Levi doesn't find a replacement for Petra in his squad.
Erwin fervently encourages him to, and Hange jumps up and down enthusiastically at the idea that she'll help Levi pick a new member. Even though not only did he not ask for her help, but he explicitly told her "No".
Eld says they need a fourth cadet in the squad. It will be difficult to design new formations with only three persons. Levi argues that there isn't any soldier in the army skilled enough for his elite squad. Eld suggests a few names, but the captain sighs dismissively.
Petra wouldn't mind if she got replaced. She repeatedly tries to persuade her boyfriend to recruit a new member, but he doesn't want to talk business with her when they have so little time together. They'd rather engage in different activities.
So, there is not a fifth member on the Elite Squad.
Until Eren Yeager.
There is a lot going on.
Petra is initially scared that her dear one will be close to a weird kid that can turn himself into a titan. But if Humanity's Strongest can't handle Eren, then no one can.
Her heart breaks a little when she learns that he'll have to beat the boy up during the upcoming court. Her sweet, affectionate man. The father of her future children. It's not like he has never beaten up anyone. But the underground is different. He was different.
Petra doesn't attend the trial. Nonetheless, she's thankful that her boyfriend helps humanity move forward.
When Levi tells her that he was given the task to supervise Eren at all times, she feels a little jealous of the boy. If only she could constantly be with Levi too! Being on different squads sucks. They don't see each other very often, but Petra always manages to find opportunities to visit her old squad, with Hange's permission and even encouragement!
"Go and see your boyfriend, sweetie!" she says with a huge smile. "And get engaged soon, okay? I can't wait to officiate!"
Levi and Petra have talked about the future. It certainly involves marriage and a family, however, for now they want to take it slow and enjoy each other's love without feeling the need to organize stuff.
Petra visits the old castle that Levi and his squad move to, suspecting that he would need help with cleaning. She was right of course. And that's how she ends up mopping in the same room with Eren.
Now that she meets him, she isn't afraid of him anymore. He's just a boy.
"I heard you used to be part of the Elite Squad," Eren says with a hint of admiration in his voice.
Petra nods. "Uh-hum. Did the boys tell you?"
"Boys? What boys?" he lifts his eyebrow in confusion.
Right. Eld, Oluo and Gunther are three grown-up men. She really shouldn't call them that.
"Why did you leave the Elite Squad? Were you kicked out? God! Will I be kicked out?"
"No, no," Petra giggles and gives him a reassuring pat on the head. "I left on my own".
"Why?"
That boy is too curious. He needs to know everything. Perfect asset for a scout.
Petra tries to sound nonchalant. Her relationship with the captain is a widely spread rumor, but she doesn't need more people to know. "Hm… Just personal reasons".
"I've seen you get along well with the… hm, boys". He walks closer to her and whispers: "Is it captain Levi then?"
Petra's blood freezes in her veins. How did he—
"You can't stand him, right? That's why you left?" Eren asks.
Thank the goddesses.
"Hey, why don't you mop that corner?" she pretends not to listen.
Eren obeys, although he is fully aware that they've already mopped there.
"I wouldn't blame you, you know," he says in a quiet tone. "The captain seems like a big dick".
"Yeah…" Petra agrees, although she has a different thing in mind.
"I know that whole incident in the court happened for a specific reason. I don't blame him for that. But in general, he looks so… stuffy!"
He's not wrong. That was her first impression of him too.
It's actually comical how Eren seems to think that they are gossiping about a person neither of them likes. So, Petra decides to make some things clear, without revealing their relationship.
"Eren, listen to me. Captain Levi is a great man and a great soldier. He can teach you a lot. You're gonna have to be a little patient with him, but he genuinely cares about his squad," she squeezes his shoulder. "Trust me, you couldn't be in better hands".
"Um… thanks".
Petra gives him a warm smile and turns to dust the shelves near the door, happy that this conversation is over.
However, after a few quiet moments, Eren speaks again:
"If that's the case, then why did you transfer to a different squad?"
Petra curses internally and tries to think of an excuse, but then the door opens and Levi comes in.
"Nothing sexier than my girl cleaning up," he says and shoves her to the wall, giving her a kiss filled with passion.
Shit.
It's the only time ever she doesn't reciprocate his kiss.
"Levi! The kid…" she gently pushes him away.
"What ki—"
Then the captain notices Eren is in the room. Or more like a frozen statue that looks like Eren. And has shat on his pants. He doesn't even blink. How does he do that?
"Don't worry. I don't do that to all of my subordinates," Levi shrugs.
Petra fixes her messy hair. "I think that answers your question, Eren. Sorry for what you saw".
"I didn't see anything, I swear!" he waves his hands frantically. He looks much younger now that his cheeks are red.
Levi rolls his eyes. "Relax, you saw us kissing, not fucking. You're lucky Petra stopped me, or you would have been traumatized".
"Levi!" Petra punches him in the shoulder. "Don't make it more awkward for the child!"
He shrugs. "I'm sure the child is not so innocent. He probably hits it off with that gloomy girl with black hair".
Eren yelps and his blue pupils become enormous. "Mikasa is like my sister!"
"Whatever. Let's keep out of each other's love lives".
"Agreed!"
Petra finds herself fond of the strange boy.
His powers may be threatening, but his ardor to help humanity is beyond any doubt. All in all, he's a fine addition to the Special Operations Squad.
Captain Levi, Eld Jinn, Gunther Schultz, Oluo Bozado and Eren Yeager.
And then there's only captain Levi and Eren Yeager.