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Ymir let out a sigh, wincing as she rubbed at a tense spot in her neck. Training under Instructor Shadis was always brutal. Factor in the sweltering summer heat and the exhaustion all of the cadets were feeling from their most recent wave of exams, and surviving the day felt like a damn near impossible feat.
Today, an unexpected visit from the higher-ups had caused Shadis to let them out earlier than usual. Ymir muttered a silent thanks to whatever Gods might exist as she trudged to the showers, soaked through with sweat and tired to her bones.
After an ice cold shower much too quick for her liking, Ymir hastily dressed and headed to the dining hall, scanning for a familiar head of blonde hair. Not spotting Krista in the crowded room, she headed over to their regular table and sat, waiting for her friend. Five minutes turned into ten, then ten minutes turned into half an hour. Though she would deny it if anyone ever asked, Ymir started to worry. Krista was almost never late.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ymir noticed Sasha absolutely decimating a loaf of bread, and begrudgingly decided to ask her if she had seen Krista. Ymir, trying to mask the concern in her voice with cool indifference (and utterly failing), cornered Sasha, who laughed and said she had just seen Krista in their bunks. Ymir mumbled a thanks and headed out of the dining hall to check on the shorter girl.
Ymir couldn’t help but laugh when she opened the door to their bunks. Krista was passed out in her bed, splayed out on top of the sheets, her hair plastered to her forehead. There was definitely a little bit of drool at the corner of her mouth. She looked more open like this- less put together than usual, sure, but beautiful nonetheless. Ymir, feeling strangely compelled, sat down on the edge of the mattress and gently brushed Krista’s hair behind her ear. The brunette couldn’t fight the affectionate smile that crossed her face as she watched her friend sleep.
At first, she had tried to brush it off as curiosity about Krista’s true self, but Ymir knew she was lying to herself. She was fiercely protective of Krista, and simple curiosity didn’t warrant the way her heart rate quickened any time they held eye contact for too long or Krista’s hand brushed against her own. Ymir was desperately, hopelessly, and fully in love with her.
Sighing, Ymir stood to leave, but as she got up she felt a hand loosely close around her wrist. She turned around to see Krista, now awake, staring up at her with a sleepy expression.
“Stay with me? Please?” Krista whispered, cerulean eyes pleading.
Ymir’s concern creeped back in- Krista was not normally one to initiate physical contact. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
Krista blushed. “Yeah, everything’s fine, I just… don’t want to be alone. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
Ymir smirked. “Well, if her majesty commands, I must oblige.”
Krista rolled her eyes, but grinned widely. “Oh shut up and hold me already,” she quipped back.
Ymir went bright red at that. “Move over then, you bed hog.
As the two adjusted themselves into a comfortable position, Krista nestled snugly in Ymir’s embrace, Ymir couldn’t help but think that maybe her feelings for the blonde weren’t hopeless.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Some hours later, Sasha and Mikasa returned from the dining hall, and smiled at the scene before them. Krista had her arm draped protectively over Ymir, who was snoring lightly.
“God, they’re so cute. I wish they’d just get together already,” Sasha groaned.
Mikasa laughed. “It might take them a while, but they’ll realize they’re meant to be eventually.”