Mixed Feelings

Back at the base, the evening meal had been prepared and people were settling down for the evening. Levi was sitting at a table sipping tea. He was reading through paperwork he had brought with him and not really engaging with anyone else. Eren looked over and after a few minutes, walked over.

"You mind if I sit here?" he asked Levi.

Levi looked up and shrugged, "Whatever, you can sit where you like."

Eren sat down across from Levi. He was not sure what to say really but he was taking the opportunity to be near to Levi when Hange was not there. She was usually practically tied to his side but for some reason she was not there this evening. Levi had gone back to his paperwork so Eren cleared his throat.

"So ... erm ... do you think we will get a titan tomorrow to take back?" Eren asked.

Levi looked up, "Probably, I have no idea what was up with Hange today. She is impossible at times."

Eren glanced over at Mikasa who was sat watching them. She rolled her eyes at Eren and made a hand motion as if to say 'get on with it!' Eren looked back at Levi. He did not know when he first realised that his feelings for the man in front of him had become those of desire but recently, he could not get it out of his mind. Now he had been made aware that Hange also had feelings for Levi, he was worried. Hange scared him at times and he knew that she was more than capable of making his life a living hell if she realised how he felt. Mikasa had said that Hange had seen him close to Levi when they were out and that was why she had left in a bad mood. He had decided to only way to protect himself from her, would be to get close to Levi first.

Whilst Eren was overthinking things, Levi was trying to focus on his paperwork but he was struggling to concentrate as he could not get the thought of how he had felt with Eren standing so close to him earlier. It did not make any sense to him why he could not get it out of his mind. Eren was a kid, for god's sake and Levi was a grown man. He should not be feeling like this about him. Levi had never felt love towards another human being. He had seen too many people die to allow himself to open his heart to anyone in that way. He had friends ... Erwin, Hange and Mike ... but that was as far as things went. He shook his head and looked up at Eren.

"We will grab a couple of titans tomorrow and head back. She will just have to put up with whichever we choose if she is going to be awkward about it. We will go out in the morning, catch and restrain two and kill the rest. We might need you for your strength to help with restraining them."

Eren nodded and was about to reply when the outside door slammed open and Hange walked in, her face like thunder. She walked across the room and slid onto the bench next to Levi, a clear look of challenge on her face.

"Beat it brat, I need to speak to Levi," she said.

Levi looked at Hange in confusion, "What about?"

"Stuff," she snapped, still glaring at Eren.

Eren reluctantly got up and headed back to Mikasa and Armin. Levi was still looking at Hange.

"What the hell is wrong with you Four Eyes?" he asked

Hange was glaring at Eren's retreating back, "Nothing, I am just sick of that brat thinking he is something special just because of the whole titan thing. He seems to think that gives him a reason to be pawing all over you. He needs to learn his place."

"Pawing?" Levi asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Pawing," Hange said again, taking grabbing a beer and taking a long drink.

Levi stared at Hange as she continued to grumble about brats who did not know their place in the hierarchy of the squad. Levi glanced over at Eren. He wondered if she was right about at least one thing. Was Eren trying to get close to him? Was Levi suddenly aware about how he was feeling because Eren had been trying to get so close to him out on patrol? Levi sighed, he had no idea what he felt but he needed to keep his head clear and concentrate on no one getting killed tomorrow when they rounded up titans for Hange. He was used to her behaviour, but at the moment, she was acting unhinged; even for her!

The evening passed without further incident. The cadets relaxed and checked over their gear for the next day. Hange wandered over to the table where Eren and the others were sitting.

"Mikasa and Armin, go check on the horses before you settle down please," she said.

They stood up to go and Eren started to stand to go with them.

"Not you," Hange said, "You and me are going to have a little chat."

Mikasa looked at Hange, who stared back. "I said go see to the horses."

Reluctantly, Mikasa and Armin left and Hange sat down opposite Eren. Levi looked up from his paperwork when he noticed but Hange smiled over and he went back to his paperwork not thinking too much about it. Hange waited until Levi stopped looking and leant across the table.

"I know what you are doing Eren. You are after Levi, but I am telling you now that is not going to happen. He is too old for you for a start and I have loved him for years. I am not going to let you take him from me. Not after all this time." Hange said.

Eren looked back, "Don't you think if he felt the same about you, he would have done something about it by now?"

Hange scowled, "Don't get smart with me! He is not exactly good with feelings.

Eren looked back at Hange, trying to look more confident that he actually felt. People tended to underestimate Hange, thinking she was just a scientist but when she wanted to be, she was a force to be reckoned with. Hange stared back, assessing Eren and trying to decide what to do. She could not order him to stay away from Levi as, firstly he was not in her squad and secondly, Levi would know something was going on. In the end, she decided there was not much she could do except up her game and finally make a play for Levi. The straightened up and looked Eren square in the eye.

"Fine, have it your way but I am telling you now you will not win this."

With that she turned and stalked back over to the table and sat next to Levi, picking up some of the paperwork to help him get through it.

"What was that all about?" Levi asked.

"Nothing," Hange replied "Just a friendly chat."

Levi looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. She as acting weird even for her and that was worrying. Something was going on and he was going to find out what the hell it was before things got out of hand!