Chpt 10: The Maiden Torments The Beast

Levi will admit he is a mess because that is what he is. He has been a wreck ever since Petra left him a month ago. Sure, he still does his work as per normal, that is, if working until two in the morning and starting again at six is considered normal.

He tried to dig the details out from shitty glasses but she brushed him off, citing it is not in her place to tell him anything since they are not married. Levi tried shaking the information out of the stubborn mule but Erwin's big hands on his shoulders stopped him, warning that if he continues to treat his wife in this manner, there will be consequences. Levi reluctantly let go of Hanji, knowing that his only source is keeping her lips sealed and is being protected by a titan.

Another being who was suffering from Petra's departure is Eren; the poor intern is having a crash-and-burn course. He doesn't know the reason why Petra wasn't around and made the mistake of questioning Levi, which resulted in him having to beg Mike to sign his timesheet instead, otherwise goodbye credits. Good thing Mike agreed to play along, saying that Levi was out-stationed and only he was around to sign.

Erwin tried to get Levi another assistant but that midget refused; he doesn't want anybody other than Petra because that woman's brilliance is second to none in his eyes. Instead, Levi managed to convince Erwin that if he get another assistant like Dita the Dick, he will not be held responsible for whatever happens to the miserable pig. Levi didn't mind the extra workload. If anything, it kept him very occupied, not allowing him to dwell on Petra's absence and he is cursing and swearing for a whole different reason.

Knock knock.

Levi looked up from his papers to see Erwin standing outside his door. Contemplating to draw the wall curtains, he deduced that Erwin wouldn't leave him alone until he've said his piece so Levi waved him in.

"Sorry for disturbing wh –"

"That's not what you want to say. Just spit it out."

"How long can you keep this up? Sooner or later, your body is gonna give way before your mind does." Erwin asked, standing his ground in front of his desk.

"As long as it takes until Petra comes back." Levi won't be bothered to go into details when the bastard knows more than he does, probably.

Erwin heaved a heavy sigh; he can't blame Levi for the cold treatment when he is withholding information; information the guy desperately seeks. "Well then, I shall not disturb you any longer. Try to get some rest. I don't want to see you lying in the hospital having fainted from exhaustion."

Levi continued to work for a few more minutes after Erwin left until he felt depleted of energy. He doesn't remember eating dinner, or lunch. Ignoring his stomach's cry for food, Levi recalled the phone call with Petra's dad last week.

"No, Petra is not here. Did something happen?" Patrick asked.

"... No."

Silence.

"Levi, I know it's none of my business but I hope it isn't anything unresolvable."

"I hope it isn't too."

"I'll call you if I get any news of her."

"Thank you, Patrick."

Levi sighed. Even though Patrick said he didn't have a clue, he felt that the old man is hiding something from him; something big and life-changing.

It was eight in the evening when Roy walked in, not at all surprised when he sees Levi still hard at work. His stack of papers are going to tower the short black soon if he doesn't engage an assistant soon, buried under all those nasty paperwork and suffocate to death if not found.

Levi didn't make any motion to acknowledge his presence, not even after he flopped onto the leather chair in front of him.

"You look small." He commented.

"Thanks, Captain Obvious." Levi said without missing a beat, no hint of anger in his words.

Roy isn't used to this mild version of Levi. If anything, this is not the Levi he knows and its existence is unnecessary. Unable to take it no longer, Roy grabbed Levi's arm and snagged his coat and bag and dragged him out of the office, not bothering to shut his computer or to off the lights. It is a testament of just how weak Levi is when he doesn't put up a struggle.

Deciding the bar would be a good place to let the troubled attorney drink his sorrows away – actually, the bar is always a good place for Roy, no matter what the situation is. When Levi realised where Roy was headed to, he tried to open the door at a red light but Roy was quicker; he locked all the doors with the master control before his prisoner escaped. All Levi could do was to lean his heavy head back against the head-rest and resist the urge to punch Roy's lights out.

But Levi had a hundred and eighty degree change of mind the moment he downed his first glass. If only this shit will drown my problems. Glass after glass, Roy patiently waited for Levi to pour his heart out; or rather, if Levi does reveal his feelings. Not used to not pushing the limits of his liver, Roy ordered some snacks to chew on, not wanting to get drunk this time because someone else obviously needs all the help he can get.

"Life sucks."

"Yeah, I know."

"No you bloody hell don't." By this time, Levi had his head rested on his forearm, mumbling his words without a care in the world; he doesn't care if he gets judged for this because Petra is no longer by his side. His mind is foggy and but his words are clear because he has been wanting to say these words for the longest time now, just that the wrong person is beside him.

"I don't even know what she sees in me and what I see in her. All I remember are her stupid smiles and stupid laughter. Why the fuck would she even approach me when I look like some psychopathic murderer? Running around without a care in the world, accepting everybody for who they are, does she even know what 'stay the fuck away from me' means? Fuck, the more I pushed her away, the more determined she is to break the walls around me. Stubborn little shit."

Levi lifted his head up, just enough to empty the vodka shot. Leaning his head against the cold marble top, eyes glassed over with cheeks flushed red, Levi is definitely a lightweight compared to Roy who has no trouble downing twenty shots and still feel awake.

When Roy didn't see any signs of life from Levi, he nudged him a couple of times for a good measure, wondering if he had knocked himself out over the twenty glasses or so shots he downed. Just as he was about to drag Levi off the stool, his phone rang.

Elizabeth calling.

"Hello beautiful. Miss me?" Roy said cheekily.

"You wish. I tried calling your house line but you didn't pick up."

"Oh. Well, I'll be heading home after I drop Levi off. He's dead to the world right now."

"Dead? You need any help hiding the corpse?"

"Actually, no. But I wouldn't mind seeing your lovely face again today."

"That flirtatious tongue of yours is going to land you in hot soup one day. Just calling to remind you to check your email. Mr Hannes sent you his regards."

"Yucks, that perpetual drunkard." Roy grimaced at the memory of getting a whiff of his horrible breath. "Will do when I get home. Thanks sweetie." He made a smooching sound into his mouthpiece.

"Hm!" The line went dead.

Roy didn't know which was worse, picking up the tab because Levi is out or dragging his drunken ass because this midget is fucking heavy.

Urgh, never again. He's not even my type!

Roy knows which building he lives in but not the unit number, resulting in him having to walk an extra twenty steps to the security guard and ask where he could deposit the baggage. The guard raised his eyebrows but Roy just shrugged, as if saying he picked Levi from the rubbish collection centre.

Fishing through Levi's pockets for his keys has got to be one of the most awkward thing Roy has ever did; it's even more awkward than adjusting his balls discreetly in public. Finally found the cursed key, Roy manoeuvred through the apartment, feeling the walls for the stupid light switch. Unceremoniously dumping him onto his bed, Roy then got a good look.

If Roy didn't know Levi well enough, he would think that that thin layer of dust on his table was normal; so is the overflowing laundry hamper. Sigh, he is in worse shape than I thought. Roy didn't know what to do; after all, Riza was always the one who took care of him when he was drunk. Decided to just leave him a huge glass of water by his bedside table, Roy made his way out but not before hearing a soft Petra.

I wonder if I'll be like that if Riza leaves me one day…

A/N 1: I know people change after going through break-ups, or in this case, one party disappears into thin air. Hope I hadn't made Levi too OOC, but I bet he feels like the shit he is.

A/N 2: Fear not, next chapter will be better.