Newborn

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Summary: Petra helps out her friend Levi, whose life changes drastically after becoming the sole caretaker of a newborn.

Petra knocked and waited patiently. "Whoa," she said when Levi opened the door, still dressed in his pajamas despite it being late afternoon. "You look terrible."

"I feel like shit." Levi turned and she let herself into the apartment.

The normally spick and span place was a mess. Dishes were piled up in the sink, clothes were strewn around in the living room, random objects that shouldn't be there cluttered the floor, and there was a faint unpleasant smell in the air. "When did you last clean this place?" Petra wrinkled her nose, putting her purse on the kitchen counter. "Or yourself?"

Levi was rubbing his face. Dark bags were prominent under his eyes and an air of exhaustion hung around him. "I've barely had any sleep in a week," he yawned.

"Mikasa keeping you up?"

"Don't say the devil's name out loud. She might wake up. Took me forever to put her to sleep."

"Well, she is a newborn." Petra rummaged through her purse and held out his key. "Here. I still have this from the other month." Levi had flown across the country for a week-long conference plus a few days of vacation. She had looked after the place while he was away.

Levi yawned again as he accepted the key. "Thanks. Hey, since you're here, can I ask you for a favor?"

"Go for it."

"I need to take care of some legal work but I can't take a crying, cranky baby with me. Can you watch Mikasa for an hour or two?"

"Sure thing," Petra accepted, smiling. "I'm free all day."

"Thanks," he said, relieved. "I owe you."

Petra made herself comfortable while he went to take a quick shower.

"You sure you can handle her if she wakes up?" Levi asked, hesitating at the door.

Petra found his fretting quite adorable. "Don't worry," she reassured him. "I have plenty of experience babysitting. It was my primary source of income as a high schooler."

"Okay. I'll get back as soon as I can," he promised and left.

Once he was gone, Petra went to the crib to watch the napping baby. Aw, so cute! She wanted to stroke Mikasa's soft head or poke her chubby cheek or hold her little hand with the tiny fingers. But it might wake her and she would definitely show up a fuss. Petra's smile fell slightly as she thought about the circumstances that led to the infant landing in Levi's care. Mikasa's parents had died upon impact when their car had collided with the truck. Thankfully the baby hadn't been in the car with them else she would not have survived either. At least she didn't have to experience their loss. And has Levi to raise her.

When Petra returned to the living room, the mess greeted her tauntingly. After a moment of consideration, she removed her cardigan and began surveying the damage. Being a single parent was difficult. Levi could use the help and would appreciate it. She began by grabbing things that needed to be thrown out. The trash can was full, though, and there were two full bags next to it. "Ugh," she said, fanning her face. That explained where the smell was coming from.

Levi had left the spare key she had just returned on the countertop and she pocketed it. She took the bags out and sent them down the chute and placed a new bag in the trash can. Next came the dishes, followed by returning misplaced items to their proper places. Done wiping down the countertops and sweeping the floor, she opened the windows to air the apartment out. Petra would have liked to vacuum, too, but the noise would disrupt the baby's sleep.

On cue, a wail came from the bedroom. "Hi there, little one." She picked up the crying infant. "Looks like your diaper needs to be changed." Yet even after her diaper was changed, she was fed, and Petra rocked her for a while, Mikasa continued to cry. Poor Levi, she thought sympathetically as she kept trying to soothe Mikasa. It wasn't easy looking after a child, especially when you didn't have nine months to prepare for it. Ten days had passed since he took Mikasa in and his life had taken a drastic turn.

"It's okay. Don't cry," she murmured, gently patting her back. Petra sat on the couch and texted her mom. Thankfully her mother tended to reply faster than her father and told her all babies like to be swaddled tightly and some liked the quiet while others liked sound stimulation and found it comforting. Vacuum or a fan, huh? Petra thought, reading the text. That was perfect. Petra put Mikasa down and started vacuuming the apartment.

To her delight, it worked because Mikasa's cries began to slow and stopped soon after. She vacuumed a few extra minutes to ensure the baby didn't immediately wake after she turned the machine off.

Dusting her hands, she observed her surroundings, feeling rather proud of herself. The apartment looked clean and smelled fresh, and Mikasa was fed and dozing peacefully.

Petra's stomach growled lightly. She hadn't had lunch yet. When she went to find something to eat in the kitchen, there was little else there aside from baby food, cartons of ramen, mac n' cheese, cereal, and old takeout containers in the fridge. Some of which had gone moldy. Unbelievable, she thought, shaking her head. Levi made plenty of money and she attributed the sad kitchen to laziness before Mikasa came and exhaustion after.

Helping herself to a bowl of cereal, she unlocked her phone and began making a list on a notepad with a pen.

Levi tried to keep his pace calm as he approached his apartment. It was the first time he had spent so much time away from Mikasa. The relief had been limited. Nice, but short-lived. The anxiety he had not expected. While he knew she was perfectly safe with Petra, it had gnawed at him to be away from Mikasa. To not have her within his sight. He'd had to fight the urge to call Petra and check in on them. He had been about to give in to the worry but his turn had come up.

When Levi entered his apartment, he almost didn't recognize it. It was actually clean for the first time in what felt like forever. His eyes almost watered at the beautiful sight.

Petra looked up from her phone. "Welcome back."

"Did you clean up?"

"Thought you were really stressed and needed a break."

"You have no idea how much I love you right now." It felt like such a load off his chest and he felt a lot of his anxiety disappear. Amazing what a positive and soothing effect a clean environment could have.

"You're welcome," Petra replied, smiling brightly.

"Is Mikasa still asleep?" He peeked into the bedroom. The small rise and fall of her chest and the peaceful look on her face made the tension leave his shoulders.

"She woke up once and I changed her diaper and fed her."

Levi closed the door gently. "She didn't cry too much?"

"She did. But I called my mom and she said some babies like white noise while others don't. I hadn't vacuumed cause I didn't want to disturb her. But when I did, the noise seemed to comfort her and she fell asleep right away."

"Seriously?" Levi wished he had known that earlier. It would have saved him a lot of stress and time. And gotten him some much needed shut-eye. "Here I've been trying to keep things as quiet as possible, thinking noise would bother her, but that's what puts her to sleep," he groaned.

"I'd invest in a fan if I were you. You might not mind leaving the vacuum cleaner on in the middle of the night, but your neighbors might."

"I'm getting a fan," Levi decided immediately. "And maybe one of those ocean sounds machines."

Petra held up a piece of paper. "I put it on the list."

He took it from her and scanned the paper. "A grocery list?"

"Your kitchen is about as empty as a broke college student's."

"It's not that bad," he protested.

"I had to throw out three cartons cause they were growing fuzzy green stuff." Petra checked her watch. "Well, I should stop by the store—"

"Can you give me a ride?" Levi asked quickly. "Sorry, I know I keep asking for favors."

"It's okay. I don't mind. What else are friends for?"

"I sold my car cause there was no room for a baby seat," Levi explained, sighing longingly. "The bus is a pain in the ass and takes forever. But taxis cost too much for everyday use."

"How much did it go for?" Petra asked as he carefully put the sleeping baby in a carrier.

"A lot." Unsurprisingly when he put the car up for sale, buyers had come flocking. It was a classic beauty he had kept in prime condition. "I found a good, practical used car online but it won't be arriving until this weekend." There had been enough money leftover after the purchase to help him get a good start on a savings account for Mikasa. Petra locked the apartment and held out the spare key. "Keep it," he said. "Don't know when I might need an emergency babysitter. If you don't mind."

"I'll keep it," she accepted, and they went down to her car. "So, when are you going back to work?"

"They gave me ten weeks of paid paternity leave and two without pay. I'll probably head back once the ten weeks are up if I'm able to find a good daycare nearby."

At the store, Petra picked up Mikasa, now awake, and carried her in her arms. "I'll carry her. You get the cart. I can't get over how adorable she is!" She placed the gentlest kiss on Mikasa's head as Levi read the list.

If Petra was anything, it was thorough. She had organized the grocery list by sections. Dairy, produce, snacks, meats, spices, etc. She spent most of her time playing with Mikasa while he wondered about some of the ingredients she was having him buy. "I don't need that much candy," Levi said when she instructed him to throw some more into the cart.

"It's not for you. It's my stash I'll keep at your place if I'm going to be your emergency babysitter."

"Fair enough." About twenty minutes later, they were almost done. "I don't even know how to make the shit you're making me buy all these ingredients for."

"I'll send you the recipes. They're delicious and very easy to follow. Even for an amateur like you."

At the checkout lane, Mikasa began to make a fuss and Petra quickly moved away, leaving him to finish loading the items on the conveyer belt. The cashier handed him the last bag to put in the cart and Levi glanced at Petra and Mikasa.

"Aw, you have such a cute family," the cashier said.

Levi opened his mouth to correct her but changed his mind. He didn't see the point. "Thanks."

Petra rubbed Mikasa's tiny fingers curled around one of hers, kissing her forehead and cheeks. For the first time in days she felt fully relaxed. Levi had been excited about a date and she had volunteered to babysit. "You're just the cuteness I needed after a stressful week at work," she cooed. The commercials ended on the TV and she was about to un-mute when she heard the lock turn and Levi came in. "That's...not a happy face."

"No, it's not," he grumbled, dropping next to her.

Petra handed him the baby. "Things, ah, didn't go so well then?"

"No. And it's all this one's fault," he replied, hugging Mikasa close to him. "I've had to change my standards since this brat came into my life."

"She didn't want kids?" Petra ventured a guess.

"No. The last woman I went out with didn't feel ready and immediately became awkward when she found out I had a kid so that fizzled out quickly."

Petra nodded. "I can understand that."

"Farlan almost set me up this psycho who doesn't like babies or kids. Fuck, she was insufferable. And you know, the other day I ran into a nutjob at the store who saw Mikasa's picture in my wallet and started showing me pictures of her stupid cat and acted like having a pet and a chid are the same thing. When I disagreed, she had the nerve to get offended. Who the hell is that delusional? I mean, I get it, I grew up with a dog and I still love her and always thought she was part of the family. But in no universe would I ever put her above a child. I swear having a kid has opened my eyes to new idiots in the world I didn't see before." Levi huffed, scowling irritably.

"You can keep ranting if it'll make you feel better."

"I'm good, thanks. It's just been frustrating." The annoyance melted from his face, replaced by a smile when Mikasa yawned.

"I'm sure you'll find someone."

"Doesn't feel like I will," he sulked.

"It's only been a short while. Could be you're looking in the wrong places. Maybe try some online sites geared toward serious partnerships instead of casual dating ones. People on those probably have a better idea if they want kids or not so it'll make it easier to find someone whose expectations match yours."

"I suppose. That's a good idea," Levi said, nodding. "Thanks. I think I'll try that."

"Why don't you just date Petra?"

Levi almost choked on his burrito. That was not where he had expected the conversation to go.

"What? Don't look so surprised," Hange said, twirling a fry between her fingers. "She's kind of perfect, don't you think? You said the number one thing you look for in a woman now is if she'll make a good mother for Mikasa. Petra already adores her and you trust her to look after Mikasa knowing she'll be safe and taken care of."

"Yeah, but—"

"You two are already good friends so you know each other well. I'd say you have a solid base for a relationship. Do you find her attractive? Physically, I mean."

"Well, yeah. She's beautiful," he said. "Kind of hard not to notice that."

"There you go," Hange said, pointing her fry at him.

"I still have to consider if she'll want to go out with me."

"Actually, I'm sure she'll say yes. She talks about you more than she talks about anyone else in our friend group. She's very fond of you, and obviously she dotes on Mikasa, too."

Levi opened his mouth but Hange talked over him.

"Please don't give me that 'I don't want to ruin our friendship' nonsense. You're not teenagers. If one party is interested in the other but it's not mutual, I know you two and I'm sure you're both mature enough to get past it like adults."

"It's still not an easy thing to do."

Hange's eyes sparkled. "Oh? So does that mean you're considering it?"

"Lunch will be over in ten minutes," he said instead. "Let's head back to the office."

"By dodging my question, you're answering it in a way."

Hange's words hovered in the back of his mind the rest of the day. Admittedly he had thought, on more than one occasion, that Petra would make a great mother and girlfriend. And, as he had told Hange, even before he had adopted Mikasa he had occasionally entertained the thought of being in a romantic relationship with her. The timing had just been off though. So until now, he'd never really given it serious thought. But they were both single now and looking for a committed relationship.

Levi looked down into his arms. "What do you think, Mikasa? You like Petra?"

Mikasa happily continued to drool over her fist.

"C'mon, hurry up!" Hange called from the living room.

"One sec!" Petra yelled back, checking her reflection in the mirror.

Her heart fluttered in nervous excitement. Thinking back to Levi asking her out on a date still made her feel so giddy. While she did find him attractive, she had never thought she'd be this thrilled to go out with him. Never thought he was actually interested in her, too, and would ask her.

"What do you think?" Petra asked, stepping out to show her outfit to Hange. Normally she wouldn't make such a big thing about a first-date outfit by having a little fashion show and getting a second opinion. This time, though, she had felt the need to invite Hange over.

"I like the cardigan. But it's a little too comfy. Where did Levi say he was taking you?" Hange asked interestedly.

"It's this cute, casual little Italian place about halfway between our places."

"You look like you're heading out on a coffee date."

Petra had thought so as well and only picked it because Levi had complimented her once when she was wearing a similar outfit. "Let me try my second one."

Hange almost fell off the sofa when Petra came out in a long gray skirt with a slit up to the thigh paired with a black crop top that exposed her arms and collar.

"Nope." Petra did a one-eighty. "I knew it was too much."

"Throw in a gold necklace and bracelet and you'll be a total knock-out!"

"Maybe I'll save it for the second date."

"Or the third," Hange suggested, wagging her eyebrows, smiling mischievously. "Levi won't be able to think straight if he sees you in that."

Petra fled back into her bedroom, face warm. She had discussed sex and men with Hange before but she had never been with a guy they both knew really well.

"Ooh yes, this is definitely the one," Hange approved, eyeing her up and down.

"Yeah?" Petra beamed, looking down at the off-shoulder white blouse with long sleeves and the black skirt with leggings. "I think so, too."

"Sit down. I'll do your makeup."

Thirty minutes later, she received a text. "It's from Levi," she said. "He said he'll be over in fifteen minutes."

"I'll get going then. Tell me all about it afterward! The good, the bad, the ugly!"

"Will do," Petra promised, seeing her to the door.

Levi arrived right on time. "Ready to go?"

"Yes." She grabbed her purse and locked the door behind her.

The restaurant had a cozy atmosphere and the low lighting added a more romantic mood it. She could tell Levi was nervous, too, like her. Having hung out with him many times, she knew how he behaved when he was comfortable. Right now, there was a nervous edge to his energy.

"How's that show you were trying to get me to watch?" Levi asked, going for something familiar.

Petra perked up immediately. Without hesitation, she launched into praises about the last few episodes and began listing off reasons to get him to watch the TV show. The tension dissipated and they fell into an easy conversation as they always did when they got together.

She could tell he was trying not to bring up Mikasa too much, one of the things she had advised him to be careful about on dates. Beautiful as the bond was that he had with the baby, he had developed a habit that new parents often did where they would constantly bring their child into the conversation. While it did speak to their fondness and love for their child, sometimes they overdid it. Normally it might not be a good thing for one party to gush about their baby saying her first word for a good five minutes, but Petra didn't mind. She was happy to listen to Levi babble excitedly about Mikasa as she doted on little Mikasa quite a bit herself.

I can't believe it's already over. Petra thought as Levi walked her to her door. Being with him felt so natural that the time seemed to have flown by.

Suddenly, the nervous energy sparked between them again. She could tell he was debating kissing her. Her heart fluttered when he leaned to give her short, sweet kiss, which she accepted happily, spending pleasant tingles throughout her body.

"I'll call you tomorrow."

"Alright. Goodnight."

"Levi! Get over here!"

Levi almost tripped over his own feet in his rush to his girlfriend, feeling a stab of worry for her and Mikasa. Petra was on the ground, arms out, hovering over Mikasa...who was walking.

He immediately lunged when she started to tilt to one side but managed to catch herself. "Come here, Mikasa," he said, arms open, tone encouraging. Waddling awkwardly, she made her way over to him. "Almost there." He swooped her up with a laugh when she made it, kissing her cheek as she giggled delightedly.

"Aw, I can't believe she just walked!" Petra lowed her phone, a huge smile on her face. "You're growing up so fast, aren't you?" She leaned in to pepper the girl with kisses.

Despite the fact they'd been together for months now, he still went weak in the knees any time she showered Mikasa with affection.

"C'mon, let's see if she can do it again."

"Okay, but first," he said, pulling her by the waist and giving her a quick kiss on the lips, "I needed to do that."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her blush.

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