Chapter Text
Hange was working at her new desk in the dead of night. “New” was an understatement, this desk had belonged to countless commanders before her. Her eyes were glued to her paperwork, so focused she didn’t notice Levi quietly entering the room.
“Oi, shitty glasses. I didn’t see you all day,” he said, his voice low but sharp.
“Ah… well, being commander will do that to a person,” she murmured without looking up.
Levi set down a tray of stew, bread, and tea beside her. “Eat. The brats did everything to stop Sasha from devouring it,” he muttered.
“Thanks… I’ll eat it later,” she replied distractedly, still scribbling notes.
Levi didn’t argue. He stepped closer, plucking the quill from her hand. “Your work isn’t going anywhere. Eat before I shove it down your throat.”
Hange sighed, reluctantly pushing her notes aside and sliding the tray toward her. Levi circled the room, picking up crumpled papers and fallen notes from the floor.
“How can you work in such filth?” he asked, his tone a mixture of exasperation and concern.
“I’ve never really minded,” she said with a small shrug. “You already know that.”
Food barely touched, Hange immediately returned to her notes. It was less than Levi had hoped for, but at least it was something. He put the tray on the floor and dragged a chair over to her desk. Then he grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. The old, soiled bandages around her injured eye drew his attention.
“When was the last time it was changed?” he asked, his voice soft but sharp.
“Not long ago… I promise,” she replied, avoiding his piercing stare.
“When exactly, shitty glasses?” Levi pressed, softer now, but his tone still demanding.
“Last night,” she admitted, finally meeting his eyes.
Levi grumbled in frustration before scooping her up with surprising strength, carrying her toward the bathroom. Hange yelped, clinging to him instinctively.
“Levi! What the hell?!”
“You’re taking a bath, and I’m not listening to your excuses,” he said firmly.
Surprisingly, Hange didn’t resist, either from exhaustion or quiet acceptance. He set her down gently on a stool while running the water. Carefully, he helped her undress, tossing her clothes aside. This wasn’t the first time Levi had insisted on bathing her, and Hange had come to accept it, even appreciate it, despite the initial struggle.
He removed the old bandages, tossing them aside. Besides her physician Levi was the only other person who had seen the mess of burned, scarred tissue beneath. The flesh was still raw, tender, and painful to touch.
“The swelling has gone down. Does it hurt?” he asked quietly.
“It throbs occasionally, but it’s fine,” she reassured him.
He helped her into the tub, the warm water seeping into her tired muscles. Levi sat on the edge, draping a gentle arm around her to help steady her. Slowly, he spooned warm water over her greasy hair, lathering it with soap and carefully scrubbing out grime.
“Do you think I was the right choice?” she asked quietly.
“Erwin trusted you, and so do I,” he replied without hesitation.
They fell into a comfortable silence, Levi’s hands moving deliberately and efficiently as he washed her. The water darkened with dirt, but neither spoke a word. He refilled a bucket with clean water, gently dabbing her eye with a washcloth to remove debris. Hange flinched at the sting on a particularly raw patch.
“I’ll try to be more gentle,” Levi muttered apologetically.
After several more careful motions, Levi helped her out of the tub, drying her thoroughly and dressing her in fresh clothes. He carefully wrapped new bandages around her eye.
“You really need to take better care of that,” he muttered, his tone stern but carrying a trace of worry. Hange frowned, fully aware of how neglectful she had been.
Finally, she returned to her desk but Levi didn’t follow. He stood in front of her, arms crossed, unyielding.
“You’re going to bed,” he said.
“I’m fine, Levi,” she protested.
“Bullshit. I haven’t seen you sleep in three days, shitty glasses.”
“I take naps”
“On the desk.”
“You do it on a chair!”
“That’s besides the point. Your work isn’t going anywhere. Sleep before I knock you out myself.”
“You wouldn’t do that to your commander,” she said with a teasing glare.
“Try me, shitty glasses,” he growled, grabbing her collar and pulling her closer. She sighed, knowing he meant no harm, and moved to lie on the bed. Levi hesitated before pulling a chair close and sitting down. His presence helped ease her anxiety, though he stiffly kept a little distance.
“Insomnia still plaguing you, shorty?” she asked softly.
“Tsk. Always has. Probably won’t stop until I’m dead,” he muttered. She scoots over patting the bed.
Levi glanced at her gesture, tense. This was different, more intimate than previous times they had shared a bed during expeditions. He considered declining but the pleading in her eyes made him relent. With a heavy sigh, he lay beside her, careful to maintain a respectful distance.
“You know, if you’re uncomfortable, you can say so,” Hange murmured noticing him tense up
“No. It’s fine. It’s just…” he looked away, struggling with his emotions, then pressed his forehead to hers.
“I’m glad you survived Shiganshina. Losing you and Erwin would have been too big of a loss for me.”
“I’m glad you survived as well. I wouldn’t have been able to carry this burden without you,” Hange whispered.
Her hand cupped his cheek, and he stiffened slightly before relaxing. Encouraged, she closed the small gap between them, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was slow, gentle, and filled with all the emotions they had kept bottled inside. Levi’s hand slid to her back, pressing her closer as the kiss deepened. He moved his lips to her neck, nipping and sucking lightly, drawing soft moans from her.
He pulled back, stroking her cheek before planting a small, careful kiss on her newly bandaged eye. She wrapped her arms around him, and he settled beside her, holding her gently.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“Love you too,” she replied, resting her head against his chest, the warmth of their bond finally giving them both peace.