Levi sat on the edge of the bed staring at the closed curtains, grasping the cotton sheet that wrapped the mattress beneath him. He scoffed at the sequence of events that led to him sitting there blaming himself. He looked back through the corner of his eyes at the ginger hair scattered on the pillow and the delicate naked body covered by thin fabric embracing its curves.

It was half past five when he got to his apartment. Petra was leaning against the door glaring at her phone through bored eyes that followed her thumb as it moved on the screen. "Petra" Levi called. She looked up at him and smiled. He clenched his jaw "let's go inside." He rotated the key and pushed the stubborn door letting the girl enter first. "We need to talk-" he said as the door banged behind him, but she didn't let him finish for she threw her arms around his neck forcing a kiss. "I missed you, Levi" she breathed out, "you've been so distant lately…" she pouted and pressed her lips to his once more.

"That's exactly why I need to talk to you." But again, she ignored, trying to find his tongue with her own.

Levi knew he shouldn't have been a weak coward and speak the moment they got into his apartment. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but now it seemed even worse to tell her they couldn't see each other anymore. He heard a groan coming from behind him but didn't care to look. "Only you to make me nap in the middle of the day" she giggled. He leaned forward, his arms on his legs supporting the weight of his upper body, black hair hiding his severe face. Petra crawled off the bed and stood in front of him, her knee grinding against his inner thigh. Levi's eyes travelled through her naked figure to meet her hazel ones. "We need a break" he shot.

"Wasn't this enough? I even fell asleep" she said sweetly, a playful grin playing on her lips. "Are you still tired?" she chuckled sliding her knees on each side of the man, hovering above him. Levi caught her before she could sit on his lap and pushed her to the side as he stood up.

"No." he shook his head "Petra, I tried to tell you," he put on his boxers and then his pants "this has to stop." he moved his hands in her direction and then toward himself. "This thing we have going on is over," his hands landed on his hips "I'm sorry."

She grabbed her clothes and pressed them to her chest, he could see she tried to fight back the tears that insisted on filling her confused eyes. "You knew what this was from the start, Petra." He rubbed his forehead with his thumb and index finger feeling guilty because he had known how she felt about him but still went ahead and slept with her as friends. That had been a poor decision… and as much as he hated to admit, Eren made him get some perspective.

"Yeah, but I thought-" she said exasperatedly.

"I know," he cut her off "that's why I should've ended it sooner – in fact, it shouldn't even have started." said Levi before leaving the room. Two minutes later Petra followed fully dressed, her cross-body bag hanging on her shoulder, "What happened? Did I do anything you didn't like?" she asked in a small voice.

"No. I just realized this isn't right… It isn't fair to you." Disappointment washed over her. "You're such an amazing person and a great friend I-"

"Yeah…" she interrupted him "I will never be more than that, will I?" she pressed her lips in a thin line watching him shake his head no. "I should go." They walked toward the door. She obviously seemed upset, but Levi had the same unbothered expression as ever. He placed the hand on the doorknob and caught her gaze as she gave him an unexpected smile, like she knew that was the best for both. "Just answer me this," she hugged herself and exhaled as if she was in peace with the decision "what changed?"

The muscles on his jaw moved under his skin as he opened the door, buying himself time to come up with an answer. It was a simple answer, but he hadn't realized it yet.

As he opened the door a shadow appeared at his feet. He followed the shadow that led to a familiar pair of white sneakers. He jerked his head upward to find viridian green eyes looking down at him and a right hand in a fist ready to knock on the door. The blood drained from Levi's face and his eyes widened in bewilderment. "I- I-" Eren stood there, still confused at the situation. He couldn't help but notice the hard lines of Levi's shirtless torso and the way his trousers hung on his hips. His face became red when he realized he had been staring for too long.

"What are you doing here?" Levi shot baffled, but Eren didn't answer. His attention diverted to the ginger girl in the man's apartment. She smiled at him as a greeting. Her hair was messy, and her eyes swollen like she was tired. He did the math. Fuck. He clenched his fists and bit his bottom lip so hard he could feel the metallic taste of blood.

"I didn't have your number."

"What could possibly be so important that couldn't wait till tomorrow?" Levi gripped the edge of the door supporting his forehead on the back of his left hand.

"I forgot" He could tell he was interrupting something, he was clearly not welcome in that moment. All he wanted to do was get out of there "I had better go."

As he turned around to walk away, Petra stopped him. "I was leaving anyway, you stay" she said, "Bye Eren," she looked back at the half naked man standing at the door "Levi."

"Come on in, brat" Levi sighed bringing his fingers to his temples "What do you want?"