"What the hell is wrong with you two?!" Hange hissed through gritted teeth as she restlessly circled around Levi and Rosa— They had been busy doing their morning chores at the courtyard when Hange had pulled them aside. "Why haven't you told me?!" Hange groaned, clearly frustrated.
"About what?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Hange pointed at the silver band on Rosa's finger. "When were you planning on telling me?!"
"We don't want to attract too much attention." Levi stated dryly— He clearly wasn't happy about his peaceful morning being interrupted by Hange's tantrum. "So keep your voice down, will you?"
"Oh, come on..! You didn't think I'd find out? It's not like people haven't been gossiping about this!"
"Well, you see, Hange, it's just that-" Rosa tried to calm her down, but Hange wasn't hearing any of her excuses.
"You could've told me earlier." Hange grumbled, folding her arms over her chest. "I had to hear about it from other people… You could've told me, but you didn't, because you were too busy being smoochy with each other."
"Smoochy?! That's not-"
"Hange, please." The frown on Levi's face only deepened. "We don't want people to know, and that included you as well." To prevent the whole fake-engagement situation getting completely out of hand, one part of their plan was to pretend it was all very hush-hush, a sort of a public secret, so to say.
"I'm hurt." Hange pressed a hand onto her chest, feigning offense. "But… I should've realized something was going on between the two of you. It's been so obvious..! I mean… just look at you." She said, a somewhat smug grin spreading onto her face.
"Look at what?" Rosa gave her a confused look, unsure what she was referring to.
"You're in love. Obviously."
"W-what?!" Rosa stuttered, her gaze darting between Section Commander and Captain. Levi seemed completely unfazed by Hange's assumptions regarding their relationship, his expression as stoic as ever.
"You've been together for quite some time already, haven't you?" Hange chuckled happily, crossing her arms over her chest in a knowledgeable manner. "I don't think I've ever seen the Captain so cheerful and energetic— He's so full of joy, I've never seen him smiling so much..!"
"...Really?" Rosa couldn't help but to give a skeptic look at the expressionless man next to her.
"See? Just look at him. He's so happy that he can barely contain himself."
Levi's stoic expression turned a little darker, and the look he gave Hange could've killed a lesser person.
"Okay, maybe I exaggerated a bit. But seriously..!" Hange sighed. "You're both terrible liars, especially you, Rosa."
"What do you mean?"
"Come on, Rosa— You've been staring at him all this time. You've always had your eyes on him, but now it's even more intense."
"What?! No I have not-!" Rosa almost yelped, feeling the blood rise to her cheeks.
"...I'm right here, you know." Levi muttered under his breath.
"Oh well, then let me be the first to congratulate you two!" Hange exclaimed, a wide grin on her face.
"Thanks, Hange." Rosa replied, a forced smile forming onto her lips.
"And if the Captain dares to hurt you, let me know and I'll personally make sure that he will regret it." Hange whispered to Rosa as she gave her a tight, almost suffocating hug.
"What are you- What did you just say?" Levi frowned, the look on his face almost murderous.
"Hah, I'm only kidding." Hange chuckled. "But if there's anything you want to talk about, or you just want a shoulder to cry on, you can always count on me, okay? Because, sometimes, he can be so cold, and so heartless, and-"
"Alright, I've heard enough." Levi cut her off, his patience starting to wear thin. "Stop talking and get back to work."
"Aww, Levi, don't be such a meanie!"
"Go. Now." Levi almost snarled.
"Fine, fine." Hange sighed, before a mischievous smirk appeared onto her lips. "But, Rosa, remember: You can tell me anything, anytime." With that, she waved her hand and took her leave.
Levi watched as Hange disappeared out of sight, a deep frown on his face. "Thank god she's so bad at reading people." He muttered.
"Yeah. She's just so happy for us that she didn't question a thing." Rosa agreed, letting out a deep sigh of relief.
"But, we need to work on this whole 'being touchy-feely thing', just like you said last night."
"Yes, indeed." Rosa nodded. They had agreed on the importance of physical contact in order to sell the lie, and the way they had stood rigid like two fence posts in front of Section Commander told that the two of them had a lot of work ahead.
"But I think I've come up with a solution." Levi stated, his expression suddenly serious. "You are free tonight, correct?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Then, how about dinner and some drinks? I could use a good drink after putting up with Four-eyes' bullshit." He sighed— He had barely said a word during the conversation, but the encounter with Hange seemed to have completely drained him.
"Dinner and drinks..? Ooh, is this a date?" Rosa couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him, a teasing smile on her lips.
"Call it what you want. I just want to talk and get this whole thing figured out." Levi muttered and shook his head. "Not to mention, that if we want to keep this up, people need to see us together outside the base, as well."
"Sounds like a plan. Dinner and drinks it is, then."