Happy, happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend – got lots of treats in their Easter Baskets, whole nine. Me, I played outside a lot with the family, had to wrestle my son in attempts to get him to take a nap as he was convinced naps are for peasants, and ended up getting a NASTY sunburn after playing one too many games of beach volleyball.

So pretty much, it was an epic day. Battle wounds people - we won all three games.

I'll be quiet now. Yall get to reading :)

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They made their way back to the compound and Petra dismounted from her horse nervously, leading her horse back into the stable and ensuring she would be properly cared for before moving back to Levi who was waiting just outside the stable for Petra's return.

She moved in front of him and slid the ring off her finger before handing it to him carefully so she didn't drop it, "You'll need this for the ceremony."

Levi nodded and took his ring off as well, placing them both into his inner jacket pocket, "I'll be in Erwin's office if things get out of hand. If you're not finished by one o'clock, I'll come and shut it down. We need the day to keep moving."

Petra cleared her throat and took a deep breath, eyes narrowed in determination as she looked at him squarely, "It won't come to that. I'll take care of it."

Levi nodded in return, relieved to see the more confident side of Petra finally emerging in comparison to the timid and stuttering Petra that had been in the shop. Without another word, she gave a nervous smile that read 'Wish me luck!' before moving past him and into the building.

As Petra opened the door and started down the hall towards the lobby where her squad would be waiting, she felt some of her previous inner fire die. It was a lot easier to talk big and say 'I'll take care of it' so easily, but the truth was her squad outnumbered her, were all older than her, and also had more tenure on the squad. Furthermore, they were all overly protective of her – a result of her being the only girl on the squad- and explaining to them the predicament she was in, as well as how she intended to get out of it- would not be a simple matter.

"Oh Petra's back!" she heard Oluo state as she walked into the lobby, and she gave a slight wave toward her assembled team.

She gave an insincere smile as she joined her comrades, walking at first towards her chair, then decided that it may be best to remain standing for the time being.

Gunther looked toward her, "We were getting worried about you – sleeping in so late, then disappearing again with Levi for so long – it made us worry that things weren't going to work out after all. You're not off packing, right?"

Petra wasn't sure how Gunther would have known of her situation, unless – her attention turned to Eld in question.

He shrugged as he looked toward her, a slight apologetic smile on his face, "Sorry, but I told them about your dad and everything. Hope you don't mind."

Petra nodded toward him, her question answered, "No, it's fine. It helps actually; saves a bit of explaining."

Eld looked relieved, "I'm glad. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be kept on the down low or not, and by the time the thought had occurred to me I had already talked with everyone about it. So…sorry about that, I was just really worried. Anyhow, when's the Captain getting here? Erwin said he had an announcement or something? I presume just the official 'You're not leaving the Squad after all' sort of thing?"

Petra took a breath and tried to collect her thoughts.

Here we go.

"Actually guys, Captain won't be joining us. It's actually my, well, his…no, our announcement, I guess. We thought it best that I be the one to explain it, so you guys could hear it directly from my mouth and know how things are."

A quiet confusion fell across the room and her teammates watched her in question. Petra exhaled and continued, "Like Eld probably told you, my father sent in an official document stating that at my terms expiration I was to be discharged from the military, so come Friday my time in the Scouts would have been done, considering that my father is still viewed as legally responsible for me. Also, like Eld may have told you, Captain was able to find a work around of sorts – so the root of the story, and the most important thing that I need you all to understand is that it is once again my choice whether I stay in the military or not, and above all I choose to stay."

The squad exchanged glances, wordlessly communicating that of course she was choosing to stay, that was nothing new, holding such a meeting for something so obvious was clearly not necessary, and gave her looks that suggested they expected nothing less from her, so if that was all, she could finally sit down and not make it seem so dramatic.

She continued, trying to bring strength into her voice, "What Eld didn't tell you – what I didn't tell Eld – was how I am going to stay."

Their expressions changed again, from minor annoyance to gradually building concern.

Like she had originally, it was likely that they had also assumed some loop hole or various connections were being used -wondering how she was getting to stay most likely hadn't crossed their minds, but the notion that there was more to the story had finally perked their interest.

"As long as my father is viewed as legally responsible for me, I have no options. There isn't an appeal process and I don't have time to run home and try to get him to change his mind. But that's where the Captain thought that…" she paused and looked to the floor, digging at the tile with her shoes and she mustered up the courage needed to reveal the truth of her situation to her nervous comrades, "Well, he realized that if he and I…"

She paused again, feeling the heavy stares of her squad mates weigh on her, wordlessly urging her to just get it out already.

She cleared her throat, "He realized that if I were married, my father's previous statement wouldn't stand, as the head of household would be my husband, and not my father."

There was a long, long silence as they anticipated the direction the conversation was taking, but cautiously waited it out in hopes they were wrong.

Petra looked up toward them directly, "So...the Captain and I are getting married."

Another long, long silence fell across the room, and Petra could only stand and watch each of her squad mates warily, allowing them each the time to process the sentence that finally confirmed their suspicions.

Gunther seemed to have found his voice first, and he crossed his arms, voice guarded as he watched her seriously, "You are joking right?"

She merely shook her head, and Eld stood up with a snap. He walked toward her, stepping directly in front of her and grabbing her forearms, as though he were preparing to all out shake her. He leaned down, matching his eyes with her.

He was not happy.

"Petra, you're serious? That's how you're going to stay on the squad, by marrying the Captain? You haven't stopped to think that, oh I don't know, marriage is permanent and you're being on the Scouts isn't? Have you considered that this course of action is just a little on the extreme side?"

From behind Eld, she could hear Oluo add in, "Yeah. I didn't know you and Levi were like that anyway."

Petra shrugged out of Eld's grasp, taking a step away from him and trying to give each of her teammates a firm look to stop any rumors before they got started, "Alright. Listen well, all of you. We're not like that. You guys know the Captain as well as I do, he avoids people like they have the plague and I'm certainly no exception to that – and at the very least I hope you know me well enough to know that I wouldn't sneak around like that behind your guy's backs. There isn't a romantic relationship between us, and furthermore there isn't going to be. This is strictly professional. He's not marrying me to get into a relationship, or vice versa. It's just business - a way for me to stay in the military. That's all."

Eld groaned, crossing his arms and looking down at her sternly, "A very clear indication that you should not be marrying him! He doesn't love you, you don't love him – Petra you're making a huge mistake."

"Maybe!" She agreed hotly as she looked up toward Eld defensively, beginning to feel frustrated with her squad mates who were practically brothers to her at this point, "Maybe I am, but at least it's my mistake and my choice to make. Guys you…you just don't get it!" Her voice was raised at the end, to an extent that they all watched her with raised brows. Her voice had cracked, and she took a deep breath, moving toward the table and finally taking a seat.

She didn't want to fight with her team, and she understood their surprised reactions, but a part of her was foolishly thinking they would help support her through this time – not give her the third degree or accuse her of sleeping around with their own Captain. She wasn't sure if she wanted to scream, or cry. Couldn't they see how exhausted she was? Did they not understand how hard this was for her? That she wasn't too stupid to count the costs?

She placed her head in her hands and stared down at the table, trying to force herself to remain in control and not breakdown again. The ceremony was only moments away and she had to keep it together. She couldn't risk Erwin feeling that she was unsure and decide against it.

She couldn't go home. Not like this.

She took a few deep, steadying breaths as she tried to calm her mind.

Gunther and Oluo looked down at Petra, then over toward Eld for help, knowing that between all of them, he would be the best suited to talk Petra out of her extreme course of action. It seemed they were all agreed that Petra marrying the Captain was a recipe for disaster. The blonde gave a conspicuous nod and moved toward her.

"Petra, listen…" Eld began gently, taking a seat beside her and continuing, "Emily means the world to me. Meeting her, dating her, falling in love with her – it has been just as much of an adventure for me as being on the Scouts has been. What's more, knowing that I'll get to marry her soon fills me with tremendous pride. Just knowing that one day soon she will be my wife, the future mother of our children – my everything, Petra it's a feeling that I can't describe to you, but it's worth it for you to experience for yourself."

Petra had bowed her head even lower into the table, making it impossible to read her expression. Eld prayed his words were getting through to her, and continued, "I get that you want to stay on the Squad, I know how important it is to you, but you're selling yourself short here I think. For yourself, for your future, please reconsider. Petra, we all care about you, and we're telling you – this is not a good idea. Being out of the military may hurt for a while, but as time moves on, you may find that having so many options – different careers, places to live, people to meet, I promise it won't be so bad. You'll be happier in the end. Don't solve a temporary problem with a solution that's this permanent."

Petra sat back up slowly, her expression mournful, "Guys, please, please listen to me. That's what you don't understand - if my Dad is willing to force me back home in such a way, there's really no telling what else he might do if he feels its 'for the best'. As I am right now, I have no options. I have no rights. I can't choose my future, and it's very likely that I may forever be told what to do, when to go, and how to do it. As I am now, regardless the fact that being in the military is the only thing I want out of life right now, I don't have the ability to choose that for myself, no matter how badly I might want to – so you're wrong there, Eld. I will never be happy living that sort of life."

She paused and took another deep breath, "But if I were to marry, that changes things. Levi has already said he wouldn't step in the way, so if I do indeed marry him, I have a potential future that doesn't exist elsewhere. My father won't have the authority to dangle over my head anymore and I will forever be free to actually choose my own fate." She sat back up in her chair, "And for that, I'll do anything. Nothing you guys say can convince me otherwise."

Oluo opened his mouth to speak, but Petra cut him off, raising her hand gently, "Please. Just don't make this harder than it has to be guys, I'm exhausted. It's been the longest twenty-four hours of my life, and I get that you don't support my getting married like this, but at the very least, I expect you to support the fact that I am making this decision for myself. It's not Levi or my dad or anyone else – I've counted the costs, I know what's at stake, and I've accepted it. This is what I want."

There was another long pause, and her teammates exchanged worried glances, no one quite sure what to make of Petra's explanation.

"…So you're really going to do it? Even though he's our Captain, our direct superior, that doesn't bother you? Petra its…Levi. You're really going to marry him?" Oluo asked quietly, both fear and concern evident in his expression.

Petra nodded numbly, and Oluo tsked with his tongue, grumbling a few choice phrases to himself and falling relatively silent again.

Gunther shook his head with a sigh, watching her directly with an unmasked scowl, "I don't like it Petra, not one bit. I respect your decision, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't tell you at least once that I think you're making a bad call here."

She nodded in understanding, asking cautiously, "Are you going to make my life hell because of it? Not that I can do anything either way, but…"

Gunther shook his head pensively and looked down into the table in contemplation, "No, what's done is done. Or, will be done I suppose. I'll tell you flat out that I don't approve, but I know that you're stubborn enough that my two cents don't matter either way, and I certainly can't complain that you'll be staying on the squad. I like you well enough, and I can't make a cup of coffee to save my life. I'll count my blessings that you are so devoted to this team, but just know that I've officially marked you down as being one crazy ass bitch."

She gave a halfhearted chuckle, knowing it was Gunther's way of saying that things were going to be okay between them. It wasn't perfect, but it was an encouraging start.

Petra turned her attention to Eld, who still watched her with hard eyes.

"Eld?"

He quirked an eyebrow and shook his head in anger, confirming that he would not be as easy to sway.

Petra sighed, pleading with him, "Don't do this. I know it seems drastic but give it time - things will go back to normal I promise! You guys won't even notice – neither of us are trying to get involved or anything so it'll just be like a mere formality more than an actual like, marriage."

Eld looked at her in surprise as though she were lacking basic common sense, lips pulled back in disgust, "Is that seriously what you think? That you will sign a marriage contract and everything goes back to normal? Petra you're fucking marrying Levi Ackerman, this changes everything! That's our Captain, and you'll be his wife. The fact you're just sitting here so coolly like it's just another task we've been assigned to complete - have you even thought this through at all?"

Petra held his eye contact directly, her voice taking a dangerous edge, "Eld. I respect you as my superior, and you know that your opinion means the world to me – but I will not tolerate you treating me like I'm a child. Of course I've thought it over. Of course I'm aware that this is a drastic change. But you know what? I. Don't. Care. It's what I have to do to stay in the Scouts, and if you were a real friend, you would try to find a way to be supportive – not belittle me and grill me as though I hadn't thought about the impacts this will have on all of us. We're a five man squad, we've trained for years as a five man squad and thanks to this marriage, it's going to stay a five man squad. Why can't you just be happy that I'm staying on the squad in the end; why does the how even matter to you?"

The two stared at each other for a long moment, and Eld sighed, his voice quieter as he tried to speak in gentler tones that would only reach her ears, "Petra, I care about you. Not like I do for Emily, but I care all the same. You can't tell me that you're content with this. He doesn't love you."

Petra gave a slow nod, her voice quiet and some part of her also wished that she was speaking with Eld privately, considering her relationship with Eld was a little more personal than it was with Gunther or Oluo, "I know it sucks, I've cried, I'm devastated, this is not my first choice but at the end of the day…this is my life right now. Yes, marrying Levi will be a loveless, political marriage but I'm okay with that. I just want to stay."

Eld shook his head bitterly, "See you're saying that, but I know you better, and that's why I can't support this. I want you to find happiness and I can't see Levi being able to support you in a way that will ever make you happy. I'm sorry Petra, but my opinion won't change."

Petra was attempting to find a response that may finally win him over, or at least bring him to an amicable agree to disagree – but Oluo spoke first, his uncanny ability to speak out of turn actually playing in her favor for once.

"Well shit, you've got me beat in terms of loyalty, Petra. If it were me and the Captain asked if I would-"

"I'd sooner eat Titan shit than actually propose to you, dumbass." Levi's voice rang through the room, and Oluo gave a slight yelp in surprise, turning his head every which way before finally finding the Captain, and he fell silent very fast.

Levi moved into the room and crossed his arms, "It sounds like Petra briefed everyone then. Like I'm sure she stated, I intend that things on the squad will remain as close to the same as possible. Naturally there will be some differences that we can't avoid, but-"

As Levi began to walk in the room, Eld looked toward him darkly and moved toward him step for step until they were standing directly in front of each other in the center of the room.

Levi looked up at him squarely, not appreciating this clear challenge to his authority, and his expression darkened. From his peripheral vision, he saw Petra sit back down in a defeated manner, putting her head in her hands and shaking her head. Levi looked back to Eld in heightened irritation.

Apparently, her explanation hadn't gone over well then.

He couldn't say he was surprised, but he had been hoping that his team would take things somewhat gracefully. As reality would have it, there always had to be one that muddied the waters, although he would have expected Eld to be the last one to make any additional trouble for Petra.

His voice was guarded, "Is there a reason you're standing three inches from my face Eld?"

"Call it off." Eld stated immediately, his voice quiet and low. Had it not been for the fact the room had fallen dead silent at the obvious storm brewing, his hushed voice would not have been heard by anyone else.

Eld continued angrily, "She can't marry you if you don't consent to it, and you can't possibly think it's wise to put her in this position Levi. You can't string her along with you for the rest of time because you're too selfish to let her go home – offering such an arrangement to start with, you've got no right."

"Excuse me?" An irritated Petra called from behind him, her head shooting up from the table as she glared toward him. Though he had heard her, even though they all had, the two males merely stared at each other tensely, ignoring her as they regarded each other with rising tension.

"I'm not forcing her to do anything," Levi responded with a deceptively calm tone, his voice taking a suddenly sharp edge as his patience waned, "And I suggest you get out of my face before I make you." There was a slight coil in the Captain's posture, as though he was merely waiting for the right trigger that would justify him making good on his threat.

Eld noted this, but still leaned lower toward the shorter male, crossing his arms and mirroring the Captain's tense glower, "Here's a question Captain, why did you offer such an arrangement to begin with? Could it be that you knew she would do it, even if there was nothing in it for her? I didn't think you'd sink to something so low, underhanded even. She deserves to have a full life but, apparently, you don't think so."

Levi gave a huff, irritation radiating off of him at being challenged so outright by his subordinate in such a disrespectful and public manner. His entire squad was right there, witnessing his second in command throw taunting words that were clearly meant to bait him. It was certainly working.

Levi leaned forward toward Eld, his voice held almost a taunting sort of tone, "What's the matter Eld, are you jealous?"

Eld stammered in disgust at the accusation, "Wha- no! You know full well that I'm in love with my fiancé, don't turn this into-"

"Well then Petra becoming a married woman shouldn't concern you. Back the fuck off." Levi reasoned simply, cutting Eld off before he could justify himself further.

Before either had the chance to continue, an enraged Petra pushed the two of them apart and wedged herself between them, glaring in obvious and undisguised anger, "That's enough, both of you!"

Her face was glowing red at her feuding squad mates' antics, to such an extent that they both fell silent immediately.

Petra whipped her head back and forth between them, eyes narrowed as she berated them, "How dare you talk about me like I'm not even in the room! I'm not an object, I'm a fucking person and I refuse to be treated like I'm anything less, do you both understand?"

Levi merely rolled his eyes, though gave a cautious, simple nod after her glare lingered on him particularly, and she continued, voice still retaining all its malice. "Absolutely no fighting over me - again, like I'm some sort of property. That kind of mentality is what got me in this mess to begin with and I will not tolerate it from either of you." She paused, dropping her arms that had been previously pushing the two males apart, setting them at her sides and popping out a hip. She shook her head, "This day is messed up enough as it is without your stupid testosterone induced fight."

She gave an exhale as she observed Levi, having thought his self-control would have prevented him from being goaded by Eld so easily, but apparently not. The fact he was so quick to pick a fight instead of hearing him out or trying to explain things was frustrating. Such an approach would only make more rumors spread in the long run, but she supposed she shouldn't be surprised – that was just how Levi operated and she knew it from the start.

She turned so she was facing Eld directly, "Now listen up Eld, and everyone else. Captain is allowed to do whatever the hell he wants and doesn't have to answer to you because aside from the fact he's our boss, he's also a grown adult who can make their own choices, same as me. Furthermore, I don't appreciate you grilling him like he's taking advantage of me or something. This is my choice to make. Not yours, not the government's, not my father's, mine. You don't have to like it, you don't have to agree, but getting all up in our faces like this, as though you are some self-appointed guardian, is way out of line. If Levi and I both agree then that's all there is to it - your opinion just doesn't matter. You've all had the opportunity to say your peace, so back the hell off."

There was a long, sad sigh as Eld looked at her dejectedly, "But Petra if you would just-"

"Stop Eld. I'm done." Petra cut him off, glaring in a manner that confirmed there would be no further discussion on the matter.

She shook her head and tried to clear her mind, not sure if her attempts of explaining it to her team had gone better or worse than expected, but at the very least she was grateful it was over. She turned her attention to the Captain, silently granting him permission to take over. She had done her part and would not mind stepping out of the limelight for a few moments.

He cleared his throat, addressing his squad the same manner he always did – deciding to let Eld's little stunt go for the time being, in light of the rather unique circumstance. "You'll be acting as official witnesses of the ceremony. Once we get everything signed and documented, consider your duties completed for the day. As for going forward, Eld, I expect you to lead the squad through our basic conditioning routines for tomorrow as well as on Friday. I'll be working with Erwin and Hanji on all the documents and won't have the time to spare, so if things come up, you can all go to Eld or another Captain if the need arises."

He looked around the room, "Does anyone have any questions about that?"

A silence passed between the squad, and Oluo coughed, looking around and trying to lighten the still too tense atmosphere, "Mozel Tov? I guess?"

Gunther gave an immediate half snort, though seemed to feel that it wasn't an appropriate response as he quickly sobered his reaction, giving a serious nod to Levi and Petra, "Oh yeah, um, congratulations."

The Captain rolled his eyes, "…Just get moving."

As the group started heading toward the mentioned conference room, Levi watched Eld sharply in silent challenge, though his second in command merely shook his head in irritation, his eyes promising it wasn't over, and walked after his peers in silence.

Petra had also started after them, though Levi reached out quietly, pulling on the back section of her leather harness, causing her to stall in step, a surprised sort of squeak coming from her at the new pull of direction.

She looked toward him in question, waiting until the guys were a good distance away before speaking, "Uh Capt-"

He took a step toward her, closing the distance between himself and her and looking down at her expectantly. His voice was hushed and he watched her intentionally, "Last chance Petra, is this really what you want?"

She looked up at him, a slight blush rising to her cheeks at their close proximity and the hushed tones he was using. She gave a slight smile and nodded shyly, "I've made my choice. Come on Captain. We shouldn't be late to something like this, right?"

His expression hardly changed, though there was a warmth of amusement in his eyes. He sighed, "I guess not."

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End Of Chapter

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Spoiler alert if the above wasn't enough to tip you off, but guys…next chapter is THE big event! *insert confetti canons here*

I am so, so excited and I can't wait for you guys to read it come the next update. I've said it before, by you guys have been such a wonderful and encouraging audience and I truly look forward to putting up content for you. For example, last week I have written over forty thousand words alone for just this story. (That's roughly five to seven chapters worth!)

I look forward to the plot arcs to come, look forward to you guys meeting new characters – good stuff on the horizon guys, good stuff indeed. I hope you have an awesome few weeks and as always, see you at the next update!

Midnight