"Look at you, little Levi, all grown up!" the caretaker of the orphanage exclaimed as Levi came down the stairs before his big Christmas date with Petra. He had bought himself a new suit and decided that the cravat was not appropriate attire for the night. He had showered thoroughly beforehand and combed his hair neatly. He had a grand presence about him; he wore a black suit (pressed and ironed twice) with a silver and dark blue striped tie. A sleek silver watch sat on his left wrist - a watch that the orphanage had bought him to try and make up for the broken one his grandfather had left him. Yes, it lacked the sentiment of the previous watch, but he appreciated the thought and humbly accepted the gift.
Outside the orphanage, Mikasa was waiting for him on a motorcycle, a birthday present that her adopted parents had bought her a year ago. Mikasa had mentioned it to him in passing one day at school and because his only means of transportation was a bicycle, he asked Mikasa if he could borrow it for the night, which she happily agreed to. He flashed her a big smile before being handed the keys and Mikasa hugged him tight, telling him to be safe and to have fun. She hadn't seen him this happy in years and only wished the best for him. With that, Mikasa traded her motorcycle for Levi's bicycle and headed back home. Before leaving, Levi ran back inside to put on his outdoor coat and tucked away the flowers he had bought her under it. It'd look like shit if I come to her door with petals missing from the flowers, geez. He gave his caretaker a hug and thanked her for helping him prepare for this night and took off, arriving at Petra's apartment not 15 minutes later.
Levi swung his leg over the motorcycle and pulled out a small comb to fix his hair that was restricted under the motorcycle helmet. After making sure his clothes were in pristine condition, he slowly made his way to her door, heart beating louder and louder after every step he made. He cleared his throat and knocked on the door firmly. He couldn't have finished the third knock when the door swung wide open, revealing a petite angel in a periwinkle blue dress. He was speechless but finally realized that flowers that were under his coat were beginning to poke him in the chest so he pulled them out to breathe and handed them to her as he bowed his head like a gentleman. "For you, my lady." He said in a low voice and noticed her face flush when their hands touched as she accepted them. She skipped to the kitchen and put them in a vase with water before they left, being very careful that she not to ruin how perfect the petals were on the end of every stem. When he showed her their mode of transportation for the night, Petra shrieked, "We're riding on a motorcycle tonight? Oh goodness, this is so exciting!" Levi couldn't help but chuckle as she quickly put the helmet on her head and sat on the back of the motorcycle, patting the front seat with her hand to indicate how excited she was and that Levi was taking too long. "What's the plan for tonight, sir?" she asked as he turned the key into the ignition. He smirked under his black motorcycle helmet and refused to answer her question, speeding off to their first event of the night.
"Dinner was so delicious, Levi. The chicken parmesan was amazing and don't even get me started on dessert." Petra told Levi as she patted her belly. "I'm really glad you enjoyed it, I wasn't sure what kind of food you liked, but I figured everyone loves Italian. Just wait until we get to our next destination." Levi said as he grabbed her hand, running back to the motorcycle. He looked so blissful; his smile beamed across his face as he looked back at her, like a little kid awaiting a surprise. She loved all of his attributes, but she loved this side of him the most. He seemed so carefree, something most people had not had the opportunity to see. But she did. And she engrossed herself in the moment when it presented herself. Levi started the motorcycle back up and kicked it into gear. "Where are we going now, dear?" She called me…dear. His heart felt like it grew three sizes and with the adrenaline that was kicking in, they zoomed off.
They had been traveling for quite a while now, enjoying the scenery and winding their way around mountains. It seemed like they had been on an endless journey until the next town began to show itself in the distance. "Levi, did we leave town? What are we doing here?" Petra asked him. "It's your next surprise, Petra." Levi said as he started to slow down his motorcycle and to meet the town's speed limit. He parked the motorcycle next to an ice cream shop near the middle of town and Petra wrapped herself around Levi's right arm as they walked side by side. It was a chilly winter night with remnants of snow that lay on the ground, but they kept warm; they only needed the warmth that radiated from each other's body and the warmth that arose in their rosy cheeks whenever they looked at each other. "We're here."
Her eyes widened significantly. They had reached the town's square, where a grand lighted fountain sat in the middle and trees surrounded them with an assortment of hanging Christmas lights. The square was bustling with families and couples that wanted to see the great attraction, taking pictures and drinking the hot apple cider that was sold at a stand right by the fountain. It was an attraction the town prided itself for every year, dimming the rest of the lights in town so the bulbs hanging from the trees in the square would shine its brightest. "It's beautiful, Levi. You didn't have to take me to a neighboring town just to see these lights, even though they're absolutely magnificent." Petra thanked him humbly but Levi just replied, "This isn't all." But he would let her have her fun for a while and they walked side-by-side around town for the next hour.
Unbeknownst to Petra, Levi had managed to lead her to a park that sat on the tallest hill of the city. They had walked for a really long time but neither of them noticed because of how much they enjoyed each other's company. Finally finding a bench to sit down on, Levi reached into his suit pocket for a little red box with a pink satin ribbon wrapped around it. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to buy anything better, but I really hope you like it." He said shyly as his shaking hands moved towards hers. Petra was stunned. She opened the little box, and inside was a necklace with a round, silver charm with the letters PR engraved on it, which left her speechless. Levi took this as a good indication to try and put the necklace around her neck, and reached over to gently pull the necklace away from her fragile fingers and wrapped his hands around her hair to move it to one side. Petra noticed herself getting goosebumps as his fingers grazed over her neck as he messed with the clasp of the necklace.
"It's perfect, Levi. This night has been absolutely perfect. How did you become so amazing?" But I'm not amazing. I can't show you all of me. You'd only be disappointed. There was a comfortable silence as they sat on the bench, looking over the town that shone brightly from the all the lights that hung in the town square. But Levi couldn't take his eyes off of Petra. She shone brighter than any light he'd ever come across. He slowly leaned in closer towards her, tilting his head slightly to the side as he brushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear and kissed her softly. His breath left him and he couldn't pull away, so he kissed her deeper, until the only thoughts that were running through their minds were memories they shared together. His fingers slid to intertwine with hers as he pulled her closer and his entire world had stood still to capture the moment that would last forever. The snow and ice that encompassed his heart was now swept away by the coming of spring, his spring, his everlasting sunshine that he had been waiting for his entire life. At 1:06 AM, Levi and Petra arrived back at Petra's apartment and they kissed before he left her once more.
Levi slept soundly that night. He didn't need to make up a silhouetted significant other to fall in love with in his thoughts before he fell asleep. He was able to picture her and only her, their possible future together, and that was enough for him. It was more than just an amazing Christmas Day. It was the first and only time Levi would fall in love.
I'm so sorry if you found this chapter uneventful but the story will pick up and take off running in the upcoming and final chapter! Thank you so much for the favorites/follows/reviews, I really appreciate it and it makes my day when I get feedback! You all are the best ^.^
