Chapter 8
Replacement?

Hanji was overwhelmed with joy as she walked back to the teashop arms linked with Erwin as she eagerly invited him to her teashop to have a cup of tea. He merely laughed as she led the way and she couldn't help but smile back. It had been so long since she'd seen someone she knew from the old days other than Levi and things between her and Levi were a little strange now. Having a new friendly face around would be great!
"Taadaaaa! Here's my teashop!" Hanji exclaimed flinging out her free arm towards the building.
Erwin looked up at the grand, ever so slightly run down, vine covered castle like building with a brief look of shock before smiling down at Hanji, "It looks like the kind of place you'd buy. It has a lot of character, a lot like you."
"Hah! Is that a compliment?" she laughed. She couldn't help but laugh, she'd never seen Erwin's face so peaceful, so content. Seeing him smile like that was a reminder of how much the world around them changed for the better, it made her smile too.
"It is." he laughed lightly, but their happy moment ended as they both realized they were vein watched. Hanji turned to look in the shop glass to see 4 sets of glaring eyes. Her two employees, Ben and Levi all stood there at the glass glaring out at Erwin and herself.
"Ehhh…." Hanji gaped as she caught them. She was pretty sure Levi was just angry with her for their little almost make out session the other day, but why was everyone else glaring?
"Is that Levi?" Erwin asked shock clear on his face as he squinted and walked closer to the glass, "Even in a time of peace he still scowls." Erwin chuckled , "Whoa." Erwin exclaimed as he noticed the other eyes staring out at them, "Looks like a lot of people were eager for your return." Erwin flashed her an amused smile as he turned to look back at her.
"I don't know why they're not working…." Hanji mumbled, "Well, let's go in then, I'll make you some tea! I might be a little busy, but you and Levi can catch up and you can meet the others, we can catch up later if you want." She smiled brightly, but her smile faded as Levi tapped on the glass giving her an annoyed glare, she glared back and Erwin laughed again.
"That sounds fine."

Levi watched as Erwin and Hanji walked in arm in arm and irritation washed over him for some reason.
"Levi." Erwin smiled gently standing in front of him.
"Erwin." Levi replied sternly.
"It's been awhile." Erwin smiled deeper, his arm unhooking from Hanji's as he moved to pull Levi into a friendly hug. Levi kinda got jerked into the hug, unsure what else he could do. Hug him back? No, Erwin was too tall, Levi was getting smothered by his chest… Levi opted to just bitterly stand perfectly still and wait for him to let go which Erwin did pretty quickly.
"This is a very nice building you have Hanji." Erwin went on, turning from Levi's stern face to look around the teashop.
"I know." Hanji smirked mischeviously and Levi watched them both laugh with disgust. They were so chummy it was annoying.
"Don't you have to get to work, there are customers here." Levi reminded Hanji.
"So then why are we all standing here?" She stood up straight, "I'll go make you some tea Erwin." she said, her hand rest in on his arm lightly as she guided him to a table.
Levi stood near the window, feeling.. strange. Had she forgotten the night before? He knew he said they could forget it, but geez he was still a bit uncomfortable about it, was he so unimportant to her that it didn't even bother her at all? Or was Erwin so important that she forgot the night before already? Levi's hands clenched at his side as he got angry, about getting angry over something that didn't even matter. It was his job to help the Erwin and Hanji get together right? So why was he even upset? It's not like he had feelings for her or anything. Was he worried that she was upset with him because of the night before? But she was just work, he shouldn't have cared if she disliked him.
"Think we should kick him out?" A voice behind Levi whispered pulling him from his own thoughts.
"What?" Levi asked dryly.
"I said," Ben whispered again, "That blonde guy, you think we should kick him out?" his eyes shifted around the room as he spoke at a barely hushed tone.
"Why should we do that?" Levi asked, though he was kind of thinking it might have been a good idea, he respected Erwin and all, but having him here was weird.
"Tch," Ben scoffed, "I don't like him. Technically this is still my building, we can kick him out, but if I'm gonna do this, I'll need your help to drag him out, he's too strong for me. I'll be the brain, you be the brawn." Ben went on.
"You're more devious then I thought old man." Levi smirked despite himself, "It's my job to get these two in a romantic situation. Kicking him out might ruin that don't you think?"
Levi watched as Ben's jaw dropped before he shook his head, "I can't believe you'd do that, trying to give off Miss Hanji like that, I'm ashamed in you Levi." he shook his head and Levi scoffed, as if he cared about Ben's approval, "I have to go." Ben muttered before leaving, but Levi had already turned away from him.
His eyes were fixed on Hanji and Erwin again as she scurried around him bringing him tray after tray of tea and smiling as she did it with this big stupid grin that Levi was used to seeing by now. This was good for his job, they seemed to be getting along well…. So then why was Levi feeling so agitated.

"This tea is delicious," Erwin smirked as he gazed up at Hanji. Hanji laughed as she looked down at him. Even though they'd only met up earlier that day, it felt like Erwin had never left by the way he spoke.
"Isn't it?" Hanji smirked placing down a cup of tea across from Erwin, " I went all around the markets looking for something this good, I'm glad I found it. I think it's Levi's favorite so I'll leave this one for hi-" Hanji's sentence cut off as she looked up to where Levi had just been standing in time to see him walking up the stairs.
"I see Levi's the same." Erwin smirked, following her gaze.
"Haha… Yeah, I think so." Hanji smiled less enthusiastically now. Was Levi angry with her really? They'd agreed not to think about the other night and she was holding up her end of the deal, so why did it feel like he was avoiding her?
"Hanji?" Erwin asked calling here back to reality, he trailed off and Hanji stared at him cluelessly "Never mind I don't think that would happen." Erwin smiled gently as Hanji still stood there with no clue what he was talking about.
"Hmm?"
"Nothing, I was just wondering if after work, you had some time, I'd like to speak with you some more on a certain matter." Erwin said placing his teacup down and looking her square in the eye, his blue eyes burning into her in a way that made her squirm a little.
"All right." She smiled.

The day passed pretty quickly, Levi had a pile of paperwork sitting on his desk that was meant to be finished for the next day, but it was still sitting there unfinished. He couldn't get any of his work done thinking what Hanji and Erwin were downstairs chatting and whatnot. She usually would've brought him a cup of tea by now or something and chatted over some meaningless drive, was she mad at him for the other night? Ah what did it matter anyways? she was just Shitty Four Eyes anyway and it was his job to get them together. He scowled as he sat back on the daybed by his window to look out at what was now the nighttime streets. He wasn't upset because he cared who she liked or anything, sure the other night she seemed really attractive, but he was drunk that didn't count, every time he made a move on her he was drunk, he didn't like her, he was just upset that he hadn't gotten any tea today, he convinced himself. Down on the street scattered couples walk on the streets on the way to their homes, Levi watched them, his heart feeling heavy again as his thoughts wandered to Petra. If it wasn't for Levi not paying attention, she'd still be there, that would be them. Even if it was more than just drunken encounters with Hanji, he still couldn't forget Petra. He never would.
Footsteps on the stairs now and two familiar voices laughing with one another, pulled Levi from his thoughts. It was Erwin and Hanji. He could hear them walking down the hall now, and then the door to her bedroom shut. Every hair on the back of Levi's hair shot up. "What the hell, I thought she'd at least play a little hard to get with him! Is she that naive to let any man into her room? Is she drunk again?" Levi asked suddenly on his feet pacing the room.
Minutes felt like hours as Levi waited for the sound of the door to her room to opening again, "Just what are they doing?" he growled, before deciding to take matters into his own hands. He tried to reason that she might be in trouble, maybe she choked and Erwin couldn't save her because he was missing his other arm. It was a stretch, but still it was enough for him.
He was halfway to his office door before he heard her bedroom door open and her laugh drift down the hallway, he heard his name and he immediately went to sit by his desk and at least try to look like he was busy with paperwork.
"Levi?" Her voice rang through by the other side of the door.
"What?" He asked gruffly, before the words were even fully out of his mouth she was opening the door.
"Are you going to be here long?" She asked bluntly.
"Why?" he was about to ask if this was about the night before and assure her that there was no need to feel uncomfortable about him being here, that he would act like nothing happened, but before he could, she was already speaking.
"Well you see Erwin is staying at the inn up the street and I feel bad, I mean we were all so close before so I was going to offer him the guest room down the hall, but it's empty now, so I thought for tonight he could sleep in your office and then tomorrow we can go get furnishings for the guest room." she rambled. Levi felt his mouth hang open for a moment, but he promptly closed it. She was trying to kick him out of his office… for Erwin?
"It's fine since you have your own room in the fortress right?" she went on, undeterred by his silence, "You're okay with that right?" She asked smiling and wide eyed.
Levi wasn't sure what to say. He knew he shouldn't have cared what she did with the office, but he did. It was her building, but it was his office, it was the first place someone had made for him out of kindness and she was just handing it out so easily? He had planned on staying at the fortress tonight anyways, he planned to leave as soon as Erwin did, but the thought of leaving her and Erwin here alone bothered him, the thought of having Erwin in his custom office… bothered him, the fact that he was bothered, bothered him.
"Levi, what's that face you're making?" Hanji asked lightly, trying to process the blank yet slightly twisted look on his face.
"Nothing." Levi said pulling his face together, wondering how exactly to reply. He looked at her excited face and wasn't sure what to say next, "Is this because of the other night? Do you want me to leave because you feel uncomfortable? I do apologize for-" he started simply, but the small smile on her face stopped him.
"I thought we said not to talk about it." She replied, her eyes wide "I was gonna act like nothing happened. I mean it's just like before again right? I guess we were just confused lately, we have been drinking more than we usually do, I wonder if that's why." She pondered thoughtfully, "Anyway, there's nothing between us right? I'm just your job, so we may as well make this as painless as possible while the situation is like this."
Levi gaped at her. She'd said everything he was going to tell her about the night before. The twisted feeling in his stomach eased as he realized they were on the same page. There was no real attraction between them, just alcohol.
"But back to the Erwin thing, he can stay here right?" She asked, looking up at him with two big hopeful brown eyes. The knots in his stomach were back. In his mind he said no a million times. There was no way he would let Erwin stay here, but then she spoke again as if sensing his hesitation, "Unless you were planning to use this room, then I guess Erwin and I can share." She mumbled scratching her chin.
"He can stay here." Levi grumbled standing from his desk quickly. He saw Hanji cheer but it barely registered as he realized he'd stood too quickly. Hanji's shenanigans had been affecting his sleep lately, he'd woken up early this morning, had forgotten to eat, and the alcohol from the other day made him dehydrated. It wasn't like him to be so forgetful with his self mantainance… Shitty Glasses was rubbing off on him.
"Are you okay?" Hanji asked the cheer she'd just let out now forgotten as she saw the pale look on Levi's face.
"I'm fine." He replied straightening up, "Just a bit tired, once I get back to the fortress and finish my paperwork, I'll rest." He went on, gathering his papers. "What?" He asked irritably as he caught Hanji frowning.
"You hate stuff like this, that's why you stayed with the Survey Corps all those years ago, right?"
He froze and slowly rose his eyes to land on her pouting face, "Perhaps." he grunted. She was right that he hated desk work, she was right that was why he stayed with the Survey Corps, but it was annoying that she could see right through him when he couldn't figure out what was buzzing through her 90 mile an hour brain.
"I'm just saying Sorry for worrying about a friend!" She laughed holding up her hands before strolling out of the door as easily as she walked in.
Though the words came easily from her mouth, they hit him like a brink, "Friend?" He grumbled, collecting his papers, is that what they were now? Friends? He couldn't deny they got along differntly than before, but was that 'friendship'?. He sighed, wishing more and more that it wasn't his job to look after her. For a moment he was totally still, wondering if she was going back to talk with Erwin. It seemed he'd only been back a day and Erwin was already replacing him. She usually brought Levi tea at the end of the day, she'd come talk with him, she'd do stupid little things that made him think she wasn't so bad, but today it seemed that Erwin was the receiver of those gestures. Was this how it would be now if she and Erwin did enter a romantic relationship? Sure it made his job easier, but… Levi hesitated to admit it, but Hanji was the closest thing he had to a friend and the prospect of losing that was irritating him, though he knew he'd get over it. With a sigh, he left the room. Whatever would be, would be, his life would move on. He'd lost people in worse ways after all.

Levi was already on his horse about to ride away, still feeling a little dizzy when he heard his name being called.
"Oiiiiii! Shortyyyy!" Hanji yelled out.
Levi's energy level came back up again as he turned around with fury in his eyes. He usually didn't care one way or the other about the nickname, but he was tired and hungry and after his revelation about thinking of her as a friend he was about to lose, she was the last person he wanted to see. It also didn't help that the few people out on a city night stroll chuckled at her old nickname for him.
"The hell do you want?"
"I… Made you this to take." She panted leaning over as she caught her breath, "Don't over do it, just eat this and go to sleep so you can grow up big and strong." she smirked breathlessly holding up a small basket to him.
"Tch!" He scoffed snatching the basket from her hands, "You too. Just go to sleep, don't stay up all night talking Erwin's ear off or stalk him all the way to the bathroom spewing your bullshit like you do with me." he grumbled, if it was his job to make sure she was gonna have a chance with Erwin, he felt she should at least not do those things.
Hanji looked up at Levi as he glared down at her with his usual serious face and blinked twice before letting out a loud laugh, what was he talking about? "You're the only one I do that stuff too, Shorty. You think I'd talk to Erwin like that? Even I know he has more class than you, so I speak to him differently." she explained clapping her hands together. Levi blinked at her without saying a word and she flew into a laughing fit, she could tell he wasn't sure if she was insulting or complimenting him, but she wasn't doing either really, "You're just easier to talk with, because you're so weird, I guess that's why we're friends." she sighed, pulling herself together and wiping a tear from laughter from her eye before looking up at him with a friendly smile.
"Uh… huh." he replied slowly, but that was it, hearing someone call him a friend was strange so he did the only thing he could think to do, he spurred the horse on and was suddenly gone, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. She choked as she watched him disappear around a corner and chuckled again, she was sure he'd done that on purpose. Ah well, she shrugged as she realized that was just their friendship, the kind that even if neither of them dared to admit, it just existed whether they liked it or not. How could she have mistaken their friendship for romantic feelings?! Geez that would have been a mistake.

It hadn't taken long for Levi to get back to the fortress and get back to his room. He sat down on his bed after taking a shower and sighed rubbing his tried eyes absently. He still had work to do. His eyes fell on the basket Hanji had given him with mild interest. "Easy to talk to, huh?" He let out one light chuckle, "That's the first time I've heard that, but what could I expect from that Shitty Specs." he found himself reaching out to grab the basket now. What he would find in there, he wasn't sure of, but once he opened it and found a meal of some steamed vegetables, a boiled egg, steamed rice and a container of tea, he was frozen in shock as his eyes went wide. There was no note, no explanation for why she'd made this, he knew it was simple because she couldn't really cook, but the thought was there. Maybe he wasn't losing a 'friend' after all. He thought with a smile that he would never admit was there. But then he took a bite of the rice and heard a loud crunch as he bit down on the gravel like rice. His teeth hurt, he'd kill her. Maybe he would be losing a 'friend' after all.

Please review if you don't mind :) hah... passively jealous Levi.