For the first time, Captain Levi's cheeks tingled with a rush of blood. He loosed his grasp on Karma's dainty shoulders, hoping he hadn't gripped too tightly.

He felt so foolish—he'd much rather face a Titan than feel his gut and heart swirl together like this. Perhaps he'd be mercifully slaughtered at the expedition and never have to feel this embarrassment again.

"Oh…" Karma cast her eyes back to feet, which were like slabs of cement.

"Now do you get it?"

He felt her nod in the silence.

"Good." He swallowed hard, hoping to choke down his feelings with it. "Because we can't afford another mistake like today."

"Saving me was a mistake?"

"Leaving my post was a mistake."

"Then don't leave your post. Let me fight by your side."

"Karma." Captain Levi groaned her name, though it gave him no less pleasure to do so.

"Captain," she said in the same tone. "You know I am offering a good solution. Plus, you wouldn't have a gap in your defense." He waved a hand.

"We'll manage the gap."

"You'll be weaker offensively."

"I'll fight harder."

Karma jabbed a finger against his chest. "You can't stop me. Lock me up, chain me down, secure me behind some wall—I don't care! I am fighting with you, Captain!"

Levi grabbed her hand and pulled it closer against his chest. At his sudden gentleness, the anger between them vanished, dissipating like rising smoke. His expression was calm, unlike Karma's pattering heart.

Slowly, he lifted a finger and brushed it across her cheek. He tucked a loose blonde lock behind her ear then trailed along the curve of her jaw to the point of her chin.

His voice was like silk. "Let me fight for the both of us."

The finger on her chin glided across the skin of her throat, tracing the fabric over her collarbone before running down the length of her arm. Levi settled his hand on her elbow, the other still clasping hers against his chest.

"But—" The fight had left her somehow. She battled his words on pure instinct, without any vigor. "I want to help you."

"The best thing you can do for me is stay safe." Captain Levi stroked her arm with his thumb, rolling a storm of chills down the back of her neck.

The words fell from her lips like floating feathers. "But I don't want to leave you. Please."

She looked up at Captain Levi through long lashes. She expected that stoic expression he always wore, but her confession cracked his armor. And he no longer cared to plaster it back together. His eyes were wide, lips parted, cheeks tinted.

He wanted her. Formality and fear be damned—

"Captain, we are waiting for your orders." Armin saluted them in the entryway, hardly masking his confusion at the intimate proximity between his captain and a soldier.

Levi's gaze remained fixed on the girl before him. His voice was laced with urgency. "Karma will no longer be leaving, thank you for standing by. Return to your station." Armin saluted once more then darted out of the tent as though he'd been threatened with an ax.

The instant the canvas door closed, Captain Levi closed the distance between them. With one hand cupping her cheek and the other gripping her waist, Levi crashed his mouth onto Karma's, moving against the shape of her lips as though they were communicating some sort of unspoken message.

Karma melted against his touch. She twisted her hands in his dark hair. She inhaled deeply, as though it could pull him closer to her. He responded by rolling his tongue against her lips, parting them and slipping inside, tasting the flesh of her mouth and the sweet of her breath.

"Captain." She moaned as his mouth found her neck, suckling along the delicate skin, sure to leave a trail of purplish marks. Her fingers clawed at his back and dug into the fabric of his shirt, a barrier between them. She wanted to feel his skin and trace her fingers along his toned muscles.

In a daze of bliss, her fingers fumbled to find buttons. Levi chuckled against her neck and guided her hands to the hem of the shirt, allowing her to pull it over his head. Just as she suspected, his chest, back, and arms were corded with tight muscles. Her fingers danced across his skin, exploring the shape and feel of him.

Levi tugged at the collar of her uniform, pulling it down to expose more delicate skin to suckle. His gentle lips found her collarbone while his fingers unbuttoned her shirt, exposing her soft breasts beneath. He caressed the skin curving above her bra and brushed the straps down as he pulled off the shirt, tossing it to the floor.

He slipped his arms beneath Karma and draped her across the desk, never breaking contact between his lips and her skin. Maps and battle plans crumpled beneath the motion of their bodies. An inkpot rolled to the ground.

All of the vigor that drove them to fight, to kill, to defend their people was channeled into their kisses and touches. Captain Levi had never felt ecstasy like this before, and was more determined than ever to fight on the morrow for the life he wanted to lead with Karma.

The flickering candles projected the shadows of their entwined bodies, of their revel and passion. The tent filled with palpable heat, seeming to steam off them as the battle of lust and desire raged on.

When they had finally satiated their hunger for one another in a crescendoing swell of heat, Karma lay across Levi, mesmerized by the flicker of the now low-burning candles. He speckled her face with kisses and draped a fur blanket across their entwined bodies.

"You'll stay beside me tomorrow?" Captain Levi said, stroking Karma's cheek with the back of a finger. She nuzzled into his touch.

"You won't be able to get rid of me."

The End