Author's Note: It was a crazy ride with this impromptu idea which was born from my break for The End of Time. I couldn't say enough thank you for the warm and supportive reviews and all of YOU who continuously read this piece of work. I am heartened and humbled. Thank you for being with me through out the entire journey. That said, we finally come to an end here. Because like Tony Stark said - the end is part of the journey. I am going to go back to writing The End of Time (shamelessly promoting here) so till we Rivetra again! I love you 3000.

Created

Brought (something) into existence

Final chapter

The weight of her words made her voice seemed even stronger than the storm rattling the windows.

Petra stared at the man, willing him to speak but knowing he will stay quiet. That was why when he did speak without a flicker of hesitation, she was flummoxed.

"I am."

His voice was strangely grave, wiped of any casualness he usually used on people. Petra studied him, trying to ignore the way her heart pulsated faster than usual in her chest. The man's expressions were inscrutable. But her face crumbled anyway. Was he lying even when she confronted him? The hurt inflicted upon her from this thought was unendurable even for her – her who had pride herself on having good pain tolerance. She took a step backward, her defence mechanism prompting her to do so.

"How about this evening?" Petra asked, eyes searching his. His orbs were dark – darker than the lifeless sky outside – but he gave nothing away. As always. Another painful stab. She was always a mere stranger in his life. She was a foolish girl, wasn't she? But she pressed on because giving up now means something – something she did not want to think about. "Are your duties becoming increasingly onerous?"

Levi exhaled deeply. "Erwin gave me a difficult task," he finally answered vaguely.

"I-I…can I help?" she muttered, keeping her eyes on him. That was the reason why she could have sworn his composure slides a little. But he did not speak.

Encouraged by his silence, she continued, not knowing where this scrap of courage came from but grateful for it nonetheless. "Heichou…why are you always not reaching out for help? We are all here," Petra said. "I am here," she added quietly as an afterthought but was quick to be worried that he heard. He gave no indication he did or did not. Instead, he continued gazing at her. Something snapped inside her and she went on with her speech.

"I felt so empty, so vacant, so…hollow before. But you saved me," she flushed, words spilling out of her loosely, like she was drunk, like she was uninhibited. It could be the atmosphere and it could be the intoxicating glance he gave her…Petra would never know. But at this single moment, everything in the world diminished and it was just her, her words, her feelings and him. "Heichou, I am thankful. More than you will ever know. Pardon me for my rudeness. But you created this…these feelings in me. They are weird sensations... I feel safe like someone is bestowing upon me a warm embrace in a cold winter night, like there are wings behind me and I am flying and drifting and like my heart would burst any moment just from seeing you-! But what is weirdest of all is…is…I really like these feelings! I-that is why I…I…I really want to bear any responsibilities with you that you can possibly have!"

She paused there, catching her ragged breath. That was the only sound in the silent air. Even the storm had fallen deadly quiet outside. She stared at him, unwavering and determined. Then, as if everything was restarting, the wind picked up, another zigzag in the colour of astonishing white crossed the sky and the debonair man across her opened his mouth.

"You will regret it."

His voice sounded so soft against the storm that had begun to rage. It reminded her of how frail he was. It was an epiphany. Humanity strongest soldier being vulnerable? It seemed unimaginable. Yet, here Petra was. Hearing a note of agony creeping in.

"I won't," she said resolutely.

Levi closed his eyes and he exhaled deeply. "My responsibilities are not yours to carry," he opened his eyes again and fixed her an almost reprimanding glare.

"They are not," Petra agreed and his features relaxed until her next sentence. "But I wish to be always by your side," she finished.

Levi's eyes were almost pitched black now and there was a dangerous aura swirling around him. Petra's defence mechanism screamed at her to get away, get the hell out, but she braced herself. She would not back-off. She would not be afraid. Because shying away may means losing him. It was an ominous hunch that engulfed her.

Bracing herself, she instinctively licked her dry lips. Her eyes watched his as his gaze dropped to her lips. She could almost hear her heart picked up its rhythm. Nervous, she run her tongue over her lower lips, tasting an atmosphere that was charged with more than simply tension… there was another form of tension which she could not place.

"It is late," his terse voice cuts the air and drove into her heart like a sharp blade. It was his way of saying this conversation was over. He will not acknowledge what she said. Neither will he tell her anything. Her heart sagged.

But she was a soldier who had bit her gum to survive even the toughest of training in the dead of winter where frostbite was very possible. She was also a soldier who had peed her pants in her first expedition but still found courage to walk on and face death squarely in its face. And she was able to pick herself up despite the deaths of her close comrades. Petra was not reckless; she was brave.

And she will not give up now.

Erasing her crestfallen expressions, she walked swiftly in front of the raven hair man and reached up to grab his hand. It startled both of them, though Levi's reaction was barely more than a small shift of movement.

"What are you doing? He demanded.

She looked into his eyes unfalteringly. "Heichou, I wish to be by your side," she repeated, breaking apart each word slowly to make her meaning come across clearly.

"Oi, Petra, a girl shouldn't say that to a man randomly. Do you know what you are say-?"

"I mean I love you! Heichou is an idiot!" She exclaimed impulsively, frustrated at his lack of understanding to what she was conveying.

Shit. Petra, what the fuck did you just do to yourself? Or more importantly, what have you just said?

She widened her glance, staring blankly at the man in front of her as all logic in her flew away. Replaced by a numbing sense of anxiety. Her grip slipped from his. "I-I-I am sorry for calling you an idiot!" She saluted, squeezing her eyes shut, feeling the hot string of humiliated tears behind her eyelids.

There was silence hanging in the air and she felt incredibly small and vulnerable in those moments. After what seemed like an eternity but it could only be a few fleeting seconds, she heard a soft low noise that sounded like a chuckle.

Curiosity ignited in her and she pried her eyes opened.

Oh.

The sight before her made her heartbeats echoed loudly in her ears and blood to rush to her cheeks.

In the coruscating silvery flash of lightning, his small smile that curled his lips just the slightest made him appear so dazzling and heartbreakingly gorgeous. Petra's breath caught in her throat and she tilted her head slightly to look at his eyes. There was amusement dancing in them, chasing away the solemn that was just there not too long ago.

"Are you not apologising for also saying something else to me?"

Ensnared in a whirlwind of horror and disarray, she spluttered, "I-I am sorry for saying I love…" her words died on her lips as she realised what she was about to say again. She could feel the temperature in the room going several degree up. How dangerous.

"Hmm?" The man before her made a noise of discontent, as though as prompting her to continue. "Petra, do you not remember your basic manner toward your higher-up?"

Petra snapped her head up for she had lowered them in shame before. But when her eyes greeted his unfathomable irises, she quickly averted her gaze again. "I-I-"

He was not speaking which means he was waiting. Petra pondered over her decision and she gauged the distance between the door and her. If she made a break for it…

But she could have ran off earlier on, right? She still chose to stay so…leading to this was inevitable in some way. She mentally scolded herself. She thought there was an improvement in her relationship with the enigmatic and gentle man…but she just got to mess it all up…Oluo, Gunther and Erd, please help her…

Inhaling sharply, she said it in one go, words tripping out of her inelegantly. "I-I a-am so-sorry for say-saying Iloveyou…hmmph!"

She was rendered silent in the next few seconds or so. Because his lips were on hers. His cloyingly sweet and gentle lips that hid a hint of tanginess and secrets. That was the only thing that registered in Petra's mind. It was only after he pulled away carefully that a plethora of feelings burst in her. She could detect happiness, love, excitement… and confusion?

"He…Heichou?" Petra said hesitantly, sure that her face was red if the feeling of feeling like her cheeks were on fire was any indication.

"Brats like you shouldn't need to do what I do," he said almost too softly for her to hear but she did. She extended her hand to touch his. He did not move away and she took it as a good sign.

"I am not a brat," she reminded him, eyes narrowed and lips pouted. "Besides," she started, letting the seriousness trickle into her voice and her expressions to morph into one of earnestness. "I created this promise."

"Hm?"

"I said I am going to stay by your side."

…

As though as she said something wrong, his posture stiffened and he slipped his hand away from her, angling his body slightly away from her. She frowned, feeling cold and dejected but most of all, extremely perturbed.

"Hei…chou?"

"Petra," he finally said her name just like how she had said his. With that feeling of raw hurt and pain. It was rare to hear him speak like this and Petra felt concerned.

"Yes, Heichou?" She hesitantly replied.

"I am not going to ask the second time so listen carefully," he said so quietly she strained to hear. "Can I kiss you again?"

!

Petra struggled to stifle her gasp and maintained her expressions.

He gave her an impatient glare so alike him. It was only then that she realised that he was bashful.

She laughed – a genuine laugh – that rang and competed with the ugly storm outside only to obviously emerge as a winner. He was adorable. But before he can react to that or take offence – which he will, Petra believed – she spoke. "Of course," she smiled shyly.

The next second happened in a blur. He had invaded her personal space – she had welcomed it wholeheartedly – and kissed her for the second time. But she still noticed the small smirk that tugged on his lips before he had swooped down and claimed hers.

The kiss was every bit as lovely as the first. If not, more. With Petra in a less shell-shocked manner, she could appreciate his lips against her better. She was just thinking how they fitted together so perfectly when Levi nudged at her chin. She opened her mouth obediently, letting his tongue slid in to explore her. A mixture of nerves and wants threatened to make her explode.

He pulled away, a chain of saliva connecting them together. Petra blushed but the man she loved seemed to brush it off. He leaned in and Petra widened her amber irises as he rested his forehead against her.

"I will create a promise too."

His warm breath caressed her and she felt like this was all a dream. A very blissful dream.

"You will?" She responded dazedly.

"As long as your heart beats, mine will beat with you."

!

Petra was speechless. There was nothing that could describe what she felt. Thoughts cannot be put into words. Feelings cannot be translated. This moment – just this single moment – made her redefine her entire existence.

"Oi, are you crying?" The raven hair man asked, perplexity and concern written in eyes. His eyes…they seemed softer but she was not too sure because her eyesight had went blurry.

She was crying. "I…I…thank you, Heichou."

The man sighed. "Why do you always say thank you to me?"

"Because I am thankful?" Petra peered at him innocently, not knowing what he meant.

"…It is my fault you had all your nightmares. I killed the squad-"

"You did not," Petra interrupted abruptly. It seemed to cause the man in front of her to pull short. Realising what she did was rude for a soldier, she hastily apologised. "I mean…sorry for interrupting, Heichou."

"I don't deserve your sorrys and thank yous."

Petra opened her mouth to argue but she closed her mouth again slowly. She measured him for a good minute or so, noticing how his jaws clamped tight and how he had almost a pained look, masked so well underneath all the tough exterior he put on. An ache bloomed in her, slowly singeing her vein and blood. "No one is accountable for the deaths in expedition. Certainly not you, Heichou. We all choose to do this. Did you force us into Survey Corps? No. You merely gave us an opportunity to do much more for humanity in your squad. For that, we are grateful. We all love you, Heichou," Petra paused as a thought entered her mind. She hesitated.

Seeming to notice the pregnant pause, Levi exhaled. "Petra-" then, he fell silent. Petra's heart fluttered in her chest and she could hardly contain herself. There were emotions swirling in the surrounding air and she felt trapped and scared and nervous but also undeniably hopeful.

"You should rest early."

His voice reverberated in the stilled air. It was followed by a loud roar of thunder, shattering not only the air inside the room, but also her heart. She felt foolish all of the sudden again.

The raven hair man began moving away, creating distance between them. She stared at the ever widening gaps between their feet. Before she thought it through, she hurriedly tugged at his wrist. "Heichou! Can…Can I…" she gulped, her newfound courage deserting her.

"Spit it," Levi said in his usual brusque tone but it held a trace of curiosity.

"Permission to kiss Heichou?" She blurted it out, believing she had screwed up badly when he did not reply instantly.

"Permission granted."

She shot her head up, bewildered. But he was staring at her, waiting. Face wiped cleaned of expressions and only a glint of something in his irises that betrayed him. But even then, Petra cannot read the man in front of her. Realising he was waiting, she once against closed the space between them and pressed her lips to his.

Almost immediately, she felt warmth seeping through her. The world seemed to recede and she couldn't hear anything – not the storm nor the occasional sounds from within the castle. It was just the two of them and it felt absolutely wonderful.

She lets him guide her from there. If Petra was clear-minded, she would have perceived that he was as enthusiastic about this kiss as she was. But because her mind was foggy with love and something akin to lust, nothing was quite making sense.

"Hmm…" she breathed huskily as his lips travelled south to give her time to breathe and he pressed against the sensitive patch of her skin on her neck. Then, his lips were meeting hers again but this time with more fervour. His hands cupped her flushed cheeks and catch her lower lips between his teeth before biting down on it gently.

Petra gasped, feeling heat blooming in her lower abdomen. Her eyes instantly fluttered closed again but his voice called out to her.

"Petra, look at me."

She slowly opened her eyes and his two pools of beautiful grey met her sight. She almost choked on a lungful of air at this picture-perfect moment. Her heart drummed against her chest and she felt like she may drift off any moment…

"Don't ever say you want to stay by my side. It is no good."

She landed back in reality with a bump. He was still holding her cheeks gingerly and his cold words didn't suit this softness.

"I want to stay by your side."

"Petra-!" He hissed harshly and she could almost feel the anger emitting from him in waves.

"I don't want to be a stranger! Stop pushing me away, Heichou-"

"Levi."

"Huh?"

"Say Levi."

"He-Levi…" It felt so foreign on her tongue but yet so pleasant. Like experiencing something new for the first time but knowing you will be addicted to it. She felt her flush returning. "Didn't Heich…Levi create the promise just a few minutes ago?"

"I did."

"Won't you…keep it?"

"I will."

"…But?"

"But it is still no good. You will regret it." The pain in his voice was evident.

"Why?" Petra questioned, though it sounded more like pleading.

…

Only silence. Petra sighed. Tiptoeing a little, she boldly pressed a kiss on his forehead. He became rigid but did not attempt to move away. "It is okay. Even if I am a stranger-"

"You are not."

Petra trailed off, stunned. "What?"

"Didn't I say you are fucking dense?"

"And you are confusing, Heic…Levi," she blushed at the sound of his name on her tongue.

Without warning, he suddenly wrapped an arm around her small waist and she yelped. Pulling her extremely close to his chest, he put his head over hers.

She thought she will combust.

"I am a shitty person. I will keep using you over and over again for humanity."

"I know."

"…"

"I said I know to the second part. You are my higher-up. We will always go on expeditions together and I may not come back. But you are a good person. I fell apart, Hei-Levi…I did. But you created this me again. You build me back and piece me together. And that is why…I won't regret it. I…I love you."

There. She said it. It was out in the air. There seemed to be a finale to it. Sensing no reply, she buried her face into his jacket for a quick moment, savouring this precious instant that will fade into memories they will never talk about.

Don't cry, Petra. Don't cry. You expected it.

But she was already crying. Tears were leaking out of her eyes despite her feeble opposition.

Shit, Heichou…Levi will scold her for dirtying his jacket.

"Petra," he addressed her and she nodded against him, unable to find strength and courage to look him in the face. "Can you hear me?"

"Huh-hmp!" Petra was about to ask what the meaning of his words was when he dropped himself on the floor, pulling her into his chest. She stopped breathing for a second.

"Oi, can you hear my heartbeat?"

She could. It was a drumming against her ear that was almost like a soft lullaby. It made her very aware of how human Heic…Levi was. No matter how stoic he appeared, no matter his immense strength and polished physical combat skills, no matter how heroic he was, this soothing sound of his heart beating was a reminder that he too was human.

Petra always felt that his heart was trapped in a steel cage. But there was never supposed to be the case. A heart was made to spill love into every recess of the mind and soul. It was with this thought that came with an epiphany. She wanted to be the one holding the key. She wanted to create a key to unlock the cage.

"Heich...Levi, it is nice like this," she spoke softly, positive that she was blushing but she could hardly comprehend the situation, much less her physiological reaction.

"Tch," the man suddenly sounded annoyed and she frowned, tilting her head upward.

"What is wr-hmphhh!"

He had swooped down to claim her lips again. His strong arms wrapped around her torso, pulling her even closer until she was practically sitting on his lap. She fluttered her eye shut as his tongue swiped against her own. Only for them to fly open as his mouth travelled downward to her neck, pressing open kisses on her sensitive skin.

"Petra," he spoke against her throat and she had to fight a shiver. Subconsciously, she began gripping onto his jacket with one hand while the other tangled in his dark locks.

"Hmm?" She asked dazedly.

"You need to," he started trailing lazy kisses down her neck to her collar. "Learn to be less dense." His hand moved forward to pull her straps down while his mouth continued his ministrations.

"My heart was beating really loudly just now," Levi hummed against her shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Louder and faster than ever," the man continued. Another hand gently tugged at the front of her dress, exposing her cleavage. But Petra was not paying attention to that anymore.

Did he meant what she think?

But she did not want to be silly again so she opted to be ambiguous. "Why?"

"Hm…" Levi made a noise of contemplation but he sounded distracted. Petra was about to open her mouth again when he licked her cleavage line. Instead of words, a soft moan slipped from her mouth. She blushed at the sound but this seemed to spur the Humanity Strongest Soldier on.

"What do you think?" He asked breathily, hot air blowing across her chest area. She fought a shiver.

"What do I thin-ahh!" Startled by the abrupt fingers tugging her shirt down even further, she pulled away. She clutched onto her shirt, eyes darting to his in confusion. But he just stared without moving, hands still outreached. Finally, he conceded, putting his hands down.

"Ral, this is not an order. If you don't want to-"

"I want! I want this, Heichou!" Petra interrupted, hand flying to touch his chest. His eyes were unfathomable before he spoke.

"Then keep your promise to call me Levi," he reminded her and before she could reply, his lips found her again. She tilted her head, closing her eyes as the mere feel of his lips – his – brought about a wave of excitement. Her hand began moving downward almost against her subconscious, feeling the strength of the man's prominent muscles underneath the clothes against her fingertips. Her hands crept downward and stalled.

She had never touched a man down there before and fear and anxiety joined the excitement in her stomach. If she were someone else, perhaps she would back down but she was Petra Ral, handpicked by this man personally.

Breaking the kiss and braving herself, she stared at the man she loved and slipped her hand into his pants, feeling something hard. It was only a moment later that she corrected herself. It was hard but the skin was velvety soft against her palms. It was…a peculiar sensation.

He took her hand in his and with another, he stripped his pants effortlessly despite being on the floor.

Petra could only stare. Her mouth went dry. Was it her and was it too big for his height…

"Tighter like this," the man said quietly as his hand wrapped around hers and she stole a quick glance at him. He showed no indication what his feelings were, though she noticed his irises darkening.

She followed his hand that guided hers but after a few seconds, he lets go. Petra took that as an invitation to continue on her own. Braving herself, she slid her hand over his length, marvelling at how he seemed to grow bigger with every stroke. Enticed, she lowered herself down and peered at it closely. It seemed to resemble a mushroom. She wondered if it tasted like one too…

Her tongue flickered out and licked the reddening top of his length. There was a sharp intake of breath from above her. Blinking curiously, she continued another lick and realised there was liquid oozing out of the tip. Using her hand, she spread the fluid over his length.

How did she know what to do? And why did she feel so hot…

"Don't stop."

His voice from above seemed a little uneven but she nodded anyway. She continued licking his tip but this time, she used her hand to move up and down from tip to base.

It was only when there was an almost inaudible groan did she look up. The raven hair man's pupil were blown wide and his steel grey irises were pitched dark. Etched on his face was an expression Petra never seen before. It made her felt…almost scared, almost unsafe but also felt an undeniable feeling of delight that soared in her. Beneath her palm, he pulsed around her.

She suddenly realised that Heichou…Levi was flustered. That thought made her laughed amusingly.

He was annoyed even in his aroused state as he tched at her, making her laugh even harder. It was only when she felt him hoisting her up that she shut her mouth.

"What-oomph!" The air in her flew out as she landed on her bed. Her eyes darted to his as he loomed ominously over her. In between her catching her breath and locating him, he had shrugged off his shirt.

The ginger hair beauty found herself staring at his naked form. From his chiselled countenance to his abdomen taut with lean muscles to … wait, did that just grow bigger or was it just her?

"Heicho-" she broke off, hastily correcting herself upon his glare. "Levi, is that…did it just…erm…become bigger?"

He raised an eyebrow and his eyes danced with amusement and something else…something darker. But before Petra could ask again for he had not reply, he was pressed against her. As his hardness greeted her abdomen, she gasped but it was quickly swallowed by his kiss. It was more frantic now as though as time was running out. He attacked her lips mercilessly, hand reaching out to massaged her clothed breast in slow kneading motion.

When his lips left hers to allow breathing, she was hazy with all his ministrations. It was only when she realised that his hand had left her chest and he had carefully freed her from her confined space that she began searching for him desperately.

"Is it okay?" His voice was unusually soft. Petra did not reply until she was sure her eyes were locked with his.

Soft amber against hardened grey.

Hardened grey that did not suit this gentle voice. There was a fluttering in her heart because she knew – she just knew – that she was special enough to hear this.

"Yes, Levi."

There was no stuttering in her voice as she said his name lovingly.

He did not reply but bent down to give her a saccharine kiss – one that she was sure she would remember for as long as she live. But instead of prolonging the kiss, he inched downward. A moan of displeased protest from the ginger head was rudely interrupted by the loud gasp that followed. He had pulled down the dress to expose her chest and the vulgar act of it made her blush.

"Hm…there is more to come," Levi mused and Petra was about to question his meaning when he took her nipple in his mouth. She found herself arching into the man above her as pleasure rippled in her, turning every thought of hers into ashes. He continued for a few minutes before switching to attend to the other globe.

"Heichou-!"

His hand gently twisted her other nipple. "Levi." He commanded.

"L-levi! Please! No more!" Petra writhed under his ministrations.

"Hm…" he answered almost absentmindedly as he pressed soft kisses onto her breasts before he looked at her again.

"May I?"

She nodded mutely, allowing him to undress all of her with her assist. For a minute, she felt more vulnerable than ever but he melted all the insecurities away with his words.

"You are beautiful."

Before Petra could reply, he had started moving south again. Petra could only curled her toes in this frustrating pleasure as his tongue swiped her belly before using his fingers to brush against her lower abdomen-

Arrows of fire and desire shot through her vein and she was sure she was about to combust. "Levi, please…please…" she breathed out.

"Hmm…what do you want?" he was almost teasing her. She was sure. His tongue lapped at her inner thigh. Her lips parted.

"Don't make me say it! It is embarrassing!" Petra's chest rose as she stared down at the man who gripped her thigh and pressed it against his cheeks. She flushed at the erotic sight.

Planting a kiss on her inner thigh which resulted in her shuddering, he chuckled. "You are the one who makes me want to do embarrassing things."

"Huh-!"

He had dipped his tongue into her cavern. Latched his mouth onto a part of her she had failed to understand in her biology lesson when she was younger. But now she wished she did pay more attention in this class. Because this feeling – this amount of pleasure in her virgin body – was such a powerful sensation that it reduced her to a moaning and squirming mess.

Undeterred, the man in between her legs continued altering between licking languidly and sucking on her clit. Throwing her head back, she squeezed her eyes shut and surrendered to her strangled cries and moans that filled the room.

It was akin to being burnt. Only much more than that. There were the bolts of electricity that ran across her veins and the tightness in her lower abdomen. And it was just getting hotter and tighter…hotter and tighter…

She almost didn't feel his finger prod her walls with all the pleasure but she did. Because it suddenly became too much. It was too much-

"Levi I am going to-!"

The circuit went off in her and the tightness uncoiled. There was a moment of silence – of nothingness – before she crashed back into reality, arching herself off the bed while shuddering and tensing. For a long moment there was all she could do before she flopped herself back and laid in a sweaty and boneless mess on the soft duvet.

Her eyes immediately sought for his and was almost startled to see him looking at her with such…there was no civilised way to describe it. He looked absolutely starving.

He crawled over her and glanced down at her. "Is this your first time?"

"Yes."

"And you can say no to me now. I will stop."

"I want it."

"It will hurt," he warned, hand stroking his length.

"Okay," she whispered.

That was all the permission he needed before he positioned himself right at her opening and pushed in. Taking her virginity.

Petra was a soldier who endured close death experiences which means suffering underneath gaping wounds, broken bones under fragile skins and rivulets of scarlet blood. But this pain that erupted within her made her cringe outwardly. It was like something too big and too hard was stuffed in her and she was ripping apart.

"Nngh-!" Her cry was agonising even to her own ear.

"Shh…" His soft voice reached hers and she pried opened her eyes to stare through her misty lens. The way he stared at her … it was so gentle and so soothing that it felt like a balm to her torment.

"Relax, Petra. I am all inside you," he was whispering and it was the softest utter she ever heard from him. Warmth swelled in her and it almost made the pain bearable. Almost. She huffed and attempted to end this as soon as possible by moving her hips. The pain doubled but that was not the biggest surprise Petra had.

Upon her decision, Levi hissed through gritted teeth. "Petra, stay fucking still."

She blinked through her tears, trying to place his expressions. Was…was he losing his calm because of her movement?

The very thought hit her like a rock. She attempted to roll her hips again to test out her little hypothesis and sure enough, he groaned. Ignoring her own pain, she tried again and again until the man had to grab her hip.

"Petra, fucking just-" he paused and Petra stared at him, curious as to why he stopped. Her breath hitched when his finger suddenly brushed away stray tears she uncontrollably leaked from her eyes from the discomfort. She was so driven to see his pleasure and his twisted grimaces that fascinated her. Knowing that she was the only person who could possibly see this now.

Caught in her thought, she was brought back to attention by the raven hair man wetting his fingers.

"What are you-ahhhhh…" she trailed off as he rubbed her in that particular area again. "Hei-Levi, no! It is embarrassing-ahhh…nhh…" Undiscouraged, the man she loved continued fingering her, touching her in all the right places. Without realising, the pain started to mellow out and there was a blooming ache replacing the dull agony.

"Ha…" Petra's moan slipped out when Levi started rocking his hips and she rose hers to meet his. There was that feeling again. Burning hot. She fluttered her eyes shut for a fleeting moment only to open again when his lips claimed hers in a fervent kiss. Their tongues exchange greeting and it felt so familiar at that point Petra almost sighed blissfully. If not for the next thrust.

"Nn!" Petra widened her eyes as the bed quivered underneath the man's strength. "Ha…hmm…" A sharp sensation of delight that fell upon her was so delicious that she could only whimper. She stole a quick glance at the man above her. With his obsidian locks glistening with sweat and his expressions still tender, she smiled, reaching out to cradle his face in the midst of all the sweet pleasure.

"Levi…do that again," she whispered shyly. The man above her raised an eyebrow and thrusted harder again. The bed frame protested as it collided with the wall. But Petra could not hear it. Only that overwhelming sensation and the roaring of the approaching climax.

Levi's pace started increasing and there was unevenness in it. Petra could only held on closer to him, legs wrapped even tighter around his waist. She was about to close her eyes when he buried his head into her shoulder, but not fast enough for her to miss the animalistic grunt. The sound sparked something in her and then it was over.

Everything exploded into colours and there was nothing but the heat of her core and the warmth that spread in her body to her fingertips.

Then, she felt something warm and sticky inside her as the man above her collapsed, joining her in her blissful heaven.

It was later when her eyelids were heavy with sleep and she was struggling to stay awake when she saw his figure raising from the bed. She panicked.

Don't go-!

But she could not find the strength in her to get up. Her eyes were really closing on their own accord despite her failing attempt to stay awake.

The last she heard was a-

"Petaa?"

"It is mummy," Petra corrected lightheartedly as she finished washing the toddler's utensils.

"Petaa, Petaa is gwoing out?"

"You will stay with grandpa today, okay?"

"Petaa is gwoing to fwind Levi?"

"Yes."

The toddler's cherry-coloured bottom lips stuck out. It quivered. Petra watched with almost amusement and sympathy as the toddler began spilling big fat tears.

"Mummy loves you. I will see you soon, okay?" Petra walked over to the little girl with dark hair tied in pigtails and landed a loving kiss on her forehead.

"I love Petaa too," the toddler was quick to wipe her tears and beamed. The bright smile warmed the gingerhead's hair.

"Petra, you are going to be late!" Her father hollered from the hallway. She sighed reluctantly.

"I am leaving, honey."

"Bwe savfe."

Petra's last glance of her daughter before she left home was imprinted in her head. It will be a long while before she saw the little girl again because the expedition could take more than 2 weeks.

"Welcome back!"

Those were the first few words she heard before she even set foot on the training ground. Petra smiled, placing the little girl's radiant smile into her heart and locking it.

"Thank you," she returned the grin from Hanji. The tall squad leader patted her on her back. "It is officially your first day back but I hope the trainings you did this past spring is still in your head."

"Tch, are you doubting my teaching?"

The women turned and Levi was standing there with Erwin. Petra casted a wary glance at the blonde man but he just smiled genuinely. All the weird gazes and looks he gave her were gone ever since-

She cannot exactly remember when. But it seemed that along with the bizarre experiences, Levi was back on talking term with the man which was a relief. There was a period the raven hair man refused and the Survey Corps was a mess. But now… the military fraction seemed to be doing better. The Royal Government was, surprisingly, giving the support and fund they needed for the recent expeditions. She also heard that younger children were enrolling into the military and the Survey Corps expect more manpower in the coming years…

"Welcome back."

She turned just as the warm summer wind breezed through her hair, causing the mass of honey locks to fall into her eyes. Just as the same time his mouth opened to form something she cannot decipher because of her partially blocked vision. She frowned, pushing her tresses away. "Pardon?"

She swore…she swore it was something similar to that night-

The way those lips part-

I am sorry…?

"Welcome back," his lips curled a little but the light did not reach his eyes. Petra hesitated. Ever since that night…even though it felt like a revelation for them but…why did the distance felt even greater than before…

But she knew she must continue on. There were promises she created for the man and him for her. And despite these seemingly insignificant issues, they had a common goal to not only defend humanity but also to create a happier and better future for that little girl at home.

She looked at him squarely in the eyes. Those eyes she love. This man she devoted her entire life to. This man who created this destiny with her.

She smiled. "I am back, Levi."

Me: Don't do this. Don't choose this ending.

Also me: Chose this ending.

To me, it is the most realistic ending because the dichotomy between the love for Petra and the responsibility for humanity is rigid for Levi.

That said, I hope you all enjoy the story and once again, thank you for your support. It is cherished.