck!" He exclaims at her snark, clenching his fists in frustration as she fucking literally dives in.
She looks almost nude in the water as it's higher on her now that she's in deeper water. Curious about the tide as well, he wonders if it could pull her out.
"Don't be so damn reckless!" He shouts at her, still not moving from his spot.
She twists as she treads water, meeting his gaze.
"I thought you'd just let me have a bit of time to myself, Captain, that's why I asked you! Stop damn worrying about me and relax. I am completely fine!"
She dunks her head under and then rises back to the surface, spinning in a full circle and gesturing to the water around her. "See? It's just me and the fish. And I'm a good swimmer anyway. I don't even know why you care so much."
He bristles at her comment, definitely red in the face now but for an entirely different reason. He looks away, unable to look at her in the face as he tries to think about her remark.
He doesn't know how to respond to her right away. He internally panics because he feels like he's caught and put on the spot.
Why does he care so much?
He knows exactly why, but he won't admit it. He certainly won't admit it to Historia herself.
So he doesn't.
"Because I fucking do, alright? Now get your ass out here or I will drag you out myself and not give two shits about it."
Her jaw drops at his response.
"Excuse me? That is no way to address your Queen! And I am not coming out just because you've got some stupid aversion to the ocean. If you care so much, come and damn well do it. You're worse than the stupid MPs! And they wouldn't have the balls to come in after me, either!"
She turns from him, starting to swim further from the shore as if to make a point.
One afternoon. That's all she wanted, one afternoon to forget who she was and just live a little. She'd thought the Captain of all people might understand; but no. He was just as much of a worrier as the rest of them.
She'd been a scout. She could handle herself. Why did everybody seem to forget this?
"Don't compare me to those pigs," he snarls, offended.
He can't believe her.
"What an absolute fucking brat," he hisses to himself as he realizes that she won't listen to anything he has to say. He undoes his cravat, following suit by making quick work of his shirt with nimble fingers undoing the buttons. The entire time, he's grumbling to himself angrily. "Can't believe I'm getting in this fucking cold ass water, my clothes will get so fucking sandy, and this shitty ass Queen won't listen to anyone because she wants to fucking swim like there's not water within the walls."
He shoves off his trousers, standing clad in his briefs as he folds his clothes carefully and puts them beside hers, then turning to storm into the water to retrieve the young Queen.
She doesn't look at him as he shouts at her, clearly offended by her remark. She merely focuses on swimming forwards, while yelling back at him.
"If you're nothing like them, you just prove it and get in the water, then. Just come and stop me being so reckless. I can't even -"
The sound of splashing stops her words dead.
Surely, he's not ...
She stops, spinning on the spot in the water.
And there, at the shore, but rapidly advancing into the water, is Captain Levi. In his underwear, no less. And his face is livid.
She should probably be terrified. But instead, she snorts.
"What are you ...?"
He's mumbling to himself, and she suddenly finds she has to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
Damn, she'd been right about the muscles beneath his uniform, too. Those stupid butterflies awake in her stomach again, and she wonders why because she doesn't feel anxious. Just stupidly amused.
She can't hold it in any longer - as she sees the expression on his face when the water hits his crotch, she starts to laugh.
"Told you it was cold!" She calls.
His expression tightens when he's partway in the water.
It's fucking freezing.
And then she's fucking laughing.
"I'm going to kill her," he growls under his breath. The water is biting, unforgiving as he storms on, splashing as he approaches Historia. Her laughs rile him up further, encouraging this ridiculous annoyance of her.
She can't help finding the situation hilarious; perhaps it's that, or cry at the violent way he's glaring at her right now as he heads towards her.
She's so giddy and carefree in the water that, without thinking, she takes her palm and cuts through the surface, laughing gleefully as she sends a swell of water cascading straight over Levi's head as he comes up beside her.
As the water settles, she gets a better look at his face, now only a foot or two from her own, and the reality of the situation dawns on her.
He's still not laughing.
Oh, crap.
She feels her face fall, suddenly tense for a split second as she waits for him to explode at her.
She splashes him.
She splashes him.
She fucking splashes him.
"You—"
A dozen different scenarios go through his head, and he settles on one that shouldn't get him executed.
He moves quickly despite the water slowing him down, picking up Historia by her waist as if she was nothing—because she practically is, compared to his weight—and he tosses her a few feet away into the freezing water.
He grabs her - Levi's hands are on her - on her nearly naked body - and it absolutely thrills her. Which it absolutely shouldn't. How confusing.
She shrieks as she's thrown backwards, awed for a moment at the sheer power he possesses, and as the cold water rushes over head, she realises something.
He's not shouting at her.
Or dragging her out.
Is that a victory?
Emboldened by his forward move, she kicks back to him and clings on to his torso, attempting to yank him below the surface in challenge.
If he wants a fight, she'll give him one.
Levi is surprised at how quickly Historia returns to him, and he's awed that she's attempting to dunk him.
As if she can overpower him.
He scoffs at her clinging to him, his body alight at her touching him—feeling her skin on his, hot even in the chilly water—and he decides to use her own tactics against her. He feels childish, almost giddy, as he quickly schemes. He wraps his arms around her loosely, so she can get away if she needs air, and he drags her underwater with him in retaliation.
Historia gasps in shock as he pulls her down with him. As they dip below the surface, he quickly releases her, and she drifts back, eyes open, and takes him in.
It's just a brief moment in time, but as they stare at one another, suspended in the water, she feels a chill run down her spine.
The sunlight shimmers across his skin, dancing because of the small waves above, and she realises that Levi is actually beautiful. The toned muscles at his legs, arms, abdomen and chest look as though they have come straight from a perfect anatomical drawing, except his skin is littered with scars from 3DMG use and combat. But, she realises, the marks on his body give him depth and story.
Her eyes meet his the split second before her head breaks the surface again, and she swears there's something new there.
She can't help another laugh as he surfaces too, and she sends another wave of water crashing over his head.
Time stops when they're underwater.
He stares up at her, marveling at the way her skin shines in the light even through the surface of the water. Her hair floats around her as they look at one another, eyes roaming over one another during their moment of suspension before finally meeting one another's gaze. He feels fear and adoration flash in his expression all at once as he realizes he was caught ogling at her.
When he breaks the surface, he's met with more water, so he splashes her back with more force. "You're such a fucking brat," he remarks with no malice, a smile pulling at his lips.
"I'm a brat?" She chides. "I didn't make you come wading in here to get me in your underwear, Levi." His name slips out of her mouth, surprising her, as she pulls herself close to his face with quick strokes of her arms, before flicking more water up at him. She can't help but goggle at the little smile he's giving her, and her legs suddenly feel like jelly.
Levi's heart flutters against his ribs as he hears his name on her tongue. No title, just Levi.
He doesn't move away as she swims toward him, as she tosses more water his way, or when he sees her eyes flicker to his small smile. He feels light as he takes in the sight of her, only grinning wider when she giggles. The sound is youthful, reminding him of her age, and his gut twists as he remembers how much older he is.
For a moment, he wills himself not to care as he gently splashes her once more, a quiet chuckle falling from his lips. "You may not have explicitly said so but you goaded me into it," he points out.
"Well you shouldn't be so easily persuaded," she throws back at him, along with another swell of water.
Is he ... laughing?
It's a strange sound, but not at all unpleasant. She bites her lip, daring herself to touch him again.
She nudges his chest with her knuckles playfully, now treading water just inches from his body. She finds herself silently willing him to reach out and touch her again - but she has no idea why the idea excites her quite so much.
"I'm not easily persuaded, I'm trying to keep you from getting yourself hurt," he argues, unmoving when she nudges him. Even with the push and pull of the water, he's rooted, always grounded and braced.
And yet, he reaches out toward Historia to take a hold of her arm, gentle in his touch as his fingers curl around her forearm—as if she'll float away if he lets go. His heart is hammering in his chest at the small contact, lit up with the knowledge that they're so very bare and close and touching.
Levi's calloused fingers set Historia's skin ablaze. She inhales sharply at his touch, her eyes falling to his grip on her forearm.
Instinctively, she kicks her legs to bring herself a little closer to him, so that she doesn't tug against his hold on her.
Her heart is absolutely thundering in her chest, so much so that she hears the blood rushing in her ears. Her nose is inches from his, and she can virtually feel his hot, hurried breaths on her face.
She slowly brings her gaze back up to meet his, and a ridiculous notion passes through her mind:
Just kiss me.
She feels her eyes widen a little as the realisation of exactly who is semi naked and clinging to her in the water; who she's just very seriously considered kissing, falls upon her like a ton weight.
Suddenly, so many things start to make more sense …
This close, Levi is left speechless.
He can count the freckles that spread across her nose and her cheeks under her eyes. Her eyes are wide and glittering in the sunlight like gems, priceless and beautiful. Her breath is hot against his skin, reminding him that she's so fucking close.
Normally, his guilt gets the better of him. He can tell himself how young she is and how much he's not. His name alone is a curse in people's mouth, marred by his lineage he's never really known despite doing so much to help humanity. His body is littered with scars that tell his story of his broken past and deeds he's never been proud of. He can think of countless reasons as to why Historia deserves better than him, but right now, he doesn't care.
He considers closing that distance.
He wants her so badly—for him to want at all leaves his heart pounding.
And then the realization dawns on her. He can see the shift in her expression, probably of who she's so close to, of who is touching her, of who's gaze drifted her to lips.
He swallows his disappointment as he lets her go.
Just as she's coming to terms with the thoroughly surprising fact that she most definitely has a crush on Captain Levi, and actually, he may even go some way to reciprocating those feelings, he lets her go.
As she loses the warmth of his hand in the cool water, her heart stutters. What a silly girl she is, to think a man like Levi might look twice at her. She feels a rapid blush climbing her cheeks; embarrassed at finding she's been lusting after him, and pained at the realisation that it will never be reciprocated.
"Yeah ... well, I won't get hurt," she breathes at him, heart sore with the knowledge that she already has.
A/N: How perfect is Caesar's Levi? When she wrote the part where he's grumbling under his breath about freezing water and getting sand in his clothes and 'this shitty ass Queen wants to swim like there's not water within the walls,' before he goes after her, I honestly couldn't reply straight away because I was laughing so hard!
We'll have the next section uploaded ASAP; and let's say things suddenly change direction ... SR x