Alternate ending to Chapter 1.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays guys! Not really much of a happy gift but hope you like it! :)


He stopped just then, hand curled around the door knob ready to open it, but he stood there, frozen still in place. Why? Levi does not understand.

Wait, don't leave!

The words, simple but heavy with meaning, hang in the silence, and he can feel her eyes burning through his back wanting to get him to look at her. Levi could have left already, he could have apologized one more time not out of guilt but because he couldn't bear to look at the woman he had let down. He could have done all that, but he does not.

He does not because what else can he do? Levi wanted to come here because he owed her an apology. An overdue apology that he has yet to be forgiven. He has had so many regrets for so long, long dead friends and comrades. Nameless faces whom he had failed in the past and now his recently dead squad, with the exception of Petra.

He failed her and his squad, he failed their trust and now even if Levi wanted nothing more than to run away, to hide himself in shame, he couldn't do it. Not when Petra wanted something out of him right now.

Turning in place, his gaze turns back to the lone survivor of his squad. The fear and longing present in her eyes, and with her outstretched arm towards him, as if trying to reach for his faraway form, she is poised as if she had everything taken away and wanted something to ground her. This, Levi recognizes, especially since he had been in this situation before.

They're now at a standstill, piercing silver clashing against fiery amber. It would have been a usual thing for the both of them if it weren't for the fact that Petra is now bound to her wheelchair and her stance is now as desperate than she was.

When he first saw since her discharge, he felt bile rise up in his gut. He had done that to her and Levi couldn't bear to look at the product of his negligence.

"Please," it is all but a plea, a silent whisper that brought the man out of his deprecating thoughts.

Petra looks at him, like he has the answer for whatever she is looking for, which is sad to say, none.

"Please," Petra iterates, knuckles turning white from gripping the sides of her wheelchair so hard. Eyes turning red from the unshed tears. "Promise me you'll stay."

"Petra, I–"

"–Then promise me you'll come back." She states, determined to not let him go. "No matter how long it'll take. I'll be waiting right here."

Levi only hopes she is right when that time comes.