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I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER

I remember how beautiful Adaline looked that they, the laughter she brought dancing like a pastry baking and a child smelling it with excitement. How her eyes glowed, how her hair danced, how her smile was able to bring hope... something I loved about her.

Within the two months of my admission to the corps, and two months since my companions died, I had moved up the ranks at an unprecedentedly fast pace, earning the respects of my comrades. My title as captain and special squad leader was thanks to Adaline, who never wanted that responsibility. I didn't blame her for it, the responsibility of your comrades' lives. The other reason of my own 'special' squad acquired some of the best trainees who could keep up with me within outside the walls.

The reason I stayed was for the first- granted citizenship after I became captain, two- got to stay in the surface world, and third- because of Adaline. I didn't know how to describe it but she brought me peace and comfort, brought me some purpose. I enjoyed the morning rides, enjoyed the divided paperwork and frequent talks, and most of all the late-night tea talks. it didn't matter where, as long it was a similar setting. Alone, at night and with the night sky.

Many had suspected I was going to ask for her hand in marriage-, revolting of such rumours among the younger generation of soldiers or recruits. I had only known for around two months and people suspect such a thing. Marriage was such a thing I could never think of doing, bound to a person but the thought of my position of giving myself or the other grief was plain selfishness to what I believed.

I've seen what my mother went through, I've seen what women in both the underground and surface world were like. Most married for money stability or to just live another day and the man who they wed was to share intercourse with them.

"You're up early," Adaline yawns as I see her walk in whilst stretching her arms. I only chuckle at her appearance, her rushed or lazy appearance.

"You could have at least brushed you're properly," I say whilst fixing the saddle on my horse.

"It's going to get messy in the wind anyway," she dismisses making me roll my eyes, "Come on the sunrise won't wait for us-!" Adaline stops when I sigh and interrupt by saying:

"Give me a ribbon."

"But Levi!"

"Adaline the sunrise can wait."

"You can't stop the sunrise Levi~" she pulls out her ribbon, "You know I can just do it myself?"

"Yes, but you won't do it properly, the ribbon is gonna go flying," I mutter as I do a tight ponytail, a trick I learnt from when I was younger when my mother tied up her hair and couldn't afford to lose the ribbon when she was going to work. "Done," I say as Adaline slowly pats the back of her head making sure she doesn't mess up anything.

"How do you know how to do this?" her eyes widen in surprise which catches me a little. Only undergrounders, specifically women in the brothel, knew this trick. I only dismiss the thought thinking it's only out of curiosity.

"My mother..." I trailed as she silently nods.

"Now come on!"

---

Adaline and I sit next to each other under the same oak tree we've always watched the sunrise under. Though a chilly breeze whispers on lightly both of us are unbothered by it, nor the blinding rays that bless our appearance.

"Adaline," I turn.

"yeah?"

"What's going on with the townspeople? I've been seeing a lot of decorations," I inquire.

"Oh, you mean Allurian?"

"Allurian?" I say confusingly making her chuckle.

"It's basically Allura's day. Remember the story I talked about?" she referred to.

"Yes, the story about the youngest sister, the prince and the seasons."

"Yes, well every wall celebrates the comping of spring and how it will increase the number of crops and feed more mouth basically. So on the first day, they celebrate. You know cheering, dancing, even drinking?" Adaline explains.

"So while these surface dwellers celebrate people in the underground are starving?" I frown.

"I know," Adaline sighs, "But you know there is some sort of increase in availability to the undergrounders for food-, but you know that it's enough. It's just that you know it gives the people to look forward to. You know, with all the titans and stuff?" she tries to convince me as I sigh.

"Are you going?" I question.

"Of course! Hange and I go every year! When we were still training we would sneak out," Adaline laughed in memory of her and Hange.

"It seems pointless," I remark.

"Says the one who's never been to one," she points her finger at my chest, "Basically all of the scouts go, sometimes Erwin stays for a bit."

"I rather finish my paperwork," I gibed.

"I'll make Erwin take you," she sighed.

"I just don't see the point," I reply.

"Because sometimes in order to see the beauty in life, we must take a leap of faith Levi," she chuckles as she gets up.

---

Adaline had already gone an hour ago, not that I saw her leave but informed. Adamant I was to go, I continued to review the recounting documents on the last mission. Redipping the pen with ink I hear a knock from my door.

"Come in," I call out as the opening door reveals Erwin.

"Levi," he says, "Your still doing paperwork? I thought you'd go with Adaline to the festival?"

"I declined, I have no interest," I reply simply keeping my eyes focused on the paper.

"Hmm, well Adaline told me to force you to come," he snickers.

"Is that an order?" I raise a brow looking up at him.

"No, it's a very implied request though," he prompts. "it's not bad to take a day off you know," he teases.

"I know that," I chide, "Again I have no interest."

"I'm quite surprised, you know soldiers get a discount with stalls and food," Erwin attempts to convince me.

"I don't care, they'll be people, a lot. It's disgusting," I scowl.

"I see," Erwin sighs about to turn around stops and I can see a smirk form to my distaste. "You know, speaking of people did you know Allurian is also a day of romance?"

"So?" I question feeling something bitter inside of me hearing his words, "Sounds more disgusting."

"A lot of males will ask ladies they like to dance with them, or you know if they seem interested in them," Erwin smiles. He knew he was getting on my nerves.

"And? Adaline is her own woman, she's capable of deciding whether or not she wants to dance with someone," I rebuke. Erwin only chuckles.

"You know I thought you fancied Adaline."

"Whatever made you think that?" I chastised.

"Well I had my suspicions, then Hange convinced me so."

"Well you're delusional and an utter fool of taking that thing's word." Erwin only sighs as he turns around and begins to walk to the door. Just before he walks out his head pops to the side.

"Another fact actually, it's also quite popular to ask their hand in marriage on this day. And since Adaline had technically come of age, and she also missed out last year's festival because of a mission..." he trails. I get up and get my military coat immediately and walk out the door passing Erwin. I can feel him smirking behind me.

That bastard...

---

The sound of laughter, cheers and smiles resonate richly throughout any corner, street or place I land my eyes on within proximity. Stalls line up against the sides with happy exchanges of food, objects or prizes. Adaline was right a suppose, a little. They were happy. Women dressed in their best clothing were either chatting, holding or playing with their child/ren, or dancing.

Small flags of Allurian's day symbol embody a pink flower and gold star representing the young goddess in the stories. 

"Erwin!" We hear a name called out, Hange appears from the dancing circles with no sign of Adaline insight so far. The mad scientist was dressed much 'casually' today from her usual military or lab acquire, a white blouse and a soft orange/tan trouser. Hange's blouse has ruffles and within the middle of the collar a pendant of some sort. Hange's hair is messy, drizzled with half picked flowers and even wheat for some disgusting reason.

"Your hair is a pig stein Hange," I scowl.

"Oh, the midget made it!" Hange half drunkenly holds her beer up, spilling a little.

"Heaven," I sigh.

"What, it was a good discount!" She stumbles a little, "Anyways, Erwin took my advice with Mr grumpy?" Hange smirked.

"In the end yes," he sighs. I only scoff at the statement.

"You know if you ever want to propose to her, I approve~" Hange croons, "worked for those two," she points to the side, in a small alleyway we see a couple making out and an evident ring on the woman's marriage finger.

"Revolting," I sneered, "Anyways, where's Adaline? Did you lose her already?" 

"Nope," Hange pops the 'p', "She's in the middle, having a blast," she points.

My eyes try to scan through the dancing crowd of circles, finally, my eyes land on Adalina as the outer circle leave-taking a break. Ignoring the feeling to scowl at Hange's smirk, my eyes are already glued to Adaline. 

She looked absolutely etheral. Dressed in only a simple white and pink dress, she looked like something not of this world. How she drowned within the festival music, her hands holding a woman and a child as they danced, how her laughter lit up the atmosphere, how her eyes and smiled glowed. I was enchanted, utterly enchanted. How her hair bounced, the top of her hair weaved with a crown of flowers. My eyes couldn't leave her. 

The music dies down as Adaline catches my glance. I immediately turn, hearing Hange and Erwin stifle a laugh as I only glare at them.

"Erwin!" Adaline calls out jogging over to us, the skirt of her dress swishing gently with her movements, "You manage to bring him!" she finally stands in front of us. Though a bit sweaty in the forehead, nonetheless she still looked captivating.

"So? What do you think of the festival so far?" Adaline smiles. 

"Too many people," I keep my cold demeanour. The female only sighs but lets out a chuckle.

"How about we show you around?" she suggests, "There's a game I wanted to play-, Oh! There are these really nice cakes I wanted to try!"

"You go ahead with Levi Adaline, Hange and I might head on over to the bar. I'm sure Hange wants another and I should keep an eye on her and some drunk customers," Erwin states.

"Wait a minute-!" Hange is only interrupted by her commander stepping on her foot and a look from the blonde, about to open her mouth Hange then makes an 'o' shape with her lips. "Y-, Yes! We'll head over to the bar! Adaline and Levi should go. Together. Alone-, bye!" Hange then drags Erwin to the bar at the end of the street.

I only shake my head at the two and then look at Adaline who only laughs make me mirror a smile back. "Come one," Adaline pulls my hand. Making it through the sea of people my eyes don't leave her smile as she looks right ahead. 

"Hey! Why this is the game I wanted to play!" Adaline stops at a stall. It had different shapes of animals in four rows shaped like mountains.

"Would you like to shoot?" The person comes up to us from the stall hanging is hat on the side.

"Excuse me?" 

"Levi, it's a shooting game," Adaline laughs as she picks up the gun that's chained to the front.

"What happens if someone shoots another person?" I question.

"Levi, it's a fake," she rolled her eyes as she hands her coins to the man, "It's like a gun and acts like one, but the only good thing it can do is knock over stuff like those." Adaline positions herself, she nods at the man who starts to rotate a grinder wheel as the rows begin to move. Adaline first aims for the third row but barely misses.

"Open both eyes," I say walking closer to her.

"Fine," she mumbles as I touch her shoulder. "W-, what are you doing?!" Her cheeks begin to turn pink.

"Relax your shoulder, you're tensing them too much, trust me," I smile a little as I fix her position with the gun. I take a step back and she begins to shoot. Adaline manages to shoot seven down. One in the front row, three in the third and four at the back.

"Seven," I stifle a laugh as she scoffs handing the man the gun.

"Excuse me, mister expert! That's pretty good," she rebukes.

"It's true," the man says fixing the coins into a box, "She did better than the military police customers, and it was her first try."

"Let me have a turn,"  I say giving him some coins as he raises a brow and then only laughs.

"Levi, now," Adaline smirks, "We have people behind us," she points to a young couple a bit younger than us behind us, the man wearing a military police jacket. And at the back a small family of three with a child who seems the age of eight or nine.

"I'll be quick," I roll my eyes as I'm handed the gun. Adjusting my hands I sigh before I briefly close my eyes. Though quick flashes of my time with Kenny rush back to me as he teaches me how to use a gun that was unloaded. Opening them I shoot for the animals in the back row. Shooting them all down I give a 'told you so' look at Adaline who only looks away.

Did you see him? He's so good?

Is he a soldier?

No wait! i think that's the man from the scouts! I've heard about him! What was his name? 

Women from the side begin to whisper and giggle as I only scowl at their comments. "Sir your prize?" the man says snapping me from my thoughts. The man holds a small pale pink stuffed bunny. Its ears long and flopped on each side. What was I supposed to do with that?

Taking it, the man prepares for the next customers as I only look at it. It was definitely a top prize, anything fabric and pink was deemed to be something a bit expensive, usually associated with the aristocrats.

"Here," I give it to Adaline who only raises a brow.

"Are you trying to rub your success in my face?" she puts her hand on her hip.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" I retort, "It kinda looks like you," I say giving it to her. Adaline is hesitant and then puts the toy close to her nose as the fabric kisses her cheek.

"Thank you," her smile if soft and gentle, like clouds at sunset.

"You're welcome," I chuckle, "So where was it you wanted to take me to?"

---

I wait, leaning against the wall next to a flower shop as Adaline lines up for some cake shop she so praises. I suppose Adaline was right, though a lot of people it was vibrant. There was no fear of titans crawling or breaking through walls, no greed, everyone mingling no matter their position in society.

'goodness look at that man there' I turn hearing a few females whispering and giggling.

Bloody hell Adaline please hurry up.

'He's very handsome, he looks like a soldier'

'Wait a minute, I think that's the Levi soldier I heard about'

'Who?'

'goodness you haven't heard of him? he's all the talk, I heard the scouts are much more successful because of his recruitment. I heard he single-handedly took down a whole forest of titans'

'You're only exaggerating-'

'No I'm serious that's what I heard from my brother in law from the scouts!'

'Should I ask him to dance?'

'Go! Do it'

"Levi!" I immediately get off and walk over to Adaline who is holding two slices of cake in her hand with napkins.

"Thank goodness-,"

"Excuse me!" A brunette lady stands interrupting us. She's blushing immensely. "Oh-! I'm so sorry!" she looks to Adaline who only raises a brow as the lady scurries away with her friends.

"Someone's popular," Adaline teases as I make a 'tch' noise, then take the piece of cake. "It's really nice! The price is better this time of the year!" 

I take a bite of the sweet and raise my brows in surprise. It was nice. Really nice. The cake was so fluffy, like a cloud and not that sweet. The strawberry cream layers were soft, fluffy and sweet. "It's really nice," I say looking up to see Adaline already finishing the piece.

"You scoffed it down," I remark finishing my slice of cake.

"it's so good isn't it!" she laughs and then turns her head. "Come on! The dance is starting!"

"What-?" before I could even finish Adaline grips my wrist and drags me hastily through the crowd till we reach the side of the crowd. It's not as compact but the centre is scattered with couples of all ages dancing. Whether it be a full-grown couple to a mother and her young son.

"Come on!" Adaline begins to pull me only for me to pull her back stopping her, "What?"

"I-..." I trail

"You what?" Adaline restates.

"I've never done this," I gesture to the dancing.

"Oh," She raises her brows in realisation and looks back. "Look, just walk in a square rotation. Look," Adaline does a small demonstration. "Come on!"

Despite my attempts to not embarrass myself in front of a crowd I only forfeit such things as Adaline pulls me to the centre. Adaline puts a hand on my shoulder as her other arm holds my hand. "Put your hand on my waist."

"Are you sure?" I question.

"It's alright, it's just a dance," she shrugs. "Levi," she chuckles, "relax your shoulders." I only sigh and relax them and look at Adaline's face. We go at a slower pace for my adjustment, it takes me a minute before we go at the pace of the music.

"There we go," Adaline triumphantly smiles as one creeps up my own lips. Despite my first thoughts, it was nice. Really nice. Whilst Adaline drowns in the music, I drown in her eyes. Her cerulean blue eyes. Like a lake, like an ocean.

---

We dance for what seems to be almost an hour, I manage to give her a few twirls every now and then before we stop due to her feet hurting. We manage to sit on top of a hill, it's quite as night creeps its way slowly across the sky. Lying on the grass next to each other, the night was tranquil. It was perfect.

"Thank you for today," I say.

"You're welcome," she smiles. 

There's a quiet pause before anything else is to be said. 

"Levi," she says gently.

"Yeah?" 

"Do you ever regret-, or would want to change the fact you've lived underground?" she turns her head and I do the same. I take a moment to think.

"Well," I begin, "It's not something I regret, but's it's not something I take pride in either. I've done bad things. But that was to survive, just like everyone else down there. It's like what you say, you know, there's beauty in everything. Furlan and Isabel, those small moments. My mother when she was..." I stop. Adaline only gives a comforting smile that eases me quickly.

"What was she like?" she asks in a honeyed tone.

"She was very beautiful," I smile softly, "She knew how to make dull things bright... she gave me hope in a way," I recount. "When I was younger she would always cut my hair. Told me I looked handsome when I let her cut my hair. She called me an angel once. I disagreed though, angels have blonde hair. Yet she called me one still."

I look up back at Adaline, she had something about her smile paired with her eyes that made something so gentle, not warm but cooling, like a gentle breeze. Something like the first flower of spring blooming.

"She's right you know," Adaline says, "You do look like one, some people can fear one's appearance at first, but some people find it like a blessing." I don't say anything to that, rather speechless in a way but I stay silent. I only look up to avoid her gaze.

Thoughts run through my head as the breeze brushes the fingertips of the grass. It was then, I felt something on my cheek. Gentle and soft. I immediately blush as I turn as Adaline retracts from kissing my cheek.

"Wh-" I trail before Adaline puts her lips on mine. It was etheral though short. She only gives her soft demeanour and then lies back down. My heart races yet it's at ease. I didn't hate it, I certainly hate the feeling of it. I get up a bit, on my elbow before hovering over Adaline a bit.

"C-can I?" I stammer before she chuckles and nods. Adaline gets up a bit before wrapping one arm around my neck and the other slowly dying down as I lean forward.

From what I remember the rest of the night was a blissful blur.

SOOOO.....

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ADALINE MAKING THE FIRST MOVE? WANTED A BIT OF CHANGE.

PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE!