Candlelight

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Summary: Petra had always dreamed of a candlelight dinner with Levi. She had never expected it to be quite like this.

"Thank the goddesses you're here," Levi said, looking relieved.

"You're welcome." Petra stepped through the doorway. "Is it okay if I leave my car parked next to yours?"

"Don't worry about it. My aunt and uncle won't be back until midnight. Let me help you out with those." He took a bag and the cupholder. "C'mon, let's go to the patio."

The house was dark except for the skylight in the hallway. "What happened? Why did you guys lose power?"

"I don't know. But all the houses on the street went dark at the same time."

"Yeah, I saw."

Levi kicked the door. "Hey, brats, dinner's here."

Mikasa opened the door and went to sit between Armin and Eren. "Finally." Eren eyed the fast food bag hungrily. "I'm starving."

Petra stepped on to the patio deck. She noticed the sausage packages. "Were you guys having hot dogs tonight?"

"Levi was going to grill them for us," Mikasa answered.

"But the power went out before he started," Armin said.

Petra carefully pulled out a cup from one of the brown bags. "Hope you guys don't mind, I haven't had dinner yet."

"Of course you can join," Eren said. "You brought us food."

"Hold on." Levi swatted their little hands. "I'll pass the food out."

"We need napkins," Mikasa said to her cousin.

"Okay, Petra will pass out the food. Don't maul her while I'm gone."

The redhead accepted the bag and handed out the fries. "Whose is the chicken?"

"Me!" Eren raised his hand. "It's mine."

"Double cheeseburger."

"That's mine." Armin accepted it. "Thank you."

"Oh, yeah. Thanks!" Eren said, remembering his manners.

"Then this one is yours." She passed a burger to Mikasa, knowing which one was Levi's favorite.

"Thank you."

Levi returned with a roll of paper towels and placed it in the middle. "Sorry about this." He sat next to her, across from the children. "There was nothing else to eat in the house but cereal."

"It's fine," Petra assured, "I was already at the Pixis's Burgers."

"You just get off from work?"

"Yeah. So, how was your day?"

Levi sighed, "Long."

Petra smiled at the kids. "What about you guys?"

"We had lots of fun!" Eren replied enthusiastically. "We played video games and lots of board games and hide-and-seek and cops n' robbers!"

"And we watched a really funny movie about a kid who plays pranks on the bad men trying to rob his house," Armin added.

"Wow, sounds like you had a wonderful time."

"It was." Mikasa nodded. "Levi took us to the park and we played tag there and he turned red and fell over and he was breathing really loudly. He's really out of shape."

"Be quiet," Levi grumbled. "Wait till you're old and have kids of your own. We'll see how much energy you have after dealing with them all day long."

The children continued their stories and Levi complained theatrically, making Petra laugh. The burgers were amazing, the candles set up a lovely atmosphere, and the summer night was balmy with a little breeze. It was incredibly charming and relaxing. After they finished, the children insisted she stay for a few rounds of what turned out to be almost every card game they knew. It was a surprisingly delightful evening and she was disappointed when Levi sent them off to bed.

"Thanks again for bringing food. Sorry if I ruined your plans for tonight."

"You didn't. And I actually had fun." Petra had always dreamed of a candlelight dinner with Levi. She had never expected it to be quite like this, though. And it was even better.

"Yeah?"

"Really."

"Well, then, maybe we should do it again. But without the brats."

"I'd like that."

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