CHAPTER 38: ONTO THE CAMP

The water rippled and spilled aside as Mira rose from the bathtub, seizing Eren’s head and pulling him onto her embrace. Before he could speak, her lips crashed onto his in a deep, hungry kiss.

Eren’s eyes widened as Mira clutched him tighter, their mouths parting just enough, so that her tongue could slip inside. Her mouth ground against his, tongue pushing his aside, sliding deep within his mouth as hers writhed and ravaged in it, chin dripping wet with heat.

Then—a sudden tap echoed on the floor—once, twice.

In response, Mira only clutched Eren tighter, driving him deeper into her, lips and teeth colliding as she opened her eyes, only to see Velira stepping in from behind.

She stood, eyelids twitching as she caught the glow spilling in from the backdoor—then turning, she found: Eren’s back bare before her, Mira pressing into him from front, eyes open and locked—not on Eren, but on Velira herself. The sound of their tongue filling the room with slick heat, Mira’s breasts crushing tight against Eren, as her peaks strained between them.

Mira gazed straight at Velira—her eyes never wavering—as she pressed harder against Eren’s lips, her tongue invading him in relentless strokes.

Velira looked on at first, taking it all in before she finally exhaled in a long sigh. Last night flickered through her mind—she was still bare—naked, as her body carried the drip-marks of last night that had burst through her folds staining her thighs and Eren’s mouth into her slick heat, as she crashed hard on him.

Brushing her hair back with one hand, she sighed again as she stepped toward them, unbothered by their embrace. Standing at Eren’s side, she caught his glance sliding toward her.

Holding herself there for a while, gathering her words— she forced her voice steady, as she spoke.

"Sorry, Mira. I didn’t know if that was the right thing—it just happened." She hesitated, before adding, "I thought... if I didn’t push you back then, it might’ve hurt what you two already have—because of me."

Her tired eyes turned aside as she let the words hang.

Eren only gazed at her from the corner of his vision, Mira’s saliva still clinging to his lips, as Mira pulled back with a large sigh, letting out a long, slick sound of her tongue in one last stroke, as she released his head.

"Haa..." Mira wiped her lips, glancing at Velira as she heaved from the crashing kiss a moment before. With a long sigh, she slid back into the bathtub, sinking deeper beneath the water. Her eyes closed as she exhaled again—this time slower, more deliberate—then, as if weighing her own words, she spoke:

"Look, Velira..." her voice calm, "I don’t need complete monopoly over Eren."

Another deep exhale slipping past her lips. "Though... it’d be nice if I knew it before the bed." She opened her eyes, meeting Velira’s. "Is that possible?"

Velira blinked—surprise overtaking guilt—before breaking into a wide smile. She leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Mira in a sudden embrace.

"Alright," she whispered, then turned to Eren, mouthing something unspoken.

Eren raised a hand in rejection. ’No. No,’ his eyes seemed to say, lips shut tight.

Velira sighed, murmuring, "Alright," again.

She straightened, glancing back toward Mira, the air falling still for a brief moment. Mira lay submerged in her tub, her body relaxed in its warmth.

Eren, heart still pacing from the tension, exhaled as if in thanks.

Velira, however, wore a slightly dejected look. "Why not just tell her..." she muttered under her breath.

Eren however—said nothing, before he walked over to Mira and leaned slightly closer.

"Do you need anything?" he asked.

Mira turned to him slowly, eyes rolling, her thoughts rippling behind her head.

"Anything...?" she echoed, voice soft.

Eren’s expression remained calm.

"Anything."

Mira looked toward Eren—his shaft dangling between them—as she shifted, turning her back toward the side where Eren and Velira stood. Her eyes faced the wall ahead as she sighed.

"A massage... would be nice."

She turned her head slightly, trying to catch Eren’s reaction from the corner of her gaze. His reply came swiftly—close, low.

"Anything," he said, and his fingers moved almost immediately—one hand resting gently on Mira’s side.

Mira blinked. Why isn’t he using both hands?

The answer came too quickly.

She jerked to the side, her back pressing up against the wall once more, as her voice rushed out in apology.

"Ah—sorry, Eren! I forgot—you still had that pain."

Her gaze dropped toward his other hand, hanging limp at his side.

Eren pulled back the hand he had used, the motion calm, unfazed. "No problem."

Mira studied his face for a second longer, then gave a quiet nod.

From the side, Velira finally spoke, her tone casual but piercing.

"What did the cureurgeon say?"

Eren flinched, caught off guard by the question.

"She said..." he paused, trying to reframe it, "...to come to her."

Another pause. Then he added, "Today."

Velira looked at him, exhaling softly. Then, with a slight tilt of her head, she asked,"So... why haven’t you gone to her yet?"

Eren glanced at her—then at Mira—as if hoping someone else might answer for him.

But Mira didn’t let the silence stretch. Her voice came firm, almost commanding:"We’re not opening the tavern until your arm’s healed. We’re going straight to the camps after breakfast. First thing."

Eren scratched the back of his head, trying to soften the moment."Well, about that..."

But Mira didn’t give him the chance. She rose from the bath, droplets clinging to her skin, and placed a wet hand firmly on Eren’s chest.

"No ifs or buts, Eren," she said, eyes locking with his. "We’re going. That’s final."

Eren let out a slow breath, already dreading Alayne’s reaction if he showed up at her camp after skipping their night rendezvous.

Without another word, Mira stepped out, water trailing behind her as she exited the bathroom—leaving Eren and Velira alone in the warm silence.

Eren stood there, a weary look on his face.

Velira rolled her eyes faintly, then stepped up to him, lifting his chin gently with her hand.

"So..." she asked, voice low, "why don’t you want to go to the camp?"

Eren gave a faint, crooked smile."Is it that obvious?"

Velira leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing with mock judgment."Written all over your face, playboy."

Eren clicked his tongue, exhaling."Well... Alayne asked me to come to her camp last night. And..."

He didn’t get to finish.

Velira sighed, arms folding as she cut in dryly,"And you didn’t show. Not even by morning. Let me guess—she expected you for dick purposes?"

Eren winced a little but nodded.

Velira looked off to the side, lips twitching into a half-sigh, half-smirk."And?" she prompted, lifting a brow. "There’s more, isn’t there?"

Eren nodded again and let the rest spill out."She also wanted me to join her squad as a temporary ranker—said they’re short on powerful personnel for the southern front, and my strength would help a lot." He paused, then added, "She’d pay for the whole journey. And extra."

He heaved a breath, rubbing the back of his head.

Velira studied him for a moment, then stepped forward, laying a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Don’t stress it. Knowing Alayne, she won’t do anything drastic. Maybe just drain you a few more times than we did."

"Again?" Eren grunted, half in disbelief.

Velira cradled the back of his head, patting his spine gently."Don’t worry, Eren. It’ll be fine."

She leaned back, fingers brushing through her fluttering strands as she gathered her hair up—twisting it into a loose bun atop her head.

Then, without a word, she knelt before him.

She eyed—her hand slipping past his thigh—upto his dangling dick, lifting it slowly. With a subtle smile playing at her lips, she brought her face closer—breath warm against his bare skin—as her mouth began to part.

"But before that..." she whispered, "I—should be the one tasting it first thing in the morning."

"Wai—"

He yelled, as his voice caught into the throat.

Meanwhile, Mira returned to the kitchen. She lit the stove and tossed in the chopped vegetables from the day before, along with the leftover chicken from last night.

The stew began to simmer, a warm scent filling the air as she stirred the pot—rich with the blend of spices, and broth.

She raised her voice from the kitchen."Eren. Velira. Come on, food’s almost ready!"

There was no reply at first. A few quiet minutes passed before a strained voice echoed faintly down the hall.

"Comin—"

Velira’s voice cracked mid-word, gasping between shallow breaths. Then—silence.

Mira exhaled, clicking through her tongue, before she ladled the stew into three bowls and set them on the table, pausing before sliding past a chair—and sitting atop.

A few moments later, Eren and Velira finally emerged from the bathroom—one sighing, the other still catching her breath.

Mira looked at them as they stepped in, her eyes lingering for a moment."You two okay?" she asked.

Both nodded.

Eren’s voice came out a little weak, rough around the edges."Yeah..."

Mira exhaled quietly, eyeing them both with a hint of concern. Her heart thudded softly in her chest, a little pout hiding behind her calm expression."Don’t overdo it," she murmured.

Eren sat down on the bench beside her, his body heavy, voice even heavier."Sure..."

Mira glanced away, stirring her spoon gently through the steaming stew."After all... I might need it next," she muttered under her breath.

"Huh?" Eren blinked.

"Nothing," Mira replied, sighing softly.