She's a morning person. She tries to start every day with a bright smile on her lips, no matter what difficulties come in her life.

But today is different. She doesn't have to try at all. The smile is there before she even opens her eyes.

Petra is not sure if she's awake or still sleeping, because she has experienced that kind of happiness before only in her dreams. The birds never sang more harmonically. The sun has never been brighter. And today it feels like it rises just for her.

She whistles a joyful tune while walking down the stairs.

When she enters the kitchen, she finds him inside. Alone. And honestly, even if he wasn't alone, she probably wouldn't notice anyone else.

He's washing the dishes. Petra surprises him with a melodic 'good morning'. When he turns around, she recognizes the same happiness in his grey eyes.

Last night she was so afraid to let go of him. She finally had him. What if he disappeared the moment she turned away from him?

"I'll see you tomorrow" he whispered in her ear. "Go to sleep. You must be tired from the trip".

And there he is now. Ready to hold her again. This is by far the best morning in her life.

"Hey" he smirks when he turns around and notices her.

"Hey" she repeats with a giggle, magnetized by his bad-boy half simper.

"How did you sleep?"

"Good. I missed breakfast, didn't I?" a sheepish smile appears on her face. "I'm sorry for sleeping in. I was tired".

"It's fine. I saved you some sausages, bacon, yogurt and an egg" he points at a plate on the table.

"Aw, that is so sweet!" she gives him a quick kiss on his nose.

"Eat while it's hot".

She sits down. She hasn't lifted her fork yet, but she is absolutely certain that this will be the best breakfast in her life.

"Where is everyone?" she asks with her mouth half-full.

"Eld took his leave and ran off to his fiancée. Oluo is cleaning the stables for the next couple hours. And I sent Gunther to deliver some documents to Erwin".

"So… we are all alone".

"It appears so", he puts the last dish in the cabinet and takes off his apron.

She can't take her eyes off of him as he pulls out the chair next to her and sits down.

"Petra?"

"Yes?" she whispers as they slowly close the distance between their faces. She wants more of him.

"Good morning everyone!" a loud greeting pierces their ears as Hange bursts in.

The couple quickly pulls away before the woman notices them.

"Hey, where is everyone? Levi, did you kill the boys?" Hange takes a sit beside him and puts her arm around his neck. "Petra is the only survivor? I always knew you had a preference for her. How are you doing, sweetie?"

"Good morning, squad leader Hange! I'm fine. How about you?" Petra gives her a warm smile.

"A literal sunshine! Levi, you should be more like Petra. You are really grumpy, you know that? You haven't said a thing since I came in".

"Hange" he gives her a deadly look. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Are you not pleased to see me?"

"No".

"How rude! And I only wanted some company. I just dropped by to say 'hi' on my way to the headquarters".

"Don't let us delay you. Leave. Now".

Then all of a sudden, Hange leans in and starts sniffing Levi.

Petra is a little bit worried about their close distance and Hange's hands being all over her boyfriend, but then again Hange is like that with everyone so she shouldn't get jealous.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Levi blurts, uncomfortable with Hange's sniffing. "Are you picking up Mike's habits?"

"I can't believe it!" Hange gasps and gets up from her chair. "Levi, are you wearing a… cologne? What happened to 'perfumes were invented only because stinky bastards wouldn't clean themselves'?" she mimics him perfectly.

Petra lets out a half-suppressed laugh, flattered as she suspects the reason why her captain is wearing a perfume today of all days.

"Are you trying to impress someone?" Hange smirks. "God! Are you hitting on Petra? That would make her feel very awkward, you know. Aw, that poor girl" she pinches Petra's cheeks. "You must go through a lot, living with four men. Hey, did you ever stumble upon any of them naked? Is Levi big or small?"

Petra chokes on her own saliva.

"Meanwhile that doesn't make her feel awkward at all" Levi rolls his eyes.

Hange stays for a quarter or so, despite Levi's multiple attempts to ignore her or straight up kick her out. Petra would prefer to stay alone with her boyfriend, but she is gentle to Hange nonetheless.

She pats Petra's head before she leaves.

"Honey, I should have chosen you for my squad before this dick-head. If you ever get tired of his ill-mannered behavior, transfer to my squad, okay?"

And to think that if this proposal had come one day earlier, she would have jumped at it! But thank the goddesses, everything between her and the captain is now as clear as day and she won't ever have to leave his side.

Levi sighs when Hange closes the door behind her.

"I thought that four-eyed piece of crap would never leave".

"Levi, you should be nicer to your friends" Petra fixes his cravat.

"She's not my friend".

"Of course she is. You two are always-".

He takes a gentle grip of her wrists and she can't continue fixing his cravat. Or talking. Or breathing.

"We are alone at last and you wanna talk about Hange?"

"Do you have another topic on mind?" she blushes as she feels his caresses on her knuckles.

"We don't have to talk at all" he says softly and leans in.

They break away as soon as they hear footsteps in the corridor. When the door opens, Petra hopes whoever enters won't notice her blush.

"Nothing like some good hot tea after all that work" Oluo exclaims. "Morning, Pet".

"You are supposed to be cleaning the stables, Bozado" Levi gives him an angry look.

"Already done, sir".

"So quickly? You didn't do a good job. Go clean again".

"Eld gave me a hand before he left, so it didn't take that long. We did a good job, sir. I swear, you can go check".

"Fine" Levi sighs.

Oluo hums a song completely out of tune, while he prepares tea.

Except the boiling water, steam also comes out from Levi's ears and Petra secretly squeezes his hand and mouths 'It's okay'.

Oluo pulls out a chair in the opposite side of the table.

"You're going to drink it here?" Levi raises his voice.

"Eh… Why not, sir?" Oluo looks scared.

"If you did such a good job with cleaning the stables, as you claim, you should be tired. Why don't you take your cup to your room and lie down?"

"Captain, you are too cute sometimes! Thank you for your concern, but I am fine. I prefer keeping you company. Hey, Pet, how was your father?"

"Better. Thanks, Oluo".

Petra would never be rude to Oluo, although he ruined their moment.

It seems like ages later when he decides to leave.

Petra won't be surprised if on their next training Levi gives Oluo a harder time than anyone else. She giggles, as she finds her boyfriend's vexed expression amusing.

"Finally alone" she pulls her chair closer to him.

"Now the mood is destroyed".

"It's alright. I have a few ideas to bring it back on" she reaches out and caresses his cheek.

Petra closes her eyes as she leans in, but Levi puts his fingers gently over her lips and pushes her back.

"What happ—"

"That bastard is unbelievable" he sighs.

Footsteps coming their way. It seems she was too distracted by her dazzling captain to hear them.

"Bozado, if you are looking for your freaking brain, it's not here" Levi shouts as soon as the door opens.

"Hi, captain" Gunther greets him. "It's me".

"What are you doing here? Did I not send you to Erwin?"

"I ran into him on my way there. Turns out he wanted to come and speak to you, so we returned together".

The Commander's imposing presence fills the room.

Petra brings her fist to her heart.

"What happened, Erwin? You missed me?" the short captain makes a comment, which the commander refuses to address.

"I need to inform you about a few updates on the report system".

A few? Okay, that'll probably be quick.

Levi ends up stuck in his office with Erwin all day.

Petra knocks on the door, while holding a tray with two plates, in case they want lunch.

"Not now, Petra" she hears Levi's voice from inside.

And then Erwin asks the same question that is on her mind:

"How do you know it's Petra?"

"She has a gentle knock".

When the commander leaves the base later at night, Petra salutes him with a huge smile on her face. It may be almost midnight, but she can enjoy a few moments with the one she's been thinking about all day.

She runs up the stairs, faster than when she's attacked by Titans, and knocks impatiently on Levi's door.

"That's not your usual gentle knock" he says as he opens the door and stands to the side to let her in.

"I wanted to add a little mystery. Besides, I was so impatient I couldn't be gentle".

"Why's that?" he locks the door.

"I thought we'd never have a moment of peace".

"We'd better take advantage of it then" he gives her a flirtatious look that has her melting.

"Levi—"

His lips are already locked on hers. His warm kiss an arrow straight to her heart. He does it again. And again. It's electrifying. His warm breath travels into her face as he devours her, making her feel like a woman. Petra begins to think that she may soon collapse from the intensity of his kisses.

Her tongue escapes her mouth and -finally free- licks his bottom lip playfully. He returns the gesture and soon their tongues meet like two firing stars smashing into each other, creating a fierce explosion that could shake up the whole galaxy, leaving behind one new-born star, ready to travel through the universe and light its every dark corner. That's what their kiss is. A cosmic eruption.

His mouth leaves her wet lips and makes its way to her jaw and then to her neck. She has never received such adoration. Her mouth is free to moan uncontrollably and whisper his name sensually between rushed breaths.

Tomorrow she'll have to wear a scarf to hide a couple things.

She's weak. Too weak to resist the flaming urge inside her, to do what she's been dreaming for years. Her right hand leaves his torso and moves to grab his ass. It's as firm as she imagined.

"Mm" she feels him gasp surprised inside her mouth. "Bold today, aren't we?"

Petra immediately wakes up from this passionate dream and draws her hand back in fear.

"Um… I'm sorry! Eh… I… I should have asked before… before doing that". Without realizing it, she's stepping back. But he grabs her from the shoulders, not letting her move an inch away from him. Petra lifts her eyes from the floor and meets a rare sight: Levi's smile. It encourages her to ask (a little shyly): "Was… eh, was this alright?"

He doesn't answer right away. Instead, he takes her hand and, after kissing her knuckles, he places it back on his… on Petra's favorite spot.

"It's perfect" Levi says.

Her grasp on him tightens. Is this a real man or a marble sculpture, crafted to depict utter perfection?

"You can touch me wherever you want" he says while kissing her on the lips.

"Oh!" she moans blissfully. "You too. God! Levi, you can touch me everywhere".

His arms rest on her waist, but they slowly move to her hips, pulling her closer to him and making her instantly aware of every part of his body that is pressed against hers.

Petra now has an answer for Hange.

He's so ready for her. She can feel his passionate desire to consume her. She wants him too. Every second even more desperately. But—

"Levi?"

"Mm?"

"Snickerdoodles".

His hot kisses stop at once. His arms drop from her hips. Levi looks up from the crook of her neck and Petra chuckles at the obvious disappointment in his eyes.

"Really?" he asks.

"Yeah…" her lower lip protrudes in a sulky pout.

She woke up with excruciating pain on her back and thighs.

"So, it is happening" she murmured in a sleepy voice.

At least she was relieved that her yesterday aches made her suspicious and she was fully prepared.

She was in captain Levi's squad only for a couple months, but his obsession with cleaning and hygiene became apparent from the start. She dreaded his reaction should he ever notice her washing blood stains off of her bed sheets.

It took a lot of effort for Petra to get up. She made sure to wear her green cloak so her bottom would be covered in case of emergency. The first day was always a disaster.

She made her way to the kitchen, trying to ignore the waterfall inside her.

"Good morning, Pet" Gunther's voice welcomed her. "We began worrying. Usually, you're up first. Everything alright?"

"Sure!" a cute smile instantly flitted over her face. "It just took me a little longer to prepare myself" she sat at the table along with everyone else.

"I told you there wasn't any need to rush and start eating without her" Oluo proudly folded his arms in front of his chest.

"Why are you wearing your cloak, Petra? Are you cold?" Eld asked her.

"Should we light the fire place?" Gunther suggested.

"I'm on it" Oluo got up from his chair.

"No, no, guys! I'm fine!" Petra reassured them. "I only wanted to try a different outfit".

"Can we eat already?" the captain's firm voice killed the happy mood.

And so they did.

Bread, cheese, ham, sausages, yogurt… The same as every morning. She once volunteered to make pancakes, but the captain scowled at her and said that soldiers shouldn't eat sweets. Too many calories.

But it was fine. The sausages were great and—

Oh! Why did it have to hurt so much?

"Oi, listen up, you shitty brats" the captain spoke up. "You better eat well, because we've got an intense training right after. Gather strength".

They boys didn't need to be told twice, as they were already devouring their second plates.

Petra wanted to scream. There was no way she could participate in training today, let alone something more intense than usual!

As soon as Eld, Gunther and Oluo were out of the kitchen, Petra hesitantly approached the captain.

"Umm… Sir?"

"Ral".

She cleared her throat and tried to sound confident: "I have a small request, if… if you please".

"What is it?"

"Could I… If it's possible… If you have no objections…"

He rolled his eyes. "Spit it out. I don't have all day".

"Sorry" she chuckled in awkwardness. "I was wondering if I could be… excluded from today's training?"

"Oh, I don't know, Ral. Next time you see a Titan, wanna ask him if you can be excluded from his dinner?"

Petra burst out in laughter, until the captain turned around and gave her the coldest look she had ever received. Wasn't it a joke? Wasn't she supposed to laugh?

"I'm sorry, sir. I only ask that because… umm… you see… my tummy is in pain".

"Your tummy is in pain?" he repeated mockingly.

"I mean… not just any pain! It's a difficult day for me".

"Don't be a cry-baby. Get yourself together. This is the Elite Squad, not kindergarten" he turned around and walked away.

"I know, captain" her voice stopped him. "But I really am in no condition to train today".

"Why is that?"

She took a step closer, looked around to make sure nobody else was listening, and whispered:

"I'm bleeding uncontrollably".

"You're bleeding?" his eyes widened in shock. "Where?"

She couldn't answer that.

"We have to get you to the medical station right away" he grabbed her by the elbow.

"There's no need. It's a… a normal bleeding".

His confused look urged her to explain further. Men! Always so clueless!

"You know… the kind of bleeding that happens to every woman once in a month?"

It took him a few seconds to understand.

"Oh".

She scratched her head and tried to smile, but he wasn't looking at her. He had his eyes fixated on the floor. Petra couldn't tell who felt more awkward.

"I see. Well… I suppose… I suppose if that is the case… Eh… You should…"

"Sir?"

"It's fine. You can skip training for today".

A huge wave of relief passed through her whole body.

"Thank you, sir".

Her superior nodded, avoiding eye contact, and left.

That was terrifyingly embarrassing, but at least she could lie down in her warm bed for the rest of the day.

"We should have a code for that" his voice sounded from the door. So, he wasn't gone.

"Sir?"

"To avoid all this awkwardness the next time it happens" he explained.

"Sure. You mean like a word instead of period?"

"Yeah. Instead of that".

It was weird to talk about her period with her captain, but she couldn't deny that a small part of her enjoyed his reactions.

"What about 'code red'?" she proposed.

"Too obvious".

"Okay. What do you suggest?"

"A word we don't normally use often. Maybe something big that draws attention".

The silence for the next few moments was mortifying.

Think, Petra! Think!

"Snickerdoodles?" she said. The first thing that came to her mind.

"What?"

"Snickerdoodles. You know, the cookies".

He didn't respond.

"Yeah, you're right" Petra waved her hand dismissively. "It's too dumb".

"Snickerdoodles will do".

The next month, she approached him again:

"Captain? Snickerdoodles".

"Okay. Go rest".

And the month after that:

"Captain Levi?" she got up from her chair and took some steps towards him.

"Snickerdoodles?"

"Yes" she admitted.

"You're excused for the day. I'll have one of those shitty brats make you some tea".

She walked into the kitchen and saw Levi busy with the utensils.

"Captain? Why are you up so early?" she asked with a sleepy yawn and rubbed her eyes.

"If you think it's too early, then why are you up?"

A soft laughter rang in his ears.

"What are you doing? Do you need help?" Petra approached him.

"No. I'm making pancakes".

"Really? That's amazing!" she clapped her hands in enthusiasm. "How come? I didn't know you had a sweet tooth, captain".

"I don't".

"I thought you said we should avoid sweets like the plague. That a soldier must always be on shape" she tilted her head and gave him a teasing look.

"Over the past few months, I've noticed your… snickerdoodles is steady. So, I did the math and figured that today it begins again".

"That's right" she admitted, somewhat uncomfortable.

"They say women are hungry this time of the month. Our food budget is doing well, so I said 'fuck it, it's not a big deal to spoil you shitty brats once in a while'".

"Oh, captain!" an excited gasp came from her. "Captain, that's… that's very thoughtful of you! Thank you!"

He shrugged indifferently. As if to say 'I didn't do this for you'. But later, when they all sat down to eat, Petra couldn't help but notice that her pancakes had slightly more chocolate syrup than everyone else's.

She couldn't decide which was sweeter: the pancakes or her captain.

He was never happy to hear that she can't attend the training sessions, but right now he is DEVASTATED.

"Stupid snickerdoodles" she sighs as she places a gentle kiss on Levi's cheek. "I'm sorry. Goodnight".

He grabs her sleeve.

"Stay here".

"But… snickerdoodles!"

"We don't have to do anything. Just stay".

Her captain is full of surprises indeed. She would have never guessed he's such a sucker for cuddles.