It wasn't supposed to be this way.

With a frustrated sigh, Hanazono Aoi traced the furrows in her brow, her eyes fluttering shut as she lay upon her bed in moody silence. The dreams had plagued her again, to the point that even closing her eyes brought about vivid images of bloodied corpses, of gruesome smiles etched upon lips painted an evident blue hue from the frigid kiss of death.

She could feel its cold embrace even beneath her bed sheets; could smell the metallic scent of blood permeating the air as she closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. She was trembling like a leaf, much to her dismay; she was curling in on herself, trying to make herself as small a target as she could possibly be.

In the dim light of the room, she looked like a terrified child.

She hated it; absolutely loathed her weakness, the pathetic whimpers leaving her lips whenever she was left alone in the dark to await the dawn of her mother's death anniversary. Sure, it had already been two whole years since then, Aoi thought miserably as she glanced at the clock, awaiting the second it turned to 12:00 midnight.

But it hadn't changed the amount of loneliness she felt within.

Her eyes flickered shut as she grasped at her wrist, feeling the amount of blood soaking through the bandages she had clumsily wrapped around her recent cuts. They were slightly deeper than usual, as she always did during this time. Hesitantly, she slowly sat up, staring at the neon green display of the digital clock upon her desk.

11: 59 PM, May 20th.  

Alarm surged through her slumped over form as footsteps resounded outside her door, pausing just before the doorway. Aoi tensed, stubbornly hiding her injured wrist beneath the bed sheets. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as a figure nudged open her door, a familiar silhouette.

12: 00 AM, May 21st. 

"I sort of had the feeling that you were still awake," 'Achilles' whispered as he entered, carefully making his way towards where an incensed Aoi sat curled up upon her bed. She froze as he drew near, taking a seat at the edge of her bed.

"What's wrong?" Even of Aoi didn't concentrate hard enough, she could evidently hear the concern in his voice. He reached out, almost touching her shoulder, yet he halted his movements, his hand hovering in midair. "You can tell me anything."

"Anything?" A hoarse, yet derisive laugh escaped her lips as tears streamed down her face. Furiously, she wiped them away, not letting him see her moment of weakness. "As though I'll believe that so easily, Eren."

He remained silent, observing her with what looked like grim realization. Without another word, he moved even closer to the petite redhead, wrapping his arms around her in a gentle embrace.

Warmth flooded her frostbitten limbs at the close contact, as Aoi found herself yielding to his silent plea. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, a choked sob escaping her parted lips as she cried.

"You aren't alone, Aoi," He whispered, so softly she almost didn't hear it. "I'm here. Always have, always will." He ran a hand through her hair, pulling her closer as she trembled, her narrow shoulders shaking with the force of her sobs. "I'm never gonna leave you."

I'm never gonna break your heart again.

"You're.. an idiot," she gasped between muffled sobs as she looked into his green eyes, her own azure ones red-rimmed from crying. 

He simply smiled, leaning in as he brushed his lips against her forehead. "Yeah. I guess I am."

- END -

Sorry if it was a little depressing. But hey, at least there was a little Basil x Aoi fluff in there...

Now off I go to bed.

-Zoe