Author's Note: That one time I said two chapters, I lied. It just kept getting longer. :3

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the official Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan characters.

Honey & Spice: Chapter Two

From that day forward, apple crisp (along with other type of cobblers and crumbles) made their way as staples on the bakery menu. Petra was surprised at how well received they were and at times found it difficult to keep up with the demand.

Each day Levi arrived at her kitchen, picking up scattered pans and bowls, dusting off a shelf, wiping down a counter while she wasn't looking. Cleaning relaxed him, she had been told and while it was true his obsession with cleaning stemmed from the anxiety and stress of living life as a syndicate assassin, he found himself wanting to clean that space in particular just to be near to her.

She was so incredibly alive, her presence felt like the long anticipated downpour that his desert of a heart had unknowingly longed for all his life. He doubted she recognized this; she acted no differently towards him than she did towards Erd, or that meat girl Sasha, or the trio of punks. She was a good person, plain and simple and though he knew nothing would come of it, he would enjoy it while he could.

While her business picked up, so did his efforts. With such a smooth transition that he didn't even realize, Levi soon began to help at the front counter during the busy hours, engaging the customers with a surprising ease. Kids smiled at him, old women called him 'dear', and some of the young men who had at one point been pursuing the clueless Petra's affections began to wane at his sharp, protective stare.

Every so often he'd leave flowers at the register for her when she opened. She always blushed and fumbled with her words, but put them in a vase with water, proudly telling anyone who asked that Levi had left them for her.

"Isn't he good to me?" she would ask, hiding a giggle behind her hand while everyone nodded in agreement that it was about time she had someone help her manage this place. Embarassed by the attention, Levi would scowl and scold her with an annoyed 'tch' before retreating back into the kitchen.

They ate lunch together daily, and neither of them ever missed the opportunity to wipe a rogue crumb from the other's mouth, or take the offensive, blowing the wrappers off their straws, five points for the nose, ten points for an eye. She always lost those battles but did so with grace, laughter, and a proclamation of how lucky she was to have his help.

When Erd finally announced his soon-to-be fatherhood, Levi helped Petra make the cake she was gifting to her (now their) dear friend. She drew on his back with icing. He blew powdered sugar in her face.

Was this what it meant to be a normal man?

Each night he'd walk her up the stairs. She'd invite him for tea. He'd politely decline.

He had a job to do, after all.

Closing the door behind her, Petra let out a satisfied sigh. She was overdue for a shower; today had been particularly busy and she was looking forward to washing the sweat and flour from her body.

As she made her way to the bathroom, her cat meowed at her, welcoming her home, and jumped onto her shoulder, rubbing his face against the side of her head.

"Hey Auruo baby," she cooed, scratching behind his ear, enjoying the feel of his curly fur against her tired hands.

Under the steady stream of hot water, Petra's thoughts wandered to her neighbor, her tenant, her friend, Mr. Levi Ackerman. She'd liked him the moment she'd met him, despite (or perhaps due to) his mysterious nature, and in the months they'd spent together, she was able to confirm that he was a good person. Testy, rough around the edges, and lacking in social skills, but otherwise a good man.

At first he had wandered into the kitchen at his leisure, but as of late, he'd meet her in the hall, saying nothing and sporting his usual detached expression but as she made their coffees, she always felt his eyes on her and when she managed to sneak a peek at him, his mouth was always turned up ever so slightly.

He liked cleanliness and order, that much she had learned quickly and he had brought the efficiency of her work up a great deal. While he didn't have much interest in actually cooking, he was surprisingly good at it when the situation called for it. His infatuation with cleaning was a great blessing to Petra as she wasn't particularly fond of doing so herself.

She then thought about the time they spent together on days when the shop was closed and she leaned against the tile, eyes closed and smiling. He was a gentleman in his own way, even during simple tasks such as grocery shopping or trips to the library. His politeness however, was reserved specifically for her as he made no effort to hide the coarse language and bad attitude he directed at just about everyone else.

He didn't ever start conversations, allowing her to point out the city or bring up a bit of her own personal nostalgia, but he would weigh in where he found it appropriate.

There was a time he fought off a mugger, his swift and precise movements deadly, yet the control he possessed left the man injured only enough to be unable to pursue the two who left the scene without a scratch. When Levi had wrapped his arm around Petra's shoulder, a siren went off in her mind, a red flag, glaring in warning that her protector, no matter what part he may have been playing in her presence, was still a dangerous man and she would do well not to get involved any further.

But Petra had never been known to be a cautious girl.

That was why, when she stepped out of the shower and danced her way around Auruo who was trying do desperately to rub up against her wet legs, she decided that tomorrow would be the day.

She was going to confess her feelings.

The truth was, no matter how she tried to disguise it as simple kindness or a steadily growing friendship, she had fallen in love with the strange man across the hall. Perhaps she was a fool, too young to know any better. Maybe it was because he was older, or because every ounce of him screamed of adventure, kept silent by his frown and furrowed brows.

Still, she couldn't deny the way her skin tingled when he accidentally brushed her hand or the way her heart soared on the occasions he rose to her games or teasing. Each morning she found him waiting gave her hope, and every night when they parted, she wished she could have kept him for just a moment longer.

"What do you think, Auruo?" she asked, picking up the curly feline and tucking him into bed with her, "do you think he likes me too?"

Auruo yawned, then gave her a bored look before he turned three times and settled on her arm, purring against her skin.

The next morning, Petra greeted Levi with a coffee she'd made inside her apartment. He looked at her in surprise, but she just smiled at him. She'd decided to save her confession until closing, that way if she were to be rejected, at least she'd be able to sleep it off and start work the next day with a fresh face. She wasn't sure how well she'd hold together if she was let down before the doors opened.

The day progressed without a hitch and once the kitchen was clean, the two sat down to some leftover savory pies, a much needed dinner. They sat on stools at her prep table on the same side yet both twisted to face each other, as they always did. Petra's back was to the open doorway that led to their staircase and as usual, Levi was enjoying his nightly tea, fingers gripping the cup at the rim, his elbow jutting out to the side.

"Mr. Ackerman," she started, fiddling with her pastry. Odd. Petra rarely fiddled.

Still, Levi watched with feigned boredom. She still called him 'Mr. Ackerman'. He had never told her otherwise, and it wasn't until just now that he realized he didn't like it.

"Levi," he corrected.

She stopped talking, not that he had heard anything she said. Something about him 'helping her for a while now'.

"Le-Levi?"

He shrugged. "That's my name, isn't it?"

"Oh, right. Well then, Levi," she amended, tapping her fingertips against the stainless steel top of the table. "I've been doing some thinking and I think that it's something you should know about. You see, as I said, you've been working with me for quite a while and we've become quite good friends. Or at least I think we have. I do hope you think so too. It would be awkward if you didn't, am I right? Oh, well what I mean to say is—" she stopped, watching as a dark shadow came over his features. He wasn't listening to a word of her confession. His eyes were focused behind her.

Annoyed by his lack of concentration, she whipped her head around. What was it, she wondered. A spot? A stain? A dish they'd forgotten to wash?

But it wasn't any of that.

There, in their doorway, stood a man. He was at least a full foot taller than herself with striking blue eyes, his blonde hair slicked off to one side. He stood with a calm confidence, saying nothing. The crisp suit he wore was nearly identical to the one Levi had arrived in, but instead of the excited flock of butterflies that erupted when she had first seen him, this man sent the chills of a thousand spiders up her spine, burrowing beneath her skin.

He didn't bother to look at her, keeping his attention focused entirely on the short man behind her.

"Levi."

Levi's expression, if possible, darkened. "Erwin."

"We need to talk."

Without a word to Petra, he slid from the stool and left the kitchen, climbing the stairs at a pace much slower than usual. Erwin followed silently behind. He had no intention of making a scene so publicly

Inside the apartment, Levi gestured for his superior to have a seat, dropping into the armchair himself and crossing his arms. Erwin didn't sit, instead, he observed the dwelling.

"You've made yourself comfortable here."

Levi said nothing and he stepped forward from the hardwood to the small tiled area the layout dubbed the kitchen. Everything was perfectly placed, and though this wasn't strange to Erwin, the fact that there were personal effects to be placed caused him to raise a brow. Up until now, Levi's living quarters had been empty, save a few changes of clothes, enough food to stay alive, and the tiny notebook in which he kept his jobs organized.

But this place was different.

Dishes and glasses were arranged on shelves above the sink, and photographs, held by tiny circular magnets decorated the refrigerator. There weren't many, only five, but each one sported the pretty honey haired girl below them. Levi was in three of them with her, his deep scowl contrasting with her sunny grin and two of them it seemed were candids, taken when she wasn't aware of it.

"You seem to like that girl quite a bit, Levi."

Levi's eyes snapped to the blonde's and his upper lip curled. "She is no concern of yours," he snapped.

Erwin smiled gently. "She's a bit young for you, don't you think? She's what, twenty, twenty-one?"

"I said she's no concern of yours!"

"Levi, it's time."

The shorter man crossed his arms tighter, sinking into the chair with what resembled a pout. He set his jaw, glaring at the man who had intruded upon his life.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Erwin pulled one of the photographs from its place, using a finger to put the magnets back the way his friend would have wanted them.

"Do you know what will happen if you stay?"

Levi let out a snort. "Yeah. Scum will continue to bitch at each other and I can live in peace."

"Wrong."

Erwin stepped forward, towering over Levi and dropping the photograph into his lap. "Your existence is hardly a secret and your reputation has practically become legend. What do you think would happen to your precious pastry girl if anyone learned you'd gone soft?"

He didn't answer, his scowl growing deeper and deeper by the second.

"They'll kill her, Levi. If you're lucky."

Erwin was right; he wouldn't deny it. He'd made more than his fair share of enemies in this world and if even one of them were brave enough to make an attempt at his life, Petra would be their first target. It had been a mistake letting her in.

No. It hadn't been a mistake. As he sat there seething, he knew it wasn't a mistake. Love wasn't a screw up. He would find a way around this.

"After this," he decided slowly, "I'm out. For good."

On any other occasion Erwin may have been able to concede with proper persuasion. Instead, he finally sat down, clasping his hands together as he rested his elbows on his thighs.

"This isn't just another job. This is war. The likelihood of either of us coming out alive—"

"I don't care," Levi snapped, his irritation tipping, "I'll do what I have to do, and then I'm done. I've been your dog for fifteen years. I'm fucking done."

Erwin rubbed his forehead and sighed. "I warned you never to get comfortable."

"Yeah well I don't give a rat's ass," came the acrid rebuttal as Levi rose from his chair, "if you want to train another beast then talk to Jaeger. Kid's got potential. I'm too old for this bullshit."

"And are there any terms to your resignation?"

From anyone else the words may have seemed insincere and mocking, but Erwin, though ambiguous in his morality, was always straightforward. Levi knew he wasn't asking for terms because he was accepting the request, but because he truly believed Levi would not live long enough to fulfill it. Still, business was business and it was to be done properly.

"Yes. The guaranteed safety of Miss Ral and myself. And any chil—" he paused, then corrected himself, "—and any living thing under our roofs."

Erwin closed his eyes, having heard the slip-up. So Levi had gotten very comfortable. Imagining family life, was he?

"Your flight leaves for Sina in two hours," he said, handing Levi the travel documents, "be sure not to miss it."

The tall blonde let himself out and Levi moved to the bedroom where he had a quick shower, donned a suit and his weapons, and steeled himself. He picked up the photograph of Petra, slipping it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, but then removed it, hanging it back in its place. He would carry nothing on his person that tied him to her. Erwin had been right. He'd put her in danger by growing close with her, and now he could only protect her the best he could.

When he stepped into the bakery kitchen, she was still sitting at the table, fiddling with the ties of her apron. When he entered, she looked up, waiting for him to tell her exactly what she was already expecting to hear.

He wouldn't be indifferent tonight. He wasn't going to be passive or dismissive. This moment may very well be the last time he would ever get to look upon her and God damn it, he would make it worth his while.

In four short strides he was before her, one arm around her waist, pulling her forward. His other hand ripped the baker's cap from her hair and he shoved his fingers into the golden locks, pressing his mouth against hers in the very first, and quite possibly the last, show of outward affection he had ever graced her with. If she shoved him away, he wouldn't care. He'd gotten what he wanted, what he needed.

But she didn't shove him away. Surprised, but not stunned or offended, Petra responded timidly at first, bringing her hands to rest on the lapels of his jacket, but as his kiss grew hungrier, more desperate, she responded in kind, pushing her fingers into his hair, shivering at the electric energy between them.

He ripped his mouth away from hers, taking a quick breath before he dove back down, splattering hot kisses along her neck, tasting the sugar on her flesh. She gasped, throwing her head back and gripping his shoulders.

"You're leaving me, aren't you," she whimpered, her knees becoming watery, trembling as the rest of her tried to make sense of the pleasure shooting through her veins.

He stopped, pulling her close, his blunt fingernails digging into the back of her neck. "I have to go," he ground out against her skin, closing his eyes, "the choice is not mine."

"I love you, Levi," she whispered. She knew that saying it now wouldn't make him stay, but he had to know. She had to tell him.

She felt him grit his teeth and he stepped back, opening his jacket, revealing the twin pistols nestled at his ribcage. "Do you?"

Eyes glistening with tears, she forced a smile, and with her hands over his, she closed his coat and nodded. Placing her hands on either side of his face, she kissed his forehead, his nose, his cheeks, his chin. "I do," she breathed. "I've always known you were a dangerous man."

This time it was his knees that grew weak. She wasn't afraid of him nor did she look down upon his work. She didn't know the details of his source of income, but just the simple fact that she wasn't deterred made Levi want to fall to the ground and worship her. She was the very first person that didn't look upon him with superiority or contempt.

"Then wait for me," he told her, kissing her again, "I'll come home to you."

Home.

She let the tears fall this time and he brushed them away with his thumbs. She was his home. It was everything she could have imagined. But why did it have to be this way? And why now?

When he left her, she could feel her heart cracking straight down the middle. He never looked back and he never said goodbye. She inhaled and set to work cleaning up from their dinner. She should have at least sent him off with some food. He'd left with nothing but his guns.

She didn't even know where he was going.

xxxx

Author's Notes: So um. Yeah this was supposed to be just a cute happy oneshot of baker!Petra and mysterious tenant!Levi and then all of a sudden he's in the mafia and shit's going down and yeah I'm sorry. :| It can't be helped. I promise you all a happy ending even though I want to write otherwise, so don't hate me too much. :3 :3