literature

After the Scarf: Insomnia

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A languid sigh escaped your lips as you lay awake in your bed, the darkness seeming to absorb the sound. Krista and Ymir were sound asleep in the other bunk, huddled in their blankets against the silent shill of the pitch black room. Their soft snores were the only sound in the room other than you soft exhales and heartbeat. 

You shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position, only to find more discomfort. It was that feeling when the sheets were too warm, when your eyes wouldn't close. You were forced to stay awake, peering into the blackness of the night, and the fears that were hidden there. 

Another sigh echoed in the room, this one of frustration. You flipped onto your back, a hand coming to rest on your face as you stared up at the barely visible ceiling rafters.

"Can't sleep." You muttered to yourself pointlessly. 

You threw off your blankets, goosebumps racing along your skin as it was exposed to the chilled air. You shuddered, but swung your legs over the side of the bed. You sat up slowly, trying not to reignite the pain of your injury, only recently healed.

You grabbed your jacket and draped it over your shoulders, though it gave little protection against the frigid air. You placed only the tips of your toes on the cold wooden floor, feeling goosebumps race along your skin at the contact.

You stood and wandered from the room, careful not to wake Krista and Ymir, though you doubted the noise of the door would disturb their slumber.

The hallways were silent, except for your quiet footsteps. it occurred to you that you should have worn shoes, because the floors were freezing, but you brushed away the thought. 

It was late, late enough for everyone to be in bed, but early enough for certain officers to be staying up playing cards or drinking. You knew of one officer who was up, but doing neither. 

You didn't knock on the office door, it didn't occur to your sleep deprived brain. 

Rivaille looked up from his desk, growing bags under his eyes. His eyes narrowed slightly ehn he saw your shivering form in his doorway.

"Tch." He stood, walking over to a closet and retrieving a blanket from inside. He glanced towards you as he began unfolding it. His eyes glanced towards the chair in front of his desk. "Sit."

You nodded silently, following the demand without hesitation. You hugged your knees to your chest, the chair allowing you to balance the balls of your feet on the edge. Rivaille strode over and placed the blanket around you.

"You are going to catch a cold, idiot." he muttered with annoyance. "What are you doing up, anyways?"

You blew warmth into your hands, grateful for the heat the blanket allowed. "Couldn't sleep." You replied simply, clutching the blanket closer around you.

Rivaille stared down at you blankly. this signaled either annoyance or frustration, you couldn't decide. He turned abruptly back to his desk, plopping down in his chair and resuming his work.

"Then stay here." His response was simple, but it made you smile. "Talk to me."

You tried to stifle a yawn, simultaneously wracking your brain for decent conversation. 

"What are you doing?" You asked at last.

Rivaille let out a small exhale, straightening his papers for what seemed like the tenth time that minute. "signing condolence letters."

You grimaced. You didn't know how to reply, so you tried to alter the subject. "I...er...it seems like Sasha and Connie are being pretty friendly to each other these days."

Rivaille looked up, eyes narrowing. "What interest is that to me?"

You winced, silence filling your response. You were quiet for some time, observing Rivaille sign and shuffle and straighten his papers. You let your thoughts wander. The windows clicked as a cool night breeze rattled them slightly. You cuddled farther into you blanket, letting out a content sigh. You stared out the window, to where a full moon hung in the sky. You wondered if the moon looked the same outside the walls.

"Rivaille." You spoke gently, still staring outside the window. 

The corporal looked up. "What is it?

"Do you think we will live to see the end of this?"

Rivaille paused. He was silent for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly in thought. "Yes."

You blinked at him tiredly. "Really?"

Rivaille nodded, folding his hands underneath his chin. "I think Eren's appearance is a sign. Nothing like that has happened since the walls were built. It means it's time: It is them or us."

Your eyes stared at him with slight awe. You could only utter a breathless 'yes'. Satisfied with the response, Rivaille returned to his work.

The minutes ticked by slowly, and with each minute that passed, you felt yourself growing sleepier. There was a comfortable silence in the room, filled by the shuffling of papers and the ticking of the clock. 

At last, Rivaille sighed, raking a hand through his raven hair and sitting back from his desk. "Done." He muttered, glancing towards you, only to find you half asleep. "Tch."

Careful not to disturb you, he removed the blanket from your shoulders and stored it back in the closet. Without a word or a second thought, he cradled you in his arms, making on the slightest grunts of exertion at your weight.

You didn't wake as he walked from the office, or as he carried you down the hallway towards his room. However, when you found yourself rested gently onto a bed, you stirred. Your eyes fluttered open to reveal Rivaille shoving off his straps and harnesses, and removing his cravat, taking great care to fold it and place it on his nightstand. You were about to close your eyes until you noticed the corporal removing his shirt, which caused you to gaze fixedly at his torso, a blush spreading across your face.

Rivaille glanced at you as he shoved off one sleeve, his eyes narrowing when he caught you staring. "Admiring me, again?" he asked lowly. You shook your head in denial, which only caused him to smirk a bit, almost suggestively.

You ignored the look, instead sitting up and rubbing your eyes with fatigue. Rivaille sat on the bed next to you, a hand placed on your leg. it wasn't suggestive, just reassuring. 

"Sleep." he told you, pressing your shoulder gently, signaling you to lay down. You complied, snuggling into the covers, exhaling contently. Rivaille lay down next to you, the bed dipping under his weight. One arm was used as a pillow for his head, the other resting on your side, bringing you closer to him. Normally the action would have made you blush, but now you snuggled into the source of heat. 

"Quit fidgeting." He murmured into your ear sleepily. "Just go the hell to sleep."

You nodded tiredly. "Mmm."

"Goodnight, (Name)."

You smiled to yourself. "Goodnight, Rivaille." you replied, snuggling into his chest. 

The two of you spent the night wrapped in each other arms, free from the concerns and fears of the tumultuous world you lived in. 

Late night drabbles, I haven't updated ATS in a while.
This occurs maybe a few days of a week after the final chapter of RtS.
I'm using my jacket as a blanket right now on my legs. Its super warm. ^3^
but now my legs are getting cramped. D:

Shingeki no kyojin belongs to its creators
You belong to :iconrivailleplz:
© 2013 - 2024 Zephyros22
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IfYouSayYouLoveMe's avatar
I'm so tired but I'm finishing this series