The Ereri Project!

Lilies!

A/N: Okay, before you read this I just want to tell you that this is a chapter less about Ereri and a little more about Petra and Erwin. BUT I SWEAR I'M NOT TRYING TO GET THEM TOGETHER! Or am I?

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Shortly after Petra turned fifteen, Erwin started to grow tired of his job and decided to pass over his responsibilities to Levi and resign in favor of a new job.

He decided to buy the shop space beside Eren's bakery and open a flower shop, as the old one had closed a few months earlier because its owners retired.

He loved how much less stressful his new job was, and how he didn't have to wear a tie every single day, and how it offered him a place to spend all day almost every day of week.

Since held never gotten married, had no kids of his own, and Petra was old enough she didn't need babysitting anymore, he's grown a little lonely day to day.

At least at the shop he can watch people come and go happily and waste time coming up with stories for them.

He realized a few weeks in that his chosen family was pretty worried about him.

Eren would stop in before and after making deliveries or when he had time, Levi usually stopped in after work, Hanji came by at least once a week to buy herself fresh flower, and even Mike would drop in once in a while.

All of them always looked anxious about leaving him once they'd come.

After two months, Petra makes her first visit without Levi or Eren tagging on. "Hey Erwin," she greets him with a grin and a hug.

He can't remember when she started dropping the 'Uncle', not that it really matters. "Morning Petra."

It is the beginning of summer so he suspects she was just looking for a way to waste some time away from home for a while.

She's wearing what Erwin is pretty sure is one of Levi's ancient band t-shirts and denim shorts. She left her hair down and Erwin thinks for a second that if it were cut to her shoulders instead of down at her waist he would be looking at her mother when they were all teenagers, only with darker eyes.

She's wandering around the shop, looking at all the flowers with a smile. "Do you need any help around here?" she asks suddenly.

He quirks an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

She shrugs. "I've been thinking about looking for a job," she says. "But Father's Day's next month and I want to get Dad and Papa something nice without spending their money."

"I hadn't really thought about it," Erwin replies honestly. "But I guess I could use an extra pair of hand even if it's only for the summer."

Petra turns and grins at him. "Do I need a uniform or anything?"

"I have aprons in the back," he replies. "Just don't wear t-shirts like that."

She looks down at her t-shirt covered in fire and skulls on the front and tour dates on the back. "Oh yeah, I don't usually dress like this. I just found a bunch if Dad's old clothes in a box and took what looked comfortable."

Petra goes into the back and gets an apron. "What's first, boss?"

Erwin snorts at that. "First I need to sunflowers taken outside, the sun should be on the front of the shop within the next half hour."

"Aye, aye," she salutes him and gets to work.

The day is long and customers are in and out but Erwin notices the shop feels less empty than it did before. He thinks back on the looks for all his friends from the past few weeks. "Petra?" he asks as she's moving around the display in the window.

"Yeah?" she replies, not stopping in her work.

It reminds him of when she was little and he would try to talk to her while she was playing with her Playdoh. "Did Levi and Eren put you up to this?"

She looks over at him, confused. "No, they don't even know I'm here. Why?"

He shakes his head and goes back to filling out his logbook for the day. When she's all finished fixing the display she goes outside to bring the sunflowers back in.

"You're going to show me how to do arrangements tomorrow, right?" she ask, taking off her apron.

"If you'd like," he replies.

She smiles and hugs him again. "Can I take some flowers home with me?"

"I suppose."

She picks up one of the pre-arranged bouquets of Gerber daises and waves one last time before leaving the shop for the night.

Erwin yawns, not realizing it's already six-thirty. He turns over the closed sign and goes into the back to hang his apron.

However, on the table beside is wallet is a vase. A vase arranged with a half-dozen of Erwin's favorite lilies with a tiny note attached.

I noticed you kept staring at these today. You should treat yourself once in a while, you've been looking pretty lonely lately. Thanks for the job! I look forward to spending the summer with you!

Love, Petra

Erwin smiles, looking forward to summer for the first time in a long time.