the shimmering water | oneshot

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The first time you saw the ocean. How the playful sunrays danced along with the rhythm of the waves. As the light shines through the surface, creating patterns on the sand. It was truly breathtaking. You came back to reality in response to a wave of saltwater crashing onto your feet, wetting your shoes as the water tried to find the way back from the shore to the large body of the ocean.

You turned your head to the squad captain standing next to you, trying to hide the fact that he's just as mesmerized by the scenery as you. He looks into your eyes, almost immediately after noticing your gaze fixated on him. As you make eye contact, you can't help but notice how the rays of light reveal every little detail in his irises, which seemed to change from gray to an azureish blue, you could easily get lost in.

In that very moment you felt like you could see into his soul, his oh so broken soul, that you'd desperately try to save, even if it takes everything you've got.

Based on his always cold and distant nature, you'd think he'll call out on your unusual demeanor any second now, but as astonishing it was, he wouldn't say a word, almost as if he was captivated by this moment that felt like time froze around you. The cheerful cries of the others are long gone, only you two exist, parallel to the harmony of the shimmering water meeting the sand.

A hasty thought formed in your head, like it came out of nowhere. You had already opened your mouth by the time you could consider not saying it out loud. However, why would you stop to question something that felt just right? Something that you had held deep in you for so long? You most certainly tried to hide it, to shove it as deep as possible, because who are you to have feelings for someone like him?

,,-I... Please, just this once, let me love you."

His eyes widened as he finally comprehended the meaning behind your words. The thoughts were rushing back and forth in his head. What do you mean by ,,love"? How could one even think of him with such a tender feeling as love? He could let you, no.., He could love you but does he have the right to do so? Does he have the right to endanger your life by being with you? Everyone who he cared about fell into the depth of their downfall, all caused by him. Let him be selfish this once, nothing but a small sacrifice for the life he wished for unknowingly.
Even if it is for nothing but a mere second, he deserves this does he not?

A small tear found its way down your face, and even then he wouldn't dare to break the eye contact. The next thing you knew was the unforeseen feeling of the touch of his hand, caressing your face and wiping down the tear that escaped from your tired eye. You could feel his presence so close to yours, how he breathed in an out in fright over the possible outcome of the situation. With every second you were closer and closer, until so could feel his heathbeat in your own chest, claiming it as yours forever. By his hold on your cheeks, he pulled your face closer to his lips hesitantly, still in disbelief that you are really willing to give up everything for him.

,,Please.." -he wasted no time after hearing your reassuring words, he placed his lips against yours, so softly, but rough and impatient at the same time. His warmth felt like heaven, but still, you could feel all the pain he's been through, sharing his whole being with only so much. You wanted to desperately save him from every harm that the world could cause him, so he'll never feel any sorrow while you're on his side.

Tears began falling uncontrollably once again from your eyes, but this time they were accompanied by pure bliss.

You broke the kiss for a chance of catching your breath, noticing his eyes delving into your own soul. He smiled. A sincere smile, which hadn't been seen on him ever since he lost his auburn and blonde haired friends. You felt like your heart could burst from the sheer joy and happiness, that his kiss brought you, bringing your soul back to life after all those miserable years.

,,Thank you." -You felt grateful, because he opened his heart to you, he let you in, breaking all those walls, surrounding his weaknesses, his despair, his love. He let you heal his soul. He let you love him. You felt his thumb caressing your face, still looking deep into your eyes.

Even though you two never noticed it, the squad members were staring in awe once they've noticed you. Even Hange gazed in astonishment for a moment, unusually quiet, not daring to disturb the peace you were finally in after all this time. After some time they went back to admiring the sea, but endless questions forming in their mind, that you'd have to answer eventually. But they let you deal with that later.

His hands slowly dropping from your face, you miss the comfort of his warmth, only to suddenly feel his hand taking yours. Not a single word leaves his lips as you grip on his hand like your whole life depends on it, deciding to fix your look on the sight in front of you, as so he does the same.

This world still held many unkown things, which you had yet to discover, but at least, now it isn't to be done alone. You will be on his side and he will be on yours, until the gruesome hands of fate decide to rip you apart. You will not let the enemies across the sea interrupt, that you see, eren is pointing at right in this moment. No, the only cause of farewell will be your own doing, and that you know you will not come to act upon this, ever. There may be war, demise, but would you, and only with him be able to achieve the freedom that you've always longed for. No need. It is already standing right next to you, gazing at the endless water, as the sun shines so mightily, dares him to look away from it. And so he does, once again setting his eyes on yours, silently promising that for what he can, his soul and heart being with you forever.