Author's Note: Levi is coming soon guys! Like next chapter soon! I prooooommiissseee! I need this development first y'all! It's for a good reason! This chapter is quite long, but then it means Levi will be here sooner. It works in my head. ;) Thank you for reading too, you guys make my day with your comments.
As I stepped into the crisp morning air, Erwin was leant against the side of the carriage, whilst Mike and and Dita were loading the clothes and supplies into the back of them. Hanji and Moblit were nowhere to be seen yet, but I had no need to worry. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Erwin stood there, and I was glad there wasn't anyone who could notice. His skin was positively glowing from the beams of the sun shining on him, his eyes glistening, a smile on his face. His hair was perfectly combed, and you could tell he was going on a business trip. I hadn't seen him look so flawless since the ceremony, and I remembered how I felt about him when I saw him on that day. He's the most handsome man in this world. Kicking his weight off the carriage, he walked over to me, holding my hand in his and kissing it delicately. He didn't even bother to check whether Mike or Dita were watching. I gave him a shy smile as I gazed into his stunning blue eyes, full of excitement and determination. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, not breaking our gaze.
"Are you ready, Petra? You'll be riding along with Mike and I. Hanji, Moblit and Dita will take the other. I'm looking forward to working with you." Erwin said, a gleam in his eye. All I wanted in that moment was to pull his face down to mine and kiss him harder than I ever had before.
The last few nights had been like heaven to me. Erwin had come by my room nearly every night, sending me into a haze where all I wanted was him. He had never pressured me into doing anything, which I was eternally grateful for. I didn't understand how Gunther could think he was a bad person in any way. Despite the passion that Erwin and I shared, he understood that I wanted to take things slow, without me even having to say a word. He must have known I was a virgin by the way I react to his every touch, and he respected that. That didn't stop us from fooling around though. I wanted him so badly, I just didn't want to completely give myself up yet. Beneath my new hardened exterior, I was still that shy girl. Some things wouldn't change, and part of me was proud of myself for that. But it was the same every night. Erwin would satisfy me, and I wouldn't be able to satisfy him. I had only ever touched his chest, I hadn't ever pleased him like he had pleased me. He'd leave straight after every time, leaving me on my own to recuperate myself. I wanted more, but I was unable to give more. I was stuck.
Erwin suddenly pulled away from me, and I looked behind me to see Hanji running down the path towards us, Moblit trailing behind her, trying to keep up and carry both of their luggage at the same time. I couldn't help but let a giggle escape from my lips at the sight of them both. Hanji was the most eccentric woman I had ever met, and I had a respect for Moblit for trying to keep up with her. It reminded me of my relationship with Gunther and Aurou - we were all so different, yet united. Everyone in the Survey Corps had such different personalities, but we stuck together.
As Moblit loaded the last of the supplies, Dita gave the horses one last pet before we went into our separate carriages. As the horses set off, I sat on the edge of my seat, my nerves getting the better of me. Mike slumped into his, taking a deep sniff of the air around us. He had a weird habit of doing this, and I had no idea why. He pulled out a flask of whiskey, catching my surprised look.
"What?" he murmured. "It's gonna be a long ride..."
Erwin let out a low chuckle as he rolled his eyes at Mike. He knew what Mike was like, they had worked together from the beginning. Mike was Erwin's right hand man, and it was of no shock to me that we would be making the journey with him. It just shocked me that I was there with them.
I didn't know how much time had passed, but it felt like hours. Mike had passed out - though whether it was from the whiskey, or the early morning wake up call, I wasn't sure. Erwin moved over slighty in his seat and took my hand in his. His eyes comforted me. However strong he was, however much power he could show with one facial expression, he also had the capability to be able to calm me completely.
"You'll be fine, cutie." he whispered gently, squeezing my hand. I slowly leant in to kiss his lips, and as they met, my hand relaxed in his and I finally fell back in my seat. I ran my fingers through his thick blonde hair. Although it wasn't in lust. The last few days I've started to fall for Erwin more and more. Just having him in my reach was enough to make me fall head over heels again and again. After a couple of seconds, he took my wrist and lifted my hand from his head, placing it on his lower back instead.
"No hair tugging. You know I have to look presentable when we arrive? I'm the one they're entrusting this entire mission with." he whispered, smiling a little with how I just couldn't bear to be away from him. I let out a quiet laugh and pulled myself a little closer into him, looking up into those piercing eyes. Our lips met again, and I could feel the sparks between us. A quiet murmur came from the seat across us, and we both suddenly realised that Mike was there. I quickly pulled away from Erwin, flying into the opposite corner of the carriage to put my head down and compose myself both mentally and physically. I looked up and glanced at Mike, but he was still knocked out cold, simply making drunken slurred noises in his sleep. Relief flooded over me and I slunk back into my relaxed position. Erwin chuckled and raised his eyebrows at me.
"You're going to have to learn to keep your hands off me when there's our co-workers around."
I must have fallen asleep in the carriage, because I was awoken by the sound of Hanji's shrill voice in my ear.
"Petraaaaa! We're here sweetie!"
I rubbed my eyes as they adjusted to the bright light around us. It must have been midday the next day for it to look like this. We were in the heart of Wall Sina, and my jaw dropped as I took in the sights. The Capital was full of bright colours, bold clothes that were better than anything my mother could have made. There were stalls selling food that I never thought I'd ever see in my life, food that we'd have to work a month for. Everyone was talking amongst themselves, journalists, writers, poets for the local paper. They had trust in each other, and from what I could tell, they didn't have a care about the Titans or the world outside of their wall. Everyone was so carefree here. This is the life I want to live so badly.
I didn't realise I was gawking until Hanji came over and closed my mouth for me. I went red with embarrassment as my wide eyes stared at Hanji.
"Oh, don't be embarrassed sweetie! It's incredible around here, right! I think we should convince Erwin to let us stay up here a little longer!" she squealed, elbowing my stomach just a little too hard. Moblit rushed over to her, she had obviously gone skipping over to me to get overly excited about her surroundings. Again, he was out of breath, and I held back my laughter as I realised I had never heard this man speak without inhaling 20 times in a sentence.
"Ha-Hanji! We...we've been running late! You and...Mike! Erwin!..Meeting!...Now!" Moblit panted, aggressively pointing at the two men walking into the huge building to our right. Hanji's eyes shot up and she pushed her further up her nose.
"Moblit!", she squealed. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
"I...I...tried! Go!" he screeched, pushing Hanji in the direction that Mike and Erwin went. She quickly ran off, catching up to them in before they even entered the door. Moblit shook his head and let out a laugh, resting his hands on his knees as he caught his breath.
"That woman will be the death of me someday." he said, in his normal voice for once.
I smiled at him, as I knew exactly how his friendship worked. Just like mine. He recognised the look in my eyes, and patted me on the back.
"Dita and I are going to our rooms in the Military Police HQ. They're letting us stay there since we're basically doing their dirty work for them. Come with us, we'll show you around and get some food down you. You must be starving!" Moblit said.
Now that he mentioned it, I was ridiculously hungry. I couldn't have eaten much at all on the journey here, and after seeing what food they have in the Capital, I wasn't going to leave without having some. Not before I come back again someday. I nodded my head and picked my cloak up from the carriage, as Dita came back and ushered us both into a tall white stone building with red flags on the doorways.
I spent most of that evening sprawled out on the luxurious chairs, talking to Moblit and Dita, about their lives, about mine. I really feel like we bonded in those few hours we had. Dita had a good sense of humour, and I realised that Moblit was extremely intelligent, despite him running around after Hanji all day, and that made me realise that he's probably the best friend that anyone could have for his loyalty. I felt my eyes slowly closing as I lay next to the warmth of the fireplace.
I felt myself waking up, and buried my face into the soft, feather pillows under my head. I brought the quilted sheets up to my face as I inhaled the slight scent of perfume. That's when I remembered where I was. I opened my eyes to find myself in a bedroom, painted with reds and golds. The bed was as white and crisp as snow. I could have stayed in that room for the rest of my life. The inside of the Capital was perfect. I had only ever lived in small, lower class environments, and being here was the most beautiful breath of fresh air. I put on my uniform and brushed my hair, making sure I looked presentable for whoever was in this house. I checked the time -11am. Wandering downstairs to the kitchen, I found Erwin, already cooking food. I gave him a shy wave as he stood over the stove, frying bacon.
"Why are you doing that?" I asked him.
"What?"
"Making food for everyone? Surely the Military Police could-"
Erwin broke me off with a low chuckle.
"They offered. A million times over, may I add. No, I like to cook. It's a refreshing change to be able to." he smiled, turning back around to continue.
I walked over and lent against the work-surface alongside of him, watching every step he took. I was more of a cleaner than a chef - that's where I was completely useless.
"What's your favourite food, Petra?", Erwin asked, a curious look in his eyes.
"Um...I like Italian food most, I guess."
"Then that's what I'll make us tonight, when we return from the mission." he said, a smile on his face as he grabbed my ass and pulled me into him, placing a kiss on my lips. I stood up on my toes to be able to reach him properly, and running my arm around his neck, kissed him back.
"But now..." he said, pulling away and starting to serve the food, "we eat."
Just as we sat down, Hanji, Moblit, Dita and Mike came in, as if it were on que. Obviously Hanji was leading the way, and she skipped over to Erwin, squashing his bacon sandwich into her mouth as he stared at her in horror.
"Hanji? What the fu-"
"New tyhmm rwin!" Hanji tried to say between mouthfuls of bacon. She continued talking even whilst trying to swallow it down until she finally gulped it down.
"You've got no time to eat Erwin! So thanks for that! The Military Police want us to go right this second. There's been a sighting of the man just five minutes ago, he's walking right into us!" Hanji squealed.
"Shit" Erwin muttered. My brows furrowed - Erwin wasn't one to lose his cool.
"Petra", he continued, nodding at my sandwich. "Bring that with you. Mike, get the maneuver gear. Dita, meet us by the entrance to the Underground. Keep us updated until we get there. Hanji and Moblit, you're coming with us."
"Yes Commander!" they all shouted in unison, jogging their separate ways.
The mad rush of footsteps deafened me as everyone from both sections were hurrying around. The Military Police were ushering us along, trying to get us there as soon as possible. When we got out the front doors, and started walking towards the entrance to the Underground, Erwin was walking with pace, running his hands through his hair as he tried to push past civilians.
Something gave me the feeling he wasn't ready for this, and if he wasn't, how could I be?