Chapter Fourteen
His jaw tightens as her gaze trails their intertwined hands, a content smile playing at the corner of her lips. Resisting the urge to sigh and roll his eyes, he instead salutes a group of passing guards patrolling the main foyer. Her small fingers clutch his forearm against her side, holding him close to her as the guards acknowledge them both with deep reverent bows. An unsettling inkling temporarily distracts him as they reach a large courtyard leading towards the royal residence. He turns ever so slightly when he feels her studying him with a mix of awe and cautious glee. Concern creases her forehead as her gaze abruptly falls to his strong shoulders.
"What?" He asks arching an eyebrow as she lifts her arms to stroke his biceps through the fabric of his coat.
"Your shoulders," she mutters almost to herself rubbing her palms up and down his powerful torso before sliding them under his armpit. "They're stiff." He winces ever so slightly as her hands press a painful spot beneath his breast. "You're hurt!"
"I'm fine." He waves dismissively. She grabs his hand in hers leading him down the corridor and into the palace. They climb a flight of stairs hand-in-hand, their footsteps echoing loudly as they make their way through the labyrinth of stately hallways and corridors.
It's only been a few days and she's already moving around like she's lived here all her life.
"In here." He watches as she presses her small frame against a heavy door leading into a circular drawing room. In spite of himself, his gaze falls to the faint outline of her pert buttocks, hidden beneath the folds of her flowing, white gown. Pale eyes widen in bemusement as she turns to find him quietly studying her backside. Shaking his head as he catches himself staring, he moves to follow her inside, stepping aside as she shuts the door behind him.
"Where are we?" He asks stepping back slightly when she reaches for the front of his coat.
"Here let me." She gently brushes his hands aside as she unbuttons his coat carefully. He watches her quietly as her small fingers work his coat free, swallowing past a painful lump forming in his throat. "The former queen was very fond of reading. She had little suites like these designed in every wing of the castle to allow her to eat, sleep and bathe without ever being too far from her favorite books. We won't be disturbed here."
"This suits you." Their eyes meet and he feels suddenly self-conscious as he notes the deep flush in her delicate cheeks. His large hands boldly clasp hers, steadying her tiny fingers as his gaze meets hers.
"You really think so?" She asks, bashfully tucking a stray strand of golden hair behind her small ear. He continues watching her distractedly. "I was very tempted to refuse when you asked me to become the queen."
"Why didn't you?" He asks genuinely intrigued. She shakes her head uncertainly.
"I'm not sure," she shrugs with a warm smile, pausing to slide his coat off his shoulders. "Part of me felt guilty. When I saw Jean, Connie, Armin, and Sasha…their eyes—so empty and haunted—how could I refuse? It was the least I could do after all they had sacrificed for me."
"And the other part of you? The part of you that didn't feel guilty?" He presses.
"That part did it because you asked me to. I'm quickly discovering that there are few things I could ever refuse you."
"Like what?" His eyes narrow at this as she hangs his coat on a nearby rack.
"I couldn't kill you if you asked me to," she replies distractedly as she pulls out a nearby drawer, examining its contents briefly before moving on to the lower drawer. "Or truly forget you."
"Why not?" He scoffs when she turns to give him an incredulous look. "You barely know anything about me."
"I know enough. Enough to know that I will never be happy with anyone else."
"And Eren?" She furrows her eyebrows in confusion blinking slowly up at him as she tries to discern his meaning. "Don't you have feelings for—" His words falter as she bursts out laughing, shaking her head as her small shoulders tremble with mirth.
"What would make you think that?" She asks after finally collecting herself. He turns abruptly, reaching for his coat as he moves to leave the room. She runs after him, wrapping her small hands possessively around his chest, pulling him flush against her as she rests her head upon his shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to laugh I just…I wasn't expecting that."
"Ervin once told me that I was better at hurting people than I was at talking to them." Her eyes widen in violent indignation as she coaxes him to face her.
"Why on earth would the Commander say something like that?!" She demands suddenly beside herself.
"Because it's true." He shrugs taking her small hands in his as he holds them up between the two of them. Her gaze falls to their fingers, a soft sigh escaping her as she watches his strong digits bending and stroking her tiny, delicate hands. "It's probably the only reason why I'm so good at killing titans."
His breath hitches as she leans up, planting a soft, wet kiss along the corner of his lips. When she moves to pull away, he releases her hands, abruptly grasping her small shoulders, holding her firmly in place. The unbridled sheen of lust is evident in his grayish-blue eyes as they watch her intently. Cradling her small hand in his palm, he presses his free hand against the small of her back, coaxing her towards him as he leans close enough to whisper into her ear.
"'You can have anything you want as long as you are willing to endure the consequences.'" He feels her shudder as his breath ghosts the nape of her neck.
"I don't care about the consequences. I want you." Her voice is low and raspy as she wraps her small hands around his neck, drawing him closer. "I love you, Captain Levi…"
"Love is a feeling, we give it when we want it," he states bluntly as he begins to pull away. He feels her soft body follow him.
"I don't understand," she admits shaking her head as she grabs the front of his shirt. "You want me too. I know you do. I can see it in your eyes."
"What you're seeing right now isn't love," he informs her matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean?" She shakes her head, small hands clasping his face earnestly as her pale gaze searches his visage intently. "That night in the forest—" Her breath hitches as he suddenly pulls out his letter opener. Sky blue eyes trace the silver gleam of the blade as he lowers it unto his outstretched palm. Her small hands grab his wrist, yanking it out of the blade's path at the last moment. "Stop it! What are you trying to do?"
"I'm flesh and blood, Historia. If you cut me, I might not scream but I'll definitely fucking bleed. I'm a man, your majesty. What happened in the forest between us wasn't anything special. Any female could have gotten me hard under those circumstances." She shakes her head once more, backing away from him. "You'd know that if you weren't so desperate for love."
"That's not true! You love me I know you do."
"I want to fuck you! Nothing more. Nothing less." Tears sting her eyes as she squeezes them shut, shaking her blonde hair furiously. "I want to rip off all your clothes and claim you right on top of that fucking desk until your voice goes hoarse and your legs are no longer able to bear your weight."
"Why are you saying this to me?" She asks casting him a fierce glare as she crosses her hands protectively over her chest.
"Because you need to hear it," he shoots back icily. "You need to understand the truth before you start falling in love with anyone stupid enough to give you the attention you so desperately crave."
"Shut up!" She cries out snatching the blade from his hand. "It's not true! You want me. I know you do."
"You're the queen now," he sighs. "Everyone will shower you with attention and affection for one reason or another. Power, influence, wealth, control, information…just a few of the things you have to offer."
"And what about you?" She closes the distance between them, gently resting her hands on his strong chest as she watches him hopefully. "There has to be something you want that I can give."
He lifts a large hand in response, gently pulling down her gown to expose her soft, unblemished shoulder. Her chest rises as she releases a long, rasping breath, color rising in her cheeks as she watches him quietly. Bending low enough to lift her white gown, he deliberately traces his fingers against her quivering thighs, studying the visible shudder of her shoulders. He lifts the hem of her dress past her trembling knees, over her pert buttocks. She wraps her leg around his waist pulling him flush against her body as she meets his gaze.
"This is what you want, isn't it?" He growls as his long fingers cup her supple buttocks greedily squeezing and kneading her plaint flesh.
Small hands abruptly dig into his chest, shoving him off her petite frame with a mighty push. He reaches out and steadies himself against a nearby couch, eyes narrowing slightly as he lifts his gaze to study her. She is crouched on the floor, small hands clutch her chest protectively as tears of anger and frustration stream down her cheeks.
"No!" She cries out with a long rattling sob.
"Well this is embarrassing," he scoffs quietly shaking his head.
"I'm sorry," she squeaks meekly, not daring to meet his gaze. He turns to straighten his clothes, pausing briefly to retrieve his coat as he prepares to leave. "Wait!" He pauses at the doorway listening expectantly to the soft rustle of her clothes as she rises to her feet.
"Yes?" He snaps impatiently shifting his head slightly to the side.
"I was looking for you in the crowd," she chuckles lightly rubbing her shoulders awkwardly. "During the coronation. I know it sounds silly but somehow…it didn't feel right without you there to share it with." He turns, slipping on his jacket as he pulls the door open. "Wait!" She calls out once more, her small palm reaching around him to press the door shut.
"Make up your fucking mind already," he growls as their eyes meet. "Do you want me or not?"
"Not like this," she murmurs softly. Pale eyes blink back tears before abruptly falling away. Blonde locks fly freely around her eyes as she shakes her head vigorously. He moves to walk past her. She holds fast to the door handle, forcing her body between him and the exit.
"Move." His voice is low yet authoritative leaving no room for debate. The old Historia would have cowed to his whim, retreating as quickly as she had back in the cottage. Queen Historia stands her ground, meeting his gaze with a fiery, indignant glare.
"Is sex really all you want from me?" She wonders incredulously.
"What else is there?" He asks arching an eyebrow cruelly. Her jaw drops as she falls forward. He reaches out and catches her, holding her steady before scooping her up and carrying her further into the suite.
"Nothing," she scoffs pulling her knees up to her chin as he gently lowers her unto the soft mattress of her elegant four-poster. She turns away from him fighting back tears.
I learned firsthand the immense cruelty you were capable of that morning.
Tears sting her eyes as Petra's words crash over her sobbing form. She lies awake, listening intently to the sound of his retreating footsteps, shoulders heavy with defeat.
"You Reisses are a peculiar bunch. Ya seem to have a knack for playing with fire."
She is ten again, watching her mother's reading form beneath the shade of a large oak tree. Unable to resist the desire to be acknowledged by the beauteous woman, she creeps closer, pouncing unto her mother's lap with a joyous cry. There is a disgusted squeal as the woman's hands close awkwardly around her nose, forcing Historia's head off her lap with all her might.
Do you understand now, Ymir? Why I couldn't ever return your affection? Why I never dared acknowledge your bold declarations?
The blonde feels a lingering gaze trailing her movements and straightens up, doing her best to stifle a loud yawn behind her gloved hand. Pale eyes scan the brightly-lit ballroom before falling on a tall figure leaning against the balcony railing outside. The figure is dressed in a sharp military suit, with a short brown military undercut similar to the Commander's. The youth abruptly lowers his gaze when he catches her watching him. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she observes a bald youth nudge the taller officer with a familiar wink.
Connie? Lifting up her skirt, she quietly picks her way through the ballroom towards the pair of cadets.
"Chris—I mean Historia—your holiness?!" Connie Springer sputters with a deep bow.
"Fucking idiot?" The tall youth beside him grumbles beneath his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "How many times have we been through this? It's 'your Majesty.'"
"Jean?" The Queen gasps. "I didn't recognize you! You look great." From the corner of her eye, she notices Sasha and Armin approaching and turns to address them too. "You all do. Honestly."
"Thanks." Jean shrugs. "Captain Levi really went all out with these new outfits."
I hope it bankrupted him!
"I think he just feels really bad about treating us all like shit," Connie muses with a thoughtful frown. "I mean, I still can't believe he didn't dislocate your shoulder you when you punched him this evening."
"Aren't you hungry Sasha?" The Queen asks, pointedly stirring the conversation away from the surly Captain.
The tall redhead shakes her head with a somber frown, long fingers stroking her stomach gently.
"No," she mutters with a half-smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. Historia freezes as she shifts to study Armin's features in turn. "I'm not hungry."
"Armin?"
"Sorry," the cerebral blond apologizes. "I haven't had much of an appetite since the Reiss Chapel skirmish."
"None of us have," Jean admits.
"Where are Eren and Mikasa?" Queen Historia wonders scanning the ballroom expectantly. Jean Kirchstein stiffens visibly at this but offers no response.
"Section Commander Zoe's keeping Eren busy with her experiments and tests," Connie replies.
"It's all a cover." Jean's eyes harden at this. "These snobbish bastards are still too frightened to have him amongst them."
"Mikasa offered to keep Eren company while the rest of us headed out here to show support." Armin flashes her an encouraging smile. Jean abruptly pushes off the balcony railing with an annoyed sigh, walking away without preamble or explanation.
"What crawled up his butt?" Connie wonders. "Honestly, he's been acting all pissy since we got here."
"It's hypocritical," Sasha replies quietly. "Them shunning the very person that could save humanity from the brink of extinction. I mean, it's not like we have an army of Captain Levi's at our disposal."
It is the Queen's turn to abruptly walk off with an annoyed huff, ignoring the surprised calls of her peers as she returns indoors. Deciding to apologize for her rude departure later, she retreats to the sanctuary of the magnificent manor gardens. Hitching her skirt up, she slowly picks a path through the maze of neatly-trimmed hedges and vibrant rose bushes. The gentle trickle of a stone fountain beckons from the distance.
Kicking off her heels, she digs her dainty toe into the cool fountain water experimentally studying the trail of goosebumps rising along her ankle before disappearing beneath the sea of lace folds and undergarments. A twig snaps suddenly. She turns in time to find Jean Kirchstein rising from the other side of the fountain.
"Are you alright?" She asks already guessing the answer.
"You know, for a while, I started to convince myself that it wasn't me." His voice is low and sullen as he slowly makes his way toward her. "That she wasn't capable of caring about anything or anyone other than Armin and that suicidal bastard."
"What are you—"
"How'd you do it?" He snaps impatiently. The sheen of envy is unmistakable in his light brown eyes as they fall on her. It takes her several moments for the meaning behind his words to become plain. "How'd you get him to notice you?"
"You have nothing to be jealous of Jean," she scoffs quietly lifting her knees towards her chest with a wistful sigh. "I haven't achieved anything you haven't."
"I was there," he insists shaking his head. "We all saw the way he looked at you. You fucking made him smile!"
"He was horny!" She screeches suddenly beside herself with rage. He stumbles backward, clearly taken aback by her sudden outburst. "He wanted to fuck me. That's right! Had you guys not been there he would have thrown me against the wall and had his way with me all night long."
"Oh?" She throws her head back at this, succumbing to a fit of maniacal laughter as tears stream down her cheeks. "I'm sorry." He offers meekly as her amusement finally subsides.
"At least Mikasa respects you." Her eyes are sad and hollow as her fingers trace the golden embroidery lining the hem of her gown. "I'm nothing but a piece of meat to him." She feels his gaze lingering on her sympathetically and leans her head against his shoulder with a tired smile.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" She chuckles dryly. "You didn't make me fall in love with him."
"I kind of feel like I did." He turns to face her. "If I hadn't dropped that fucking diary in the bucket—"
"You knew?" She chuckles, tilting her head back ever so slightly as she closes her eyes, desperately willing the floor to swallow her whole. "All this time you knew and didn't say anything."
"Part of me felt guilty when I first started noticing your sudden interest in him." A rueful smile twists his lips as he shrugs his shoulders. "The other part of me felt jealous of you. It reminded me of the first time I ever noticed Mikasa. She seemed like the most beautiful creature in the whole world—still is as far as I'm concerned."
Pressing her palms flat against the stone surface beneath her, she opens her eyes to study the shimmering constellation high above them. She remembers that fevered moment lying on her bed, pale eyes glued to the damp pages of Petra's diary, hanging on to every word as she narrated that intense moment in the Captain's study. The moment that had changed their lives forever. The proverbial point of no return.
"Petra, I—I am only interested in your abilities as a soldier. I can be your Captain or your lover but not both. Do you understand?"
"I'm a man, Historia. What happened in the forest between us wasn't anything special. Any female could have gotten me hard under those circumstances…I want to fuck you! Nothing more. Nothing less."
Least he's honest. She muses bitterly as a cool evening breeze sweeps her gown gently. Rising to her feet, she pauses briefly to dust her backside as she prepares to return to the festivities.
"Thanks for listening," she calls over her shoulder with a gentle smile.
"You too," he mutters sheepishly shuffling his feet. "Don't worry I won't tell the others."
"Honestly, I don't care if you do." She shrugs. "I've moved on. I'm over him now."
Ah! Levi! You came!" Section Commander Hange Zoe calls with a mixture of glee and surprise as the scowling Captain enters the room. "Glad you could join us."
Moblit Berner acknowledges him with a small nod before returning his attention to the copious notes in his notepad. Mikasa Ackermann is sitting on a nearby bench absentmindedly fiddling with her signature red scarf. Their eyes meet and she shoots him an annoyed scowl before shifting her attention to the green-eyed titan-shifter. Eren Jaeger greets the Captain with a brisk salute prompting the shorter man to dismiss him with a wave as he shifts his attention to his eccentric colleague.
"This had better be good, Four Eyes."
"Don't worry it will be," the Section Commander assures him absentmindedly adjusting her pocket watch carefully. "Isn't the Commander coming?"
"No," Levi's scowl deepens as he crosses his arm. "He sent me instead."
"Oh." Hange's voice is low and disappointed. A thought finally occurs to her as she instantly perks up, snapping her fingers excitedly. "Even better! You're even tougher to impress. Once you get a load of this—" The Captain is momentarily distracted by the soft creak of the door swinging open.
They turn to find a petite figure dressed in a dark-green traveling cloak slowly entering the room. His eyes narrow as he catches glimpse of a hint of golden locks half-hidden beneath the heavy hood.
Armin?
"Ah, your Majesty," the Section Commander greets with a deferential bow as the newcomer lowers her hood. "Glad you could join us." They all lower their heads in respect as the Queen shrugs off her coat.
"Thank you for inviting me, Section Commander," Queen Historia replies graciously. "I hope I wasn't too late."
"What is she doing out of the palace?" The Captain scowls.
"Eren told me how he was able to unlock the memories of the previous hosts of the Founding Titan when the Queen and her father touched him." As the Section Commander is speaking Eren is rising to his feet slowly, lowering himself to his knees as the blonde approaches him. "So we thought what better way to learn about the Founding Titan's secrets than by having the Queen lend us a hand. Literally"
"Is that a problem, Captain?" The blonde asks coolly appraising him with pale eyes. Digging his hands into his armpits, the Captain shakes his head stepping aside with a nonchalant shrug.
Heat inexplicably swells from the back of his neck as he purses his lips firmly, observing the scene with his signature bored scowl. His eyes narrow expectantly as the Queen's hand gently presses against the titan-shifter's shoulder. Silence passes awkwardly as Eren blinks foolishly from his spot on the floor.
"Riveting," he mutters sarcastically, earning a furious glare from the younger Ackermann for his trouble.
"Take off your shirt," the Queen orders rolling up the sleeves of her dress with a determined frown.
"Excuse me?!" Eren, Mikasa, and Captain Levi ask in unison.
"Not you," she barks dismissively in the Captain's general direction, pale eyes watching the bemused titan-shifter expectantly. "Hurry up, Eren. We don't have much time before Premier Zachary realizes that I'm missing."
"Uh but—" Eren mumbles bashfully scanning the room for support.
"Why does he need to remove his shirt?" Hange Zoe wonders with a bemused frown.
"Don't you remember, in the cavern Eren?" Queen Historia asks before turning to address the eccentric scout. "My father and I touched his bare back with the palms of our hands."
"I see, so it's not enough to merely touch him," Section Commander Zoe muses, reaching for her notepad expectantly. "You have to physically touch his skin." The blonde nods. Moblit Berner returns the notepad on cue as Eren hesitantly lifts his shirt over his head. Mikasa stiffens visibly but remains silent, choosing to observe the scene with an irritated scowl.
The Captain's frown deepens as he watches the blonde lower her palm gently unto the titan-shifter's exposed shoulder. At first, nothing happens as her hand touches his skin. Suddenly Eren cries out as the Queen is sent reeling in the opposite direction.
"Eren!" Mikasa cries out catching him as he falls. "What's wrong with him?!"
"FATHER! NO! FATHER STOP!" Captain Levi crosses the room shoving past Hange Zoe as he lowers his fist unto Eren's cheek knocking him out while sending him falling in the opposite direction.
"Why you—!" Moblit Berner and Hange Zoe barely have enough time to step between the two Ackermann as the prodigious protector charges at her pint-sized superior.
"Mikasa, no wait! He had to!" Hange cries out with a strained grunt as she struggles to hold the furious girl back. Ignoring the commotion around them, Captain Levi turns to walk away, pausing briefly to appraise the petite blonde in the corner. Tears are streaming down her cheeks as she rises to her feet, clutching the side of her head. He watches her briefly, reaching out to catch her when she loses her balance, tumbling violently. His breath catches in his throat as their eyes meet. He holds her steady allowing her petite frame to finally regain its bearings.
Her eyes widen when they observe his hands wrapped around her. Viciously slapping his hands away with a shocked cry, the blonde moves to pull away from him.
"Easy!" he snaps impatiently snatching her flailing hands, pinning them firmly at her side. Before she can offer further resistance, he sweeps her off her feet, moving to carry her out of the room. She pushes and tugs at his shirt weakly, her pink lips trembling violently as she forces her eyes away in frustration. He pauses by the doorway, reaching out to grab her dark green coat which he hastily throws over her, concealing her petite form.
Tiny hands weakly pull and shove against his shirt as he carries her down several flights of stairs and out into the evening air. He feels her struggles cease as they reach the stables.
"Stay down," he hisses at her when he notices her blonde head moving to study their surroundings. "My horse." He barks at the bewildered stable boy who hastily departs to fetch his horse.
"Let go!" She hisses viciously. He ignores her as the stable boy returns with his horse. Throwing her unto the saddle, he quickly mounts his sturdy steed, pausing to toss the stable boy a pair of gold coins.
"Hiya!" He urges digging his heels into the stallion's side. The horse takes off with a loud whinny, dashing through the cobbled streets at a brisk gallop.
"Stop the horse," Historia mutters quietly as she pulls herself into a sitting position. When he ignores her, she rears back intent on slamming the back of her head into his nose. He ducks to the side at the last minute, causing her to lose her balance and topple dangerously to the side. He nudges her back into position with his strong, muscular hands, steadying the alarmed horse with an irritated growl.
"What the fuck is your problem?!"
"You are!" She shifts in her seat, pummeling his chest with the sides of her fists as tears stream down her face. Pausing to press her firmly against his chest, he urges the horse forward, picking a quick route back towards the palace. "Let go of me!"
"Sneaking around like some fucking thief," he mutters angrily. "When you should be at the palace learning, ruling—" He ducks in time to avoid a vicious slap aimed at him.
"You expect me to just sit pretty on some throne while you guys risk your lives for—?"
"Yes," he interrupts callously. "What exactly did you think you were signing up for when you agreed to do this?"
"What the fuck do you care?" She shoots back tears streaming down her eyes. He ignores her, refusing to humor her any more than he already had.
By the time they reach the palace, the sun's rays are already well past the horizon, allowing him to sneak into the royal residence with his now-snoozing cargo. He waits until the chambermaids have cleared the Queen's chambers before hopping through the window.
"I must remember never to forget that you are a criminal," Historia Reiss mumbles groggily with a condescending chuckle as he lands gracefully inside the dark room. He wordlessly retracts his hands from around her, gently depositing her petite frame unto the soft cushy carpet. Her small hands wrap around him as he moves to pull away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—" Her words are abruptly cut off as he leans forward, snatching her lips between his with an urgent growl.
Small hands wrap around him, gently coaxing him toward her. He loses his balance, falling on top off her with a muffled groan. Their eyes meet as her fingers lovingly slip through his dark bangs.
"I'm sorry." At first, she isn't quite sure if she had heard him correctly as he slowly but surely pulls himself into an upright position, pausing to help her up. She blinks sheepishly as she studies his somber frown.
"Ervin once told me that I was better at hurting people than I was at talking to them."
"I'm such a fool," She scoffs shaking her head as she angrily wipes away her tears. "Some queen huh?"
He turns to walk away crossing the room until he reaches a long cushy couch. Dumping his lean frame unto the couch without preamble, he turns to face her, wordlessly patting the space beside him. She crosses the room and slides unto his lap without hesitation, burying her face into the crook of his neck, closing her eyes against the comforting warmth of his body as his powerful hands gently stroke her back. Long, calloused fingers slowly coax her chin up as their eyes meet once more.
"H-Historia, I—" His words are absorbed by her hot, needy mouth as she pulls her body up, straddling him possessively before leaning down to kiss him. "I'm sorry." He settles for with a sigh, closing his eyes as she releases his lips, shifting her attention instead to his long neck.
"You have love in you. I know it. You're the first person I've ever kissed and I want you to be the last. Which is why…here I am again…frightened yet hopeful…asking you to love me," she murmurs breathlessly against his skin, fighting back tears of anger and frustration as she desperately tries to forget his callous words the previous day. His hands gently caress her back, rubbing soothing circles along her spine as he leans his chin against her head.
"Funny," he scoffs dryly. "I always thought that when I reached a certain age things would start making sense. Turns out I'm just as lost as I was before. I suppose that's just my luck in life. I'm not an easy man to understand…if you're really serious about this…if you're really sure about doing this…it's not going be easy. It's going to be really hard. We're going to have to work at this every day—"
"I'm ready. I want to do this because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day," she insists shaking her head stubbornly. His large hands, rest at the bottom of her jaw, tilting her head towards him as he leans down to kiss her once more. Closing her eyes, she leans into his touch wrapping her legs around him with a content smile.
Author's Note: I'm so sorry for disappearing abruptly last weekend but I was struggling badly with severe writer's block. I kept trying to write but didn't like what I had written and would always abandon it midway. Guess that's what I get for setting the bar impossibly high with the prior chapter. Thank you for your patience.
I stole bits and pieces of Levi and Historia's dialogue from the following movies and TV show:
Knight of Cups, Notting Hill, Sweet Home Alabama, the Notebook and the White Queen.