Following the ceremony, the reception went by as quick as a blink, or perhaps faster. All the same, it was filled with so much fun and love and merriment, which was what made it so incredibly easy to live in the moment. In this way, the moment went by incredibly quickly.

After dancing with Erwin and giving him the news, I felt so incredibly lightweight and relieved that I danced with as many people as I could. Oh, that wasn't to say that I wasn't already floating among the clouds already - I mean, I just got married - but I'd been so nervous about that hidden piece of information that now that Erwin, one of my dearest friends knew, I felt like I could truly relax. Now that he knew, the rest would fall in place and I could trust that he would help us.

Even after waltzing with the commander, I stole him away often to dance some more, but it wasn't just with him that I danced. No, I pulled Moblit to the middle of the ballroom more than once, and Hange pulled me out there more often than I thought she would, but even they weren't the only ones. Our fellow comrades in the scouts, like Rashad and Dirk, danced with me for more than a few songs and honestly, I hadn't expected Dirk to be so light on his feet (but maybe it was just the drinks doing that to him). As was expected, I was also stolen away by the kids whenever a fast-paced song began, because they immediately picked up on the fact that I only knew how to waltz, and slowly at that.

I mean sure, I only knew one dance, and when compared to so many of these officials that was rather abysmal, but no one really seemed to mind that much. Twirling around in that dress, I felt like a little girl again, and perhaps I seemed like one among all the military brass and commanding officers in attendance. Oh, but I danced with them, too - several Garrison captains and lieutenants and the like, and even those of the Military Police (which was awkward).

It was almost like all of our problems were a million leagues away. It seemed like this served as the perfect point for all the regiments to come together and get along. I saw Erwin mingling with soldiers from other regiments and plenty of intermingling between the others, too. Hell, even the kids seemed to see people they recognized from their graduating class who had gone to different regiments.

Realistically, I knew that our problems weren't far away, of course they weren't. I knew damn well that preparation for the next mission, whatever it would entail, would begin in earnest soon. We might be attacked well before our next mission was underway - that was always a possibility. There was a lot of work to be done, that was for sure.

Still, I couldn't help but feel as though maybe someday soon, events like this would happen more often. Goodness, the kids would get older, perhaps get married themselves. And when we achieved peace, it'd be possible to have more excuses like this: to dance, to sing, to drink, and to make merry. I certainly hoped so.

I also couldn't help but feel as though our problems might offer us the chance to relax, even a bit. I mean, Erwin was still recovering from losing an arm and being beaten within the dungeons of the capital, Hange had nearly gotten killed during the fight with the Interior Squad, Levi's leg injury certainly wasn't completely healed yet and even he hadn't gotten out of the insurrection unscathed, and I... Well, I was lucky enough that my bruises and scrapes had healed almost completely from our fighting while on the run, but a few still lingered and a few still hurt.

Surely, our hard work and noble intentions had earned us some time to rest and recover, yes - and enough time of each?

It was hopeful thinking, I knew that. But still, to be able to celebrate like this was nice, incredibly so, and I wasn't going to waste this precious time. As such...

I was able to sneak time with Levi when he wasn't swarmed by other officers, which wasn't very often, to be honest. He was quite the popular man, so it would seem. Still, we managed to steal a few kisses whenever we managed to find ourselves away from the forefront of the festivities, rare though the opportunities were and for as scarcely as the opportunities presented themselves.

As I danced the evening away, I could only hope that Levi was enjoying himself as well.

Whenever I was dancing with someone else, I would often glance over at him from the dance floor. The sight was typically the same, no matter the instance. He was typically deep in conversation with a mix of scouts, Garrison soldiers, and policemen, though what I couldn't be sure of was how much attention to them he was really paying. I could on occasion catch his eye from across the ballroom, his eyes light, and almost... flirtatious, if I had to provide a word for it. It was a playful look if nothing else, and it was one that I didn't see often from him. But it at least worked to prove that he was having a good time... or at least that he was excited for what was to come later. Maybe both.

Aloof though he was, he had asked me to marry him, and so it wasn't far-fetched to guess that he would be excited about this - and judging by the look in his eyes, he was happy. Very happy, and I couldn't be happier, either.

The merriment meant that the night went quickly, and there soon came a point in the night where the workers began to clean up, and at the same time, began ushering everyone out as politely as they could. I had been worried that I might have to make an announcement, that maybe in their drunken stupors that some of the party-goers would refuse to budge from the ballroom, but the opposite was true, and there was no trouble at all.

As a matter of fact, all the guests began filtering out to the gardens rather easily, joining the festivities that were still going strong from Historia's coronation yesterday. All the fun of the wedding was added to that of the coronation, and soldiers and common folk and nobles alike all started to mingle.

Levi and I were, of course, dragged out alongside them.

Well... it was more so that I was dragged out. Sasha and Hange had each grabbed an arm of mine and towed me outside with them for more dancing and merriment. Levi had, in turn, been all but forced to follow us out, accompanied by an amused yet knowing Erwin, a confused yet obliging Nile, and a completely shit-faced Zackley about half a drink away from blacking out.

I wondered if El ever anticipated his hero being such a drunken fool. Hm.

The gardens at night were spectacular, illuminated by torches and lined with fantastic arrays of flowers and populated by the mix of drunken soldiers and celebrating citizens who were none the wiser that there had been a wedding, so caught up in their excitement about the new young monarch. It didn't matter to them regardless; a party was a party.

It was all great fun, but this was my wedding and I had seen far too little of my husband. My... yes, my husband. Goodness, how wonderful was it to finally call him my husband...

At the very first instance that I was able to slip away from the others, I took my chance. I ran to Levi, took him by the hand and hiked my dress up with the other, and then, without a single word passed between us and without warning, we were off running through the gardens, ducking behind hedges when people walked by and leaping over flower beds in our dash to get inside and to our room.

Why the secrecy, and why the swiftness? If asked, I wouldn't have that answer. Perhaps we merely wanted to get away quickly and without being seen so that we wouldn't be roped into more socializing, more mingling, more talking with people we barely knew about topics that didn't matter to us.

Somewhere along the way we'd gotten lost. The dark hallways were all incredibly similar and they confused us to no end. And yet, we continued to run, far too happy and far too in love to care. Workers with their brooms and their mops and their rags, cleaning from the festivities, stopped to watch as we blew by them in a flurry of love. Levi had to fight to keep from smiling, but I did nothing to contain my giggles.

For goodness sake, we were married!

We went from street rats, pale and sickly and small, to soldiers renowned for our strength and leadership; from criminals to captains; and from strangers to acquaintances to partners and finally, adoring spouses.

And it was official - I was an Ackerman. I was his, and he was mine, for as long as he would have me. If he would have me for as long as I would have him, we would be ours from now until forever, to the end of time and then some.

We finally found our way to a familiar looking foyer, and sure enough, it was enough to gain our bearings. We took the stairs several steps at a time to reach our floor as quickly as possible, and with one hand securely in Levi's, my other was holding my dress up, hitching it so that I might run unhindered.

Levi and I ran towards our room, nearing it with each step but for as large as this place was, for each step we took might as well have stretched the hallway ever longer. We were breathless, and yet were still able to run - or perhaps we forced ourselves to.

My legs were burning and my lungs were crying out by the time we reached the suite, and there was no hope of catching my breath before I threw the door open. It didn't matter, because as soon as our door was closed behind us, I leapt into Levi's arms and burrowed my face into his neck for a single moment, my smile far too wide to do anything else.

I could only hope that his Ackerman blood ensured he wasn't fatigued, tired, or winded from our dash, because I wrapped my legs around his hips and trusted that he would hold me up - and with a surprised grunt but nothing more, he did just that. Overjoyed, I took his face into my hands and peppered kisses all over, breathing out his name with each one.

"Breathe, Amaya," he chuckled, trying to see around me to walk us into the bedroom - but even he must have known that I would refuse to slow down for even a moment right now.

"No," I said simply, replacing his name with the single word between kisses.

He nudged the bedroom door shut behind us with his foot and promptly tossed me to the bed. I bounced in the middle rather unceremoniously, but however bad I looked or goofy or whatever have you, Levi didn't seem to care, nor did he seem to mind at all. His eyes were mischievous as he diligently followed after me, and I grinned as he crawled onto the bed towards me. He settled himself without complaint between my legs and hovered over me, smirking down at me devilishly, now.

"You, wife," he began to say, "need to calm down." His voice was stern yet held within it so much love that it was hard to believe he was looking at me... but he was. There was nothing else he would be looking at, no one else and nothing else, and I knew as surely as I knew my own name - Amaya Ikeda Ackerman, now - that his love was true, that it was unwavering, that it was unending and unyielding.

"Calm down," I repeated incredulously. "Calm down? I just got married to the love of my life; the strongest, sexiest, cleverest, most wonderful man within and without these three walls, and you want me to calm down?"

"Yes," he responded easily, lowering himself flush onto me. He pressed his lips to mine, and I didn't hesitate to kiss him back. My hands, well trained, got right to work untying his cravat. Levi drew back after a kiss or two or four, licking his lips as he gazed down on me. "We've got all night, Amaya. What's your rush?"

"I just want to kiss all of you," I said innocently. "Is that so wrong? You couldn't possibly blame me for that."

"No," he agreed. "Of course not." He settled more comfortably against my body, and if I could have quelled the rising fire in my belly, I would have. Levi sighed against my neck and sounded rather content, and after a moment, he said as much. "It's our wedding night," he reminded me. "I think I want to take things nice and slow. No one is going to bother us tonight."

He planted a gentle kiss to the delicate skin of my neck and I smiled, more than appreciating the gentle love. And yet, it wasn't enough, and so I took him by surprise and rolled us over so I was on top.

"And... what if I want to go fast?"

Surprisingly, he didn't seem too flustered by my easy insistence and the implications of my words. As a matter of fact, he reached up rather calmly and his eyes were soft as he reverently tucked some of my hair behind my ear. "I suppose we'll have to find a compromise," he said, tucking that hand under my chin now, tipping it up so he could display all the intent in his eyes - and if I was reading him right, which I was, then he wanted a kiss.

So, what else to do, but kiss him? I leaned down, gently catching his lips in a kiss again. It was soft and slow, but that's only how it started; as soon as I let my guard down, I realized it was a mistake. When I sighed into his mouth, he took me by surprise and rolled us over once more. Now situated atop me, he pulled away and took a moment to just look at me. Rather similarly, I took the time to smile up at him. Goodness, I was still over the moon that he was mine, and it seemed he was feeling much the same way.

"You know," I purred, setting a hand on the back of his head and pulling him down close to me, "we don't do too many things lawfully. We've committed more crimes than we can count, even before we met. And yet here we are, lawfully wedded, of all things."

"Of all things for us to do lawfully, and it's this," he considered. "I like the sound of it. I especially enjoy the idea of being able to call you Mrs. Ackerman."

"It does sound nice, doesn't it?" I smiled up at him, hoping my eyes were as expressive as his, and that he was able to see all that I felt about him, about how it felt to be his. "I'm so happy that even through everything... we're still us. We're safe, alive, and able to do this. And to have your name... I know how hard it was to face Kenny, and to see him in his final moments, but at the very least, you know who you are, now."

"The name never mattered to me," he told me. "But being able to give you something no one else could... that's what mattered."

"At any rate," I said softly, "I'm so proud to have your name and to finally be yours."

Another quiet moment passed between us, the sounds of our breathing the only ones in the room. But then he spoke, though his voice didn't cut through the silence like a knife, but gentler, far gentler, his voice only a whisper for his words were only for me to hear.

"I'm yours," he corrected. "For as long as you'll have me."

My smile turned sly, but my eyes remained genuine. "How's forever sound?"

He chuckled lightly. "Sounds perfect, Amaya," he spoke. He paused for a moment, and then... "I can see you getting impatient. Are you really that excited to kiss me?"

"Yes," I admitted right away, laughing a little at my own eagerness. "Oh, come on. Kiss me again, Levi. Please?"

"Anything for you, wife," he said placatingly and more than a bit indulgently, lowering himself to me once more - and this time, we did not part, not for a long, long while... and as a matter of fact, not until morning... though even that was too soon, so it wasn't until the afternoon that we, as newlyweds, finally emerged from our room and made an appearance.

Was it professional? No.

Was it all too obvious what we had been doing? Of course.

But did we care?

Well, that was an easy answer: Hell no.

—

After so much fighting, it felt odd to have a break. These past few weeks had admittedly been hell - and if it turned out that this was hell, and we had all earned ourselves a spot in that infernal place as punishment for something and this was our penance, I truly wouldn't be surprised.

There had just been so much confusion and fear, and yet we managed to make it this far; though our war seemed to change with every passing minute, we had braved the storm as best we could and for now at least, we had our lives.

The fight would assuredly continue to change, and it would definitely grow more difficult and deadlier should the goddesses allow us to live that long. But for today anyway, we could rest.

All of this, and I couldn't help but feel guilty. Only precious days ago, we had lost Mike, as well as Nanaba and Gelgar. Only a few short weeks ago, we had lost so many soldiers during the 57th, including our very own squad. We'd fought so much, fought so many, that it was hard to keep track of it all.

I mean, we had the 57th, in which Annie had torn through our formation; we'd fought in Stohess and sorta captured Annie; we discovered Titans lived within the wall and immediately had to deal with Titans in Wall Rose; we became outlaws, staged a coup, had our name cleared, interrupted a ritual that would've ended in Eren getting eaten, fought the biggest titan we'd ever seen, and implemented a new ruler.

Oh, and we got married and I learned that I was pregnant.

While difficult to keep track of all that, it was all too easy to keep track of what we had lost. So, for us to finally have a few days of peace... I felt guilty. I felt like we should have fought harder, and perhaps we might have brought more of our scouts to this point. What was done was done, I knew that. All the same, though...

Maybe if I had been in charge of the 104th instead of being in Stohess, I might have taken Mike's place, or perhaps I might have found a way out of whatever had killed him - that beastly Titan, as people began to surmise. Maybe Mike being in Stohess would mean the capture of Annie before she could hide herself away. Maybe... Maybe during the 57th, if I hadn't been with my squad and had instead been in charge of the traps with Hange, the faith of our squad in their leaders might have faltered and they might have disobeyed and fled to safety before Annie took their lives.

Maybe...

I could have stayed with them. I could have been elsewhere. I could have fought in their place. I could have switched places with Mike. I could have never taken this position, and instead headed the Vanguard, as Erwin wanted me to do in the first place - perhaps they could have fought and killed Annie, or survived her assault, especially if I had taught them evasion tactics I was well-versed in.

Maybe...

Maybe if I had saved them before, they would only have died at another time. That's how life was, wasn't it? Perhaps in another world, the squad had survived because they disobeyed their captains, but did not survive the fight in Stohess, or perhaps they died in a battle I had yet to see. Perhaps in another world, I might have killed the hairy Titan and Mike would have lived, only to die atop the wall when fighting Bertholdt and Reiner. Perhaps in one or more of those worlds, I was dead.

Maybe... I wasn't there at all.

These weren't thoughts that would appease the dead, nor were they ones that I wanted to entertain any longer, and so I didn't. I pushed them out of my mind and then further, hoping they might never return.

I thought back on the peace we were experiencing, and wondered for a moment how long it might last. It'd already been a few days since Historia's coronation, and we had left to return to the base the day after our ceremony, because there had been no reason to remain. There was still so much to be done, but perhaps fate would be patient for us. The goddesses themselves knew we needed a break, hell or not, and maybe after so much loss, they had decided that we could be granted it, just for a while.

Since we'd gotten back to HQ, we'd had meeting after meeting: with Erwin, other higher-ups, the brass, the other military regiments, and our squad, and sometimes any combination of them together.

But not today, not yet. It seemed Levi and I were flying under the radar today. Perhaps they'd forgotten about us? Oh, I didn't just jinx us, did I? Goddesses, I hoped not.

Levi and I were just settling in for the afternoon after a calm morning and even calmer lunch hour. How were we to spend what was sure to be the calmest of afternoons? We had some options, most enticing of which being sleeping it away with a nap. It was all the more enticing when I considered just how long it had been since we were able to.

...Actually, when was the last time we'd napped together? It was such a simple comfort, but I smiled fondly on the memories of us just lying in bed in each other's arms. And to think, at one point in time we had the leisure to just be away from everybody for hours at a time like that, trapped in our own little world where only we existed.

I thought back on how, even if we weren't napping, we'd spent most afternoons together anyway, quietly drinking tea and talking only when we thought of something the other might enjoy, or out of necessity. I remembered one such afternoon where the only words uttered were from me, asking him if he wanted more tea.

But we hadn't had that leisure, not in a long time, and it might be a long while before we once again have such peace and quiet and this much free time. Hopefully, after all of this fighting is over, Levi and I can return to that life - and remain there, where we're together and happy and content, living out our days peacefully.

Peace... To obtain it, we must fight for it. What a strange concept.

Still, the thought was wonderful: he could open his tea shop, and I'd work right alongside him. People would come in during the day and recognize us perhaps from when we returned from expeditions, oh so long ago. We'd be war heroes then, simple household names from the stories people would tell their kids. "I saw them once," they'd boast proudly to their kids, "they fought off all the Titans!"

Our names would come to them suddenly, and they'd smile and thank us for what we had done for humanity. I'd laugh, and Levi would simply look on as he cleaned whatever it was he might happen to be cleaning at that moment. I'd thank them for us, then take their order, and they'd be on their way.

Oh, and Hange would come running in, telling us about the discovery they had just made about whatever topic occupied their interest for that week - a completely different one from what they studied the week before, and one completely different one from what they would study within the upcoming week. Moblit would come by, telling Hange to please return, because the lab was in ruins without them. Erwin would stop by for a quiet cup of tea with old comrades, asking us how we were and telling us to visit him more often, for even now, the man was a busybody and couldn't sit still.

Then we'd hear noise from the backroom of the shop, knowing immediately that our children had woken from their naps and were now running around assuredly wreaking havoc. I'd look at Levi, who was already on his way to go take care of them, and I would watch him go. I'd take care of the shop while he did, perhaps getting a surprise visit from Eren. The neighborhood kids would come in for pastries, little things I made only for them.

When it was time, I would close the shop, politely ushering out the lingering guests, including Jean who knew what time we closed every day and yet always only ever visited shortly before we closed our doors. I would clean everything up with care, making sure everything was in tip-top shape before taking inventory for the morning.

Then, I'd lock up and head to the backroom where my family was gathered. I'd kiss Levi in greeting, assure him everything was all set in the shop, and pick up our youngest from where he crawled on the floor.

We'd all head upstairs to our living space, Levi holding the hands of our two other children. We'd say that one of these days, we'd move into a home, a separate house from the shop, but we both would know that this was just more convenient. And we'd only just set up the new nursery, it'd be a shame to move so soon and besides, our daughters loved it here.

I'd make dinner, we'd bathe the kids, and put them to bed after telling them a story. Like every night, they'd ask for a new story, one that they hadn't heard before. Maybe then we'd tell them about how we met, or how we killed all the monsters outside the walls and were heroes. Then... Well, then Levi and I would have some tea before settling in for the night.

"Hey," I heard Levi say, pulling me from my thoughts. I only just caught his hand which had been well on its way to flick me on the forehead and he let me redirect it without fuss so that our fingers were linked. "What're you thinking about? You have this stupid smile on your face."

I rolled my eyes, knowing his words were only teasing. Knowing this, I adjusted my smile and leveled him an even look. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I don't," he answered.

"But you asked," I argued right back. "If you're so interested... I was only daydreaming. I wasn't really thinking about too much in particular."

Made clear by his actions and the very air around him today, he was relaxed. It was obvious; obvious to someone so well-versed in reading him as me, though I would wager that even someone who didn't know him might be able to guess as much. Of course, there was a difference between him being truly relaxed and just seeming so, and that was where the trouble might come.

In reality, I knew that however relaxed he was today, there was still an underlying sense of worry lingering in his mind, as he still stressed about what was to come. We had lost so much in so little time, but there was hope: there was hope in the resilient fighting spirit of our squad, in Eren's growing powers, and as we slowly learned more about our real history and pieced it all together.

There was still much to be done... but look at how far we'd come.

"Daydreaming," he repeated, obviously questioning how I chose to spend my time - though, why should he complain, when I was seated next to him? I certainly wouldn't complain. "You must be going mad."

"If only it were that simple," I said with a sigh. "Honestly, I'm just happy we're still here. We've been through a lot. And not just us, but the kids, the entire regiment..."

"There's still more," he said simply as a reminder.

"I know," I responded, letting my eyes find the fine wood of the desk, taking in the details of the molding, the grain. "Trust me, I know. I don't mean to let my guard down, but more and more often nowadays I find myself thinking of what we're going to do once all of this is done. This war will end, one way or another. Whether it ends with us winning, losing, or it goes so long that the two of us become so useless in our age or injuries that we can no longer fight..."

I trailed off for a moment. I didn't really like this line of thinking. Obviously, we were fighting people, far more than we thought. Bertholdt, Reiner, Annie, and more than likely, Ymir too, for I didn't think they would allow her to return to us to help. We were at war, one that had multiple fronts; the first being the frontlines of Titans always trying to break into our territory, the next being those guarding Annie even now, the third being the assured vanguard unit in the beastly Titan that was bringing up the rear for now but was sure to lead the charge soon, and... whoever else may follow.

I used to think Erwin's beliefs were all a pipe dream, this terrible dream that could not come true. People beyond the walls? The thought that we weren't the last of humanity? That there were people that one way or another managed to get past the Titans or weren't hunted by them, or were out of their reach, that didn't think or wish to save us from our current fate?

It was scary to think about, but even scarier to truly consider as fact. But more often than not, based on evidence we had now... it was seeming more and more likely.

"The grief of losing our squad, Mike, and everyone else so soon and so quickly still weighs heavily on my heart," I told Levi, "but given what we know and who we have fighting with us, I can't help but think we might find peace, someday. And, because of this... I like to think about where we'll go from here."

"Hopefully, we go the fuck to sleep," he sighed, running a hand down his face.

"Strangely enough," I considered, "that's where I tend to dream about this the most."

"This being...?"

"Our future together," I said. "As I said, I like to imagine where we'll go after the fighting is done. I still would like to go beyond the walls, you know. And since we'll have a family..."

I trailed off, my smile growing too large to speak more. Levi glanced my way then, and I could've sworn I saw him smile.

"Well," I said when at last I had control of my countenance, "at any rate, you won't be able to sleep all day, not when you have a tea shop to run." He smirked then, letting it linger on his face as he let himself think about it, and just that alone warmed my heart. "It's been a while since we've had an afternoon like this to ourselves."

"It has," he agreed. He looked out the window at the setting sun, and as always, I appreciated the sight of his face bathed in such golden light. When his eyes found mine once more, they seemed to linger on them for a moment before taking in all my features. Rather coyly, I looked away, granting him the peace of admiring me; while I could certainly have teased him, I didn't want to. And honestly, to be looked at in such a way was nice, and I wasn't going to be the one to ruin the moment. So, I gazed out the window, though I'm certain my eyes were glazed over with unfocus, for I was still all too aware of the weight of his gaze on me.

"I suppose it's too late for a nap now," he said at long last.

"If we go to sleep now, we're not waking up until morning," I said, meeting his gaze now that we were talking once more. "Though, that might not be too bad, would it?"

"No," he said, "it wouldn't. It's been a while since we were able to, and I happen to remember you enjoying them quite a bit."

"Can you blame me?"

"I guess not," he answered, a certain level of mischief finding his voice - spelling trouble for me. "Especially when you always used my arm as a pillow for your heavy-ass head."

"Playing dirty, are we? Fine," I said rather haughtily. "You won't mind if I bring up all the times that I woke up with you curled in my arms so cutely, using my chest as a pillow so you could hear my heartbeat, and requested that I play with your hair?"

"I didn't always ask," he argued rather weakly, his eyes narrowing and a defined blush creeping up his neck. "You offer."

"When?"

"...Sometimes," he mumbled.

"Mm-hm," I hummed , letting him have it. "So, are we taking a nap, then?"

"We can," he said, doing what he could to summon his nerve. "But I'd rather use our time differently." With that said, he grabbed my chair by the arms and pulled it closer to his quickly, giving me no time to react before he set a hand on my cheek and drew me in for a kiss.

I smiled into the kiss, relishing in the fact that we even were able to do this. I ran a hand through his hair, the way he had always liked me to, and he sighed into my mouth, a low groan coming from him. He bit my lip lazily, his pace slower than normal, but I drew away.

"Not that I don't love where this is going," I teased, "but it's such a shame - I was even going to offer to play with your hair, if we took a nap."

"Shut up," he muttered right away, guiding him to me once more. Our lips met in a kiss loving and reverent, yet rising in intensity with every passing moment.

But then... there was a knock on the door. Because of course, fate picked that very moment to have someone decide to pop by for a visit - which might have been fate's quick response to me wishing for this moment to last longer.

"Go away," Levi called, turning his head to call out towards the door.

"It's Erwin," I said softly, recognizing the knock, but Levi didn't seem to care as he returned his lips to mine - not that I minded, especially as his hands came to rest atop my thighs.

"It's Erwin," we heard.

"I don't give a shit who it is," Levi growled, pulling away only to speak. I pressed one more kiss to his lips before pulling away, directing my attention to his neck and toned shoulders. I kissed a line down his jaw and down his neck, right to his collarbone, getting the desired result out of him: a simple yet obvious hitched breath.

"I have something to discuss with the both of you," Erwin said through the door.

"We're busy."

"It's urgent-"

"Shut up," Levi hissed to him as I nipped at his skin. "Don't you have a shit to take somewhere else?"

Alright, I'll admit it; I laughed at that, and as my breath ghosted across his chest (his ever more revealed chest, by the way, because I was unbuttoning more and more of his shirt to make room for my kisses), he shivered lightly and rather reflexively squeezed my thighs.

"Levi, you both need to be present-"

"And we're both busy," Levi said. "Do I need to say it again?"

"As your commander-"

"As newlyweds," I called now, wanting to be part of the fun, "shouldn't we be on our honeymoon by now?"

"There is work to be done-"

"No," I said.

"What do you mean, no?"

"No," Levi agreed.

"Amaya," Erwin said, "be reasonable. Can you-"

"Could we get just five fucking minutes to ourselves," Levi said, "or is that too much to ask?"

"Five minutes," Erwin granted Levi. "Then I expect you both in my office."

"Nice going," I said. "You couldn't have said ten? We can't do a damn thing in five minutes."

"Is that a bet?"

—

Five minutes later, I got out of Levi's lap and pulled my pants up in a hurry, biting my lip to contain my laughter. Levi stood up rather leisurely (and why shouldn't he, when he had gotten his way), zipping up his pants and fixing his belt as he did, a smirk playing on his lips all the while.

I gave Levi a once-over, making sure he was presentable. After straightening out his cravat and fixing his collar, I determined that he was just about presentable while his hands got busy buttoning up my shirt, but even as he did, I couldn't ignore the look on his face any longer.

"Don't look so smug," I commented quietly, meeting his eyes. "No one should be proud of finishing that quickly."

As he sputtered out a response, or tried to anyway, I danced away from his grasp and smoothed out my hair as I hurried over to the door, because we didn't have time to waste. Erwin was punctual. He expected us to be, as well. If he told us to be in his office in five minutes, and we were late, he'd come find us - and we certainly didn't want that.

I threw the door open and grabbed Levi's hand, though he still wasn't quite over his embarrassment, yet (and understandably so). Still, we ran down the hallway towards Erwin's office, dodging a few confused scouts who were busy relaying messages and reports, were coming in from training, or were just simply wandering.

As soon as we slid to a stop in front of Erwin's door, it opened, revealing an impatient looking commander. I smiled innocently up at him, Levi letting his smirk reveal more than he should. Erwin sighed and stepped away from the door, ushering us inside.

"We've received confirmation from Historia on her plans for the Underground City orphans," Erwin said as I settled into a chair by his desk. The commander leaned back against his desk, picking up a report as he did. Levi stood next to the chair I was in, arms crossed over his chest. "As expected, she would like you two to be present for it."

I grew excited at the prospect. Historia had stepped proudly into her role and vowed to help everyone she could. I was surprised, but not disappointed, that the children of the Underground City were high on her list of those to help.

"So," he continued, "within the next few days, you two will go back to the interior."

"That's great," I said. "Any updates on the underground cavern? I know Hange commandeered a group of soldiers to investigate, or so I heard."

"Not yet," Erwin said, "but we have soldiers heading there tomorrow. Hange is with Moblit designing some manner of contraptions now. Since we learned Eren can now use his hardening skill, Hange's been going to town designing new things for us to use."

Erwin leveled an even look at us, and I knew he was about to get to the point of what he called us in for.

"Our veteran soldiers and commanding officers are busy dealing with the military purge and the swarm of new recruits," he said. "And then... there's you and your squad. We need to figure out what you're doing with them."

"Eren's busy with Hange's experiments," Levi said. "The others have maintained their regular training, and will continue to do so unless stated otherwise."

"That's fine, for now," Erwin said. "But we need to prepare them for the mission to retake Wall Maria."

"I think they should come with us," I said slowly and more than a bit unsurely. "It might do Historia some good, and all the kids, to stick together, especially when our next enemies include their old friends."

"Bring them back to the interior?" Levi asked almost incredulously. "Will you be the one to babysit them?"

"They won't need to be babysat," I said. "They can be put to work."

"What kind of work?" Erwin asked.

"With the preparations to retake the wall, plenty of things need to be done, don't they? Historia's distributing the wealth, there's rebuilding efforts already in place," I trailed off. "And things need to be readied for the orphans, certainly. I'm sure we can find something for them to do. After everything, I think it'd do some good for the scouts to get out and volunteer."

"You think it'd help our image," Erwin clarified, catching on quickly.

"I do," I answered. "Besides the obvious benefits of having public support, we need to ensure the citizens have trust in the soldiers now more than ever, especially since we just installed a new ruler. With the reclamation of Wall Maria so close, the public might offer up its supplies and services more readily for us if we do more for them in the time leading to it."

"It'd be better than them staying here and getting lazy," Levi said.

"Besides," I continued, "Eren seems to do better with his friends around him. Reminding him of his humanity and giving them some time together can't hurt, can it?"

"No," Erwin agreed, "I suppose not. Eren can easily continue with his hardening experiments with this arrangement." Erwin set his report back on his desk and crossed his arms, looking directly at Levi, now. "Now, some personal business." I leaned forward in my seat, suddenly very interested in what he had to say. "What are you two going to do now?"

"What do you mean?" I asked. "We're heading back to the interior. I thought that was clear."

"I mean after that," he said, gesturing to me. "I should've been more clear. Assuming we're able to retake Wall Maria, and we take in Reiner, Bertholdt, and the Beast Titan. What will you do then?"

"Oh," I said quietly, looking at Levi.

"You are this regiment's two most elite soldiers and finest among the entire military. Even once Wall Maria is secure, I don't think the fighting will be over. Amaya will be staying away from the fighting for obviously as long as she needs to. Can I still count on you, Levi?"

"Don't ask stupid questions," Levi said. "I will continue to serve."

"Even when the child has arrived?"

"Especially then," Levi told him.

"Preparation for the expedition comes first," I said, "but we have preparations of our own to make, as well."

"Such as?"

"Living arrangements," Levi answered. "I'm not raising my kid so close to Hange."

"A military base is no place for a child to spend all their time," Erwin agreed. "Though I certainly wouldn't mind the company. I assume you'll be hunting for a home?"

"A house nearby is ideal," Levi said.

Erwin smiled. "A house, huh? There are some estates nearby."

"Estates," I repeated in surprise. "We don't need anything so fancy. We wouldn't be able to afford it."

"I'm sure we can find you something," Erwin said. "I'll arrange for your arrival in the interior. Send my regards to the queen. Unless you have more to discuss, you two are dismissed."

"Thank you, commander," I said, standing up. Levi took my hand and led us from the room.

"An estate," Levi muttered as we walked down the hallway. "He knows how much we get paid. And he thinks we could afford one?"

"Maybe one day," I said, squeezing his hand. "Once we get that shop of yours up and running, of course."

—

Several Days Later:

"Captain Amaya," I heard, and the call of my name had me smiling. I slowed to a stop and waited for Historia to catch up with me patiently, and her smile seemed to grow with each step she took. "Good evening, captain!"

"Good evening, Your Majesty," I said, bowing my head to her cordially, setting a hand over my heart and curtsying quickly, just as was protocol for greeting her, per Erwin's orders. But she must have felt the same way about such formalities as I have, because her smile disappeared all at once and nose wrinkled up in disgust.

"None of that," she said. "I'm just Historia to you. You're still my captain, after all."

"Oh," I mused lightly. "And yet when I ask you and the others to just call me Amaya, you refuse to listen. Isn't it one and the same?"

"No," she protested. "You were my captain before I was the queen, so that doesn't change - it feels weird to refer to you as anything else."

"Well, as of right now I'm wearing commoner clothes and you're wearing a crown, but so be it. Did you need something from me?"

"Yes, actually," she said. "I have a favor to ask of you." I set my hands in my pockets and fell into step alongside her as she began to walk down the hallway. "Tomorrow, we're heading to the Underground City to help escort the orphans to the surface and to a nice plot of land we set up for them. I would like you and Captain Levi to join us."

"I'd love to, and I'm sure Levi would, as well."

"Great," she said, sounding rather relieved. "I know it must be hard going back to the city, but I really appreciate it, and the orphans will too."

"We'll be just fine," I said, smiling at her. I had a sudden idea and didn't realize I'd stopped walking until Historia called my name gently. "I think I have a favor to ask of you, too."

"Oh?"

"I have an old friend in the city," I said, looking down at her. She smiled up at me, nodding for me to continue. "If possible, I'd like for him to be able to move up here. With my salary, I can cover the cost for his citizen-"

"Done and done," Historia said. "I'll cover it." My eyes widened in shock. She accepted it so readily? She grinned deviously then, a sly look that seemed equal parts unsettling yet fitting on her typically sweet face. "An old friend, huh?"

"One of my oldest," I told her, but a frown tugged at my lips, one I tried to hide. "Of course, this is all assuming he's still alive. Which, down there..." I shook my head and sighed. "I shouldn't think like that; he's a fighter. I'm sure he's fine."

"What's his name? What's the story there?"

"Mason," I answered, looking out the window at the grounds of the royal capital. 

They were beautiful as always, especially at this beautiful hour of the late afternoon, and I couldn't wait for such a dear, longtime friend to finally see the world he was born into. I had to have faith that he was alive. He was strong, so strong. Nothing in that city was tough enough, mean enough, or big enough to best him. But... he was also such a gentle soul. Perhaps the city had worn him down, just as people feared it might prey on my own heart.

But then again, Erwin also feared that this world, this military, and being a soldier might take advantage of my own heart, and I was still here.

"Mason Reynan," I continued. "He would play guitar and I would sing with him."

"Music partners," Historia repeated, downright beaming now. "How cute! I know you just married Levi, but imagine the love story there! Past musical partners, one a soldier, the other left behind tragically in a city hardened by crime! Past partners, doomed never to be lovers! Part partners, longing always to see each other once more, and perhaps finally-"

"Okay, okay," I laughed, effectively cutting her off and cueing a string of laughter from the monarch. "We never did anything like that. We were always only friends and - don't give me that look. But don't go around telling stories; we can't have Levi getting jealous, now."

She sobered up from her laughter, revealing a stunning smile that still dripped mischief. "I guess not. Alright, well, I'll be around with more details later! Thank you, captain!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I threw right back, laughing as I bowed. Ignoring my words and all the formality that went with it, she hurried off. One of her advisors met her partway down the hallway and escorted her the rest of the way, assuredly talking her ear off about all manner of important business I would never understand - nor care to understand.

I watched her go before turning on my heel, heading back towards the kitchens, my original destination. I smiled as I gathered what I needed to make tea once I was there, the kitchen staff already used to my frequent visits.

"Hello, captain," one of them said. "Here for more tea?"

"Yes, sir," I replied as I began boiling water.

He laughed in response, far too used to my presence here to think I was here for anything else. "You're going to run us dry, the both of you," he joked.

"I'm sorry," I said with a laugh. "But what would you have us drink? We couldn't possibly drink wine all the time, now can we?"

"No," he said in agreement. "Perhaps water? You are soldiers."

"You can say that so confidently because your water is so finely filtered," I argued, sending him a smile. "Further out, and especially for us scouts... our water is gritty, to say the least. We tend to have to filter it ourselves and boil it to purify it anyway, so we may as well make tea, right?"

"Ah," he said. "I'm sorry, captain. I hadn't considered that."

"It's not your fault," I said to him. "I don't mean to make you feel as though you're to blame."

"At any rate," he said surely, "there is no need to worry, ma'am, because I'll be sure to send for more tea so you won't run out during your stay here."

"We both appreciate it more than you know," I said gratefully. I waited for the tea to finish before setting the pot and two cups on a tray as I always did. I balanced the tray on my hands and made my way back to our room here for the time being.

Levi had requested the day off from Historia and it had been granted, though he really didn't even need to do that much (because she still considered us her superior officers). It was fine and all, but it left me to send the kids out on errands. Not that I minded, of course. I wanted to do what I could while I could for them, and even if that meant just sending them off on little jobs and supervising for as long as it took for them to settle into their tasks for the day.

I finally made it to our door and set the tray against my hip, wondering what was waiting for me on the other side. If Levi requested the day off, which he never did, that meant he was either sick or had something he wanted to do. Even when overworked, he never took time off. He hadn't seemed sick this morning, so the option left was that he was working on something. My curiosity certainly was piqued, and there was only one way to find out.

I opened the door slowly and stepped in quietly just in case he was resting or relaxing, just in case I had somehow been wrong. But I wasn't, because of course I wasn't; while I wasn't wrong, I wasn't sure what to think once I closed the door behind me, looking over the scene before me.

Levi was sitting on the floor, several planks and slabs of wood scattered around him. He was holding a nail between his teeth and he worked to hammer another into one of the planks. I couldn't help but wince slightly at the sound, but I got used to it quickly, or at least had it in me to bear it for now. I took a few steps into the room and Levi noticed me then, halting in his work and watching me approach.

He took the nail from his mouth and sat straight up, taking the tray from me when I offered it to him. He set it down beside him wordlessly, then looked my way and held his hand towards me. With his help, I knelt, then settled myself on the floor next to him.

"Hey, you," I said, taking hold of the teapot and pouring him a cup of tea. "What are you working on?"

He seemed rather reluctant to answer, but only for a moment before summoning his nerve and just saying it. "I'm trying to build a crib," he told me, "but I can't figure this shit out."

I handed his cup to him and he wasted no time in taking a long sip. I began pouring myself a cup and he lifted up a book that looked to have instructions in it to show me.

"It's bullshit," he went on to say.

I smiled as I took a sip of my tea, its warmth comforting and soothing and I relished in that feeling for a moment. With each passing day, the promise of more fighting grew closer and closer and some mornings I felt that the scouts might be called in. We had no idea when our enemies would strike, and the peace - while nice - was growing more and more stifling. It was like each day was another drop added to a cup already full; it was only a matter of which drop would be the one that would spill over and bring the fighting with it.

When I lowered the cup from my lips, I took the book from him and read over parts of it, trying to find what about it was so confusing, or was so "bullshit" as he stated. And... oh. Hm.

"The instructions do seem a bit jumbled," I said. I just didn't have the heart to tell him that he was missing a few tools, and that was likely where his trouble was coming from. I figured it would only sour his mood further. No, I decided to just roll with what he'd said - it was better this way.

"It's an old book," he said, "but who would allow a book with such shitty instructions to be published?"

I looked over his work so far. He had a few posts connected to a main plank, but not much more than that. "I don't know," I said. "But maybe you can ask for-"

"I'm not asking someone else to do it," he pressed right away. "And I'm not asking for help. What kind of father would I be if I couldn't build a fucking crib for my own child?"

"One who knows his limits," I said gently, setting the book back down. Levi leaned back on one hand, the cup still in his other. "You're a soldier, not a carpenter, and those are people whose job it is to build things for other people. It's okay to ask for help. There are plenty of people willing to help if you only ask. Hell, I'm sure Erwin can help."

"With only one arm?"

"With only one arm," I affirmed.

"You're doing the hard work of growing the damn thing," Levi said rather huffily. "I should at least be able to do this."

I smiled at his stubbornness. "Oh, Levi." I slid a little closer to him, hoping my smile was as genuine as I intended for it to be. "I'll look into it, maybe see if I can't find a better book in the library or something myself - people might jump at the offer to help a pregnant woman with such things, depending on how I play it up."

"You don't need to do that," he said right away, meeting my gaze surely.

"You're right," I said, "but I want to."

"I especially don't want you throwing around your being pregnant because I can't do something," he mumbled.

"Once again," I murmured, "I want to. Or are you just concerned someone might take advantage of me?" The look in his eyes told me that was the answer, and my eyes softened. "You know I'm stronger than that. But if you're that concerned, then I won't do it."

"Tch," he uttered. "Good, then." 

"At any rate, this," I said, gesturing to myself, and more specifically, my stomach, "is a good thing. It's a gift, right? It's not something that we should be stressing over, especially not so soon. I'm not useless yet, so I'll do everything I can to help you while I can."

"Leave the heavy stuff to me," he said sternly. "There's no reason you should hold everything on your shoulders and do something that might put unnecessary strain on you or the child."

"You're sure?"

"Obviously," he said. "I think you're just eager to get back into your role as the actress."

"Esteemed actress, you mean," I teased. "But you know, I love the fact that you're building it at all, but why are you building it here?"

The question seemed to take Levi by surprise. "I..." He trailed off and shook his head. "I don't know. The materials were here, and... I don't know."

"I'm only teasing," I said softly. "I'm sure we can get it on a wagon and bring it home with us."

"Home," Levi scoffed. "Where is that, exactly?"

"Right now," I said slowly, considering it, "I consider the base home. We've lived there for years now... but I can see us in a little house, maybe in the countryside, one where the horses can have plenty of room to graze and our child so much space to play, and it'll be quiet there, too. Oh, unless you want to set up your teashop in a city, in which case a quaint little townhouse would be perfect."

I took another sip of tea, letting my gaze drift away for a moment. When I lowered the cup, I looked his way once more, only to find that he was still looking at me.

"You said it before that so long as we're together, we'll always have a home in the other," I said softly. "I still feel that way, and I think I feel it now more than ever before."

"So do I," he admitted. "Whatever the future will bring, I'm going to fight like hell to keep you safe."

"I know you will," I said, meeting those beautiful blue eyes of his surely. "I don't know who our next enemy will be, or when they'll strike, or who else is hiding out there, but I know you. And I know you'll do all you can to return to me."

At that, he leaned in, and I met him halfway for a kiss, sealing the words in stone. When we drew away, I decidedly focused on the moment now, and not on the future, unsure though it was. The future always had been uncertain, that was a certainty, but with the current state of this war, it would be hard to remain level-headed about it.

But for now...

"By the way," I said quietly, noting that we were still so close to each other, "Historia would like you to join us tomorrow in the Underground City to help escort the orphans to the surface."

One of his eyebrows quirked upwards. "You want to go back down there?"

"It's not that I want to go back," I said, leaning away to sit up straight and far more comfortably, now. "It's that I want to be there when those kids get to see the sun for the first time. Historia's doing a great thing for those orphans, and I want to be there for it."

He seemed to think it over, but it didn't take long for his answer to come to him. "I'll go," he said.

"Thank you," I responded, relieved. "I know you helped plan it to the finest detail, but I wasn't sure if you were planning on helping out. And... I didn't really want to go alone."

"A lot of other soldiers are going, aren't they?"

"Well, yes," I answered, recognizing his jab, "but you know what I mean. I feel better now, knowing you're going."

He hummed noncommittally as a response as he took another sip of tea. He lowered the cup from his lips once he found words to say. "I was going to go, anyway."

He set the cup down and picked up a plank of wood to move it, but he must've caught a sliver, because he hissed and looked down at one hand. I leaned closer, putting my own cup down on the floor beside me.

"Fuck me," he muttered, trying to pull the sliver out with his other hand.

"Don't do that," I chided lightly, slapping his arm gently as I got up. "There are tweezers in the bathroom. Just don't make it worse while I go grab them." 

I hurried to the bathroom, opening the medicine cabinet to find the tweezers. I grabbed them and rushed back, kneeling again and taking his hand into my own. There was a long splinter in the pad of his thumb, and I lifted his hand closer to my face so I could see better.

My eyes narrowed in concentration as I closed the tweezers around the sliver of wood, and I held my breath as I began pulling it out. I did my best to ignore the sudden intake of breath Levi took, and with one small tug the splinter was out. Happy, I let out the breath I had been holding and smiled at Levi.

"There, now," I said. "All better." I pressed a kiss to his thumb, and he jerked his hand away. I laughed quietly at his reaction, I couldn't help it. "Not in the mood for my kisses, are we?"

"Go away," he said with a roll of his eyes, his words lacking any heat. I did the exact opposite, shuffling closer on my knees until I was close enough to press a kiss to his cheek.

"For what it's worth, I think you're doing a great job on the crib," I said, putting my arms around his neck and resting my cheek on his shoulder.

"It looks like shit," he said.

"But you're trying." I lifted my head and pressed one more kiss to the side of his mouth before standing. "And that means a lot to me. But I'll leave you to it, my dear, and let you focus."

I picked up my cup as I stood and placed the cup on the desk after taking one final sip. I placed the tray on the desktop as well, noting when Levi stood. "Fuck it," Levi said as he did. "Where are you going?"

"Just to relax in bed, I think," I said. "I had a long day of bossing kids around."

Levi chuckled. "Have you?"

I stretched my arms over my head exaggeratedly and forced a yawn past my lips, fake as it was obvious. "I have," I said. "And so, the bed is calling my name."

Levi took me by surprise and picked me up bridal-style, a smirk on his face indicative of the mischief to come. I took it in stride though, for I had no reason to complain. I set my arms around his neck, laughing and holding on tight as he carried me into the bedroom.

"And whose name are you calling?"

"That depends on how hard you work," I teased, kissing his neck. Levi clicked his tongue, sitting down on the bed, keeping me in his lap. I continued to work on the smooth skin of his neck, and his cold hands found their way under my shirt, wrapping around my waist. "Levi," I gasped against his neck, "your hands are cold!"

"Guess I don't need to work that hard," he said, smirking, his voice by my ear sending a shiver down my spine. "You're already calling my name, love."

"You think you're so funny," I said, pushing him to lay back on the bed.

I maneuvered myself to straddle him, leaning in close to his face, my breath washing over him. He looked at my lips, waiting for the kiss he knew was coming, but I could see when his eyes furrowed as he took in the sight of the smirk that stretched across my lips.

"But if you don't want to work that hard, then I don't want to work at all."

I got off him quickly and danced away, surprising him. I almost made it back into the main room of the suite before he caught me by my hips. A laugh escaped me as he pulled me back, getting a good grip on my hips before tossing me back onto the bed. I bounced and settled in the middle of the bed, Levi quickly covering my body with his so I couldn't escape.

"You little shit," he said, doing all he could to hide his laugh and his smile.

"I don't know what you mean," I said with a cheeky smile.

He looked down at me, amused, and we both knew at this moment that he had all the power. It was clear in my eyes that I was done fighting, that I would do as he liked, whatever it might have been. It surprised me, then, when he drew back, sliding down my body so that his face was level with my stomach. He lifted my shirt, and I propped myself up on my elbows, curious at his antics.

"Listen up in there," he said, running the pads of his fingers across my stomach lightly - and it took all I had in me not to laugh at the ticklish feeling. "Your mother is a piece of shit a lot of the time." Knowing his words held no heat to them, I grinned as he glanced back up at me. "And she gets away with it all the damn time." He looked back at my stomach. "Don't be like her. At least, not in that regard." His breath ghosted over my stomach and I sucked in a breath at the feeling. "Feel free to grow up to be just like her, otherwise... just don't be as stubborn or annoying as she is."

"You're one to talk," I said quietly.

He snapped his eyes to mine to shoot me a look with clear instructions to shut up, and I shut my mouth obligingly, allowing him this time with his child, though of course, it wasn't like I could leave the room.

"Maybe don't be as snarky as she is, too." He went quiet for a moment, as though to think, to piece together all the words he wished to say. "If you're a little girl in there," he said slowly, "don't be quite as beautiful as she is. I don't need some stupid little boys following you around everywhere. Enough of them already follow your mother."

My breath caught in my throat at his words, but I dared not speak - not now.

"But you can be every little bit as smart and strong as your mother is," he continued. "Don't tell her, but she's an incredible woman - far too good for a man like me, and I hope she'll know one day how much I do love her, because I'm not great with words. Not like she is. But you'll find that our for yourself. Good luck ever being sad, because she'll talk you out of it and be understanding and..." He trailed off for a moment, as though he made himself speechless. "She's perfect."

His eyes met mine then, and it seemed like he might have forgotten that I was there, because he flushed completely, and rather quickly at that.

"Not a word," he said in warning.

My smile grew, but I looked down towards my belly. "If you're a boy," I said, placing a hand on my stomach, "please be an exact copy of your father."

He clicked his tongue. "You better not be a boy. I don't need another boy in her life. There are too many as it is."

"Levi," I admonished. "Be nice."

"I'll love you whatever you are," Levi said to be clear, "but just don't be a boy. Got it?"

I shook my head but couldn't keep the smile from my face as Levi pressed a gentle kiss to my belly. I reached down for him and he obliged, dragging himself up to lay at my side and letting me guide his head to rest in the crook of my neck atop my shoulder. I held him close with one arm wrapped around him, the other finding its way into his hair.

"You're something else, you know that?" He hummed in response, closing his eyes, and whether it was because he wanted to nap, or because he was comfy, or because he thought he might hide the blush still heavy on his cheeks, I didn't know, but I didn't press the issue nor care to ask. "...But I love you for it, more-"

"More than words can say," he mumbled against my skin. "Yeah. I know."

I didn't say a damn word in reply. I only shook my head fondly and continued to card my fingers through his hair. I wasn't sure how much longer this temporary peace would last, but by the goddesses, I was going to enjoy it for as long as I could before I had to send Levi off alone to fight the most dangerous threats we'd ever faced.