The rain pounded relentlessly against the weathered stone walls of the old abandoned castle, creating a constant, rhythmic backdrop to our return. I walked beside Evelyn, our footsteps squelching through the muddy ground as we made our way towards the entrance. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and the promise of a long night ahead. I glanced sideways at Evelyn, watching as she pushed her rain-soaked hair away from her face. Even drenched and disheveled, she was a sight to behold. The way her clothes clung to her body, accentuating every curve, made my throat tighten. I quickly averted my gaze, focusing instead on the path ahead.
As we stepped through the heavy wooden doors, a wave of warmth enveloped us, a stark contrast to the chill that had seeped into our bones. Evelyn shook the wet from her hair, sending droplets flying in all directions. "I feel like a drowned rat," she muttered, her voice laced with exhaustion and a hint of amusement.
I couldn't help but smirk at her comment. "You look like one too," I retorted, earning myself a playful glare from those piercing blue eyes.
"Oh, you're one to talk," she shot back, gesturing to my own sodden state. "You look like a wet cat that's been dragged through a hedge backward."
Despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily on my shoulders, I felt a warmth bloom in my chest at our banter. It was moments like these, stolen between the chaos and carnage of our lives, that reminded me why I fought so hard to keep her safe.
"At least I don't smell like one," I countered, raising an eyebrow at her.
Evelyn's laugh echoed through the hall, drawing curious glances from the few scouts milling about. "Are you implying that I stink, Captain?" she asked, her voice dropping to a mock-threatening tone.
I leaned in close, my lips barely brushing her ear as I whispered, "I'm implying that we both need a shower, Scarlet."
The shiver that ran through her body didn't escape my notice, nor did the way her breath hitched ever so slightly. It took every ounce of self-control I possessed not to pull her into my arms right then and there, consequences be damned.
Instead, I took a step back, allowing the bustling activity of the hall to wash over us. The air was filled with the scent of damp wool and leather, mingling with the earthy aroma of rain-soaked skin. Soldiers moved about, some carrying stacks of reports, others hauling crates of supplies. Despite the grim reality that awaited us beyond these walls, there was a sense of purpose, of home, that permeated the atmosphere.
My eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of my squad. Petra was helping Oluo wring out his cravat, her gentle laughter a stark contrast to his grumbling. Eld and Gunther were engaged in a heated discussion over a map spread out on a nearby table, their voices low but intense. And then there was Eren, cornered by Hange near the fireplace, her eyes gleaming with that manic enthusiasm that always spelled trouble.
"Now, Eren," Hange was saying, her voice carrying across the room. "The cellular structure of Titans is truly fascinating. Did you know that their regenerative abilities are linked to the amount of sunlight they receive? It's possible that your own healing factor could be enhanced by-"
I tuned out the rest of Hange's lecture, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Eren. The poor kid looked overwhelmed, his broom forgotten in his hands as he nodded along to Hange's rapid-fire explanations. Part of me wanted to intervene, to rescue him from Hange's scientific fervor, but another part knew that this knowledge, however overwhelming, could be crucial to our survival.
Evelyn's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "I'm going to have a shower and get changed before dinner," she said, her eyes meeting mine with a look that sent a jolt of electricity through my body.
Before I could respond, Jake's voice cut through the air, laced with his usual brand of humor. "Need any help with that, Evie? I've been told I'm excellent at scrubbing hard-to-reach places."
I felt my jaw clench, a surge of possessiveness rising in my chest. But before I could say anything, Evelyn smirked, her eyes dancing with mischief.
"Hey Hange," she called out, her voice carrying across the room. "Jake wants to know if you need any help having a shower."
The look of horror that crossed Jake's face was almost worth the annoyance of his earlier comment. Hange's eyes lit up with an unholy glee, and I almost felt sorry for Jake. Almost.
"Oh, Jake!" Hange exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. "I'd be delighted! I've been meaning to conduct some experiments on the effects of water temperature on human skin elasticity. This would be the perfect opportunity!"
Jake's face paled, and he began to stammer out excuses, much to the amusement of the other soldiers in the room. I felt a small sense of satisfaction at his discomfort, even as I chided myself for the pettiness of the feeling.
Evelyn leaned into me, her breath warm against my ear. "Let's go take that shower together," she whispered, her hand finding mine and giving it a gentle tug.
I allowed her to lead me away from the bustling hall, my mind racing with the implications of her words. As we made our way down the corridor towards the showers, Evelyn glanced over her shoulder at me, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Now's your chance to make it up to me for leaving me alone in your bed this morning," she said, her voice low and teasing.
The memory of waking up next to her this morning, her body warm and soft against mine, flashed through my mind. I had left early, driven by the ingrained habit of starting my day before dawn, but I couldn't deny that I had regretted it the moment I stepped out of the room.
As we walked, I couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed between us in such a short time. Just days ago, we had been at odds, our past hanging between us like an impenetrable wall. Now, here we were, stealing moments of intimacy amidst the chaos of our lives.
We reached the shower room, the sound of running water echoing off the tiled walls. The room was filled with a thick, warm mist, the air heavy with moisture. I could barely make out the outline of the shower stalls through the haze. Evelyn's hand was still in mine, her skin slick with rain and sweat.
I watched as she began to peel off her wet clothes, her movements slow and deliberate. The sight of her bare skin, glistening with moisture, made my mouth go dry. I found myself frozen, unable to move or speak as she stepped closer to me.
Her hands found the buttons of my shirt, deftly undoing them one by one. "You're overdressed, Captain," she murmured, a teasing lilt to her voice.
The use of my title snapped me out of my trance. With a low growl, I captured her lips with mine, pouring all of my pent-up desire and frustration into the kiss. Evelyn responded with equal fervor, her hands tangling in my hair as she pressed her body against mine.
We stumbled towards the nearest shower stall, shedding the rest of our clothes along the way. The hot water cascaded over us as we entered, steam rising around us like a veil. I pressed Evelyn against the tiled wall, my hands exploring every curve and dip of her body as if trying to memorize her by touch alone.
"Levi," she gasped, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "I need you."
Those three words broke the last of my restraint. I lifted her, her legs wrapping around my waist as I entered her in one smooth motion. We both groaned at the sensation, the feeling of completeness overwhelming.
Our movements were frantic, driven by a desperate need to be as close as possible. The world outside this shower stall ceased to exist; there were no Titans, no impending missions, no weight of humanity's future on our shoulders. There was only us, our bodies moving together in perfect synchronicity.
I could feel Evelyn trembling in my arms, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. Her nails dug into my back, spurring me on. I shifted my angle slightly, and suddenly she was crying out, her body arching against mine.
"Levi," she breathed, her voice strained with pleasure. "I'm close... I'm-"
Her words dissolved into a moan as she reached her peak, her body clenching around me. The sight and feel of her coming undone in my arms pushed me over the edge, and I followed her into blissful oblivion.
For several long moments, we stood there, our bodies still joined, the hot water washing over us. Slowly, our breathing returned to normal, and I became aware of the slight trembling in my legs from the exertion.
"We should probably actually shower now," Evelyn said, her voice still husky with the aftermath of our passion.
Slowly, gently, I lowered her to her feet, keeping my arms around her to steady her. As we began to wash, I couldn't help but marvel at the intimacy of the moment. It wasn't just about the physical act we had just shared, but the trust and vulnerability that came with it.
I took my time washing Evelyn's hair, my fingers massaging her scalp as I worked the shampoo through her dark locks. She leaned into my touch, a soft sigh of contentment escaping her lips. In turn, she washed my back, her touch both soothing and electrifying.
Once we were clean and the water had run cold, we stepped out of the shower, wrapping ourselves in the rough towels provided. As we dried off and began to dress in clean clothes, I couldn't help but steal glances at Evelyn. Her hair was damp and tousled, her skin flushed from the hot water and our activities. She had never looked more beautiful to me.
"What are you staring at?" she asked, catching me looking.
"You," I replied simply, seeing no reason to deny it.
A blush crept up her cheeks, and she ducked her head, suddenly shy. It was endearing, seeing this softer side of her that she rarely showed to others.
As we finished dressing, I knew we would soon have to return to the reality waiting for us outside this room.
As we finished dressing, I knew we would soon have to return to the reality waiting for us outside this room. There were reports to be given, strategies to be planned, and a war to be fought. But for now, in this stolen moment, we had each other. And somehow, that made everything else seem a little more bearable.
I reached out, taking Evelyn's hand in mine. "Ready?" I asked, my thumb tracing small circles on her skin.
She nodded, squeezing my hand. "Ready," she replied, her voice filled with determination.
Together, we stepped out of the shower room and back into the world that awaited us. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. And for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope for the future.
~
Evelyn's perspective:
The rain pounded relentlessly against the ancient stone walls of the Scout headquarters, creating a somber symphony that echoed through the dimly lit corridors. I sat with my boots propped up on the worn wooden table, my circler sunglasses hiding my eyes as I tilted my chair back precariously. The familiar weight of boredom settled over me like a heavy cloak, a stark contrast to the bustling city life I'd grown accustomed to during my time with the Military Police.
Around me, Levi's squad and Jake lounged in various states of restlessness. Eren, the young Titan shifter, fidgeted nervously in his seat, his green eyes darting between the seasoned soldiers as if trying to decipher some hidden code. Petra, her ginger hair catching the flickering candlelight, kept stealing glances at Jake, her cheeks flushing slightly each time he caught her gaze.
The silence stretched on, broken only by the occasional rumble of thunder and the steady drumming of raindrops. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and oppressive, as we all grappled with the weight of our upcoming mission and the uncertainties that lay ahead.
Finally, Gunther cleared his throat, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. "So, what kind of work do Special MPs do?" he asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
Jake leaned back in his chair, mirroring my posture. A small smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he answered, "It just means we get the most difficult jobs. Mostly dealing with serial killers, dangerous gangs. We also do a lot of busy work that other MPs can't be bothered with."
I suppressed a snort at his diplomatic description of our work. Jake had always been better at sugar-coating things than I was. As he continued, I found myself transported back to our first case together, the memory as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.
"Our first job was tracking down a man who murdered his own wife for her money and estate," Jake said, his voice taking on a more somber tone. "We found her body rotting away in the attic... Evelyn threw up in the corner."
I grimaced at the reminder, the acrid taste of bile rising in my throat even now. "Thanks for that lovely trip down memory lane, Jake," I muttered, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure everyone wanted to hear about my weak stomach over dinner."
Before Jake could retort, the door swung open, and Levi strode in, a steaming cup of tea in his hand. His steel-gray eyes swept over the room, lingering on me for a moment before moving on. I felt a familiar flutter in my chest, one I quickly tamped down. Now wasn't the time for such distractions.
Jake sighed dramatically, breaking the tension that had settled over the room with Levi's arrival. "Anyone want to play cards or something?" he asked, his eyes landing on me. "I don't suppose you packed your dice or a deck of cards?"
I leaned back further in my chair, the front legs lifting off the ground. "I have my dice," I said casually, "in my leather jacket. Why, want to start gambling?"
Jake's eyes lit up with challenge "scared you'll lose?" and I could see the others perking up at the prospect of some entertainment. "Fine, whatever," I groaned, feigning reluctance as I stood. "I'll get the damn dice."
As I left the room to retrieve my small pot of dice, I could hear the others whispering excitedly. It seemed even hardened soldiers weren't immune to the allure of a good game. I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. Some things never changed.
When I returned, leather jacket on and dice in hand, the atmosphere in the room had shifted. There was an air of anticipation now, the earlier tension replaced by a competitive energy that crackled between us.
"What kind of game do you play with dice?" Petra asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Liar's dice," Jake replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. He looked around the table, his gaze settling on me. "Who's in then? Eve, you'll play, right?"
I sighed, feigning disinterest even as excitement bubbled up inside me. It had been too long since I'd indulged in a good game. "Sure," I said, my tone nonchalant. "I'll bet... I don't know, 10 grand?"
The reaction was immediate. Levi's squad's eyes widened in shock, and Oluo nearly choked on his drink. "10 grand!" he exclaimed, his voice rising an octave. "Who has that kind of money to waste betting?"
I shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable with the attention. "My family are the 5th richest family," I said curtly, not wanting to delve into the complexities of my background. "That's all you need to know."
As Jake began explaining the rules of the game, I found my gaze drifting to Levi. He stood apart from the group, sipping his tea with his usual stoic expression. But I could see the subtle tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes flickered between Jake and me. There was a story there, one I wasn't sure I was ready to unravel.
Levi's perspective:
My eyes were drawn to Evelyn, as they always seemed to be these days. She lounged in her chair, boots propped up on the table in a casual display that would have irked me if it were anyone else. Her circular sunglasses hid her eyes, but I could read the boredom in the set of her shoulders, the slight tapping of her fingers against her thigh. She was used to the bustle of the city, the thrill of the chase. This forced inaction was wearing on her, I could tell.
As she left to retrieve her dice, I took the opportunity to enter the room fully, a steaming cup of tea in my hand. The familiar scent of black tea helped to ground me, to push away the restlessness that had been gnawing at me all day.
Jake sighed, his eyes following Evelyn's retreating form. "Anyone want to play cards or something?" He looked around the table, his gaze lingering on each face before settling back on me. I met his stare impassively, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
Evelyn returned moments later, her leather jacket now adorning her slim frame. She placed a small pot of dice on the table with a flourish. "What kind of game do you play with dice?" Petra asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
"Liar's dice," Jake replied, a mischievous glint in his eye.
I watched as Jake's eyes scanned the table, gauging interest. "Who's in then? Eve, you'll play, right?"
Evelyn sighed, a sound that spoke volumes of her feigned reluctance. "Sure, I'll bet... I don't know, 10 grand?"
The reaction from my squad was immediate and predictable. Oluo's eyes widened comically, his voice rising in pitch as he exclaimed, "10 grand! Who has that kind of money to waste betting?"
Evelyn shrugged, her voice nonchalant as she replied, "My family are the 5th richest family. That's all you need to know." The finality in her tone brooked no further questions, and I found myself impressed once again by her ability to shut down unwanted inquiries.
As Jake began explaining the rules of the game, I found my attention drifting. The rain outside seemed to intensify, matching the storm of thoughts brewing in my mind. We had a mission ahead of us, one that could change the course of this war against the Titans. And yet here we were, playing dice games as if we didn't carry the weight of humanity on our shoulders.
But perhaps that was the point. These moments of normalcy, of camaraderie, were what we fought for. The right to sit around a table, to laugh, to bet ridiculous sums of money on a game of chance. It was a reminder of what we stood to lose if we failed.
As the evening wore on, I noticed Evelyn slipping away from the group. I followed her silently, my footsteps masked by the sound of the rain and the laughter from the main hall. I found her in the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards with a determined focus that I recognized all too well.
"Ah, come to join me in raiding the cupboards?" she joked, her voice light but with an undercurrent of something I couldn't quite place. "Or did you want to ask me if I wanted to sleep in your bed again tonight?"
I stood in the doorway, watching her movements. Even in this mundane task, there was a grace to her actions that captivated me. The tension in her shoulders, the precise way she moved from cupboard to cupboard – it all spoke of the brave face she was putting on.
"Tch," I clicked my tongue, falling back on old habits. "I came to make sure you weren't making a mess. Your idea of 'raiding' usually involves leaving chaos in your wake."
Evelyn turned to face me, a wry smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "As if you'd let me leave even a crumb out of place," she retorted.
I moved further into the kitchen, my eyes never leaving her form. The leather jacket she wore hugged her curves, a stark contrast to the utilitarian uniforms we usually donned. "As for sleeping arrangements," I continued, my voice low and controlled, "I thought that was a given. Unless you prefer the company of your dice and that overgrown puppy out there."
Evelyn shook her head, a laugh escaping her lips. The sound sent a shiver down my spine, a reminder of all the things I felt for this infuriating, beautiful woman. "Guess I should just pack up my things and put them in your room then," she said, her tone teasing but with an underlying seriousness that made my heart race. "We should probably not tell Erwin about us though, not till after I go back to my normal job. He'll make a big fuss about it. He should really get laid or something."
I was about to respond when a familiar, overly enthusiastic voice cut through the air. "Oh, are you two doing it in the kitchen? How kinky!"
Hange stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with delight behind her glasses. Before I could muster a suitably scathing response, Evelyn had crossed the room and shoved a cracker into Hange's mouth.
"I'm going to get ready for bed and fill out my report for Nile," Evelyn announced, her tone brooking no argument. "Let him know that Erwin hasn't done anything stupid yet."
As she brushed past me on her way out, her hand ghosted over mine, a fleeting touch that spoke volumes. I watched her go, a mixture of emotions swirling in my chest. Pride at her strength and capability, frustration at the complications our relationship brought, and an overwhelming desire to protect her from the dangers that lay ahead.
Once Evelyn had disappeared down the hallway, I turned my attention back to Hange, who was still munching on the cracker with an infuriatingly knowing look on her face.
"Not a word, Four-Eyes," I growled, pushing past her to exit the kitchen.
"Oh, come on, Levi!" Hange called after me, her voice muffled by the cracker. "You can't keep me in suspense like this!"
I ignored her, making my way through the darkened halls of the headquarters. The sound of rain continued its steady rhythm, a constant reminder of the world beyond these walls. A world full of Titans, political machinations, and untold dangers.
As I approached my quarters, I paused, my hand resting on the door handle. The thought of Evelyn inside, waiting for me, sent a thrill through my body. But with it came a wave of anxiety. Our relationship, rekindled amidst the chaos of our current situation, felt both familiar and frighteningly new.