A week later they were ready to move on.
After the boat trip they went into a nearby and not too expensive hotel. The pair wouldn't say too long, only to rest a little and ask a bit around in the harbor city about a certain Asian woman and a boy.
Having gathered enough information's and collected enough food to last for the next week at least for them along with two horses... Hanji still was amused how Levi was persistent to get them horses for transportation's and not another car.
"I told you, Hanji. I am not sitting with you at the steering wheel in another car." He glared at her fiercely as he handed her the reins to a brown horse.
Levi had a black horse... just like the old days.
"I get it. I get it. I'm sorry. You know where to go next?"
Sitting up on her horse she she rode next to him as Levi gestured her to come closer, holding a map out to her.
"I got us a few maps and marked the radius they maybe could be according to the information's we could gather so far."
Scanning the map Hanji furrowed her eyebrows. It was still a big terrain they had to scout out but this might be a great trip to find more discoveries.
"It's the survey corps way to survey unknown lands, right? Let's go Levi!"
Sleeping in tents, providing for themselves and hunting for food. Huddled together at a fireplace and make love to keep warm and happy with each other's company.
It was better to not be in too many towns to hide their real identities. This was their next daily routine for two weeks. But they didn't needed anyone else besides themselves.
"This mountain in huge... but we should be soon up. I can see the clearing of this forest. There was a small riverside too.. we should bring the horses there and take a small rest, what do you think Hanji?" Levi asked her but his brunette counterpart didn't reply just continue riding ahead.
Clicking his tongue the raven urged his black horse forward to reach Hanji and ride once again besides her.
"Oi, Shitty glasses! I was talking to you!"
Instead of talking to him she pointed forward. Following the direction Levi saw smoke coming out somewhere close by and appearing in the air above the trees. They could only see them this well because they were standing in an area with not many trees in the forest blocking the view too much, giving enough room to see the blue bright morning sky.
Turning around the brunette bespectacled woman was finally looking at him.
"Levi.."
Without having to say anything more The raven nodded at her understanding.
"Let's go and check it out. But careful. We don't know who they are. This looks more than just a small campfire... someone seems to be living here.."
The two approached the clearing with caution, and bind their horses against the nearby tree, making their last few meters by feet. Hiding behind some bushes they could see now clearly a wooden cabin standing there and the smoke they saw was coming out of a chimney.
Someone was using an axe and hacking firewood.. the male was tall and had short brown hair with an undercut.
Hanji looked silently at Levi wondering the same as him. They could understood each other without words which came in handy at such times.
Unfortunately the male never turned around and all they could see was his back.
Their heads snapped around as the sturdy wooden door suddenly opened, revealing a black haired woman with shoulder long short hair, wearing an pink apron over her white shirt and long pink skirt.
"I made us some tea. Come take a break Eren."
The male stopped moving and turned to the woman, smiling.
"Okay. I think we got enough firewood for now. Just let me clean this up first, Mikasa."
The woman huffed but sighed and nodded.
"The captain really rubbed up on you during our time... back then..."
Eren grimaced a little at the mention of captain Levi. "Probably."
Seeing Mikasa maybe said too much she looked at Eren apologetic. "I will serve the tea in the living room. Please come inside soon-"
Maybe because she was an Ackerman, her instincts were still more trained and sensitive than any ones else. The faintest rustle of leaves made her head snap around. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw two figures she believed to never see again in her life step out of the bushes. Hanji was awkwardly smiling at them and waved her hand.
"H-hey Mikasa and Eren. Long time no see. You two sure got a nice house."
Eren dropped the firewood in his arms.
"Commander Hanji and Captain Levi...?"
The silence in the living room was suffocating. Levi and Hanji sat together on the couch while Eren and Mikasa sat on the armchair across of them. Mikasa was sitting on the left armrest while Eren sat in the chair.
Everyone was tense somehow.
Taking a sip from his tea Levi was actually the first to speak up.
"I see you got better at making tea Mikasa. Not bad. Darjeeling, right?"
His voice was calm, looking straight at Mikasa with his good grey blueish eye.
"You are correct..." her grip on her cup tightened as she bit her lower lip before she spoke again. "What are you both doing here? Are you coming to take us back?"
"No, no, no! We aren't here for this!" Hanji sputtered out instantly, shaking her head and raising her hands and shaking them left and right to signal her she has nothing to worry about.
"Hanji calm down. And explain to her. And stop making a mess." Levi scolded her but in a soft tone as he saw some tea swapping out of her cup and onto her pants because of her fast movements as she placed her own cup down on the coffee table in front of her.
"I am on it." Hanji pouted at him before she turned her attention back to a confused Eren and Mikasa. The way they were both raising one of their eyebrows on confusion made her slightly blush. But only stayed for a short moment as her face turned serious and somber, lowering her sight down to the ground. "We aren't here to get you back... how much do you two about what has happened since you were gone?"
Eren felt his voice get stuck in his throat. Somehow he had a bad feeling. Most likely Mikasa felt the same.
Both had not heard anything about Paradise because they lived in hiding in the mountains. Just the two of them and they barely made it down the mountain into the nearby town.
Reaching out Mikasa touched Eren's shoulder.
"Nothing much... what happened Hanji-san? Has this anything to do with why you are here and not in Paradise? Those injuries..." Eren pointed to Levi, finally able to ask about them without sounding too rude. After all it looks like a bad injury having those big scars on his face along with an eye patch and the two lost fingers. Captain Levi was humanity strongest so seeing him in such a sharp was beyond terrifying about what might have happened.
Hanji began slowly, her eyes looking directly at him with a pained expression. "Eren... Paradise is no more. We lost."
Mikasa's eyes went wide.
And with those words Eren's world crumbled down.
Hanji took her time. Explaining everything and answering any question Eren and Mikasa had.
Levi was silent the whole time, watching the various expressions the two had on their faces.
His eye traveled to Hanji as well, observing her own expressions, the pain she experienced again as she talked and was thinking over the latest months.
"... and after we stood there, watching our home, paradise get burned down... all our people.. I had to make a decision.. and-"
"I'm sorry Hanji-san I can't."
Standing up Eren suddenly walked away.
"Eren wait!"
Grabbing her arm Mikasa tried to stop him but he pulled away and continued walking out of the room.
Mikasa was already on the way to go after him however Hanji was faster. Touching Mikasa's shoulder she gave her a sympathetic look.
"Let me try to talk to him please."
"Hanji-san..."
Mikasa had a worried pleading face which broken Hanji just the same.
Taking a short glance at Levi, Levi already understood her.
"Go. I will stay with her. If needed kick his ass."
Giving Levi a short grin, Hanji rushed out of the door after Eren.
"Eren!"
He wasn't anywhere she couldn't see at first glance. Maybe outside?
"Eren!"
Stepping out of the house Hanji found him sitting on the bench next to the house with his head lowered and her hands rested on his knees.
"Eren! There you are!"
Silence.
Bitting her lower lip Hanji walked around Eren and went on her knee in front of him.
"Eren look at me please and listen to me."
Touching his cheeks with both of her hands made Eren finally look up at her. She could see his red puffy eyes. He was crying. It made her own eyes watery too.
"Eren..."
"No- I am the worst... I left and ran away with Mikasa. I took for my own selfish the strongest Ackerman next to captain away and I have the founder and attack titan still inside me! I took two important assets for humanity away and doomed everyone!"
The tears were now once again streaming strongly down his face and over Hanji's hands.
"Eren... I am at fault just the same then. I was your all Commander but in the end I couldn't do anything. I tried and tried to make everything correct. With minimal casualties. Because if we don't accept one another this circle of hate would never end. We could never kill everyone outside Paradise. We saw Ramzi and how nice they were to us. Kiyomi, Onyakopon and more. Not every human is bad. I could never just command to kill children which were still having all there lives ahead of them!" Her own voice was trembling now. "Live is a miracle. All of our life. Yours too Eren."
"I am not..."
"You are. You know... I told you how I found Levi injured and saved him? At this moment I was not much different than you." A small smile appeared on her lips. "I could only think about Levi. Not about my duties as Commander. Not about humanity. I only was seeing Levi and wanted to save him. Protect him and be by his side. I jumped with him in the river. I pulled him out. I killed for him so he had a chance to survive. I took care of his wounds and I said some really embarrassing words.."
At this Eren raised his eyebrow.
"Embarrassing words?"
"I... well.. I... asked Levi if we should just not live together... the two of us alone in the forest... or somewhere else. Just far away from all the danger."
Admitting this made Hanji blush a deep shade of red. Averting her gaze she let go of Eren's face and stood up. She had to look away somewhere else, just not at him.
Eren watched her with his emerald eyes, speechless.
"Are you two together?" Wiping his face clean from his tears, Eren looked at her. "You love captain Levi don't you Hanji-san?"
If her face could turn even redder Hanji suspected she would die.
"I-I do... and we are together.. since a while now. I love Levi Ackerman and I am together with ex humanity strongest. The most eccentric and weirdest and not beautiful at all woman in whole Paradise is together with Levi Ackerman!" She yelled it out now and raised her arms in the air.
Somehow it felt good yelling it out and she couldn't stop herself anymore.
Should the whole world hear it. She would not care anymore but welcome it.
Eren couldn't help but grin at this. Hanji was still somehow the same weirdo as he remembered a few years ago.
Hearing him laugh at her, Hanji pointed an accusing finger at him.
"And you love Mikasa! You love her and ran away with her just like me!" Moving closer to Eren again she pointed with her index finger now right against his chest, where his beating heart was located. "I am not better as you. We are both selfish. I am not here to blame you for your actions Eren... not anymore. We cannot know what would have happened even if you and Mikasa stayed. That's why it's okay. It's okay we became selfish... I figured this out now. It took me so long... how dumb am I but... I should probably make this short and not talk your ear off like we used to. Remember we talked the whole night and you stayed and listened." She laughed remembering his tired face. "You were nice to me. Thank you. Besides Levi and his own version of kindness as you know."
Despite what she said Hanji was rambling on and on and Eren had a hard time stopping her. The talk with her felt nice and listening to her relaxed him.
"You are rambling..."
"Ohh! I am sorry!" Hanji laughed loudly. "You decided to leave with Mikasa to be happy. I decided to save the few people we have left and not try to save our burning home. I let Paradise burn down in the end. It was my decision and is my burden to carry for the rest of my life. I ran away with Levi in the end too. And now we all try to find our own happiness in this new world. So don't blame yourself anymore Eren, understand?
You love Mikasa with all your heart. I can see this. And I love Levi with all my heart. We are very similar, right?"
"Declaring and yelling out your love for me from the top of your lungs is not what I was expecting to hear even inside the house."
Eren wanted to say something but instead another deep voice made itself appear.
Both brunette turned their heads around in surprise, looking at Levi leaning against the wall of the house with his arms crossed over his chest, next to him is Mikasa standing as well. She was blushing because of her what she had heard.
"Oh... so you could hear me talking..."she mumbled averting her gaze from him with red cheeks.
"Something similar happened in the forest too.." Levi said. "Now you are embarrassed? After yelling it out to everyone into the wild?"
"Shut up Levi!" She hissed.
Watching the two bicker Eren and Mikasa looked at each other. Eren felt better and smiled a little again just from watching his two old superiors.
"I am happy for them..." Eren whispered to Mikasa after she walked up to him and Eren reached out to hold her hand.
"Me too." They deserve it too..."
Feeling Eren's hand in hers she squeezed back.
"It's late already. You two want to eat dinner with us? We have more than enough to eat and a spare room upstairs." Mikasa suddenly spoke up loud enough for the two bickering idiots to hear her.
In the end the two agreed and they stayed over. Eren had catched more than enough fish for everyone. Hanji had helped Mikasa in the kitchen with cooking while Levi got send to sit down and rest. And he had no way to say no to two woman, which one being his lover and one being stronger than him now.
Sitting there in his chair at the dinner table he couldn't help but admire watching the two woman in the kitchen. It was a rare sight.
Suddenly Eren appeared next to Levi and sat down on the chair across from him.
"Is dinner soon ready?" Eren asked.
"Probably. The two talk a lot however instead of working their hands."
"Hey we can hear you two from here!" Hanji suddenly said from the kitchen and pointed the knife she used to fertile the fish at him dangerously. "I have a knife here and Mikasa too. I might use it against you."
"And I am good at cutting flesh, remember?" Mikasa gave him a dangerous look but it wasn't as dangerous as it used to be. It was playful almost.
The dinner went on nicely. They ate and talked even more. They had a few years to catch on after all. Not only about themselves but about how all the others were doing.
Eren choked on his fish he had just shoved in his mouth as Hanji told him Armin married Annie. It was comical seeing him choke and Mikasa had to pat his back even until he calmed down again.
It was late past midnight as Levi and Hanji finally withdrew to their own chamber.
"We are lucky to have this room. It's better than sleep in a tent again, right?"
Freeing her hair from her ponytail before undressing down to her underwear she stood in front of a mirror looking at herself while talking to Levi which was sitting on the bed, watching her but saying no word.
"I can feel your eyes on me Levi even without looking. Besides your reflection is on the mirror visible."
Sighing, he got up and the bed squeaked in response. Suddenly the raven stood right behind her and slung his arms around her body.
His lips were silently pressed against her bare shoulder plate, slowly trailing a way up her shoulder. Hanji titled instinctively her head to the side as he moved to her neck.
Unbelievable.
How can he be this good.. and make her legs become so weak.
"Come to bed."
"I was about to but someone here decided to instead do this..." Hanji chuckled, feeling ticklish just from his fingers brushing over skin. "... we are guests Levi. There is no way we are doing anything indecent in this bed, you hear me Levi Ackerman?"
His left hand moved on top of her breast.
"You heard me.." Hanji once again said in a lecturing tone now.
Grumbling a little, Levi suddenly slung his arm around her back and the other under his arm, swiftly lifting her up into his arms.
Hanji yelped in surprise.
Levi threw her onto the bed without any ceremony.
Joining her into bed Levi simply pulled her closer to him and pulled the blankets over them.
"Accepted?" Levi asked all of the sudden.
"Accepted." Burying herself into Levi's chest, Hanji closed her eyes and feeling content.
"Yelling your feelings out into the forest... you know I am not doing the same." Pulling her even closer his hand inched closer, caressing over her thighs going lower until Hanji grabbed his hand. "Actions however.."
"Levi no. Just cuddling and kissing not anything else."
This was Hanji's warning. Otherwise the pervert would this time sleep on the floor. Okay Hanji had to admit to herself she probably couldn't make him sleep on the floor but downstairs is a sofa she could take and let Levi suffer alone in the bed.
The following days were like a dream.
Hanji and Mikasa spend most of their time together. Mikasa had a small vegetable garden but growing anything up there in the mountains was hard.
"Hmm I could mix together something which could work as fertilizer. You said you have problems with snails, right?"
Mikasa nodded while she collected some carrots which were ready.
"Yes. Whatever I do they just come back. And always faster than before I feel like."
"You should change the places of the different vegetables you are farming. Salad is one of the most wanted food for snails. They like this... to reduce snails you should change this. I could help you make a second garden too. This could help a lot. Another idea is... you like flowers? Some plants exist which are not good for some insects. And they want to keep a very big distance from them which means your beloved vegetables are safe too." Hanji smiled after her explanation.
She already had so many ideas. So many plans in her head how she could change the whole place where her small garden is, turning it into a way bigger garden.
From inside the house Levi stopped mopping the floor and watched the two woman from the window.
As long as they were living with Eren and Mikasa they at least wanted to help a little inside the house.
Looking at her smiling and enthusiastically pointing to many different places about god knows what the two woman were talking about. Mikasa seemed to be barely able to follow the brunette wild woman but she was smiling too and talking happy with Hanji.
Shaking his head as Hanji almost tripped because she didn't watched her steps, Levi chuckled. Right than someone came down the stairs and Levi saw Eren coming down with a bucket full of clothes.
"You really don't need to clean captain. You are our guests."
"Brat, I already told you to not call me captain. Levi is fine. I am not your Captain anymore and Hanji is not your Commander anymore."
Eren wanted to retort because he was an adult and not a brat anymore but exactly at this moment the house door opened and a noisy woman followed by a quiet one came barking in.
"Levi! How is cleaning! Listen me and Mikasa will make a new garden and-"
"STOP RIGHT THERE SHITTY GLASSES!"
Her feet was left mid air before she could take any step inside the house, looking confused at her lover.
Levi glared at her and marched up to her, his arms crossed over his chest.
"I have not cleaned this floor spotless so you drag your dirty shoes over my floor! Take them and you too Mikasa."
"Excuse me? But this is my house." Mikasa glared back at the shorter male.
Suddenly everything felt again like a few years ago. Hanji and Eren looked at each other from where they were standing and started laughing loudly.
"What!?"
Levi and Mikasa asked in unison at the same time. This only made other laughs more.
"Nothing. Here I will take them off, my short grumpy clean freak." Hanji said between laughs and took her shoes off, placing them in front of the house before she stepped inside and gave Levi a quick peck onto his cheeks. "I will go upstairs and change my clothes. I can help make dinner later."
Levi looked in a mix of confused and bewilderment getting this kind of public affection. Mikasa smirked at this. After taking her shoes off she walked up to Eren and pecked Eren on the lips right in front of Levi.
"I will go upstairs to change my clothes too."
"Okay.." Eren looked confused and a little flustered. This was unlike Mikasa. Or maybe it was exactly like Mikasa because Levi was here.
Giving a short glance to Levi she went up the stairs feeling satisfied how Levi looked at her. She won. This time at least.
"Have you seen this Eren!? THIS FISH IS HUGE! The bait you made are amazing! Since when can you fish this good!?"
"Hanji-san! Calm down! You will slip and fall into the wat-"
Eren tried to warn her but it was already too late. Hanji slipped and fell backwards, landing into the water with a loud splash.
"...er..."
"I'm okay! Hahahahaha! But I have the fish no worry! I didn't let him go!" She held up the big fish she caught in her hand and was laughing boisterous.
Levi was glad he was used to Hanji's antics. He was just making some tea and washing the dishes as Eren came back with a drenched wet from head to toe Hanji Zoe. And all she did was holding a big bucket full of caught fish and rabbit they had caught outside on their little hunting trip, grinning from ear to ear at him.
"What happened? Wait I will get a towel" Mikasa jumped up from the sofa, leaving her clothes to fold together behind, going upstairs."
Sighing Levi groaned and shook his head.
"Hanji Zoe happened of course."
The days continued like this until one Hanji said she didn't felt hungry and in the next morning was throwing up inside a bucket.
Levi woke up from the sound of Hanji throwing up and practically jumped outside the bed.
Worry was painted all over his face as he saw her come back, looking awful.
"Oh Levi you are awake. Did I wake you up? I am sorry..." she mumbled wanting to walk past him but Levi stopped her.
Instead putting a hand on her forehead, the other hand placed on his own, trying to see if she has a fever.
"No, fever."
"I am okay. Don't worry Levi. I probably only ate something bad yesterday." Forcing a smile on her, Hanji pulled him into a hug.
Her words didn't help make Levi feel better.
Hugging her tightly He breathed in her scent. All was so good the last few days and now he was left with worry and fear. He couldn't help it but sickness always reminded him of his mother. She told him just the same. 'Don't worry. Everything will be alright again' and in the end she died. She left him. Levi didn't wanted to even dare think of having to let go of Hanji too.
His grip only tightened the more memories of his mother, Farlan and Isabel.. everyone that had died... even Erwin swirled around his head.
This wasn't left unnoticed by Hanji, smiling sympathetically. Reaching up with one hand she began caressing his head. Slowly moving her fingers through his black hair, feeling him stifling up for a second of her sudden use of affection on him.
"Oh Levi... I won't go anywhere... It's nothing serious."
"You can't know this. You will rest properly the next few days, understand?"
His voice was muffled against her chest but even so Hanji understood him. Anything for him if this would make him stop worrying this much. She placed a soft kiss on the turf of hos raven hair."
"I understand. I will rest and stay inside the house. I would even kiss you to ease your worries, but I threw up and didn't rinse out my mouth yet."
"Disgusting" Levi grunted.
His comment made her chuckle.
At least Hanji had hoped it would get better. But it didn't she threw almost every morning now and at dinner she became sometimes nauseous too. Luckily she was able to hide this from Levi so far. Forcing a smile through it until she could rush upstairs to rest like a good obedient girlfriend she was.
Even so Levi observed her more closely each day and his worry grew each day more as well.
Hanji was sitting on the couch with Mikasa just knitting something and teaching Mikasa how to knit. It was amusing for Levi even now how Hanji had such a very feminine hobby like knitting.
"Levi don't you have to go soon? I wanted to go with Eren into town but since I cannot go."
Looking at the clock, Levi sighed. Hanji was right if he wanted to help Eren he had to get ready.
"Mikasa keep an eye on her, while I am gone and make sure she is resting."
"I will." Mikasa gave him a small smile.
The two Ackerman learned to get along a lot better. Maybe it was because both cared for their brunette significant other and felt very much the same now.
Hanji merely rolled her eyes. Overprotective Ackerman's.
"Ah! Wait Levi! I wanted to give you something!"
Stopping in his tracks, he turned around looking at Hanji which was already about to get up but Levi speed walked up to her and pushed her back down onto the sofa.
"Stay. What do you want to give me?"
Huffing Hanji once again rolled her eyes over his overprotective behavior.
"My bedside drawer. There is a small box."
"Okay. I will go and get it then."
"But I can get it too-" Too late Levi was already gone.
Rushing up the stairs Levi entered their bedroom. Making his eye to her drawer he opened it and his gray eye landed on the box. A square small box... the size of a ring box perhaps.
This couldn't be.
She had no time to even get a ring. On the other hand this was Hanji and she was never normal. Usually a male should propose but with Hanji he really wasn't sure if she cared about stereotypes. Probably not.
Taking the small black box into his hands he noticed how light it was as well.
Should he open it?
But that's a wrong. He has to give it to her and see what happens.
Walking downstairs Levi threw the box at Hanji which catched it.
"Are you going to propose to me?"
If eyes could go any wider than they would fall out of Hanji's head and out of Mikasa's too. This was so sudden and without warning.
Raising his left eyebrow Levi waited and crossed his arms over his chest.
Releasing the ex captain was quite serious Hanji looked at the box in her hand, her cheeks turning redder and redder as the gears in her heads turned around enough to release how the box must have looked for him and why he all of the sudden asked her this.
"Oh..."
"Oh?"
"You were thinking I have a ring for you in there... because of the box shape and size."
"I- I should better go and leave you two alone". Mikasa muttered and was about to stand up but Hanji stopped her and grabbed her arm.
"Wait Mikasa. It's okay. You can stay. It's not a proposal I am doing." Hanji laughed nervously. "It is for Levi but not a ring."
Opening the box Hanji revealed two fingers out of leather and metal? Levi wasn't sure but they looked sturdy and made with a lot of care for detail.
"I was thinking how to make it easier for you to hold something. You wear them over your remaining finger parts and they become as long as before. They should be not uncomfortable but sturdy enough to have again fingers as long as before and able to grab something better. It's only an easy prototype with material that was lying around. I want to do a lot of better version in the future."
She began to ramble, something she always did when she was nervous.
Smiling down at her, Levi moved up to her and took the prosthetic fingers out of the box. They seem easy to wear so the raven put them onto his fingers. Comfortable and they didn't slip out again but stayed well in place.
"Hanji. Thank you."
Her rambling stopped instantly, looking up at him as Levi grabbed into her hair, bending down he captured her soft lips.
At this moment Eren came back from outside. He has finished getting the horses ready. Mikasa and Eren had a small barn but it was big enough for the horses Levi and Hanji had and the two horses from them.
"Did I miss something?" Eren asked confused.
"No. You just missed two idiots in love" Mikasa replied, ignoring the bewildered and embarrassed looks from Levi and Hanji.
About 10minutes later the two males were ready to go and left the house.
Hanji waited until the door closed and sighed loudly. Leaning backwards against the sofa she groaned and turned her head around to Mikasa.
"Mikasa... Please tell me you did it.."
Once again the asian was confused. What was going on today. Could these two old veterans be not more clear instead of being so cryptic?
"If you mean if I called the doctor than yes J did. Yesterday I made a trip into town to make an appointment for today. He will be here soon. But could you tell me what is wrong with you? I am worried Hanji-san. Are you serious sick?"
"I need to see a doctor before Levi and Eren are back because... I think I am not sick but I am pregnant." Hanji simply replied, watching Mikasa drop her knitting tools in pure shock.
Fully packed with bags of food and other necessities. The two male adults slowly made their ways back to outside of the town to where they have left their horses.
"Levi-san wait a moment there is one more place I must go. It will be real quick. I only need to pick something up."
Confused Levi followed him.
Not much later the raven with the taller but younger brunette male stood in front of a jewelry store.
"As far as I know Mikasa's birthday is still over half a year not. So what do you want to do in there Eren?"
Scratching the back of his head, Eren looked flustered.
"... you and Hanji-san... you want to stay like this forever?"
"Asking a question with another question is not how this works Eren." Levi glared at him. "Why is my relationship with Hanji now important?"
"I have not many years left, but I want to not regret my last years. You were the person teaching me this. I will ask Mikasa to marry me." Staring up into the serious emerald blue eyes of Eren made Levi feel almost small. The boy was younger than him, but he had never seen Eren be this serious before. Not even as he yelled around to kill all the titans. "So what about you? Don't you want to marry Hanji-san as well? For what are you waiting? She even made you these custom fingers didn't she? She took care of you all these months. Almost a year now went by, right? And all the years in the military you two were this close."
Eren wanted to say more but after he noticed Levi's perplexed expression he stopped himself. Forcing his mouth shut. It wasn't his intention to lecture him.
"Look... I just think you two deserve all the happiness in the world now. We earned our own peace. The others moved on as you said too." Smiling at Levi down for a moment, Eren turned around and enters the shop.
Eren was talking to the shop keeper still. His ring box in hand, opened to stare at the beautiful stationary silver ring down with his red promised stone in the center.
It was a simple ring from design but he and Mikasa didn't needed much.. just each other. That's why he loved the ring as soon as he laid eyes on it on his past trip down to town.
The little bell at the door signaled another customer coming in.
"Welcome. I will be here in a minute, sir."
"That's okay. I can wait."
Hearing the familiar voice Eren swiftly turned his head around only to see Levi stand right besides him.
"Levi you-"
Levi's look was enough to turn Eren quiet. The raven haired male was intensely studying the ring in Eren's ring box.
Many seconds past perhaps a whole minute until Levi finally tore his gaze away from the ring and to the shopkeeper
"I want the same one but with a different stone color. Emerald green stone if this would be possible to get it"
Eren couldn't help but stare with his mouth wide open and in shock at him.
It was already dark as the two finally made it back. Lights was still on in the house.
"I always planned to take Mikasa out to walk with her next the river. The view is beautiful there, especially like today when there is a full moon. So the house is all yours." Eren said as he playfully grinned at Levi.
The older one shrugged.
"As long as we do not bother each other it's good enough."
Reaching the house, Eren spotted Mikasa sitting on the small bench in front of their house. Only a small blanket covering her body which was slipping already down her body.
Groaning Eren facepalmed before he went down from his horse.
Levi smiled a little at this and followed, deciding to walk the last few meters.
Giving Eren a soft kick to his ass just enough to make him stumble but not fall on his ass.
"Go to her already. Better don't fuck this up. I will take care of the horses and check up on Hanji."
Releasing what Levi meant Eren mouthed a quick 'thank you' followed by a 'good luck' before trusting the reins of his horse into his hands and walking up at ahead.
From a distance Levi watched Mikasa waking up and getting up to greet Eren which embraced her. The two stayed like this for a few seconds before Eren pulled Mikasa with him and hand in hand they left the house in direction of the river.
Levi was sure they were going to be fine and Mikasa would be very happy.
After taking care of the horses Levi stepped inside the house. It was quiet inside and no one seemed to be on downstairs.
Was she already asleep?
Levi highly doubt it but on the other hand she was sick.
Worry filled his tired body as he quickly made his way up the stairs. His hand once checked his pants pocket to feel the small box inside even if right now this was the last thing on his mind. At first he needed to check if his brunette eccentric weirdo was okay.
Light was pouring out under the closed bedroom door, signaling him she should be still awake at least.
Hearing the door open, Hanji put her book down she was reading and smiled at Levi.
"You're back."
"I am.. it took longer than I thought however. You didn't needed to wait for me." Moving over to her, Levi sat on edge of the bed. "Are you feeling better?"
Reaching out Levi pulled some strands of brown hair out of her face. Instead of leaning into his touch Hanji lowered her face and avoided his touch. This confused Levi.
Never did Hanji avoid him before.
"Hanji what's wrong? You are hiding something from me." Levi asked turning serious.
Biting her lip, Hanji gazed up into his face.
Her expression was hard to read for Levi. It was a mix of worry, fear and yet there was some kind of hope too?
"I did not want to hide it from you. We need to talk. A doctor was here while you and Eren were gone and..."
Grabbing her hand Levi squeezed them, his heart was pounding wildly, worried.
"You are sick are you? Is it life threatening? Can you get cured?"
The questions were just sprouting out of his mouth.
"No, no, NO LEVI!" Pushing herself up on the bed she pulled Levi closer and hugged him. "I am not sick. I won't die... I am just..."
"Just what?" Pulling himself away he stopped her hand from patting his head. As nice as this was he needed to know what was going on first. "Split it out already, shitty glasses."
Taking his face into her hands and cupping his cheeks Hanji gave him a smile shy smile.
"... I am pregnant Levi. With your child."
His eyes widened. Pregnant?
But Hanji is very old... didn't she even say she won't be able to get pregnant anymore.
"My child? But how..."
Sighing Hanji bit her lip and let go of him, leaning back against the headboard she groaned.
"I know I said to you I won't be able to become pregnant anymore. I am nearing my end 30s soon... I was a soldier for many years and my hormonal circle was due to my habit of not eating regularly and not resting properly always a mess. They always told me I am not able to convey a child... but you made it possible Levi... somehow your Ackerman Sperms was able to make fertile my shitty egg and created a life inside me."
Searching for any answer she was looking deep into his eyes.
"You're unbelievable. I wanted to give you something and now you give me this."
Pressing a soft kiss on her temples Levi climbed into best next to her.
Interested she watched him as Levi pulled a ring box out of his pockets and held it in front of her. Her went wide and even wider if this was even possible as Levi opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver ring with a green emerald stone on top.
"Mar-"
"YES!"
There was no time for Levi to even finish this very short proposal of two words he wanted to do. Instead now he got his air almost knocked out of his lungs as Hanji hugged him and pulled him close.
For a short moment there was surprise than he smiled feeling happiness rise inside him.
Of course he needed no words for her.
No one understood him better than her.
Taking her hand gently into his, Levi put the ring on her finger. He fit perfectly.
"You like it?"
"Of course! This ring is beautiful!"
"Let me kiss you shitty glasses."
Hanji chuckled, happily letting Levi go on top of her and capture her lips.
Everything was perfect.
He would marry the love of his life and become a child.
Their wedding was small in the woods in a flower field.
Eren and Mikasa married after them.
Because Hanji had a growing baby bump she wanted to marry as fast as possible to fit in a wedding dress.
Historia gave them the dresses and paid for them.
Her and the brats were there and a priest they hired to make it official.
It was small but just perfect the way they wanted.
They got a cottage build not far away from Eren and Mikasa. Everyone helped to build it as fast as possible. Hanji with her technology ideas improved her own house with Levi and Eren and Mikasa's.
With a Concentrator they and some electric installations all according to pregnant Hanji's leading eyes and commands they were able to have electricity now if they used fuel for the Concentrator.
Water they were like this able to boil too more easy and with a pump able to fill a hot bathtub water. Especially Levi was approving of this a lot.
Eren made a promise with Levi. After he would die.. Levi and Hanji would take care of Mikasa. Eren was content with this, knowing even after he died Mikasa would be not alone living.
Hanji gave months later birth to a beautiful little girl, Rachel. With black hair like Levi and brown honey eyes like Hanji.
Mikasa managed to convince Eren to give her a child.. something to have left from him. In the end they got a boy, Finn with black hair and and eyes like Mikasa's but he was as energetic as Eren. Eren still was able to see him before he died two years later.
After Eren died she was still able to smile. A boy, her baby boy she had and she was a great aunt for Levi and Hanji.
It wasn't perfect to hide like this but it was a beautiful life for them.
And hopefully in the future from now on, for their children at least they wished how they could freely walk on this world without fear or discrimination.