It's complicated: Levi x Petra Lemon

Prologue Part 2: Honey

Hunched over the stove, Petra watched the water boil in the pan. Sizzling and churning as steam erupted from the spout spraying water vapor around the room. She kept her promise. For the past weeks, she had been making tea for Heichou and settling in as part of squad Levi. She was enjoying it greatly as she smiled to her herself. Friendships had been made and it was fun getting to know the individuals behind the hardened exterior. Levi in particular has surprised her she remarked. She had enjoyed the rare moments of going into his office and providing him joy. For him to smile briefly and compliment her before she left. It was fair to say, more than a school boy crush was materializing and she wasn't sure how she felt about it.

The steamy liquid hissed knocking her out her trance as she poured the boiling water into his favourite china mug just how he liked it. Knelt over, dropping in the tea bag with a plop, letting it infuse it's herbal essence into the cup. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ears, not noticing Levi had entered the kitchen.

Humming, she turned around startled. The ravens appearance sent a flush of colour to her pale complexion. She bowed her head. "Captain." She mumbled. "I didn't see you there."

Levi raised an eyebrow and leant back against the countertops. "Relax Petra. I just came in to collect my drink. So you didn't have to bring it in."

She put the tray down she had been setting up and turned around to face him. "Ah I see. Yeah as you wish."

She squeezed the final residue of the teabag into the water, strong and packed a punch, much like that of her superior. Smiling, she handed it over to him.

"Thank you. I haven't seen that smile before." He set the cup down on the table and pulled out a chair for himself comfortably. He motioned for Petra to take a seat opposite him to which she followed suit.

"What is it Heichou?" She asked gently. He only looked at her. Into her honey glazed eyes, sparkling from the sun escaping at the brink of dawn.

He averted his gaze and looked down into his cup while picking it up gingerly. "Nothing is up don't worry." He replied.

She sat back and nodded in silent agreement. The pair enjoyed a companionable escape from the pressures of soldier training. Basking in the peace and quiet on an early spring morning. He took a long sip of the beverage and sighed. Whatever she did with the tea, was much like a drug. Addicting and refined in its nature. He didn't realise he kept coming back for more.

Levi broke the silence, catching Petra off guard. He cocked his head towards the kettle. "Aren't you going to make yourself one?"

She smiled slightly. "Don't I have to get back soon? Get ready for training?"

Levi shook his head. "Tch no. As your superior I command you have a tea with me. Then you can sit down and enjoy the morning. You're off the clock."

Petra held up her hands in defeat and stood up. "Well when you put it like that I suppose I don't have a choice." She replied.

She filled the kettle and reached up on her tiptoes , stretching for the mug. She felt the muscles in her arm contort with pain as she willed her arm to go up just one bit further. Levi emerged behind her and she felt his eyes bore into the back of her. She instinctively stepped back, trying to ignore the solidness of his chest. Levi however didn't appear fazed in the slightest.

"Cute." He muttered reaching upwards to grab the cup for her. She flushed.

"Thanks."

He nodded walking back towards the table.
"Don't worry about it."

She hunched over the counter, preparing the tea and brought out a pot of honey. Levi wrinkled his nose as she picked up a spoon and poured the gloopy liquid onto it.