Chapter Text
"I was watching you. Your technique was incredible."
That was the first real interaction between Humanity’s Strongest and Humanity’s Smartest. Levi, naturally reserved and intolerant of interruptions, especially from someone as energetic and, frankly, invasive as Hange, barely knew how to respond. At first, their exchanges were brief, curt, and distant. Levi wanted nothing more than to dismiss her entirely, while Furlan nudged him to “socialize” much to his irritation.
Yet, despite his efforts to avoid her, Hange persisted. She approached him like an old friend rather than the infamous soldier or the notorious criminal everyone else feared. She was the first person to engage Levi in casual conversation, and though he found her energy almost unbearable, he couldn’t deny a flicker of curiosity.
This would certainly be interesting.
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That night, after the deaths of Furlan and Isabel, Levi found himself on the rooftop, staring at the stars. It was a habit he had shared with them, a quiet ritual of reflection. Tonight, though, the sky felt emptier than usual. Even Levi, who preferred solitude, felt the sharp pang of loneliness. He clenched his fists, fighting back tears that threatened to spill.
Then, a familiar voice broke the silence.
“Hey… I didn’t see you at dinner, so I brought you something.”
Hange set down a tray beside him: bread, cheese, and steaming tea.
“There wasn’t much stew left when I checked,” she added with a small shrug.
Levi’s eyes narrowed slightly. She wasn’t asking for anything in return was she? Hesitantly, he accepted the tray, nibbling at the bread in silence. Hange sat down beside him, knees drawn close, her eyes reflecting the distant stars.
After a while, Levi spoke, voice quiet but sharp, “What do you want from me?”
Hange blinked in surprise. “Oh… nothing. I just wanted to check on you. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Tsk. People don’t do things for free,” he muttered. “What do you want?”
She stared at him, incredulous. “No-nothing. I just wanted to do something nice for you.”
“Nice?” Levi raised an eyebrow, skeptical. Something done without payment?
“Look,” she said softly, placing a hand gently on the air between them, “not everything has to have a price. People are allowed to do kind things for each other... just because.”
Levi took another bite of bread, muttering a quiet, “...Thanks.” Hange smiled faintly, hoping it reached him.
They sat in silence for a while, listening to the night breeze, watching the stars shimmer overhead. Hange lifted her hand as if to touch them.
“They’re probably watching you from up there,” she said quietly. “Cheering you on... hoping you keep going. They dedicated their hearts to you... so you live on.”
Levi’s gaze lingered on the stars, watching them twinkle. He exhaled a slow puff of air, placing his tea down, lost in thought.
Hange yawned, stretching lightly. “It’s getting late. You should try to get some sleep. Good night, Levi.”
She turned to leave, thinking the conversation over. But then she paused, hearing Levi’s quiet, unexpectedly warm reply, “Good night, Hange. And... learn to make better tea next time, Four Eyes.”
Hange laughed softly, shaking her head as she jumped down from the rooftop. “Next time? You’re a lot kinder than you think, Levi.”
For a fleeting moment, the weight of grief felt a little lighter, and the night sky seemed just a bit less empty.