A/N: Yay! Chapter 2 is up! XD

Chapter Summary: Watching movies and a sleepless night.

"Oi brat, pass the popcorn."

Ah, yes. That's Levi calling me. Don't ask me how I degraded from 'cute' to 'brat'. Fuck if I know how his brain works!

After that awkward conversation in front of the gate, Hange dragged me inside the house, yelling "MOVIE TIME!"

And no, nobody bothered asking for my consent.

We made ourselves comfortable on the couch while Hange brought the popcorn, then flooded the rest of the couch with their movie collection.

"What are you, an ancient moron?" Levi muttered.

Hange raised an eyebrow at him. He huffed. "Who the fuck watches VCD these days?!"

"Hey! Don't insult my babies!"

Levi grimaced at the mess in front of him, but started going through each of the CDs. I joined him. And from the corner of my eye, I saw Hange sitting on the carpet. Legs folded, elbows on the knees and chin resting on their intertwined fingers. They watched us with a huge grin, eyes sparkling with a predatory gleam. I heard Levi mutter something under his breath, something about 'damn Hange' and 'no fucking sense of hygiene'. But I could be wrong.

We made small talk while searching for a movie to watch. I learned that Levi is, in fact, Hange's colleague. Both of them work in the same department in some advertisement company. And the CEO, Erwin Smith – nicknamed 'Shitty eyebrows' by Levi and 'Blondie' by Hange – is also their friend. Together they are called the 'weird trio'.

"Fucking lazy assholes! Got nothing better to do than give us names", Levi retorted.

I barely stopped myself from reminding him that he does the same.

I also learned that Levi's apparently a clean freak. That explains why he was sitting on a blanket in the lawn earlier. I chuckled.

What? It's kinda cute…

Hange asked about mom and dad. I told them things are the same as before, with dad being less 'in' and more 'away', and mom being… mom. Levi listened quietly, never saying a word. And I was thankful for that. The last thing I wanted now was to have someone pity me for my family issues. They both understood my uneasiness and changed the topic. I told them about Armin and Mikasa, and others. Hange seemed genuinely happy to know that I've made some good friends.

I asked Hange why they hadn't visited all these years. They smiled and said that this place reminded them of their parents. I bit my tongue. Hange's parents died when I was around 10. Too young to understand the gravity of the situation. I remember often seeing Hange sitting on the lawn and staring up at the sky after their death. The usual cheerful smile was gone, replaced by a distant look my childish mind couldn't fathom.

I remember sitting by their side and staring at the sky together with them, without speaking a single word. We spent months like that, until one day Hange put their arms around me and cried. And I could only sit still while my shirt got soaked with their tears.

Hange noticed my guilty look and placed a kiss on my cheek. We smiled.

"Okay shitheads! Enough drama for one day." Levi's words lightened the mood instantly. Hange let out a short laugh, patting him on the shoulder. I glanced at him, mouthing a silent 'thank you', and he nodded. He wasn't smiling, but there was something affectionate in his eyes. Something that made me feel all warm inside.

I turned to Hange. "So are you here on some business?"

They laughed. "Not really. This guy here", they pointed to Levi, "thinks I should, what was it again? Yeah, 'wipe my ass off of shitty memories and get a fucking life'! So here I am, fulfilling his majesty's wish."

I laughed at the choice of words, but the concern hidden within them didn't go past me. I looked at Levi with a newfound admiration. He noticed me staring at him and rolled his eyes.

"Brat, don't look at me like I'm your fucking Prince Charming."

Did I say I admire him? I take that back.

My face flushed bright red and I fumbled with the CDs to make myself busy with anything I could reach. He obviously saw through it. Hell, even a blind man would see through it. But thankfully, he chose to say nothing more. We resumed sorting the movies.

And that's how all three of us ended up watching 'Vertigo', because apparently Levi has a thing for classics and thrillers (and for Hitchcock, if Hange isn't joking). We're halfway through the movie already, and Madeleine is running up the Bell Tower, when Levi asks for the popcorn. And let me tell you, this is the first time I'm seeing someone eat popcorn with chopsticks. Why? Because his hands will get dirty.

I lower myself to get the bowl of popcorn from Hange's lap, who somehow finds it more comfortable to sit on the carpet, with their head against the couch. When I straighten myself, I dart my eyes towards Levi and see his eyes focused on something behind me. He senses my gaze on him and stiffens, then looks directly at me, eyes challenging. I simply shrug and thrust the bowl on his lap before returning to the movie.

What was that about? First he looks like I caught him doing something inappropriate. Then he fucking throws me a challenging look. What was he doing anyway?

Hold on!

He wasn't… staring at my ass, right?!

My head snaps in his direction and I know I'm staring at him with eyes as wide as the bowl on his lap. He doesn't even look at me. Just lets a lazy smirk adorn his lips. Then slowly, he picks up a single popcorn with his chopsticks and brings it to his lips. His eyes lock with mine as he opens his mouth and pushes it inside, lips closing around the sticks.

I gulp.

Satisfied with my reaction, he returns his gaze to the screen and resumes his popcorn consumption as if nothing happened just now.

I shake my head and turn back to the movie, but I can't concentrate. My mind feels restless. What's going on? What the hell is wrong with me?

Focus on the movie! I try scolding my brain.

But despite all efforts, my thoughts keep circling around one raven haired stranger, currently occupying the seat beside me, completely oblivious to the storm he's causing in my heart.

It's 1:37 in the morning. And I've been miserably failing to fall asleep for the past two hours. Why? Because I can't get the thoughts of a certain someone out of my head. My eyes feel tired, my whole body feels tired. But each time I close my eyes, that stupidly gorgeous face with that sinfully sexy smirk invades my mind. Fuck! I feel like a lovesick school girl.

No, you did not hear me say that!

After failing the umpteenth attempt at falling asleep, I kick my blankets away and get out of bed. My room is how an average student's room is supposed to be. Neither too big, nor too small. The walls are painted white which can barely be seen under the tons of posters, mostly of my favorite band 'Recon Corps'. Have you heard them? They're awesome! There's Olou Bozado, the drummer. For some reason he keeps biting his tongue while playing. It's fucking hilarious! Then there's Gunther Schultz who plays the keyboard. And Eld Jinn is the most badass bassist ever! Mike Zacharias used to be their lead guitarist and vocal, but he left the band some time ago. I heard they've recently got a new member, who's probably gonna be the lead vocal from now on. I wonder when they'll introduce the new guy!

What was I talking about again? Oh yeah, my room.

So, as I said. My room is quite average. There isn't a lot of furniture either. Just a bed on one side, a reading desk next to it and a rocking chair beside the window. But of course, like any other high school student, my room is too small for my possessions. Mom will say that's because I leave everything scattered around my room. Maybe Mikasa and Armin too, if you ask them. And it might be true that my books are piled up at different places on the floor and that if I open my closet, there's a chance of all my clothes tumbling down like an avalanche. But don't listen to them.

I walk towards the door in my room, then turn and walk back to my bed. I repeat this motion for a while, thinking what I should do. Fresh air. Yes, that's what I need. Nothing like a late night walk in the lawn to clear my head. With my mind made up, I get out of my room and tiptoe across the hallway towards the main door. The lights are off, but I know my way around fairly well not to trip over anything.

I still remember the first time I attempted this kind of escapade. I was much younger, around 14 maybe. It was mid-summer and my room was too stuffy. So I decided to get outside and cool down a bit. It was midnight. I almost made it to the front door when suddenly my left foot clashed with something.

Bang!

Yeah, apparently I'd forgotten that mom had moved the couch just the day before. What happened after that? Well, you get the picture. I even tried to play it off as sleepwalking, but of course, that didn't work. So, after that utterly humiliating effort, I tried to pay more attention the next time. As a result, I got caught red-handed the second time. The third time I actually managed to slip out. But accidentally, I got locked outside the house until my mom found out I was missing and opened the door to get out and search for me.

So you see, I've had my share of experiences. And that's what brings me to the present where I – by now a pro at sneaking out – open the front door without the slightest sound and carefully step outside. I close the door slowly, leaving a small crack so it doesn't get locked from the inside.

Mission accomplished!

I walk down the three steps of stairs that elevate my house from the ground, and let my feet touch the soft grass. I close my eyes and inhale, then take a step forward. The grass is moist. Probably due to the fog. I've come out without any shoes, but the slight dampness under my feet actually feels good. I decide to walk around aimlessly for a while. The chilly weather makes my teeth clatter. Fuck! I should've brought my hoodie, or perhaps a jacket. Speaking of jacket, wasn't Levi wearing one today? Yeah, a black one. Man! He looked so damn good in it.

Oh no! Why am I thinking about him again?!

I walk towards the fence that separates our house from the street. I look ahead. Hange's house is right across the street. From this distance, I can even see which rooms are lit and which are dark. My heartbeat increases.

He's just on the other side of the road. I could go and take a peek.

I shake my head at the absurd thought. As if I wasn't being creepy enough already! Now I wanna stalk my mystery man. Shit! That sounded like a line from some cheap teenage drama.

Okay, cool down. He's a hot guy and you're attracted to him. That's normal. Happens to everybody. Right?

Right. No need to overthink. Just calm down and go back to your room.

I'm just about to turn around when I see it. A window. Wide open. The room inside looks bright. Fluorescent lights probably. But these are not the things that capture my eyes. In front of the window, a figure stands. Their hands gripping the window frame and their head bowed down. The person stands facing me, but the light is on their back, so I can't quite make out who it is. I look around myself. I'm standing in a fairly shaded area where the street lights can't reach. So they probably can't see me. I keep staring at the figure and wonder who it could be. Hange? Or… him?

The person turns their head to the side, and finally, their face is revealed.

It's Levi.

What's he doing this late at night? Could it be that he's also having trouble sleeping? I watch as he slowly drags his left hand to his temple, fingers massaging the skin there. His eyes are closed. The bright light illuminates only part of his face. But even from this distance, I can sense that something's wrong. I can't quite put my finger on it. Somehow he looks so sad and… beaten. What in the world happened? He seemed fairly pleased this afternoon. Then why?

Well, to be honest, a lot of things could have happened. I've only met him recently, so of course I wouldn't know. Still, I feel an unfamiliar tug in my heart. Like his sadness is seeping into me. I feel this strange need to go over there and comfort him. I don't understand. I've been attracted to men before. But this is the first time I'm feeling this sort of… protectiveness towards someone. And I barely know him.

The intensity of my own emotions frightens me. And being the coward that I am, I quickly flee the situation, leaving a gloomy and distressed Levi behind.

I stride inside my room and lie down. I put a hand over my heart. It's still beating fast. I pull the blankets over my head, isolating myself from the rest of the world, from Levi. Hoping that these confusing emotions will leave me alone. But they just get tangled even more, until eventually I give up on trying to fall asleep and stare at the ceiling. The image of a sad stranger with eyes like liquid metal engulfs my mind.

Why does it feel like I'm the one who's hurting?

A/N: Writing Hange is so much fun! Their reactions are so interesting, and any conversation between Levi and Hange turns into a shit load of entertainment. Btw, Levi/Hange is my BROTP! Just look at them! They are destined to be BFFs!

Thanks for reading! Let me know how this chapter was. Also, feel free to give me suggestions ^^

I'm thinking of using other POVs too at some point. I think it'll help to understand the whole story better. What do you guys think?