Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

ONE-HUNDRED-AND-SEVENTEEN

'Often, our worst fears find us no matter what we do to prevent them. We dream these horrors into existence through the mere act of fearing them.'

-An extract from the book 'Evolutions' written by philosopher Adette Briggs.

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ONE-HUNDRED-AND-SEVENTEEN

Somewhere in North-Western Titan Country

"That was too close, my love." Lorelai smiled, cupping his cheek in her hand. "You can't do that to me."

"I know. I'm sorry."

She frowned, considering it for a moment, then turned away from him. "Fine, you're forgiven. For the love of Larken, I can't stay mad at you."

Levi chuckled, moving to stand behind Lorelai. He softly brushed her hair from her neck to replace it with a kiss. "What do you say we get out of here?"

They stared at the steaming remains of the titan she had just killed.

"I can't. Not yet. Elske is still out there."

"She may have regrouped with the rest already," Levi offered.

"No, I picked up her trail not long before I found you. She was heading in the opposite direction to safety, stupid girl." A hint of amusement tugged at her lips, but Levi could see how worried Lorelai was.

"Then let's go get her."

She turned to smile at him. "I missed you."

He wiped a stray raindrop from her forehead. "I missed you too. Now, how many bullets do you have left?"

Lorelai grimaced. "I may have just used my last."

Levi looked over her shoulder at the steaming gash she had blasted in the titan's skull. Lorelai had been angry, revengeful in killing Levi's attacker. But that anger had cost them their last defence.

"I'm sorry, darling. I just-"

"I understand," Levi assured her. "I can't offer much either. I'm useless without ODM gas and..." his gaze strayed to Camellia's still body.

"She's..." Gently, Lorelai knelt beside her body, stroking Camellia's black coat.

"It's not a big deal. Don't worry about it."

She looked up at him, and her face softened. "It's okay to grieve, my love."

His face betrayed him. "Maybe when we get home. Well, if we get home."

"We'll get there."

"We have one horse and no weapons between us. I'm just saying the likelihood is-"

"But we're together." Lorelai took his hands. "That's more than we could say a few minutes ago."

He nodded. She was right. Together they always found a way.

"Let's go, love. I don't want to be here longer than we have to be."

"Agreed."

Lorelai whistled for Beau, and he came trotting over. Though, Levi didn't miss the look in Beau's eyes when he saw Camellia's fate. Lorelai patted his neck gently before swinging herself up into the saddle.

She offered him her hand and smiled gently. "We'll be fine."

It was hard not to believe her when she smiled at him like that. Levi mounted up behind her.