It wasn't very often that we got a day off in the Survey Corps. Today was no exception, despite it being a holiday. That wasn't going to stop me from making the most of the day, and with the way that the excitement grew with each passing day over the last week with anticipation for today it appeared that I wasn't the only one.

As soon as my eyes fluttered open, I wanted to inwardly groan because with the way that dim sunlight streamed in between the curtains, it was already time for me to actually wake up. But then I remembered what day it was; it took a moment, because my fuzzy brain was working at a very slow pace, but it got there eventually. And the realization that today was the Day of Love gave me the energy I needed to sit up.

Levi's arms that had been around me fell limply to the bed as I slipped out of his embrace. He let out a grumble of something or other, making me laugh lightly as I turned and leaned back over the bed. I lowered my head to his and pressed a kiss to his temple after brushing his dark hair out of the way. It seemed that he slept abnormally well last night; usually he'd be up and alert before me, but today he seemed reluctant to get out of bed.

I stood again, making my way towards the wardrobe. I immediately began gathering a clean set of the uniform, my ears catching the quiet sounds of him sitting up. "Good morning, my dear," I called to him as I lifted a pair of my pants out of a drawer. Keeping it folded I set my shirt on top, then opened a different drawer to fetch underwear. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, and I peered over my shoulder at him, flashing him a warm smile.

He looked confused as he watched me, and I returned my attention to my clothes. Finally with everything that I needed, I closed the drawers and took the pile into my hands. "Amaya," he said, catching my attention again.

"Yes, love?"

"What the hell is going on?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused now. "I'm getting ready for work... Because it's a workday. So I have to get ready for work."

"Not what I meant, jackass," he muttered. "I usually have to push you out of bed. And yet today you seem excited to wake up."

"Oh," I said, a smile growing on my face, "that's easy. Today's the Day of Love!"

He blinked. For a moment that was his only outward reaction to what I'd said. I stood there awkwardly, shuffling slightly on my feet as I waited for something, anything from him. I did say it clearly enough, right?

It was the Day of Love. We all knew what it was. This wasn't exactly something new. My smile faded from my face as he continued to look at me with no other emotion in his face other than slight confusion.

"And why are you so excited?"

"Because..." I began to answer immediately but trailed off.

This man has told me that he loved me on several occasions, and I'd said it on many more. We'd been in love for years. So why exactly he didn't understand why I was excited to spend this special day with him was beyond me.

And putting all the other examples aside, even just last night when we'd had sex, he'd said it! Several times, at that! Love! He knew what it was! He was smart enough to know that word, I was sure of it.

I could get that he didn't want any outward displays of love, even if we were still in this old base with only our own squad, Eren, and occasionally Hange and Moblit, but while we were here in private, surely he felt comfortable enough to do something now, right?

I mean, honestly, this man was so confusing. I wasn't sure if it was just a male thing to do, to not make a big deal out of something like this, but maybe he could put his pride aside for it... even for just a moment. Or perhaps that was asking for too much.

An indignant scoff escaped my lips as I tipped my chin a little higher. "Because I've lots of people in this base to show my love for. If you are so inclined to look, your gift is on the desk." Then I turned on my heel and left the bedroom, headed out into the hall to get to the showers.

Not exactly how I wanted to start today.

---

Levi sat there in bed, dumbfounded, for another few moments. The same mantra repeated in his brain for quite a few minutes as he recalled what had just happened: I fucked up.

When he finally did get out of bed, he made his way first into the office to get to the desk. True to her word, there was an envelope right in the center, addressed to him. He could recognize her handwriting anywhere, and that was because she'd helped teach him to write.

His uncle never had, and when he became a certain age and he realized that up here it was something of a necessary skill to have, he was far too embarrassed to go to anyone else for help. And to her he went. And it was her that taught him. He knew how to read, but writing was a different beast altogether. She'd helped him with a gentle patience and quiet reassurance that she seemed to save only for him.

He leaned his hip against the desk and opened the envelope. He tugged the single piece of folded parchment out and unfolded it. Scrawled across the top were the words, To my dearest love. Following that was a simple letter where she thanked him for everything he'd done for her so far, the most prominent being loving her as much as she loved him.

She went into great detail, noting that she loved even the smallest of things that he did for her. It appeared that she noticed every look he sent her way, even if she had been facing the opposite way. He hated to admit it but his heart felt weird and fluttery with each passing moment as he went through the letter.

And with every word that he read, he realized two things with stunning clarity. One, this woman really was in love with him, if her words were to be believed, not that he ever doubted that. Two, he fucked up.

---

"Good morning," I said as I breezed into the mess hall.

The large space was rather sparse, considering only a few of us were occupying the space for the time being. Gunther and Olou were sitting at the lone table looking bored out of their skulls. Gunther had his forehead down on the table, slouched over completely in his seat, and Olou has his cheek resting on his palm with his elbow resting on the table.

Olou's eyes were the first to find my figure and he nodded politely at me in a greeting. Gunther lifted his head, only to check if Levi was with me. Seeing that he wasn't, he dropped his forehead down onto the table again. "G'morning," he said to me, his voice slightly muffled because of his position.

I came to a stop just across from where they were sitting, looking at Gunther with concern. "Are you alright, Gunther? Or are you unwell?"

"I'm fine," he said. He lifted his head again only to put his chin on the table instead. He gazed up at me, a lazy smile working onto his face. "Just tired. Petra woke me up early to help her start baking for everyone."

"Well, I certainly wasn't going to ask Olou for help," Petra said, stepping out of the kitchen. She wiped her hands on the back of her pants before beaming at me. She jogged over, and I knew immediately what she was going for, so I opened my arms to prepare for her. As soon as she was close enough her arms were around my shoulders, and mine wound around her back to accept her hug. "Good morning, Captain!"

"Good morning, Petra," I said happily. "You could've asked me for help, you know," I said when she pulled away. "I'd have loved to help you."

"It was just the prep-work I had him help with," she said. "When I actually start to bake everything, I'd love the help!"

Olou snickered, then leaned closer to Gunther. "She'd make a lovely wife, wouldn't she?" His voice was low, but not nearly low enough for us not to hear, and I'm sure it was on purpose.

"It's the Day of Love, not the day of misogyny," Eld said, stepping in through the door from outside. He looked around at all of us as he kicked his feet one by one against the doorframe, knocking the dirt off them before coming inside. In his hands were flowers, and a lot of them. They varied in species and color and at the moment he looked more like a florist than he did a trained soldier.

"Goodness," I said, rushing to help him. "Let me take some of those from you." Several of the flowers had slipped from his grasp but he turned from me as I approached.

"Absolutely not," he said, looking at me from over his shoulder with a smile. "I picked these flowers for you ladies. There's no way I'm letting you set them up."

I stepped back, putting my hands up to show I gave in. "Fine, fine," I said, amused. I followed as he made his way towards the group.

"One of you be useful and get me some vases, won't you?" Eld asked.

"Not it," Gunther said. "I've done my work for the day for this damn holiday."

Olou begrudgingly got up and Eld waited patiently for his return and I returned to Petra's side. "Not a fan of this holiday, Gunther?"

He scoffed. "Not when I don't have anyone to celebrate with," he complained. "Who the hell am I supposed to show love to? Olou?"

"I heard that," Olou said, returning from the kitchen with two vases, each filled partially with water. He set them down on the table and helped Eld separate the flowers into two bouquets. It took some work to force all of them into the vases, but they did, and I smiled at the sight.

There was absolutely no rhyme or reason to the bouquets, and I knew that Eld had simply gone into one of the fields of wildflowers by the base and had picked them indiscriminately. "Where's Captain Levi?" Eld asked, realizing that other than Eren who was still in the basement, he was the only one missing.

"Being grumpy, last I checked," I said with a sigh.

"Uh oh," Eld said, sitting down next to Gunther. I remained standing, crossing my arms over my chest. "That doesn't sound good."

"Lover boy got in trouble on such a special day?" Gunther teased, finally lifting his head. He rested his forearms on the table. "What'd he do now?"

"He seemed to forget what today was," I said, "and he couldn't quite understand why I was so excited for it."

Eld sucked a breath in through his teeth. "Ouch."

"It isn't a big deal to everyone," Gunther mumbled.

"And it isn't just about romantic love," Eld commented.

"Exactly," Petra grinned. "It's about showing love and appreciation to everyone in your life. Don't be such a stick in the mud about it, Gunther."

"Don't mind him," Olou said cheekily. "He's just upset no one will be kissing him today."

"Oh," Petra mused, "just like how no one will be kissing you?"

"Well, it doesn't matter," Olou huffed. "At least I won't be the only one, then. And besides, if I were at home then I'd have a long line-"

I shared a look with Petra as he rambled on. A mischievous smile slipped onto her lips as she glanced briefly at Gunther, then back to me. A quick nod from me, and we both leapt out of our seats to dash around the table, sliding to a stop only once we were both behind Gunther. We both leaned over and before anyone else could react, we planted a kiss to his cheeks at the same time.

He flushed bright red, his eyebrows furrowing as he glared at each of us in turn once we backed off. Gunther was looking especially upset with me. "If I die today Captain, it's your fault," he muttered. I clasped my hands behind my back innocently as I peered down at him with a smile.

"And why would you die today?" The quick jerk of his head towards the door was all I needed to get his hint. I looked towards the doorway leading to the rest of the base and saw Levi standing there, looking awfully shocked and even a bit angry. Narrowing my eyes slightly, I stood up straight. "He won't do a damn thing to you," I said. "Who locked Eren up last night?"

"I did," Eld answered.

"I'll take the keys," I told him. "I'll let him out." With a nod he took the keys out of his jacket pocket and tossed them to me. I caught the keyring easily and walked around the table, making sure to brush right past Levi who watched me go.

I walked to the stairwell leading down to the basement and started down it, my boots scuffing against the dirty steps as I went. Only a few lanterns remained lit from the night and so it was terribly dim down there. When I reached his cell, I wasted no time in unlocking the door. Eren was sitting up in his bed, watching me. I met his gaze, smiling warmly at him.

"Good morning, Eren," I said to him.

"Good morning," he said back.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked, opening the door for him. Realizing I'd caught him staring he shook his head quickly, the tips of his ears reddening. He got out of the bed, making the bed hurriedly. "You were staring."

"Sorry," he said. "You just seem like you're in a good mood."

"Do I?" I mused. "Well, it is a special day."

He looked at me curiously, finishing with his bed before rushing to put his boots on. As soon as they were on, he grabbed his uniform and met me outside the cell. I turned on my heel and he fell into step alongside me. "I don't know what day it is," he admitted.

"The Day of Love," I clarified for him.

"Oh," he said, scratching his cheek embarrassedly. "Been a while since I celebrated it."

We started up the steps, and I turned my head to look at him with a smile. "Well, we still have a lot of work to do today in preparation for the 57th, but we've got a few things ready for the holiday."

"Like what?"

"Petra's got some stuff to bake," I said, "Eld got some flowers for decoration, and I wrote to Erwin to deliver us a special meal."

"Whoa, really?"

"Really," I said. "You better appreciate it: it's coming out of my salary."

"Anything is better than those damn rations," he said with a small smile. "So trust me, I'll take it."

"Good, then," I said. We stepped into the hallway and I found it terribly cute that even though his legs were longer than mine, he measured his strides to stay in step with me. When we reached the hall where he'd have to leave to go towards the showers, we stopped.

"Allow me to be the first to say," I said, "that I am very proud of you for everything you've done already." He glanced at me, surprise dancing in his eyes as his eyebrows rose. My hands came to rest on my hips. "You've done nothing but impress me so far, dealing with our regular training and all of Hange's experiments and Levi in general. I can see the hard work you're putting in and I'm so incredibly proud of you."

Eren allowed himself to smile at me. "Thank you, Captain. I guess this is why they call you the mom of the Scouts, huh?"

My nose wrinkled with disgust. "No one calls me that. Don't you dare make that a thing." A lighthearted laugh escaped him and I rolled my eyes even as a smile made its way to my own lips. "Just go shower, kiddo. Then meet us outside for regular training."

"Is uh... you know who going to be here today?"

"Hange?" I asked for clarification. He nodded. "Yes, she'll be here. Not for experiments, though."

He released a relieved breath. "Thank goodness."

"Go," I said, nodding in the direction of the showers. "You don't want to miss breakfast."

---

I fucked up.

Levi knew that. So why didn't he try to fix it? Oh, that's easy.

Because there were several sets of overly curious eyes all peering his way. It was just a holiday; he didn't want to lose the respect of his subordinates by seemingly overly concerned about everything simply because of the date. He knew they'd probably asked her, and she'd probably told them. Not like it mattered.

He went to make his tea like usual, noticing the way that the voices of the soldiers in the mess hall rose in volume again now that he'd left the room. He clicked his tongue with annoyance. He already knew that he fucked up. He didn't need them whispering about it.

As much as he was pissed that she was upset he was even more pissed at the fact it was his fault. Especially since he'd even gone to Erwin fucking Smith of all people to ask if he should do anything special.

"Is she expecting you to do something special?" Erwin asked, lacing his fingers together and resting his forearms on the desk.

"Not likely," Levi answered. "I've never done anything before."

"Well, that would make it even more special then," Erwin said. "It'll be a special surprise, to show that you care."

"But what the hell do I do?"

Erwin chuckled. The absolute nerve of this man-

"That's not for me to decide," Erwin told him. "I'm not the one in the relationship." Levi sighed and ran a hand down his face. "Think of it this way. It's a day to show love and appreciation. Even just a small gesture will mean the world to her, I'm sure."

"What the hell does that even mean?" He asked.

Erwin shook his head incredulously. "Sometimes I wonder," he muttered quietly.

"Wonder what, eyebrow?"

"She fell in love with you," Erwin said, choosing not to humor Levi's last question. "Just try to find something she'll like. It can even be spontaneous. Hell, that might be better than anything you could ever plan."

Something about that sounded like an insult. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing," Erwin said. "Now if you please, I've got work to do."

Well, that was fucking unhelpful.

---

"Amaya!"

At the excited call of my name I turned, foregoing watching my soldiers spar to instead watch Hange's approach. For the second time today I opened my arms in preparation for a very enthusiastic hug, except this one sent the both of us to the ground. Lying flat on my back with a laughing Hange atop me, I coughed lightly as I tried to lose the breath that'd been knocked out of me.

"Well, hello to you too," I said once I had the breath the spare. She grinned down at me.

"Happy Love Day!"

"What is happening over there?" Eld asked, looking down at the two of us.

He looked awfully confused yet at the same time quite amused, not like I could blame him. We'd accidentally fallen into a rather suggestive position. At that point I was happy that Levi was off making sure Eren did his laps for something small that he'd messed up earlier.

"She must really be trying to get Levi back today," Gunther said with a laugh.

"That's not my intent," I said as Hange started to get off me. She held a hand towards me, and I accepted it, allowing her to help me up. When I was on my feet again, I noticed Moblit's approach.

"Captain," he said, "are you alright?!" He came to a stop just beside us. Further back I could see Levi and Eren walking back now, Levi seemingly lecturing the poor boy about something.

"I'm fine," I said, waving him off. "Thank you."

"You have to be more careful!" Moblit chided, looking at Hange.

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, her eyes drifting away from him, only to widen and look right back at him, making him flush slightly. "Oh! Moblit! Her gift!"

"Gift?" I interjected.

"Oh, of course," Moblit said, reaching into his pack. He pulled out a single flower with a note attached to it and handed it to me. "For you, Captain."

"From whom?" I asked, accepting it, inspecting the note.

"Dunno," Hange said, grinning all the while. "Some kid, new to the Scouts, asked me to get this to you this morning before I left."

Eren, now close enough to hear, perked up slightly. "One of the new Scouts...?"

"That's right!" Hange chirped. "One of the young newbies, from your cadet corps class."

Eren smiled deviously. "I think I know exactly who that's from, then."

To the strongest Scout,

Thank you for your work. You're truly an inspiration to many.

J.K.

The name was accompanied by a single heart, and my head tilted slightly. "J.K.?"

Eren let out a bark of a laugh. "Yeah, I know who that is. I didn't think his little crush was that bad!"

"Crush?" Levi, at Eren's side, asked, glaring up at him.

I grinned, twirling the flower between my fingers. "What a sweet gesture. I can't wait to meet him."

"I'll let him know," Hange said. "If I can remember which one it was, of course..."

"He's tall," Eren offered. "Looks like a horse."

I chuckled. "Be nice to your friends, Eren."

Eren scoffed. "He's not my friend." A stern look from me was all he needed to avert his eyes, and act like he hadn't said anything at all. I could feel Levi's eyes on me, which I resolutely ignored for now. He could continue to think about what he'd said.

---

"Captain, go ahead and put those in the oven," Petra instructed. Humming my affirmative I brought the tray to the oven, sliding them inside. "I'm working on the frosting now," she told me. "I'll let you know when these are ready so we can frost them together, ok?"

"Ok," I said, wiping my hands on the apron. "I'll be in my room for now, then."

"I'll come get you when they're done," she said. Untying my apron, I lifted it over my head and hung it up for now with the others, promising myself that I'd wash it later when we were actually done baking.

It was just after our afternoon training, with dinner being prepared by Gunther and Olou, however well that would work out. From what I knew, Eld was in charge of gear maintenance, and Eren was with Hange and Moblit. Levi was, I believed, sulking in his room.

Since everyone was working on something save for Levi working on not being an asshole if he knew what was good for him, I wasn't expecting to be accosted on my way to my room. I especially wasn't expecting to be accosted by Eld.

"Hi, Captain," he said, coming into the mess hall from outside just as I left the kitchen to step into it as well.

"Hello, Eld," I greeted happily. "We've got good timing, don't we?"

"I'm getting a bit nervous about it, to be honest," he laughed. "But it's perfect. I wanted to talk with you anyway."

"Oh, sure," I said. "Is it something serious?"

"No, nothing like that," he said easily. "Just in the spirit of the day, I wanted to thank you."

I sat down on the end of the table, watching with amusement as he made his way towards me. "Thank me? For what?"

"I already thanked you for it before," he said, "but it's for letting me join the Special Operations Squad. And for taking me under you wing, in a way." He smiled at me. "I'm your favorite, aren't I?"

"Now why would you think that?" I asked teasingly. "I treat all my subordinates the same."

"No, you don't," he protested. He smirked, standing with his arms crossed and an air of confidence about him. "Just admit it. I'm your favorite."

"Have I really been that obvious?"

"To me, anyway," he replied.

"Do you think the others know?"

"Probably not," he answered. "And even if they did, I doubt they'd care. You're nice to all of us, I just know that you give me special treatment."

"Not so loud," I muttered. "It's just cause you're the most helpful."

"Uh huh," he said, unconvinced. "Right. Well, I appreciate it anyway. I wouldn't want to be under anyone else's leadership."

"See, look at you," I huffed. "Being so sweet. And yet you don't know why you're my favorite."

He opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted. "Amaya." Both of us looked towards the doorway and sure enough, there stood Levi. "Can I... Can we talk?"

I almost scoffed. Instead, I decided to humor him. "Talk about what?"

"Just... not here. Can we speak privately?"

"That... did not answer my question," I said, just able to hear Eld's well-concealed snickers.

"Amaya, please," he said. I narrowed my eyes slightly at him.

"Fine." He stood there uncertainly on his feet before hurrying over, offering his hand. I looked down at it, then back into his eyes. Resolutely ignoring it, I got off the table and started walking to my room. He followed a few paces back. It was only once we were both in his room and the door was closed that he began to speak.

"Amaya," he said, "I'm sorry."

I dropped down into the chair in front of the desk while he remained standing, looking at me with uncharacteristically pleading eyes. "Sorry about what?"

He sighed. "You know why."

"Why would I ask if I knew?"

I could tell he was working very hard to keep his patience. He crouched down in front of the chair, taking my hand into his own. "Because I-" There was a knock on the door. "For fuck's sake," he hissed. "Who is it?"

"Eld, sir," he replied. "I'm looking for Captain Amaya. Eren's requesting her help with Hange."

I stood, tugging my hand from Levi's, whose eyes were now blown wide. "Sorry, duty calls."

---

It was late evening by the time dinner was ready. Training for the day was complete, the baked goods were cooling, and the small group of us were gathered in the mess hall to prepare for the meal. All except for Levi.

There was a place for him at the table, but there wasn't a person to fill that space. I could only assume he was still in his room, but I'd been in and out for the remainder of the day after leaving him there so I really couldn't say for sure.

Gunther and Olou were working to bring all the food out as light conversation carried between the rest of us.  It was fun and casual and when it suddenly died down, I didn't need to look to know that Levi had arrived. Before I knew it, he was at my side, looking down at me. I let my eyes slowly trail upwards to eventually meet his eyes.

"Amaya," he said.

"Yes?"

"I've got something for you."

"Mm-hm?"

"I'd like you to come with me."

"It sounds like I'm getting detained," I mumbled.

"Just come on," he pressed. In a moment of weakness, I could feel my heart twinge at the thought that I'd ignored him all day and gave him the cold shoulder just because he hadn't wanted to acknowledge the romantic implications of the day.

As if knowing that my mental fortitude was falling, he held his hand towards me. Putting my pride aside, I put my hand in his. He helped me up, and hardly gave me even a moment to push my chair in before tugging me to follow him.

He led me not to my room nor his, but to the staircase leading to the roof. Right out onto one of the parapets we walked, and when he came to a stop it was before a blanket – no, a sheet – on the floor. Placed on one side of the sheet was one of the vases with flowers. I knew one of them was missing.

I set my hands on my hips. "What's this?"

"A date," he said slowly, quietly. A gust of wind blew across the area, sending part of the flipping upwards with the force. He rushed to set it back down so it wouldn't fly away or flip over the vase. I hurried to help him, pulling down two corners while he held the others. I let out a laugh, seeing his flustered expression.

"Maybe some other paperweights would do us some good," I teased lightly. Knelt across from me, holding the sheet down, he lifted his eyes to meet mine.

"Us? You're staying?"

I peered at him curiously. "You said it's a date, right? Why would I leave?"

"Because you... I didn't think you'd want to," he admitted. I could tell it took him a lot to even say that. My anger from the day dissipated easily, and I maneuvered myself to sit atop the sheet. He did the same, the weight of our bodies keeping the sheet down, though not the corners that rippled lightly with the breeze as it came and went.

"I'm sorry," he said, intending to continue the conversation from earlier. "For not realizing how important this day would be to you." I didn't reply, just to see if he would continue. He was feeling guilty; that was new for him. I wondered just how far I could run with it. "It's um... a nice night." He was pointedly avoiding my gaze, as if too embarrassed to.

I looked up. It was a nice night. Wonderfully warm, with a cool breeze, and the beautiful sky above us. Late evening as it was, the sun had already set, leaving the sky an inky blue and dotted with stars. There was a full moon, one that cast its ghostly light over the land, illuminating the landscape in a pretty way. It was a gorgeous night, actually, perfect for a date night outside.

... And perfect to see just how far I could push Levi.

"Just because it happens to be a nice night out, it doesn't mean that I'll forgive you," I said, keeping my gaze trained on the sky. I could see it in my periphery when his eyes widened.

"But I..." He glanced downwards. "Stay here." Then he got up, jogging away. He left, leaving me alone with a smirk on my face. When he returned, I was in the same spot, though I had taken my jacket off. When he did return, he had two plates of food in his hands. He set them down then sat down next to me. He offered me my plate, and meeting his eyes only briefly, I took the plate.

"You're going to have to do better than just dinner, Levi," I said. "Especially one you didn't make yourself."

His brows pinched together and he watched as I took a bite of the food. He refused to eat, only continuing to watch me. "Why won't you forgive me?" I didn't answer. "I'll do anything."

At that, one of my brows quirked up and I met his eyes. "Anything?" A sly smirk that would rival his own slid onto my lips. "Tell me all the reasons you love me, and I'll consider it."

He looked down thoughtfully. When he looked back up, his eyes were intense and I leaned back slightly, not expecting it. "There are too many," he said quietly. "I'd never be able to say them all." What he said was oh so cheesy, but at the same time, so very sweet by Levi standards. He must've known that, especially if his small smirk was any indication as my own face displayed my shock. "Well? Forgive me now?"

I rolled my eyes. "I stopped being upset with you as soon as you brought me out here," I told him. "And besides, I know how you are. I don't need anything extravagant or extra from you, because I know you love me." I nudged his shoulder with mine playfully. "As I wrote in my letter."

"You're such a brat," he muttered. I reached towards him, tucking two of my fingers under his chin to guide him to look at me. When he did, I wasted no time in leaning in. He had no protests once our lips met. A satisfied hum emanated from his throat and my lips curled into a smile against him.

"You might be an asshole sometimes," I said once I pulled away, "but I love you all the same."

"Yeah, yeah," he mumbled. "I can't believe you got some kid to give you a flower. You haven't even met the damn kid."

"My reputation precedes me," I said with a shrug, leaning away slightly to see him better. "I think you're just jealous."

"Jealous of what? A child?"

"Jealous you didn't think to give me a flower," I said. "Honestly, I thought that'd be your first attempt to get back on my good side."

He rolled his eyes. Humoring me, he reached over, snagging one of the flowers from the vase. Tearing the stem to a short length, he tossed the stem aside and with astonishing tenderness, he slipped it behind my ear. "There. Happy now?"

"Very," I said. I leaned back in to peck his nose. "I'll be sure to thank Eld for the flowers."

"You absolute brat," he said again. He sent a look to the door leading downstairs and into the building. "Is there a lock on that door?"

"I don't know," I said. "I never checked." Despite knowing exactly what he was alluding to, I decided to ask. "Why?"

"You know what you get for being bratty," he said, eyes darkening with lust.

"But we haven't even finished dinner yet," I said, pouting.

"I don't care," he said. "It was your idea to be a brat all day, now you get to deal with the consequences."

"I think I like the sound of that," I purred, taking hold of his cravat. "I was terribly lonely all day without you by my side, and on a day meant for love, you know. Think you could fix that?"

A smirk slid onto his lips. "I'll see what I can do, love."

NOTE: "lol im not gonna update next week lol"

SIKE HI EVERYONE

I swore I wasn't going to do this but I wanted to do something special so take this special little something! I had no real plan for this so honestly it's just word vomit that I def didn't reread to check for errors or anything BUT! it's something lol and i hope you like it <3

anyway, happy Valentine's Day to you all, I love you all lots! see you all next week for chapter 76 - the assassination :^)