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thecampjuicebox · 9 months

Note

*Ahem*

Mephistopheles having some fiends deliver a present to the boudoir (for Raphael and/or Haarlep - you decide). That present is a very confused, but also very naked, Tav who is all tied up with silk and who also has a collar attached to a chain on her neck. (for her part, Tav would be down with being in the fiend's bed like this, she just would have preferred Raphael or Haarlep be the one to have brought her here)

Incredible idea! I think we need a lil Haarlep AND Raphael showing sweet little Mouse some fun 😈 Thank you for your submission, I hope you enjoy the filth! 💕

Wrapped With a Bow

Pairing: Raphael x Haarlep(m) x Tav(f)

Rating: 18+ NSFW, Minors DNI

POV: 3rd Person

Warnings: Angst, smut, bondage, use of a collar/leash, CNC, domination, fingering, double penetration

The still morning air of the House of Hope sizzles with devilish magic as red sparks and hellfire swirl around the portal room, two large winged cambions appearing in the middle of the circle of enchanted frames. Servants and debtors alike greet the visitors with dulled eyes and forced smiles. The strong scent of sulfur and cinders alerts Raphael and Haarlep of the intrusion, Raphael stirring from his boudoir to assess the situation with a heavy sigh. "Who disturbs me at this hour?" he mumbles, palms rubbing the sleep from his half open eyes. One of the cambions bows gracefully, a letter pressed between his outstretched index and middle finger. "A gift from Mephistopheles." he says, voice deep and booming. A gift? Raphael reluctantly plucks the parchment from the fiend's fingers, tearing open the envelope with ease, eyes scanning the page as he reads.

My son,

As I know you are still infuriated by my actions, I am sending this gift to you as a peace offering. Use her well, she was near impossible to wrangle. A strong one she is. I hope you'll find her suitable.

Your father,

Mephistopheles

"How thoughtful." he hisses. Irritation seers in his throat as he waves a hand at the two fiends, showing them toward the boudoir to deliver the gift, and hopefully, get the hells out of his home. He follows, hands smoothing his hair back as he thinks back to the letter. A poor attempt at forgiveness. Shaking his head, he rounds the corner, eyes moving from the fiends to Haarlep, and back again, watching as they wrestle something to the floor, little yelps and squeaks of struggle perking his ears up. Just as quickly as they came, the two fiends blink away in another flurry of red magic, the sparks settling in the air to reveal his gift sat pretty on the marble floor. An woman, artfully wrapped in black silk ribbons like a Midwinter present, legs and arms bound to restrict any struggling. Around her neck sits a red leather collar, thick chain attached to a silver O-ring secured at the front. A delicious looking gift, indeed.

From across the room, Haarlep purrs, wings fluttering behind him, tail swishing side to side in an obviously aroused manner as he approaches the cambion and his new pet. "Pretty little thing, isn't she?" he mumbles as he places his hands on Raphael's hips from behind, pressing his half-hard cock to the devil's backside. "Very pretty indeed." a smirk forces itself onto Raphael's lips as he kneels in front of Tav to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "You'll be put to such good use, little mouse." Tav spits at the devil, earning a quick grip of the jaw. Raphael's fingers hold onto each side of her face, squishing her cheeks together, a smirk forming on Tav's lips that he did not expect. She enjoys this? Haarlep gasps in excitement, swaying his hips side to side as he runs his own nails down his torso, one hand grasping at his now full erect cock beneath its thin leather restraint. "Let's play with her.."

Tav's eyes meet Raphael's. Sparkling and wet from tears, lashes dusted with little water droplets like fresh snow on pine trees. He sighs at the sight. So beautiful, so sweet. So ready to be destroyed. The look she gives him is one of surprising lust. She breathes a sigh of desire when he trails his fingers over the sharpness of her jaw and down the side of her neck. A shudder rattles her bones from his warm touch and she innocently blinks up at him. "So lovely.." he murmurs to her, fingers inching their way toward her right breast. Featherlight touch traces the shape and his eyes never leave hers, searching for permission to continue. She gives him a slow nod of approval. He circles the nipple with the tip of his nail, earning a moan from Tav's lips, her eyelids fluttering at the sweet mix of pain and pleasure. Careful fingers reach for the restraints and Haarlep quickly leans down to grasp at his wrist. "Release her there and she'll surely run. Let's move her to a much more comfortable destination."

The incubus and the devil help Tav to her feet. She stumbles from the tight restrains around her legs and Haarlep groans impatiently, scooping her legs up from beneath her, Raphael holding onto her top half as they carefully lie her on the plush bed. "Perfect. You do the honors, Haarlep." Raphael leans against the wall, his hands traveling over his torso and over the front of his thin robe, cock twitching behind the fabric, desperate for release. Haarlep grins and leans in to grasp at the bow in the ribbon with his sharp teeth, giving the silk a gentle tug to release the ties. Tav remains perfectly still. Lids low. Bottom lip caught in a death grip between her teeth. She's perfectly naked beneath the ribbons, cunt already soaked and ready for whatever the two men have in store for her.

Raphael palms at his erection slowly. His lower back bows off of the wall and Haarlep pauses to watch him, a low moan rumbling in his throat at the sight of his master exciting himself. "Such a tease." he groans, reaching down to rub at his own erection momentarily. A quick tug removes the ribbons from Tav's body and she sighs at the relief, legs falling open to reveal the mess between her thighs. Little red marks cover her skin from the friction and tightness of the silk. She sits up and turns her head toward Raphael to watch him, hips unintentionally rolling forward at the filthy thoughts swirling around in her head. She's ready for him. For both of them. In one swift motion, Haarlep reaches for her hips, flipping her over and shoving her face into the velvet duvet beneath them, a primal growl raising goosebumps all over her soft skin. His hands search her body. Every curve and crevice. Every freckle and bruise and imperfection.

Raphael still watches as Haarlep's hands roam Tav's back and ass, squishing the supple flesh between his fingers, kneading and groping and squeezing. One hand gathers Tav's wrists and forces them behind her back. He shoots a look at Raphael. "Some help?" he hisses and Raphael moves toward the bed to retrieve the ribbons Tav had been released from not moments before. He circles her wrists with the silk carefully, tying a bow at the top to finish off the restraint and he leans back to admire his work. The chain still connected to Tav's collar glimmers in the candlelight of the boudoir. An invitation. Raphael reaches down to grasp at it and give it a gentle tug, earning a muffled whimper from Tav as she struggles to lift her head from the bed. Hot fingers swipe up through her folds, Haarlep using his knees to keep her thighs apart as far as her hips will allow in this position. He lifts his fingers to show Raphael her slick, spreading them apart to windowpane the wetness between them in a thin, sticky layer.

"Little Mouse.. So wet for us." Raphael grunts. The devil leans forward, eyes fixed on Haarlep, tongue flicking out to clean off the incubus' fingers. He sucks the digits between his lips, tongue swirling around them thoroughly, Tav's sweetness making his cock grow even harder. Haarlep pulls his fingers away with a satisfying pop and works them through Tav's folds one more, eventually pressing the two fingertips to her entrance. She accepts them with ease. Surprising ease, even for herself. Haarlep begins a torturously slow pump of his fingers within her walls and she rolls her hips backward against them, chasing friction, release, anything. She's desperate now. Desperate for more. To be filled to the brim. His thumb presses to her clit and Tav nearly comes undone in that moment, the pressure on the sensitive bundle of nerves enough to start her legs trembling.

The pumping of Haarlep's fingers continues as he uses his free hand to palm at his cock again, the angry red tip weeping with a shiny bead of precum. He pulls it from behind its leather restraint and leans down to rub the head between Tav's ass cheeks, playfully pressing it against her tight hole. She lifts her head and yelps. "Such a good girl." Raphael coos, giving the chain another tug, this one much rougher. A quiet choked noise escapes her and she licks the drool pooling at the corners of her lips, turning her head to fix her eyes on Raphael as Haarlep ruts against her backside. The devil hands the chain to the incubus and unties his robe, instructing Haarlep to pull Tav up onto her knees. He obeys, fingers leaving her cunt reluctantly. She keens at the emptiness and pushes herself back against the incubus as he reaches a hand around to find her aching clit once more. Her head falls back against his chest in relief, little moans of pure pleasure pouring from her lips like a song.

Raphael crawls up onto the bed and settles himself on his back in front of Tav. She smiles down at him in between moans, Haarlep's fingers still working furiously at her clit, the other hand winding the chain tight around it to keep Tav's body pulled close to his chest for complete control. He mumbles filthy words into her ear, drawing her closer to her end with each circle of his fingers. Raphael takes his cock into his hand and strokes at it slowly, Haarlep gathering some of Tav's slick on his hand to reach out and smooth over Raphael's erection for lubricant. The devil groans at the sensation and his hand quickens. "Careful, Raphael. We know what happens when you become too eager." Haarlep teases. With a groan, Raphael flattens himself against the bed and drops his hand to his side. "Bring her to me." he grunts. Haarlep obeys and shifts Tav forward. She adjusts her legs to straddle Raphael's lap, cunt pressed firmly to his cock as it lays against his stomach.

His hands find the globes of her ass and without hesitation, he guides her hips in a grinding motion against him, the friction enough to earn a strained moan from the devil's throat. Tav grins and presses her chest tightly to his as she follows the movements he pushes her hips into, her slick dripping onto his pelvis with each thrust. A delicious mess of sticky clear fluid and precum coats their skin. Haarlep lines himself up behind Tav carefully, nails digging into the plush meat of her thighs. He gathers spit on his tongue, allowing it to fall in a thin rope onto Tav's tight asshole, his thumb rubbing the saliva into her skin before pressing the tip of his cock against her. She grits her teeth and hisses at the burning sensation as he pushes himself inside. "Oh g-gods-" she whines, head falling into the sweaty crook of Raphael's neck and shoulder. He holds her steady to allow her time to adjust before lifting his hips and allowing his cock to easily slide into her cunt.

Tav sobs into Raphael's neck at the heavy pressure in both holes, her hips still. Raphael coos to her quietly, smoothing her hair down against the back of her head. After a few moments of reprieve, Haarlep begins the thrusting first, nails still hooked roughly into Tav's thighs. Little rivulets of blood bubbling up and over the indentations. Raphael begins his movements next and Tav nearly crumbles to ash as both men pick up their pace. Hips crash against hips, loud squelching and slapping noises filling the boudoir like a filthy symphony. "I can't wait to pump you full of my seed, little mouse. Make such a mess of you." Raphael groans. Haarlep gives her chain another yank backwards. She coughs at the restriction against her windpipe, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes as the two men continue to furiously rut into her aching holes. She can't take much more.

Raphael falls apart first, loud moans ringing in Tav's ear. He ruts up into her one final time, hot ropes of cum spewing deep within her walls. She presses sloppy, open mouthed kisses all over his neck and chest as she continues to ride him through his orgasm. The friction of the silk ribbons rubs her wrists raw and she wines as she tries to tug them apart. Sweat beads up on Raphael's forehead. His eyes squeeze shut at the blissful overstimulation of his cock. Haarlep is next, muscular body toppling over Tav's, pressing her tighter to Raphael as he forces his hips into her a few more times. Heat boils up in Tav's belly and she settles into the cambion beneath her. A content sigh escapes her lungs. She tugs at the ribbons once more. Both men remain inside of her, cocks pulsing from their climaxes, Tav's walls squeezing around them with the beat of her heart. They lie there, a sweaty pile of heat and sex. All too tired to move. Haarlep chuckles quietly to himself and presses his head between the space in Tav's shoulder blades, his fingers releasing her wrists from the ribbons, chest heaving.

"Your daddy should bring us gifts more often, Raphael."

#bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #fic request #raphael x haarlep #raphael x haarlep x tav #raphael x tav #haarlep x tav #haarlep smut #raphael smut

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damn-stark · 2 years

Text

Ch.29: Promise me

Chapter 29 of Cherry

A/N: I love this chapter so much, I’m so sad we’re going on hiatus. But don’t fret. I'll be editing Cherry from the start so I’ll edit and reblog until the next part comes out! (so if you want to reread whilst I do that, feel free to do so!) Thank you for all the support and love!! I really, truly appreciate every single one of you!

Warning- Angst, LONG CHAPTER!! Swearing, FLUFF! Mentions of alcohol, the ending…😈

Episodes- 4x87, only the very beginning of ch.132 of the manga!

Pairing- Jean Kirstein x reader

(Let me know if you want to be tagged)

————

“It’s okay come on,” Levi assures you, even if his own annoyance was rising at your resistance to step out of the passage that led underground. That same passage that just yesterday you were forbidden from using.

You were excited to finally step out, to finally see the sky from above ground, but you were also scared and overwhelmed since the underground had been your home for as long as you could remember. Even the sun was frightening. Those new smells, that fresh breeze that made your skin crawl. No matter how much Levi and Furlan were assuring you that it was okay to step out of the shadows, you backed away from the sunline that peeked in through the passage entrance.

“No,” you protest, “I want to go home.”

Levi drops his head and groans, but he couldn’t blame you for being scared of something new, not even if your resistance was a bit annoying. “It’s okay Cherry, come on.” He offers you his hand and you glance at the dark passage beside you, and then at the outside world that lay beyond the passage entrance.

As frightened as you felt you knew being alongside your family made things less terrifying, so you take his hand and cautiously walk out, instantly covering your eyes from the sun the first moment you step out of the cold shadows.

The sun was a lot warmer than when the sun beams would hit you when you watched the sky under the gap. It was a lot more blinding too, you could hardly see, it took time to get your eyes adjusted. The air felt a lot better to breathe too, it didn’t smell like dirt. From what you could hear there were a lot of people out, horses passed by pulling carts. You wanted more than ever to run back home, but you couldn’t, so you tightened your hold around Levi’s hand and slowly dropped your other hand from your eyes.

And in that moment that you could finally see without having the sun blind your eyes, you were left speechless. The dirt street, the houses lined along the streets, the stands that had fresh fruit and fresh flowers, the fancy carts, the people, and the blue sky was all what you dreamed they'd be, they were all so amazing and…beautiful.

Yeah that was the right word, beautiful. You couldn’t help but smile at the sky, catching two small birds passing overhead and fly towards the sun.

——

*MARLEY. YEARS LATER*

The harbor was crowded with so many different people. It was honestly overwhelming, you could hardly walk in a group, you had to grip onto Jean’s hand so you wouldn’t lose him—or he wouldn’t lose you. The air was filled with so many different strange smells; some foul and disgusting, others delicious and tempting to go find where it came from. Different sounds travelled in the air as well; honking, people speaking unknown languages around you. Along the streets, stands selling all types of stuff decorated the harbor.

The most eye-catching thing that caught your eye though was a man taking pictures. Or at least that’s what Onyankopon had said those inventions did—just like the picture of Eren’s dad.

You want one. No! Many so you’d keep these memories cherished forever.

Nevertheless, as overwhelming as it all was, you were ecstatic and flabbergasted by all that you saw. You could cry of happiness.

“Welcome to the continent of Marley!” You hear someone shout over the noise. When you look away from the stores that were aligned alongside the street you spot Onyankopon approaching the group. “I’ll guide you to the Azumabito estate.”

You grin at the man and Hange beats you to greet him. “Onyankopon!”

He chuckles, “I’m glad you all made it! What do you think of Marley’s biggest port?”

“It’s amazing—”

“Wha—?!” Connie cuts you off as a metal cart—no, a car! passes by—“That horse! Or…is it? Huh?”

A horse? Tsk. Does that look like a horse?

“It’s some sort of cow! It has to be!” Sasha exclaims with the same confusion and excitement.

“It’s a car!” Hange muses. “I’ve heard about ‘em before! Hello there, car!”

Oh damn. As excited as you were about seeing that metal cart—car pass by, you knew you were still pretending to be one of them. You couldn’t afford getting excited like your friends, no matter how curious and excited you were to see it too.

“People are staring,” Armin points out to Jean and you quietly.

“Ugh!” Jean groans. “They think we’re bumpkins now.”

“Eh?”

“Pretend we’re not with ‘em.” Jean continues, tightening his hold around your hand to pull you along with him.

You try to ignore them, but your eyes wander to Hange, Sasha and Connie as they continue shouting at the car as they begin to chase after it now.

“Damn. They’re chasing it now,” you whisper.

“Just look away,” Jean muttered, “just keep—”

“Hey let’s take a picture!” You cut him off excitedly as you spot a different man taking a picture in front of the pier—after you had told him that you weren’t going to get distracted. “Come on please!”

“No,” Jean protested through gritted teeth. “We need to get out of the street. We’re not here to mess around.” He continues to pull you with him through the crowd, grumbling to himself as Armin was no longer behind you anymore.

“Maybe later then?” You continue to ask. “I want a picture of us. And one of you, maybe two of us so we can give one to your parents. And I want one with Levi, and one with Mikasa, and one with the three of us. I want one with Hange and Levi, and a group picture too!” You ramble as your eyes keep wandering to every new thing you caught, as small or as big as it was.

You especially found yourself smiling at the new types of dresses you saw the woman wearing. They were all so beautiful, big and fancy. Nothing like the dress you wore; the material was only silk because it was brought in by the Azumabito for Mikasa; since she said she had no use for it she handed it to you. Your dress however was thin and not as thick and puffy as these ones. The light pink dress hugged your body okay, but it wasn’t as tight as these ones looked. You also showed a lot more skin than the woman here; your arms were exposed since you had short sleeves, and your neckline was low, exposing only a bit of your chest since you didn’t like how restricting it was to have turtlenecks.

Maybe that’s why you were getting dirty looks from the woman.

“Hey, there’s Sasha and Connie!” Jean points to the pair standing in front of a food stand, accidently letting your hand slip from his hold as he stormed towards them.

The good thing was that Levi had caught up and Onyankopon and Hange were beside you, otherwise you would have gotten lost in this sea of people—“When can we go shopping?” You ask the people standing at your sides. “I want to go see a bookstore! And a boutique!”

“You’re not wasting your money on books.” Levi warns you. “You have enough at home.”

You pout and hook your arm around him to continue pleading. “But how am I supposed to get better at reading their books if I can’t practice? And there’s so many new clothes that I want to get.”

“Maybe we can ask Onyankopon to take us shopping tomorrow,” Hange offered, making you grin and causing Levi to groan since Hange was letting you have your way.

“Of course, I’m sure we’ll find time.” Onyankopon backs Hange up.

You grin. “Yay!” You continue to focus back on Jean and your other two friends, catching the three of them freak out over the food they seemed to be trying.

So much for, “we’re not here to mess around.”. Look at him now, hmph. Who’s the bumpkin now Jean?

“I told ‘em not to stand out,” Levi comments on the scene.

“Nobody’s gonna see that and think they’re Island devils.” Hange assures him as you all watch Jean begin to yell at Armin and Mikasa about what he had in his hand in this heartwarming excitement.

Levi scoffs regardless. You were going to add onto the matter but the moment you look over at him you instantly freeze out of fear as you see a tall man in a bright clown costume behind him, staring him down—“hey there, sonny. Can I interest you in some sweeet candy?”

What the hell? You’ve seen clowns before, but never as tall, with red hair, or with a face as heavily painted as this one. The ones at home were terrifying, but this man crouching down to offer Levi candy was even more horrifying. Like something out of a nightmare. He had you dropping your hand from Levi’s arm to slowly back away.

“I’m talkin’ to you.” The clown continues to terrorize Levi, before Levi turns around to face the creepy clown.

And in the moment he did turn, the clown backed away and looked instantly apologetic for confusing him for a child, he even went on to compliment his outfit. All before he turned and approached you. “Candy for the pretty Lady?”

Your eyes widen and your heart drops whilst you keep slowly backing away to hide behind Hange. “No thank you,” you whisper as you shake your head. “My dad said not to take candy from strangers.” You didn’t mean to say it, but it came out with how scared you were feeling under his creepy looking gaze.

“Okay then.” He laughs and walks off.

“Y/N! There you are!” Jean’s voice cuts through the other noise as he reaches you from behind and turns you quickly to face him. “Try this!” He shoves something in your mouth, suddenly bombarding you with something cold yet soft enough that it melted in your mouth and introduced your taste buds to something unknown yet deliciously sweet and vanilla like.

The taste was so good that it made you forget the fear you had just felt for the clown. Even if you felt as if your mouth was frozen, your heart skipped a beat and a big grin decorated your features as you took the cone shaped cookie from him. “It’s so good!”

“Right! It’s ice cream!” Jean blurted and kept watching you taste the ice cream.

“Can I get one?!”

Jean turns his head to peer at something over his shoulder before swallowing thickly and facing you with his face all red. “W-we can…share it.”

Your eyebrows scrunch and you instantly protest. “No. You’re stingy about your food, just last week you got mad at me because I ate the last strawberry from the fruit bowl that I was sharing with you.”

Jean scoffs. “I won’t get mad this time.” His face turns a brighter red and he averts his gaze to avoid Levi’s stare. “Come on.”

Since he was insistent, you agree with a small smile that causes your eyes to give off a sparkle that Jean only grows more nervous about—“fine. But let’s go buy Hange and others some!” You grab Jean’s hand and run to the ice cream cart to buy three more.

When you return you’re even more excited to see their reactions, you can’t help but giggle as Hange screams from excitement when the cold cream touches her tongue. Onyankopon said he had already tried it before but he was still grateful. Levi, on the other hand, complained and said it was too sweet and cold. Yet he still followed by finishing it all. Tsk.

Once Jean and you had finished yours though, you couldn’t help but think about Marco, Isabel, Nanaba and Erwin. They liked sweets, they would’ve loved eating ice-cream. They would’ve loved it here. As strange and overwhelming as it was, they would’ve loved it. They all would’ve.

Erwin would’ve loved Marley. Everything about it, all the new foods, the new inventions that your Island lacked, all the different people. The endless sky and the blue sea. You could say it now without hesitation. You could tell him that there were people beyond the Island walls. You were here after all, standing on this strange and new continent.

You were right Erwin! You were right.

“…that’s not your purse.”

You break from your train of thought and look over to where you hear Levi, seeing that he had caught a boy in the act of stealing Sasha’s purse. It should’ve been a brief interaction, just return the purse and hear an apology to forget it ever happened, but people began to crowd around Levi, and began shoving Jean, Connie and you aside to get a better view and throw insults and assumptions at the boy.

They even threatened to smash his hand, as if they didn’t see he was young—“that’s taking it too far!” You interject to defend the boy, earning glares and whispered remarks.

“Yeah,” Sasha agreed. “I already got my purse back!”

“This isn’t about you. We’ve gotta punish him to set an example. We’re trying to make a living here.” A man argued before another man added to the cruel conversation.

“Besides, he could be a subject of Ymir.”

You stiffen and fist your hands at the sound of the comment. Anyone looking over could assume you were scared about the man being right; because it’s unfathomable living amongst subjects of Ymir like they just mentioned, hmph. But you were really concerned that they’d somehow see through your acts.

Even Levi seemed to grow worried about what was thrown around because he grabs the boy and begins to take him away from the crowd without trying to explain a thing. But ultimately he was forced to stop as the crowd of men questioned his antics. “Who said he’s a thief? All I said was, “that’s not your purse.” It belongs to his big sister here.” He refers to Sasha.

“My!” Hange cut in, only making this seem more suspicious. “Talk about a nutty family! Right, big sis?”

“Ah!” Sasha says nervously before repeatedly bowing. “Sorry about my little brother!”

Of course the stupid men call on the bullshit, only a fool would fall for that lie. Levi knew that and ordered for you all to run away. Which you shouldn’t have done so you wouldn’t make matters worse, but you do and end up looking guilty regardless of how much he said about blending in.

The one good thing is that they didn’t follow. The bad thing was the kid did end up stealing from Levi.

*LATER*

“I’m sorry you went through that.” The Lady Azumabito apologized to the group, before continuing to explain something one of the men had mentioned before. “As blood testing has improved, countries across the world are finding they’re inhabited by Subjects of Ymir who’ve fled the zones. Back during the height of the Eldian Empire, being a Subject Ymir was a sign of status among the world's elite. But as the empire crumbled, they found themselves being exiled from places. Such is a life for Eldian’s outside the wall. Alas, it will be difficult for Paradis Island to establish friendly relations.”

Everyone struggles, it seems your Island has to struggle a lot, but what’s a little more if it means peace?

At least that’s what you think to make it all sound better.

“Even so, giving up on peace means, we’ll have to go along with Zeke's plan: to leave our fate in his hands and to sacrifice Historia and her children.”

You sigh quietly at that fact, and get up from your seat to stand behind where Levi is seated as you grow more uncomfortable than you already were. Actually your body seemed to be feeling these muscle aches that were making you uneasy.

Could running have affected you that much? It was almost night time and you had run away from the harbour a couple hours ago. Besides, that wasn’t anything to wear you out. Maybe it’s this new place?

Regardless, you continue to focus your attention on Hange now. “Yeah…But we came here to avoid such a future. And for the Subjects of a Ymir protection group debut in tomorrow's forum.”

“It’s still not clear what that group seeks to achieve.” The lady interjected, causing you to drop your eyes and rest your hands on the top of Levi’s chair. You would’ve added your own thoughts to the matter, but you didn’t feel like it was your place to, so instead Hange goes on.

“Indeed. We’ll be observing them first. But if they seem promising and agree to speak with us?”

“You’ll express that Paradis Island seeks peace.”

“Yes,” Hange nods.

The lady blinks and keeps her eyes closed for a few seconds to stay in thought for a moment before continuing. “Naturally, the Azumabito are happy to help you down the path. Though are you being realistic about your chances of success?”

You look over at the lady and then at Hange as they continue whilst you step back. “I know…it’ll be very difficult. And dangerous, too. But having said that, we have to give it our best shot.”

A silence passes, nobody protests or adds on to what Hange said. Only an understanding silence that your group comprehends passes until the Lady agrees. “I suppose so.”

The shuffling of Mikasa abruptly standing from her seat pulls your attention towards her. She seemed alarmed and you quickly picked up on that before she threw out a question, “Where’s Eren?”

——

Evening had turned to night. Mikasa had run off soon after she noticed that Eren wasn’t around the grounds and left you all behind to catch up to her. She even left Armin behind.

But since she had run off ahead of everyone, now you needed to find her too. Why couldn’t she wait and at least lead the search herself? Ugh.

It was also dark and no one thought of bringing a light because you were all so panicked. Furthermore, all this running around was affecting you more than it should be. Climbing up the hill wasn’t helping. You felt exhausted.

“Hurry up y/n!” Sasha shouted.

You take a break and breathe heavily. “It’s okay…I’ll catch up. Go.”

Jean’s eyes linger but he goes on ahead, Sasha on the other hand climbs down towards you and helps you move up the hill. You were too focused on your own exhaustion that you didn’t even realize who was on the top until the group stopped, and Jean yelled. “The hell you doing Eren?!”

You look up and see Eren and Mikasa standing only a few inches apart, and a man standing beside them with something in his hands.

“Are you an idiot?!” Connie exclaimed.

Eren mumbled something but it was impossible to catch what he said—“what did he say?” You ask Sasha whilst you catch your breath.

Said girl shrugs, “who knows.”

Tsk. Instead of going back to the estate where Levi and the others were waiting, Eren guided everyone down the other side of the hill as he followed an old man to a big tent.

As if he hadn’t been warned about following strangers.

“I don’t think this is such a good idea,” you share your concern as you leave Sasha and rush to grab Jean’s arm. “We should take him back.”

“I know,” Jean agrees in a grumble, “but he’s not listening.”

“They’re inviting us inside,” Eren whispered back. “It would be rude to decline.”

What if it’s a trap and that sweet looking old man is a Marleyan soldier? Besides Levi and Hange’s wrath when they’re mad is scary.

“Even so,” you continue, finding only a bit of relief as you’re surrounded by lights. “We can’t be messing around. They’re waiting for us.”

“We’ll only stay for a bit,” Eren assures you whilst he follows the old man to the middle of the tent where he points for you all to sit down.

At first you’re hesitant to, even if the delicious looking food in the middle was tempting you to sit.

Eren of course doesn’t wait to sit down, and since Mikasa trusts him, she listens, but you, like the others, slowly take a seat alongside everyone else; catching a younger man, a woman with a head wrap, and two younger children join the circle. Actually one of those boys was the boy from the market. He’s the one that places broken cups and old cans in front of all of you.

This is where he must live in this city of tents—you think to yourself while you watch the old man pour a clear liquor in everyone’s cup.

Once he’s done he grins a toothy grin that makes Eren reach over to pick up Mikasa’s cup. And without hesitation he drinks part of the drink before putting it back down.

Now you should’ve been worried about what he was putting in his body, but you honestly felt more excited that he did that. And he couldn’t say it was an accident, his cup was right in front of him!

Of course after Eren put the cup down you also shared a quick look with Jean—not to judge what happened. No, you both just acknowledged it with tiny teasing smirks until you both snap back to worry about the drink, catching the old man praising Eren whilst you all grab your cups and look at them with hesitance before slowly taking a sip of your own.

Only, you didn’t stop at just a sip, you chugged it all since the drink was tasty. It was strong too but not enough to make you complain. It was smooth, it had a sweet hint that complimented the other unknown ingredients, and the one obvious one, the alcohol.

After that, the reluctance to trust the old man and his family was forgotten and the food was enjoyed without complaints, since that too was good. More bottles of the same drink came and kept filling your cups, shoving away that tension that you had held the more you kept finishing each serving. More people also began to filter in as the tent flaps opened to welcome guests. And even if you couldn’t understand most of them, getting along with them was easier than when you met the Marleyan’s.

Unlike the Marleyan volunteers, the people that welcomed you to their home took no time to trust you and your friends, they treated you as if you were one of them without hesitation. They smiled and laughed with you as the alcohol intake increased, seeming almost limitless. Even if just a couple hours ago you felt like you were coming down with something, now those feelings were forgotten as your mind was swept off and blissfully happy off the tasty alcohol. Instead of being cautious, now you were comfortable. Enough so, that you wandered off alone towards the music to watch people dancing outside,under the stars.

It ended up being a great idea because you were amazed at how the women were moving their hips, their body and bellies to the beat of music. Like a snake almost, no, or like the flames of the fire, they moved so well it was honestly hypnotizing. Even some of the men moved their hips to the beat of the music.

However, while you were admiring the dance, the crowd parted and one of the women invited you over. Your face grew hotter than already felt and you grew timid under the spotlight. All you could think of doing was kindly decline her offer. “No, I don’t know how.”

“It’s okay,” the woman assured you. “I’ll teach you.” She grabs your hand and pulls you into the middle of the circle, making you drop your drink.

“You have such a beautiful dress,” she compliments you as she fixes your stance, letting you catch the accent in her voice. “Where did you get it?”

“Oh,” you swallow thickly, “I made it myself.”

The other young woman grinned and one of them spoke up. “You have to come again so you can make us some.”

You grin and nod. “Of course!”

“Now let’s dance,” the woman exclaimed happily. “Watch me first.” The music starts again and she doesn’t wait, she slowly begins to move her body like before. Unlike before though this time it was a short dance since she then followed to stop and help you.

“I really can’t,” you mutter nervously as you stand stiff.

“It’s okay. Just loosen up and move your body to the music! Like me!” She reassures you and moves her hip to the right, drifting her eyes to give you a silent signal. However, you were still hesitant and moved stiffly. It made her grin widen and the others laugh. “It’s okay. Loosen up.”

You draw in a deep breath before dropping your shoulders and exhaling as you did as she said. You continue to be hesitant, but as you watch her do it again and the alcohol keeps kicking in, you grin and begin to follow as she did. Albeit you still didn’t do it as well, at all, but you did try and did good enough that they all clapped.

When you did it again, you moved your hips and the rest of your body with more confidence, impressing even the girl that had complimented your dress—even if you still weren’t that good.

“That was good!” Another woman complimented you as she and the others clapped.

You beam at them and clap. “Let’s dance some more!”

They all share a smile and wave more people over to the dance circle, albeit this time the beat of the music sped up and more instruments joined in to create a happy melody. Now instead of moving your hips, you move your feet after you take off your shoes and throw them aside. Instead of dancing alone, everyone formed circles of four before joining up to create a bigger circle in the middle, and then spinpining around individually to move in and form a line where you faced the others before breaking apart when the music only picked more.

This time a young man grabbed your hand and pulled you towards him, securing your hand in his and placing his other hand on your back. Before you could pull away, he began moving you quickly to the side before spinning and dancing around the ground and then swiftly sliding his body to the side so he could hook your arm with his and spin more. He laughed and you couldn’t help but giggle nervously before someone else grabbed ahold of your hand and pulled you with them to hook their arm with yours and spin around together.

As the music continued you pulled away and grabbed the woman's hand to dance with her the same way, sharing a cheerful laugh that escaped the both of you.

“You’re a great learner!” She shouted before grabbing your elbow and stepping aside so her hand slid to grab yours, after that she passed you to someone else and you did the same move until you spotted Sasha and Mikasa and pulled them to dance in a group. They were slow at first, but with the alcohol in their system they fell into the beat of the music and were quickly pulled away by others, leaving you on the side of the circle that was watching and clapping.

“Y/N!” You hear Jean cry happily before he falls at your side and throws his arm over your shoulder to pull you in so close that you could smell the alcohol on his breath. “My sweet lovely girl, here you are!” He kisses your cheek and you grin as an idea pops in your head. So before he could say anything else you pull away and grab his hand to pull him in the dancing circle—“No!” He argues after his drink was dropped. “No! I can’t dance!”

“I’ll teach you!” You assure him confidently right before hooking your arm with his and slowly beginning to move around in a circle. “You trust me right?”

His eyes lift off your feet and meet your gaze with a nervous smile on his face. “Of course I do.”

You smirk and begin to dance faster, unable to resist the urge to laugh as he keeps stumbling. He’s slow and not that quick to adapt, but you make him follow you.

“Okay no, it’s enough!” He laughed nervously. “Let’s go back.”

You smile at him and slide your hand down his arm to grab his hand and pull him towards you to grab his back with your other hand. His face burns hotter but he can’t hide his smile.

“Here,” you whisper as you move his other hand to your hips. “Just got with it!” Again you begin to move along to the music, spinning and dancing without a care in the world. You laughed without worrying if any of these people would find out about who you really were. None of them cared who you were, they enjoyed the company and shared the fun with you.

“I love you Jean,” you shout over the music as you continue dancing all pressed together, knowing you didn't need to be drunk to say any of it. “I'm in love with you…” yet these next words were asked because of the alcohol in your system, they were said out of fear, out of the need to be reassured about this relationship after all the loss. “Promise that what we have is forever! I can’t lose you!”

The both of you hook your arms together again, and continue spinning around, but through it all, no one else existed but the two of you as you moved your bodies to the music. It was now that you were close to each other too that you noticed this soft and loving look in his eyes that you’ve only noticed until now.

“I promise!” He shouts over the noise.

The music slowly begins to come to an end and he swiftly moves to grab your hand to pull you towards him once the music completely ends—“I promise,” he repeats against your lips with a happy smile.

Your eyes water and you grin happily at him.

“Let’s go,” he whispers as he secures his hold around your hand to pull you back into the tent, swiping a bottle from the ground and pulling you down to the ground in some secluded corner. “You know,” he begins to say before taking a big swig from the drink. “My love…”

My love. Damn, you always loved the way he said it.

Jean’s hand moves up to your cheek and he tilts his head as he just admires you. “Y-you look fucking beautiful! I’m so in love with you. Like I’m genuinely so completely in love with you.” He pauses and puts the drink down to scoot closer and grab your cheeks with both hands. “Like I love how you’re so kind, I love the way you love the world, I love the way you look at everything with so much admiration and love, no matter how ugly something is you always find the beauty in it and that is so sweet and and so damn admiring.” He swallows thickly and his eyes water. “My love, I’m so deeply in love with you…”

He’s drunk. More than you were—what a lightweight. Still, you love every single word and you know you’ll never forget them. Never.

“…and I really don’t get why you love me. I really don’t.”

“Jean,” you whisper and cup his hands on your cheeks, while you felt your heart drop at his comment.

“But I’m happy you do. H-Honestly, I-I I don’t how I was so blind before. You-you…you…” he pauses and clears his throat, causing you to grin slowly and holding back the tears that threatened to show in the middle of this feast.

“I turn you on?” You giggle to make him laugh.

Jean snorts and nods. “You finish my sentences.” Tears roll down his cheeks. “You know I don’t need the sun when I’m with you. No light. Just you. You’re far more beautiful and radiant than the both combined.” He presses his forehead against yours and sniffles. “Please. Please don’t ever leave me. I don’t know what I'd do without you, my love. Please don’t leave me too….” He swallows the lump in his throat and sighs. “Promise me.”

“Jean,” you rubattel to only that part of his confession. “You know we can’t promise that to each other.”

“You’ve done it already,” he argues, “please y/n. Promise me you’ll make it out of all this.”

You drop your eyes and sigh, but nod. “I'll try the best I can. I cross my heart.”

Jean sighs in relief and grabs the drink, letting his eyes linger on yours before he presses a quick kiss on your lips and pulls away to offer you a charming grin. “Let’s get fucking drunk.”

You giggle and stand up on your feet together. Jean continues to shove the bottle in your mouth to make you chug the alcohol with a very evil grin—So much for being so sweet.

Moreover, after that, the alcohol completely swept you away. You can’t place much of anything soon after that, only bits and pieces of memories. There was only one clear shard of memory that was clear (somewhat), it was a talk you had with Eren. After that it was a big happy blur. The next thing you knew, you were waking up on the floor inside the tent with your head and a hand on Jean’s chest, whilst his own hand cradling your head. And right above you stood Levi looking down at you with a burning glare.

“Y/N.”

First name never meant anything good.

You bat your eyelashes and smile as you sit up.“Good morning?” You whisper.

Levi scoffs and rolls his eyes before he steps back and continues to speak. “Get up, we’re leaving.”

“We found Eren.” You point out the obvious, glancing over at him as you see he was beginning to wake up thanks to Hange, whilst also noticing that his leg was on Jean's neck. Gross.

“What time is it?” You ask groggily and slowly stand up, feeling your head begin to ache, and your body be wrapped in this cold chill. “It’s cold in here, no?”

“No,” Levi deadpans. “Help me wake up the rest of your friends.”

*A FEW HOURS LATER*

“A man in the clouds? Hmm,” you hum and sit down on the chapel steps. “Cool.” You flip the page from this gigantic book you found on one of the benches and find yourself confused on the multiple passages.

The hangover was completely killing your head, but thanks to some remedy Hange patched up, all those symptoms were slightly subsided, for the most part. You still felt tired and cold even though you were sweating in your dress. You could’ve stayed in bed all day, that’s all you wanted to do, but the forum was later and it was going to take too long, so you wanted to enjoy some time to explore beforehand.

Albeit since you did get a little too excited over all the stuff you saw in town, you got sidetracked and lost Jean and others—you’d join them after you’ve read a couple pages of the big book though.

However, with that thought in mind, you were the one found instead. “Y/N! There you are!”

You lift your head at the sound of Jean’s voice and see him at the end of the chapel, his chest rising and falling quickly, and his face bright red.

“What’s your problem?!” He demanded an answer as he began to stride down the aisle with his eyebrows furrowed and his gaze narrowed in an angry glare. “We’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

You close the book and stand up on the step, watching him walk up the step to stand in front of you and only deepen that scowl.

“I’m sorry,” you quickly apologize sincerely. “I saw the colorful windows on this chapel and I got distracted.”

Jean scoffs and rolls his eyes before he lifts them to see what had drifted you from the group.

“They’re pretty aren’t they?” You muse as you admire the beautiful and bright colors. There were people painted on them too and it seemed to tell a story you didn’t quite understand. “Especially as the sun reflects through them.”

“Yeah,” Jean whispers as he slowly turns around to take in the beautifully colored glasses.

You smile and open the book again to finally talk about what ached you to keep so quiet. “I think it tells a story. But I’m not sure, I think it’s in this book though. Albeit you know that god that Onyankopon mentioned? Well he lives in a kingdom on the clouds.”

“Well.” Jean interjected to remind you what you needed to do. “We should—”

In that moment he looks down at you however, his words catch in his throat as he’s left utterly speechless.

Since you were stuck on the words printed on the thin pages you completely missed the way he looked at you. You missed the soft and loving look, you missed the realization in his eyes that he was suddenly hit with as he saw how the yellow and purple hues from the windows basked your face in such a beautiful matter; making you look majestic on the alter’s steps, with that pretty flowy white dress that had a light blue ribbon around your waist.

You missed it all, but that look on his face didn’t go away when your eyes drifted over to him. “What?” You smile slowly, feeling your heart skip a beat when you notice how the red and purple hues danced on his face in such a gentle and beautiful manner.

Jean smirks and shakes his head to assure you. “Nothing.”

“Wait.” Your eyes widen and you shut the book. “Oh shit, are we late to that forum thing?”

Jean exhales slowly and shakes his head. “No, we got time to kill. We can go to the bookstore if you want.”

“Can we?” You ask with a grin.

“Yeah,” Jean nods with a smile.

“Yay!” You grab his hand and rush down the altar step to quickly return the book to the bench before running down the aisle together.

The heat of the sun is the first thing to greet you once you’re past the chapel doors, and Levi is there below the steps to greet you in a much colder manner. “Where have you been?” He asks with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes narrowed in a glare.

“We’re going to the bookstore!” You share with a grin to try and win him over. “Wanna come?“

Levi scoffs, “no. You’re not going either.”

You instantly let go of Jean and climb down those stone steps to grab ahold of Levi’s arm to try and convince him. “Come on, please, we won’t take long.” You bat your eyelashes and make sure to smile at him to convince him. “Or we can meet up in twenty minutes!” You grab his hands and hold them tightly, seeing his glare falter as he looks down at your hands for a second. “Please!”

“It’s okay!” Hange assures you while they walk towards the three of you with Onyankopon, Eren and Mikasa following behind them. “Go. Just twenty minutes!”

“Oh yay!” You exclaim and pull away from Levi to grab Jean again and pull him down the steps to walk towards the shop—“It’s cold isn’t it?” You share your passing thought with Jean.

“Cold?” Jean remarks whilst he begins to take off his coat to throw it over your shoulders. “It’s actually hot—”

“Y/N!” Levi calls, causing you to groan quietly before you stop in your tracks and look back at him with your eyebrows raised. “Comeback for a second.”

“Tsk.” You pout and sigh before turning to return to him. “What?”

“Look at me,” he demands and approaches you to grab your hands again with this weird look on his face, before he feels your forehead with the back of his hand. “You’re very hot.”

You pull away and laugh off his worry. “Yeah. It’s okay, I’m fine. It’s just the sun.”

“How long have you been feeling that way?” Levi asked, knowing your lies.

Ah damnit.

You avoid everyone’s stares and shrug as you answer quietly. “Since yesterday evening. It wasn’t nothing then, just aches. I thought I was just hungover in the morning, but I’ve been feeling worse.”

Levi steps towards you and the panic in his voice could not be misunderstood. “Why didn’t you say anything?!” His eyes snap to Jean. “Why didn’t you notice? You’re with her all day!”

Jean begins to stammer, but before he could answer you cut him off. “It’s not his fault. It’s mine! I didn’t want to worry anyone, besides we were so busy. I thought it could go away.”

“Go away?” Levi repeated before he grabbed ahold of your arm and began pulling you away from town. “You’ve got to be joking. And it’s ridiculous how you didn’t say anything.”

“I'm sorry,” you groan and pull your arm from his hand. “But I’m not a kid anymore Levi. I can’t hold us back. I’ll be okay.”

“No,” Levi argued harshly. “You won’t. You almost died from this before. You could get worse.” He looks back at Onyankopon, and that look alone scares the poor man. “Get a doctor Onyankopon.”

“I’ll get the others,” Hange said before they run off.

——

How could you tell him he was right without hearing a “I told you so?”

Because Levi was right. You only began to get worse as he rushed you back to the estate. Everyone panicked and just made what you felt feel a lot worse, especially while you noticed how Jean hadn’t spoken since Levi uncovered your secret.

This is exactly why you didn’t want to say anything, from what little you could remember from the first time you got sick, Levi had gotten skinnier and his under eye bags darkened from the lack of sleep. You were young so it was easier to notice the physical effects rather than emotional and mental ones. But now that you saw how worried he was and how pushy he was with the doctor, you figured that he didn't do well, especially because at that time it had only been a week after Furlan and Isabel died.

“You’re the father, correct?” The doctor asked Levi as he stepped away from your side.

“Yes. Is she going to be okay?” Levi blurted.

The doctor glanced at you and then pointed to the hall. “Let’s talk outside.”

Levi follows the doctor and Hange and Jean follow after him, making sure to close the door behind them.

“You guys think Jean’s mad?” You ask your friends keeping you company.

“When isn’t he?” Sasha says.

“I would be,” Mikasa interjects beside you as she makes sure to keep the cloth on your forehead cold and damp. “You didn’t say anything.”

You swallow thickly and struggle to speak. “I'm sorry. I really did think I’d get better.”

“I’m sure he’s just worried,” Armin assures you from his chair at the far end of the bed.

You hum and feel your eyes slowly begin to get heavy.

“I’m going to go and hear what they’re saying,” Eren says abruptly while he stands up and walks out of the room in a hurry, but not forgetting to close the door behind him as he went in search of Levi and the doctor.

Yet when he noticed them talking downstairs, he stayed on the second floor and just listened from afar.

“…I won’t lie and I say that she’ll get better with the medicine.” The Doctor says, making Eren stiffen and fist his hands. “Since you said she’s gotten sick before, it's hard to tell. How long was she out before?”

“She wouldn’t wake up for a week,” Levi informed the man. “After that she kept waking up and sleeping for almost a month.”

The Doctor sighs. “Right. In these cases there are times where the illness affects the heart as well. It weakens it after so much strain so when people get sick again, it only makes things harder.”

“But,” Jean interjected with his voice shaky. “She’s older. She’s gotten stronger. I mean she eats well and she hasn’t had any problems until now.”

“Again. Maybe. It’s hard to tell off one day—”

“Aren’t you supposed to know?! You’re the doctor,” Jean interrupted him before Hange stepped in.

“Jean. He’s just helping.”

The doctor clears his throat and Eren hears his footsteps shift before he continues. “I’ll return tomorrow to check on her. Keep her in bed, have her drink lots of water and try feeding her a chicken soup or something simple as a fruit, she won’t be hungry but she’ll need it. If she begins to get worse, get me as soon as possible. She may also get body convulsions due to the fever—”

“What?” Jean asked in that same fearful voice.

“Yeah,” Levi mutters, “she had them before. Keep her at her side and wait it out. Thank you.”

Footsteps receded and the doctor shares one more thing. “If her breathing stops after an attack do any of you know how to do chest compressions?”

“I do.” Hange says quietly.

“Okay, good. If it happens, get me as soon as possible, but she seems to be a fighter. I have faith. You all should too.”

“Thank you!” Hange shouts before the door closes, letting Eren return to the room quietly.

You could barely speak now so you just watched him ponder in the corner of the room. Mikasa was going to ask about what he had heard, but the three that had left returned.

“Is she okay?!” Sasha asked.

“Is it contagious?!” Connie finally asked his worry.

You chuckle softly. “It was the alcohol.”

“What?!” He asks all frightened and panicked. “No way….I think I’m feeling sick.”

“No idiot,” Jean scolded him. “She’s just messing with you. It’s not the alcohol and it’s not contagious.” He finally walks to your side but hesitates when he looks down at you. “Coming to the other side of the sea just affected her because her body isn’t like ours.”

“Oh right,” Armin says, “since she lived underground.”

“But she's an Ackerman,” Mikasa points out in hopes that it would help.

Levi sighs and makes his way to the end of the bed beside Armin, to correct mikasa. “That doesn’t matter. We lived underground, that took a toll on her. No awakened abilities will change that.”

“You guys are still attending that forum right?” You interject. “You guys can’t stay here because of me. Please go.”

Jean scoffs and sits on the edge of the bed to look down at you with an offended look. “Are you crazy? We're not leaving you alone.”

You swallow back the lump in your throat and shake your head to argue. “No. That’s why we’re here. You can’t just drop everything over an inconvenience. Hange. Levi. You know that.”

There’s a silence from the both of them because it’s true. Not that you were an inconvenience, but the latter. Jean however made sure to argue against you. “No, y/n. We’re not going to leave you alone. You need us.”

“Cherry’s right,” Hange cuts in, “we need to go. All of us.”

Jean's head snaps towards them and his face twists with anger. “What if she gets bad when we’re gone? What if something worse happens?!” He couldn’t say what those things were, it hurt him too much to think of the possibilities, it hurt him seeing you so weak and sickly on the bed. That’s why he could hardly look at you. It grieved him too much.

“We won’t be gone long,” Levi tries to assure Jean even if he himself was worried over the same things. Actually everyone was. “Someone that lives here can keep an eye on her. Besides, she'll be sleeping most of the time. We’ll be back when she wakes up.”

“But—”

“Jean,” you cut him off quietly. “It’s okay. Go, you can’t do much right now so go. I’ll be fine. I lived through it once, I'll do it again.” You smile at him and he finally meets your gaze with such a wounded look in his eyes. “I’ll be fine. Cross my heart.”

“You better,” he whispers and presses a kiss on your cheek. “I’ll come back as soon as possible.”

“Okay.”

Mikasa gets off the bed and makes sure the cloth is damp and cool one last time before she leans her face towards you. “You better be okay when we return.” She pulls away and leaves out the door with Armin in tow, followed by Connie and Sasha. Hange made sure to refill your water cup and leave crackers nearby before she left too. Levi let his eyes linger before he assured you that he’d return, basically dragging Jean with him and leaving Eren to linger behind.

Albeit he didn’t say anything, he smiled very faintly and made sure to close the door when he walked out. Once they left you could finally give into that sleep that had been looming over your weak state. It was hard to feel lonely while your mind was unconscious. Dreaming was a breeze though, since your mind was under this sick spell, your mind was easily captivated in those fever dreams. The one difficult thing about that was differentiating between fantasy and reality. Not because your dreams were so crazy, but because you swear you’re seeing Eren again when you wake up.

“Eren, you’re back….how did it go?” You ask happily yet in a very strained voice.

Said man sits on the edge of the bed and smiles. “Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?” He chuckles and answers your question. “I got bored so I left.”

“Bored?” You scoff and try to sit up, but that was too much work so you stayed and just kept your head turned. “That’s why we’re here. You have to listen.”

Eren drops his gaze and shakes his head before murmuring. “They won’t change their mind.”

You blink and look out the window to watch a bird land on the tree branch closest to the glass. You knew he wasn’t wrong for thinking so, but you had to have hope, at least a bit of it—“but—”

“It’s okay,” Eren cuts you off, “they’ll catch us up when they return. Don’t strain yourself.”

That wasn’t what you were going to say but you have no strength to argue back, so you let it go and look away from the window to focus back on Eren, seeing his own gaze flicker back to you and catching a very faint smile on his face—“Since you’re sick, I got you something.” He says and reaches over to the nightstand to grab something small, and rectangle shaped wrapped in brown paper that had a yellow ribbon tied around it. “Here.” He hands you the gift and smirks. “If Jean asks, tell him it was me. I don’t care.”

You release a quiet breathless laugh and untie the ribbon to carefully tear paper, seeing once the paper had slid off that Eren had gifted you a book.

Onyankopon had been helping you learn how to read and write the Marleyan letters so you understood that it was some romance adventure book.

“The old lady that worked there helped me pick it out,” Eren added. “I heard you wanted to go to the bookstore so I thought I could make things a little better since you couldn’t go.”

You grin at him and clear your throat to speak up hoarsely. “Thank you. I love it already.” You swallow thickly and feel your breaths get ragged. “It's…sweet what you…did.”

Eren’s smile falters and you instantly catch the meaning behind it.

“The medicine here is better…than the one at home.” You assure him. “I’ll be fine. I just need to take it easy.” Your smile softens and you hand him the book. “Since I am sick, can you read the first chapter at least? Or…until I fall asleep.”

Eren becomes visibly uncomfortable and takes the book away carefully from your hands as if it was going to hurt him. “I don’t know.”

“Please. I’d read to you, but I can’t right now.” You plead. “Besides, I don't want to be alone.”

Eren sighs and his smile is completely gone from his face, you hear him grumble under his breath but he opens the book and flips to the first page. He hesitates but he continues to read. At first it’s like he was being held at gunpoint, he was slow. But then his change in emotions was instant when the man of the book lost his mother in that first chapter. Eren’s voice changed after that to something soft and sad, you expected him to stop but he continued and you listened with joy until you couldn’t keep your eyes open a moment longer.

Your mind drifted between dreams until it also fell quiet. You have no idea for how long you were asleep, but when you woke up again the room was softly lit by a candle. It took you some time to wake from the grogginess even if not much changed since you still felt sick. But it was after you could focus your eyes that you noticed Sasha was sleeping beside you, Jean had his head snuggled at your side and his body was all balled up. Connie was sleeping on some sheets and blankets on the floor with Armin. And Mikasa was the only one on a chair beside the bed, and also the only one awake.

The moment she caught your eyes open she leaned in towards you as best as she could and whispered so as to not wake the others. “Y/N.” She smiles softly. “Do you need something?”

Thanks to the soft light from the candle you could see how red her eyes and nose were, and how she clutched onto her scarf like it was going to run away. She was probably exhausted.

“Just water,” you answer her question, searching the room for Eren but seeing that he was the only one missing from your friend group.

Mikasa gets up to grab the cup of water off the nightstand. You didn’t want to move so you wouldn’t wake the two sleeping beside you, but Sasha was a heavy sleeper and well you couldn’t drink while laying down so you sat up as carefully as you could to grab the cup from her—“Thank you.” You whisper, seeing her eyes only express more worry. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I couldn’t,” she answered straightforwardly.

You hum and drink a big gulp of water, feeling a bit relieved with the water hydrating your dry throat.

“Levi is downstairs with Hange, do you want me to get him?”

You shake your head. “No. It’s fine.” Once again you look around the room and land your eyes on the book that Eren had given you. Meaning that it wasn’t a dream that he talked to you. “Where’s—”

Before you could finish your question Jean lifts his head and cuts you off. “Y/N, you're awake. How are you feeling?”

He was just sleeping and his first instinct as he woke up is to worry about you. How sweet and heartwarming. And it's not like he hasn’t worried about you before, he does, a lot, but hearing his concern, seeing it so deeply expressed on his face now as you were battling this fever in this strange continent, while also remembering his drunk words he shared with you just last night makes you come to realize one thing. No matter how clouded your mind felt because of your fever. You know you want this man to be in your life forever.

You may not have forever like how you asked him to promise you last night, but you hope that you can live long enough to at least marry him. It didn’t have to be big, it could be intimate, just the two of you…maybe Levi can be there too, Mikasa, Hange. Okay just your small family, but it could be something out of the moment. You don’t care if you’re still young, or if you have to do it hours before a battle that could bring your end, you want to at least have the pleasure of having him be yours, not just by the commitment you have to each other now, but by a vow until do death do you part, by a vow of forever, or for however long you both may live.

What dress would I wear though?—you begin to wonder as if you hadn’t maybe already thought of your dream dress.—Levi and Hange should walk me down together.

Wait, what if he doesn’t propose…

“Do you need to lay back down?” Jean continues to ask, causing you to break from your train of thought. “More medicine? Water? Food?”

“Oh. I’m feeling a bit better,” you assure him with a soft smile.

Jean sits up and feels your forehead with the back of his hand and frowns since you still feel hot.

You offer him another faint smile and he caresses your cheek before he moves to let you see Mikasa and repeat your question. “Where’s Eren?”

Mikasa and Jean look at one another to share this weird look, before Mikasa answers in a sad tone. “Y/N, Eren is gone. He left without saying anything during the forum. Yesterday.”

You blink and scoff. “Yesterday? He was here after he left it.”

Mikasa gaze saddens. “You’ve been out for a whole day.”

“Oh.” Why didn’t she say that sooner?!

“Wait. Eren came here?” Jean queries with his eyebrows all furrowed and his eyes narrowed. “What did he say?”

“Nothing…he just said it was boring so he left…why?”

Mikasa sighs and looks at her scarf as she sits back down. “Because we couldn’t find him after he left. I’m guessing he stopped by here and then left. He didn’t leave you anything? A note?”

You shake your head and frown, feeling your chest tighten whilst you hand Jean your cup so he could place it back on the nightstand. “No. He just gave me a book, he read a chapter until I fell asleep. But he didn’t say anything.”

“A book?” Jean scoffs. “Tsk.”

“Well,” Mikasa mutters after a deep breath. “He left and hasn’t returned.”

Your eyes fall to your hands and you try to recall what happened, but nothing that would give them an answer came to mind. All that did run circles in your head was the one question they shared too. “Why?”

But the answer to that question was left as a mystery. Even when Eren did send a letter some time later to inform everyone that he entrusted Zeke with everything, that question everyone shared was left unanswered. He never bothered to answer it.

——

*SOME MONTHS LATER*

Odiha was quiet, too quiet for a big city. The ports were empty as well, meaning that the people must’ve evacuated after they found out about the rumbling. At least you didn’t have to worry about that. Now what you needed to do was pull the flying boat out of the water.

That’s if the men pulling it in would let you.

“Hey, guys, do you need any help?!” You ask Jean, Connie, Onyankopon, Armin, Reiner, and one of the Azumabito men as you reach the entrance of the hangar where they stand sweating as they struggle to pull in the flying boat.

“No,” Jean talks back over his shoulder before he and the others give the boat another hard pull that makes it move just an inch.

“Yes!” Connie shouts back. “Please. Just show off this once.”

You smirk and begin to walk over to stand between him and Jean, but Jean snapped his head back to shoot you a quick glare before countering Connie’s plea for help. “I said no. No matter how strong you are, you’re not helping, you’ll tear your stitches and then you’ll have to sit everything out. Unless you want that then sit this out.” He looks back at the boat and orders for another big pull before glancing at you as you’re stuck debating whether to listen to him or not. “Please.”

He was right. As much as you didn’t like it.

“Fine,” you huff and turn on your heels to walk back to lean back on some tall crates with your arms folded over one another to watch them pull in the boat instead. Well you were just admiring Jean; the way he had his sleeves folded over just an inch over his elbow, the way the sweat gleamed on his forehead, and the way the muscles on his forearm flexed as he tugged on the rope.

Moreover, you would’ve clapped for their hard work, just to really bug Connie, but before you could even attempt to do it your scenery changed in a flash. You were no longer in the hanger under all the bright lights watching Jean and others tug in the flying boat. All of a sudden all you could see was a star littered night sky, and sand fields that stretched for hundreds of miles.

It was the same place where Eren had spoken to you a few days ago when he started the rumbling. But you were alone this time, Jean wasn’t with you.

Or at least you thought you were alone—“Y/N.”

That’s Eren’s voice.

Your shoulders tense and you begin to turn slowly, seeing him in front of you, looking the same as he did the last time you saw him; with his hair tied back to a bun, the same clothes, same serious look.

“Don’t be scared,” he tries to assure you, but his words didn’t help, especially not as you saw that enormous glowing white tree several feet behind him. “You’re okay. You’re physically still in the same place, but I brought you here. So don’t worry, no one will notice.”

You blink a few times and look at the sand beneath your feet to grasp what he said, before clenching your jaw as you let anger seep through you as you recalled what Mikasa told you about what he said to her, “He said that I was a slave too. He said…that he hated me.”.

In that moment, before anything else could happen you clench your fist and lunge at him to hit him with an uppercut that knocks him to his ass. You didn’t have to tell him anything for him to know what that punch was for, he knew and didn’t argue.

Eren wiped the blood off his nose and then stood back up to be face to face again, letting you speak first instead.

“Why am I here?” You ask him in an angry tone.

Eren’s eyes fall on the deep cut above your eye and he frowns. When you notice you tilt your head away before speaking again. “Eren. I’m busy whatever you want to say, say it.”

“Time won’t physically move for you. When you return it will be as if nothing happened. We can be here for years and nothing will change in the real world.” He explains, just making you more confused.

You face him again and remark on his comment. “Real world? Where are we?”

“Paths,” he reveals. “Paths is what connects all the subjects of Ymir, and Titans together.”

You still didn’t quite understand but it was enough to let you move to the next question. “Why did you bring me here?”

Eren swallows thickly, causing you to tilt your head to look at him with your gaze slightly narrowed out of curiosity.

“Before I tell you I need you to promise me something.” He says.

“What?” You mutter hesitantly.

Eren draws in a deep breath and slowly lets it out to continue. “I need you to promise me that what we talked about, what we will talk about will be kept a secret.” He steps towards you and his eyes soften from that serious look. “You can’t tell anything to Jean, Mikasa or anyone else.”

You pull your head back and scoff, feeling your gaze shift to a glare. “No,” you argue, “I can’t keep this from Jean, Levi or anyone else Eren—”

“Y/N please.” Eren pleads, “I can’t erase your memories like the others because you’re an Ackerman, so I need you to promise me that you won’t say anything. I know you can do that.”

“Eren,” you whisper and let your body drop that tense hold.

“At least just don’t say anything for a while.” His voice softens. “Please. I need to talk to you.”

You avert your eyes as you suddenly feel your heart ache at the sound of his words and the look on his face. The change from this angry and nonchalant person he kept showing before was gone, and that person you had seen before he left everyone in Marley was here, and it assured you, but it also saddened you. Whatever hostility you held for him after what he’s done and is doing was there, you couldn’t forget about it, but for his sake you pushed that aside for now.

You look at him in the eyes and sigh. “I promise,” you assure him.

A/N- I don’t want to go on hiatus 😩 I love this series so much!

Tagged- @expectoscamander @greenygreenland @that-soft-lesbian-friend @dai-tsukki-desu @usernamehere91 @avocadopoosae @romancried @victor-criss-bish @moo-moo-meadow @stareatceiling @padfootii @ravensleepyeyes @thanosisadilf @dawneee @babyyblueey @leahseclipse @ifimnotabushimnoone @luvelyxp @ameliabs-world

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