forever dreaming

Just wanted to give a little update on the fanfics and drabbles I'm currently working on. I don't have a set date on when to release them, but I do have them mostly done so I should at least release a few in the next couple of days or weeks.

I've been finding it difficult to put a timeline to my writing as it makes me feel rushed and as if my work is more of a deadline instead of something I enjoy for myself. Sorry if I let anyone down or disappointed anyone because of that. I'll try to make up for it with the works I'm working on.

Here's a list and small description of the works I'm writing currently:

Royalty AU: Levi and Hange are the crown royals of their respective nations. But because of a treaty set by their ancestors, they're forced to marry each other as a sign of peace. Only problem being, they absolutely hate each other.

Tea Shop AU: Levi is a co-owner of a tea shop with his friend Erwin. Thanks to Erwin, Hange had been hired to work with them due to her financial strains as she awaits a research position at the nearby university. It becomes a daily thing where Hange flirts up Levi, trying to get him to accept a date from her, but Levi thinks it's just Hange trying to annoy him and rejects her every time. And it becomes too late when he realizes Hange had been honest about her feelings the whole time.

Childhood Friends Turned Strangers: Where neighborhood best friends Levi and Hange become estranged after Hange overhears Levi saying he wished he didn't become friends with Hange.

Memory Loss: After a fight between Levi and Hange, and a very bad expedition outside the walls, Hange ends up losing her memories, and specially those revolving around Levi, who she doesn't recall meeting at all. Levi tries to figure out his new place in Hange's life when she doesn't hold the same sentiments towards him as before.

Marley Suits: The origin story of Hange's suit worn in Marley. The idea that Levi was actually the one who chose it for her, and their backstory revolving his choice.

Writing Lessons: After Levi came into the Survey Corps, Hange was tasked with teaching him to read and write. They start communicating through diaries and develop a deep connection through them.

Tea Company: Levi is the vice president of a tea company. He hires Hange as a researcher to further their tea leaves production but can't seem to get along with the brunette. Hange eventually teaches him that his methods of treating employees and prioritizing monetary gains is not the best way to live life.

Black Tea is Fine Chapter 14: Hange and Levi finally express their feelings for each other. Only problem is, not everyone agrees with their happiness.

Truth be told, I have so many ideas but neither my schedule nor my my mind have the capacity to sit down and work through it all. I'm really hoping to at least put some out soon. Thank you for all the love and hope you'll enjoy the stories once they're out.

Thank you so much for the request! This is my first headcanon request so I tried to make it as perfect as possible! Also, bear with me because I got overexcited with the ask, and instead of the point form HC formulation I should've followed, I may or may not have thought up their whole freaking backstory... and their follow up story... Oops. I won't post it here today, but I do think I will make it a separate post some other day if anyone is interested enough. Either way, thank you so much and I hope you enjoy!

AO3 link: 💚💜

I like to think that even in modern AU, Hange would still have her cheery personality, but instead of obsessing over Titans, she'd be more interested in microbes (I know, transition between giants to microorganisms, LOL). She'd still be interested in saving humanity, but more in the bacterial and medical kind of field instead.

Levi on the other hand, no longer having to be a soldier, he'd happily run the tea shop he'd always wanted right next to his best friends Isabel and Furlan.

The two met on a subway ten years ago on Levi's first day of work in the city. Where an unfortunate mix up of personal belongings caused by clashing into each other got them acquainted and familiar with each other. Despite the unfortunate meeting and the roller coaster of events that unfolded from their collision, it eventually became a pleasant story to tell their friends or at parties when asked how they met.

They were complete opposites of each other. Hange loved the outdoors while Levi preferred staying at home. She was loud and upbeat while he preferred silence and tranquility. Hanger had a habit of being free willed and letting her spontaneity take her, while Levi liked to have everything planned and set before getting into anything

And it wasn't just their preferences that differed, it was every aspect of themselves. Their life choices and ways of thinking were drastically opposing. Even the way they disagreed on what they wanted to eat for dinner caused heated discussion when brought up, as Hange would pick sweets for dinner instead of something sustainable like Levi wanted.

They were complete and utterly the opposite of each other. And while everything pointed to them not working out and onlookers put their money on their relationship ending in a messy breakup, they proved everyone wrong every time with how much their bond only grew stronger overtime. And how their loving partnership became more and more obvious the more time spent around them, erasing any doubts they had about the couple.

Yes, they fought occasionally, and they drove each other absolutely insane. But their differences also brought them out of each other's shells, together experiencing new things they would've never seen without the other otherwise. They saw the world in a different light through each other's eyes, and came to love the new combined word they created together. Because with being opposites of each other, it also meant they filled each other's holes and missing pieces. Almost like creating a stained glass window meant to be clear with splashes of purples and greens instead. Creating an accidental masterpiece that came to be adored by those lucky enough to bask under the kaleidoscope of colours in their inner chapel. Bathing those closest to them with the deep love they had for each other.

Throughout the years of getting to know each other, they found a way to put their differences away, and somehow managed to build up their relationship status to best friends. So much so that Isabel and Furlan, Levi's childhood friends complained about being replaced so quickly. Although, in all considerations, it felt to Levi like he was the one being replaced by Hange instead with the way his friends loved her. Hell, even his mother and uncle seemed to love her more than him.

"Welcome home, runt. Where's Hange? I wanted to discuss about the new wine she mentioned to me last time." His uncle would say when he'd visit.

"Oh Hange! I've made your favourite pudding!" His mother would greet, throwing herself at his girlfriend before she caught sight of her own son staring at them with a roll of his eyes. "Oh, Levi! Nice to see you too of course."

Contrary to his grumbles and complains about Hange being overburdened by his family every time she visited, he couldn't help but feel his heart beat happily at knowing the love of his life was accepted by his family, and that they loved her as much as he did himself. Having the two most important parts of his life get along was all he cared about.

Despite having known each other for ten years, having met when Levi was 26 and Hange 24, they didn't start dating until... well that was a mystery of its own as they themselves didn't really know when they started dating. Not fully at least.

Somewhere along the years of their friendship the lines blurred, and they somehow ended up with the shocking, yet not surprising realization that they were and had been dating each other for a while. But the way they realized it and came to terms with it wasn't an easy one. When Levi finally came to terms that he harboured feelings for his best friend, he initially thought that Hange had feelings for someone else. And he could only put up with the unbearable pain he went through when he overheard Moblit mention to Nifa that Hange couldn't meet with them for a work dinner because she had a date already.

So one can only imagine his surprise when Hange showed up with a smile at his shop door on Saturday, greeting him and his workers as happily as ever. Even throwing herself at him for a hug like she always did whenever she visited. A hug that would be considered too personal and close for two individuals that were only considered friends. But not once during her whole afternoon spent there did she mention anything about meeting up with anyone else, but the suspense was absolutely killing Levi by the point the clock struck half an hour to dinner time.

But Hange continued being her usual self. Greeting new and old clients alike as if she'd been friends with them for ages. Making a complete mess of his usual clean counters only to be scolded off by Levi to go to the corner and read instead, and even teasing him about random things like she always did. All the while being completely unaware of the turmoil and the pain Levi felt at thinking about how he would have to hide his feelings and having to pretend to be happy for Hange being with someone that wasn't him the rest of their live. It was becoming an unbearable and depressing Saturday to say the least. His mood only soured more as Hange still acted all upbeat and nonchalant as ever. Not once having brought up her dating life to him, despite being her so called bestie. And it brought about this ugly feeling of disbelief and jealousy out of him that he'd never experienced before.

As nighttime fell over the streets, Levi finally broke his silence and lashed out at her bitterly, asking why she was hanging out with him when she already had plans with someone else.

And out of all ways she could've reacted to his interrogation, being laughed at was something he didn't expect.

"But Levi, YOU are my date." She finally gasped, having finally gained the capacity to breathe again after having laughed at his question.

"Huh? How am I your date, fucking Four- Eyes. We never made plans for anything. Besides, I overheard your coworkers talk about you meeting someone instead of eating with them... How can I be considered your date?"

Hange tilted her head, amusement flowing in her brown eyes as she caught the usual poised and self-assured raven-haired individual lose his composure. "Huh... But I thought we've been dating for while now, Shorty. I've even been referring to you as my boyfriend to my friends and coworkers for the last few months."

Turns out, her date was none other than Levi. And her idea of a date was hanging out with him at his tea shop on the weekend like she's been doing the last five years. And Levi, as clueless to feelings as ever, never put two and two together.

The whirring of machine cogs and espresso machines filled the silence between them as Levi processed whatever Hange had just said.

"The fuck?! You can't simply just call me your boyfriend when I haven't even been aware of us dating this whole time!" He finally retaliated, throwing the rag in his hands onto the tabletop.

Hange giggled, noticing the reds on his cheeks. It wasn't a no, she could read from his eyes. "I like you too, Shorty. So? Are we officially dating now?"

"You better make up for the last few months I've been out of loop of my own relationship."

They ended up adopting a black goldfish adorably named One-Eyed Moody after the professor of the dark arts from the Harry Potter series for the fact it was both very moody and in fact, one eyed. Levi had reluctantly agreed to let Hange get a pet for their apartment once they had moved in together after a year of dating. He expected her to get a cat, a big dog, or a lizard for all he knew. Although he made it very clear the last one were on the black list.

Instead, Hange had found One-Eyed Moody on a cart ready to be discarded off at the pet shop. Having instantly connected with it, she begged Levi to get it. And with a heavy sigh, he couldn't say no. Mind you, it was pretty much dead at that point, but through endless observation and whatever mutated food concoction Hange whipped up, it came back to life in a matter of weeks. And in turn, Levi had somewhat grown attached to it. Hange liked to joke that it was their baby and it resembled them both in some ways.

Their days spent together were a blend of their interests mixed into one. When Hange wanted to settle down and read, Levi would do skin care for both of them to make use of their time. All the while Hange reading aloud the words from her book so Levi could listen as well. When Levi wanted to clean the house, Hange knew better than to lend a hand as he was peculiar in his ways. So instead she'd make some tea for both of them and cook dinner for a famished Levi by the end of his cleaning session. On days Hange felt like watching a documentary on bugs or microbes, Levi would lay his head on her lap as she brushed her fingers through his locks. The soothing motion letting him get some shut eye he usually never got due to his insomnia.

Hange had a habit of working overtime, and sometimes even staying overnight at her lab. On days like these Levi would pack up some sweets from his shop and some warm tea and bring them to her office as he kept her company. On the off days Hange had a day off, she'd use it to help around in Levi's shop. Chatting up customers and bringing a bright feeling to the atmosphere. Levi absolutely adored watching her laugh and interact with regulars from behind the counter. Although he'd never voice these thoughts aloud. But it wasn't needed, as his employees, Jean, Sasha, and Connie all make kissy faces to each other whenever they caught Levi glancing a little too long at his partner.

Levi didn't like to admit it, but most of his photos on his phone were of candid pictures of Hange. But not the flattering ones most boyfriends take of their girlfriends that are Instagram worthy. No, most of them were completely unflattering. Many consisting of Hange snoring with her mouth wide open, of her laying in a pile of dirt after having chased a squirrel. Of Hange throwing a middle finger to the camera after being caught without caffeine early in the morning, or even of her snorting in laughter after something funny Erwin had told them during one of their get togethers.

He was absolutely infatuated with her. With her quirks and her being. He was in love with Hange Zoe.

And similarly, Hange kept a record of all the plants and bouquets Levi gave her over the years. A collection of pressed flowers and dried leaves from every flora and fauna he'd ever gifted her. Because as much as she loved flowers, she loved more the effort gone into picking a different flower each time they had a celebration. Because as Levi had once told her, she was so unique that not one flower could ever describe her, and that he could never tie her down to one specific plant.

Normal dates like going to the mall or watching movies before dinner on a weekend weren't their thing. Instead, beach dates in mid freezing February nights, stargazing spontaneously on a random Wednesday night, running around the fields of the neighbourhood Hange grew in during summer afternoons, hiding from thugs after trespassing someone's property to take a look at the size of a wasp's nest, ending with the nest falling to the ground and its inhabitants swarming around the local outlaws on a spring morning... All were chaotic memories that belonged only to them. Those were the kind of dates they had.

They never had to verbally express their admiration or love for each other openly. Or make it everyone's business to know that they were together because they had upmost trust in their partnership and relationship without having to project it to the world in a fright of being misunderstood. Both knowing perfectly well how much they cared and loved each other in the small gestures they shared: The little brush of fingertips as they greeted each other goodbye before work. In the way they worked in sync when working together on a project for their new home. Of how they made love to each other in the warm embrace of each other, blinds closed and moans silenced between their interexchange of kisses. Making their love known only between themselves. It never became a pressing matter having everyone else know their business or feeling the need to explain their relationship to others. In the end, their actions spoke louder than words, and everyone could tell that they had the upmost trust in their relationship.

But in the calmness and safety of their bubble, eventually doubt would emerge, and leak a hole in their safe haven, no matter how much effort they put into keeping it afloat.

Hange absolutely loved and had a strange fascination for energy drinks infused in coffee, the ones that had 10 times the amount than should be allowed by any manufacturers or allowed to pass inspections. So much so that she'd stop by the convenience store on the corner of their apartment every time she came back from work. Bringing with her at least 10 cans with her.

Levi, despite his eye rolls and grumbles about over caffeination and annoyance at having a bunch of empty cans to constantly recycle, still got them for her whenever he passed by on his way from the tea store nonetheless. Loving and having a soft spot for the way Hange's eyes lit up and the way she threw herself at him every time he brought it for her.

Due to their different time schedules they never got to meet up to shop together, but nonetheless they each become regulars in the little shop for the drinks Hange so badly craved.

It was one day that Hange came back, a look of complete defeat on her face as she slummed against the door that Levi understood something was wrong. That, and the fact her hands were empty of her usual drinks.

"Finally figured out you were consuming poison?" Levi questioned as he started unclasping her shoes, carefully placing them on the shoe rack.

Shaking her head sadly, Hange sighed. "No... they hiked up the prices again. I know we're tight on money so I can't go buying five dollar coffee from the convenience store anymore... I guess I'll just have to settle for the stale decaf coffee they have at the office."

"Tch... don't exaggerate, Four-Eyes. The drinks were never more than two bucks." Levi muttered, taking her jacket off and placing it on the hanger.

Hange's brows furrowed. "Two bucks? When have they ever been that cheap? I've always been paying four fifty."

"Huh? What fucking store have you been to? It's been two fifty since we've moved here." Levi grumbled, flicking his finger over her forehead.

The topic brought on an argument that lasted the whole night over who was right and wrong. And it only settled when they both agreed to go to the store the following day together. Luckily it was a national holiday and neither had to go to work.

The following day, in typical Hange fashion, she'd forgotten to feed One-Eyed Moody. Refusing to leave the house without feeding him first, she told Levi to go on first, and that she'd meet him in the store.

But what she found as she entered the familiar shop was something she'd never expected. The usually bored clerk was suddenly chirpy and chatting up no other than her boyfriend. Levi on the other hand, seemed quite discontented from the conversation, but kept adding a word or two in politeness.

Suddenly catching his girlfriend's gaze, Levi started raising his hand to signal her over, when Hange crossed her hands in front of her, shaking her head vigorously as she unlinked and relinked her arms in the cross motion, signaling behind the cashier's back for Levi to not blow her cover.

Confused at her sudden antics, he furrowed his brows, but did as instructed, following Hange's pointed look to the cooler housing her favourite drinks before she mouthed "cashier, go pay for them!".

It was only after he exited the store ten whole minutes later, an annoyed look on his face that Hange finally pounced on him.

"So?"

"So what? You left me to listen to that girl talk about bad dates alone for ten minutes. Here's your stupid drinks." Levi grumbled, throwing the plastic bag into her arms.

Shaking her head, Hange stopped him from walking towards their home's direction. "NO! I meant, how much did you pay?"

"Ah... like I said, two bucks each." He said, annoyance still laced in his words.

And that's when it clicked for Hange. "Ah huh! I knew it! Levi! She's into you! She's been giving you a discount in order to get you to pay attention to her! She's been flirting with you this whole time!"

And instead of how a typical girlfriend would act after having found out their boyfriend was being hit on by someone else, Hange looked absolutely elated.

"Why you so happy about that? Are you not afraid that I'll reciprocate her someday?"

Of course they both knew he was kidding. The bond and love they shared with each other, despite being subtle, was very much irreplaceable.

"Because, it means that from now on, I get to stock up on my favourite drinks at a nice price!"

"Tch... you don't even know if she actually lowered the price, Four-eyes. Maybe you got charged extra by accident."

But having stepped into the store and bringing back a drink with her, Hange had confirmed for both of them all they needed to know.

And so, that day forward, it became their little secret. Levi would get Hange her drinks at a discounted price because of a crush the cashier had on him.

At first everything seemed alright, but slowly as time progressed, Levi seemed more distant and dejected every time he returned from the store. Hange seemed to pick up on his change of mood, but wasn't sure what was causing it. So instead she watched on in silence as Levi's presence became more and more cold.

Unsure of how to bring it up, she watched silently, until eventually Levi was the first to bring it up.

"Hange... are you okay with someone else hitting on me? Are you fine of having others perceiving me as single?" Levi asked suddenly one night. They were doing their usual pre-bed night routine as Levi prepped their ten stepped skin care for both of them. Hange resting her head on his lap, a book open in front of her.

"Hm? No... Should I be?" She asked, her eyes still glued to the words on the pages before her.

Levi's hands stilled completely, bringing a silence over them following Hange's words.

"No... nothing." He muttered finally, getting up. "I'm done. Don't go to bed too late." He said before walking towards their shared bedroom, his face concealed by the dark room.

At first Hange sat there in confusion. What was up with him and his weird questions? She thought about going to him and getting an answer out of him, but as her gaze fell over the bottles of her favourite drink sitting by the doorstep, realization fell over her. And her heart shattered.

The following day, Levi was doing the usual run. Head downcast and eyes unfocused, he forced on a smile that didn't reach his eyes as the cashier continued telling him something he assumed was supposed to be funny.

"Anyways, that'd be ten dollars."

The usual conversation... the usual dissociation... the same dull pain he felt at pretending to be interested in someone he had no feelings for.

"If you're free, I've been thinking... maybe we can get to know each other outside of the sto-"

As Levi started handing over the bill, already coming up with a plausible excuse to not go on a date, a hand suddenly stopped him, pulling him back.

"Sorry, I think you've got the wrong price! The price tag reads five dollars for a drink, and we got five of them here. I think- I think you might be undercharging us!" A bright voice chirped out of breath.

"Hange?" Levi asked surprised, turning to see the mess of a woman before him. She was absolutely out of breath, her lab coat was still on her figure, where a bunch of stains of various unnatural colours painted the once white cloth, and worse of all, she had goggles over her glasses, and that wasn't counting the pair that hung from her neck or the one on her forehead.

"Sorry I'm late. Work took longer to finish than I thought." She puffed out, throwing him a wide smile.

The cashier cleared her throat, noticing the gaze between them, not liking how close they seemed. "Uh... I'm sure I put the price right... I'll go check on the price tags after I ring this customer." She said as she turned back to Levi, her eyes still turning to take a look at Hange. "Don't worry about it, pay the usual price you pay."

But before she could continue, Hange inserted herself once more. "No need! I've got the rest of the money here." She said, pulling out a bunch of lose change from her pockets. Some which fell to the floor if not rolling on the counter.

"Oops..."

"Ma'am... I'm sorry, but can you please wait for your turn? I'm helping this customer over here first. I'll get back to you af-"

"We're paying together. These are for her. She's my girlfriend." Levi said.

A stunned silence fell over the three of them at Levi's words. His confession even surprising Hange as it was the first time she'd heard him introduce her as his girlfriend to anyone else other than their family and friends.

There was a certain pride in his eyes as he finally got to call her his in public. He wasn't one for public affection, or making the world know of his business. But there was something that warmed his chest in having others see them as a couple. Of having made it known that Hange was his. And only his.

Hange smiled. "25 should be the full price." She said, picking up the forgotten coins on the counter before interlacing her fingers with Levi's, and rushing out the door together with his hand in hers. The wind carrying her contagious laugh as they made their way to their apartment. Onlookers and everything else be damned.

"Aren't you sad?" Levi finally asked as they crashed onto the floor of their entrance hall after having run all the way up the stairs to their home.

"Over?" She asked breathlessly, turning to look at her lover.

"The fact you'll have to pay more for the drinks. Or at least cut down on them."

Hange chuckled, a bright twinkle of amusement amongst her brown eyes. "It's worth it. I'd rather pay more for my drinks than lose that warmth of yours... I don't want the love of my life to feel like I'm hiding our relationship. Besides... It was kind of sexy having you put claim over me in front of someone who had eyes on you for a long time."

"Fucking unbelievable." Levi grumbled, causing Hange to giggle before rolling over so she was just over his face. A serious look suddenly taking over her features.

"I love you, Levi. You and no one else."

"I love you too, Four-Eyes." Levi whispered back, placing a hand to the back of her head to bring her closer to him. "Who else can drive me as insane as you?"

And with it, they melted into a kiss.

OMG I'M SO LATE BUT I'M STILL ON TIME FOR HANGE'S BIRTHDAY, SO HERE IT IS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR DEAR HANGE, THE MOTHER FIGURE AND HEART OF THE SCOUTS!

At first I had another idea for the ending, but seeing Brave Order's Twitter post, it completely shifted the story. So hopefully you all enjoy it!

PS. Black Tea is Fine will be out by the weekend. I'm sorry for the delay, but I got irl things that distracted me and delayed my writing.

AO3 Link: 💜

"-substract from recreation budget?" Nanaba suggested in a hushed voice.

"No. We're already at a low with them and I don't think we can go lower unless we want troop morals to waver. It's not up for debate." Erwin's authoritive voice answered.

Muttering and disgruntted murmurs filled the usually empty room.

"I know! We can deduct from the cleaning budget! We'll make due with what we have for a while longer. We can stretch out the soaps a bit if we add water or-"

"No one is fucking touching my cleaning supplies." Levi interrupted as he made himself known to the room. A dozen frightened eyes turning to him from his unexpected appearance.

"Ouluo! You're bleeding!" Petra shrieked as she turned to her companion, who'd bitten his tongue out of fright after having his captain catch him suggesting the budget cuts on cleaning supplies.

Instead of answering or addressing the preposterous suggestion, he turned his attention to Erwin, who was sitting at the head of the table, a bemused smile on his lips.

"What's everyone up to at this hour? Don't you all have fucking things better to do than gossip or putting my cleaning supplies on the chopping board?" He grumbled, taking a seat on an empty chair next to Mike.

Having made sure that no one had followed after the newcomer, Nanaba closed the door behind her before settling back down in her seat. "We were discussing what to do for Hange's birthday. Our budget has been slashed more than usual so we don't have much to go on. So we're wondering where we can cut some spending for a small party."

"Tch. That's stupid. Why we putting money on a measly birthday above something that can actually help the corps?" Levi grumbled, to which everyone else in the room threw wary glances across each other in silence. It was not unexpected that Levi would come to this conclusion, which was why he wasn't originally invited to the conversation in the first place. It'd been two years since he'd joined the corps, and a year since Erwin had been elected as the new commander. Despite having been forced to work closely alongside the bespectacled brunette, he had made his distaste towards his fellow comrade quite obvious since the start. Despite Hange's many attempts at becoming close to him or getting to know him, he always brushed her off and complained about her annoying presence.

"Well... Hange's been putting more effort than most into trying to find a way to defeat the titans. Whether it's on field or off doing research, she's been tirelessly trying to find an answer for us. We just thought it'd be nice to show her some appreciation for what she's done so far." Erwin said carefully.

Rolling his eyes, Levi scoffed. "All that effort to simply throw our men to their graves. All her bullshit about titans have caused our men to die for nothing. We haven't gotten anything out of her shitty obsession other than making headquarters stink of decay and unidentified corps."

A heavy silence fell over the room at his words. While it wasn't entirely wrong that Hange's overly enthusiastic views towards titans had caused some deaths along the way, it wasn't as if Hange wanted that outcome either.

"You're wrong, sir. Section leader Hange Zoe is very much self aware of the dangers and consequences of her actions. She plans out everything thoroughly and is by far the most caring person I've met. The time she puts into her revisions and plans is beyond anything we've done outside the walls, and if there's a reason we might win against the titans, it's because of section commander Hange Zoe." A young man said, standing out of his seat. His face red in embarrassment over the attention, but his eyes piercingly dark as he spoke of his team leader.

"Moblit... please calm down..." A young girl with red hair pleaded from his right, gently pulling at his sleeve to come back down next to her. But he refused, continuing to stare down at Levi.

"And you might be the new second in command in the Hange team?" Levi guessed. "You know her last one lost his life after she went chasing after a titan instead of following protocol like she should've, right? If you're willing to blindly follow that shit-head then maybe you deserve his same fate."

"Levi, that's enough." Erwin's voice boomed, his face one of displeasure. "We're here to celebrate Hange, and whether you personally like her or not, it doesn't stop the fact that everyone else in this room feels like they want to do something nice for her. A birthday is meant to be to celebrate and thank an individual for making it another year- for being with us for another year. And we all here are thankful that Hange is still with us, helping humanity out for the most part. So if you don't want to be part of it, or have nothing nice to say about it, then I have to ask you to please leave the room immediately."

With a tch, the man got up and left the room.

The aftermath and loss of that day's expedition was probably the worst one Levi's experienced. Only a third of the troops that set out made it back, with most of the survivors being badly injured and/or missing limbs that probably meant they'd no longer be able to serve the corps. No one talked, no one looked at each other, and no one dared to look behind them. To where they'd left their fallen friends and soldiers, their lifeless bodies unable to be retrieved. Even the commander fell silent as he led them through the silent crowd.

That evening the castle was silent. And even the dining hall usually full of life and laughter was void of activity. And Levi, out of habit, decided he was better off cleaning the halls to distract himself from thoughts on the heavy loss they went through.

He was just on the landing of the west side of the third floor when a horrendous stench composed of something like a mixture of decay and dried blood seeped through the walls. Pulling the cloth tighter around his nose, he followed the smell until he was standing in front of a door. A particular door he tried his best in avoiding on purpose.

Of fucking course.

"Oi, Shitty-glasses." He barged into the room, not giving the resident even a heads up about his intrusion. "Why the fuck is your room stinking up the fucking place?"

But instead of the hyper and loud version of the fourth section leader he expected to come into, he was met with complete silence. Her messy ponytail facing him unmoving as she continued staring at something in front of her. Her silence and lack of enthusiasm so unnatural it starting causing Levi to worry about whether she was alive or not.

"Am I a bad person, Levi?" She finally asked. Her tone hushed and void of streght.

"Huh? What bullshit did you fall upon this time?" Levi grumbled, throwing a disgruntled look at the mess of papers on the floor beneath him. It started to seem like his plans on just cleaning the interior halls would no longer be the case.

Just as he started picking up some of the discarded paper, Hange spoke up again. "Did I lead everyone to their deaths? Erwin entrusted me with planning out today's expedition and... Maybe you're right... maybe my experiments are useless... Maybe that's why Erwin always disapproves of them despite being nice to me about it. But I kept pushing and pushing to capture a titan and do some experiments on them... I deviated from the plan... and I... all those innocent lives...." She fell silent. And if he strained his hearing enough, he was sure he could hear her silently sniffling.

Levi carefully threw a look towards the brunette, unsure of how to respond to her sudden emotional outburst. Despite his distaste towards her, it seemed the expedition did a number on her too. And the guilt she seemed to be feeling seemed like something he couldn't ignore. "Erwin trusts you." Was all he said.

A snort met his words. "Hah! Wrong judgement on that... I know everyone questions my methods, I know the way people talk behind my back about me. But I never paid mind, thinking I would prove them wrong someday. I thought Erwin would come to see my brilliance one day too. But I think instead I just proved how wrong I was all along. And maybe... maybe you were the only one who saw through all of that. You were always the one to advise Erwin and everyone against my ideas... I was stupid... If only I'd listened to you."

He stayed silent. A strange feeling of shame filling him from hearing the brunette's confession. Sure, he'd brashly spoken multiple times about how bad her ideas seemed to be. And he had indeed badmouthed her for being a lose canon ready to explode and destroy everything in her path just for the sake of needing to quench her curiousity. But he wasn't aware his words had hurt her in any way before.

The usual vibrant individual that had a hard time staying still and silent for longer than two seconds was suddenly the complete opposite. And it was throwing him off. It made him feel guilty somehow.

"You stink. Clearly you haven't washed since our expedition. Go take a bath." Levi responded in the only way he knew how to answer. "I'll set up the tub for you."

Hange stayed silent, eyes still downcast to whatever had been occupying her attention the whole time he'd been there.

When Levi came back, he was surprised at seeing the woman slouching over the table. Seemingly worn out from the day's events she had finally succumbed to her fatigue.

"Tch... fucking Four-Eyes..." He grumbled. But seeing as there was no other way around it, he took his jacket off, carefully placing it on the bed so it wouldn't get soiled before going around and picking the sleeping form up. Hange whimpered a few times, but otherwise didn't stir much. As he carried her to the tub, he couldn't help but take a peek at her face. And his heart stopped for a moment when he came to notice the trail of tears that made their way down her cheek. In his state of shock, not having paid mind to his surroundings, he ended up knocking a bottle of ink down, covering her desk in black.

"Shit." He swore, snapping out of his stupor as he continued carrying Hange towards the bathtub.

"Oi, Shitty-glasses. You going to undress yourself or you're going to make me do it?" But her lack of response combined with the silent tear still hanging on her lash was enough for an answer. Carefully and with the most respect, he stripped her off her clothes, peeling each soiled layer one by one until she was completely bare in the tub of warm water. Having thoroughly washed her hair and face, slowly her eyes fluttered open as he started scrubbing at her legs. A surprised look on her face as she noted the state they were in.

"Ah, you're up. Continue scrubbing yourself. I got to clean the mess you created." He grumbled as he handed her the sponge. "And make sure to scrub well. I will throw you back in if I see as much as a speck of dirt on you."

Closing the door behind him, Levi let out a tired sigh. Why was he suddenly feeling sympathy towards her? She knew what she got them all into. She understood her nonsense brought death to their comrades which she never seemed to show a care or remorse towards. So why did he suddenly feel like he was in the wrong? That he had this need to care for her? Shaking his head, he went onto cleaning the ink off the table. Luckily the pot seemed to have been almost empty, so except for a few splotches here and there, everything seemed to be clear of ink. Moving a few of the clutter away, his gaze suddenly landed on an open book. Curiousity getting the best of him, he let his eyes wander through the lines of writing, only to feel his face contorting into one of confusion.

Anabelle Haste, 21. Killed trying to save Lauren Bell, 19, who died by being eaten by a ten feet titan.

Edward Crown, 18, Ethan Bret, 18, Emma Krist, 16, all killed together by being caught off guard at the rear of formation.

Thomas Heist, 17, Morgan Heist, 17, twins. Both died together trying to help carry the corpse of their older brother Peter, 18, back.

The names of their past comrades and their deaths continued flowing throughout the whole book. Each line detailing their ages and the people they were closest to. Followed by where they lived and small trinkets Hange had been able to scrape from their personal belongings if possible.

And then his heart dropped as he went back to the beginning of the book. The first two names imprinted on the page being of his two best friends.

Isabel Magnolia, 17. Died alongside Furlan Church, 18, during their first expedition outside the walls. Both were from the Underground, but were very promising in their abilities using the ODM gear. Isabel loved the yellow dandelions we had growing around the pond near HQ, this one was found in one of the books she was reading. Furlan dreamt of owning a tea shop with his best friend Levi. I found this coin on his desk.

Feeling his eyes sting from unshed tears he hadn't realized were forming until then, he quickly wiped them away as he heard the door open behind him.

"Thanks for the bath, I didn't realize how much I needed it unti-" Hange stopped as she came into view of Levi holding her familiar book in his hands.

"Oh..."

"What the fuck is this, Shitty-glasses?" Levi questioned, pointing to the leather bound book. His face contorting to one of anger and confusion.

Seeing as there was no way out of it, Hange sighed, flopping onto her bed in defeat. "Where I keep names of our fallen comrades."

"I can fucking see that much. But why do you have it?"

"Because... It's sad just forgetting them. They all had dreams before them but gave up their lives for our cause. We all dedicated our lives to fight off the titans, and letting their memories go as if each of them were disposable is not something that I can bring myself to do."

Levi stared at the woman. "And you wrote down each of their names?"

Slowly Hange nodded. "Yes... I try tracking down those close to them, try to figure out their age and how they died. We can't afford to send each of them off in a lavish manner, but at least keeping their name and sacrifice alive is something doable on paper. I'm hoping someday when we can all defeat the titans, we can use this record to build a proper memorial for all our comrades."

Silence fell over them as Levi continued staring at Hange's deflated figure.

"I... I was doing the same for the comrades that we lost today but... There's so many of them, Levi. So many lost and so many I can't name or put something personal about them because they all died along their friends. There's no one to retell their story, or nothing to showcase what they loved or even that they existed. I'm just... so tired. And to think this is all because of me and my decision to go after some stupid tit-"

"It's not your fault." Levi interjected. His voice ringing against the silence of the night. "They flanked us. We weren't aware they had huddled near the east side because some meddlesome treasure seekers sneaked out to get some valuable off the corps of our comrades... None of today's loss were because of you. So don't take blame over something other fucktards did, Shitty-glasses. Our comrades died on their conscience, not yours."

At his words, Hange's eyes widened. Her brown eyes staring right at him as her mouth hung agape.

"Fucking close your mouth, you look like a fucking fish." Levi threw at her, turning to the book at hand to avoid her piercing gaze. A few minutes of silence passed as Levi continued flipping through the pages, small recollections of certain comrades coming to mind after glossing over their names.

"Chase Piercer, 21. He died after hearing the cries of the treasure seekers. He was the first at the scene and flared us to get help. He died along with Nathan Feekle, his boyfriend, 20." Levi said, opening the book to the most recent page, where half the slots were empty. Confusion clouded Hange's brown orbs as she glanced up at him, not sure what he was getting to. It wasn't until Levi took the ink pot and a feather pen to her that she realized what he'd meant. Excitement and curiosity flared in her chest at the information her companion had just given her, a newborn sense of purpose filling her once again.

Having watched the woman scribble down their names in her most neat handwriting, he pulled out something from out of his jacket pocket. "And these... these were their wings of freedom. They each have their names at the back of them. Add them next to their names."

And with a brilliant smile, Hange threw herself at Levi, enveloping him in the warmest embrace he'd ever gotten. "Thank you, Levi... Thank you so much."

A birthday is meant to be to celebrate and thank an individual for making it another year- for being with us for another year. Erwin's words rung back at him.

"Happy birthday, Hange!" The room exploded with activity as the brunette entered the once darkened commander's office. Candlelight immediately illuminating the table full of delicacies usually unattainable with their budget, while her friends and closest companions threw themselves at her.

"What is all this?! When did you all get the time for this?" Hange laughed as she spotted what could only be Moblit's drawing of Hange smiling next to a titan on the wall behind Erwin.

"We thought you needed a little break. As well as a thank you from all of us for the efforts you've put into helping us defeat the giants. No one does it like you, Hans." Nanaba said, wrapping her best friend in a tight hug.

"Right. We also needed an excuse to get something more palatable than charred carrots." Mike commented, earning a slap on the head from Erwin.

Throwing her head back in laugher, Hange smiled. "I appreciate all of this... Thank you. I too have grown tired of charred carrots. That's probably why i don't have much of an appetite lately."

"Tch... that's probably also why your eyesight is so shitty, Four-Eyes." An unexpected voice commented, causing her to swiftly turn to the corner of the room, where Levi stood in solitary, avoiding the center stage of the celebration.

"Levi! You're here too!" She cheered happily, quickly letting go of the blonde as she made her way to the unexpected guest.

"You're the last person I'd expect to be at my birthday celebration." Hange teased, to which Levi rolled his eyes at.

"I was forced to attend. Besides, I need to keep an eye out and make sure you guys don't get the place too dirty." Hange let out a snort. "Of course, that's the reason." She said with a peek of her tongue at him. But they didn't get to talk much more as Nifa immediately grabbed onto her section leader's hand, leading her to the desserts which she and Petra had spent all night making.

"Petra decorated this one so prettily! I tried to do it too, but seems I'm only good at baking, so I left the decorating to her."

The rest of the evening went by without a hitch. Funny stories being told, with the members becoming more and more lively as the night went on from the alcohol consumed. Even Levi, who usually detested and flat out refused to drink anything other than tea, decided to join in for the night.

"I'm just sorry we couldn't get you anything nice, Hans. We tried scrapping up some money but could only really afford to get you a few nice stationary." Nanaba lamented as Hange opened her gift.

Hange shook her head, smiling from ear to ear. "No, I'm already thankful enough having you all here with me. I love it, thank you."

But Erwin interrupted, gently coughing to get everyone's attention. "Actually, I think we all missed a present. There's one under the table we all seemed to have glossed over."

Confusion engulfed the room as everyone exchanged confused glances with each other. Although the brunette's excitement blinded her to the mayhem behind her, causing her not to notice her companions' confusion.

The gift was neatly wrapped, perfectly pressed with nothing out of line in a bright yellow colour. As Hange opened it in anticipation, a particular individual watched her closely in silence. His heart beating out of his chest as he watched the birthday girl's expression.

Hange's eyes narrowed as her brows furrowed in confusion. Her silence causing everyone in the room to fall into expectant anticipation as well. "I... I don't know what to say." She whispered just above a whisper.

And for a second, Levi's heart dropped. Did she not like the gift? Did he guess wrong? Had he ruined the mood? It was his first time gifting someone, and he didn't know whether he'd done the right thing or not.

But his doubts were quickly eased when Hange's excited shout filled the room.

"A MICROSCOPE! HOW THE HELL DID YOU GUYS GET A MICROSCOPE FROM?! IMAGINE ALL THE TESTING I CAN DO WITH THIS! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" She shouted in glee, hugging the metal contraption to her chest.

While the others looked on in confusion, Erwin threw a knowing smile to Levi. Causing his face to pink from embarrassment. "Shut it. Unless you want the rest of the night to go to waste." He grumbled. And luckily for him, the older man didn't test him as he chuckled and headed back to join his friends.

The night winded down later than expected. And by that time, half their friends had already passed out, while the other were dealing with a terrible hangover. Hange told everyone she would stay behind and clean up, and Levi being Levi, was already going to do so, so they both ended up cleaning up the mess.

For the most part they were silent, focusing on their tidying duties as the aftermath of the party started leaving their systems. Until...

Splat.

A wet substance of mass hit him on the face. His surprise only lasted a second as Hange's laugher followed. "Your face! I've never seen you so defenseless before!"

"Oi... you're really asking for it now." Levi grunted as he started chasing the brunette around the room, a broom in one hand, the other with a rag. By the time Levi chased her down, it was already daybreak. Tired and out of breath, the two laid on their backs to the wooden floor as they stared up at the ceiling above them.

"Thank you, Levi." She softly spoke up after an elongated silence.

"Huh? What for? Chasing you around with a rag?"

A snort followed his words. "No... For celebrating with me. For giving me the names of those missing soldiers. For comforting me when I felt lost. For being my friend... and for the microscope." She said.

He froze, unsure of how to answer.

Sensing his predicament, she slowly turned on her side so she was looking at him. "Don't deny it. You're the only one that would actually go out of your way to get me one. You're the one who's always getting sponsorships and gifts from the public... it's not out of the realm of possibility for you to reach out to someone to make one."

Throwing a glance at the woman next to him, he sighed. closing his eyes. "Fine. It was me. But it's so that you owe me from now on." He answered. And as expected, Hange giggled at his response.

"I already owe you a lot. Just add it to the list of favours you can get out of me for the next ten years."

This time, Levi turned fully to her, his eyes catching her curious brown ones. "It's not just me you're helping with the microscope, Four-eyes. You're using it to help everyone as you study titans and their origins. Thanks to your experiments, we can become stronger. I will ask for your continued support." He said.

With a smile, Hange nodded. "To defeat the titans... let's work together to get rid of them."

And at seeing the bright morning light illuminated in her irises, he couldn't help but smile as well. "I'll hold you to that. Happy birthday, Four-Eyes."

Sorry to those that are waiting a new update of either "Black Tea is Fine" or "Unexpected Co-parents" (Or any new work for the matter). I know it's taking a while for me to put out anything, and it's not because I don't want to at all because I have so much love for Levihan and have so many promps I want to share. But to be honest I'm struggling. For those of you who understand ADHD, you probably know how hard it it for people with it to focus over anything, and being unable to do anything while having the ideas and urge to write something overstresses us to the point we are paralyzed and unable to do anything despite knowing we have a deadline. That being said, I'm taking longer to write my works, but I still very much want to get them out. So thank you for waiting patiently for me and for loving my work so much.

I have drafted the second last chapter of "Black Tea is Black", and it's at 80% done, so I'm hoping it's out by Wednesday/Thursday. As well, I have another royalty AU work that's also about 80% done, so I will probably publish that one a few days after. I'm hoping that making deadlines will push me forward to at least get them out. Again sorry and thank you for all the love.

Thank you for the ask! Absolutely! I'm working on the next chapter as we speak. It's taking me a bit longer since I'm working on 3 different stories at the moment (and the perfectionist in me not being happy about my writing and having to redo it 6 times) but I will absolutely finish writing it! The ending had already been set and I have a guideline for how the last two chapters will go. Sorry for the wait and thank you for loving my story so much 💜💚

As a small sorry, here's a little snippet for the next chapter:

Omgomgomgomgomg I got an inbox message! And it's about Black Tea is Fine!!! You're making me squeal from happiness with your kindness, I'm glad you've been enjoying the story so far! I definitely ended it before things got too heated, and I thought that would be all I wrote of it. But... Between me and you, I've actually decided to expand more in the next chapter 👀 so look forward to it!

I have this head canon that when Hange saved Levi, she had to do mouth to mouth to get him to breathe after the amounts of water that's gotten into his lungs after they jumped into the river. Which had accumulated in his unconscious state. And unknownst to Levi, he'd shared his first kiss with Hange without knowing about it. Imagine after years of working together, standing by each other's sides, secretly stealing glances and harbouring feelings for each other but unable to act upon them due to their occupations and the impeding doom, that after wishing to share their firsts with each other, they finally get the chance to. But it only lives on in memory of one of them as Hange was the only conscious one as she breathed life into him. The other completely oblivious to even having that moment they'd wanted so badly to share only to instead live on in regret thinking they've missed their chance to ever get it.

Hange having taken with her their first kiss along with Levi's heart before her sacrifice. Levi and Hange in the end giving their firsts to each other like they'd hoped to. And unknown as to why, time after the battle, Levi would find himself softly brushing his fingers over his lips from time to time when reminiscing over the brunetter. His fingers ghosting over the sewn patch of scars that flow from his temple down to below his lips, stopping right on his lips. And for some unknown reason, he feels her presence whenever he does it, almost as if he can feel the ghost of her lips against his. And that would be enough to soothe him on some of the loneliest nights.

"I'll make sure we properly share our firsts next time we meet, Four-Eyes."

Awwww, you're too sweet! 😭💜💚 The fandom is filled with so many talented people, the writers and artists have inspired me so much that I just felt like I wanted to contribute. Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment and for giving me input on what you want to read! 3 and 6 are definitely ones I've been dying to write!

This is a response based on my post here for Levihan promp ideas. I'm sorry if I haven't replied under the comment section, this is technically my secondary account under the main, so I can't answer using my secondary account. And since my main isn't LH or AoT related, I don't want to comment with it. But I've read everyone's comments and thank you all for the amazing support you've given to my work! I sincerely appreciate you and will take into consideration your requests ♥️

☕[Ao3 link]☕

Preview:

The ride was filled with Hange eagerly explaining the at home experiments she was going to demonstrate in today's online lecture, all the while the radio blasting some of the corniest love songs one could possibly conjure up.

But it was perfect because every word they sung, filled with endless gestures of budding love and hopeless feelings towards a certain someone, reflected the way Levi felt about the woman sitting next to him at the moment. The same woman who ironically sung the lyrics to every song, unaware of how every lyric depicted his hidden feeling towards her, the words he wished he could voice out to her.

Will be updating the long overdue chapter of Black Tea is Fine soon (Hopefully within the next two days??) And I wanted to ask you guys what you wanted me to release next as the series is coming to a close. Do you guys want a small head canon or short story or another multi chapter?

I'm halfway done with the second chapter of Unexpected Co Parents too, and it will come out accordingly no matter what the poll votes come to be 💜💚

Thank you all for being so patient with my work, and for showing so much love for the work I've put out. It specially surprised me with how much love I've received from the short stories I've posted here. Thank you all 🙏

I might be open to some requests, but I'm not sure yet, but I'll leave my inbox open in case one of you just wants to drop your idea.

Synopsis: After the death of Isabel and Furlan during their first expedition, Hange finds a way to console a devastated Levi, becoming their starting point in their friendship.

Pairings: Hange x Levi

Hange knocked on the wooden door, alerting its residence of her presence.

And just as expected, she was met with complete silence.

With a heavy sigh, the woman knocked once more before swinging the door open.

"Oi...Shitty-glasses. I didn't give you permission to enter." Hissed the raven-haired man from his laying position as she made her way into his room. But as they both were well aware of by now, she had no intention of listening to him or leaving him alone.

"I got you some tea." Hange said as she laid down the cup on the man's desk. The wooden surface as pristine and clutter free as she'd excepted it to be. It was no new knowledge to her that the man indulged himself in his cleaning whenever something went awry, or whenever something he had no control over occurred, leaving him with nothing to do but turn his attention towards something he knew he had full control over instead. It also happened to be a great indicator as to how the man was faring with the results of their latest expedition.

"I managed to steal some of the better supplies from within Erwin's room, so don't let it go cold or it'll be a waste." Hange said as she pointed towards the cup. "Do you know how hard it is to smuggle anything from under his nose? Specially when Mike is around? I bet that nose of his could help us figure out how to defeat Titans one day." The woman droned on amicably.

The man threw the woman a calculative look before turning away from her, shifting in his bed to face the wall instead. Not even giving her as much as a response, hoping that the brunette would eventually get the hint and leave him alone.

Keeping his silence, a stretch of stillness passed between the two. And eventually the sound of a heavy sigh followed by receding footsteps and the distinguishable sound of the door closing reached his ears.

Surprised at the unexpected serenity that followed, the man couldn't help but wonder if he got lucky enough to actually get the never ending chatter box to actually leave him alone. But as he turned around his bed, he was met with the view of the brunette sitting on the opposite bunk bed, a book in hand and legs crossed over the bedding.

"May I help you?" Hange inquired from over her book when she caught the man's surprised look. Her hand stilling at the page she was flipping through.

"I thought you left." Levi answered, sitting up in his bed.

Hange quirked a brow in amusement. "I told you, I don't want to see the tea go to waste, so I'm staying until I see with my own two eyes that you finished it."

Levi stared at the woman with a blank expression, thinking the bespectacled woman was absolutely absurd. What blatantly gave her the impression that he wanted her company in the the first place? Or that he asked for her tea service? Couldn't she get a clue as everyone else that he preferred his solitude at the moment? Specially with what happened during their last expedition? But what absolutely baffled him more than anything else about the situation was how friendly the brunette acted with him. Where as the other members of the corps saw him as scum and avoided him like the plague, she seemed to only stick to him closer. Ever since that day she introduced herself to him, Furlan, and Isabel, she'd never failed to try to chat him up whenever she found a chance. It was odd, it wasn't normal, wasn't natural by any means. And he didn't know how to react or what to do whenever she did.

He knew word spread around through the recruits and members of the corps that she was eccentric and kind of a weirdo, but even then, how dense must one be to not realize when someone wanted to be alone and mourn on his own after his two best friends died?

Apparently as dense as Hange Zoe, it would seem.

"Shitty-glasses... I want to be alone in case you haven't noticed. And I never asked for your stupid cup of tea. There's not enough room here for you, so get out."

Hange raised a brow. "Isn't it too empty of a room for a person? There's four beds here and I don't see why you can't share the space. It's not like I'm sharing the same bed with you, or chatting with you. You were the one to talk first after all, I was just reading." She said, pointing at the book resting on her lap.

Before Levi could say anything else, the woman nonchalantly got back to where she'd left off on the book.

Seeing as she wasn't going to budge any time soon, the man's gaze fell over the cup of tea sitting on the desk, invitingly calling out to him.

Whether the brunette had known about his love for tea or not, it was definitely tempting nonetheless. It wasn't everyday one came across free tea in the corps, quality ones at that.

Bed creaking the man eventually stood up, picking up the cup and taking a sip from it, his back facing the woman. If Hange had been studying him from across the room, she didn't make any indication of it.

They stayed silent for the rest of the duration of her stay, which only lasted as Hange promised- until Levi finished his cup of tea. But oddly enough, her presence didn't bother him much as he'd thought it would. And the woman was considerably pretty tolerable as a companion which was more than he thought anyone else could be. And if he were truly honest, it was actually calming having someone just accompany him in the silence of his room. While thoughts of his best friends dying before him and guilt of not being able to save them still plagued his mind, Hange's presence seemingly eased the suffocating thoughts of them with each sip of his tea. The occasional sound of pages flipping becoming a background sound that lulled him into a peace he hadn't felt in days.

But the moment he took the last sip, the woman closed her book and stood up, with it stopping the gentle therapeutic sound of rustling pages.

"Alright, deal's a deal. You finished the tea and I managed to get a good chunk of the book done. I'll be heading out then, goodnight Levi, see you later in training!" Hange said as she picked up the empty cup, throwing the man a wave.

And immediately as she made her way to the door, a sense of loneliness and emptiness he wasn't aware of before filled Levi as he watched her walk away from him. The empty view of the bed she'd been occupying now seemingly giving off a cold feeling, a visual representation of the inner loneliness making him realize just how vast and empty the room was just for one person. A suffocating kind of feeling gripped at him, and instead of letting the woman go as he should've, Levi called out to her in a haste, surprising both the brunette and himself.

"You're absolutely terrible at preparing tea, Shitty-glasses. It would be a crime to let you go around wasting precious ingredients by making tea like this."

Hange paused at the door, a hand on the knob as tilted her head slightly at his words. "Was it that bad?"

Truthfully, yes and no. It was pretty bad, but the reason as to why he even brought it up had more to do with him not wanting to be left alone again than the actual quality of the brew. Averting his eyes, afraid that the brunette could read the real intention behind his words, the man grumbled. "It was fucking disgusting, Shitty-glasses."

The woman's shoulders deflated at his words. "Ah... I see. Sorry. It was my first time trying to make tea... I just thought you'd want some or that it would help boost up your mood after Isabe-" The woman paused. Almost speaking into the air how she'd been worried about him after the loss of his best friends.

"Mhm... If you want, I can try sneaking in some more from Erwin and give it to you to make instead the next time I see you. It might be better than having me waste it." She suggested, opening the door in a haste. Thinking best to leave the man be before she reopened any wounds associated with the loss of his best friends.

His heart twisted as he watched the woman leave the room, the ghost of emptiness filling the deserted room once more, its reach calling to wrap around him again.

Making up his mind, the man quickly followed after the woman with large strides, and as he came into view of her, grabed the woman by the collar.

"Ah! Levi, what?"

"I told you it was disgusting. So learn how to make it properly if you're going to gift tea to someone else, Four-Eyes." He said as he dragged the woman towards the shared kitchen.

Surprised, the woman kept silent and allowed the shorter man to drag her at his mercy.

The next hour was spent with Levi demonstrating step by step the ways of making the perfect cup of tea, having the woman recreate it after him. Slowly but surely as a new cup was made, the taste and quality got better as well, and before they realized it, the morning dawn was upon them.

"Next time I plan to do anything nice for you, remind me not to. Who knew a simple cup of tea would turn into a night long lesson?" Hange chuckled as she pointed at the vast array of empty cups sitting on the table between them.

"You should get some sleep. We have training later and I don't think it'd do us good if Humanity's strongest shows up all groggy. Goodnight Levi!" Hange said, waving amicably at the shorter man from her seat.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you also go to sleep, Shitty-glasses? You also are on training duty."

The brunette rubbed at the back of her neck sheepishly, avoiding making eye contact with the man. "Ah... that. Well, there's a problem with that. My roommates like to lock the doors pretty early on, and by the time I get to the room after finishing my research they already turned in for the night."

Levi stood unmoving for a second, his cup of tea stilling in the air before his lips as the man tired to make sense of the woman's words.

"So... your roommates lock you out of your room every night? Is that why you came to my room tonight? Just to waste some time?"

Hange's eyes widened at the man's words. "No, no! Nothing like that! I did want to spend time with you, truly! Although... it is true that I can't really go back to my room at the moment." As she caught the man's judgemental look, she quickly added a chuckle. "Don't worry! I'll just spend the rest of the night in the library. The chairs there are comfier than people give them credit."

And it was there that it dawned on Levi how he wasn't the only one ostracized and outcasted by his peers. While he'd been constantly overlooked as a lowlife from the Undeground, at least he always had Isabel and Furlan by his side. On the other hand, Hange had always been seen as odd and been outright ignored or made into a joke behind her back for her eccentricity. And yet... she had always been friendly to him and his friends despite their different background without judgement or prejudice. While he in return, he'd always met her friendly approached with harsh remarks and a cold shoulder.

Maybe he was scum after all.

"You already look like shit as you are, Four-eyes. You should at least get some sleep in to at least seem presentable." Levi muttered as he picked up the discarded cups to wash.

Hange pouted at the man. "Didn't you hear what I said? I said that my room-"

"Your roommates lock your ass out of your room. I heard." The man answered. "There's more than one room in this Godforsaken prison though."

A chuckle left the woman's lips. "Only problem is that I don't think anyone's willing to share their room with me. But thanks..."

Levi averted his eyes when she locked eyes with him, a glimmer of thankfulness in her eyes. A look no one had ever given him before.

"I might know someone who has room for you. " He quietly muttered, kicking at the leg of the chair the woman was sitting on to get her to follow him.

As they came into view of a familiar inconspicuous wooden door down one of the many winding hallways within the barracks, Hange threw the man a confused look. "Um... Levi, this is your room, isn't it? What are we doing here?"

"Sleeping, what else?" Levi answered matter of factly as he unlocked the door, silently slipping in and settling down on his mattress, throwing an expectant look at the woman standing frozen at the door.

Confused, the woman looked around the empty halls. "But...I thought you said you knew someone willing to share their room with me? I thought you were taking me to them."

Levi deadpanned at the woman. "Is that brilliant brain of yours just for show? Shut the damned door and take that bed since you've already messed it up earlier. Get some sleep before that brain of yours stops functioning completely, Four-eyes."

Slowly, the man's words finally registered through the woman's mind, and with each passing second, the wider her eyes grew. Gripping her book tightly against her chest, the woman complied with the man's orders, silently shutting the door closed before shuffling into the covers of her new resting place.

Silence fell over them as the man closed his eyes, his back facing his new roommate as the chirping of birds outside the window filled the stillness within the room. While Hange gazed at the raven-haired man's back in silent wonder.

"It's fucking creepy to just stare at people when they're sleeping, you know?" Levi's sleepy voice called out in the dark.

Hanger chuckled, unfazed by the man's words. "And it's ungentlemanly for a man to lure a woman into his room through false premises."

Levi snorted at the woman's remark. "As if you're a woman in the first place, Shitty-glasses."

With a soft chuckle, the woman finally turned onto her back, closing her eyes on a mattress for the first time in who knows how long. "It's soft..." She muttered, her consciousness already leaving her as the state of sleep covered her...

Glancing at the sleeping woman, studying the calm rhythm of her breathes, Levi finally mustered up enough courage to voice his thoughts.

"Hange... Thank you." Levi muttered quietly. In a tone barely perceptible one could easily missed it. But the brunette gave a tired smile, seemingly still somewhat conscious.

"Wow... did I just get a thank you from the grumpy grumps, Levi? Oh my, what an honour! And over terribly made tea as well!" She said through a yawn.

Levi rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but let a smile slip. He was just glad the woman was already semi asleep and that the shadows of the dark covered his facial expressions. "Shut up, Shitty-glasses." He grumbled. "You were too insistent that it made no sense trying to fight you on the matter. Besides... you were right. The room's big enough for just one person to occupy."

Hange's face softened at the man's admission. "Thank you for letting me stay, regardless. It's nice to actually lay down for once. Besides... no one ever truly wants to be alone, do they? They just don't want to seem vulnerable and admit they need someone's presence around them because they don't want to seem weak. But... in reality vulnerability is what makes one more human, isn't it?"

Her words rung through the stillness of the four walls, stirring at the man's heartstrings as he realized how much he related to the spoken words.

"Although I wasn't close to Furlan and Isabel like you... I still liked them. Their deaths also affect me, you know?" Hange continued in a hushed voice. "I sincerely really hoped we could be friends some day... all four of us. I miss seeing the excitement in their faces when we walked through the fields or the lake... And I miss seeing the awe in your eyes too, Levi. Tonight I just thought that remembering their lives together and talking about them would be a good way to give them a proper goodbye. That instead of silently mourning on our own, we should remember them together for who they were... to talk about them as if they were still with us and thank them for their friendship. I think that's the way they'd want us to bid them farewell."

Levi stood rooted in silence, unable to come up with anything else to say, too stunned by the brunette's words.

Levi blinked away at tears that he hadn't realized had been threatening to leak since their loss, swallowing a lump that had formed in his throat.

His whole life he'd been mourning loss on his own, thinking it was the only way to get through life since emotions only weakened one. All this time he'd thought only he cared for Isabel and Furlan, that no one cared enough to mourn for them other than himself. Thinking that he had to suffer as well in order to make up for their loss. When in reality, Hange had remembered them as well, mourned over them as well despite their short time knowing each other because she had grown to care for them as well. In the end his two best friends had left an impact on the outside world just like they wanted to. With Hange he realized there was someone that actually cared for them as he did.

"Besides, I never considered you weak. I think you're the strongest for hanging on after losing your best friends...I know what it's like losing people too, you know? All of us in the corps do. But... we all share the same cause, and know what we're dedicating for it. Our fallen comrades aren't ever really gone, they leave their fighting spirit with us. And it's our job to take their dedication and sacrifice to the end. That way they've never really left us alone."

The brunette shuffled in her bed, and almost as if having a sixth sense about it, came face to face with the man across the bed from hers. "I can let you be alone, but never lonely, Levi."

During the duration of their early corps days, the two ended up becoming roommates, getting used to each other's quirks and knowing each other better than anyone else. Until the two eventually rose ranks and gained their own independent rooms as corporal and team leader, although their close bond and nightly tea visits never ceased.

A nightly tea visit became their unspoken way of consoling each other. Their own way of staying by each other's sides and showing the other they weren't alone during the darkest times within their years of service, as well as a way to bid a proper goodbye to their fallen friends. Tea for Isabel and Furlan, follow by tea for the loss of Levi's squad, Mike... Nanaba... And as more and more of their friends got lost to their cause, the more frequent their nightly accommodation occured.

Except when it all stopped after Erwin's and Moblit's death, where Hange locked herself up in the commander's room, never giving Levi the opportunity to bring her their constant of tea. Never wanting to acknowledge the loss of two of the closest people to her.

Knock knock knock.

"Commander." Levi said, walking towards the brunette that had been so engrossed in their paperwork that they haven't noticed the man the first five times he knocked.

"Oh... Levi. Sorry, I got lost in the work and..." She said, glancing at the clock hanging over the wall only to fall silent.

"You've been at it for half a day. You haven't eaten anything at all since you started this morning. It's time for a break." Levi said, laying in front of the woman some soup and a warm cup of tea.

Hange blinked at the food laid in front of her, before tearing her eyes away and turning back to the papers in her hands. "I'm not hungry. I'll eat some later."

Levi furrowed his eyebrows as he watched the woman immediately immerse herself back into her work.

"Tch... Must you really make everyone worry about you to finally get you to take care of yourself? You can't lead us if you're not in health yourself."

The man started sorting through the pile of discarded papers on the table.

"How can you even focus when your workplace is constantl-"

"Levi, can't you see I want to be alone?" Hange interjected, her voice raised from the added stress the man was giving her.

The man paused. It wasn't unusual for Hange to become engrossed and passionate in her work, specially after having taken up the position of commander. But for her to lose her cool and raise her voice at Levi was another thing.

Her one working eye widening in realization as to what she'd done, she deflated and rubbed at her tired face weakly. "I'm sorry, Levi... I know you're just looking out for me... I shouldn't have snapped at you. I know you're also taking on more work than you signed up for initially...."

Seeing the distressed look on the brunette's face, the man walked towards her, slowly pushing the cup of tea in front of her.

"Shit happened. We both are taking on more than we signed up for."

Hange slowly raised her face to look at the grey eyed man. A small chuckle leaving her lips. "Erwin really left me with all the dreadful official paperwork to deal with, huh? He got to rest and left the shittiest people pleasing part to me. And I guess you've taken on Moblit's job as my assistant..." Hanger averted her eyes as her hands fisted at the hem of her coat.

"I should've been easier on him... I can see how much it wears you down taking on his position. You really don't have to care for me, you know? I'm capable of getting my own food. You should go back to training the new recruits as you're meant to do."

Despite her dismissal, Levi stood in place. Knowing well that the woman didn't truly want to be alone. He understood it well because he also felt the same way. "I'm not leaving until the tea is gone. I put effort into making it and I don't want to see it go to waste." He said, repeating the words the woman had told him on that fateful night that started their tradition. The same words that allowed him to finally realize he wasn't alone in this world.

Realization slowly revealed on the woman's features as his words sank in.

"But I want to be alone." She said slowly, slowly raising straight in her seat.

At her words, the man stepped closer until he was right next to her, looking down directly at the brown eyes looking at him with the vulnerability of the world.

"No one truly likes being alone, Four-Eyes. Looking weak is different from being weak. And that's something you're not. Besides... You can be alone but I will never let you be lonely."

Hange's lips quivered into a smile. The first real one that's grazed her face since before their last fight against the Beast Titan.

"Tea?" Levi offered, bringing a second cup to himself to match the woman's.

"Tea sounds great." Hange answered, before giving him a mischievous smile. "Maybe a light sleepover will be beneficial too?"

"Tch... did you even have to ask, Four-Eyes? My room's big enough for both of us."

Finally took the time to sort out my written works. Hope this helps out some of you navigate through my works!

AO3 Link: 💜

Multi-chaptered stories:

Short HC:

Drabbles:

Previews of Next Works:

Posts:

Levihan:

Analysis:

💜Shared Jacket

💜Levihan X Aruani

💜Levihan How it Started vs. How it Ended

💜Levihan Hellos in No Regret vs. Last Goodbyes in Ch. 132

💜Levihan Opposites Attract

💜Hange's Importance and Influence on Levi's Life

💜Levi's Scars are the only Physical Reminder Levi Has Left of Her

💜Dedicate Your Heart and Levihan Being Almost Married

💜Levihan Actors Wearing Original Scouts Uniform

💜 Levi's Gaze Towards Hange Over the Years

💜 Levihan and Hanako/Kabakura (Wotakoi) as Each Other in Different Fonts

💜 Levi Brave Order Birthday Wish for Hange

💜 Levihan and their Adopted Kids

Random Thoughts:

💚 One-Eyed Junior High Hange and Levi

💚 Levihan X Collaborations that Call Levihan Canon

💚 Levihan Sharing a Lollipop on a Date in Marley

💚 Levihan Sharing Tea Official Illustrations

💚 Levihan X Re:SHAZAM Collab

💚 Levihan Sharing Everything

💚 Levihan X Eremika Parallels

💚 Levihan in Eremika Steam Punk Outfit Edit

💚 Levi Constantly Losing the Important People in His Life

AoT X Collaborations:

AoT Random Posts: