A Few Hours Later
The afternoon sun was low, casting long shadows across the Trost District. The air smelled of baking bread and damp stone. Krista and Annie were helping your mother clean the dishes, a domestic scene that still felt surreal.
Your sister had left the room, telling you she had a few things to do before dinner at Carla's and that she would see you there. She had her own agenda, as always. Your mother gave them question after question, but also found your memories together heartwarming, from the time you got tangled with Krista during training, to the visit to the lake with Annie. Krista and your mother's giggles were sometimes so loud that even Annie cracked a small smile at one point, looking at your reflection in the kitchen window.
Your father had also found a small job, something to keep him busy. He had left you alone. But not without giving you a piece of advice. "Just be happy, son," He said. "And try to keep your mother from worrying too much."
You were alone in the living room, looking out the small window at the street. A calm washed over you. If that was peace, then it was worth protecting. You heard the girls finish up the dishes. They entered the room.
"We should get going," Krista said, her hands still a little damp. "We wouldn't want to be late for dinner."
"She's right," Annie added, her hands in her pockets. She then turned to your mother, who was wiping her hands on her apron. "Thank you for the lunch. It was... good."
The words seemed to catch your mother by surprise. She gave Annie a warm smile. "Anytime, dear." Your mother then came over and gave both short blondes a hug. "You are welcome here anytime."
"I am glad," Krista said, hugging her back.
Annie simply stiffened at the contact, but she didn't pull away.
"You two have grown fond of my son," Your mother said, her gaze soft as she held them at arm's length. "Just...be good to him." Her eyes then darted between them. "And to each other."
"We will," Krista answered, her smile a little sad. Perhaps, it was this kind of warmth that she always craved but was so rarely able to find.
Annie just gave a small nod, unable to find the right words to say. But the feeling was there.
Your mother then looked at you. "You go with them," She said, her tone a gentle command. "And tell Carla I will be there as soon as Reynald returns."
"I will," You said.
***
Trost District
Late Afternoon
The three of you walked through the streets of Trost. It was getting a bit late, but there was still sunlight that made the brick walls glow with a warm, orange light. People were going about their business. A few children ran past you, their laughter echoing in the narrow alleyway. There was a sense of normalcy here, a sense of peace that felt fragile.
You walked in the middle, with Krista on your left and Annie on your right. Their hands brushed against yours, a small, accidental touch that sent a jolt of warmth up your arm. However, not all was good in the street; there were still beggars and a few Military Police officers who were looking at your group with a mixture of curiosity and contempt. Security had been tight since the attack.
Before you could reach the street where Adelaide's small house was, Annie stopped. She grabbed your arm, her grip tight enough for you to feel her nails through your uniform.
"I don't think it's a good idea to go," Annie said, her blue eyes scanning the street ahead. The bakery was already visible, its windows glowing with a warm, inviting light. You could see silhouettes moving inside. Eren, Mikasa, and probably a few more. "You go with Krista, I will go back to the house."
Krista stopped as well, her head tilting to the side. "What's wrong, Annie?" She asked, her brow furrowed.
"...I..." She struggled to come up with an answer, but she merely replied once more. "Its for the best." She added, "I don't know if I can trust them with our...secret."
"Annie, they are our friends," Krista insisted, her tone gentle but firm. "They won't judge us."
She gave a knowing nod, but that wasn't quite it. There was something more to her reluctance, something she wasn't saying. Perhaps you could still convince her to go.
"Annie, look at me," You said, your hand moving to hold hers.
She reluctantly lifted her gaze to meet yours. Her defenses were up, but you could see the conflict behind them. A war was being waged behind her eyes, a war between her duty and her desire, between her past and her present.
You gave her hand a small squeeze. "I want you to be there," You said. "With me. With us. They won't bite."
Krista then came to your side, wrapping her arms around Annie's other arm. "Please, Annie?" She pleaded, her blue eyes wide and full of sincerity. "We will just tell them we found you on the way and that you were invited... It's better than lying."
"I'm not..." Annie began, her protest weak, fading before it could fully form. The two of you closing in, it was suffocating and also comforting. She looked from your face to Krista's, her resolve wavering like a candle in a draft. "Fine," She finally muttered, her voice barely a whisper. "But if this goes badly, I'm leaving. And I'm holding you both responsible."
"We'll take the blame," Krista said with a triumphant smile.
"Good," Annie grumbled, but the tension in her shoulders had eased, just a little. You knew she wasn't happy about this, but she was willing to try. That was enough for you.
"Good," You said. You let go of her hand, your fingers lingering on her skin for a second too long. "Let's go, then."
***
The bakery was warm and smelled of yeast and sugar. A wave of nostalgia hit you as you stepped inside. You saw Mrs. Forst behind the counter, her flour-dusted apron a familiar sight. Her face lit up when she saw you.
"Conrad! You're here!" She exclaimed, her voice boisterous and friendly. "And... you've brought two friends! How nice! Come inside."
"Hello, Mrs. Forst," You said, forcing a smile.
"It's so good to see you," Krista chimed in, her natural charm working its magic. "The place looks lovely." It did, to be fair. Flour motes danced in the golden late-afternoon light filtering through the front window. The scent was a living thing, wrapping around you, and there was the smell of stew, and many more delicious foods being prepared.
Eren and Armin were already at the table, Armin reading a book while Eren was waiting. They saw you and your company. Eren's smile was a bit awkward after seeing you with the rumoured girls of your choice. But he still seemed mostly happy to have everyone here. He got up from the table to welcome you.
"We were just about to send a search party," Eren said, giving you a light punch on your shoulder. His gaze then shifted to Krista and Annie. He gave a nod to Krista but simply looked at Annie, who simply returned the gaze.
"Good to see you too, Eren," You replied.
"Where is Carla?" You asked.
"Mom is in the kitchen preparing the food," Eren answered. "So is Mikasa and Addie."
"Good to see you, Eren," Krista said, and Eren simply nodded, still a bit unsure what to say about the whole situation. You gave a pat on his back before you let him go back to the table, and you turned to the other two. They both seemed to be holding up well, but you could see the subtle signs of tension in Annie's posture. She stood straight, her shoulders squared, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Maybe, we should go help in the kitchen?" Krista suggested, trying to be a good guest.
You were about to agree when the door of one of the storage rooms came open, and there you saw the one and only instructor of the 104th, Keith Shadis. He was wearing a simple shirt and trousers. His face was still as stern as ever, but there was a softness in his eyes that you had never seen before. He was holding a sack of flour.
"You again," He said, his gaze landing on you, and then on Krista and Annie.
"Sir," You and the other two greeted him, instinctively straightening your backs. Though you knew the reason for his being here. After all, hehad a bit of a relationship with Carla Yeager before the fall of Shiganshina. This was something that not even Eren knew about.
"Relax, cadets," Shadis said, his gruff voice softened by the cozy atmosphere of the bakery. "You are not in the training grounds. The reason I am here is that Carla asked me for help with this." He said, patting the sack of flour. The flour sack seemed small in his huge, calloused hands. He then looked at you. "She told me about you and your parents... I am glad you have made it this far."
You simply nodded.
"I heard about the incident at the ball," Shadis then said, his gaze shifting to you. "You did well, cadet. Even if you let one of them escape." He gave a small, rare smile. "Better a living hero than a dead one," He said. The words had a hidden meaning to them.
"You are too kind," You replied.
"Nonsense," Shadis grunted. "You have a slightly good head on your shoulders, and you are strong. That is a rare combination." He then looked at Krista and Annie. "At least, you brought your friends." He then paused for a bit, not really knowing the meaning of your group dynamic, and was thinking this was more of a friends meet up than anything else.
"Shadis! Are you going hard on the future soldiers! I told you to lay it down!" Carla's voice came from the kitchen, her tone a playful chide.
"They can handle it," Shadis grumbled, though he did expression softened a bit too much. It looked out of place in a man like Shadis.
"Don't be shy, come inside!" Carla's voice called out from the kitchen.
You then lead Krista and Annie towards the kitchen. The space was warm, filled with the steam of a large pot of stew that bubbled on the stove. A tray of freshly baked rolls sat cooling on a nearby counter, their crusts a perfect golden brown.
Adelaide was standing next to Carla, her hands covered in flour. She was rolling out dough on a floured countertop, her movements sure and practiced. She gave you a smile, "Conrad." Her greeting was polite, but a little distant. The change in her was undeniable.
Then there was Carla, who was in a wheelchair. Upon seeing you, she gave a warm, motherly smile. "Conrad, my boy, it's been too long." She gestured for you to come closer. "And who are your lovely friends?" Her eyes crinkled with genuine curiosity.
"This is Krista, and this is Annie," You said, stepping aside so they were fully visible. "They are from the training corps."
"Krista and Annie," Carla repeated, her smile widening. "It's so nice to meet you both." She then looked at Krista, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You know, you look a little like a girl I used to know from Wall Maria."
"Really? That's... interesting," Krista replied, her smile never faltering.
"It's a small world, isn't it?" Adelaide chimed in, her eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before returning to the dough.
Annie remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Not really comfortable once more, especially as she saw Carla in a wheelchair. The older woman noticed this and decided to talk to her. "Oh...Annie, right? Don't feel pity, I've been like this for a couple of years now, I don't mind it anymore." She said with a wink.
"...Okay," Annie managed, her voice quiet.
"Come, girls, if you want to help, Krista, could you help me with the table? I think all of you have grown a bit too much; the current table setting won't do. And Annie, if you could grab some more plates from that high shelf, please? My old joints can't handle that much anymore." Carla said with a playful smile.
"I will get them, Mom," Eren said. He had been particularly attentive with her ever since Shiganshina, even if their discussion over his decision to join the military had been a heated argument that kept coming back again and again. The scars were not only on his mother's legs, but also mentally, for the loss of the man of the house. Grisha Yeager had disappeared after the fall of the wall.
You went back to the main living room, and your parents and Emelina arrived at the same time
And with that, a quorum was achieved. Three families who had shared a tragedy were now reuniting under one roof.
"I knew you'd come," Carla said, her face brightening as she saw your family enter. "It feels like old times, doesn't it?" Carla wheeled herself to them and gave them a hug that was both warm and a bit sad. Eren's mother had become a pillar of resilience and compassion that made her respected in her neighborhood. For good reason, she managed to raise that headstrong child and keep the family intact.
"It's good to see you, Carla," Your mother said, her hands gentle as they rested on Carla's shoulders. The shared language of loss passes between them in a glance. The loss of a husband and the loss of a home. All of them had seen the Titans up close.
Soon, the table will be set with you and Emelina helping to set it. You carried the extra chairs from a corner of the room, the wooden legs scraping against the floorboards. Krista was right beside you, her movements surprisingly efficient. She handed you the placements, her fingers brushing against yours. Then, a bit too confidently, she tried to lift the heavy stew pot. She let out a small gasp as the weight shifted.
"Here, let me get that," You said, taking the pot from her, your hands covering hers for a second. The metal was hot through the cloth.
"I could have handled it," Krista pouted.
"I don't doubt it," You replied with a small smile.
You placed the pot on the center of the table, the savory aroma filling the room. Adelaide then brought a basket of the freshly baked rolls, her hands now clean of flour. She put them on the table, her eyes meeting yours. "Conrad," she said, her voice quiet but clear.
"Adelaide," You replied. She then turned and walked back to the kitchen without another word.
Armin asked Shadis questions about the organizational structure of the Military and about the Survey Corps. Shadis, in a rare display of generosity, answered them with a gruff honesty that made Armin's eyes light up. Eren listened, his chin in his hands. He was not bored, but not completely at ease either.
Annie stood near the window, a solitary figure against the encroaching night. Her reflection was a pale ghost in the glass. She was watching the street, the people walking by, and the guards patrolling. Her body was tense, almost as if she didn't want to be part of this little bubble of peace. Not yet.
Emelina, on the other hand, was in her element. She moved between the groups, her laughter a bright counterpoint to the low murmur of conversations. She shared the anecdotes of your time in the training camp, the cadet's victory against the bandits, and the events at the ball; every single parent there lamented the fact that they were not there to see their offspring in such fancy clothes, but the smiles they held betrayed their pride.
You found yourself alone near the hearth, watching the flames dance. The warmth on your face was a welcome distraction. This was a strange kind of peace. A peace that felt borrowed, temporary. It was the kind of peace that made you want to hold on to it, even as you knew it was slipping through your fingers like sand. In a few days, you will all be graduating. And then, you would have to make a choice. A choice that would define the rest of your life.
The topic was avoided like wildfire by everyone in the room, except perhaps for Eren. He had been quiet for most of the evening, but after he heard the parents commenting on the military police option, he spoke. His voice was low, but it carried a weight that silenced the room.
"I've made my choice," He said, looking at the table, his hands clenched into fists. "I'm joining the Survey Corps."
The words stopped the celebratory mood of the evening as if a dam had burst. Everyone turned to look at him. Shadis just stroked his beard. He'd heard it before.
You saw Mikasa's reaction before anyone else. Her shoulders tensed, but relaxed once more. She had heard this before, too. She had accepted it. "Eren..." She started.
Armin's face was pale. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. The fear on his face was a visible thing.
Carla seemed not too surprised. She had a sad but resigned look on her face. "I know, Eren," She said, her voice quiet but firm. "We've talked about this." But then tears began to pool in her eyes. "But I have to ask. Why do you insist on making your mother's heart ache?"
She gestured towards her legs. "I already lost your father. Do you want me to lose you, too?"
He got closer to her and took her hands. "I don't want you to have false hopes." He started. His face was set, determined. The same face you've seen a hundred times in the training grounds. "You will never have to worry about me, I promise." The declaration was not a statement of fact, but a declaration of war against the world.
To make such a promise, even Shadis' face had a look of disappointment at Eren. "Boy..." He mumbled.
Emelina walked towards Carla, her expression a mask of sympathy. "Mrs. Yeager," She said, placing a gentle hand on the older woman's shoulder. "He'll be safe." Her silver hair caught the light from the hearth. "He has Mikasa and Conrad." She said, glancing at you.
And just like that, you were the center of attention. The weight of all those eyes was a physical thing. Your parents' worry and Carla's hopes. Adelaide's quiet scrutiny and Krista's expectant gaze. Annie watched from the window, her reflection a ghost in the glass.
Your mother looked at you. Her hands were twisting the fabric of her apron, a nervous habit. Your father's jaw was tight. They both knew the vow you and Eren had made. They had seen Griffin's journal. They understood the choice you were about to make. Still, they hoped.
"I don't need Mikasa's or Conrad's help," Eren declared, shattering the fragile peace. He pulled his hands away from Carla. "I will be the one to kill every last Titan." His words were a challenge thrown into the quiet room, a gauntlet you couldn't ignore.
Armin's face was a mixture of admiration and terror. Mikasa's dark eyes were fixed on Eren's back, her posture straight as a spear. She would follow him into hell. You knew that.
You stood up from the hearth, and you finally spoke. "No, Eren." Your voice was quiet, but it cut through the tension. "You won't be alone." You looked from Eren to your parents, then to Krista and Annie, who had turned from the window, their full attention on you. "We will do it together." We. Another promise. Another promise that you had to accept to keep.
The word hung in the air. Your father let out a long, slow breath. He looked at you, and you saw the pride in his eyes, buried under layers of fear. Your mother simply bowed her head, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.
Carla gave a small, watery smile. "I see," she whispered. "I can't talk you out of it. I know that. But I will pray for your safety. All of you." She then looked at Emelina, who had a small, knowing smile on her face. Only for her smile to be interrupted by the sobs from Krista.
"I-I...Why am I crying?" She asked herself, rubbing the tears from her eyes. "You promised you wouldn't," She told herself, but the warmth and genuine care and worry were too much for her to bear. She had never had a family of her own, so a dinner like this...A declaration like this...
"Oh, you poor thing," Your mother rushed to her side to hug her. Emelina, ever perceptive, had already handed her a napkin. Krista took it, her hands trembling.
"I just..." She tried to explain, but words failed her. "I am glad you all love your children that much." Her words made the room even quieter, the silence now heavy with unspoken understanding.
"Eh?" Eren looked confused, as did the rest of the group, save for Annie, who understood perfectly. She finally approached Krista and held her trembling hand. And your sister seemed to understand the context of the crying, or at least some part of it.
"See, you made her cry, Eren," Mikasa said with unusual quietness.
"Right, I am the one to blame here, you two." Shadis's gruff voice cut through the quiet, a deep rumble of gravel and exasperation. He slammed a bottle of amber liquid on the table. "This is not the place for this kind of talk. This is a celebration." He said, unscrewing the cap. "So we will celebrate."
"That's… very strong alcohol," Your father said with some concern. He could already smell the potent aroma.
"We need it," Shadis declared, pouring a small amount into a glass. He handed it to Carla. "For the parents." He then poured another one and handed it to your own father. "And for them."
Soon, you all had a small glass. Even a still crying Krista and a reluctant Annie. Shadis stood up, his tall frame blocking the light from the hearth. "A toast," he said, his gaze sweeping across the room. "To the children of Shiganshina." He paused, letting the words hang in the air. "To the ones who survived." He then looked at Eren, at you, and at Krista. "And to the ones who will continue to survive." He raised his glass, and you did so in turn. "No matter what."
The drink burned its way down your throat, a liquid fire that spread through your chest. It was a harsh, unfamiliar sensation, but it was real. It was a promise.
This seemed to do wonders for Krista, who finally stopped crying and even gave a small smile. "Th…that was strong." She said, wiping the last of her tears. "But good."
Annie put the glass down, as usual, unwilling to show her emotions in front of so many people. "Not bad," She said, her voice quiet.
This lightheartedness seemed to break the tension. Even Eren relaxed, a small smile forming on his lips. Soon, the table was filled with the sounds of eating and talking, and the previous heavy atmosphere dissipated, replaced by a warmth that was now more genuine. And you had a great dinner, perhaps one of the best you had in a long while, and as the night deepened, the small gathering in the bakery began to break apart, each one returning to their own respective paths.
Outside, it began to rain, which meant that Eren, Mikasa and Armin rushed to get Carla back to her home as fast as they could. Shadis gave a quick salute to the rest of you, a small, almost imperceptible nod to your parents, before he disappeared into the rainy night. It seemed that he also had a place to stay now. Your parents had drunk a bit too much of Shadis's drink, and your mother was sleeping next to your father, who was mumbling about the beauty of stones in his sleep. Emelina was helping them get laid out in a hastily arranged guest room inside the storage room.
That left you, Krista, Annie, and Adelaide, standing in the now-empty bakery.
"I guess this is it, then," Adelaide said, her voice quiet. She wiped a stray crumb from the counter, her movements slow and deliberate. She looked at you, her green eyes reflecting the dim light of the single lamp that was still on. "It was... nice eating like this again." She looked away. "Maybe... we should do this again. Without the drama."
"Sure," Krista said, her smile a bit forced. She was still feeling the effects of the strong drink and the emotional rollercoaster of the evening. "We could have a picnic after we graduate."
The idea hung in the air. A picnic. A simple, normal thing to do. A promise of a future that might never come. The thought of it was a dagger to the heart, a reminder of what was at stake. Annie didn't say anything. Her gaze was fixed on the floor, her hands hidden in the pockets of her cloak, but her face was still more relaxed than before, though it was different in a way you couldn't tell.
Adelaide walked towards the door, her shoulders squared. She then turned back to look at you, her expression a mixture of things you couldn't quite decipher. "See you all tomorrow." She said, her voice a bit too steady. She held the door open for a moment, as if waiting for you to say something.
But you didn't. What could you say? 'Thank you for the dinner'? 'See you'? 'I'm sorry'? None of it felt right. So you just nodded.
"Goodbye, Addie," Krista said, her smile a little too bright.
Adelaide's gaze lingered on Krista for a second, then on Annie, before finally resting on you. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod and waited for you to leave. She had to stay here while you and your little group left.
"Let's go," You said, walking out in the rain, holding an umbrella that Adelaide's parents lent you. It wasn't enough to cover all three of you completely, but it was enough to keep the worst of the rain off you and Krista's shoulders. Annie's shoulders were a bit more to the left, but she was still relatively dry.
The three of you walked through the streets of Trost, the sound of the rain on the umbrella a steady rhythm. Leaving behind the bakery that had been a bubble of warmth for a short while. This wasn't a farewell dinner. This was a prelude to a graduation ceremony. A step closer to the future.
You could still feel the weight of your parents' gazes on you. The unspoken questions and fears. The weight of your promise to Eren. The weight of everything. The small umbrella was a small shield against the rain, but it wasn't enough to shield you from the world. That was for sure.
-x-X-x-
Adelaide watched as Conrad, Krista, and Annie walked slowly back to the Almonacids' small house. She remained in the doorway, her hands resting on the wooden doorframe. The cool night air carried the scent of wet stone. The small umbrella Conrad held cast a circle of light as Krista held onto his arm, and Annie rested her shoulder on his shoulder. The image was a dagger, a twisted confirmation of the fears she had been trying to ignore.
The previous conversation about worry meant nothing to her compared to the dread of seeing him get away. The fear that she had been trying to keep at bay was not about him getting killed by the Titans. That was a simple, clean death. This was worse. This was about him being taken away from her. Not just by death, but by choice...perhaps even her own.
The warmth of the bakery evaporated not just from the cool air entering her home, but also from her feelings. She had worked so hard to close that gap, only to see the distance grow wider than ever before. Conrad didn't even notice it. She knew this, and it made her feel small and, more than anything, foolish. She clenched her own hands; she was about to kneel and hug herself once more. Why was the world so cruel? Even when they were about to dance, the assassination had to happen...She had wanted him to see her like that for a long while. Not as a girl he had saved. But a woman who would be standing at the same level as him and the other two girls.
And then, Emelina came down the stairs and saw her. Emelina let out a soft sigh, the first of its kind in a while. A sigh of pure unadulterated pity for Adelaide. She was smart; she knew that she could not allow her to be sad. After all, the future still had to come. And even if her brother was a lost cause, the girl was still a person.
And for her brother's sake, she could not allow him to feel too much regret. So she approached her from the stairs and hugged her gently from behind. "Addie," She said, as if the two of them were children once more. Back when she stayed behind the counter of the bakery while Conrad went to get the diary that had motivated him to join the Survey Corps. 'Why can't he save me instead of everyone else?' Adelaide thought to herself.
"Don't wait for him, Addie," Emelina whispered as she rested her head on top of hers, her silver hair a stark and almost ethereal contrast to Adelaide's blonde locks. "Just give him your all. Your all is the only thing that matters."
"...Emelina..." Adelaide mumbled, not rejecting the hug. "...Why?"
"Because, if you keep waiting... you'll be waiting forever. And a girl like you shouldn't be waiting forever. Not when he could die tomorrow."
Her eyes widened at that moment, her chest tightened so much that it felt unreal, and right now...All she wanted was to put that feeling away. Forever.
***
The walk back home in the rain was not a silent affair. Krista's humming was the only thing that broke the quietness. The tune was a familiar one from the training grounds, something a few of the cadets had taught her. She held onto your arm, her weight pressing against you, but then came a shy question, a question that was not exactly meant for the night.
"Conrad," She began, her soft voice blending with the pitter-patter of the rain. "We are going to be alone tonight, right?"
Her head tilted, strands of blonde hair plastered to her cheek. Her blue eyes looked at you with a blushing intensity. "Just you, me, and Annie...Did you plan this, you perv?" She giggled. Hoping to get a reaction out of you.
Annie, who had been mostly silent, gave a small smirk at Krista's words. She then shifted her position so she was closer to you, her own head now on your shoulder. "Don't ask him questions he doesn't have the answers to, Krista," Annie said, a playful yet competitive tone in her soft voice.
You could feel the warmth from their bodies, a small comfort in the cold night. "What do you mean by 'answers'?" You asked, your own smile now present.
Right before Annie could give a quick and witty answer, you heard wet and loud steps coming from behind you. The footsteps didn't stop. They got closer and closer, with ragged breaths accompanying them. The steps were getting out of breath, and the person behind you was getting tired.
"Conrad!" A familiar voice called out.
All three of you stopped, turning in unison. You held the umbrella steady, a shield against the downpour. Adelaide stood there, her blonde hair slicked against her forehead, water dripping from her chin. Her dress was soaked, clinging to her frame, and the fabric was dark with rain. Her hands, raw and red from the cold, clutched a small, wrapped loaf of bread.
.
--------------->
.
Seeing her like this was like a punch to the gut. A feeling you had ignored or forgotten for the longest while. The image of her as a scared little girl under the debris was a ghost you didn't want to see. You looked at her and then at Krista and Annie, a silent conflict waging in your mind.
Adelaide didn't look at the other girls. Her green eyes were fixed only on you. The bag of bread shook slightly in her grip. Her breath came out in a white cloud in the cold air. She took a step forward, her shoes squelching in the cobblestone mud. She was not going to go away. That much was obvious.
"This is for tomorrow's breakfast," She said, her teeth chattering slightly. She held out the bread, a small peace offering in the middle of a storm. Her eyes pleaded, but her jaw was set, a line of stubborn refusal to be defeated by the weather or the situation. "Your parents were sleeping, so I couldn't give it to them."
That was a complete lie, and you all knew it. But the real meaning behind her words wasn't just about the bread. It was a last-ditch effort. A desperate gamble to get you to come with her. To see how much she cared and in that moment, you saw her falling apart...In that moment under the rain, she didn't care about being a soldier or about being independent. She just wanted her Conrad back.
She dropped the loaf of bread, tears leaving her eyes that almost looked like tears, but perhaps the water from the rain was just getting in her eyes. She then just stood there, her shoulders shaking, not from the cold. But from a sorrow so deep it felt like a physical thing. A wound that had been opened again and again.
"You should have just left me there, Conrad." Her trembling voice admitted, "To die."
The words were a confession. A raw, painful truth that struck you harder than any Titan's fist. She had carried this burden for years. The guilt of being saved, the weight of a life she felt she didn't deserve. In that instant, the battlefield, the military, the future...it all faded away. There was only you and her, standing in the pouring rain.
Krista's grip on your arm loosened. She exchanged a quick, knowing look with Annie. This was a scene that required no dialogue between them. They were intruders on a sacred, painful moment.
"Because...Because," She wiped a tear from her eye with a wet, trembling hand. "I feel like a ghost who is being haunted by a knight who saved her."
The metaphor was clumsy, a child's attempt to explain an adult's pain. But it was also honest, brutally so. She was still that little girl under the beam, and you were still the boy who pulled her out. Nothing had really changed.
You looked at Adelaide, her drenched form a silhouette of despair, and then at Krista and Annie, who were standing a few steps away, their faces obscured by the curtain of rain.
"Addie..." Her name was a breath, a whisper lost in the storm.
"And...I can't bear that," Adelaide continued, her voice cracking. "I can't bear it if you don't see me." She didn't want to die, but she also couldn't live as she was right now. "I can't bear you not seeing me at all."
She was right. You hadn't seen her. Not truly. Not as she was now. You'd only seen the memory, the shadow, the debt. And now that she had become a soldier, the dynamic had become more complicated. But the root of it all remained unchanged. She was trying to close a distance that only existed in your mind.
"So..." She said, her hands now fisted at her sides. Her gaze was now on the wet, empty road, before looking up at you one last time. "So..." She repeated, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat. Finally, she steeled herself.
"If I die, I want it to be by your side," The confession tumbled out, raw and clumsy. "And if I live, I want to live by your side, too...I l-love you, Conrad!" She shouted the words, her voice hoarse with emotion. There it was, the words that she longed to finally get out for so long. Her hands then slapped at her face, a gesture of pure, unadulterated frustration with herself.
Krista and Annie exchanged a silent, complex look. This was not a competition for them. Not anymore. They could see the raw desperation in Adelaide's outburst. So similar to their own hidden wants. But what they did not know was that her confession was a final plea. A final stand.
Her vulnerability, laid bare under the pouring sky, stripped away the last layers of your own complacency. This wasn't a choice between three women, as you had so foolishly framed it for yourself. It was a choice between three ways of life, three futures you could help shape or help break.
You left the Umbrella to Krista, who held it over herself and Annie, though the blonde's eyes had not left you. You walked slowly, deliberately, towards Adelaide. But the moment she saw you take a step closer to her...Her eyes widened. She then shook her head rapidly.
"No!" She then held her hands up as if to push you away. "Don't get closer! If you do, then I will be satisfied with that alone. So don't!" She tried to run away, but she had no energy left. Her feet slipped in the mud, and she fell to her knees. The wet cobblestones made a dull, final thud. Her face was buried in her hands.
You stopped. You saw her body shaking as she sobbed quietly into her hands. You then walked closer again, not caring for the rain that started to soak your uniform.
"I told you not to!" Her cries were getting louder. More frantic. The words were an attempt to protect herself from the very thing she wanted. A paradox of her own making.
You then knelt in front of her, the mud seeping into the fabric of your trousers, a cold dampness that you barely registered. Her sobs quieted, replaced by a soft hiccupping. She looked up, her face a mess of rain and tears.
"Just...let me have this, Conrad," She pleaded, her green eyes boring into your very soul. "Let me believe that I made a mistake so I can have an excuse to try again." Her hands covered her face once again.
"This is my weakness, isn't it?" She whispered, her words a confession meant only for herself, a secret laid bare in the open street. "My weakness is you."
The rain felt like a physical barrier between your world and hers, but you were ready to cross that. There was no hesitation. You then placed a finger under her chin, lifting it gently. Your own reflection was a blur in her tear-filled eyes.
"You're not weak, Addie." The nickname just came out. A relic of a shared past. "And I..." The words were a foreign taste in your mouth. You had said them before, to Krista, to Annie. But this was different. This was heavier. You had been a fool. Perhaps, you had been too complacent the same as her. Since you were kids. The way you tried to protect her. The way she tried to get your attention.
You moved closer, your faces inches apart. The rain plastered your hair to your forehead, your own breath a white cloud in the cold air. Her trembling stopped, her entire being focused on this one, single moment. The world seemed to hold its breath.
The memories of the past three years flashed before your eyes. The training, the laughter, the fear, the secrets. And then the memory of her in a yellow dress, the way she looked at you across the ballroom, the hope in her eyes. It was all there, a tangled mess of love and duty. Then a particular memory came back to you.
You saw her running through the rain, her feet slipping in the mud. She was carrying a basket of bread, her face a mask of worry and happiness. 'Conrad!' Her small, childish voice called out. 'Conrad, look! I made you a bread!'
You were just a kid, but you remembered the feeling. The warmth that spread through your chest. The feeling that you were special. That you were needed. She had rushed from her father's bakery into the rain because she couldn't contain her excitement to give you a gift.
That memory was a key. A key that unlocked a door you didn't know was closed.
You were her knight. And she was the princess you had sworn to protect. Why had you been pushing away that duty? Was it because you were afraid? Afraid of the responsibility? Afraid of failing her? Or was it because you were trying to be someone else? Someone you were not?
The rain continued to fall, a relentless beat against the pavement. But for you, it had stopped. There was only the silence, the memory, and the girl in front of you.
"Addie," You said again, the name a prayer on your lips.
Her eyes widened. This was it. This was the moment she had been waiting for. The moment she had been dreading.
You leaned in, your lips meeting hers. The kiss was pure. Innocent. The memories of all your moments together flash back to you. From the time she slept on your shoulder in the refugee camp. To the moment at the ball when you saw her in that yellow dress. All of those images converged into this one, single act. A simple kiss.
Her lips were soft, a stark contrast to the cold rain that fell around you. They were also salty from her tears. She tensed for a second, a small, choked gasp escaping her. Then, as the initial shock receded, she seemed to melt against you. All the energy in her body began to leave her, and you had to crouch down to hold her and lift her up to her feet. The rain continued to fall, but you didn't care. You just held her. Her body fit perfectly in your arms.
And then the memories fade back to the current reality. And she pulled away from you, her face flushed, her green eyes wide. A small trail of saliva connecting your lips before breaking in the cool night air. She then buried her face in your chest, a small, almost silent sob escaping her. "I...finally..." She then mumbled. "...I thought you would hate me."
You just held her, your arms wrapping around her small frame. The bread she had brought was now a forgotten, soggy lump in the mud. A symbol of a forgotten promise. A promise you were now making good on.
You had made your choice. And Krista and Annie could only watch from a distance. Krista leaned her head against Annie's shoulder as she muttered some words that made Annie blush. But they were not worried. They understood.
This wasn't a choice of one over the other. This was a choice of all or nothing.
Far away, you saw Emelina leaning against a wall, under an archway that shielded her from the rain. She held a small, almost imperceptible smile on her face. She then turned and disappeared back into the bakery, her work for the night done.
"How could I ever hate you, Addie?" You asked, your voice a rough whisper. "You're my princess."
"Princess..." She repeated the word, her head still buried in your chest. The word was a key, a key that unlocked a door in her heart that had been sealed shut for years. She felt like a little girl again, standing in front of the boy who had saved her from a falling beam. And in that instant, she knew what she had to do.
She pulled away from your embrace, her face set with a new resolve. She looked into your eyes, her green gaze clear and focused. She then stood up straight, her shoulders squared. The rain had washed away her tears, but the fire in her eyes remained. "Then..." She said, her voice a low, determined growl. "If I am your princess, then protect me...Please...I don't want to be left behind again."
That was the last thing she finally put her feelings forward after such a long while.
"Then I guess you will have to follow this knight into hell." You replied with a confident smirk as you lifted her up. Your arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close. Her small frame felt light in your arms, a fragile but precious thing.
"Hey! Conrad, you idiot! Don't just leave us here!" Krista shouted with a teasing tone, her umbrella still held high above her head. She smiled as if you call you to hurry, but a slight blush on her cheeks showed her surprise at your bold display of affection.
"Only someone like him could leave two girls in the rain to get wet," Annie agreed. Yet, there was no real annoyance in her tone. Instead, it was more like... understanding. Perhaps, even a bit of admiration.
You looked back at them, a small smile playing on your lips. But then again, the complicated feelings of sharing and loving, you wondered if Adelaide could handle this kind of love. You were about to ask that very question.
However, Adelaide just snuggled her head into the crook of your neck. "I...I knew...I knew it would end up like this..." She then whispered in your ear. "I knew I was not...the only one." She looked over at Krista and Annie. A faint, yet accepting smile on her lips. "...It's okay."
You were a little surprised by her acceptance. Of course, she was aware of your relationship with them; everyone at the training grounds had their rumors. But it was one thing to hear rumors, another thing to witness your actions for herself.
"Are you sure, Addie?" You asked, your arms holding her a little tighter.
"I'm sure," She said, her voice a little muffled by your coat. "You have more than one princess...You ought to have more than one, my knight..." She then looked at Krista and Annie with a competitive smile. "...But I think I have an advantage..." She said.
"And what's that?" You asked, a little more playfully.
"I know every one of your weaknesses, Conrad...every single one of them. And I love them." She then said, with confidence in her eyes. "I love your stubbornness, your quietness, and your willingness to put yourself in danger. The reason I'm here is that I love all of you."
You didn't know how to respond to that. The raw honesty in her words was a shock. You just held her, her confession a warm weight in your arms. You began to walk towards the house, your feet splashing in the puddles. Krista and Annie followed, their own laughter a soft counterpoint to the steady drumming of the rain.
The small house was warm, a beacon of light in the dark, wet street. Meanwhile, your parents snored peacefully in the bakery, blissfully unaware of the storm that had raged outside, both in the sky and in your hearts. Emelina was there too; she had already put a warm kettle to boil and had brewed some tea. Time to sleep.
-x-X-x-
Almonacid's House
You all arrived back at the warm and inviting home. The four of you were inside the cozy home while the storm still raged outside. The warmth from the small fireplace was a welcome embrace. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the distant rumble of thunder. The silence was comfortable. You placed Addie back on the ground and noticed how all of your clothes had become wet.
"I guess we really are alone here," Krista said as she took off her wet cloak, her movements fluid and practiced. "It feels a bit too private," She said with a wink in your direction. "Addie! How about we get you out of those wet clothes?" Krista suggested, her tone a playful challenge rather than a mere offer of help.
"I..." Addie hesitated, her cheeks flushed with a mix of cold and embarrassment. The reality of the situation was now sinking in. She was here, in Conrad's home, with Krista and Annie. She was part of...this. Whatever it was. "I...Yeah, I think that would be a good idea." Her acceptance was a quiet victory for Krista, who immediately took her by the hand and led her towards a small, private room at the back of the house, a room that had been prepared for Emelina.
She stopped for a second and turned to give Annie a look. "Annie, you too. You don't want to get a cold right before the graduation, right?" Krista's smile was a sweet poison. Annie was cornered. She knew that this was not a request. It was an order. A command that was sugar-coated in Krista's usual sweet tone. Annie didn't say a word. She simply followed, her expression unreadable.
"Conrad," Krista said, her blue eyes glinting in the firelight. "Could you make us some tea? I'm sure Addie and Annie would appreciate something warm after all that...rainy drama." She then gave a small, almost conspiratorial wink before closing the door, leaving you alone in the small living room.
The click of the door was the loudest sound in the house. The small, cozy room was now your domain. A small pot was already on the fireplace. Emelina had thought of everything. You took a moment to look around. This was not the house in Shiganshina. But it was home. A home built with your father's hands, a home filled with your mother's love, a home that was a testament to your family's resilience. This was what you were fighting for. This was the world you wanted to protect.
You reached for the tea leaves, your fingers brushing against the cool ceramic of the jar. The water in the pot began to bubble, a small, steady stream of steam rising into the air. The familiar, earthy scent of the tea filled the room, a small comfort in a world that was anything but comfortable.
You heard some rustling and gasps coming from the door. 'Curious,' You thought to yourself as you poured the hot water into the mugs. The sounds were not of pain, but of something else. Something that was both familiar and strange. Your mind wandered for a moment over to the graduation...Survey Corps.
Your hands tightened around the mug. The vow you made with Eren, the legacy of Griffin, they all were a weight on your shoulders. But they were also a source of strength. A source of purpose. A promise you had to keep to yourself. There was no point in worrying about your future choices. For now only the warmth of the mug in your hands and the sounds of the storm outside were the only things that mattered. That and the girls who were probably plotting something.
***
Krista ushered Annie and Adelaide into the small private room. It was a small room, with a single bed, a small wardrobe, and a small window that looked out into the rainy night. The three of them were now alone.
"Alright, let's get you out of those wet clothes," Krista said, her tone a mix of genuine concern and playful teasing. She then turned to Addie, her hands already moving to unbutton the other girl's shirt. "You must be freezing, Addie."
Adelaide flinched at Krista's touch, her cheeks flushing a bright red. She was not used to this kind of intimacy. "I...I can do it myself," She stammered, her hands fumbling with the buttons.
"Nonsense," Krista said, her smile a little too bright. "We're all girls here." She then turned to Annie, who was standing by the door, her arms crossed over her chest. "Annie!" She called out, her voice a little more insistent.
Annie finally complied. She let out a small sigh before starting to take off her wet shirt. Her movements were quick, and soon, her upper body was bare, save for her binding wraps over her chest.
"So..." Krista said, her eyes a little wide as she took in the sight of Annie's toned, muscular body. A bit of jealousy flashed through Krista's eyes. But as a well-raised girl from the far north who spent most of her life on a farm, she knew what kind of muscles were needed for work. But it still left her a little amazed.
Krista's own movements paused for a second before she turned back to Adelaide, her smile now a little more genuine. "You're a lot softer than us, Addie," She said, her fingers tracing a line down Adelaide's now-exposed arm. "You have taken good care of yourself."
"I...I have to," Adelaide stammered, her body tensing at Krista's touch. "I have to be strong enough to...to..." She couldn't finish her sentence. The words were stuck in her throat. The reason why she was here, why she had become a soldier, was now staring her in the face. She had to be strong enough to stand by Conrad's side. To be closer to him than she had ever been.
"My turn," Krista said, taking her own shirt off. Her skin was pale and smooth, the faint lines of her muscles visible in the dim light. She had a dancer's build, all grace and agility, and her breasts were small but perky. Then, without skipping a beat, she took her undershirt off, leaving her completely bare-chested. "Wow...Its cold," She let out a cute little shiver, but you could tell she was enjoying the freedom.
Annie's response was a deadpan, "Put some clothes on, Krista." Her voice was flat, but her eyes betrayed her. She was watching. There was a flicker of...something in her blue eyes. A mix of annoyance and something else.
"I don't see Conrad around to enjoy the show, so I'll take what I can get," Krista replied, her tone a mix of playfulness and a bit of longing. Her nipples were a light shade of pink, and they had already hardened from the cold.
"You are always too confident, Krista," Annie replied, her arms now crossed over her own bare chest, her bindings the only thing that covered her.
"You seem a bit jealous, Annie," Krista teased, a small smirk playing on her lips. She then walked over to her and Adelaide. The distance between them was now non-existent. "Don't be. We are all in this together." She then gently took Adelaide's hand before looking up at her with a gentle smile. "We are going to graduate...and I want to make sure we all enjoy it while we can."
Annie watched them, a lone statue in the small room, her posture as rigid as if she were back on the training grounds. The intimacy of the moment was an assault on her carefully constructed defenses. But perhaps, she was right...'Enjoy it while you can' She thought to herself. That was the problem.
"Okay, now...the pants," Krista declared, her fingers now at the waistband of Adelaide's wet trousers. The blonde's face was now beet red, but she didn't protest. She let Krista undress her, her movements slow and deliberate.
Meanwhile, Annie didn't need to be told anything more; she slowly unwrapped her own chest. The bindings, a necessity for a soldier, came off, revealing her medium, firm breasts. She then moved to her own trousers, revealing a patch of blonde hair on her mound. She then started to dry herself off, her movements efficient and practical. She looked at Krista, who had now finished undressing Adelaide, revealing a shy and soft body. Her breasts were larger than Krista's and Annie's, her areolas a shade of pink. Her body had a bit more softness to it, a sign of a life that wasn't as harsh as theirs. A life that you had protected.
"You're blushing, Annie," Krista pointed out, her own body now completely exposed to the cool air. She was teasing her, but there was also a genuine curiosity in her eyes.
Annie did not bother with denying it. Instead, she simply looked away. "The fire must be getting to my head," She said. Her words were a lie, and they all knew it.
"Fire? More like desire," Krista said. Her tone was now a bit more serious, a bit more pointed. She then turned back to Addie, who was now trying to cover herself yet again. "Is this really necessary?" She asked.
"Addie, you need to be warmed from the inside and out," Krista answered, her hands now on Adelaide's hips. Holding the fabric of her wet, long skirt. "Otherwise, you might get sick. And we can't have that. Besides... we might as well get to know each other, right?" She then looked up at Adelaide, her blue eyes a silent question. 'Let me see' her gaze seemed to say.
Adelaide's breath hitched. The reality of the situation was now a physical thing. She was not being forced, for sure, but it was a bit too quick for her...Or perhaps, she was still in disbelief. For years, all she wanted was to be close to Conrad...Yet now, she was in a room with two other girls who were just as close to him as she was.
She let out a soft sigh, a signal of her surrender. Krista's touch was not forceful. It was...gentle. It was...caring. And in that moment, Adelaide realized that Krista was not her enemy. She was her...sister-in-arms, in a way. And Annie too.
She nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement.
"That's a good girl," Krista said, her smile a little less teasing now. She then pulled the wet skirt down. Adelaide was now completely naked in front of her. A blush spread across her chest. She placed a hand against her mound, trying to hide.
"Hmph, don't be shy," Krista said, gently pushing her hand away. "We're all in the same boat." She then leaned in, her breath a warm caressing the soft skin between her legs. "Wow...You smell sweet." She noted. Adelaide let out a small gasp. No one had ever been this close to her there before.
"I...I bathed this afternoon," Adelaide stammered, her legs trembling.
"No...Not just that," Krista said, her nose now nuzzling the patch of blonde hair. "You're excited...I can smell it." She then took a deep breath, taking in the scent. "It smells...really good."
Adelaide's face was now a deep shade of crimson. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do. Especially not when a girl, who was now as naked as she was, was now this close to her.
"Krista...stop," Adelaide pleaded, her hands now on Krista's shoulders, pushing her away. The action was weak, and it was more of a formality than a real attempt.
"Addie..." Krista whispered, her blue eyes now looking up at her. "Do you want me to stop?" Her hands were now on Adelaide's inner thighs, her thumbs gently stroking the sensitive skin. Trying to get her ready for what was to come. "Because...I am sure Conrad will if you ask him to." She reminded her that the power was still in her hands.
"He..." Adelaide stammered, her mind a haze. "No, I wouldn't want him to stop."
"Good," Krista said. "Neither would I." She stepped back for a second to take a good look at Annie, who was now also completely naked, her arms crossed in front of her. She did not look as confident as before. Perhaps, because she was a foreign concept to her body.
The room was now a space for the three of them. A space where there were no more secrets. A space where their desire for Conrad, and for something more, was laid bare.
Adelaide, after a small breath, then looked at Krista, then at Annie. "Should we go out like this?" She asked, the question coming out of nowhere. "Or should we surprise him?" The question was a test.
"Not yet," Krista said with a hint of Machiavellian planning in her tone. She took a good look at the mounds of the other two girls and decided that the next step was..."Trimming...We should all trim." The proposition left Annie and Adelaide completely speechless.
Krista didn't wait for a response. Instead, she walked towards the wardrobe, her bare feet making soft sounds on the wooden floor. She opened a drawer, revealing a set of small, sharp scissors. She then took them out. "Addie, you should go first." She said, with a commanding tone. "Your princess should be well-groomed for her knight, don't you think?"
Adelaide's eyes widened. She had never even thought about it. And now, here she was, being told to do it. By another girl. In Conrad's house.
"What?" Annie finally found her voice. Her eyes were fixed on the scissors. They looked like a weapon.
"It's only natural," Krista said, giving an excited set of nods that made her blonde hair bounce. "We all have to be ready for when he decides to..." She left the rest of her sentence unspoken. Then, her own perverted curiosity got the better of her. "Addie, what do you say if I did it for you?" She offered, with a teasing wink. She then pointed towards the bed. "Lie down. I will be gentle."
Adelaide, who was now even more flushed than before, simply nodded. The words had failed her again. This new development was a surprise for her. So, she went to bed and lay on her back. Her hands rested on her stomach, trying to cover herself. Meanwhile, her ass acted as a very soft cushion for her to lie upon.
"Don't worry, Addie," Krista said, her tone reassuring as she knelt between her legs. "I've done this for myself since I've kissed Conrad. You can't be sloppy with something like this," She admitted, not ashamed of admitting her curiosity for a perfect look for him.
Annie just stood there, watching, her arms now crossed over her chest. She felt a blush of embarrasment crossing her cheeks. Yet, she couldn't look away.
"I...I will not be a...mess down there," Adelaide muttered, trying to make a joke that was not really a joke.
Krista then began her work. The scissors made a soft 'snip, snip' sound. Each careful cut revealed more of the delicate skin underneath. Adelaide held her breath, her hands gripping the bedsheets. The sensation was strange. A mix of intimacy and vulnerability. She had never trusted anyone like this before, not even her own mother.
"You're doing great, Addie," Krista said, her voice a gentle murmur. Her focus was absolute; each snip allowed more of her slit and mound to be visible.
Adelaide's breathing was shallow, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her chest rising up and down, her breasts trembling slightly. The sound of Krista's humming from before started again, a tune that was a little too catchy for a situation like this.
"You know, Annie," Krista said, without taking her eyes off her work. "You should come here and help."
Annie's body tensed. She wasn't expecting that. "Help?" She asked, her voice a little shaky.
"Yes," Krista replied, a small, almost wicked smile on her face. "Hold Addie's hand. I think she might need it." Her tone was playful. But her request was also a test. A test to see if Annie was willing to be a part of this. A part of them.
Annie didn't move. She just stood there, a statue in a room of intimacy. But then, as she looked at Adelaide's face, a mix of fear and anticipation, she knew she couldn't just stand there. So, she took a step forward, her bare feet silent on the wooden floor.
She sat on the bed next to Adelaide. Then, she took her hand. Her grip was a bit too tight, a bit too rough. But Adelaide didn't complain. Instead, she squeezed back, a silent thank you.
"Thank you," Adelaide whispered, her eyes finally meeting Annie's. There was no judgment in her gaze. Only acceptance. A newfound bond between them, forged in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Annie's response was a small nod. Her cheeks were still flushed. She was not used to this. Not at all. Her naked back, visible to Addie and Krista, was surprisingly soft despite the muscles underneath.
"See? We are a team," Krista said, her voice a cheerful tune. She then put the scissors aside, her work almost done. Adelaide's mound was now a perfect, neat triangle. "Beautiful," Krista whispered, her fingers gently tracing the edges.
Adelaide shivered. She didn't expect Krista to be so touchy after this. But here she was. Her fingers were now exploring so near her most sensitive place, the anticipation of waiting for Conrad's fingers to do this made her feel a knot in her lower abdomen.
"Your turn," Krista then said to Annie, who let go of Adelaide's hand. She did not protest. It was her turn after all. She simply lied on the bed, on her back, her arms resting on her sides, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She was offering herself. Not to Krista, not to Adelaide, but to...Conrad.
"What do you mean 'my turn'?" Adelaide asked, sitting up, her hands covering her chest as there was now, no longer a point in covering her lower part.
"You think you are the only one that gets to be well-groomed?" Krista said, her hands now on her hips. "Conrad will want all of us to be ready for him." Her tone was a mix of teasing and a very serious command. She was determined. Adelaide saw it, but it was not surprising. Krista had always been the one who was most open about her desires, to the point of making her feel envious.
"Annie...are you sure about this?" Adelaide couldn't help but ask, her eyes now on Annie's face.
Annie did not answer, but her head turned to look at her. Her blue eyes were a mix of defiance and vulnerability. She then gave a small, almost unnoticeable nod. Her pride was not allowing for more. It was a silent agreement. A willingness to be a part of this. For him.
"That's my Annie," Krista said, a triumphant smile on her face. She then knelt between Annie's legs. The scissors were ready. "Now, let's see what we have here," She said, her tone a mix of a curious child and a skilled artisan. Her gaze was intense, her focus absolute.
Adelaide watched, her heart pounding. She then got up from the bed to have a better view. She saw the neat but somewhat wild patch of blonde hair that had been hidden away. Annie's hips tensed, her jaw tightened, and she clenched her teeth. A sign that she was not as comfortable as she appeared.
Krista started her work. The 'snip, snip' sound filled the room. Adelaide watched, mesmerized. The way Krista's hands moved, the way Annie's body responded to each touch. This was not a simple act of grooming. This was an act of intimacy. A ritual.
"You haven't done this a lot, haven't you?" Krista asked, her fingers now gently pulling at one of the strands of hair. Her blue eyes looked up at Annie's face.
Annie's response was a sharp intake of breath. The skin on her mound was now more visible. The delicate folds of her labia, a shade of pink, peeked through. The sight was a shock to Adelaide. She had never seen another girl's most private parts before. Especially not a girl who was so reserved. She even spotted a hint of wetness, a small glistening bead. A sign of Annie's own desire. That she was also enjoying this. That she was also a part of this.
"No," Annie finally managed to say, her voice a little hoarse.
"I can tell," Krista said, a small, triumphant smile on her face. She then continued her work, her movements now more confident. The 'snip, snip' sound was now a steady rhythm, a beat that matched the pounding of Adelaide's heart. Who was growing even more aroused from seeing this scene. The heat pooled between her legs, a pleasant ache that she couldn't ignore.
Adelaide's own hands, which had been covering her chest, now moved to her sides. Her nipples were hard, aching for a touch. She then brought a trembling finger to her own slit, the touch sending a jolt of pleasure through her. Her other breast was now being touched by her other hand, the softness of the skin a stark contrast to the hardness of her nipple. She had done this before...But...Why did it feel so much better now?
Krista, who had finished her work on Annie, now turned her attention to Adelaide. Her lips now curled in a knowing smile. "Enjoying the show, Addie?" she asked.
Adelaide's face was now a deep shade of crimson. She didn't answer. She didn't have to. Krista could see it. The way her body was reacting. The way her eyes were fixed on Annie's newly trimmed mound.
"That's good," Krista said, her smile now a little softer. "We should all be able to enjoy this." She then turned back to Annie, who was now sitting up, her cheeks still flushed. "What do you say, Annie? Do you want to help me?"
Annie's response was a small nod. Her pride was not allowing for words. But her actions spoke for her. She took the scissors from Krista, her grip a little too tight. She then looked at Krista, who was now lying on the bed, her legs spread wide, a playful invitation in her eyes.
"I will be quick," Annie said, her voice a little hoarse. She then knelt between Krista's legs. Krista's mound was a perfect, small triangle, a sign that she had been taking care of herself. But still, Annie's hands moved with a precision that was surprising. She was not as gentle as Krista. But she was efficient. And that was a huge turn-on for Krista and Adelaide.
"Mmm, you're good at this, Annie," Krista purred, her hips swaying slightly. She was enjoying this more than she let on. The feeling of Annie's hands so close to her most sensitive place was a special kind of intimacy. But just like the two of them, she was more excited for the main event. She already pictured you seeing them like this.
Annie's response was a small 'hmph'. She then finished her work. The 'snip, snip' sound stopped. She then put the scissors aside. "Done," She said, her tone a little too proud. And then she stood up, admiring her work.
Krista then sat up, her legs still slightly apart. "Perfect," She said with a contented sigh. She then looked at Adelaide, who had been watching the whole thing, her own body now aching for a release.
"I think we are ready," Krista said, a mischievous glint in her blue eyes. She then stood up and stretched, her body a graceful curve in the dim light. The soft curves of her butt and breasts seemed to be asking for a bite. Even Annie could not help but stare at her for a moment before looking away, a blush still on her cheeks.
The three of them were now standing, naked and exposed. The silence in the room was heavy, charged with an unspoken energy. The heat of their three bodies created a small bubble of warmth, a stark contrast to the cold rain outside.
"Let's go get our tea," Krista finally said, a small smile on her face. She then turned towards the door, her bare feet silent on the wooden floor. But then she stopped, her hand on the doorknob. She turned to look at the other two girls. "Ready?" She asked, a challenge in her eyes. The blush on their faces meant that every single one of them was ready. Their mounds now trimmed, allowing an uninterrupted view onto the glistening slits that lay between their legs. Their nipples were hard, their breasts full, they were all a vision of femininity and desire. And they were ready for you.