The yellow rays of sun warmed my face as they filtered through delicate blinds over my window. I stared at the covered window, feeling no need to open it and look at the gleeful members of the interment zone. They were naïve and stood no chance in making it anywhere with their ideas of happiness and freedom in a place of abuse and oppression. Maybe some were putting on a show for others, but even then there wasn't a reason to hide the cruel, racist truth.
Eldians were considered devils by the oh-so-glorious Marleyans, who in truth weren't much better themselves. Sure, Eldian ancestors committed such atrocities and cruelties, but what did, say, the fourteen year old girl next door do? Why did she deserve to suffer for something that had absolutely nothing to do with her other than her bloodline? I saw no reason, other than hatred and cowardliness. The Marleyans claimed to "save the world" but in reality they just wanted to gain control. In all honesty, I hoped the Eldians on Paradis wiped us all out. None of the Eldians still living had done anything remotely close to what King Fritz apparently did, yet they were still considered monsters from hell. How petty.
I rubbed my eyes in annoyance and stood up from my chair facing the empty window. Stretching, I sighed and walked towards the kitchen to make myself some tea. As the kettle began to sizzle, my mind started to fall down a dark hole.
Was I in any place to be wishing away our existence? What if something happened to her? What if it was my fault? Could I ever live with that?
The kettle came to a boil and I scrambled to turn it off, having lost myself in thought. I sighed again as I grabbed a teacup from the rickety cabinets, thinking about how long it had been since we'd seen each other. I knew she'd left on her journey more than two months ago, but I hadn't had much of a chance to spend time with her before she was gone. Was she thinking about me? I doubted it. She definitely had a lot to think about, and she probably didn't have any extra time to spare. It did make me a little disappointed when I thought about it, but then I felt guilty for thinking that way. What if she thought about me and made a mistake because of it, costing the lives of her comrades? I didn't care for their lives, but knowing her it'd break her heart, and I couldn't let her feel that way.
The tea splashed into the ceramic teacup that she had gotten for me. It was a little embarrassing, having our initials decorating the bowl, but I didn't mind. It was from her, and anything from her I held close to my heart. I sipped the hot tea and started to my bedroom, where I could write in peace. I had to pass in front of the door to get there, and I noticed it was cracked slightly. I set down my tea on the coffee table and reached for the handle when the door suddenly was flung open, barely missing my face.
"Y/N!" a gentle voice cried as a mess of black hair flew towards me. I saw a flash of a red armband—signifying the presence of a Warrior.
"Pieck?" I breathed, catching her in my arms. I felt weak as she hugged close to my chest, completely unable to grasp the fact that she was back, and in my arms. She looked up and her watery silver eyes met mine. I stared back down at her and stroked her hair, brushing it away from her tired eyes. I wanted to hold her in my arms forever, and never let her leave again.
"I'm sorry I left," she said, her voice cracking slightly, "Are you okay?"
I smiled and put held her head in my hands using my thumb to wipe a single tear that fell down her cheek. "I'm so amazing now that you're here," I said honestly as she delicately wiped a tear from my own face, "I'm so glad you came back," I pressed my lips against hers quickly before pulling her back to me, holding the her to my chest, grateful that she'd come to see me despite her endless work.
"I missed you so," she whispered, letting me go and stepping back to see my face.
"As did I," I searched her eyes for a reason she had to leave, though I already knew the answer. I was tempted beyond belief to grab her and run away with her to Paradis and escape the filthy Marleyans, but I knew she agreed with their views, and I did what I could to respect that.
"One day," I promised myself, "One day we'll escape this shithole and be who we are without needed the approval of worthless Marleyans."
A knot formed in my stomach as I remembered that that day would have to pretty soon, or else Pieck would be stolen from me forever by the Curse of Ymir.
"Four years," I whispered.
"Hm?" Pieck asked angelically. She knew exactly what I said, though I knew she chose to pretend to mishear for the sake of both of our hearts.
"Four years," I repeated, unwilling to drop the sensitive subject, "I have four years left to marry you."
Pieck's eyes widened, her cheeks reddening. "You need a ring for that," she said, smiling.
"Don't try that with me, my love," I smirked, "It'll be a surprise on a night almost as beautiful as you," she giggled, "and the ring is—" I caught myself, realizing I'd given myself away, "—the ring will b—"
"Don't try that with me, darling," Pieck kissed my cheek and poked my nose once, giving me butterflies and leaving me speechless, "I'm sure its gorgeous, but I'll wait." she smiled and dropped to her knees, startling me slightly. She walked on all fours to the bedroom to change and bathe as I shook my head in amusement.
"No comment?" she asked, seeming surprised.
"Just thinking."
"About?"
I smiled, meeting her eyes, "About how lucky I am."
A smile formed on her face and she blinked, "I could say the same myself."
—
The cool air nipped at my ears and made the tip of my nose tingle. I had a heavy coat over my shoulders, choosing not to stick my arms through the sleeves so I could ditch the coat if I needed to. It was far past curfew and a few soldiers still roamed the streets, leaving me to hide in the shadows where they couldn't see me. I didn't have any choice—Pieck had a sudden mission and would have to leave in four days, meaning it was now or never. Of course, I could propose later, but who knew whether she'd come back alive? and not to mention the fact that I could lose a whole year of being engaged, much less married.
I prayed she'd seen the note I left on the counter, though based on the time I wasn't sure if she had. I fiddled with the felt-covered box in my pocket, thinking of the engraved ring inside and the delicate diamond that sat atop it. I imagined it on her finger and felt butterflies erupt in my heart and stomach.
I looked up as I saw her figure emerge from the shadows on the other side of the street. A light drizzle began to pour from the sky and I smiled, realizing this would be even more beautiful than I had imagined, though I hadn't expected much anyway.
"Y/N?" a gentle voice whispered. Pieck was looking around the alley where I told her to meet me. Taking a deep breath, I hurried up behind her quietly, taking the small box from my pocket.
"I'm sorry it couldn't have been better..."
Pieck turned slowly to see me on one knee, the box extended in front of me.
"Y/N..."
"Pieck Finger,"I squeezed my eyes shut nervously, praying she wouldn't decline because of her need to leave shortly., will y—" I fell backwards, feeling Pieck throw herself onto me and grab me tightly.
"Yes, yes, yes!" she said. I could hear her grin as the rain fell down her face and drenched her hair. I opened my eyes and looked up at her, grabbing her hand delicately. I pulled out the ring and slid it on to her elegant finger, smiling the whole time.
"What does it say?" she asked, trying to take it off and read it. I stopped her and told her myself, not wanting her to ever take the piece of metal off her finger.
"My love," I said, kissing her lightly.
"And yours?" she smiled.
"Darling."
✍︎︎☔︎︎☽
Author's Note:
heyo
i love pieck sm and i know this was cringy asf but id do anything for her and had to make hers first lol
and i know the engravings were kinda lame, i just felt like pieck would want a ring that had something engraved on it and not quite enough time to add your whole history
idk what to think ab this but idrk if i love it
lmk if i should do more pieck stuff hehe
-q