Levi wondered how did he ended up like this.

With his heart beating way too fast, and his arm being tightly embraced by the ginger subordinate he adored a little bit too much for his comfort.

Petra snuggled her face into his arm with a wide smile. For her it was like a dream, and it was his fault.

"You're dreaming! It's a dream." it's what he told her when she caught him hiding a cake the he and the squad got for her in the kitchen at night. He almost never panicked, but for once, he couldn't bear the thought of ruining her birthday surprise for her. This world was shitty enough.

"I never had such a vivid dream before!" Petra beamed and raised her head. Their eyes met and he felt his heart flutter as she clearly was about to kiss him. Fuck, she probably thought he actually knew how to do that and his lie will be discovered.

Her face went red and she clasped her hands on her cheeks.

"AAH! I can't! Even in a dream." she lamented and jumped off the table they were sitting on. He watched the blushing mess she became, and couldn't help but smile at how cute she was.

Levi prepared himself mentally before joining her side. He put a hand on her lower back, bringing her attention back to him.

"Let's go to bed."

Petra watched him with her wide eyes and blushed again.

"My mind is so dirty!" she panicked, sure that it was all the doing of her brain.

Levi brought her hand to his lips and left a brief kiss on her knuckles.

"I just want to hold you."

Petra seemed to calm down a little and nodded, looking deep into his eyes.

On their way to her room he prayed to Ymir that no one would see them. He tried his best to come up with a good way to get out of this but it was hard when she was this close, constantly holding his hand. He never noticed but even with their similar heights and figure, her hand was tiny compared to his.

There was a moment of hesitation on her side before she pulled him on the bed with her. It was meant for one person, but it was just right for the two of them. He watched her playing with his fingers, and for a moment he considered if he was the one dreaming. He supposed that's how it would look like. Her giggle made him look back at her face.

"I hope I will remember it in the morning." she said, looking deep into his eyes. "I don't think I will ever see the real captain with such a soft look. He's always so tense."

Her smile has decreased but was still there. She put her hand on his cheek, gently stroking it.

"He has so much on his mind. The responsibility they put on him...how can one person carry this much?"

Levi watched her in silence, not moving an inch. Even though she thought it was a dream, making moves without her knowing it was real felt dirty. He couldn't do that to her. Not to Petra.

"Good thing he has you." he replied and Petra smiled, content with the answer before yawning.

"Weird...I'm sleepy even in a dream." she murmured and came closer to snuggle into his chest. "Maybe that's what I really want. Hearing your heart and knowing you're safe."

Soon he realized it was the last thing she told him. She fell asleep.

Slowly, he sneaked out of her bed and fixed the sheets so she wouldn't get cold.

Both of them couldn't hold the eye contact for more than a brief second the next morning.