Chapter Text
Hange had been in her office for too much time, the commander task was not easy, and she constantly wondered how Erwin could make it look so effortless and majestic, her as a commander was being between constant anxiety, self-doubt, and endless insomnia. During the past days, she had been planning the expedition outside the wall Maria, much more paperwork was needed to get the survey corps outside this time which was why she had been so restless lately. Armin had kindly offered himself to help her, she couldn’t refuse since she knew the strategic value that Armin contributed to her plans, and mostly because she knew she needed that backup.
Talking with Armin was something she enjoyed, while he constantly focused on the plan at hand, he also enjoyed to talk about other things. In the few days of working together, she found out about his dream about visiting this place called the ocean, and that he hoped that in this expedition they would get there at last. Nights of talking went on about that same topic while they prepared the plan to be presented to the queen. In the next few days they started to talk about past memories, she would tell him about how she was so obsessed about killing titans before until she got to see them in real life and Armin would share some of his childhood memories alongside Eren and Mikasa. On particular nights they would share their experiences in the training ground, Hange would find Armin's stories particularly interesting since every time he seemed to go back to a certain girl.
"I didn’t exactly pay attention since I was talking to Annie, but then Pixis came and made Sasha and Jean compete in a food battle.” He gave a pure laugh, Hange herself couldn’t keep herself from laughing.
“It’s strange, you always seem to talk about Annie at some point.” Armin seemed surprised at her comment, soon enough there was a light blush on his face, “which reminds me, Armin. Hitch came a while ago and informed me that you were asking permission to see Annie.”
“Ah… Did she?” The poor boy looked scared, still, Hange couldn’t keep herself from sneaking a smile while she took a better look at the boy’s face.
“Don’t worry, Arlert. It’s not like I don’t trust you, not after the many tales you told me about her.” That was how Armin’s face went one dark shade of red.
“Was I that obvious?” That question resonated in Hange’s mind, awakening one sweet side of her she didn’t know she had.
“Maybe you were, but it’s normal. We all go through a situation like it.” And somehow Armin felt a tone similar to his grandpa’s when he comforted after being hit by his bullies.
“Actually?” Armin’s eyes looked like the ones from a curious cat at this point, she sighed, getting more comfortable in her seat.
“Yeah, mine was a little weirder. Back when I was a recruit, I used to have the biggest of crushes in Shadis, Erwin and Mike would mock me with that endlessly.” Armin seemed really surprised, it took a while for him to laugh.
“I somehow thought you were going to say that you had a crush on Captain Levi, Hange-san.”
“WHAT?! How could you think that?” She said embarrassed.
“Eh… sorry, I just thought it was like that.”
“Well, Levi didn’t join us until I was a squad leader. But, um, what I meant is that what you feel is normal. Annie is a cute girl, if you wait until she gets out of the crystal, then I’ll support you both.”
“What? No, Hange-san, I didn’t say I was going to try-.” Hange waved a hand in front of his face while she tilted her head with a mischievous smile.
“You don’t need to tell me, I know. You go get her, my boy.” Hange didn’t even let Armin respond when she started again, “Okay then, Armin. You helped a lot today, go to sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.”
She got up from her seat, shushed Armin off her office, and out of confusion the boy just muttered a warm “good night, Hange-san” before the door was closed behind him. Grabbing the papers in Armin’s seat and then putting them on her desk, she continued with her work. Hours went by before she decided to call it a day and head for bed, even if the sun was already peeking through the mountains.
“I swear if those two don’t get together I’ll go crazy.” She told herself before getting inside the covers.