"Here, heichou." Petra set a steaming cup of tea in front of her commanding officer, who set down whatever paperwork he was reading through to look up at her.

"Thank you, Petra." Levi picked up his cup and put the rim to his lips, sipping softly. "Mm…" he set the cup down as he tasted the bitter sharpness that hit his tongue; just a touch of lemon. "You made it different tonight."

"I did. I added a squeeze of lemon…you hate it?" Petra cocked her head.

"Actually, I like this kind with lemon. And you know I prefer my teas bitter to sweet…so quit acting like you don't know what you're doing." Levi raised his brows at her, only causing the redhead to giggle.

"Captain I don't get how you can drink all this tea…" Auruo sipped away at his own cup. "It doesn't have a whole lot of flavor to it…"

The whole squad stopped what they were doing and stared at the boy, including his captain. Eren only looked at Auruo, then Levi, then back at Auruo again, a look of panic crossing his face.

"Did you really just sit here and tell me tea has no flavor?" Levi rested his chin in his hand, giving his subordinate the stare down.

"Ahh…! Heichou I'm not trying to start an argument or anything like that really!" Auruo hunched up.

"No argument here. Friendly debate. Now…" Levi continued. "You do realize you can flavor it to your liking, right?"

"Well…yeah…but it's never sweet enough…"

"Tch. Really? All of you and your sweet fucking tongues." Levi rolled his eyes.

"I like bitter too, heichou!" Eld spoke up.

"And that's why you're second in command." Levi took another sip of tea.

This only caused Eld to shake his head and let out a chuckle. "Well see my fiancé back at home…she loves her tea with tons of sugar, honey, cinnamon…all that crap. And I'm just like, 'How can you drink all of that sugar?'"

"Huh, well sounds like somebody we know." Levi turned his head and motioned towards Petra, only causing the squad to laugh.

"Heyyyy!" Petra whined. "So I like my tea and coffee sweet. Big deal…"

"That's probably because you're sweet, little Petra." Gunter smiled.

"Oh stop that Gunter; I'll kick you…" Petra blushed, only causing the dark haired man to laugh.

"You are the little sweetheart." Eld continued. "But you can be one tough cookie."

"That's an understatement…." Auruo muttered.

Eren only watched as the squad talked and laughed amongst themselves. They really did all get along pretty well, and it was a little strange seeing Captain Levi crack a joke, even if his face stayed the same. To Eren, Levi initially seemed like a real loner, but…now he seemed like he could be interactive if he wanted to, but just maybe around certain people.

"Well," Levi traced the rim of his teacup with his index finger. "I'll admit, sometimes I like a little bit of sweet; when the occasion calls for it." He looked up and turned his gaze over to Petra. "What do you think Petra?"

Her eyes were suddenly caught in his gaze. She was stuck staring into those blue eyes again, just like she had been only a couple of hours ago when he had her crammed up against that shower wall. Did he really just hint at her? In front of the rest of the guys? Did anyone even notice…? She looked around the table…no. No it didn't seem like anyone had caught onto Levi's lewd little reference there. But she wasn't about to let him get away with it either.

"Sure." She responded. "But I don't know, heichou. You've been slipping up a bit lately…taking it a little sweeter than usual."

Levi stopped in the middle of sipping and blinked, before setting his cup down again and looking at her.

"Maybe. But you have to admit you've been liking it bitter." He responded nonchalantly.

"Bitter tastes just as good…"

The two only looked at each other, knowing very well neither of them were talking about tea. Before Levi could say anything else, Eld spoke up again.

"Aww look what you did Auruo? Causing the captain and Petra to start fighting over tea."

Petra only smiled silently at Levi before collecting his empty cup and proceeding towards the sink. This was how it was only a mere couple of hours after she and her captain had sex in the shower. But after this time, for some reason, it wasn't as awkward. After their little act the two washed themselves off (quickly, due to only having cold water), got dressed, and went downstairs to prepare dinner. They did not talk of it, nor anything related to it for that matter.

"I'm sorry, captain. I guess I just can't like hot leaf water." Auruo sighed heavily, causing Levi's focus on Petra to break. He turned back to his squad and rolled his eyes at his subordinate.

"Hot leaf water?" Levi set his teacup down. "Well I don't much care for hot bean water myself.

A flustered look crossed Auruo's face, followed by a laugh from the rest of the squad.

"I mean, you know…." Auruo mumbled, quietly sipping at his coffee once more.

At that exact moment, the door was practically kicked open by the long legs of a tall brunette with glasses.

"Good evening, squad Levi!" she practically yelled as the rest of her squad, as well as Mike and Nanaba, followed her inside.

"Shitty glasses." Levi finished off his tea. "What's the occasion?"

Petra looked at him before glancing back at the squad leader, who was now holding two bottles of liquor in her hands.

"For the progress of science!" Hanji slammed the bottles down onto the table. "Oh and it's Nifa's birthday." She winked at the cute girl with the short bob haircut. "Moblit made a cake too. What a guy, right?"

Nifa only smiled sweetly. "I don't drink but the rest of you can have at it."

Levi's squad gazed at the liquor before them. Eld looked at Hanji in pure awe.

"Squad Leader, where did you get such good whiskey and brandy?" he asked.

"Oh you know, I just borrowed some from Erwin's liquor cabinet…" Hanji popped open a bottle of whiskey.

"Why am I not surprised?" Levi muttered.

"Petra, can you be a dear and grab some glasses please?" Hanji smiled at her. "That is, if it's alright with you, Captain Levi." She glanced at the captain, who only shrugged.

"It's fine with me."

The whole squad cheered as Petra went to grab the liquor glasses.

"But I expect you all to be alert and ready for shit tomorrow; no exceptions." He rolled his eyes.

"Awww, come on shorty, lighten up!" Hanji took some glasses from the tray Petra had brought over and began to pour some shots. "Here, have a drink!"

Levi stared briefly at the drink in her hand before sighing. "What the hell."

"Well alright, Captain." Eld took held up his glass. "How about a toast?"

"Yes, yes of course!" Hanji began to pour the last of the shots. "Everyone grab a glass!"

The rest of the squads quickly grabbed a glass, with the exception of Nifa, who had some juice instead of the alcoholic beverage.

"Does everyone have one? Yes? Alright then! A toast!" Hanji held up her glass. "To science!"

"And to Nifa too." Petra added. "Happy birthday!"

"To Nifa!" everyone agreed in unison as Nifa smiled and giggled, bowing her head in gratitude.

Everyone set their glasses down onto the table before taking the shot, almost all of them grimacing at the bitter taste, aside from Moblit, Levi, and Mike, who were all known to handle their alcohol pretty well. Mike rarely showed pain or annoyance or anything like that, and was basically a tank when it came to drinking anyway. Levi always seemed so calm and cool, it was hard to tell when he was drunk…except when he started to get up and move around. Moblit was basically a functioning alcoholic, but who could blame the guy? His job was a very high pressure position, and Hanji could drive anyone to drink really. Eren decided to take the shot this time around, but thought he would puke at the taste. It wasn't until he felt a hand on his shoulder and a cold look from Levi that he set the glass back down.

"No more. I'm not taking care of your drunk ass again." He sighed.

"Yes, Captain!" Eren nodded and walked off to get some juice instead.

After everyone had their shot, Hanji started pouring more, and everyone was beginning to loosen up a bit. A half hour went by and everyone was conversing with each other. Petra had been talking to Eld and Nanaba about her home and her father, and Eld began to talk about his fiancé and how much he missed her. Nanaba talked about her close friends back at home. Petra talked with the two for a while as she continued to down the drinks Hanji kept serving around, not really paying much attention to what she was drinking, or how much, really. At one point Petra had thought about going to sit by Levi and talk with him, but Mike and Hanji had sat down by him already and were conversing among themselves. Petra wasn't sure what they were talking about, but she didn't want to intrude anyway. She excused herself and headed over to Nifa, who was hanging out near Moblit and the rest of the squad members from Hanji's group.

"Petra!" Nifa greeted the cute strawberry blonde with a smile.

"Hi Nifa." Petra returned the smile. "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you! How are things? It's been forever!" Nifa didn't hesitate to give the girl a long embrace.

"Oh, things are good. Great, actually." Petra smiled again, returning the hug. "A lot of things going well at work, I got to visit Papa recently…" Of course Petra's thoughts shifted to the steamy nights (and days) she had shared with Levi so far, which were amazing, but still a secret. None of that needed to get out, especially in front of the two squads. "And just good things! How about you, Nifa?"

"Things are really good as well. Though Squad Leader Hanji can be a bit unbearable at times." She giggled. "But she's got a big heart and really has grown on me a lot of the past couple of years. So, how is it working for Captain Levi, hm? Is he still a major hard ass?"

"Uh, well he is when he has to be, but he's usually very kind to us." Petra smiled warmly.

Nifa retorted with a mischievous smile. "Well, well, you're blushing, Petra."

"Huh? No I'm not!" Petra quickly put her hands to her face, her cheeks indeed warm.

"Oh really?" Nifa laughed. "Then why are you trying to hide it?"

"I-I'm not! It's just hot in here okay?" Petra began to unbutton her shirt collar.

"It's the alcohol, sweet pea." Nifa shook her head and smiled. She looked back up at Petra and cocked her head, once again puzzling Petra with her suspicious looks. "Now what exactly happened to your neck?"

"My neck…?" Petra's eyes widened as she remembered Levi biting and sucking on her neck that past few days. She didn't even think of the marks it would leave, nor has she been paying much attention for that matter.

"Oh my god, those are hickies! Petraaaaa! Are you seeing a guy?"

"Shhhh!" Petra motioned for her to lower her volume, even though everyone was too busy getting sloshed anyway. "Alright, alright….sort of…" she whispered.

"What's 'sort of' mean?"

"Like…friends with benefits…"

Nifa's eyes widened as she slapped a hand to her mouth, stifling a giggle. "Shoot, Petra. Well who is it, hmmm? Anyone I know?"

"Uhh…come on I really don't want to say…"

"Alright, alright." Nifa laughed. "Wow Petra. Friends with benefits huh? How daring. So like no strings attached?"

"Mmm…not exactly…" Petra sighed.

"How so?" Nifa's face shifted into concern mode.

"What if I said that I…felt a little strongly about him?"

"How strongly?"

"Um…like…I think I'm in love with him…?"

"Oh honey…"

"I know, I know! Sex is just supposed to be sex but…there's something about him. I've always admired him anyway…and I know he's not exactly the emotional type but…" Petra bit her lip. "Just lately I can't help but feel…I don't know. I'd do anything for him, Nifa."

"Have you told him this?"

"No…! I mean I couldn't possibly…I just can't right now…"

"Well Petra…if you feel this strongly about him then do you think it's a good idea to just stay quiet and keep doing what you're doing? I mean…won't you end up getting hurt in the end?"

Petra didn't answer, only looked off to the side, glancing at Levi, who in turn caught her gaze. She immediately looked away and turned back to Nifa.

"I figure…I'm a Survey Corps soldier…my life is constantly at risk anyway so…what's the point of even saying anything at all? Like I could possibly live some happy life with him somewhere and get married and have kids? No…"

Nifa only looked at her with nothing but the utmost compassion in her eyes. She put a comforting hand on the ginger haired girl's shoulder. "If that's how you feel about your life…then why not tell him? You never know when someone can be snatched away just like that…Petra…" Nifa knew exactly who she was talking about. She had figured it out even before Petra turned and laid her eyes on him. Captain Levi. "Also that's no way to think, dear. We fight to survive, to win. Who is to say what your future holds? Now…I'm not by any means telling you what to do but…If you love him, truly love him like you say you do, I would at least let him know. But that's entirely up to you."

Petra only sighed lightly. To be honest, she didn't want to talk about this anymore.

"You know what I need?" Petra smiled cheerfully. "Another drink! More juice for you?"

Nifa only laughed. "No I'm good. You enjoy."

Petra sent a smile towards Nifa's way once more before making her way back to the main table. She really just wanted another drink. She didn't want to think about anything, especially things that were causing her guilt at the moment. As she poured herself another very large drink, Hanji leaned back in her chair and tugged on the hem of Petra's shirt.

"Petra dear! Come sit with us!" she said a bit too loudly. "Come sit by Levi!"

Great.

"Okay sure!" Petra smiled cheerfully once more, before taking a seat next to her Captain.

She smiled at Levi, which made something his stomach flip, and assumed it was the booze. Of course if that was the case then why not have another drink? As Petra quickly downed hers, Levi poured another drink of his own and threw it back. The rest of the night consisted of just that, throwing back more alcohol. As things started to get warm and fuzzy, Petra found that the anxiety quickly went away as she had a good time talking to the group. Even Levi seemed to be in a very good mood, but of course who wasn't tonight? As the hours grew later, people began to leave and head back to their own quarters. The only ones left were Hanji, Moblit, and Nifa, who were all conversing outside as they saw the others off. This left Levi and Petra alone together in the dining hall.

"I need to pee…" Petra slurred, getting up from her chair.

"Thanks for the announcement." Levi raised his eyebrows.

"Oh shut up. I'm gonna head outside with everyone…everyone else…."

"I thought you had to pee?"

"No, I lied."

"Okay, weirdo."

"I'm not weird!" Petra puffed her lips out in a pout. "Screw you, heichou…I'm going outside…"

Levi reached out and gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to him. He patted his leg.

"Sit." He commanded.

"Oh no…" Petra shook her head, clearly blushing.

"Come here…" Levi pulled her closer. "And sit."

"Fine, pervert." Petra laughed and sat in the man's lap.

"There. Was that so hard?"

"No, but what if someone walks in?"

"You worry way too much, little girl."

"Stop calling me little girl…" Petra grabbed the bottle of scotch from the table and took a swig from it, flinching from the spice of the whiskey. "It makes you sound like an even bigger pervert."

"Shut up. Give some of that." Levi slipped his arm around Petra's waist as he took the bottle from her with his other hand. He took a long drink before setting the now empty bottle back onto the table.

"You're so mean tonight." Petra leaned in and pressed her lips into Levi's hair.

"You always think I'm mean." He gave her thigh a squeeze. "You think very lowly of me, as a matter of fact."

Petra blushed at his touch and sat back up. "Not true. I admire you actuallyyyy."

"Ah really now?"

"Mmhm. I like Captain a lot…" Petra snuggled closer to Levi; her arms wrapped snuggly around his shoulders. She sat in his lap, nuzzling her face into his hair once more.

"You're so drunk." Levi sighed.

"No…! I'm not…I'm jus' tipsy…"

"You are drunk."

"You're drunk too, jerk."

"I am."

"You're so cuteeee."

"I'm a man. I'm not cute…" Levi muttered.

"Do you think I'm cute?" Petra kissed his cheek.

Levi cleared his throat, wondering how to answer that question. She was getting damn flirty, but he did start it after all.

"Captain…am I cute?"

"Alright, alright…very."

"Ahhh….heichouuuuu…." Petra blushed, planting another kiss on the man's cheek.

"Petraaa."

"Shhhhhhh….!" Petra giggled as she played with his hair, running her fingers through his dark locks. "I like the fuzzy part." She whispered.

Levi only shook his head as a smirk slipped; though Petra didn't quite notice.

"Maybe I should get an undercut too…" the girl pondered.

"Nah…I like it like this." Levi quickly flipped his hand through her hair.

"And I like you…" Petra kissed his cheek again, followed by another, and then another…

"Ah…Petra quit it…" Levi grumbled.

"Why?" she continued to kiss his face.

"Because…" Levi stiffened up. She felt so nice, but he wasn't used to the romance. Sex was one thing, but being lovey was another. Did she expect him to return the affection? Maybe not. She continued to kiss him all over his face, despite his uptight response.

"Because why?"

"Just because, alright? Fuck, Petra…" Levi sighed, his face heating up. "Why do you have to be all over me…?"

Petra frowned. "Says the man who was all over me. And then some."

Levi sighed. She had him there.

"I thought you liked my kisses anyway." she pouted.

"Well I don't…" Levi mumbled.

"Yeah you do…" she kissed him again. "You like Petra kisses."

"No, I don't."

"Okay fine. I'll just go to bed then." Petra shrugged and began to remove herself from Levi's lap.

Levi was quick to grab her wrist and yank her back onto his lap. He took her chin in his hand and turned her head to look at him.

"Alright…maybe a little…" Levi whispered.

"Ah, so you don't want me to go…"

"No shit…stay with me."

"Of course I will…." she kissed his forehead.

For some reason, he wanted to kiss her…badly. He shouldn't, but really, they already fucked several times. What was a kiss? He wanted to…only because she was really getting to him. This was stupid…why was he thinking so much on this? Why did he want her so bad every single day?

"Baby…?"

Levi blinked and looked back at Petra, who stared back at him with soft eyes. True she was a bit sloppy when drunk, so she looked a little disheveled. Her shirt collar unbuttoned a little, he could see the red marks that covered her neck, all the fault of his own. She had some spice to her, but the sweetness definitely overtook everything else.

"You called me baby." he cocked his head.

Petra blinked as her face began to severely redden. "I…I'm sorry…I don't know what I was mmf…!"

Levi had already taken the liberty of putting his mouth to hers. Fuck it. Drunk or not, he just wanted her near him. He continued to kiss her as Petra held on to the lapels of his shirt, kissing him back deeply and passionately. He tasted like whiskey…bittersweet. It didn't matter when or where they were, drunk or sober, his lips were always the softest she's ever felt. And the nicest. In the back of her head she thought of what Nifa had told her, and how it was logical, but she continued to push the thought away.

If she got hurt, then oh well.

She moved her hands to his face and caressed him, kissing him hard. She loved him. She loved him and even though it was not practical and fucked up and would possibly hurt her, she didn't care. She was hooked now and there was no turning back. He was an addiction that was sweet, but also poisonous. The two continued to lock lips, not knowing that Hanji and Nifa had begun to step into the room. Hanji immediately pulled Nifa back around the corner, letting out a gasp as she did, but Levi and Petra didn't seem to notice.

Nifa immediately looked at Hanji. "Oh my god."

"Did you see them?" Hanji's eyes widened as she smiled big. "Mother of titans, wow! I can't believe it!"

"Shhhh!" Nifa motioned for Hanji to lower her voice.

"Nifa! Petra and Levi! Eeeep!" Hanji squealed excitedly. "I so saw this coming, but to actually witness it?"

"Miss Hanji shhh!" Nifa put a finger to her lips. "I know it's cute but they are obviously keeping it under wraps. I don't think we were supposed to see that."

"Alright, alright." Hanji began to tone it down. "I can't believe Levi is having some romantic rendezvous! And with Petra! I knew my instincts were correct…Levi has definitely been in a good mood lately…"

Nifa only shook her head and smiled. She knew the man Petra was fooling around with was Levi. Despite what Petra had said about their relationship with each other, she could see just in that moment that there was something more there, whether Petra saw it or not. The only problem was that neither of them, Levi nor Petra, would open up and say it. She only hoped the two could work it out amongst each other. Of course the Survey Corps wasn't a place for romance, as most of them simply didn't have the time or luxury to even focus on it. But sometimes things just happen, and it just so happened to do so with Petra and Levi.

At that moment, Nifa and Hanji heard shuffling in the dining room and quickly scrambled. Levi and Petra walked out of the dining hall, nearly smacking into Nifa and Hanji.

"Nifa! Squad Leader!" Petra stuttered, he cheeks flushed red.

"What are you doing, shitty glasses?" Levi sighed.

"Oh, you know! Just getting ready to leave!" Hanji grabbed Nifa's arm. "We really should be going. Sleep off that booze now, you drunks!" Hanji laughed and pulled Nifa along.

"Ah…good night! And thank you for having us!" Nifa waved as Hanji dragged her along to the front entrance.

"Bye…" Petra waved back, looking as confused as ever.

Levi only rolled his eyes as he watched the two leave, shutting the door behind them. He looked back at Petra, who was yawning, her face looking tired.

"Let's go upstairs?" she smiled sweetly at him.

"Alright. Just let me lock the door. Go up to my room, I'll meet you there."

Petra headed upstairs as Levi locked up and did one final inspection of the downstairs. Everything seemed secure and taken care of, with the exception of the mess left in the dining area. It irked him to no end, but he was too drunk and too tired to care at the moment, so he decided they would all clean up tomorrow. He headed upstairs to his room, where he opened the door to find Petra laying cuddled up on his bed, wearing nothing but panties and a big short sleeved shirt. She looked adorable as fuck, but why, why, why did she have to do this to him? He began to undress, removing his cravat and unbuttoning his shirt. He slipped out of his uniform and into a pair of black sweats before sitting on the edge of his bed and lying back next to Petra.

"Sleepy?" he asked.

"A little." Petra turned and looked at him, her smile soft. "Can we just lay here tonight?"

He couldn't possibly resist her; not with that face.

"Alcohol getting to you?" he turned on his side to face her.

"Never." She stuck her tongue out at him. "Just a…" she yawned again. "…long and tiring couple of days." She closed her eyes.

"No shit…" Levi agreed.

The two laid next to one another, so close that they were touching. Petra felt comfort from his body heat, as Levi did from her. She didn't bother him; the touching anyway. Not in the slightest. If it were anyone else they were asking for a knee in the face but…Petra…

"Petra…" Levi spoke up after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes?"

"…Thank you…"

Petra opened her eyes and looked at him again. "For what?"

"Well for one letting me fuck you so much."

"Shut up!" Petra laughed as she playfully nudged him.

"Was half joking." Levi flicked her forehead before continuing. "Doing so much lately…when I was sick I mean…well thanks."

"Levi…you don't have to thank me." She smiled at him once more. "I would have done all of that anyway, even if I wasn't 'ordered' to."

Levi looked at her, his eyes still unwavering. "Why?"

Petra's face went warm once again at Levi's words. "I…because! I…I mean I care for you…"

Levi continued to look into her honey colored eyes. He went to open his mouth to say something, when Petra cut him off.

"I mean I care for the whole squad! I would drop everything to help any of you in a time of need you know?" she spoke rather quickly with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Tch." Levi rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. "I think it's time for sleep, drunky."

"You're not being fair. You're drunk too."

"Not as sloppy as you, kiddo."

"I'm not sloppy…" Petra snuggled up to him, nuzzling her cheek into the crook of his neck. "Just sleepy…" she closed her eyes and the two went silent for a few moments.

Levi let her rest her head on him. He let her wrap herself around him. He even let her kiss his cheek one more time that night. He let her get away with a lot of things, but it didn't matter now.

"Petra?" he asked softly.

"Nnn…" Petra mumbled, clearly almost fully asleep.

He didn't have the heart to move her right now, nor did he want to move her at all. This girl…whatever she was making him feel right now was taking over badly. He hated it, but loved it all the same. She was like a bright light to his dark world. Her smile, her touch, her lips…they were all so addicting; like some sweet drug he couldn't kick.

Levi closed his eyes.

He wanted her to stay, and he knew wanting this was dangerous as hell.

He should have never kissed her.

Never touched her.

Never let her in like this…

"What are you doing to me…."