02 | Aftermath
When the hike ended and the group gathered at the trailhead to rest, Petra sat on a nearby log, stretching her legs carefully and savoring the sense of accomplishment from reaching the summit. She didn't notice Levi approaching until his shadow fell across her.
"You mentioned working with kids," he began, his tone direct yet calm as he slumped on the log a few inches away from her. "Let me have your number so we can coordinate."
He held out his phone to her, waiting for her to take it to type in her number. His gaze was steady and expectant, carrying a quiet intensity.
Petra blinked at him, caught off guard by his unexpected initiative and the fact that he remembered their conversation in the cave. She had planned to ask for his number before they went their separate ways, but to her surprise—and quiet gratitude—he brought it up first.
"Oh, sure," she said, her fingers fumbling slightly as she took the phone from his hand.
His gaze was fixed on her face as her thumbs tapped the numbers on the screen, steady and intent. She tried to ignore the weight of his stare. After finishing the task, she handed his phone back to him.
Nearby, Hanji and a few others paused mid-conversation, their eyes darting at the pair sitting on the nearby log. Hanji, ever the instigator, raised an eyebrow and exchanged smirks with Eld and Gunther. The unspoken exchange was clear: Levi asking for someone's number? This is rare.
"I'll text you," Levi assured, giving Petra a small, almost imperceptible nod before walking off to join the others.
"Wow," Hanji exhaled, amusement gleaming in her eyes as soon as Levi was out of earshot, sidling up to Petra with a mischievous grin. "That's unexpected."
"What is?" Petra asked, her cheeks warming as she pretended to focus on the gauze in her injured leg.
"Levi doesn't just ask for people's numbers," Hanji grinned knowingly, "Especially not like that."
Petra glanced at Hanji, shaking her head. "He's just being professional. It's about the orphanage."
"Sure it is," Hanji remarked with a smirk, dragging out the words. "It's about the orphanage." She parroted with a hint of teasing which made Petra laugh.
A week passed, and it was Saturday—Petra's art therapy day at the orphanage. The kids painted with excitement using their hands, and streaks of color splashed across Petra's auburn hair and smeared on her clothes like an abstract. She took a moment to wipe down the mess, but after that, she was obliged to freshen up and change her clothes. After a quick shower at the facility, she returned to the staff room, towel-drying her hair after putting on a dark green t-shirt and a pair of trousers that she borrowed from one of the female staff.
As she ran the towel through her damp strands, her phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number.
Are you free for coffee tomorrow? Let's talk about the orphanage.
A rush of excitement flared in her chest. Although the sender was anonymous, she knew it was the doctor from the hike. She stared at the message momentarily, her fingers hovering over the screen, as though responding immediately was the only way to seize the opportunity before it slipped away. Without hesitation, she began typing her reply.
Yes, I'm free tomorrow. What time would you like to meet?
It only took a few seconds for his reply.
10:00 am. There's a café near Paradis General Hospital. Meet me there.
She grinned, picturing his voice in her head. She chuckled softly at the thought and tapped out a quick response.
10:00 am works for me. I'll see you there!
Before she could put her phone down, the door to the staff room opened, and Oluo, one of the orphanage's social workers, walked in with a tray of coffee, his expression curious.
"What's got you smiling like that?" he inquired, setting the tray down on his desk.
Petra glanced up from her phone, still grinning. "I'm meeting Dr. Levi tomorrow."
Oluo's eyebrows shot up. "Sounds like a date to me."
Petra's eyes narrowed in mock warning. "It's about the medical mission. We're doing this for the kids."
Oluo snorted and handed her a steaming cup of coffee. "Come on, Petra! You don't have to play coy with me. You like that doctor, don't you?"
She took the cup from his hands, raising an eyebrow. "It's not like that."
He snorted, slumping in his chair. "You've been talking about him nonstop since you returned from that trip. I don't know what kind of adventure you two had, but even the older kids have started asking me who this Dr. Levi is that you keep mentioning." He gave her a knowing look as he sipped his coffee. "Pretty obvious, if you ask me."
"It's because he's a skilled doctor. And a really considerate person," she replied softly, her tone almost wistful as she remembered the times Levi had gone out of his way to help her up those steep trails during their hike.
Oluo let out a dramatic sigh, leaning in with a smirk. "Looks like someone's in love."
Petra felt her cheeks warm, but she quickly pushed the thought away. "I'm not in love".
Oluo let out a sigh of resignation. "Sure, sure. Deny it all you want. But I'm telling you, I'm not the only one who can see it."
Petra laughed, shaking her head, but inside, her heart fluttered at the idea of seeing Levi again, even if it was for work-related matters.
Petra first met Oluo at the community hospital where she had been working. Their paths crossed when he brought in a child who required psychological evaluation and support. Intrigued by the child's case, she engaged in a conversation with him, during which she learned about the challenges faced by the orphanage. He explained that many of the children there had experienced significant trauma, and there was a pressing need for a psychologist to conduct therapy sessions to help them heal and develop resilience. His words resonated deeply with Petra, who had always been passionate about working with vulnerable populations. Seeing an opportunity to extend her expertise beyond the hospital walls, she volunteered her time and skills to the orphanage, eager to make a meaningful impact on their mental health. She decided to devote her day off to the orphanage to help the children.
Sunday morning arrived, and Petra found herself standing outside the café fifteen minutes early. She'd spent an embarrassing amount of time choosing her outfit, settling on a casual but neat look: a soft green blouse, dark jeans, and flat shoes.
The café was small but inviting, tucked away in a tranquil corner of the city near the hospital. The warm glow of dim lighting and the faint hum of soft music added to its charm. Petra stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloping her as she made her way to a table by the window. She settled into her seat, her thoughts racing as she prepared for the conversation ahead.
Moments later, the bell above the door chimed softly, announcing Levi's arrival. His usual stoic expression seemed to melt ever so slightly when his eyes landed on her as her auburn hair was easy to spot. Dressed in a plain black shirt and neatly pressed dark gray trousers, he moved with quiet confidence. Petra's gaze lingered on him, drawn to the way his silver-framed glasses caught the light. His hospital ID still hung loosely around his neck, a subtle reminder of the world he'd just stepped away from.
"You're early," he remarked, pulling out a chair across from her.
As he sat down, the faint scent of rubbing alcohol wafted in the air, subtle but distinct. Petra noticed it immediately, the familiar scent tugging at her memory. She'd first caught the scent during the hike when he carried her on his back after she injured her leg—a moment she hadn't forgotten.
It wasn't unpleasant, and in a way, it felt uniquely him. Now, as they sat face-to-face, she couldn't help but wonder if he had come straight from the hospital to meet her.
Petra smiled at him warmly, her gaze unconsciously drifting over his outfit before landing on the ID still hanging around his neck. "You just finished your shift at the hospital?" she asked, her tone casual but tinged with curiosity as she took a sip of the latte she had ordered. "I hope you don't mind—I went ahead and got you something."
Levi's eyes shifted to the black coffee in front of him. His expression softened, a flicker of approval evident as he gave a small nod. "Yeah, I wrapped up my rounds earlier. Figured it made sense to meet here before heading home."
Just then, he realized he had forgotten to remove his ID before heading to the café. He was too preoccupied with endorsing the charts to the doctor taking over the next shift. With a quick motion, he slipped the ID off his neck and neatly placed it on the table.
Petra nodded, a small smirk playing on her lips, trying to be more casual. "Do you realize you always have that clinical scent about you?"
He leaned back slightly in his chair. "Is that your way of saying I smell like antiseptic?"
She laughed softly. "Hey, it's not a bad thing. You actually smell clean."
"Tch," Levi muttered, though his lips twitched as if suppressing a smile. "Better than reeking of sweat like Hanji after a hike."
Petra chuckled, setting her cup down. "I know, right?"
For a brief moment, the playful banter eased their usual seriousness. The scent of rubbing alcohol might have been ordinary to most, but to her, it was now tied to moments like this—unexpected and oddly comforting.
The real reason for their meeting started when Levi pulled out a sleek leather notebook and flipped it open.
"So, the medical mission," he began. "I'll bring a team—myself, two nurses, and a general practitioner. We'll do basic check-ups and vaccinations. I'll need you to help with organizing the makeshift clinic that we'll set up in the orphanage for the kids."
"Yes," Petra said eagerly. "Just tell me what you need, so I can coordinate with the management." With a faint smile, she added, "Some of the kids get nervous around doctors, so I will also be there to keep them calm."
Levi gave her a nod of approval. "Good. Less screaming that way."
"But you'd be surprised how brave they can be when there's a reward waiting."
"Bribery?" Levi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Motivation," she corrected, grinning.
Levi jotted something down in his notebook. "Noted. Anything else I should know about the orphanage?"
Petra's expression softened. "The kids are amazing, but some have been through a lot. Be gentle with them."
Levi's gaze met hers, and for a moment, his usual stoicism gave way to something deeper. "I know how to handle fragile things," he said quietly.
The sincerity in his voice took her off guard, but before she could respond, he straightened, returning to his usual tone. "Let's set a schedule. I'll send you the finalized plan by next week."
"Alright," Petra said with a nod, still feeling the lingering weight of his earlier words.
As the minutes passed, the conversation flowed effortlessly, shifting from one topic to another. Petra began sharing stories about the children she cared for, her eyes lighting up with warmth and passion as she spoke of their dreams, struggles, and resilience. Levi listened with genuine interest, his gaze softening as he asked thoughtful questions about her work. He learned that she was a child psychologist at a community hospital, nurturing a dream of opening her own private clinic. But life had taken a harsh turn, forcing her to abandon those plans. Instead, she had found purpose volunteering at an orphanage, determined to gain deeper experience and stay true to her advocacy for children in need. In return, he recounted tales from his own missions and shared that he was postponing plans to open his own clinic. His dry humor slipped in at unexpected moments, catching Petra off guard and making her laugh.
As they finished their coffee, they wrapped up their discussion and agreed on a schedule for setting up the makeshift clinic at the orphanage. Everything felt more clear, and there was a sense of anticipation about what was to come.
When they stepped out of the café, Levi turned to her. "Are you heading home?"
"Yeah, I don't have anything else planned today,"
He gave a small nod. "I'll drive you."
She blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, you don't have to. I can—"
"It's fine," he interrupted, already walking toward a nearby black sedan. "I'm parked close."
She hesitated for a moment, knowing her prying neighbors from her apartment (Mrs. Kirschtein and Mrs. Braun whom the tenants called 'Aunt Karina') would undoubtedly notice and start asking questions later. But declining felt unnecessary—and, if she was honest, she didn't really want to.
"Okay," she agreed softly, following him to the car.
He opened the passenger door for her, and she felt a little flustered by the gesture.
As they merged into the steady flow of traffic, a comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the hum of the engine. After a few moments, Petra turned slightly toward him and spoke. "Do you still keep in touch with the hikers?"
Levi kept his eyes on the road. "I actually work with Eld and Gunther at the hospital," his tone was light. "They're nurses. You wouldn't guess it at first glance, would you?" He glanced at her briefly before continuing, "By the way, they said you did really well on the hike."
Petra smiled. "That's nice of them. It was mostly because you and Hanji kept encouraging me."
Levi glanced at her briefly. "You made it to the summit because you're determined. Even that brat who hit his head managed to make it up there alive."
"Eren?" she asked, stifling a laugh.
"Yeah, him. That reckless kid."
Petra chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Well, he had you there to look out for him."
Levi let out a sigh, remembering his cousin Mikasa hovering over him like a hawk while he stitched up Eren's head at the cave. Her overprotectiveness had turned what should've been a simple task into a frustrating challenge. Even now, just thinking about her constant watching left him unimpressed. At least once the job was done, they all went their separate ways. He'd told her to take good care of Eren, or he'd 'stitch him up for good,' which only annoyed Mikasa even more.
Soon, the car pulled up in front of Petra's apartment complex. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to him. "Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it."
Levi met her gaze, holding it for just a moment longer than she expected. She thought he might say something, but instead, he remained silent.
"I live on the second floor. Unit 7—" she started to say but stopped herself, realizing there was no reason to share that. She wanted to kick herself mentally for running her mouth impulsively.
"I know. I live next door."
Her eyes widened. "Wait, what? You're my new neighbor?"
"Looks like it," he replied simply, his tone casual as if he already knew it.
Petra couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, what are the odds?"
"Pretty low, I'd say."
She stepped out of the car, grabbing her handbag. "Well, welcome to the neighborhood, I guess," she said with a grin.
Levi nodded. "Thanks. If our nosy neighbors give you trouble, let me know. I'm good at shutting people up."
Petra laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
He stepped out of the car as well, locking it behind him.
They walked together in silence, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoing in the quiet afternoon. When they reached the second floor, Petra paused in front of Unit 7. She hesitated, glancing at Levi, who had stopped just a few feet away at Unit 6.
He reached for his keys, unlocking his door with practiced ease. "If you need anything, just knock," he said over his shoulder.
"Same goes for you," she replied warmly, her heart still fluttering from the unexpected turn of events.
As she stepped into her apartment, she leaned against the closed door, a grin tugging at her lips. The day had taken an interesting turn, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't have anticipated.
Over the next few days, the fact that Levi lived next door subtly began to weave its way into her routine. Once, she passed him on the stairs, he was balancing a grocery bag of cleaning materials in one hand and his phone in the other as he spoke to someone on the other end of the line. She caught fragments of his words—prescription, child, ward—and surmised he was speaking with a colleague from the hospital.
It wasn't just fleeting encounters, though. Levi seemed genuinely invested in the orphanage project, frequently checking in with her about the children. His interest wasn't just talk either—he sent Eld and Gunther to the orphanage to deliver the medical equipment needed to set up the makeshift clinic on their agreed schedule.
The two men had heard Levi mention the project often enough during their shifts to know it was something important to him. So, when the opportunity arose, they volunteered to pitch in, eager to help bring the plan to reality.
"Hey, Petra. How's life treating you?" Eld asked as he entered the room at the orphanage, offering Petra a fist bump.
She met his fist with a grin. "Better than when you guys first saw me on that hike."
Gunther, unloading a box of supplies onto the table, gave her an appraising look. "You do seem a lot brighter than you did three weeks ago."
Petra chuckled, a touch of self-awareness in her voice. "Turns out therapy works wonders for the whole depression thing."
Eld began arranging some equipment and shot her a curious look. "So, when's the next hike?"
Before Petra could answer, a sharp knock at the door turned their heads. Oluo stepped in, balancing a box of medicine cups in one hand.
"Hold up—did I just hear this right? Petra went on a hike?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and teasing, his smirk bordering on smug. "Is that the trip that you've been keeping from me and the kids?"
Petra planted her hands on her hips and fixed him with a mock glare. "Yes! And I didn't tell you because I knew you'd roast me until your tongue fell off."
Oluo grinned, unfazed. "Fair enough. Still, I'm dying to hear this story… except the Doctor Levi things."
Petra rolled her eyes but couldn't quite hide her smile. "Get in line, Oluo. It's a long one."
Gunther smirked as he set up a station, turning to Petra. "Well, if you hadn't joined that hike, you wouldn't have met Dr. Levi. Not to mention your neighbor boy who convinced you to go so his mother would approve of him joining."
Petra glanced at him. "You mean Jean?"
Gunther nodded. "Yeah, that boy who couldn't stop arguing with the other one—you know, the brat who managed to smack his own head on a rock. Dr. Levi thought their endless bickering was beyond annoying."
Petra laughed at the memory of Eren and Jean's relentless bickering over the most trivial things. The way they could turn even the smallest disagreement into a full-blown argument was almost impressive. What made it even funnier was how Levi had eventually lost his patience, calmly picking up a twig and giving each of them a sharp swat on the backside to put an end to their endless banter.
"They looked so shocked," she recalled as her laughter bubbled up again.
The memory of their stunned silence, followed by Jean muttering something about 'cruel and unusual punishment' under his breath, only made her laugh harder. Even Levi's unimpressed expression as he dropped the twig and walked away without a word was etched clearly in her mind. It was such a Levi thing to do—quietly effective, with no room for nonsense.
Oluo snorted, helping Eld set up the pediatric exam table. "If that's the case, Dr. Levi must be terrible with youngsters."
Petra's laughter stopped abruptly at Oluo's snide remark. Crossing her arms, she fixed him with a pointed glare. "You haven't even met him, Oluo. Stop judging."
Eld and Gunther exchanged amused glances, smirking at how quick Petra was to defend Levi.
Oluo let out a heavy sigh, his frustration unmistakable. "For three weeks, all I've heard from you is how skilled and considerate that doctor is. But he went and punished the youngsters with a twig? Doesn't sound so considerate to me after all. I don't think I can trust the orphans with him."
Gunther grinned, leaning against the supply table. "Bet you ten bucks, Oluo, that when you finally meet Dr. Levi, he'll prove you wrong."
Oluo smirked. "It's on. But don't cry when I'm right. Not all doctors are really good in dealing with kids."
Eld shook his head, laughing. "I'm not sure if I'm more excited to see Dr. Levi interact kindly with the kids or to watch Oluo eat his words."
Gunther smirked, the excitement in his eyes palpable.
By the time Petra returned home that evening, it was later than usual. After a long day helping set up the clinic and conducting psychotherapy sessions for children with trauma, exhaustion weighed heavily on her. Her shoulders slumped as she climbed the stairs to her apartment, every step a reminder of the toll the day had taken.
As she reached the second floor, she paused to catch her breath, only to notice a familiar figure standing quietly in the hallway. Levi was leaning casually against the railing across Unit 6, a faint swirl of steam rising from the mug in his hand.
When he glanced at her, his tone was calm, almost matter-of-fact, as he asked, "Long day?"
"You have no idea," Petra sighed, walking towards him. "A few of the kids refused to do their homework, so I had to give them an impromptu lesson in patience after the session."
Levi huffed softly, his lips twitching in faint amusement. "Sounds like you're running a circus."
"Pretty much," she replied, leaning against the railing next to him. "What about you? Busy saving the world today?"
He gave her a small shrug. "Just a few check-ups." But his eyes flickered to her face again. "You want tea or coffee? You look like you could use a break."
Petra blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the offer. "Oh, um... tea sounds nice."
Without a word, Levi turned to unlock his door, and disappeared inside. A few moments later, he returned with a steaming mug of tea.
"Here." He handed it to her, his fingers brushing hers briefly.
"Thanks," she murmured, her cheeks warming slightly.
As she sipped the tea, they stood together in companionable silence.
"You must be good with kids," Petra said after a while.
Levi sipped on his mug before he spoke. "They're easier to deal with than adults most of the time. No pretense."
She gave him a knowing smiled, studying him. "You know what, I think you're not as grumpy as you seem."
He raised an eyebrow, his tone dry. "Grumpy, my ass."
Her laughter bubbled out, soft but genuine, echoing lightly in the quiet hallway. For a fleeting moment, Levi's usually guarded expression softened, and a small, genuine smile crossed his face.
"Eld and Gunther started setting up the equipment this morning," she tried to steer the conversation to the project they've been working together. "They're fun to be around."
Levi gave a small nod, his demeanor returning to its usual stoicism. "Yeah. And reliable. Always have been. Did the supplies arrive in good condition?"
"Yeah, everything's in place. The makeshift clinic is almost ready, and the kids are excited. Eld and Gunther even managed to get some of them laughing while setting up the exam tables. They also helped with designing the walls with stickers. It's nice to see them like that."
Levi's gaze softened slightly, though his voice remained steady. "That's good. They need that—stability, laughter. It makes a difference."
Petra studied him for a moment, her curiosity getting the better of her. "You care about this a lot, don't you?"
He met her eyes, his tone quieter now. "I've seen what happens when kids don't get the help they need. If I can do something to stop that, I will."
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of his words settling between them. Petra felt a newfound respect for him—not just as a doctor, but as someone who genuinely cared.
She offered him a small smile. "Well, you're making a difference. The kids already feel it. Most of them are beaming with excitement."
Levi looked away, almost uncomfortably. "I'm just doing my job."
"Sure you are," she said, her tone light but knowing.
Before he could reply, a sudden loud thud echoed from downstairs, followed by the unmistakable sound of Jean and Eren's bickering voices.
"Not again," Petra groaned, shaking her head.
Levi's eyes narrowed as he set down his mug. "Do I need to grab another twig?"
Petra burst out laughing, the image of Levi chasing the two boys with a twig too vivid to ignore.
Levi shook his head. "Looks like the youngsters are staging an overnight downstairs."
"Yeah, seems like it," Petra replied, leaning against the railing with a small smile. "I saw Mikasa and Armin earlier with bags full of chips and sodas. Looks like Mrs. Kirschtein thought it'd be a good idea for them to spend the night with Jean at their place."
Levi arched an eyebrow. "That woman's braver than most. Putting Jean, Eren, and snacks under the same roof sounds like asking for trouble."
Petra laughed softly. "Don't forget your cousin. She'll keep them in line—or at least try to."
Levi let out a low huff of amusement. "Maybe. Though from what I've seen, Mikasa spends half her time just watching Eren doing something stupid and the other half tending after him like a babysitter."
The sound of laughter and muffled shouting filtered up the stairwell, and Petra shook her head with a fond smile. "At least they're having fun. It's nice to see them act like regular kids."
Levi glanced toward the direction of the noise, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. They deserve that much."
Petra glanced at him, her curiosity piqued. "You're full of surprises, you know that?"
Levi's eyes shifted back to her, one eyebrow raising slightly. "Don't get used to it."
Petra smirked. "Too late."
For a moment, they stood there in comfortable silence, the muffled chaos downstairs serving as a reminder of the world's little joys. There was an unspoken understanding forming between them—a connection that went beyond casual neighbors.