#it had too much drama in it dfksdjfj;ffj

[fanmoose12]

Levi had a nice, good life.

Maybe, he was living all alone on some far-away island. And maybe, his only companions were four animals, who had found him after he was washed up to the shore, - dwarf elephant Petra, peacock Oluo, red panda Gunther and a koala Eld. And maybe, he had no one to talk to, beside his pets, and he had no memories of his life before he had appeared on that island, but still. He was content with his life, he was happy.

But all good things have to an end. And Levi’s happy, quiet life had come to an end as well.

It all changed, when he set his eyes on her – Princess Hange of Zoe Kingdom.

 ***

It all happened completely out of blue.

One moment, Levi was with his animal friends, picking up some fruits for the lunch, and the next – he heard the loudest, most annoying shriek in his entire life. It didn’t sound like any animal Levi had known, and, of course, he instantly froze in his spot, thinking if he was the only one, who had heard it. He glanced at his companions and saw that they were just as frightened as he was.

Still, no matter how unnerved he was by the whole ordeal, Levi wasn’t going to just sit there and wait for some unknown animal to come and kill him and his friends. So Levi rose to his feet and nodded to Petra, Oluo, Eld and Gunther, signaling them about his intent.

Then, carefully, trying to make as little noise as possible, he began making his way towards that sound.

He didn’t hear another shriek, instead Levi picked up a new strange sound – it was speech. Whoever was hiding in the woods in the middle of the island, they were talking just like Levi. Now he was more intrigued than worried, and Levi moved faster, eager to see, what was going on.

As he took one step after another, Levi soon reached a small precipice, which led to a lake. He looked down and saw two humans – who looked so much like him. One was lean and had a messy brown hair, while the other person was tall and blond with wide shoulders and strong hands.

Levi decided to stay in shadow for now and observe those strange newcomers.

“Hange, please step away from that lake!” the blonde man shouted, his voice urging and commanding. “There can be crocodiles there!”

“I know!” the woman with brown hair answered. “And I want to see them!”

“The King will kill me, if a damned crocodile bites off your hand,” the man shook his head in exasperation.

The woman turned to her companion. She started to laugh, a big, wide smile appearing on her lips. The moment Levi saw her face, her head thrown back, her eyes sparkling and her shoulders shaking, as she continued to giggle, he was lost.

He didn’t remember seeing another human being before, had never heard the sound of genuine and happy laughter, so without thinking, without even realizing it, he took a step forward. And then another, until he was standing at the edge of the precipice.

“Hey!” he shouted to get their attention, his eyes never leaving the face of that strange woman. “Do you need any help?”

As their eyes met, the woman’s face changed. The excited grin was gone, her eyes widened and her mouth opened in a slight ‘o’. “I didn’t know that this place was populated by humans…” she whispered, staring intently at Levi.

“If you would be so kind, then please help us to get out of here,” the woman’s companion replied, breaking Levi out of his daze.

He nodded once and then crouched down, reaching with his hand towards newcomers. The blonde man was the first one to grab his arm, and even though, he was quite heavy, Levi managed to successfully drag him up.

The woman outstretched her hand next, and when Levi took it in his, he was surprised at how soft and warm her skin was. The tips of her fingers were a little calloused, but the rest of her palm was as smooth as silk. When the woman appeared next to him and it was time to let go of her hand, Levi was strangely reluctant to do so. And maybe, he wouldn’t have let go of her so swiftly, if the blonde man hadn’t cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable by the prolonged silence.

When Levi turned to glare at him, the man smiled, if only a little awkwardly. “It’s nice to meet you, good sir. We are very thankful for our rescue. My name is Erwin Smith, I am a royal researcher and a companion to her highness, Princess Hange.”

“And that’s me!” the woman exclaimed, taking Levi by the hand once more and energetically shaking it. That same happy grin was back, as she fixed the glasses on her face, trying to take a better look at Levi. “And what is your name?”

Truth be told, he wasn’t sure what his name was. He didn’t remember his childhood at all, and the only thing he possessed that linked him to his past was a small chest that had washed up on a shore alongside him. ‘Levi’ was written on the front of the chest, and inside it there was a book and a small picture. It was a painting of him and a young woman, whose dark hair and long face looked very similar to his. Maybe, it was his mother or maybe, his sister. Unfortunately, Levi couldn’t remember.

“Well?” Hange prompted him again, after he was silent for too long. “You do have a name, right?”

“It’s Levi…” he whispered, still a little dazed.

“Levi!” Hange exclaimed, clasping his shoulder. “It’s nice to meet you!”

“We didn’t know that this island had humans living on it,” Erwin noted. “Where are the others?”

“There are no others,” Levi simply replied.

“You live here alone?!” Hange cried out.

“I’m not alone,” Levi protested. “I have friends.”

As on cue, Petra, Oluo, Gunther and Eld stepped out from the forest. Erwin and Hange looked at them with a mixture of shock and incomprehension.

“Em, Levi?” Erwin began carefully. “They are your friends? But they are animals… Are… you talking to them?”

“Of course, I do,” Levi crossed his hands on his chest, scowling at Erwin. “But they don’t answer me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“They are so cute!” Hange giggled, as she crouched down to gently scratch behind Eld’s ears. The little koala enjoyed her affection, letting Hange get closer to him. She softly cooed.

“Hey, Levi!” Hange rose to her feet and walked up to him, laying her hands on his shoulders and leaning close to his face. “Do you wish to travel with us?”

“Huh?” Levi startled, not entirely following what Hange had meant.

“Well, we’re planning to stay on this island for a week or two to study its flora and fauna,” Erwin explained with a gentle smile. “And then we’ll return back to our kingdom. And we can take you with us.”

“I’ll introduce you to my parents!” Hange exclaimed with another happy smile. “And maybe, we can find your family as well!”

“M-my family?” Levi stuttered.

“Yeah! Like parents or siblings, I’m sure someone is looking for you, Levi,” there was a soft, gentle look in Hange’s eyes, as she stared straight at Levi. “And I want to help you find them.”

And that was it. The convincing smile on her lips, her kind and hopeful words and those beautiful brown eyes… Levi just couldn’t say no.

***

They spent two weeks on Levi’s island, and then, when it was the time to leave it, Levi gathered all of his belongings and asked Hange, if he could take his friends with him. She agreed instantly and then she launched into a long tale about the lush and huge gardens around royal palace, which was the perfect place for Petra, Oluo, Gunther and Eld to live.

And so they sailed away. Levi stood on the deck, gripping the railing tightly, as he watched the island, where he had spent his whole life, slowly disappear from the view.

He would have stood there for a long time, lost in his thoughts, but soon Hange came up to him, hugging his shoulders with a joke already on her lips.

And, strangely enough, Levi relaxed with her beside her, even though the scowl was still present on his face.

When they arrived to palace, Levi spent his days either walking through the gardens with his pets by his side, or he went to sit in the library, watching Erwin work and wondering, what the hell Hange was so busy with.

Upon their return to the kingdom, Levi almost never saw Hange. She was always somewhere else, always away from him. She was going to become a Queen, Erwin explained, and that’s why there were a lot of things that needed her attention. And even though, Levi understood it, it wasn’t like Hange had to babysit him all the time, still…. He missed her. The big and unfamiliar palace seemed even more unfriendly without Hange by his side.

  ***

Levi had spent nearly two weeks in Hange’s palace, when she finally approached him, saying that she had wonderful news.

“I’ve managed to find your family!” she beamed, nearly bouncing up and down from excitement.

“Huh? My family? What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I’m saying! Erwin and I looked through the archives and found Queen Kuchel. She had lost her son in a shipwreck, and the boy in the picture looks just like you!”

As if to prove her point, Hange took a picture from her pocket and showed it to Levi. As he took it in his hands, they were slightly trembling. And as Levi looked at the picture, his breath hitched in his throat. It was the same drawing he had in his chest. So was this woman his mother? Did he really have a family? Was he not alone in this world?

“You don’t have to meet her, if you don’t want to!” Hange blurted out, seeing his hesitation. “I didn’t tell her about you, I’ve just invited her for a small tea-party. You can sit in the side-room, and when— or if you’re ready, you can come in and meet her.”

“I… alright,” Levi felt a lot more relaxed now. “Thank you, Hange.”

She winked before enveloping him in a short hug. “Don’t thank me just yet,” she whispered in his ear.

“Stay here,” Hange instructed him, as she led him to the small room. “Or don’t, that’s entirely up to you. I’ll be there if you need me.”

Levi just nodded, not sure what to say in this kind of situation. Hange smiled one more time, and then disappeared behind the doors.

Levi took a seat on the one of the many sofas, which stood in the room, and shakily exhaled. He tried to sit as comfortable as possible, his mind going through a million of different thoughts and feeling.

Soon, he heard the door open, and Hange’s loud voice greeted the newcomer. Levi froze instantly, straining his ears to hear what was going on in the next room.

“I’m so happy you’ve managed to find the time to visit our kingdom, your majesty,” even though he didn’t see her, Levi could hear the smile in Hange’s voice. “It’s a great honor for me, Queen Kuchel.”

“Oh, please,” that voice contrasted wildly with Hange’s. It wasn’t loud and shrieking like hers, instead, it was pleasant and melodic. It was quiet and almost weak, in comparison to Hange’s. Levi involuntarily moved closer, to hear that woman better. “I couldn’t just ignore an invitation from a future Queen. Besides, I’ve heard your wedding is approaching, I didn’t want to miss it.”

“Ah, yes,” Hange awkwardly chuckled. “I am to be married in a few weeks.”

“Excellent!” the woman clasped her hands, and the loud sound resonated across the room.

Levi felt like he was punched. Hange was marrying someone? Why didn’t she tell him? Was she even going to tell him? Levi was utterly lost, his thoughts and feelings swirling around, making him feel dazed and overwhelmed.

Without even realizing it, he got to his feet and opened the door, walking into the room. The loud gasp and the sound of a chair falling to the ground managed to snap Levi out of his shock. He blinked a few times, coming to his senses.

And in the next moment, he felt two gentle hands on his face, as a woman, whose features resembled his own so much, stared deeply into his eyes.

“L-levi?” she uttered, her voice barely above whisper. But for Levi it was as loud as a cannon-shot. “Is it really you, baby? Did you come back to me?”

“Y-yeah,” Levi shakily nodded, feeling his eyes fill with tears. “I guess I did.”

Those gentle hands wrapped themselves around Levi. For a moment, he didn’t know what to do, but then he looked behind his mother’s back and saw Hange, who was smiling widely and showing him thumbs-up. He nodded to her, once, and then hugged his mother back, inhaling her oh so familiar scent and burying his face in her shoulder.

Levi was so focused on his mother, he didn’t even hear the door opening and Hange swiftly making her way out of the room.

 ***

He talked with his mother through the whole day. Levi told her all about his life on a deserted island, and she, in turn, filled him on everything that had happened in their kingdom, while he was away. 

Most of his childhood memories still eluded him, but with the help of his mother, Levi remembered some things about the stuff at their palace and his uncle Kenny. He remembered his mother's gentle hands and the way she softly sang him a lullaby, when he couldn't sleep.

When the sun had set, Levi and Kuchel moved to the gardens, and there, Levi introduced his mother to Petra, Oluo, Gunther and Eld. All of Levi's friends took an immediate liking to Kuchel, and even proud Oluo let her pet and feed him.

They were sitting there for a long time, talking about nothing. Levi laid his head on his mother's knees, as her fingers softly played with his hair.

"So you're friends with Princess Hange, huh?" Kuchel suddenly noted with a chuckle.

“I guess,” he shrugged. “I mean, she brought me here and found you. Without her, we would have never met.”

"Oh, baby," Kuchel leaned in and kissed his forehead. "I'm so sorry for abandoning you. I should have never left you. I should have never stopped looking for you."

"It wasn't your fault," Levi took his mother's hand in his and squeezed it. "You couldn't know that I was alive."

"I should be thankful to Princess Hange then," Kuchel smiled at Levi. "She brought you back to me.”

"Mgh," Levi mumbled noncommittally, turning his face away.

"What was it?" A mischievous grin appeared on Kuchel's face. "Did you say something?"

"Nothing." Levi grunted, crossing his hands on his chest.

"Really?" Kuchel giggled. "Because it looks like that scowl on your face," Kuchel touched his forehead, tracing the lines there with her thumb, "became even more prominent than usual."

"You're mistaken."

Kuchel shook her head. "I don't think I am, my dear. So do tell me: does something bother you? Has Princess Hange offended you in some way? Should I go and have a talk with her?"

"Mother, no!" Levi's expression was horrified. "There is nothing to talk about. Hange did nothing wrong."

"Really?" Kuchel raised her eyebrow. "So this isn't about her upcoming marriage at all?"

"I..." Levi rose up from his mother's knees, turning his back to her face. Even without seeing his expression, Kuchel knew he was scowling. "I don't care about her marriage. She can do whatever she wants."

"And that's it? That's really all that you feel about it?"

"I just don't want her to marry some jerk she barely knows."

"And?" Kuchel softly prompted, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"She's annoying as hell," Levi began angrily. "Her voice is too loud, she laughs way too often and her jokes are fucking terrible, but..." He trailed off, his voice lowering to a whisper. "But I like being with her. And I don't want to leave her side."

"Honey," Kuchel embraced him from behind, laying her head on his shoulder. "You're not a boy, lost on a deserted island anymore. You're an Ackerman, and you're an heir to the throne. I'm not encouraging you to do anything, but... Just keep this in mind. And go talk to that girl. At the very least, you should thank her for saving you."

"I... Yeah," Levi ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I should go and do exactly that. Thank you, mother," he gently kissed her cheek. "I'll come to talk with you in the morning."

Kuchel smiled and gave him a slight nod.

"I hope you'll bring some good news to me tomorrow," she whispered, when Levi walked away.

***

Levi entered Hange's room without knocking. That was his mistake.

Because as he opened the door, he saw Hange with some young girl fretting over her. And Hange… Hange was dressed in a wedding gown.

"I'm sorry!" Levi exclaimed, turning around and then slapping a hand over his eyes for a good measure.

"You don’t have to cover your eyes," Hange laughed. "Only my fiancé shouldn't see me in my wedding dress."

Right, that's right. Hange was going to be married soon. She had a fiancé. And it wasn't him.

"Anyway," Hange began, looking at Levi in the reflection of the mirror. "Why did you come?"

"I... I want to talk."

"Oh, yeah, alright," Hange nodded. Then she turned to the girl beside her. "Nifa, you can go now. I'll call you, if I need anything."

The girl slightly bowed her head. "Good night, your highness."

"Nifa," Hange drew her name, looking at the girl with a teasing smile.

"Ah, of course, forgive me," Nifa frantically bowed again, a blush painting the delicate features of her face. "G-good night, H-hange!"

"That's better," Hange clasped Nifa's shoulder with affection. "You too have a good night, Nifa."

When her maid had left the room, Hange turned all of her attention to Levi.

"So?" She plopped down on her bed, and then gestured Levi to do the same. "How was your talk with Queen Kuchel? Is she really your mother?"

"She is," Levi replied a little breathlessly, emotions once again overwhelming him, as he remembered his mother's warm embrace. "That's why I wanted to talk with you. I want to thank you for... Finding her for me."

"Don't be silly," Hange carelessly waved her hand. "You're my friend and I wanted to help you. Besides, most of the work was actually done by Erwin. I only joined him, when I had the time."

"Still," Levi insisted. "I know you were very busy these days, but you still found the time to do this. And I know it was your idea to start this search in the first place. So, stop protesting and accept my gratitude."

"Alright, alright," Hange softly chuckled, staring at Levi beneath her lashes.

Looking like that, with her hair down and framing her slightly blushing face, with that soft smile and eyes that seemed to sparkle in the candlelight, she was the prettiest sight Levi had ever seen. He stared at her, unable to look away. Hange looked back at him, and everything else seemed to blur into the background. Without looking directly at her dress, Levi forgot about her wedding and the fact that she didn't tell him about it. In that moment, nothing else mattered, but Hange. She was sitting so close to him, and Levi felt like she was getting closer, leaning into him. He almost leaned in, too.

But then they heard the knock on the door.

They both startled, and Hange shot to her feet, smoldering the creases in her dress.

"Come in!" She shouted, her voice squeaky and shaky.

The door opened, and timid-looking man with chest-nut hair poked his head inside.

"Lady Han— Oh, I'm sorry!” the man let out a horrifying shriek, as he saw what Hange was wearing. He instantly closed his eyes with his palm. "I'm so, so sorry, I didn't know you were trying on your wedding dress!"

Levi watched the man with an amusing smirk, wondering if he himself had looked just as stupid as that poor guy. Definitely not. There was no way his face looked as constipated as that man's.

"Moblit, that's fine," Hange giggled. "Just wait a second, I'll find some robe. Then you can open your eyes."

So that was Hange's fiancé? Levi glared at him, crossing his hands on his chest. Why in the world Hange was marrying him? He looked absolutely pathetic.

"You can look now, Moblit," Hange returned from her side chamber, a robe now draped over her dress. "Did you want to something?"

"I-i wanted to wish you goodnight, Lady Hange," Moblit put on a tentative and very shy smile. "And ask if you want to accompany me to the tomorrow's opera?"

Hange grimaced. "Maybe, it would be best for us to go horse riding?"

"You don't like opera?" Moblit asked, surprised.

Hange smiled sheepishly. "Not really?"

"Oh, alright, then I'll— Oh!" Moblit exclaimed, as his eyes finally landed on Levi. "You're not alone, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt!"

"You didn't," Hange assured him with a smile.

Well, Levi would have argued with that.

"By the way, Moblit, meet my friend Levi!"

"Oh," Moblit raised his eyebrows. "That's Levi?" He walked up to him, shaking his hand. "I've heard a lot about you, good sir."

"Can't say the same about you," Levi curtly replied, squeezing Moblit's hand just a little too hard.

"Don't mind him," Hange said cheerfully, coming to stand beside Levi, and accidentally elbowing him in the side. "He isn't very good with court manners."

"Right, of course," Moblit chuckled nervously. "He grew up on a deserted island, I remember."

"Ah, but he isn't the lost boy anymore!" Hange joyfully announced. "Our Levi is an heir to the throne of Ackerman kingdom," she winked, grinning from ear to ear. "Very important and all that."

"In that case," Moblit smiled. "My sincere congratulations, your highness. My lady," he bowed to Hange. "It's time for me to go. I'll come to get you tomorrow morning."

"Yes," Hange nodded. "I'll see you soon."

"You're going to marry him?" Levi asked, as soon as Moblit closed the door after himself.

"Well, yes," Hange replied, a little defensive. "Is there something wrong with Moblit?"

Levi gave her a flat look. "He looks like he's two seconds away from shitting his pants."

Hange instantly covered her face with a hand, stifling her laugh. "You can't say that, Levi! Moblit is nice! He's very kind and he always listens to me. My mother and sisters like him very much!"

"And you?" Levi stared deeply into her eyes. "Do you like him?"

"He's nice," Hange replied, shrugging helplessly.

"So you don't love him," Levi stated.

"Maybe, I'll learn to love him," Hange protested, albeit weakly. "With time."

"And that's how you want to spend your life? Trying to learn love someone you don't?"

"Soon I will become the Queen, Levi," Hange reminded him sternly. "I don't really have a choice who I'm going to marry."

"And what if you had?"

"W-what?" confusion painted Hange's features. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, Hange. You've said it yourself. I'm not the lost boy anymore. I'll be a King, too. And I need to find myself a wife."

"Are... are you proposing to me?" Hange asked, not quite believing her ears.

Levi shrugged. "Maybe, I am. Will you... Will you accept?"

A sly, mischievous grin appeared on Hange's lips. "Maybe. I mean, I need to talk with my father first, but... Personally, I'm very interested in what you're offering."

"So, t-that's— that's a yes?" Levi stuttered, hating how weak and nervous his voice sounded.

"That's a maybe," Hange smirked, seeing the annoyance on Levi's face. "But I'll do everything in my power to turn it into yes."

"Fucking hell, four-eyes," Levi growled, lightly smacking her arm. "You actually got me worried, you asshole."

Hange giggled, taking a step closer to Levi and laying her hands on his shoulders, looking him right in the eyes. "What? Were you worried that I'd reject you?"

"I wasn't sure. I mean, who knows what is going on inside that head of yours. I'm not nice like your Moblit, after all."

"Mm," Hange agreed. "You're not nearly as nice as Moblit, but luckily for you," Hange leaned in, dangerously close to Levi's lips. "I seem to like you just fine."

"Fucking thanks for that," Levi whispered, his voice soft despite his crude words.

Hange began laughing, and Levi surged forward, putting his lips on hers and kissing her with all gentleness he possessed.

Hange answered him in the same kind, moving her lips slowly against his, relaxing in his arms.

"Levi," she called, when they broke apart. "After our wedding, maybe we can take a short vacation? Sail into the sea, explore the new lands..."

"Just the two of us?" Levi asked, already imagining that. And very much liking the image his mind had supplied him with.

"Well..." Hange trailed off, avoiding Levi's suspicious eyes. "I'll need Erwin with me... And I was going to ask Moblit to come with us..."

"What?" Levi asked her incredulously. "You want to invite the guy you've rejected?"

"I haven't rejected him yet," Hange noted, earning a vicious glare from her soon-to-be fiancé. "But I was serious when I said that he's a really nice guy! And he is a very talented artist! What if we discover a new species? Or find a new island? I'll need his skills!"

"Fine, fine," Levi accepted his defeat. Arguing with Hange was pointless anyway. He just couldn't say no to her. "But you’re not inviting anyone else. I don't want some strangers travelling with us."

"That's a deal!" Hange beamed and then gave Levi a quick peck on his lips.

Yeah, Levi felt that he was going to have some serious problems saying no to his future wife, if she continues to kiss him like that.

"But we'll take Petra, Oluo, Gunther and Eld, right?"

"Of course," Levi huffed. "I can't just abandon them. And..."

"And?"

"After your stupid trip, we'll visit my kingdom. I want to spend some time with my mother."

"Ah, you're such a softie," Hange teased.

"Tch," Levi turned away, feeling a blush appear on his cheeks. "Only you can know about this. Not a word about it to anyone else, you understand, four-eyes?"

"Of course, my lips are sealed, dear husband."

Dear husband. Levi liked the sound of it.

And, of course, he will personally ensure that Hange's lips are sealed.

By frequently kissing them.