Levi's daughter runs up with tears streaming down her face, holding out a solitary finger while the other clutches her shirt tightly.

"Daddy," she sobs. "I hurt my finger!"

He turns from his work and kneels down to inspect the damage. "How did this happen, Louisa?"

Louisa's eyes crinkle at the edges and in between hiccups, she says, "The rose bush! The one with mean thorns...I accidentally touched one!"

He wipes away her tears with a handkerchief and takes his young daughter's unharmed hand. "Come on, let's go ask Mikasa to make it all better."

Five minutes later the wound is bandaged and Levi has kissed it all better. It feels good to bandage small wounds like that, instead of putting bodies in bags and sending home dog tags and a letter.

"She looks more and more like Eliza every day," Mikasa sighs.

"I know," is all he says, and he stands there, hands pressed to the porch railing and watches Louisa Ackerman dance among the flowers.

-x-x-x-x-x-

He sees her every day at the hospital, bringing fresh flowers to bedside tables and talking softly with the patients. She's just a volunteer, he learns, but she's there at 5 o' clock pm every day, without fail.

Today her copper hair is tied back into a bun, loose strands circling her face, smiling as she speaks with a patient. He's never spoken to her, but passing by her one day, he notices her name tag: Petra. It's written in sharpie with a smiley face next to it. Everyone loves her, and it's no wonder, because she remembers every name, every favorite color and obscure detail.

Levi steps out of Louisa's room after she's fallen asleep and closes the door. Hearing the click of the handle, Petra turns and spots him, immediately breaking into a smile.

"You must be Louisa's father," she greets, shaking his hand. "She talks about you alot."

"Does she?"

"Yeah," Petra chuckles. "Wants to tell me all these stories about her brave dad. I hear you make some fantastic pasta. And, you were a soldier?"

"In the Marines, yes."

"Thank you for your service," Petra nods. "And for being such a great father to Louisa. Not many parents, even the best ones, visit their sick children every day."

"I remember being in hospitals for various things," Levi replies. "It was boring as hell so I try to visit her as often as I can."

"That's great!" Petra looks through the window at Levi's sleeping daughter. "She should be better within the next week or so, and then she'll be home free again."

"That's good to know." Levi sticks his hands in his pocket. "Thank you for taking care of her. For all of the patients, really? You're the one doing the real service here."

Petra looks down at her hands bashfully. "I enjoy it. Like you said...it's just so much nicer when you have someone to talk to. Makes the healing process better physically and psychologically."

"I imagine it can be exhausting at times though."

"Tell me about it," Petra glances at her watch. "I was actually thinking about grabbing a cup of coffee. I've got extra time today to spend with patients but I want to give myself a little energy first."

Something just draws him to her. "I promised Louisa I'd read her a story tonight so I may stay here for a while too. Do you mind if I join you?"

She almost looks surprised, but she smiles. "Of course! I'll be glad for the company myself."

He learns a lot about her, and slowly begins to understand how she can remember everything about everyone. He finds himself retaining every detail about her work at the hospital and the pharmacy downtown. It's strange for him to remember so much - he can't even remember the name of the person next door - but there's just something so memorable about Petra.

In the next week, before Louisa is officially able to go home, he finds himself opening up to her. It took him years to open up to Erwin, yet here he is, telling her about his late wife and his sister and his love of tea.

One day she brings him a tin of tea, her own special brew, and asks him to try it. The next day he returns and says it's one of the best things he's ever tasted.

She glows and he gets this strange feeling, something he hasn't felt in a long while.

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Daddy!" Louisa grins, running into his arms.

"Hey there," he gives a small smile and pats her on the head.

"Hi Miss Petra!" The young girl beams, bouncing up and down, her complete energetic self once again.

"Louisa!" Petra laughs. "I'm going to miss you at the hospital."

"Maybe I'll come back!" Louisa suggests. "I wanna bring flowers to people. Like you Miss Petra!"

Petra winks conspiratorially. "Well, if your dad agrees…"

"We'll both be here to help, at least once in a while," Levi nods. He might not have the best bedside manner, but Louisa and Petra more than make up for that.

"That's great," Petra hugs Louisa. "Then I will be seeing you again soon!"

He sees how happy they are together, how Louisa is so bubbly - well more than usual - around Petra, and he realizes he really wouldn't mind spending more time with this woman. It surprises him, he's only known her for two weeks and he still wants to know more.

"I apologize if this is inappropriate but, uh," he clears his throat awkwardly. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner sometime."

Petra almost laughs. "Levi Ackerman are you asking me on a date?"

"Louisa would be there," he mumbles awkwardly.

She laughs. "I'm just teasing. I would love you. I've got to try your famous cooking sometime."

"Alright, I'll call you about it sometime."

He and Louisa walk hand in hand out of the hospital, and she swings their linked arms together happily, admiring the bandage on her arm.

"She's really nice, Papa."

"Yeah," Levi replies. "She really is."