Chapter Twenty-One: Twenty-Eight (Part 1) - Dynamic

"It's been a while since we're able to sit down and talk." Mrs. Zoe began as she placed a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of Levi. "How's your uncle?"

"Still alive. Still stubborn." He quipped. The young man accepted the proffered tea and lightly blew on it to cool it down a bit before drinking.

"Well, it seems like he's not going to go down soon, at least? But if you need anything, just tell us, 'kay? You're like family to us, after all." The older woman's tone was coated with concern and reassurance it almost comforted him.

"Well, he will be family soon enough."

Levi and Mrs. Zoe perked up from their seats at the living room when Mr. Zoe's voice interrupted the almost heartfelt moment between them. The older man smiled as he sat beside his wife on the couch. "It's been a while, young man; how are things between you and Hange?"

Said young man nodded in greeting. "Fine and dandy. She's still enthusiastic, and by this time, I'm already used to it."

"Well, there's really no surprise that you two will eventually end up together," Mrs. Zoe said. "And from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for being patient with our daughter, Levi."

"We actually couldn't think of a better match other than you." Mr. Zoe confessed.

"Oh," Levi noted the change in tone of the old woman, "there's actually one that I could think of, and if you didn't ask her to be your girlfriend, I would've looked for every nook and cranny for the next best bet."

Her husband's eyes widened. "You do realize that you don't have to tell emeverything to Levi, right?"

The wife only dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "He's an adult; he'll deal with it."

He only furrowed his brows in curiosity as Mrs. Zoe's features became a little stern, devoid of her usual cheery look that resembled Hange's.

She began to disclose. "I was this close," she held her hand out, index finger and thumb a few inches away from each other, "to giving up on the two of you until Hange came home and told us that you're now her boyfriend."

Mrs. Zoe let out an exasperated sigh before she continued.

"I honestly considered asking Hange to get in touch with Erwin again, and emmaybe he would have the guts to really make things official between them so that my husband and I won't have to wait until our skins are sagging and our eyesights are far worse than they are now to meet a boyfriend."

The young man was honestly stunned at the frankness, he had no words for it.

"But thank the Lord you two are together as a couple for two years now." And there it was again: the usual cheery look on the old woman's face.

The three were interrupted by Hange' scrambling as she jogged downstairs from her room. "I'm sorry it took me a while to get ready!"

Levi was thankful that this… talk was finally done, and that they could peacefully date now.

Before the couple could take their leave, though, Mrs. Zoe tugged Levi by the sleeve of his shirt and whispered something he thought was akin to a threat, or at least it sounded like that to him with the way her voice dipped lower and her words cut through.

"I hope this time you won't make her wait for so long again." She let his sleeve go, and grinned. "Enjoy your date, future son-in-law."

Hange discovered firsthand how attachments affected someone's psyche, including hers. This intriguing and frustrating finding left her dumbfounded most nights whenever she had time to recollect herself and mull about what transpired in one day. Intriguing, because she never realized that there were still layers of herself unknown to her, and frustrating, because she couldn't believe that she was capable of jealousy.

The young woman released a muffled growl as she dove face-down on her pillow.

She first noticed this when they went out for some drinks (coffee for Hange, tea for Levi) after Levi came from a client meeting. She noted how the young, lady barista—almost as pint-sized as he was—seemed so cozy talking to him in spite of Levi's disinterest (which only Hange could pick up because of years of friendship). The forced lower register, that pretty smile, and that annoying giggle when she turned round to place the cups at the counter to prepare their drinks—Hange felt her blood rising for the first time that wasn't due to reports or missing files. When Levi's name was called, and she was sure that it was that barista who'd hand their drinks, Hange stopped her boyfriend on his feet, and politely told him that she'd get it for them instead.

The second time jealousy had become of her was during a weekend grocery trip with the young Ackermans. Levi never invited her on these trips, but as the girlfriend, she'd join them anyway (he'd need her help reaching some of the stuff he needed, anyway, his pride be damned). In one of the aisles, Levi was spotted by one of his colleagues. The way the young lady's eyes lit up and widened at the sight of her officemate didn't escape Hange's quick and keen senses. She could also see metaphorical roses in the background when she smelled this slight attraction from the woman. Hange felt like looping her arm around Levi's, and if he noticed the sudden contact, he didn't say anything.

Day by day, as the weight began to crush her with all the musing, the young woman couldn't take the harsh truth anymore. The very thing that she used to roll her eyes or scoff about whenever she listened to her colleagues' couple shenanigans was beginning to creep in her system like an old friend who just wouldn't leave. It riled her up.

Before she could tear a handful of her hair or even a portion of her pillow, her phone rang. Hange released one last grumble before picking it up from her bedside table. Oh, it was the boyfriend!

"Hello, Levi! How was your day?" hopefully her perky tone didn't sound so contrived on the other line.

She heard him hum. "It's more like how was your day. What's your problem, four-eyes? I happen to bump into one of your officemates on the way home and he told me something's off about you the entire day."

She frowned. "Oh? Is it Keiji? Well, he's right. I almost got myself in a pinch when I nearly shut down the computer where all our important files are complied without saving the final revisions." The young woman sighed dejectedly.

"So? Tell me what's going on."

"Levi, you know how sometimes I get consumed by one thought the entire day to the point of obsessing, right? I've been pondering about a change in me that I almost didn't notice until it became so frequent."

"Okay?"

Hange knew it was her signal to expound. "Levi, would it bother you if I am that jealous girlfriend?"

There was a short pause on the other line before the young man spoke. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that? People get jealous at some point." She heard him clear his throat. "…I get jealous, too." She could just imagine him blushing at the other end. A grin formed on her face as she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah you do. Lots of times, especially when we were younger, I remember." She supplied. "I'm just annoyed that I've become one of those girlfriends I used to judge secretly. Guess this is how the world works." Hange rolled on her bed, now lying on her stomach. "But I don't want to be overbearing!"

"Then don't be, four-eyes." Levi snorted. "I think what's worse than a jealous girlfriend is a loose one. Labels are there for a reason."

Hange was very fluent in comprehending and translating Levi speak, which meant that, that statement was meant to appease her. She snickered.

"Thanks, Levi. You really know what to say."

Nicknames would always be present in their relationship, but pet names? Levi wasn't really a fan of those. Hange didn't mind it much, but she was pretty okay calling him by his name. It was a wonderful name, after all, and it oddly fit him.

But people tend to over analyze things. That they learned.

Her colleagues would often ask her if she was bothered by the fact that her boyfriend addressed her as 'four-eyes' casually. Hange would only reply with a shrug, and she would tell them that he started calling her that when they were still kids, and it never left him. She was totally fine with that. Besides, the nicknames they had for each other, no matter how childish or even rude to an extent, could be considered as something akin to these so-called 'pet names.' After all, no one called her four-eyes (or shitty glasses, when royally pissed) and no one really addressed him by his height ('short stuff,' 'midget,' 'fun-sized,' name it). Pretty exclusive, if you think hard about it. Strange, but exclusive.

As for Levi? Nobody bothered asking him anything. They wouldn't dare.

"You seem a little out of it, Mikasa. What's the matter?"

The young girl snapped out from her daze at the mention of her name. She looked at Armin, a small plastered on her face. "I'll be fine. Thanks for asking, Armin."

Armin had been a frequent visitor of the Ackermans especially when he found out that for the most part of the week, she spent the entire evening by herself at home since her cousin would arrive a little later than before just to make sure that his girlfriend arrived home in one piece. Sometimes Eren joined them, but he'd been tied up with softball practice recently due to an upcoming regional tournament. Sometimes Sasha joined them, too, but she had curfew, and cram school. And though she wouldn't tell, Mikasa found it nice that her friends actually cared for her that much.

Besides, among her male friends, Levi only seemed to trust Armin.

"I hope so, too," the boy nodded as he pointed at the book she was holding. "I mean, you're actually holding the book upside down for five minutes now."

Mikasa's eyes widened in disbelief before she coolly righted the orientation of said book.

Armin chuckled lightly. "It's okay, Mikasa. We all have our moments."

She cleared her throat and hoped that the burning of her cheeks wouldn't manifest physically.

"I won't tell a single soul, don't worry." Her friend assured her. "But how are you really, Mikasa?"

She crinkled her nose as she thought of a way to explain every detail that had been keeping her head occupied.

Their textbooks were forgotten for a little while as Mikasa shared her honest thoughts ever since Levi and Hange got together. The young girl was glad that they finally decided to be a couple after sending mixed signals to everyone, but it bothered her that there was a tiny feeling of being left alone and left out. Kenny wasn't always home, and by the time Levi arrived, she was already getting ready for bed. Mikasa kept her composure the whole time she aired out her feelings to her friend, and Armin, being the kind friend that he was, only listened.

"I'm happy for them, especially for Levi, but I'm not completely happy, and that upsets me." The dissonance was bright as day in her face. "I feel so selfish every time I think about that."

The young boy nodded. "But Mikasa, I think it's quite normal for you to feel that way. Something about your routine changed. What you're feeling right now—or most of the time—is just an effect of the events happening presently." But Armin knew he didn't really have to state the obvious to his friend since she was among the smartest in class.

She nodded her head, still frowning. "But Levi never asked me for anything except to do well in school and get my chores done. Meanwhile, I'm here, feeling sorry for myself that I'm feeling a little lonely just because Kenny and Levi are busy with something else."

A sheepish laugh came out of Armin. Mikasa shot him a glare.

"What?"

"I think you're also jealous on top of feeling lonely."

Mikasa's cheeks reddened. "I hate you sometimes, Armin."

He only grinned awkwardly.

Hange wasn't pissed about how Levi was so adamant about their past agreement about touching, considering they've been (officially) together for about two years now. If anything, Hange was amused at her boyfriend's conscious efforts not to break this promise, which—if she thought hard about it—really did come from him when they were sixteen. It was all convoluted, then.

Of course, this was met with confusion, aghast, or a mixture of both, and the young woman understood why. It was an odd arrangement, after all. How could you not want to touch you partner in many ways more than one? Hange cringed. That sounded wrong even in her head.

They were seated beside each other on a park bench, with a view that was nothing short of normal. Kids with their boundless energy climbed up and down the monkey bars, and loud shrieks pierced the small park as another group of kids played by the swings. Parents and guardians stood by watching or making small talk as the children galavanted. They were an odd addition, considering they weren't even married or have kids of their own. But their short walk from the school ended up here where they decided to pass a bit of time until Mikasa was done with her varsity practice.

She was aware of how dangerously close they were, but Levi was obviously holding back. She could see his right hand twitching a bit as it rested on his thigh. She laughed as quietly as she could to keep his attention away. A little handholding wasn't really something that crossed the public-display-of-affection-line, but she could see just how determined this little punk was about misleading touches, and unwanted ones, too.

Hange didn't mind the touches as an affectionate person herself. Growing up in a family that openly expressed their affections through physical means (a quick peck on the cheek, a hug before leaving) made her comfortable with contact, but apparently, it was different for Levi, and it wasn't surprising. Kenny wasn't very affectionate as an uncle, and like the young man, swore like a sailor and spoke vulgarly. She hadn't seen them hold hands when Levi was still a little kid, and she hadn't seen them talk 'nicely' with each other. Mikasa, though sweeter and more polite than his cousin, wasn't the type, too. She did welcome her hugs back then, but Hange noticed that the young girl never initiated any form of affectionate contact even with her family.

She could count with just her hands the number of times Levi responded and initiated touches between them from childhood to present. That was in contrast to the number of times she had pulled him close, pinched his cheeks, ruffled his hair, and hooked her arm. She was just glad that instead of pushing her away (literally), he received all those touches without much grumbling like before. Sometimes she'd feel him lean in on those touches especially when he was tired or feeling gloomier than usual. She'd take that. Better than no response at all.

Which was why she was slightly taken aback when she felt a quick squeeze on her forearm while she busied herself drowning in her musings.

"Let's go," Levi said without looking at her as his attention was on his phone. "Mikasa said they're done for the day."

She smiled as she followed suit when her boyfriend stood up. "Let's. Steak is waiting for the three of us, after all!"

Hange impulsively decided to hold his hand as they walked back to campus. She was surprised the second time this day when instead of just loosely holding it, Levi squeezed her hand and returned the gesture.

"I thought you said no touching?" she kidded, grinning.

The young man rolled his eyes. "This is just hand-holding. We've held hands before."

"Yeah. We kissed before, too."

The young man glanced at her direction, a flat look painted on his face. "That's different."

She always had an inkling that this guy was a gentleman in his own, peculiar way, but being more aware of it (and the receiving end of this chivalry) made her feel extra special.

"Mikasa, I'm here!" Hange called out as she carefully entered the teenager's room. "Levi told me you were sent home early because of cramps."

The young girl rolled over her bed and sat, black hair disheveled and face paler than usual. "First days suck."

Hange laughed as she sat on the edge of Mikasa's bed. "You're right about that."

It was early evening when Levi arrived home from work. Hange had stayed until he arrived (as he requested) and was in the middle of serving Mikasa's dinner when she saw her boyfriend closing the front door. She grinned when their eyes met.

"She's mostly fine now. Nothing hot compress can't temper." She reported.

The young man visibly relaxed at the news. Being friends with Hange for almost all their life made him a little more familiar with how periods worked, but even so, he felt like it was a wise call to let his girlfriend take care of this for obvious reasons. Plus he doubted that his cousin would even let him help her deal with the menstrual pains.

"I'll just bring this to her room so she can eat, then let's eat dinner together? I cooked a lot."

Over dinner, Hange handed him a note that enumerated ways that Mikasa could help ease the pain during her periods, and what she could do to keep herself in check before it arrived. Levi only nodded, barely understanding her chattering as he tried to process everything she was saying a beat late.

The conversation paused when the couple spotted Mikasa entering the dining room with her empty bowl and utensils. The young girl nodded in greeting, a weak smile on her face.

"How's your lower abdomen?" Hange asked.

"The pain has lessened. I think I'll be fine tomorrow morning." The teenager replied as she placed her used bowl and utensils on the kitchen sink. "The tea from earlier helped a lot, too."

As Levi cleaned the dining room, Hange joined Mikasa in washing the dishes (to which the young man made sure she didn't touch the dishes because last time she volunteered, she broke about three different articles: a plate, and two glasses) as the one to wipe it all clean and dry, even though he insisted she just leave and go home since she already fed them dinner. Obviously, this was unheard.

"Thank you for taking care of me at such short notice, Hange." Mikasa spoke out of the blue, which almost made Hange jumped as she made sure that the plates were complete.

The young woman turned round and beamed. "Not a problem. Levi sounded like he was going to lose you or something. It was unnerving."

The young girl rolled her eyes as the corner of her lips tugged upwards to a slight smile. "I can imagine."

"Well, you know how your cousin is. Best mom anybody could ask for."

Mikasa giggled. Hange snickered.

"Can I tell you something, Hange?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, I guess. What is it?"

The young girl's eyes darted from her face to the kitchen floor. "This sounds really embarrassing, but for some time, I actually felt a little lonely when you and Levi got together."

"Oh?"

Awkward chuckling and fumbling with the hem of her shirt aside, Mikasa did muster enough courage to honestly confide to Hange her feelings after they've made things official.

"But don't get me wrong, though; I'm very supportive of you two as a couple. I don't think I'd ever find a better match for my cousin."

Hange chuckled heartily. "If I were Levi, I'd feel bad hearing that, but you know what? I couldn't agree more."

And guess what? From inside the dining room, said young man actually heard their exchange. What Hange had no idea of, though, was that he would never feel bad hearing that the only person who was right for him was the nerdy, impassioned, and quirky woman he proudly called his girlfriend.

Edited something from the previous chapter because of story inconsistencies, and then decided to update this, too. :) For those who are still sticking it out and waiting for this to end, thank you so much for your patience! :D