Chapter Five
"The wagon carrying Eren and Historia will enter the city first." Captain Levi states tracing a finger along the main street leading to Trost's market square. "I need someone to drive it."
"I volunteer, sir." Jean, Mikasa, and Richard blurted out in unison.
"No offense Kirchstein, but I'd feel more comfortable with someone more experienced behind the reins." The Captain admitted. Jean's shoulders visibly deflated as he let out a resigned sigh. Historia noticed him nervously eyeing the brown wig poking out of the Captain's satchel. "Besides, I need you to act as a decoy."
"Y-yes, Captain." Connie turned to give Jean an encouraging wink, promptly earning a baleful glare for his efforts.
"Mikasa, by now your attachment to Eren is fairly well-known." Captain Levi explained. "Should anyone recognize you driving or guarding the wagon they will immediately realize what's going on and the entire operation will be blown." Although the prodigious protector grimaced in obvious disapproval, there was no arguing with the Captain's logic. "No. You'll be helping me escort the decoys through the city."
"Excuse me sir, but are we using decoys again?" Eren asks with a concerned frown.
"I'm afraid so." The Captain replies with a grim nod. "I don't like it either but it's our best shot at getting some answers without putting either of you in any real danger."
"B-but…" Eren's gaze shifts from Historia to Armin and back again before falling on the Captain.
"Won't the others be in danger?" Armin tenses slightly at this.
"Eren, it's the only way." The blond offers quietly.
"I know but I'd rather—"
"I hate to break it to you Jaeger, but this isn't exactly up for discussion." Captain Levi snapped. "You lost that privilege the moment you were placed under my supervision."
"Y-yes Captain." Eren Jaeger replied shrinking noticeably.
"Is it wise to send the wagon down such a busy street?" Armin wondered shooting the Captain a worried glance. Captain Levi frowned but turned to acknowledge the blond with an attentive nod. "Any roadblocks could leave Eren and Historia sitting ducks."
"I understand." The Captain paused to tap on the side of his chin.
"If I may," Jean said pausing until the Captain permitted him to continue. "We could have some people trailing the wagon from the rooftops at a safe distance. For obvious reasons, they'd have to be the most agile members of our group and adept with the omnidirectional gear."
"That's clearly Mikasa and the Captain," Sasha mutters through a mouthful of wheat bread.
"Sean and Nifa, can you both track the wagon through the city?" The pair of veterans nodded with identically determined looks. "It'll be hard, so try your best. I'll back you up if the need arises, but for the most part, you will be on your own."
"Understood, sir!"
"Leave it to us!"
"Now once the wagon is clear of the gates, we'll give it an hour head start before entering the city." The Captain continued. "We will travel on foot following the most direct route to Commander Pixis'. Should any of the decoys be captured, our job is to follow and observe their captors' movements and identities. Do not attempt a rescue mission without my express permission."
"Even if their lives are in danger, sir?!" Eren blurted in spite of himself.
"Normally I would say that some lives are more expendable than others, however, given how understaffed we are, I'll leave such decisions to your best judgment." Captain Levi replied calmly. "Once we enter the city all bets are off. I can't expect you to be effective whilst handicapping you with restrictive orders. If a decoy's life is in danger, use your best judgment in attempting a rescue. Otherwise, wait for my signal. If everything goes according to plan we should be arriving at our destination before sunset. Any questions?"
"Y-yeah. What happens if the plan all falls apart?" Connie asked timidly. "Do we have a backup plan? An escape route?"
"If shit hits the fan, I call 'abort' everybody walks away." Captain Levi stated pausing to circle an inconspicuous warehouse tucked away in the city's northern district. "We regroup at that location two hours after sundown. Got it?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Right," the Captain said folding up the map as he rose to his feet. "Braus, Richard you both prepare and secure the wagon for Eren and Historia." Sasha and the older scout departed to do as the Captain had ordered. "Kirchstein I want you in disguise at all times from here on out. Say as little as possible and try to mimic Jaeger's mannerisms. Once you're in disguise, I want you to help Springer inventory every piece of equipment we have at our disposal. Braus can help you if she's finished securing the wagon."
Connie and Jean took off with brisk salutes as Captain Levi turned to face Historia. "Historia, give Armin your skirt and change into something more practical. Same orders apply to you Armin, say as little as possible and try to keep out of everyone's way. From here on out, we have to behave as if our movements are being tracked."
"And what about me sir?" Eren asked, determined to be of use somehow. "What can I do?"
"Just keep your head down and stay out of sight." the Captain replies curtly.
"There's a space back here where you can change," Nifa offered quietly stepping forward to relieve the blonde of her rifle. Historia nodded quietly before moving to follow the redhead towards a thicket beneath a cluster of trees. As she passed, she paused to glance at the Captain over her shoulder.
Amazing. She thinks, watching him huddled over the map with Mikasa once more, marking and pointing out escape routes and shortcuts. It must be nice, always knowing what to do, even at a moment's notice. I wonder how long it took him to earn Commander Ervin's trust. Her ankles shivered slightly as her skirt pooled at her feet. Grabbing hold of Nifa's shoulder for support, Historia stepped out of her skirt before accepting the pair of trousers. The redhead retreated to deliver Historia's skirt to Armin, leaving the petite blonde alone with her thoughts.
She leaned back against the tree trunk with a tired sigh, closing her eyes against the cool evening breeze sweeping her blonde strands wildly about her face as she was reminded of a fantasy that once occupied her thoughts many years ago. Long before joining the Cadet Training Corps, she'd often entertained the idea of running away from the farm. Depending on her mood or the time of the day, she was either alone or accompanied by some imaginary companion.
Life was so much simpler back then. She lamented. Before Wall Maria fell, the world was somewhat bigger, less cramped and dreary than it is now. Back then I could run away and live as Historia without having to look over my shoulder. Now, I am forced to rely on the strength of others.
"Are you sleeping?" Nifa asked somewhat incredulously as she shook the blonde's small shoulders. "It's almost time for the wagon to leave."
A sudden urgency seizes Historia Reiss, spurring her to her feet.
"Captain!" She hisses sprinting through the forest. The harsh pounding of her heartbeat fills her ears, drowning out the heavy footfalls of her feet. "Captain!"
There is a flash of movement from the corner of her eye a split second before a blur whisks her off her feet. A surprised gasp catches in her throat as strong fingers seize the small of her back, pressing her to a taut, muscular side. She turns to face her assailant and relaxes when she recognizes the Captain's undercut. Only once they are safely perched atop a sturdy tree branch high within the evergreen canopy of trees does Captain Levi release her, maintaining a firm grip on her upper arm briefly allowing her to steady herself. His grappling hook zips back into place with a familiar groan as he lands beside her.
"What happened?" He asked with a bemused frown after scanning the forest below for any signs of hidden hostiles.
"Petra's diary." Tears sting her eyes as she falls to her knees, hanging her head in defeat. "I'm sorry, but I think…I left it behind at the cottage when we—"
"Shut up." The Captain hisses angrily, tossing a small leather-bound book at her cheek. The blonde's eyes soften as she spreads her palms, catching the book and clutching it gratefully to her chest as the lump in her throat finally subsides. "You really need to get your priorities straight."
Without thinking, Historia flings herself into the Captain's arms, throwing her hands around his neck. He stiffens visibly at the sudden contact but says nothing as his fingers secure her to his side before leaping off the tree. His free hand squeezes his grappling trigger, embedding a grappling hook into the trunk of a nearby tree as he digs his hand deeper into her side. Heat rises in her cheeks as his fingers inadvertently graze the underside of her breasts through her shirt. Momentum propels them forward as the Captain angles and swings his body deftly steering them through the maze of trunks and branches.
The deafening pounding of her heart threatens to overwhelm her as she meekly secures her grip around his waist, taking care to keep her fingers as far away from his belt as possible. In spite of her best efforts to banish them to the furthest reaches of her subconscious, memories of that heated moment pressed between the Captain and the hard wooden surface of his bedroom door came screeching to the fore. Suddenly thankful to no longer be wearing a skirt, Historia shifted her head slightly to the side, studying his features for any reaction to their intimate proximity.
His stoic veneer remained largely intact, save for an odd yet inexplicably familiar frown tugging the corner of his thin lips.
He's worried about tomorrow's operation.
"Y-you don't think the plan's going to work, do you sir?" Historia asks frowning slightly as her gaze lingers.
"There's always that risk," he admits much to her surprise. "Along with the fact that I can't shake this niggling feeling that we're missing something very important here."
"I see." She mutters quietly. "Do you have an idea about what it might be? Perhaps—"
"It's you." An audible gasp escapes her as their eyes met. He angles his body, planting his foot against a nearby tree trunk abruptly bringing them to a halt. Her grip around him tightens as his large hand presses her closer to his side, causing her shirt to ride up slightly revealing her smooth, unblemished navel. "I deeply suspect that a time will come when we'll have to pick between saving you or Eren. With our limited resources and rapidly dwindling manpower, this might be the most desperate and important decision we ever make. Naturally, any choice we make carries its own unique benefits, risks, and contingencies we need to account for. To fully appreciate this, we need to know what exactly we're risking our lives for. There will be casualties, some heavier than others. So far we only have one piece of the puzzle."
"I see," Historia whispers. "Earlier in the kitchen, when you asked me if I knew any secrets about the walls and the titans within them, you were trying to gauge my importance to humanity."
"Sort of." Captain Levi admits. "Don't get me wrong, I understand that you are important to the big picture somehow, I just can't see how. I get why the enemy would be after Eren and I think I have a pretty good idea of what they intend to do with him, but you I'm not so sure about. I get that you were his illegitimate child and all, but if you were that important, why would Rod Reiss wait until after the fall of Wall Maria to reach out and acknowledge you?"
He's right! The Military Police officer that killed mother seemed to have predicted my father coming for me. But why? How? And why go through the trouble of killing mother at all long after my birth if their aim was merely to avoid a scandal?
"And another thing, if the Military Police was so hell-bent on eliminating all traces of you and your mother, why kill one and spare the other?" He mused with a deep frown as the blonde watched him quietly.
"My father was the one who stopped them." Historia reminds him softly.
"I know. It's only reasonable to presume that he only spared your life because he intended to use you later. But how? And why?"
"His eyes," the blonde muttered quietly as she recalled that fateful encounter. "They seemed so sad yet distant that evening. Almost remorseful, as if—"
"I hate to break it to you but Lord Reiss did not spare your life out of sentimentality." The Captain informed her coldly. "You are important somehow. But how? I get why he changed your name, but why send you away to join the Cadet Training Corps? If they were trying to kill you, why not just do so that night? Why leave it to chance? If they weren't trying to kill you then why send you away at all? Wouldn't it have been better—not to mention easier—to keep you somewhere close where he could always reach you should the need arise? Their actions are so contradictory sometimes, it's annoying. And yet I know that the answer is probably staring me right in the face and I'm too ignorant to realize it."
Through a gap in the canopy of trees a cloud shifted revealing a sliver of moonlight that plunged them in an ethereal glow. Historia watched his frown soften as he turned his gaze skyward. Suddenly remembering how his right hand was pressed against the underside of her right breast, she shifted, trying to adjust her body into a less compromising position. Her movements only caused her shirt to ride up further, exposing more of her midsection.
"It's late. We should rejoin the others qui—" Historia turned the Captain's face towards her, leaning forward and capturing his lips with hers, abruptly cutting him off midsentence. When he tried to lean away from her, she followed him, grabbing the back of his neck for support as she slipped her tongue inside his mouth.
Strong hands snatched hers away from his neck, gathering them together before pinning them above her. A shocked gasp escaped her when she noticed that their feet were now firmly planted on the soft forest grass. She wondered when they had landed as she turned to face the Captain.
"The fuck did you do that for?"
"You said it yourself," Historia said quietly. "The time might come when you'll have to choose between protecting me and Eren. Judging by your train of thought so far, it'd be safe to say that you're leaning more towards protecting Eren, right?" When he says nothing, she wiggles within his grasp forcing him to release her hesitantly.
"I haven't decided yet." The Captain replies after a pregnant pause. "But that still doesn't explain why you—" Her hands fell to the buckle of his belt forcing his to grab hold of her wrists.
Taking advantage of his open stance, Historia lifted her leg, wrapping it firmly around his waist, pulling him closer towards her. Her nipples hardened beneath the fabric of her shirt as his groin pressed intimately against her clothed sex. She jumped slightly as he released one of her wrists, slamming his free palm against the space directly over her left ear in frustration.
"P-Petra's—"
"My name," her voice was low and husky as her newly-released hand worked his belt buckle free. "Captain…Levi…Ackerman …is Historia…Reiss." The air around them became eerily still as their eyes met.
Her lips parted suddenly, releasing a surprised gasp as the Captain's strong fingers grabbed either side of her face, lifting her off her feet before slamming her against the tree trunk, winding her. The Captain leaned forward, thin lips capturing her soft, pink mouth in a bruising kiss. Her small hands fell from his waistband, clenching his jacket tightly with one hand while her other hand stroked the nape of his neck.
A trail of saliva lingered between them as he abruptly broke the kiss, burying his head against her collarbone. She continued stroking along the nape of his neck, caressing the stubble of his undercut as his long fingers took hold of her shirt. Slowly but surely, he unhooked every button of her shirt, nudging it aside leaving only the silky fabric of her chemise to shield her breasts from his roving gaze. He tugged down the hem of her chemise causing her to gasp as a doughy mound popped out, bouncing lewdly between them. The Captain's large hand snatched the exposed breast mid-bounce burying the nipple with his middle finger before rolling and stretching it between his thumb and index finger.
Historia arched her back against the tree, flushing deeply as she pressed her trembling knuckles to her mouth, muffling her wanton mewls. Captain Levi's hand dug into her chemise, roughly fondling her other breast beneath the silk fabric while he leaned down to lick her exposed breast.
"C-Captain Levi!" She rasped wretchedly as his tongue circled her pale areola, pressing her soft puffy nipple down as his other hand continued groping her other breast greedily. Vaginal fluid shamelessly slid down her buckling thighs, soaking her trousers through as his lips finally seized a pliant nipple, claiming its prize with a long, possessive suckle.
Historia writhed blindly within the Captain's strong arms, unable and unwilling to escape from his indecent ministrations. Powerful hands lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist as the Captain pressed her body higher against the tree tilting his head ever so slightly to the side, granting his mouth greater leverage against her swollen nipple. Her toes curled within her boots as the suction of his lips intensified with every nibble and suckle.
Her legs fell away as he released them, grabbing hold of each breast roughly before squeezing them together. A shameless growl ripped through her parted lips as his mouth claimed both nipples at once with a mighty suck. The lewd sound of his suckling echoed throughout the small forest clearing around them as she watched his head greedily bop up and down her bosom.
The muscles in her legs seemed to melt away as he finally released her breasts with an indecent pop, sending her sliding down along the rough bark. She felt the Captain's fingers deftly unclasp her own belt buckle as strong hands seized hold of her tiny waist holding her up against the tree with one whilst the other shoved through the gap in her loosened waistband. His long digits penetrated her overflowing vulva sending an indescribable spasm of pleasure racking through her petite frame.
"C-C-Captain!" She screamed as his digits settled into a frenetic pace, creating an obscene squelching sound. Small hands flailed wildly around in search of something to grasp hold of. They tightened around the Captain's suit jacket as he leaned over her, dark blue eyes drinking in her fevered reaction.
This is really happening! The ground trembled slightly as the Captain's omnidirectional gear crashed down below them. This isn't a dream…Captain Levi's fingers are….thrusting deep inside of me!
"CAPTAIN L-LEVI!"
Where am I? Her head rolled limply to the side as she came to. Judging by the angle of her body along with the warmth and softness enveloping it, she was lying down in a sleeping bag.
How did I get here?
"Captain! She's coming to!" Relief was evident in Nifa's features as they slid into Historia's line of sight.
That's right. The last thing I remember was the Captain—! Historia started as the memories of what had transpired came screeching back to her. Although the covers of her sleeping bag had been tucked snugly around her, she could tell that she was still partially naked beneath them.
"Try not to move around so quickly." Captain Levi suggested calmly from somewhere behind her. "You suffered a nasty shock just now." From the corner of her eye Historia noticed Eren and Sean watching her quietly as the Captain moved to hand Nifa something.
"—wise to move her, sir," Nifa stated matter-of-factly. "I could stay behind with her and move her to the wagon once she's recovered."
"No." The Captain insisted, crossing his arms. "The wagon must reach Trost on schedule if we're to slip into the city unnoticed. We can't afford any further delays. She can recover along the way."
"Do you think the coffins spooked her out?" Historia heard Sean mutter to Eren. The titan-shifter simply shook his head but offered no explanation of his own.
"I don't think we should use them, Captain," Nifa stated watching the Captain expectantly.
"It's fine." Historia said softly, readjusting her clothes beneath the cover of the sleeping bag. "Really."
"Get rid of the coffins." The Captain ordered turning to walk away.
"But—"
"We need you both armed and alert should something go wrong." He explained tersely without turning around.
"Finally snapped huh?" Eren asked, reaching out to help her up with a dry chuckle once the Captain was safely out of earshot. "I know it's tough but you've got to keep it together. For the sake of the others."
"I'm sorry I don't understand." Historia said shaking her head as she accepted his hand, rising from the sleeping bag. Although her shirt buttons were somewhat disheveled, her breasts and undergarments were properly secured.
"Oh that's right." Nifa said moving to lead the way. "The Captain did say you sort of blacked out."
"As far as mental breakdowns go that one easily takes the cake." Sean added with a relieved chuckle. "Gave us all a terrible fright there."
"Yea, no kidding." Eren agreed. "I've never seen the Captain that frightened before. Normally, he's pretty calm and great at maintaining his composure but even he seemed shaken to his core."
"I'm sorry. But I don't remember any of this happening." The blonde said apologetically.
"Do you remember me leaving you to change clothes?" Historia nodded silently as she turned to face Nifa. "Well when I got back, you were fully dressed but slumped against the tree. It looked like you had just dozed off so I decided to wake you up. Big mistake. You took off running and screaming for the Captain. It was the darndest thing. I wasn't quite sure what had spooked you so I followed you."
Historia's breath hitched as she recalled Captain Levi swooping down and whisking her away to a nearby tree. Her fingers strayed to her lips, tracing the outline of her supple flesh as she remembered the pressure of the Captain's bruising kiss upon them.
It wasn't a dream! It really did happen!
"Captain Levi got to you first but even he didn't have much luck calming you down." Nifa continued, smacking her head with an incredulous chuckle. "Although you guys were too far away for me to make out much, I could tell something was wrong the moment I saw you guys land."
I kissed Captain Levi Ackerman…the Captain Levi, humanity's strongest warrior.
"Could you make out anything that was happening when we landed?" Historia asked.
"Not really, but it was clear that you guys were struggling—quite intensely too might I add." Nifa replied.
And he kissed me back. Levi Ackerman kissed me back!
"Although you were screaming and pleading with Captain Levi, you seemed to be giving him all he could handle." Nifa said. "By the time I finally caught up with you both, he was breathless and seemed to have some difficulty walking and standing for some time."
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as a wave of embarrassment washed over her. Although part of her was relieved that Nifa hadn't been close enough to discern what exactly had transpired between them both, she couldn't help the triumphant smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Could it be? She wondered as they finally reached the wagon. Could I have finally gotten under his skin? I know now that it hadn't all been some fevered dream or hallucination.
Her suspicions were seemingly confirmed when they arrived at the main campsite to find it completely deserted, save for Richard and the pair of horses dragging their wagon.
"Where are the others?" Historia asked Richard as he helped them into the wagon.
"They took off for Trost." He responded, jerking his head in the general direction of the city. "Captain seemed eager to secure some more supplies before tomorrow's operation. But don't worry, everything is still set to go according to plan."
Could it be…Could the Captain have left in such a hurry in order to avoid me? No! She shook her head. The wagon set off in earnest as the horses took off in full gallop. We were always supposed to enter the city at different times so it makes sense that they would leave without us. But still…I thought the decoy team was supposed to give us a head start to enter the city? But why would the Captain be avoiding me? I was the one who instigated the entire incident by kissing him.
Her eyes narrowed imperceptibly as she noticed the damp outline of vaginal fluid staining her slacks. She shifted her gaze towards Eren, studying his body language for any signs of suspicion. His head remained bowed reverently, fingers clasped tightly as if in silent prayer, his thoughts undoubtedly with their comrades on the decoy team.
"You really need to get your priorities straight." The Captain had chastised her earlier for worrying about Petra's diary.
What good will worrying about the others do me or them for that matter? She tried to rationalize with a helpless shrug before remembering Eren and Nifa's words from before.
"I've never seen the Captain that frightened before. Normally, he's pretty calm and great at maintaining his composure but even he seemed shaken to his core."
"You seemed to be giving him all he could handle. By the time I finally caught up with you both, he was breathless and seemed to have some difficulty walking and standing for some time."
Although the inexplicable feeling had long since dissipated, she could still recall faint echoes of the intoxicating rush of euphoric energy pulsing through her. The memory alone was enough to moisten her nether lips in anticipation. She recalled how easily his fingers had slid inside her molten sex, thrusting mercilessly deeper and deeper inside her.
My body's never acted like that before and I'm having trouble remembering the last time I've ever experienced a time skip like that?
She remembered bits and pieces of gossip she had overhead between some of the older female scouts in the weeks leading up to the ill-fated Fifty-Seventh Expedition beyond the Walls. Although she hadn't paid much attention then, she had gleaned enough information to make sense of what had happened that evening.
Was that what that was? An orgasm? If so why did it seem more intense than all the other times in my dreams about the Captain? Is blacking out and losing time even normal under those circumstances. And the Captain…
Although she had been far too delirious to observe or remember anything beyond the sensations his hands and lips were arousing within her, she remembered the intense heat behind his kiss. The tightness of his grip around her neck, the overwhelming fervor behind his motions. If she could have been aroused in that moment, he must have been too. Why else would he have set off early with the decoy squad? Why else had he stormed off without so much as a backwards glance at her?
"I've been unforgivably careless with you. I'm sorry."
Nice going, you fool! Seducing him on the eve of our most important operation yet. It'll be a miracle if we leave Trost alive now. No. Captain Levi is stronger than that! He has to be. After everything he's been through! Petra's miscarriage. Petra's death. Not to mention to countless friends, colleagues and subordinates he has undoubtedly lost over the years. Any one of those things would have weighed down weaker men. But Captain Levi hasn't just survived those losses; he's thrived in spite of them. Arguably because of them.
That's right! Look at Eren! Even though he isn't as physically gifted as Mikasa, Annie, Reiner, Jean and Bertholdt, he's managed to accomplish so much through his sheer determination to avenge his mother's death.
She shifted once more to sneak a glance at Eren who had moved further along in the wagon to peer through the tarp at the road ahead. Part of her took solace in the fact that the Captain's seemingly innate ability to suppress emotional trauma would eventually smother whatever troublesome feelings her actions had stirred that night. The other part of her, the kinder, gentler part of her scolded herself for creating more problems for him.
What kind of horrors has he survived through to be able to suppress grief and trauma so easily? She wondered, tilting her head to the side with a worried frown. A knot began to form in her stomach as the sky beyond grew lighter and lighter the further they traveled.
In a few hours, their wagon would reach Trost, with their comrades not very far behind. Following the route Captain Levi had plotted for them, it would take their wagon all day to reach Commander Pixis'. Assuming that everything went according to plan, there was a good chance that she wouldn't see him until this time the following day. She twisted her hands together, nibbling the inside of her lower lip. The distant crow of a rooster reached them signaling the beginning of the longest day of her life.