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Levi and Hange had been friends their whole lives. And so naturally, They would know when something was off with one another. And that's precisely what happened one day during lunch break. They sat opposite him, seeming a bit agitated. Too jittery than one is accustomed to even by Hange's measure, so without looking at them, he acknowledges it.
"Spit it out, Four-eyes."
"What?"
"Stop playing. If you have something to say, just say it."
Hange hesitated for a split second but ultimately decided to drop it.
"It's nothing." They answered casually, but unfortunately for them, half a second was all it took for Levi to catch on, and he wasn't having it.
"It must be something huge since you're looking more constipated than usual," he says, still not looking up from his food. "Now, what is it?" he insisted.
They could never keep anything from him, can they?
"Alright," They said with a sigh, carefully looking up from their barely touched food. "It's my ex."
Now that caught his attention. "What about them?"
"They're getting married."
"So?"
They couldn't answer. They were too busy trying to gather their disgruntled thoughts. What is with me today? Why was asking this of Levi such a big deal?
"Ah. Let me guess. You're against it?" This time he looks up at them and doesn't wait for them to answer, "What then? Do you need me to drive you to the wedding to object?" he added, the sarcasm evident in his tone.
"Yes! Exactly!" they jump up from their seat.
"Hange, what the fuck?!"
"Oh no! No, no, no! That's not what I meant." They took a deep breath before continuing as if to take in as much air as they possibly could like it was the needed courage to fill their lungs. "I…just… I need someone to go with," they say in a small voice, quietly sitting back down while carefully avoiding his gaze still.
Levi took longer to process that than he would care to admit. Hange was acting so weird over this ridiculous favor. Now, for the first time in forever, the silence between them was getting uncomfortable.
They proceeded to elaborate on the details as to why they needed him to go. "I RSVP'd eight months ago when I was with someone. I just don't want to look sad and pathetic by going alone."
"Then, just don't go."
"But wouldn't that look bitter? Besides, I'm friends with that ex of mine. I'm really happy for the couple." They started to blabber on.
It was Levi's turn to sigh. He just had to ask. He studies the distraught etched on Hange's face. It wasn't a good look for them; he'd much rather have their bright, cheerful, beautiful smile on their face. And just like that, he let his mind wander off a bit to the enigma that is Hange Zoe and all the things he could never tell them.
"It's too much to ask, huh?" they say, and before he could fully snap out of his thoughts. They shot up from their seat again and added, "I guess I'll just ask Moblit then."
Moblit was their most recent ex, the one they were probably with when they RSVP'd for the wedding invitation over a year ago. Levi respected Moblit and liked how he took care of Hange, but if he were being completely honest, he had to admit he had grown jealous of him, which was why he decided to distance himself from Hange over the last couple of months.
Moblit was a good man, so Levi chose to make a gradual exit if it were for Hange's happiness. But, Moblit and Hange had broken up, and he found no reason to stay away from them any longer, and just like that, things between him and Hange went back to normal.
Levi wasn't keen on the details of their breakup, but he spared not a second of knowing whether or not Moblit had hurt them in some way because if he did, Levi would've ended him. But, seeing as they were on good terms and simply cited their differences, he let it go.
He was just happy Hange was close to him again. He missed them. And now they were about to ask Moblit to be their date, again? Oh, no way in hell was Levi going to indirectly shove them back into another's arms.
It's one date. One weekend. They hung out all the time. Hange practically lives in his guest bedroom already. What could go wrong?
As they turned to leave, Levi was quick and caught up to them as they barely got two steps away from their table. He grabbed them by the wrist and turned them around to face him.
"I'll do it." And there it was again, that bright smile they flashed him before pulling him to a tight hug.
It was a destination wedding, so they traveled to a different city that weekend.
"What? Only one bed?" Levi remarks as the open door closed behind them.
"Well, what'd you expect? it's a wedding, and we're a couple." Hange answers, not batting an eye as they carelessly throw their overnight bag onto the table. And slumps on the bed. "That was such a long commute. I'm so tired."
"Hange, we're going to be late for the rehearsal dinner. We have to get ready."
"The venue is just a block away from here, you know?" She grumpily looks back up from the bed to narrow her eyes on him as he crosses his arms on his chest.
"Hange," he warns in a stern tone.
"Just 15 minutes." they hide their face in the pillows and groans.
Levi rolled his eyes at them, but of course, he gave in. "10 minutes. And scoot over. I'm tired too." Levi lays beside them, and Hange quickly puts their arms around him.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean what am I doing? I'm trying to get comfortable," They answer coolly, burying their face on his chest. He, in return, would clasp them earnestly in his arms.
Levi yields as the wave of drowsiness and calm envelop both of them. Come to think of it, it was always lovely to have Hange near him. They were so warm and soft and always carried the feel of home with them.
...
He wakes up to a very mischievous Hange with their delicate hands wildly roaming all over his body.
"Hange?" groggily grabs hold of their hands, keeping them from unfastening his pants.
"Come on, Levi. Let's at least have a little fun." They successfully unzip his pants and slide in hand to cup his sex.
"Hange!"
Levi is very flustered at this point, but he would be lying if he never imagined this happening. But, this was still wrong. He tightens his hold over their hands, managing to gain control over the situation. Still, they were persistent and lunged at him and pinned his torso with their legs as they attempted to ride him despite being fully clothed, with the exception of his unbuttoned trousers.
"Levi, please." They ask with pleading eyes that were too persuading to refuse.
They put their forehead to his, waiting for him to meet their gaze. Oh, how he wanted to. But what he wanted more than anything was to keep their friendship intact. It would do no good for their relationship for them to sleep around, so he grabs them by the waist and throws them off him to the space on the bed beside him.
"Hange, I said no!" and just when he successfully got them off him,
he woke up.
He was staring at a dark ceiling. The curtains weren't drawn, so only a tiny amount of sunset passed through. He hurriedly sat up when he heard light snoring on the other side of the bed. There they lay, curled up like a ball, sleeping like a rock. He breathed a sigh of relief. It was all a dream. He looked at their peaceful sleeping face, but when he chanced a glimpse of the time, he reluctantly started shaking them awake.
"Get up, Four-eyes. The rehearsal dinner is in an hour. We slept the entire afternoon."
"Mmmm."
After a lot of convincing, Levi finally got Hange out of bed and into the bathroom. After freshening up, he put Hange in front of the dresser, and as they were setting their hair,
He brought out a box from his bags and handed it to them,
"What's this for?" They hold up the fancy velvet box.
Levi just shrugged. "Open it."
They did, and their eyes widened in astonishment. Inside it was a thin chain of silver, a dainty piece of jewelry with a single diamond pendant.
"It's lovely!" they gushed.
Like you, he thought to himself.
"But, Levi, you know we're only pretending to be a couple, right?"
"Tsk. It's for your birthday, you dumbass." Of course, he knew that. This was all fake, but the cut from their words was real as it could get.
"My birthday was three months ago." Levi just shook his head. He knew. He just never got to give it to them. In truth, he'd been holding on to it for years. He just never got the chance to give it to them since It'd be awkward to give someone else's girlfriend jewelry. He was their best friend, not their boyfriend, after all.
"I know. I'm sorry if it's late." He says, his gaze softening as Hange turned around to face him with arms outstretched, asking for a hug. And so he complies, and he keeps still in their embrace a few more moments before finally offering to put the necklace on them.
December air filled their lungs, and although this was a rehearsal dinner and most of the floral decorations were up, the venue was still substantially plagued by Christmas decorations from the lobby to the ceiling of their assigned seats which led them to such a compromising position, under the mistletoe, surrounded by their cheering and howling college friends that were rooting for them.
Hange was tense. They had made Levi agree to feign this relationship with them, but they never really got to decide on the terms of this agreement, specifically in regard to the lengths they would go to convince people. Just then, Levi squeezed her hand to get them to look at him, and without further ado, he put a hand on the small of their back to pull and gently pressed their body to his, looking them right in the eyes, lightly tilting their chin. The anticipation itself was enough to ignite whatever feelings she had been denying themself for this incredible man in front of them. The howling and cheers were replaced by the loud pounding of their own heart, and through half-lidded eyes, they focused on only him as he moved closer and closer, narrowing the gap between their faces until they felt his lips on theirs, soft but with just the right amount of fervor which they reciprocated in earnest.
That was how their first kiss went, and just like any passionate lip-locking, it was a newfound bliss, a satisfaction. Just like any normal couple, they would be shrouded with longing and belonging, thinking of the next, but unlike any regular couple, they were doomed to wonder if such magic could ever happen twice.
…
When they step out of the bathroom after freshening up, they pretend that their world wasn't abruptly turned upside down, like they weren't at all aware of their true feelings for him, like nothing ever happened because, really, it must've all been in their mind. Levi had put on an impressive act, but it was just that-- an act. They would never risk jeopardizing their friendship over something as a mere gut feeling. They had had their fair share of heartbreak, and frankly, they'd handle them pretty well, but Levi, Levi was their person. Just the thought of losing him would break not their heart but their very soul.
"Hange?"
Now, who better interrupt their thoughts at that very moment than their former paramour?
"Pieck!"
"I'm so glad you could make it!" says the petite raven-haired woman already midway into pulling them in a hug.
"You know, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Thank you. That really means a lot. And hey!" She nods over to the table on the opposite side of the hall where such chaos was brewing,
"I know, right?" Hange laughs. "Your wedding's turning into some kind of college reunion."
"I was referring to your date. I'm so glad you are finally together! It is hilarious how it took you too long to realize. I'm honest-to-god so happy for you," Pulling them again into a tight hug.
"Now, are you going to tell me what's bothering you? Or should I leave to Levi?"
Hange looks at her in shock. "Pieck, how did you--"
"Come on, Hange. Been together long enough for me to really know you."
"I don't think I should be bothering the bride--" Pieck smacks Hange's arm.
"Don't be silly, Hange. Now come one, just tell me. Maybe I can help."
After confessing everything to Pieck, her expression was hard to read, and so all Hange could do was wait for her to process everything they'd just shared and get her insight on the matter. After a while, Pieck did just that.
"Hange, why did you and Moblit break up?"
"Pieck, what does that have to do with anything?" but she didn't answer. She just leaned her head to the side with an eyebrow raised at them, waiting for their explanation.
"We wanted different things."
"Well, that's hard to believe. Aren't you both scientists with the same interests?" but before Hange could answer her, Pieck continued, "but, anyway, let's move on. Anything else you think that had happened to indirectly cause your break up?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"How did Levi take it when you told him you were going out with Moblit?"
"Supportive, very supportive. He got along with Moblit just fine."
Pieck suddenly sported that lop-sided grin of hers, the one she wore when she was nearing break-through. But, Hange couldn't decide whether or not they should be happy or afraid. Their problem was with Levi, after all, but all of Pieck's questions were directed towards her most recent failed relationship.
"Hange."
"Yes?"
"Why did we break up?"
"Pieck, Come on. Are we really supposed to talk about us? Hange fights down a chuckle. And here they thought Pieck was on to something.
"Just answer the question, silly," Pieck says, threatening to smack them on the arm if they didn't.
"...We wanted different things??" This time Hange couldn't hold down the chuckle, and it was all Pieck could do to keep a straight face.
"If I tell you why we broke up, I think you'd pretty much be able to figure this out on your own."
"Go on."
"Hange, we broke up because... We wanted different people."
They weren't following at all.
Pieck sighed. "Hange, I wanted you, and you wanted--"
"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. You're not avoiding me, are you?" Levi asks
"Such a shame we couldn't finish our little talk, but I guess I'll have to go now, Hange," Pieck whispers in their ear before giving them a quick peck on the cheek. "Good luck." She adds after giving Hange's hands a quick squeeze. She then turns to greet Levi on her way back to the party.
Hange was staring up at the starry sky by the time Levi gets to them. And when they turn to face him, their face lit up with a little more understanding.
They smiled at him, their sweetest, most enchanting smile and Levi swore his heart did somersaults.
"I could be hiding from the mistletoes," they say with a wink.
No they weren't. Levi smirked at them.
They were radiating under the moonlight. He walks towards them and wraps his arms around their waist. They let him take the lead as he ran his fingers through their hair, gently urging them to close the gap between them. They were engulfed in the quiet, tranquil night away from the crowd in the party. They were in their own world, and at that moment, nothing was as important as savoring each other's company. He was looking at them so intently they already knew what burned in his mind because it burned in theirs.
Could they possibly share that magical moment twice? One way to find out.
He kissed them passionately. When they part their lips, both still had their hands on each other. The frigid winter breeze surrounded them but was no match for the need and warmth in their hearts.
"What was that for?" they say, breaking the kiss all flustered and out of breath.
"People were watching. Gotta make this believable, you know,"
Nonsense. They were the one facing the glass doors leading to the hall. It was the cake-cutting ceremony. No one was watching them— no one was even near the balcony doors.
They leaned in closer to him, locking their lips once more in a fiery passion. They wanted to stretch that kiss over an eternity if they could, filling up infinity with all her pent-up emotions, with all their love and affection that they didn't know about before.
Their heart was overflowing with joy but, when they parted, Hange only copies his lame excuse.
"They were still watching." as they break into a huge grin, Levi couldn't help but mirror their glee.
"Let's get out of here." He says as he grabs their hand and pulls them into a sprint.
Before leaving the hall, they lock gazes with Pieck, and the blushing bride gives them a knowing smile. They echoed the bride's sentiments and gave a slight nod as they disappeared from sight.
...
The next morning wake up in each other's arms. With hange nuzzling Levi's neck as he held them tighter to his chest,
"Mmm. I could get used to this."
"You're allowed to. We're going to be together for a long, long time, Four-eyes." He says, giving them a kiss on the head while lovingly caressing them back to sleep.