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The night is warm.
Fog settles into town, blanketing the streets in obscurity as the moon shines above.
A small figure sneaks along the shadows, concealed in a forest green cloak adorning the Wings of Freedom. The hood is drawn, hiding her face, though a glimpse of blonde can be seen when she glances around to ensure she's alone.
Her boots tap on the cobblestone with each step, giving her away, and she almost stops to catch her breath, but she pushes on.
If she stops now, she's afraid she'll turn tail and forgo her mission altogether.
So, she takes a deep breath, and runs.
Her cloak billows behind her as she sprints in the streets, her heart pounding and her sides aching with a stitch as she keeps going. The burn in her thighs is a welcome distraction from the emotions brewing within her; she can only hope she makes it in time.
She finds Levi in the stables, sneaking sugar cubes to the horses.
Of course.
When he can't sleep, if he's not drinking tea, he's out here with them.
He hears her footsteps before he turns to face her, and his eyes widen impossibly when he realizes who she is.
That she's actually here.
Breathless, bright-eyed, and beautiful.
"What the hell are you doing here, Historia?" He hisses, but he approaches her anyway, reaching for her with outstretched arms.
When his fingers curl around her arms, her airways constrict even further with anxiety, but she leans into his touch anyway. He notices how tense she is, how she's stiff as he leans in to kiss her.
"Something's wrong," Levi mutters against her lips, and the way she takes a half-step back confirms his suspicions.
Historia looks up at him, eyes glistening, and his gut twists when she glances down, away from him.
Just as he feared—she's going to end it. They're all about to leave for Marley, so it only makes sense.
Her silence does anything but ease his growing nerves.
"Tell me," He implores her gently.
Historia bites on the inside of her cheek so hard that she tastes metal, her gaze focused on Levi's hands.
His rough hands, callused from years of fighting and work, yet are so delicate with her. His slender fingers she's admired as he's cradled his teacups in an odd manner, or when they're trailing over her body. Fleetingly, her mind wanders back to the start of them—that night, when he handled her with reverence and worshipped her.
When he began to make her feel loved.
Strengthened by the memory, she meets his gaze resolutely.
"I'm pregnant."
Levi blinks.
He isn't sure he hears her properly.
Or at all.
"What?" He asks dumbly, shock numbing him—and then he begins to panic. He can't shut down now, can't be numb. Not now.
Historia's heart races wildly as she slowly brings her hands along the length of his arms, prying his hands from her. Her thumbs brush over the lines in his palms before she guides him to splay his fingers over her belly.
She stares at him, patient as he's visibly processing the news.
The world around him seems to disappear.
His fingers flex slightly, curving to cradle her abdomen; her defined muscle is gone, and her body is a little fuller under his touch, noticeable even through her clothes.
He wants to tell her all the reasons they won't work, how he won't be any fucking good as a parent, but Kenny flashes in his mind, followed by his mother when she told him about how his father wouldn't ever come back, and he refuses to follow in his family's footsteps.
He wants to tell her that he loves her, but how can he, knowing what's to come?
So, the wrong words leave his mouth.
"I leave tomorrow."
Historia's calm expression cracks, her bright eyes welling up with tears. "You can't," she pleads in a whisper. "Levi—you can't leave."
His mouth is dry.
"I have to," he tells her gently, sliding one of his hands under her cloak, to her back to pull her closer. She doesn't push him away, but he can see the way he's hurting her by reminding her of their duties. "If things go to shit, they'll need me to fight."
Her face pinches in a frown, struggling against her tears. "I know." Levi is always the one to get his hands dirty for the Scouts, for Paradis—and it's not fair despite how true his words are. "That doesn't make it any easier." Her voice is wavering, her emotions rapidly building in her chest, and oh, she feels sick. Levi can feel the way she recoils, but he holds onto her, unwilling to risk letting her go altogether.
"Hey." He leans down to press his forehead to hers, and when their noses bump, it seems to break her; she lets out a sob and she hides her face in his chest. His heart feels like lead in his chest, but he fights down his own emotions to focus on hers. "We'll be okay."
"Will we?" Historia questions, bunching his shirt in her grasp.
"Yes," Levi answers without hesitation. "I'll be gone maybe a month, and then I'll be back."
She feels like she can't breathe, and she clings to him, refusing to let go. The sob that racks her petite frame conveys the fear she can't bring herself to vocalize.
What if you don't come back?
"Historia." Levi presses his lips to her forehead, threading his fingers through her hair. "I promise you—I will come back. To the both of you."
To emphasize his point, he lowers himself to his knees, ignoring the hay and dirt getting on his trousers. He puts his mouth to her abdomen, muttering the promise once more to the tiny life that's growing within her.
One that they made.
Together.
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Historia runs her fingers through Levi's hair, trying to ground herself so she doesn't break down entirely. The affectionate touch is soothing for them both, so they stay like that until his knees ache and her sobs ebb.
He stands once again, regarding her; even with her splotchy red cheeks and tears, she's the image of perfection in his eyes.
"Where's your horse?" He asks, reluctant to let her leave but also worried about her being missed at her residence. "It's late. You need to rest."
"I…don't have one," she admits meekly.
The incredulous look he gives her would normally make her laugh under better circumstances, but he glances down at her stomach, brows knotted together.
"You ran here?"
"I needed to tell you," Historia says defensively.
Levi doesn't argue that point, but he frowns, nonetheless. He considers his options, and ultimately, when he reaches a decision, he sighs.
"Come inside," he says softly, lifting a hand to cup her cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "Lay down with me before we go. I'll see you back before dawn."
As much as it pains her to think about either of them leaving, she won't turn down the opportunity to steal away one more night with him before they're an ocean apart. She manages a small, somber smile, lifting her chin so she can get on her toes and kiss him.
"I'd like that."
She takes his hand, lacing their fingers together, and with her other, she touches her belly, hoping that they'll all be together again soon.
He leads the way, hoping that the sun is slow to rise.