Good morning everyone and happy Sunday!

Hope your week was awesome! As yall know, I need a few weeks to get some more material written down, but none the less I am excited to bring this chapter to you guys before I go off on my writing journey and return to you a more prepared writer.

Thanks for your guys' patience, and as always your encouragement and support.

…

…

Breakfast had been pleasant, but only on the surface, because there was a lot going on all at once; various mixed emotions that were presently filtering throughout the small Ral household, and it made for a rather interesting start to the morning.

Petra had woken up early – earlier than even Levi, because she had been that excited about getting to spend almost a full two weeks with her Captain, and even if it made her feel like a mere child with how giddy she was, her excitement had made it almost impossible for her to sleep.

She had quietly snuck out of bed and gotten up before sunrise, eager to get a jump on the day because for once, she actually had something she was truly looking forward to. She made the coffee, fed the chickens and collected the eggs, then set to work on cooking a remarkably large breakfast, simply because her sudden energy made her feel as though she had to be doing something.

Levi had filtered into the kitchen an hour or so later, a shadow of a smile across his lips after seeing Petra merrily bounce her way through the kitchen, in an obvious good mood. Hell, she was even humming to herself, and some part of him hesitated to make his presence known to her, because he would have been perfectly content to just stand at the side of the hallway, watching her and listening to her – pleased that she was finally feeling at peace for the first time in what seemed like months. Regardless, it seemed a different, more dominant part of him felt a little more selfish, because Levi found himself walking into the kitchen, going toe to toe with Petra and giving the ginger a small, testing peck on the lips.

"You're up early." He stated against her skin, unable to keep the growing smirk off his lips when he lightly pulled back and saw that Petra's green orbs had widened in surprise. She hadn't known Levi had been in the room, hadn't even known he was awake, and his sudden appearance and gentle kiss had apparently caught her off guard.

She bit her lower lip and gave a single, shy nod, "Uh yeah, I don't think I got any sleep last night. I was…well, am I guess – yeah, I'm pretty excited, Levi." She paused for a moment, a sly grin coming to her face, "You know Captain, you still haven't told me what happened last night; I'm pretty curious because I know you two were talking about me. You gonna tell me?"

Levi gave a low, soft chuckle, "Fuck no. Haven't you heard? Brats don't get invited to parent teacher conferences, dumbass."

Petra's mouth had dropped open at his statement, and she shook her head slowly, "Parent teacher conference, huh? Well if that's how it is, I think we'll have to leave this place. I'd hate for you to give my Dad a bad report or tell him that my grades have been slipping. I'll have you know I was a straight A student so he won't accept anything less."

The Ackerman reached toward her, allowing his hands to fall to her hips as he pulled her against him, a sudden flurry of excitement making his own heart race at the way Petra watched him, because her clear excitement and flirtatious words were having a similar effect on him – her overwhelming anticipation somewhat infectious, "Oh? Well if it means we get out of here any sooner, I'll tell him all sorts of shit. If you want, I can wreck your reputation so bad that you never have to step foot in this town again."

The ginger grinned, "Gods Captain, I love it when you talk dirty to me."

"Yeah, I know."

Petra had moved up to her toes, pressing her lips more firmly against his, and Levi sighed into her, allowing his eyes to flutter closed as he felt Petra wind her arms up around the back of his neck, resting against him as he held her with a light, pleased embrace. He kissed her in return, a gentle sigh leaving his lips as she showered him with affection – an admittedly nice way to start the day – and he ran an arm up her back, holding her against him all the more as he deepened their kiss with wordless abandon.

"Oh for the love of Maria…" a new, gruff and dismayed voice could suddenly be heard – Petra's father – and the two pulled away only slightly, their arms still wrapped around each other as the older man suddenly walked into the room with a scowl, "Cut an old man some slack, will ya? I get you two love birds have to make up for lost time or whatever, but if you could save it for just a little while longer, when I'm not in the room? Besides-" the man continued, "Ackerman and I were out at the bar for hours last night, and I'm not too proud to admit that he can hold his liquor a lot better than me. Maybe you kids can drink all night and not feel it come the next morning, but I've got twenty some years on the both of you and I'm feeling like I'm standing on deaths door. Baby girl, grab me some coffee, will ya?"

Petra gave a timid laugh and fell back off from her toes, allowing her hands to trace down the Captain's shoulders and over the front planes of his chest with a lingering sweep of her hands – a laxness in her caress that didn't go unnoticed by Levi or her father. "Sure thing Dad, and a glass of water too. Hate to say it, but you look pretty miserable. Did you at least sleep well last night?"

Petra moved back into the kitchen, pouring her father a cup of coffee and she missed her father's narrowed, wary glance, "Did you?"

Petra turned over her shoulder and gave her father a coy smirk, "Dad, do you really want the answer to that question?"

The man's lips tightened at the underlying meaning behind her words and he opened up his morning newspaper with a flick of his wrist, "Lets just say the level of sleep I got last night, is directly proportionate to the level of sleep you got last night, and I think we both know the outcome of that little math equation. I'm exhausted, Princess."

Petra couldn't help but chuckle and she walked the coffee over to her father with an amused smile still on her lips, "Don't worry Dad, give it another hour and we'll be out of your hair."

Her father nodded in thanks and he set the paper down with a sigh, "You say that like it's a good thing, Princess." Her father watched her seriously, his voice dropping to a mere whisper, "I get this time around hasn't been the crowning achievement regarding my role as your dad, but Petra, you got married and I-"

The man's green eyes shifted uneasily towards Levi, and the Captain got the distinct impression that it was perhaps a good time for him to start loading up their bags, because it was clear the man wanted a moment alone with his daughter. Once Levi had left the room, her father took a breath and continued, "Petra, baby I love you so much. This was a huge part of your life, a moment that every parent looks forward to and I missed it all. I know we've been fussing and squabbling all week, but I'd like to think we've always been close and that we watch out for each other, and out of the blue I woke up one day to the most guarded and insincere letter that confirmed in a single paragraph that it was all over and that you got married, without me even getting to be there to see it. The letter didn't even say who you were married to of all things – just that you were married. Please understand that as your father, that is more hurtful to me than you could ever know. I never got to give you away, I never got to see you all dressed up-" James paused and cleared his throat, taking a moment to himself and eventually looking up toward Petra with a sad smile, "Never got to tell you that your mother would be so, so proud of you. Never got to tell you that even though you and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of different things, that I'm proud and awestruck to have a daughter like you. You're strong, disciplined; you love fiercely and you protect fiercely. Even if I don't much care for your choice of husband or career, well…maybe I would have told you that through it all, we're still gonna be okay. All of us."

Petra wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry at her father's quiet and humbled words, words that were certainly overdue and very needed to be heard, and she gave a sniffle as she rubbed her suddenly burning eyes, "Wow Dad. I'm not sure what to say. It's hard, and it's been hard for a long time - but I want to move on, and heal, and like you said, I want all of us to be okay." She paused and gave a tearful sniffle, giving her father a knowing stare as she grinned at him, "Honestly Dad, I don't know what Captain said to you last night, but apparently it worked remarkably well. Are you giving us your blessing?"

Her father gave a weak laugh, "I thought you didn't want my good for nothing blessing, remember?"

She gave a shrug, struggling to keep the beaming smile off her face, "Well I mean, if you're just giving it out."

The man grabbed his newspaper again and began flipping through the pages to find where he had left off, "It's not my blessing Petra, but…it's my acceptance, I suppose. After all," her father took a breath and looked up over the edge of the paper with a quirked eyebrow, "You love him, don't you?"

Petra blushed, because right at that moment Levi had walked back into the room, a few bags in hand as he prepared to move them out toward the stable. Though the Captain had continued walking step for step without so much as a single pause, clearly still trying to be respectful and not interfere with their conversation, the Captain's eyes shone with something bordering on the side of smug at her father's question, his smirk growing all the more pronounced when Petra gave a single, shy nod in confirmation as her gaze nervously flitted back and forth between the two men.

Her father also smirked at this wordless interaction, and he merely turned a page in his newspaper and continued, "Then there's nothing I can really do. You love him, you're married, he treats you well enough and has protected you long before you ever came to be his wife, and while I'm not exactly happy about it, I suppose that I've more than said my peace and it's time to move on."

Petra had watched her father in wonder, again feeling the nagging and burning sensation in her eyes, and on impulse she reached down and wrapped her arms around her father, her head pressed into his chest as she caught her suddenly short breath. James had tensed in surprise, but his expression melted into a warm smile and he set his paper back down, moving away from the table so he could return her unexpected embrace. Her voice was soft, her hot breath bleeding into his shirt as she spoke, "I wanted you to be there, Dad. I was so mad. I didn't understand, and I was so hurt, and so scared, and I just wanted you to be there to hold my hand and tell me it would be okay. I needed you, and your wisdom, and your sense of humor and your perspective – but…you weren't there and it was so hard, and ever since then there's been a lot I had to figure out on my own because it wasn't always so easy between Levi and I. I wanted you to be there, so bad."

The man gave a half smile, finding that his eyes were also starting to burn and itch at his daughter's honest, broken words, and he gave a long sigh and rubbed her back forlornly, "If I had been there, you realize I probably wouldn't have handled things the way you wanted." Her father paused, pulling Petra back and giving her a serious stare as he watched her intentionally, "Petra, don't go. I know this week was rough, but I promise you I'm trying. I spent the entire night out with the most unsociable, and let's not forget intimidating, man I've ever met, just to try and understand you guys a little better. Doesn't that count for something?"

Petra's faced contorted into something admittedly amused and she gave a cough, "Wait, you think he's intimidating? Really? Frankly Dad with how you've been acting this week, I would have never guessed. I mean, most people find him to be a little on the foreboding side so I guess it's not all that surprising but you were just so…direct that I figured you were totally unaffected by his infamous scorn."

Her father gave a scoff, "Well I can be pretty bold when it comes to my daughter, but let's not forget that he's Humanity's Strongest – that fact coupled with his aggressive background, of course he's intimidating, even to someone like me. Granted, I've been pretty unapproachable but I'm willing to listen, and I'm ready to have the conversations with you that I wasn't ready to have before. Please Baby, I just got you back and now you're leaving early. We don't have to fight at all – I just want to spend some time with you. Even if it's just another few days? Give me something here Baby; I've really missed you and you're cutting our time in half by leaving like this."

Petra listened to her father's words, considering his request for a long moment before giving a long sigh through her nose and looking out toward the front door. Even now Levi was busy tying things down for their upcoming departure, and after a few moments of consideration, Petra eventually shook her head, "Dad, you know I love you so much, and you know I'd love to stay but…I need to spend some time with Levi too, you know? It's important."

Her father gave a disappointed sigh, merely giving a single, hurt nod as Petra continued gently, "I'm not trying to make you feel bad, but during it all; when I was frustrated or hurting, or unconfident or angry...Captain, he really came through for me. He gave me strength time and time again, and honestly, he's really been the person that's kept me going through it all. It hasn't been easy, and he's had his own struggles and pain points too, so after everything we've gone through lately, I kinda think he just needs a break from being 'Captain Levi' for a while."

Petra looked back toward the door, a small, wistful smile pulling at her lips, "Even if he hasn't said anything to me, I know he's completely exhausted. If we were to stay here, the damage has been done and no matter how you try to approach him now, he's still going to feel like he's walking on eggshells, where after weeks of that considerable tension, he'd get back to headquarters just in time for him to get plugged right back in to training and deadlines, and his 'vacation' would have been nothing more than four miserable weeks of getting chewed out."

The door opened, and Levi walked back inside, giving a small 'I'm almost done out there, so if you want to get started on breakfast or whatever? I'll join you in a second.' Again the pair waited for the Captain to grab the next few bags, waiting in silence for Levi to move back through the house and disappear outside.

Petra watched him go with a fond smile and eventually sighed, "I think it will be for the best if he and I can just take the time to get away from it all. He needs it, and it'll be good for him. He's been under so much stress for so long now, and it's really getting to him so I need to do my part to make sure that he's not getting overwhelmed out here." Her father gave a bewildered shake of his head, and Petra paused from her previous trail of thought, "Wait, what's that look for? What did I say?"

The older man only shrugged, "Nothing Baby, it's nothing bad it's just…Levi said almost the exact same thing about you last night - that you were tired and had been through a lot so he wanted to make sure that you could finally relax for a change. He seemed pretty worried about you, and here you are saying the exact same thing about him, like he's the one who's had it rough or something."

Petra chuckled at her father's words, finding that she wasn't surprised at all to hear that Levi wanted her to take some time to intentionally relax. She gave a shrug and walked toward the kitchen, grabbing a few plates and starting to set the table for breakfast, "Yeah? Well, I wasn't kidding Dad. It's not been the smoothest of transitions, going from single to married, and I suppose we're learning how to have each other's backs a little bit better because we had no idea how to in the beginning. Our marriage isn't traditional; I'll never deny that or try to pretend that we're something we're not, but that doesn't mean it's not real. Levi is my husband, through and through, and I'm his wife. Day by day, I'm learning exactly what that means and the depth that sort of position carries for someone like him, and I'm learning all over again how to handle my life and my choices because it's not just about me anymore."

Petra paused again, looking back toward her father and giving a simple shrug as she set the plates around the table lightly, "And I'm not trying to guilt trip you Dad, I'm just saying for the mere purpose of saying it – it would make me very, very happy if you and Levi ever found a way to make amends and build a solid foundation. He means a lot to me, and you mean a lot to me, and I want us all to work together in the future. So…just think about it, okay? I know you don't like him, but I promise you, I could do a lot worse than Levi Ackerman."

Her father gave a long sigh and set his newspaper off to the side, standing up from the table as he helped set out the silverware and utensils, "Well…I suppose that perhaps that's true. Perhaps, at least."

…

...

Some time later, the trio was stationed outside. Levi had busied himself with doing practically all of the preparations for their journey, not so much as from a need to be busy or as a way to avoid conversing with his father in law, but rather because it was obvious that if the details were left to Petra, they would never get done.

She wasn't outright stalling, because she was persistent in that she did want to leave and had told him sternly that she wanted to go soon (because he had asked yet again) but after watching her nervously move about the house, check each room and then double check that all their things were packed away, before wanting to check just a few more things she apparently needed to be absolutely sure of, that he finally realized what she was doing.

She was putting off goodbye.

Petra had cleaned up from breakfast, done all the dishes, fed the horses and the chickens, before finally running out of things to do. She gave a fake, pleasant smile toward her father because they were all just standing awkwardly in the living room, and the silence was growing thicker by the minute. Eventually, Petra sighed, "Hey uh Dad, you maybe wanna walk us out?"

Her father's smile had been equally as empty, and the older man nodded in clear dejection, "Sure thing, Baby."

The short walk from the front of the house to the stable had been long and quiet, the air tense and heavy as Levi worked to untie their horses and get started on the journey, admittedly grateful to have something to keep him busy because it was clear that the pair wasn't entirely ready to say their goodbyes.

Petra was looking into the ground, clearly struggling with her emotions, and James cleared his throat and looked toward Levi seriously, "You make sure to keep her safe, Ackerman. Remember what we talked about last night lad; I'm holding you to it."

Levi grunted as he shifted up onto his horse, and he positioned himself across the saddle with a single nod, "I know, Ral." Levi pressed his lips together and sighed, not wanting to be too demanding but certain that if nothing was said, the pair would keep delaying the inevitable and their stalling was just going to make it worse. He looked toward Petra and watched her with a serious stare, "Petra, it's time."

She visibly stiffened, then gave a slow nod and looked up toward her father with glassy eyes. She took a breath and attempted to sober her emotions, unable to look her father in the eye as she fought to speak, "Hey Dad, uh…" she tried to swallow the growing lump in her throat and she repetitively blinked the burning sting out of her eyes, "So I'm not sure the next time I'll be back out here, you know? I mean, I'm not planning on anything happening but in the off chance that maybe I don't get another chance to say it in person like this, I just…well I love you and I am really going to miss you out there and-"

Petra's words were cut off because her father had taken a step and pulled her into a tight hug, and Petra all but fell into the man as her emotions left her at once in a sudden sob. She fisted her hands into his shirt, shaking her head in bitter, cold disbelief as the weight of her emotions continued to overwhelm her. Gods, she always hated having to leave.

For a few moments, no words were exchanged, only the sound of the pair's staggered breaths as they each went through yet another painful, hard separation. Eventually, Petra took a deep breath and spoke between her tears, "Eight years I've been in the military now, and this part doesn't get any easier. I hate the goodbyes Dad, and I'll never get used to having to walk away like this. I'm going to miss you so much. No more weird letters or sudden demands, okay? You're making my boss's days more complicated, so just let it be because this whole thing turned into a horrible mess."

Her father's voice was a quiet whisper, because he too struggled with the goodbyes and letting her go again and again was a painful reality that he had always dreaded, "I know, Petra. I'll try to keep patient with you, and your more recent choices that I don't exactly approve of. You just make sure you keep coming back, okay? You listen to your Captain, and you make sure that you're being safe out there. I love you, Baby. So much."

Petra nodded and somewhat pulled away, wiping her eyes and clearing her throat, knowing that it was probably time to wrap it up because while Levi was being respectful, she was certain this wasn't the most comfortable of experiences for him. She took a step toward her horse and lifted herself upward, sitting down onto the saddle and smiling down at her father, "Love you too, Dad. When I get back to Headquarters, I'll write you a letter to let you know we got back okay."

"I'd appreciate that. I've missed your letters, so it'll be good to hear from you again. You two travel safely and don't overdo it. You're on vacation so you may as well loosen up a bit, right?"

Sensing the conversation was wrapping up, Levi gave a nod toward James and began moving down toward the road at a light pace, and Petra watched her Captain for a long moment. She gave a long sigh as Levi moved off the property, his pace still languid and not overly hurried, but prominent enough that she wouldn't be able to linger. She gave a half smile toward her father and sighed, "Guess this is it, Dad."

Her father was also watching the Captain, and he almost chuckled at the strangeness of the entire situation; of the entire week, the fights and conversations, the choices and the consequences, and he shook his head in wonder because there was no denying it – Petra had gotten married, and her husband, good or bad, was here to stay. James crossed his arms and gave a pointed nod toward the Captain's retreating frame, "So, he's it, huh? That's the guy you're wanting to be with and chase after, for better or for worse?"

Petra nodded warmly, "Yeah, that's him alright."

"You won't regret it?"

Petra's smile widened into a knowing, contented grin and she gave a shake of her head, "Regret Levi being the one?" she gave a small laugh and watched her Captain fondly, "Who knows? I've learned enough about him where I really don't see that being the case, but I suppose I'm not so arrogant anymore to just assume something like that. It's a little surreal to think about, but he's such a good man Dad, and I look forward to you eventually seeing that for yourself. It takes him a while to ease up around new people, and I was no exception back in the day but…he's the best. He really is, and at this point, I just can't afford to lose him; he means too much to me."

Her father nodded and took a few steps towards her, looking up at her and giving his daughter a single pat on the leg, "Well then Baby, guess you'd better start chasing after him."

At her father's words, his permission, his understanding and his acceptance, Petra gave a smile and nodded, kicking her legs inward to direct her horse to start moving so she could follow after Levi – knowing full well she'd be doing that very thing for the rest of her life and feeling nothing but anticipation.

…

End of Chapter

...

There we go yall – a proper ending to this arc. As you guys know, this is actually my favorite arc of this series – even though there were a few moments where it was painful and seemed like the interaction was a bust, hopefully yall can see that this arc is truly a special one that took, well, literally this entire story to culminate into what it was. I do hope I was able to write it out the way I saw it in my mind, but do forgive me for any error mistakes I made with my characterizations and attempts to bring this arc about the way I felt would make the most sense.

So what's next? On your guys' end, I'm afraid there's not much to do but wait it out? On my end, I will be writing like crazy. I've got material still, but it's spread out and not in sequential order so I'll be putting the pieces together, cleaning it up, and return to you with the rest written out where with any luck at all, we'll be able to do weekly updates till the very end. So for a date, I'll see you guys on November 8th!

Till then, and always, thanks for everything
~Midnight