Video Game

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Summary: Levi and his friends go to a video game tournament.

"If you stare any harder it might burst into flames."

Levi jerked in surprise. He ripped his eyes away from the small piece of paper and met his best friend's amused gaze. Before he could pocket it, Farlan snatched it out of his hands, dropping into the cushy chair beside him.

"And what pretty lady might this number belong to?"

Levi snatched it back but muttered, "Her name's Petra."

"She must be really cute if you're so distracted you didn't even notice me coming in."

He shrugged casually. And charming and funny and smart.

"Well, you can call her tomorrow night," Farlan said, "invite her to the victory party."

"Right," Levi said awkwardly, "the tournament." He and Farlan, along with Isabel and Levi's cousin Mikasa, were taking part in the Kill-Zone: Titans video game tournament and win the prize money. He had been considering what he would do with his share when he'd bumped into Petra in the line at the pizza place.

"What's with the look?" Farlan asked.

"Nothing."

"C'mon, dude, what's up?"

His best friend continued to prod until he finally admitted it. "What am I supposed to say when she asks me about my job? That I play video games for a living?"

"Why not?" Farlan replied. "You do what you love and make more money than most people with their 'adult' jobs. And we'll be able to retire at half their age with a big house and a fat savings account. More if we wanted to."

"I know." It was easy to say that. But Levi had never felt a connection with anyone like he had with Petra.

"I bet she'll be into you once we get that two hundred fifty thousand dollar check tomorrow."

"I don't want her if she only wants me because of the money."

The door to their motel room opened and the girls came in. "Oh, good, you're back with the food," Mikasa said. "I'm starving."

Isabel opened the cardboard box and took a deep whiff, "Ah, smells so good!" Kicking off her shoes, she sat on one of the beds. "Pepperoni, love pepperoni."

Mikasa took a slice, joining Isabel on the bed. "The winning team from last year's tournament is staying at this motel, too. We just saw them checking in."

"You'll never believe what happened. Levi met a girl," Farlan told them.

Mikasa and Isabel, to Levi's offense, actually looked surprised. "No need to look so shocked," he grumbled.

"Get this. Not only did he get her number, but I also found him sulking over it."

"I wasn't sulking—"

"Right, he was pouting because—"

"Save it until after the competition," Mikasa interrupted. "We can't afford for you to be distracted."

"Yeah. Bring her to the party afterward," Isabel said.

Farlan rolled his eyes. "He's too embarrassed to. Because he doesn't have an adult job."

"You know what? You're right," Levi said loudly. "There's a quarter of a million dollars at stake here. Let's focus on that."

That, thankfully, distracted them.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Farlan looked around the arena in awe.

Tables were set up with four computer monitors and cushy black chairs. Above them were large flat-screens projecting advertisements to the hundreds of people in audience.

"This is so fucking cool!" Isabel gushed.

"Forget about the arena." Mikasa nodded toward a four-person group sitting a few yards to their right.

Levi recognized Erwin, Hange, Mike, and Nanaba. "They're our biggest competition." He was casually scoping out the other teams when he saw her.

Levi's eyes widened when she turned and her face was revealed. Petra? She was a part of the tournament, too? He couldn't believe it. But there was no mistaking that soft-looking ginger hair, those intelligent amber eyes, and that smile that had made his chest feel wonderfully strange the moment he had seen it. She looked delighted, bright eyes taking everything in, and his heartbeat picked up.

Petra was talking to one of her teammates, head leaned in. He was a handsome young man. Levi felt a stinging in his chest. I barely know her. How was she making him react like that? And without even trying. He's too young. He thought dismissively. She'd want someone older and maturer.

Get your head straight! Levi pushed out those thoughts. He eyed his teammates. He couldn't get distracted. They were depending on him. Forget about her! For the duration of the tournament, she was only the competition. He pulled on the black headphones.

The crowd was roaring, and focusing on that, he was swept away by the excitement, feeling his heart racing, adrenaline pumping in his veins. His eyes caught Petra's accidentally.

There was surprise there. She gave him a warm smile and mouthed Good luck. Levi looked away, feeling his cheeks warm, fighting back a stupid smile.

"We were so close," Isabel mourned. "We could have gotten the second place prize!" She writhed on the bed. Screaming her frustrations into the pillow, she beat her arms and legs against the mattress.

"Next time." Mikasa came to sit beside her, patting her head. "At least we came in third."

"Where are you going?" Farlan asked.

"Going out for a walk." Levi pulled on his jacket and left. Their motel was within walking distance of many of the tourist spots. The wind blew softly and lights twinkled bright and colorful in the night. As he neared the pubs and bars and restaurants, he noticed plenty of young people walking down the streets talking about the tournament.

"Hey, Levi!"

He froze when he heard the voice. Turning around, thinking he had misheard, he was surprised to see Petra approaching.

"Hey." She stood before him, that stunning smile aimed at him, causing his heart to flutter.

"Hey."

"Are you here by yourself?"

"Yeah. Taking a walk." Was that lame?

"I saw you walking by through the window."

"Congratulations. You guys were pretty awesome."

"Thanks."

"So, what are you going to do with the money? Buy a car, a yacht, or a private island, maybe?"

"Private island sounds cool," she said, grinning.

Levi groped for interesting topics he could discuss with her. He was desperate not to let an awkward silence fall between them but his mind was blanking. Why couldn't he think of anything?

"Why did you save me?"

"What?"

"You saved me from that Titan in the forest," she said. "You could have let it kill me. Your team might have come in second place instead of us."

"I wasn't trying to save you. I was trying to kill you. I missed."

Petra scrutinized him.

He wanted to say something clever but again his brain failed him. "You think I'd give up a quarter of a million dollars for you?" Levi wanted to slap himself the second the words left his mouth. "I mean, not that you're not worth it. You are. A lot more, really. Not that you can put a price on a person, but I think you'd be worth a lot more if you could." Sweet Sina, now he was babbling. "But I wouldn't say—"

Petra started to laugh. "You are so cute when you're flustered."

He looked away, embarrassed but also somewhat pleased. "Do you wanna go get a drink?" Levi asked suddenly before he could chicken out. "Or something to eat? I heard there's a great place just around the corner."

"That sounds great."

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