AU

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Summary: Rivetra Week 2014 Prompt Day 5

Levi resisted the urge to tap his foot impatiently. Next to him, Erwin and Hange talked, admiring the decor. The castle belonged to a nobleman who was one of the Survey Corps' few patrons and they couldn't very well refuse his dinner invitation. "What's taking so long?" Levi muttered under his breath.

"Our host is a busy man, Levi," Erwin said, having overheard him. "He has matters of the land and his business to tend to."

Already started with the ass kissing, are we? Levi thought. The door opened and an elderly man stepped in. Levi tried not to let his annoyance show during the entire meeting. He knew he had to be on his best behavior—he'd felt like a child when Erwin had warned him earlier to do so—and kept his vulgarity to a minimum, trying to speak in a respectful tone. While Levi did appreciate everything the nobleman had done for them, the old man wasn't quite all there. He a bad habit of falling into a terrible mood if he thought they didn't believe the nonsense he sprouted, which irritated Levi.

"Oh, yes, she'll be there!"

Levi blinked, having missed the first part of the conversation.

"Lady Selene has accepted the invitation!"

"That's amazing," Hange said excitedly. "I've been meaning to meet her since you talk so highly of her."

Just fucking great. Levi almost rolled his eyes. The old man's psychic was going to be at the party he was already dreading to go to. Maybe if he proved she was a fraud in front of him, he'd reward the Survey Corps. Unlikely, he thought. Levi fully believed that people only believed what charlatans claimed because it was what they wanted to hear. They knew rationally it wasn't possible, but they were willing to be sheep and hand over their money still, listening to the bullshit and eating it up. He decided it was best to avoid this Lady Selene lest he say something to provoke her and incur her benefactor's wrath. Then Erwin will get pissed if we lose our patron.

"Are you excited?" Hange asked, knowing it would annoy him. "There's going to be a real psychic at the party."

"I'm not an educated man," Levi replied, "but I think saying 'real' then 'psychic' is called an oxymoron."

"It's fine if you don't believe in that mumbo jumbo," Erwin said with a wave of his hand. "But be sure not to say anything at the party. Just keep quiet and nod."

"I'll try," Levi said, sighing.

"You aren't going to have your fortune told, then?"

"What do you think, Four-Eyes?"

"I'm just saying. She's going to do a free reading for anyone she finds interesting. Normally she charges an insane amount."

"She's a fraud and you know it."

"Still." Hange shrugged, smiling. "It'll be entertaining, at least."

Halfway there. Levi told himself.

"How're you enjoying the party?" Hange came up to him with Petra.

It hadn't surprised him to see the redhead in a lavender dress that flattered her figure. Throw in a little bit of makeup and she could easily pretend to be a noblewoman with her grace, charm, and beauty. But he had not been expecting to see Hange wearing a pink dress. "I could do without one annoyance."

"What's that?" Petra spoke up.

"The people."

"You can't have a party without people, Levi. That's just sad." Hange shook her head.

"No, what's sad is that some poor bird had to die so it could be turned into that ugly piece of shit." He nodded to an elderly woman's hat.

Petra giggled. "It is quite hideous, isn't it?" Before they could continue, a young man came up to them and asked her for a dance.

"She sure is popular with the men, huh?" Hange's words pulled him from his staring momentarily.

Levi watched them closely. "He looks like a creep."

"It's so cute when you worry about your squad."

"Petra can handle herself. It'll be funny if he tries anything and she squeezes his fingers and threatens to break them while smiling politely." Then the pervert would apologize in a rush and scurry away with his tail between his legs. He'd seen the scenario play out once before.

"Well, safe to say this one is a real gentleman. Let's not spy on them. Besides, our host is coming."

"Remember to behave," Erwin said, joining them.

There was a blonde-haired girl by the nobleman's side. His granddaughter, Levi assumed.

"There you are," their host said warmly. "Lady Selene," he said to the girl, "these are the three people I wanted you to meet: Commander Erwin Smith, Hange Zoe, and Corporal Levi."

The girl turned her large brown eyes on them. "You're a child," Levi blurted.

"You're a midget," Selene returned without missing a beat. "Are we done pointing out the obvious?"

Around them, the people chuckled. Levi shot Hange a look but she didn't bother hiding her amusement. He might have been tempted to feel a little respect for the girl considering she had a noble wrapped around her finger at her age. After those words though, he felt nothing but irritation. Damn snot-nosed brat. She couldn't be more than twelve.

"Now, now, Lady Selene, you shouldn't talk rudely to those older than you," he chided in an almost grandfatherly manner.

It was then Levi remembered he had no children. He had likely become fond of the evil little girl because of that. She was a substitute for a real grandchild. The brat's only taking advantage of this soft-hearted old man.

"Hello, Lady Selene, I'm Hange, nice to meet you!"

"Hello," she replied blandly.

What a rude brat. Levi thought.

"I heard you're a powerful psychic."

"I am."

"Can I get a reading?" Hange asked.

"Of course."

"Thank you!" She stuck out her hand. The girl didn't move. "Aren't you going to take my hand?"

"The readings are done in private," their host said.

"You asked if I can," Selene interjected, "as in, if I am able to do a reading for you."

Smartass. Levi rolled his eyes.

Hange tried again. "Let me rephrase the question: may I have my fortune told?"

"No."

The only thing keeping Levi from snapping at the child was the stern look on Erwin's face. Their host laughed. "Don't mind her. She's said that to everyone that's asked her tonight."

"Then I can take the rejection." Hange smiled easily. "What about you, Levi? You want to ask her? She might say yes."

"What do you say, Lady Selene?" Erwin addressed the girl. "Will you do a reading for Humanity's Strongest Soldier?"

Levi almost cringed at the awful title.

Selene actually snickered, embarrassing him further. "Ask me and I'll tell you," she said.

"No harm in asking, Levi."

"Ooh! Do it, Levi!"

"Yes, Corporal, I wonder if she will agree. You can learn your future!"

This is ridiculous. Levi almost growled. "I would like for you to do a reading for me." He carefully worded the question, dragged into their childish game. "What do you say?"

To his surprise, she accepted.

Levi gave her a suspicious side look as they walked. "Why did you say yes?"

"Because I wanted to."

"Why?"

The girl shrugged. "Because."

"But why?"

"Just because."

Levi took a deep breath, trying not to lose patience. "Where are we going?" They were wandering around the garden in the castle's backyard. "I thought you said you needed quiet. There are people here, too." Although not as many as there were inside the ballroom.

"We're almost here," she said. They came to a fountain surrounded bushes of colorful flowers and tall hedges. "There's a bench on the other side of the fountain. We'll sit there."

Levi stood, arms crossed.

"Aren't you going to sit?" Selene asked.

"Let me make this clear: you're a fraud. I'm met people like you. Older sure, but scum just as low, willing to use trickery and scam foolish people, like a desperate and lonely old man just looking for a family of his own to love."

"I heard you were a thief," she said and Levi clenched his jaw. Selene gave him a pointed look. "Pot calling the kettle black, is it?"

"So you admit it," he said triumphantly.

"I'll admit it...you're an idiot." Before Levi could open his mouth and let lose a string of curses, Selene began again. "Now sit down, please. There's a lemon tart in there with my name on it. I mean literally, it's got my name printed on it."

"Fine."

"Really?" Selene studied him curiously. "I thought you'd fight me on this."

"I just realized only an idiot would argue with a child and expect to get anywhere. Let's get this charade over with."

Selene blinked. "I'm on to your game, and you're going to have to do better than that if you want to infuriate me, Baldy."

Baldy? The twitching muscle in his jaw gave away Levi's annoyance at the nickname. Small cold fingers gripped his hands suddenly. She's got a strong grip for such a little brat.

"You—"

"Quiet."

A cold chill went down his spine at the command in her voice. What a creepy kid. Where'd that old geezer find her? He kept silent for a minute. Then he wondered if he should just leave. He could already imagine someone walking by and what they'd see: a thirty-something-year-old man holding a twelve-year-old girl's hand. I look like a pervert! Why did she have to drag him out here? Why couldn't they have just done this inside with everyone around?

"You've gone through a lot as a child."

"No shit, hasn't everyone?" If she knew he was thief then she likely knew he was from the Underground. It wasn't a leap to realize his childhood had been less than ideal.

"You're surrounded by death."

"Gee, how'd you figure that?" Levi asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He was a soldier in the Survey Corps. Everyone and their mother knew he was surrounded by death.

"You want to care for others, but it scares because you think you're cursed to outlive the people you love."

"Really?" Levi scoffed. "That's some generic shit you—"

Selene's eyes snapped open. "Will you shut your trap?! Do you want me to finish this or not?!"

"No!" Levi snatched his hands back. "I don't know why I let them talk me into this stupid shit. I'm done." He stood up and stormed off.

"Stars!"

"What?" The random word threw him for a loop.

"It's something I saw when I looked for your true love." Her glare disappeared for a few seconds, replaced by a strange look. "You'll see it tonight, right before midnight. Stars...and her. Your wife is...she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out." Selene blinked, wrinkling her nose at him. "Which begs the question how a perpetually constipated-looking idiot like you could end up with someone like her."

Levi shook his head. "You're full of shit."

"Believe it or don't believe it, I've said what I had to say." Selene picked up her skirts and stomped away. She stopped and stomped back, giving him one last heart-stopping prediction before yelling, "Grouchy old man!" Then she ran off.

"For the tenth time, I'm not telling you what the brat said."

"C'mon, Levi, you said it was total bullshit anyway." Hange pestered him. "Why won't you give me the details?"

"Go away, Four-Eyes."

"I can't. We're in a moving carriage."

"Then jump out the window."

"You're so mean."

Levi turned away from the window, opening his mouth to scold her when he saw it.

Hange tilted her head. "What?"

"It's nothing," he said. She began talking his ear off, not caring if he was actually listening.

Selene's words rang in his head. "You'll see it tonight, before midnight. Stars...and her."

Not a chance. He shook his head. No fucking way. Hange had been wearing the star earrings all night and he had only just noticed them now because that so-called psychic had brought up stars. Now he was looking for stars without even thinking about it. He would see it and think it confirmed what she said. This is how psychics get people.

Levi had just finished putting away the tux when a knock came from his door. "Four-Eyes, I've told you to get lost!"

Petra's voice came from the other side. "It's me, Captain."

He opened the door, curious as to why she was there. "Petra, I thought you'd be in bed already."

"I wish." She sighed. "From what you just said, I take it Hange has already left?"

"Yeah, she kept pestering me about—never mind, it's not important." Levi thought how it was only minutes until midnight and Hange was the only person he'd seen with stars. Dumbass, get that shit out of your head. But for some reason, it kept bothering him too much to dismiss it.

"Oh!" Petra's eyes lit up. "The psychic! I heard she gave you a reading and she rarely does that for free."

"Good thing, too." Levi snorted. "I'd have been pissed and demanded my money back if I'd paid that little scam artist for that horseshit she gave me."

"You don't think she was a real psychic?"

"Hell no," he said bluntly. "Did you need something from Hange?"

"Right. Well, I'm too tired to chase after her, so, could you help me really quick?"

"What do you need?"

Petra turned around. "The stupid zipper is stuck. Can you get that for me, please?"

It was late at night, he was a man, and her captain. But they were both tired and didn't care. There wasn't anyone else close enough for her to ask anyway. Levi fiddled with the clasp, careful not to use too much force and break it. Although that was exactly what he wanted to do to the stupid, stubborn little thing. "It's really stuck."

Finally, it budged. "Did you get it?" Petra asked.

"Wait." He continued to mess with it. "It's stuck again. Give me a second." Levi used too much force. The clasp didn't break but he ended up unzipping her dress all the way to her lower back. "Shit, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to do that."

"It's okay." She wrapped her arms around herself to keep the dress pressed against her body. "Thanks." Petra smiled shyly.

A bell rang in the distance. "It's midnight now. You should get to bed."

"Goodnight, Captain."

I can get used to this. Levi thought. Petra lay on her side, face inches from his. He moved some of the soft, reddish-orange hair out of her face. She looks so peaceful. Moving closer, he pressed his lips gently against hers. She continued to sleep soundly beside him. He couldn't believe he'd almost let the opportunity of being with her slip away out of fear. Sitting up, he grabbed the glass of water from the table and drained it.

That psychic hadn't been off the mark with that one. Levi felt his good mood vanish. That had been such a long time ago. Why did that have to pop up in his head? Who I love is my choice, he thought stubbornly.

Levi lay back on the mattress. His eyes went to Petra's face. Doesn't matter what she said. He knew what made him happy. Happier than he had ever been. And it was her. It was Petra. They'd been together for almost a year and he knew he wanted it to go on for even longer, for as long as he lived. Maybe even further if such a thing existed.

Petra's eyes fluttered and she turned over, facing away from him. Levi scooted closer, throwing his arm across her waist, kissing her shoulder. "Did I wake you?"

"Mmm."

"I'm sorry." He kissed her neck.

"So bright."

Bright moonlight was pouring through the window. "I can shut the window," he offered and began to sit up.

"It's okay." Her voice was clearer.

He leaned on his elbow, stroking her back. "Go back to sleep." His finger began tracing an odd cluster of freckles. They made a triangular-shape but with one line longer than the other two.

"Capricorn," Petra muttered sleepily.

"Capricorn?"

"It's a constellation."

"A formation of stars, right?" He faintly recalled her explanation months ago. But he had been more absorbed with her glowing face to give the stars his full attention. Then it struck him. "Stars. They're stars."

"Yeah. My best friend used to joke it meant my soulmate was a capricorn."

Levi fell silent, lost in his thoughts. Stars. He had taken it too literally back then, thinking of the star shape.

"Hey." Petra touched his face, bringing him back to reality. "It's just something stupid we made up as teenagers. It doesn't mean anything—"

"Maybe it does."

"It doesn't," she insisted. "None of my—"

Levi cut her off, kissing her deeply. "Did I ever tell you I was born on the 25th of December?"

"Jerk." She slapped his bare chest.

"What was that for?"

"For making me worry. I should have remembered you don't believe in that kind of crap."

Levi lay down, pulling her closer to him. "You're still tired from our earlier activities. Sleep now."

She cuddled against him and said quietly, "Okay."

He stroked her hair, listening to her breathing deepen. All that time he had spent stressing over Selene's words, thinking she meant Hange and dismissing them as worthless and almost despising them. It had taken him months to realize why that hurt so much and why he had wanted so badly for those words to be false.

His heart had already been stuck on someone else, even if he hadn't been ready to acknowledge it.

But it was Petra all along, he thought happily. Maybe Selene wasn't a complete hack.

Levi kissed Petra's forehead, feeling a flood of warmth. I'm sorry, Petra. His heart raced, thinking about the last thing Selene had said before calling him a grouchy old man and storming off. But our first brat is gonna be a hellion.

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