After all the shit that happened yesterday, you're absolutely sure that you won't find any peaceful sleep, but thank god, Erwin came to comfort you. He finally told you what's going on with that crazy woman Petra. You're prepared for the worst when he started his explanation, but nothing could prepare you for the things he told you. You listened silently while taking in all the horrible details from Levi's past, while coming to realize that he's said all these mean things to protect you and to make sure you won't end like his other girl, felt like a knife in your heart, but this proofs as well that Levi still doesn't know you and the way you think and live. You've been through a lot during the last years and gained yourself a thick coat against bullying. Dead animals in packages? Threats over phone and letters? Bloody messages on the apartment door? For a woman that possessive and who claims Levi as her own, she's quite unimaginative. Things like that won't affect you. If she starts this silly stuff, you'll probably just shrug your shoulders and not give a damn about it. Petra definitely needs tougher guns to make you stay away from Lev and now that you know that Levi lied when he said that you should part, even for the sake of your safety, you're eager to talk some sense into him very, VERY loud.

But first there's this pest named Petra, who's still lurking somewhere out there. You can't just sit around and wait for her to start her cruel jokes. If you want to get rid of her, or at least to make sure that you're made from stronger stuff than her other victims, you'll have to have a plan as soon as possible but thinking with a rumbling stomach is counter productive. Laying in bed, pretending to be asleep, isn't helping either. Even if it's so cozy and warm right now, tightly cuddled up against Erwin's chest while you feel his breath running through your hair. You're more than thankful that he came yesterday, so thankful, that words aren't enough to describe it but maybe a good breakfast can. You try carefully to struggle free from his tight embrace, and when you're almost done, he groaned deep and loud, stretching his arms above his head and rubbing his sleepy eyes. He looks really cute with his messy morning hair and his stubble. Just like a dream that suddenly became reality.

"Morning Mr. Tall and Handsome. Slept well?" You greeted him with a smile as his eyes tried to get comfortable with this unusual situation. It seems he's forgotten that you asked him to stay here overnight. After a few blinks, while staring at your laying figure in his arms, he finally reacted to your voice.

"Good morning sweetness. I slept very well, thank you and the welcoming right now was even more wonderful. I never slept so long before. What time is it?" He asked while he kept close and intense eye contact with you.

"Its almost 10 am. You slept like a rock, my dear. Seems you really needed that." There's no other explanation. Erwin is an early bird and usually wakes up around 6 am or even earlier. That he slept until now proves that you have the same effect on him as on Levi. It's fascinating how just a simple act like laying beside someone can make that person relax that much. Erwin moves his hand, that formerly rested on your waist, up to your face, gently fondling through your hair and cupping your cheek afterward, stroking it with his thumb.

"You're right. I needed that. But what I need now, more than anything..." he broke his sentence to lean in your direction, until your faces almost touch. He's coming too close!

"I could use some food right now." He continued with a mischievous smile. You sigh in relief and drop your head in the pillow before you gave him a playful slap on his chest.

"You're mean, you know that?"

"Yep. I know butt you're fun to tease." He retorted with a grin. At least he's back to his former self as well. Maybe he can tell you more about Petra later. You want to know everything about her. Any little detail is important. Even if it's just her favorite color.

"If you want, you can take a shower, Erwin. I showered yesterday before bedtime. I'll prepare breakfast in the meantime."

"Sounds great, sweetness. That's an offer I'm not going to turn down!" Erwin nearly jumps out of the bed with new awoken strength and happiness and immediately left for the bathroom, swaying his hips to an imaginary rhythm. That dork with his fine and firm ass...He's such a mean and sexy tease, but you love him for it. He can always make you laugh, no matter how sad you are. After he disappeared around the corner, the sound of raining water echoed through the closed bathroom door. Since Erwin is busy with himself now, you quickly dress up in a pair of jeans and a simple black sweater before you prepare a meal for two.

Erwin finished showering after ten minutes and around that time, you're done with preparing breakfast as well. You made coffee for him and tea for yourself, poached scrambled eggs and freshly baked buns. Erwin tried several times to tease you and to make stupid jokes, but he gave up on that pretty soon when he realized your frown and mournful face. You didn't mean to make him worry, but your mind is smothering in thousands of thoughts about Petra and how to get rid of her. Breakfast was mostly silent, just a few kind phrases from Erwin about your great cooking skills. They're flattering and you couldn't hide your blushing cheeks, but these nice words lasted just for a few minutes before your mind returned to Petra. She isn't even around, yet, she's bugging the hell out of you. What can you do to make her go away for good? Just standing before her and endure her humiliating won't do it. Neither talking back to her the same way she did. After breakfast was finished, Erwin helped you doing the dishes while you kept your silence, even if your mind screamed loud enough to command an entire regiment.

"What's on your mind, sweetness? I can hear the engine running from over here. What's bugging you?" He asked suddenly, and as always, he hit the nail on the head, with his damn ability to read people's minds and emotions. For him, you're an open book to read. His observant and caring attitude has its benefits, there's no doubt about that, but it can also be very annoying when you want to plan something that no other human being should know about.

"I'm thinking about Petra. why she's acting the way she is. This morbid jealousy must have a reason. If she'd just spend one night with Levi, why is she so attached to him? What did he promise her?" You asked with a sigh. This is a riddle you have to solve quickly. No matter what.

"As far as I know, Levi didn't make any promises to her. They got along first, had a few interests in common and after a drunk night, they ended in bed, end of the story. The reason why she's doing this...I can't tell you, to be honest. Maybe she was terribly abused or injured in her past, just like you. That or it's a mental illness. No matter how good I am at reading people, I can't look beyond their foreheads to see what cranky thoughts they're hiding from the rest of the world. Not every person is as easy to read as you." He explained jokingly. He surely hoped you would drop this topic, but he's dead wrong. You're just warming up!

"If anyone know's what's going on in other people's minds, then it's you, Erwin. Can you remember her acting like this every time she caught Levi with another woman or does Petra have any routines in her behavior?" It seems you finally found the right questions to ask! Erwin's eyes suddenly widened from surprise as he folds his arms before his chest to think further about what you just asked. A few moments of silence passed while Erwin just stood there, his hip leaned against the sink and his eyes closed to focus on his own thoughts.

"Now that you mention it; the more I think about it and her behavior, I really can recognize a routine in her acting. She always started with getting closer to the woman she wanted to chase away before she got rougher and more violent. Like, following her victim at a safe distance. With the years, Petra became a master in this kind of things and she might be able to follow even Levi without getting noticed. It's really scary If I think about it. Just imagine...being watched from afar without knowing it. Erwin mused while still leaning against the sink, rubbing his face with one hand. You listened silently and nodded several times. So it's just as you thought. She acts like a regular stalker would do. You saw this so often on TV in much different crime series that it doesn't even surprise you. To be honest: This newly gained knowledge is much to your advantage. Now that you know that Petra's following a routine, you can start to make a plan. If she follows her victims to know where they go and where they live, who says that she doesn't already know where you live? You can't be sure...

"Why do you even ask Nina? Are you up to something?" Erwins baby blue eyes search for yours, the worry in his voice unmistakable. Now you have to be careful. You don't want to make him worry about you even more. Not to mention Levi. He would freak out if he should find out what you're up to and you get hurt because of this. Not that he already hurt you even more than Petra could ever do, but still. You put on your poker-face and look directly in Erwin's eyes.

"No. I'm not up to anything. I just wanted to know. It's always better to know your enemy, to be prepared, you know? You as an ex-soldier and commander should understand the best. If I have to lock my door or park my car in the backyard and stuff." You didn't lie to him in the end. This is also part of your new actions to be prepared for Petra. Erwin nodded and sighed in relief as if he's happy to hear that you don't plan stupid things. How wrong he is... But if you would tell him, he sure won't let you out of his sight and that's the least you want. You need help. Reliable help and not more unnecessary protection. You're sick and tired of this! You're not a little child that needs to be taken by the hand to walk across the street. You are a grown-up woman, you've been through a lot of shit during your life. ALONE. You don't want to be protected like this. You want to do something to end this shit so that they don't have to protect you at all but neither Erwin nor Levi is helping right now so you need to ask someone else. Someone who isn't afraid, someone who is clever and has a good sense of discretion but before you think too much about this, you better stop and finish the chores with Erwin. It's too dangerous to think about this when he's around. This man is just too clever and too observant. Must be the Commander in him. You finished the rest of the dishes in silence. You didn't ask Erwin further about Petra and it seems he doesn't want to talk about it either. It doesn't matter, though. You know enough to provide a plan.

"Thank you so much for your help, Erwin. Not just because of the dishes, but also for...you know. Yesterday." You mumbled under your nose. The last day really left a terrible scar and thinking back to the happenings still makes your stomach go crazy. Erwin shakes his head as he comes, putting his hands on your shoulders before he pulls you in a warm and tight embrace, which you willingly return.

"No need to thank me for things that are natural. That's what friends are for, right? After all, it turned out to be good for me as well. Since I had the chance to sleep with you in one bed." He disclosed with a chuckle. He's right. You were so desperate that you just needed someone to keep you company. And since Erwin is your closest friends now, it was clear that he had to be the one to make this "sacrifice" but it wasn't so bad. He was so caring and kind yesterday and, like he's always promising, he didn't do anything against your will. That's why he's receiving your complete and utmost confidence and trust.

"But you deserve my gratitude anyway. So...Thank you. Again."

"No big deal, sweetness. You know, I'll be always there for you. If you ever should've trouble or problems, no matter what, you can always come to me. My chest is all yours then." He disclosed with a wink. Your face burns up from his little gesture and you had to pull away from him for not getting distracted too much.

"I will come back to that in time Erwin but for now, my demand for broad chests is fulfilled." You joked back and his response was a quick ruffle through your hair. Actually, you hate it when someone touches your hair. Levi is the only exception...But since Erwin proved himself to be a very cute, nice, kind and sometimes sexy dork, more than once, you can make an exception for him too.

"So honey. Do you need help with anything else? Is there something I can do for you? Keep your company or make some errands? Or should I take you home with me? To face Levi?" Erwin asked while you two leave the kitchen into the hall.

"Actually...No. You helped me enough already. Now it's your time to get some rest from me. You're dismissed." You giggle while patting his shoulder. "I'll call you if I should need something. And I don't want to face Levi yet. After all the mean things he said to me, I want him to suffer on this as well. It's my kind of revenge on him. I will keep on pretending that I don't want to see him for an unknown time. It's cruel, I know but he deserves it." You explained with confidence. Erwin's face took a puzzled expression, hearing such words when you talk about Levi but he seems to see it the same way since he didn't disagree with you.

"Alright then, sweetness. I can leave you alone then? Without you making something stupid? Should I talk with Levi about the things we shared yesterday? He sure wants to know where I was and what happened."

"You can tell him if you want but please don't say that I'm already over my terrible shock. Tell him a little lie if necessary. As I said before: I want him to suffer as well for being such a stubborn asshole." With a sigh, Erwin dresses up in his jacket and shoes.

"Okay honey. I guess I can tell him enough to make him believe that you're an emotional wreck right now. Is that to your satisfaction?" He mused with a slight frown. You would lie if you tell that it feels right to do this to Levi but it's give and take in a working relationship, and now, you will give Levi something to chew on for his stupid behavior.

"Yes it is. Thank you again. I'll call you when I make up my mind about this. Until then, I'll see you tomorrow at training." With a last kiss on his cheek, you wish Erwin goodbye and once the door clicked in the frame and his heavy steps echo through the large staircase, you feel a sudden emptiness inside you, as your apartment abruptly feels so much colder that it's almost scary but you have to stay focused now more than ever! You have a plan in your mind how to get rid of Petra and you will make it become reality! The earlier, the better, but first, you have to visit the doctor to check your wound. It stings and you feel your own pulse in it. Hopefully, the stitches will be removed in a few days. After dressing up to leave as well, you walk on foot, since the doctor isn't that far away. You remembered what Erwin told you earlier, about Petra's routine and that she follows her victims to know about their behaviors and habits. It's a scaring thought. Maybe she's already somewhere behind you. She could hide behind a tree or a trash can. Or maybe she is in disguise. A stalker can get really creative when it comes to observing his prey. But you have to remain cool. Petra doesn't know that you know. The day isn't over yet and when everything will go the way you planned, she will be out of your life by the beginning of the night.