New House

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Guest: Rivetra on their new house.

"Look at it. It's hideous," Levi complained. The front lawn was covered in dried up grass. He eyed the two-story house painted an ugly brown. At least the driveway was made of cement, even if it was cracked and bumpy and uneven. "I can't believe you want to buy this dump."

"It'll look better once we paint it." Petra took his hand and quickly led him inside.

He wrinkled his nose. "We're gonna need new carpet." He flipped the light switch suspiciously. The bulb flickered a few times before turning on. "Have to get all new lights for every room, too, I bet."

"We'll get LED light bulbs. They're brighter, longer lasting, and better for the environment."

"At least the kitchen is decent," Levi commented. The countertop was granite and the cupboards were clean and new looking compared to the rest of the house. He opened the fridge and tried the stove. "It works."

"You sound surprised."

They wandered into the living room. It was big and open. And the large windows ensured there was plenty of sunlight. "I don't like these blinds."

"Yeah. They need to be replaced."

Levi stood before the electric fireplace. He tried to turn it on. "It's broken. Shocker."

"We'll get it fixed," Petra said.

There was a small bathroom and the laundry room on the first floor as well. Levi pointed out the washing machine and dryer were decades old.

"Let's go upstairs."

There were four bedrooms and two bathrooms, one attached to the master bedroom.

"It's so big." Petra admired the master bedroom before wandering into the bathroom. "Look! There's also a walk-in closet."

"Not really that big."

They checked the other bedrooms, the bathroom, and the closet in the hallway. They were passable as far as Levi was concerned.

"I like this place," Petra declared.

"You're not serious, are you?"

"I know it needs a little love—"

"A little?"

"Okay, more than a little."

"We've seen better houses. What about the second one?"

"Meh," she said with a shrug. "It didn't appeal to me. None of them did. Not like this one." Petra gestured to the sorry looking house, smiling. "It just...speaks to me, you know?"

"What's it saying? You're gonna need a tetanus shot?"

"No." She smacked his chest lightly. "It's a mess, I know. But we can fix it up. It can be cleaned up and given a makeover. The other houses were nice and all but they were designed by someone how they liked it. We can give this one a personality and make it our own."

Levi wanted to refuse. The real estate agent had assured them there was no mold and the structure was sound. And the house was in good shape. It was just ugly and messy and in need of a little remodeling. If they bought it, they wouldn't be making a terrible investment but there were much better options available. He didn't want Petra to regret it later.

But looking at her face, he knew her heart was set on the hideous house before them.

"Please?" Petra was giving him the look that always managed to get him to see things her way.

Levi sighed. "It's a good neighborhood, near stores and schools, and both our workplaces, too," he finally said grudgingly.

The car stopped before the garage and they exited the vehicle.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Petra's heart swelled in pride and joy.

Levi grabbed the bag with their dinner. "Yes, it is."

Farlan's landscaping team had transformed the sad front yard, paving the driveway into smooth asphalt, putting in vibrant green grass with large stones on the edges with little flower bushes between them.

"You were right about the blue, gray, and white color scheme," he said. The house was no longer an eyesore and sticking out like a sore thumb. It was just as beautiful as the rest of the houses on the block.

Petra opened the door.

She was right about the whole house. Levi stepped in, smiling as he admired their now gorgeous home. The soft, new carpet, the bright lights, the paint job, and the blinds had given the place a fresh look. They settled on the sleeping bag in the empty living room. Petra patted the polished wooden floor happily.

He handed her chopsticks and her chow mein.

"Thank you. What do you think about light gray couches?"

"They'd look better than the brown ones."

His wife continued to talk and he was content to mostly listen, inputting a few things now and then. "...that's all of them." Petra snuggled into his arms, lying by the fireplace in their sleeping bag.

"Not all. What about the nursery?" Levi smirked, nuzzling his nose into her hair.

"I'm not pregnant."

He could practically hear the blush and chuckled.

"We have to make this into a home first."

"You're here. It's already home for me." The corny line slipped out before he could think.

Petra lifted herself, leaning on his chest. She smiled adorably and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her, enjoying their closeness. Pretending to be irritated, he looked to the side. "Stop smiling at me like that...it makes my heart flutter." He smiled slyly and she laughed, giving him a kiss again.

"Sometimes I worry you're an angel and heaven will take you back one day and I will lose the light of my life."

"Aw," she giggled and kissed him.

"Are you a thief? Because you stole my heart."

"That feels more like a pick-up line but I'll give it to you."

"It's my greatest honor that I will get to spend the rest of my life making you happy." His thumb brushed the wedding band on her left ring finger. His wife's eyes teared up at that one. "Damn, should've thought of that when I proposed."

"I love you." She smiled blissfully against his lips.

"I love you, too, better half." He grinned, loving her laughter, holding her tightly against his chest. "Can't have cheesy lines without at least one reference to soulmates."

Petra buried herself in his chest. "This place is ours, Levi." Her voice was full of joy and awe.

He hummed in agreement, knowing it was just the first of countless, beautiful and happy memories they would create in their new house.

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