#mystoriesofaot

[storiesofaot]

When Hange, Levi, and the others visit Marley in the flashback scene from season 4, we can see that in the first picture, when they meet with Lady Azumabito, Hange's tie is loose. However, later in the evening, when they find the kids, her tie is neatly tied again.

I am sure we all know who is responsible for that 🤭 (Yes, it was Levi who tied her tie!! 😁)

[And yes, I did write a fic about it, which you can read here if you want!]

[storiesofaot]

hello! Would you be interested in writing Hange taking care of Levi? (Maybe usually he takes care of her but now he's wounded or something else). And he's soft for her but he'd never admit it? (Write it anyhow you want of course, I'm just throwing ideas)

Thank you so much for your request @sunflowersunite - I loved the idea of Hange taking care of Levi, and I really hope you're happy with it 😊 I had to make him suffer a little bit hehe, but there's also some softness in it!

(And also, sorry that it took me a little while to get this done, but once again, it turned out a bit longer than I wanted it to be xD)

Rating: T; Word Count: 2496

Title: I don't deserve your kindness.

It had all been her fault; she knew it, and she knew he knew it too. They had been on a mission when a few Abnormals appeared out of nowhere, moving unpredictably fast. Hange, Levi and their squads had given their all to fight the titans, and everything had been under control - until the last remaining Titan decided to change direction out of the blue and run in the exact opposite way. Hange had been just trying to wipe away Titan blood that had splattered onto her goggles and which had blocked her view entirely, when she suddenly heard Levi shout “Watch out!”

The next thing she remembered was being roughly shoved aside and landing face down in the bushes. A loud thud was heard, followed by a pained groan. Through her splattered glasses, she could still see Petra and Oluo defeating the Titan, and as it fell, it revealed Levi who was lying on the ground right in front of a rock, with a pained expression on his face.

“What happened?” she asked Moblit, when he landed next to her and helped her up. 

“The captain was thrown against the rocks by the Titan,” the tall man explained and quickly followed Hange who didn’t waste any time and was already rushing toward the scene.

“It happened because he pushed me out of the way, right?” she asked breathlessly, worry evident in her voice. Moblit didn’t reply, but his expression gave her the answer.

Luckily, Levi hadn’t broken any bones, but he was clearly in a lot of pain. He had to be carried back since he couldn’t walk, much to his annoyance. But he didn’t protest as much as he usually would, which indicated the extent of his suffering. Back at headquarters, they told him he had torn several muscles around his lower back due to the collision and that the ligaments supporting his vertebrae were likely strained, making it impossible for him to walk or even stand.

But of course, he insisted on being discharged from the infirmary immediately, even though the doctors repeatedly told him that he needed a lot of rest and should move as little as possible. Hange, who hadn’t left his side for a moment, knew how much he hated that place. Therefore, she offered to take care of him and ensure that he left his bed only when absolutely necessary - and finally, the doctors agreed.

“Thanks, but you don't actually have to stay all the time. I can take care of myself,” Levi grumbled in a strained voice as the two of them made their way through the hallway at a snail's pace, Hange supporting as much of Levi’s weight as possible while he had his arm around her shoulders.

“Oh, I am definitely going to stay,” Hange protested and opened the door to his room. “I promised the doctors, and I don’t believe you’ll stay in bed all day unless someone forces you. Besides, it’s kind of my fault you’re injured in the first place … so it’s the least I can do.”

Levi protested several times, but Hange would hear none of it, so eventually, he gave in. “But as soon as you get on my nerves, I’ll kick you out,” he threatened with a scowl.

“You just tell me what you need, and I’ll get it for you,” Hange said, a little out of breath when they had finally entered his room and he was settled on his bed. She knew he hated relying so much on others, but she was determined to do her best and make this as easy for him as possible. 

The way he was sitting on the edge of the bed, shoulders slumped and a little paler as usual, made her heart tighten, and another wave of guilt washed over her. “I’ll be the best nurse you’ve ever had,” she added in a lighter tone, and when he let out a huff of air, she knew she had managed to at least amuse him.

She was even more relieved when he spoke again: “Could you maybe hand me my pyjamas? I really need to get out of these filthy clothes.” Hange nodded and moved toward the closet, eager to follow his instructions and glad to finally have something to do.

When she handed him the pyjamas, he gave her a grateful nod. “Um … do you need any help getting out of your clothes?” she asked cautiously.

Levi shot her an annoyed look. “I can change my clothes on my own, thank you very much. I might be injured, but I’m not half dead."

Despite his objections, Hange remained unconvinced and refused to leave him alone in the room. Understanding that he would never change in front of her, she walked to a corner of the room and turned her back to him. “See, I’ll even take off my glasses and close my eyes. It’s like I’m not even here, but I can still help you if you need it.” Levi protested, but when he realised she wasn’t going to leave, he finally agreed with a grumble.

Slowly, he reached for the buttons of his shirt and started unbuttoning them, surprised to feel so much pain from such a minimal movement. But he gritted his teeth and continued, trying to take deep breaths and think of something else.

After what to him felt like an hour, he was finally done. With a relieved sigh, he let the shirt fall open, exposing the bandages the doctors had applied to stabilise his back as much as possible. Now, he had to figure out how to get the shirt off without worsening the pain in his lower back. He did his best to make his movements as small and slow as possible, but as soon as he twisted his arms, a stabbing pain shot through him, causing him to let out a groan. “Fuck!” he muttered under his breath, closing his eyes for a moment in frustration.

“Levi…,” Hange said softly, and from the corner of his eye, he saw her shift slightly. There was no way she hadn’t heard him struggling, but under no circumstances did he want her to help him undress. He knew she meant well, but that would definitely be crossing a line.

“No!” he quickly replied, almost sounding desperate. “Please … don’t turn around.” 

“Okay, I won’t,” she replied, though he could clearly hear that she wasn’t exactly pleased about it.

Levi tried moving his arms differently, but once again, the pain nearly took his breath away. He reconsidered the situation but saw no other solution - he had to ask for her help, or he might end up in even more pain. ‘I… think I do need your help,” he admitted.

To his relief, she refrained from making any comments as she turned around and walked over to him. “What can I do?” He quickly explained his problem and she nodded gently, keeping her eyes on his and, thankfully, avoiding any glance at his state of undress. “Of course, I’ll help you get out of your clothes. Just let me know if I’m going too fast.” Her eyes widened as she realised how that might sound, and she quickly added, “Um … you know what I mean.”

Normally, Levi would have rolled his eyes or made a comment, but given the awkward situation, he merely gave her a halfhearted nod. Hange began to carefully lift the shirt off his shoulders, moving as slowly as possible and pausing whenever he winced or shifted uncomfortably. She first guided his left arm out of the sleeve, then the right, until finally, the shirt was removed.

Levi let out the breath he hadn't even realised he’d been holding. To his relief, and thanks to Hange's help, putting on his sleep shirt turned out to be less painful than he had expected. But now he was left with the more challenging and awkward task of getting out of his trousers, for which he was again reliant on Hange.

Hange could probably sense his embarrassment and did her best to lighten the mood. “Come on, I’ll help you up, and then we’ll have it done in no time.” 

Standing up was painful, but not as painful as the ordeal he had to endure when Hange knelt in front of him and started unbuckling his belt. He tried to look anywhere but at her as she slowly started to guide the fabric over his hips and his thighs, feeling the blood rush to his head. Once his pants were around his ankles, she helped him step out of the first trouser leg and immediately into his pyjamas, then repeated the process for the other leg. A few moments later, he was fully dressed again, feeling relieved but still embarrassed, with a noticeable flush on his face.

Hange didn’t seem too bothered by the situation. With a grin on her face, she helped him into bed, arranging the cushions so he was sitting comfortably. Finally, she spread the blanket over him. “And now, don’t move until I’m back. You must be starving - I definitely am -, so I’ll get us something to eat.”

“How the hell am I supposed to move?” Levi grumbled, but she ignored his comment and quickly left the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He realised that despite his unkindness over the past few hours, she had stayed by his side, always maintaining her cheerful demeanour and doing her best to make everything as easy and painless for him as possible. And now that he thought about it, he recognised that he had never truly thanked her for any of it.

No, he was definitely not used to other people taking care of him, and somehow it made him uneasy, for he had no idea how to respond to such kindness. He wasn’t accustomed to this feeling - most of his life, he had been on his own and had to learn to handle things alone. So this was certainly a new experience for him.

A knock on the door interrupted his musings, and a few seconds later, Hange entered his room. “You’re lucky, the stew is still hot. Here, hold this for a moment; I had an idea.” She handed him the warm plate, unfolded a small stool she had been holding, and placed it beside Levi on the bed. “You can use this as a small table, so you don’t have to move too much.” She reached into her jacket pockets and pulled out two glasses, placing one on his makeshift table.

Then, she went outside again and came back with her own plate and a bottle of water. But before she attended to her own meal, she first poured water for him and then for herself, and again, Levi felt a strange warmth inside his chest due to all the efforts Hange was making. 

This time, he couldn’t fight the urge anymore and spoke up. “Thank you, Hange. For everything. I know I haven’t been exactly … easy on you. But I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”

The smile that appeared on Hange’s lips made his heart flutter, much to his surprise, and it felt like a small sunbeam had just illuminated the room. “I’m just doing my best to make it up to you. You wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t for my inattention …and I might not even be here if it wasn’t for you.”

For a moment, the two of them just looked at each other, and the realisation that one day Hange might not be there anymore hit Levi hard. Very hard. He took a deep breath; there were so many things he wanted to say, so many feelings swirling inside him, but all he could manage was to shake his head. “Eat,” he said instead, trying to put as much softness into the single word as he could.

Hange smiled at him and did as he asked, letting out a satisfied sigh when the stew touched her lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything as good as this!” she mumbled, shovelling another spoonful into her mouth.

Levi barely managed to stifle a chuckle and instead turned the corners of his mouth downward. “That’s only because you’re half-starved,” he murmured, but he couldn’t quite hide the pleased sigh that escaped his lips as the hot stew touched his mouth, warming him from within. 

He wasn’t quite know how she ended up sitting next to him in his bed. After they finished dinner and chatted for a while, she had gone to her room to fetch some books and, despite his protests, began reading aloud to him. The book also contained many illustrations, and since she insisted they were essential to the story, she had squeezed into his bed beside him, making sure he could see them without having to move.

But soon, he noticed her voice growing softer and more strained, and he realised she was getting tired. “Take a break,” he said, and after a short objection, she gave in. 

“But only for a few minutes,” she mumbled, leaning her head back against the headboard and closing her eyes. “The story’s just getting interesting.” 

However, her body seemed to have other ideas, and a few minutes later, he felt her head slump gently against his shoulder. Levi waited for a little while, paying attention to her regular breathing and every tiny movement. But she appeared to be deeply asleep, so he carefully took the book from her hands. Then, he reached for her glasses and held his breath momentarily as she twitched slightly at the touch. But her eyes remained closed, so he carefully removed the glasses from her nose.

He seized the opportunity to study her face more closely. He observed her long eyelashes, gently curled, and her soft, peaceful expression, with a few stray strands of brown hair brushing her cheek. As she slept, she involuntarily nuzzled closer to his shoulder, and though the movement caused him some discomfort in his back, Levi didn’t pull away.

He had to fight the urge to brush the stray strands of hair behind her ear but instead, he carefully pulled the sheets tighter around her, his heart racing. “I don’t deserve your kindness,” he whispered, “So why are you even here?”

There were many thoughts running through his head and countless emotions he couldn’t even put into words. He couldn’t recall ever feeling so simultaneously delighted and uneasy, and he feared his heart might burst from the intensity of his feelings. But he knew he wouldn’t find answers in his tumultuous thoughts, so he gently reopened the book and returned to the passages she had already read to him. As he looked at the illustrations and tried to recall the soothing sound of her voice, he found a sense of comfort amidst the confusion.

[storiesofaot]

Hello. Would you, please, write smth about Hange and Levi's eventual reunion in the afterlife?

Hi Anon! Of course; I’ve wanted to write Levihan reuniting in afterlife for quite some time now, so thank you for giving me the opportunity!! 🤭 Here it is!

Title: Our Eternity; Rating: T; Word Count: 1137

With one final breath, Levi's eyes fluttered shut, leaving this world behind. For a moment, there was nothing - only darkness and an unbearable quietness enveloping him. 

But then, something changed, and the weight suddenly disappeared. A warmth that blossomed within him took over, spreading from his heart over his entire body. His eyes remained shut, but he knew that he was in another place - a world untouched by the scars of his past, where only peace reigned. 

He took a deep breath, feeling life rush back into him - though not in the same way as before. It felt different, lighter somehow, as if being alive carried a new meaning in this place. Underneath his body, he could feel the crisp grass touching his arms and neck, while a warm breeze brushed his face and tickled his bare feet.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and was immediately blinded by dazzlingly bright light, which was overwhelming at first. But he continued to breathe in the sweet air, listening to the rustling of the leaves around him and gradually, the light softened into a warm, golden hue, revealing the canopy of a tree.

Levi allowed himself to linger in that peace for a moment longer, savouring the tranquillity. Suddenly, a rustling reached his ears, which definitely didn't come from the leaves. Propping himself on his elbows, he sat up slightly - and instantly froze in place, his breath catching in his throat.  

He blinked a few times, certain that his eyes were playing tricks on him. But the sight in front of him remained - a familiar face he hadn't seen in what felt like a lifetime. 

Hange was sitting a little distance away from him, crossed-legged in the grass, looking down at her hands as she fiddled with a dandelion. A soft light surrounded her, casting a gentle glow on the serene moment before his eyes. She seemed to sense his gaze and looked up, and when their eyes finally met, time seemed to stand still.

A soft smile appeared on her lips, and she dropped the dandelion. “Look who’s finally here. I've been waiting for you.” She unfolded her legs and knelt down next to him, her knees almost brushing his elbow. 

“Hange?” he gasped, her name a sweet sound to his ears. He quickly shifted into a sitting position, afraid to break eye contact for fear she might disappear.

She chuckled and cocked her head. “Yeah, it’s me. Time works differently here, that's why I don't look all wrinkled and worn out.” 

Levi allowed himself a moment to take in her face. She looked young and full of life. Her skin was smooth and unscarred, her hair open and falling over her shoulders in gentle waves, and she was looking at him with a pair of chestnut brown eyes. He raised his hand to his right cheek and ran his fingertips over it - there were no scars.

“You're right; injuries and imperfections don’t exist up here. No pain, no illness. That’s why I’m not wearing any glasses,” she explained with a grin. She slowly lifted her hand to his face, pausing over his right eye before finally running her fingers over the spot where she had once stitched him up. It was only with the feeling of her skin against his that he truly understood she was actually there, and that after so many years apart, they were finally reunited.

In that moment, it didn't matter to him that his feelings were probably written all over his face. He might make a fool of himself, but he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was that she was there, that he was there, and that they were given a second chance. Together. “I missed you so much,” he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. 

“I missed you too.” Her hand gently caressed his face - a simple touch, but it was enough to set his heart on fire. A single tear rolled down his cheek, then another, and she wiped them away with the back of her fingers. 

He gave in to the overwhelming urge and leaned forward, pressing his forehead against her shoulder. Her hands moved reassuringly over his back, and then, finally, she pulled him into a warm embrace. His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist as he returned the gesture, drawing her as close as possible.

There was one thing, though, that he still needed to do. He had already spent half his life regretting not having dared to take the first step. But now he was given a second chance, and he was determined to make it right. Carefully, he pulled back just enough to look her straight in the eyes, their foreheads still pressed together. Shaky fingers reached for her cheek, and he gently brushed a lock of her hair back behind her ear. 

Hange seemed to sense what he had in mind, and her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t pull back. Her eyes flickered from his lips up to his eyes again, and anticipation coiled in his stomach.

Levi wanted to say something, to tell her how he felt, but the words caught in his throat. He had never been good with words, and it seemed that even in a place like this he couldn’t find the right ones to express everything he wanted to say. “Hange, I..."

“I know. Me too,” she whispered softly, not even letting him struggle to find the right words. He let out a huff of air, and the corners of his lips turned up just a little. 

His heart was pounding very fast when he finally reached for her head, burying his fingers deep in her hair, but there was no turning back now. He leaned in, closing the small gap between them, and gently pressed his lips to hers. 

The warmth that rushed through his body at that touch was overwhelming, but it also felt incredibly good. Everything about the kiss felt right - how her soft lips moved against his as she returned the kiss, how her hands rested on his chest, one directly over his pounding heart, and how her fingers were buried in his hair as she deepened the kiss, gently scratching the back of his neck. Kissing her was both exhilarating and thrilling, and in that moment, he had never felt so profoundly loved.

What he had intended to be just one kiss turned into several, and when they finally pulled away, both were breathing heavily, their cheeks flushed but smiles wide. 

“I should’ve done this sooner,” he murmured, gently tracing her jawline with his thumb.

“Oh, definitely,” Hange chuckled, playfully nudging his nose with hers. “But I don’t care. Now we have an eternity to make up for everything.” With those words, she leaned in again and drew him into another kiss.

[storiesofaot]

As already teased in the WIP Tag Game: here is a little song fic which could also be described as “Hange and Levi have been best friends for forever, but suddenly something shifts, and one night changes it all” ✨

[storiesofaot]

(if you're still up for requests) I was wondering if you could write either an erurihan tea party flashback, or smth about Hange watching Levi living on after the rumbling from the Paths.

Dear anon, I am sorry it has been almost 10 days, but I finally managed to write your request! I went for the “Hange watching over Levi” one, since I don’t really write Erurihan, I hope that’s fine 😊 This was written in one sitting very late at night, so I really hope it’s okay (and yes, it’s kind of unbetaed, I’m sorry for all the mistakes)! I did cry a little writing it, I have to admit, because it breaks my heart when those two are separated and are longing to be together (or maybe I was just very tired lol) 😢 Theoretically, it could be read as a prequel to this little fic, but of course it can also stand alone. Enjoy! ✨

Rating: G; Word Count: 1640

Title: I’m Watching Over You, Always.

“Keep watching us.” Levi had spoken those words in the very moment her body had perished and her soul had risen up, but when Hange woke up again and opened her eyes, she could hear Levi’s voice in her head. 

“Where’s the flying boat?” she exclaimed, his voice still ringing in her ears and feeling so real that the blood rushed through her veins. But then she heard Erwin’s voice, and she immediately knew she was in another place. It was her dear Moblit who helped her up, gently squeezing her fingers as she started to ramble on.

“There’s time now. We can talk about it,” Erwin said, reassuringly putting an arm around her shoulders and guiding her to where the rest of her fallen comrades were standing, all dressed in their scout uniforms. But even though she knew everything had happened the way it was supposed to happen, the painful yearning for Levi remained. 

A few hours later, for there wasn’t such a thing as day and night in that otherworldly place she was, she finally had the chance to talk to Erwin alone. “I was wondering, is there any chance we can … see the people on earth?” she asked carefully, mentally preparing for a negative response. But to her surprise, Erwin nodded.

“Good that you’re asking. Yes, there is a possibility, but it’s probably not what you were hoping for.” Hange’s eyes widened, and Erwin took it as his cue to continue. “Theoretically, you can see everyone who is still alive from here. You can’t talk to them, can’t interact with them, and it doesn’t always work. But there is a way you can, in a sense, watch over them from here.”

Watch over us. She could clearly hear Levi’s voice in her head again, and she felt how her chest tightened painfully at the remembrance. “Please, Erwin, tell me about it,” she urged him on, and the tall man smiled. 

“It doesn’t work with everyone; the deeper the bond between you was during your life, the better the chances. That means, it is unlikely to be able to see people you roughly knew, but it’s more likely if it’s a family member, or let’s say, a loved one.” He paused for a moment, and Hange swallowed hard. Levi and her hadn’t exactly been ‘loved ones’, and she had never had the chance to ask him what exactly their relationship had been. But she had always hoped that the special bond she had felt between them meant that he liked her, if not as a lover, then at least as a friend. Though it was clear to her that what she felt for that man was so much more than just friendship. 

“The process itself isn’t really that difficult. You just have to close your eyes and concentrate on them and on the feeling you had when you were around them, and if your bond is strong enough, you’ll be able to see them. The first few times you may struggle, so don’t give up too quickly. Because the more you try, the longer and quicker it works the following times.”

Erwin had been right: the first time she tried, nothing happened. She had retreated to a calm place, where no one would disturb her, and she had really, really given her best - but it didn’t work. After sitting there for hours, she had been about to give up - maybe her bond with Levi just hadn’t been strong enough? But then, out of the blue, a picture appeared before her inner eye. It wasn’t very sharp, a little blurry, and yet she could immediately recognize that it was him.

Levi was sitting in a wheelchair, slumped and a little pale, his characteristic frown between his brows - but the familiarity was so overwhelming that it almost hurt. He was being pushed by Onyankopon who was currently saying something to him. The building behind them looked like a hospital, and Hange assumed that he was just being discharged. Levi nodded, pointed at something, and said something in return. But then, the picture went black.

The next time Hange tried, she succeeded much more quickly. Perhaps it was because she was confident that their bond was strong enough for it to work, and that thought motivated her. Now, Levi sat at his desk with a pen in hand and a few blank sheets of paper in front of him. He seemed troubled, continually running his hand through his hair, tousling it slightly before attempting to smooth it down again, only to mess it up once more. Finally, he began to write.

She was curious about what he was writing, but felt hesitant to intrude, so she focused instead on his body language. It was clear that whatever he was writing was causing him a lot of distress. His lips were pressed tightly together, forming a thin line, and he was tapping his free hand against the tabletop. Over the next half hour, she watched him crumple and toss aside numerous sheets of paper, and with each discarded attempt, his frustration became more evident. Oh, how she wished she could say something - anything - to ease his pain. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Levi,” she whispered, even though she knew he couldn’t hear her.

To her surprise, he suddenly looked up as if he had heard her. Hange held her breath and kept watching him. It seemed a thought had struck him because, after a moment, he dipped his pen back into the ink bottle and made another attempt. This time, his hand flew across the page, and in less than five minutes, he had filled it with his handwriting. He quickly reached for another sheet and continued to scribble down more and more words. Soon, he was finished, and after ensuring the ink had dried, he folded the sheets together and shoved them into an envelope.

Her next encounter with Levi came not long after, and this time they found themselves outside. In the distance, she could see a few young people walking away from what she now realized was a cemetery. If she wasn’t mistaken, she thought she spotted Armin and Connie among them, though she wasn’t entirely sure. Her attention returned to Levi, who was sitting in his wheelchair right in front of a gravestone, with Onyankopon standing a little further away. For a long time, nothing happened as she simply observed Levi, who was gazing wistfully at the grave adorned with fresh flowers.

Then, she saw how he pushed himself out of the wheelchair with his hands and dropped roughly to his knees right in front of the gravestone. Onyankopon looked as if he were about to rush over to help, but Levi quickly waved him off. “No, no, I’m fine, don’t worry.”

His fingers gently traced the beautifully sculpted stone, feeling every edge and curve, and only then did Hange notice that her name was engraved on it. The mix of sorrow and tenderness in his gaze surprised her, and she felt a lump rising in her throat. She instinctively reached out her arm, but of course, she couldn’t touch him, even though she wished she could at that moment.

Levi reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a letter that looked strangely familiar to her: it was the same letter he had written not long ago. For a while, Levi silently studied the piece of paper in his hands, running his fingers over the edge where he had sealed it. Then he brought it to his lips, and in the most tender gesture she had ever seen from him, he gently pressed a kiss to its front.

Hange’s breath caught in her throat, and tears welled up in her eyes as she imagined his lips pressing against her forehead instead. His gesture was so incredibly tender that her heart swelled from such devotion, and she could hardly believe it was truly meant for her.

“Hange … I regret all the opportunities we missed to share together in this life. I truly wish things had ended differently; there are so many things I would have liked to tell you…” Levi’s voice faltered, and she could hear the strain in his effort to maintain his composure. He quickly tucked the envelope beneath the bouquet of flowers and gently caressed it one last time before releasing his grip.

Her heart ached painfully as she saw a single tear roll down his cheek, and as if an invisible string connected them, a tear slipped down her own cheek as well. “I’ll be waiting for you, Levi. Live a little, enjoy yourself, and don’t worry too much. And when it’s your time, I will be here. I promise.”

Hange watched him navigate through the stages of his remaining life. She saw how he gradually gained strength until he could walk with just a walking stick. How with the arrival of spring and the blossoming of life around him, he regained a sense of hope and happiness. And how a few years later, he opened a tea shop alongside Gabi and Falco.

She was there every time he looked up at the sky, directing a few words to her, always ready to offer a response even though he would never hear it. And she was with him whenever he visited her grave, kneeling in front of it for hours, only to rise and complain that it was her fault his legs had gone numb.

Hange watched him grow old, slowly becoming weaker and a bit more cantankerous, yet never alone, even though he spoke very little in his final six months on Earth. Though she didn’t witness his departure, she was there, waiting for him in the grass among beautiful trees when he finally returned to her.

[storiesofaot]

Hello! I was hoping to have a closure for Hange in season 4 because I just feel that there are so much that she had to go through and there doesnt seem to be a lot of support for her (her shorty, unfortunately, is stuck with the monkey in the forest).

Wondering if I can send in a request for a short fic. My thoughts are below:-

1) I like to think of Hange as the Survey Corp princess who dare to challenge things. And all the big brothers in SC will just allow her to do any "nonsense" - Levi, Miche and Erwin, while still being protective over her like the little sister.

2) With this in mind, I have this thought of an oyster or mussel which either she found/ or was gifted. And there is a moment of reflection, whether is her own introspection or a dialogue with Levi, after she became commander.

3) The dialogue came to to a discovery of a pearl. And then she reflected how she was a pearl, being protected and smoothed by all the people around her (who had since dead). May include how she reflected about her own shortcomings and annoyance etc but I leave it to you.

4) This pearl/ oyster thing became a comfort for her after Eren grabbed her collar and when she had that moment of self-doubt in Season 4.

5) Bonus: if somehow Levi felt something at that moment while he is in the forest??

Thanks so much. Hope it is not a lot. I just wanted Hange in season 4 to have some comfort and support.

Thank you so much for your request, @eueuphoriaz ! An oyster as a metaphor for Hange’s development was such a beautiful and also fitting idea - I hope I did justice to it! 🥺

Rating: G ; Word Count: 1851

Title: The Pearl Within

Hange’s mind was overflowing with countless thoughts as her gaze swept over the horizon, where only a faint stripe of purple remained visible above the water’s surface. Had the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers really come with the intention of joining forces, or was this merely a setup by Marley to weaken them from within before launching their attack?

It all sounded very convincing, of course it did. Yet now it was up to her to determine if they were telling the truth or if they were trying to lead them into a trap. It might seem like a minor decision at the moment, but it could impact the entire future of Paradis Island and determine whether they would end up in a war or not.

Suddenly, she could hear some footsteps from behind, and when she turned around, she saw Levi approach her at a leisurely pace. “What are you doing here all alone?” he asked when he came to a stop next to her, eyeing her with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Hange sighed and let her gaze drift over the sea again. “Nothin. Just … thinking.” For a little while, the two of them remained standing next to each other in comfortable silence, him not pushing her to talk while she tried to sort through her thoughts.

“I am not sure if we can trust them,” Hange finally said, looking back at Levi. “What they say does make sense … but with Zeke involved, I fear they might have plans they’re not letting us in on. I mean, they practically admitted that they won’t tell us their full plan until we officially agree to work with them.”

Levi snorted with disdain, his expression growing darker. “I wouldn’t trust anything that stupid monkey says. He’s definitely the one pulling the strings, and I’m sure he wouldn’t hesitate to betray us, even if the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers claim to be our allies. I believe -“

He broke off when he noticed a group of Marleyans nearby, being escorted into another tent by two Scouts, their curious gazes lingering on them. “Let’s talk somewhere else,” he murmured, nodding towards the rocky beach. 

Hange agreed, and together they climbed down the stony incline until they stood on smaller pebbles not far from the water, where they were safe from curious ears. “But I wonder,” she continued, “if they might be our only chance to reach the same level of technological advancement as the rest of the world. We’re significantly behind in that regard, and I’m not sure we’d find anyone else willing to help us with that.”

Levi tilted his head, seeming to ponder her words. Eventually, he broke the silence. Eventually, he broke the silence. “Advancements are great, but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking they solve everything. Even if we know how to use their stuff, they might still use it against us. I doubt they are willing to share all their information with us.”

They continued their discussion for a while, but all they ended up with were numerous arguments for and against an alliance. Once again, Hange felt fear and frustration tightening around her chest, and as night fell, she sensed that a shadow had also fallen over the hope she had once held.

“I’m not sure if Erwin chose the right person to be commander,” she said bitterly. “What if I make the wrong decision, and instead of making things better I put us in an even more dangerous position?”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself; even Erwin would have struggled with the decision,” Levi said, his voice unusually soft. “You’ve learned a lot from him and from the past, and he trusted you for a reason. You’ve got the grit and the brains to make the right call; he wouldn’t have made you commander if he didn’t believe you were capable of it.”

Hange bit her lip, reflecting on what Levi had just said. He was right in a way - Erwin had significantly influenced her approach to problems and her thinking in general. They had first met as cadets, and their camaraderie had continued when he became Section Commander. It had evolved into a friendship when she had followed him, and persisted when he was promoted to Commander. Throughout all these stages, Erwin had always supported and encouraged her. Of course, he had had his doubts and concerns about her sometimes unconventional ideas, but if she could convince him that something felt right, he would relent and let her take the lead. No, she knew she wouldn’t have come this far without his guidance, nor without the support of her other fellow comrades who, simply with their presence, had allowed her to develop and grow into the woman she was today.

A sudden warmth flushed through her as she remembered all the people who had been by her side throughout her life, and she hoped that wherever they were now, they could feel her gratitude for having met them.

She had been silent for quite a while, but when Levi suddenly moved beside her, it was as if she was abruptly pulled from a dream back into reality. Levi pulled something from his jacket pocket that Hange couldn’t immediately identify. It was oval-shaped, with a muted greyish tone and a slight sheen, but it wasn’t until he held it out to her that she realised what it was: an oyster shell.

Almost instinctively, she reached for it and gently weighed it in her hand, intrigued by the small object. She had never actually held one before and only had seen pictures of them. “Where did you find this?”

“At this beach,” Levi replied. “This morning, while I was on watch and doing my rounds, I found it lying among the stones. I suppose it must have been washed ashore.”

“You know it’s extremely rare for oysters to be found onshore? Normally, you’d have to go out to sea to catch them - you must’ve been very, very lucky!” Hange tried to return the oyster, but he shook his head.

“No, I didn’t know that. But that’s why I’m not supposed to keep things like this - I’d never appreciate them properly,” Levi replied with a shrug.

“Oh … thank you!” Hange smiled, feeling a soft flutter in her chest at his kind gesture. But once again, Levi just made a dismissive gesture, as if it were no big deal. 

“Don’t stay out here for too long; it’s getting pretty chilly,” he finally said after a brief pause, turning to leave. Hange grinned to herself; that was the Levi she knew. Always retreating when things got a bit too cosy for his liking.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back before frostbite kicks in,” she teased, very pleased to see him roll his eyes - one of her favourite reactions from him. “Oh, and by the way, could you send some of that luck my way? I think I could really use it in the near future.”

“Sure, I'll pack it into a little package, with a ribbon and everything, and leave it on your desk.” To anyone else, his voice might have sounded as serious as always, but Hange could detect the faintest hint of playful irony in it, and it delighted her. Giving her one final nod, Levi turned around completely and disappeared.

She remained standing at the beach for a while, absentmindedly playing with the oyster. It was slightly cracked open, and when she tried to peek inside, she glimpsed a hint of the nacre, shimmering white with pale blue highlights. Curiously, she ran her finger over the opening and then tapped lightly on its shell - and to her surprise, she could hear a faint sound, as if something was moving inside. A surprised gasp escaped her lips. Could it be that there was actually a pearl inside? The chances were slim, yet she couldn’t resist the urge to find out.

Carefully, she attempted to pry the two halves of the shell apart, her fingers working gently to create a small, widening gap without breaking it. Once the gap was large enough, she turned the shell around and, to her astonishment, she felt something small fall into the palm of her hand. With delight, she gazed at the smooth, creamy-beige pearl, holding it between two fingers before letting it fall back into her palm again.

What wonders Mother Nature worked. A foreign object entered the oyster’s shell, triggering the production of nacre as the oyster protected itself. Over months or years, it built up layer after layer around the irritant until a pearl was fully formed.

For some reason, Hange felt a connection with this process: her journey had begun with her own internal struggles and challenges. She had always had a clear vision of what she wanted, but often people didn’t take her seriously and sometimes even laughed at her. However, over time, the influence and support from her comrades - especially Erwin and Levi - their wisdom, experience, and guidance, had enveloped her, smoothing her rough edges and shaping her into the person and leader she was now. Of course, her insecurities remained; deep down, she was still the same. But she had acquired the means to handle them and tackle difficult situations, and it was only then that she realised how much those she had left behind continued to live within her.

“I’ll do my best, Erwin,” she whispered, her gaze fixed on the pearl. “I don’t know if I’ll succeed, but I’ll at least try.”

◇

Over the next few years, she always kept the oyster with the pearl in her jacket pocket, as a kind of good luck charm, but also as a comforting reminder of all the people she had to leave behind, who had such a profound impact on her life.

When her heart ached from having to arrest Floch and his followers, dealing with their radical ideologies, and she felt like everything around her was starting to crumble amidst the growing division and dissatisfaction, she reached into her pocket and began to fumble with the oyster shell, thinking about Levi and the fortunate day he had found it and hoping that some of his luck would rub off on her.

And when she broke down in front of the cellar door after her confrontation with Eren, feeling a growing sense of desperation because, although his methods were undeniably wrong, she could understand the source of his strong feelings, she reached into her pocket and clenched the pearl in her fist, hiding it within her closed fingers, its pressure against her palm a reminder that, amidst the chaos she was enduring, there were traces of Erwin within her that she just needed to find.

Little did she know that, some distance away in the forest, Levi was thinking about her, as if he sensed her struggle and wished he could do more than just silently support her. Although she was unaware of it, she felt a small spark of comfort igniting within her at that moment. And it was enough to keep her going.

[storiesofaot]

In honour of it being Hange Zoe’s birthday today, this is Chapter 2 of my little Levihan in Marley fic! 🥳

“It’s Hange’s birthday the following day, and what started as a small idea turned into a series of unexpected events that Levi never imagined he’d be part of. To his surprise, he ends up enjoying them more than he thought he would, and along the way, he comes to realise just how much he actually likes Hange.”

Be ready for lots of fluff and some birthday silliness 😆

[storiesofaot]

Do you do aus? If so I'd like to request a story of Levi seeing Princess Hange for the first time as a soldier is chosen as her personal bodyguard. And of course he is smitten but he hides it although Hange gets the message hehe

Hi anon! First of all, I’m sorry it took me quite a while to get this done! I have never written a Royal AU before and I had expected to struggle a bit with it. But GOSH I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, I really really fell in love with Princess Hange and Bodyguard Levi 😍 I am turning this into a short fic / oneshot (as you can see I am really having a blast with this idea!!) which I will be uploading once it’s finished - but for now here is a part of what I have written so far. I really hope you like it! 😊

Rating: G; Word Count: 2025

Title: Princess Hange and her Bodyguard

“Did you hear the news?” Erwin asked as he entered Levi’s room, swiftly closing the door behind him. 

Levi, who was sitting on his bed, looked over at the tall man, unfazed. “No, what news?” His uniform jacket hung neatly on a clothing rack in the corner of the room, its fabric crisp and buttons shining, while he was in the middle of polishing his boots.

“Where have you been the entire day? Weren’t you in town, didn’t you hear the news?” The blonde man shook his head, sitting down on the empty bed across the room.

Levi continued with his task, diligently scrubbing at his boot with a cloth. “I was out on patrol all day, just got back.”

Erwin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “They’re looking for a bodyguard for the princess from within the military, and they’re planning to hold a competition to decide who the lucky one will be,” he said in a conspiratorial tone.

Levi paused in his task for a moment, frowning up at his taller friend. "And this concerns me because … ?"

The blonde man laughed out loud. “Half of the military is eager to be the princess’s personal overseer. She may be a bit eccentric and impulsive, but she’s not unattractive.”

“Well, good luck to them; I’m not interested.” Levi didn’t even glance up from his task, clearly considering the topic closed. But his friend had other ideas.

“The winner of the competition will also receive a generous monetary reward,” Erwin continued, his eyes lighting up as he noticed Levi’s attention shift at those words. “This could be your chance to secure a better future for your mother. With that money, you could help her escape her current situation and move to a much better place!”

Levi reflected on Erwin’s words. It was true; he and his mother, Kuchel, hadn’t exactly had an easy life. Growing up in a challenging neighbourhood, they struggled with money and often barely scraped by for rent, food, and drink due to his mother’s illness. When he had joined the Wings of Freedom, the royal military, things had gotten a little better. But all Levi wanted was to get his mother out of that place, and he would do anything to make that dream a reality.

“How much?” he asked. When Erwin named the sum, his eyes widened. That would definitely be enough to give his mother a better life in a safer place. 

Voices echoed in the hallway, likely belonging to Levi’s three roommates, and Erwin took it as his cue to leave. “Think about it, Levi,” he said, rising to his feet. “With your strength and experience, you could definitely win.”

“What about you?” Levi asked, eyeing him curiously. “Aren’t you going to apply for it?”

The taller man shook his head. “No, I’m content with my position in the Royal Guard. Besides, they're probably looking for someone with more experience in fighting The Titans, and I don’t think I’d be the right fit for the job.” 

Levi nodded and then said goodbye to his closest friend, who, as he left the room, bumped into Mike, Oluo and Furlan, who had just returned from the dining hall. The other three soldiers immediately brought up the upcoming competition, and for the rest of the evening, they talked almost exclusively about it. A few hours later, as Levi lay in bed, he had made a decision: he would participate. For his mother’s sake. 

~

Erwin had been right in assuming that Levi would win the competition. Levi didn’t just do well; he did exceptionally well, and the king personally extended his congratulations to him. 

“This is the princess’s schedule,” the king said, handing Levi a piece of paper on which were the details of her daily activities, meetings, and any events she was expected to attend. “You’ll need to familiarise yourself with this to ensure her safety and well-being.” Levi only nodded, reading the whole thing over and then folded it together. 

““And remember, the princess’s safety is your top priority. You must be willing to give your life to protect hers,” the king continued with a stern voice. 

“Understood, Your Majesty,” Levi replied and saluted. He had received a new uniform, and was now dressed in a royal blue instead of the usual dark green of the Royal Scouts. But he still needed to get used to it, and he felt a little tense and out of place as they entered the study room where he would be meeting Princess Hange for the first time. 

“Hange, dear, this is Levi Ackerman, Captain of the Royal Scouts,” the king introduced him. “From now on, he will serve as your bodyguard and protector and will be responsible for your safety.”

Hange didn’t even bother to look up, mesmerised by a book she was apparently reading. “Hmm, wonderful. Nice to meet you, Lenny,” she murmured.

The king reassuringly patted Levi on the shoulder, like this wasn’t the first time they were going through this scene. "And remember, you must not take your eyes off her for a second." With those words, he left the room, leaving a slightly nervous Levi behind.

Usually, Levi would have commented on her misunderstanding his name, even though she was royalty. But for some reason, the sight before him left him so stunned that there was no room for hard feelings. Never in his life had a person mesmerised him as much as Princess Hange Zoë did in that very moment - and it left him feeling utterly disarmed. 

And the worst part was, she hadn’t even done anything. She was simply sitting at her desk, nose stuck in her book, eyes sparkling at whatever she was reading. Her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in gentle waves, half pulled back with a few strands framing her face. She wore a simple light orange dress that hugged her waist beautifully, and she had kicked off her beige ballet flats, wiggling her bare toes as she laughed out loud at something amusing in her book.

This was definitely not what he had expected, especially after all the stories he had heard about her. But for some reason, her laugh sounded like the most beautiful thing he had ever heard, and, unwillingly, his heartbeat quickened. He continued standing at the door for what felt like several minutes, gazing at the woman who had somehow already wrapped him around her finger.

Princess Hange seemed to have forgotten he was there, and it was only after finishing the chapter that she finally acknowledged his presence, curiously studying him for a moment. “So, Lenny, right?”

Levi struggled hard to collect himself enough to speak, feeling her gaze pierce through him and burrow directly into his heart. “Um … no, it’s Levi. Levi Ackerman, Your Highness.”

Hange gave him a crooked smile. “Levi, right. Sorry. To be honest, I hadn’t been paying attention when Father introduced you.” She raised her arms above her head and stretched, accentuating her slender figure even more. 

“That’s okay, no problem, Miss” Great, he was really nailing this conversation.

“Look, Levi,” Princess Hange continued as she started to feel around the floor with her bare feet in search of her ballet flats. When she found them, she quickly slipped them on. “I’m sure you’re not happy about being demoted to be my babysitter, and I certainly don’t like being watched all the time. But since Father isn’t likely to change his opinion very soon, I suppose we’re stuck with each other for the moment. That’s why I would like to set up some rules.”

Levi only nodded, though his thoughts were a tangled mess as he tried to comprehend the warmth and brightness she brought into the room. Normally, he kept his feelings firmly under control, but this time, he felt like a ship adrift at sea, lost and aimless, tossed about by unfamiliar emotions.

“First of all, don’t call me ‘Your Highness’. Hange is just fine, or Miss Hange, when others are around. Those titles make me feel so old and isolated, like I’m something special.”

‘You’re the princess, of course you’re something special,’ Levi thought to himself, but of course, he didn’t speak those words out loud. Instead, he continued with his silent nodding.

“Secondly, I don’t want this to be too awkward, and you don’t seem to be a jerk. So let’s not be stiff or overly formal; we can talk normally and forget about our roles. Next, I can take care of myself, so don’t treat me like I’m fragile or incapable. I know Father told you to keep an eye on me, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let me do things my way. Oh, and don’t be afraid to crack a joke once in a while; we might as well keep things entertaining while we’re in this ... relationship.” She finished her little discourse with a grin.

People definitely hadn't been lying when they had said Princess Hange knew what she wanted. But Levi could understand her conditions; nobody liked having every step they took monitored. “That works for me. But I don’t do jokes. I’m not funny, and people have told me I look scary when I laugh.” He hadn’t intended for it to be funny, he had just wanted to be honest and had tried to say it with the straightest face he had. But for some reason, Hange seemed to find it hilarious, for she threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh. 

“Don’t believe what they say,” she said with a grin and stood up. “I bet you look nice when you laugh.” When she reached him, she extended her hand, an invitation for him to take it. With shaky fingers - still reeling from what had sounded like a compliment to his looks - he let go of his own hand he had been grasping up until now, gently taking hers as he escorted her out of the room. Once in the hallway, she withdrew her hand and he offered his arm, which she immediately accepted. They fell into a comfortable pace as they walked side by side, leisurely and at ease.

“What’s the next point on my schedule?” Hange asked as they turned onto the staircase hall. 

“I don’t know, let me check the … menu?” he replied, secretly pleased as it elicited a giggle from her. Apparently, she found his awkwardness funny, and he couldn’t deny it made him a bit happy. “The royal family of Paradis is having a luncheon with the duke, duchess, and their daughter from Marley,” he read aloud, earning a theatrical sigh from Hange.

“Guess I’ll have to get changed, then,” she said with a hint of sulkiness, tugging at her dress. “Could you escort me to my chambers, please?”

“Sure. Just tell me where to go, since I have never been inside the palace,” Levi replied, shrugging apologetically. With a grin, Hange lead the way, and soon they found themselves in front of the door for her room. 

“I know you’re supposed to be at my side all the time, but I suppose a lady deserves her privacy when she changes, don't you think?” she said, playfully patting his forearm.

Levi’s heart sank, uncertain whether she was joking or genuinely flirting. Either way, he felt the blood rush to his face, and he knew she could see it too. “Sure. I … um … I’ll just wait here.”

“Great!” she said, the mischievous smile unwavering. “See you in a bit.” She patted his arm one last time before swiftly turning around, her hair almost whipping against his face, and disappeared into her room, where two maids were already waiting for her.

For several minutes, Levi remained standing in front of the door, frozen, his eyes wide. He was feeling unusually hot, and as he swallowed, he realised how dry his mouth and throat had become. The breath he released was shaky, and he ran a hand through his hair, turning away from the door to regain his composure. What kind of mess had he gotten himself into this time?

[storiesofaot]

I’m back with another Levihan story! 😁 This fic is set in the flashback scene in Marley from Season 4. It will have two chapters, with the first chapter being uploaded today and the second one on Thursday! 

Chapter 1: The trip to Marley doesn't go quite as Hange had anticipated, and she finds herself struggling and doubting herself. But of course, Levi is there to support and comfort her in any way he can.

OR: A few small moments I imagine that could've happened between Levi and Hange during their trip to Marley.

[storiesofaot]

Heyyy i saw you take requests. Just dropping by

How about Levi 'loser in love' Ackerman is finally dating Hange Zoe and he just goes crazy everytime Hange does something for him. Let's say Furlan and Isabel never died, both of them including Erwin and Mike point out that he is dating her but he's pretending like a teen in love for the first time.

Hi anon! This was such a fun request, thank you so much - I really, really hope it’s what you had in mind, and that you’re happy with how it turned out 🤭

Rating: T; Word Count: 1859 Title: It’s Alright To Be In Love

“Bro, you're head over heels!” Isabel nudged him with her shoulder as Levi, once again, couldn’t quite manage to peel his eyes off Hange who had just walked past them. It was definitely getting out of hand, the number of times he caught himself staring at her. But he couldn’t help it; somehow, she always ended up at the centre of his attention. 

“I am not … whatever shit you just said,” Levi retorted and scowled, looking down at his plate with a sullen expression.

“Oh, you were definitely staring when she handed you your fork!” Furlan chimed in and laughed out loud as Levi punished him with a cold glare.

“Why don't you two mind your own damn business instead of sticking your noses into things that don’t concern you?” Levi practically impaled the vegetables onto his fork with a rough jab, desperately trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Aww, our Levi’s got a crush.” Isabel crowed, a big smile on her lips. “That’s so cute!”

“And he’s being so awkward about it; it’s so funny to watch.” Furlan added with a grin, playfully elbowing his shorter friend. 

Levi endured his friends’ teasing for exactly one more minute before grabbing his plate and practically storming out of the dining hall. It annoyed him that they seemed to know he had feelings for Hange. He had been convinced that he hadn’t given anything away, but apparently, he hadn’t been as subtle as he had thought. 

It had all happened so quickly and unexpectedly - in the beginning, he had barely been able to stand her. But somehow, she had managed to sneak into his heart, and what started as friendly camaraderie morphed into friendship, and eventually turned into a full-blown crush. It took him almost a year, though, to come to notice that she might feel the same way, and even then he didn't dare make the first step. For not even in his wildest dreams could he believe that she would actually like someone like him.

But it was true, and after overcoming a few hurdles, Hange made the first step and they finally shared their first kiss. It was better than Levi could have ever imagined, and he started to enjoy this newfound sense of intimacy he shared with her. The only downside, however, was that it made him act like a complete idiot.

If he had been obvious before, he was now downright transparent when it came to his feelings towards her. Whenever she was around, his eyes immediately were on her, and he forgot everything and everyone else. When she smiled at him, his heart raced. If she accidentally brushed his arm, his hands became sweaty. And when she merely said his name, he began to stutter. It was terribly infuriating, and he knew he was making a fool of himself. He did his best to remain in control, to gain the upper hand of his emotions - but it seemed that he was helplessly at their mercy. 

“This is almost bordering on ridiculous,” Mike said one afternoon, when they were all training together in front of the barracks and Levi had just made an idiot of himself again. “Who would have thought it would be a relationship that brings humanity’s strongest soldier to his knees?”

“Come on, leave him alone. He’s just in love, and relationships can be scary, especially at the beginning,” Nanaba said, defending Levi and giving him a compassionate pat on the back.

“I’m not in love!” Levi growled, turning away from the two and busily inspecting his swords. “Stop making such a fuss and mind your own fucking business.”

It probably wasn’t fair that he still couldn’t admit it out loud. He assumed that all of their friends already knew about the relationship between Hange and him. More than once, he had bumped into one of them late at night while on his way to Hange’s room. And his half-hearted excuses for why he was lingering in the hallway at that hour hadn’t been very convincing, given the knowing looks he received each time. He also assumed that Hange had been caught as well, so it wasn’t exactly a secret anymore.

Nonetheless, Levi knew that he was unable to express his emotions out loud, especially when it came to something like love. He downright hated it, for he felt like an uptight teenager and also didn’t want to hurt Hange’s feelings - but he couldn’t help it, it was part of who he was. Fortunately, though, it didn’t seem to bother her too much, and she simply accepted it. He knew he probably didn’t deserve her understanding, but for some inexplicable reason, she was willing to give it to him. 

And so they continued their more or less secret relationship, meeting as often as they could, mostly at night or during spare moments between training. Levi hoped fervently that his flusteredness would fade with time and that he would grow accustomed to the new feelings that came with being in love. But luck was not on his side, and even though he eventually managed to form coherent sentences in her presence, the tips of his ears always turned a deep red.

After yet another spectacle at training - he had been racing against Mike, but Hange cheering him on sent him crashing into the leaves instead of landing on the branch - he was, of course, summoned to Erwin’s office. 

“There is no rule that says relationships between soldiers are prohibited, you know?” the commander said, addressing the shorter man who was seated in front of him, hunched over as if trying to disappear into the chair. “Both Hange and you have been through a lot, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t pleased to see that you seem to enjoy each other's company.”

“Wonderful,” Levi growled, but he still couldn’t quite meet the other man’s eyes. The way everyone was constantly pointing out his and Hange’s relationship made things even worse, and he felt like everyone was just waiting for him to screw up.

“But you’re giving your emotions too much power over you," Erwin continued. “It’s important to balance them with your responsibilities. Don't try to suppress or fight them; instead, accept them as part of who you are. This way, they’ll have less impact on your performance in the field.”

Levi finally looked up, perking up an eyebrow. “What, are you too now trying to be a fucking expert on my personal life?”

Erwin chuckled and, leaning back in his chair, crossed his legs. “I’m just trying to be your friend, Levi. But I understand, I don’t mean to intrude into your affairs. Just … think about what I just said, yes?” Levi only grumbled in response and, to his relief, was dismissed.

Accept your feelings as a part of who you are. And how the hell was he supposed to do that? With a sigh, he walked across the hallway, on his way back to the sleeping quarters. But as he turned the corner, he nearly bumped into someone. 

Apparently, Hange had been waiting for him and smiled when he murmured a quiet and embarrassed apology. “So … what are you doing tonight?” she asked casually. 

Excitement bubbled up inside him, and he swallowed hard before answering. “Nothing.” Great response, how inviting!

“Me neither,” she said, and then, after a moment’s hesitation, added: “Do you wanna come to town with me?”

Levi didn’t even have to think twice about it. Although it might come off as too eager, he immediately nodded and blurted out, “Yes.”

The smile Hange gave him in return made his heart flutter, and for some reason it didn’t stop - not even when they set off together. His thoughts were racing as he wondered if this had been her way of asking him out. The idea of possibly going on a date suddenly made him jittery, and he nearly tripped over his own feet. But then, he recalled what Erwin had said to him, about accepting his feelings rather than freaking out over them.

So he took a deep breath and checked in with himself. Yes, he was feeling very nervous and anxious; his heart was racing and his mouth was dry. But he hadn’t passed out yet, so he was still good. She might be able to sense his nervousness, but he assumed that she wouldn’t be there with him if it bothered her. So he would try not to let it bother him either.

Feeling a little calmer, he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. To his surprise, he noticed how she was nervously playing with her fingers. All the time, he had been so preoccupied with his own feelings that it hadn’t even crossed his mind that Hange might be just as nervous as he was. But now it was obvious to him: the way she swallowed when she noticed his gaze, how her eyes flicked towards him, away and then back to him again, and how she dug her nails into the hem of her jacket - he simply hadn’t noticed it before.

His next action was rather impulsive than well-thought out, but he still went ahead with it. He extended his hand - perhaps a bit too abruptly, as she flinched slightly - and then, more gently, reached out for her hand. He could clearly feel her freeze under his touch, but she didn't pull away, which he took as a good sign. Carefully, he wrapped his fingers around her hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles in what he hoped was a soothing, reassuring gesture. 

For a few heartbeats, they stood there, side by side, neither daring to look at the other, and Levi almost regretted having initiated what probably counted as a public display of affection. But then he felt her hand shift, and to his surprise, she slowly interlaced her fingers with his. 

He was amazed at how perfectly her fingers slid into the spaces between his, like two pieces meant to fit together, and he couldn’t help but stare at their joined hands, wearing what was probably the sappiest expression imaginable. When he looked up again, Hange met his gaze almost bashfully, a soft pink flush on her cheeks. “Let’s go,” she whispered, and Levi, once again at a loss for words, allowed her to pull him with her. 

They walked through the hallways and passed the dining room, which was very crowded at this time of the evening. As they went, they also walked by familiar faces, who greeted their joined hands with amused ‘Oohs’ and playful snickering. But at no moment did she let go of his hand - and nor did he. 

Yes, his ears had grown hot with embarrassment again, and there was a strange flutter in his stomach. But as he looked at Hange walking in front of him, her ponytail swinging with each step, her crinkled eyes and dopey smile (which was probably matching his own), he decided that he was fine. He was okay with what he was feeling and wouldn’t want to change it for anything in the world.

[storiesofaot]

I'm happy to be able to announce that this is the first chapter of my first ever Levihan fic! 🥳 You can read it here on AO3.

Title: On A Night Like This

After a few very stressful and harrowing months, Levi, Hange (and the Special Operations Squad) finally reach the beach for the very first time in their lives. While Hange can hardly contain her excitement and admiration for all the things she has to discover at the beach, Levi is not exactly thrilled about that place. Somehow, though, Hange manages to get him to do things he doesn’t really want to do (for he simply can't deny her any request), and soon he finds himself constantly shifting between exasperation and resignation, whilst at the same time coming face to face with his budding feelings for the person he never expected he could fall for. (And he makes a new little friend.)

...so it's basically a song fic at the beach with lots of pining, fluff and some silly/cute moments between Hange and Levi.

Enjoy! 😊

[storiesofaot]

This is the last and final chapter of my Levihan beach fic! I had a blast writing it, and I really hope you enjoy it as well 😊 Let me know your thoughts and/or suggestions for improvement, or if there is anything specific you’d like to read in the future! Enjoy, and thanks so much for reading 🥰

[storiesofaot]

I’m going to crosspost all of my Tumblr requests and drabbles on AO3 as well!😊 

[storiesofaot]

I'm taking Levihan requests! ✨️

I've never done this before but have been wanting to for a while, so I thought I'd finally give it a try! If you want, you can send me your requests for Hange and Levi, and I'll be happy to write a drabble/short fic for you! They can be as specific or as general as you like (and I'd also give AUs a shot). The only thing I don't write, though, is NSFW content (and maybe fantasy, since I've never written it before xD) - but other than that' feel free to request whatever you'd like, and I'll do my best :D

I'm looking forward to hearing from you! 😇

[storiesofaot]

The second chapter of my fic is up! What to expect: seashells and fluff (and Levi who is feeling many things but doesn’t know what to do hehe). Thanks so much for reading! 😊⭐️