All this years of knowing her, he knew what he felt. All this time he kept it to himself because he thought he's not the right man for her. He barely knows how to say those words. There are many things he wants to say, but he knew he couldn't. Coward, maybe he is. Or a martyr who's fate is to watch his loved one from afar, with hope she'll be happy and for him the biggest treasure to know she's found better life because of his sacrifice.

56th expedition beyond the walls. As Commander Erwin and his fellows decided, they're going to pass through the gate of Trost. Many buildings are great opportunity to use the gear more than an open field.

Everything was ready. Soliders got up early, getting themselves ready for another battle of Humanity and Titans. Squads prepared themselves and Squad Leaders gathered them together in different formations.

Auruo glanced behind him at Petra who gave him reassuring smile. He smiled back and focused on the gate that was openening. As it was slow, he got time to sum up memories of his talk with Petra.

"Petra."

Petra was just grooming her horse's mane when Auruo called her. She gave him a side glance and smiled.

"Yes?"

Petra's smile dropped as she saw her friend's serious face. She stopped grooming her horse and now fully faced him.

"What's wrong?"

"I... have something to tell you," he said.

"What is it?" Petra asked, a little taken back by Auruo's weird behavior. It's another expedition outside the Walls, she knew, but he's never been this nervous, let alone speak with her.

"I... I'm afraid something will happen and... if it do, to me or God forbid to you, then... I want you to know... I..." he said and locked his eyes with hers. His palms were sweating and he swallowed, like his own throat became so tight, just to prevent him from telling this words.

"You what?" Petra asked slowly.

"I... will do anything to protect you. You are very special to me... All of you are. I don't want my comrades to end up being eaten today. Not today nor anytime."

A feeling of endless symphaty was what Petra was feeling towards Auruo. She approached him and gave him a hug. He was a precious comrade and what's more important - a dear friend. The words he's said emboldened her very much. 

Auruo was standing like a dumb as he felt Petra's arms around his back. He quickly returned the hug, afraid she'll pull away before he has the chance to return it. A soft shade of red painted his cheeks.

"Don't worry, everything's going to be fine," she said and looked at him. Auruo's heart beat faster as he saw her beautiful smile once again. He would be damned if he didn't want to kiss her right then.

Girl pulled away and Auruo must do the same, to his big dismay. He didn't want to reveal everything at that moment. Expedition is ahead of them and his sudden confession would distract her and it will end her life maybe. That burden wasn't necesarry.

The sound of their Captain's voice shouting to get into formation alarmed them and they jumped on their horses and got in formation with others. Auruo was behing Levi, Petra was behing Auruo on the right, Eld on the left and Gunther in the line with first two mentioned. Nobody could see Captain's face. His eyes had dead expression in them.

"56th expedition outside the Walls begins!"

Commander's mighty yell snapped Auruo out of his thoughts. Tightening his grip on reins, he prepared himself for the worst.

"FORWARD!"

I'll watch over you from now on, Petra.

.

.

.

Petra hooked her wire on the building and swung her blades towards the nape of a titan who wanted to grab soldier on the ground. Her swords sliced through the flesh and titan fell on knees with head leaning on the building. Frightened soldier runned before titan fell on him.

Eld landed in front of him before he could run much away. "Is your gear broken?"

"Y-yes," he answered shakily.

"I'll bring you to the roof where you can fill your tanks with gas."

Soldier nodded and climbed on Eld's back. Eld easily carried him.

Petra continued her pace over the roofs when she came to a conslusion the soldier was in safe hands. Gunther and Auruo were soon behind her.

"Three on the way!" yelled Auruo.

Nanaba, who was on the roof nearby, running towards three titans too, noticed them and shouted over.

"Captain Levi needs reinforcement on the west side! One of you go to him and the rest help me take down these three!"

"Petra, you go," said Gunther.

"Alright," Petra replied and activated her gear and flew on the right. One of the titans reached for her, but she cut its hand and covered in steaming blood, continued towards her destination.

Not long after, she spotted her Captain standing on just killed titan. Its limp body started steaming and he flew on the roof. Petra landed behind him and he turned towards her when her feet met reddish tiles.

"Captain! I'm send as an reinforcement," she saluted.

"Good," he said and shot his wires and flew on another building. Petra did the same and followed him without a word. They reached a group of titans, staggered in that area. By bloody corpses lying on the ground or blood smeared on walls, two or three squads lost their lives.

These titans are difficult. Tch! I can't let her fight here. Levi thought. If something happens to her, I won't be able to forgive myself.

"Bring the rainforcement," he stated.

Petra's brows furrowed and her face had a confused look.

"But Captain, I am the rainforcement."

"You're not enough for this. Two of us can't kill this five by ourselves before they move out of this area," he said not even looking at her.

"With all respect sir, I'm the part of your squad and am strong enough. I can-"

"Do as I say," Levi shot her a glare.

Shutting her mouth and gritting her teeth behind her stiff lips, she nodded and left.

I can't risk you getting hurt or even worse. Just stay away from this as much as it allows.

He never did something like this before. Petra thought as she flew above few three and five meter class titans.

Does he think I'm weak? Why is he understimating me after all this years under his control? I could fight by his side and easily kill two titans. What was the problem?

.

.

.

"Captain Levi... will kill you all!"

If words had power, this would be the proof of that theory. Out of nowhere, Captain Levi sliced the nape of a titan in the speed of light. Soldier stared in awe and hope. Tears in his eyes and agitated face showed out the fear of death he seemingly escaped.

Heavy body of a monster fell on the ground. Levi examined the soldier who was still alive, struggling to get free from titan's mouth. Two more were on the left and one on the right.

"Captain, I brought the rainforcement."

Levi turned and saw Petra with Eld and Gunther behind her.

"Petra, threat that soldier down there, Eld and Gunther take down titan on the right. I'll clean up on the left," he said and went into action, ignoring Petra's call and Eld and Gunther's a little bit confused faces.

Again!? thought Petra.

.

.

.

Titans were stopped. This was the first fight Humanity won against them. But many lost their lives and it made cheering and celebration impossible. Rumour about a boy, Eren Yeager - a human able to turn into a Titan was heard on every step. Some couldn't believe it, but the ones who witnessed with their own eyes and the ones who listened Commander Pixis's speech knew.

Even now, two weeks after the fight, in a courtroom was like in a hive full of raging bees. Civilians attented as a voice of people, lot of MPs to maintain the row in a room and intervene if it needs, representatives of all three branches were down while ordinary soldiers and squad leaders were up, watching down in curiosity.

"What the hell is Commander Erwin thinking?!"

"Yeah, I heard it, insane!"

"He isn't serious about it, is he?"

Petra grew tired of those words she listened from when they returned. Everyone's insulting Commander because he wants Eren in Survey Corps. Military police wants to torture him, to do their experiments on him with god knows what methods. She hoped Commander and Captain have a solution for it.

"You look worried."

Petra gave a glance at Auruo who was beside her. "Of course I'm worried. After everything, he's still a child. Just a thought MP is going to dissect that boy makes me sick!" she said a little too loud, getting a few stares around her.

"Don't be so loud, and don't worry, I'm sure Commander and Captain are going to solve this."

Petra sighed. "I hope you're right." She leaned her elbows on a fence. In next second, everyone went quiet. Not even a fly could be heard.

Eren Yeager, followed by two armed MPs was entering the courtroom. Petra saw the looks he received. Fear, anger, hatred and curiosity. He didn't deserve the two in the middle. Maybe it was her motherly instinct that she had as others said when they wanted to tease her, but she was scared for boy's life when people started shouting at him, insulting him and attacking his friend Mikasa.

When he talked them back, she was amazed by his bravery. He told them things straight into face. But as MP officer aimed his shotgun at him, she tightened her grip on fence and was about to shout, when Levi appeared out of nowhere and send a mighty kick in boy's face with his leg. He continued beating him until he was coughting blood and he slammed his face to the ground.

Petra was frozen in place. She only stared in shock.

Why did... Captain Levi...?

He beat that boy. A child who couldn't and wouldn't defend. Why? Was it just an act? What is he saying? She couldn't hear it. He's grabbing him by the hair like he was a bag.

A steady arm grabbed her shoulder and she winced and whipped her head towards the person who touched her. It was Auruo. By his face, he was shocked too.

"Petra."

"Why did he...?"

"... I don't know. There must be at least some explanation," he said and took a step closer. "But this," he said and looked down. "Such a cruelty is not necessary."

Cruelty?

"You lack discipline," Captain's voice echoed through the silent courtroom. "I believe the most suitable weapon for discipline is pain. You don't need to be treaten like a human. You need to be treaten like a beast."

Petra didn't know why, but in that moment, the moment he threatened her against the wall flashed before her eyes. Discipline. Is he going that far just to discipline someone?

No, it's Captain Levi I know. Why would he-

Do you even know him? a tiny voice said.

It was the same when they exited. She heard words aimed at her Captain all around her. It hurts.

"Man, did you see that? He's a monster."

"And that look on his face."

"To beat a child like that, so those rumours of being an Underground thug are real."

"Shhhh! Don't speak that loudly, it's not a theme for everyone's ears."

"What a monster."

Will they shut up already? Petra thought.

"As much as I hate to admit it, some o- Petra are you ok?" Auruo said when he noticed her gloomy expression.

Those insults must be hard for her. For now.

"They are speaking of Captain like that. What if it was just an act that lead to handing Eren in our arms as it was planned?"

"... Can you come here for a moment?" he motioned to the side, a hall where no one was. When it was quiet enough and no one could see them, Auruo turned towards her.

"I know you admire Captain Levi more than anything, but sometimes you must stop lifting him to the point of flawlessness," he said, fighting to say something rather offensive.

Petra blinked. "What?"

"You trust him too much."

"With a reason. And I'm seeing his flaws. He's rude, violent sometimes and hard to approach, but it doesn't make him evil. It's complete opposite," she said and crossed her arms.

"Do you even know him?" Auruo said, furrowing his brows at how persistent she was.

Question caught her off guard. Those were exactly the same words that a little voice said back in the courtroom.

"Well... I... bu-"

"No buts, Petra," Auruo raised his voice a little. "You know the story he was a thug. And what does a thug do? Steals, kills. You think he didn't do that? Violence is there like a morning greeting."

"That's enough. This converstaion is over," Petra said and started walking away.

"You are blind! I'm telling this for your own sake," Auruo followed her.

"My sake...?" she turned and both of them stopped.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm saying... if you get too close to him, you migh be disappointed."

"Disappointed... in what?"

Auruo swallowed insensibly. "His love. If there's any left inside of him."

"... Do you think... I love him?"

"I see it," he said calmly.

And it hurts. That kind of smile and gentleness reserved only for him!

"You're mistaken," she said after a minute and left him there.

Auruo watched until she got lost out of his sight. Clenching his fists, he looked at the carped beneath his feet.

Why do you love him so much?

AN: FREAKING FINALLY!!!!