The Morning after Rain

Carla awoke, her eyes fluttering open and her consciousness slowly returning. As she looked around, she found herself in the makeshift tent, naked and in the embrace of an equally naked Kaito. The memories of last night rushed back to her. 

Carla lay there in a tangle of emotions, her mind in turmoil. She was entangled in a web of shame and guilt over the choices she had made the previous night. The betrayal to her husband, the forsaking of her marriage vows, and her surrender to her desires all weighed heavily on her conscience.

Desperately, she tried to slide out of Kaito's embrace, hoping to extricate herself from the tangle of their naked bodies. But as she inched away, Kaito's grip tightened, pulling her even closer to him. Her heart raced as her body pressed against his, and she felt his warm breath on her neck.

Carla was torn. She wanted to escape from this intimate entanglement, the proof of their reckless passion, yet she also feared what would happen when Kaito awoke. The look in his eyes, the judgment or understanding she might find there, was a source of unease.

As she hesitated, Kaito shifted in his sleep and, without fully waking, drew her even nearer to him. His arm around her waist became a firm and possessive embrace. Carla's heart pounded in her chest as she lay trapped in his hold.

For a brief moment, she considered waking him herself, taking control of the situation before it grew any more complicated. But as she looked at his peaceful slumber and the faint smile playing on his lips, she couldn't bring herself to disturb him. Instead, she remained still, wrestling with her own emotions and anxieties.

The morning sunlight filtered through the makeshift tent, casting a warm glow on their entwined bodies. Carla closed her eyes, grappling with the consequences of her actions, knowing that she would soon have to face the reality of her choices.

Carla's inner turmoil only intensified as she lay there, trapped in Kaito's embrace. She couldn't help but replay the events of last night in her mind, each memory like a dagger to her conscience. 

She was trying to muster the courage to wake Kaito or find a way to slip out without disturbing him, but her every movement was cautious, afraid of how he might react.

A while later, Kaito stirred and gradually opened his eyes. His gaze met Carla's, and instead of the awkward tension she had expected, she was met with a warm and genuine smile. His eyes twinkled with a mix of playfulness and affection.

"Good morning," he greeted her, his voice soft and inviting.

Carla couldn't help but be taken aback by his reaction. She had anticipated that he would act distant or awkward, but his warm smile disarmed her, leaving her at a loss for how to respond.

"Morning," she replied hesitantly, a knot of guilt still twisting in her stomach. She couldn't look him in the eye, her own smile forced and uncertain.

Kaito's warm demeanor didn't waver, though a hint of mischievousness danced in his eyes. He reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Carla's ear. "I hope you slept well."

Carla couldn't help but blush at the touch and struggled to maintain her composure. Despite her reservations and guilt, she couldn't deny the allure of Kaito's charisma.

The morning light was more revealing than Carla had anticipated, and the awareness of her own nakedness sent a shiver down her spine. As her eyes traveled over Kaito's chiseled abs and lean, muscular body, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had been so lost in the moment's intensity last night that she hadn't taken in the full sight of him.

Her heart raced as her gaze ventured lower, and she found herself overwhelmed by the memory of their passionate encounter. The forbidden nature of it all only added to her sense of guilt and confusion. She couldn't help but wonder how she had allowed herself to be consumed by desire, betraying her husband and forsaking her marriage vows.

Carla's thoughts were interrupted when she noticed that Kaito was watching her. His hungry, passionate gaze bore into her, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Feeling embarrassed and self-conscious, Carla hastily slipped out of the tent. Kaito didn't follow her immediately, giving her some much-needed space to collect her thoughts and emotions.

Still, inside the tent, Kaito listened carefully for any signs of danger that might arise with Carla alone outside.

 He couldn't deny that he had thoroughly enjoyed their passionate night together. Carla's sweet expressions and reluctance had only heightened the intensity of their encounter.

___

Carla hastily put on her clothes, her face still flushed with embarrassment and her mind a whirlwind of confusion. She couldn't quite believe the events of last night, how passion had taken over her reason and led her into the arms of a man who was, in essence, a stranger.

Outside the tent, she took a few deep breaths to steady herself, her thoughts scattered. Her guilt pressed down on her, and she couldn't help but feel that her actions had irrevocably changed her life. She was married a mother of two, and the betrayal she had committed gnawed at her conscience.

Kaito emerged from the tent, dressed in his shirt and pants. He watched Carla with a knowing look, his eyes carrying a mixture of amusement and desire. Clearly, he didn't share the same sense of guilt to the previous night's events.

"Carla, are you okay?"

She hesitated momentarily before responding, "I'm just... trying to make sense of everything."

Kaito approached her with a concerned expression. "Last night was... intense. I don't want you to regret it."

Carla looked into his eyes, a swirl of emotions in her own. "I don't know how I feel, Kaito. I need time to figure things out."

Kaito nodded understandingly. "I respect that. Our situation is far from ordinary. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

Carla's gaze softened as she looked at him.

"Thank you, Kaito."

_______

As they continued their journey toward Trost District, Carla couldn't escape the heavy weight of her thoughts and emotions. She had decided against getting on Kaito's back again. Instead, she informed Kaito that her legs were better and, albeit with some difficulty, they mounted the horse together.

The horse trotted along, the landscape passing by in a blur. Carla's heart was heavy with guilt and confusion, and she stole occasional glances at Kaito, who seemed unperturbed by her sudden change of behavior. She had so many questions, but she was also afraid of the answers.

Trost District was drawing nearer and, with it, a new chapter in their journey.

________

Kaito and Carla approached the wall guard, who looked at them curiously.

Kaito stuttered, playing his role as the scaredy-cat, "Excuse me, sir, but we barely escaped from Shinganshina, and there were Titans everywhere! It was a nightmare! We need to get inside!"

Carla had to suppress a chuckle at Kaito's antics. Internally, she couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Yes, indeed," she added, trying to sound serious. "We barely escaped with our lives. It was quite the harrowing experience."

The wall guard listened attentively, and his expression shifted from curiosity to seriousness. "Shinganshina, you say? We've just received the news about the fall of Shinganshina a few hours ago. I'll have to mark your entry in the log."

Kaito continued to play up his fear, his voice trembling. "I mean, those Titans were huge, and their faces... oh, the nightmares I'll have for weeks."

The guard reached for a ledger and quickly recorded their names and the information they provided. "I'll mark your entry into the city. Go ahead; you're welcome inside."

Now relieved but still pretending to be nervous, Kaito thanked the guard profusely.

As they walked through the gate, Carla watched the entire exchange and couldn't help but tease Kaito. "You're quite the actor, aren't you?"

Kaito grinned, the act now over. "Well, it was for a good cause. Plus, it's not every day you get to see me scared out of my wits."