"Got some time to spare?"

Mikasa's hand paused midway from brushing the silky tresses of the sleepy horse. Turning around, she offered her superior a salute.

Hange waved her hand in the air in nonchalance. "No need for such formalities this early in the morning."

Mikasa furrowed her eyebrows slightly, Dr. Hange's gaze on her felt somewhat unnerving. "Is there something you need me to do, doctor?"

Hange allowed a small smile to graze her lips. "No. No. Nothing in particular."

Mikasa resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow as she waited for the doctor to clarify what it was she wanted from her.

"Just a chat." Hange stated in such a way that offered no rebuttal. She moved towards the toolbox to grab a brush and headed for one of the horses opposite Mikasa.

Mikasa stared as Hange began to brush the horse's mane lovingly. The doctor always did have a strange fascination towards all living things that weren't human. She sighed. Deciding questioning Hange further would be useless, Mikasa continued her earlier task, mirroring the doctor's movements.

"So…" Hange began. She gazed at Mikasa's turned back, eyes scrutinizing. "You think Levi's gay?" She smirked seeing a subtle change in Mikasa's form. The 104th squad prodigy paused momentarily before continuing her strokes once again.

"I believe I am not allowed to talk about such matters, lest I desire punishment." Mikasa replied without looking back.

With a raised eyebrow, Hange looked at Mikasa's form in amusement. It seemed she was a master at delivering underhanded remarks. Her voice sounded monotonous, maybe even nonchalant. But the sarcasm was wittingly interlaced in her tone. You couldn't be entirely sure if she was challenging authority or simply being a good-natured soldier.

"Ok then…" Hange paused, her lips formed a smirk. "Let's change the question." It seemed asking directly would do her no good. She would have to devise another way to make the young prodigy talk. She resisted the urge to laugh out loud. Mikasa was beginning to remind her of a certain stubborn midget.

"Why were you guys talking about Captain Levi that night?"

Mikasa continued to brush the horse, still not moving to glance at the intrigued doctor. "It was simply a result of boredom, it seems." That was all she allowed herself to say.

Hange hummed in response, sounding only mildly interested in the matter. "So who initiated the talk?"

Mikasa released a silent breath. She could tell the doctor wanted some sort of answer to something. What it was she wasn't sure. But Mikasa knew one thing – the doctor wouldn't leave until she got what she wanted. "Armin." She answered curtly.

"I see." Hange nodded at another one of Mikasa's short replies. "So how exactly did the topic end up being about Levi's… preferences?"

Mikasa sighed audibly, this time turning her back to gaze at the smiling doctor. "Dr. Hange, I believe I can no longer answer any more of your questions. If the captain-"

"He won't find out!" Hange waved another nonchalant hand in the air. "This is between you and me."

Mikasa stared at Hange's cheerful form, never missing the meaningful glance she sent her. Mikasa sighed. Hange was giving her no choice but to answer. "The squad began discussing about your relationship with the corporal."

Hange's eyebrows rose in interest and surprise. "Me and Levi?"

Mikasa nodded. "There was… inquiry towards the possibility of a romantic affair."

Hange burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as she crouched down beside the horse, one hand holding onto the animal's leg for support. That was definitely one of the most hilarious things she's ever heard! Add in Mikasa's apathetic tone as if what she had stated was a mission report, Hange was practically crying now.

Mikasa blinked as she stared at the doctor's laughing form on the ground. She was in a fetal position now, not caring that the dirt was clinging onto her uniform. Mikasa chose to be silent.

As Hange collected herself, she stood up slowly, still in between laughter. "Me and Levi an item!" Wiping the corner of her eyes with her palms, she grinned at the stoic face of Mikasa. "This will keep me laughing for years!"

Mikasa simply nodded in response, not sure of what else to say.

Hange released a long sigh of amusement before folding both her hands on the horse's back, chin resting on her forearms. "So then, how'd it go from that to Levi's sexuality?"

Hange raised an eyebrow as Mikasa looked away. She seemed indifferent but the slight stiffening of her posture said otherwise. Hange kept her expectant gaze on the young soldier. She watched as Mikasa released a sigh of resignation before looking back up at her.

"I… stated my belief in the matter as being false." Mikasa began, ignoring the suggestive way Hange was looking at her.

"Now why would you say that?" Hange's tone was saccharine, almost predatory. Mikasa kept her face stoic and her gaze locked on the doctor.

"It's just that the captain was believed to have never been with a woman." Mikasa added, her tone neutral. "I hypothesized there was a possibility that maybe he preferred men."

Hange laughed merrily at Mikasa's reply. "Aren't you well informed about his romantic affairs?"

Mikasa blinked, her eyes still on Hange. "It's the lack thereof that makes almost everyone in the squad knowledgeable."

"I see." Hange smiled at the smart reply. It made her seem less suspicious. Trust Mikasa Ackerman to be able to talk her way out of any situation. "So that's pretty much up until we walked in, am I right?"

Mikasa nodded.

"So what do you think?"

Mikasa furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "I beg your pardon, doctor?"

Hange simply shrugged. "About Levi's sexual preference?"

Hange couldn't help but chuckle at as Mikasa's eyebrows rose in surprise at the unexpected question. "Well?"

Blinking several times, Mikasa looked away for a second before turning her gaze onto Hange once more. "I have no answer, doctor."

"Aww…" Hange pouted in disappointment. "How come?"

Mikasa simply shrugged her shoulders in reply, choosing to stay silent.

"If you really want to know you can always just ask him."

Hange laughed out loud at the incredulous look Mikasa gave her in reply. "Alright. Fine." Smiling, Hange nodded her acceptance. "Nonetheless, thank you for indulging me. It's the little things really that makes life so much more enjoyable!" Hange paused as she placed the brush back in the toolbox. "After all, it's not every day that people in the military get the balls to talk about Levi's personal affairs."

Mikasa gave the doctor a salute as she bid her farewell. When Hange was a good few meters away, she released a breath she didn't know she was holding. Ever since the doctor walked in on her sneaking a peak at the corporal's file, she's never looked at her the same way.

(Flashback)

Mikasa sighed for the umpteenth time, stacking over one dusty brown folder over another. The mask on her face did nothing to save her from the stuffy scent of the tightly sealed storage room. She never thought she'd prefer shoveling horse shit over something else. At least tending to horses allowed her some fresh air and an open space.

Opening another one of the rusty file cabinets, Mikasa coughed as another wave of dust emerged. The drawer had a disgusting mixture of molds and soot. Mikasa couldn't decide what was worse – the smell of decay, or this.

Pulling up one folder after another, Mikasa clicked her tongue as a file felt out one of the folders. Groaning, she walked towards it grabbing it swiftly off the floor, only to pause when she realized who it belonged to.

Holding the file on both hands, Mikasa stared at it in surprise. The paper was yellowish in color and the writing was indecipherable. The black blotches of ink looked like haphazard stains on the old parchment. But what surprised her the most was the lone picture on the top right of the front page. There, staring right at her, was a picture of Rivaille as a teenager. His hair was longer and tied to a low ponytail. He had his signature scowl but his face looked innocent – seemingly untarnished by the cruelties of the world. Gone was his signature cravat. He was wearing a simple white button up shirt. Mikasa wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for his piercing eyes. They were as intimidating before as they were now.

Glancing at the rest of the file, Mikasa groaned. She couldn't make sense of the words enough to make a coherent thought. All she could really decipher was his name on the top left of the page. It was larger than the rest of the text.

Staring at the old picture, Mikasa moved her fingers over it in contemplation.

"You can take it if you want it so bad."

Mikasa snapped her head towards the sound, her heart beating erratically on her chest. "Dr. Hange!"

Hange chuckled at the frantic form before her. She didn't fail to notice how Mikasa desperately tried to hide the file from her view. "Relax Mikasa. You look like I just caught you trying to kill the king." Her tone was cheerful, but teasing as well.

Mikasa took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. "What brings you here?"

Hange grinned. "Just came to store a few files." She waved a few old stacks of paper in the air.

"Let me get them out of your hands then." Mikasa placed the file on a table as she walked towards Hange to take the stacks of paper. She didn't miss the way the doctor's grin never left her face.

"If there is nothing else…" Mikasa began, shifting her gaze from the files to Hange momentarily. "Then I'll be getting back to work."

Hange resisted the urge to squeal at Mikasa's attempts to change the topic. She had to hand it to the young girl though, she only lost her cool for a second. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to tease a new recruit, Hange pretended to head to the door, only to turn around and lean on it casually. "So…"

Mikasa kept busy by sorting and storing the files. "Anything else you need doctor?" She didn't spare Hange a glance.

"Why were you looking at Levi's file?"

Mikasa continued to work, seemingly unfazed by the question. "It fell out of one of the folders I was moving." She replied shortly.

Hange nodded. "I see." She moved to take the file from the table. She chuckled to herself. "I'm surprised you recognized him. He looks like a real arrogant delinquent here."

Mikasa gave no answer, only nodded in acknowledgement. Hearing a ripping sound, Mikasa turned her head back to Hange only to be face to face with a teenage Levi.

"Here." Hange held out the old picture before Mikasa. "Take it."

Mikasa stared at Hange indifferently. "Why would I?"

Hange chuckled. "I don't know. But you have to admit, it's kind of a perfect blackmail opportunity."

Mikasa failed to fight back a slight smirk in amusement. "Then I suppose it would be more practical for you to have it."

Hange shook her head. "Nah. I have quite a number of stuff on the little man. You take it." Grabbing Mikasa's hand, Hange placed the photo on her upturned palm. "You never know when you'll need good blackmail material!"

Before Mikasa could protest further, Hange was already out the door.

(End of flashback)

Hange was practically skipping around the safe house throughout the day. It earned her odd looks from the rest of the squad but she couldn't care less. At long last one of her hypotheses was proven! She couldn't wait to slap Levi in the face with it! She stopped skipping. Would she? Folding her arms on her chest, Hange was in deep thought. Biting her lower lip, she shook her head. No. She wouldn't. She smirked. At least, not yet.

(Flashback)

"So…" Hange flopped down on the wooden stool beside Levi. "How's the new squad?"

Levi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. How in the world did Hange find out where the hell he was? Glancing around the shady rundown bar, he guessed this was the last place anyone would look for him.

"Not talking?" Hange raised an eyebrow before sighing. "Fine. Bartender! Scotch on the rocks."

Levi sighed as he closed his eyes. This was the last thing he needed. "Go home Hange."

Hange snorted in amusement. "Is that concern I hear in your voice?" She mocked. All she got was a glare in reply.

"Fine!" Hange raised both hands up in defeat. "I was just kidding." She knew Levi wanted to be alone. But for some sick reason, she wanted him to tell her that himself so she could ask him if he was actually sulking.

"But seriously, how's the new squad?"

"A pain." Levi replied monotonously as he took another shot of vodka. He motioned for the bartender to refill his glass.

Hange nodded as she hummed in acknowledgement. "They're giving you a hard time?"

Levi stared at the table as if in deep thought. Hange simply gazed at him expectantly.

"They're all idiots. But there's one that's particularly pissing me off."

Hange failed to conceal the look of interest on her face. Turning on her seat to face Levi, she couldn't help but grin. "Oh someone's got your interest!"

Levi glared at Hange in annoyance.

"So tell me!" Hange insisted in a voice that was more enthusiastic than usual.

Levi remained silent, deciding to ignore the woman. Much to his annoyance, Hange grabbed his vodka and drank the shot straight up. "The hell?!"

"I'll keep on stealing all your drinks until you tell me!"

Levi scoffed. "Suit yourself. I'm not the one who's gonna be piss drunk after this." He motioned for another refill.

Hange chuckled to herself. Levi was avoiding a conversation, as usual. "It's Mikasa Ackerman isn't it?" Hange smirked as she watched Levi's hand pause in midair before going back down to his side slowly. He didn't reply.

"I knew it!" Hange hit her palm with her fist. "So what exactly happened?"

Levi snorted in disbelief. Who did Hange think he was? Talking wasn't his specialty, especially when it came to things that pissed him off.

"She's been watching you every chance she gets."

That got Levi's attention. Shifting his gaze, he raised an eyebrow at Hange in inquiry.

Hange smiled. "Don't tell me you never realized?"

Levi looked away as he down another glass. Of course he knew. He could sense her killing intent from a mile away. What surprised him was that Hange noticed.

"So you do know!" Hange concluded at the lack of a response. "I think it's really cute. Young love that is."

Levi let out a cough as he struggled to swallow his drink. Hange was an idiot.

"Ohoho! Is it mutual?" Hange was bouncing up and down her chair in excitement. "Sure there's the age difference but hey! The world has more pressing matters to attend to! No one will have time to go against-"

"You're a fucking idiot." Levi deadpanned as he glared at Hange. "You think those looks are of admiration?" He scoffed. "Get your bloody eyes checked."

Hange narrowed her eyes. "What else would those looks mean?"

Levi let out a long sigh. He wasn't in the mood to explain. He didn't even want to talk to the woman in the first place. Glancing at the ecstatic form of his longtime friend, Levi resisted the urge to bash her head against the counter as she began spouting nonsense about love and its ability to overcome anything. She was naïve if she really believed the shit she was saying.

Levi sighed again as he stared at the half empty glass of vodka. He didn't want to admit it but for some strange reason, Hange's presence made him feel somewhat at ease. It's been almost a month since he lost his squad. He hated to admit it but the only people he had left were the deranged psychotic and the ambitious self-righteous commander. He chuckled to himself. What a dysfunctional trio they were.

"I'm betting she likes you!"

Levi ignored Hange's stupidity, focusing his attention on his drink.

"Why don't you ask her?"

Levi looked at Hange tiredly. "You're really proving to me time and again how much of an imbecile you are."

Hange narrowed her eyes. "Well how else will you know how she really feels if you don't ask?"

Levi replied with a challenging look. "Why don't you ask Erwin how he really feels about you then? You'll never know until you ask." Levi immediately regretted his words when he saw Hange smile wistfully.

"Sorry." He muttered, cursing himself and the alcohol for his inhibition. "I didn't mean-"

Hange shook her head. "You're right. I should. But…" Hange paused as she chuckled bitterly to herself. "I already know the answer to that."

Levi stayed quiet, not trusting himself to say any further.

"He has someone else he loves." Hange was looking up now, reminiscing a distant memory. "More than himself. More than anything in this world."

Levi looked up to see Hange staring at him. Her eyes showed a strange form of acceptance. "He loves the human race more than anything. His dreams, his goals, his future, his happiness – his life. He placed everything on the line." Hange smiled at Levi once again. "He doesn't have time for anything else."

A strange silence followed suit. Neither of them wanted to speak any more than they already have.

Hange sighed cheerfully. "I'm getting tired! I guess I really should head home now."

Levi knew it was all an act. But he nodded nonetheless. "Take care."

"Oh is that you actually showing you care about me, for real?"

Levi simply shook his head in disbelief. Why Hange always wanted to point out those trivial things he didn't understand.

Just as Hange was about to get out of her chair, Levi sensed a hand on his shoulder.

"As a woman in love, I know how to tell if others are as well." She paused, her gaze on Levi never left. "It's all about… the way you look at someone. As if he's the only thing you can see. As if nothing else in the world matters."

Levi narrowed his eyes in confusion. Why was Hange telling him this?

Hange smiled. "I see that same look in Ackerman."

Levi raised an eyebrow in inquiry, still unable to comprehend what it was that Hange was saying. It must have been the alcohol. Her words sounded distant and slurred to his ears.

Chuckling, Hange patted his shoulder once more before bidding him goodbye. It looks like Levi would have to figure things out himself.

(End of flashback)

Hange sighed at the strange turn of events. Her initial excitement slowly weaned down. How her thoughts shifted back to Erwin she didn't know. But thinking about him always seemed to get her down. It was strange, how love was capable of flipping you around, making you lose reason. But at the same time, drowning in the feeling gave you a strange form of euphoria nothing else in the world could match.

"What the hell are you standing around for looking like an idiot?"

Hange turned around only to be met by Levi's inquiring gaze. He was standing a few paces from her with his hands folded on his chest. She felt her mood lighten in an instant. "Levi my friend!"

Levi almost took a step backward as Hange rushed to where he stood.

"Congratulations!"

Levi looked at Hange like she's grown another head. What the hell was the woman talking about this time?

"I never thought this day would come but just…" She paused, her voice filled with pride. Her best friend actually succeeded in making someone fall for him just by being his cold, rude and merciless self. "Congratulations!"

With that, Hange began to walk away, whistling a happy tune to herself. Levi could only shake his head as he watched the strange woman disappear into a corridor. It seems she was having another one of her psychotic breaks.

Mikasa shifted on her chair in discomfort. She couldn't believe it. Dr. Hange was suspicious of her. Very suspicious of her. She didn't know what exactly Dr. Hange knew, but she had a feeling the shrewd doctor knew more than she should have been allowed.

"Mikasa, are you gonna eat your bread?"

Placing an elbow on the table, Mikasa ran a hand through her hair in frustration. How could she have allowed things to get this far? She was careless. She didn't factor in the doctor's unearthly perception. Now what was she going to do?

"Mikasa? Hey! Can I have your bread?"

Mikasa sighed. Ever since that day at the storage room, Hange was simply relentless with her teasing. The only thing Mikasa was thankful for was that she kept it between the two of them.

"Mikasa!" A uniform chorus echoed through the room.

Blinking in surprise, Mikasa raised her head only to be met by several pairs of eyes.

"Jeez! We've been calling out to you forever!" Erin sighed as he slumped his shoulders.

"Are you alright?" Armin asked with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Your food?" Sasha pointed impatiently towards Mikasa's plate.

Mikasa simply pushed her entire plate towards the ecstatic brunette as she gazed at the rest of them with assurance. "I'm fine."

"Hey! Don't steal Mikasa's food!" Jean angrily tried to pull the plate out of Sasha's grasp.

"She offered it to me idiot!" Sasha kept her hold on the other side of the plate. "Give it!"

"Stop it guys, you look like idiots!" Connie reproached as he tried to get Jean to stop pulling on the food.

"Sasha I think Mikasa hasn't eaten yet." Historia placed a hand on Sasha's shoulders to try and get her to give up the plate as well.

Jean glowered at Sasha. "You've eaten more than enough for three people! Let Mikasa have her share!"

Sasha stuck out her tongue. "As if I would turn down free food moron!"

"Just let it go!"

"You let go!"

"Greedy pig!"

"Ugly horseface!"

Jean pulled the plate with both hands, successfully getting it out of Sasha's grasp; but the force caused him to topple over his chair. He fell backwards onto the wooden floor much to the laughter of the rest of the squad.

But just as soon as the laughter began, it died down as quickly. Standing right before them was the murderous form of Levi Rivaille.

Levi blinked as he stared at the strings of red pasta floating before his face, suspended from his head. Glancing down at his signature cravat, he watched as pieces of spaghetti fell down from his hair onto the floor. He narrowed his eyes. The once pristine white now adorned blotches of red. And was that a meatball he saw?

Glaring back at the squad of juvenile punks, Levi felt just about ready to commit mass murder. "Whose food is this?" His tone was silent, but menacing.

Before anyone could say a thing, Sasha blurted out the only answer she could think of in light of self-preservation.

"Mikasa's!"