Tradition

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Summary: The Ackerman family has a tradition where a new family member has to cook a full dinner for the other family members.

"I'm so hungry!" On cue Mikasa's stomach growled audibly.

"I wonder what Petra's making," Levi's great-grandfather said.

Levi glanced at the entrance to the kitchen. "She should be finished soon." Around the dining table sat his family: his uncle Kenny and great-grandfather on the ends with Mikasa and his mother across from him. The chair to his right would be occupied by his new wife, who was currently slaving away in the kitchen to make them a big dinner.

It was an old Ackerman family tradition. Over a hundred years ago, it had first started when a young man married an Ackerman despite her family's reluctance at the union, but he won them over with his exceptional cooking and baking abilities. Since then it became something of a tradition for the newest member to cook the closest family members a big meal.

"It smells wonderful." Levi's mother sighed. "I just wish I hadn't eaten two hours ago. I hope Petra doesn't mind."

"It's fine, Mom. She knows your meeting ran late and you couldn't turn down the dinner your clients had delivered."

"It would have been fine if it was the entire office present, but since it was just my assistant and I, I couldn't really pick at the food. That would have been rude."

"Not a problem cause I'm starving," Kenny declared, "and I can eat for two."

"Dinner's ready," Petra declared cheerfully, entering holding a large dish. It looked like some sort of shrimp pasta. She placed it in the middle of the table and they made excited sounds, complimenting the chef on the amazing smell wafting from the pot.

"I'll give you a hand," Levi offered, standing up.

"No, no, no, I got it," she insisted, pushing him back down.

She brought out salad and garlic bread. His mouth watered at the sight.

"And I made cookie dough ice-cream sandwiches for dessert." That earned her more words of approval. Before they could dig in though, Petra's phone buzzed. "I'm sorry, I need to take this," she said apologetically. "It's about my grandma."

They quickly assured her it was okay. Her grandmother had been feeling ill so they could understand her wanting to stay updated.

"Really, Brother?" Levi's mother said in disproval, shaking her head.

"I'm just gonna take one little bite," Kenny promised, loading up his fork.

Levi knew it would be pointless telling his uncle to wait. He had almost expected it. Kenny was a impatient man. What he hadn't expected was the expression of revulsion that came over his uncle's face. "What's wrong?" Levi asked, brows furrowing in confusion.

"Kenny?"

"Are you okay?"

"That was disgusting!" Kenny said after spiting out the food into his napkin.

Curiosity seemed to get the better of Mikasa, who also took a bite. She gagged. "I's awful!" Eyes watering, she fanned her face and gasped. "Too spicy!" She took large gulps from her glass of water.

"Here." Levi's mother handed them each a stick of garlic bread. "This'll help more than water."

Levi decided to check for himself, albeit taking a small amount. His mouth was on fire when he tasted the pasta. "She's a pretty good cook normally," he told them after choking it down, shocked. "She's been so nervous about this she probably stressed herself out and accidentally added too much spice." At least the garlic bread was good.

"I think it's perfect," his great-grandfather said, happily continuing to eat. Unsurprising since his senses were so dulled that the extra heaping of spice tasted normal to him.

"We have to tell her. I can't eat this." Mikasa pushed the plate away.

"No fucking way!" Levi said immediately, wincing slightly for cursing at the dinner table. "If we tell her, she's gonna cry."

"If I have to eat this I'm gonna to cry!" Mikasa shot back.

"Besides, how're you gonna hide it from her?" Kenny pointed out. "She'll know as soon as she takes a bite."

"He's right, dear," his mother agreed. "We can't really hide it from her."

They were right, but he did not want to tell his wife and hurt her feelings. Despite assuring her numerous times that the tradition wasn't anything serious, it was just something of a bonding experience they did for fun, Petra had been intent on getting everything perfect. She'd been so eager to impress them all. The thought of tears filling her eyes at her failure was unbearable. But his family was still right. There was just no hiding it.

"Okay," Levi relented finally. "Just—just be nice. She worked really hard and it's going to upset her."

"That was really good," Petra said, curling against her husband on the couch. It was a cool evening and they were enjoying some alone time on the patio. "I'm stuffed."

"I have to hand to Yeager, he makes a mean chicken stir fry," Levi admitted grudgingly.

Petra giggled and asked, "Which Yeager?"

"Right." Levi made a face. "Guess I can't call him that anymore."

"Yes, you'll have to use his actual name and learn to call him Eren from now on, how horrible," she teased. Petra sighed, thinking back to when she had made the family a meal during her first week of become the Ackerman daughter-in-law. "It's too bad our night was cut short." Four years ago, an emergency with her grandmother had pulled her and Levi away before they had a chance to sit down and enjoy the meal she had worked so hard to make. "I never got to really serve you guys then and enjoy the food all together." It still bummed her out thinking about it.

Levi was quiet before saying, "Can I tell you something?"

"Hm?"

"It's about that night."

"What about it?"

"Your pasta was atrocious."

"What?"

"You used way too much spice. Mikasa and Kenny almost cried," he chuckled.

"Are you joking?"

"No."

"Really?" Petra stared at him, stunned. "You're really serious? Really? It was that bad?"

"Yes. I'm happy your grandmother is okay but I was glad you were spared that experience. I know how hard you worked and I would have hated to see you cry."

"So you all lied to me?"

"When Kenny told you they couldn't help themselves and cleaned out the pot, he was talking about throwing all the pasta in the trash," he told her. She didn't say a word. Unable to see her face, he pulled away, concerned he had hurt her feelings. "Petra?" Maybe he should have broken it to her more gently.

"Nothing. It's okay," she said, smiling at him. "I'm just thinking how lucky I am to be a part of your family. All this time and you guys never gave a hint about what happened because you didn't want to make me feel bad. I really love you all."

"We love you, too."

"How about next month we invite everyone over to our house and I redo it?"

"You don't have to."

"I know. I'd just like to." She wanted a chance to do it again and make them lots good food and eat together like they should have the first time. "I feel like I never got to experience it the first time."

"Well then I'm sure they'll love to do it again." Levi kissed the side of her head and added, "Just watch the spice and try not to kill us."

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