For Levi, mornings are the best and worst time. Mornings were tiring, the sun was too bright and it marked another day of death and destruction. However, this was all made up by the fact he got to wake up next to Petra.
She's barely awake, hair sticking everywhere, eyes half shut. She's a mess, but he can't help but think she's an adorable mess. A sleepy smile crosses her face as she recognizes him.
"Morning L," she yawns before pecking him on the cheek and resting her head on his chest. The act is so simple, almost sickening in its domesticity but Levi wouldn't trade it for the world.
"Morning Petra," He plants a kiss on her forehead and runs a hand through her hair. It seems to have a pacifying effect on her. Levi feels her start to drift back to sleep. And it's so stupid, irresponsible, and so many other things. The squad is probably wondering where they are, but for a moment they just try to forget. Forget the fighting, the death, and the harsh reality. They're content in their little bubble of quietude, and for the millionth time Levi wishes it could always be like this, to have these little mornings to themselves. It could have been hours, it could have been seconds, all Levi knows is it's to soon when he feels Petra stir.
"We should get going." Though her tone is gentle, her gaze is clear. And Levi wants to whine like a child whose has to share his toy. For out there they're only captain and soldier, none of these moments exist. No one knows how she kisses him, or how he's plagued by nightmares without her by his side. No one has a clue how many times he worries she'll come to her senses and leave him for good.
But Petra is unrelenting. She's nobody's toy, and they have to face the world outside their bubble sooner or later.
"It can't last forever." It's only six syllables, but he feels like he's been slapped. Of course it can't last forever. He knows sooner or later one of them will die, that this could be their last day together. But that's why he's so eager to ignore reality. All he wants is to flick off the world and hide here where it's safe.
Petra is waiting, she knows he dreams of a simpler life, one where their biggest problem is the rude neighbors. But she's a realist. They've already chosen this path, no time for ifs, ands, or buts.
"Levi," For one word it holds so many things, hope, regret, longing. But he knows what must be done. Silently he gets up.
Lights blind him and Levi's first reaction is to check the other side of the bed. As expected, no one is there, it had only been a dream. Now Levi remembers why he hates mornings. Mornings are when he loses Petra again.