"Ah! Levi, you scared me!" Hange had been bent over her journal, writing notes and thoughts after her conversations with Annie that day and the day before. "I didn't realize you were back…" Hange looked back down at her scribbles. "You should really get to bed. We are leaving at dawn for—"
"I already slept," Levi said softly, walking slowly over the threshold of Hange's office. He leaned back against the wall nearby her chair and crossed his arms.
"Oh! It's later than I thought—"
"I think I only slept an hour this time."
Hange glanced up over her shoulder at him and then back down to her notes. With a sigh, she shut her journal and turned to face him, curling one of her legs up under her as she turned. "Levi, you should try that sleeping medicine again, maybe? I don't know how you can operate without a little more sleep…"
He stared at her from the corner of his eyes. "The nightmares robbed me of sleep for two days after the first try with that stuff. No."
"Fine." Hange shrugged. It was silent between them for a moment as they gazed at each other. There were a bunch of things that Hange needed to talk to Levi about—she hadn't been able to talk to him for the past day and a half because of his trip to Wall Sina. Now she didn't even have to wait until morning. "Well, this isn't comfortable. Let's go sit down on the couch." She popped up from her chair and strode across Erwin's old office toward an old leather couch. Levi belatedly followed her and sat at the other end.
She leaned back and crossed her ankles. Ugh, she was much more tired than she had realized… Maybe this couch was just too comfortable… "So a few things," she started, lifting her glasses to her forehead and rubbing her eyes. "Our newbies need squads. I wanted to see what you thought before I assigned them tomorrow." Levi said nothing as Hange leaned her head back on the cushion of the couch and slouched down a bit. She was used to him not always responding, so she continued. "Right. I want to go with small units of about five soldiers each like we used to. You can't have your star squad anymore. At least, not until we get more recruits again and built up our numbers some more." Now, she did wait for him to respond. It took a minute, but he did eventually speak.
"Of course. I assumed as much."
"I want to give you the worst five recruits based off of training rank." She still wasn't sure about this decision and had meant to make it more of a question but Levi responded immediately.
"Fine."
No hesitation at all. So typical. Hange tried again. "Do you think I should spread them out amongst the other groups? I'm not trying to punish you or anything. It's just that I know you can handle it."
"No. I'll take them."
"You can whip them into shape," Hange said, winking with a blurry glance to Levi before closing her eyes again. "So new squad leaders… Jean, of course. He already has some experience with leading during all the shit with Trost. He'll get Floch and the next four newbies that are a notch above your five worst, based on rank again."
"Mm."
"Mikasa. She'll have Eren, Armin, Annie, the best two newbies."
"Hmm… that seems unfair."
"You think that squad shouldn't have any recruits, don't you?"
"No. I was actually wondering if Mikasa is the best choice to lead the new special unit."
"Oh! You're jealous?! You know, I didn't realize—I did make her sort of replace you with this decision, didn't I? Don't worry, she's not taking your place." Hange sat up straighter. "She won't work as well if she's parted from Eren… especially now that they'll be married—"
"But she'll abandon all else for Eren. Even Armin, probably. It's not a quality of a good leader."
"Eh," Hange shrugged. "You would have done the same for Erwin though."
"But he was the Commander."
"So you would you do the same for me?" Hange laughed.
"Of course," Levi said at once.
Hange smirked at him and shook her head in denial. "Mikasa is the only firm decision I've made. Don't pretend—I know you understand their relationships better than I even do. You told me years ago that you felt a strange bond between her and Eren, just like you had the one with Erwin."
"I know…"
"So, she'll be Eren and Armin's squad leader."
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather have Armin separate from Eren?"
"I thought about it. Armin may end up spending more time with me, really… but officially, he'll operate with Mikasa's unit unless I say otherwise."
"Ah. Yes. Understood."
"And then Connie or Sasha? Which one is better? That will be the last squad leader with the remaining four recruits."
"Sasha is resourceful, and therefore she is good at thinking of creative solutions to problems while under fire. However, Connie actually is better at combat despite his stupidity. He is also better at working together with his comrades, generally speaking."
"So which?"
Levi stared at Hange for a moment. "Sasha."
"Sasha then. Connie will obviously be her second. Eren second, Floch second, and… you can choose your own second…"
"Thank you," Levi said. He leaned back against the couch and crossed his leg so his ankle rested on the opposite knee. "Which idiot shall I choose…?"
"So, next on the agenda—"
"Oh, there's more." Levi closed his eyes.
"Oh, Levi! You want to sleep on this couch? It's very comfy. I'll go back to my journal if you want to talk in the morning."
"No, what is it?" Levi opened his eyes a fraction and stared over at Hange.
"Did you talk to Zackley while you were—"
"Yes, Ma'am. He was all go for the construction of an ocean station. He gave his word that a top squad from the Garrison would construct it with us and perhaps even man it as well, if you deem it necessary."
"Good." Hange folded her hands behind her head as she let her eyes fall closed again. She could feel Levi staring at her. "I want to have Mikasa's Squad stationed at the ocean at all times with a second squad in rotation for messages and assistance. The ocean station will be tasked with reconnaissance, as well as destruction of all enemies who arrive at our shores... the ships that Annie mentioned… any mindless titans…"
"Yes, Ma'am. It would be reasonable."
"This should prevent any mindless titans from stepping foot near the walls again." Hange finally pulled her glassed down from her forehead and her vision came sharply into focus again. "At least, that's the hope."
"Understood."
"Alright, what is it?" Hange said suddenly, leaning toward Levi. "Do I really stink that bad? I can tell you're thinking it!"
"Yes, you reek. You smell like ass, Hange."
"You try being Commander for a while! There's no time for anything!"
"A likely excuse." Levi stood up and pulled Hange by her wrist. "Come on. No one will notice us. Annie is too busy fucking with Armin, and Eren is in Mikasa's bed…"
"Oh! And you know, I am pretty sure I caught Connie sneaking to Sasha's room."
"Tsk. I am irritated that I missed that one."
"It makes me think about the days before…" Hange was going to say "before Erwin was Commander," but she stopped herself. She didn't want to bring Levi down when he was in such an apparently good mood.
"You mean back when we were all fucking like rabbits before Erwin was Commander?" he said, smirking from the corner of his mouth as he led her away from the couch.
"Mm," Hange agreed quietly.
He led her by her wrist to an adjoining bathroom and clicked the door shut behind himself. "Alright, first things first." He grabbed his shirt by the back of the neck and pulled it over his head and then handed it to her. Then, he started pumping the hand pump on the tub. Hange watched his muscles on his back as he did it and slowly, she reached out and ran her fingertips down his back. Moblit drifted through her mind then—only for a moment. Moblit had never been as muscular as Levi… but he'd been beautiful in a different way, the way a messy cottage is beautiful. To Hange, Levi looked more like he belonged in a royal palace…
"That tickles," Levi said, his voice nearly drowned out by the pumping water.
Hange shut off all thoughts of Moblit from her mind. She needed this time with Levi, whatever it was. They both needed each other. On these nights over the past few months, they let each other forget everything for a while. In fact, she had purposefully put off bathing just to give Levi the excuse.
Soon enough, the tub was full. "Hmm," he said, turning to face Hange again. "Take those shitty glasses off for a minute. I want to see your face without them." Hange did as she was told and handed them to Levi. He set them gently down on a windowsill nearby. "Now strip those dirty clothes off." He crossed his arms over his chest as he narrowed his eyes at her.
Hange squinted, trying to see him better. "Yes, sir," she laughed. Slowly, she pulled her shirt at its hem and up and over her head. Then she let it drop to the floor. "I'm very dirty, Levi. I'm so sorry," she said and laughed again. She could tell he was smirking even though her vision was blurry.
"Here," he said, handing her glasses back to her. "Put those shitty glasses back on. I'm tired of you squinting at me like an old woman."
"Yes, sir," she said, smiling. Then, after she pushed her glassed back on, she pulled one boot off, then the other, her socks, she unbuckled her belt and pulled her trousers down. Then, she pulled her panties off. And slowly, she yanked her hair tie out of her hair. Except for her glasses, she was naked.
"Those breasts of yours are so small," Levi said, blinking slowly as he gazed at her chest. "With all those abs of yours, you could almost be mistaken for a man."
"Mmm, Levi, you're so short and pretty, if you grew your hair longer, I might mistake you for a woman," Hange said and giggled.
"Tsk. Get in the tub, Commander. Or do I need to spank you like last time?"
"Leeevi," Hange whined, "Oh, I don't want to get in! The water's too cold!"
Levi grimaced a bit. Hange was practically gleeful at how good Levi was at acting… "Bend over, Commander. You've been a very bad soldier. You need to keep yourself cleaner than this."
"I'm sorry, Captain!" Hange whined. She bent over and held onto the edge of the tub.
"Ready?" Levi whispered.
Hange nodded quickly and scrunched her eyes shut. Smack! Levi struck her bottom.
"Did you learn your lesson?" he asked quietly.
"Uh-uh! What lesson?!" Hange said stupidly. She felt all the warmth rise from her body and settle into her face and bottom. God, why did it feel so good for Levi to spank her? She never did this with… anyone else… before. She wondered if Levi had ever done this with Erwin. …There was no way she'd ever ask.
Smack! He spanked her a second time. And a third time. And then, he rubbed her bottom in slow, soft circles. "Sorry, I left a handprint," he said in a tight voice. Hange knew now that he was just as turned on as she was. Slowly, he slipped a finger into her and back out. "Oh, you're so wet, Hange. You're such a bad girl."
"I apologize, sir," she said softly. She arched her back as he pushed a second finger into her and slowly pulled his fingers out.
"Get in the tub, you filthy thing."
Again, Hange did as she was told. The water was cold, as she expected. Her nipples were so hard, they felt like they were ready to cut glass. She whined, "Oh, Levi, won't you get in with me? It's so cold. Please, warm me up?!"
Levi half-smirked at her and then pulled his ascot so it unfurled from his neck.
"Why is it so damned sexy when you take that stupid thing off?" Hange blurted out.
"You're one to talk, Shitty Glasses. You look like a schoolmarm with those things on." He made quick work with the rest of his clothes as Hange watched.
"You look like a chiseled statue," she said and giggled. "You'd make a great model for an anatomy class."
"Thank you," Levi said with only a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Ws he sat down in the water behind Hange, he pulled a sharp breath in through his teeth. Immediately, he set to work with washing her hair. Hange took her glasses off again and, tilting her head back, she shut her eyes.
"Mmmm… that feels so nice."
Levi gently poured some bath water down her hair with a cup a few times. "This is a much better scent on you."
"Mm, hmmm. I agreeee…"
Levi washed her body, working his way down, scrubbing under her arms… between her legs... Until… "Lean up and kneel, woman."
"Yes, Levi," she said, more sweetly than she'd meant to.
"Hold onto the edge of the tub," he said gruffly.
Hange did what she was told without another word. She closed her eyes as Levi soaped her bottom, washed the soap off, and then slipped a finger into her again.
"Now, how to clean this?" he asked. She could hear his smirk in his voice.
"Umm… the way you cleaned it last week seemed to work pretty well," Hange said in serious tone.
"Ah, it's been a week since you washed yourself? Tsk, tsk."
"You should wash me more often." She felt Levi push the tip of himself in and then he pulled out again. Without warning, SMACK.
"Oh!" Hange exclaimed, startled. It didn't hurt, but she hadn't expected to be spanked again.
"Is it part of my duties to assure you bathe properly, Commander?"
Hange shivered. "I suppose so."
He pushed his tip into her again and pulled out. "Do you have a good hold, Hange?" he whispered.
"Yes," she said breathlessly. She knew what was coming…
And then, he pushed into her, hard.
Eren woke up in Mikasa's bed with Mikasa in his arms. What had woke him? Mikasa was still sleeping soundly.
And he realized in an instant what had woken him up. The door to the bedroom was open a crack. Eren took a sharp breath in—someone was in the room.
Jean. It was Jean. Eren's heart immediately slowed. But then…
What the fuck was Jean doing in Mikasa's bedroom in the middle of the night?
Eren watched as Jean leaned over at the foot of the bed and gently laid something down on it. Then, he turned away and tiptoed to the door. Opening the door only a crack further, he shouldered his way back out into the hall and silently closed the door behind himself.
As gently as possible, Eren disentangled himself from Mikasa's hold on him, climbed out of bed and, pulling his trousers on haphazardly, he hurried into the hall. Rather than make a bunch of noise and wake everyone by calling after Jean, he ran down the hall instead. Quickly catching up, he grabbed Jean's shoulder just before he started down the steps, effectively turning him around.
"What the hell, Jean?!" Eren yelled in a whiper.
"What? I, uhh… I didn't know you were in there," Jean whispered, looking down at Eren with wide eyes. "What were you doing in her room? It's against—"
"What were you doing in her room?"
Jean only stared at Eren for a moment before he slowly shook his head. "I…" When Jean swallowed, his mouth made a sound as though it was sticky from its dryness. Then, he squared his shoulders so he faced Eren fully. "I had Mikasa's scarf. I wanted to return it. Don't tell her I had it, please. It's not as though she gave it to me. I, um, found it."
Eren felt his mouth fall open.
"I know you two are getting married. Armin told me. I thought Mikasa would probably want her scarf back for her wedding. I know how… how much she likes it. After all, you gave it to her, right?"
Eren continued to stare. He wasn't sure if he should be angry or just confused.
"Please, Eren, listen." Jean said, and swallowed hard again. "I know I sound like an ass."
"And yet you speak anyway—"
Jean ignored him. "I'd never say any of this to her… I'm not trying to… I don't know..."
"What?" Eren asked flatly.
"You need to realize how special she is. Don't take her for granted, alright?" Eren had almost decided to yell at Jean, but instead he stayed quiet as Jean continued. "Just—don't let her kill herself for you, okay? You should be the one who dies for her, alright?" He grimaced, making him look even more like a horse than he normally did as tears brimmed his eyes. "That's really all I wanted to say I guess."
Eren stared for a moment longer. Then, taking a deep breath, he shook his head. "I'll love her until I die. I wouldn't let her die." He stared back up at Jean wondering what else there was to even say. "I love her," he said softly.
"You better hope that's enough then," Jean said harshly. Abruptly, he turned and jogged down the steps.
When Eren crawled back into Mikasa's bed, he was surprised to realize that Mikasa was awake.
"I woke up and you were gone," she whispered. Reaching toward him, she ran her hand up and down his bare chest.
"Sorry. I found your scarf. It was under the bed." He had no idea why he lied.
"Oh really? I'd just cleaned under there… Strange…" She snuggled up next to him, quickly warming him after the drafty hallway.
"Mm." He was tempted to tell her the truth about the scarf but she was already falling back to sleep.
Eren shut his eyes and tried to clear his mind and eventually, he fell back to sleep too.
