Mirage
A/N: I actually had doubts about continuing the story because I reread it and then bam I just realized it wasn't that good. Still continuing for all the loyal readers out there. Hold on until the end and please bear with the moody writer.
Summary: Humanity's strongest soldier had secrets of his own. So when the woman he loved died, he turns on another for pure companionship and comfort. But a night of mistake has its consequences. Levihan.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: IMPULSE
There were a lot of crooning and chattering inside the Commander's office, much to the blond man's chagrin. Passing by the door outside, one would initially thought there were a lot of people inside but apparently, the noise just came from the bantering of none other than the new lovebirds, Mike and Nanaba.
Sitting in one of the couches on one side of the room, Hange desperately bit her lip to stifle the laughter that had been long wanting to burst from her chest. She watched in amusement as the two kept debating about what the gender of Levi and Hange's baby was, as she'd been waiting for a perfect timing to tell them that they're actually having twins and is quite positive that she's gonna have a set of boy and girl.
Or at least that's what her instinct tells her.
Levi had mentioned before that he didn't care about what the baby's gender was and that he'll accept the child whether it was a girl or a boy, but now that they've discovered that they're actually having twins, Hange kind of hoped that they'll have one for each gender. Besides, wouldn't it be nice to have little versions of Hange and Levi just running around the halls of the Headquarters, pranking everybody else? It would sure annoy the hell out of the entire Survey Corps, and what a fun and exciting thing that would be.
Hange smiled to herself at her thoughts, getting a bit excited about how things will work out once she gave birth to their kids. It's going to be extremely tough, but she has her husband beside her.
Until their marriage finally becomes dissolved, that is.
A sigh escaped her lips. She'd been trying to avoid those thoughts, not wanting to stress herself out. But she couldn't help it.
Hange shook her head. She tried to focus at the couple before her, who are still deep into their debate. Nanaba was desperately hoping the child will be a girl, and Mike pressed that a boy would be great so someone would inherit Levi's Titan-killing skills.
Nanaba gritted her teeth and stuck her tongue out, infuriating Mike more. "Well for the record, girls are good fighters too. I'm pretty sure being a girl wouldn't hinder the chance for the child to become the next bearer of the title 'humanity's strongest soldier'."
"If you say so, but my nose can tell it's a boy." Mike shrugged, a sign that he finally gave up. A smile crept on the brawny man's lips, one that Hange knew was reserved only for Nanaba. The man is inlove. And judging by the way Nanaba returned a sweet smile, she could tell that the feelings are very much mutual.
As she continued to look at Mike's now cheerful demeanour, Hange felt a splash of relief wash inside her. Mike is a comrade she had long considered as a friend due to their similar eccentricities, and knowing that he had finally given his heart to someone is something Hange is glad about.
"Quit the bantering, you two. I'm trying to work here," Erwin, who had been surprisingly quiet about the whole debate, suddenly sprang from his chair. The blond man stood in all his intimidating glory, like a chiselled statue – tall, lean, and has a cold look on his face. He threw a conspicuous look at the direction of Mike and Nanaba before turning to Hange. "Why don't you just ask the mother what the gender of the child is and get this over with?" The Commander smiled and once he did, all the coldness from his façade washed away.
Behind the thick frame of her glasses, Hange rolled her eyes, releasing a light chuckle before placing both her hands above her rounded belly. Seeing the movement, Erwin moved towards the couch Hange was slumping at and sat beside her. The man lifted both her feet and placed them above his lap, massaging them a little.
"Your feet are swollen. Does it hurt?" Erwin said, a hint of curiosity in his voice. These days, Erwin had been completely overprotective of her, but of course not as much as Levi did. Still, she appreciated the gestures that the Commander did for her, as she knew that he was also excited about their baby like everyone else is.
"Not much. But that will help," Hange uttered softly, indicating the massage that Erwin was giving to her feet. "So many changes in my body that I need to endure. I hope I return back to normal soon."
"I believe you're doing just great, Hange. And Levi is always there for you. Just two more months, right?" He smiled once again, a smile so rare that only a few of his close friends had seen – herself included.
Hange noticed, Erwin seemed to be a little… happy these days. She had recently heard that Marie and Nile are now divorced, the woman had been granted custody of their kids and will receive monthly alimony from the man caught from his affair. She was glad that all throughout the divorce process, Erwin had been by Marie's side. Hange kind of hoped there'd still be a chance the two might end up together.
Now that she thought about it though, it's just funny how her friends are getting the love they deserved when she couldn't have hers.
"So, how are things going with Marie?" she asked, changing the topic. If her separation with Levi will still push through then she should at least try to hold back her feelings even though she was so tired. Hange bit her lip, awaiting for his response. From her peripheral vision she could see that Mike and Nanaba were standing by the window, the brawny man had his arms wrapped around the shorter, blonde girl.
Great. The mockery in her life continues.
Erwin let out a sigh. "Well, we bought a house for her here in Wall Rose. She's moving with the kids next week. Things are getting fine," The blond man twitched his nose before continuing. "I've talked to Nile, and he seemed alright with the way things are going. They have forgiven each other and even though Nile was reluctant to get divorce, he couldn't let Marie suffer anymore. He let her go,"
"Like you did before," Hange stated, and Erwin looked up to meet her eyes. "I'm glad Marie got what she deserved, peace of heart."
"Yeah," the blond man simply uttered before turning to massage her swollen feet again, but Hange could see the bliss in his blue eyes. "What about you and Levi?"
Her eyes widened. The irony is that even though she wanted to keep those thoughts at bay, they have a way of getting back and bugging her entire mind. She shot a quick glance at the man and saw that Erwin was waiting for her reply. Hange needed to be careful with her words, as this man before her had been helping her husband to find a way to dissolve their marriage. But she couldn't possibly tell him that she knew about their plan.
Hange breathed hard before speaking. "Same old, civil and casual. Levi and I are really doing good, we've grown closer and have similar plans for our child," she paused. "Which reminds me, Erwin, I have something to tell you."
The man's forehead crossed. "What is it?"
"Dr. Cameron checked up on me last week, and he declared that Levi and I… We're having twins," Hange saw the shocked look in Erwin's face. "Sorry about not telling you sooner. You see, I've been waiting to catch the chance to tell you all, but with all the missions and trainings, I just completely shrugged my news for later."
A disbelieving expression settled on his face, and he blinked twice before replying. "What's… What's Levi's reaction to that?"
"Very much like yours. Surprised and I don't know, amazed? He looked constipated when I told him, and it took him minutes before he responded. But he immediately warmed up to the idea." She pursed her lips.
Mike and Nanaba, who had been previously cooped out into their little love nest, suddenly trotted towards Erwin and Hange once they heard the news. "Oh my God, really?" Nanaba beamed.
"You and Levi, parents of two at first try? I'd give the short man credit for that." Mike tapped Hange's shoulder as he stayed standing beside her and Erwin, who were both slumping on the couch.
Hange chuckled. She suddenly felt the little movement, and she tugged on her oversized shirt to expose her swollen belly. There had been a few stretch marks and other scars that were certainly not because of her pregnancy, but she didn't mind showing her healed wounds to them as her scars probably mirrored their own, lashed on by years and years of trainings and battles. "Here's my kids saying their first hello to their aunt and uncles."
Nanaba leaned forward and reached her hand out. "Can I?"
"Be my guest," Hange smiled as the blonde woman placed her hand above her belly.
A hint of baffled expression registered on Nanaba's face but a smile immediately lifted her cheeks once she felt the little movement. "They're so energetic in there. They certainly can't wait to get out, huh?"
"Two more months, and they will," Hange turned to Erwin, who was smiling as he watched the skin of her belly moving. "Erwin, is it okay with you if we asked you to be godfather of our children?"
The Commander reached his hand out and pressed it against her cheek. "I'd be honoured."
"Levi would be glad," The infuriated man and her undefined feelings for him had crossed her mind multiple times but now that she thought about it, her dear husband had been missing in action. Hange suddenly wondered what the man is currently up to. She hadn't seen him all day, and when she woke up there was a small note on his side of the bed.
'Gone out until dark. Don't look for me,' was all it said.
In the past two months, there had been certain times when Levi would suddenly leave like that. But these days his absence became quite frequent, and she wondered where he'd gone to as it was evident that he wasn't on training or special missions, either. He'd been gone three times this week.
"I wonder where Levi is, anyway. Erwin, have you seen him?" she asked out of the blue.
Out of the corner of her eye, Erwin suddenly stiffened. Hange's eyesight may be bad but she wasn't blind, she could tell that the Commander took a quick glance at Mike, who also stiffened on his ground.
"I sent him out to our branch at Ehrmich District to work on some things. Didn't he tell you?" He bit his lower lip. His blue eyes were straying into different directions and focused on hers once before tilting his head to avoid her gaze.
A very smooth explanation, as expected from the Machiavellian Commander of the Survey Corps. She may not know all the things that are on the Commander's mind as he is very unpredictable, but she'd known him for so long she could tell when his composed mask slips, which very rarely happens.
Hange turned at Mike, who was grinning sheepishly at her. She glanced at Nanaba and saw that the woman's expression somehow mirrored her own – confused and perplexed. She turned back to Erwin. "You have an agenda you're not telling me?"
"What are you talking about, Hange?" Mike snapped.
"Cut the crap, Erwin, Mike. You know very well I'm no idiot." Hange pressed on her words. She adjusted her misty glasses before crossing her arms before her chest. She had pulled her feet from Erwin's lap and stepped on the cool floor. "Mind telling me where my asshole husband is?"
An abundance of white, fluffy clouds were hovering above the now orange sky.
Hange gazed upon the glass window of the carriage, her fist resting under her chin as she marvelled at the afternoon horizon. Nanaba was sitting beside her, and on the opposite side sat Erwin and Mike, both looking grumpy. Erwin's fingers were interlaced together and Mike had his muscled biceps crossed before his chest.
They had been traveling for almost an hour and Hange still had no idea where they were heading.
Although, over the course of their trip, she noticed that Erwin and Mike were both throwing quick glances at one another. Mike kept poking Erwin with his elbow but the blond Commander just maintained a calm expression, completely unfazed of an impending event Hange had no idea about. Mike looked a bit nervous, though.
Hange once again glanced beyond the window and her eyes caught sight of the wide clearing, with a few trees scattered and some beautiful flowers dotted the lush, green grass. She wasn't familiar with the area but she saw a small unknown village from a distance.
The carriage's sudden halt jerked her from her thoughts.
Erwin let out a sigh. "He would certainly kill us." He declared before opening the door.
Nanaba hopped out first, followed by Erwin himself then Mike. Hange was the last one to go out, as she needed some support for her rounded belly. Mike laid out his hand to her and his other reached out to grab her arm.
"Thanks…" she muttered to Mike, who was looking quite tensed. Hange stepped into the grass, inhaling the natural scent of the surroundings as she continued to look down to her feet.
The smell of freshly cut wood hit her nostrils.
Slowly, she raised her head.
A small, bungalow house, complete with fences around it.
The door was closed, but the windows were opened and Hange noticed the white curtains hanging, swaying as the wind blew gently in their direction. There were a few plants growing on the yard, some flowering and others were merely sprouts.
It looked familiar, like the one she'd seen in her dreams, where she saw two giggling girls running around the yard with their father billowing behind them.
"W-Where are we?" She asked, but her voice came out as a whisper.
"This was meant to be a surprise. But due to you persistence and stubbornness, we had no choice. Levi would kill us." Mike snapped. He was standing beside her, also staring at the house before them. "So we'll leave before he even catches us and hope for the best." The brawny man hurriedly turned his back and stepped away, tugging Nanaba's wrist in his big hands.
"Hear, hear." Erwin followed them to the carriage.
"What the – Erwin! What the hell are you guys doing? You can't leave me here!" Hange yelped, a perplexed expression now settling on her face. "Where's Levi?"
"I think he's around here somewhere. Don't worry, I'll send a coachman to pick you two up tomorrow." The Commander peeked through the window and raised a hand in farewell, now comfortably sitting inside.
"What?!" Now Hange was furious. She didn't even know where she was, and now they're leaving her alone in this unfamiliar place. "Fuck. Wait, Erwin!"
The man gave her one last smile and the carriage took off, leaving Hange alone in the yard she had no idea who owned.
She breathed hard. She did remember Mike telling her that this was meant to be a surprise, and that Levi might be around here somewhere. But what the hell is this about? And why is here, if that's really the case?
And who was she fooling?
Hange wasn't an idiot. She instantly knew what this is all about the moment Mike slipped on his words, telling her that Levi will get mad because this was meant to be a surprise. But she dare not believe her instincts. Why would he do it anyway?
She found it hard to let it sink in her confused mind.
"Oi. Shitty Glasses."
The familiar cold voice.
Hange turned her back and saw her husband, his shirt gone and a few beads of sweat were rolling down his naked chest. The dark-haired man was holding an axe, hidden behind his back. He was panting heavily, his grey eyes smoky. The way he stared at her pierced her on her ground.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" He walked closer.
Hange blinked twice, not really knowing what to say. She bit her lip, her motors now sensing his approaching presence that seemed to radiate of dominance. She stared him in the eye. "Even I have no idea what I am doing here." She managed to croak out.
Levi clicked his tongue, the usual scowl now plastered on his face. He stopped a few tracks before her and took in her presence. From what Hange could tell, he didn't look surprised to see her here. "I heard their voices just a few moments ago. The idiots slipped, I presume. Tch. Fine. Come on in," He turned his back.
His reaction and his words didn't help clear out the confusion on her mind. She had been in knots about her feelings for him and everything Levi was doing just made everything a complete wreck, he wasn't helping. He's making it worse, the man is driving her crazier than ever. The passionate kisses he always initiates, the sweet words that came tumbling out of his lips, the actions that made Hange squeal inside and make her heart melt with every gesture.
It wasn't supposed to be this way. How can she try to avoid her feelings for him when all he does is to somehow make her fall inlove with him everyday, when she was pretty sure all he had in his mind is the divorce he continually seeks for?
This is too much. She couldn't take it.
"Levi!" she called out.
The man stopped on his tracks and looked over his shoulder, eyeing her with his smouldering grey eyes. "What?"
She bit her lip, not quite ready about blurting out these things yet but she figured, when will she ever be ready? "Why are you doing this? What is this for?" Her heart was beating wildly in her chest.
Levi's expression was blunt. "It's our house. I secretly made it for us, with the help of a few soldiers."
Her forehead crossed. "I understand that this is our house, but you didn't answer my question, Levi." She sighed. "Why are you doing this?" Her voice cracked, and how she wanted to burst at that exact given moment but she composed herself.
"For God's sake, Hange, we are married and expecting kids in a few months. What do you want me to do, let our children rot in the Headquarters as they grow up? I have told you before, we are a family. Even if our marriage was forced, we will make this work out." He pressed on his words, but his expression never changed. Still neutral.
Sometimes Hange wonders how he ever does that, acting like he didn't care at all so she can pretend that his damned words and actions never affected her in any way. She looked up, not wanting to meet his eyes any longer. "How can we make this work out, when you desperately wanted it to end even from the start?"
His lips parted, shock registering on his demeanour. "That's not true."
A humourless smile flashed on Hange's mouth. "Stop your patronizing, please do both of us a favour and for once, tell it to my face. You've been appealing to the court to have our marriage be dissolved, haven't you?"
No hesitation can be traced on his face when he uttered the words. "Yes, I have." His voice was tainted with ice-cold sharpness. "And the higher-ups granted it this morning."
Her world crumbled under her feet.
A/N: I'm in tears. I literally don't know where to pick up from this.