A/N: I'm back! XD

Chapter Summary: A little more about Hange. And of course, our adorable stupid dorks being... adorable stupid dorks!

Enjoy! ^^

I'm playing with the hem of my t-shirt, trying to calm the increasing heartbeat. I take deep breaths. Mentally preparing myself. Why? Because I'm about to ask Levi something. Something that's been bothering me since I saw him at school today.

Why are you acting this way?

Hange's gone to get another drink and mom's left to get more snacks for everyone. So we're alone in the living room right now. I look at him. He seems as nonchalant as always. I start to feel nervous. What if I'm overthinking? What if this doesn't mean anything to him at all?

So many questions cloud my mind, engulfing me with self-doubt and sucking away my confidence.

I need to act fast, before my mind decides otherwise.

"Levi…" it's a whisper, a trembling whisper. But I know he's heard it.

Not that he reacts.

"Levi", I start again, a little louder, a little more desperate. "Have I… Have I done something?" God! I hope I don't sound as pathetic as I think I do. "Something to… upset you?"

He looks at me this time. Fully looks at me. With eyes as hot and burning as liquid metal, he looks at me.

I try to read them. The language of his eyes. The only language in which he expresses himself without any pretense.

There's surprise, perplexity which is soon replaced by realization. And something else. Something I know I have to understand, but can't figure out.

It makes me angry.

His body scoots closer to mine. He looks as if he's about to say something. I stare at him intently. Eager to hear anything. Anything that will rid me of this… this confusion that's been killing me all day.

"Eren I–"

"Whatcha talking 'bout?!"

What the fuck Hange!

Levi reverts back to his previous position, face masked by indifference. I look at him frantically, hoping he'll at least give me some kind of sign. But not once does he return my gaze. Damn! I was so close. So fucking close!

It's frustrating.

I fix my eyes on the ground when Hange walks over to sit beside me. I know they didn't do it intentionally, but the one chance that I got today to talk to Levi has just been ruined. And I can't help but feel a little offended.

"Whoa! What did I do?!" their eyes drift between me and him. "I interrupted something, didn't I?"

Nobody replies.

"Alright!" mom returns with nachos and pretzels. "Let's resume the sto– What's with the gloomy atmosphere?!"

"Nothing!" I say hurriedly. A little too hurriedly perhaps, considering her narrowing gaze. "Hange! Tell us what happened after you became friends with…" I trail off.

Why his name suddenly gets stuck in my throat, I don't know.

Hange notices. Levi notices. Mom notices.

Nobody utters anything.

"On with the story then!"

Ah… Thank you Hange.

"It was probably around six months ago. We were working on a kid's project, planning an advertisement campaign for a snack food company and it kinda reminded me of Eren. How he used to sneak into the kitchen for snacks at every chance and I had to keep an eye on him", Hange paused, smiling to see me pout. "So, I guess I got sort of nostalgic and ended up blabbering about everything to him. Shiganshina, my parents, my life here and why I left it all behind."

Levi and Hange exchange a glance. It's funny how they're so difficult to stop while bickering, and yet so understanding of each other at these moments.

"Levi is a good listener. I gotta give him that. He listened to the whole thing without ever interrupting me. And then, when I was done, his first words were something like – Get a fucking life, shithead. It's about time you wipe your ass off of those shitty memories and move ahead."

We laugh. I find myself feeling the same admiration I felt for him yesterday when I'd heard Hange say the very same thing.

Levi Ackerman.

You hide behind a mask of indifference, but you listen to your friends. You show as if you don't care, but you never fail to give them the push they need. You act annoyed and irritated, but you're always there when someone needs you.

You pretend to ignore me, but your eyes find me again and again.

Levi Ackerman. You are an enigma.

An enigma I wish to decipher.

"He's not a man of many words, as you've seen", Hange continues. "But that day, he made me understand a very important thing. That I am who I am because of the life I've had so far. I can't ignore a part of my life just because it's painful, because that would mean ignoring a part of my own existence. I wouldn't have become this Hange Zoe if not for the people around me. My home, my childhood, my parents, my friends – they're an inseparable part of my life that I can never deny", they pause to take a breath. "And he told me how lucky I am to have memories and people I can still cherish. He opened my eyes to the fact that my home isn't just a memento of the agonizing memories. It's also full of all the happiness and laughter I shared with my close ones. Every inch of that house can still remind me of who I am and who I want to be."

They look at Levi. And for once, it's neither playful nor challenging. It's just pure respect and fondness.

"If there are painful memories to hurt me, then there are ten times more joyful memories to embrace me as well. That's what he taught me."

I find myself unable to take my eyes off of him. What is this guy? An angel in disguise?

He feels all three pairs of eyes on him. Apparently we're all looking at him with unconcealed awe. He shifts uncomfortably, eyes never meeting any of ours.

"Such a pain", he mutters without any venom in his voice. "I only stated the fact to you, something that couldn't get through your skull full of shit!"

"Levi…" I hear my mom say. Her voice sounds broken. "Thank you…"

She's crying.

"Aww Carlaaa!" Hange hugs her, more like squeezes the life out of her. "Don't cry!"

Levi and I watch the two of them, not sure how to react or what to say. There's not a lot of time that I've seen my mother cry. She's usually so energetic and cheerful, and always, always so forceful with me. So right now, seeing this side of her, I feel at a loss of what to do.

Thankfully, Hange knows exactly how to handle anybody. And soon, the sniffles reduce into soft smiles.

"I've always been worried about Hange", she wipes the corner of her eyes. "I knew they needed their space, so I let them be. But Hange's an extremely emotional person, even if it doesn't seem like that most of the time. So I always wondered if they'll ever be able to make peace with their past."

She looks at Levi. "Maybe they never would have, if not for you Levi."

He says nothing. I watch his stiff shoulders, the furrow between his eyebrows, the tightness with which he's pressed his lips together, the way his eyes move around everywhere. And I discover something.

He's uncomfortable hearing so much praise.

One simple discovery. And it fills my heart with uncontainable joy. I feel like I just took one more step to get closer to him. To solve the puzzle that he is.

"Hange", I decide to rescue him. "You didn't answer the actual question."

Hange looks puzzled. "What question?"

"What are you gonna do with the house?"

"Oh right!" they grin. "Well, obviously I'm not gonna sell it!"

Mom laughs. "That we all know by now, I think."

"Yeah", Hange joins the laughter. "Actually, I found someone to take care of the house while I'm gone."

"Like… a caretaker?" I ask.

"Yeah, kind of. He's more of a friend actually. We used to be neighbors in Stohess. Recently he quit his job saying he wanted to live somewhere quiet and peaceful. So I offered him to live here and take care of the house in exchange of payment. And he agreed."

"That's good", mom replies. "So, when is he coming?"

"Tomorrow in fact. I'll just give him a tour of the house and explain everything. And then we'll be on our way."

Shit! I totally forgot. They're leaving tomorrow!

"You could've stayed a little longer", I hear mom say. "You came back after so long."

"Wish I could Carla", Hange says apologetically. "But don't worry. Next time, I won't take this long to visit."

"You'd better not!" I mutter quietly.

They laugh, ruffling my hair.

"Oi, four eyes", Levi speaks this time. "We should get going. You gotta finish packing all your shit."

I look at the clock.

10:00 pm.

Whoa! When did it get so late?!

"Whoops! You're right!" Hange jumps on their feet. "Sorry Carla. Gotta go! Like he said, I haven't started packing yet."

"You're as clumsy as ever", mom smiles, shaking her head.

"Yup! Always will be!" they flash a toothy grin. "See you Carla. Take care."

Mom gives them a hug. "You too Hange. Take care. And don't skip meals."

Hange rolls their eyes.

"Levi", he looks at mom upon hearing his name. "Come visit us again."

"Thank you Carla", he says before getting up.

"Come on Levi", Hange pulls him by the arm. "Bye Eren! Come see us off in the morning, will ya?"

I watch as both of them walk towards the door. Levi nodding slightly and Hange waving both their hands. And right before they step out, his eyes lock with mine. They burn with intensity, and something unknown. Something I've been trying to figure out all day. I feel my body going numb as I stare into the depth of those silver orbs. My chest feels tight. My eyes prickle. My voice goes dry. And it hits me.

This is it. He's leaving.

Eren, he's leaving!

My body goes into overdrive. I don't exactly know what it is that I feel for him, whether it's simple attraction or something more profound. But right at this moment, I realize that this is my last chance to say something. That if I let him go now, we may never see each other again. If I don't do something now, he'll be gone and all I'll be left with is pain and regret.

As I stand here motionless, he goes further and further away.

And so, I run.

A/N: I'm sorry! I had to do that 'cockblocker Hange' thing! XD

Also, sorry for the cliffhanger! XP

Run Eren! Run! XD

Wait for the next chapter! It'll finally reveal some of the mysteries.

Thanks for reading~