Several days later, it was last day of the photo shooting and their group work together before everyone would again have their separated jobs to attend Hanji still seemed to ignore Levi mostly much to his annoyance. He secretly hoped she would be back to normal from alone without him having to do anything and just give her time but it seems to not be the case.
Erwin walked up to Levi and sat down on a chair across from him.
"Still no luck?"
Levi shook his head.
"Hanji intends to continue her little hide and seek game. Well this is the last day of our work. Than she don't have to see me anymore and go on with her life if she thinks this is best.."
Already about to walk away and throw away his bottle of water into the trash can a hand gripped his shoulder. Turning his head around Levi looked up at Erwin's concerned yet serious expression.
"Go talk to her yourself than and make things right if she won't come to you. It is our last day as you said. You don't know when you will see her again or if she will even answer your calls should you call her later on. Don't be too late than I was."
The shorter man paused.
"I heard Marie dumped you and is dating now Nile. Sorry about that but there are always other woman out there which would happily fall for the handsome tall eyebrow."
"Yeah.." Erwin decided to test something then and after a short silence said. "Maybe I should ask Hanji out-"
A cracking sound was heard coming from Levi's right hand where he did hold his empty plastic bottle or rather what was left of it after he had destroyed her now with his tight grip.
"Joking. I'm only joking. I know this would not work out."
"What the hell are you getting at Erwin? She can date whoever she wants." Levi spat loosing his patience now.
"Because she only had ever eyes on you if you did not notice Levi." Sighing Erwin decided it was time to leave and let go of Levi. "I don't know what happened between you and Hanji but talk with her. She is not her usual self too even if she looks energetic and cheerful from afar.
"Tch." Annoyed Levi threw his bottle away. He didn't even notice as Petra approached him and called out to him at first.
"Levi-san is everything ok?"
"I'm fine. Is it already time to get back to work?"
Looking down and playing with her fingers Petra muttered a light blush on her face, unable to look him directly into the eyes.
"No... not yet. I wanted to ask you something later after work is this ok?"
Confused Levi nodded.
"Uh.. sure."
He wasn't quite sure why but Petra lit up and happily walked away back to her equipment preparing everything for after the break.
Already about to walk back to the dressing room to change clothes for the next shooting Levi stopped as he spotted Hanji alone walking somewhere.
Maybe he should... now it was his chance since she was alone. He should speak with her. It was since long overdo.
Following her upstairs to the roof of the building he stopped in his tracks as he spotted someone else standing there and waiting for Hanji as it seems. Levi cursed hiding behind the wall, peaking outside from the door. Moblit Berner what the hell was he doing here and wanting with Hanji on top of it.
They stood far away so Levi had a hard way to listen to what they were talking about. But it was more than enough what he saw as Moblit pulled out two tickets and asked her out to go out with her. Hanjis eyes widened at first and her cheeks seemed to turn into a rosy color. At first she was quiet and Levi already somehow hoped she would decline. He had even no idea why he hoped this suddenly deep inside him but all his hopes shattered as he saw her nodding and smiling at Moblit warmly and Mobit in return blushed as well and smiled from ear to ear.
Seeing this Levi decided to leave them alone, quietly walking away.
"We're finished! Thank you for the hard work everyone!"
With these words the end of the photo shooting got announced and everyone sighed in relieve. It was tiring but now finally everything was done.
Hanji plopped down on a chair and took her shoes off. As much as she liked these red boots wearing heels for hours was painful.
The company even gave her a pair as present because she said she found them very comfortable to wear despite the heels and pretty. Even before they would be out for the market and for customers to buy.
"Good work Hanji-san." Hanji looked up and smiled as Mikasa held out her hand and gave her a cold drink. It was summer and very hot already and working under the hellish spotlights and other equipment which was needed to make these photos was everything else than a pleasant experience.
"Thank you Mikasa. Come sit down there's still a seat open" Hanji patted next to her on the empty chair.
Mikasa gladly took offer and sat down.
"...this was our last day working together all 4 of us... won't you at least speak with Levi a little? If you clear things up than-"
But Mikasa got interrupted as Hanji held up her hand and shook her head.
"I think he said it very clear what he wants. I feel like if I approach him now I will just make a fool of myself... hoping for something that won't happen. I need the space to get a clear head. You understand?"
Mikasa bit her lip not satisfied with her answer but nodded. If Hanji needed time alone she understood this as well. But she still believed Levi actually wasn't true to himself at all as he created this mess and there was still hope for them!
"Besides I saw him disappearing with Petra right after we were done. And she asked him out for a date and he accepted." Hanji chuckled bitterly. "I lost so I better leave the sinking ship while I still can with some dignity and move on."
Unlocking the door to Levi and Mikasa's house the two still continued bickering with each other. The whole drive was anything than the usual comfortable silence.
"I can't believe this! Why did you accept to go on a date with Petra if you have no interest in her. I was thinking you don't want a relationship!" Throwing her shoes away into a corner Mikasa hurried into the kitchen and smacked her purse almost down onto the counter in rage.
"Oi! Don't create mess and let the furniture alone. They didn't do anything wrong or you pay for them." Levi cursed at her while he picked her shoes up from the floor to place them away where they belonged to.
"And for the last time it is NOT a date."
"Oh really? What is it than?" Mikasa rolled her eyes glaring at him.
Levi shrugged. "Just spending time with a friend. Besides Hanji goes out with Moblit too." He muttered the last sentence under his breath.
"Yes, because you told her she can date whoever she wants because you two are only friends. If you are bothered so much by it than think about the reason why this could be the case Levi and stop lying to yourself.
Mikasa glared at him. "Well have a nice date with Petra. I will be out with Eren and Armin today to celebrate Armin´s big job offer as photographer. If he will continue succeeding he might just make photos from me modeling for him in the future."
After she was done informing him and telling him what was on her mind Mikasa rushed upstairs to get changed. She just wanted to get out of here at the moment before she would jump onto Levi for his denseness.
Levi watched after her, flinching as she smacked her door shut loudly.
"It's not a date however."
If he would have known he would get so much into trouble for this decision he would have told Petra he is busy. In the first it was only a spontaneous act on a whim from him after he had seen the scene on the roof.
The evening came and Levi parked his car near a small white house with a blue roof a small garden. Walking up to the door he rang the doorbell. It didn't took long for it to open to reveal Petra wearing a very fancy dark blue cocktail dress with fitting dark blue heeled shoes. Fancy silver drop earrings and a fitting silver necklace.
Levi looked quite surprised not about her not looking bad. He had to admit it Petra looked pretty and cleaned up nicely but she said about wanting to go eating with him because she had reservations and the person she wanted to go had no time... not it would probably end up being a fancy ass restaurant like someplace to go someone would go to a date with.
"Good evening Levi... d-did I do overdo it?" She blushed averting her eyes from him while pulling a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You look good."
Levi only said the truth without any deeper meaning behind it. If Petra saw it this way only however was a different question regarding her reaction and blushing face.
"But Petra.. where are we going? You look very dressed up." He sighed.
"Uhm only to the Sina Viola restaurant.." she mumbled quietly knowing very well it was one of the best places in town. And she knew very well she lied to him. All she wanted to have a chance at Levi and now that Hanji was with Moblit as it seemed it was her best chance ever to have a date with her beloved Levi. She even used all her connections she had to get a table in this restaurant.
"This place is very expensive..." Levi paused. He did not want to call this a date but if he would go with her it would look like one... but on the other hand declining Petra now would be an asshole move. Looking down at himself he guess with his dark green pants, white shirt and black jacket with fitting black shoes he was acceptable enough dressed up to go.
"Let us go Petra. It would be a waste not to go. I guess I am acceptable enough dressed."
Petra's eyes widened. She did it. He will go on a date with her.
"No! You look good! H-handsome actually... like always."
"If you think so." Levi held the door open for her to let her in his car before they drove of to the restaurant.
This would be a long day Levi just knew it.
Just like Levi had anticipated the day was very long. Uneventful, calm, relaxing... but for the short raven haired man it was simple boring.
Something was missing.
Something to light up his day and make it special.
Something only one person always managed to do.
Petra on the other hand seemed to enjoy her 'date' a lot. After they had dinner they walked around for a bit and now where slowly making their way to Levi's car.
"This was a nice day.. I enjoyed myself a lot. Thank you Levi." The ginger haired smiled at him. Her eyes were starring at his hand he had close to hers. She especially moved closer to him even once bumping her hand against his in hope he would just take it and hold it. But so far he did not.
"That is good if you had a good time." Levj said. His mind was however not focused on Petra but on the past days in his life and his actions and the actions of Hanji.
Why could he not move on simply and give Petra a chance?
Why did he simply look at the ginger haired woman which clearly liked him a lot and felt nothing?
"Petra.. there is something I should tell you." Levi started and stopped walking.
He should tell her at least now that he did not feel the same way and make it quick.
"I wanted to ask you something too." Petra smiled shyly not knowing yet about what Levi was about to say. "If you want.. I know you life pretty far away from me and it is already pretty late. You can come in for a bit.. have a coffee at least pr even stay overnight."
Only after the last words had left her mouth Petra noticed the man of her affection was not looking at her and giving her any attention but was staring at something behind herself across the street on the other side of the path walk.
Levi stared with wide eyes over what he saw. At first he was thinking his eyes played tricks on him as a pair of red boots flashed past his eyes and he had to look back, another time to see dark brown hair in a ponytail, a pair of familiar glasses on a big but not unfitting to her face bird nose. And those un matching to any other woman he had ever seen long and slim legs.
It was without a doubt Hanji and next to her he saw none other than Moblit Berner. Their date must be still going too.
Hanji wore a red fitting to her boots blouse and black pants.
But what angered Levi rather was as Levi's eyes wandered down and he saw how Moblit held Hanji's hand. The guy looked very shyly but Hanji had a troubled expression on her face. Levi did not like it seeing her like this. If he were next to her he would tell her she looked constipated.
"Levi?" Petra's asked and turned around, following Levi's direction until she saw what he was seeing with pain.
"Tch." Levi looked around widely and to his luck spotted a taxi, calling it over. Than he turned back to Petra and grabbed her by her shoulders. "Petra... sorry but I have I cannot go with you. For once I am not a coffee drinker but I only drink tea. The person I should date and love should know this. I think you already understand what I am trying to say. The taxi will drive you home because I have somewhere else to be."
With those words he walked away the words of Erwin and Mikasa running still in his head along with Petra's heart broken face full of tears.
But he did not regret them. He deserved to be called an asshole he guessed but so be it. If this was his last chance to make things right he would do it now.
Such a face did not fit on his four eyed crazy woman. She needed to be happy and if Moblit did such a shit job he did not deserve her either.
While running to his car he spotted a still open flower shop and rushed in before the woman could lock the door.
"Sir, we are closed."
"It's an emergency... I'm not good at this sort of thing and have no clue of flowers but it is something you give to a woman you love, right? So just give me some nice flowers I will even pay doubled or triple as much." Levi said to the woman hopefully.
The woman looked at him, for a while saying nothing before she smiled at him.
"I make an exception for a handsome man as you. You want to go classic with red roses?"
Levi shrugged pulling out his wallet. "I think yes. I am rather old fashioned. How many do I need for a nice bouquet but not too flashy. Price is not the problem."
The woman nodded starting her work, deciding on 20 roses should be enough to make an elegant and simple bouquet.
"The lucky one must be pretty important to you sir if you decide to buy her flowers at this hour, even preventing me to keep my shop open for a few minutes longer.
Levi put a 100$ note on the counter not minding he paid way too much.
"She is and I was an idiot for only releasing it too late."
Taking the flowers from her Levi thanked her one last time.
"Good luck mister" the elder woman waved watching her last customer for the day leave. "I'm sure she will forgive a good man like you."
"I'm not a good person." Was his bitter reply before he stepped out and the door closed behind him. Now he only had to go to Hanji's apartment.
He didn't know if this was a bad omen or if luck was just not on his side but while he had parked his car and had to walk the last few meters to Hanji's apartment it started to rain. Raining was not enough to describe it, it was pouring down strongly. Just great.
It took him about 5 minutes running in the rain until Hanji's apartment came into view. Lucky to him she was already at home. He could spot she had her light turned on through one of her windows and he could shortly make out a shadow walking by the closed curtains.
Now he only had to hope this meant she was truly alone and Moblit had already left instead of staying over... unlike what he did last time. Alone the thoughts of him lip locking his lips against Hanji's, hugging her close, undressing her and touching her at unappropriated places made his blood boil and the worst part was it could be the case.
Standing now right in front of her door Levi hesitated, his fingers lingering above the doorbell button but he couldn't press it.
He could try his luck and she rejects him or she was not alone like he hoped she was, enjoying herself with Moblit while he made a big fool out of himself with his action now.
"...either I become a fool or I get a chance.. to look like a even bigger fool but hopefully with a positive ending." Taking one last big breath he pushed the button, listening to the ringing and waited. It took a moment before a familiar voice was heard through the speaker.
"Levi!? What are you doing here!?"
"Can I come on..." a pause. "And talk..?."
Instead of an answer he heard the sound of her unlocking the door so he could step in. At least she didn't let him stay in the rain Levi thought while making his way upstairs until he stood in front of her door where she was already waiting for him. Her arms were crossed over her chest looking surprised and confused at him.
"For how long did you walk in this weather? You are going to get a cold at this rate are you insane?" Hanji scolded him before she rushed back inside and came back a minute later with a white towel in her hand.
Looking like a wet dog, drenched clothes, dripping black hair with flowers in his hands. This was how Levi Ackerman stood in front of her, not moving an inch from his spot.
"What are you waiting for? Get inside or did you froze up on your spot?"
"...I can come in? You are.. alone..?" He hesitated.
Hanji blinked confused. "I am and why would I tell you to move your ass in if you could not?"
Accepting her invitation Levi walked inside, taking the towel from her hands while he handed her the flowers in return.
"Here." Was all he said before he started toweling himself off and took off his wet jacket.
"Should I place them in some water?" Hanji stared the bouquet in confusion. They smelled good. "A bad date?"
Levi's cheek turned a tiny bit pink.
"You can do whatever you want with them. They are for you."
"For me!?" Now it was her time to blush. Rather than looking at him she averted him and started looking for a vase for the flowers. "...why? Levi... I think it is time for you to tell me why you are here. You wanted to talk... I guess it is about 'that', right?"
"...why did you not let Moblit stay here? I saw you walking with him."
"Why?" Finally finding something she filled the vase with water and placed the red roses inside. "I think it is my decision and I can do whatever I want. These were your own words remember? And why were you here? Were you stalking me!?"
She got angry now great job Levi this came out fully wrong. He was just bad with these kind of things.
"It was coincidence. I was with Petra bringing her home and saw you with him across the street." Levi decided to be honest with her and told her exactly how it was.
"Than why are you not with her and are here? If you can ask me this over my date with Moblit I can just push the same question right back at you." Hanji shot back at him.
"Because I wanted to be with you and talk with you. And it pissed me off the whole time to see you with that guy while you did not even look that happy about it as he held your hand." The raven haired man glared at her. For the first time letting his true feelings out without thinking about it even.
The bespectacled woman turned quiet because her raven haired friend was spot on with his words. She was not feeling pleased with her date. Having Moblit with her as friend was pleasant but as he tried to flirt with her it got uncomfortable. The worst was as they stood at her doorstep and he had kissed her. Probably hoping to get inside just like she let Levi in. But during the kiss all that went through her head was the kiss with Levi she had at the exact same spot. Hanji wanted Levi and only Levi. So she did the only logical reaction, pushing Moblit away from her, apologizing and telling him a good night.
And now a bit later the man of her desire stood at her doorstep and now telling her this.
"Is this some kind of joke to get into my pants again because Levi I can tell you if you are than I am never speaking with you agai—"
Levi had moved to her in an blink of an eye and pulled her down to his level, kissing her on her sweet lips.
It didn't took long to until he asked for entrance and deepened the kiss until they were out of air and had to break apart.
"What the hell Levi!?"
"You think I am this kind of asshole to joke about this? I never wanted to get into a relationship even and yet here I am."
"Why are you here then?" She cornered him now. If Levi wanted to tell her what she was thinking he wanted to tell her now he had to tell her this directly.
He let go of her annoyed.
"You know I am bad with words you shitty woman."
"Language Levi or you know where the door is." Hanji said back at him. "So? Tell me why are you here then Levi."
He rolled his eyes. "I was an idiot okay? But we weren't dating at the time we had our special night. And I did not know you would be interested in me in this way even because I am nothing special. So I only stood truth to our current relationship over us being friends. And than you avoided me for days which annoyed me from day to day more."
A small smile moved up Hanjis lips listening to his words. "And you are telling me you were jealous if I understand this correctly?"
Placing her hands against his cheeks she pulled Levi back to look at her.
"And to your information little man. Don't think for even a second you are such a bad guy. Many woman want you, Petra included."
"They don't know me. And Petra is not my type" he muttered quietly. „And I was not jea- never mind I was extremely jealous."
His honesty made Hanji laugh. "And who is your type?" Hanji grinned.
"Stupid woman. You know I suck at words and you are tormenting me." He growled but in reality not feeling annoyed at all. It felt relaxing being able to talk to her after so long.
"I know I am. And I enjoy it." She chuckled teasingly before peeking the tip of his nose shortly.
"I don't like Petra and told her this too. To your information I called a taxi for her after I saw you thanks to your flashy red boots making you even taller. I left her and made my way to you. Got the flowers along the way before it started raining, ending up like a wet dog in front of your door step. Either I would make myself a big fool or not." Levi rambled on. This always happened if he did not know what to do or what words to use.
"Hmm... and?" Hanji combed through his hair now.
"Can you forgive me? And we can be more than friends if you still want to?"
Hanji nodded pressing her lips against his.
"I forgive you. But only if you take me out to a date too. We should do it right and not again end up in bed."
"Where to? But unfortunately we probably have to push it to the next day considering how late it is and I am wet as shit." Pulling her closer to him, hands sneaked up her back. How much he missed her company, her sweet voice and her smile which was finally again directed at him.
"Movie? On my couch?" Hanji suggested. "There you can take some of your wet clothes off too. I don't mind seeing your abs while enjoying a little movie, you know?"
Not gonna lie Levi loved the idea. Not the fancy kind of dates, not much people.. just them.
"What kind of movie? A romantic one?"
Hanji snorted laughing loudly as she pulled Levi with her to his living room already to get this date started.
"Of course not. I was thinking of a supernatural or horror movie."
Yes, for someone like him he needed someone as abnormal as him. He believed this now. Later he would need to thank Mikasa and Erwin for pushing him so many times and scold his Stupidity. But only later for now his attention was fully on the model brunette in front of him cursing at her as she took his shirt off telling him she would wash his clothes and put them up to dry.
"Off with your pants too mister. I decided on another nice rule for this date, ok?" She smiled devilish at him.
"And this is leaving me just with my underwear on your couch?" He raised his brow.
"Yes and because I will forgive you for your mistake I can do for this date whatever I want with you."
His breath hitched. Damn her now this date suddenly got very interesting. But he needed her to forgive him which meant he had to let her do whatever she wanted with him.
"Deal I will be your labor rat for this date perverted shitty glasses." Obeying her first order he took all his clothes off until he was only in his underwear sitting on her couch. "But I am a model just like you. You cannot harm my body. So I will ask right now.. will I need a safe word?"
Hanji knew he was joking mostly now and played along, giving him a mysterious sexy look. "Maybe~?"
At one thing Levi was sure today. Whatever would happen at this date he would not regret it in the slightest. And he was thankful for her to have such red boots which gave him the chance to spot her and end up where he was now with the woman which changed his mind and making him fall for her hard.