"I still can't believe you're here."

All the titans in the area were dealt with, just in time; The sun was beginning to set, and the area was starting to get dark. The scouts had regrouped at the camp, everyone getting ready to call it a day.

Rosa and Levi were sitting by the campfire, having a moment to themselves. The situation had been chaotic, and the two of them hadn't had time to talk properly until now. Levi was still almost unable to believe his eyes, seeing her sitting there next to him. She had willingly put her life on the line, joining the supply run herself, and the risk she took paid off; Seeing what she was capable of, Erwin had let her rejoin the ranks immediately upon her arrival to the outpost.

Rosa couldn't help but to laugh, Levi's incredulous tone amusing to her. "You've never doubted my abilities before, what's changed?"

Levi didn't respond right away. He averted his gaze, staring at the fire in front of them. Rosa's brows furrowed as she watched him, sensing a strange emotion from him, something that made her feel uneasy.

"It's not that..." He said eventually. "I know you're skilled, and capable, but... this place is dangerous." The look on his face was grim, and his shoulders were tense. "Rosa, I-"

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I am exhausted..!"

Rosa and Levi glanced over their shoulders to see Hange approaching. She took a seat on a fallen tree trunk next to them, and stretched her legs. Rosa could see that Levi wasn't happy about the interruption, but he didn't say anything.

"I'm glad to see you're okay." Hange smiled, her eyes fixed on Rosa. "That was a nice surprise when I saw you out there."

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine." Rosa chuckled. "It's nice to see you, too."

"So, are you lovebirds about to hit the hay soon?" Hange asked with a smirk. "You'll sleep in his tent, right?"

"W-what?" Rosa froze, her heart skipping a beat when she realized what Hange was asking. She glanced at Levi, who looked completely unamused.

"Or... did you bring your own..?" Hange raised her brow, giving Rosa a puzzled look.

"No. I didn't." Rosa felt like a bucket of ice water had just dunked down her back. She had left the HQ in such a hurry, she had completely forgotten to pack her belongings.

"You can have mine." Levi muttered, his voice flat.

"And where are YOU going to sleep, then?" Rosa gritted her teeth.

"Outside."

"I'm not going to steal your bed, Levi!"

"Stop arguing, both of you." Hange sighed, her voice stern. "Just share it. It's not like it's the first time."

"Oh, come on..!" Rosa rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing. She didn't understand why they were making such a big deal out of this.

"Hange's right." Levi said. "There's no need for us to argue over something like this."

"Okay, fine!" Rosa crossed her arms, and looked away. "I'll sleep on the right side, then!"

Levi shook his head, letting out a small sigh. He couldn't help but to wonder how she could be so stubborn, yet so sweet at the same time.

"Alright, I'm off, then." Hange yawned, getting back on her feet. "See you in the morning."

After spending a short moment at the campfire in an awkward silence, Rosa and Levi decided to call it a night as well.

"These tents aren't exactly made for two people..!" Rosa muttered, feeling the heat on her cheeks as she cramped into the tent with Levi. Even though the space was limited, she had made sure to keep a reasonable distance between them, but the fact that he was lying right next to her was making her nervous.

Levi didn't say anything. He laid on his back, and closed his eyes. Rosa was still awake, her back turned at him, and she had to bite her tongue to stop herself from speaking up again. She was just about to close her eyes when she heard him speak up.

"Thank you, Rosa."

"Huh..? What for?"

"You saved a lot of lives today, by bringing all those supplies. Thank you."

"Oh..." Rosa smiled, her heart warming up when hearing him. "Well, I'm just doing my job. Thank you, too, for saving me out there. That titan would've gotten me if it wasn't for you."

Silence.

"...Goodnight, Levi."

"Goodnight, Rosa."

Seconds turned into minutes, but Levi couldn't fall asleep. His mind was racing, his thoughts swirling around as his heart kept hammering in his chest. It had been a while since he had last seen her, and now she was right there next to him, deep asleep, her presence comforting. She was safe and sound. She was alright. He was so relieved to know that, but he still couldn't relax.

Even when she was right there next to him, Levi couldn't stop thinking about her. He had always thought that she was beautiful, but seeing her out there that day..? That fire in her gaze, her half undone braid flowing in the wind, her flushed cheeks, and her fast, sharp breaths... The sight had struck him like none other. Rosa had never looked more beautiful than at that very moment.

He hadn't wanted her to come there, because he feared that he would lose her. And as long as she was lying right next to him, he had no way of stopping his feelings for her. He had been holding back for so long, afraid of how she might react if she knew, and yet, there he was, wanting nothing more than to reach out for her, and pull her close.

The night was silent, save for the cracking sound of the flames, and the distant rustling of the leaves, and the chirping of the crickets. The air was heavy, and the ground beneath them was hard, but those weren't the reasons that kept Levi from falling asleep. He just laid there, his head turned to the side, his eyes glued onto the back of the woman sleeping next to him.

Rosa shifted, rolling onto her back. She was dreaming, mumbling something inaudible under her breath, her lips slightly part. Levi could only stare, studying the details of her face. It was dark, but he could see her expression clearly: Her lashes fluttering against her skin, and the corners of her lips curving upwards, forming a faint smile. Levi's pulse sped up, and his body tensed. It was taking every ounce of willpower he had, but he couldn't take his eyes off her, his gaze slowly trailing along her features. The way her hair fell around her face was almost mesmerizing. Her cheeks were flushed, and the tip of her nose was slightly reddened, probably from the cold. Levi couldn't help but to notice the tiny scar that ran across the bridge of her nose, his fingers aching to trace along the line. He wanted to reach out, and cup her cheek, to run his thumb over her soft skin, brushing her bottom lip. The way she was smiling in her sleep, looking so peaceful... It was adorable, and Levi's chest tightened, his throat growing dry.

He couldn't help but to smile when Rosa let out another low hum in her sleep… But, when she shifted in her sleep again, turning onto her other side, his heart skipped a beat when she nudged closer to him. Her head came to rest against his shoulder, her arm pressing against his. Feeling his pulse roaring in his ears, Levi raised his shaky hand, gently trying to push her away, his movements slow and cautious. He couldn't let her stay like that, it was wrong, he had no right-

Levi froze when Rosa moved again. As if annoyed by disturbance, her brows furrowed... and then she wrapped her arm around him.

"Fuck."

Levi held his breath, and his eyes went wide, his entire body tensing. His heart was racing so fast he was certain that she could hear it, but she was still fast asleep. Rosa let out a satisfied hum, the tip of her nose almost touching his neck, and Levi could feel her warm, gentle breaths against his skin. She was so close, and her hold was tight and firm. His hand was still hovering above her shoulder, unsure whether he should push her away, or pull her closer.

"Rosa, hey, wake up.." He tried, but she didn't budge. He swallowed thickly, and cleared his throat. "Rosa, please..." His voice was strained, his chest heaving.

It was wrong. He knew he shouldn't enjoy it, and yet, the warmth of her body pressed against him was intoxicating, her soft scent making him lightheaded. He closed his eyes, a low, barely audible groan leaving his lips. His fingers trembled, and his heart was beating wildly in his chest. He was still struggling, trying to tell himself that it wasn't right, that he couldn't allow her to stay like that... but he was weak.

"Damn it, Rosa..." He opened his eyes, and stared at the ceiling of the tent, his body tensing up when he felt the heat rising in his veins. He could feel her, he could hear her, her breath caressing his skin, the gentle thumping of her heart, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. It was so comfortable, how her body felt so warm against him.

Levi sighed, a soft, deep exhale. He lifted his hand, his fingers gently brushing against her skin as he reached up to caress her cheek, his fingertips running over her jaw, and the back of his knuckles ghosting against her chin. His eyes fluttered closed, and his thumb brushed against her lower lip, tracing the curve of it. He was almost trembling, his skin burning, his mind hazy, and his stomach turning into knots. He had never experienced anything like this, his thoughts were incoherent and his whole body ached.

His fingers trailed along her cheek, his touch feather-light, his fingertips dancing across her skin. Rosa was there, right next to him, but she wasn't. She wasn't with him, not in the way he craved. She was so close, yet he couldn't have her, not in the way he wanted. She was far away, her mind elsewhere. She didn't know how much he wanted her, how much he needed her. She didn't know the extent of his affection, or how much he truly cared for her. She had her arm wrapped around his torso, and her legs were tangled with his... It was all too much.

"Fuck." He hissed, his voice strained. He didn't want to, and he knew it was wrong, but he couldn't help himself. He was too weak to resist, his mind was foggy, and he couldn't think straight. He was losing control.

His hand wandered, his fingers trailing along her collarbone. His fingertips caressed her neck, and he traced her jawline. He was shaking, his breathing shallow and erratic, and his eyes were filled with desperation. His touch was light, and he let his fingers glide along her skin, the heat from her body seeping through his clothes and into his own. His fingers were trembling as he caressed her, his chest heaving, his breaths shallow and unsteady.

"Rosa…" He whispered, his voice broken and his words laced with need.

Rosa shifted and groaned, her brows furrowing, her eyelids fluttering. She moved, trying to roll over, but the movement caused her hand to travel down his body, her fingers brushing against his stomach, and Levi let out a choked sound. His breathing got heavier, and his eyes squeezed shut. He felt his heart pounding, and his skin tingled. He bit his lip, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh, and he could taste the copper on his tongue.

Rosa let out a quiet hum, and her head tilted to the side, her lips brushing against his neck. Levi's heart skipped a beat and his body tensed. He could feel her, he could hear her, he could smell her, and he could feel her body, her skin, her lips… and he wanted her so badly. Rosa mumbled something and her arm wrapped tighter around him, pulling him closer.

Levi felt the heat pooling in his stomach, his body aching for her, and his mind clouded with desire. He was losing himself, and his self-control was slipping— The feeling of her lips against his skin, and her hand sliding down his body, her fingertips brushing his stomach… it sent him over the edge. His heart was racing, and his breath was shaky. He couldn't stop himself; Placing his hand on hers, he guided her hand lower, his breathing growing more ragged as she reached the hem of his pants. His fingers shook, and his pulse quickened. His cock was aching, straining against the fabric, and he pressed her hand against him, his fingers squeezing hers. He let out a choked whimper, his cock throbbing, and his hips bucked. His breaths were coming in short, shallow gasps, and his entire body tensed. He squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth.

"F-fuck..." Levi let out a strained groan, his entire body shaking, his chest heaving. Her fingers brushed against his hardened member and Levi shuddered, his cock twitching and throbbing against her touch. His breaths were ragged, his mind clouded with lust…

But when Rosa let out a soft whimper in her sleep, Levi suddenly snapped out of it; What was he doing? She was sleeping right there next to him, completely unaware, and yet he was about to-

Levi released her, his heart hammering in his chest. He swallowed thickly, and sat up, his fingers trembling, his breathing labored.

"Shit... what the hell is wrong with me..?!" He couldn't believe that he had almost taken advantage of her, when she was so vulnerable and defenseless— Levi was absolutely disgusted with himself. He knew that he should've pushed her away, instead of pulling her closer and allowing her to touch him like that. Levi shook his head, his face flushed. He took a deep breath, his gaze lowering. "This isn't right..."

"...Levi?"

Levi froze, his blood turning into ice. He slowly turned his head, his eyes widening when he saw that Rosa was awake. She was staring at him, her brows knitted together in a frown, her eyes tired and her voice hoarse.

"What are you doing?" She asked, her tone flat, her gaze unfocused.

"Nothing, I-" Levi's voice was shaky as he averted his eyes, his shoulders tense. "I just need to… go."

Levi didn't give her a chance to respond as he got up and crawled out of the tent.

The campsite was dead silent, everyone sleeping peacefully in their tents. His heart was still hammering, his body trembling as he stepped over the log and took a seat in front of the fire. The embers were still smoldering, the air warm and the flames dancing, casting an orange glow onto the ground.

He had almost made a terrible mistake; He couldn't let himself be weak like this, he couldn't let his feelings get the better of him. But, as he sat there, he could still feel her, her lips against his skin, her breath on his neck, and her hand on his stomach, her fingers brushing against his-

"God, no, don't you dare. Don't even fucking think about it!" He muttered, squeezing his eyes shut.

Levi sighed, his face twisting in discomfort. His body was aching and his mind was racing, and he couldn't get the thought out of his head, no matter how hard he tried. He didn't want her like that, not when she was unconscious. Not when she wasn't fully aware of what she was doing.

"Damn it, Rosa… What am I going to do?"