Petra couldn't believe it! She just wanted to forget about embarrassing moment with Levi today, and there she is - she just bumpet into him.

"S-sorry Captain!" she said while saluting.

"Tch, Petra. Don't be so formal with me when we're alone. You didn't need to salute." said Levi.

"Y-yes s-sir!"

He was just about to leave when Petra stopped him.

"Wait! Can I ask you... something?" she asked.

"Go ahead."

"In a town, why were you so mad at Hanji-san?"

That caught him by surprise. He was nervous now.

"Well... I though she was probbably thinking that I have some feelings for you and that she was just about to yell about it."

Petra's heart broke in million pieces.

Why am I feeling like this? though Petra. I already reconciled with the fact he can't see me as something more than subordinate. Why does this hurt so much?

"But... why you were thinking it? You're my Captain and I'm your subordinate... That's all." said Petra.

It was now Levi's heart which broke. His chest tightened.

She doesn't love me... But it's good thing. I'm not good enought... I won't bind her to me.

"The hell I know. Just God knows what's inside her crazy head. She often misunderstands things and that causes many troubles."

"I see..."

"Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?"

"Actually yes. You... are really popular with girls?"

And there it is. The question he feared someone will ask him and of all people it has to be Petra. Just great.

"Don't pay much attention on it. Everytime we go to town, she keeps telling me that girls are looking at me and giggling. I bet that's not true because she knows to be pain in the ass just by knowing she'll annoy me."

"Oh." said Petra a little relieved.

"Why?"

"E-e! Because, well, I never tought you're... um, popular with girls... That you could actually love one of them..." she said last part quietly, but Levi heard her.

"Why? You think I'm not capable to love?" he said a bit irritated and deep inside, he was hurt.

"NO! It's nothing like that! I just... wasn't expecting it for you... Everyone told me you never was in relationship and you never show interest in women, so I..."

"So you tought I'm heartess and can't fell anything. It's alright, many people see me like that, but I didn't believe you could actually be one of them too" said Levi.

"Captain! I didn't mean it like that! I admire you more than everything here and I would never tought of you as heartless man! You care for us all and even if you don't want us to know than, you are so easy to read!" shouted Petra.

As she said that, she regreted it. No, no, no! I shouted at my commanding officer and said things like that right into his face! I could be kicked out of his squad or even Survey Corps! And on top of that I gave him a hint of my feelings! What have I done?

Levi was shocked with her sudden burst but unlike her, he didn't see it the was she did. Warm feeling bloosomed in his chest. But, but! He can't show that in front of her. She must stay away from him.

Levi put his angry mask on and walked towards Petra. As she saw that she tried to escape out of fear and embarrasement. Levi grabbed her hand and pinned her to the wall. He didn't want to do this but he must make her fear him. His facial features darkened as he got closer to her face. Petra's eyes widened in shock. She struggled.

"So. I'm easy to read, huh? Then you could easily figure out that I don't want anyone to put their noses in my life. What are you trying to do?"

"Sir... please let me go! I was trying to say that-"

"That's enought Ral! Don't talk to your superior like this EVER again."

"What's... gotten into you?" asked Petra. Her expression remained shocked but there wasn't fear anymore. Her eyes were full of worry and Levi almost gave up. He grabbed her jaw and squezzed tightly.

"Captain...!"

"Don't cross boundaries with me ever again. Understand?"

"I-I...wasn't..."

Levi squezed her jaw tighter.

"Hn...!"

"Answer my question, Ral" he said with a low voice.

"Y-yes sir..."

With that, Levi let Petra go, his eyes never leaving hers. They were still so close to eachother that they could hear another one's heartbeat. Levi backed away from her and glared.

"They're waiting for us."

"Al...alright." said Petra.

Levi took last glance of Petra and then started walking away. When Petra didn't take one single move, he turned his head.

"Move."

She flinched at his voice and rapidly leaned off the wall and folowed him. She was on the edge of tears, but couldn't show it. She must stay strong.

Just what happened to him?

With higher ups and the rest of Squad Levi:

"Sheesh, where's Petra? We can't even start our meeting. Lazy brat." said Auruo with his arms crossed.

They were sitting on the largest table in the room. There were six of them for now including Erwin, Hanji, Mike, Auruo, Eld and Gunter. Obviosly, just Levi and Petra were missing.

"What was that, Auruo?" asked Eld. "Captain is missing too."

"Well, Petra is not allowed to be late like this, you know."

"Geez, Auruo! Can you just be patient? Calm down already." said Gunter.

"Tch!" said Auruo and fixed his cravat. That reminded him of a scene he saw not too long ago. He had a bad feeling and a cold sweat obliged him. All four of them were in Levi's squad for 3 years now, but he was with Petra longer because they were in the same Training Corps. He started falling for her, but never had the courage to confess. However, it seemed like Petra started to admire their Captain too much for his liking. In the end, she got a crush on him which he figured out eventually! Great. So the first idea that crossed his mind was to imitate Levi to earn Petra's attention and it worked in some way. She started scolding him for imitating Captain Levi and kept arguing with him over little things. They were acting just like an old married couple and of course, he liked it. He kept teasing her that she is like his wife like in good old times and they would laught together at his lame jokes sometimes.

She'll see that I'm way better than that emotionless Captain. I would be damned if he ever felt love in his life with such a manner that no one wants for a man. He tought, but today events shook all of his teories. He saw Levi's angry expression while trying to choke Hanji and Petra blushing and holding his hand. Maybe Captain didn't have anything with what he believed at first sight, but Petra did.

"Auruo, are you alright? You look pale?" asked Erwin.

"Ah, yes, I'm alright, sir! No need to worry."

Erwin just nodded and put his fingers together in front of his face. In that moment door creaked open revealing Levi and Petra behind him.

"Sorry for making you wait." said Levi.

Eld, Gunter and Auruo saluted to their Captain. He just gave them a nod and they sat.

"I'm really sorry Commander, Squad leader Hanji." said Petra apologeticaly.

"It's ok. Everything that matters is that everyone is gathered and now we can discu-"

"Say Levi. What's the cause of your delay, hm?" Hanji said as wide smile appeared on her face.

"That's not your business." Levi answered calmly.

"Ooohoohoo! So you don't want to say? I wonder whyy?" she suddenly looked at Petra. "Do you have some idea Petra?"

Petra tried to not blush but failed. "N-no. How could I possibly know, Hanji-san?"

"Well then..." she looked at Levi again "... a heavily making out session, perhaps?"

Petra was now blushing pretty hard and in front of everyone! She opened her mouth to say something when Hanji shouted.

"Hahahaa! Look at her! She's blushing!"

"Shut your mouth and don't involve you dirty mind in this conversation. You're wasting a lot of time of our lives with your nonsense." said Levi coldly.

"Phew! Don't be an ass Levi!"

"Hanji. Please calm yourelf for once." said Erwin srprisingly calm.

"Alright, alright, if I must, but know this you two" she said pointing at Levi and Petra, "this meeting will end and after tha-"

"AS you already know, we're here to discuss upcoming expedition." Erwin started, "It will be next month because we don't have enought resources for this month. Our goal is to retake wall Maria and on this expedition, we'll make our way throught the gates of Trost District to nearest town of wall Maria."

"Can I ask you a question, sir?" asked Eld.

"Of course."

"Wouldn't it be more logical to go from Karanes district? There aren't many Titans and there's one village with castle near it. It would be more strategic to make the base there" said Eld with full concern.

"Because if we succeed in taking that town, it will be more strategic than castle. When we're in town, there's more room for vertical maneuvering and we can inform faster and kill Titans easier" explained Levi.

Eld thought over what Captain said. "But how are we supposed to do that? There are plenty of Titans in that area and great number of soldiers will lose their lives."

Erwin sighed. "I understand what you're thinking. We need to make a plan to avoid that, so it's very important for you all to listen what I'll say."

.

.

.

When meeting was over after two hours, everyone were making their ways to rooms. Petra was just about to exit when Hanji called after her.

"Petra, can you come here for a second?"

"Of course."

Petra crossed a short distance from the door to the table. Hanji gave her some papers.

"Can you please give this to Levi? That little man sneaked away so fast that I didn't have time to call after him" said Hanji with a grin.

Petra smiled at that. "No problem". It IS a problem! After what happened before meeting, she was worried that their relationship is going to be different from now on. She didn't want it to happen.

"I guess we can call it a day. See you soon, Petra!"said Hanji and left the room.

Petra was now left alone with her toughts. She turned on her heels and walked towards Levi's room. As she was in front of the doors, sho took a big breath.

I can do this! Just stay calm, Petra.

She knocked on the door. Nothing. She repeated. Still nothing. She then took the door handle and opened the door.

"Captain? Are you here?" she asked and looked inside.

She glanced towards his desk and saw Levi in his char, sleeping. She quietly closed the door and approached him. She put her papers on his desk and looked at him. He was so calm and relaxed while sleeping. His facial features were soft and his breathing so calm. She could'n help but smile. He definitely wasn't himself today, so he must take a proper rest. She went to his bed and took blanked in her hands. She carefully covered him with it and glanced at his face again. He was still asleep. When she was looking at him like this, she wanted to hug him, to show him how much she love him. But that will never happen, she decided. A single tear rolled down her cheek which she quickly wiped out. She put a sad smile on her face and gently touched Levi's hand.

"I'm sorry Captain, for feeling this way." she said quietly and exited his room.

When she got inside her room, she leaned her back at the door and let herself slide down until she was sitting on the floor. Tears started to fall from her eyes and she couldn't resist anymore. She cried and held her hands on her heart. She cried for the loved one she'll never tell her feelings to and her heart that'll never stop loving him. She cried because of life she'll never have, a life full of happines and love...