He hesitates to knock.
Maybe she needs some time alone?
No, he should settle this here and now. He can't stand the thought of her crying more.
He knocks but there is no answer.
"Petra, are you in there?"
Silence. Is she elsewhere or she doesn't want to see him?
When he is about to leave, the door opens.
Shit. Her eyes are red.
"I'm sorry, captain. I wasn't sure I heard you knocking, that's why I didn't answer".
She smiles, beautifully as always. She pretends she's fine. Okay, Levi will play along.
"No problem. Perhaps I should have knocked louder".
"How can I help you, captain?"
"I was wondering if we could talk".
"We're already talking" she slightly giggles.
Damn, he hates it when she does that. It's so adorable that he feels butterflies in his stomach. Disgusting.
"Somewhere more private?" he asks.
He notices the concerned look on her face. No, he doesn't want to get inside her room.
"Will you join me at the rooftop? There should be full moon tonight. It would be a shame to miss it".
"Umm… Sure, let me grab my coat first".
He remembers the first time he ever saw the stars and the moon. He had heard stories, he had read books. But the real thing… it was out of this world!
Right now, as he sits next to Petra, a thought is keeping his mind busy: did the moon get more beautiful? Did the stars get brighter? Is it just his idea, or does the sky looks even more bewitching?
And is it possible that the person beside him is more beautiful than all the stars and galaxies combined?
He looks at her and suddenly the night sky seems less fascinating.
"Captain?" her calm voice interrupts his thoughts.
"Hm?"
"Why did you want to see me?"
He gazes above. This time, he will tell her the truth.
"You remind me of someone I used to be close to and very protective over. Eventually I failed to keep them safe. I don't want the same thing to happen to you".
He takes his eyes away from the heavens and they meet with hers. They are full of… pain. And compassion.
"I'm sorry, sir" Petra whispers as she comes closer.
He feels her hand in his shoulder. It's so warm.
The clouds cover the stars and the moon. But Levi doesn't mind. He doesn't need them. Not right now. He has something even more wonderful.
"This won't happen to me" Petra continues. "Please, believe in me".
"That's what they said too".
Petra is taken aback. She slowly removes her hand from his shoulder.
The two of them stare at the empty sky.
The sound of fireflies and crickets is the only thing that they hear for a while. Until Petra speaks again. She doesn't want to appear bold or decisive, but her words get through to him.
"You are right. I don't know what will happen. No one's future is guaranteed. But I know that I will fight. I want to dedicate myself completely. Please, let me".
"Petra—"
"I couldn't live with myself knowing that I could have done more and I didn't. I want to give my all to this purpose. Whatever happens, I'm prepared".
"I see…"
"And I don't put my faith solely on my skills. I know that you'll be there to protect us. And I trust in you".
The clouds draw back. The skies bright up again.
"The subordinates should be devoted to their captain" Levi says. "But I'm also devoted to you. To all of you. I will protect you. I won't keep you back anymore" he reassures her.
Petra smiles. And for a moment Levi forgets that the stars are up in the sky. Because he thinks he sees them in her eyes.
He will protect her as best as he can. But at the same time, he will set her free. Free to make her own choices, free to fight, free to devote herself.
Free.