Under the moon

Author's Note: I'm sorry for the lack of activity these last few days, but I've been sick. But now I'm back as strong as ever!

The night was dark and still, the only sound the gentle rustling of the wind through the trees and the distant crash of waves against the shore. Aaron limped towards the royal tent, his body aching with the dull, throbbing pain of a dozen bruises and cuts.

He pushed aside the flap, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at his sore muscles. Inside, the tent was warm and inviting, the soft glow of lanterns casting a gentle, flickering light across the plush carpets and rich, velvet drapes.

Historia sat on the edge of the bed, her blonde hair cascading down her back in a soft, shimmering curtain. She looked up as Aaron entered, her blue eyes widening slightly at the sight of his battered and bruised form.

"Did Levi give you another beating?" she asked, her voice low and filled with a hint of concern.

Aaron grinned, his split lip pulling at the motion. "You should see the other guy," he said, his voice rough and slightly strained. "Levi's probably still picking his teeth up off the ground."

Historia sighed, her expression one of quiet, resigned exasperation. "Honestly, Aaron," she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of fond annoyance. "I don't know why you two insist on beating each other senseless every chance you get."

Aaron shrugged, wincing slightly at the movement. "It's a guy thing," he said, his voice filled with a hint of irony. "You wouldn't understand."

Historia's eyes narrowed, her expression growing serious. "Speaking of things I don't understand," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, intense emotion, "we need to talk about your recent absence."

Aaron's grin faded, his expression growing somber. "I know," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, resigned acceptance. "I'm sorry, Historia. I never meant to be gone for so long. It's just... with everything that's been happening, with the war and the Titans and all the rest of it... I guess I just got caught up in it all."

Historia nodded, her expression one of quiet, thoughtful understanding. "I know," she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of sadness. "But that's not all there is to it, is there? There's something else, something you're not telling me."

Aaron's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise passing over his face. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a hint of confusion.

Historia's expression hardened, her eyes flashing with a sudden, intense emotion. "The curse," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, unyielding intensity. "The curse of the Titans, the one that says you only have thirteen years left to live. Why didn't you tell me, Aaron? Why did you keep something like that from me?"

Aaron's breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding with a sudden, overwhelming emotion. "How... how did you know?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Historia's expression softened, a hint of a sad smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Eren told me," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, resigned acceptance. "He told me a long time ago, back when we first started this whole thing. I didn't say anything because I wanted to see if you would tell me yourself. But you never did."

Aaron's shoulders slumped, his head bowing in a gesture of quiet, resigned defeat. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, aching sincerity. "I never meant to keep it from you, Historia. I just... I didn't want to hurt you, didn't want to burden you with the knowledge of what's to come."

Historia's eyes flashed with a sudden, fierce intensity, her hand coming up to cup Aaron's cheek in a gentle, tender gesture. "You could never be a burden to me, Aaron," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "I love you, with all my heart and soul. And I will stand by your side, no matter what happens, no matter what challenges we face."

She leaned in closer, her breath warm and sweet against his skin. "Now," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, intense emotion, "take off your shirt. I need to see how badly you're hurt."

Aaron's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise passing over his face. But he nodded, his hands moving to the buttons of his shirt with a slow, deliberate motion.

As he shrugged out of the garment, wincing slightly at the movement, Historia's eyes widened at the sight of his battered and bruised torso. Steam rose from his skin in wispy tendrils, the regenerative powers of his Titan form already working to heal his wounds.

"It's not as bad as it looks," Aaron said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, reassuring intensity. "The regeneration will take care of most of it by morning."

Historia nodded, her expression one of quiet, thoughtful contemplation. "I know," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, resigned acceptance. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to help, doesn't mean I don't want to be there for you in whatever way I can."

She reached for a bowl of water and a clean cloth, her movements slow and deliberate as she began to clean the blood and grime from Aaron's skin. He hissed slightly at the contact, the cool water stinging against his raw, exposed flesh.

"Are you angry with me?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, hesitant uncertainty.

Historia shook her head, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "No," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, intense emotion. "I'm not angry, Aaron. I'm just... I'm scared. Scared of losing you, scared of what the future might hold for us."

She leaned in closer, her lips brushing against the shell of his ear in a soft, tender gesture. "But I'm also grateful," she whispered, her voice low and filled with a quiet, intense emotion. "Grateful for every moment we have together, grateful for the love and the joy and the hope that you've brought into my life."

Her teeth grazed against his earlobe, a sudden, sharp sensation that sent a shiver of desire racing down his spine. And then her lips were on his neck, her tongue tracing the line of his pulse in a slow, sensual motion that made his breath catch in his throat and his heart pound with a sudden, overwhelming need.

"Historia," he gasped, his voice rough and slightly strained. "What... what are you doing?"

She pulled back slightly, her blue eyes shining with a soft, mischievous light. "What does it look like I'm doing?" she asked, her voice low and filled with a quiet, teasing lilt. "I'm showing you how much I love you, how much I need you, how much I want you."

She leaned in again, her lips capturing his in a deep, passionate kiss that stole the breath from his lungs and sent his mind reeling with a sudden, overwhelming desire. His hands came up to tangle in her hair, his fingers threading through the soft, silky strands as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss with a desperate, aching intensity.

They fell back onto the bed, their bodies tangling together in a mess of limbs and heated, panting breaths. Aaron's hands roamed over Historia's body, tracing the curves and planes of her form with a reverent, worshipful intensity.

She arched beneath him, her head thrown back in a gesture of pure, unadulterated bliss as his lips traced a path of fire down the column of her throat, his teeth grazing against the sensitive skin of her collarbone.

"Aaron," she gasped, her voice rough and slightly strained. "I need you, I need you so much."

He groaned, his body responding to her words with a sudden, overwhelming urgency. His hands moved to the fastenings of her dress, his fingers fumbling slightly in his haste to remove the garment.

And then she was bare before him, her skin flushed and slightly damp with the heat of her desire. He drank in the sight of her, his eyes roaming over her form with a hungry, possessive intensity.

Historia's slender frame trembled as Aaron's skilled tongue danced over her sensitive flesh, his lips and mouth worshiping every inch of her newly awakened desire. She bit her lip, trying to stifle the needy whimpers that threatened to escape, her ocean-blue eyes glazed with pleasure as she gazed down at the man pleasuring her so thoroughly.

As Aaron's oral ministrations intensified, Historia's hands shot up to cover her own mouth, a desperate attempt to muffle the increasing sounds of her pleasure. She was acutely aware of their secluded surroundings, the thin walls of the tent that could hardly mask the illicit activities taking place within.

"S-shh... please... I don't want them to hear..." Historia's voice was a ragged whisper, her words muffled by her fingers. Despite the risk of discovery, the queen found herself lost in the sensation of Aaron's talented mouth, her hips instinctively bucking against his face as he worked her closer to the brink. "Ahhhn... it's so... so good... please, don't stop...".

As Aaron's lips claimed hers in a searing kiss, Historia's body responded instinctively, her slender form melting against his. She could taste herself on his tongue, the metallic tang of their combined arousal only serving to heighten the fever pitch of her desire. Just as she was losing herself in the depth of the kiss, Aaron's thick length probed at her entrance once more, and with a gasp, Historia's eyes flew open, locking onto Aaron's as he pushed into her welcoming heat. "Ahhhn... you feel so... so huge inside me... it's like you're taking over my entire world," Historia breathed, her voice trembling with a mix of trepidation and exhilaration. The queen's petite frame writhed beneath Aaron, her small hands clutching at his broad shoulders as she adjusted to the overwhelming sensation of his girth filling her to the brim.

Historia's core throbbed around the invading member, a sweet ache building with each deliberate thrust as Aaron began to move within her. The sheer size difference only served to intensify the pleasure, every stroke hitting deep and striking a chord of ecstasy within the queen's inexperienced soul. "Yes... ah... yes, just like that... take me..."

As Aaron's pace quickened, his thick length pistoning in and out of Historia's clutching depths with increasing urgency, the queen's small frame bounced and quivered beneath him. She bit her lip hard, trying to stifle the needy whimpers that threatened to escape, her ocean-blue eyes glazed with pleasure as she gazed up at Aaron.

Historia's hands shot up to cover her mouth, a desperate attempt to muffle the increasing sounds of her passion as she rode out the whirlwind of sensations with him. "S-shh... I-I'm t-trying..." Historia's voice was a strained, breathy whisper, her words torn from her lips as Aaron's member battered against her inner walls with renewed fervor. The sheer intensity of their lovemaking threatened to consume her, Historia's core clenching and spasming around the invading length as she struggled to keep her moans contained.

As the pressure built and the first flickers of her release began to gather, Historia's small heels dug into Aaron's back, her slender thighs wrapping around his hips as she sought to anchor herself.

As the pace of their lovemaking reached a feverish pitch, Historia felt the telltale signs of her impending climax. Her sensitive inner walls fluttered wildly, the heat of her arousal intensifying to a feverish pitch as Aaron's thick length pistoned in and out of her clutching depths.

The queen's small frame writhed beneath him, her ocean-blue eyes unfocused and glassy with building ecstasy. Muffling a wanton moan against the pillow, Historia bit down hard, her small teeth sinking into the soft fabric as she fought to keep her release contained. "Ahhhn... yesss... please... I'm so close..." As her own orgasmic peak hit with the force of a thunderclap, Historia's inner walls convulsed around Aaron's still-thrusting member, milking him for every last drop as they rode out the tumultuous waves together. At the same moment, Aaron buried himself to the hilt within the quivering heat of Historia's core, his seed flooding her womb as he climaxed deep inside her.

The sheer intensity of their shared release left the queen breathless and trembling, her small body wracked with the aftershocks of pleasure as she lay spent beneath Aaron.

Still catching her breath from the intensity of their shared climax, Historia's slender fingers delved into her slick, still-quivering depths, her gaze locking onto Aaron's as she confirmed the evidence of their passionate encounter. "You came inside me... all of you..." she murmured, a soft, awed smile playing on her lips at the realization.

Without hesitation, the queen reached out to grasp Aaron's softening member, her small hand wrapping around the warm, sticky flesh. With a tender expression, Historia brought the tip to her mouth, her ocean-blue eyes locked onto Aaron's as she licked away the remnants of their mutual pleasure. "Mmm... and now this..." she purred, her voice a husky whisper against the length of his shaft.

"I want to taste you, all of you..." As Historia's soft, suckling lips enveloped the head of Aaron's member, she closed her eyes and let herself indulge in the intimate act, savoring the unique blend of their flavors and scents that seemed to intensify with each passing moment.

Historia's lips moved over Aaron's skin, her tongue tracing the hard lines of his muscles with a slow, sensual intensity. He groaned, his head falling back against the pillows as he lost himself in the pleasure of her touch.

But just as her mouth began to move lower, her breath hot and teasing against his stomach, the sound of footsteps outside the tent brought them both crashing back to reality.

They sprang apart, their hands scrabbling for the sheets as they tried to cover their naked bodies. But before they could fully compose themselves, the flap of the tent was pushed aside and Hange strode in, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Dinner's ready!" she announced, her voice loud and filled with a cheerful, boisterous energy. "I hope you two are hungry, because we've got quite the feast prepared."

Aaron and Historia stared at her, their mouths hanging open in shock and embarrassment. "Don't you know how to knock?" Aaron asked, his voice rough and slightly strained.

Hange's brow furrowed, a look of confusion passing over her face. "I heard noises," she said, her voice filled with a hint of uncertainty. "I thought you two were awake."

Historia's face flushed a deep, crimson red, her eyes widening with a sudden, overwhelming mortification. Aaron's own cheeks burned with embarrassment, his mind racing as he tried to come up with some excuse, some explanation for what Hange had almost walked in on.

But before he could speak, a look of sudden understanding passed over Hange's face. "Oh," she said, her voice filled with a hint of embarrassment. "You were doing... that. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

She paused, her expression growing thoughtful. "I suppose it's only natural, though," she said, her voice filled with a hint of scientific curiosity. "You two are engaged, after all. And with all the stress and tension of the war, it's no wonder you'd want to find some release."

Aaron's eyes flashed with a sudden, overwhelming annoyance. He reached for a pillow, his hand closing around the soft, plush fabric with a white-knuckled intensity.

"Get out," he growled, his voice low and filled with a quiet, menacing intensity.

Hange's eyes widened, a look of sudden, fearful understanding passing over her face. She backed out of the tent, her hands held up in a gesture of surrender.

"Right, sorry," she said, her voice filled with a hint of nervous laughter. "I'll just... I'll let you two finish up. Take your time, no rush."

And then she was gone, the flap of the tent falling closed behind her with a soft, muffled thump.

Aaron sighed, his shoulders slumping with a sudden, overwhelming sense of frustration. Historia let out a small, disappointed groan, her head falling back against the pillows with a soft, muffled thump.

"Well, that killed the mood," she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of rueful amusement.

Aaron nodded, his expression one of grim, resigned acceptance. "Completely," he said, his voice flat and filled with a hint of annoyance.

They lay there for a moment, their bodies still tangled together in a mess of sweat-slicked limbs and rumpled sheets. But the heat of their passion had cooled, the urgency of their need replaced by a sudden, overwhelming sense of frustration and disappointment.

Finally, with a small, resigned sigh, they began to untangle themselves, their movements slow and reluctant as they climbed out of bed and began to search for their scattered clothes.

They dressed in silence, their minds still reeling with the sudden, jarring interruption. But as they made their way out of the tent and towards the main dining area, a small, rueful smile began to tug at the corners of Aaron's mouth.

"Well, at least we'll have plenty of time to finish what we started later," he said, his voice low and filled with a hint of mischievous promise.

Historia's eyes flashed with a sudden, overwhelming desire, her hand coming up to rest on Aaron's arm in a small, possessive gesture. "I'm going to hold you to that," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, intense conviction.

As they entered the main dining tent, the soft glow of lanterns casting a warm, inviting light over the gathered soldiers, they were greeted by a chorus of friendly shouts and good-natured ribbing.

"Well, well, well," Levi said, his voice low and filled with a hint of mocking amusement. "Look who decided to grace us with their presence. I was starting to think you two had gotten lost on the way to the dining tent."

Aaron's eyes flashed with a sudden, overwhelming annoyance, his hand tightening around Historia's in a small, protective gesture. "Watch it, Levi," he growled, his voice low and filled with a quiet, menacing intensity.

But before he could say anything more, Historia gave his hand a small, warning squeeze, her eyes flashing with a sudden, fierce intensity.

"Now, now," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, regal authority. "Let's all play nice. We're here to enjoy a good meal and some friendly company, not to start any fights."

Levi's eyes widened slightly, a look of sudden, grudging respect passing over his face. He nodded, his expression one of grim, resigned acceptance.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," he said, his voice low and filled with a hint of mocking deference.

As they took their seats at the table, the rich, savory scent of the food filling the air with a warm, inviting aroma, Eren leaned forward, his eyes bright with excitement.

"I heard you two put on quite the show earlier," he said, his voice filled with a hint of mischievous glee. "Hange said she walked in on you in the middle of... well, you know."

Historia's face flushed a deep, crimson red, her eyes widening with a sudden, overwhelming embarrassment. Aaron's own cheeks burned with a sudden, intense heat, his mind racing as he tried to come up with some excuse, some explanation for what Hange had almost walked in on.

But before he could speak, Armin let out a small, nervous laugh, his hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck in a gesture of shy, awkward embarrassment.

"I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding," he said, his voice filled with a hint of nervous uncertainty. "I mean, it's not like Aaron and Historia would... you know... with everyone around."

Mikasa's eyes flashed with a sudden, fierce intensity, her gaze fixed on Aaron with a cold, appraising stare. "I wouldn't be so sure," she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of quiet, menacing intensity. "Aaron's never been one for discretion."

Aaron's eyes flashed with a sudden, overwhelming annoyance, his hand tightening around his fork with a white-knuckled intensity. But before he could speak, Levi's voice cut through the tension like a knife, his tone low and filled with a hint of mocking amusement.

"What's the matter, Mustang?" he asked, his voice dripping with a quiet, sardonic intensity. "Feeling a little tense? I guess it's to be expected, what with your little interruption earlier."

He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest in a gesture of casual, nonchalant ease. "I have to say, I'm surprised to see you so docile and well-behaved with Historia around. Normally, you'd be tearing into the recruits for making dinner late, or for not brushing Lucky's coat to your exact specifications."

His lips curved into a small, mocking smile, his eyes glinting with a sudden, malicious light. "But I guess even the mighty Aaron Mustang can be brought to heel by the right woman. Looks like you're nothing more than the Queen's lapdog now."

Aaron's eyes flashed with a sudden, overwhelming rage, his hand tightening around his fork with a white-knuckled intensity. He opened his mouth to speak, to hurl some biting, venomous retort at the smirking Captain.

But before he could utter a word, he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his scalp, his head snapping back with a sudden, jarring force. He blinked, his eyes watering with pain and surprise as he realized that Historia had just dumped her entire glass of water over his head.

"Enough," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, regal authority. "I will not have you two bickering like children at my dinner table."

She turned to Levi, her eyes flashing with a sudden, fierce intensity. "Captain Levi," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, menacing intensity. "I understand that you and Aaron have your differences, but I will not tolerate disrespect or insubordination in my presence. Is that clear?"

Levi's eyes widened slightly, a look of sudden, grudging respect passing over his face. He nodded, his expression one of grim, resigned acceptance.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he said, his voice low and filled with a hint of quiet, subdued deference.

Historia nodded, her expression one of grim, satisfied approval. She turned back to Aaron, her eyes softening slightly as she took in his dripping, bedraggled appearance.

"And you," she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of fond, exasperated affection. "Try to behave yourself, would you? I know it's hard for you to resist rising to Levi's bait, but I need you to be the bigger man here."

Aaron's eyes flashed with a sudden, overwhelming emotion, his heart swelling with a sudden, intense love and devotion for the woman beside him. He nodded, his expression one of grim, resigned acceptance.

"As you wish, my Queen," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, intense conviction.

Aaron savored the last few bites of his meal, the rich flavors dancing on his tongue as he listened to the lively chatter of his comrades around him. Suddenly, Eren leaned over, his voice low and urgent as he whispered in Aaron's ear.

"Hey, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" he asked, his eyes darting around the tent as if checking for eavesdroppers.

Aaron raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued by Eren's secretive demeanor. He nodded, pushing back his chair and standing up. "Sure, let's step outside."

The two men made their way out of the tent, the cool night air a welcome respite from the stuffy warmth inside. They walked in silence for a few minutes, the soft crunch of sand beneath their boots the only sound as they made their way down to the shoreline.

The moon hung low in the sky, its silvery light casting a shimmering path across the inky black waters of the sea. The stars glittered overhead, a vast canopy of twinkling lights that seemed to stretch on forever.

Aaron took a deep breath, the salty tang of the ocean filling his lungs as he gazed out at the endless expanse before them. It was a sight he never tired of, a reminder of the world that lay beyond the walls, waiting to be explored.

"So, what's on your mind?" he asked, turning to face Eren with a questioning look.

Eren hesitated, his brow furrowed as if wrestling with some internal debate. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and serious. "Before I tell you, I need you to answer a question for me, Aaron. Would you sacrifice Historia to save Paradis?"

Aaron's response was immediate and unwavering. "Are you joking? I'd destroy Paradis myself if it meant saving Historia."

Eren nodded, a flicker of relief passing over his face. "And what about your sister? Would you choose Historia over her?"

Aaron shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'm strong enough to protect them both. I don't have to choose."

Eren's shoulders relaxed, as if a weight had been lifted from them. "I'm glad to hear that. It means I can trust you with what I'm about to tell you. But you have to promise not to breathe a word of it to anyone else, not even Historia."

Aaron's curiosity was fully piqued now. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm listening."

Eren took a deep breath, his eyes distant as if seeing something far away. "When I kissed Historia's hand a few weeks ago, I saw my father's memories. Grisha's memories."

Aaron's eyes widened, his mind racing with the implications of Eren's words. "What did you see?"

"A lot of things, which I'll tell you about later. But the most important thing is this: I can only activate the Founding Titan's power if I touch someone with royal blood."

Understanding dawned on Aaron's face. "Someone like Historia."

Eren nodded, his expression grim. "Exactly. That's why I was so on edge that day. You did the right thing by not telling anyone. Who knows what the Garrison Regiment or the Military Police would have done if they knew."

Aaron's jaw clenched, his eyes hardening with a fierce, protective anger. "They'd probably lock her up or turn her into a pure Titan and have her eat you. Or worse."

Eren's face paled at the thought, but he nodded in agreement. "That's why I'm telling you this, Aaron. I know you'd put Historia above everything else. You're the only one I can trust with this secret."

Aaron's heart swelled with a sudden, fierce pride. He clapped Eren on the shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell a soul, not even Nanaba or Neil or Levi. And definitely not Historia."

Eren's shoulders sagged with relief, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thank you, Aaron. You have no idea how much this means to me."

They stood in silence for a moment, the gentle crash of waves against the shore the only sound in the stillness of the night. Finally, Aaron spoke, his voice low and curious.

"Why did you mention the destruction of Paradis earlier? What exactly did you see in those memories, Eren?"

Eren's expression grew distant, as if seeing something far away. "Not exactly Paradis. More like... the destruction of the world."

Aaron's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat at the enormity of Eren's words. "The whole world? Are you serious?"

Eren nodded, his face set with a grim determination. "I don't want to say too much right now. I'm still trying to find another way, another solution. But if I can't... if there's no other choice... I know you'll support me, Aaron."

Aaron was silent for a long moment, his mind racing with the implications of Eren's words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and filled with a quiet, fierce conviction.

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If I had to set the whole world on fire to protect Rosy or Historia, I'd do it with my eyes closed."

Eren nodded, a small, satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I know you would. That's why I'm telling you this. Because if the time comes, if there's no other way... I'll need you by my side."

Aaron clapped Eren on the shoulder once more, his grip firm and reassuring. "I'll be there. No matter what."

With that, Eren turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the distance as he made his way back to the tent. Aaron stayed behind, his gaze fixed on the endless expanse of the sea before him.

His mind raced with the possibilities of what Eren had told him, the enormity of the task that lay ahead. The destruction of the world... could Eren really be considering such a thing?

And then, like a bolt of lightning, a memory flashed through his mind. The journal of Grisha Yeager, the secrets it contained. The Rumbling, the ultimate weapon of the Founding Titan.

A shiver ran down Aaron's spine, a cold, creeping dread that settled in the pit of his stomach. Could that be what Eren was planning? The annihilation of everything beyond the walls, the erasure of all life outside of Paradis?

It was a terrible thought, a nightmare given form. But even as it filled him with horror, Aaron knew that he would support Eren, no matter the cost. For the sake of his sister, for the sake of Historia, he would do whatever it took to keep them safe.

Lost in thought, he almost didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching from behind. But then a familiar voice broke through his reverie, warm and teasing.

"What's got you thinking so hard, big guy?" Historia asked, sidling up beside him and slipping her hand into his.

Aaron smiled, the tension draining from his shoulders at her touch. "Just thinking about how we really ought to set a date for the wedding. And maybe start working on making a baby."

Historia's eyes widened, a blush creeping up her cheeks at his boldness. But then she grinned, her expression filled with a sudden, fierce joy.

"It's about time you made up your mind," she teased, leaning in close and nipping at his earlobe. "And don't worry about the baby. Pretty sure you already took care of that earlier."

Aaron's laughter rang out across the beach, his heart swelling with a sudden, fierce love for the woman beside him. He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her waist as he buried his face in her hair.

"Springtime," he murmured, his voice low and filled with a quiet, fierce conviction. "Let's get married in the springtime."

Historia nodded, her eyes shining with a sudden, fierce joy. "Four months from now. It's a date."

....

The morning sun peeked through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the bustling military camp. Historia stood beside the carriage, her foot tapping impatiently as she watched Aaron joke around with his fellow soldiers.

"Aaron, come on!" she called out, her voice tinged with exasperation. "We need to get going!"

Aaron glanced over at her, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Aw, come on, Historia," he said, his tone playful. "What's the rush? Another Marleyan ship could arrive at any moment. Shouldn't we stay and keep watch?"

Historia rolled her eyes, her hands coming to rest on her hips in a gesture of frustration. "You know perfectly well that Levi and the others can handle things here," she said, her voice firm. "Now get in the carriage before I have to drag you in myself."

Aaron opened his mouth to protest, but before he could utter a word, Levi's foot connected with his backside, sending him stumbling towards the carriage with a yelp of surprise.

"You heard your Queen," Levi said, his voice flat and unamused. "Get moving, Mustang."

Grumbling under his breath, Aaron climbed into the carriage, his long legs sprawling out across the plush velvet seats. Historia followed close behind, settling herself beside him with a sigh of relief.

As the carriage began to move, Aaron let out a sharp whistle, his fingers coming up to his mouth in a gesture of summoning. A moment later, the sound of hoofbeats filled the air, and Lucky came trotting up alongside the carriage, his coat gleaming in the morning light.

"Good boy," Aaron murmured, leaning out the window to give the horse an affectionate pat on the neck. "You keep an eye on things out there, you hear?"

Lucky whinnied in response, his ears flicking back and forth as if in understanding. Aaron grinned, settling back into his seat with a contented sigh.

"So," he said, turning to Historia with a curious look. "What's on the agenda for today, my Queen?"

Historia's expression grew serious, her brow furrowing slightly as she remembered the events of the previous day. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you," she said, her voice low and filled with concern. "It's about the Marquis."

Aaron's eyes narrowed, his body tensing slightly at the mention of the nobleman's name. "What about him?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Historia took a deep breath, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap as she recounted the tense confrontation in the palace. She told Aaron about the Marquis's veiled threats, his insinuations of treason and rebellion, his barely-concealed disdain for her rule.

As she spoke, Aaron's expression grew darker and darker, his jaw clenching with barely-suppressed anger. When she finished, he was silent for a long moment, his eyes distant and thoughtful.

"I'll pay him a visit as soon as we get back," he said at last, his voice low and filled with a quiet, menacing intensity. "We'll see how brave he feels when he's face to face with the Queen's loyal guard dog."

Historia's heart swelled with gratitude and affection, her hand coming to rest on Aaron's arm in a gesture of quiet support. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft and filled with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Aaron."

Aaron's expression softened, his hand coming up to cover hers in a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "You'll never have to find out," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, fierce conviction. "I'll always be by your side, Historia. No matter what."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels against the cobblestone road a soothing backdrop to their thoughts. Historia's mind drifted to the future, to the wedding she had always dreamed of, to the life she hoped to build with the man beside her.

"I've been thinking about the wedding," she said at last, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, wistful longing. "I want it to be perfect, Aaron. A day we'll always remember, a day we'll cherish for the rest of our lives."

Aaron smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a quiet, contented joy. "As long as you're there, it will be perfect," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, intense emotion. "You're all I need, Historia. You and Rosy. The rest is just details."

Historia's heart swelled with love and gratitude, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Speaking of Rosy," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, hesitant curiosity. "Will you invite Marko to the wedding? I know he's like a father to you."

Aaron's expression grew distant, a flicker of old pain passing over his face. "That old bastard?" he said, his voice rough and slightly strained. "Yeah, I'll invite him. He's a cranky old son of a bitch, but he's family. He deserves to be there."

Historia nodded, her expression one of quiet, thoughtful understanding. "And what about your mother?" she asked, her voice low and filled with a quiet, hesitant curiosity. "Will you invite her too?"

Aaron's expression hardened, his eyes flashing with a sudden, fierce intensity. "No," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, unyielding conviction. "I haven't seen that woman since the day she gave me away to Marko. And I don't plan on changing that anytime soon."

Historia's heart ached for him, for the pain and the anger that she knew he carried with him every day. She reached out, her hand coming to rest on his in a gentle, comforting gesture.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, heartfelt sincerity. "I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."

Aaron's expression softened, his hand turning to lace his fingers through hers in a gesture of quiet, unshakable unity. "It's not your fault," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, intense emotion. "You didn't do anything wrong, Historia. You could never do anything wrong in my eyes."

They fell into silence once more, the carriage rattling along the winding, dusty roads as the sun began to sink slowly towards the horizon. It was nearly evening by the time they reached the sprawling farmlands that surrounded the orphanage, the golden light of the setting sun casting a warm, inviting glow over the fields and pastures.

As the carriage rolled to a stop, Aaron climbed out first, his hand extended to help Historia down the steps. She took it gratefully, her skirts swishing around her ankles as she stepped down onto the soft, well-trodden earth.

"What are we doing here?" Aaron asked, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "I thought we were heading back to the palace."

Historia smiled, her eyes twinkling with a sudden, mischievous light. "I wanted to check on the orphanage first," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, playful lilt. "It's been a few days since I've been here, and I want to make sure everything is running smoothly."

Aaron nodded, his expression one of quiet, thoughtful understanding. "I'll take Lucky to the stables," he said, his hand coming up to stroke the horse's gleaming flank. "He could use a good brushing after that long ride."

Historia's eyes narrowed, a flicker of mock indignation passing over her face. "Sometimes I think you care more about that horse than you do about me," she said, her voice filled with a teasing, playful lilt.

Aaron grinned, his eyes twinkling with a sudden, mischievous light. But before he could respond, Historia waved him away, her expression one of fond, exasperated affection.

"Go on, then," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, playful dismissal. "Go take care of your precious Lucky. I'll be fine on my own for a little while."

Aaron sketched a mock bow, his eyes twinkling with a sudden, irrepressible mirth. "As you wish, my Queen," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, playful intensity.

With that, he turned and led Lucky away, the horse's hooves clopping softly against the hard-packed earth as they made their way towards the stables. Historia watched them go, a small, contented smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

She was just about to make her way towards the orphanage when a familiar figure caught her eye, striding towards her across the sun-dappled fields with a purposeful, determined gait.

"Thomas," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, surprised warmth as the young farmer approached. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Thomas smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a sudden, intense emotion. "I heard you were coming," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, earnest intensity. "I wanted to be here to welcome you back."

Historia's smile widened, her heart swelling with gratitude and affection for the young man who had become such a dear friend and loyal supporter. "That's very kind of you," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, heartfelt sincerity. "I'm glad to see you, Thomas."

But as she spoke, she couldn't help but notice the way Thomas's eyes darted around the farmyard, as if searching for something - or someone. A flicker of unease passed through her, a sudden, creeping sense of disquiet that she couldn't quite shake.

"Is everything alright, Thomas?" she asked, her voice low and filled with a quiet, concerned intensity. "You seem... distracted."

Thomas's eyes snapped back to hers, a flicker of something dark and intense passing over his face. He stepped closer, his hand coming up to take hers in a sudden, urgent gesture.

"Historia," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, desperate intensity. "There's something I need to tell you. Something important."

Historia's heart began to race, a sudden, overwhelming sense of unease washing over her like a tidal wave. She tried to pull her hand away, but Thomas's grip only tightened, his fingers digging into her skin with a sudden, painful intensity.

"Thomas," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, warning intensity. "Let go of me. Now."

But Thomas only shook his head, his eyes blazing with a sudden, feverish intensity. "No," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, unyielding conviction. "Not until you hear what I have to say. Not until you understand the truth about Aaron."

Historia's heart skipped a beat, a sudden, icy fear washing over her like a bucket of cold water. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly with a sudden, overwhelming sense of dread.

Thomas leaned in closer, his breath hot and heavy against her skin. "He doesn't deserve you, Historia," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, intense conviction. "He's never here, always off on some mission or another. He cares more about his work than he does about you. Can't you see that?"

Historia's eyes flashed with a sudden, fierce anger, her free hand coming up to slap Thomas's face with a sudden, stinging intensity. "How dare you," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, seething fury. "How dare you speak about Aaron that way, after everything he's done for me, for all of us."

But Thomas only laughed, a small, bitter sound that made Historia's skin crawl with a sudden, overwhelming sense of unease. "He's got you fooled, Historia," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, mocking intensity. "Just like he's got everyone else fooled. But I see through him. I know the truth."

He leaned in closer, his grip on her hand tightening with a sudden, painful intensity. "I'm the one who truly loves you, Historia," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, desperate intensity. "I'm the one who's always been there for you, even when he wasn't. Can't you see that?"

Historia's heart raced with a sudden, overwhelming sense of fear and revulsion, her mind reeling with the implications of Thomas's words. She opened her mouth to scream, to call for help, to do anything to get away from the madness that seemed to have consumed her once-trusted friend.

But before she could utter a sound, a large, menacing shadow fell over them both, a sudden, overwhelming presence that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

"I believe the Queen told you to let her go," a low, dangerously calm voice said from behind them. "I suggest you listen to her, before I make you regret ever being born."

Thomas's face drained of color, his eyes widening with a sudden, overwhelming terror as he recognized the voice. He released Historia's hand as if it were a live coal, his body trembling with a sudden, uncontrollable fear.

"C-Captain Mustang," he stammered, his voice high and thin with a sudden, overwhelming panic. "I didn't... I wasn't..."

But Aaron only stepped closer, his tall, muscular form looming over Thomas like a dark, menacing storm cloud. "If I ever see you touch her again," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, deadly intensity, "I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair. Do I make myself clear?"

Thomas nodded frantically, his face pale and slick with a sudden, cold sweat. He turned and fled, his footsteps echoing loudly in the sudden, ringing silence that had fallen over the farmyard.

Historia turned to Aaron, her eyes wide and filled with a sudden, overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, heartfelt sincerity. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up when you did."

Aaron's expression softened, his hand coming up to cup her cheek in a gentle, reassuring gesture. "I'll always be there when you need me, Historia," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, intense conviction. "No matter what."

Historia leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed with a sudden, overwhelming sense of peace and contentment. "I know," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, unshakable faith. "I've always known."

They stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms as the sun began to sink slowly behind the hills, casting the world in shades of red and gold. Finally, Historia pulled back, a small, rueful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"We should probably head back to the palace," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, reluctant resignation. "It's getting late, and we have a lot to do tomorrow."

Aaron nodded, his expression one of quiet, thoughtful agreement. "As you wish, my Queen," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, playful intensity.

He offered her his arm, his eyes twinkling with a sudden, mischievous light. Historia took it gratefully, her heart swelling with a sudden, fierce love for the man beside her.

As they made their way back to the carriage, the soft clop of Lucky's hooves echoing behind them, Historia couldn't help but feel a sense of quiet, unshakable contentment wash over her.

....

The streets of Mitras were eerily quiet in the early hours of the morning, the only sound the soft, rhythmic clop of Aaron's boots against the cobblestone pavement. The city was a different place at this hour, the bustling crowds and lively chatter of the daytime replaced by a stillness that was almost unnerving in its intensity.

Aaron moved through the shadows like a ghost, his tall, muscular form blending seamlessly into the darkness. He had a destination in mind, a secret meeting place where he knew the Marquis and his associates often gathered to gamble and scheme.

He had been planning this confrontation for days, his mind churning with the memory of the Marquis's thinly-veiled threats against Historia, his heart burning with a fierce, protective rage at the thought of anyone daring to challenge her rule.

But as he turned down a narrow, twisting alleyway, his mind focused on the task at hand, a sudden, unexpected voice called out from the shadows, stopping him dead in his tracks.

"Aaron," the voice said, soft and familiar and achingly, painfully nostalgic. "It's been a long time."

Aaron whirled around, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife at his belt. But as his eyes fell upon the cloaked figure standing before him, he felt his breath catch in his throat, his heart skipping a beat with a sudden, overwhelming shock.

"Mother," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, disbelieving intensity. "What are you doing here?"

The woman reached up, her hands trembling slightly as she pushed back the hood of her cloak, revealing a face that was at once familiar and strangely, heartbreakingly foreign.

She was older than Aaron remembered, her once-vibrant features lined with the weight of years and the toll of a hard, unforgiving life. But her eyes were the same, a deep, piercing blue that seemed to see straight through to the heart of him, to the scared, lonely little boy he had once been.

"I wanted to see you," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, hesitant longing. "I've heard stories about you, you know. About the man you've become, the things you've done."

Aaron's jaw clenched, his eyes hardening with a sudden, fierce intensity. "And what have you heard, exactly?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, menacing intensity.

His mother's expression softened, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I've heard that you're a hero," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, wistful pride. "That you've fought for the people, for the ones who can't fight for themselves. That you've become a legend in the Underground, a symbol of hope and strength for those who have none."

Aaron's heart clenched, a sudden, overwhelming wave of emotion washing over him like a tidal wave. He had spent so many years hating this woman, resenting her for the way she had abandoned him and Rosy, for the way she had left them to fend for themselves in a world that was cold and cruel and utterly unforgiving.

But now, standing before her in the darkness of the alleyway, he felt a sudden, aching sense of loss, a longing for the mother he had never truly known, for the love and the warmth and the safety that he had been denied for so long.

"How's Rosy?" his mother asked, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, hesitant curiosity. "Is she... is she happy? Is she safe?"

Aaron's eyes flashed with a sudden, fierce intensity, his hand tightening around the hilt of his knife with a white-knuckled grip. "She's fine," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, unyielding conviction. "No thanks to you."

His mother flinched as if struck, her eyes filling with a sudden, overwhelming sadness. "Aaron," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please, I know I haven't been the mother you deserved. I know I've made mistakes, terrible mistakes that I can never take back. But I'm here now. I'm here, and I want to make things right."

Aaron's jaw clenched, his eyes hardening with a sudden, fierce intensity. "Make things right?" he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, seething anger. "You think you can just show up here, after all these years, and expect me to forgive you? To forget everything you've done, everything you've put us through?"

He took a step forward, his tall, muscular form looming over his mother like a dark, menacing shadow. "Do you have any idea what it was like, growing up in the Underground? Do you have any idea what Rosy and I had to do to survive, to keep ourselves alive in a world that wanted us dead?"

His mother's eyes filled with tears, her lips trembling with a sudden, overwhelming emotion. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so, so sorry, Aaron. I never meant for things to be like this. I never meant to hurt you, to abandon you. I was just... I was so young, so scared. I didn't know what to do."

Aaron's heart clenched, a sudden, overwhelming wave of anger and pain and longing washing over him like a tidal wave. He wanted to hate this woman, wanted to hold onto the anger and the resentment that had sustained him for so long.

But standing there in the darkness of the alleyway, his mother's tear-streaked face illuminated by the soft, silvery light of the moon, he felt something inside him begin to crack, to crumble away like a wall of stone worn down by the relentless pounding of the sea.

"Why are you really here, Mother?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, resigned intensity. "Is it because you heard I was marrying the Queen? Because you think I can give you money, can help you escape the Underground and live a life of luxury?"

His mother's eyes widened, a look of sudden, horrified understanding passing over her face. "No," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, desperate intensity. "No, Aaron, that's not it at all. I don't want your money, I don't want anything from you. I just... I just wanted to see you, to tell you how proud I am of the man you've become."

Aaron's heart clenched, a sudden, overwhelming wave of emotion washing over him like a tidal wave. He reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around the heavy, clinking weight of a small pouch.

"Here," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, unyielding intensity. "Take this. It's enough to get you out of the Underground, to buy a house somewhere far away from here. But after this, I don't want to see you again. I don't want you coming around, trying to be a part of my life."

He tossed the pouch to his mother, the coins inside jingling softly as they hit the ground at her feet. She stared down at it for a long moment, her eyes wide and filled with a sudden, overwhelming sadness.

"Aaron," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please, I don't want your money. I just want... I just want to be a part of your life, to make up for all the years I've lost."

But Aaron was already turning away, his tall, muscular form disappearing into the shadows of the alleyway. He couldn't bear to look at her anymore, couldn't bear to see the pain and the longing in her eyes, the weight of all the years that had passed between them.

He walked for a long time, his mind churning with a thousand conflicting emotions. Anger and pain and longing and regret, all tangled together in a knot so tight he thought it might never come undone.

And then, suddenly, he found himself standing before the gates of the palace, the soft, golden light of the rising sun just beginning to peek over the horizon. He blinked, surprise washing over him like a bucket of cold water.

He had been so lost in thought, so consumed by the memories of his past, that he hadn't even realized where his feet were taking him. But now, standing before the grand, imposing structure of the palace, he felt a sudden, overwhelming sense of peace wash over him, a quiet, unshakable certainty that this was where he belonged, that this was the life he had fought so hard to build.

With a small, rueful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, he made his way up the steps, his mind already turning to the day ahead, to the challenges and the triumphs that lay before him.

The Marquis could wait, he decided, his heart lightening with a sudden, overwhelming sense of relief. There would be time enough to deal with him later, to put the fear of God into him and any other noble who dared to challenge Historia's rule.

For now, all he wanted was to be with the woman he loved, to hold her in his arms and feel the steady, reassuring beat of her heart against his own. To know that no matter what the future held, no matter what trials and tribulations lay ahead, they would face them together, hand in hand, heart to heart, until the very end of their days.

As he made his way through the quiet, echoing halls of the palace, the soft, golden light of the rising sun filtering through the high, arched windows, Aaron felt a sudden, overwhelming sense of gratitude wash over him, a quiet, unshakable certainty that he was exactly where he was meant to be, that he was living the life he had always dreamed of, the life he had fought so hard to build.