Chapter 24: Resolution
Ymir grabbed Krista's icy cold hand and pulled her up against her chest, narrowly missing the bus as it rushed by. The wind resulting from its acceleration ruffled their clothes around, and the brunette literally wanted to grab the bus driver and throw him under it. Maybe then he would be more careful and pay attention to his surroundings, the prick.
The tall girl tightened her arms around the shorter one and pressed her forehead to the crown of her head. Krista could've died, then, and it struck Ymir like a hammer to her head. Krista could've been hit by that bus, and died. If she hadn't been quick enough to save her, if she had kept her anger boiling and simply loudmouthed it out, the blonde would be dead. Ymir grit her teeth and blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay.
"Krista…" she murmured, hugging the blonde to her chest tightly. The blonde shuddered heavily then, sinking into Ymir's warm embrace. She, too, realized how close she had come to almost losing her life, almost losing Ymir. She lifted her head and came nose to nose with her hero.
"Ymir…" Krista whispered, moving her good hand to cup the brunette's cheek. Ymir smiled and moved them away from the curb - it wouldn't do them any good if a horrible driver passed by. Krista kept her aching wrist between them, and leaned heavily on her good ankle.
"Are you okay?" Ymir asked, hiding the immense worry in her tone by looking at the blonde's wrist. Krista winced a bit and cried out when Ymir applied pressure to the swollen area. She twisted it slightly and the blonde begged her to stop. The brunette stopped and frowned as she kneeled, examining Krista's twisted ankle. With a sigh, she stood up and glanced behind her. The Titans were gone, thank goodness, gone like the damn cowards they were. And they wouldn't bother them again, or Ymir would surely break every bone in their bodies before she disemboweled them.
With a grunt, the brunette picked the blonde up, arms under her knees and back, and cradled her to her chest. "Let's go back," she muttered, "I'm fucking tired, and Petra needs to check out your injuries." Krista sniffled and closed her eyes as she leaned her head against Ymir's collarbone.
"Wait." Krista croaked, leaning back and opening her eyes. Ymir glanced down at her and raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Thank you," Krista sniffed, tears leaking out, "thank you, Ymir!" She grabbed Ymir from behind her neck and pulled her down for a kiss that made the brunette's toes curl on the inside of her sneakers. Ymir blinked but leaned heavily into the kiss, hugging Krista tighter to her torso. She tasted the blood that had come from her busted lip and growled deep in her chest. If she saw Bean again she would definitely rip him apart.
Krista pulled back, eyes hooded, and moved her hand to put it against Ymir's pulse. It was strong, and fast. "Ymir, what's wrong?" she asked in concern, moving her head to kiss down the brunette's neck. Ymir shuddered and started walking, making sure to look both ways on the road before safely crossing it. Class was once again in session, and they were late. Krista's friends were undoubtedly worried, not to mention it looked like Krista was seemingly about to pass out.
"Krista, baby, stay awake. Don't fall asleep," Ymir's husky voice rumbled through her chest, which only served to relax the blonde even more. Her hand started to fall from Ymir's neck, and the brunette grew desperate. She stopped moving and leaned back against the fence, bending over and kissing Krista again and again until her girlfriend responded.
The blonde blushed heavily and blinked her eyes open, watching the muscles in Ymir's jaw tense and relax as she continued her trek to the nurse's office. She was wide awake, her blood rushing and her heart beating intensely. Ymir had put in a lot of emotion into those kisses, as if she were afraid that she was going to lose something. Her heart thumped unevenly as she saw the pulse beating against Ymir's skin.
"Ymir?" Krista murmured, cradling her hands close to her chest. Ymir said nothing and entered the school after a trying challenge with the double door handles. The secretaries stood up and simply gaped at the couple, Ymir rolling her eyes at their uselessness. She ignored the burning in her arms and continued to march forward, turning left and right.
Suddenly, Reiner and Annie came around the corner, the former widening his eyes and rushing forward. He took in Krista's condition and Ymir's weary look, as well as her own bruises and scrapes along her arms. Annie watched without emotion, though her fists clenched and relaxed periodically.
"What the hell happened?" Reiner nearly shouted, glaring at Ymir.
"Titans – that's what fucking happened," Ymir snapped, "now get the fuck out of my way. Krista needs to see Petra right now."
"Let me bring her."
"Fuck off – she's my girlfriend, and I'm perfectly capable of bringing her."
"You look like you're about to collapse! Do you want to fall with Krista in your arms?" Reiner argued.
"Reiner." Ymir warned dangerously. "Move out of my way right now. You're only making it worse."
Annie came up to Reiner and put a hand to his shoulder. "Let her go."
"But–"
"Reiner, move aside and let her go."
Reiner grit his teeth but nodded stiffly. He complied and made room to for Ymir to pass by. Ymir nodded gratefully at Annie, but the girl had turned her head and stared at the wall, arms crossed. The brunette continued on her path to Petra's office, and by then, several classroom doors had opened up and students gawked at the battered beast of the school carrying the beaten beauty. Some tried to associate negative rumours, but those who had seen the couple interact so lovingly quickly shut those down – Ymir was a hero, she had saved Krista.
When Ymir reached the nurse's office – Reiner and Annie trailing behind her – she kicked the door harshly. "Open the door right now!" she shouted. When Petra answered she gasped as she saw Ymir and Krista. She immediately ushered them in, pulling Ymir down on a seat after the brunette had placed the blonde on a medical table. Petra quickly got to work, asking for the details and forcing Reiner and Annie out. She yelled at them to get Pixis and slammed the door shut.
Ymir explained what happened to Petra, who nodded with a determined but grim look on her face. She tended to the girls' cuts and scrapes, in order to prevent infection, then inspected Krista's strains. The girl sucked in a harsh breath when the nurse grabbed her ankle tightly. Ymir jumped and stood, eyes wide. Petra glared at her and the brunette sat down again.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt her," Petra soothed, "I just want to diagnose her before we send her off to a hospital."
"H-hospital?" Krista stuttered.
"If it's too severe, yes."
Krista shuddered and Ymir stood then, standing next to her and intertwining their fingers on her good hand. The blonde looked up at her gratefully, lovingly, and Petra could not help but smile warmly at their interaction. It was rare to see Ymir get genuinely intimate like this. The brunette kept her face devoid of emotion, but her eyes could not fool Krista. Her eyes could not hide the turmoil and worry hiding within their brown depths. They could not contain the love and anger radiating off of her soul, the love she felt for Krista and the anger she felt towards her aggressors. Ymir would get revenge one day, her eyes seemed to assure Krista, and those bastards would pay.
"It's not too bad," Petra sighed in relief, "thank goodness, nothing is pulled or broken, just a little twist. I'll loan you some crutches for the day, and I can drive you back home instead of having you walk."
"No need for crutches," Ymir muttered, "I'll carry her."
"Ymir, you really shouldn't–"
"I said I'll carry her, woman!" Ymir snapped. Petra flinched and frowned, mouth open to shout at the brunette, but suddenly the door open and Pixis stepped in, his face horribly pale.
"What the devil is going on here?"
Petra kept quiet as she watched the couple sitting in her backseat through the rear-view mirror. Krista sat on Ymir's lap, sleeping while the taller girl kept a firm grip on her in her own sleep. They were completely relaxed and safe in their own little dream worlds, and it made Petra smile slightly to herself despite all that had happened.
After explaining to Pixis what had occurred between them and the Titans, the vice-principal had ordered the couple to go home and rest, saying he would take care of their remaining classes and teachers. He had also ordered Petra to drive them home, though the nurse would've done so without even being asked.
Petra drove as slowly and carefully as she could, in order to avoid jostling the teens sitting in the back and allowing them to remain asleep. She was glad that no one knew where they lived – Pixis had also ordered them to stay home for the rest of the week, and to avoid communication with any other students. He wanted them to recover as soon and as fully as possible. The man was also planning a meeting with the authorities of Maria Academy, in order to settle the violent feud between Titans and Scouts. Or maybe, he would just cut off all relations with the Academy and forbid social interactions between the two schools. Whatever he decided, she knew Erwin would approve and go along with him. The principal had a lot of respect for his co-worker, and would trust Pixis' judgement before his own.
Krista's friends hadn't been too happy with the news – they had come rushing down to the nurse's office as soon as they heard what had happened. It was Reiner and Bertholdt who carried the girls into the car, though Ymir had put up a fight and nearly broke Bert's nose. She was completely exhausted, the adrenalin drained out leaving her feeling powerless. She finally felt the toll on her muscles, and had welcomed the soothing car ride to conserve her energy.
Reiner and Ymir had told Krista of their fixed friendship, and it made the blonde so happy she had started to cry. They panicked, not sure of what to make of it, but then Krista had laughed as tears spilled down, saying they were happy tears and that she was thrilled they were finally getting along again.
Sasha had hugged Krista despite her hurting limbs and bawled her eyes out, saying how she was a horrible friend and should've gone out to look for her. Krista, with a tired smile, had patted her head and explained how wrong she was, how there would have been more danger if she had been there facing the cruel Titans. Mikasa agreed then and pulled Sasha to her body to comfort her. She looked at Ymir and thanked her quietly before leaving the room, seemingly heading to the bathroom to wash her girlfriend's face.
The boys had the most explosive reactions, varying between overwhelming anger and a call for justice. They just couldn't see how anyone could possibly hurt someone as sweet as Krista, or even try to mess with Ymir, but after knowing it was the Titans who had committed such atrocious horrors, they were conspiring revenge. There was no way they would let them get away, and they had immediately asked Ymir for all the details of the boys. The brunette had complied reluctantly, only keeping the information of Bean to herself. She was definitely not going to let anyone take away her revenge from her. She would destroy Bean with her own bare hands.
Annie had stayed in the office to watch Krista lean on Ymir as they waited for the clear to go home. She made her expression unreadable, as well as keeping her mouth shut and refusing to say anything other than, "I'm glad you're okay, Krista". Krista, on the other hand, had grown exasperated with Annie's stubbornness and quickly called her out on it.
"What the hell, Annie!" she snapped. "What will it take for you to finally accept Ymir? She saved my life! She got herself hurt! Why won't you just get along with her for once?"
The stoic blonde had stood and put one foot out the door when Ymir's weary voice had stopped her in her tracks. "Whatever it was that I did, I'm sorry." But then Ymir clamped up and refused to say any more, even at Krista's request. Annie simply walked out and refused to look at them, but the couple had seen the tremble in her hands as she turned around to shut the door.
Marco and Jean were absent, having had to cover Krista's part for their project, but they had managed to wish them good health and a safe recovery before Petra's car had driven off. Armin had not said anything but promised to inform Eren and Connie on the events, as well as helping them with any homework they had.
When the car pulled in near the apartment complex parking lot, Petra stood up and opened the door closest to the couple. With great reluctance, she shook Ymir awake and winced at the icy glare sent her way. "We're home," Petra tried, putting as much warmth into her voice as possible. Ymir softened her glare but refused to relinquish her grip on the blonde in her arms. She scooted out carefully and stood shakily on her strong but tired legs. Petra stayed near her to steady her, but Ymir had already begun her long strides across the parking lot. She kept her arms wound around Krista tightly, keeping her against her chest. The blonde was still asleep, her breath washing over the brunette's neck rhythmically. It made Ymir shudder and once again thank herself for being fast enough.
Just what would have happened to her had Krista died? Would she still be as she was, or would she be a completely different person? Ymir decided to stop thinking about it and just concentrate on bringing Krista back home. As if sensing her love's inner struggles, Krista sighed in her sleep and frowned, nuzzling her head further against the brunette.
Ymir waited for Petra to open the door to their apartment and quickly entered it, going into her bedroom and laying Krista down on it gently. Petra ventured into the bathroom and retrieved medical supplies from their cabinet. She smiled wryly as she noticed the school logo on the packages, finally finding her mysterious thief, and entered the couple's bedroom. Ymir sat next to Krista, watching the blonde sleep and breathe. Petra stayed hidden and observed the brunette's actions.
Ymir moved her hand and gingerly slid a finger down Krista's face, sliding down her cheek and tracing her jaw. She blinked rapidly, scowling and using her other hand to wipe at her eyes.
"I almost lost you," she whispered brokenly, "you almost slipped from my fingers, like Berik. But you're here, you're mine, and you're alive."
Shaking her head, Ymir continued and trailed her finger lower, resting her palm against Krista's chest, just above her heart. Almost as if realizing something, Ymir ducked her head and pressed her ear to listen to her heart. She closed her eyes and shuddered as she breathed in her girlfriend's scent. Ymir's head rose and fell with every inhalation and exhalation.
Petra decided to come in then and knocked on the door as she stepped in. Ymir shot up and sucked in a harsh breath at the look Petra gave her – a pitying, helpless look that made Ymir want to rage and smash everything in the apartment.
"Don't look at me like that!" Ymir snapped quietly, mindful of Krista. "I'm not some poor kid!"
Petra shook her head and approached Krista to set down the medical supplies on the bed. "I'm only sad that I can't do more," Petra explained. She said nothing more and simply looked at Krista, her eyes clouding over with emotion. She sniffed then and covered her mouth as she sobbed. Ymir grit her teeth and looked away; she grabbed a tissue and passed it to Petra awkwardly, grumbling something about crying nurses.
"Thank you," Petra mumbled, blowing her nose. Ymir looked at Krista and sighed, knowing that she didn't mean to thank her for the tissue.
"I don't know what I would've done had you not saved her, Ymir," Petra wailed, "so thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Ymir rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Yeah, whatever," she grumbled. "I didn't do it for you, though."
Petra shook her head and put her hand on the doorknob. "No matter, you saved something precious to the both of us." She paused, as though thinking something over, then looked at the couple on the bed. "Take good care of her, Ymir. Don't let her stand too much, and apply some ointment to the bruises whenever you can. Also, take care of yourself. If you need anything call Pixis, me or even Erwin. I'll be back with your school bags later tonight." And with that she left the bedroom and then the apartment, locking the door behind her.
Ymir exhaled heavily through her nose and looked down at Krista, at the bruises lining her face. Even then, she still looked beautiful to Ymir. She still retained that something that drew the brunette to her, that made her want to get up every day and try. With a gasp, Ymir lied back next to the blonde and tugged her to her body, limbs folding around her. She remained cautious of her injuries and positioned their bodies to avoid any pain on Krista's part.
Krista smiled and sighed happily, snuggling closer to her love and kissing her collarbone unconsciously. Ymir simply stared at the wall in front of her, tucking Krista's head under her chin and ignoring the tears flooding from her eyes.
Later that night, after Petra had come by with their forgotten things and updated Ymir on the legal status – Pixis had filed a police report, along with a heavy complaint to the school board council – Krista had woken with a headache. She found herself in their bed, with her pajamas on and her uniform crumpled in the corner. The blonde tried to sit up using her good hand and propped herself up against the headboard. She sleepily rubbed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the blurred images in front of her.
Suddenly, it all came back to her.
Krista gasped and immediately rolled out of bed, falling to the floor and crying out in pain. Heavy footsteps sounded across the apartment, followed by a door slamming open and a panicked call of her name. Ymir kneeled at Krista's side and carried her, putting her back into the bed and crawling in with her. Her skin was damp, and she sat only in a tank top and boy shorts. She had just come out of her shower, and her hair fell messily in front of her eyes in a wet mess.
Krista looked at Ymir tiredly, wincing as her wrist and ankle throbbed dully. Ymir scoffed and shook her head, delicately holding Krista's injured wrist in her hands. "Idiot, why the hell did you get out of bed?" Ymir muttered in annoyance.
"I wanted to see you," Krista croaked, looking up into Ymir's eyes. She clutched the front of Ymir's top and pulled herself up against the brunette. Ymir sighed and rolled her eyes, but she smiled and wrapped her arms around Krista.
"Just be careful, squirt. I don't want to bring you to the hospital in the middle of the night." Even though she said it like she meant it, it still made Krista smile because she knew Ymir was lying. She knew that Ymir would carry her to the hospital herself, and that she wouldn't leave her side until they forcefully pulled her away. She knew just how much Ymir valued her, and it made her heart warm, because she valued Ymir just as much if not more.
"Are you feeling okay?" Ymir asked, brushing hair out of Krista's eyes. She moved back until her body was against the headboard and placed the blonde on her lap, head tucked under her chin. Krista smiled and inhaled deeply through her nose, smelling the body wash Ymir used frequently. It was a musky and comforting smell that always put her at ease.
"Just a little headache," Krista admitted. She expected Ymir to tell her to suck it up, when the brunette did the exact opposite.
"I'll go get you some painkillers. Don't move."
Ymir put Krista down gently and tucked her in, then stood and moved to the bedroom door. The blonde sat up in confusion and watched Ymir leave. Why was she treating her like she could break at any moment? What was going through Ymir's head? Krista was determined to find out – she would ask her the minute she came back.
But what would she say? She couldn't go around accusing Ymir of something that might not even be a big deal, but she couldn't let Ymir's uncharacteristic behaviour go unnoticed. They had to be honest with each other. Krista clenched the comforter with her good hand and nodded to herself.
In the kitchen, Ymir downed a glass of water before refilling it for Krista. In her hand she had two ibuprofen pills, which she set down because her hand was trembling too much for the glass to stay upright under the faucet. Ymir replaced the glass in the sink and shut the faucet, shuddering heavily as she leaned forward to rest her face in her palms.
Guilt. That was all she could feel. Immeasurable, incomprehensible guilt that swallowed her lungs and submerged her heart in freezing water. The guilt pervaded her mind and melted her stone walls. She really could not stop the sinking of her stomach whenever she looked at Krista and saw the bandages on her body or the pain the blonde tried so hard to hide in her eyes. Ymir grit her teeth – it was happening again, she was starting to blame herself.
If she hadn't pestered Krista to hurry up and instead helped her find her project, then maybe Krista would not have gotten so badly injured. It was her fault Krista was hurt, and it made her hate herself more than when Berik had died. It was her fault, her fault, that Krista couldn't get up and move around normally, nor could she go and grab something to eat, or properly cuddle with her without feeling some sort of pain, or go to school to see her friends.
Ymir gasped and clutched her chest, feeling the depression she was pushing away climbing into the confines of her confidence and clawing away at it. Did Krista hate her now, for what happened? Would she flip and blame her for her injuries? Would she still love her despite all the trouble that Ymir had caused her?
Would she leave Ymir for an easier and better life?
It made Ymir angry, not sad, when she thought of it. Why did Krista have to enter her life and screw everything up for her? Why the hell did she have to show her love, and give her another goddamn chance at happiness? She was fine living the way she was, alone and furious at the world. She was perfectly okay not having anyone to love and hold her, she was fine, fine, fine…
Ymir ignored the nagging in her mind that told her otherwise, the fluttering of her heart as she filled the glass, grabbed the pills, and passed by a framed photograph of her and Krista. She grit her teeth when Krista called her name delicately as she marched into her – their – bedroom, slamming the glass of cool tap water on the nightstand and unrolling her fingers to reveal two painkiller pills. Krista raised an eyebrow at her angry posture and hesitantly grabbed the pills to put in her mouth, followed by the glass of water to her lips.
Ymir watched impassively as the liquid dribbled slightly from Krista's lips and down her chin. She turned her head away when she followed the stream down Krista's neck and into her pajama top, which was really a buttoned shirt with cute bunny faces. Ymir thought that Krista appeared far too innocent sometimes, even though it was Ymir who had dressed her.
Krista put the glass down and wiped her mouth with her sleeve, smiling at Ymir and scooting to the side to make room. "Come sit with me, Ymir," Krista murmured, "I missed you."
Ymir, unable to resist selfishly complying with her body's and Krista's desires, sat down on the mattress and scooted close to Krista, who placed her head on her breasts and looked up into Ymir's eyes. The blonde frowned slightly, and Ymir mentally panicked – she knew she wouldn't be able to hide anything from Krista.
"What's wrong?" Ymir felt a thumb gingerly swipe her cheek and opened her eyes. She hadn't even realized they were closed, or that a tear had leaked. The brunette grew indignant then, frustrated at her own uncontrollable emotions. Was she that weak to show her vulnerability so easily?
Angrily, Ymir pushed Krista's hand away and stood up. "Nothing," she growled, clutching her chest with her back to the blonde. Krista flinched, hurt, but suddenly locked her jaw and felt her own anger rise up. What the hell was wrong with Ymir?
"Well of course there's something wrong!" Krista shouted, starting Ymir, who turned around with wide eyes, "you keep avoiding me or looking guilty and sad and it's really pissing me off!"
"Pissing you off? How is me feeling bad for what happened to you pissing you–"
"Because you're doing it again! You're blaming yourself for what happened!" By now Krista was heavily sobbing, but she was still determined to continue. "You act like nothing is wrong and that I can't notice, but you know, Ymir, you know that I know what you're really thinking."
"And how do you know, huh?" Ymir screamed, body trembling in rage, anxiety and fear, "how do you fucking know how I'm feeling? Or what I'm thinking? How do you even know you're right?"
Krista narrowed her eyes through her sobbing and wiped them quickly with her good hand. "Because…" her voice was quiet now, and Ymir had to strain to hear her, "because I love you. I know you, I know you, Ymir. I know what you're thinking because I've been around you for a long time. I know the way you act, the way you speak, the way you feel… I know that when you're frowning while someone is talking you're thinking. I know that when you tease me you're trying to make me feel better. I know that you're only doing nice things for everyone at school not because of me, but for yourself."
"How do you–"
"I love you! That's how! And while I'm so angry that you would think I wouldn't understand you, I forgive you, because I understand. I know that you think what happened to me is your fault, and here you are, acting like I'm going to shatter if you push hard enough, when really it's you I have to tiptoe around."
"You're full of shit."
"Am I, Ymir? Am I really? Look me in the eyes and tell me I'm wrong."
Ymir tried, she really did try – she looked Krista straight in the eyes and opened her mouth, but nothing came out, not a single syllable. Her expression became pained and she had to look away when Krista smiled warmly at her. "You're wrong," she muttered, staring at the wall.
"You can't do it," Krista concluded softly, "because you love me, and you know I'm right."
"You're wrong."
"It's not your fault, Ymir, it really isn't. Again, it's those Titans' fault. I would've been perfectly fine had they not been there."
"You're wrong."
"I'm not dead, Ymir, and it's thanks to you. I love you, I would never blame you or leave you because of what happened."
"You're wrong!" Ymir screamed, "you're wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong!"
Krista quickly reached out and pulled Ymir to her body with her good hand. Ymir tried to resist, but her struggling proved futile when Krista kept her arm around her back and hooked her leg around her waist. Ymir bit her lip tightly to keep from sobbing, and stopped resisting. She hugged Krista around her waist and buried her face in her neck.
"Don't you ever leave me," Ymir gasped, "or I'll fucking go crazy. I need you."
"I won't. I'm here to stay, forever and ever."
Ymir pulled back and stared intensely into Krista's eyes. The emotion the blonde saw in those smouldering orbs was enough to make her shiver and blush. Slowly, Ymir leaned forward and pressed her lips to Krista's, starting slow but rapidly becoming more and more passionate. She moved her hands and started to unbutton Krista's shirt, whipping it to the side. Ymir trailed her lips along the side of the blonde's neck when they ran out of air from their kiss. She moved her hands and gripped Krista's thin hips, slipping her hands under the blonde's tank top and resting them against the warm and soft skin.
Krista simply sighed in bliss, leaning her forehead against Ymir's shoulder. She felt the large calloused hands of her love slowly push her tank top up and over her head, and Krista felt no need to shy away from Ymir's burning gaze trailing her body. She felt wanted, and she did not intend to stop. She needed to assure Ymir that they belonged to each other, in body, mind and soul, and that nothing could ever make Krista turn away from her.
The blonde smiled at the brunette, using her good hand to stroke her cheek softly. Ymir leaned into the touch but kept her expression serious, intense.
"I'll stay on top," she whispered, still gazing into Krista's blues, "so your ankle won't hurt. Keep your hand on the bed. If you feel any pain, let me know."
"Okay."
Ymir smirked then, moving closer and teasing Krista's lips by speaking in front of them. "Let me do all the work." And she kissed her, a kiss that made Krista wish she hadn't been injured so she could grip that head and pull her closer.
The freckled girl pulled away and pulled off her tank top, revealing nothing but her small, perky breasts. Krista shuddered slightly when Ymir pressed their bodies together, and both of them moaned at the feel of warm skin. They stayed that way for a while, enjoying the feel of the other. Ymir slowly lowered her lips to the blonde's shoulder and closed her eyes when Krista moved her uninjured hand to her back, tracing circles around the freckles both of them knew were there.
Krista turned her head and pressed her lips to Ymir's racing pulse, thrilled that it was her causing this reaction, her that was making Ymir feel this way. She poked her tongue out and relished in the gasp that slipped from the stoic brunette's lips. Sensually, Krista trailed her hand lower and slipped it under Ymir's waistband, moving around to the front and tugging on it.
"Eager, huh?" Ymir grunted. She moved her hands and caressed Krista's breasts gently, issuing forth another moan.
"Yeah," Krista breathed. Ymir shuddered as her breath tickled the base of her neck, and bit her lip when Krista bit down on the junction between her shoulder and her neck. They met halfway for another steamy kiss, and the brunette carefully lifted her body to slide her boy shorts off. Krista tugged on Ymir's hair when the brunette straddled one of her legs. Ymir moved her own knee between Krista and rocked gently.
"Ymir!" Krista gasped. She bit her lip and glared weakly when she spotted Ymir's arrogant grin. The brunette moved her hands and slipped them inside the blonde's pajama pants, cupping her butt. She buried her head between her breasts after they ran out of air to kiss, and slowly trailed her lips around.
"Oh, Y-Ymir."
"Hmm?"
"My pants."
"Oh, right." Krista could feel Ymir's grin against her chest and it made her giggle breathlessly. "I'll take care of that right away."
The sun hadn't fully risen when Ymir woke. The warm sun rays bled through the curtain that stood still in front of her window – it was a peaceful morning. No cars sounded, no alarms rang, no phone calls, rowdy neighbours, loud television, screaming kettles – nothing, just the sound of Krista breathing against her neck, curled up at her side. They were both completely naked and hidden under the covers, and simply remembering the events of last night made Ymir grin widely and blush slightly.
They had made love for the first time.
Ymir looked fondly down at Krista and moved on her side, wrapping her limbs around the blonde's body and securing her against her own lean frame. Krista sighed happily and nuzzled her lover, her injured wrist placed between them and her other hand curling around the brunette's back. Ymir's grin widened and she laughed quietly to herself, kissing the crown of Krista's head.
"I love you," Ymir whispered lovingly, "and I know you love me. Thank you."
The only time Ymir had ever properly expressed gratitude to the blonde went by unnoticed, for Krista remained happily asleep.