It was very early in the morning when Petra Ral woke up in a big hurry and put on her military uniform in order to finish her duties as soon as possible. It was a Saturday and the higher ranks had granted the soldiers permission to go back home for the weekend since it was Father's Day. The announcement put everyone in a good mood and the officials always looked forward to those festivities "better make the most of the family time because you never know when it could be the last time you see them" was the general thought among the soldiers.
Levi Squad wasn't exception for the small holiday, but it was under one condition: they could all go home but only after they finished with their chores, which basically were cleaning up, so everybody woke up early that day.
"Morning Erd!" Petra said as soon as she saw her teammate in the library. She was carrying a bucked and a mop to clean the floor.
"Oh, morning Petra. Apparently we all woke up early today. Ready to see your father? I almost finish with these dusty books and then I have to clean the kitchen… after that I will be able to go home.
"Of course. As soon as I finish here, I have to clean the 4th floor hall and then I'm done. I would like to pick something for my dad before I go home.
"You are from Düsseldorf, right? You should check the plaza in Hilden district. They have some nice things there" Erd said after going down the small ladder he used to clean the bookshelf.
"Thanks, I'll keep it in mind… and in case we don't see each other, have a nice weekend!"
Erd headed to the kitchen and left Petra cleaning the floor. She had a big smile on her face and was daydreaming. Time passed so fast because she was thinking about what to get for her father and how happy he would be to see her. When she reached the hall on the 4th floor she was relieved that most of the soldiers were back home and they wouldn't be walking around with their boots full of mud.
The sun had just risen and some steps could be heard from the distance, quickly walking up the stairs.
"Petra, where's the rest of the squad?"
"Morning Capitan" she smiled, getting distracted from her cleaning "I saw Erd early this morning, and most likely he went home already. As for the others… I haven't seen them today but I guess they did the same" she laughed inside after seeing the Capitan's expression, he had forgotten about the holiday for sure and he looked displeasured "Today is…"
"Yeah, I remember now. That stupid holiday" he crossed his arms and looked through the window "and I guess you will do the same in a while"
"That's right, but I'll let you know before I leave" she looked at him as he walked away though the hall, careful to not step on the wet floor.
After finishing with the cleaning, Petra went to the Capitan's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in"
"Capitan Levi?" she liked to speak his name as much as he enjoyed hearing it from her lips "I've finished with my chores. Would you like me to do something before I leave?" he looked at her for an instant, considering keeping her for a couple hours, but something inside her eyes kept him from it.
"Düsseldorf, right? Take care on the way there" and he continued with his writing.
"See you later Capitan"
She hurried to her room, eager to get into her civil clothes and go back to her hometown, which was somehow close to the barracks; 40 minutes away. After that, then grabbed her purse and went to the barn in order to get her horse, but right before she could do it she heard a car approaching.
"I'll give you a ride" the Capitan said, looking for the girl inside the barn "Petra?" He asked after seeing her. He knew it was her, but he was surprised of seeing the girl wearing something different from her military uniform.
"Capitan…are you going to Düsseldorf?" she said out of curiosity and to end up with the silence between them because Levi suddenly was speechless. She was wearing a sky-blue sleeveless dress that had a very small lace at the edges of the fabric. Deep inside, the Capitan was thankful that normal people didn't wear uniforms for personal affairs.
"The barracks are pretty much empty and if I stay, that shitty glasses will somehow manage to make me help with her experiments"
"I see. Well in that case I will take on your offer."
The road to Düsselfort was very nice. Levi drove the car the whole way as she told her about her hometown and commented on the beautiful meadows around them. The Capitan rarely left the barracks off duty and that small trip was very refreshing for him, besides he enjoyed spending time with her, especially on occasions that weren't related to job, which happen less than he'd like.
As soon as they reached the town, they found many people walking in the streets. Merchants had just opened their shops and people war carrying big bags with groceries and fabrics. It was a nice and quiet town with red roofs and pretty houses, and the river could be heard in the distance.
"Thank you so much Capitan… do you have any plans for the weekend?"
"I'll look for an inn outside the city and perhaps I'll fish in the river" he looked around, trying to get familiar with the place.
"I know a good place for that and I could take you there"
"Don't you have to go and see your Family?
"Yes, but I want to pick up something for my dad at the plaza, which is on the way to the inn, so it will be killing two birds with one stone. Besides, I don't want you get angry because you got lost in the city" the laughed a little after seeing his annoyed expression but he knew she was right and a slight smile appeared on his face.
They left the car in one of the city stables and walked towards the plaza, stopping from time to time to look at the shops and see the merchandise. It was a pleasant walk for the Capitan; it helped him relax a little and then he saw something that caught his eye, and Petra noticed it.
"I'll see you in ten minutes ok? The shop I'm looking for is across the street" he nodded and entered the store where he saw a beautiful tea set that brought him childhood memories. He stared for a while and I the end he bought it.
When he came out, Petra had a gift wrapped bog in one hand and two cups with some strange an yellow thing in the other.
"What the hell is that?"
"Well, you see… something told me that you've never eaten ice cream so here you go" she handed him one of the cups and started to walk.
"Come on, I now a good place to eat it and get away from this noisy place"
They both walked to a park by the side of the river and set in the swings there, a little far away from some children that were playing in the grass.
"Vanilla ice cream you say?... is weird, and cold… but good" he had the spoon on his mouth.
"Is the local delicatessen, and very tasty by the way. When I was a little child I used to come to this park with my dad and before we went back home he always got me an ice cream"
"I can tell you love him so much"
"I do. After my mom passed away when I was still a baby he took care of me and we became very close"
"I didn't know that. I'm sorry" there was a pause "Do you have any siblings?"
"No, it's just my father and me"
"I'm sure he didn't like it at all when you joined the Reckon Corps"
"Not really. From the moment I became a cadet he got mad at me, but then he understood my reasons and he has supported me ever since. Besides, I write him a letter every week, and when I read his responses it's just like if I hear his voice talking to me" she turned up to see the sky and Levi could see her beautiful side face and her slightly upturned nose "what about you?" it was a casual question but she knew she might be crossing the line by asking him about his past. Petra could imagine some things about it; she was aware of him being a thug when he was a kid but she wanted to know a little more.
"My childhood wasn't nice at all" his face got darker and he turned his head to the side, avoiding her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked…"
"I don't know what happened with my parents, but when I was 12 a… disgusting old man adopted me as his apprentice and unfortunately, I own him many of my abilities as a soldier. Some years later I ran away and went back to that gross underground city inside Wall Sina. To be honest, I don't have any pleasant memories before I escaped, much less from my parents. My father figure is pretty revolting and I consider this stupid father's day thing as a waste of time "
"I see" there was something in Petra's voice that made him turn to face her; some kind of compassion, tenderness and the need of protecting him after hearing about those awful years "I'm sorry that you had a rough childhood… but if it weren't for them, you wouldn't be who you are today, and I'm sure that you inspire admiration in many people, and that includes me" her smile was sweet and they both shared an intense glance.
"Petra…"she kept smiling and looked at the children that were playing with a ball next to their dad.
"Do you like kids?"
"Little and stupid brats?... tsch not at all" she laughed at his disgusted expression and moved along with the swing
"The inn is up that way, two streets from that house over there. Just walk in that direction until you find a big house with a green sign"
"Thanks…and if you'd like, we could return to the barracks together"
"I would like that… see you tomorrow afternoon... here?"
"Sure… have a nice weekend with your father"
"Thanks" she stood up and got closer to him, careful of not being noticed and she kissed him in the cheek "I'm sure that you would be a great father" she smiled and walked away, leaving Levi bewildered and with a light blush on his face.
Author notes:
This is a Little late father's day fanfic… I just though about it during the afternoon when I had coffee with my dad. Perhaps it wasn't as much LevixPetra but I hope you liked it. This one dedicated to my dad who also reads my fics from time to time.
By the way, I'm looking for a beta reader! If anyone's interested, please send me a PM