Hey readers!

Gosh, yall have no idea how much yall made me laugh last week with your reviews. Thank you a million times over for being so gracious and supportive of the plot and letting me know I'm on the right track for how everything was revealed and your various reactions to finding out those details along the way with our characters. I wish I could spend some time talking, but I left yall on a cliffhanger and I wasn't kidding that this was a long chapter – it's actually my longest one to date (so far) so I'll pipe down and let yall get to it.

Thanks yall!

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…

"He's still in love with you, Petra."

Levi had only been able to whisper out the words, because fuck, he hated, hated thinking about her and Timmy like that because it made his stomach ache and turn sour. That was why Timmy had kept coming around; why he couldn't take the hint and why he was so desperate to appease her father at every turn. Petra had loved him once, and what was more, Timmy still loved her, years later.

The knowledge that there was another man vying for her affections caused a strong, vengeful and fiery surge to run through his body, and Levi had to take a stabilizing breath because he suddenly felt like putting his fist through the wall.

"What? No...impossible." Petra mumbled in a dazed stupor, and again she shifted against the wall in further discomfort because the Captain's hold on her – while not as tight – was still notably uncomfortable. She gave a pained exhale and cleared her throat, "I get what you're saying Levi, and before we go on I'm…I'm sorry to have kept it from you - Timmy, being my ex I mean. It doesn't make it right I know, but it's just… I just, I couldn't tell you about Timmy. I really thought I was doing the right thing; I was trying to protect you."

"I don't fucking need your 'protection' woman, I need you to be honest with me. Protecting me – fuck that bullshit, Petra. You lied to me and you fucking know it."

She sighed at his overwhelming anger and she gave a weak, humbled shrug against the wall, "I know. You have every right to be mad at me; I made a bad call and I know how bad this looks but I promise you that I have no feelings for him. None at all." She paused and cleared her throat as she tried to explain, "It's just…even if you don't talk about it, or even if you try to deny it and save face, I can tell that my past with him legitimately bothers you. When I first told you about my history, you tried to play it off, but I could tell that it bothered you back then, and that was before you had even met the guy. We came back home and I didn't even know that Timmy would be here, and with so much going on with my Dad and the fact that we were only going to be here for two weeks, it just seemed cruel to point it out. How funny is it that when you actually did meet him, without even being told who he was no less, you hated him just the same."

She took a breath and somewhat shifted against the wall, likely still rather uncomfortable in his commanding grip, "I know you feel that you have to act supportive because of your past history, but the fact of the matter is that it really… well, hurts you, to think of me with someone else, and even if it's unfair or hypocritical, that's just how you feel and faking a smile isn't going to change that. And Levi, I'm okay with that. Frankly, I don't regret my past with Timmy, nor would I change it, but it's okay if you get jealous, or angry, and find that you truly don't like it. You don't have to like everything about my past, you don't have to like Timmy, and I'd rather you just be honest with me instead of forcing yourself to pretend otherwise. I didn't want to tell you about our past, because I felt it would be rubbing salt in the wound, but for whatever it's worth, it had nothing to do with a lack of trust. Timmy and I – we're over. We've been over, and you of all people know that because you're the person I'm with now, and I know I've told you numerous times that I'm happy that I'm with you. I'm sorry to have kept it hidden I just…really didn't want to keep hurting you."

There was a long silence that followed her words, Levi's thoughts so unsorted that he didn't know quite what to say, and eventually, Petra shook her head again, "Even still though, I am trying to keep an open mind and not shut down your theory it's just…I'm not so sure. The whole forced wedding was a little more than convenient and there's a lot that admittedly falls into place if Timmy is the alleged puppet master but…I'm just having a hard time wrapping my mind around it, because why? All over me? All to try and salvage the nonexistent threads of a relationship that ended almost a decade ago? I mean, that's quite a stretch, don't you think?"

At her questions, Levi allowed himself a chuckle, because he knew full well that Petra simply didn't understand her appeal and was discrediting herself yet again.

"Petra." He stated simply, "You don't give yourself nearly enough credit for the effect you have on men."

She fell silent at his words, and Levi leaned toward her, allowing his nose to crest the back of her head, brushing into her hair as he inhaled her scent, "Let me state this more directly, because you need to hear it: I have spent the past nearly six years of my life, watching men, watch you."

He moved closer toward her, his voice was suddenly in her ear as he spoke, his tone no longer angry, so much as bemused, "You don't think that people notice you, or that you are just some average woman that is maybe somewhat pretty, but certainly nothing special?" He snorted at the idea and shook his head, "Gods, did your old man teach you nothing?"

Levi's breath was still hot in her ear, and Petra fell perfectly still, almost afraid to move as Levi released her arm that was against the wall, bringing his own now free hand over her side, where his hand glided over her hip with a teasing, light caress, "He didn't teach you that having that ass would make any man double take? Didn't teach you that the sway of your hips would make them stare as you walked away?"

As he continued speaking, his hand kept moving of its own accord, rubbing over her thighs and around the back of her legs, and Petra gave a slight gasp at his sudden change of intent, when his hold ghosted over the rise of her rear, his palm pressing very clearly into her backside, "Your figure is absolutely intoxicating, Petra."

He allowed himself to nuzzle slightly into her neck, his lips brushing over her skin as he spoke, "Do you know how many men I've had to watch outright drool over you, how many conversations I've endured over the years of men talking about you in ways that even I wouldn't dare repeat, and then having to just sit back and watch it all happen because making a big deal out of it would only make you more uncomfortable?"

Petra's breath hitched when Levi's thumb moved across the bottom of her shirt, intentionally looping his thumb under the fabric as he traced the pad of his thumb over the small of her back carefully. His voice was low, but beckoning, "So tell me, how is it that after all this time, all these men that have thrown themselves at you, you still have no damn clue how desirable you are? Are you that ignorant? Perhaps aren't comfortable with your own audacious beauty? Maybe just being coy?"

What was once just his thumb, quickly turned into his entire hand running up and over the skin of her hips, the extra fabric of her shirt sliding up in his hand, fingers tracing, feeling and exploring the planes of her stomach without restraint. At his not so innocent touches and his sultry words, Petra found her mind was blanking – it was impossible to think, impossible to move, and his wandering hand was making her skin and senses run wild with question, and anxiousness, and want.

Not two seconds ago he had been pissed as hell, pinning her to the wall in sheer frustration and trying to talk some apparent sense into her, but now…his actions had clearly changed with a new motive and no thanks to his short temper, she found herself in a rather compromising position.

"Listen up, Pet." He used her nickname with a dark smirk, and Petra shuddered in his hold, still not used to Levi using any sort of nickname with her, let alone during a time where the term 'Pet' made his words feel intentionally suggestive, "Your little Timmy hasn't forgotten about you, and he certainly hasn't forgotten about the fun the two of you used to have together, because it's obvious that he has more in mind than just a casual outing."

"No," his words came out in a sensual sigh, and he allowed his head to drop lower into the dip of her shoulder, pulling the fabric of her collar to one side as he pressed his lips against her cool skin. He found himself smirking, even though the truth of the matter didn't amuse him in the slightest. No, it made him jealous. So, so fucking jealous and angry and desperate because there was no mistaking the man's intentions.

"He wants to fuck you."

Before his words could sink in, Levi found himself standing even closer to her, not yet fully satisfied with his lecture, and he continued without allowing her time to reflect, "But that's not all. Of course not. Squad Leader Michael wants to fuck you – and after one single glance so it seems. Let's not forget that Oluo wants to fuck you too. Did you ever figure that out? He's been pining for you since you got on the squad. Granted, it may be a dick move for me to tell you like this, but it's not like he's been playing fair either. He's been hitting on you constantly since the wedding and so it's a bit late to take the high road now. Fact of the matter is, I'm pretty sure everyone on the squad has fantasized about being with you at least once, and yes, that means Eld too. Make no mistake, he'd never lay so much as a finger on you with inappropriate intent, but it doesn't change the fact that you are a stunning woman, and he is a straight, healthy male that doesn't get all that much quality time with his fiancé. The desperate stares, the lusty glances that follow behind you as you go about your day; even if you don't see them, they certainly aren't lost on me. If anything, I can spot them a mile away because the truth is…I'm no different."

Levi brought his lips to her ear and all but sighed at how good it felt to tell her, "I want to fuck you, Petra. So damn bad."

Hearing his own words, feeling her so close against him, the heat of her body, and the softness of her skin - hearing the slight gasp from her after his bold statement that not even she could misunderstand, Levi released his other arm, his hand quickly joining his other across the planes of her stomach as he mapped out her body with his touch, allowing his own thumbs to crest lower down her stomach, over her abs and finally, below her pant line as she had done to him a few times in the past. He gave a breathless smirk at her sharp inhale that was followed by an almost inaudible moan as his thumbs crested across her smooth hips concealed by her pants.

At the sound of her voice so clearly wanton and desperate, Levi bit his lip as his body reacted strongly – far more strongly than he had anticipated - and he gave a low growl as he gripped her hips firmly, drawing his fingers back and forth across the skin concealed just beneath her pant line, his arms all but shaking from a mix of desire, anticipation, and sudden restraint.

Fuck, it was hot. It was like the air had stopped moving, becoming cumbersome and thick and making him instantly uncomfortable. His skin was heated, clammy, like his body temperature had just raised fifteen degrees because he wanted her now. Hearing the slightest sound from Petra had seemed to tell his body that she desired him, and as a result, his own body was responding so fast; fast enough to make his head spin and make his breath catch in his throat at the sheer intensity, because his body seemed to have a mind of its own as of late and there was only so much he could do to control it after weeks on end of being denied her at every turn.

It was hard to think. It was hard to do anything else other than run his hands across her body all the more, giving another low sigh when Petra turned her head to one side as she finally looked at him. There was no denying that her eyes were glazed and unfocused as she stared at him in silent question and curiosity; that, and unmistakable desire.

Seeing her expression, her dilated pupils, her parted lips and the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed in shallow, uncertain pants, Levi found himself chewing on his bottom lip in anticipation, because wow did lust look so damn good on her.

As he watched her, he found words spilling out of his mouth all the more because there was something about telling her, something about seeing her respond to what he had been keeping to himself for so long now, and he simply couldn't help himself when she watched him with that expression. Gods, he would tell her everything.

"Fuck woman, what would it take for me to get inside you right now?" he whispered desperately against her, "For me to see you naked, and touch you and hear you moan out my name because no one else can be with you like I can. No one. Just tell me what you want, and it's yours."

He paused as he kissed and nipped at her skin near her shoulders and up her neck, leaving light pink patches across her skin from his passionate, unbridled actions; his words having a bite of ferocity and possessiveness to them, "You're mine, Petra. You've been mine for so long now. No matter how many men chase after you, no matter how they talk about you or what they dream about doing with you, no matter how many times your stupid little boyfriend tries to jerk me around or steal you away, you're still mine, and you'll be mine."

Petra was breathing heavily, her eyes lost and unfocused from his heated words, and when he grabbed her chin and forced her to turn her head and look at him directly, she bit her lip in a way that almost made him come undone. He kissed her with bruising force, swallowing her moans as he drew circles on the dip of her hips, feeling the border of her panties and toying with the fabric as he pressed his tongue into her mouth with claim and dominance. He pulled away and watched her intentionally, allowing her to catch her breath as he spoke heatedly, "Petra, you'll always want and desire me, and me alone, understand? You'll want my touch, you'll crave my attention, and my kiss, and every bit of passion I alone can bring to you because you know full well that no one else will do. No other man can have you like this."

He moved a hand up into her hair, twisting his fingers into her amber strands and pulling her head back to expose more of her throat, his actions slowed and tempered as he tested her discipline purposefully, wanting to see her self-control crumble bit by bit as he toyed with her; watch her eyes darken with lust until she gave in to him completely. She gave another moan, her green orbs clamping shut as his lips ghosted against the skin of her neck, and Levi smirked at her easy submission.

"Your precious little Timmy can't take you as high as I can, and we both know it." His blue eyes focused on hers critically as she continued panting in a confused, breathless rhythm, and he spoke in a barely audible whisper; his voice a low, sultry purr against her skin, "So just say it, Petra. Say that you want it. Say that you're mine."

Her words came quickly, almost cutting him off as though she didn't even have to consider his request, "Yours, Levi."

He gave a pleased hum at her easy agreement, releasing her hair as he ran his hand down over her neck, down her shoulders, and finally down her side, where his hand not so accidentally curled around the side of her breast for only a moment, his touch not lingering as he relished her throaty whimper.

"You said a few days ago that I could touch you however I wanted, right? Was that an invitation, or were you just trying to talk me up in the moment?" Levi kissed her a few times between his words with simple light, hurried pecks as his desire continued to boil over, and he continued, "If I were being honest, I hadn't planned on doing anything here; under your old man's roof and under this type of situation because it seems wrong. I'd rather take you as mine back home, in my room – back at the base where it all began."

He allowed his hand to trace higher, up underneath her shirt instead of just pulling up the fabric like he had done before, and Petra gave a sort of surprised cry when his fingers moved higher up her stomach, brushing the warm skin the was just below her bra back and forth. Blue, curious eyes watched her viridian ones as he moved his thumb up under the band of her bra, intentionally tracing the underside of her breasts with the pad of his thumb, a smile coming to his face when she gave a sharp, audible gasp from the gentle, yet very intentional touches that left little room for Petra to wonder about his intent.

Levi continued drawing his thumb back and forth across her skin, "Even now, it doesn't sit right with me, the idea of having you like this, here of all places, but I think I overestimated my own discipline, because I'm sorry Pet, but I just can't wait another, what, three weeks for us to wrap things up here and travel back home? I'm going out of my damn mind. I can't fucking sleep, I've jacked off so many damn times but nothing fucking helps anymore - I want you, woman." He paused after his confession, trying to snake his hand up higher under her bra but unable to with the tight fit of the constricting garment. He took a breath, "You'd like that though, right, if I fucked you here and now, knowing that even with your old man breathing down my neck, even with your stupid boy toy trying to win you back, that you're still my wife – in every sense of the word? After all, it's been six months now since you've taken my name, and you're a cruel woman to have made me wait this long."

There was a breathy, half dazed whisper from Petra, "You said you didn't want me, remember?"

Levi smirked, "Well it seems we're both liars then."

He used his other hand to move up her back, beneath her shirt and toward the band of her bra, where he unhooked it without so much as a second thought. As the fabric seemed to loosen from all around her with a satisfying sort of pop, Petra gave a gasp of surprise, and Levi was already raising his hand up, underneath the fabric of her previously far too tight and restraining bra, finally palming her soft flesh from within the confines of her clothing with a barely contained growl of all consuming, lust filled approval. The promise of finally being with her after all this time made him considerably impatient, and he wasted no time in bringing his other hand back around her, also snaking under the wired cups of her now loosely fitting bra and greedily palming her chest without restraint, giving another deep growl as he did so, because holy fuck, it was about time he got to touch her like this.

Levi rolled her flesh in his hands, having wanted to touch her like this for such a long time that his desire was raising exponentially with each sound and heated gasp she made. He was palming her freely, admiring the shape of her breasts, the way they fit in his hands so perfectly, the warmth of her body and the way Petra was moaning so perfectly at his commanding touch; he was certain this was heaven.

"Damn, these really are nice." He mumbled almost to himself with a slight exhale of sheer ecstasy, recalling how Petra had once asked him what he had thought after he accidentally grabbed her chest all those months ago. Levi mentally corrected himself then, palming her all the more and taking a shaking breath at just how fucking good she felt in his hands, finding that his words simply weren't doing her justice; no, not even close.

The weather was nice – it could be a nice day tomorrow, and it was nice to see you again – this though, this was something else, a sort of high that was impossible to label so easily, and when Petra gave a high gasp and said his name so desperately, Levi dismissed the tangent completely, because he wasn't sure he ever could find the right words to categorize such a thing and he'd much rather focus on the woman in his arms – the same woman where he had his hands up her shirt, snaking beneath her clothes as he played with her body with purposed and indulgent touches.

Gods, they were so fucking warm and soft and at his every touch Petra squirmed and gasped – he felt a wave of heat rush through his body, pooling like a fire between his legs, and he dropped his head onto her shoulder, biting the base of her neck and sucking on her skin hard enough so that it would bruise. Petra mewled and sighed against the wall, calling out his name again in a manner that was so laced with desire, so primal and erotic, that it made his head spin and his body throb with need at the mere sound of her voice. Fuck, he was so lightheaded now, the feel of her body was euphoric, and hearing her moan, hearing her say his name as he touched her, her pleasured gasps, the way she relaxed against him, listening to her breathy pants as lust continued to overwhelm her – gods, fuck everything he had planned out before that had ever involved him waiting even another day. He wanted her now and he didn't give a shit who's house they were in, and if Petra's wanton responses meant anything – neither did she.

It was as he moved closer to her, changing the angle of his arms so he could continue palming her and toying with her chest until she was a desperate, pleading mess, that his hips brushed against her backside, and the breath caught in Petra's throat at the unmistakable pressure she felt pressing against her from between his legs.

"Oh gods, Levi…" she whispered in response, as though she were actually surprised to feel such a thing from him, and he had almost laughed, had almost leaned forward to tease her about it, because in being her Captain for five years, did she forget that he was a man, so yes, had one of those too? – but it was as he leaned forward, smirking and preparing to whisper in her ear, certain he would get to watch her burn a bright crimson for him, that a guttural, unexpected moan tore from his throat instead.

Petra apparently wasn't all that shy, nor embarrassed by his obvious arousal – something he wasn't expecting – and responded by expertly grinding her ass against him with a very intentional, heated roll of her hips. At the pressure, the goosebumps that ran over his limbs at the teasing, sweeping caress of her body, Levi gave a shuttering exhale and pulled his arms down from her shirt in an instant, grabbing her by the hips with a firm grip that held her in place as he tried to catch his breath. He took a deep breath and swallowed thickly, feeling his pants become suffocatingly tight as his groin swelled all the more and throbbed achingly from the wonderful sensation.

"Petra…" he gasped breathlessly, and his eyes fluttered closed as he released his death grip against her hips, encouraging her with a quiet, "Again, do that again."

Before the words had even left him, as though by sheer instinct she was winding herself back against him just as pointedly, and he could only respond in kind by pressing himself against her all the more, desperate for the sudden friction she brought to him because, fuck, how did she even make something so simple feel so damn good? Each sway of her hips rubbed so perfectly against him, made his body ache and pulse, yet felt so wonderful because he knew full well that it was her doing it.

"Levi, the wall…" she turned her head to one side to look at him, her expression darkened with lust, "Can you turn me around now, please? I want…" Her words came out as a faraway whisper, her words trailing off at the end, and Levi gave a single nod, taking a single step back as he pulled her around with a jerky twist of his wrist.

Petra turned and faced him, and their eyes met fully for just a split second, because in the next moment, they were both pressed against the other tightly in a crushing, desperate embrace, hands roaming and bodies desperate. Petra wrapped her arms around him, over his back and fisting into his hair as their lips met in a searing, open mouthed kiss. He pressed himself flush against her front, pulling her by the hips until she was pressed right up against the prominent bulge in his pants, shamelessly grinding against her and biting back a deep moan at the immense change in the directness of the sensation.

He watched her expression, watched her head fall back from pure pleasure as their bodies rocked against the other's, and his own jaw fell slack as Petra gave a whimper because her body knew full well what was pressing against her stomach, and if Petra had been desperate before, now the wanting, the twisting coil that tightened inside of her was all consuming.

Levi's hands were shaking from sheer lust, trembling with desire as he pulled the bottom of her shirt up, trying to force deep, calming breaths into his lungs as he forced his actions to slow, wanting to enjoy the moment and sear each second, every breath she took, every sound she made, into his brain because with how long he had been waiting for this, he didn't want to miss a single detail of the erotic ginger that was slowly losing herself to desire.

As the fabric of her shirt was raised up, Petra released her grip from around him and shifted her body, raising her arms to assist in the task, some of her previous desperation being quelled as an obvious nervousness overcame her. Levi pulled the shirt up and off her, tossing the fabric down to the ground and setting his gaze on the ill-fitting bra that was technically resting over her breasts, but just barely.

As he raised his hand up her side, towards her chest, Petra actually flinched with a sudden fearful gasp, and Levi paused instantly, looking up toward her in sudden question because – his thoughts trailed off as his eyes met with hers, noticing that she was nervously biting her lip, all but recoiling into herself as she suddenly avoided his gaze purposefully.

Sensing his stare, she blushed and spoke softly, breathing heavily as she tried to catch her breath, "I'm sorry Levi, I'm just…I'm a little nervous, I guess. I know I'm supposed to be confident and, and…I'm sorry if I'm ruining the moment by being like this I just…" she gave a sigh as her words continued spilling out of her, "I know you said the people you were with meant nothing and I believe you, and I'm happy that you actually want to be with me, it's just…"

She looked even further into the ground and brought an arm around herself nervously, gripping her opposite arm as though outright shielding herself from him, "What if I'm not…you know, enough? Levi I don't…gods, I don't even know what I'm doing right now, and I don't want to stop, and I want this, and right now too. I'm just afraid that…well, I don't want to disappoint you."

Levi quirked an eyebrow at her confession, giving a sort of hum as he raised his hand lightly, using the back of his fingers to lightly caress her skin, over her collar bones with a gentle stroke of his hand, "Is that so?" He paused and gave a light exhale of a laugh, still using the back of his fingers as he moved down her skin, brushing lower into the dip between her breasts, allowing his hands to crest over the rise of her chest as he spoke, "Petra, I am so fucking hard for you right now that it hurts. You think I can fake something like that?"

"Well no, but-"

Levi brought his free hand up to her lips, pressing his fingers against her mouth lightly, "Shh. Let me talk, now. Do you even know why I want you so bad? Have you stopped to wonder why, or even thought about it?" He gave a pause as he looked up at her seriously, "I mean, sure you're gorgeous but…Petra, you chose me. I don't mean the wedding; I mean every day ever since. Even though I told you I didn't want anything, even though I tried to push you away, even though there were days that I outright sabotaged what was happening between us because I legitimately didn't want it back then – you still chose me. You put me first, even when I couldn't do the same for you in return. You want to know me, and want my involvement in your life as a friend, and husband, and lover."

Levi exhaled, moving his hand from off her lips and brushing the side of her face, "No matter how I wronged you or tried to push you away, you decided that you still wanted me. You told me to my very face, that you want me as your husband and that you'd never settle for something halfway – and gods woman, how can you not see it when it's so fucking obvious to everyone else? Petra, you have me. All of me. I want this with you, more than any other woman in my life, more than I could ever want any other woman in my life – just because of who you are. I know that this, being with me like this, actually means something to you, and because of that, it can finally mean something to me too, for the first time in my life. So if the timing isn't right, that's one thing and I understand, but if you're worried about disappointing me…"

Levi paused again as though trying to pick his words, and he gave a sudden laugh as if finding the idea truly that ridiculous. Eventually, he shook his head and looked back toward her, watching her with a suddenly radiant, gentle smile that brought tears to her eyes because she had never seen him smile like that before, "Impossible, Petra. I don't deserve you. I really don't, and I know that. But even still, you're more than I even dared to dream of, so I suppose that I simply can't help it. I can't control how drawn I am to you. I just can't. I can't stop wanting you, and wanting to be near you and have your attention and your kindness and everything that makes you who you are because you wanted me first. So…is that okay, if I'm selfish and jealous for you? It's easy to talk big but I'd never, well, force you into something like this. Fuck woman, just please say yes. I don't know what the fuck I'm going to do with myself if you don't – I just want this so damn bad."

As Levi looked at her directly, his blue orbs a captivating fire of concern, and warmth, and desire, Petra found herself laughing as tears spilled over her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly in a crushing embrace, "Yes, Levi! Yes, of course!"

He found himself returning her tight embrace, and he kissed the top of her head, speaking as he did so, "Thank you Petra, for everything." As he held her, he moved his hands from up around her back to crest over her shoulders, where he pushed her loose bra straps down her arms. He felt her stiffen just slightly at the advance, but she arched her back ever so slightly to help with the task, pulling back gently from his embrace as she kept her gaze strictly on the floor as she rolled her shoulders forward, somewhat shrugging free of the garment with a nervous bite of her lip.

With a final caress of his hand that swept down her arm, Levi pulled the garment off her and tossed it somewhere behind him, already forgotten about as he watched her with an expectant and still building anticipation. He pushed her back into the wall carefully and stared at her undeniably exposed state with open, undisguised approval; his breath catching in his lungs as sheer desire and amazement overwhelmed him because seeing Petra, seeing her body, the fullness of her chest, her delicate frame and small waist layered with smooth muscle that spoke of her will power and strength, her pale skin that seemed to glow with life and vitality - her beauty was completely overwhelming and she wasn't even naked yet.

"Wow." The word left him almost without his knowledge, an exhale of true wonder because she was so fucking beautiful and the fact she was all his just baffled him. Gods, he really didn't deserve her.

Petra continued to chew nervously on her bottom lip under the weight of his stare, finding her own breath catch in her throat in a mix of sudden anxiousness, but also renewed desire – because the way Levi was watching her, the way his mouth was slack, the way he himself was all but frozen in place as though thoroughly entranced by her as his eyes darted across her skin heatedly, knowing that it was because of her that he was in such a state at all, it made her stomach clench and heart race. Being the focus of such clear lust and desire, knowing that she apparently held such a power over someone like Levi – a whimper left her throat.

Levi moved toward her at once, hands starting over her ribs but quickly moving up, already finding his hands wrapped around her breasts once more and giving a low exhale as he got to watch her completely; watch his own fingers splay out around her chest; watch the way her body molded into his hands and see the way she fit so perfectly against him as he palmed her gently. Levi looked up toward her face next, watching with baited breath as Petra pressed her lips together in attempts to bite back a moan. Her eyes slip shut as she rolled her body into his hands, her chest, then her hips, right against his painfully tight erection that only grew all the more impossibly taut and distracting with every heated touch and sound exchanged between them.

Watching his own hands touch her, watching her squirm and sigh with pleasure as he ran his thumbs over the hardening peak of her nipples, feeling her breathe as he kneaded his hands into her soft skin, hearing the shaky cry that left her as he teased her with his touch, Levi hardly even noticed when Petra reached toward him, her hands moving for his collar and with shaking hands, began to unbutton his shirt.

When Petra reached under his now open shirt, her palms sliding up under the fabric at his shoulders, Levi paused from his own actions and allowed her to push the fabric off his back where it fell to the floor in a heap; not certain if there had ever been a time in his life that he had ever been okay with his dress shirt just being tossed to the floor where it was certain to wrinkle, but with Petra in his arms like this, with her green eyes searching his for strength and approval, lust heavy in her gaze as she observed him, he found that he didn't care in the slightest.

Petra seemed hesitant, undeniably shy as she looked at him, only able to steal passing glances as she stared into his chest in sudden embarrassment, a redness coming to her face and chest as she looked at him. Regardless the fact that she had seen him shirtless innumerable times over the years, he was well aware that their present circumstances were unique, and he found her shy hesitance amusing; a smirk pulling at his lips as he watched her struggle with her own attraction. With a slowed, careful raise of her hands, Petra placed her fingertips over his chest, her thumbs drawing light circular patterns over his skin as she looked up at him with uncertain eyes. At her questioning stare, he took a breath, intentionally filling his lungs to the fullest so she could feel the pull of his skin, the flex of his chest, and the pounding of his heart – to remind her that Captain or not, Humanity's Strongest or not - he truly was no different.

Flesh and blood.

Just a man.

A smile pulled at her lips as though understanding his unspoken words perfectly, and her hands began trailing his skin unbiddenly, her nails grazing against his sides, over his abs, her touch so soft and so feather-light that it caused his muscles to contract and pulse from desire; his body knowing full well that it was Petra's touch, and that she would be the only thing that could soothe the aching, desperate state that he had been in for so long now.

He took a step closer and pressed his chest right against hers, his heated skin pressing into her own as he brought his hands to the sides of her face, kissing her breathlessly as he gave a hiss of an exhale when Petra ground her hips into his with a moan.

Bending down just slightly, Levi grabbed her rear, pulling her up into the air and resting her back into the wall as she instantly wrapped her legs around him securely, her lips never parting from his as he adjusted their position desperately and returning her kiss with hurried, unprecise pecks. It was as he continued kissing her, nipping at her lips, allowing his hands to roam freely over her without restraint, a knock at the door was heard that all but echoed across the room.

Both Levi and Petra jolted heavily, pausing from their actions and looking toward the door in sheer, outright disbelief, as though uncertain of what to do because there was just no fucking way…?

"Hey baby girl," it was Petra's father who was speaking, and Petra dropped her head back toward the wall with a hushed groan, "Is everything okay? I had to turn around and on the way back I ran into Tim. He said that Levi was acting rather strangely or something like that and forced you inside or whatever? I just wanted to check on you. You okay in there?"

Regardless the fact her father was standing just on the other side of the door, Levi had busied himself with kissing Petra's neck persistently, rolling his eyes at the man's words as he spoke lowly against her skin, "Fucking snitch ran off and tattled to your dad. What a prick. No idea what you ever saw in a guy like that."

Petra rolled her eyes and shot him a mischievous smirk, looking back toward the door as she spoke and elongating her neck to allow Levi better access because damn he knew what he was doing and it certainly showed, "No Dad, it was just a misunderstanding. We're fine."

As she finished speaking, she tightened her legs around Levi's waist, grinding against him all the more with a devilish smirk, pulling a hand around his neck and kissing him heatedly in return. Levi had to bite back a growl from her intentional heated actions, because with the glint in her eye, the almost challenging look that dared him with an unspoken 'come and get me' - he was all but two seconds away from tearing off her pants and taking her right then and there against the wall, with her old man standing right there on the other side of the door no less.

"Oh, well I'm glad to hear that. You want to talk about it maybe? That guy isn't exactly a conversationalist, so if you need an ear, I'll be happy to listen."

Levi grabbed a handful of Petra's amber locks, forcing her head back as he bit into her skin, a silent cry leaving her with a mere exhale as his teeth grazed into her skin fiercely. He spoke in a low, but undeniably serious exhale, "Petra, I want you so damn bad right now. Unless you want an audience, I suggest you fucking get rid of him."

She gave an obedient, dazed nod and blinked as though trying to collect her thoughts. Again she turned her attention back toward the door, and Levi used the distraction to bend lower, wrapping his fingers around one of her breasts, palming her with one hand, and bringing his mouth to the other, his tongue brushing over a hardened peak before allowing his mouth to close around the sensitive bud, smirking when he saw Petra bring a hand over her mouth to stifle a wanton cry as she again dropped her head back into the wall with a pleading whimper.

She cleared her throat, eyes clamped shut as she spoke tensely, having great difficulty speaking because Levi was playing dirty and her mind was struggling to remain cohesive, "Dad, I thought you were on your way to drop off that table you've been working on. You left hours ago so…so I'don understand why you're here right now."

A heavy sigh was heard through the door, "I know. I was a good ways out of town but it started to rain and it's only gotten worse. I was hoping I could beat the storm, but the roads were getting far too muddy and the table is so heavy that I was starting to get stuck. I gave it a good effort but in the end I still had to turn around. It's frustrating because it means I'll have to take a pay cut for the late delivery, but there's nothing I can do except wait out the storm and try again tomorrow. Silver lining though, at least I'll be able to stay here with you and try to make some good memories for a change. Is Levi in there with you, or is he back at the military base? I was sort of thinking that we all might be able to go out for some dinner again tonight? If you're all up for it, I mean. I know that last night ended pretty badly, and honestly Princess I've really been thinking a lot about what I said, what you said, and just how I want this last week and a half to go. What do you say? We go out, round up Tim, and try to do it right this time?"

As if knowing her question before she so much as looked at him, Levi gave an instant shake of his head, continuing to tease her with his touch and causing Petra to give a silent whimper as he intentionally touched her in ways that made her body quiver in his arms. He allowed his free hand to roam over her stomach with a gentle sweep downward, where he carefully undid the button of her pants, unzipping the line of metal with a slow, torturous pull of his hand. Petra swallowed thickly and continued, her fingers fisting into Levi's hair fiercely as he continued to palm her and tease her with heated sensual kisses and love bites across her breasts, now brushing his thumb over the exposed hem of her panties as though giving her incentive to wrap it up.

"No Dad, it's…it's fine. I uh, ahh, Levi mmm – I mean, uh, Levi's here but he, mmm - needs to be here. To train. For tomorrow at the Garrison. Won't work. Training. Thanks though."

At her very distracted, broken words, Petra continued to pull on Levi's hair firmly, until he finally released her chest and looked up toward her with a heated, desperate stare, and after a moment of staring at her, panting heavily from the sheer ache of his body and the aroused state he had been in for what felt like months now, Levi stood up more fully and pressed his lips against hers, both hardly registering her father's words as they exchanged heated kisses and touches from the privacy of her bedroom.

"Want to move to the bed?" Levi asked in a soft whisper, between the open mouthed, hurried kisses, and Petra opened her mouth to respond, but again her father spoke and she fell silent, biting her bottom lip as though her father's lingering outright pained her.

"Is that so? Well sorry to hear about that, but I understand. How about you though baby; you don't have to train tomorrow, right? Hows' about you, me, and Tim go out? Been a while, right? It'll be just like old times, and you can wear whatever you want; I won't fuss okay? I just want to spend some time with you."

Petra gave a quiet groan at her father's persistence, her voice showing signs of annoyance as she responded more firmly, "Dad, I said I'm fine. If you want to go out, then just go out! I'm sure Timmy would love to have the company, but I'm staying here, okay? It's fine Dad. You and him can go get drinks or whatever; have a good time."

Petra watched the door with narrowed eyes, and even Levi had stopped completely, having turned his gaze toward the door in question and palpable irritation. For a long moment, there were no further words spoken from her father, and even still they waited for an additional moment because the man had caused them enough trouble that they may as well get it over with here and now, but after an extended silence and still no words, the couple gave each other a pleased smile of success because it seemed her father had finally taken the hint and was officially on his way.

They leaned back toward each other, picking up where they had left off with roaming hands and gentle sighs, and not a minute later, there was a heavy sigh from her father from the opposite side of the door. Petra all but groaned as she pulled away from Levi's kiss; Levi actually drumming his fingers on her shoulder as an impatient look came across his face, his lips tightening into a scowl as they both irritably waited for her father to finish speaking for a second time.

"Alright baby girl, I see what this is all about. You're mad at me, aren't you? You can say it, I get it. This hasn't been an easy week, and I know I haven't been the easiest to get along with, but even so, shutting yourself away to avoid the conversation just isn't like you. How about you come out here and talk to me. And I swear I'll listen."

At his words, Petra gave a quiet, wide eyed shrug as she looked at Levi, who also rolled his eyes in irritation.

Petra exhaled pointedly when Levi merely shrugged toward the door, as if to say it was her dad so her problem, and she gave him an understanding nod and tried to bring a sort of gentleness to her voice, "No Dad, for real, it's okay. You don't have to worry about that. Maybe it's best if I…think it over for a bit instead of blowing up like we've been doing all week. You know, give me a few hours here, to myself, and we'll talk about whatever when you're back for the night in a rational fashion. Give me some time to sort my thoughts and when you get back, we can talk."

Levi gave a nod at her words, smirking at her clever manipulation of the situation that sounded sincere even to his ears, and there was a chuckle from her father.

"Alright, that's fair. I'll be back later on after dinner, and we can discuss it all then. Night baby."

"Night, Dad." Petra turned her attention back toward her Captain, smiled triumphantly as she wrapped her arms back around him as she sighed contentedly in his hold, still more than eager to return to their previous actions because even with the frequent interruptions from her father, with the way Levi watched her, the way he touched her, his confidence that held promise and desire – she still wanted him just the same. She leaned in toward him, her lips brushing his as she spoke, "Bed, Levi. Please."

Hearing the purr in her words, the sudden contentment she spoke with, Levi could only give a nod, his arms moving around her back in preparation to carry her toward the bed and continue their actions – but there was the sound of footsteps, and again, her father's voice came through the door, this time even closer than before.

"You know what, no. You were right before Petra; I have been rather selfish lately and it's time I tried to be a bit more hospitable. You came all the way down here when you didn't have to, your Captain came to face me head on even though he knew the tight spot he was in, and that takes real courage. It's time that I do my part in bridging the gap, so I'm going to come in there right now and-"

"No!" Petra shrieked loudly with wide eyes, and Levi was already wrapping his arms around her fully, attempting to shield her bare chest from view as though expecting her father to walk in on them right then and there.

Luckily the door did not immediately swing open, and Petra spoke quickly before her father changed his mind and came barreling into her room, "You know what Dad, uh, maybe, maybe I was being a bit too rash myself. How about you give me a few minutes to change into a nice dress and get ready, and then we can talk over dinner."

At her words, Levi's mouth dropped open in silent outrage, and Petra gave a wide eyed 'What else am I supposed to do?' shrug. Eventually, with a heavy sigh and a roll of his eyes, Levi gave a conceding nod, because he had obviously heard the exchange, and knew full well that Petra had tried her damndest, but her father was just that persistent.

"Oh, you know I really appreciate that baby girl. I'll be waiting in the living room, and…and you can pick anywhere you want to go too, my treat."

As the sounds of her father's retreating footsteps could finally be heard, Levi set her down onto the ground with a bitter exhale, walking to the bed and first sitting down on the mattress, but then giving a groan into his hands as he laid back against the bed with a plop.

"I fucking hate this place." Levi mumbled bitterly, and Petra watched him with an equally disappointed frown, almost laughing at his words because while she herself was thoroughly disappointed and aching even now, she couldn't deny the irony of the situation.

She crossed her arms over her bare chest, giving a sigh as she watched Levi, who still had a prominent erection, his hands over his face as though still coming to terms with her father's unavoidable excursion, because gods they had been so close! He wanted her so damn bad, she wanted him, and had it not been for her stupid hovering dad and her good for nothing ex-boyfriend, he'd be with her now, at this very moment – twisting in the sheets and experiencing new heights together and-

"Hey Levi, uh, do you know where you tossed my-"

Already knowing the answer to her question, Levi shifted slightly on the bed, holding up her bra in one hand without comment, rubbing his temples with his free hand and shifting his hips across the bed, as though finding a new position would ease even an ounce of his discomfort.

"Oh, thanks." Petra moved across the room and grabbed it from him, and as she dressed herself, disappearing into the closet in attempts to find an outfit for the evening, Levi sat up with a tempered exhale.

"Petra, for tonight – no Timmy. I'm fine with you going out with your Dad of course, but not him."

Petra peaked her head out from the closet, a surprised sort of expression on her face as she watched him with a quirked eyebrow, "Levi…are you…telling me what to do?"

He returned her stare flatly and crossed his arms, again shifting on the bed because, fuck sitting up like this had not been one of his greatest ideas, and he sat back into the bed slightly, trying to take even the smallest bit of pressure off his groin. Watching him squirm in attempts to find a comfortable position, Petra couldn't help the smirk that pulled at her lips, and Levi rolled his eyes bitterly as he responded, "Is that a problem? I don't trust him Petra, and I don't want you being around him when I'm not there. You're mine, and even the mere idea of him looking at you and thinking about you tonight, wanting you and lusting after you like he's even got a chance, pisses me off. If I can't have you, then neither can he, that's for damn sure." He gave her a direct stare and repeated himself with a self-assured nod, "No Timmy."

Petra found herself laughing, "Alright, deal. No Timmy, Captain. Scout's Honor."

There was a low exhale from Levi, though he said nothing further and allowed her to dress in privacy.

"You know Captain, maybe you should just come with us? I can make up some excuse, or just say that you had a change in plans or whatever. It seems like we caught Dad in a good mood, and I'd really like it if you could actually see this side of him for once. He's actually really great; the best, and I think it'd be a good thing for you to see him when he's not so uptight about everything."

There was a gruff snort and Levi grumbled sarcastically, "Petra, you're kidding right? You may be able to walk out of the room without repercussions, but if I go out there right now, your father will know full well what we were up to, and I imagine the dinner to follow might not be such a 'light hearted' affair in the end. Pretty sure that good mood of his would go straight to hell and the whole night would be ruined."

Petra sighed at his words, "Oh, right. I guess that would be a problem, huh? Sorry Levi, I didn't think about that."

He gave a sigh of his own and fixed his hair with a collective breath, "Just do me a favor and pick the most expensive place you can, because after being an insufferable cockblock, your old man should pay, and dearly. Get three courses, then get smashed for all I care, fucking drain his wallet dry and maybe next time he'll think twice before inviting you out of your room like this."

There was an amused giggle, "Captain, correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're sulking."

He rolled his eyes, "Hey, all I'm saying is that the punishment fits the crime. If I can't enjoy my night, then you should enjoy it for the both of us. Sarcasm aside, he's your old man and I know you care about him a lot. You should get some one on one time with him before we head back next week, because insufferable or not, you can't fool me. You'll miss him like hell the second we leave, and by then it's too late. Go out and have a good time. You deserve it."

When she came out of the closet a few minutes later, dressed in yet of course another sundress, Petra walked toward the door with a frazzled sort of sigh, still coming to terms with how greatly her plans for the night had altered over and over again in the past thirty minutes. It had gone from her spending a quiet night in, to going out with Timmy, to having a sudden and fierce discussion with an extremely upset Captain, then for things to suddenly shift again because Levi had finally made his move and she could only melt into all that he was, because of who he was and all that he meant to her – to where she suddenly was now, leaving Levi behind and going back out with her father for the night.

She paused at the door and looked toward him with a bewildered shake of her head because it was a lot to process. For a long moment, they stared at each other under the weight of what could have happened – no, what should have happened, and Petra's expression seemed to morph into something more serious and resolved.

"Levi, before I go, I just…" she paused and gave him a nod, "You know I want this too, right? You know that if it hadn't been for my dad, that we would-"

Levi gave a growl and crossed his arms, "Yeah, don't remind me. I get it."

Petra gave a smile at his bitter words, and her expression softened, "No, I wanted to point it out because…well, it's been a long time of us tip toeing around the subject and not wanting to make any mistakes but," she nodded toward him seriously, "But now, you know my intentions."

Levi's expression showed a mere shadow of amusement, and he returned her nod with a look of promise, "And you know mine."

"Yeah. Just don't keep me waiting too long, Levi. Please, I mean. Uh, no, maybe I worded that wrong or-"

"I won't." he stated in a whisper, his expression serious, and before Petra could gauge her reaction one way or another, she found a smile pulling at her lips as she watched him, and Levi gave a slight laugh at the sheer wonder of it all, because there it was.

That was the smile he hadn't seen in so long, since that night in her room after the banquet. The beautiful one; the one that spoke of her trust, her contentment with him, her devotion and her care for him alone that he knew no other man would see but him – the one that he was so certain he had broken with some of his hesitance and cold mannerisms.

Maybe he somehow…had managed to do something right, after all.

"Goodnight, Captain." She turned the door handle with that breath-taking smile still on her face, and she walked out simply, closing the door behind her.

"Goodnight, Petra."

…

…

It had been a surprisingly late night, and once she had finally returned back to the house, laughing and talking with her Dad about anything and everything, hoping that perhaps she had made some progress in mending the rift between them, once she finally bid her father a good night and returned back to her room - the Captain had already been asleep.

She couldn't help but smile fondly at the sleeping man, who was so clearly exhausted after a full week of the various demands and stresses of her family situation – to such an extent that he hardly even stirred as she quietly changed into her night clothes and slipped into bed beside him. He had eventually woken up, only briefly, as she aligned her body next to his under the covers, and Levi shifted easily, pulling his arms around her and giving a tired yawn as Petra pressed her head into his chest with a tired sigh of her own. After a few sentences of dialogue, him asking if she had had a good time, Petra responding that she had actually enjoyed the time with her father because it had been so, so long – they had fallen asleep.

When she woke up, sometime in the late morning, Levi had already left for training.

…

End of Chapter

…

Sooooo….yeah, of course I love this chapter. As always, my personal opinion on these things, but it can be really hard to balance a chapter in terms of plot development, character development, and just sheer amusement to read – various chapters hit various elements depending on plot needs, but this chapter in particular hits all three at the same time and it just makes it such a joy to read.

Sorry for all those calling for Timmy's blood but…hopefully you found this to be a better alternative? This has long been one of my favorite chapters, so I love it when I get to share them. This arc honestly has been my favorite to write, but of course that's easy to say when I'm still holding the deck. I dunno, I'll cut myself off here because I'm feeling WAY too chatty and this chapter is so long as it is.

As always, you guys are great. Thanks so much for supporting me and making this journey so wonderful. See you next week!

~Mid