(Levi x Petra) Shock

Chapter Twenty-Five: I Almost Lost You

Author's Note: So yeah... the last chapter ended up being the final chapter of the mini Raid arc. The story, however, is not over yet.

(TIME SKIP; FIVE DAYS LATER)

The Marleyans had finally surrendered after the slaughter of too many soldiers. And, thank Ymir, they didn't go home with Annie Leonhart in their custody. How? That's another story. We need to focus on Levi Ackerman and Petra Ral. 

Though the Eldians won for now, there were still many casualties on their side as well. A parade had been given to march for those who had been lost. The air was heavy upon Paradis Island, for the clouds had come, and the rain never stopped pouring. Literally. There was a storm upon the island for weeks, almost. A certain someone listened in on the patter of raindrops as he, his squad, and the Commander of the Survey Corps had gathered around Petra's bedside.

Petra had been in a medically induced coma in order to heal after her surgery. She had woken up   last night, but her coma made it seem like forever. That day, almost everyone in the inner Squad Levi circle had come, surprisingly wearing casual, civilian clothes. Levi sported his grey, elbow-length, somewhat-V-neck with black pants and shoes.

"Are you well, Petra-san?" Eren asked. 

"Yes, I'm fine," Petra smiled. Around her beside were Eren, Hange, Auruo, Eld, and Gunther. Levi, of course, had been standing in the corner. Though he looked downwards to avoid suspicion, he would eye Petra when no one was looking.

"Are you cold?" Eld asked.

"No."

"Does that mean you're burning up?" 

"No."

"Do you want me to massage your feet?" Hange asked, causing Levi to glare at the four-eyed Titan lover.

"Uh, no," Petra replied, her face turning green.

"Is your shoulder fine?" Auruo asked almost genuinely. 

"Yes," Petra replied, growing tired of the questions. She only wanted to talk to the man in the corner, whom she had been waiting for. Levi had wished to speak to her as well, hoping that everyone would quit it with the questions. Yet, he couldn't help but ask one himself.

"Do you need a glass of water?" 

"Oh," Petra's eyebrows raised, "I do, actually." 

Of course, like the god he is, Levi swiftly walked out and came back with a fresh glass of water. All in two minutes.

"Thank you, Heichou," Petra replied, blushing slightly.

"No problem," he replied, a small hint of emotion showing, "And, if the rest of you don't mind, I would like to talk to Petra... alone."

Everyone turned their heads towards the Commander. Petra was smiling, Eren was smirking, Eld and Gunther were professional, Hange was curious, and Auruo was glowering. 

"What for, Levi?" Hange asked, failing miserably to sound innocent. 

"Nothing, really," he replied calmly, "It's just a private message from her father."

"Why would her father go to you?" Auruo muttered.

"I don't know," Levi replied calmly (once again), "He just came to me and asked to relay a message to Petra. In private."

Levi's tone and glare had everybody moved out of the room in seconds, but not before Eren winked and Auruo snarled. Once the door was closed and shut, Levi walked over the Petra's bedside. At first, they just stared at one another, taking each other in. That was when he sat on her bed, leaned in, and kissed her. She didn't hesitate to kiss back, inhaling him and wrapping her arms around him. However, he leaned in too hard and rubbed against her bad shoulder.

"Ow!" 

"I'm sorry," he jumped, scared that he hurt her.

"I'm okay," she smiled, but regardless, he nuzzled her neck. 

"I should have been more careful," Levi said.

"I'm not hopeless," Petra rolled her eyes, "I'm just injured."

"You could have died."

"But I didn't, and it's all thanks to you."

"I almost lost you again."

That made the air silent, save for the rain drops outside. Petra put her hand on Levi's cheek, upon which he leaned in to savor her touch. 

"I'm sorry," she replied.

Levi then brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. 

"It's okay," he replied, "You're here."

"Yes," she replied as she brought his forehead to hers, "I'm here."

The rest of their spent time together was just the two of them snuggling, taking each other in. That is until Hange knocked on the door. 

"Hello?" Hange sang, "Have you relayed Mr. Ral's message?"

The lovers yanked each other out of their arms and straightened themselves out. By the time Levi said "yes, and come in," everything had been fine. Any sign of the two's moment had been covered, and visiting hours were over.

As Levi walked home, his mind couldn't help but flash back to the day of the 57th Expedition, when he found Petra slammed up against that tree. The heartbreak, the realization that he could never tell her he loved her, how much it hurt to throw her body off the cart to bait the Titan. However, he remembered the day he overheard Hange and Armin in her office. The way his heart lifted when he heard that Petra was alive. It wasn't long before his mind went back to more memories. How he almost cried with joy when the two met again, how he fell apart when Petra dated Auruo, the night they kissed, and everything after. How his world almost fell apart again when she was shot.

Petra, I almost lost you again. Have I even told you that I love you? I'm so sorry.

Author's Note:

Stay tuned for the next chapter!!

-TBG290