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It was a particularly boring day for Hange. She had finished all her paperwork, there was no expedition to prepare for, and she had already analyzed all the data from their previous excursion. She needed something to keep her mind busy. She had tried training but got bored easily, and walking around town wasn't any better. She even took a shower, ate, and attempted meditation.
In the end, she decided to go bother her short, grumpy friend. As she was walking to his room, she remembered the tea leaves she had acquired from their previous expedition. She was certain Levi would enjoy them, so she changed course to grab the leaves, thinking they could perhaps enjoy it together. After all, who doesn't love afternoon tea?
The knock on his door distracted Levi from obsessively scrubbing his already pristine floors. He looked up, irritated, knowing there was only one person crazy enough to disturb him when he explicitly said not to. Her knock was also unique—he could always tell it was her. What a hassle. Before he could answer the door, though, the bespectacled woman had already let herself in.
"I'm going to stop you right there," Levi said, pointing at her boots and his clean floors.
"Oh, but Levi, how am I supposed to—"
"No," he interrupted. He knew if she started rambling about her research, he'd never be able to leave. He couldn't say no to her and just let anything she said or did slide. She had that effect on him.
"Look! I brought tea! Come onnn," she said, holding up the container to show him what he might be missing out on.
Levi sighed. As much as he wanted to go back to cleaning, he figured he could take a break and spend it with her.
"What kind?" Levi asked as he took off his dust mask and started putting his cleaning supplies away. He didn't want to admit it, but he really didn't even care what kind of tea it was.
"It's a special one I found outside the walls, and you'll try it with me! It's not lethal though, don't worry," Hange said, taking off her boots and walking toward his couch so she wouldn't offend the raven-haired man.
Levi poured the tea, watching the steam rise from the cups as Hange made herself comfortable on his couch. She kicked her feet up, already feeling at home in his space.
"So, what's new with you?" Hange asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Aside from your relentless cleaning, of course."
Levi took a sip of the tea, keeping his expression unreadable, though he could taste the unfamiliar herbs. "Same as always. Keeping things clean, trying to stay sane."
Hange chuckled. "You need a hobby, Levi."
"I have one," he replied flatly, gesturing to the spotless room. "Keeping you out of trouble."
"Ah yes, the eternal task." Hange leaned back, her smile widening. "But really, you should get out more. There's a whole world beyond this room. You might actually enjoy it."
Levi grunted. "I enjoy quiet, Hange. Something you never seem to bring with you."
Hange laughed, sipping her tea, and the conversation continued, the two exchanging light banter, with Hange rambling about her experiments and Levi throwing in his dry remarks. Despite their differences, there was a comfort in their back-and-forth, a rhythm to their interactions that neither of them fully acknowledged, but both understood.
As they finished the tea, Levi felt a strange wave of dizziness wash over him. At first, he brushed it off, but when he stood up, the room tilted dangerously. He pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Levi? You okay?" Hange asked, noticing his sudden change in demeanor.
"Yeah, yeah," he replied, quickly ushering her out. It wasn't uncommon for him to get headaches, so he figured he'd just lay down for a while and wait it out.
*****
Five hours later, Levi couldn't feel a thing. Reality was a blur, slipping through his grasp. His mind felt clouded, unable to tell what was real and what wasn't. He couldn't even think straight. The only thing he was certain of was the tea—everything shifted after drinking it. His body felt numb, his head heavy, and nothing seemed to make sense.
Meanwhile, Hange had realized she'd left one of her notes in Levi's room. Thinking he probably wasn't asleep, she decided to go back and fetch it.
As she opened the door, the sight that greeted her was jarring—Levi lay helpless on his bed, sweating and muttering incoherently. His usual composed self was nowhere to be seen.
"Levi! Levi! Can you hear me?" she asked, rushing to his side, panic settling in. This wasn't like him.
"Four-eyes... that you? C'mere..." he slurred, his words barely coherent.
"Levi, are you okay?" Hange asked, leaning closer to check his temperature.
"No... I think... I think something's wrong... I feel like..." his words trailed off into more indistinguishable murmurs.
"Like what, Levi? How do you feel?"
"I... am... Batman," he mumbled.
"Wha—what?" Hange blinked in confusion.
"I SAID IT WAS THAT DAMN TEA!" Levi suddenly yelled, his voice sharp and ragged.
Hange flinched at his sudden outburst, completely thrown off. The tea? She had drunk the same tea and was fine. She thought rapidly, trying to piece things together, when Levi suddenly cupped her face with both hands.
"D-did I scare you?" he asked, his voice soft and laced with worry, his eyes wide. He looked so vulnerable in that moment, so unlike himself that Hange almost melted.
But she quickly shook the thought away and focused. "No, Levi, but I'm going to call the medic. I don't understand what's happening to you."
She stood to leave, but Levi grabbed her hand, pulling her back down beside him. His grip was weak but desperate. "Where are you going?" His voice wavered with panic. He looked confused, terrified even, and the last thing he wanted was to be left alone.
"Levi, I need to call someone to—"
"No! Stay. Stay here with me, Hange," he pleaded, his eyes wide with fear, refusing to let go of her hand. His fingers clung to her like she was his lifeline.
Hange sighed, realizing she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. She needed to think fast. Levi mentioned the tea—was it really the cause? She had drunk the same tea and felt fine. Moblit had tried it before and he had no reaction either. Then it hit her: Levi's Ackerman genes. His body didn't always react the same way as others. Maybe the tea affected him differently.
That must be it! She remembered the many experiments she'd conducted on him over the years—his physiology wasn't like everyone else's. If it was the tea, she needed to flush it out of his system, but how? He wasn't letting her go.
"Levi, I want to stay, but I need to help you get better, okay? Just give me a minute." She tried to reason with him, but he only frowned, his lips forming the smallest pout.
Humanity's strongest soldier... pouting.
Nothing could've prepared her for how absolutely adorable he looked in that moment. Hange's heart skipped a beat at the sight, her mind momentarily spinning at how surreal the situation had become.
But she quickly gathered herself, knowing she had to focus on helping him first. While her mind was thinking of ways to get out of this situation, she realized Levi's grip on her loosened. And he looked at her like he wanted to say something important but couldn't.
"You promise to come back?" Levi asked instead, his voice laced with an unexpected vulnerability.
"Of course, I'll be back!" Hange quickly responded, still reeling from the sudden shift in his character. She had no time to prepare for what he said next.
"Give me a kiss first, then you can go."
Shocked would be an understatement. The Levi Ackerman asking her for a kiss?
It wasn't news to her how she felt about the captain, but she had never even considered if those feelings might be reciprocated. And now... this.
She hesitated for a moment before leaning in, planning to place a quick kiss on his cheek. But just as she moved toward him, Levi turned his head slightly, and their lips met. Hange's face instantly flushed. She didn't know whether to apologize or pretend it was nothing. Levi wasn't exactly in his right mind at the moment, so maybe he wouldn't even care. Still, she turned away quickly, trying to hide her blushing face as she hurried out of the room.
Levi, meanwhile, was still drifting between reality and confusion. In his mind, the Hange he just kissed was from his dream. Dreaming of kissing her was normal for him—he often dreamed about doing all kinds of things with her. It didn't feel odd or out of the ordinary.
Just as he started growing impatient, dream-Hange walked back into the room with a jug of water and something else he couldn't quite make out. Relieved, he motioned for her to come sit next to him on the bed.
She approached, pouring water into a cup and bringing it to his lips. She sat him up and balanced him against the headboard as she carefully tilted the cup towards his mouth, whispering something he couldn't quite catch. He obediently drank, downing the water with no hesitation.
"Why's your face all red, four-eyes?" Levi asked after finishing the entire jug.
"Huh? What? Me? No... Levi?" Hange stammered, completely thrown off by the question.
"Hmm?" Levi responded, locking eyes with her. He liked her eyes. Had she always been this pretty? He watched her lips move and suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her again—this time longer. Since he couldn't do this to the Hange in real life, he decided that this dream-version was good enough. He leaned in, but she interrupted, clearly unaware of his intentions.
"Why did you ask me to k-kiss you earlier?" she stammered, almost shyly. She looked so cute like this, Levi thought.
He stared at her as if she'd just asked the most obvious question in the world.
"Why? Because you're my Hange, right?"
"What do you mean, Levi?" Hange asked, trying not to jump to conclusions. She knew he was delirious and possibly mixing things up, maybe confusing her with someone else. She had to be sure of what he meant.
But Levi couldn't answer—he had already passed out. Hange sighed, tucking him in properly. She sat beside him, deciding to stay until he woke up, but eventually, sleep overtook her as well.
******
Hange woke up to sunlight streaming through the room. She blinked groggily and realized she was covered by a blanket. But she didn't remember grabbing one for herself.
Levi.
She quickly looked around the room but noticed that Levi was no longer there. It seemed he had woken up earlier, fixed the bed, and left.
The mere thought of him made her stomach flip. What if he remembered? What if he didn't want to see her again after what happened? What if she made things awkward between them? Sure, he had initiated it, but he wasn't in his right mind. She could've avoided it...
Dreading the inevitable meeting with him, she got up, knowing she couldn't stay in his room forever. She resolved that if Levi showed any signs of remembering, she would apologize. If not, well... that would be her little secret to keep.
As she walked down the hall in search of the captain, she bumped into Eren.
"The captain's outside training," Eren informed her.
"Outside? In this weather?" Hange asked, confused. It was snowing heavily. What was Levi doing outside in the cold?
"Yeah, he's been out there for a while now."
Her heart sank. Was he still sick?
With a quick thank you, she headed toward the training grounds, her thoughts racing.
*****
Hange made her way to the training grounds, her footsteps light but her mind heavy with questions. She could see Levi going through his usual training routine, shirtless despite the cold. His movements were sharp and precise, but there was something off. His usual grace seemed burdened by tension, his body moving more mechanically than fluidly.
She cleared her throat to get his attention, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.
"Levi, what are you doing out here?" she called, her voice laced with concern.
He paused mid-punch, glancing at her without much expression. "Training," he replied flatly, turning back to continue his drills.
"In the snow? Shirtless?" She crossed her arms, trying to maintain a steady tone, but the awkwardness from last night still clung to her. She stepped closer, noticing the light sheen of sweat on his skin despite the cold. "You sure you're okay? You weren't exactly... yourself last night."
Levi stiffened but didn't stop moving. "I'm fine."
Hange watched him for a moment before stepping even closer, her heart racing with every step. "Levi, stop. Please," she insisted, her voice softer now, more vulnerable.
He finally halted, lowering his arms as he turned to face her fully. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—those intense, stormy eyes—were fixed on her.
"I'm fine," he repeated, but it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than her.
Hange bit her lip, her thoughts jumbled. She needed to know if he remembered. But how was she supposed to bring it up? After a few seconds of silence, she just blurted it out.
"Do you remember what happened last night?"
Levi's brow furrowed, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean?"
Hange's cheeks flushed. She wasn't used to feeling this awkward around him, but this situation wasn't exactly normal. "You know, nothing" she looked anywhere but his face, feeling her face grow warmer.
Levi knew her like the back of his hand. Her reaction only meant one thing. He messed up.
Levi's eyes widened ever so slightly. He turned away from her, his back now facing her as he stared off into the distance. Hange could see the muscles in his back tense as if he were bracing for something.
"Wasn't dreaming, huh?" he muttered, almost to himself.
"Dreaming? Wait, you thought it was a dream?" Hange asked, her voice faltering between confusion and disbelief.
Levi turned back to her, his face unreadable but his eyes filled with something deeper—something raw. "Yeah. I- I'm sorry. I thought it was another one of those damn dreams."
Hange's heart skipped a beat. "Another one?"
Levi sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Look, Hange... I—" he hesitated, the words clearly not coming easily. He had fought titans, faced death a thousand times, but this—this was harder. "I've been dreaming about you. For a while. And not just dreams... I can't stop thinking about you."
The confession hit Hange like a tidal wave, but she didn't have time to process it fully before Levi took a step closer, his eyes burning into hers. "Last night wasn't a mistake. And I'm not going to pretend it didn't mean anything. Not anymore."
Her breath caught in her throat. "Levi..."
"I'm tired of pretending," he interrupted, his voice rough but steady. "Tired of acting like I don't care. I've spent years pushing these feelings down because I thought it was better that way. Better for the mission. Better for you. Looks like there's no point anymore."
Hange could feel her pulse pounding in her ears. She had never seen Levi like this—so open, so raw. It scared her how much she wanted to believe what he was saying, how much she wanted it to be real. "You mean that?"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't." His voice was low, almost a whisper, but the weight of his words hung heavy in the air.
Hange's mind was spinning. She had always felt something for Levi, but she had convinced herself that it was one-sided, that Levi saw her as nothing more than a comrade, a friend. But now... everything was changing.
"I feel the same way," she whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud.
Levi's eyes softened for a brief moment, a flash of relief crossing his face. "Good," he muttered before closing the distance between them in an instant.
Their lips crashed together with a force that surprised them both. What had started as a hesitant confession quickly turned into something deeper, more heated. Hange's hands found their way to Levi's bare chest, feeling the warmth of his skin despite the cold air. She felt his heartbeat, rapid and strong beneath her fingers.
Levi's hands gripped her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. It was messy, desperate, and full of all the emotions they had both suppressed for so long. Hange's mind went blank, overwhelmed by the sensation of Levi—his lips, his touch, his presence.
She pulled away just slightly, breathless, their faces still inches apart. "This is... insane," she managed to say between ragged breaths, her heart pounding.
Levi smirked, his eyes dark and intense. "Yeah. But it's about damn time, don't you think?"
Hange couldn't help but smile back before she leaned in again, capturing his lips once more. This time, their kiss was slower, more deliberate, as if they were savoring the moment. It wasn't just about the passion—it was about everything they had been holding back.
Every unspoken word. Every stolen glance. Every suppressed feeling.
And finally, it was all out in the open.
They pulled each other closer, both lost in the moment, in the warmth they found in each other, despite the snow falling around them.
*******
The next morning, the Scout Regiment's usual routine was well underway. Despite the cold, there was an air of anticipation, as if everyone sensed that something was different.
Hange entered the dining hall first, looking a little more distracted than usual. She had hardly slept after what happened the night before. Her mind was racing, replaying every moment between her and Levi, and now, she was trying to act normal. But she wasn't sure she was succeeding.
"Morning, Hange!" Mike called from his seat, waving her over to join him and Nanaba.
Hange flashed a quick smile and made her way over, sitting down with a thud, her thoughts still miles away. Nanaba narrowed her eyes, picking up on Hange's dazed expression almost immediately.
"Something on your mind, Hange?" Nanaba asked, raising a brow.
Hange quickly shook her head. "No! No, nothing. Just tired, I guess."
Mike leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Tired? You've got that 'I haven't slept this good in a long time' look on your face." He smirked, clearly teasing her.
Hange felt her cheeks heat up, and she ducked her head a little to avoid their gazes. She should've known they'd notice. Mike and Nanaba were far too observant for their own good.
Just as she was about to change the subject, the door to the dining hall opened again, and Levi stepped inside. Hange tensed immediately, her eyes darting toward him, and the second their gazes met, something unreadable flashed between them. Levi quickly averted his eyes, pretending not to notice the others.
But it was too late.
Mike's smirk widened. "Well, well... speak of the devil," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Nanaba and Hange to hear.
Nanaba turned to look at Levi, who was casually grabbing a cup of tea, clearly trying to act indifferent. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she glanced back at Hange. "You didn't have anything to do with the captain's... mood, did you?" she asked with a knowing smile.
Hange coughed into her hand, suddenly feeling like she was under a microscope. "I don't know what you're talking about," she mumbled, trying to keep her voice steady.
Mike leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his grin practically splitting his face. "Yeah, sure you don't. But I'd bet you know why Captain 'I-Hate-Everyone' seems a little less grumpy today, huh?"
"Less grumpy?" Nanaba snorted, watching as Levi sat down a few tables away. "I'm pretty sure that's just how he always looks. But now that you mention it... he does seem less... intense this morning."
Hange's face felt like it was on fire. She tried to hide her smile, but she could feel the teasing was only just beginning.
Just then, Erwin entered the dining hall, joining their conversation as if he'd been listening in from the start. "What's this about Levi?" he asked, a slight hint of amusement in his voice.
Mike grinned even wider. "Just wondering why our dear captain seems a bit off this morning. A little... distracted maybe?"
Erwin raised a brow, glancing from Mike to Nanaba, and finally to Hange, whose face was an undeniable shade of red.
"I see," Erwin mused, his lips curling into a subtle smile. "Perhaps Captain Levi is in... good company?"
Hange shot a glare at him, but even she couldn't hold back a laugh. "Okay, okay, can we stop with the questions? We just... talked. That's it."
Mike leaned in, clearly not satisfied. "You're telling me all that blushing is just from 'talking'? C'mon, Hange, you're not fooling anyone. You smell entirely of Levi’s soap"
Erwin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Let them be, Mike. If something is going on, I'm sure they'll figure it out in their own time."
Nanaba sighed, leaning her chin in her hand, watching Levi from afar. "I never thought I'd see the day when Levi Ackerman would fall for someone. But then again... if anyone could pull that off, it'd be Hange."
Hange groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You guys are impossible."
But despite all the teasing, there was something comforting about the banter. It almost felt like a weight had been lifted, even if only a little. She hadn't realized how much she had been carrying around her feelings for Levi, hiding them even from herself. Now, even if things were still awkward, they were out in the open.
As Levi finished his tea and stood up, his eyes met Hange's once more. He gave her a subtle nod, his way of acknowledging everything that had happened between them the night before.
Hange felt her heart skip a beat, and she smiled. Things between them were far from normal, but somehow, that felt okay.
As Levi walked out of the dining hall, Mike leaned in once more, his voice dripping with playful curiosity. "So... when's the wedding?"
"Mike!" Hange laughed, finally feeling like she could breathe again.
"Just saying. You two are already acting like an old married couple."
Hange gave him a light shove, her laughter filling the room as the others joined in. Despite the teasing, she couldn't help but feel a warmth settle in her chest. Maybe this awkwardness wasn't so bad after all.