"So, here's my suggestion: We sit in a secluded place, drink and eat, and try to act like a couple." Levi proposed as the two of them were walking towards their destination that evening.

"Alright. Sounds easy enough." Rosa nodded.

"And, by the way, try to look less nervous, okay?"

"How could I look less nervous when I'm on a date with Humanity's Strongest Soldier..?" Rosa couldn't help but whisper to herself. She didn't really have high hopes about this little 'date', and was convinced that the whole situation would only turn into an awkward mess.

"We're here." Levi announced as he opened the door for Rosa. "After you."

The interior was simple and cozy, and there were several tables and booths spread across the room. The two of them managed to find a booth a little farther away from the others, and sat down.

"So, what do you usually drink?" Levi asked.

"Hm... I like wine, both red and white… and gin, also." Rosa replied as she opened the menu and studied it closely. "And you?"

"Whiskey. And bourbon, sometimes."

"Hmm... Maybe we should order a bottle of red wine and a bottle of whiskey, and mix it up?" Rosa suggested.

"Sounds interesting. Let's do it." Levi agreed, his lips curving into a small smile.

After they ordered their drinks, the two of them settled back to their seats and continued the conversation.

"So, have you thought about how long we're going to keep this up?" Levi asked, his elbows resting against the edge of the table.

"Um... No, not really." Rosa admitted, a thoughtful frown on her face. "We can't just stay engaged forever, that's for sure."

"True. So, do you have any plans about this?"

"Not at all."

"Figured." Levi clicked his tongue. "So, let's make some, then."

"Okay. Let's start with the basics." Rosa paused, taking a sip from her drink. "If this whole thing refuses to eventually blow over by itself, we need a reason why we are going to call off the engagement."

"Why not something along the lines of 'mutual decision'?" Levi proposed. "That we decided together that the marriage wasn't meant to be, and that it was best to call it off."

"Hmm… That could work."

"And if people question it, you can always just say that I'm an asshole." Levi suggested, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Well, it would be believable."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Don't." Rosa chuckled, raising her glass. "Anyway, cheers!"

"Cheers."

For a while, the two of them continued chatting as they enjoyed their drinks and had a bite to eat at the side.

"You know, I still can't get used to it." Rosa spoke, pointing at her ring.

"Is it that uncomfortable?" Levi raised his brow, taking a sip of his drink.

"No, no, that's not what I meant." Rosa chuckled. "It's just... strange, in a way."

"Hm. Well, you better get used to it, because you're wearing it until this shit blows over."

"I'll do my best." She smiled.

Levi seemed more relaxed than usual. His gaze was calm, and his smile was genuine… and maybe it was because of the drinks, but tonight he looked so handsome that Rosa felt like she couldn't tear her gaze away from him.

"Are you okay?" Levi noticed her staring, and his eyes met hers. The moment he made eye contact with her, Rosa averted her gaze, her cheeks warming up.

"Uh- Yeah, I'm fine." Rosa stuttered, trying to compose herself.

"Like I told you before... Since we're going to do this, we should at least try to look the part. So, maybe we should do stuff that couples would normally do."

"Stuff..? Like what?" Rosa inquired.

"Like, you know... Hold hands, or other things." Levi shrugged, as if the subject wasn't really bothering him.

"You sure you're fine with-" Rosa forgot what she was about to ask when she heard sudden commotion from the other table. Glancing over to that direction, she noticed a group of Military Police officers— They seemed to have come to the same place to spend an evening as well, but eventually had spotted her and Levi at the other table.

"Look, look, it really is him." One of the men pointed at Levi.

"He's so much smaller in person..." Another man remarked, a disappointed look on his face.

"I heard the guy's a living legend. A true monster, capable of wiping out the Titans by himself." The third one stated.

"Hey, hey, isn't that the girl..? What her name was again…" The first man spoke again, turning his attention to the young woman sitting next to Levi.

"Maybe the rumors are true after all."

"You think they're on a date?"

Rosa could hear their comments loud and clear, and felt the color rise to her cheeks; The rumors made their way across the city, and even people who had never met the couple knew about the engagement. Rosa wasn't too pleased about the whole thing— The attention was making her nervous, and she feared the lie would be discovered. Levi, on the other hand, didn't seem to care at all.

"Are you sure you're okay with all this..?" Rosa whispered to Levi.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Levi shrugged.

"Well, all the gossip and the stares and stuff... I had gotten the feeling that you don't like unnecessary attention."

"It doesn't bother me, really." He stated, his tone still nonchalant.

"Really..?" Rosa frowned, clearly unconvinced. "But, still... People are talking. It makes me feel bad. Maybe we shouldn't have-"

"You're not responsible for the situation, and you shouldn't feel bad about it."

"But, I could've handled it on my own, you didn't have to-"

"I'm here because I want to. There's no need for you to feel bad about it, or to thank me."

"But I-"

"I've made my choice, and I won't change my mind. Got it?" Levi stated sternly, sounding slightly irritated by her constantly apologizing over the matter. "Besides…" He reached over the table, grabbing her hand into his. "We came here to practice, so it's just good to have an audience."

Rosa blinked, feeling her heart skip a beat. She wasn't sure what was the most surprising, the fact that Levi had grabbed her hand without warning, or that his skin felt so warm, almost hot.

"You okay?" Levi's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and she looked up to meet his gaze.

"Yes, I'm fine." Rosa muttered under her breath.

"Are you sure? Your face is red."

"Yes, I am. I just- I didn't expect you to- Um-"

"Hold your hand, you mean?"

"Yeah. I just didn't see that coming." Rosa admitted.

"But isn't this the whole point? To pretend we're a real couple?"

"Yeah, it is, but-"

"Then let's get back to practicing."

"Y-yeah, sure." Rosa nodded. She didn't say anything, but the fact was that she had no experience with dating or romance at all scared her. She had no idea how she was supposed to behave, or what to say.

"Just make sure to tell me if something feels weird, or makes you uncomfortable." Levi gave her a meaningful look, his hand still resting on top of hers on the table.

"Alright." Rosa nodded.

"Good."

Levi kept his hand on top of hers for a few more seconds before pulling away. He seemed calm and composed, completely unfazed by the situation, unlike Rosa, who was fighting hard to control her heartbeat.

"You sure you're okay?" Levi glanced over at her, a puzzled frown on his face.

"Oh- Yes, I'm fine."

"Great. Now, come over here."

"W-what?" Rosa blinked surprised— Levi answered her gaze with a stern look, patting the seat next to him.

"Come over here, and sit down." He repeated.

"Why?"

"Because."

"Because..? Seriously?" Rosa raised an eyebrow at him.

"Just do it."

Rosa let out a sigh, shaking her head as she stood up. "You know, if you really want me to sit next to you, you could ask me nicely." She remarked as she sat down next to him, their shoulders now touching.

"Sorry." Levi chucked, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"You seem awfully calm and collected, Captain." Rosa muttered, turning her gaze away as she tried to hide the fact that she was blushing again. The feeling of his warm body against hers and the smell of his cologne surrounding her made her almost feel light-headed.

"I am."

"Is it the alcohol, or is it just that you're not bothered by this at all?"

"Both." Levi replied. "Besides, there's no need to worry about any of this. We're just practicing, and that's it."

"Right."

"Now, relax." Levi said, a soft smile forming onto his lips.

"I'm trying to, but-" Rosa stopped mid sentence, suddenly realizing that her heart was racing in her chest. She turned her head, looking up at the man sitting next to her. When their gazes met, Rosa realized just how close they were— Close enough that she could feel his breath on her skin. There was a look in his eyes that Rosa couldn't quite decipher, and it made her shift uncomfortably in her seat.

"What's wrong?" Levi frowned, noticing the odd look on her face.

"Oh- It's… nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Y-yes. It's just- Um, it's nothing."

"If you say so." Levi shrugged, a playful smirk forming onto his lips. "Now, how about we get another round, hm?"

"Yes, that sounds great."