The scouts left the wall at 9am and it was a pretty much smooth ride for the past 6 hours for them, at least for an expedition standard. They weren't too many casualties. Apparently Hanji's Theory about Titans who didn't go too active running in cold weather helped them so much to secure the path and secure a building inside the forest for their next base for next year. 

All squad finally arrived on the base inside the forest on 3pmEvery squad spesific task was to protect the logistics while they  building a temporary fence 2km radius around the base area. But the whole forest area must be cleared for the best, While some other were tasked to clear the path and marked it so that it wouldn't completely dissapear when the snow falls.

And so this task also applied to Levi's squad. Even though the titans didn't go too active at running, but they still became a theat once they see the humans near them and the amount were still dangerous , So all of them scattered around the forest to kill as many as possible for the past hours. 

3 hours had passed since they flew around the forest, All of the members killed quite many , So far they sololy killed 5 for Petra, Auruo 8, Eld 7, Gunther 6, and countless group kills. And of course Levi killed more than any of them. But they began to feel tired with all of the intense kills and wondered when will they retreat. But titans still could be seen around their perimeter.

"Are the logistics not done yet ?" Eld wondered while changing his blades on the tree trunk

"Dunno , It's still quite packed around here, they keep fucking coming" Auruo cursed

"Geezz..i almost ran out of my gas though" Gunther mumbled

They boys were all panting heavily due to exhaustion , but Levi kept killing the titans around a bit far from their position non stop.

"Seems like captain enjoyed himself too much huh, he is such a beast, he didn't even sweat a bit like us haha..." Eld laughed.

Petra soon joined them and landed on the branch panting too.

"...Other squad ...said that we should be done in few more minutes, I'll go tell the logistics behind kay" Then she flew back 

"Okay, be careful" Gunther replied.

When she left. Levi finally stopped and approached them 

"...tch..I didn't realize i almost ran out my gas" Levi grunted

"Hahaha you enjoyed yourself too much captain, Mine ran out too" Gunther added

"Where is Petra by the way ?" Levi asked 

"Uh she went to tell the logistics behind, She said that we would be called to retreat to the base in few more minutes"

"Alright, I'll go with gunther to the base direction and do last checking on the rear, You both stay here a little longer until the retreat smoke shots , are we clear ?" He commanded

"Yes Sir" both Auruo and Eld replied and lauched back to kill more titans. While Levi and Gunther part ways to the base the same direction Petra went off.

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Since the area was already cleared before so she hadn't met any titan again. But that didn't  lowered her guard as she looked around carefully while maneuvering. However, there was a sense of uneasy she felt but it didn't come from the situation she was in. She wondered if her father was doing his surgery at the moment since it was almost sunset.

"Has he done his surgery by now? Is it a success? He will get better right?"  Those thoughts finally got the better of her when she felt like a needle suddenly stuck inside her chest 

"What is this feeling....?"

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She didn't expect the next thing that approached her. A Titan mouth was wide open beside of her out of nowhere hiding between the trees ready to eat her by any second. Her eyes wide open in shock she didn't get enough time to even scream.

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"PETRAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 

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The next thing she saw was a fade black 

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 His heart skipped so many beats when he saw her almost got eaten, adrenaline rushed through his veins as he lauched himself so fast like a bolt to her direction hoping that he wasn't too late.

He managed to pull her hard just a miliseconds earlier before those big jaws ate her whole. Gunther managed to slice the nape after that. But what Levi didn't expect was the fact that his gas ran out just as he catched her. They both fell free forward at such a huge force hard on the ground.

His strong arm covered her head on his chest hope that it would at least protect her from the hard impact they got. They rolled quite much when they crashed the ground. Levi did his best not to lose her from his arms.

Finally they stopped rolling with Petra was above of him. He was sure that his shoulder got dislocated somehowand finaly put his arms away from her, as she tried to woke up again from her sudden blackout only to realize that her captain's face was so near underneath her.

"He...hei..heichou...! Oh my god...you alright...?" She was red but worried at the same time and got off from him 

The pained one finally opened his eyes and grunted.

"...fuck....Petra...why you dozed out like that..." He tried to wake up but his shoulder betrayed him "agh..!" 

"Is something wrong with your shoulder..? Oh my god..I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." She helped him to sit back again soon she was filled with tears 

"I think its broken..or dislocated...ugh.." He couldn't hide his pained face and kept holding on his right shoulder.

"Let me see it first.." She demanded , but he shrugged off 

"For god sake Petra, we can do that later, we need to go to the fucking base first. Oi Gunther! Help me here!" He sounded angry

Soon Gunther approached him and helped him by putting Levi's arm on him. But apparently Gunther's height was too much for him to handle as he struggled to rest his other arm on him.

"Please...let my carry you heichou...." Petra finally spoke as he got no other choice but to agree.

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Gunther kept securing their path with his maneuver gear while Petra helped Levi back to base. They didn't talk the whole way as she felt a huge tense around them. She could even feel his rage next to her. She felt so terrible than ever..

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Night came as all the scouts finally rest inside the base while some others keep patroling outside. All of them going to spend the night there before leaving in the morning back to Karaneth district again.

Petra was actually the medic one in the squad but Levi refused to be treated by her as he chose the scouts medics over her. Petra only got some scrathes from the previous tragedy, so she was still asked to patrol on the roof when she saw him finally there sitting on the roof.

"Heichou....you are injured...you don't have to join the patrol..."  She approached him.

"I'm very well aware of that. But that doesn't mean i cannot fking sit here , Am I ?"

 He didn't look at her. It was obvious that he was still mad at her. But she didn't stop right there. Instead she brace herself to sit right next to him.

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"I see your shoulder got bandaged, so it's just a dislocation right...?" She tried to crack the ice but he didn't answer. She looked down.

"I'm Sorry...heichou...It's all my fault for not focusing on my way...." Her voice cracked.

"You could almost fucking died..Petra..."

"I know....."

"What if I wasn't there...? You won't be able to see your father again then if you end up as titan's food.. for christ sake that was dumb mistake Petra!" He finally let it all go

For a moment their eyes met, The teary honey colored eyes met the steel grey burning with rage one. Then she turned her gaze away

"About that.... Actually i had a sudden bad feelings right before that titan appeard out of no where... Like, a strike of pain just hit me so sudden that didn't come from the titan or anything like that..." She hugged her knees

"W..what you mean..?"

"I don't know...I think i was just distracted by the thoughts of my father... He must have done with his surgery by now.. I just feel like I need to go home as soon as possible... I'm sorry.."

Right. He almost forgot the things about her father. She must be distracted all the way long, He realized that he was being such a jerk at her now and tried to calm himself.

"...well..you shouldn't be distracted again tomorrow if you want to see him again right...?" He tried to assure her. She met his gaze again 

"Right...Thankyou captain...I won't repeat that mistake again!" She smiled while saluted at him.

He wondered how can she turned from sad face into the smiley one like he saw right then. He just glad that she was still with him.

"I Wonder when the snow will fell this year...I cannot wait for that" Petra looked up to the sky

"You like winter..?" The raven haired asked her

"Yes of course, who doesn't ?" 

"I don't.."

"Ehhhh... whhyyy ???"

"I got sneezes more often.."

"Hahaha Why you are up here then, it's freezing captain you might catch a cold soon!"

"You too then"

"I have patrol duty to do or else I'll get a suspension for not doing the work, Levi Heichou~~ Now please just go inside so I can do my work" She teased him. He loves the way she always pronounce his name like that with his tittle. He felt himself about to smirk but he prevented it.

"Alright..if you say so.." 

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The following morning, All of the scouts prepared themself for the journey back to Wall Rose again. The base is now secured all around as they sealed the gate to make sure that Titan won't get across the line. Even thought the fences were all just strong wood but it gave enough protection for the building to stand for another years ahead.

Levi struggled to get on his horse with his broken shoulder. But soon Eld helped him.

"Heichou, you are not in good shape to ride the horse.. Please just take the wagon" Eld

"I'm fine.. at least i won't be able to get in combat.. There are far more injured soldiers than me who deserve the wagon more.. I'm counting on you Eld"

"As you wish Sirt" He saluted.

"Now now, We have a birthday party to catch up right ?" Gunther exclaimed

"W-w--what ?! Why would you use that reason " The ginger one got embarassed

"Oh come on honey, you deserve a treat after this" Auruo approached her face close

"S T O P   C A L L I N G   M E    L I K E   T H A T" She puched him lightly on the face 

They rest of the boys were laughing at the scene.

"It's time guys. Be focus at lets survive !" Levi broke their laughter as the sound flare be heard as a sign to advance.

"YES SIR !!!"

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The ride way back was a rougher than before as fallen soldiers kept increasing the casualties number and packed the deceased and injured wagons. But the commander's long distance expedition strategy wasn't a big failure at all.

They finally arrived in Karaneth at 3 pm in the afternoon, just the same 6 hours ride like the previous day. All the member of Levi squad were alive and well. He was very proud at each every one of them as they proved that they are all worth to be under his command. 

The gate finally closed behind them as the citizens packed the road on the left and right. As usual some of the citizens are the family of the soldiers, some of them just there to watch the gloomy face of the injured soldiers and cursed at them for eating up their taxes and such. There were also children who looked at them in awe from a far. Despite the casualties, Erwin Smith declared that it wasn't a pointless expedition and began to console the grieving family one by one.

Petra approached Levi's horse.

"Heichou.. I need permission to go to my house and checking up my dad. I'll come back at 7"

"Permission granted. You can just come back tomorrow morning though if you want.."

"...Well I bet the boys won't like it if i be gone at my birthday this midnight haha.. Eld already cursing me hahaha...." She laughed nervously

His eyes went gentler at her

"Alright then..Send my greetings to your father then.. I hope he is well now"

"Thankyou Heichou, see you later" She wave and went out from the formation 

"Heichou, Where is Petra going ?" Gunther asked

"To her house, you can if you want too. Just be back before midnight"

"Really ? Thank you !! You are the best" Eld exclaimed in pure joy , sure he was the happiest since he got a chance to go see his fiancee for awhile before returning to the HQ. So with the others with their own family. 

Sometimes He forgot that all of them came from the same district of Karaneth. And how lonely he felt when they left him alone. But he know that they all deserve it. Soon he joined with the other squad leaders to the HQ.

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It was 8 pm, All of them already returned to the HQ except Petra. They used the opportunity to actually prepared dinner and birthday cake for the only girl in the squad. Eld in charge of the dinner, Gunther in charge of the cake, Auruo in charge of the decoration and Hanji volunteered to help wrapping the presents. Meanwhile Levi bought some new wine for them to celebrate the night before Petra's birthday on the midnight and decorated the table. 

Everything was finally ready at 9 pm while all of them were sitting on the dining hall waiting for the strawberry blonde one to enter the door. But she didn't come yet. Levi felt a bit worry about her being late as she promised to be back 2 hours ago.

"Did something happen to her..? Or..Did something happen to her father...?" 

The shorter man suddenly stood up and wore his coat. 

"I'll look for her you guys stay here in case she comes" Soon he dashed out the room.

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He finally arrived at Karaneth and franticly went to Petra's house direction with his horse. He found it strange that her house lights were not on at all. He quickly approached the door only to find that the door wasn't locked at all. Panic began to overwhelmed him as his heart beated faster when he opened the door carefully.

"Excuse me.... Petra.....?" Even no candles light up inside the whole room

He scanned the room around but he didn't find anyone. As much as he want to light up the candles , he just didn't know where it is and it wasn't the right time for that either. He needed to make sure that somebody is here. He picked out his small pocket knife from his coat. 

After securing the living room, he knew that the room he hadn't look was Petra father's bedroom. He carefully opened the room.

"Petra...?"

*Clang*  His knife hit the floor and so with his body as he finally found the petite woman lying on the floor. 

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"Petra...?...Petra can you hear me....?.. Petra..!" He tried to shake her off as she finally came back to her senses and sat infront of him.

"H...h...hei..chou...." Her voice cracked. Her hair was a mess. Her eyes were red and puffy.. as if she just cried a lot....

"W...wh..at happened..?" He carefully asked her from closer distance

Her jaw chattered so bad whenever she tried to speak again. And so with her shoulders. Tears began to be seen again on her eyes. The moonlight was the only light he got to be able to see her in such a broken state.

"...Pa..pa....my fath..er....He....he...." Her body trembled violently as she looked down 

Knowing what coming up next, he pulled her face onto his chest 

"He died.......the surgery ..di..din't..work..at all..... Papa...died...." The next thing he heard were all tears and wails that came from her. She gripped his coat tightly not losing him. 

"You even went far to actually help us with the money....but...but..he...he didn't make it....."

"I couldn't even see his face again....the neighbor said that...it..was..already...burnt...."

".......Mama left me......now....Papa left me too........It hurts......why is everyone leaving...?!!"

It was unbearable to hear her cries. She cried so hard that he could even feel his shirt gone wet with her tears. He hold her tight giving her the time she needed. He just silently listened to her grief. And he felt the same grief too. He understood that pain she felt. It just reminded him to the day when his mother died just right when he came back home. Really, he understand her.

They keep their position like that for like almost an hour as she finally calmed herself and began to let go his embrace.

"ugh...I'm sorry...I ruined..your shirt.."She tried to wipe away her runny nose , The Raven man gave her his handkerchief and she began to clean herself.

"I'm sorry...I'll be back...." She stood up and went to the bathroom to wash herself up

He didn't say a word knowing that it wasn't the right time yet. Soon he stood up. He saw bunch of flowers on top of the bed. It was probably from their neighbors. It made him sadder knowing that he never actually got any flower for his mother when she died on the bed. Part of him broken too.

He picked up his knife again and went to the kitchen to find some candles but he couldn't find any. 

"The candles are here..." Petra went out from the bathroom still in her uniform and took out the candles and lighters from the drawer near the fireplace.

Soon he helped her to lit up the room. He wondered how long she has been inside the bedroom since she got into the house this afternoon. Like..more than 6 hours ago.

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"The others must be waiting for me......can you tell them that I'll come this morning...?"

"Sure..." He finally spoke.

"I'm going to take a shower....Heichou..you don't have to wait for me..you can come back.. the others must be worried..."

"Are you sure you alright then..?"

"Yes...I just need to clean up the house a bit... I'll be back this morning" She gave him her gentle smile.

"Alright then...I'll be leaving now" He went to the door, glancing at her for another second and opened the door.

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The cold air was unbearable as he finally on his way to the inner wall again. The town bell suddenly rang as it was a sign that the midnight has finally come. He looked up the sky and suddenly felt some white drops falling from the sky.

The first snow finally fell. And soon he remembered that it was Petra's birthday too.

Everyone went out from their house to actually feel the first snow closer. Some children cheered, young couples embraced each others, the elders sitting on their balcony. Despite the cold air, the sky was so clear and made the stars so visible. The new moon somehow bright enough to give the magical atmosphere around the town. 

He stopped his track when suddenly he found a strore that attracted him.

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Petra looked at the mirror and began to dry her hair. She did boil some water first right after he captain left the house since it was such a cold night. She also had changed to her long nightgown and left the bathroom and check the fireplace when she suddenly realized that the first snow she was waiting for finally come.

She gaze out the window for quiet a long time. Strangely she felt lighter than before. It was like she finally be able to let go of her father. The thoughts that Her Father can rest well not suffering again from his illness and met her mother up there somehow made her happy.

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"The snow is beautiful.."

The voice startled her to death as she jumped in shocked and looked at the voice source.

"Oh my god...you startled me.....Why you come back again Heichou...?" She approached him that turned out to be at her kitchen with just ready coffee on mugs and a strange box on the dining table.

"Just come and sit here.." He told her gently

She obeyed him and sat across the small dining table. She felt really embarassed as she only on her nightgown and still wet messy hair. She tried her best to brush her hair with her fingers. He found it amusing to watch her nervous like that. 

He handle her the coffee he just made from her kitchen 

"You got nice coffee here, won't you bring some later to the HQ..?" He asked casually

"uh...um...sure..I'll take it..."

"Don't be too nervous...you make me feel uncomfortable.." He gaze at her with such a bored face

"Excuse me ...?" She questioned him rightaway. Somehow she was sure that he chuckled rightaway. She never really seen him laugh nor smile. Was she halucinating ? 

"...please..just open the box.." He tried his best to cover his mouth while saying it. She opened the box

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It turned out to be a small decent size strawberry sponge cake with candles on top of it. She was really surprised to be actually got a cake , directly from her own captain who actually never gave her any presents other than greetings these past few years as a squad together. 

Her surprised expression was priceless for him. He really wanted to smile but he couldn't. 

"Happy Birthday , Petra.." He finally said the words

She felt her eyes getting watery again when their eyes finally met again. The cake, the falling snow, the warmth from the fireplace, and his presence was everything that she could ask for at least at that moment. 

"You'll get the bigger one back in the HQ by Gunther though.... Sorry.. I can only give you this.."

"No...no no...it's...perfect..Heichou...I never expect you to do this stuffs..."

"I'm even surprised myself though...So.. you feel a bit better now..? I understand you not.. but its the least i can help..but...yeah..." He felt his face somehow warmed up

"Thankyou...I'm really gratefull.... I wish papa was here too..."

"I'm sure he rest well now...You know that.."

"Yeah...Mama would be happy though.. I should be happy for both of them too" She smiled gently again while gazing out the window.

"Petra" "Heichou" They suddenly spoke at the same time. 

His eyes met her again. The lights from the fireplace somehow reflected on her fiery eyes.  And for some reason they felt some kind of strange feeling growing inside of them as if they could hear the beating of their heart getting louder and louder again on their ears.

The next thing she didn't expect was his hand holding hers as he began to get closer towards her. And soon his hand went up to her chin just right near her lips. She wavered at first but finally accepting him.

Realizing whats coming up next. She closed her eyes as her lips finally met his. 

Another tear fell down again as they began to seal their kiss 

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Petra always love the day where the first snow falls.

And Winter never be too cold ever again since then... 

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Thats it guys ^^ this is another fic that i really love myself, and hope that you love it too~~ Don't forget to share this to your fellow Rivetra Shippers out there and tell them about my fics ^^ Thankyouuu and please keep looking foward for me <3 <3 <3