ââ âź đđđđđ á¶» đ đ° A small update on what my university!au is doing today ^^
roomie!chris x roomie!reader
Chris and Sugar are on their way to the frat house so they can go to the beach with Dani and his fratbros. They have been all over each other lately, even in this hot summer weather. Chris has been especially clingy, holding Sugarâs hand whenever he could, making it all clammy and getting scolded. But his hand would be intertwined with hers not even a minute later.
Today was no different, maybe even worse than usual. Well, seeing her in that cute frilly swim set didnât help Chrisâ stupid possessivenessâit only made it worse. His arm was somehow always around her waist, hands all over her body, and no matter how many times she told him to wait until they were back in their dorm room, Chris just didnât listen.
Yeah... Sugarâs going to to have to teach him a lesson later.
lecturer!matt x student!reader
Matt is at home in just his black Calvin Klein boxers, typing away at his laptop. He has been dismissing Venusâ flirty texts for about half an hour now, knowing she wanted to fuck, but it was too damn hot. He hated being sweaty and it was still disgustingly hot even with the AC on. Having sex in this weather would probably lead to him being in a bad mood and he didnât want to hurt Venus by being too rough.
Sugar called Venus to come to the beach with her but she fake coughed into the phone and lied saying she was sick. When in reality, she just wanted to get dicked down good. And who better to call than Matt? Thatâs why sheâs currently begging him to let her come over. But as per usual, Matt is stubbornly telling her to study instead. God, she wishes at times like this that he wasnât her lecturer.
But they both know Matt would give in and let Venus come over. He can never resist her.
nerd!nick x fratboy!oc
Dani asked Nick to come over to go to the beach with him and his friends but Nick still had to finish his assignments so he refused. Dani didnât back down though, instead he showed up at the dorm, knocking on Nickâs door, a smirk on his lips. He was going to take Nick out to the beach no matter what. But before that, heâs going to give Nick a reward for being so diligent.
Nick groaned in annoyance as the persistent knocking didnât stop and he immediately knew it was Dani. It wasnât that he didnât want to see him, it was just that he knew Dani wouldnât leave without ruining him. And Nick was right, because when he opened his dorm room door, Dani pushed inside, immediately pinning Nick to the door after closing it, his lips finding Nickâs.
Theyâll probably arrive late to the small outing but oh well.
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An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
In which Leonard is an excellent helper, Marilla notices some things about the way she interacts with Rachel, and Muriel is very much still thinking about that article on soil amendments.
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Free to watch âą No registration required âą HD streaming
Chapters: 3/?
Fandom: Elden Ring (Video Game)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Queen Marika the Eternal/Tarnished (Elden Ring), Queen Marika the Eternal/Rennala Queen of the Full Moon (Elden Ring)
Characters: Queen Marika the Eternal (Elden Ring), Tarnished (Elden Ring), Melina (Elden Ring), Boc the Seamster (Elden Ring), Roderika (Elden Ring), Malenia Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)
Additional Tags: Age of Order ending, Named Tarnished (Elden Ring), Spoilers, Post-Canon, Hurt/Comfort, Trans Female Character
Summary:
Within the Erdtree, the loyal Tarnished Hero stands vigil and waits for her Queen to awaken from an age of imprisonment...
Summary: You dream of another life, a simpler one under the rays of the warm sun, where you find love and your brothers live happily.
But you're destined to serve, to be the black sheep of the family and married off to whoever your father pleases because your parents can't seem to harbor any love for you. Your brothers will serve in the war, side by side with their Chevaliers, and you'll be left to pick up the pieces or die trying.
And the one you thought always hated you, will be right by your side to catch you when you fall.
Overall Warnings: themes of sexism, minor character death, angst, depression, minor character death, smut (please check ao3 for all tags)
Chapter warnings: smut MDNI
Chapter Length: 7.7k
ao3 link
Historia and Ymir stop dead in their tracks, turning to you with wide eyes. Historia looks concerned, while Ymir stares at you as if sheâs already been betrayed â you understand what it looks like.
âWe are not allies,â you blurt, facing them to explain yourself. âI can assure you they are our enemies, the same as you.â
âYou better explain yourself,â Ymir sneers at you, stomping forward through the open doors of their castle. You watch her short dark hair, tied loosely at the nape of her neck, sway slightly along with her hips accentuated by the trousers she wears.
âYou must understand our hesitancy,â Historia tells you softly when Ymir disappears around a corner. âThings are changing.âÂ
Her blonde hair is braided, two sides pulled to the back, to allow you to see her features clearly. Sheâs beautiful, truly, and you can see how Ymir could fall for someone like her â they balance each other well. Although, you know Historia would not hesitate to do whatâs best for her own country.
âI want to work together,â you tell her honestly. âIf youâre willing, but I understand if youâre not and weâll simply move on.â
âLetâs get you inside,â she tells you with a gentle hand placed on your arm.
She leads you inside the modest castle, Levi taking place behind you along with Erwin, Hange, and Miche. Navarre does not flaunt their wealth like Mirlenas does; dark stone brick walls lining even the interior of the castle, simple torch sconces lighting the way with minimal windows providing extra light. The floors are stone as well, but it still feels clean and wide open.
Historia leads you down a hallway. âWe can discuss things in our meeting hall,â she gestures to an open doorway, a guard standing by with a blank face and cropped blonde hair. âThank you, Nanaba.â The guard nods.
The meeting hall has wood floors, but theyâre nothing like the patterned parquet flooring at home. A grand, round table is centered in the room, twelve chairs surrounding the mahogany surface, and you take a seat facing the doorway, but not quite directly across. Levi takes a seat next to you and youâre grateful, followed by Erwin and Hange sitting next to him. Miche stands guard by the door as Historia addresses you.
âGive me a moment with Ymir.â She gives you a sad smile. âSheâll come around.â You nod, and she takes her leave with Nanaba closing the door behind her.
You know very little of Navarreâs customs, your father only ever talking down about them and their âdebauchedâ ways of living. They were more progressive than Mirlenas by far, sexuality and gender being something that was looked at far more loosely than Mirlenas. You admire them for living so freely, apart from the standards your society typically upholds. You wonder if Auguste would have felt more at home here, if Erwin feels as though he could have lived a life with him. You frown.
âIf she even thinks about laying a hand on you,â Levi grumbles angrily next to you, a scowl evident on his face.
You sigh softly, appreciating his protection, but also anticipating a conversation later. You place a hand on his that rests on his thigh, rubbing your thumb back and forth across his fingers, and the tension in his shoulders seems to dissipate slightly. You understand, heâs worried about everything â so are you.
The doors open shortly after, a seemingly less irate Ymir striding through the doorway with Historia by her side â although her features are still in their natural state of annoyance. She takes a seat directly across from you while Historia takes hers across from Levi. âFrom the beginning,â she snaps, gesturing with her hand loosely before crossing her arms over her chest.
You tell her everything; how Zeke ambushed your brothers â you donât miss the tension returning to Levi â the letter he sent you, every detail about the journey intended for Zaramund to negotiate until a storm caused your ship to crash on their shores. Historia lets out small gasps through the whole thing, and you notice how her eyes tear up when you mention your brothersâ deaths. Ymirâs eyebrows are slightly less furrowed by the time you finish explaining your side of things, her anger turning into reluctant understanding.
âI am so sorry about your brothers,â Historia mutters, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes. âI am glad you landed on our shores before you arrived at Zaramund.â
âThank you. I am as well,â you tell her gratefully.
Ymir speaks before you can continue. âYou must know the state of Kaslogon before you start your journey again.â She sighs, and for the first time she looks tired, a hand placed on her forehead as she supports herself on the table. âYouâre going to hate this.â
âWe have a plan,â Erwin speaks up.
âYeah?â Ymir lifts her head. âYou can probably forego following that.â She hesitates, looking over at Historia for approval â Historia nods. âGrisha and Carla Jaeger are dead.â
Your lips part in shock, the hand resting gently on Leviâs now squeezing tightly as you try not to panic.
Youâre too late. Zeke has enacted his plan and already killed his parents.
âWhat about Eren Jaeger?â Hange asks, their face curious as you process.
âSurvived, but his location is unknown,â Historia says softly. âApparently it was an assassinationâ killed by poison.â
âIt was Zeke,â you tell them. You emphasize his point in his letter that made it known he would do anything to have you and stolen land.
âIâm going to kill that man,â Levi says on your right, still holding your hand but using the other one to press a fist into the table.Â
âWell,â Ymir hums. âSeems we actually have something in common. Heâs a tyrant, and once heâs secured you heâs going to come for Navarre with full force.â
âHe wonât be securing anything,â Levi growls. Erwin raises a hand to him, gesturing for him to relax. You can tell it makes him more angry, but he obeys regardless and sits with his lips pressed into a thin line, jaw clenched.
âOur plan involved your help once we found ourselves in your territory,â Erwin starts. âI believe itâs in both of our best interests to work together in this war to stop Zeke.â
Historia looks over at Ymir, sighing softly before she looks back at Erwin. âWe agree,â she says. âI wish no harm against Mirlenas despite our differences, and I do not wish for Aeron to suffer such a fate from the hands of Zeke Jaeger.â
âWeâre willing to provide you supplies,â Ymir continues on for Historia. âWhatever you need to end this war before it goes further into our territory. I hope whatever you have planned will end with peaceful negotiations, but Zeke is a mad man.â
You look over at Erwin â heâs smiling. âZeke himself can be handled, but I fear it will end with bloodshed.â
â
Your guest bedroom is smaller than the ones you have in Mirlenas, with just enough room for a full size bed and a vanity. Levi stands guard outside your door, and you didnât miss the look of longing he gave you when the door was closed and Miche gestured to show him his own room. Youâve been spoiled recently, able to share a bed with him throughout your travels and to constantly be with him.
Youâre pacing the room, fidgeting with the plain cotton skirts Mrs. MacLerie had given you. Should you bother him in the hallway, request that he stay the night with you? You fear being too attached, too reliant on him, when you should be able to handle sleeping alone for one night before your journey resumes. Your sleep is just so uninterrupted with him, nightmare-less â dreamless. His arms wrapped around you is what makes you feel safe alongside his promises of always protecting you. Youâre his now, and he yours.
You sigh, and swing open the door with a roll of your eyes at your behavior. Levi immediately straightens up off the wall, looking at you with furrowed eyebrows and concern. You donât have to say a word for him to understand, and you can see in his eyes that heâs grateful you want him inside. He steps through the doorway as you step aside, and your nerves are back again when he doesnât say anything.
âWe should talk,â you say, your voice sounding small. You cringe at your words, knowing if they were said to you that you would immediately panic. âEverythingâs fine,â you blurt out when you see his mouth open â it snaps shut.
He ponders for a moment. âOkay.â
You frown, and begin pacing the room again. He sits down on the edge of your bed, waiting patiently for you to begin.
âWe are equals,â you state. You cast a side glance over at him, seeing him staring at you with a blank face â you look down again. âIf weâre going to do this⊠If weâre going to negotiate with Zeke, Iâm going to need you by my side regardless of the decision I make. Iâm an inexperienced Queen, I know, but youâll make me look like a fool if you question my authority.â
You keep pacing, nerves getting the best of you as you continue to fidget with the fabric of your skirts. You desperately want to break the habit, and you force your hands by your sides as they end up in fists instead.
Levi stares at you as you pace back and forth, fists now clenched by your sides instead of incessantly pulling at the threads in your skirts. He hates hearing that manâs name, the same man that killed your brothers and Furlan, the same man that killed his own parents. Levi feels this urge to protect you fiercely as soon as the name is mentioned â heâd do anything for you.
But he heard what you said, and he fears that heâs overstepped your boundaries when he didnât mean to. He doesnât know how to balance it, the unquenchable desire to be your protector, to love you, and the side of him that is still your loyal Chevalier. Youâre right, and he knows that.
Youâre startled by Levi grasping your hands, unfurling your fingers so youâre no longer pressing your nails into your palms, your head jerking up to meet his eyes. âYouâre right,â he says softly. You stare into his eyes, those beautiful pools of grey that look at you so softly now. âYou are my lover, but you are also my Queen. I trust you, and I will push down my instincts to protect you when you are fully capable.â His hand comes up to hold the side of your face, his thumb brushing the soft skin under your eye. âI fear there is going to be a moment where I canât be there for you when you need me.â He lets go of your face, taking a step back as he frowns at the ground.
You stare at him for a moment, the overwhelming pressure in your heart making you speechless. You can see the frustration and sadness in his features as he stares down at the ground, jaw clenched. Memories of Auguste, Theo, and Furlanâs deaths no doubt passing behind his eyes, the hopeless feeling of despair overwhelming him.Â
You step forward and reach out, a gentle finger under Leviâs chin tilting his head back up. âI am here now,â you tell him softly. âWe are here now, and until we join the stars as well then we will both do what we can.â You press your lips against his in a soft kiss, gentle enough to feel the way he exhales in relief. âI cannot live without enjoying your presence fully now, Levi. We have bickered for far too long, and as long as we live I will take your protection as long as you will allow me to protect you,â you whisper against his lips.
His eyes are closed as you look at him with half-lidded eyes, his lips slightly parted as he awaits more of your lips against his. His hands find your waist, and he gently tugs the laces of your corset free. âIâll do anything you tell me to,â he whispers, eyes still closed as he removes your garment. They open just slightly. âIâm yours.â
You kiss him, firmly molding your lips against his as they move languidly together. Your hands find the cravat tied around his neck, fingers nimbly untying the fabric to cast it aside as Leviâs hands bunch up the fabric of your skirts to lift over your head. You only part for a moment to help him rid the fabric from your body, his fingers untying the flimsy skirt support around your waist as your own begin unbuttoning his blouse. Your lips come in contact again. He shivers under your touch, casting aside the skirt support and assisting you by lifting his blouse over his head by the collar once youâve unbuttoned it enough.
You donât immediately connect again, taking your time to relish in the view of Levi in just a pair of trousers before you. Youâve never seen him shirtless before, only a peek at his abdomen when he would wipe his brow free of sweat during a rigorous training session, but you had never paid much attention to the man. Now you openly ogle at him, staring shamelessly at the curves of his muscles, the way they flex slightly under your watchful eye, the way coarse dark hair trails down from his naval and disappears under his trousers. His hair is slightly tousled from his shirt being swept over his head, dark bangs barely hiding the lustful gaze he looks at you with. Heâs always been remarkably handsome, piercing grey eyes, sharp, but soft, features, and youâre so grateful youâre the one that gets to see him so closely.
You bravely step forward again, fingers beginning to undo the buttons of Leviâs trousers. He brushes your hair behind your ear. âWhat are you doing?â he mumbles, grabbing your hands to stop your process.
âI owe you,â you smile at him and lean in to kiss him again, freeing your hands from his to continue.
âYou owe me nothing,â he whispers against your lips, his hands coming up to cup both sides of your face.
âPleaseâ let me please you,â you breathe, begging for just a small taste of him, anything. You walk him back to the bed when he doesnât openly oppose, guiding him to take a seat when the back of his knees press against the edge of the mattress. Your fingers finally finish unbuttoning his trousers as you kneel on the ground, gently pulling them, along with his undergarments, down as he lifts his hips to assist you and kicks them off to the side with his shoes.
You openly gape when his cock springs free, already hard and inflamed at the tip as it leaks a small amount of clear fluid. You look up at him, eyes doe eyed and innocent, and Levi bites back a groan at the sight. âYou donât have to,â he tells you honestly, because he can tell you might be overwhelmed by the pressure of performing well for your first time.Â
âI want to,â you insist.
Your lips are barely parted as Levi brushes his thumb against your bottom lip, pushing past and watching as you immediately close your lips around it to suck on it. You pull your mouth off with a pop, your cheeks flushing at the sound as you keep looking up at him. He looks patient, blank features staring down at you with only the kind look in his eyes telling you that itâs okay if you back out now, that heâll still hold you tonight while you sleep.
You keep your eyes locked on his as you take him in your mouth, lips wrapped around the head of his cock with hollowed cheeks. The gasp Levi letâs out is unexpected, and you savor the sound of his unabashed moan that escapes him when you take him further. His skin is slightly salty as you wrap your tongue around him, coaxing another soft moan from him as he gathers your hair to hold it back for you in one hand, establishing a grip against your scalp. Youâve never done this before, but you try your best based on instinct.
âFuck,â Levi moans, his chest heaving up and down as you bob your head. âHowââ Levi letâs out a small whine when you push down further, determined to take him fully as you close your eyes and feel the dark hairs on his skin brush against your nose. âChrist, Aeronâ shitâ youâre gonna make me cum.â You gag slightly and pull back, swirling your tongue around the head of his cock as you use your hand to slide up and down the rest you canât quite fit.Â
You open your eyes to look up at him, tears forming on your waterline and drool spilling from the corners of your mouth. God, youâre a sight to behold, and Levi pulls back on your hair to lift you off of him when he feels his climax approaching fast, your hand still pumping him to completion. He canât remember the last time he finished this quickly even by his own hand.
His cum spurts in white hot ropes against his abdomen, coating his skin as you watch his eyebrows furrow with pleasure, eyes closed and mouth agape in silent ecstasy. His breathing is labored when he comes down from his high, cheeks flushed as he opens his eyes to look down at you staring up at him in awe. Heâs beautiful, strikingly so, and being the source of his pleasure has your own stomach twisting in knots as your clit throbs.
âCome âere,â he says, assisting you as you stand up, wobbly from being on your knees on the hard wooden flooring. You sit down next to him, grabbing at the skirts on the ground to wipe him clean. âI guess Mrs. MacLerie doesnât need those back,â he mumbles, taking the fabric from your hands to wipe his abdomen.
You laugh lightly, feeling as though youâre walking in the clouds now. âNo, I donât think so,â you mutter, leaning into his side to kiss him softly. Itâs slow, gentle, as he relaxes under your touch and you move to straddle him, hands cupping his face as you swing your leg over his. You canât get enough of him, desperate to feel all of him against you, desperate to feel his cock throb inside you and coat your walls instead of his abdomen.
âAeron,â he breathes against your lips, hands grabbing your hips as your chemise rides up and exposes your ass and cunt. You lower yourself down, gasping at the feeling of your wet pussy coming into contact with Leviâs soft cock. âWhat are you doing?â he gasps as you start rocking your hips back and forth, feeling his cock rub through your folds and into your clit, hardening as you continue.
âFeeling you,â you moan. âOh.â
âI canât claim you here,â he groans, but his hands do nothing but move to your ass as you continue to grind yourself against him.
âStop being such a gentleman,â you mutter, tilting your head back and closing your eyes, wishing he would just fuck you right here and now as your arms drape over his shoulders.
âI am to a fault,â he mumbles, leaning forward to press kisses onto your neck. âI want to savor you, take my time with you.â
âPlease, Levi,â you whimper. Every time you feel the tip of his cock rub your clit you feel breathless, stimulated, but not quite enough to make you feel euphoric.
His hand makes itâs way to your throat, establishing a gentle grip on the sides to just barely cut off the blood flow to your head and making you feel all the more inebriated off of him. âThen you can do it, my sweet girl,â he hums against your collarbones, lips trailing down to your chest above your breasts. âMake yourself cum all over my cock.â His voice is barely a whisper, and the lewd sound of your wet folds gliding over him make you blush.
Your head is tilted back, relishing in the feeling of your bodies pressed so closely together as you let out a gasp. âHelp me,â you whimper, needing just a little more stimulation than grinding against him provides. He doesnât hesitate, the hand guiding you forward and back by your ass instantly coming in between your bodies to apply circles to your clit.
âThatâs it,â he mumbles, pulling you back to him by your throat and kissing you as you whine against his lips. You pant through your open mouth kisses, eyes scrunched shut in concentration as he gets you off. Youâre so close, desperation lacing itâs way into the sound of your breaths and moans as you reach the cusp of your climax. âCum for me, amourâ Fuck youâre drenching me filthy girl,â Levi groans, your breath mingling together as you both get lost in the feeling of each other. Nothing matters but him.
You cum hard all over him, eyes rolling back as he lets go of your throat to help you through it by grabbing your hip, his thumb still making circles over your clit. You practically black out, vision blanking as you feel nothing but bliss pulse through you. Levi guides you through it until youâre panting, head falling forward into the crook of his neck while his arms wrap around you to support you. His hands glide under your chemise, rubbing soothing circles into your lower back as it rides up your waist.
God, he can feel you clenching, drooling all over his cock thatâs hardened again and he resists the urge to fuck you into the mattress. He can feel the mess of your cream dribbling onto his thighs, creating a sticky concoction of sweat and your cum to clean up in a moment, but he bares it for you despite his urge to immediately get clean. Youâre ruining him, absolutely taking all of his willpower away when it comes to serving you â the woman he never thought heâd bend over backwards for, but he canât imagine it any other way now.
You feel drained, and youâre not sure how long itâs been when Levi finally pushes your shoulders gently and a hand comes up to hold the side of your face. âYou alright?â he asks softly. You nod, only a mumble coming out in response. A deep rumble of a laugh comes from him, a satisfied smirk on his lips. âSo pretty when youâre fucked out like this,â he hums, his thumb gently swiping against your bottom lip. You give him a delirious smile in response.
âYou stay?â you ask him softly, voice sweetened in hopes of him holding you as you fall asleep.
âOf course,â he murmurs, swiping leftover tears from your cheeks.
âYou donât care what the others might think?â you ask, head tilted as you lean into his touch.
âAs if they donât already know,â he mumbles. âCome âere.â
He easily lifts you with him as he stands up, your legs instinctively wrapping around him as he supports you with his hands on your ass. He carries you to the side of the bed, using one hand to pull back the covers as he supports you effortlessly, and lays you down under the sheets. âStay here,â he whispers to you, and bends down to kiss your forehead.
Levi picks up his clothes that are scattered on the ground, buttoning up his trousers and throwing on his blouse â he doesnât bother tucking it in or fixing his hair. He looks over at you and canât help but smile softly at the way youâve seemed to instantly fall asleep, the travels of the day finally catching up with you. He makes his way to the door, putting on his boots and shutting it as softly as he can behind him as he exits your temporary bedroom in search of warm water and cloth to clean you, and himself, up before he joins you in bed.
He wanders the halls, the dark stone contrasting the white painted wood heâs accustomed to in Mirlenas. He makes it down one hall on his way to the kitchen Miche had shown him earlier when he runs into Ymir herself, stopping as soon as he rounds the corner and she comes into view.
âAh, guard dog,â she hums, smirking â the nickname makes the hair on his neck rise. âI see you had some fun tonight. Bedding an unmarried womanâ a Queen at that? Thatâs quite brave for a Mirlenas knight.â
Levi isnât sure if heâs gotten more bold because of where he stands with you now, but he has to bite back his curses at the woman before him. âItâs Levi.â
She laughs. âAlright fine, Levi,â she scoffs. âHowâd you end up lucky enough to bed a woman like Aeron?â
He doesnât bother correcting her, telling her that he hasnât technically bedded you. âI was her brotherâs Chevalier,â he tells her honestly, crossing his arms as he looks at her. âHers in the last three years of his life.â
âAh,â she says, gesturing for him to follow her â he hesitantly moves. âAnd you were there for their deaths? Witnessed them?â
Levi stills, footsteps pausing on the cold stone floor. She turns around to face him, a split second of shock displaying on her features before she controls them again. He can feel the amount of fury showing on his face as he spits out through clenched teeth, âDo notââ
âRight,â she says and turns back around. âSensitive subject.â Her footsteps continue forward and Levi reluctantly follows. She leads him through the corridors, long hallways that donât turn too much to the point where heâll get lost, and soon sheâs opening a door and holding it behind her for him. The small room has linens on the shelves, and Ymir takes a few cloths down and throws them at him â he catches them easily with a scowl on his face. âYou know, Aeron seems like a special woman, much better than her father,â Ymir continues while she walks out, clearly expecting him to follow. âSheâs fiesty, and Miche tells me you got upset with her for revealing who she was at the gates.â
âI wasnâtââ
âShe has courage,â Ymir interrupts, looking back at him over her shoulder. âAnd honestly, sheâs the only one capable of taking down Zeke in the end whether she makes it or not.â
Levi scoffs. âAs if she wouldnât make it.â
She whirls on him. âWell then you better be there. Every step of the goddamn way,â she sneers. âHistoria might have faith in Mirlenas, but the only person thatâs shown me they can handle it is Aeron. Even Commander Smith himself seems like heâs acting on a hunch and me and Historia canât afford a fucking gut feeling. If Zeke makes it here weâre done for.â
Leviâs fists clench around the white cotton cloths Ymir had given him and steps forward to meet her challenge. âYou act like you know everything, but you have no idea what Iâd do for her.â
âWould you die for her?â Ymir questions viciously.
âI would do anything for her. I would die the worst death if it meant she would be freed from whatever threatens her,â he vehemently tells her. âYou know nothing. You know absolutely nothing about us, or the bond we shareââ
âYouâre mated?â Ymir takes a step back, bewildered.
âNoââ
âHow can you be bonded if youâre not mated?â
âWe willââ
âPray itâs not too late when you decide to,â she huffs and spins around, pushing a swinging door open to the kitchen as Levi follows her.
âSheâs mine, and I hers,â Levi says, quieter this time. âZeke wonât lay a hand on her even if it means my own death to protect her, and Kaslogon will have no rein over any more land. Weâre fighting him ourselves and you should be grateful for the protection your country is being provided.â
Ymir grips the counter, her back facing Levi as he stands by the entryway. âWe are,â Ymir mutters. âYouâve been gone too long.â She grabs a kettle of water and pours it into a small craft, shoving the already warm water into Leviâs grip. âGo.â
Levi wordlessly takes it from her and steps out, leaving Ymir to sit quietly in the kitchen.
Sheâs scared, Levi thinks as he makes his way back to you, and he canât blame her. The only thing he fears is losing you, and he can sense that Ymir is only scared of losing Historia to a war they canât win. Heâs already tired and selfishly wants to live in the moments where itâs just you and him, when heâs holding you so close your heartbeats practically melt into one.
He exhales softly, looking down at the ground before he slowly enters the room to take care of you.
â
âAre you prepared for this?â Erwinâs voice cuts into your thoughts.
Youâve gotten yourself together, disregarding Historiaâs attempts at sending in a handmaiden and opting to get yourself ready. Youâve braided your hair and styled it in an updo, something that will last the journey to Zaramund. Ymir had delivered fresh clothing for you and youâve changed into the woolen skirts and cotton blouse, a thin chemise that was made out of quality cotton underneath, and a woolen cloak for your shoulders. You didnât miss the look her and Levi shared as she stepped into your room and spotted him â you didnât ask about it, only glad theyâve come to some understanding it seems.
Your temporary horse whinnies under you, a dark mare that made you miss Saxson deeply, made you wonder if he was happily grazing next to Arwen on the coast of Mirlenas. Historia and Ymir provided supplies for you in a small wagon led by two smaller horses, and the rest of your soldiers were provided their own. You expressed your gratitude to both Historia and Ymir, earning a kind smile accompanied by a hug from Historia and a reluctant nod from the latter telling you to ânot mess this one up.â
Youâre almost positive you caught the upturn of her lip when you smiled back at her.
Erwin sat proudly on his own stallion by your side, regarding you with such care he rivaled Levi now in the way he wordlessly vowed to protect you. âYes,â you simply answer him. Thereâs no need to elaborate on how your stomach twists into knots whenever you think about stepping foot inside the castle home to the Jaeger family. How could you ever be truly ready?
The easiest way to reach Zaramund would be to cross the bay between Navarre and Kaslogon territory, but it would leave you vulnerable to Zekeâs soldiers on the coastline â youâre not quite fond of water yet anyway. Instead you would be crossing through the valley of the mountain range that separated the two countries, a small path between towering mountains that would be covered in snow this time of year. From there it would be an easy trek into the capital city, but your nerves still threatened to overcome you.
And it started off simple enough, with two days passing by easily as you trekked across Navarreâs hillsides, rolling green making it easy to navigate and allowing horses to graze. Plenty of streams intertwined throughout the land, providing drinking water for your traveling squad. It was peaceful, nice even, while you appreciated the landscapes around you as your horses made their way through, or while you knelt down next to streams to fill the leather canteen provided to you.
It wasnât until you reached the start of the valley that your group came to a full stop. The map given to Erwin was clearly deceiving, showing more rolling green hills in between tall mountains, streams flowing down from the mountainside. Granted, it was winter, but the sight before you was not at all how you imagined or were told about.
The earth was brown, no longer covered in grass and resembling a desert instead with visible drought lines along the side of the mountains and clear signs of dried up streams. You couldnât blame the Queens, they warned you they havenât had anyone travel these areas since the war began, and with a harsh winter already making itâs presence known far worse in Navarre than Southern Mirlenas, a drought before the snow melted was inevitable.Â
The air was dry and chilled you to the bone as it swept in between the mountains, blowing the stray hairs that have managed to escape your tied up hair back. One hundred kilometers of this would have to be crossed to reach the other side where you had no idea about the terrain of Kaslogon. Youâve heard your father talk about how sparse it normally is, and you can only hope that in a twist of luck that the land spares you from itâs usual standing.
âWeâll stock up on water half a kilometer back and then make our way through,â Erwin announces to your soldiers. You give him a nod, tugging on the reins of your horse to turn her around and earning a disgruntled huff in return.
â
Any gods that may exist have never been on your side.
The sight was startlingly contrasted; white peaked mountains sloping down to dusty cliff sides. You were surrounded by snow you couldnât reach, and dirt that had no life to it. Youâre almost there â roughly seventy five kilometers have been trekked, and youâre just starting to grow weary as the sun sets. Shadows grow longer, the sky darkening and revealing the stars above your heads with some getting shadowed by the mountain tops.
âWe should rest,â Levi speaks up, addressing Erwin. Youâve slumped down a bit on top of your horse, posture weak and limbs growing tired of riding all day. Youâll be on the outskirts of Zaramund tomorrow evening, but Erwin wants to camp just out of reach of the capital city so you can all gather the needed strength.Â
I fear it will end with bloodshed.Â
You hope thatâs not the case.
All of the horses come to a stop, with Petra and Eld directing the horses towing the wagon to stop and allow access to supplies. You werenât as prepared as you were in Mirlenas, settling for rucksacks instead of tents and hoping it wouldnât rain on you despite the needed water. You hopped off your horse, beating Leviâs attempted assistance, and began helping set up camp. You didnât know much, but you could at least help Petra gather supplies for cooking tonight's meal over the fire being prepared.
âWe can take care of things,â Levi tells you, reaching into the back of the wagon for a crate â Petra glances over at you with slightly raised brows, taking that as her signal to leave your side to give you privacy.
âWhat kind of leader would I be if I let everyone do this for me?â you ask him, turning your body to face him with a hand on your hip.
He looks at you for a moment and then glances around to see everyone else busy with a task as the two of you are partially hidden behind the wagon. âRight,â he mutters and kisses your forehead. âIâm only letting you know that you can take a break if you need it.â
He walks away with a crate in his hands, a knowing look on his face. You frown in his direction before gathering more supplies for Petra.
âThank you, Aeron,â Petra smiles at you when you hand her a pot and cooking utensils. Itâs just the two of you as you both kneel down by the fire, settling in to hang the pot and get dinner situated for the rest of the group. You look up and spot Levi, discussing with Erwin and Hange, although youâre not sure what and canât tell by the animated look on Hangeâs face and the bored expression on Leviâs â Erwin is simply listening.
You hear it before you see it.
A gunshot rings out, the sound of a rifle piercing through the laughter and calm sounds of your soldiers setting up camp. Petra tackles you to the ground hastily, using her body to shield yours as she urges you to crawl with her under the wagon of supplies to take cover. Your eyes are wide, heart rate soaring with the adrenaline pumping through your veins as you hold onto her and she does the same to you.
Then you see it â them. Eld and Gunther are lying down in the dirt, blood pooling around their bodies as everyone frantically takes cover and grabs their weapons. You gag, choking back your tears and the fear thatâs consuming you as you look onto the chaos unfolding. You miss the eye contact Petra makes with Levi before sheâs pulling you out from under the wagon despite your protests, kicking up dirt as both of you scuffle towards him.
âGo!â Petra pushes you towards him, causing you to stumble forward and barely catch yourself before Levi is pulling you up with one strong arm. Your legs straddle the front of the saddle, your back pressed so tightly to his chest you can feel his frantic heartbeat.
He positions you in front of him on his stallion, using both hands on the reins with arms that cage you in as you frantically look around and the horse sprints forward. Mikasa is hidden behind part of the wagon, using it as cover as she aims a rifle up into the mountains, a determined look set on her features. Armin is next to her, crouched down and holding a musket as he watches her back.
Your eyes find Oluo next, lying on the ground with Petra leaning over him as she frantically shakes him. You gasp, and turn your head down when you see his knee cap blown out and blood leaking from his thigh like a geyser.
âEyes forward Aeron,â Leviâs deep, comforting voice intercepts your dark thoughts. âIâve got you.â
You feel obligated to listen to the smooth intonation of his voice, his words trying to pull you back from spiraling as your mind wanders to thoughts of your brothers and the way they probably suffered in death. You keep your eyes focused on the horn of the saddle, your hands holding it so tight your knuckles become lighter in colour. You have to trust Levi to get you two out of this, trust that Erwin, Hange, and your soldiers will make it out alive â you know youâre their priority and you hate it.
â
Levi rides throughout the night, your body nestled against his chest and in between his arms as his borrowed stallion carries him forward. Youâre sleeping now after hours of traveling and worn off adrenaline. Your body is turned just enough for you to rest your head on his shoulder while one arm holds your waist tightly to make sure youâre okay, his arm remaining flexed to keep you secure.
Heâs angry, scared, and desperate to feel safe again. He caught glimpses of the Kaslogon emblems on the men that attacked them, and he wonders why the hell youâre even going to negotiate instead of declaring an all out war with them. But he knows how you are, how desperate for peace you are without bloodshed.
He holds you tighter. Youâre okay. Youâre alive.
He didnât check to see if anyone was okay, didnât bother stopping the sprint of his horse just to see if any of his comrades were following him out of the mess. The decided campsite for the next evening is his destination, a marked spot on the map thatâs in Erwinâs possession and Levi can only hope he makes it to the right spot.
He rides for a few more hours until he sees the lake that looks to be the same size as the one on the map, the sun making itâs way over the horizon and casting a soft glow onto your cheeks. Heâs glad you got some sleep, and heâs glad youâll have a whole day and night to rest and get your bearings before Erwin inevitably forces you to move into the capital city of Zaramund.
Levi pulls on the reins with one hand to have the horse gently come to a stop, a small huff coming from the animal that deserves to rest as long as it can before he drags it into hell again. You stir, a small mumble that Levi manages to smile at as he looks down at your pretty face resting against him. He lifts his hand from the reins, using a thumb to caress your cheek and wake you up further from your sleep.
âWeâre here, mon cĆur,â Levi mutters to you. You open your eyes and stare up at him, the swirling of your irises that are warmed by the sun taking his breath away. âYouâre okay,â he whispers, to reassure you that heâs got you, that heâs taken care of you and protected you from harm, in your sleepy state.Â
You remain quiet and tilt your head up, the soft press of your lips making him melt into you as your lips move gently against his own. He sighs when you break apart, soft breaths mingling with his as he leans his forehead against yours.Â
Youâre okay. Youâre alive.
â
Itâs well into the next evening by the time you hear the distinct sound of hooves running against the soft grassy earth around the lake. Levi keeps you and the horse hidden well, letting you rest after heâs woken up from a nap and feeding you with a rabbit he managed to catch with a simple trap. Your eyes are frantic as he pulls you against a tree with him, holding you close as he peers around the bark and out into the open plains of rolling hills.
You can feel the tension leaving his body as he letâs out a sigh of relief, his hold loosening on you ever so slightly and signaling to you that itâs not the enemy. You allow him to help you up, his hand firmly grasping yours to guide you out from cover.
Your eyes tear up immediately when you see Erwin riding strong on top of his white stallion, Hange next to him on their own horse. You feel the tears fall when you see their head wrapped in bandages, one eye covered with a small blotch of blood soaked into the fabric.
The rest of your soldiers follow suit, and your heart feels like itâs in your throat when Petra rides at the back of the group on top of your dark mare, her face covered in grief. You let Leviâs hand go and run to meet your soldiers, your friends. Erwin is the first to get off his horse, practically leaping off and handing the reins over to Armin next to him, and then heâs waiting for you with open arms as you hurl yourself into him.
He crouches down to hug you, large arms wrapping around your frame and engulfing you tightly as you cry into his dirtied no-longer-white blouse. He letâs go of you to check if youâre hurt, calloused hands swiping your hair off your face and holding your cheeks to get a good look at you. His touch reminds you of Auguste, and your hands come up to hold the back of his as you give him a small, sad smile.
Hange walks up next to you, and you donât miss the look of shock when you abandon Erwinâs touch to give them a hug. âIâm okay,â they mutter softly, and you make a mental note to ask them about their eye later.
The rest of your soldiers say their hellos, sorrow permeating the air with so much thickness you could choke on it as the tears never leave your eyes. They find their spots on the grass, sitting down with exhaustion leaking out of their bones after tying their horses up to rest and graze on the long grass.
Your eyes find Petra again once Erwin and Hange leave your side to talk to Levi, and your already broken heart aches when you see her sitting atop your mare, her dejected spirit idle. You wipe the tears from your cheeks and walk up to her quietly, carefully, as if she was a hunted wounded animal seconds away from startling.Â
âPetra, mon amour,â you mutter. She startles, big golden brown eyes looking down at you from her spot on top of your horse. Her hands are covered in blood, the front of her uniform stained red from holding her loved ones close as they die. âLetâs get you cleaned up.â
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Damn. For a while there I actually was convinced that my medications had changed the way my brain worked and made it impossible for me to focus enough to write. Cannot even put it words what a relief it is to get a chapter together and feel good about it.