Dance

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Summary: Rivetra Week 2016 Day 4 Prompt

It was a glamorous party. Men were dressed in dark tuxes and women seemed to float in colorful dresses. Servants walked around passing out champagne and tables covered with food lined the walls of the cream-colored ballroom with three beautiful chandeliers. It smelled like perfume, wine, and delicious food. The atmosphere was great and Levi should have felt happy he hadn't yet been forced to engage socially with infuriating people. But he wasn't happy. He was unhappier than he had ever been at such gatherings.

Everyone around him seemed to be having a good time. All his friends and comrades were eating and drinking and laughing and dancing, enjoying themselves.

And he was standing by himself with a dark cloud over him. Without meaning to, Levi's eyes went to the dance floor.

The couples were smiling, looks of delight on all their faces. He immediately spotted ginger-hair and a pretty blue dress. Petra was dancing with a tall, dark-haired man with a defined jaw and striking blue eyes, dressed in an expensive tux. Levi felt a burning in his chest and tried to convince himself it was heartburn.

It's that damn chicken. Meat was a luxury and he would not waste the opportunity. Now he felt he should have exercised better control. This is what you get for being a glutton.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, Erwin brought people over and he was forced to rip his gaze away from the dance floor and converse with them. Suddenly, everyone had to shake his hand and talk to him.

Levi felt a headache coming and excused himself to the men's room to have a moment to himself. He splashed cold water on his face. Normally he wouldn't spend too much time in a restroom, they were full of germs and usually gross not to mention the smell was awful. This one was spotless, empty, and odorless. It wouldn't stay empty for long, though. And he knew he couldn't hide in there for the rest of the party. I'm not hiding. It was such a pathetic lie he shook his head in disgust.

"You're being ridiculous," he muttered to his frowning reflection. "Now get back out there. And stop talking to yourself."

Levi attempted to stay alone and keep only his misery for company and succeeded for the most part. He was incredibly glad when people began to leave. Not long now. He couldn't wait to get into bed. Though he knew he'd spend a good while restless with one memory playing over and over in his head until he had a headache.

"Hi."

Levi's scowl vanished and he looked up from the floor to see his female subordinate.

"It's a nice party, isn't it?"

He shrugged.

Petra smiled. "Do you want to dance with me?"

"What?" Levi felt a shock go through his body and he was suddenly alert and energized.

"I love dancing. But I'm out of partners," she replied cheerfully. "I've already danced with Erd and Gunther and Oluo and some of the guests and even Commander Erwin." She looked over her shoulder. "I'd dance with Moblit but he's got his hands full."

"To put it mildly." Levi watched the young man hover over a very drunk Hange, trying to keep her from making a fool of herself or do something dangerous.

"What do you say?"

"You like dancing that much?"

"Yes." Her eyes were bright. He could tell she truly loved it. "So, shall we?"

Erwin's the commander and if it's okay for him, then I can, too. Levi rationalized. She clearly enjoyed dancing and had a lot of fun. I'm just another dance partner. He decided. "Why not?" He agreed, his tone casual and bored.

Levi's heart hammered in his chest as Petra led him to the middle of the floor. He knew no one would think it was strange but was glad they had other couples blocking them. Being short worked out in his favor this time. "I should warn you, I'm not a dancer," Levi said, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I might step on your toes."

If the goddesses really did exist, he prayed he would not embarrass the both of them by doing that. She put one hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand.

They had never been so physically close before. Sparring doesn't count. Levi thought. He couldn't hold her like that and look at her lovely face when they sparred. Now he could admire her delicate features without it being weird.

"You're doing well so far," Petra said encouragingly.

"Let's hope you didn't jinx it."

She didn't say another word and they continued to drift along to the slow music, lost in their own world where words were unnecessary.

Levi didn't want the moment to end but the song was over far too fast for his liking.

"My toes survived," Petra joked.

"This time." The words were out before he could think and decide that was reckless and he should keep quiet.

Petra's hands remained where they were and the music began, another slow song. "This is nice," she said blissfully.

You're nice he wanted to say. "Beats hanging around pretending to care about what those insufferable twits think about the Corps."

She hummed in agreement.

They still didn't feel quite done when the second song ended. Both wanted another dance but didn't know how to ask. The third song began and the decision was made for them.

"One last dance?" Petra asked.

Levi began to lead this time, knowing what to do. It felt so good to hold her and share such an intimate moment with her. There were no worries or fears or stress. Just them, easily swaying to the music.

Finally, when it was over and they knew there wouldn't be another song, they reluctantly moved apart. Then Levi felt soft lips kiss his cheek, making him feel weightless.

Petra tucked a strand of soft hair behind her ear, smiling at him. "I guess you like to dance, too, Levi."

"I guess I do."

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