Love in a Time of Titans
Levi Ackerman stared out of the window of his office. Things had been too quiet and he did not like it. He was of the opinion that when things were running too smoothly, some shit storm was on the horizon. He sorted through the pile of paperwork on his desk and picked up his teacup, frowning when he saw it was empty. Yeah, he thought, there is definitely a shit storm coming! Just as he was about to get up to make more tea, his office door burst open and the mess that was Hange Zoe staggered into the room, lost under a mountain of papers. Levi raised his eyebrow.
"You know it is normal to knock before you walk in on someone Shitty Glasses."
Hange dumped her pile of papers on his desk, half of them falling to the floor and looked back, smiling.
"I didn't have a spare hand," she said.
"You have two feet, you could have used those," Levi threw back "And pick those the hell up!"
Hange ignored him and helped herself to a cup of tea, "You want one pouring?" she asked, oblivious to the look Levi was giving her. A cross between anger and disbelief.
Levi was not known for his tolerance of people in his space but for some reason, Hange got away with a lot more than anyone else. If one of the cadets had strolled into Levi's office and helped themselves to his tea, heads would have rolled.
"You need to get on top of this paper work Hange, isn't that what you have Moblit for?" Levi asked.
Hange shrugged, "Yeah but I have him feeding titans. Which brings me to why I am here."
She rummaged around in the chaos of her paperwork until she found what she wanted.
"Permission form to go get a new titan or two. I had an … erm … accident with a couple of mine," she said, holding out the form. "I asked Erwin but he said to come to you cos you would be the one coming with me."
Levi stood staring at her, "For God's Sake Hange, you are obsessed!"
Levi looked over the form and realised that she would not be happy until he agreed and the cadets were getting restless anyway so maybe a mission out of the walls would let them burn off some stream.
"Fine, we will head out tomorrow. Get the cadets together for a briefing." Levi said "And get your mess the hell out of my office!"
Hange grinning and scooped the papers up into her arms. "You're the best Short Ass, I owe you one."
Hange staggered out of the office, leaving Levi standing shaking his head and looking at the mess of papers she had left behind. One day that woman would finally drive him insane, he thought.
In the corridor, Hange strolled in the direction of the mess to round up the cadets who would be going with them. She knew Levi found her hard work at times but she was drawn to him. Ever since she had first met him when she was a cadet, she had been in love with him. She was not sure that Levi even felt love for another person, his emotions were shut away somewhere and it would take a miracle to get them to release but she was determined that one day, if she lived long enough, she would find the key to those emotions. Until then, she would be there in whatever capacity he needed her in.
Briefing
Levi walked into the mess hall, looking around the group of cadets Hange had chosen to go with them. He nodded to himself, the usual group of cadets were sat waiting. Hange was leaning against the wall and smiled as he walked in.
"All cadets present and correct," she chuckled.
Levi shook his head at her, she was a strange one.
"Right," Levi said "Shitty Glasses here has killed one of her titans and Erwin as decided she can go get another and you lot get the privilege of coming with us."
A collective groan went around the room.
"Yeah, yeah I know," Levi said "She is a massive pain in the ass but her research is valuable to us and unless you want her to start experimenting on Eren, we need to go get her a subject."
Hange looked over at Eren and smiled, "I have no objection of experimenting on Er…"
Levi shut her up with a look. Eren looked back at Hange, not sure if she was joking or not but his eyes flashed back over to Levi.
"So, when do we go?" Eren asked.
"We leave at first light, so don't get too drunk tonight and get some sleep." Levi looked around and turned and walked out heading back to his office, Hange close on his heels.
One they had left, the cadets relaxed.
"Seriously?" Mikasa said "We get to risk our lives so she can have another titan to play with?"
"It is not so bad," Eren answered "It is good experience."
Mikasa shared a looked with Armin and Eren looked at them both, "What?"
"You could go anywhere the Captain said to go if it meant you got to be with him!" Mikasa snorted "You think we don't see how you look at him?"
Armin chuckled "You look at him like he looks at his cleaning products. Eyes full of love!"
Eren blushed and spluttered, "No I don't! He is just our Captain and I respect him."
Yeah, yeah you keep telling yourself that!" Mikasa laughed "But you might want to watch your back, if Hange sees you giving Levi the eye, she might do more than experiment on you!"
Eren and Armin looked at each confused.
"Seriously, you two are so dense. Hange is in love with Levi but he is oblivious. Why do you think she is always with him? I don't get it personally; I think he is an ass!"
Mikasa finished her drink and stood up.
"Well you heard him, get some sleep. You don't want to get yourselves eaten because you stayed up all night. I will kick your dead asses if you mess up!" she walked out of the room and shortly after Eren and Armin headed off to theirs, Eren lost in his thoughts. Were his feelings for Levi more than respect for a colleague? No that was ridiculous! He shook his head and fell asleep, his last thought before he did was of Levi.