Just published the first chapter to my new rivetra fic, with some help from my grumpy buddy. He says you should give it a read.
Link:
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Prior to the creation of The Special Operations Squad, Petra and Levi meet in line at the tea store almost every week. After constantly running into each other, Levi finally asks her out.
Rating: G
Word Count: 600
Thanks for the prompt! I'm dusting off the old writing cobwebs, so it's a bit rusty.
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Levi tapped his foot against the wood floor. He checked the clock above the cashier for the fifth time in the past minute, the ticking sound becoming more and more grating as the seconds passed. He timed his heel with the beat, counting how long it would for his tea to cool to an acceptable temperature, all while staring at the clock, waiting for the minute hand to hit the thirty mark.
The chimes of the door jingled, and instantly, Levi turned, a wash of relief enveloped him as he caught sight of a familiar ginger. She waved as she took off her mittens, her scarf covering half her face, and Levi’s eyes remained fixed on her while she ordered her usual.
“Chai tea latte with a splash of milk, thanks!”
His black Earl Gray steamed in front of him, the chilly air creating dancing vapors, and Levi swallowed. Relief turned into anxiety and the clock seemed too loud, and he wanted to hide in the muffled murmurs of the other patrons.
“They said it would take a minute,” Petra said, sliding into the seat across from him. Her usual spot. Their usual spot of the past six months, Levi’s table of nearly two years until she chatted him up, noticing that he ordered tea at the same time as her. He came here every afternoon, and she only on Fridays due to her student schedule and budget.
Without prompting, Petra started talking about her day, her classmates that Levi had become familiar with and was able to follow by name, and complained about the weather. He agreed it was frigid, preferring the springtime himself, another thing they agreed upon.
“Order for Petra!” the barista called.
“That’s me!”
In the short seconds that Petra took from the table to the counter, Levi’s heart hammered in his chest. He deserved good things. He deserved to have a life outside of the Scouts. That’s what Erwin said, what Hange teased him about. He was content as long as he had three square meals and a roof over his head. At least that’s what he thought until he met her. Now all he could think about were her smiles, counting down the days till Friday, and making mental lists of things to talk about. Despite his high rank in the military, he admitted his life was painfully boring when he wasn’t fighting Titans. Petra volunteered at soup kitchens, knitted in her spare time, and was working on a degree in physical therapy. She had friends, a family that encouraged her, and most notably absent, a boyfriend.
Was he too old for her? She didn’t seem to mind, enjoying his preludes on life, his offbeat bluntness.
When she returned, scooting her chair back just an inch to not impede on the couple behind them, she had barely raised the cup to her lips when he blurted out, “Do you want to get dinner?”
A small smile crept up on Petra’s lips. “It’s lunchtime.”
Levi crossed his arms. “I know. I meant tomorrow. Or next week. Or…shit, I’m doing this all wrong.” He paused, resisting the urge to clear his throat like an idiot, and gathered his words. “I like you.” Not much better, but he got his point across.
Petra’s eyes glimmered. “Levi Ackerman, are you asking me out?”
“I am.”
She sucked in a breath like she was waiting for this moment, but an air of melancholy clouded her disposition.
“It doesn’t have to be here,” Levi added quickly. “I know a place in Trost and—“ He cut himself off, realizing how presumptuous he was being, but Petra eased his worry with a brush of her soft hands.
“It’s not that. I like you too, Levi.” And a beautiful blush peppered her freckles. Her gaze turned serious, her voice just low enough so that only the two of them could hear. “I’m joining the Scouts. I leave for training in a month.”
If Levi could pick a time for a Titan to swallow him whole, this would be it.
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