I know I said this chapter would be a game of Truth or Dare between Eren and co. but my Rivetra feels took over. Ah well. Enjoy!
11. One, Two, Three, Four
"Erwin," Levi barked, "I don't dance."
"Levi, we don't have a choice." Erwin tried to reason with him as he strode ahead of him, leaving Levi to catch up with the Commander's long strides, much to his annoyance. Not that he would ever complain about his short stature out loud.
"Why don't you bloody well dance in my place then if you are so keen on it?" Levi snapped, managing to outmaneuver Erwin and blocking his path by placing a hand against the doorway he was headed for. "Waltz away in your favorite frock for all I care."
"I have a meeting to attend with the higher ups right after the wedding, you know that." Erwin sighed. "We need more funding as soon as possible if we are to carry out the next expedition as scheduled."
Levi restrained himself from throwing some punches out of pure frustration. In two day's time, representative members of the three regiments were to attend the marriage of some noble lady. Levi didn't care enough to recall her name or her exact position but was aware that she held quite a high stand in the hierarchy. Much to his very verbal displeasure, Erwin had cornered him and asked him to dance with the insufferable, snobbish woman. As was the tradition in such gatherings, a representative of a high standing from each regiment had to lead the dance with the lady in question to represent their segment. A very pointless and taxing tradition, in Levi's opinion.
"Why not Gunter or Auruo? Those morons find dancing enjoyable enough to get through the ordeal." Levi countered as a final attempt to wriggle out of the situation. "Hell, even Hanji can pass off as a man. She'd love that, like the little freak she is."
"You know that's not how it works." Erwin told him placidly. "I am sorry Levi, I'd put someone else's name forward but the expected candidate after me is you if we go by the ranks." And with that, Erwin departed after patting Levi once on his shoulder.
Levi hesitated between going after Erwin with his blades drawn out and paying the soon to be groom a visit and threatening him into not marrying the snob. In the end, he decided to forget the whole matter for the time being and locked himself in his study, burying his nose into some papers to get his mind off the vexing matter. Pretty soon, he was immersed in his work and lost track of time. When he looked up, it was already past dusk.
"Oh Levi!" A sing song voice floated in from the doorway and instantly, Levi mentally berated himself for not bolting the damn door in the first place.
"Hanji." He sighed, reclining back in his chair. "What?"
As if on cue, Hanji poked her head in, her messy hair falling all over her face before she pranced inside, holding a lamp in one hand. At least she is carrying extra lighting, Levi thought as his room was instantly brightened.
"Oh don't play coy with me; we both know what this is about." She wagged a finger at him, shooting him a knowing grin.
"Yes Hanji, we do. What we both know is that I am going to kick your hairy ass out of this room in five seconds if you don't start making sense."
"You are representing the Scouts Regiment this time instead of Erwin."
"And?"
"Levi," Hanji giggled. "You can't dance."
"What do you mean I can't dance? Just because I don't want to engage in bothersome traditions-"
"Fine," Hanji cut him off. "Fine, then. Prove it."
Levi answered her by shoving her out of the room and slamming the door shut behind her.
Later, when the whole castle was asleep and Levi was just beginning to wind up his work, there was a knock on the door. I swear, if it's Hanji again…
To his relief –and surprise– it was Petra.
"Ral-" He caught himself, "Petra, what are you doing up so late?"
"I can ask you the same question." She pointed out. Her face was illuminated by the candle she was holding in one hand and a steaming cup of tea in the other, which she proffered to him without another word. He took the hot beverage from her with a small nod, ruffling her hair lightly. "Go back to sleep."
Instead, she stepped inside and shut the door behind her, not nonplussing him in the least. She was getting more and more disobedient by the day. "Come here," she said once he finished his drink.
Taking Levi's hand into his own, she pulled him into the center of the room with her. He quirked one eyebrow at her questioningly but she simply gave him a smile as she guided one of his hands to her waist and held the other in her own.
"One," She took a step forward, urging Levi to move with her. "Two, three, four."
"Petra-?"
"One," she insisted, leading them into some sort of waltz, "Two, three, four."
Levi gave up after a while and simply let her coax him into a dance. He stumbled a bit initially, mumbling a string of barely eligible apologies and curses as he knocked a vase to the floor and stepped on Petra's toes a few times but she remained patient and encouraging. Soon, they had been dancing for nearly an hour and Levi wasn't making a fool out of himself anymore, which was a good sign.
"Hanji?" Levi asked her dryly when they took a break.
"Well," Petra bit back a smile. "Word does travel around here."
Petra was so different from the lot of them. She wasn't here to ridicule him or laugh at his subpar dancing abilities. She didn't even question him as to why he was not proficient at it or something. She simply smiled. Smiled and helped him, like no one else would have without making him feel like an idiot.
Without warning, Levi leaned forward and pressed his lips to her cheek, very close to the corner of her mouth. The rosy blush that bloomed under her skin was worth the whole ordeal.
