Rivetra Week 2014: Day 1 - Survive
Petra does not jump right into the welcoming body of water – Levi notices – like all their other comrades did. Instead, she stands back from the others, her feet still planted on the grassy fields near the line where soil meets sand. She does not move in her place, but Levi can tell that she's taking in the wonderful view of seeing the ocean for the first time.
When he turns his head back to look at her, he finds her eyes closed and chest heaving as she's drawing in the salty air from the sea, and her arms at her sides.
Levi checks on Eren to see him splashing water in his friends' faces and smirks at the exasperated scream coming from Jean, who in turn returned the gesture. He decides to leave them be when Springer and Braus comes to join in the water fight, and heads towards the copper haired woman watching them with an amused smile.
"Having fun?" she asks him when he reaches her side. He only gives her a slight shake of his head but that earns a chuckle from the woman. "You'll get used to it."
The former Captain faces the members of his squad, the corners of his lips tugging slightly upwards at the ringing of laughter. "Maybe I am." Levi can feel Petra's gaze on him and so he turns to find her grinning at him. "What?
Her bright amber eyes continue to stare back at him, admiration and adoration shone through in her blazing gaze and Levi does not need to know that she is very happy to be here with him. Levi turns to look forward, drowning in the beautiful view and of their friends. He slowly guides his hand towards her own and laces their fingers together when Petra leans closer, resting her head on his shoulder.
"We made it, Levi." She says softly, as if she still couldn't believe that they hadn't reached the ocean, that they haven't finally defeated the Titans. "We made it."
They did it, Levi realizes to himself just now. They finally achieved freedom and now they can stop fighting. No more blood, no more loss. Not anymore.
That is why he stays quiet, not wanting to break the peaceful moment between them, settling on affectionately rubbing the golden band worn on Petra's ring finger and raising their interlocked hands to press a soft kiss on the top of her knuckles.
He hears her sigh in relief, and brings an arm around her shoulder to bring her closer, Levi ignores the loud noises coming from the playing teens, blocks out Hanji's rambles on what to do next, and concentrates on Petra's warm and comforting presence.
He inwardly thanks every deity that they both made it out alive.