I'm here, aren't I? I'm celebrating.

[ nnnnnot really. he is drinking, sort of, but that's as far as he's going to go. ]

[ Ohhh, Levi. She really should have seen that coming and her first response is to laugh awkwardly. ]

I suppose so, yes. I'll just stay here with you then if you don't mind.

Why don't you get out there? [ levi's tone is less abrasive than before; even he acknowledges that it's a good opportunity to socialize. ] You don't have to stay with me over here.

Because you would be alone then. [ there are a couple of other reasons, too, but petra is just going to keep those to herself for the moment. ]

And what's wrong with that?

[ but for real, levi's fine with being alone. ]

I'm sure you'd rather talk to... those people. We spend enough time together already.

Sometimes I would prefer to be alone with you. Most of the time, everyone else is around too. N-Not that I don't like them, but...

[ Sometimes it feels better to have some one on one time. ]

[ levi is about to wave it off, just snort and dismiss it—but he's known petra for long enough and well enough to see when she's being really honest about something. ]

Are you sure you really like being around me?

[ he's still skeptical about it, of course. ]

Yeah, I do.

[ She pauses for a moment, almost like she's thinking carefully about what she will say next. ]

... It's nice, a good chance of pace if you ask me.

Coming back with more people alive?

[ levi presses the rim of his mug against his lip and raises his eyebrows. ]

Yeah. It's unfortunate that not everyone has come back, but this is still a big improvement!

[ a wonderful reason to celebrate. if they had lost any more, then she's sure that they wouldn't be drinking and enjoying themselves like this. ]

Yeah. [ levi takes a sip of his beer, more slowly this time. ] Hopefully next time... it won't be worse.

[ that's all they can expect. ]

The more experience we get together, the strong everyone will be. [ Because no doubt that they'll be even better as a team. ]

I guess so. [ levi's repeating himself a little bit, but he doesn't want to commit. ]

But we need to work on other team stuff. You all argue too much.

[ Flustered, Petra opens her mouth to speak and it does sink in that he's right.

She was about to deny it and argue back. ]

I'm not sure if it can be really helped sometimes.

They can help being dumb.

[ petra's not dumb. usually. ]

It's mostly Oluo.

[ She'll admit that without any hesitation. ]

[ levi snorts a laugh, bringing his beer up to his mouth again. ]

I'll drink to that.

[ It's nice to see him agree and she can hardly contain a smile, causing her to take a sip in order to hide it. ]

Heh, is that so?

He'd be pissed if he saw you laughing about it.

[ though levi's still smiling a little to himself. for his definition of smiling, that is. being around petra just makes him feel more relaxed all around. ]

Probably, but...

[ Petra leans closer to him, maybe a little closer then expected but what she has to say is done in a low voice. ] It'll be our secret, right?

[ for once, levi doesn't lean away when petra moves closer. he turns slightly to face her, smiling faintly. ]

Yeah.

[ their faces are awfully close together now. ]

[ That's no big deal, right? Being this close to him.

Wrong. It is or at least it's enough to make Petra lean back a little as her cheeks flush red. ]

Thank you.

[ had petra had that much to drink? levi tilts his head to the side, a bit curious, and follows when she leans back. ]

Something wrong?

No, of course not.

I just wanted to give you some space. You know, personal space. [ Totally a lame cover. ]

You don't give me personal space most of the time.

[ and levi doesn't mind that as much as he might with others. at least petra keeps pretty clean. ]

Well, maybe I want to give you some this time.

[ which is a white lie. it's more for her own benefit. ]

[ levi's not blind, and even if he doesn't have the most relationship experience... he can sense that there's something odd about petra, especially tonight.

the alcohol may be helping things along somewhat. ]

You don't have to.

Huh?

[ She can't tell if she's actually a little surprised, or her nerves are making her surprise. It's probably her nerves. ] Well, if you say so.

[ She'll move a little closer now. ]