Levi visited the small cemetery that was reserved for members of the Survey Corps who died out on the line of duty. He would only ever visit a grave once—as he learned from Erwin Smith, it was better to live out his life with no regrets.

But today, he was making an exception to his rule and visiting a grave for the second time.

It's been a year.

Exactly one year ago, Levi lost his original squad at the hands of the Female Titan. But more than losing Eld, Oruo, and Gunther, he lost her, too. Petra was one of the best soldiers out there, which was the reason he hand-picked her to be part of his team.

Petra was skilled in battle, and she also knew when to fall back. Levi trusted that she had a good sense of judgment.

Somewhere along the way, Petra charmed the hell out of him, too—although he never let anyone know. Not even the other members of Squad Levi, and especially not Hange, the nosy Abnormal.

Finally reaching her grave, he placed a bunch of purple flowers at the headstone. These were her favorite. Levi remembered her telling the brat that she particularly loved the color purple.

"Purple represents pride, and don't you think we ought to be proud of what we're doing, Eren?" Petra would say. She was devoted to her duties… and devoted to him. Levi heard it from her father, and it was painful enough to hear, but he knew it from Petra, too.

He knew it the night before they set out on that mission to capture the Female Titan.

###

Levi was on his way back to his quarters when he overheard Oruo and Petra going at each other again. "You're nothing like Captain Levi," he heard Petra say.

Oruo was at it again, was he? He's been doing this for months now—for whatever reason, Oruo had decided to start styling his hair similar to Levi's. He's also started talking like him, too. It was annoying, but nothing worth getting worked up over, Levi thought.

Petra didn't feel the same way, apparently. She'd chew Oruo out at every chance she got, which Levi secretly found amusing, to say the least.

But now wasn't the time, and outside in the open definitely wasn't the place, either. They had an expedition tomorrow, and they needed all the rest they could get.

"Hey," Levi called out. "Both of you stop acting like brats and get some sleep. Do I need to remind you what tomorrow is?"

"Sorry, Captain," Petra said, genuinely apologetic. She didn't like feeling like she had disappointed Levi, and especially not over arguing with Oruo.

"Sorry, Captain," Oruo apologized, too. But he just couldn't help himself and started talking about how he'll be at his peak tomorrow and those Titans wouldn't know what hit them, only shutting up after Petra elbowed him right in the gut.

"We'll be going now, Captain Levi," Petra said, grabbing Oruo by the arm and shoving him towards the wing that was reserved for Squad Levi. There were perks of being part of an elite team, Levi thought as he watched the two of them make their way to their rooms with Oruo grumbling something or other.

Oruo has it bad for Petra, Levi thought. Does she even realize it yet?

###

A knock on the door. Levi got out of his chair—it was still dark out, and he'd only slept for a few hours before fixing himself a cup of tea to help him relax. It was a ritual of his by now, that before every major expedition, Levi would drink a delicious cup of tea. Perhaps to calm his nerves?

Petra stood outside his door. She looked nervous.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" Levi asked. He was surprised to see her, and his first thought was that something was wrong at home and she'd be asking to take off tomorrow to see her father. He was an older gentleman, as far as he could remember. Was something wrong?

"Captain Levi, I…" Petra started. But she shook her head and it looked to Levi as if she was trying to stay firm with her resolve.

"I'm honored to be part of this squad, Captain," Petra said. She looked Levi in the eye as she spoke, her voice seemed to waver but her eyes… these were the eyes of a soldier ready to fight… to survive… to live.

"I'm ready to offer my heart for the sake of humanity, and… I also…"

You also…? Levi coolly watched his subordinate, though he wouldn't admit it but his heart was beating a mile a minute. What exactly was it that she was trying to tell him? That she was committed to the job? That's all well and good, but couldn't she have chosen a better time to tell him than—

"I also offer my heart to you, Captain."

Wait, what?

Levi was visibly taken aback. He was definitely not expecting that from Petra. At least, not in the middle of the night, and not the middle of the night before a major expedition.

Petra seemed genuinely surprised herself. Her hands went up to cover her mouth, and she was a deep shade of red from embarrassment.

"I… well, goodnight, Captain." Petra was quick to flee back to her room, not even giving Levi the chance to speak or give a proper reaction to her words.

I also offer my heart to you, Captain.

Levi may be humanity's strongest soldier, but he wasn't the smartest when it came to stuff like this. Or maybe he just didn't want to take her words the wrong way. What if she meant something else?

Oh, shut up, Levi. What the hell else could she have meant?

Levi shook his head, more frustrated at himself that he was trying to decode a message that didn't need decoding. But isn't this what he loved about Petra? Her honesty with him was refreshing.

Love.

That was the word. Levi didn't know how long he'd been feeling like this, but he damn well knew he was a poor bastard in love. If she had the guts to tell him, then why wouldn't he?

Tomorrow, then. Levi decided. When we get back from the expedition, this will be the first thing I'll tell her.

###

As it would turn out, Petra wouldn't make it back on that last expedition. She died trying to protect Eren, as did many others. Levi could remember holding back the feeling of despair when he also gave the order to dump bodies from their carts to distract pursuing Titans—and Petra was among them.

Levi shook his head. No regrets.

He did what he had to do to make sure who was left survived, and he knew Petra knew, too. He also knew that she'd have understood why she never got an answer to her confession—Levi had to focus on the mission. He didn't let his emotions get in the way, too much was at risk.

No regrets.

Levi stood up, just about ready to go. The sun was already setting—Levi didn't realize he had already spent hours just thinking about Petra. I couldn't say what I wanted to back then, Levi thought. But I can still say it now, can't I, Petra?

"I also offer my heart to you, Petra."