~Petra~

I sighed. The annual fair was coming up, and I didn't have a date. Once a year, a huge fair was put together. It was to get everyone's minds off the Titans and decreasing food supply for one day. It was also when a lot of couples proposed or did other cute things like that. It was like a Christmas and Valentine's Day wrapped into one in the middle of summer.

I knocked on Levi's office door. Maybe he would go with me? The door opened and I was met with his bored stare. Wishful thinking. "I have the files you asked for, Captain." I smiled.

"Thank you, Ral." I hated how formal he was, but this was the military. I knew that, but we had also known each other for years. Shut up. You're being petty. Now ask him!

"C-Captain?" I mustered up my courage.

"Hm?" He shifted the papers around.

"Would you, uh, like to go to the Annual Fair w-with me?" I picked at skin on my finger nails. My eyes darted from him to the floor. The papers stopped moving.

"That time of year again, isn't it?" Levi spoke annoyed. "No thanks. I have work to do." With that, he turned and closed the door. My heart sunk, and I walked aimlessly down the hall.

~Levi~

My heart pounded as I leaned against the door. Petra. Petra Ral asked me? Me of all people? To go to the most romantic place on the biggest day of the year? I couldn't stop the blush creeping up my neck. And like an idiot, I turned her down. I slid down the door. She deserves better anyway.

I walked into the mess hall to quite a sight. Eld had Gunther in a choke hold, and Oluo was staring down a very uncomfortable Petra. Hanji ran up to me panting. "Levi, you gotta help me! Eld was about to invite Gunther to the Fair, but then Gunther took his food and now they're fighting. I've been working for months building Eld's confidence and now it may be blown."

"What?" Confusion took over me and I fought not to laugh. She was acting like her experiment was about to explode. And maybe that wasn't too far off.

"Also, Oluo is trying to go to the Fair with Petra." She finished. All humor left me as I watched Oluo slid up to Petra. Before I knew it, I was walking up to them.

"Come on, Petra~" Oluo drew her name out. "You're not going with anyone. So why not? It'll be fun! Whaddya say?"

"No." Oluo and Petra looked at me with shocked expressions. "You are incorrect."

"Ha?" Oluo raised an eyebrow.

"Petra is going with someone, so leave her alone." I glared. Petra looked back and forth between us.

"Yeah? Who? Petra said no one asked her."

"That may be true, but she asked someone herself. Me." I leaned in and quietly said, "So back off." With a growl, Oluo stalked off.

"Th-thank you, Levi." Petra stared at the floor and began peeling skin off her fingers again. She was nervous. "But you don't have to actually go with me."

"And let you go alone? Not a chance." I sat down next to her. Excitement filled her face. Shit. "Wouldn't want Bozado finding you alone and try something." Immediately, her face fell. Damniiiit. Why am I such an idiot?

"Right." She quickly stood. "I'll see you at noon Saturday." Once Petra slammed the door behind her, Hanji smacked the back of my head.

"What the hell, Hanji?" I yelled.

"What the hell, Levi?!" Hanji yelled back. "You're the biggest idiot ever! Why Petra is still infatuated with you, I have no clue. You're going to run out of screw ups eventually." Hanji may be crazy, but she was still the smartest person he knew.

"I don't know how to be..."

"In a relationship?"

"Yeah," I looked away in embarrassment. "I've never had a girlfriend before."

"You've never had a girlfriend?! Wait, so have you had a boyfriend?" Hanji switched from shock to curiosity so quickly it was obvious she was a scientist.

"No." I rolled my eyes. I wasn't opposed to dating men, but I leaned more towards women. Especially the shy type. Oh who was I kidding. I was head over heals for Petra. Ever since I recruited her, I've only had eyes for her.

"Okay we have some work to you want to get her flowers. Oi! Keep it down, you two. Hold her hand or put your hand low on her back. Not on her butt, but also not too high because that indicates friendship rather than romance. Gunther, leave Eld alone! Definately take her on the ferris wheel. Classic kiss spot, most romantic by far. Tip the operator to stop when you are at the top for a perfect sunset kiss. Eld put Gunther down." Hanji went on like that until she was giving me advice while holding both their ears. I had stopped listening and just laughed at them.

...

I wanted to pull my hair out. Today was a mess. Nothing was going as planned and I didn't have the courage to make any moves on Petra. She seemed to be having a good time, but every now and then she got a sad look in her eyes. Because she doesn't think this is a real date. Maybe I can change that.

I reached for her hand and pulled back at the last second. My heart was racing. I've never held anyone's hand before. What if she hates it? What if I do it wrong? What if my hands are super sweaty?

"Levi?" Petra was looking at me with worried eyes. "Are you okay? You look kind of pale."

"I'm fine. I just-" I watched couples around me doing cute things. They held hands like it was second nature. Forehead or cheek kisses were something they did frequently. How did they make it look so easy?

"Not used to so many people?" Petra guessed.

"Something like that."

"It's okay. Not like they're going to turn into titans." She winked and I lifted one side of my mouth in a half smile. "Come on, let's get some over priced food." Petra slipped her hand into mine and pulled me to the food stands. My face heated. She did it so naturally.

I caught myself staring at our clasped hands, and she must have noticed too because she tried pulling away. Without thinking it through, I held on and smiled at her. No, no. It's okay. I like it. The words wouldn't leave my mouth, but she seemed to get the message. Her face brightened like the sun and she squeezed my hand lightly.

After hours of many activities and running from stand to stand, we ended up at the Ferris wheel. My heart pounded as I remembered what Hanji told me. We got in the small carts and strapped in. As it began moving, I panicked internally realizing I never bribed the operator. Relax, you can still get the confession in. And maybe a kiss.

Just as we went over the peak, it stopped. I glanced back to see Gunther and Eld in the cart right at the top. Eld was blushing like an idiot when he turned to Gunther and just kissed him. My jaw dropped. I knew Eld had feelings for him, but I never guessed he'd do something like that. Aparently, Gunther felt the same way because he was blushing just as hard yet seemingly was enjoying the kiss.

I quickly turned around remembering what I was supposed to do. Deep breath. You got this. "Petra."

"I'm in love with you, Levi." Petra turned to me with a tomato red face. "I know I haven't been very subtle in my affections, but I thought you deserved to hear it straight. I love you. Also, I'm resigning."

"What!?" First she steals my line and now she's leaving. No! "You can't leave. You can't just drop the L word and walk away."

"Well, it is clear you will never reciprocate my feelings. So to save my self and in attempts to move on, I need to leave."

"I-I" I felt like a big pile of emotions. I couldn't think straight, let alone form a proper sentence. Screw words. I leaned over and kissed her. I didn't even noticed the Ferris wheel begin to move again. I was lost in her scent and the softness of her lips. I pulled back and whispered, "Please don't leave me."

Our cart jerked to a stop, and the operator lifted the bar. We climbed out silently. Petra didn't say a word while we left the fair. She didn't speak when we arrived at her apartment. I feared she would just slam the door and leave me to wonder for the weekend. But instead, she blew.

"Why the hell would you do that?" Tears were filling her eyes. "Are you that low to use that against me? If anything, Levi, this just affirmed that I need to leave. Good night." Then she slammed the door in my face. I stood in shock processing what had just happened. Did she really think I only kissed her to keep her from leaving? She didn't think that I felt something for her too?

"Petra!" I shouted. "Let me explain! Please! Give me a chance!"

"Go away, Levi!" Her broken voice called back to me. Damn it. I fucked up big time.