Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan.
Ok, well, here is the second of the three I wrote out. I've edited and revised it so many times that if I don't post it now, it's just going to end up being one of those never-ending things.
Warning: It starts off a bit smutty. If you're uncomfortable with that, just skip down a few paragraphs. They also have a few fluffy ooc moments. There was no way around it.
Reviews are always appreciated. Happy reading!
"We can't… keep… doing this," he ground out between thrusts.
Mikasa responded by arching her back and wrapping her legs around him, bringing his hips even closer to her muscular frame. She dug her nails into his sweaty back, desperate for some sort of release. He bent down, planting wet kisses behind her ear. 'Fuck it,' he thought, quickening his pace, 'we're not kidding anyone.'
"Levi…ah…"
Hearing her moan his name from her moist lips threw him over the edge. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back, exposing the pale skin of her neck.
"Again," he commanded, his lips pressed hard against her ear, "tell me who you belong to." His thrusts were getting more fervent, nearing his own release.
"You, Levi," she breathed, "Only you. Always you."
She gave out a soft cry as he felt her inner muscles contract around him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, digging her fingers into his scalp, she screamed his name once more before collapsing. A couple more hard thrusts of his own and he soon followed, burying his face into her neck as he emptied himself, leaving behind red teeth marks.
They stayed that way, still connected to each other, trying to catch their breath as they slowly came down from their highs.
He lifted his head and untangled his fingers from her hair, bringing his hand lower to cup her face. She turned to look at him and did the same, drawing small circles over his temple with her thumb. Her gaze moved from his eyes to study the thin line above his eyebrows. She frowned. A scar from the incident a few months back. It was just one of many. Different missions, different injuries. This was their life.
He sighed and carefully removed himself from her, resting by her side and covering their bodies with a wrinkled sheet. He made a mental note to wash and iron it tomorrow.
The first time he saw her naked, he was as gentle as he could be. She was a virgin, after all. She quickly made sure he knew she wanted all of him. No holding back. It was like this every time a new expedition came looming near. They would end up in his bedchamber, tangled in pristine white sheets, succumbing to primal cravings as though their lives depended on it. He supposed it was basic human nature to feel such wanton desires in the face of danger. Yet he would never admit he always concerned for her safety. It wasn't in his nature to do so, though he suspected she already knew. She was good, but she could be careless.
What they were doing wasn't exactly forbidden. The rules against fraternizing had become lax over the years, mainly due to the fact that the dangers to their world were declining. Many others had formed relationships, married, started families of their own, though none actually involved a superior and subordinate – that he knew of, anyway. It just want practical. The thought of starting a family, forming emotional attachments, while their entire existence was under threat – no matter how small – just seemed a wholly irresponsible thing to do. He would never even consider it knowing that every time he left the safety of the walls, he would also possibly be leaving behind a widow… or even orphans. And what about now that Mikasa was in the picture? It was hard enough for him to admit he had fallen hard for the girl, now woman. How could he even imagine starting a family with her? 'Humanity's Strongest,' both in the Survey Corps – one of the most dangerous branches of their military – leaving children behind with no relatives to look after them? No. He would never do that.
Although…
The thought of having a child or two with the woman beside him was an appealing thought. She would make a great mother, if her overprotective attitude of those Jaeger and Arlert brats was a testament to her parental skills. Yes, no one else was worthy enough to carry his progeny.
He looked down at her thin body, moving his callused hand down her abdomen to rest on her pale stomach. He could imagine it swelled up with his child growing inside. But not yet. He reminded himself, balling his fist. Absolutely nothing until this was all over… if it would ever end.
He felt his bed shift, jolting him from his musings, and looked to see her sitting up with her back to him. She was leaving.
"Oi, what are you doing?"
Mikasa slipped her shirt over her head. "We have an early morning tomorrow."
He lifted his brow. "So?" he said, lifting his arms to rest under the back of his head. "Just stay here. I'll kick you awake if you oversleep."
He looked over at her and saw tears forming in her eyes.
"Mikasa?"
She shook her head and stood to slip her pants on before leaving his room, slamming the door in the process.
She had been acting strange the past few weeks. The tiniest of things always seemed to trigger the oddest reactions. Something was going on, both emotionally and physically. Her face had gotten rounder. Not drastically, but enough to make him notice. And her skin, her beautiful skin seemed even softer to touch than before.
He didn't bother to go after her, though. She was right, after all. They did have an early morning. He sighed and turned to his side, shutting off his lamp before welcoming sleep.
Mikasa woke the next morning to find herself tangled in her sheets, crashing to the floor. She landed with a hard thud on her back, the wind knocked out of her.
"About time, brat." A familiar voice called out.
She shot her head up and glared at the source, who was currently sitting in a chair beside her bed, arms crossed and legs resting on her mattress.
"You." She growled.
"Yes, me." He retorted, "You overslept."
"So you kicked me?!"
Levi raised his brow. "Did you think I was joking when I said I would kick you awake?"
She stood up, a little faster than she would have liked, and scowled at him. His expression remained indifferent. "Fuck you."
Before he could respond, a strong wave of nausea filled her senses, forcing her into the adjacent bathroom. He sighed and stood up, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'Fuck.'
"Mikasa, this is the fourth day in a row."
"I'm fine." She coughed, her body hunched over the toilet.
He was getting frustrated. They were to head out of the walls in a few hours and one of his best squad members was clearly unfit for duty. There were less and less titans every time, a good sign for humanity, but as long as one existed, the threat was always the same.
"No, you're not." He admonished, walking over with a cloth to wipe her mouth. He touched her forehead, searching for a fever. "If you're coming down with something, you are to stay here and rest."
Her eyes shot up and met his with a glare. "You can't do that!"
He met her with his stoic expression, the one that always seemed to instill fear in the younger scouts. "I can, and I will."
He was right and she knew it. He was her superior. He could order her to do whatever the hell he wanted. "It's just nerves," she reasoned. "I'll be fine."
She moved to clean her face before walking back to her room. He followed suit, surprising her by wrapping his arms around her form in a protective embrace.
"I don't know what's going on with you," he started, "and I don't expect you to tell me. But I need you to be well."
"I'm fine." She replied, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Regardless, I want you to report to Hanji." He said, breathing in her scent. "If she gives you a clean bill of health, I expect you saddled up and ready to go same time as everyone else."
"That won't be a problem."
"Good. Now get dressed. You're already late."
Hanji looked over Mikasa and the results from her urine and blood samples. The normally cheerful woman seemed even more excited than usual.
'A dangerous omen,' the younger girl mused.
"You're as healthy as ten horses, Mikasa! …though I am surprised at your carelessness. Are you sure you still want to go out? Of course, I have never questioned your abilities out on the field. The last thing you should do is over-exert yourself. Oh, I remember from years ago…"
Mikasa nodded, not saying a word. In her hands, she held a cup of ginger tea.
Hanji continued to rant, informing the girl on how to properly maintain her health, until an irritated Levi came knocking on the door.
"Oh, Corporal!" Hanji exclaimed, "I didn't see you there!"
"Is Ackerman fit for duty? She was due at the stables an hour ago."
"Perfectly healthy! And if I may offer my cong-"
But she was cut off by Mikasa's sudden coughing fit.
Levi gave Mikasa a strange look before Hanji appeared with a cup of small pills for the girl.
"These should help for today. Remember what I said." She then whipped around to face the captain. "Levi!" she shouted, suddenly very serious, "This girl is a very valuable asset to humanity. Do not overwork her today! Do not make her do more than she needs to do! I hope you realize what a miracle it has been for her to come in our lives! She is a gift that must alw-"
"Alright!"
He was caught completely off guard and wanted nothing more than to strangle the woman in front of him, who was currently in his face and poking his chest very hard.
Her eyes quickly softened. "Great!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I'll see you out there in a bit," before waving them off.
The expedition was mostly uneventful. Two titans came from the right flank, but were quickly disposed of. A couple injuries were recorded, mainly from human error. No casualties. Overall, it was a very successful day.
It was as they were stopped and preparing to leave when things went horribly awry. The sun was hiding behind a cloud, darkening the sky. A gust of wind sent shivers up a few spines. A couple horses bucked into the air before being caught by their respective owners. Armin noticed their strange behavior first.
"Hey Jean, doesn't it seem quiet to you?" the small blonde asked.
The taller boy shook his head as he stretched his hands in the air before yawning. "You're too jumpy Armin. There's nothing around for miles."
It was just after he spoke that a crash came from the forest behind the scouts. Hurried, booming, footsteps were heard coming towards them fast.
Levi scowled and immediately shot the blue flare to retreat in the air. With Commander Erwin and Hanji too far off to relay anything, getting the tired scouts out fast was the only option. There was no telling what they were going to be up against and night was soon approaching. The only ones who remained were those in his squad, already high in the tree branches ready for what was coming. Their orders were to give those heading back to the wall a good head start. He leapt up to the branch to stand beside Mikasa.
"It's coming fast." She said, her eyes fixed on the darkness in front of her.
He nodded. "Then you know what to do."
They looked at each other silently, their eyes saying everything their voices wouldn't.
Be safe.
A single 15 meter titan came crashing through the trees, its arms swinging wildly, too dangerous for the others to get too close to the nape of its neck.
Levi and Mikasa sprang into action. Dancing in unison, they flipped from the tree and spun into the titans face, swinging their blades furiously in an effort to blind it. Mikasa actually pierced its eyeball, detaching it from the socket. She jumped away as an arm swung to grab her, landing safely in a nearby tree, the giant eyeball still attached to her blade.
It was in that moment of distraction that the unexpected happened. In the time it took her to switch her blades and look back up, a swinging arm came straight back for her, hitting her front and sending her falling to the ground below. Levi raced to catch her while the others made quick work of disposing the giant. Silence again.
"Mikasa!" His voice was frantic. He wasn't sure where she was cut, but blood was everywhere.
She opened her eyes and smiled apologetically at the man she had come to love before convulsing in pain. "I'm sorry."
"What? No, it's-" He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Mikasa, look at me!"
But she was limp.
It was when he looked down and saw the pool of blood underneath her that he knew something far worse was wrong. Her pants were stained red and she was becoming paler by the second.
Levi cut off her 3D maneuvering gear and loaded her onto his horse before racing back to headquarters. The others would follow.
Mikasa, don't leave me.
"How long?"
"Levi, I don't-"
"Damn it, Hanji! Tell me! How long?!"
"A-about three months."
Mikasa woke the next morning. She was bruised and sore, but otherwise alright. Her eyes darted around the infirmary, but no one was in sight. She was alone.
Sighing, she placed a hand over her lower stomach, letting a single tear fall. "I'm sorry."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She turned her head to see Levi standing by the doorway, his face emotionless.
She looked back up to the ceiling. "Tell you what?"
"Don't fuck around with me, Ackerman!" he growled, "You know full damn well what! How could you go out like that?! You were pregnant! With my child! Our child…"
She remembered back to the disdain she saw in his eyes when fellow troops would announce their upcoming additions. 'Fools,' he would say.
"You wouldn't have wanted it, anyway." she whispered, barely audible. "That titan did you a favor."
Levi froze. His heart caught in his throat. "How can you say that?"
"You're so stupid, you know," she said, eyes still fixed on the ceiling. "How could you not expect this to happen after everything we've done? For someone who doesn't want children, you don't try to take any precautions. It has always been me alone."
"Mikasa,"
"I went out because it was my duty. I am not weak. I can-"
Levi closed the distance between them and grabbed her face with his hand, forcing her to look at him. His face was not kind.
"I should slap you," he told her, his eyes piercing her like daggers, "for thinking like that."
He let go of her with a forceful shove. They stared at each other for a long time, daring the other to break the silence. Outside the wind could be heard softly tapping tree branches against the window; children's laughter floating in.
It was Levi who finally relented. 'It's now or never.'
He pulled a small black box from his jacket pocket and tossed it next to her on the bed. She opened it to reveal a silver ring inside. There were no jewels, just an etched design of some sort wrapped around it. Two etched lines, intertwined, swirling round the band.
"Marry me." he told her. It wasn't a question.
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he spoke matter-of-factly.
"I killed your child. You are under no obligation."
"Ourchild," he corrected, "and it wasn't your fault."
"I will make you miserable."
"I highly doubt that, Mikasa."
"I can't cook."
"I can."
"Or clean."
"What a shitty reason."
Mikasa remained silent. They both knew she was out of excuses.
She looked down and frowned at her flat stomach.
"But your baby." She whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.
Levi knew she felt guilty. At first he almost wanted her to. He spent the entire night pacing the wooden floor of his room hoping she would wake up alone; a petty act he foolishly thought would punish her somehow. By first light he felt a pang of guilt for abandoning her side and cursed himself for being so stupid before running off back to the infirmary ward.
He moved to sit beside her on the bed, bringing her up so her back was to his chest, and grabbed the box holding the ring.
"How many times do I have to tell you it was ours? Not just mine. You lost just as much as I did." He said, plucking the ring from its container. He saw tears sneaking down her cheek as he reached for her hand.
"We can have more, ten if you want, but only if you agree to be my wife." He slipped the ring on her finger and held onto her tight. "I want to have a family with you, Mikasa Ackerman," he whispered, "but I want to do this the right way."
She turned to face him and kissed his lips hard. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and kissed back with equal fervor, allowing his fingers to slide up her cheek and entangle themselves in her onyx hair.
She agreed, but she would spend this moment mourning the one that was lost.
There are no words to describe the level of anxiety I felt posting this.
The next one is nothing but fluff. It involves a wedding and touches on a headcanon, so it may or may not be spoiler free. If I can get it to look presentable, I'll try to post it before the week is out.
-VG-