The wages of military personnel were meager, even more so for those who faced the biggest risks of dying. Those in the Survey Corps lived modestly, their belongings very few as the want to live in a world free of titans superseded any of their material desires. But what many of the soldiers made, they sent home to their families; to parents, grandparents, even older sisters or brothers who could not make the cut for the military and instead worked the fields and cared for their orphaned, younger siblings.

But Captain Levi had no one to send his wages to, had no single person relying on him to survive so that they in turn may survive as well. So instead he had saved, dipping into his funds for new cleaning supplies or rare black teas when the Survey Corps budget could not afford to. Out of anyone in the military, he was the least materialistic and greedy, having come from nothing and knowing only the clothes he kept on his back, and the knife he kept sheathed. But money instead posed as a means of funding his dream…well, if you could even call it a dream. He had been asked once before what he planned to do once humanity was free from their walled cages. He scoffed at the idea of a dream; it did nothing but distract from the present, from their true objectives. Of course he had hopes, ideas that came to mind should he lie to see the day the titans fell; but they were fleeting, desires that only came to mind when he had nothing else to think of.

But even Erwin had coaxed him along for an answer, Levi surprised even the merciless commander had dreams of his own, to perhaps settle down and raise a family. It certainly wasn't a bad idea, though a vision Levi could hardly see for himself. Family was a word he found trouble associating with. The only true family he had ever known had died so many years ago, falling ill to a horrid disease that plagued many within the walls and many more in the Underground. Isabel and Farlan had been the next ones closest to him, and they too had perished. Why should he dream of something he had hardly ever known, of something that perhaps he never really deserved?

'Maybe I'll open a tea shop,' had been his answer. It was simple, and perhaps not so much as a shock to anyone who had known him decently well enough; especially not Erwin. Levi was fond of tea, not just in taste, but the idea of collecting black teas. A hobby of sorts, if one could even call it that. But while his answer was something given just to get them off his back, in reality it certainly was something Levi could see himself doing.

But it was a thought he tucked away, along with each coin and dollar that came into his possession. And when the day came that Humanity was finally able to call themselves the victors, the very idea he had gently tucked away came to surface.

Within months, not only had the walls been torn down, but once abandoned towns now found themselves being restored and filled once again with life. Some citizens had left to travel, to see the world they yearned to explore. But even still, many had stayed, claiming they had already built their lives within these towns, and were happy to leave the exploration of the 'new' world to their children.

Though their goal had been achieved, the military still played an integral part in reclaiming the free lands. Each and every person was free to discharge as they pleased, having served the promise they made when offering their hearts to humanity. Some had desired to return to their families, but many remained, knowing there was still so much they could do to help.

A year of peace had passed when Captain Levi decided that after seven years within the Survey Corps, it was time he had hung up his cape. He had long since been absolved of the crimes that managed to land him within the Corps, and despite his initial refusal to join, he found himself the slightest bit reluctant to leave. But he knew it was time to move on; he couldn't stay in the military forever, right? He had his own life to lead, and with each member of the Corps one by one leaving to live their own, it became more and more apparent that it was something he should do as well. Even his squad had dwindled down to two members. Erd had returned home to marry his sweetheart, Auruo to aid with his family and the upcoming arrival of his newest sibling. Eren, though insisting he wanted to stay and help, was discharged within a month of Humanity's rise. The young teen would never admit it, but the titan shifting had taken a toll on his body. It was at Erwin's insistence, along with Mikasa and Armin, that he leave with his friends. As for Gunter, It did not surprise him that he remained, leaving every few weeks to visit his family. But even Levi knew it was a matter of time before he left, knowing the young man's father was not in the best health.

And then there was Petra Ral. Though never stated, Petra was considered to be Levi's unofficial right hand. While Erd was second in command of their squad, it was ultimately Petra who stood by Levi's side. She had devoted herself to him; at least that's what her father had said once. The raven haired man was never sure just how to take that; rather, he was unsure of how he should. They were close, very close, and knew much more about one another than the others, and had come to a point where even sitting in silence in Levi's office, drinking tea just before bed, was comfortable.

There was something unspoken between the Captain and his subordinate, something Levi was too clumsy to act on, something he never expected Petra to do as well. But Levi would have been lying to himself if he said he did not like her, if he denied ever wondering if there was a future for either of them, together. He had always assumed she would return home to her father once the war was over; she spoke so admirably, so fondly of him, that it took him by surprise when she informed him of her intentions to stay within the military.

And perhaps, though he would never admit it even to himself…perhaps part of the reason why he was so reluctant to leave was because he'd be leaving her behind as well.

It did not take Levi long to pack his bags, the very few that he had. Despite seven years in the military, his belongings other than clothing were few. His eyes scanned the now empty room once more, making sure that he not only had collected everything, but that it was pristine and ready for whatever new military recruit to inhabit.

"Are you leaving?" Levi turned his head to see Petra standing in the doorway, wearing a casual dress he had gifted her for her birthday the year before. Her hands lightly grasped the frame of the doorway as she stood there with a curious expression on her face.

"Soon."

Petra nodded, continuing to cling to the mahogany frame. "I had thought for a second you left without saying goodbye."

She smiled, though he said nothing.

"Where are you going to go?"

"Trost…" It was still a bustling town despite the walls coming down and citizens leaving for the new lands. Even the Reeves Corporation, now headed by Flegel, remained within the district, though of course importing and exporting new goods that came with reclaiming the lost lands.

"I take it you'll be staying here?" He watched as her lips pursed. He could tell that was not her intention.

"Ah-I don't know, actually…you're leaving; Gunter plans to leave within a month I've discovered. I mean, my father keeps asking me to come home but…" She laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "That isn't really what I want to do…"

"What then?"

"Well…I was hoping…I could go with you…" Her voice was barely audible, he wasn't even sure he had heard her correctly, though processing her words, her downcast gaze and tight grip on the door frame, he knew he had.

He stood in silence, she stood silent as well, their breathing currently the loudest sounds in the vicinity. He had played with the idea of possibly asking her to join him, but he continuously dismissed the thought, convincing himself otherwise. She had her father to return to, and he couldn't bear to leave her with a predicament that meant choosing between the two of them. That, and perhaps she was just…too good for him, that he didn't deserve her, and she certainly did not deserve to put up with him.

Petra finally tore her gaze from the floor, just in time to meet with his before it shifted towards the clock hanging on the wall.

"…I'm leaving in one hour."

She nodded, taking that as his approval, and smiling before disappearing from the doorway. His heart thudded against his chest, and he had no clue as to why.