Back Behind the Walls

The journey back went smoothly, all things considered. They did not see any more titans and the two they have captured dragged along behind like docile horses. Levi rode his horse next to the wagon where Hange was laying, still unconscious. Eren was on his horse between Armin and Mikasa, aware that the others were looking at him. No one could quite get their head around what had happened and there were a lot of whispers between people about whether Eren had lost control and deliberately hit Hange. Some of the scouts were still not sure that Eren could be trusted in his titan form and the fact that he had hurt Hange seemed to point in that direction. On the over side of the wagon, Moblit rode beside Hange. He was devoted to his Squadron Leader and in his mind, there was no doubt at all that Eren had hit Hange on purpose. He did not know why but he was determined to find out. For now, he made do with staring daggers at the back of Eren's head.

Mikasa looked around. She could feel the tension in the air and she was not surprised. She had seen what had happened from a different angle that a lot of the others and, after going over and over it in her mind, she was positive that Eren had hit Hange on purpose. It was almost as if once in his titan form, he had lost control over himself and the jealousy had taken over. To be fair, that was not really unexpected although Eren usually had control over this titan tendencies. Mikasa wondered if whatever Hange had said to Eren the night before when she had sent Mikasa and Armin to the stables had been the thing that pushed him over the edge. Not that there was any excuse for his behaviour. Hange was a Squad Leader and a colleague. No matter what they thought of each other, injuring her would not be tolerated. If she died then Eren would be in even worse trouble. Mikasa looked over at the wagon thinking 'Don't die Hange, for god's sake!'

A few hours later, the walls came into view and the tired and stunned group re-entered the barracks. Erwin was outside as they arrived and walked over and looked in the wagon at the unconscious Hange.

"What the hell happened?" he asked Levi, "Did she get too close to a titan again?"

"Kind of" Levi replied, "I need to talk to you ... inside."

Erwin looked at Levi and taking in the look on his face, realised that something serious had happened. He nodded at Levi and looking over at Moblit said,

"Make sure Hange gets to the infirmary and stay with her."

"Yes Sir," Moblit replied and with a glare at Eren helped some of the squad carry Hange inside.

Erwin led Levi to his office. He had noticed the look that Moblit had given Eren and the subdued way in which everyone was acting.

"What happened Levi?"

"Eren was the one who hurt Hange. We were working in two teams and Hange and I subdued our titan and went to help Eren and his group. They seemed to be struggling and so we headed over. I heard Mikasa shouting at Eren not to turn titan and that Hange and I were on our way but he bit his hand anyway. We were just about to help when Eren turned and hit Hange. She hit a tree pretty hard and has been unconscious ever since." Levi sighed, "I can't say for sure as I was behind, but it looked to me like Eren's titan deliberately targeted Hange."

Erwin frowned, his eyebrows meeting in the middle, "Did anything happen between the two of them before that?"

"Not that I know of," Levi answered, "Hange was in a strange mood the day before and she was a bit short with Eren the night before. Something about him not knowing his place and trying to push his way in with me. You know Hange, she is weird as hell. Who knows what goes on in her brain!"

Erwin stared at Levi. He really was oblivious! He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a knock on the door. He shouted "Come" and Mikasa and Eren walked into the room.

"Ahh just the two I wanted to talk to," Erwin said. "Tell me what happened."

"I don't know," Eren said, "Really I don't. We were having trouble with the titan and so I turned into my titan form and next thing I remember is seeing Hange against the tree. I didn't mean to hurt her. You have to believe me."

Erwin looked at Mikasa standing next to Eren and something in her eyes told him she was not entirely sure that this was correct.

"There will have to be an investigation. We cannot risk your team mates being hurt if you cannot control your titan form. For now, you are forbidden from changing. Am I clear?" Erwin said.

Eren nodded.

"You can go for now Eren. Mikasa you stay please, I have some questions. Levi would you please excuse us."

Levi looked surprised but shrugged and stood up, "Sure I need to go check on Four Eyes anyway. Eren you go back to your room and stay there until you are told otherwise."

"Yes sir," Eren said. He walked from the room looked dejected.

Once they were gone, Erwin looked at Mikasa. "Ok, so you tell me what really happened with Eren."

Mikasa looked at her feet, "I am sure it was an accident."

"No, you are not," Erwin replied, "Don't lie to me."

Mikasa sighed, "It is a bit awkward Sir."

"I assume it is to do with Levi?" Erwin said, eyebrow raised.

Mikasa looked up, "How do you know that?"

"I'm not blind Mikasa. I see what happens around here! Hange is in love with Levi, he has no idea of course because he is pretty clueless about emotions. When Levi said Hange was mad that Eren was hanging around Levi too much, I put two and two together and hopefully came out with four. Eren is gay right?"

Mikasa nodded, "Yeah and he is in love with Levi too."

Erwin sighed, "Does Hange know?"

"Yeah, she told him to back off the night before we went out on the hunt. He was pretty annoyed. But he would not kill her over it!"

"Maybe not in his human form, but we know titans have different reactions to anger," Erwin said.

Mikasa looked back at her feet, "What will happen to him?"

Erwin shook his head, "It will depend on Hange. Once, and if, she wakes up I will need to speak to her. However, I need to speak to Levi too. This cannot become a thing. I can't have personal feelings getting in the way of how we work."

Mikasa nodded "Can I tell Eren about this?"

Erwin shook his head, "No, for now he has to stay isolated. I need to talk to him first."

Mikasa nodded. "Ok but will you let me know when I can?"

Erwin nodded and Mikasa headed back to find Armin whilst Erwin headed over to the infirmary to check on Hange.

The Infirmary

Erwin walked to the infirmary lost in thought. This was not a good situation. Relationships did happen amongst the Scouts but they never really got serious as no-one knew when they were going to die. It was more a case of grabbing onto some happiness whilst they had the chance. He had never seen a case like this and of all the people who had to be caught in the middle of a love triangle, it had had to be Levi. Erwin had known about Hange and he had wondered for a long time whether something would eventually happen between them as they had known each other a long time and were two of the older members of the Scouts. Eren was a surprise. He was so much younger than Levi for a start but Erwin supposed that might be part of the attraction. He walked into the infirmary not really knowing what to do for the best.

Hange was laying on the bed, her head wrapped in bandages.

"Has she been awake yet?" Erwin asked Levi.

"Not really, she has drifted in and out but she has not really been awake properly. I'm worried Erwin, I have never seen her hurt this bad."

Erwin looked down at Hange. He hoped that she would wake up and be back to her normal self. No matter how strange people thought she was, she was a much-needed part of the team for her research and fighting skills. Also, Erwin thought we a smile, he would miss her craziness!

"We need to talk Levi; I know why this happened."

Levi looked up, "So you think it was not an accident?"

"I don't think Eren was totally in control of what happened. I think his emotions took over and he took out someone he saw as a competitor." Erwin said.

"A competitor?"

Erwin sighed, "Levi, we have known each other a long time but you can be really dense at times. Hange is in love with you and she has been for years! It is obvious to everyone but you! I have just spoken with Mikasa and she confirmed what I assumed, Eren has feelings for you too. Hange warned him off the night before you went out titan hunting and I think when he took titan form, Eren lost control and tried to take out Hange because of that. I am not sure it was a conscious decision though."

Levi stared at Erwin, not speaking for a while. "Tsk, you have lost your mind! That is ridiculous!"

Moblit who had been sitting quietly against the wall spoke up, "It is true. She is always trying to please you because she wants you to notice her. She told me once when she had too much wine that she loved you. I don't know about Eren though."

Levi looked down at the still form of Hange lying on the bed, his mind in turmoil. He had noticed how Eren was acting and had felt his own feelings spike at the attention. But Hange? Had he really been that blind? He stood up and looked at Erwin and Moblit.

"I need to think. I will be back later."

With that he headed out, ignoring the questions from people asking after Hange and headed out to the wall to find somewhere quiet to think about this mess!