"Mmm…"

A beam of sunlight shone through the large windows of one of the castle's many rooms. It shimmered upon the strawberry blonde hair of the young solider, who was slowly raising her head from the table she was working from. She sat up, partially slumped over her workspace, still a bit dazed due to her short little nap she just had. Her tired honey colored eyes squinted at the sudden light emitting into the room, before they completely shot open in horror.

"Nyah!" she let out a small yelp, while frantically jumping up from the table.

What time was it? What time was it?!

It had to be somewhere near the late afternoon…meaning she had definitely fallen asleep around…

She glanced at the wall clock that sat slowly ticking away on the wall.

"Two hours ago?!" she frantically gathered up all of the papers that were sprawled all over the table. She had been asleep for two hours? She should have gotten these papers to Heichou two hours ago…and here she was sleeping the day away? She quickly sorted the papers, trying to make sure the ones Heichou needed to sign were on the top.

The small girl groaned aloud. It was so late in the afternoon and she was going to bother Levi now? When the work day was nearly over? She was supposed to be helpful to him, not a burden. She wrinkled her brow and turned on her heel quickly, heading towards the hall. Now was not the time to be sulking; she had to finish her work for the day, and swiftly.

With her thoughts overflowing and her head still drowsy, she hurried around the corner a little too quickly.

SMACK!

"Eeep!"

Papers flew all over the place, fluttering to the floor. The young girl would have fallen to the floor as well if it wasn't for the two strong hands that grabbed her by the forearms. A distressed look crossed her face as she saw the papers cover the floor around her; how could she be so clumsy? Talk about being off her game today…

"Whoa. You alright there Petra?"

The girl's heart stopped for a second…ten seconds…a thousand seconds. She was so distracted by all of her screw ups today that she didn't even see who she ran into. She lifted her head, and there he was. His face was only a couple of inches from hers, with their eyes pretty much on the same level, more or less. He was slightly taller than her, but only slightly.

She just had to have clumsily run into him, of all people.

"Hello?" he raised one of his ever distinctive eyebrows as he slowly took his grip off of her arms.

"H-HEICHOU! SIR!" she stood up straight and gave a quick salute.

Levi only blinked. "As you were. Is everything alright?"

"Of course! Why would you think that, Heichou?"

"Well…" Levi looked around at all of the papers scattered on the floor.

A brief look of panic crossed the girl's face before she quickly covered it up. She dropped to her knees and swiftly began to gather up the paperwork.

"I'm sorry…I wasn't paying attention."

Levi only kneelt down beside her and began to help Petra pick up the papers.

"Don't worry about it."

"Heichou! You don't need to get on the floor; I've got this, really!"

"These ones still need my signature, correct?" Levi held up a few sheets of paper, disregarding Petra's last comment.

"Oh, yes sir…and these as well…" Petra finished gathering up the loose paperwork, separating the documents as needed.

"You looked a little dazed back there."

"I've just been…well I've just a little tired today…"

"Overworked?"

"Oh! Oh of course not Heichou!" she quickly looked up at him to see that he was once again looking directly at her.

Levi pretty much held the same expression, without wavering. In fact, it was extremely rare that his expression ever changed at all…at least Petra has never seen it change. The sternness in his face made him a bit more intimidating, despite his short stature, but she knew better. He may not have shown it in his face, but his actions showed that he cared very much for his squad. Still, she never wanted to be a burden to her commanding officer in any way. She was supposed to be there for him; to be by his side whenever he needed.

To make things easier for him, not more difficult…

She did not in any way want to be difficult, even in the smallest of ways, like dropping papers and being sleepy on the job.

And it was right at that moment, when she was consumed by her thoughts, she felt the warmth from the back of his hand gently press against her forehead. For a moment, she sat still, not really knowing how to respond to him touching her like this. She looked up at him again, his expression still unchanging, as his hand slowly moved over to her temple.

Her heart rate began to speed up again.

What was he doing?

Was she blushing?

She hoped she wasn't blushing….

Shit, shit, SHIT, she hoped she wasn't blushing.

"…Heichou?" Petra managed to squeeze that one familiar word out of her mouth without sounding like a total idiot.

"Hm." Levi removed his hand from her head. "You feel alright to me."

"I'm…sorry?" Petra looked at him with a small twinge of confusion in her face.

"Some sources tell me you aren't getting enough sleep."

Now she really felt her face go hot…certainly she was blushing now. And sources? Who in the world…

Suddenly that shit eating grin of her tongue biting comrade appeared in her head.

"Dammit Auruo!" Petra thought, somewhat enraged and thinking of ways that guy was really going to get it later…

"You know, you can overexert yourself when you don't get enough rest. This could lead to fatigue and even catching a fever, not to mention falling asleep on the job. But you should already know this, right soldier?"

"I...I apologize sir! I've just been so busy lately, what with the current assignment and all."

Levi got to his feet and offered his hand to the girl.

"Don't let it happen again."

"Mm!" Petra straightened up. "Yes sir!"

She took Levi's hand and he pulled her up from the floor.

"Now, those documents?"

"Oh, yes..." She handed him the rest of the papers and he began to silently thumb through them.

Petra noticed it was unusually quiet around the castle this hour…where was everybody anyway?

"Anything else, Heichou?"

"Huh?" Levi looked back up at her, as if forgetting that she was still standing there. "Oh, no you are dismissed for the evening. The rest of the squad went into town if you're wondering."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I guess they wanted to have some 'real' food tonight. Fucking brats."

"Eren is with them too?"

"For the time being, yes."

"You aren't worried Heichou?"

"Worried? What, that he'll transform? Well, I suppose there's a chance right?"

Petra only blinked.

"Well I have some business to tend to in town myself, so if you all could babysit the brat for about an hour that would really lessen the headache I already have."

Heichou and his sarcasm….

"Right! Of course!"

"Alright then. Let's head out."

Petra nodded, following the Corporal down the hallway.

Petra mounted her horse and looked out at the sky, now a deep orange from the sunset. It was quite beautiful actually. She looked over at Levi, who looked very handsome and somewhat majestic atop his steed. She nodded to him and they both took off down the path. Petra followed closely behind Levi, watching his back, with the Wings of Freedom on his cloak fluttering in the wind. Heichou had a nice back, with strong shoulders; it only made him look nobler then he already was, if that made any sense.

Petra smiled warmly at him. If anything, he was definitely the person she admired the most.

Hey Dad,

How's everyone? I'm doing well. It's been a busy week though! I'm getting a lot of experience in the Survey Corps. As I told you before, I really enjoy it. I honestly feel like I'm doing something for the good of humankind…and I'm so grateful to be working with the best of the best. Erd and Gunther are doing well. Auruo is…annoying as always…He has a very kind heart, but sometimes he really get's under my skin. Like today he did something that really made me want to beat his…well…anyway…

Oh dad! Levi Heichou is so amazing! I know I probably always talk about this, but well, it's been a real privilege being able to work under him. I've never known anyone quite like him before. At first I was really intimidated by him…and I was a bit surprised that he would pick me out of so many to be apart of his special operations squad. I know what you are about to say, I'm too modest, but I'm serious dad.

Heichou is actually very approachable, and despite his stern reputation and intimidating stature, I know he genuinely cares about his squad. He's so great, dad…and he's so cool. Like, really cool…do I sound weird for saying that?

Well anyway, duty calls. I'll write again soon. I love you!

Love,

Petra

Petra looked up at the dingy looking building and frowned. The Rusty Spoon, huh?

"So their idea of good food is at this dive?" Petra thought. Part of her was starting to think that maybe they didn't come here for the food after all.

She entered though the doors only to be greeted by a cloud of cigarette smoke. She attempted to wave a little bit of the smoke from her face, but it really didn't matter. She looked around, trying to find to the others among the dimly lit bar. It was a small joint, with a few dining tables on one side, and two pool tables and a jukebox on the other side. In the middle is where the bar sat, and that's exactly where she spotted her comrades.

"PETRAAAA!" Auruo's loud and obnoxious voice filled the bar as Petra walked up to them. Erd and Gunther turned their heads, and sure enough, Eren was with them…though he was looking a bit miserable.

"Hey everyone." She took a seat at the bar next to Eren. "Hi Eren."

"Oh, hey Petra. Where's Levi Heichou?"

"He had to finish up a few errands. He said it shouldn't take longer than an hour."

"And what took you so long Pet?" Auruo was at her side, getting a little too up close and personal. "Working late again I see?"

"Ugh, you reek of alcohol! Isn't it a little too early to be getting drunk?"

"Hey, it's five o' clock somewhere!" Auruo raised his glass.

"It's five o' clock here." Erd shook his head and smiled, while taking a swig of his own drink.

"You too? Are you all drinking?" Petra sighed.

"Relax Petra, we're fine. Auruo's the one who needs a chaperone right now." Gunther reassured her.

"Come on Pet, loosen up. Have a drink! Or at least some cheese fries…" Auruo held up his hand to get the bar tender's attention.

"I told you not to call me Pet! And what the hell, Auruo? What did you say to Heichou about me earlier?"

"Huh?"

"Auruo!"

"Ohhh…..that. Eh, I just told him you weren't sleeping enough. Staying up late, getting up too early or whatever to do extra work. Why? Did he knock some sense into you?" Auruo giggled.

"You bastard! Embarrassing me like that! That was none of your business…"

"Take it easy Ral." Erd put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm pretty sure Levi doesn't think any less of you."

Petra's face immediately turned beat red. "What…What is that supposed to mean?"

"Bartender! A shot for the lady!" Auruo called out.

"Auruo! I don't want a shot…"

"Come on, you need to relax!"

Eren only groaned as he watched this madness unfold. Is this really what he was doing right now? Sitting with the most talented and prestigious squad in the Scouting Legion…at some dive bar? Watching his comrades get drunk? Really? Wasn't there something more important that they could be doing? And where was Levi anyway?

"What's that Eren? You want a shot too?" Auruo was suddenly sliding a small glass down the bar counter towards him.

"Uh!" Eren put his hand on the counter and managed to stop the glass, with a little bit of alcohol splashing out of the sides. "I don't really want…"

"Might as well. At least maybe if you are calmer you'll have a lesser chance of going titan." Erd said.

Erd, Gunther, and Auruo all looked at each other for a moment, before bursting out into drunken laughter.

Eren only blushed and looked down at the glass. Some alcohol had splashed onto the bite wound on his hand, stinging it a little. He looked up at the group and glared.

"That's not funny!" he slammed his fist onto the counter.

"Oh fuck, now you got him angry Erd." Auruo groaned. "Just take the shot, kid."

"I don't want to! This is stupid! What are we even doing here?"

"Just take the shot."

"No!"

"What? Little boy thinks he can fight titans but can't handle his liquor?"

"Auruo, I think that's enough…" Gunther spoke up.

Eren only scowled at Auruo, before picking up his shot glass and throwing the bitter whiskey down his throat. He slammed the glass down onto the counter as he flinched at the bitter taste. For a moment, he thought he was going the throw up as he doubled over.

"Whoa, you alright Eren?" Gunther put a hand on his shoulder. Eren only flinched and nodded.

"Tell me that wasn't your first shot? Well way to keep it down!" Auruo laughed.

Petra only rolled her eyes and took the shot glass to her lips.

It's been a long day anyway…

Dear Dad,

How's mom doing? And the kids on the block? I'm doing well. Our new assignments have been quite…exciting. I can't really talk about them because of military secrecy reasons, but it's all very interesting to say the least. I did tell you about Eren Jaeger remember? He actually turned out to be very sweet, with very good intentions. In a way, his determination sort of reminds me of Levi Heichou….well, in a less concentrated way (haha). I haven't been getting a lot of sleep lately…not as much as I should anyway. I know you worry about me a lot, so I'm sorry about that. I just want to help Heichou in any way that I can…even if it's as small as making his coffee in the morning….do you think that's strange? I just admire him so much, dad. He's really amazing, and such a great leader…I hope I can work under him for a long time to come. I would pretty much do anything for the Corporal… oh, that must have sounded weird. You know what I mean though, right dad? Though sometimes when I am around Heichou I feel a little…nervous…but not in a bad way. Oh wow I can't believe I'm feeling embarrassed about this! But anyway, you don't have to worry. Heichou, Erd, Gunther, Auruo, and even Eren have all been wonderful to me. I couldn't ask for a better leader and comrades. Well I have to get going, I'll write you soon. Take care!

Love,

Petra

"Well, I'm pretty sure that's all I needed to discuss with you, Levi." The tall brunette pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose with her index finger.

"Alright. It's getting late. I should be getting back to my squad."

"They are in town tonight aren't they?"

"The Rusty Spoon." Levi rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't eat that shitty food if it was the last bit of food on earth, in all honesty."

Hange smiled and shook her head.

"Ah, The Rusty Spoon. That place is quite a dive, but I'm pretty sure people just go there for the drinks. They make em' hard there!"

"You don't say." Levi looked unenthused as he threw his cloak over his shoulder.

"Uh-oh! Is Levi's squad going to be all intoxicated when he shows up to retrieve them? Hopefully that doesn't trigger Titan Eren! Well wait…!" Hange slapped Levi on the back and began to laugh hysterically.

"Shut up, shitty glasses." Levi sighed and rubbed his temple, clearly annoyed.

"Auruo, I think he's had enough." Gunther said. "Eren, that's enough. Drink some water."

"But I'm finnnne." Eren lifted his head from the counter, his area surrounded by empty glasses.

"No. Water. Now. You've had enough."

"No, you've had enough!" Eren slurred and poked at Gunther's chest.

"I know I've had enough. Which is why I quit for the night."

Eren only blinked at Gunther and looked around the smoky bar. His vision was off…blurry even. How did this happen? He only had a few drinks…

"Ung…." Eren laid his head back onto the bar counter. "I can't believe this…Mikasa will kill me…."

Gunther and Erd only looked at each other and shrugged.

"I knew he couldn't handle his liquor!" Auruo laughed.

"You shouldn't have egged him on like that." Petra made a face at him.

"Hey, it's not my fault he got drunk so quickly!"

"Oh it is your fault. Everything is…your fault." She slightly slurred the last part of her sentence.

Auruo, Erd, and Gunther just looked at her for a moment, before all three of them smiled.

"You're drunk, aren't you Petra?" Auruo grinned.

"Shut up! You're more…drunk then I am! And I'm not drunk…I'm buzzed…"

"Keep telling yourself that." Erd only shook his head and smiled.

"I only had a few…not as much as Eren over here." She shook her head.

What time was it anyway? It had to have been over an hour by now. Where was Heichou?

"Well maybe you'll actually get some sleep tonight." Auruo grinned. "Did the Corporal scold you enough?"

"Auruo I swear! Don't you ever tell on me to Heichou again!"

"Why? Are you embarrassed?"

"Mm! No! I just…" Petra quickly turned her head away, staring at her lap. Good thing it was dimly lit in this dump or the guys would have surely seen her flushed face and would have never let her live it down.

Auruo slumped into a bar stool next to her and inched towards her, while putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Auruo!"

"Come on, like Erd said earlier, The Corporal probably doesn't think any less of you. You are his favorite little brat right?"

"W-what?"

"I'm just messin' with ya', Petra!" Auruo started laughing aloud, while giving Petra a slap on the back.

Erd only sat by and watched, getting a real kick out of this whole thing before speaking up.

"But if he did have a favorite, I think it's safe to say that little Petra here would be it." He grinned.

"What? Andwhat do you mean 'little', Erd?" Petra turned to the guys, her flushed cheeks now clearly visible, even in the dim lighting.

"Aw look at her! She's blushing!" Auruo cooed.

"Agh!" Petra turned her face away, now more embarrassed than ever.

"She probably wants to marry him huh?" Auruo laughed. He clasped his hands together, making his face go into a dreamy eyed look, whist attempting to imitate the poor girl.

"Ohhh Heichou! Heichouuuuu!"

"Oh shut up!" Petra turned to Auruo and grabbed him by the collar, only causing him to laugh even more. "If anything YOU are the one who wants to marry Heichou! Imitating his looks and trying to act all cool when you are really just an ANNOYING STUPID JERKKKK! WITH AN UGLY HAIRCUT."

Auruo's expression immediately changed to pure embarrassment, his cheeks flushing now as well.

"W-what? I don't want to marry the Corporal! And I'm not stupid!" He got up close to Petra's face, just inches away. "And for your information my haircut RULES!"

Petra also got up close and personal, before giving Auruo an icy cold stare.

"IT'S UGLY. HEICHOU'S LOOKS BETTER."

"WHAT?!"

"That was cold." Erd face palmed, trying not to laugh. Gunther only shook his head and smiled, highly amused at his drunken comrades.

"Of course you like his hair better! You probably dream about touching it every night!"

"YOU!" Petra was seriously considering break a beer bottle over loud mouth's head at this point.

"Oh, go marry your Heichou if you love his hair so much!"

"Well CLEARLY you love it more if you keep trying to copy it, so YOU go marry him!"

"Who wants to marry me?"

The arguing between Auruo and Petra immediately stopped, and the whole squad turned towards the familiar voice.

Levi was standing before them, his arms crossed and his eyebrow raised at all the commotion he had walked into.

"So what's going on?" he looked over at Petra, who only blinked at him, trying hard not to blush. She really hoped he didn't hear that whole fiasco.

"What the fuck happened to him?" Levi was glancing over Petra's shoulder at Eren, who was still slumped over the bar counter.

Eren slowly lifted his head, half of it messy from laying his head on the counter for so long. He once again scanned the dingy bar, his vision more even more blurry then before, before he spotted Levi looking right at him. He blinked, before shooting a stupid looking smile Levi's way.

"Heyyy Heichou." He slurred, followed by a hiccup. "Have you seen Armin's hat? I think I saw it fly away earlier..."

Levi put a hand to his head and closed his eyes, looking as if a headache was coming on.

"Oh don't tell me you all are fucked up right now-"

"HEICHOUUUUU!" The whole squad, with the exception of Eren, leapt out of their seats and stumbled over to Levi, embracing him in a group hug.

"What the?! Get the fuck off! You all smell like fucking scotch…"

"Come on Corporal, relax. Have a drink." Erd didn't really sound drunk; more like relaxed. But he clearly had too much to drink…everyone had. That's the only logical explanation Levi could come up with for this sudden massive bear hug that just caught him off guard.

On any other night he would have probably given a nice shove to each and every one of them, considering he didn't really like to be touched, much less hugged…and by four people at once. And this place was disgusting as hell; bottles everywhere, dust on the windows, grime on the seats….the whole place was making him slightly sick as it was.

But the commanding officer only closed his eyes and sighed. It truly had been a long week, and the brats have been doing well…not to mention that one drink probably wouldn't hurt...

"Fine." He sighed.

One drink, and only one; there was far too much to get done tomorrow. Levi walked up to the bar counter and signaled for the bartender.

"Ready to order?" the young brunette bartender smiled warmly at the attractive Corporal.

"Not quite. Do you have any disinfectant?"

The bartender only cocked her head at him, looking slightly confused. "Yes…just a second." She quickly reached under the counter and grabbed a large spray bottle.

"Would you like me to…?"

"Not necessary." He took the bottle from the girl and began frantically spraying the seat and the counter. He then pulled an extra handkerchief from his pocket and began scrubbing away vigorously. The bartender only stared at him for a moment, and then back at the group he was with. They didn't seem to mind at all…as if they were used to this…as if this was 'normal' behavior…

Petra only smiled to herself. She actually found Levi's little cleaning quirk quite adorable.

"By the way, this place is a dump. Maybe you should hire a janitor." Levi said ever so suddenly, catching the girl off guard.

"Okayyy…I'll speak to my boss about it…."

"Yeah that would be a good idea." Levi rolled his eyes.

"Heichou!" Petra nudged Levi, who turned to her, a little surprised. She of all people knew he hated to be touched. She had her lips puffed out in a pout, and was giving him a condescending look.

"Where are your manners?"

She was scolding him, and drunkenly at that. Levi only blinked, and then turned back to the now awkward feeling bartender.

"Well. I guess I have forgotten my manners." Levi placed the bottle of cleaner back onto the counter. "Thank you."

"You're…welcome?" she looked up at the officer, who only stared back at her with a blank expression. He may have been short in stature and literally just cleaned that bar stool better then a maid ever could, but he was more intimidating then most of the men who ever walked into that bar.

"What can I get you sir?"

"Gin and tonic, on the rocks." Levi sighed as he sat on the freshly sanitized barstool between Petra and Eren. Petra glanced over at Levi, still feeling the buzz, but was trying really hard not to say anything that would make her look foolish in front of him.

"Are you feeling well Heichou?" she asked.

Levi turned his head to the strawberry blonde, remembering her small, but forceful gesture minutes ago. He could tell she was getting a little dizzy from the booze, even though she tried to hide it.

"I will be once I have a drink."

Petra smiled sweetly at him as the bartender set a small glass in front of Levi.

"You should slow down a bit." He raised the glass to his lips. "You don't want to overdo it on your first time. You'll get sick fast…believe me."

Levi took a swig of his drink as Petra watched him, nearly horrified. As she watched his Adam's apple bob up and down in that beautiful neck of his, she wondered how in the world he could have known.

Was it that obvious?

The shot she took earlier with the rest of the guys was in fact her first taste of liquor; Eren wasn't the only one. Sure, she had partaken in alcohol before, but it was always just a little bit of wine or beer with the family. Until tonight, she had never truly had hard liquor. She just didn't want to embarrass herself in front of the guys, despite being on the same level as them. She had wanted to try some anyway, there was just never really much time to kick back…but still…how did Levi even know?

She looked down at her lap and blushed.

How embarrassing….