— Thought you’d never wake up.

A gruff voice entered your subconscious as the harsh light stung your eyes before anything else, so much so that you only felt the restraints tightened when you jerked at the sight.

A tainted apron splattered in dark shades of red, dirty gloves being put on the worn table adorned by the same shades of red—used by the hands of your Captain now-captor. The light hit him perfectly to cast a shadowy silhouette of his bangs to curtain his eyes. If you thought the person titled Humanity’s Strongest felt like a predator, then you just found the king of the food chain,

— Are you trying to give yourself a rope burn? Cut it out.

He hissed but in contrast to his fingers working to adjust the restraints to give you more wiggle room, but make the knots tighter and stronger,

— No one knows about your whereabouts; I simply told Erwin that you were too sick to go on the expedition and sent another soldier in your absence.

The pads of his fingers must’ve felt the wave of goosebumps on the surface of your skin as he said that because at a moment’s time his silver pupils locked with yours,

— The whole thing sounded like a suicide mission, but the cadets could charge into hell for all I care. The only damn thing that matters to me is you.

As he elevated himself to take in the sight of you: bound, trembling, and meek, it only reinforced the idea that you needed protection—a shield. You reminded him of his fallen ones more than he can even mutter, but flesh and blood were only so precious until one careless mistake happened and it becomes spoiled—rotten even,

— This shitty world is too filthy for my darling to live in. Just a bunch of dirty bastards who tear each other apart like animals. I don’t care how much I have to give up to ensure your safety—it will be done.

The sudden distressed noises escaping your lips only kicked his instincts into overdrive, perhaps as a result of his Ackerman blood,

— No one will hear you so no need for those noises, darling.