Chpt 11: The Maiden Crossed Path With The Beast

Levi's pretty sure everybody have said life sucks at some point of time in their lives, the only difference being when they started saying it. Some started in primary school when they have to do maths homework; others started in secondary school when they are the only singles in the entire cohort although most of them eloquently elaborated it when Satan added alphabets to maths equations.

Although the drinking session with Roy was unwelcomed and unnecessary – only to him –, Levi felt a whole lot better as a human being the next day, as he looked back. He didn't feel as shitty as before, mentally and physically.

I've told you, you needed that rest.

Why the fuck do I hear Erwin's voice this time. Stupid couple, taking over my mind.

Levi continued to tie his tie the Levi-way, as he recalled the memory three years ago. The first thing he did when he woke up was to gather his shit and clean his entire house. He totally abused his washing machine, cleaned as if he had a vendetta against all kinds of dirt, dust, grime – which is true –, went to the nearest convenience store in his tacky sweatpants and shirt to grab some bread and milk for breakfast; he refused to eat instant noodles so early in the morning.

While on his way to work, Levi suddenly had a thought; for once, he actually felt a little bad for over-working Eren that time even though the brat didn't once complained, not that he dared to, of course.

Hmph.

Levi didn't care about what people thought when he placed a bag of croissant and coffee on Jaeger's table, not that he usually does anyway.

"I still expect to see that draft on my table by twelve." Levi pointedly ignored Eren's teary puppy eyes and Mikasa's accusative stare and headed to his office. Even from inside, he could hear Mikasa's warning, telling Eren he should test it for poison or something before eating what the midget gave.

That brat. I hope her scarf chokes her in her sleep. Why the fuck did Erwin hire all of them.

It was near two in the afternoon when Hanji made a really grand entrance. That is if pushing the door hard enough for it to hit the wall for paint chips to fall out and singing at the top of her lungs, "Time for lunch, shortie! It isn't good to skip your meals when you already shorter than us, although I don't know if you still can grow!" is considered grand enough for her.

If there was a list of things he hates, Hanji's obnoxious laughter would be somewhere at the top.

"Shut your trap, you rambunctious woman! Just because everyone in this building knows I'm shorter than most doesn't mean you need to remind them." Levi glared, wondering what the fuck was Erwin thinking when he decided Hanji was the one.

"Now, now. Don't get all pissy just because your tummy is empty. Let's go for lunch! There's a new restaurant down the street and word has it their fried noodles are super oishi!" Hanji waved her arms around like a kid high on sugar.

"English, bitch. English"

"Puh-lease. I know you took that mini Japanese module back in university. Don't underestimate my sources."

Before Levi could open his foul mouth to rebut, Hanji continued, "And I know you scored an 'A' for that module. Don't even try to deny it; I still remember that smug face of yours because you won Erwin by two points."

Hanji couldn't decipher what Levi was grumbling but judging from the way he isn't shouting back, she knew she won their stupid match. But before she could get her grubby paws on him, Levi had already gathered his wallet and told her to get a move on it.

Nothing eventful happened during lunch, thank god. Levi was all-too-ready to bolt when Hanji stood up to confront the waiter who was giving her disgusted looks while she stuffed her face full.

Levi wanted to head straight back to the office but Hanji had plans of her own.

"Don't you have work to complete?" Levi complained while his friend – unfortunately – dragged him to the nearest mall. The moment she stepped into some lingerie store, Levi yanked his arm away, claiming he does not need to pollute his mind by knowing what lingerie she liked.

"It's a surprise for Erwin. Since you are his friend and Mike isn't here, I thought you would be the next best person to consult!"

"Fuck off. Why the fuck would I bother to know what his preferences are. It's not as if we talked about that kind of stuff. Get your mind out of the gutter, shitty glasses." He scoffed.

Hanji fake sobbed into her sleeves, exclaiming what a bad friend he was while she walked to the fitting room to try the numerous chemises she had her eye on. If Levi was the type to roll his eyes, he would have done it long ago.

Waiting was tormenting. Waiting outside the lingerie store almost made him facepalm. He wasn't sure which was worse; letting Hanji drag him around or waiting for Hanji while she tried on underwear!

Just when he was about to ring her cell to hurry up before he banged his head on the wall, he heard a familiar voice, "Good boy. Leo is a very good boy."

Too familiar. Levi didn't know if his ears was playing tricks on him but he wasn't about to let anything slip past him. Following the general direction of the voice he heard, he searched for any honey-haired woman but the season was against him. It's winter and people are busy keeping their ears warm by tucking them into their winter headwear.

"Fuck." Levi cursed; not only was his vision is being blocked by the throng, his height isn't helping him in any way. Levi didn't know how long he had been searching; he didn't care when he's quite certain he heard the voice he longed to hear.

His ringtone finally brought him back to earth. Picking it up to tell shitty glasses what happened, she was already screaming before he could open his mouth, "Where the hell have you been, you little ass hat?! I go in and come out and you're gone, faster than Erwin seeing me in the kitchen."

"I just… just… where are you? I'll come find you and tell you what I saw." Levi said quickly, a little out of breath from all the adrenaline coursing through body.

This was the first time Hanji's heard Levi rambled for three minutes without a pause. By the time Levi ended, he was kind of blue in the face so he gave the glass of water a bottoms-up.

"So, let me get this straight. You abandoned the duty of guarding the lingerie shop–" Levi almost choked, "to find someone who sounded like Petra but ended up running around the mall like some maniac on the loose?"

"I don't know which part was lost on you but yes, that's the gist of it."

"Interesting…" Hanji rubbed her chin, deep in thought about the news Levi has brought to her. "Hmmmm… Well, it's either you are thinking too much or she's really back, but!" Hanji slammed her hand onto the table, startling Levi and everybody around them. "Don't get your hopes up, buddy. The higher you climb up the Ladder of Hope, the more disappointment you feel when you see nothing but a pot of shit waiting for you at the top."

Levi held back the urge to smack that shit-eating grin off Hanji's face; it wouldn't do him much good if she alerted the horde. Insisting it is time to get back to work because cases don't get solved by themselves, he ignored the whining grown woman trailing behind him.

He swears, everybody in the same department has the same quirks. Why the fuck does everybody in that group has the habit of bursting into my office?!

"It's Christmas soon, Levi! Cheer up! Not to mention, you're almost a year older." Roy walked in, Christmas hat donned with a green scarf wrapped around his neck, which Levi wondered how it would feel under his palm when he finally get the chance to strangle him.

Roy was met with silence.

"Aw come on. Stop frowning. You're gonna look like an old man before you are one." He chuckled, pretending Levi's frown didn't get deeper.

"Why the hell are you doing here? Do I have to call Hawkeye to drag your ass back to wherever you belong?"

Roy leapt towards his table, hands slamming phone before Levi got the chance to pick it up. "Don't do it! Please! I beg of you!"

Eww, his snort is leaking out already.

"The fuck is wrong with you?" Levi's personal level of disgust is rapidly increasing.

"Will you forgive me if I told you the reason why I graced you with my presence?"

"Will you fucking keep your hands to yourself if I say yes?" Roy's hands started creeping towards his impeccable suit.

Roy nodded vigorously.

"Say what you have to then leave."

Roy's face lit up like a little kid on Christmas morning. "I'm planning to ask Riza out for Christmas and finally pop the question! Do you think she will accept?"

Levi was… skeptical about his plan. "How long had you guys been dating already?"

Waving his hand aimlessly, Roy said confidently, "Six months."

Before Levi could shoot him in the nuts, Roy continued, "But we've known each other for practically our whole lives. Doesn't make much of a difference, does it?" And as if lightning suddenly struck Roy, he became doubtful of his plan too. Muttering does it? like a mantra and pacing around Levi's meticulously kept office, Levi could feel a throbbing vein.

"Oh for fuck's sake. Weren't you so confident fifteen seconds ago?" He flung a pen towards Roy; bullseye on the forehead.

"Well, now that you have mentioned it, albeit indirectly, we have only been dating for six months. Do you think she really has romantic feelings for me? Does she see a future for the two of us? What if she rejects me outright because I'm a big-time flirt?"

Levi couldn't help himself this time; he rolled his eyes at the big-time flirt.

"Like you've said, you two have known each other for your whole lives. If she really can't stand your objectionable presence, why the fuck would she follow you for so long?" Levi spat. Unbelievable, this stupid attorney can solve the most challenging cases on earth yet unable to read the feelings of the woman he love.

"Now go use your brain for once and get out of my office. And don't bother to spam my phone once you know the results. I'll just find out from the gossip mongers strategically placed around the office." Levi kicked him quite literally, letting him know how serious he was.

Nobody likes to work during Christmas. Not even Levi. But since he's holding the 'forever alone' status, courtesy of Mike – that bastard –, he might as well not waste time watching tasteless variety shows and do some work. It was nearing five when he left, sky already dark and snow falling gently, covering the land with purity.

Ordering take-out from the Chinese restaurant took twenty minutes longer than usual because it seemed like more people are getting lazy to cook Christmas dinner, which Levi took as a challenge to train his patience. Handing a bill over the counter in exchange for his bland dinner, Levi rein his frown in since he didn't want to ruin the festive mood – not that he was in one but the owner sure was, wishing him "Merry Christmas, son!" at the top of his lungs with that accent of his.

Opening the door to head back out into the cold and walk a lonely journey, he looked up and saw the face he didn't expect to see – Petra; and the toddler she was carrying.

A/N 1: Woah, Petra's back, with a kid in tow!