Work Text:
Psst! Nanba! Over Here!”
Nanaba whips her head to see Miche waving from the open office door. She peers through as Miche beacons her to the other side of Erwin's desk.
“Is everything alright?” She asks cautiously. Upon closer inspection, her dear companion looked pale and his brow gathered while pointing at something on Erwin's desk.
“Take a look at this?”
From the disarray of papers upon Erwin's desk, Nanaba leans in closer, most were formal documents of the Scouts; legal names, home addresses, and ID numbers. Nothing extraordinary if you asked her. Nanaba began to wonder if her dear comrade was losing his mind. Miche has been under a lot of stress ever since Erwin had been out sick for a couple of days and threw all responsibilities under Miche’s care. Meetings, paperwork, formal complaints, budget cuts, and city affairs had been swiftly executed under Miche’s watchful gaze, of course, not without taking a toll on his sleep and sanity. There was a drawer with all the Scout's ID information that needed to be sorted. It appears like Erwin had it sorted in the beginning, but with the flow of Scouts leaving and entering it had become a mess of crinkled papers shoved haphazardly into the bottom draw. Many of the pieces held the names of friends that had been long six feet under. However, nestled in the middle of them all, stood the documents for Levi.
Nanaba peers over at her comrade. She scans the document noting his name and lack of last name, place of residence, criminal record, gender, and citizen number. There wasn’t anything important or something they already didn’t know. Though, she was a little surprised he had been charged with… Stealing flour? Ah, but that wasn’t her concern.
“Thats… Nice Miche,” she said patting his shoulder. He shakes his head and points to the top of the document.
“Look! Right there.”
She inspects closer. Oh. Under marital status, there were four options. Single, married, widowed, and divorced. To her surprise, the supposed bachelor had ‘married’ circled in bright red. His poor admirers from the streets would be heartbroken.
“Huh?” Was all she could manage. It was surprising their comrade was married, not that it was any of their business. Still, envisioning the cold and hardened Captain having romantic relations, much less committed ones was hard to picture.
“Look at this!” Miche pulls out another document. Nanaba peers at the name. Hange Zöe, her dear friend whom she had basically entered the Corps with. Her marital status also circled under married. She raises her eyebrows. What!? Hange! married? Now that was an even bigger surprise.
“Could she have married a Titan?” Nanaba smirks. Miche chuckles but then pulls another sheet out from the pile.
There, in his hands, he held the marriage certificate with the signatures of Levi and Hange Zöe. Nanaba swipes it out of his hands, staring at the intricate paper. No fucking way. Nanaba's eyes scan the paper several times, this had to be a joke.
“There’s no way this is real,” Nanaba scoffs. Yet, the paper was legit. Furthermore, this dates back to five years ago. The anniversary of their friend's marriage is around the corner—two weeks from now.
“I didn’t believe it either, but I cross-referenced it to Ana and Jack,” Old friends of theirs who sadly lost their lives four years ago. He held up their marriage certificate along with their documents from the drawer. “The certificate is the same as theirs. It's real.”
“Shit…” Nanaba crosses her arms. “What didn’t she tell me?”
He shrugs before smirking, “Maybe Hange was embarrassed?”
“Hange. Embarrassed? Please,” Nanaba waves the paper around. She paces around the room glaring daggers at the floor. Somehow she couldn’t quite picture the two. An odd pairing to say the least, but it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. The more she thought about little incidents here and there, the more she realized maybe it wasn't so strange. Yet they had never been physically affectionate in that regard. At least, she hasn't seen them like that.
“Miche,” a soft knock breaks them out of their thoughts. Moblit stood in the doorway.
“Come in, how can I help you?” He turns to the blond.
“The doctor said Erwin will be on bed rest for the next two weeks, he wanted to know if you’d be okay managing a little longer?”
The doctor was smart. Erwin had been hit with something nasty caught outside the wall. He would most likely be ready to move in a week, no doubt throwing himself headfirst into the sea of never-ending tasks. Thus, slowing his healing.
“Certainly, give him my best regards,” Miche nods. Moblit smiles and turns to leave but Nanaba stops him.
“Moblit! Did you know Hange was married?”
Moblit freezes in his tracks, his head whips around staring down at the blond.
“What!?”
She turns to Miche who’s hand froze mid-air, trying to stop her from asking everyone in the Corp since technically it was none of their business. Nanaba waves him off.
“If anyone were to know it'd be him,” Nanaba shows the certificate to him. Moblit takes it and analyzes the paper. He has to scoop his jaw off the floor as he continuously scans it for any flaws. “To Levi!?” He gapes.
“Exactly!” Nanaba huffs, taking a seat on one of Erwin's plush chairs. Crossing her legs she stares out the window, her thoughts swirling in the silence.
“I- I guess that makes sense…” He stutters.
“Oh? What do you mean?” She questions, leaning forward. Miche glances at her, he knows that look. Hange and Nanaba were extremely close, so for her to find out Hange withheld that information meant she was really hurt. Now Nanaba would dig out of pure and use that information to tease the ever loving shit out of the eccentric scientist. Thought, Nanaba had to get over the betrayal her friend unknowingly bestowed.
Nanaba mulls her dear friend being married to Levi. Out of all the people Nanaba considered her friend falling for, lightheartedly or madly in love, Levi?! The two were polar opposites. If she didn’t know Levi that well she’d tell her friend he was a walking red flag.
“Well… He follows her around making sure she eats properly, has something to drink, and cleans spaces she frequents. I notice he searches for her once we regroup after expeditions too. Of course, I know you also heard Hange screaming like a feral cat when Levi dragged her to the washroom.”
Miches eyebrows raised at the latter comment, though Nanaba was unfazed, she already knew that from Hange’s complaining. Her favorite shirt was ruined during their struggle, though he did get her a new one after that incident. Sometimes it would be she who suggested Levi Hange needed a bath. The woman was a lot of things but self-care seemed to be something she was incapable of. The aroma of Hange forgoing hygiene was something her poor team could only take so long. Thankfully there was Levi to set her straight.
“I guess I never thought of them as married,” Nanaba grunts.
“Well, it’s their business not ours, they’ll tell us on our own time,” Miche nods as he begins pilling more paper from the drawer. A pile for the living and a pile for the dead. He frowns seeing familiar names as the pile for the dead stacks noticeably higher.
“I wonder what Levi will do…” Moblit mumbles, scanning the certificate one last time before handing it to Miche.
“What do you mean?” Nanaba asks.
“It’ll be their fifth anniversary in two weeks. I wonder what he’ll do. Just plain curiosity,” Moblit shrugs. A mischievous smile graces his lips. Nanaba smirks. It's rare to see Moblit not stressed to the max. She's glad he’s still got some humor after working to keep Hange alive all these years. Miche laughs as he draws another folder.
“You think he’d tell us if we asked?”
“What happened to ‘it’s none of our business?” She cackles.
“It isn't... But it’d be funny to see what he’d say,” Miche chuckles.
-–
It happened during dinner. All the squads were huddled together because for once they added meat to their diet. No one was missing this, not even Hange. Well, she wasn’t missing it because a certain Captain dragged her by the horns to the mess hall. Miche was sitting next to Levi and Hange. Levi through gritted teeth was trying to force some stew down her throat while Hange chided Levi for getting food near her precious book. Raising it in the air while also dodging the spoonful of soup. Miche gaze was fixed on Nanaba, who was stealing glances at the pair.
“Levi, this book is the only copy! Don’t you dare wave that spoon anywhere near it!”
“I told you to put it away before you eat!”
“I will after this section!”
“Tch. Like hell, you will.”
Miche's brows raise at the sight of curious gold eyes watching the pair. Moblit leaned down to Nifa whispering something while she stifled a giggle. The girl’s eyes met Miche’s before stuffing another spoonful into her mouth. Ah, so the gossip train has started.
Levi’s had enough. Simultaneously, he kicks Hange under the table causing her to yell in surprise. He grabs her by the back of her messy ponytail and yanks her head back. As she insinuates more curses this created the perfect opportunity to shove a spoon full of stew in her mouth. Members of the Corp turn to watch the commotion, making sure Levi isn't actually trying to kill Hange. It wouldn't be that shocking if he finally snapped.
“Da-” Cough. “It shorty!”
“Eat it or I’ll do it again,” he gazes down at her menacingly. Readying another spoon just like when they see a Titan ready to kill.
The two continue to bicker as Hange finally sets down her book. She swipes the spoon from his grip as she finally sits to eat, throwing dagger glares at Levi all the while. Her eating is slow but his hand, very gently, pushes the spoon forward encouraging her to continue. She rolls her eyes.
“What’s next, you're going to rip my clothes off and drown me in the bathtub,” she growls, forcing another spoonful down.
A cough could be heard across the room as someone choked.
“Not a bad idea. You smell,” he hums.
“Oh! Fuck you!”
The tension was thick and Miche and Nanaba may have had a little bit to drink before they got here. While Nifa is stifling a giggle and Moblit seems a little to fixated on his stew. Seeing the pages of dead comrades took its toll. So when she found an opened bottle of whisky hidden at the back of Erwin's shelf, they indulged in a tiny sip. Her idea, not his. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Miche nudges Levi making the shorter man glare up at him. “So, you got any big plans in the next few weeks?”
Black brows furrowed as Miche could sense Nanaba’s and Moblit’s eyes on them. “What's it to you?” Levi pulls his arm away, no doubt thinking about the hygiene of the man beside him.
Hange grunts as she shoves another spoonful, “You already forgot.”
Oh? Curious pair's of eyes fall on Hange.
Levi whips his head around. “Forgot what?!”
“Nothing,” Hange scowls, scooping the last out of the bowl. “I’ve got work to do.” She quickly stands up and exits the dining room, not sparing a glance at the table behind her.
“Oi! Hange! Han-”
The door slams as she exits. Quiet settles for a moment before the entire hall slowly picks up chatter as Levi sits confused.
“What the hell was that about,” Levi scoffs.
He can feel it. Miche glances at Nanaba’s blue eyes that stare sharply at Miche. You better fix this.
Miche gulps. An angry Hange or Levi was one thing, an angry Nanaba was frightening. In total, people have seen Nanaba angry maybe two times. However, those two times everyone may as well evacuate the building.
“Did you uh… forget something special that’s coming up?” Nifa pipes up. Nanaba gives Moblit a side-eye.
Levi shakes his head, “Not that I remember.”
Uh oh. He’s fucked. Nanaba's eyes widen as her lips part slightly, no sure what to say from here.
Before she could retort, Levi stands, taking his and Hange’s bowl as he exits the room. Miche could still feel Nanaba’s icy glare, however, there were still quite a few cadets, so she kept her mouth shut. They chew in silence as the remainder soon file out.
“What the hell was that?” Nanaba hisses as Levi’s squad finally exits.
Miche puts his hands up. “I couldn’t help a bit of teasing, didn’t expect it to end up like that !”
“Ugh,” She groans. Her blue eyes peer over at the redhead who hasn’t left the table, “I assume Moblit told you.”
Nifa smiles sheepishly. “I pried it out of him, he was acting weird all day. I thought he was helping Hange hide a body or something with the way he was sweating…”
“I see,” Nanaba says glaring at the man beside her. “Oh well. Let’s keep it between the four of us though. So. How are you going to fix this?”
“Why do I need to fix it?” Miche wines. “I have enough on my plate.”
“You brought it up! You fix it!” Nanaba spats.
“You’re still mad Hange didn’t tell you directly,” Miche rests his chin on his hand, grinning as Nanaba’s face turns red.
Nanaba gives him the look. The ‘you’re on thin ice look’. He bows his head and nods. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” she smiles gracefully. Something in his chest flutters as the softness Nanaba exudes. While her rage could be earth-shattering it never lasted long. Always returning to an angelic state. Even if he knows she's peeved at him.
—
Humanities shortest was nowhere to be seen. All was going well that evening. Nanaba accompanied him to Erwin's office where they cleaned. Causal conversation flowed as night marched on. She suggested they let them work it out, which Miche thought was the appropriate thing to do. Then he said the wrong thing.
“I’m glad you’ve calmed down.”
Well. That left him here, searching for the Captain. Miche searched every inch of the barracks but he simply vanished. When Miche saw Hange in the lab she grunts something incoherent while reading a paper. He had to concede as he stood outside the stables. That’s when he noticed one certain black hair captain's horse was missing. He knew there was a trail through the forest for leisure days, on a hunch Miche saddled up his horse and followed the worn path.
The canopy of trees was pretty. Sunlight poking through the green leaves. After a while, he was nearing far too deep, and no signs of recent horse tracks. It was best if he headed back.
He rubs his eyes several times, Miche’s vision had to be deceiving him. He had gotten turned around and ended up on an off-path while returning home. This place was known to have a lot of poison ivy so the scouts rarely came this way. He felt sorry for his poor horse who may have to get treated, hopefully in time for their next expedition. However, the image before him made him halt in his tracks. There, in a patch of grass, he caught a Survey Corp cloak. Upon further inspection, it was the Captain in all his glory… picking flowers.
“This counts as stalking Miche,” Levi says, his back facing the blond.
“Sorry, had to find you for some documents,” he said gawking as Levi continued to fill his basket with flowers. What a lame excuse and Levi knew it too. He scoffs in response. Levi tosses all different kinds of flowers into the overflowing basket. It vaguely reminded Miche of those princess stories he read his younger sisters. Hell, there was even sunlight streaming through the trees and glittering morning dew. He couldn't wait to tell Nanaba this.
“Must have been real import to come out here,” Levi glares.
Miche shrugs. “Who are those for?”
“Hange,” Levi says nonchalantly.
Miche was amazed at how well Levi composed himself. If this damn marriage was such a secrete they were shit at keeping it.
Fix it. Nanaba’s voice echoes in his head. Well, Levi probably caught on and a few others knew if he talked like this. Or he simply didn't care at this point.
“Is this to appease Hange?”
“Yeah,” he says, swerving his head. He glances at a yellow one before tenderly picking it up.
“Are those her favorites?”
“I don’t know,” Levi shrugs.
“Well, what’s her favorite color?”
Levi finally turns to Miche, glaring at him. “Why do you care?”
Fix it.
“Well, there are other ways to appease women than flowers, you know. Maybe something a little more special?”
Levi stares at him like he’s grown another head. He looks like he’s about to prod further but shakes his head, opting to peer below him, paying attention to pulling pink, blue, and orange flowers from the ground. Surprisingly gentle for a notorious underground thug.
“Are you in a fight with Nanaba?”
Miche was about to laugh but paused. It dawned on him that maybe they were slightly strained.
“I- Maybe? Why would you say that?”
“You look like a kicked puppy,” Levi says. “Perhaps you should take your advice.”
Miche thought about it for a moment. Maybe he should with all the stress throughout the Corp lately he hadn’t had time to show one of his beloved comrades how much he cares. Admittedly everyone knew they were more than just comrades, but they hadn’t cared to name it. Their lives bound in endless turmoil would make goodbyes too hard. Still, they had been at each other's throats a little more recently. Levi’s steely gray eyes catch him off guard.
“I guess you’re right…” Miche inwardly nods. He knew he should make a better show of his care towards her. He also knew Levi might need to do the same. Then a thought pops into his mind. “Levi! You and I, the market, tomorrow.”
“Can’t.”
“Why?”
“Helping Hange. Also, it’s bath day and she’s not getting out of it.”
Miche snorts. “She’ll let you even if she’s upset?”
“She doesn’t have a choice,” Levi said with a murderous glare.
“The next day.”
Levi’s shoulders sag as he whips his head around to the blond. “Why?”
—
“Then Miche disappears like that,” Nanaba huffs, rolling a glass object on Hange’s desk. Nanaba had tried asking how it went since she saw Levi and Miche return together two days before. The man blew her off, saying he had to gather some supplies in town. When she offered her assistance he declined, opting to go with Levi giving no further explanation.
“Yeah. I was hoping Levi was around for some test experiments but he’s gone. Guess I know why. You know, he’s been forgetting a lot lately,” Hange sighs. Nanaba noted the sadness in her voice. She leans forward while waving the instrument around.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Nanaba says. Maybe her dear friend would open up finally. She frowns as Hange shakes her head.
“It’s little things, nothing to worry about,” she gives Nanaba a big smile, reaching over and plucking the glass object from Nanaba. “That’s a rectal thermometer by the way.”
Ew. Nanaba walks over to the worn-out sink to rinse her hands off. The creamy bar of soap felt out of place in the barebones lab, piled with research papers and rusted tools.
“This is some nice soap,” she comments.
“Levi keeps me stocked,” Hange laughs. Though Nanaba knew Hange was more careful than she let others perceive. Being a scientist meant getting down and dirty, but she wasn't careless. Acid spills and glass shattering were bound to happen, and getting clean as soon as possible could be a hassle in the crowded barracks.
“That’s a lot of flowers,” Nanaba notes as she peers at the basket overflowing with all sorts of flowers. Almost every color spilled as the lab for once has a beautiful aroma scent.
Hange shrugs, “Levi collected them for me yesterday- oh, thank you Moblit, thank you Nifa.”
Her assistants set down vases filled with fresh water. Also peering at the flowers, then back at Nanaba.
“Hange… if there’s something you want to tell us, you know we can keep a secret right?” Nanaba prods. Like a cat poking its prey trying to play dead. Nifa and Moblit give reassuring glances as Hange turns around her brow furrowing.
“You’re all acting strange. What did Levi say?”
“He hasn’t said anything,” Moblit reassures.
“Then there shouldn’t be anything?” Hange smiles awkwardly as she reluctantly turns back to her microscope. “Would you mind sorting the flowers by species?”
Moblit and Nifa get to work. Nanaba noted how Hange took the flowers and stuffed them in jars. When she asked, Hange's cheeks turned the slightest shade of red before admitting she was preserving them. From behind Hange's back Nifa gave a smirk to Moblit.
Okay, so her best friend's taste in men was, questionable. It was obvious the two wanted to remain private about their love life, but that wouldn't stop her from helping them out.
—
“We need to help Hange and Levi!” Nanaba declares.
Miche whips his head up from Erwin's desk, the neat stacks of paper move with the sudden burst of wind upon the blonde arrival.
“What brought this on?”
“The way Hange talks they sound like they're having marital troubles,” Nifa chimes as she emerges behind Nanaba.
“Did she say anything directly?” Miche pushes.
“No, but it had subtle undertones,” Moblit nods. The towering frame pushed them inside.
“Well it just so happens me and humanity's densest went shopping,” Miche laughs.
—
“That one looks stupid, plus it’s worth a half-year pay,” Levi scoffs as he stares at the silver necklace adorned with too many different stones. The vendor glares, clearly not amused at Levi’s critique of his work. Miche nudges him as they continue down the market.
“I said take a look, not insult the craftsmen.”
They stroll through several more rows before landing on an interesting stall. Necklaces glittered in the afternoon sun. Various delicate flowers were carefully crafted in an assortment of metals. Not a bad price either. Miche stares at a silver necklace, a white gem in an oval setting.
“I see this one has caught your eye,” an elderly lady muses. She picks up the delicate ornament and hands it to Miche to hold. “That’s a moonstone. It can represent new beginnings, healing, and love.”
Levi scoffs at the declaration, though the woman doesn’t seem to mind. She turns to the glowering man.
“Do you have someone special in mind?” The woman questions.
“No,” Levi says, eyes downcast. The woman laughs quietly as her eyes soften. She’d heard that line far too many times and she was too old to be offended at the woes of one's heart.
“I think you do… and I think you know who. You’ve been staring at that necklace since you two have stopped.”
Miche looks over to see what Levi is staring at. The jewelry lay in its case, a gold necklace with a sunflower pendant. Oh, Miche could take a guess who Levi was thinking of.
“Probably cost an arm and a leg,” Levi grumbles. “How much?”
Even Miche was taken aback by the cost. Yes, that was on the pricey of pricey sides. No way that grump will-
Levi hands her the coins as the woman begins wrapping the jewelry. Miche scoops his jaw off the floor before his friend can see, pulling out his coin purse to pay for his treasure as well.
—
“I didn’t expect you to dish out that much,” Miche prods as they walk home. Levi shrugs, his eyes downcast to the ground.
“Four-eyes deserves something nice once in a while,” Levi mumbles.
“So… how are you going to give her it?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You know, like, wrap it all pretty?”
“I- wrap?”
Right, Levi was from the underground. They probably didn’t have the resources to waste on wrapping gifts.
“It’s okay, I don’t know how to wrap either. Nifa knows how, I’ve seen her do it before. We’ll ask her.”
—
“They’re beautiful!” Nifa squeals as she stares at the gifts. Already pulling pretty paper from a drawer of her dresser. Miche had to stifle a laugh as Levi gawked at the pretty pieces of paper. She gently showed both men how to fold each piece to make sure the objects weren’t smushed or bent. Nifa had turned away for one second, looking for the blue ribbon under Mike’s request. This left Levi to figure out how to tie the gift. Specifically the bow. Moblit had wandered in and stopped Levi from wrapping it like it was an illegal package.
“How are you going to give it to her?” he asks as he guides the captain on how to tie the bow.
Levi sighs in exasperation. “I was going to throw it on her desk and call it a day.”
“You can’t do that!” Nifa interjects. “Something like this should be given over dinner!”
“So… I should bring a plate to her lab, with it?”
“No! Like! At dinner together!” Nifa cries, pulling at the end of her hair. Levi barely captures it but he could hear the words ‘hopeless’ fall from her lips. Last he checked the Survey Corps needed him.
“I feel like capturing a Titian may be easier than getting Hange to come to dinner,” Levi groans. It would be so much easier to throw it at her.
“Well, we’ll help!” Moblit puffs out his chest.
“Moblit, you have the backbone of a noodle when it comes to her,” Nifa huffs.
“Don’t worry! Leave the dinner to us! Just make sure Hange gets there,” Miche pats his comrade on the back.
“When?” Levi sighs, knowing the struggle it’ll take to wrangle the crazy scientist for a simple meal.
“A week and two from today,” Miche says with a winks. Levi blinks in confusion. He didn't understand the big need for such a specific date but his friends were acting weird. Weirder than usual. It slightly frightened him, so he relented.
“If it gets her to eat I guess.“
—
“Right! Who is the best cook here?” Nanaba rubs her hands together.
They’re all standing in Hange’s lab, Moblit and Nifa are adding different liquids to the jars of flowers lining her shelf.
“I think I can whip up something nice,” Moblit declares.
“I’ll get Hange looking nice,” Nanaba nods.
“I’m doing the decorations!” Nifa beams.
“That leaves me with getting the rest of the Corps out of the mess hall,” Miche comments. “Unless we want a different location?”
All three shake their heads. There wasn’t anywhere else that didn’t involve horse shit, toxic chemicals, or dust. Well, the dust could be removed but they all knew the mess hall was the best option. Less Levi’s anxiety gives way to their hard work.
And so, as the day drew closer Miche spread throughout the core that the mess hall would be down for renovations on the date of Levi and Hange’s anniversary. Luckily, Levi was enough of a social recluse not to hear it through word of mouth and Hange was a shut-in for that week. She seemed particularly obsessed with the flowers Levi gave her. Once Nifa had stepped in to see Hange back against the desk with the Captain's nose pressed against her neck before turning to sniff her wrist. Quiet whispers between the two sent Nifa retreating up the stairs leaving the lovebirds for some much needed alone time.
As the day drew close Nanaba had once again sparked the idea of Levi bathing Hange the day before the big dinner. Slipping in an offhanded comment about seeing Hange slip in a pile of horseshit causing the captain to go on a rampage looking for her. It was quite a show as Levi threw her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, dragging her off to the washroom.
All could hear Hange’s cries of “I haven’t been in the stables!”
Followed by, “Tough shit, you stink regardless,” throughout the barracks.
—
“And so, the day of their fifth anniversary was upon them. Nanaba slinks into Hange’s room, rifling through her closet as Levi had freshly washed her clothes. However, most shirts had stains and were very worn. Thankfully she had been shopping with Hange days prior. Making the excuse she needed to get some new clothes, whereas Hange also conveniently got some new shirts. This was after Nanaba pushed a begrudging Hange into the changing room with a handful of nice blouses telling her to “just try them.”
She pulls out a new nice yellow shirt and black dress pants that was usually reserved for Survey Corp dinners where they kissed the asses of their sponsors. She peers over her shoulder, and Hange's nose is buried in a book.
“Try them on, I want to see this set on you,” Nanaba smiles, prying the book from the woman's hands.
Hange tries to grab her book back, “Why? We aren’t going anywhere?”
She’s like a child, eyes making a beeline for her book.
“Hey, are you in Miche in a fight?” Hange cocks her head.
Nanaba is taken aback by the question. She glances over at her friend and tilts her head.
“No why?”
“Oh. The sudden need to change your clothes. You were really persistent. I thought maybe something happened.”
“Oh no, Hange. We’re fine!”
“If you say so…” Hange shrugs, slender fingers graze the worn cover as Nanaba yanks the book away.
“They’re freshly washed! I wanna see if they shrank. If they did we can get our money back.”
“Do I get my book back if I do?”
“Yes.”
“…Fine.”
So Hange pulls on the garments and like a child, turns to Nanaba for approval, then reaches for her book. Nanaba obliges as she pulls Hange’s freshly washed hair out of her ponytail. Hange’s attention span is so engrossed in her book that she doesn’t mind her friend as Nanaba brushes her hair. Detangling those stubborn knots her friend never seemed to have time to fiddle with. She pulls side strips in a partial updo, leaving the rest of her hair and bangs to hang free. Hange absentmindedly reaches for her ponytail holder, about to throw all Nanaba’s work back into a lazy ponytail. Nanaba swipes it from her fingertips and chucks it across the room knowing Hange is too lazy to get up and grab it.
A knock on the door and has Nanaba scurrying over, Nifa holds a metal dish with loads of heat protection. A beam spreads across Nanaba's lips as they set it on Hange’s bedside table. This prompts Hange to look up from her book, narrowing her eyes at the cylinder objects.
“What’s this?” She laughs.
“Something we don’t get to do often,” Nifa smiles. She pats the side of the bed closer to the heat rollers. The protests were shoved down as Hange couldn’t say no to the younger's pleading face. So, she let the redhead curl her hair while she continued to read her book on Plant Essence Extraction Vol 3.
—
“Levi you need to look nicer,” Miche stands in front of the door. The black-haired man glares up at the taller.
“No," he grunts trying to dart out him.
“Just do it.”
“Why?” He tilts his head, package in hand. This was getting ridiculous.
“Because a nice gift and dinner should be accompanied by nice clothes.”
Levi took one good look at Miche, glared, and darted under him. “No.” No way he was dressing nice to give a shitty gift to shitty glasses.
As he ducked into the hall Moblit blocked his escape. The figure puffed his chest out, fists forming as he stared at the Captain.
“Captain. If you don't change this instant I will aid Hange in avoiding baths for thre-”
Like that, Levi darted into his room throwing on his freshly washed shirt and pants.
—
“Hange…” Levi’s voice caught her off guard. It’s like he saw a ghost. Eyes wide as they roam her face.
“Ah,” she said, touching her freshly curled hair. “Nifa wanted to do curlers on me. Couldn’t say no.” She smiles. “Do I look strange?”
His mouth hangs open and she notes Levi in his crisp white shirt and nice dress pants. His gaze sweeps over her clothes, giving a questioning look.
“Ah shoot, I forgot to change. Nanaba wanted to make sure these didn’t shrink. Let me go change-”
A hand shot out stopping her, she felt tingles when his hand touched her wrist.
“Don’t bother, if you disappear no telling if you’ll eat. Come on,” Levi says as they make their way to the mess hall. More like him dragging while she protests. It was strangely empty as Hange and Levi walked through the corridor.
“Er… Levi.”
“Hm?”
He still hasn't let go of her wrist, dragging her as if she was a child. The look he gave her a couple of minutes earlier sent shivers down her spine. A teasing smile stretched on her lips as she wriggled a finger down the palm of his hand. Slowly lacing each finger in his. Strangely he doesn’t seem to mind it.
“Is it time for dinner? There’s no one here and it’s too quiet.”
He looks around, equally confused as she is. As they open the door to the mess hall, they're taken aback by the design. Wow. The room was decorated with flowers, candles, and two placemats before them. Their curiosity beckoned them forward. Ah shit, Hange curses. It’s pasta, really nice pasta that already has her mouth-watering, but she knows she is going to make a mess while eating it.
“I don't think we're supposed to be here…” Hange cautions. Levi nods wordlessly. However, before the two can back out they see their friends, Nanaba, Miche, Nifa, and Moblit watching them from the top of the stairway.
“Hey you guys, what's going-” Before Hange could question further the four shut the door. Levi walks up to the stairs and pushes at the door. Confusion grew by the minute as their friends had locked them together… alone… for dinner…
Levi turns back to Hange, shrugging at the strange behavior of their friends. “Might as well eat, it's intended for us.”
She shakes her head. What's gotten into her friends? Hange follows after him, feeling a bit small in the large dining hall.
—
Silence dominates the room as knives and forks scrape the plates. Their eyes barely met and the room was choking Hange out. She was envious of how easily Levi shoved his food down. Though, on closer inspection, she noticed a tenseness in his face. Perhaps he also had no clue what was going on. Hange can't take it anymore. She sets her knife and fork down staring him straight in the eyes
“Levi, what the hell is this?”
Levi looks up, setting down his utensils.
“I don't know. I thought I was supposed to drag you to dinner.”
“Why would you think that?”
“That's what Miche and Nanaba told me to do.”
"To the Walls and back what did they tell you to do that?” She says turning sharply towards him.
“I got you something when Miche dragged me out to buy that apology gift for his girlfriend. Nifa saw it and freaked out saying that I couldn't give it to you directly, I had to give it to you over dinner. They said they'd handle it which I assume meant making sure you would-”
“Wait whoa! Slow down! You got me a gift? I didn't get you anything!” Hange gasps.
“Don’t worry about it,” he nods before producing a small package from his breast pocket and sliding it over on the table. She smiles softly.
“You didn’t have to do this…”
“It’s my apology for forgetting the flowers. How's your horse by the way?”
“You bought me something because you forgot some flowers?”
“You’re doing this for the Survey Corps and for our noses,” he muses.
“My horse is doing better, though I'm not sure if the poison will wear off before the next expedition. Poor Hera was numb for days. As you know, the perfumes need more time to marinate. The scents are faint as you've been sniffing me these last runs,” she chuckles.
“That's after you've had a bath,” he rolls his eyes. “Open the damn gift Hange.”
She unwraps the gift, revealing that delicate gold necklace with a sunflower pendant. Her smile fades as she looks up at him.
“Levi, this looks like it costs an arm and a leg.”
She walks over to him and tries to give it back. “I can't accept this, it's too much.”
“Nonsense,” he says as he takes the piece, unclasping it as she stills. Her heart hammers against her chest and she can feel a creeping blush rise to her cheeks. He gestures for her to sit and she obeys. Silently pulling the piece around her neck. His slow movements tickle her skin as she feels the gentle fingers brush away her hair exposing her neck. His warm breath sends a shiver up her spine. The sound of Levi securing those fickle clasps rings louder than it should have. Firm hands plant on her shoulder as he leans down, his breath tickles her ear.
“You deserve nice things once in a while.”
A blush fully dusts her face as she finds it hard to look at him. He tilts his head as he sits back down, black bangs framing his pale moon-kissed face. Levi pulls the plate beside her, gesturing to her to finish their warm pasta.
—
Nanaba lays like a fat happy cat on the edge of Miche’s bed. Making a few jokes at their friends' faces before locking them in for dinner.
He chuckles before pulling something out of his bedside drawer. He produces a small blue package for Nanaba. She leans over grinning, steady fingers pulling at the ribbon to reveal the pretty necklace. Two eyes met, and something stirred as he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss on her lips. When he pulls away moonlight illuminates bright blue eyes and a wide grin as she beams, wrapping her arms around her dearest comrade.
—
While they didn't receive much of a thank you, the four were pleased with how the Captain seemed softer around the crazy scientist. Nanaba leaned against Miche as they watched the moon. She held out a fist and he bumped it with his own.
“We did good,” Miche said as he eyed the silver droplet around Nanaba’s neck.
“Yes we did,” she said like a proud parent.
Erwin returned and things went back to normal. Expeditions proceeded, experiments were run, and recruits came and went. Above all, it was undeniable a fondness had grown between both pairs since that day. Even Erwin seemed to notice. As much as he wanted to question, he knew the truth would surface eventually.
—
“Nanaba! Pst! Nanaba!” She pulls her friend into her lab, her smile barely contained as the blond is greeted by Miche, Moblit, and Nifa. Levi stood off to the side as Hange came beside him.
“I know this is a little impromptu, but we wanted to thank you for all you've done,” Hange smiles softly.
Smiles flash around the room as Hange continues.
“As you know, the Survey Corp rarely gets to shower on expeditions. While I can't say I'm an expert I wanted to give you guys this,” she hands them each a thin vile. Nifa opens her and a light sent wafts around the room. She dabs a little on her wrists and smells. Each does the same having a unique scent tailored to them.
Moblit beams as the pair stood close together, comfortable in each other's presence. “Squad leader you didn't have to do this. We’re glad we made your wedding anniversary special.”
The once happy chatter was quickly replaced by a suffocating silence. Hange and Levi’s eyes widen, pure shock written all over their faces. Nifa bonks Moblit on his head despite their height difference.
“Sorry! We forgot to tell you we found out!” She sputters.
Levi and Hange remained motionless. Hange’s and Levi were at a loss for words.
“It wasn’t their fault,” Miche interjects. “I found the marriage certificate while sorting out Erwin's papers.”
“We're sorry if this was supposed to be a secret,” Nanaba bows. Others follow apologetically.
Levi and Hange stare at them wide-eyed. Then turn to each other, making sure the other was just in the dark as the latter.
“But- we’re not married,” Hange sputters.
—
“Erwin! What the fuck!” Hange busts open his office door, the five follow suit. Erwin looks up from her papers, his bushy eyebrows have yet to move an inch.
“Hange, you need to be more specific.”
“Did you marry Hange and me?” Levi glares, striding close to Erwin's desk. That statement moves his thick eyebrows. A smile sly spreads across his lips as he stares at the bewildered group.
—
Turns out the MPs were giving Keith hell about bringing Levi up to the surface. They had been brainstorming ways to keep the Captain at surface level without too much uproar. The higher-ups made bullshit excuses why they couldn’t grant him citizenship. His criminal record is the biggest obstacle. The looming threat of Nobles, with all their prejudice, pulling out their patronage made the MP’s breath down the Survey Corp's backs.
After quite a few drinks, Keith and Erwin had jokingly said they should marry Levi off to someone. This would grant him legal surface citizenship regardless of his criminal history. Erwin wrote a letter to his buddy amid his drunken state to produce such a legal certificate. Joking of course. He didn't expect his friend to send one, signed and all. All it needed were two signatures and it’d be official. Keith and Erwin had a good chuckle about it as Erwin piled papers for squad leaders to sign. He slipped it at the back, making a mental note to rip it up after his rounds.
He had made his way to several offices before stopping at Hange’s lab. A member at that moment called him to the main meeting room. Erwin already knew it was a military police knocking on their door asking for their Captain to be handed over. No doubt they were pulling some cunning trick to haul Levi off that very moment. He left the remaining documents with her before swiftly exiting.
Upon returning, Hange’s signature was scribble haphazardly on almost all the dotted lines, even where it asked for dates. No doubt her attention was “line where to sign.”
He could have written ‘I will never set foot near a Titian again’ and she’d sign it. Well. Maybe the word Titian would capture her attention.
Yet, he was surprised as he forgot he shoved that joke marriage certificate under all those papers, signed. Only the signature line was peeking out, concealing the large print of the ‘Marriage Certificate’. Without a second thought, Erwin sought out Levi who signed it without glancing twice. To be fair Levi was signing a lot of stuff with his transfer to the surface. No doubt the smaller man was sick of it.
Yet Erwin became curious as he watched Levi scrawl something like his name. The giant letters of ‘Marriage’ should have made Levi question why he was signing it next to Hange Zöe of all people. Yet the man scowled and scrawled.
“You can't read can you?”
Levi eyes him suspiciously.
“Doesn't matter as long as you know how to fight…”
Erwin smiles which makes Levi back away.
“I’m going to assign Hange to teach you to read and write.”
—
Now older, and much more literate. Levi and Hange stare at the certificate sitting at the edge of Erwin's desk. Their ID papers circled in red ‘married’.
Miche lets out a snicker which trickles into a howl of laughter. Nanaba follows suit, slapping a hand over her mouth. Erwin, Nifa, and Moblit let out their own giggles.
“No- off- oh fuck!” Miche chuckles. “No offense. What the fuck were you two doing when you were fighting right before your anniversary.”
Hange, very red-faced, explained her horse had gotten a bad rash from her ride in the woods. She needed someone whose horse could be out of commission for a little bit to gather flowers. Her team was out since she would be sending them on various tasks. So Levi said he would but kept having to postpone. In the end, she admitted to making perfumes from a book she was reading. It was harder than she thought it'd be from the documents she procured. So Levi helped Hange seek out Vol 3, where the article was referenced from.
Though it hadn't all been in vain. After that dinner, the two had grown closer. She had gifted him the honor of her first perfume, a deeper musk scent for him. The two seem to be drawn to one another, like a month to a flame. He spent more time around her and she spent more time taking care of herself, as long as he was there to keep her company.
“If this is such a trouble, I doubt we have any problem of the MP’s dragging Levi back down to the underground. If you'd like the marriage annu-”
“Not a chance.” It was Levi who said it. Heads whip around asking him to please elaborate. Especially a certain brown-haired scientist. Levi turns to leave expanding no further comment.
“Levi wait! You can't just say that-”
The two voices fade away as they bicker down the hall, leaving their friends I'm stunned silence.
— bonus —
Levi lies staring at the ceiling. His hallow breath shows signs his body is failing. Many faces came and went in this confining hospital bed. Armin and his wife Annie, Reiner, Gabby, Falco, Mikasa, Jean, and Connie. All had come to say goodbye. Yet as he gazed towards the setting sun, he felt no fear. He lived a long good life. Friends he knew were gone, friends that survived were gone, and there was a huge political battle on the rise. As one problem is solved another looms. Isn't that typical? However, he knew they were strong. Their kids would carry on this fight just as he did. Just as they all did. With that peace washed over him as he watched the blazing sun one last time. Levi closed his eyes and felt his soul slip from reality.
The sun blares in his eyes. He shoves his hand in front of his face as a gentle breeze caresses his face. It was then he noticed his hands, more specifically his fingers. The fact that there were fingers.
“I wondered how long it’d take you to wake up.”
He froze. Not daring, not hoping. It's been so long since he heard that voice. He slowly turns to the olive woman, hair down and blowing in the breeze. Two brown eyes peer at him. Her signature buttercup top and black pants don sand as she opens her arms. Sunflower necklace gleams in the midday sun. If there was ever a time the Ackerman gene could kick in, it was now, as he raced towards his wife, holding her tightly as she laughed. Both fall on the sand below.
Tears fall from his face as he kisses the daylights out of her. How long has it been since she fell like a star from the night sky? Since the world ripped her away from him?
His breath shutters as he takes her into his arms as if she’ll fade away any moment. She just might.
“Let’s go,” she hums.
“Where?”
“A new adventure,”
“Where’s everyone else?”
“They were ready to start a new chapter. I wanted to wait for you,” she said as she kissed his forehead.
“You waited fifty years?! Alone?!”
“No,” she said flicking his forehead. “I waited fifty years for you. Come on, I want to start a new chapter, together.”
“Wait!” he grabs her wrist like he did all those years ago. Long before they knew they were married when he was dragging her to finish a meal. “Let’s just stay like this, just a little longer.”
Her eyes soften as she encircles him. Soft lips meet and they tumble in the sand.
“Okay,” she breathes.
Eventually, they had to leave. Together, Hange Zöe and Levi Ackerman, friends, comrades, lovers, and spouses, walked hand and hand toward the horizon, promising to find each other in the next life.