Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a rainy October day when you stumbled upon Little Owl Coffee. You ran through the streets trying to escape the pouring rain with only a jacket over your head to keep you dry. The forecast never mentioned rain, and you were a bit pissed. You stopped to catch your breath, and before you was a small, yet cozy-looking café. You glanced inside to see it relatively empty, save for two employees, one of which entered the back room. A perfect spot to shelter yourself before the skies cleared. Hopefully, they wouldn’t mind your presence.

You pushed the door open, and as the little bell above you chimed, you felt one thing: warmth . Not just from the temperature, but from the atmosphere itself. The small shop was bathed in warm light, and there were a few small, intimate tables. There were plants decorating the walls, the tables, the counters, all in perfect shape. The walls were also decorated with shelves, books, and pictures. Pictures of owls, of landscapes, and most interestingly of all, people . There were four recurring subjects. A tall blonde man, a short ginger-haired girl, a very intimidating short man with an undercut, and a spectacled brunette person with the brightest smile you’ve ever seen. 

You walked around the café, taking in your surroundings until a rather loud voice snapped you out of your musings.

“Welcome to Little Owl Coffee!”

You jump a little, and see the brunette in the pictures behind you, smile as bright as in the pictures.

It was much prettier in real life. 

“Hello! Sorry, I got a bit lost in thought.” You felt a little embarrassed to be confronted by the object of your musings, “You wouldn’t mind if I stayed here for a little while until the rain clears up, would you?”

“Of course not!  As long as you order something, I enjoy the company. My coworker just went on break.” They waved you over to the counter excitedly.

You hesitated for a moment, placing your soaking jacket on a chair by the counter. You felt sorry for whoever had to clean that up later.

“So, what can I get started for you? Something hot? Something sweet?” They began to ask you the standard barista questions, and you could practically see the pure excitement oozing out of them. 

This was the first time you saw them up close. Their eyes glittered like the stars above as they spoke, it was evident that the combination of their job and the excitement of meeting someone new brought some light into an otherwise dull day. 

You pondered for a moment, realizing that you really couldn’t decide. 

“How about you decide for me? Something hot and a little sweet, please. The rest is up to you.” They looked at you, scanning your face to see if you were actually being serious or not. 

And when they realized it, they lit up the whole cafe with just a smile.

“Really? Seriously?” They looked like a kid in a candy store.

That’s cute.

You nodded and handed them your card, and you could see they were exhilarated to be given the freedom to make whatever they wanted. 

They grabbed a cup and headed over to the numerous machines by the counter. You could see their expression change from childlike joy to complete seriousness. Their brow creased, trying to think of a perfect combination of flavors for you, the first person to give them the liberty to do this. 

They began to think of you while they worked. One girl who made their whole day. Your sweet and understanding smile inspired them, brought them home. You could see them crack a gentle smile, before catching themselves and resuming their work. Once they finished, they handed you the cup with a gentle smile.

“Just for you. One of my favorites.” 

“Can I ask why?” They looked at you in disbelief once again, “If that’s okay, that is… I’m sorry I don't mean to pry.”

They shook their head and let out a soft yet melodious chuckle.

“No, no, really, it’s okay. This one in particular reminds me of good times. It was one of the first drinks I made here actually…” They began, scanning your eyes for any sign of disinterest. 

But all they saw was someone who wanted to listen for once. 

“I almost spilled the coffee on Levi while giving it to him, I was convinced he would fire me right then and there.” They heard your laugh for the first time at that moment.

Not at them, but with them.

“But he liked it, like, actually enjoyed it. Levi’s not a coffee drinker, at all. Hates the stuff. Makes you wonder why he opened a coffee shop. He prefers tea, the fragrant ones, and he’s so damn picky about his drinks. This isn’t how sweet I usually make it, I usually prefer this one with no sugar, just hazelnut. Nutty flavors are my favorite, next to classic french vanilla. But, I made this one in mind because…”

Because your smile was so sweet, because you, despite being a complete stranger, made their day a thousand times sweeter.

“You asked for it. Let me know if it’s too sweet, I can fix it for you! I love experimenting with different flavors, especially in coffee. You’d think completely different things won’t taste good together, but sometimes, they taste like heaven. It’s kinda crazy, but it’s rewarding.” They stop themselves, realizing they had begun to go off on a tangent.

You, on the other hand, wanted to know more. You wanted to know everything. You wanted to hear them talk for hours, and watch their face completely light up. Their eyes were like starlight, their shine only dimmed by the glass in front of their face.

It was mesmerizing, 

“Thank you…” You began, realizing you never caught their name.

“Hanji. Hanji Zoё. Nice to meet you, my friend. And yours is?” They leaned over the counter slightly, eyes shining with curiosity.

You gave them your name, and they smile once again, gentler this time.

“Suits you!” They looked like they wanted to say something more, but you decide not to pry. 

A couple of seconds of silence passed before you spoke up.

“So… Hanji! Have you been in the area long?” You mentally kicked yourself. 

That is such a fucking boring topic , you internally scolded yourself, who are you, some kind of middle-aged creep?

“Not long, no. About a year or so, I wanted to help my friends open up this café, and I wasn’t doing anything too exciting at home anyways. Just working on my thesis, with a little bit of analysis of a book series I really like.”

Finally. Something to talk about that wouldn’t make you seem like a bore.

“What book? I’d love to know about it, I’ve been looking for new reads anyways.” 

You could see insecurity spread on their face. A pang of sadness ran through you. You wondered why you were so worried about someone you just met, but you pushed that thought to the back of your mind when they began to speak.

“Are you sure? It might be boring, and I usually talk too much about this type of thing. Once I get on a tangent, there’s no stopping me.” They flash you a painfully fake smile. Clearly someone had killed their love for whatever it was.

“Of course I’m sure! I don’t really mind, plus, my friends tell me I’m a great listener.” You smiled reassuringly at them. 

They felt their heart swell at that moment. This was the validation they haven’t gotten in months. Their eyes regained that shine.

“If you insist…” They began.

And they were right. They began talking and talking about this series called Attack on Titan and these things called “titans” that ate people, not for survival, but for the fun of it. They went into such detail about these things, it made you think that if they were transported into that world, they would be a titan researcher. It was a little weird to you, and you’d probably never understand their passion for the antagonists of that story, but somehow, they got you hooked on every word they said. You could feel warmth radiating not only from the cup in your hand but their whole demeanor now that they had the chance to speak about what they loved. It was like the sun on a dreary day. They had you wrapped around their finger in that moment as you sipped on your coffee periodically. 

Until their coworker came out of the back room. The scary short man in the photos. 

“Oi! Four-eyes! Break time. Shut up and go eat something.” 

His voice snapped you out of your trance, and you quickly moved to grab your coat. You gave Hanji a bill and turned to exit the cafe, the rain a much lighter now. You didn’t wanna stay alone with whoever this was.

“Hey!” They called your name, and you turned around to see them waving, the short man clearly annoyed by their volume.

“Visit me again, okay?” 

You got butterflies. They wanted to see you again.

You nodded and headed out, bell chiming as you opened the door. You stood outside, looking up at the sky. You could see the sun start to emerge from the clouds once again. You smiled to yourself, holding the warm drink close to your heart, and resumed your trip back home. 

Chapter Text

It was a colder day when you saw them again. The leaves were beginning to escape the trees more frequently, the orange hues decorating the sidewalks, creating the perfect picturesque scene. Definitely the most romantic scenery you’d seen in a while. You were walking along the sidewalk, taking in the atmosphere when you noticed your legs had gravitated towards Little Owl Coffee once more. You peered in the large glass window to see four people this time, instead of just Hanji and that intimidating short guy. The last two people in the pictures decorating the café joined them today. 

A sudden breeze chilled you to your bone. 

Going inside for another warm cup of coffee wouldn’t hurt. 

You stepped inside, the bell above the door jingling once again.

“Welcome to Little Owl Coffee!” A different voice from last time said.

You looked up to face the ginger-haired girl in the pictures. Her voice was a lot gentler than Hanji’s, and welcomed you like you were a part of this little family they’d built. She was also very pretty, with large eyes and soft features.

Behind her was the tall blonde man. His hard features and thick eyebrows oozed authority, yet there was also a softness in his eyes. His hair was styled almost perfectly, not a hair out of place. He was very attractive, you thought of other people you knew who would probably fawn over him and his built figure.

The final person you’d met before shortly. The short man with the intimidating eyes. To you, he was the only cold thing in this space. From what you’d seen of him, he seemed to be a fierce presence in the rest of the staff’s lives, yet they seemed unbothered. You assumed they were all good friends.

Hanji’s back was turned away from the front, they seemed to be fiddling with some of the coffee machines. 

“Hi!” You finally replied, walking towards the counter. The girl had her nametag on. 

Petra

Hanji’s head snapped towards you as soon as they heard your voice. You flinched, surprised by the sheer velocity they moved at. You were convinced they snapped their neck somehow. 

They approach Petra with haste, and whisper something in her ear. She looks at Hanji, raising her eyebrows, but concedes her position at the cashier. 

“My friend!” Hanji began, the same joy in their demeanor as the last time you visited. 

It made you smile, seeing them so happy. Their joy was infectious.

“Hanji! Do you think you could choose something for me again this time?” They looked up at you, eyes sparkling like diamonds again.

“Coming right up! Hot and sweet again?” 

You nodded, handing them your card. They swiped it and went right to work. You stood by the end, observing how they worked. You could hear them mumbling to their other coworkers as they worked. 

“Erwin, could you scootch a bit? I need to get over there…” The tall blonde man moves accordingly. 

“Levi! I know you’re giving her a death glare. Don’t scare away my customer again.”

You became more conscious of Levi’s eyes once again. Hanji was right, he did look like he was annoyed at you for something. You shifted uncomfortably, trying your best to avoid eye contact. 

This was the Levi Hanji almost gave a third-degree burn to. It gave you chills just thinking about him getting angry. He looked like he could kill something or even someone with no mercy. To think he worked in a coffee shop, in customer service, no less. You wondered if he was the one customers complained about the most. If Hanji hangs around him, though, there must be some sort of redeeming quality. You wanted to know more, despite him being so intimidating you could barely look at him. 

“And done!” They slid your coffee gently across the counter, your discomfort leaving your body completely. 

“This one has oatmilk in it. A little creamier than normal milk, and a little sweet. Theres also a bit of honey and cinnamon in this. Honey in coffee sounds a little strange, I know, but it’s actually good! Petra here,” They nodded towards her, “Loves this one. Can’t get enough of it, every shift she has at least two. Asks me to make it for her all the time. Between you and me, I’m the best barista here.” 

Hanji shot you a wink and you chuckled nervously. It was bold, a little bolder than you would’ve expected, but you didn’t mind. Seeing them wear confidence on their face was nice. It suited them. 

You gave them a couple of singles, making a mental note to get some more bills for next time. It would feel wrong, not giving them a tip of some sort. They were working hard, and probably didn’t get tipped as often as they’d like. 

“Hanji, is it uh…” You looked over at the other three employees. They didn’t seem to mind you being there, save for maybe Levi, “Is it a bad time to talk for a little? I understand if you guys are busy or something, don’t fret too much if we can’t.”

They looked back at their three coworkers, seemingly begging them to let them talk to you for a few minutes. Erwin sighed and looked towards Levi, waiting for him before approving anything. 

“Do whatever, shitty glasses. Just until the next person comes in. You’re lucky we don’t have a rush right now.” Erwin placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to get him to act at least a little more hospitable. 

Hanji pumped their fist in the air, before returning their attention to you. 

“It’s the perfect time to talk.” They begin, “So! Where did we leave off last time, my friend?”

They talked with the exact same enthusiasm as last time. They radiated pure, unadulterated happiness talking about their little “titan” things, you didn’t really mind that they were rambling. Just seeing them enjoy something to this extent was enough to keep you entertained. With each passing second, you felt like you were turning a new page in the book of Hanji. You started to pick up on things they did, like talking with their hands, or interrupting themselves mid-sentence to start to talk about something new. It amused you, and you only became more and more intrigued. You barely knew them, but something about Hanji made you want to stay in the café for hours on end. You were never a person who liked being lectured, but if it was Hanji, you’d listen to every word. You clung onto their passion, which in turn made you excited for them.

“But that’s pretty much it, without spoiling too much.” Hanji concluded, adjusting their glasses. “Read the books! I’m sure you’ll love them.”

“Lucky for you Hanji, I was about to head to the library right after this. Gotta see what makes these ‘titans’ so great for myself.” You took a sip of your coffee.

It was much different this time. You tasted the notes of cinnamon and sweet honey, almost tasting like a freshly baked pastry. You hummed at the flavor. There was a new warmth, a new familiarity that came with this drink. Like when Hanji made it, they had a very specific intention in mind. 

You wished you could put a finger on what they wanted to convey. 

“Tell me what you think about it next time! I wanna hear what you really think. It’d be nice to listen to you for once. You’ve probably already gotten sick of my voice…”

“Of course I will!” You shook your head, reassuringly placing your hand on theirs, “Hanji, I’m not getting sick of you. Not anytime soon at least. Plus, I like listening to you talk.”

You were a little embarrassed by the suddenness of your actions. You, once again, punched yourself mentally. But seeing Hanji’s reaction was worth it.

Hanji’s eyes widened. It looked like they had never heard something like that before. It wasn’t like them to get this attached to someone they’ve known for so little time, but it was something about you that made them feel different. Different from what they feel about Petra, or Erwin, or even Levi. Something that made their heart feel… weird. Maybe it was because you were a pretty girl who actually wanted to listen to them. Hanji decided not to think about it any more. For now, at least. 

They flashed their million-dollar smile, giddy from the validation. It was then when you heard the chime of the door. That was your cue. 

You cursed internally at the new customer. You were hoping for at least five minutes longer.

Hanji sighed at the jingle, their shoulders slumping.

“It was nice talking to you again.” They sounded a little defeated, “See you again soon?”

“Soon, Hanji” You reassured them, “Very soon. Before you know it.”

They physically cheered up a little, smiling at the prospect of seeing you again. Hopefully for the next few weeks.

You turned towards the door, leaving the warmth from the café. You immediately regretted that. Nonetheless, you started to walk towards the library. You needed to find this “Attack on Titan” book Hanji was talking about. 

From the day you started reading that goddamn book, you were hooked. Not only the stupid book, but on Hanji.

Chapter Text

You stuffed the large book in your bag, running down the street to make it to the café before it would close for the night. You got so absorbed in this fantasy world of titans, walls, and child soldiers you lost track of time. Damn Hanji for recommending such a good book. Your head was filled with them and every single detail of the storyline, and now you were running towards Little Owl Coffee like your life depended on it. You checked your watch.

7:30. Only thirty minutes.

No doubt whoever was there would be cleaning up the store right now, hoping nobody else would come in. You felt a little guilty in the moment, but seeing Hanji would make up for it. By the time you reached the café, it was 7:45. You were heaving by then, thankful you’d at least made it before 8. Composing yourself, you pushed the door open carefully. As the bell jingled, a deeper voice spoke up. It was Levi’s voice, the very last person you wanted to see. You braced yourself, preparing to be yelled at or kicked out.

“They’re in the back, cleaning before we close.”

His voice was relatively smooth but cold as ice. Maybe if you knew him a little better, you’d think his voice was calming, even a little alluring. But in this moment you were scared shitless.

“I’m not gonna yell at you, stupid.” He began, icy stare a little softer than usual, “I don’t hate you, contrary to what Hanji thinks. I’ve got no reason to. At least you’ve got some sort of boundary, you distracting four-eyes every day would’ve been annoying as fuck. The others don’t mind you either. Petra got a kick out of seeing Hanji have a regular customer for once.” 

You looked at your watch anxiously, hoping he’d allow you to just see Hanji for at least five minutes. Five minutes was all you really wanted.

“As the owner of Little Owl, I’m not gonna beat around the bush. You’re welcome to stay and chat with them as much as you want, as long as we’re not busy. You guys have got to find another way to talk as often as you want. You’re not gonna get lucky every time you wanna see shitty glasses for whatever godforsaken reason you have. And,” He leaned over the counter, a bit more serious now, “don’t play with their feelings. They might hesitate, but I won’t when it comes to people who hurt them or any of my coworkers for that matter.”

By now you were shaking in your boots. It was nice to know he cared about them though, in his own way, however violent it was. He looked over his shoulder to call Hanji.

“Your little girlfriend is here! You’ve got” He glanced at his watch, “5 minutes.”

You blushed at his comment, head filling with a million thoughts per second. 

Girlfriend? No not girlfriend, not girlfriend. You’ve only known them for a few days, “girlfriend” was… You wouldn’t mind too much if you were but… 

A loud slamming of the back door brought you back to reality. 

“Levi, what the fuck- ” Hanji stopped in their tracks, slapping their hand over their mouth.

Ah, shit, Something told them, not now.

“Hanji!” You tried desperately to hide your discomfort with your previous conversation, choosing to direct the focus to the book in your bag, pulling it out slightly to show off.

“You read it?” They looked at you expectantly, and you nod. “You really read it! Wow…”

They seem to be in complete disbelief for a second. Yes, they recommended it but they would have never thought you’d actually read it. The sound of Levi disappearing into the back room reminded them what you were here for.

“Ah, but business first before you tell me all about what you think. My choice?” They pick up an insulated cup, scribbling something on it before looking to you.

“Always your choice, Hanji.” You laugh lightly, thinking about where to start.

As they got to work you began to tell them everything. How you struggled with the librarian, trying desperately to even find the book. But once you started reading, you could barely put it down. You talked about your favorite parts, like when they took back the first wall, and your favorite characters, the girl known for her scarf. Hanji responded with amused hums and excited nods as they worked. It was weird, seeing them be the listener instead of you. You weren’t much of a talker, not nearly as talkative as Hanji. 

Hanji was so thankful you couldn’t see them. Hearing how you enjoyed something they liked made their heart so unbelievably warm. They were smiling ear to ear to themselves, overjoyed that you actually took the time to not only listen to them, but to take the time to entertain their interests. Nobody had really ever gone to the lengths you have before. Their stomach was filled with butterflies, their heart beating a thousand miles a minute. 

Shit. They thought, Can’t hide much longer.

Hanji quickly composed themself before handing you the warm cup, careful to hide the little heart they drew on it. They’d be mortified if they saw your reaction, especially if you didn’t like it. 

“This one’s pistachio. I know I keep giving you out-of-the box drinks, but this one is another staff-favorite. This is Erwin’s favorite, actually. It's like his little ‘grandpa’ drink.” They realized they messed up once again, slapping themselves on the forehead, “Not that you’re an old man, I mean, you don’t look like one. Not in the slightest! In fact you look…”

It’s your turn to stop Hanji, waving your hand to signify you didn’t take it that way.

“No, no it’s fine! I didn’t think of it that way. Keep going, I wanna know more.” You reassured them.

“Where was I...?” Hanji pondered for a moment, relieved that you weren’t offended, “Erwin! Erwin loves this drink. Not as coffee-crazy as Petra, but definitely a little biased towards it.”

A few seconds of silence passes before you speak up again. You were on a time-limit, damnit. 

“You’ve got an interesting crew here, Hanji. They all seem like interesting people.” You begin, hoping to strike up some type of conversation before Levi came back outside.

“Oh yeah, definitely. Erwin, our oldest, is like the commander of the ship. He’s a little intimidating at first, but you can tell he cares. He’s a little reckless with his decisions, willing to sacrifice anything for the good of the café. We’ve lost a few good employees because of this, but we seem to be doing fine without them, so I guess it was for the best. Between me and you, Erwin is very… attached to Levi. Don’t know how Levi feels though. He’s very good at hiding it, but I’m rooting for them”

“Petra, our youngest, is so kind it hurts sometimes. When we had kids here for the summer, she was their mentor, guiding them every step of the way. She’s also so loyal to us. I remember one time, a customer complained about Erwin of all people, and she was so close to biting their head off; it was hilarious. She’s like a little chihuahua. Cute and kind at first, but also ready to attack for those she loves.”

“Levi, I’m sure he’s talked to you a little bit. I don’t know what he said to you or about you, but don’t take it to heart. He’s a little abrasive because he cares a lot about us and about his shop. He’s also a major clean freak. Like, he won’t let us leave until everything is spotless. One time, he kept me till 10 because I accidentally dropped a pot of coffee on the floor. I was scrubbing for what felt like forever. He scares the crap out of newbies, too. Some high school kid was trying to ask for the day off and she almost shit herself when the time came. But he’s a nice guy, really. You just have to get to know him better. He’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had. Tough love, but he’s always been there when I needed him.”

You heard Levi clear his throat behind the counter. His ears were a little red, and you assumed he must have heard the last part.

“Hanji, thank you for the coffee again. I should let you guys close. I’ll see you soon?” You give Hanji a few bills once again.

“Soon. Hopefully when this tight-ass over here,” Hanji gestures towards Levi, smiling mischievously, “is a little more generous.”

You laugh carefully, seeing how Levi is glaring at the back of their head. Hopefully he’d be a little merciful. 

As you leave, you take a sip of the new coffee Hanji made for you. It was sweet, a little subtler. You liked this “grandpa” latte. You spun the cup around in your hand, looking for what Hanji drew.

When you saw it, you could feel yourself getting red.

A little heart, just for you.

This definitely wasn’t healthy for your heart.

Chapter Text

That interaction remained in your thoughts for the next few days. Just thinking about Hanji’s heart drawing made your heart do backflips, and your stomach would fill with butterflies. It took you a good five minutes to decide whether or not to throw it out. You opted for the latter, concluding it would’ve been creepy to keep a coffee cup just because you enjoyed the company of the person who drew a stupid little heart on it.

That’s what you wouldn’t budge on. What you really felt about them, especially after Levi made that comment.

His voice calling you Hanji’s girlfriend bounced around your head in the most inopportune moments, causing you to be flustered just thinking about the prospect. 

They’re just someone you enjoy the company of , you reassured yourself, knowing deep down there was something more you didn’t want to face. 

Despite that, you gravitated towards Little Owl once again. You hoped, prayed nobody would be inside so that Levi would be lenient. At least, a little more lenient than last time. You hated to admit it, but Levi was right. You couldn’t be hoping someone wouldn’t come in every time you wanted to talk to your favorite barista. 

So you, of course, had the genius idea of writing your phone number on a piece of paper. You sandwiched it in between the tip you prepared for Hanji after they made you another drink. The only thing you had to do was not chicken out. It would’ve been easy if your heart wasn’t pounding, leaving you unable to think clearly as you approached the café. 

Before you entered you peeked inside the big glass window once again. Erwin, Petra, Levi, Hanji. 

Perfect . 

You opened the door, hearing a familiar jingle from above you.

“Welcome to Little Owl Coffee.” A deep voice spoke. 

Erwin projected well, his voice alone filling the store. If you hadn’t known better, you would have assumed he was the owner, and not Levi. His voice was calm, comforting, and smooth. If he didn’t have his eyes on Levi, he would’ve been extremely popular with the ladies.

The other three were cleaning the counters and machines towards the back. Levi turned around to see who came in, and your eyes met. He raised his eyebrows and nodded, signaling that you had his permission once again.

“It’s you again! Hello…” Erwin was clearly struggling, either not knowing your name or not remembering. 

You gave him your name. 

You could see Hanji stiffen hearing your voice. They opted not to move just yet.

“Well, it’s great to finally meet you.” Erwin smiled gently, lowering his voice and leaning towards you, “We’ve all heard a lot about you. Good things, I promise.”

The comment made you blush. So you were important enough to mention to their friends. You still couldn’t form a coherent thought over the incessant beating of your heart, and this definitely didn’t help.

Erwin conceded his position, heading over to Hanji and tapping their shoulder. That was their cue to rush towards the counter, famous smile on full display.

“My friend! How are we doing today?” They seemed to be dazzling before you.

Must’ve been a slow day.

“I’ve been doing good Hanji! I still want the usual, but can I make a request?”

“Anything for you. Let’s hear it.”

“Can we do something that’s not exactly coffee today?” Hanji looked at you inquisitively, but decided to comply.

As you made your payment, you could see Hanji scribbling something new on the cup.

They got to work, grabbing some tea bags from their containers. Levi seemed to take interest in their process. You could hear him scoff at something, shake his head, and return to his place.

“Hey! Um, you’re Hanji’s friend, right?” It was Petra, pausing what she was doing for a second.

You nodded. Petra grinned, having a hint of mischievousness hiding behind her eyes.

“Be good to them, alright? Otherwise we’ll all come and get you.” She returned to her work, and Hanji let out a huff of annoyance.  

Erwin shook his head and turned towards you, “Excuse her. There will be no ‘getting you’.” 

As he turned back around, you could see him glaring at poor Petra. He was scary when he needed to be. 

“Done!” Hanji’s voice piped up. 

They slid you the cup, once again hiding where they scribbled. It took everything in your power not to look right now. If you did, you’d be even more of a mess.

Now’s your chance . 

You reached into your bag, trembling as you handed Hanji the bills with your number hidden in them. Hanji looked at your hands strangely, but decided not to ask.

“This one is the boss’ favorite. Just a simple black tea. I added a little sugar to it, because I know you like a little sweetness.” Hanji leaned in close, lowering their voice, “If Levi could drink this shit by the gallon, he would. If you thought Petra was the number one consumer of drinks here, you’d be dead wrong. Levi goes through so many cups when he’s here, it’s a little insane. He’s so particular about who makes it and how it’s made too. Erwin is the only one who’s mastered the Levi tea, other than Levi, but I’m getting there! Levi probably won’t let anyone other than Erwin near his tea, though, no matter how good I get at it.”

You laughed quietly. It was funny how you were getting to know Hanji’s friends through their favorite drinks, and from Hanji themselves. Of course, it would be nice to talk to them once in a while, but Hanji’s descriptions were so interesting, and probably very spot on. Right now, you didn’t want to talk to anyone but Hanji anyways.

You thanked Hanji, taking a sip of the beverage before you. It was hot, hotter than any of the drinks Hanji had given you before. The bitterness took you by surprise. Hanji had said they put a bit of sugar, but you weren’t expecting the bitterness to overpower most of the sweetness. To you, Levi liking this particular blend felt strangely fitting. The tea wasn’t bad, but not particularly something you’d drink again. 

“It’s okay if you don’t like it, you know.” Hanji begins, “Just let me know and I’ll make something new. Not everyone can deal with Levi and his tastes, especially as often as I do.”

You shake your head, waving your hands in front of you.

“It’s fine, really. I don’t mind trying new things.” You begin, “Are you around him often outside of work?” 

“Around him all the damn time, unfortunately.” They chuckle lightly.

Levi rolls his eyes behind them. 

“We live together. Roommates with your boss, I know. It gets a little crazy in there, but he deals with me. He’s always cleaning up after me. If it weren’t for him, there’d be no way to navigate the floor, or at least that’s what he always says. He always says he’ll ‘fire me’ or whatever if I don’t clean my ‘shitty ass room’, but I’m still here, aren’t I?” Hanji’s face lights up, thinking of something else to talk about, “We have a little bird too! His name is Bean. Levi says he hates him, but I really think he’d be bored without him. Do you wanna see him?” Hanji slowly pulls out their phone, trying to gage your reaction.

You nod, looking over while they open up a photo of the cutest little parakeet you’ve ever seen sitting on Hanji’s shoulder. It was green, and matched the shirt Hanji was wearing in the photo. They were smiling cutely in the photo, you could see how much they cared about the little creature by the look on their face. 

“Levi doesn’t mind the noise? He doesn’t seem like a parakeet person.” You were staring at Hanji’s bright expression in the photo a little too long.

“Of course not! Bean’s a good boy. He’s not too noisy, and he knows some tricks too! He loves giving kisses to Levi and I.” Their eyes sparkle with a different kind of enthusiasm than when they’re talking about anything else, “Between you and me, Levi secretly loves the kisses.”

You smiled at that. Levi doesn’t seem like the type to love bird kisses. 

The bell jingled before they could start talking about Bean again. 

“That's my cue Hanji,” You started to make your way out. “See you next time?” 

“Next time.” Hanji smiled warmly, knowing it wouldn’t be long before you saw each other again.

Before you placed your hand on the door, you paused for a minute. 

“Hanji?”

“What’s up?”

“Check the tip I gave you.” Your heart pounded once again, and you tried to make a speedy exit before they could realize.

As the door closed, you could hear an excited gasp and a teasing “ooh”. They saw it.

You turned your cup around, surprised to see they had the exact same idea as you.

A ten digit number, belonging to Hanji themselves.

Chapter Text

You paced around your room, staring at the 10 numbers in your phone.

Text them! Call them! Do something! Your mind screamed at you. 

But you couldn’t get past making them a contact and just staring at your screen waiting for yourself to move. Until you heard a ding from an already made contact. 

Heya! It’s Hanji! :-)

Your heart dropped. In a good way, but you had no idea what to say next, and didn’t wanna look too eager, too easy. So you decided to go the simple route. At least, it would’ve been simple if you hadn’t contemplated your use of emojis for five minutes.

Hi! :)

A little weight was lifted off your shoulder. Until, of course, a minute later, you heard your ringtone.

Of course. From Hanji. 

Hanji was in their own room, freaking out. Was it too early to call you? They were famously bad at text conversations, or at least that’s what Petra would tell them. Levi and Erwin weren’t big texters either, thankfully, but Petra always had something to text. They’d tried to become a better texter, but something about it was just difficult. More difficult than just talking to someone over the phone. They’d never understand what was so appealing about it.

“Hanji! Stop stomping around your fucking room!” Levi yelled from the next room over, “Bean and I can hear that shit from here!”

“Shut up! I’m calling her ! Not my fault I’m not as fucking composed as you are-” Hanji was interrupted by a nervous voice on the other end on the line.

“Hanji?”

Hanji immediately snapped out of whatever rage they had before you called.

“Hi! Sorry, uh, for calling out of the blue.” Hanji sat down on their bed, heart pounding, “I’m not that good at talking through text. Something about it, it just bothers me. I hope that’s alright with you. Of course, we could always text if that makes you-”

“It’s fine! Don’t worry too much. Calling,” gives me a chance to hear your voice, “is easier to express yourself with, anyways.” 

“Thank you, really.” Hanji replied, relieved that you were understanding.

You flopped down on your bed, searching for something, anything to talk about. It wouldn’t hurt to start off with the standard.

“How was your day?”

“It's been good. Was working the closing shift with Levi after Erwin and Petra left. Even at home he won’t stop bitching about something.” They laughed quietly, hoping Levi didn’t hear that last part.

“Right, living with your boss. This might be a little intrusive, but how did you guys start living together?” You turned to lay down on your side, putting your phone on speaker and setting it besides you.

Hanji smiled. It’s been a while since they reminisced on how they got here.

“Let’s see… I was fresh out of grad school for biology. I was searching for jobs when, one day out of the blue, I got a call from Levi. We’re not exactly childhood friends, but I’ve known him since the last few years of high school. Erwin introduced us, actually. Despite our differences, we still became very good friends, and even kept in touch while I was in school. So anyways, I get this call from Levi and he’s like, ‘Glasses, I know damn well you’re not busy or employed, so I need you to help me out with something.’ And I’m sitting in my apartment, job application on my screen very confused about this whole situation. Like, what the hell does he want? And why the hell did he have to add in that last part?’”

They heard you giggle softly through the screen. It made their heart feel… light. 

“So anyways, he says, ‘You remember how I’ve always wanted to open a tea shop, or something of the sort? Well I’m gonna need your help opening it. Erwin already agreed.’ And of course he gets me intrigued with the Erwin part. Sounds like some kind of fan fiction just waiting to happen. But, how the hell am I gonna leave the town I’ve been living in the last four years, and where the hell am I gonna live? I go, ‘Are you gonna find me a place to live? If you are, I’m on board.’ Almost immediately he goes, ‘You can live at my place. Got an extra room I don’t even use. Help me and it’s all yours. I’m dead serious, Hanji. Please.’ I jump on the opportunity, of course. I get to work, and with old friends, at that. I’m like, ‘Hell yeah!’ and I pack up all my things and move here. It was a bit difficult living with him at first, but once we got Bean, everything seemed to smooth itself out quicker. And I love it here. A new place, and new, interesting, people. Not like the assholes at school. Not in the slightest. People here actually care.”

Hearing them talk was always so comforting to you. Like you were being told a bedtime story straight from your childhood. It sucked that you couldn’t see them, see the way their hands would move when they said certain words, or how they had that little sparkle that always captivated you. But something about the way they talked now warmed your heart. It was nice to hear them talk about people and experiences they looked back fondly on. You could practically see the smile on their face. You couldn’t help smiling stupidly to yourself.

“I’m glad, Hanji. That you moved here and that we could meet.” You said, faster than you could form a singular thought. 

If you dared look in the mirror, you’d see red, pure red gracing your whole face.

“I am too. I’m thankful that I decided to work at Little Owl, because I wouldn’t have met such a kind girl anywhere else. Especially one that listens.”

A comfortable silence settled. Just the sound of their breathing calmed you. You wished they could be beside you, just for a minute. 

You wanted to see them, without a time limit for once. To be able to talk to them without people intently watching you. Especially when those people are on the clock, just trying to do their jobs. You had to take the leap.

“Hey Hanji?”

“Yeah?”

“When’s the next time you’re free?”

They went silent, stunned by your sudden request. You started to panic.

“Was that too much? I’m sorry, I just thought it’d be nice to hang out somewhere, you know, other than where you work.”

You being unsure snapped them out of it. Of course they wanted to see you without Levi, Erwin, or Petra there.

“Sorry! Um, I get out early tomorrow? I should be out by one. We can go somewhere after that?”

You launched yourself out of your bed. So they weren’t opposed to seeing you.

“Yep! Sounds perfect! I can pick you up from work and then we can go.”

“Perfect.” Hanji’s heart was pounding at this point. “I have to go now but… I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Alright. Goodnight, Hanji.”

“Goodnight, doll.”

And they hung up before you could react. 

You screamed into your pillow, embarrassed, excited, and your heart was practically leaping out of your chest. 

You’d spend a good while planning out a good outfit.

Hanji, on the other hand, ran out of their room to get Bean and to tell Levi.

“I’ve got to get out at one tomorrow. Like, exactly at one. I’m gonna hang out with her after work.”

Levi sighed, smiling slightly.

“Finally, asshole. I’ll let you out early, only because it’ll get you and your girl out of my hair for once.” 

Hanji bolted back to their room, Bean standing on their finger.

They’d have something to look forward to tomorrow for the first time in a while.

You barely got any sleep at all last night. Thoughts of Hanji flooded your mind. Would they like your outfit? What would you even do? You could barely even think straight when it came to navigating your way to Little Owl.

Checking everything obsessively, you made your way there ten minutes before one. Just so you weren’t late. 

You looked inside to see Erwin, Levi, and Petra. However, Hanji was nowhere to be found. 

They were freaking out in the back room. It had been so long since they’d hung out, or been on a date, if you’d even consider it to be that. They had been talking to Petra the rest of the night, as much as they loathed texting. Hanji asked her every question under the sun, practically. She tried her best, as Hanji wasn’t really sure what this was, but they were still extremely nervous after all the advice. So nervous, they felt a little sick. But they had to push through.

You approached the counter. Petra examined your outfit, as well as your expression. You hoped she couldn’t hear your heart going berserk.

“Hanji’s girl! You look great! Seriously, I love the outfit.” Petra smiled, a little too brightly.

Something on her face told you she knew. Maybe a little too well.

“They’re in the back again.” Levi piped up while he was cleaning, “I’ll go get them for you.”

Levi headed towards the back, and you could hear the talking behind the door getting louder and louder. 

Erwin tried his best to cover up the noise.

“Can we get anything for you, friend? While you wait?”

“Can I just get a caramel macchiato?”

“Of course.”

As Erwin prepared your drink, you tried your best to ignore Levi’s conversation with Hanji. Yet the mentions of your name kept you curious. As soon as Erwin finished, you could see the door open, and Hanji being pretty much dragged out.

“This one’s yours.” 

You could see a mix of happiness and embarrassment displayed on Hanji’s face. 

“Hanji!” You looked at them properly, for what seemed like the first time all over again.

They looked so handsome to you. Like the most beautiful person you’ve ever met. Their outfit was simple, a turtleneck, some dark pants, and a jacket. But, oh god, they blew you away.

“Hey, buddy! It’s almost time, yeah?” They put on a brave face for you.

You could barely form a coherent thought. Your brain was just filled with “Hanji hot. Wow. Hanji hot.”

All you could say was, “You look amazing. Wow.”

They blushed fiercely at the comment, trying their best to cover it with their face.

“C’mon it’s one now. Let’s go.”

You grabbed the coffee and followed them out, waving to the others. You could see Levi smiling a bit out of the corner of your eye. It was nice to know you at least had his approval.

“Where to first, doll?” 

You started to go through places nearby in your mind. Then it hit you.

“Lunch? There’s a good sandwich place, if you wanna get some food.” Your heart could barely take how violently it was pounding. 

You could hear it reverberating in your skull.

“Perfect. Let’s go.” In a split-second decision, they decided to hold out their elbow.

Hopefully you’d latch onto them, even if it was just for a couple of blocks.

You hesitantly complied, trembling a little as you reached for them. Anyone could tell from miles away that you were blushing like no tomorrow. Even so, you felt safe next to them. Like nothing could hurt you, as long as you were by their side. 

Before you knew it, you stopped in front of the shop. Hanji ordered themselves a ham and cheese, while you opted for a simple grilled cheese. Something that wouldn’t mess up your outfit.

You both sat at a small table by the window, eating in comfortable silence until Hanji spoke up.

“You know, ham and cheese reminds me of college. I’d be making these every day, ramen always took too long. At least for me. Every time I’d walk around campus with one, I’d always see a little cat. I named him Sawney, and fed him a bite of my sandwich every time I saw him. He was so good to me, always let me pet him when I was having a bad day. Unfortunately, he passed away in an on-campus accident. But every time I think of ham and cheese, I think about Sawney and how he got me through hard times.”

Hanji looked like an angel to you at that moment. Their compassion for others and animals shone through everything they did, everything you’ve learned about them until now. If someone told you they hung the stars, you’d wholeheartedly believe them. You’re sure you were looking at them like they did, at least.

“You’re a cat person?” You finally managed to get out, “Do you want to get one someday?”

“Some day. Definitely. If I wasn’t so worried about Bean, absolutely. Something tells me Levi would bitch even more about a cat.”

You laughed, finishing your sandwich. 

At that moment, Hanji could hardly believe you were there, in front of them. Your laugh was like a song to them, and they wanted it to play on repeat forever.

As soon as you were finished, you latched onto Hanji once again, trying to quickly think of somewhere else to go.

“Where to next, doll?”

You took a second, then remembered the second time you met them. 

“There’s a park close by, with a nice walkway that’s always gorgeous this time of year. Um, maybe we could find a cat? Or some birds?”

Hanji smiled and let out a low chuckle, smiling gently. It was amazing how you could pick up on things they liked quickly.

As you headed towards the walkway filled with leaves you were reminded of how romantic it was. It was nice, being here with someone you cared about instead of by yourself for once. You wanted to ingrain this moment, this whole day, into your mind. 

The scenery was stunning, and most importantly, Hanji was stunning. 

“It’s gorgeous. Thank you for bringing me here. For everything, really.”

You paused for a moment.

“Everything? Hanji, we’re friends!” The word tasted bitter in your mouth. You hated it.

“No, I’m serious. I know I said this last night, and not to get all sappy on you again, but getting to know you has been one of the best memories I’ve had here. You listen, for a change. I’m grateful that you are you, you know?” Hanji couldn’t get the words right. It frustrated them. “I just wanted to say thank you before you change your mind.”

“For the last time, Hanji.” You were getting a little frustrated yourself, “I’m not getting sick of you. I’m not gonna change my mind. I-” like you.

And just as you were finally about to get the words out, droplets fell from the sky.

Shit. The one thing you weren’t prepared for.

They grabbed your jacket, and quickly flung it over both of you.

“Let’s get home. Can’t stay out in the rain too long, you’ll get a cold.”

You guided them towards your apartment, air heavy with words left unsaid. You had to say it before they left, but something was holding you back.

Before you could register it, you reached your front steps.

“This is it doll. It sucks we couldn’t spend more time together, but there’s always next time.”

You looked at them intently. You just wanted to spit it out, tell them that you liked them, kiss their stupid face .

“Hanji?” It was now or never.

“Yes, doll?”

“Don’t hate me for this, okay?” Hanji looked at you confused but nodded, signaling for you to keep going.

At that moment, a surge of courage overtook you, and you kissed them. A thousand fireworks went off in your heart, and you felt light as air. Their lips were soft, and tasted vaguely of hazelnut. Just like the coffee they made you when you first met. 

You kissed them, in the rain. Cheesy shit, but with Hanji it felt right. 

“I like you. A lot, Hanji.”

Chapter Text

It was a chilly December afternoon, two months after you kissed Hanji and began going on periodic dates. After you got the courage to make the first move, your relationship blossomed, yet you were both dancing around the idea of making it official, for fear of scaring off the other.

“It’s just casual, not exactly a ‘relationship’,” you told people.

“We’re still seeing each other,” they would tell their coworkers when they asked you.

Neither of you wanted to take the leap and even think about using “partner” to describe what you were.

You rounded the corner and entered a flower shop that was run by two young women. One was blonde and gentle in nature. The other seemed like her “protector”, a tall freckled woman that probably wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you if you got too close to the other. 

Luckily you were in and out, picking out a dark red carnation.

“This one is used to express love and affection,” The girl had told you.

And it was perfect.

As soon as you paid, you headed towards Little Owl to pick Hanji up for another date. This time you’d ask them to make it official.

You peeked in the window. The usual crew was there. Hanji and Levi were hanging up their aprons, getting ready to leave for the day. 

Perfect.

You entered, hearing the familiar jingle overhead for the millionth time. Just hearing it nowadays would melt away your stress, and everything you were carrying for the day.

“Erwin! How’s your boyfriend?” You started to approach the counter.

Erwin looked up at you, and smiled warmly. He was proud of where he had gotten, and you knew all too well.

“Amazing.”

You could see Levi tense up out of the corner of your eye, Hanji nudging him with their elbow and they headed towards the back room.

Erwin leaned forward, speaking low and carefully.

“And yours?”

You reached into your tote bag, pulling out the well-concealed carnation. Petra leaned over Erwin’s shoulder, and tried her best not to let out an excited squeal at the sight.

“Wish me luck,” You whispered to the pair, putting a finger over your lips.

You spent a couple of seconds chatting with them about your love lives, laughing at funny little instances they brought up.

“Doll?”

As soon as you heard Hanji’s voice, the three of you broke your little gossip session, and you headed towards Hanji, arms extended for a hug.

Hugging them was the best warmth in a bitterly cold December. It could have been a second, but you had felt safe in their arms for what felt like years.

You pulled the carnation out of your bag, careful not to crush it. 

“This is for you, Hanji.” You could see their expression soften.

They were so cute.

“Thank you doll. It’s adorable.” 

They kissed you lightly on your forehead. They never failed to give you butterflies in the most arbitrary ways. 

Hanji held out your hand, signaling it was time for you two to go.

“Ready?”

You gladly took it.

“Always.”

You both had decided to go to the same park you did on your first date. The scenery was bare and bleak, but it was a special place. At least, in your view it was.

“You know,” Hanji began, a note of playfulness in their voice,  “This reminds me of when we first went out… You know, that time when you-”

You lightly swatted at Hanji, a little embarrassed that they brought it up and were teasing you about it.

“It’s not like you hated it.” You mumbled, trying to hide your blush in your scarf.

“Of course I didn’t, doll.” Hanji reassured you, squeezing your cold palm. 

You thought back to the past two months. Everything had changed for the better, and fast. It seems like just yesterday you were escaping the rain and ducking into a coffee shop with a cute barista inside. Now you were holding their hand, hoping to make it official today.

They lead you towards a bench on the walkway, sitting down and taking you with them. You nuzzled up next to them, leaning your shoulder.

You were in complete bliss at that moment. You were warm, and in the presence of someone you held so dearly to your heart. 

They smiled down at you, enjoying the sight before them. They wanted to call you theirs so bad, but they didn’t know if you would even be open to it. 

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in the cold like this,” Hanji began suddenly, “The last time, I was home for the holidays and was spending time with the others. This was way before Bean and way before I got here. It was snowing that day, and I had convinced Levi to do a snowball fight with Erwin and I. He pelted me straight in the face with a hard ass snowball that day. I’m still not convinced there wasn’t a rock in there. He broke my fucking glasses, doll. It sucked, but he looked like he was having fun, especially being with Erwin. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the winter with someone like that?’ I guess my wish was answered.”

You smiled up at them. They were shining, glittering before you. You’d never seen anything, anyone so spectacular as Hanji Zoe. You wondered if anyone could ever come close to them. 

They couldn’t.

“What are you thinking of, doll?”

“Just thinking about how I’m enjoying being here with you.” You smiled warmly up at them. You were their sun, their warmth, even in the coldest days.

This was the perfect moment. There was one thing that could make this more perfect, though. 

Now!

“Hanji?”

“Yes doll?”

Your heart was pounding but you weren’t afraid. Not in the slightest.

“How would you feel about making us official? Like, being mine?”

They paused for a moment. You could see the expression on their face change from confusion, to shock, to joy, and then to pure love.

They leaned down, and kissed you gently but passionately. You melted against them, feeling nothing but pure bliss. You were warm, light as a feather. Like you’ve just ascended into the heavens. So this is what it was like to love and be loved.

As you parted, you could see tears threatening to spill over, but their signature smile never faltered.

“Of course, love. I’d love that. I’ve always been yours.”