"That's checkmate."
"No fair, I could keep going."
"No, Hange. Look closer."
Hange adjusted her glasses and squinted at the mini black and white sculptures. Her eyes darted through all of the possible moves. Once she realized Levi's inevitable victory, she folded her arms and slumped back into the chair. Despite her losing streak, there was a gleam in her eye.
"What?" Levi said, noting that cheeky wrinkle curving her lip. It was the same unsettling smile she wore when on the brink of a Titan discovery. He stopped resetting the pieces.
"I just think you could use a new chess buddy."
"Why? Tired of losing?"
"No, but I think you're tired of winning. Let's bring in a new challenger. Spice things up for you."
"You have someone in mind, don't you?" Levi watched Hange over the brim of his tea. "Based on that smirk, I'm betting it's someone I can't stand."
"Quite the opposite, Levi. It's someone you like." She put an emphasis on the word "like'' that made Levi immediately go tense. He knew exactly who Hange was referring to.
"Absolutely not."
"C'mon. You are totally into her. This is the perfect chance to get to know her better with the pretense of some friendly competition. There'd be no pressure."
"That's easy for you to say. You've never loved a human the way you love Titans."
Hange's mouth widened into a gaping smile. "You love her?" Her eyes were practically sparkling.
"Shut it, four-eyes. We're not having this conversation."
"Captain, your ears are burning red."
"Damn tea's too hot."
"We've been playing chess for well-over an hour. I know that tea's gone cold."
"Fine. I like her. Are you happy?"
"Ecstatic." Hange scooted from the chess board. "I'll be just a moment."
"Where do you think you're going? Don't bother her during training. Or mealtime. Just leave Karma be."
"Sorry, can't hear you—too busy playing matchmaker," Hange said, already out of the office.
Levi groaned and rubbed his forehead as if he could scrub away the dread. The idea of seeing Karma in an intimate setting like this made his stomach ache like it was churning rose thorns. And how was he supposed to play? Going easy on her would make him look foolish, but he didn't want to demolish her either. Her strategy and combat scores were nothing impressive. It's not like she stood a real chance at beating him.
He couldn't explain what it was that drew him to her. That gave him an inexplicable fluster and swelled his tongue to a marshmallow. That electrified his heart and dampened his palms. Was it those large eyes the color of summer honey? The loose strands of sunflower hair that would tickle her cheeks? Were those cheeks always sunkissed or did he make her nervous too?
The moment she entered, his gut would tighten and his defenses would flare. He was always so cold to her, a means of keeping her at arms length. He hated when people got too close. But somehow, she'd snuck past those barriers and into his patchwork heart.
Dammit. He couldn't go through with this.
Levi's chair screeched across the oak floor. He was determined to stop Hange's mad matchmaking plan, but when he flung open the door, a fairy-framed girl with a sunflower braid was standing there. Her hand was paused in midair, a moment away from knocking.
"Oh, Captain. Hi," she said, blinking away the surprise of seeing her Captain looking so frazzled. But Levi was quick to paint himself with a coating of hostility.
"Can I help you, soldier?" He folded his arms for added measure.
"Hange sent me. She says you have an assignment for me?"
Levi tried to send her away. There's nothing for you here. Leave. But his lips wouldn't form the words. It was like trying to speak around a mouthful of sand. He cleared his throat. "Yes. Come inside."
Karma took a hesitant step into the Commander's Office. The only time she'd been here was when Connie convinced her to pants Jean in the mess hall. Hange had attempted to reprimand Karma at Jean's insistence, but the Commander fought with a smile the whole time. Karma wasn't sure why she felt so intimidated entering the office now.
Levi directed her to a cushioned seat and took the one across from her. Between them was a table just wide enough to hold a checkerboard slab speckled with black and white figures. Karma narrowed her eyes.
"What's this?" she said, picking up a small white piece with a rounded bulb for a head. She smoothed her finger over it, guessing it to be made of marble.
"It's chess." Levi reorganized the pieces to look like two sides of a battle facing off, black versus white.
"Oh, I've heard Armin talk about chess. It's a strategy game, right?"
Levi just nodded and sipped his tea.
His silence unnerved Karma. Her slacks clung to the back of her dampening knees. "I'm guessing my assignment has nothing to do with chess?"
Levi's cup chinked into the saucer. "Your assignment is to beat me in a game. Why Hange thinks you stand a chance is beyond me."
"That's rather untoward for a Captain to say."
"I don't make a habit of lying to soldiers."
Karma twisted her lips. She couldn't tell if he was trying to egg her on or if he genuinely doubted her strategizing skills. "Fine. Teach me. I'll whip your ass in three moves." Levi's stoney facade cracked into a half smile.
Right. This was what he liked about her.
Levi walked her through the basics, teaching her how each piece moved and how the goal was to protect the king. Karma concentrated on every word with puckered brows. The rules blended together like a stew—there were too many to keep track of.
"Think you can handle that?" Levi said, setting down the queen.
"Don't worry about me." Karma cracked her knuckles, though Mikasa insisted she break the habit. "Worry about your king."
"You sound rather confident for someone whose strategy scores are worse than Connie's."
"Give Connie some credit. He managed to pull off a successful panty raid under your watch."
"I really hope you don't plan to win with panty raiding strategies."
"Whatever it takes to beat you," Karma said. "What do I get out of this anyway?"
"The satisfaction of beating your Captain."
"I guess that's pretty compelling." Karma examined her fingernails, coated in that nude polish she'd bought in Trost. Just last night, she and Mikasa and Sasha had given each other manicures, pretending they weren't at war. "But I actually had something else in mind."
"What?"
"I want a beach day. For all the Scouts."
"No."
"Why not?"
"It's unprofessional. This isn't a summer camp."
"Then we shouldn't be playing games to begin with."
"Chess is about battle strategy. It's an acceptable game."
"And a beach day would help everyone unwind. It would rejuvenate them so they can fight harder." Karma extended her hand. "Think of it like a battle strategy."
Levi eyed her hand hovering over the chess board. "Fine." He shook it. "Only because you don't stand a chance at winning."
"Why don't we let the game decide that."
Levi won. In five moves. Karma had forgotten most of the rules and left her king wide open in an attempt to spare the queen.
She grumbled and folded her arms. "This game is sexist and dated. We don't even have a king. We should be trying to protect our queen."
"You would've lost either way. I took your queen."
"Yeah, and Queen Historia wouldn't be too happy about that little stunt."
Levi smirked. "I think it's safe to say beach day is off the table."
Karma sharpened her glare. "No. Again."
"You sure? Wouldn't want you overusing that modest brain power of yours."
"I'm sure."
The second game lasted eight moves. Levi still won, but this time Karma remembered how to use her knight and even managed to close in on Levi's king. He didn't show it—his face maintained that somber authority—but he was impressed with how quickly she'd caught on.
"Again," Karma said. She set up the pieces and waited, but Levi shook his head.
"It's getting late."
"I don't care."
"Playing while sleep deprived isn't a very good strategy."
"Neither is playing while being a dick, but you manage that strategy just fine."
Levi's lip twitched, an attempt to stifle laughter. "You can try again for your beach day tomorrow. Come to my office during your meal break."
"Your office? Not this one?"
"Yes. Don't worry about lunch. I'll have it brought in."
"Alright."
Karma left, and in the clarity of her absence, Levi marveled at how he'd managed to keep his hands to himself. When she reached for her rook and brushed his sleeve. When she'd stolen a sip of his cold tea and scrunched her lips at its sweetness. When she concentrated and clenched her tongue between her teeth.
How did he not shove the board aside, letting the pieces clatter to the floor like beads? How did he restrain himself from touching those sunkissed cheeks? From sweeping her into his arms and bending her so the sweet skin of her neck was exposed for him to sample?
The thought of having her alone again tomorrow was making him flush. His office was attached to his private quarters. How was he supposed to concentrate on a game of chess when battling the temptation to invite her to his bed?
"I take it things went well?" Hange said, entering the office with a stack of paperwork.
"It went fine."
"Karma was practically skipping to the barracks. You didn't try to pull a move did you? I'd have to formally reprimand you."
Levi gave Hange an unamused glare. She managed to keep her face straight for only a moment.
"Totally kidding. You know I eliminated eighty percent of Erwin's silly rules the second they put me in charge." Hange sat at the large oak desk. She adjusted her glasses. "Honestly, I thought you would've made your move a long time ago. There's nothing stopping you now."
"Please. It was more than Erwin's rule stopping me."
"Right. It was that icy little heart of yours incapable of accepting love."
"That's one way to put it." Levi went to sip his tea but stopped just before making contact with the rim, the spot Karma's lips touched. The cup met the saucer again in a swift motion.
"I shouldn't have forced my matchmaking on you. Sorry, Captain," Hange said. "Want me to swap her out for Armin? He might actually have a shot at beating you."
"She's better than I gave her credit for. Managed to hold her ground twice as long as you."
"No way." Hange grinned. "You were going easy on her, weren't you?"
"I'm not sure." Levi stared at the tea. Tomorrow he'd have an extra cup. He wouldn't risk an indirect kiss, or any kind of kiss. Perhaps he should cancel the whole thing, but he didn't want to. Karma's presence was just as much a fist clenching his stomach as it was a palm caressing his heart.
"You two planning on playing again? You can borrow my office anytime," Hange said.
"We're playing tomorrow. In my office."
"Damn, Levi. You and her alone in your private quarters? I'll clear your whole schedule. No one will disturb my precious lovebirds. Oh, do I need to give you the talk?"
"Can it, four-eyes."
"No can do, Captain. I've waited too many grueling years to see you happy." Hange leaned over her elbows. "You've got a date tomorrow. It's alright to smile."
Levi cast his gaze to the ceiling to show his dissent, but Hange didn't miss the slight perk of his lip.
"Wait, you guys are playing chess?" Armin's sword slowed to a stop. He sheathed the blade. Karma was hesitant to let her guard down, but she figured Armin wasn't one to pull a dirty trick. She lowered her weapon.
"Yeah. My assignment is to beat Captain Levi."
"I've got loads of tips. I've been reading up on chess strategies."
"Wow, that's wildly convenient." Karma smiled, letting her sparring sword plop into the grass. "What can you teach me?"
Armin's teaching was about as useful as Levi's. Karma tried to keep up, but the strategies were complicated and laced with words she couldn't even spell. She managed to smile through it, matching Armin's enthusiasm. Mikasa met her eye from across the field, confused why Karma and Armin were sitting cross-legged on the ground, drawing squares and arrows in the dirt.
"Think you got the hang of the Budapest Gambit?" Armin said, oblivious to the dazed swirls in Karma's eyes.
"Um—"
A booming voice cut her off. "Lunchtime, soldiers. Line up!"
Karma thanked every divine being who had a hand in getting her out of Armin's strategy session. She broke off from her fellow Scouts to find Captain Levi's quarters, but Mikasa and Jean and Connie caught her before she reached the corridor.
"Karma, where are you running off to? And what was up with you and Armin at training?" Mikasa's dark eyes were scrutinizing coals.
"Captain Levi invited me to play chess in his office. That's all."
"You're ditching us for that squirt?" Jean folded his arms.
Connie copied Jean. "Yeah, and in his private quarters? Is there something we're missing? Is chess code for—"
"It's just chess. And Levi promised if I win, we'll get a beach day."
"What?!" Jean's jaw dangled. "You better get going then."
"Don't you dare lose your king to that short prince," Connie added. Mikasa nodded.
"Don't worry," Karma said, grinning. "Armin's got me covered. It's in the bag."
She lost. Again. They played up until the end of lunch. Crumbs and shreds of crust speckled their plates, tea cups empty except for shallow brown rings.
Karma's eye twitched at the chessboard. Levi, however, was smirking.
"That was the best game I've played in a while," he said, picking specks of lint from his sleeve. "Since Erwin, actually."
"I'm glad one of us had fun." Karma humphed. She really wanted that damn beach day. It was like a carrot dangling on a string, just out of her reach.
"Don't be so pissy. You're a worthy opponent. And I don't say that lightly."
Karma squeezed her eyes shut. She could imagine the sound of the ocean, the chilly water kissing her toes. The crackle of a bonfire. The chortling and laughter of her friends. Seeing Captain Levi shirtless, admiring the chiseled planes of his body. Feeling his eyes dance across her skin, barely covered by a string bikini. Her eyes snapped open before the fantasy could get out of hand.
Karma was acutely aware once again that she and Levi were alone. Lunch was over, but she wasn't ready to leave his side, and she didn't want to return to her friends without a promised beach day.
"One more game," she said. Levi was sweeping the chess pieces into a drawer.
"They'll be expecting you at training."
"Don't tell me you actually care about that crap."
Levi sniffed, but it sounded like a laugh. "Alright, one moment." Levi dialed a number on the office phone. Karma heard Hange's upbeat voice on the other end. There was some squealing and cheering when Levi said, "We've decided to play a little longer. Please dismiss Karma from training."
He quickly hung up the phone, but Karma thought she heard Hange cry, "Finally!"
Levi reset the pieces. Karma watched the squares fill piece-by-piece and reviewed the scraps of strategies she retained. Chess is a battle, Armin had said. With that in mind, Levi's black pieces were Titans and her king was all of her friends and comrades—she would do anything to keep them safe.
Their game began, but Karma was careful. She considered every combination of moves and did whatever it took to protect her friends, the king. She and Levi had both accumulated a handful of pawns and rooks when a knock at the door announced it was time for dinner.
"Already?" Karma looked at the clock and confirmed that their game was creeping into the four-hour mark.
"We'll put a pin in our game." Levi accepted a tray with two steaming plates. Karma's mouth frothed at the smell of roast chicken and steamed corn. She didn't realize how hungry she was. Levi watched her ravenously delve into their supper. "You must not be used to using brain power."
"Shush, I'm still getting that beach day," Karma said, mouth full of gravy and veggies.
"I don't plan on making it easy for you." Levi buttered his corn, smirking at his opponent. "But maybe my defenses will slip if you manage to sell me on the idea."
"So you're open to negotiation? My chess skills must be improving." Karma licked a stray glob of butter off her finger. "Well, we would for sure roast weenies, tell ghost stories—maybe some truth or dare per Mikasa's request."
Levi stirred some sugar cubes into his tea, shrugging. "Don't see why we need to make a trip to the beach for that." He brought the tea cup to his lips.
"Fine—how about skinny dipping?"
Levi choked. He caught the spewed tea with a napkin before it could dribble off his chin.
"Um, we can scrap that idea if it's inappropriate," Karma said, blushing.
Levi shook his head. "If you beat me, I'll comply with whatever you want."
"Whatever I want? Anything?"
Levi gestured to their unfinished game. "You have to win first."
The game was over in twenty minutes. And this time, Karma won.
"Yes! Yes!" Karma squealed. Levi was smiling contentedly, despite having lost.
"Alright, you got your beach day." Levi began setting the pieces again. "One last game. If I win, I want something too."
"What?"
"Just play me."
This game was significantly harder. Karma almost wondered if he had let her win before. Perhaps he wanted to see her strip down to bare skin and jump in the ocean. But she didn't linger on this thought—she was too curious about what Levi wanted. Something told her it had to do with him inviting her to his private quarters. She decided to give him an opening, grabbing a rook and making an obvious flop.
Levi didn't take the bait. He gave her a stern look. "What are you doing? You're throwing the game."
She shrugged. "Go ahead." Her heart was thudding.
Slowly, Levi moved in on her king, but he held her eyes the whole way. The piece fell over with a gentle clatter. "Checkmate." His voice was breathy.
Karma swallowed, watching him abandon the chess board and drift toward her, eyes locked on his prize. He secured his arms on either side of her, his chest lowering to graze hers. Next came his lips. They landed on hers and pressed her deeper against the cushion. She could taste sweet lemon tea on his breath.
Quickly, the kiss turned ravenous and all consuming. Karma stopped caring about pretenses as she unbuttoned his slacks and his lips trickled to her breasts. He tore through her clothes to reach his mark, the pink turgid flesh of her chest. His hands rummaged between her legs, sliding past her belt and panties to the damp skin. He slipped a finger inside, mouth still working on the hardened skin. Karma moaned, pulling his head deeper against her chest as her hands slipped through his waistband and found his warm shaft.
Arms lustfully tangled, Levi's fingers pumped while her hands worked, their open mouths finding each other again. Karma's foot kicked over the chess board in her desperation to get closer to her captain, but neither one of them cared, too absorbed in the heat and sensations of their mingling bodies.
The shimmering warmth of Levi's fingers brightened. Her hands stroked faster in response. Levi trembled, lips against her ear so she could hear every panting breath.
"Fuck, Karma."
Then he was twitching and trembling on top of her. His shaft hardened and warmth dribbled down her fingers. A breath later and his pumping fingers brought her to her own climax, a rippling wave of shuddering breaths and delicious warmth.
Levi pulled his fingers free, twirling the glistening threads between his knuckles. "Naughty thing," he murmured, still holding her eyes. Delicately, he passed the fingers through his lips and rolled his tongue along the shimmering wetness, moaning at the taste of her. Karma's lips parted. He looked to her hands, glistening from his completion. A smirk cut through his handsome features.
"Clean yourself up, soldier," he said, his voice a pur as he guided her wrist toward her chin. Karma watched her wet fingers near her lips, her tongue suddenly salivating, eager to follow his command. She didn't hesitate.
As Karma savored the taste of her captain, she felt her slacks and wet panties roll down her legs. Levi tossed them to the floor, eyes trained on the glistening pink slit between her legs. The hunger in his eyes told Karma that he wasn't yet satisfied. And she wasn't either. Suddenly, she needed him to feed the ache in her, to settle his mouth on the throbbing knob. But Levi was taking his time, watching her squirm. Watching the silky wetness build and build.
"Fuck, Levi. Please!" Her neck and bare chest arched. Her hands clenched the arm rests. She spread her legs wider. Wetness was pooling on the cushion. Levi tilted his head.
"You're making a mess, Karma." His voice was as silky as the damp threads now trickling to her thighs. "Fuck, you expect me to clean up after you?" His head hovered between her knees, his hot breath and tongue tauntingly out of reach.
"I cleaned up your mess," Karma said, showing him the hints of saliva on her fingers. She sounded so whiney—Levi was in full control and they both knew it.
"And how did I taste?" His chin crept closer to the throbbing knob. Karma imagined gripping his head and forcing him to satiate her lust. But she knew Levi had every intention of fucking her once it suited him. She just needed to be patient.
She recalled the delicate taste of him. How it rolled off her knuckles and onto her tongue with just a little bit of suction. How it lingered in the back of her throat. She licked her lips at the memory. "So good."
He inched closer. He was close enough to trace the ovular shape of her folds with the tip of his nose. His hot breath felt cool against the wet, aching skin. Karma's hips bucked closer.
"Captain, please."
"A soldier ordering her captain." He spoke slowly as he held her eyes over the curve of her breasts. "You're lucky I enjoy cleaning messes." Swiftly, Levi's tongue captured the shimmering threads pooling in the cushion and on Karma's thighs. With a satisfied moan, he returned his attention to her throbbing cunt.
Karma gasped. His lips secured around the puckering knob. She could feel his tongue flickering across its surface, sending shockwaves that twitched her thighs. His first two fingers returned to their place nestled inside her wet walls. He moaned against her and Karma relinquished her body, sinking lower into the chair. She grasped the back of his head like she'd been dreaming of doing and thrust him deeper against her.
Levi's tongue worked steady and swift. He seemed to know exactly how much pressure to give, when to curve or pump his fingers, and when to pleasurably groan her name. Skillfully, he guided her to the brink of the edge. But he wasn't quite ready to let her fall.
"Who do you belong to, Karma?" His teeth grazed the sensitive skin of her glistening clit. Back and forth. He kept her teetered on the verge of pleasure, waiting for her response.
"You, Captain."
"And you intend to follow orders?"
"Fuck—yes!"
"Good." He slipped in a third finger, crushing her pulsating walls. Lips secured against her throbbing clit he murmured, "Come."
And she did. Blissfully and erratically, cursing and groaning Levi's devilish name. The one who made her this trembling, desperate mess. Who lured her to his private quarters and beat her in a game of his choosing, only to select her as his prize. Or was his prize watching her need him? Watching his strong soldier buckle under the gentle pressure of his tongue and fingers?
What a bastard he was.
"You obeyed," he said, suckling off his fingers. Panting, Karma glared.
"You didn't give me much choice."
"Don't sound so pissy. You wanted it." His smirk darkened. "You wanted me."
"I wanted a beach day. You're the one who insisted on playing one more game, knowing full well you were gonna fuck me."
"You threw the game. You wanted to be fucked." Levi moved closer. "Just moments ago you were begging for it. You begged me to suck your cunt."
Karma couldn't deny the incriminating words. She couldn't deny the slick wetness between her thighs. The shimmering climax. The press of Levi's lips against her skin. How she tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him into her.
"Fine. I wanted it." She pushed his chest back until he was prone on the floor. She straddled his hips. Slowly, she slinked down his legs, tugging off his belt and trousers as she went. She peeled the pants off his feet and tossed them beside her own. His muscular legs were hers to roam.
"Enjoying yourself?" Captain Levi said, watching her with thinly veiled fascination, his arms propping up his head. The bulge tenting his underwear twitched. She grazed her nose along the fabric stretching over his shaft. Up and down. Levi squirmed.
Karma enjoyed turning the tables, having control over her captain's pleasure. Watching the desperation grow and throb beneath the thin cotton.
"The hell are you doing?" Levi's playful tone turned harsh. He spoke through clenched teeth.
"I've decided to play my own game."
"Fucking isn't a game."
Karma ignored his comment. "There's only one rule." She dipped a finger into his waistband, skimming the line above his groin. Her other hand stroked his inner thighs, coming teasingly close to but not touching the sensitive bulge. "Beg."
Levi twitched, stiffening under her touch. "You want me to beg like a fucking dog?"
"If you want it, you'll beg for it."
"I'm not gonna beg a fucking soldier." Levi's thighs were clenched. Karma could see the frustration building in his tightened jaw. Gently, she tugged his waistband down an inch, letting the glistening tip peek out.
"Won't you?" She bent down to lick the oozing wetness from the tip of his cock. Levi jolted at the touch of her tongue and cursed.
"Stop toying with me, Karma."
She pulled his waistband down another inch, moaning at the sight. She felt saliva pooling in her mouth, the tender folds between her legs dampening.
"Take them off," he ordered. Karma pretended not to hear until he reluctantly amended, "Please."
She peeled his briefs to his ankles, exposing his full erection. Captain Levi was much bigger than his stature would suggest. Karma knew his size was enough to choke her, but she wanted it. She wanted to feel the hard, hot skin pressing against her tongue and cheeks. To run her tongue up and down the throbbing vein.
Levi wanted it to, but it was taking everything in him to swallow his pride and beg. Karma had relented so easily. There was no pride left in her as his lips and tongue solidified to her cunt. Not an ounce of self respect as the pleading words tumbled from her lips, tangling into profanities.
"Karma…please."
"Please what?" she crooned, holding the base of his shaft taut. Her lips hovered above the tip, waiting for his next words.
"Please fuck me—please."
Smirking, Karma wet her lips and enveloped her mouth around his shaft as deep as she could go. His tip grazed the back of her throat. Levi's groan was euphoric and triumphant. He gripped her shoulders, careful not to force her too deep, though he wanted more of her. He restrained himself from bucking his hips, gritting his teeth against the impulse.
"Shit, Karma." His hands moved to the back of her head, clenching her hair. Unconsciously, he guided her head up and down his cock to the tempo of his liking. As her lips tightened and the edge neared, Levi bobbed her head faster and faster.
"Fuck—"
Levi grunted and trembled, silky warmth flooding Karma's mouth. She swallowed it down with a satisfied grin. Levi's head thumped against the floor, chest expanding rapidly. Once his breathing slowed, he met her eye.
"Would it be too forward to ask you to stay the night? Or would you like to play me for the pleasure?"
"No more games—I'll stay." Karma smirked, curling up beside him on the floor. "Believe it or not, I enjoy your company. Though I am worried about what the other soldiers will say tomorrow. Alone in your private quarters for half the day and all night? Even Connie can put two and two together."
"Hange will be thrilled. And as long as you don't mention the begging, I don't care who knows. In fact, if it gets Jean to stop making googly eyes at you, I'll tell him myself."
"Sure you don't want to mention the begging? It was so endearing."
"Tch." Levi pressed a kiss to her brow and turned his attention to their tangled mess of clothes and the displaced chess board. "Look what you did, you nuisance. We'll be holed up all day picking up after you." Karma pressed a kiss to his smirking lips.
"Good thing you enjoy cleaning messes."