Chapter Six
Annoyance contorts your features into an ugly frown as you sweep into the makeshift infirmary. Dark blue eyes appraise the cramped quarters briefly taking in the mud-caked floors and bloodstained linens dangling off the creaky bunks before turning instead to search for a culprit.
"Petra! Gunter!" I jump slightly as we turn to face your scowling form. Your eyes shift to the mop clutched tightly in my hand and it takes me several moments to realize that I had been absentmindedly leaning on it for what must have been the better part of an hour. I straighten up and give you a brisk salute as you move to snatch the mop out of Gunter's hand.
In the space between us, you catch a glimpse of the writhing soldier moaning softly into Eld's open palm. Your features soften as we step aside allowing you to pass between us. Eld notices you behind him and turns to face you with a grim frown. The blond rises and you wordlessly turn to follow him.
"How much longer before we can move out, Captain?" He asks.
"The supply wagons are still stuck beneath the collapsed bridge." You respond crossing your arms. "How can we make him comfortable?"
"I-Isabelle. I-sabelle." The dying man sobs clutching his pillows tightly against his heart. Tears sting my eyes as I respectfully avert my gaze.
"A-are you alright, Captain?" Gunter asks, prompting me to face you. Your face is ashen, your eyes lined with deep, hollow circles as your shoulders tremble uncharacteristically.
"What did he just say?"
"Isabelle. Sir." Eld replies with a shrug. "He's been moaning her name all evening." He fumbles in his cloak pockets briefly before extricating a creased photograph which he hands over to you. You accept it with shaking hands, visibly swallowing past a lump forming in your throat as you study the soldier's keepsake.
In the photograph, the dying soldier is whole and strong, beaming broadly as a slightly chubby maiden dressed in a pretty golden frock is pressed affectionately to his side. Judging by the confetti and street decorations dangling in the background behind them it is King's Day and the happy couple is perched on a balcony railing overlooking some crowded market square.
"Someone you know, Captain?" Eld asks, watching you with a careful look. Relief softens your features as the distant sheen in your eyes fades. You shake your head and wordlessly return the photograph to the taller man as you turn away, prepared to leave.
"Petra." Your voice is soft but firm. "I want you to clean up and go sit by that man's bed. I want you to hold his hand until he passes. Do you understand?" Although I do not, I salute and depart to do as ordered.
When I return, Section Commander Mike, Lynne, and Gelgar are carrying in more wounded bodies for treatment.
"—thought Captain Levi recognized the girl at first," Gunter was telling Gelgar as I settled unto the chair beside the dying soldier's bed. "But when he saw her picture his expression changed. Although he was still sad, he seemed almost relieved."
"The girl," Section Commander Zacharias says suddenly causing the two men to start slightly. "What was her name?"
"I-Isabelle?" The soldier moans once more, shifting slightly in his bed as I move his hand unto my lap. He smiles weakly when he sees me as tears of joy fill his eyes. I gently hold him down when he attempts to sit up, silencing him with a soft smile.
"I see." Commander Mike says observing us with a somber frown.
"Y-you came." Tears stream down his eyes as he flails his half-bitten arm wildly, knocking over a rucksack from its perch on the table beside him. I bend to pick it up and freeze when I notice a gleaming band lying on the freshly-mopped floors. "T-there's something…I was going to ask you…before I left…couldn't work up the nerve…your father said—"
"Be still, please." I lean forward, pressing a finger gently to his lips as a coughing fit briefly overwhelms him. He shakes his head, defiantly meeting my gaze. "Save your strength."
"N-no!" His voice is firm yet feeble at the same time as he points his stub towards the gleaming band on the floor. "Pl-please pick it up." My heart breaks as I silently obey.
"It's beautiful," I observe softly as tears sting my eyes.
"Y-you like it?"Not trusting my voice I can only nod in response. Relief floods his features as his smile broadens. He hastens to sit up, prompting Gunter and Gelgar to fly to his aid. They lift him from the bed, lowering him unto a crushed knee as my lower lip threatens to betray a wretched sob. Our eyes meet and the heavy pain in my chest tightens.
"The ring," Commander Mike prompts. I gently deposit the band unto the trembling palm of the soldier's bandaged hand.
"Will you—?"
"Yes!" I blurt out throwing my arms around him with a mighty sob. He sways slightly within Gunter and Gelgar's grasp, overcome with emotion. After a brief pause we finally part. I seize the opportunity to wipe away the tears stinging my eyes as he turns towards the door to address someone standing there.
"Captain Levi…" the man smiles, licking his dry lips nervously as you move to stand behind me. "S-she said yes."
"I understand." You respond before turning to face me, reaching for my hand.
I blink blankly at your palm, taking in the lines and creases of your calluses before silently placing my hand in yours.
"I t-think we need t-wo w-w-itnesses." The man stutters nervously, scanning the room for two willing participants. He doesn't have to search for very long.
"Right here, comrade," Gelgar says with a kind smile.
"We've got you." Gunter agrees. Tears of gratitude fall silently from his eyes.
"We are gathered here today to unite Magnus Vance and Isabelle Mag—"
"Lawrence. I-Isabelle Lawrence, Captain."
"Forgive me." You accept with a grateful nod. "To unite Magnus Vance and Isabelle Lawrence in the bonds of matrimony." You pause as you turn to face him. "Do you, Magnus, take Isabelle Lawrence to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Although part of me preferred to believe that I had imagined how weak and soft his voice seemed to have gotten, but the unmistakable pallor of his skin and the strain in his visage were unavoidable.
"Do you Isabelle Lawrence take this man Magnus Vance to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." My lips quiver as our gazes meet. I slip the ring unto my wedding finger.
"By the power and authority vested in me by King Fritz and my commission, I now pronounce you, man and wife." I lean forward and press a soft kiss against Magnus' peaceful visage.
When Magnus Vance finally succumbs to his injuries less than an hour later, I quietly slip the ring from my finger and return it to his rucksack. As I am leaving the tent I overhear Oluo and Lynne talking and move to join them.
"Are you alright?" Lynne asks handing me a cup of steaming tea. I wordlessly accept it without responding. "Yes, Isabelle, but her last name was Magnolia." She continues, turning to address Oluo.
"Was she his lover?" Oluo wonders pausing to gingerly stroke his burnt tongue.
"Captain Mike mentioned that she was in his gang before he joined the Survey Corps and was recruited along with Captain Levi and another member by Commander Ervin himself. They all seemed more like siblings according to Captain Mike.""
"Rest in peace, Isabelle Magnolia," I mutter as my gaze scans the camp for you.
XXX
"How are you both holding up in there?" Richard asks, leaning back slightly to steal a look at his young cadet charges.
"I feel sick to my stomach," Eren admits without pause, clenching his fists with a deep frown.
"Historia?" Richard turns to face the silent blonde. She gives him a small nod but says nothing further in response. "Well, we're almost through the front gates. Hopefully, this will be quick and painless."
"Really?" The titan-shifter scoots backward, lifting the tarp carefully to scan the road behind.
"Yeah," Richard replies. "Sean and Nifa should be trailing from the roofs, so don't worry." Historia watches the veteran return his attention to the road, mildly impressed by his ability to speak whilst moving his lips as little as possible.
"From here on out, we have to behave as if our movements are being tracked." She remembers the Captain's tone and frowns.
"It's not us I'm worried about," Eren replies. "It's Armin and that horse-faced Jean I'm worried about. I know they've got Mikasa and Captain Levi with them but still…is it wise to provoke our enemy like this?"
You're desperate. Aren't you Captain? Historia surmises with a small frown. Why else would you insist on such a gutsy plan? I know he'll be okay. He always is and still…
XXX
"What's wrong?" I hear you ask looking up from your stack of paperwork, steaming teacup already in hand. I shake my head with a sheepish smile prompting you to lower your gaze once more. "If you're still sleepy you can take off for the day. I'll finish up here."
"I'm fine." I insist, reaching for the teakettle on the desk between us to refill my cup. The lie is as plain as the nose on my face and yet you let the matter drop. Rising to my feet with a soft sigh, I decide to take you up on your offer after all. "On second thought—"
"Goodnight Miss Ral."
"Goodnight, Captain Levi." I salute.
I take the longer route home to the barracks, intent on avoiding my friends and colleagues as I turn over the dream in my head. I had been at home in your apartment reading a book as I waited for the laundry to dry. There had been a knock on the door. When I answered it Commander Smith had been standing there, blond brows heavy and foreboding. My gaze had fallen to the bloodstains smeared across his uniform and I had stepped back with a horrified gasp, shaking my head as tears of disbelief stung my eyes. It had finally happened. The day I had dreaded was finally at hand.
Our walk to the morgue had been long yet uneventful. I had distracted myself by glaring daggers at the sunny afternoon sky high above us. It is indecent for the weather to remain so bright on the darkest moment of my life. How dare the grass gleam vibrantly beneath our marching boots?
"How did it happen?" I had asked, internally grateful to find your body intact on the hard examining table. Someone had hastily wiped away blood stains from the corner of your mouth, leaving behind a crimson smudge. I remember wondering what could have caused that much internal trauma.
"His grappling hook malfunctioned and he fell." Commander Ervin had replied, pointedly leaving out the gorier details. Somehow I can tell that your back had snapped in two instantly killing you. I wondered if it was painless. It must have been. I had shaken my head once more, desperate to dispel the tears stinging my eyes. I was thankful to discover that I had inadvertently dispelled the nightmare in the process when I awoke to find you scowling down at Section Commander Zoe's report.
I clutch my knees tightly in the bathtub, squeezing my eyes shut against tears of joy. A shudder of relief rumbles through me. I sleep like a log that night in spite of myself.
XXX
"Are you sure, Petra?" Gunter asks concern evident on his face.
"Of course I'm sure," I reply with a bright smile. "It'll be a cinch. Nanaba's really nice and approachable."
"Not with me." Oluo scoffs.
"Because you insist on berating her to change her haircut." I sigh with an exasperated frown.
"I'm only looking out for her." Oluo shrugs. "I just think it's very tacky for a woman like that to insist on copying the Captain so shamelessly."
"Oluo," my fists clench angrily. "The only tacky copycat in this division is you!"
That afternoon I seek Nanaba out and find her and Lynne in the armory supervising the rookie recruits' inventorying exercise.
"Fine, what flavor should the cake be?" She asks, lowering her clipboard briefly to examine me. I freeze, mouth opening and closing soundlessly. It's a completely reasonable question. One I should absolutely have no trouble answering given our romantic history. And still, shame bows my head as I shake my head in defeat. "Hey, Petra!" Nanaba calls out to me.
"Er, sorry! I just remembered something I have to do." I call back with an apologetic wave as I hastily retreat. "I'll be right back."
"At least tell me what flavor so I know what to buy when I go shopping this weekend!" She calls back. I ignore her, racing madly back to the others.
I am dismayed when they are all as stumped as I am. With the Captain's birthday only days away, there is no time to lose. Cake comes first!
Eld and Gunter take an indirect approach, taking turns to shadow the Captain, studying and observing his eating patterns. Two whole days pass before they finally admit defeat and report back that the Captain has no discernible preferences in his diet. Oluo haughtily excuses himself from the discussion when we refuse to have Nanaba bake a cake based on his own personal preference.
"Captain Levi and I are so similar in appearance and demeanor," he scoffs.
"Only because you insist on copying him—" I growl beneath my breath.
"Our tastes are bound to be similar."
"Yeah…I don't think so," Eld replies curtly.
"Suit yourselves," Oluo replies with an indignant scowl.
With only one day left before the weekend, I decide to adopt a more direct approach. I fall back with you that evening as you ride back from the training grounds making small talk here and there to pass the time. We secure our horses in the stable and make our way to the mess hall for dinner. I pay no heed to your buffet selections, instantly perking up instead when you set your tray down to make your tea.
"Lemon!" Nanaba is understandably shocked when I barrel into her moments later as she's entering the mess hall with the rest of her squad. I lean forward and grab her shoulders, pulling her close enough to whisper. "The cake has to be lemon-flavored."
"Oh, I already knew that," Nanaba replies with a small shrug. I blink slowly at her.
"H-how did you?!"
"I asked Section Commander Mike what your Captain smelled like."
"Of course." How could I forget?!
XXX
"Are those gunshots?!" Historia snaps the diary shut and stows it away as Eren pulls back the tarp.
"What's going on?!" The titan-shifter presses, voice shaking with concern. "Are we being attacked or what?!"
"Just stay down! Hiyah!" Richard urges the horses with a flourish of his wrists. Historia discerns the faint hiss and groan of an omnidirectional gear wire above the clomping of the horses' hooves.
What's going on?! From the sounds of it, our pursuers are almost upon us. But how?! What happened to the others?! Did the plan fail?
There is a loud rip followed by a dull thud as a grappling hook suddenly bursts through the wagon tarp. The pair of them watch the hook embed itself into the tarp. Before either of them can move or even react, the grappling hook tugs back, ripping the tarp off the wagon with a deafening snap.
Historia falls backward, eyes wide in fear and confusion as she spots their pursuers swinging high above them. Her eyes widen when she notices the peculiar design of their gun-based maneuvering gear propelling them further and faster as the wagon speeds on.
Where are the Captain and the others?! Why aren't Nifa and Sean securing the wagon?
Her breath hitches as she remembers the dull booms of gunshots from before. At first, she hadn't thought anything of it given the traditional fireworks display that often concluded the King's Day festivities.
Eight gunshots. Her heart sank. Captain, Armin, Jean, Mikasa, Connie, Sasha, Nifa and Sean. Had each of those gunshots been intended for each one of you? If so…which shots had missed and which had met their marks?!
From the corner of her eyes, she notices a growling Eren reach down to snatch the rifle lying on the floor beside him.
What's wrong with me?! She wonders, paralyzed with fear as she watches one of their pursuers reload his curious-looking weapon. Eren's already recovered from the shock so why…can't…I…move?!
The attacker swings closer, training the nozzle of his weapon at the terrified blonde.
This is it! This is how it ends!
"HISTORIA!" Eren's scream pierces her ears as a pressing darkness overcomes her.
I awaken with a loud gasp, blue eyes squeezed tightly in discomfort as I grasp the side of my pounding head.
"What's wrong?" Relief floods me at the sound of your voice. Suddenly you are standing beside me, hands hanging limply at your side as you observe me. "Try not to move around so much." My breath hitches when I feel the warm surface of your palm gently grab the nape of my neck as its brother sinks into my abdomen. Our eyes meet as you lower me back unto the bed, turning briefly to replace the covers.
I grasp your hand as it retreats from the covers, pressing each finger in turn affectionately to my lips. You watch me with an inscrutable expression, eyes heavy with bags.
"You saved me." I murmur gently lowering your hand from my lips at length.
"Rest." You urge turning to walk away. I obediently shut my eyes but sleep eludes me that night.
I am somewhat taken aback when I turn to settle into a more comfortable position and find you seated on a wooden chair in the far corner. Eyelids drawn peacefully, thin lips parted ever so slightly as your loosely-crossed arms press against the wall. I throw the covers off my petite frame, lowering my feet unto the cool, wooden floor. The dull patter of raindrops punctuates the silence around us as I cross the room to join you.
"What's wrong?" You ask again before opening your eyes to study my kneeling form.
"I'm cold." You say nothing in response, merely blinking down at me as my small hands reach for yours. You uncross your arms, rising to move past me.
"I'll go grab more blankets from the other room." You inform me prompting me to grab the sleeve of your shirt. I press myself against your hard, strong back, burying my head within its intoxicating warmth as I inhale your arousing scent.
"Lie with me."
"Why are you doing this?" Silence follows your question as I consider my response carefully.
"You're the first man to move me," I reply at length. When you say nothing in response, I lick my lips and continue. "I know it sounds crazy but…these past few days…finally taught me the pain Mikasa must feel whenever she is parted from Eren." You stiffen visibly at this, prompting me to clutch your chest even tighter, pressing you possessively against me. "That time in the forest—"
"Was a mistake." You finally speak, cutting me off with an irritated sigh as you pull my small hands apart, releasing your chest from my grasp. "One I'm not keen to repeat."
"You don't understand!" I clench the side of your shirt holding you fast as I move around to face you. "You awakened something in me that night in the forest! Before then, I had lived my life so carefully. Kept to all my lies so faithfully. Now I'd lose everything to sing that joyful sound you drew from my lips once again." You wince visibly at this. "I'm sorry, but it's true. I might not have Petra's gift with words but…for the first time I finally feel alive because I have my life in my hands and your love in my heart."
"What you want…" You sigh quietly. "I can't give."
"You misunderstood me." Dark blue eyes blink curiously at this as I lift myself on tiptoes to whisper. "You've given me love. Joy. Peace…Freedom." I trail the goosebumps' rise along your long neck with greedy eyes. Small hands release your shirt, rising to grasp the side of your neck jealously. "All I want…" I press my breasts against your muscular chest. "…is the opportunity to repay the debt I owe."
"You don't owe me anything." Your voice is low and husky as I lower one hand to stroke the evidence of your arousal, palming it gently through the fabric of your slacks. You hiss sharply in response prompting me to pull back to meet your gaze once more.
"Give in to me." I plead with a longing sigh. Understanding tints your gaze as you finally obey. Gritting your teeth, you hold on to me pressing my lips greedily against your hot, searching mouth.
My eyes close letting the room fade away as I chase you, swallowing your sighs and moans with a hungry growl. Strong hands spin me around before pinning me fast against your thumping chest. My nipples harden against the chilly night air as my breasts bounce freely against the remnants of my ripped shirt.
The terrifying rumble of thunder booms as lightening burns the room around us. You sweep me away towards the bed. The bedsprings creak beneath our combined weight as you lower me unto my stomach. I barely have enough time to prop myself unto all fours before you descend on me again, tugging each of my pliant mounds apart. Sweat rolls off my neck as I twist to kiss you once more, moaning and growling into your burning need.
I shift to accommodate you as you shove my pants over my buttocks, pausing briefly to free the pesky apparel from my ankles before greeting your burning mouth with another searing kiss. You shove my legs apart, reaching down to yank my underwear off, exposing my moistening sex to you. I watch you reach down to loosen your slacks and shove a small hand to palm your swollen member. Your length is burning to my touch as my fingers slid up and down in long, twisting strokes. Your hips begin to move, bucking and thrusting wildly into my fingers, boyish features twisted in a pained grimace as strained hisses escaped your slightly-swollen lips.
Planting your elbows on either side of me, you lifted your body off my petite frame, slowly but surely rising to your knees. Judging by the feral sheen in your dark blue eyes and the ragged growl building in the back of your throat, it is taking every ounce of your willpower to extricate yourself from me. Unwilling to be denied so easily, I grab the waistband of your slacks shoving it past your buttocks, springing your hardened length free.
"Give in to me!" I repeat forcefully this time squeezing your member harder for emphasis. Your lithe frame freezes as I leap forward, enveloping your twitching organ in my hot, moist mouth.
"Historia!" You hiss as your hands fall away from my shoulders, your fingers clenching and unclenching into tight fists. I purse my lips, wrapping my tongue around your pulsing shaft with a mighty suck that sends you reeling. You stumble backward, managing to throw a palm back to break your fall as you land on the floor below. I land on top of you, bopping my head up and down as I sink lower and lower unto your twitching manhood.
You move away, desperate to free your treacherous organ from my suckling mouth. I crawl after you, trapping the mushroom-shaped head of your length between my plump, pink lips. Pressing my tongue against your leaking slit, I grasp hold of your shaft, keeping you firmly in place. "—lease!"
I slam down unto your member again with a vicious slurp as the tightness in your core erupts, into a hot stream of seed inside my mouth. A triumphant smile twists the corners of my lips as I listen to the harsh rhythm of your labored breathing.
"When," your eyes tighten in obvious discomfort, a feral growl rising in the back of your throat. "When did you bleed last?" I feel you move beneath me and turn towards your dripping member.
"What are you talking about?" I ask, shifting my gaze from your hardening organ to study your features.
"Your menstrual cycle." You explain crudely. "How long has it been since you bled?"
"Two weeks," I reply, moving to straddle you. Your hand holds my shoulders fast, keeping me at arm's length. I turn to fix you with an annoyed scowl.
"Captain—"
"It's not safe." You reply turning to pick yourself up from the floor. I watch you, blue eyes wide with hurt. "Besides, I already came." Your gaze trails the translucent sheen of your seed seeping into the hardwood floor.
"But you're still hard—"
"I said it's not safe!" You snap. "Don't you understand?!"
"No, I don't!" I scream back rising to my feet. "Why did you ask me about my menstrual cycle and what's not safe?"
"Women are most fertile two weeks after their menstrual cycle." I would have asked how you knew this had I not learned the reason from Petra's diary. "Trust me, it's best—"
"No!" My words catch you by surprise as I fall back unto the bed, grabbing your hand and pulling you down with me at the last minute. I snake my hands between us, grasping hold of your manhood and guiding it towards my dripping vulva. "I want it all. All of you!"
A stabbing pain rips through me sending a tingling sensation up my spine as you seize my hips, penetrating me with a mighty thrust. My legs buckle and twitch obscenely in the air as the deafening creaking of the bedsprings drowns out my lewd cries. I cling to your muscular shoulders for dear life, eyes squeezed shut against the sting of unshed tears. Slowly but surely the discomfort gives way to maddening pleasure as you plunge deeper and deeper inside me.
"C-Captain! C-captain!" I screech for all the world to hear. Thunder booms loudly around us as we tussle recklessly, trapped within the searing throes of passion. Your long fingers tighten around my puffy nipples, tugging and kneading my soft pliant mounds as you pull out of me. My small fingers grip a handful of the sheets beside me as you slam into me once more, rocking me forward.
"Fuuuckk!" You growl, hot breath tickling the beads of sweat clustered around the nape of my neck as I arch into you.
"You are my greatest love. I know this now." I stroke the back of your neck affectionately as you collapse on top of me, completely spent. You nuzzle against my collarbone, planting a sloppy kiss at the base of my throat as exhaustion forces our eyes shut.
"I love you." You stiffen visibly at this but remain silent, basking in our post-coital secretions.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in posting. Thanks again for your kind words and support.