It's not that he's starting to like her but she's always there, like a damn satellite to his planet. He turns his head and she's there, smiling at him with her perfect teeth. He walks this way and the sunlight turns her hair to fire, a burst of color in his grey, grey world. He cuts himself while training and she's suddenly there; her hands flying all over the place, bandaging whatever it is he's cut.
But sometimes he catches himself staring at her. He wills himself to stop, because it's the fucking apocalypse and nothing good ever comes out from that.
"I saw you staring at Petra all afternoon, big bro." Isabel gives him a knowing smile.
"I wasn't staring."
She shrugs, "Whatever you say. But I believe what I see."
He likes the look and the feel of the district in the mornings; he likes it when it's quiet, it gives him time to think.
It's been months since they entered those walls. The last night's watch are still on duty and a familiar shade of ginger catches his eye.
"Good morning, Levi!" She waves from her position on the wall.
He smiles to himself. That's one more thing he likes about mornings.
"Levi!"
His head snaps to the direction of the voice and there's a sudden flash of light. He rubs his eyes and he hears Petra's laugh. He wants to tell her to stop goofing off and to focus on looking for supplies to bring back with them but she looks so happy. It's rare to see someone happy these days.
She walks over to him, a Polaroid camera in her hands, and shows him a photo of him scowling and one of her and Isabel, two redheads smiling like idiots.
"I'm putting these on my wall back home."
A number of the undead started appearing in places near their district and the Commander stationed more people to watch the walls. He offered to be on the night's watch. He still trains the kids in the mornings and now, he also mans the walls at night.
Petra worries about his health and tells him this when they are both on duty.
"Mind your own business," he snaps at her and automatically regrets it.
Her blood boils, "Why are you always so hostile?"
She storms up to him; she's too close for his liking so he takes a step back. But to be honest, he's actually quite scared.
Never anger an angel and she'll bring you hell.
"Well, I'm so sorry for caring!" She shoves past him and she's stronger than she looks.
What the hell was that, Levi? You bloody idiot.
He wants to tell her that it being hostile is his reflex, that being an asshole is something he was born with, but all he can do is watch as she climbs down the wall.
"Petra just left. She said she doesn't want to see you." Isabel tells him the moment he steps in through the door.
He doesn't say anything. He tells himself that it's better this way. Let her think that I'm nothing more than a killing machine. Let her hate me; I'm going to hurt her, anyway.
"You're an idiot, you know that? She likes you and you like her. Don't even lie to us, Levi. The least you could do is tell her you're sorry." Farlan says before donning his jacket and going out to replace Levi on wall duty.
Isabel goes over to sit beside him on the couch, "I know you're worried about hurting her or some other shit you always worry about. But think of it this way, big bro, the world's ending and it won't hurt you two to grant yourselves a little happiness."
He looks at her and wonders how on earth Isabel grew up to become this mature young woman beside him when he can still remember the snotty little kid stuck on the tree.
He finds her shooting in the grounds, her body silhouetted by the setting sun.
"I'm sorry," he says bluntly because there's no use in beating around the bush. She doesn't turn to him and continues on shooting. So he repeats himself, thinking that she didn't hear. "I'm an idiot and an asshole. I'm sorry, Petra."
He stays there, waiting for her to respond. She's ignoring him on purpose. He says sorry one last time and turns to leave.
He goes home, expecting to find the place empty. But what he didn't expect is the smell of bacon in the air and Petra Ral cooking breakfast in the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?"
The sight of her in an apron and cooking him breakfast made him forget all about the shit he's done and this stinking apocalypse.
He could get used to this.
"You said you're sorry and this is me saying I accept your apology." She tells him as she serves him bacon and eggs.
He gives her his thanks after and helped her clean the plates and it feels as if they're together and everything's right in the world for once.
"Have you told her yet?" Farlan asks him on one of the rare occasions that they're both on wall duty.
He shakes his head. He still has to gather enough courage and to find the right time to tell her.
"Well, when are you going to tell Petra?"
"Tell me what?"
Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear.
He didn't know that she'd be on duty tonight. Farlan scurries to his feet, "Levi has something to tell you and I just heard Auruo call me. Talk to you guys later."
He gives Levi a wink and runs off towards Auruo.
That little shit!
"So, what are you going to tell me?" Petra sits down beside him, her legs dangling on the edge of the wall. He doesn't answer right away but instead watch as Gunther shoots an undead who's trying to claw its way through the tires.
She starts humming and bumping her shoulder to his. He smiles and finds it a bit endearing. The moon is full, framing her in its soft silver light. And he decides that this is the perfect moment to tell her.
"I like you, too, Petra," he says and watches as her lips curve into the most beautiful smile he's ever seen.