A sharp dig into Levi's shin jolted him awake. The moon was bright, highlighting the outline of Hange's body across from him on the bed. She was a sickly shade of white lying there on her side, the sheets appearing to have been violently tossed aside. She looked as startled as he was, giving him a good idea of what had just happened. It was the reason she was here in the first place, after all.

"Another nightmare?" he asked.

Hange nodded. Eyes miserably half open, her gaze held no trace of that enthusiastic sparkle he knew so well. She remained still as his hand cupped her clammy forehead.

"You feel as bad as you look, yet you still kick like a mule," he said, pushing his fingers through her bed head. Her eyes slowly shut as he rubbed her temple, moving slowly down behind her ear and over her neck.

"Sleep longer if you can," he said. "Just try not to kick as much."

As he pulled the blankets back over her to shield her from the stone room's chill, her hands shot to his waist and she pulled herself into him. Hange's voice was muffled and weak as she nestled into his shoulder.

"How did you get so warm?"

"By not kicking off the goddam sheets."

Her icy hand groped around the side of his head until it found his ear. Normally he would flinch away at such a touch, making sure his disgust was visible. Not tonight. He wasn't sure why himself — perhaps he simply lacked the energy to shoo the pathetic thing away.

Hange's brows furrowed as she rubbed his earlobe between her thumb and index finger, the kind of intense look she would normally give a sample she was studying.

"Are everyone's ears this soft?"

Levi looked at her a long moment, pale and swaddled in blankets as she stared transfixed at the side of his head in exhaustion-induced delirium. It was a relief to see that glint back in her eye, even if it meant being prodded and ogled over by the lunatic like some captured titan. If this was what it took to calm her down, then so be it. Her open vulnerability proved to be his weakness, it seemed. Of course, he would never tell her this.

Levi traced the ridge of Hange's own ear, tucking a lock of her wild brown hair behind it as he dragged a thumb back and forth over the smooth skin.

"Yours are soft too, dumbass. Now go back to sleep."

"How haven't I noticed?" she muttered, holding where Levi's hand had been a moment before. She met his gaze, and something was different, as if she just realized something incredible. Cradling his cheek, she looked over his features with a hard squint. Noses close enough to bump, he held his breath but refused to break away. She suddenly bursted out laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"You're not frowning." She rubbed between his eyebrows with her finger. "Amazing. There's normally a crease here — ah, now it's back."

Unfazed by Levi's deadly scowl, her eyes drooped as exhaustion visibly washed over her. She fell back into him, face buried in the curve of his neck.

"Huh. Your neck, it's soft too. Soft and warm..."

Fingers crawled the slope of his neck and pulled down the collar of his shirt. A thrill shot through his chest as she circled the sensitive, ticklish dip of his collarbone with her nails. He balled his fists as he tried not to squirm, hoping she wouldn't notice. But it was too late — he had already flinched.

Hange was alert instantly. "Oh my God, Levi...are you ticklish?"

"Quit it, four-eyed freak," he snapped, heat rising to his face. His breath caught in his throat as her hand suddenly brushed down the length of his side.

"I had no idea! Is it just your neck? What about your stomach — ?"

"Get your shitty hands off me!"

Hange giggled, holding him tightly in a hug he couldn't writhe free of. "I've never seen you so panicked before, shorty! Just how ticklish are you?"

"Why did I even let you in here?"

To his relief, she stopped, but that triumphantly mischievous look kept him on edge.

"Remind me, who cuddled against my back as we went to sleep? You didn't seem so bothered by my touch then."

Levi scoffed, but said nothing. Of course he wasn't lucky enough for Hange to forget that. It was impossible to define his clinging to her as anything but the act of a man driven by desperation. Hange wasn't the only one who was suffering from night terrors. Her timing when showing up to his room had been uncanny, if anything. Letting her stay had been more for his benefit than hers. He should have been stronger than that.

"I didn't mind," she added softly, as if sensing his inner turmoil. "Frankly, I found it much easier to fall asleep with you so close."

He paused before answering, aware of the gentle rise and fall of her chest against him as her fingers ran through his hair. It was a delicate, careful touch, much different from just moments ago. It was considerate, gentle. Pleasant, even.

"Sometimes it just helps to have a warm body nearby."

"Ah, so you felt the same?"

She was no longer teasing. It was a question possibly deeper than she meant it to be. In truth, sleeping with her nearby made him feel at ease as well. All the damn poking and endless chatter aside, he wanted her next to him. He needed her, the pressure of her back against his, the quiet rhythm of her breathing as it broke the cold silence of the lonely room. He knew exactly how he felt, and therefore did not know how to answer.

"Sleep, Hange," he sighed.

"Fine, fine," she said, stifling a yawn. "Emotionally constipated bastard."

Hange's head slid down over his chest as she made herself comfortable. Levi settled down as well, no longer minding that she was hanging all over him. She suddenly stiffened, as if something urgent caught her attention.

"What now?" said Levi.

"Your heart, does it always beat this fast? I'd be concerned if it does..."

Levi grabbed Hange by the wrists. He stared long and hard at those lips that never seemed to stop moving. They were now slightly parted as she looked up at him in bewilderment. Impulse would not be denied this time, he realized as his face became unbearably hot. He couldn't stand depriving himself a moment longer — his heart would burst.

"L-Levi? What are you — wait, are you blush—?"

His mind scrambled the moment their mouths touched. Frantic hands fumbled to find a hold on her shirt as he yanked her into him. He could hardly think — only feel. Hange's arms snaked over him in return, making it more than a clumsy peck he could bail from. He responded by pressing deeper, drawing a sort of startled moan from her. She didn't shy away — did that meant she liked it? It felt like a hawk was trapped in his chest, wings pounding his ribcage with every thunderous, agonizing beat. Lungs threatening to collapse, he finally pulled back. Disorienting, exhilarating, terrifying, it was mere seconds from start to finish.

"Ha...wha...?" Hange was equally dazed. Her gasps struck his lips like a spotty summer breeze.

Struggling to steady his own breath, he slumped against her, exhausted. At least it kept his face from view. Feeling like he was about to erupt into flames, Levi was prepared for the incoming critique of his rusty kissing skills as well as remarks on the drop of his defensively stoic demeanor. The field day she could have with the weakness he had just shown, the outright embarrassment...he was more than ready to defend himself against her banter.

Recovered from the initial shock, Hange began gently kneading the base of his neck. The cool hand was welcomed against his hot skin, but he didn't let his guard down.

"Hey, you're shaking," she said softly. "Try taking some deep breaths, okay?"

It took the fight right out of him.

"Don't patronize me, shitty glasses," he grumbled, voice weaker than he would have liked.

"I'm pretty sure you scared yourself shitless pulling a stunt like that. Are you okay?"

He was unsettled by her genuine concern as she spoke, talking to him like he barely escaped death — although it sure as hell felt like it. Nonetheless, he could sense nothing condescending about her tone. Too tired to fight anymore, his shoulders relaxed as he fell into her fully. He let himself be completely enveloped in the warmth of her body pressed so snugly to him. Hange picked up on his surrender, dragging her hand across his back before wrapping her arms over him tightly. Her nose gently bumped his forehead as she leaned in to kiss his hairline.

"Just for the record...your lips are softer than your ears," she said quietly. "And you smell nice. Like flowers."

"Because I actually bathe," he murmured, hiding a small smile in her shoulder. "Damn stinking four-eyes."

"And I take back the emotionally constipated comment," she added, a grin clear in her voice. "You successfully had a bowel movement."

"Just shut up and sleep..."