Chapter Text
Hange stared at the letter that arrived at her desk this morning. A letter from Nanaba inviting her and Pieck to spend some time in her village the next time she visited Paradis. Nanaba had left the Survey Corps after she lost one leg in the battle of Utgard Castle. After Queen Historia's rise to the throne she has personally offered her the position of commander of her personal guard. She also made sure that Nanaba received the best medical treatment, physical therapy and prosthetic before she's in top shape to officially held the position. She accepted the postion knowing well her condition is no longer fit for active duty in the Survey Corps.
With Nanaba stationed in the Capital, Hange had plenty of time to meet with her. On their days off they often meet and talk about things, past, present, future. She invited her a few times to her home in the village where Mike lives now. He retired from the military to fully care for Nanaba after she lost her leg in Utgard Castle. They moved to her village and live there as farmers for a few years until Nanaba is fully recovered and the offer from the palace came. Mike decided not to return to the military even though he got similar offer for a different unit. He worked for an old couple who lost their only son in the war. He's content enough working the field for them.
They both made it work on living separately like that. At least once a week they would be together, on her day off. Mike mostly came to the capital and especially in the winter would stay in her residence in the capital since there were no field work in the village. Nanaba would always stay in the village for a couple of weeks during summer and help in the field.
Hange took a very slow step in telling her closest friends about her growing closer friendship with Pieck remembering their past. She made the jump to brought Pieck to visit Levi's tea shop for the first time last year. They had fought side by side in the war, it was a rather easy transition. This year, Pieck finally met Erwin whose health condition was finally stable enough for him to permanently help around at Levi's tea shop. He went through numerous organ transplant surgeries one after the other after the Return to Shiganshina battle and it took him years to fully recovered. Pieck had adjusted well to Erwin and Levi easily. Next year she planned on introducing her to Mike and Nanaba. Another two important person in her life.
She had mentioned about Mike and Nanaba to Pieck in their conversation but never really uttered her plan on meeting them.
"So, Hange. Have you told her?" Nanaba asked as they're having a get together at Hange's apartment now, five of them, just like in the past.
Still busy chewing the food Levi and Erwin brought for them all, Hange raised a hand, asking her to wait until she finished swalowing first.
After finishing half of her water glass she answered, "I did. I'm waiting for her reply now. Hopefully this week,"
"You think she would accept it?"
"I hope so,"
Sensing something else is hidden in the reply, Nanaba continued for her, "But...?"
Hange took a deep breath, "But, I don't know," she paused, "I really don't know. I really hope that she will but, I really don't know,"
Nanaba squeezed her shoulder as a comfort gesture.
"Like I said before, she still feels guilty about Erwin and what happened to you was...well, she had a part in that and almost directly caused by her closest friend, so..."
"I suppose she might think we still hold grudges against her?"
"Well, I think it's safe to think like that,"
"She was just doing her mission Hange, she knows that. We of all people, should know that but, yeah, I understand. You can't run away from your conscious,"
Hange nodded without saying anything and they all fell into silence once again.
"Speaking of which, how's monkey?" Levi broke the silence.
Mike choked on his wine and coughing hard at Levi's comment followed by Nanaba patting his back while glaring at Levi.
"What, Nana? Monkey almost killed your man. He's lucky Brzenska's unit got to him on time,"
"Levi," Erwin reprimanded him.
Hange just grinned at her friends behaviour.
"What?!" he barked, "Okay, how's Zeke," Levi grumbled.
"Last time she's here she said, she hasn't seen him in a year. He moved down south of the continent with his grandparents for warmer climate," Hange took a sip of her wine and continued, "He was nearing the end of his term by the time the war ended and Eren erased the titan shifter's ability. Apparently titan shifter's aging accelerate rapidly nearing the end of their terms and once it happen, it's irreversible,"
"How about Pieck?" Nanaba asked.
"She still looks her age because she still has some three years or so left on her term so, the rapid aging hasn't started yet,"
"She still walks with crutch? I think we should pick them up from the station then, Mike?" Nanaba asked Hange and Mike at the same time.
"Yeah, sure. I can get the cart ready for them," Mike answered.
"Guys, we don't know her answer yet,"
"I know but, we should prepare nonetheless," Nanaba added. Mike nodded in agreement by her side.
"Thanks guys. I'll let you know as soon as I heard from her,"
"Brass still pestering you about her, Hange?" Erwin finally spoke.
"Nah, not really. Haven't met any of them lately anyway,"
"Already decided on what to do next?" Nanaba jumped in.
"I still want to be with her, I still want a permanent future with her, THAT I know. Guess I can only hope that she still wants the same thing,"
"Her brass still pestering her?" Levi asked.
"Not directly but, bottom line is either she quits her teaching post at the military academy and losing the high salary and medical benefit for her father or me quitting the Survey Corps and be a civilian myself, work civilian jobs and, or move to the continent with her. There are no go if both of us are still in the military environment," exhaling hard, Hange gulped down the rest of her wine.
"Shit, Four Eyes,"
"Yeah, shit." Hange grabbed a wine bottle and refill her glass.