A/N: Some of my small rivetra writings that I post on tumblr will be uploaded on here. This ship still needs lots of love. This was for dear Petra´s birthday. Based on my head canon in which both Levi and Petra are ballet dancers, but since Levi is much older, he's soon to retire so…

The ice-skating rink was gathered with all kinds of people of different ages and winter clothing. Snow hasn't arrived yet to the city, but the feeling of coldness and foggy air were tangible to everyone.

Petra, alongside Oluo and Eld, were skating freely across the ice. Since it was her birthday and she got the day free at the dance company, the young woman mentally prepared herself to spend the day at home watching some unpopular movies -her dad was away- but unsurprisingly, the guys brought her a small chocolate cake and a pretty light blue scarf, and insisted to take her skating. She couldn't resist after all.

Besides ballet, skating was one of her favorite sports, perhaps of the similarities between dancing and skating in a graceful way. There was also something exhilarating at maneuvering pirouettes on the cold ground and the feel of the clicking skates in the moment of regaining speed.

"Look, Gunther and Eren are coming."

"Hey there Petr-" Exclaimed the blue eyed boy jovially, suddenly falling to the ground in seconds.

"Be more careful next time brat." said Oluo in his typical fashion manner.

"Here Eren, let me help you" Petra held him firmly, watching the brunette regaining his composure. "You aren't good at skating, are you?"

"Mikasa is better. You don't have to worry."

"In that case, let's skate together. You're quick at learning things, so it might help you a little"

"Thank you Miss Petra for being so nice." Eren smiled brightly. She was a sweetheart. No wonder why everybody was fond of her.

It was going well for some moments, until someone exclaimed: "Look who's here"

Petra certainly did not want to look.

"It's Mister Levi! Hanji and Erwin are there too. Let's go and say…"

"Eh, I don't think that's a good idea." interrupted the young woman nervously.

"Why not?" asked Eren, uncertainness on his face for some seconds. "Oh, I see."

"It's okay Eren." Petra forced a smile. "Do you think you can make it on your own now?"

"I'm bloody sure I can" Even though his speed wasn't the best, at least it wasn't as clumsy as the first time. This thought comforted her a little.

A pair of impassive eyes were looking at her the whole time but she refused by all means to take a glance back.

It was in the moment when she was following Gunther's skating speed, and while trying to keep his pace, her balance failed which made her fall to the cold ground.

A pair of hands appeared from nowhere, guiding her to regain her composure. One of her knees was hurting.

"My knee hurts."

The man´s hands remained on her arms.

"I can make it on my own." said Petra frustrated, trying miserably to put his hands off on her.

"Fuck no, you can't." replied Levi "Your face says it all" He took her firmly and lead her to a solitary bench.

They sat together for a long time, awkward silence filling the wintery atmosphere. Petra took a look across the ice rink. At least the boys were having fun. Quite disappointed, she started taking off her skates in a methodic way.

"Is your knee still hurting?"

"A little."

"Good."

Again, that silence.

"You haven't answered my texts." said Levi in his usual voice.

"And why should I?" replied the petite woman. Her feet were feeling colder without the skates. It was a strange but pleasant feeling.

"You seemed to be having fun with that brat."

"You're a jerk. Do you know that?"

"Petra, look at me."

At the lack of an answer, Levi held her chin roughly, making her too look directly at him.

"Let me explain…"

"No."

"Shit woman, you're so fucking difficult to please. I'm not a toy."

"I just wanted to spend my birthday with you." Petra said in a low whisper. Suddenly playing with the hem of her jumper became more interesting.

"I know." Replied Levi slowly. "But you know it hasn't been easy for me this year."

Now he was waiting for a proper answer.

"It's okay Levi, I understand." And she did. But due to his nature, it has always been hard to approach someone like him. They both knew it since the start.

"I brought you something." the dark haired man gave her a tiny box coming from one of his pockets.

A small red bow.

"I know its shit but I've seen you having the struggle to keep you hair in order during rehearsals, since it's bloody short and I thought this one might look good on you." The difficulty of finding the proper words made her melt inside somehow. He wasn't a man of a lot of words after all.

"I still love you, you know." Said Petra moments later, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"I love you too, Petra." Levi replied softly, wrapping his arms around her in a possessive but gentle manner. "Happy birthday" He whispered, and he kissed her chastely on her lips for a long time. There was neither malice nor lust in his display of affection, he just needed to feel her closer to him and that was more than enough.

When Levi looked at the young woman again, she was glowing.

"Also, I got you some flowers. They're in the car. Hanji's idea." He clarified quickly.

"Um, Levi?"

"Hm?"

"Let's go home." Petra answered, a light blush spreading across her face. She took him by the hand, fingers wrapping firmly around each other.

That night, on the 6th of December, it started to snow.