#levihanweek | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

youre-ackermine · 6 months ago

Text

Happy Holidays from your Secret Santa @theysangastheyslew 🧑‍🎄

This is my gift to you for the Levihan Secret Santa Exchange hosted by @levihanweek ❄️

This fic is set a few weeks after Belated Birthday Hope you'll like it!

Characters: Levi Ackerman x Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith

Content: Modern AU / Established relationship (they're engaged your honor) / Tooth rotting Fluff / Non-binary AFAB Hange / Swearwords

Wordcount: 6.4k approx.

A/N: English is not my usual language / Huge shout-out to my proof reader Terra @dont-f-with-moogles Thank you for your help & constant support! ilysm ❤️

Hange stopped abruptly in front of a small shop filled with colorful treats and festive pastries. They squinted at the display window before turning to Levi with a grin.

“What now, Four-Eyes?” he asked with a scowl, trying to force back the irritation in his tone.

Hange clasped their hands together, eyes wide and imploring.

“Levi, please!” they whined, fluttering their eyelashes in that ridiculously cute way they both knew he couldn’t resist.

“They sell those amazing candied chestnuts, the best in town really, and I need them to snack on tonight, you know. Could you buy me some while I... well, while I handle something else down the street?”

Levi raised a suspicious eyebrow. “What kind of ‘something else’?”

They leaned in with a playful smile. Their voice dropped to what they thought was a whisper, their breath tickling his ear. “It’s a secret!”

“Fine,” Levi muttered with a sigh. “But be back soon or I’ll leave you here.”

Hange beamed at him, kissed his cheek and, before he could protest, slipped into the crowd.

⋆⁺₊❅.

His errand quickly taken care of, Levi decided to wait for Hange by a lamppost adorned with garlands next to the candy shop.

Scattered snowflakes drifted lazily in the cold air, delicately dusting his nose and eyelashes. With the sweet scent of roasted chestnuts wafting from a stall nearby or the distant echo of Christmas carols, the holiday cheer was slowly taking over him, more than he cared to admit.

He let his eyes wander over the busy street for a while.

A young boy bundled in a thick coat tugged at his grandfather’s sleeve, pointing excitedly at a toy shop, his big blue eyes full of dreams.

A few steps away, a couple was sitting close together on a bench, sharing a red scarf and laughing softly, their cheeks flushed from the cold or from something else, Levi couldn't tell.

He fished his phone out of the back pocket of his jeans as soon as it buzzed with a call from his best friend.

Erwin: Hey Levi! How’s your weekend so far? Are you busy?

Levi: Trapped in Hange’s holiday frenzy. Shitty snow everywhere. Fucking crowded. Your boy-scout’s ass would probably love it

Erwin: So, gift shopping it is?

Levi huffed, glancing down the street where Hange had disappeared.

Levi: Dragged me around town all afternoon, then sent me to buy some fucking treats

He snorted.

Levi: Got diabetes just looking at those by the way

Erwin: Come on Levi! Don’t pretend to be pissed, we both know you’re exactly where you want to be!

Levi rolled his eyes. He could hear the smirk in his friend’s tone but decided to ignore it.

Levi: They're plotting something. Probably buying more junk as we speak

Erwin chuckled.

Erwin: Be nice every once in a while, I promise it won’t kill you

Levi: If “nice” means standing around in the cold carrying a shitton of paper bags like a pack mule, I’d rather not be

Erwin: Never took you for a drama queen before

Levi clicked his tongue.

Levi: Drama queen huh? Well now, all I know is that I’m freezing my ass off waiting for them to finish whatever shit they’re up to

Erwin: Same old story for years. Let me guess -you didn’t want to go out, Hange insisted, and you gave in

Levi: Easier than arguing. You know how fucking stubborn they can be

His voice softened imperceptibly.

Levi: Besides, it’s just a few gifts. And candy.

Erwin: You’ll never admit it but you’re a softie, Levi

Levi: Just…shut the fuck up, dumbass

Erwin: All right, all right! See you tomorrow at the gym then?

Levi: Yeah, see you tomorrow

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Levi adjusted his scarf and scanned the crowd again.

His fingers clutched at the bag holding the sweetmeats, and the corners of his lips twitched upward when the thought of Hange’s happy grin crossed his mind.

He glanced down the street again, finally spotting Hange weaving through the crowd, a red bag in their hand.

“What took you so long?” he asked gruffly as they finally joined him.

Hange plucked the bag of candy from him with a wink but didn’t reply.

“Thanks, Levi. These are gonna be perfect for our Hallmark movie night.”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go before you get any more stupid ideas,” he muttered, falling into step beside them.

Hange looped their arm through his, chattering away about the movies they had already picked for later.

⋆⁺₊❅.

The cold bit at their cheeks as they strolled through the snowy streets, their breath fogging in the crisp air. Twinkling lights lined the rooftops and shop windows, reflecting off the icy sidewalks.

Hange clung to Levi, their boots crunching in the snow. They had forgotten their mittens back home -again- but they were bundled in their usual chaotic style -layers upon layers of mismatched clothes topped with an absurdly fluffy, reindeer-themed hat. Its floppy antlers bobbed with every enthusiastic step.

He gave their head a flat look and tugged at the ear flaps. “That crap on your head looks ridiculous.”

“You mean ridiculously warm!” Hange replied with enthusiasm. “You’re just jealous you don’t have one.”

“Over my dead body,” he deadpanned.

Hange laughed, a boisterous, cheerful sound that always stirred something warm in his chest.

His gloved hand tightened slightly around theirs, his fingers curling to shield them from the cold, his thumb brushing the ring on their finger.

“Do you think Moblit will like the sketchbook? The leather cover is so beautiful.”

“It’ll suit him,” Levi said. His tone was flat, but Hange caught the faint note of approval.

“I can’t wait to hang the ornament we picked! It’s so pretty!”

“Should stop swinging your shopping bags then for fuck’s sake, Four-Eyes. Y’gonna break it before it even makes it to the tree.”

“Ok, I'll stop, I promise, Shorty!”

They turned their face toward the glowing shop windows, cheeks and nose pink from the cold. They beamed as they took in the festive decor.

“Isn’t this the best time of year? Just look at all these lights, Levi!”

He grunted but his pace slowed to keep in step with them.

“Not bad,” he conceded.

⋆⁺₊❅.

They strolled at a leisurely pace, Hange darting from one shop window to the next, their excitement bubbling over in a string of delighted “ohs” and “ahs.” Every so often, they dragged Levi along, pointing out the displays -a miniature train circling a snowy village or dolls and plushies all dressed up for a tea party.

Levi followed, his usual grumbles shushed by their enthusiasm.

When Hange stopped in front of a window, he paused, letting them press their nose on the glass. Inside, a collection of elegant scarves and gloves were neatly arranged, one catching their attention.

“Do you think Nanaba would wear this?” Hange mused, their breath fogging up the glass. “She loves practical gifts, but this one is also stylish.”

Levi didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his gaze lingered on them -the way the soft lights danced across their face, the way the sparkle of excitement lit up their eyes. And for some reason, their ridiculous hat somehow made them look endearingly cute.

He felt something swell in his chest, a comforting warmth pushing aside the winter chill.

Hange turned abruptly, catching his gaze. They smiled, wide and unguarded. “What?”

“Nothing,” he muttered, his hand tightening slightly around theirs.

Their grin grew, but they didn’t press him further, their fingers squeezing his back.

Hange leaned in suddenly and pressed a quick, warm kiss to Levi’s cheek, the chill of the night momentarily pushed further aside.

Levi froze, his ears turning faintly pink beneath the streetlights.

“Tch. What’s that for?” he groaned, shooting them a sideway glance.

“For being adorable,” Hange teased.

“I’m not-” he started, but the words caught in his throat as Hange squeezed his hand and kissed him briefly on the lips this time, their laughter ringing softly in the frosty air.

He sighed, shaking his head, but his lips twitched ever so slightly. The warmth from their kiss lingered, spreading through his chest.

“Come on,” he said, his voice softening. “Gotta walk or we’ll freeze to death.”

Hange laughed again, their breath clouding between them, and let Levi tug them away from the window.

“I hope Erwin’s going to like the book,” Hange said. “He always had a soft spot for poetry.”

“He’d better,” Levi muttered. “You spent twenty minutes debating between that and the essay about war strategy.”

“It was a tough choice!” Hange defended, their voice rising in mock indignation. “You can’t rush picking a gift for a friend, Levi.”

“Pretty sure he’ll just squeeze it in his shelf,” Levi shot back, but there was no bite to his words.

Hange laughed, turning to face him as they walked backward, gesturing animatedly. “You’re so-”

Their words cut off abruptly as their foot caught a patch of hidden ice. They yelped, arms flailing, but before they could hit the ground, Levi moved instinctively, catching them in one swift motion.

“Hange-” Levi uttered in a breath as he steadied them against his chest, his arms wrapping protectively around their waist.

For a moment, Hange had frozen, their hand clutching at their coat near the middle of their body as they regained their balance. Their face had paled slightly, but they quickly managed a shaky laugh, brushing it off. “That was close.”

Levi’s brows furrowed with concern as he studied their face.

“I’m fine,” Hange said quickly, their voice a little too light as they straightened up. A faint, sheepish smile crossed their lips, but their usual energy seemed slightly subdued. “Guess I got distracted.”

Levi didn’t look convinced. His grip lingered for a bit longer, his concerned gaze flicking over them before he finally let go.

“Watch where you’re stepping next time, idiot,” he scolded, though his voice lacked its usual sharpness.

Hange gave a small nod, glancing away as if to gather themself. Levi’s focus shifted briefly, catching the warm glow spilling out from a nearby window.

“Look,” he said quietly, gesturing with a tilt of his head.

Hange turned, realizing they were standing directly in front of the café where their first date had taken place. Its golden light spilled out onto the snow-covered street, just as inviting as it had been back then.

“You think they still have those weird drinks on the menu?”

Hange’s eyes lit up. “You mean the one with cinnamon and hot peppers? I’m still convinced it was a prank to be honest.”

Hange laughed, their breath misting in the cold air. “Well, I’m freezing and I’m sure you too. Since we’re here, might as well go inside.”

⋆⁺₊❅.

The door jingled as they entered, welcomed by the cheerful chatter and the clink of cups. The warmth of the café enveloped them instantly. It was crowded, but not enough to stop Hange from spotting their old table near the window.

Without hesitation, they started weaving through the maze of chairs and patrons. “I call dibs on the table!”

“Wait, there are still cups on it-” Levi tried to protest.

But Hange was already sliding into the booth, grinning as they sat down. “It’s the same table, Levi. We have to sit here.”

Levi frowned, glancing at the mess of empty cups and stained napkins left by the previous customers. “Really? Looks like it’s been hit by a tornado.”

“Don’t be such a grump.” Hange grinned, shoving their paper bags under the table. “Come on, it’s the perfect spot. It’s nostalgic!”

Levi sighed, but despite his grumbling, he sat down on the chair across from them.

“Nostalgic my ass.”

Levi got rid of his coat and scarf, folding them in a neat pile beside Hange.

His eye twitched as he looked at the scattered cups, their contents long gone but the mess still there. He let out a heavy sigh and immediately started to gather the dirty cups, sliding them to the side.

“Levi, seriously? It’s not like anyone cares,” Hange said, watching him with an amused grin as he stacked the cups into a pile.

“Well, I care,” he muttered, flicking a napkin out of the way. He wrinkled his nose. “It’s disgusting.”

Hange leaned back in their seat, watching the subtle twitch of Levi’s fingers as he rearranged everything to his liking. “You’re the only person I know who would willingly clean up after strangers in a café.”

“I’m not cleaning,” he grumbled. “Just... organizing.”

Before he could finish, the waitress arrived, smiling brightly as she swept the mess away effortlessly. “I’ll get these for you,” she said, flashing them a warm look.

Levi barely glanced up, his face already in its signature scowl. “Fucking finally,” he groaned under his breath.

The waitress wiped the table down, handing them menus with a cheerful “Here you go!” before turning to leave.

Hange chuckled. “You’re such a clean freak, you know.”

“Obviously not, since I live with a slob,” Levi muttered. “Just didn’t want to sit at a garbage dump.”

Hange tugged off their ridiculous hat, letting out a satisfied sigh. But when they ran a hand through their hair, Levi couldn't help but snort.

“Now your hair looks even worse than your hat,” he muttered, leaning back in his seat.

Hange chuckled. “Hey, no need to be so mean.”

Levi just clicked his tongue in response, casting an unimpressed glance at the wild mass of hair.

Hange raised an eyebrow. “What, you don’t think it’s cute?”

Levi didn’t answer, but he stood abruptly, pushing his chair back with a scrape. Unexpectedly, he leaned over the table, reaching for their hair. With soft, careful gestures, he began to smooth out the tangles, his fingers gently carding through the tousled locks.

Hange blinked in surprise at the unusual display, but as Levi’s focused expression softened, a real smile spread across their face -genuine and bright, something that lit up their eyes.

Levi’s nose and cheeks were flushed, his ears red from the cold -though Hange couldn’t help but hope the icy weather was not the only cause. They felt a wave of affection surge through them, their heart beating a little faster as they watched him.

“You’re cute, you know that?” Hange said softly, barely a whisper, as they let their smile widen.

Levi, completely unaware of the adoration in their gaze, mumbled something that sounded like a protest but didn’t pull away.

Just as he tucked a strand of hair behind Hange’s ear, the waitress came back to their table with a bright smile.

“Well, aren’t you two the cutest lovebirds,” she said, teasing, as she set a small notepad down the table.

Hange giggled at the nickname.

“Lovebirds? How sweet!” they cooed, their face lighting up.

Levi, on the other hand, was clearly annoyed.

“Lovebirds? What the hell?” He grumbled under his breath. “What are we, spotty teens?”

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mea-,” the waitress started.

Hange kicked Levi’s ankle under the table and smiled brightly at the waitress. “Don’t mind Mr. Grumpy Pants,” they said with a chuckle. “He's a decent little dude once you get to know him.”

Levi let out an exaggerated sigh, but Hange could see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

The waitress scribbled down their orders. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

As she turned and walked away, Hange and Levi locked eyes, reaching out over the table to intertwine their fingers.

It seemed it had been ages since their first date. Yet, in this very moment, in this very place, everything just felt the same as it had that day.

The golden warmth of the fall afternoon sun bathed the café in a welcoming atmosphere. Outside, the air was crisp, with a faint chill that only seemed to make the cozy place more enjoyable.

Levi had been sitting at a small table by the window for a while now, his expression unreadable, but his gaze soft as he stared outside.

Along the street, beeches and pin oaks were shedding their leaves, fiery reds, oranges, and yellows drifting down in the cold wind to the sidewalk below. A few passers-by, wrapped in their jackets, occasionally paused to admire the beautiful display of fall colors. Levi’s eyes briefly lingered on them in the same detached way he observed everything around him.

Only a few customers were scattered throughout the quiet café. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafted to him from time to time.

Levi looked effortlessly handsome, in his simple but elegant outfit, his well-cut jacket fitting him just right.

He glanced at his watch for the third time since he arrived and sighed.

He leaned back in his seat and grabbed the menu, his gaze momentarily shifting to the words printed on it. He wasn’t hungry, not really, but the menu offered a distraction while he waited.

As he scanned the list, he remained blissfully unaware of the admiring glances exchanged between the waitress and the cashier girl, both of them casting furtive looks at him from behind the counter.

The café’s door swung open in a burst. Levi jolted in his seat, startled by the sudden ringing of the bell, and his eyes immediately shot up from the menu.

Hange.

A gust of cold air followed them as they stepped in with sparkling energy. A whirlwind.

Their messy hair fluffed by the wind and a wide smile on their lively face, they bounced into the café and scanned the room with excitement.

The waitress and cashier exchanged a quick, amused glance before giggling softly, their eyes trailing over Hange’s disheveled state.

Levi, however, frowned as he watched them, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Hange’s hair sticking out in every direction.

As Hange spotted Levi at the table and waved at him, their smile widening, the girls’ mouths dropped open in surprise.

Their eyes flicked between the two of them, slowly realizing that this was the person Levi had been waiting for. It hit them both at once, their expressions shifting from curiosity to astonishment as they witnessed the connection between Levi, who seemed so quiet and composed, and the exuberant person now making their way toward him.

Hange almost tripped over their own feet as they made their way to Levi’s table, narrowly catching themself before they stumbled. They plopped down dramatically into the seat across from him, speaking loudly as though the entire café needed to hear.

"Sorry I’m late! The wind’s insane today," Hange said in an animated tone.

Levi didn’t reply immediately, but a hint of disapproval flickered in his eyes as he took in their unkempt state, spotting leaves stuck in their wild hair, a tangled mess of autumn colors.

Completely oblivious to their own disarray -and to Levi’s softening gaze- Hange reached into their pocket, pulling out a heart-shaped golden leaf and holding it out to Levi with a grin.

“For you!”

Levi took the leaf, his expression neutral.

“You’re a mess,” he muttered, “and you’re late.”

"So sorry to be late but those leaves are so pretty! I had to find the perfect one for you! You see, the heart shape? This is basically nature’s way of blessing our date.”

Levi looked down at the leaf in his hand, then back up at Hange, his lips twitching ever so slightly as if he held back a smile.

The waitress joined them as he thanked Hange for their unusual gift.

Hange leaned forward to make their order. “I’ll have the pumpkin chai latte, with extra sugar and extra whipped cream, and, oh! Do you have any sprinkles?”

They looked at the waitress with wide, sparkling eyes.

Levi didn’t even blink as he ordered, “Black tea. No sugar.”

Hange raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? You're just gonna drink... sadness in a cup?”

Levi glanced at them, trying his best to suppress the slight irritation creeping into his voice. “Says the one ordering dessert instead of coffee.”

“Oh, come on! It's fall! It’s a vibe!" Hange insisted, grinning. "What’s better in life than whipped cream and sprinkles?”

Levi scoffed, shaking his head. “Not getting diabetes every time you drink coffee?”

“Just let me enjoy my dose of comfort while you sip your bland, depressing beverage,” Hange teased.

Their drinks arrived shortly and Hange started to tell one of their passionate stories, waving their arms dramatically. “Okay, so the other day I was reading this book about quantum physics and-”

Levi listened quietly, drinking in their animated features as he took a careful sip of his hot tea.

“-it’s fascinating!” Hange continued, oblivious to his lingering gaze. “So, what if we could shift our density to one similar to gas and phase through walls?”

Levi rolled his eyes. ”Who the hell would care about something that useless?”

Hange grinned widely. “Well, I find it fascinating. And fun! What about you, huh? What’s your idea of fun?”

“I don’t know… Cleaning, maybe…”

Hange chuckled, but before they could reply, Levi reached across the table, his fingers brushing through their tousled hair. “Got a leaf in your hair,” he whispered.

He gently pulled the golden leaf from the mess of hair, his touch surprisingly delicate, as though he had done this a hundred times before.

Hange froze, blinking up at him, caught off guard by the sudden attention. Their heartbeat quickened. He had never been so close to them, and this all felt somewhat… intimate.

Totally unaware of the effect his small gesture had, Levi sat back to sip his tea.

A blush crept up their neck, but before overthinking Levi’s gesture, they cleared their throat and went back to their story, gesturing wildly as if nothing had happened.

“So, yeah, imagine if we could just phase through walls! The possibilities would be endless!”

Eager to return to their usual chatter, Hange went on blabbering about physics with animated gestures until their hand, in the middle of their rambling, swept across the table, knocking their pumpkin chai latte off.

The drink toppled over, splashing onto the table and spilling across Hange’s sleeve.

“Oh, crap!” Hange grabbed a napkin and immediately started scrambling to clean up the mess, though all they were really doing was spreading the stain.

Levi sighed, pushing his tea aside, then reached into his pocket for his neatly folded handkerchief. Without a word, he slid it across the table toward them.

Hange looked at the handkerchief before meeting Levi’s eyes with a sheepish grin.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Levi, I swear I’m not usually this clumsy-"

Clearly not convinced, Levi raised an eyebrow.

“And I don't want to ruin your handkerchief.”

“Don’t bother. You’ll probably spill something else on it anyway,” he deadpanned.

Hange chuckled nervously. "Fair enough… I’ll wash it and return it, of course."

Levi leaned back in his chair as Hange wiped their sleeve, and his gaze briefly drifted out of the window, his fingers tracing lightly the rim of his cup. He thought of Erwin, who had been so sure he would get along with Hange.

"Seriously, Levi," Erwin had said a week ago, when Levi hesitated, "I can tell you two are going to hit it off. Just say yes to the invite. You’ll be glad you did."

Levi had been annoyed by the unsolicited advice at the time, but now, as he looked at Hange across from him, he told himself that maybe… Well, maybe Erwin had been right.

His hand brushed against Hange’s briefly as they both reached for the napkins at the same time. A small spark of warmth radiated from the touch.

He glanced over at Hange, still too caught up in cleaning the last traces of whipped cream from their earlier mishap. Levi would probably never admit it aloud, but Erwin was right. He was glad he had said yes.

The conversation resumed, Hange trying to act like they weren't mortified over the spill.

When the waitress returned to clean the table, she winked at the cashier girl who stood by the counter, both of them exchanging a knowing look before focusing on their task.

They had noticed the soft way Levi and Hange’s eyes lingered on each other, the small, unspoken moments that they weren’t quite aware of -the way Levi’s hand brushed Hange’s, how Hange’s smile widened when their eyes met.

It was obvious that something was shifting between the two.

The waitress quickly cleared the last of the napkins and mugs, trying to remain professional, but a small, amused smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

When she reached the counter, the cashier girl leaned over, still watching the couple from afar. “Something’s going on, huh?” she murmured.

The waitress shook her head with a chuckle. “They don’t even know it yet.”

Hange pushed their chair back abruptly, their usual whirlwind energy somewhat coming back. “Let’s go for a walk,” they proposed, tugging at their coat. “I know a park nearby.”

“Ok,” he muttered, rising to go and pay the check.

Levi soon reached the counter and handed over the cash, his eyes drifting toward Hange as the cashier counted out his change. They were near the door, fumbling with their scarf as it caught awkwardly in their coat. However, their smile, bright and unbothered, lit up their face.

He turned away, walking a few paces to the side to slip his wallet back into his pocket.

His fingers brushed the soft edges of the leaf Hange had given him earlier. The absurdity of it -a heart-shaped leaf, of all things, really?- should have annoyed him. But instead, he felt an unfamiliar warmth bloom in his chest.

“They’re cute together,” the cashier whispered as he put on his gloves.

“Definitely mismatched,” the waitress murmured, lowering her voice. “But, somehow, it works. He’s all gruff and serious and handsome; and they’re... well...”

Levi caught enough of their comments to make his brow twitch.

The waitress smirked. “Maybe he has a thing for chaos.”

“The way he’s watching them?” the cashier continued,”Bet he doesn’t even realize he’s totally smitten.”

The word made Levi’s jaw tighten. He wrapped his scarf around his neck and turned abruptly toward the door.

He muttered something under his breath as he walked across the café, his ears burning faintly.

Hange had finally managed to get their coat on and grinned up at him, oblivious to the way he was still recovering from the girls’ words.

“All set?” they asked cheerfully, entirely unaware of his internal turmoil.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Levi pushed the door open for them, the sound of the two girls’ muffled giggles following them as they stepped outside.

⋆⁺₊❅.

The brisk air was refreshing. As soon as they entered the quiet park, Hange veered off the path, scanning the ground. They crouched to pick up a golden leaf, then another, holding them up to study their shape and texture.

Levi watched them from a step behind, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. The cold wind didn’t bother him when a faint warmth crept up his neck as he observed their overwhelming, almost childish enthusiasm. It was chaotic, messy, yet oddly endearing.

They reached a small pond and Hange stopped, gazing at their reflection in the water with an unusual frown.

“I’m terrible at this,” they said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Dating, I mean. I’m... too much. People don’t usually stick around.”

Levi stopped beside them, glancing at their solemn expression before speaking in a gentle tone. “Maybe you just haven’t met someone who can handle it.”

Hange’s head turned toward him.

They locked eyes and silence hung in the air between them for a while.

Then, a mischievous smile curled on their lips. “Handle it, huh? Are you volunteering for the job?”

Their eyelashes fluttered playfully.

Levi rolled his eyes, but his faint smirk betrayed him. “Tch. Don’t read too much into it.”

They continued walking along the park path, the autumn leaves crunching softly under their feet. Hange slowed every so often to examine a particular leaf or to show him the different species of trees, rambling enthusiastically about them.

Levi followed silently, his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze never leaving Hange.

They passed a vendor selling small trinkets and plush toys. Among them, a chubby titan plush caught Hange’s eye, and they froze.

“Levi!” they gasped, pointing at it with childlike excitement. “Look at this cutie! I need it.”

“A plushie, really? What are you, five?” Levi deadpanned

He glanced at the stuffed toy. Of course, it was ridiculously huge. However, he thought, he hadn’t brought flowers to his date after all. So, he couldn’t do otherwise than oblige now, could he?

When he handed the plush to a beaming Hange, they hugged it like it was the most precious treasure in the world.

“This will go perfectly with my collection!” Hange exclaimed.

Levi raised an eyebrow. “Collection of what? Ugly monsters?”

“Hey! It’s cute,” they protested, holding the plush protectively. “And you got it for me, which makes it extra special.”

Levi scoffed but glanced away, embarrassed by the warmth creeping up his cheeks.

He cleared his throat before speaking again. “We should go, it’s getting dark out here.”

They crossed the park at a leisurely pace.

“You know, when I told Eyebrows I was asking you out, he gave me this weird smirk, like he’d predicted it or something,” Hange blurted out after a while.

Levi side-eyed them, hands fidgeting in his pockets. “Sounds like him.”

“Actually, he told me, ‘Levi would enjoy your company more than he lets on.’ I think he oversold it.”

Levi chuckled.

“Did he bribe you to say yes?” Hange asked.

“All he said was that you were tolerable,” Levi replied with a smirk, his tone deadpan. “He left out the part where you’d try to drown the table in chai latte.”

“So he did scheme!” Hange exclaimed. “I knew it! Not that I’m complaining though…”

Levi glanced sideways at them again, noticing the faint flush on their cheeks.

They had reached the edge of the park when Hange stopped suddenly at the corner where they had to part ways.

“Thanks for walking me,” Hange said. “I’m this way.”

They gestured toward their street, their hand lingering mid-air as if unsure whether to wave or stay still.

Levi shifted his weight, smoothing down the golden leaf still tucked in his pocket.

“You’d probably have tripped and stumbled in the mud otherwise.”

Hange laughed, their voice warm. “Sounds like something I could do, yeah.”

The street felt quiet for a moment. Hange looked at Levi, their usual confidence shifting into something hesitant, almost shy.

“Well…” They tilted their head, a small, nervous smile forming.

Before Levi could think it through, his hand moved, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair away from their forehead. The gesture was brief but tender, catching Hange off guard. Their eyes widened slightly, their cheeks warming as they stood frozen for a second.

Levi pulled his hand back, his expression unreadable except for the faintest hint of something soft in his gaze. “Your hair’s a fucking mess, Four-Eyes.”

The tension just vanished and they both laughed softly.

As Levi was about to turn to leave, Hange surprised him, leaning in and brushing the lightest, most hesitant kiss against his cheek.

“Thanks for today,” they said quietly, stepping back before Levi could reply.

Levi stared at them, momentarily at a loss for words.

His face burned, whether from the cold or something else entirely, he couldn’t say.

“Just don’t be late next time,” he replied, walking away before Hange could see the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Hange watched him go before turning and heading home, their smile never fading.

Levi and Hange were lost in their own small world at the corner table, the humming of conversations and the occasional clink of porcelain blurred in the background. Steam curled up from their drinks, warming their cold hands and flushing their cheeks.

Hange took a generous sip of their overly sweet concoction and sighed contentedly.

“This really takes me back,” they said, their voice tinged with nostalgia. “It feels like nothing’s changed here.”

Levi hummed quietly in agreement, his black tea cooling in front of him. His eyes drifted to Hange’s hand resting on the table, fingers drumming absently against the wood. Without thinking, his own hand shifted closer, brushing against theirs in a fleeting touch.

Hange glanced up, surprised by the uncharacteristic gesture, but Levi kept his gaze fixed on his cup. “I still have it, you know,” he confessed, his voice low, almost reluctant.

“Have what?” Hange tilted their head, their curiosity piqued.

“The leaf,” Levi said simply, his thumb lightly grazing over Hange’s knuckles now. “The one you gave me that day. Pressed it in a book.” He paused, feeling the heat rise to his face. “Still there.”

Hange blinked, their expression softening into something unmistakably tender. “You’re kidding.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Levi grumbled, finally meeting their gaze.

Hange’s face broke into a radiant smile, one that made Levi’s chest tighten in that familiar, inexplicable way. “Levi Ackerman, you always surprise me,” they teased.

“Tch. Don’t get used to it,” he deadpanned. However, he didn’t pull his hand away, his thumb slightly brushing their ring instead.

Hange hesitated, their fingers curling around the edge of their mug as they shifted slightly in their seat. Their eyes flickered between Levi’s face and the steam rising from their drink before finally settling on the view outside the window..

“That first date. I still think about it often.”

Levi watched them quietly, his brow furrowing slightly at their uncharacteristic hesitation. “You do?” he asked softly, as though he wasn’t sure if he should press.

Hange nodded, their gaze dropping for a moment before they bit their lip, a faint smile playing at the corners of their mouth.

“Yeah. Especially…” Their voice trailed off as they glanced again toward the window to watch the soft snow falling outside. “The plushie you got me.”

Levi’s lips tugged upward as he thought about the ugly stuffed toy sitting in Hange’s office. “Don’t know why you’ve kept that thing all this time.”

“It’s sentimental,” they add in a whisper. “You got it for me and I love it.”

They fell silent, the weight of their words hanging in the air for a while.

Levi gently squeezed their hand and their eyes met.

Then suddenly, as though deciding something, Hange leaned down, fumbling among the paper bags resting by their feet. They picked up the red one, their fingers tightening on the handles as they placed it on the table in front of Levi.

He blinked at the bag, then at Hange, who was now watching him with a nervous expression.

“What’s this?” he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“I was going to wait until Christmas,” Hange began quickly, their words tumbling over one another. “But this… this just feels like the right moment.”

Levi raised a skeptical eyebrow but pulled the bag toward him, carefully lifting out the contents. His movements stilled when he realized what it was: a soft, absurdly detailed titan onesie.

For a moment, Levi said nothing, simply staring at the tiny outfit in his hands. His thumb brushed over the fabric, lingering on the little details -the ridiculous hood, the tiny mittens. Then his eyes flicked up to meet Hange’s.

Their heart pounded as they studied his face for any reaction, their own nerves fraying with each passing second. “It’s, uh, a little… symbolic,” they started, biting their lip again.

His lips parted slightly, and for a fleeting second, Hange swore they saw a flicker of emotion in his usually composed expression.

He cleared his throat.

“You… You’re serious?” he asked, almost breathless.

Hange simply nodded, their nervous smile giving way to something warmer, more certain.

Levi’s gaze dropped back to the onesie in his hands. He clicked his tongue, but the corners of his mouth turned upward, the faintest hint of a smile breaking through.

“A titan onesie. Of course you had to make it weird, Four-Eyes.”

Hange laughed, their shoulders relaxing as relief and joy washed over them. “Would you expect anything less from me?”

Levi didn’t answer, but smiled instead, his eyes still on the onesie as his fingers brushed over it again, this time more gently.

The room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the bedside table. The flickering glow of the street lights peeked through a crack in the curtain, painting patterns and shadows on the walls.

Levi lay behind Hange, his arm draped protectively over their side. They were sound asleep, their breathing slow and even, their hair a messy halo over the pillow.

He could feel the gentle rise and fall of their chest beneath his arm, a steady rhythm that usually lulled him to sleep.

But tonight Levi’s eyes remained open, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. His mind raced with a muddle of thoughts he couldn’t quite organize.

A dad. He was going to be a dad.

The thought alone sent an odd mix of feelings coursing through him -anticipation, fear, uncertainty. What the hell did he know about being a father? Could he even do this?

His chest tightened, but before the doubts could spiral further, he shifted closer to Hange, burying his nose in the crook of their neck. The faint earthy scent of their skin and the warmth of their body slowly shushed his anxious thoughts.

His hand brushed gently over their belly. He let out a quiet breath, and started to whisper in the dark as if the baby could somehow hear him.

“Oi, brat. Hope you get the color of their eyes. Or their brains. Or maybe their enthusiasm, I don’t fucking know…. Whatever, you’ll be amazing like them anyway.” He chuckled. “Don’t tell them or Four-Eyes will never let me hear the end of it.”

He pressed a kiss to the back of Hange’s neck, soft and lingering.

“Don’t know how that works but I’ll do my best. We’ll do our best. And I’ll love you just as much as I love them. I promise.”

As he kissed their warm skin again, Hange stirred faintly, letting out a quiet sigh before settling back into sleep. Levi closed his eyes, letting their presence soothe him.

For now, he would let the worry go.

For now, he would just hold them and cherish this moment.

All graphics by me

🎀❤️ REBLOGS APPRECIATED ❤️🎀

The titan plushie & onesie are a reference to THIS ADORABLE FANART

#levihan secret santa 2024 #levi ackerman #hange zoe #levihan #levihan fanfiction #levi x hange #levihan fluff #val writes ✍️#long post

72 notes · View notes

wanderlustqueen-writes · 6 months ago

Text

Merry Christmas! This is my gift to my lovely friend and secret santa @youre-ackermine. I hope you like it Val ❤️🎁

@levihanweek thanks for organizing this event!

Meet Cute (But Make It Scary)

Pairing: Levi Ackerman/Hange Zöe (Attack on Titan)

Ratings: SFW.

Warnings: Swearing; Well-meaning tackling (?)

Genre: Fluff

Additional tags: Attack on School Castes AU

Wordcount: 2,1k

Summary: Levi Ackerman gets locked inside the School one night, completely alone. Or so he thinks...

Once again, Levi Ackerman was the last person to leave the workplace. The new hire of Paradis High stood in the employee’s locker room as the world outside ended in deluge. The noise of heavy rain filled the empty room, and the droplets hit the egress window so fast that it was nearly impossible to discern anything through the glass.

The image of the other janitors stranded in a bar waiting for the water to stop invaded his mind. He told them it was going to rain…

Except he’d just lucked out with that prediction. The sky could have been clear and still, he would find an excuse to go home. Alone. It was just the way he was.

Levi started to zip down his janitor uniform with one hand, bringing the other one inside his locker to feel for his umbrella.

“Shit” he mumbled under his breath when he came up short.

As if on cue, a blue light descended from the sky. The whole room was engulfed in black.

“Shit!” Levi slammed the metal door, only to jump out a second later when the reverberating rumble of the thunder finally hit.

It was starting to feel like the setup for a bad horror movie.

Levi cursed Flagon, one of his chummier colleagues, for telling him those stories about the school.

Don’t take too long to leave after you clock out, Levi. This place is full of ghosts, especially at night. Did I ever tell you the story of the student who died in…

“Asshole” Levi mumbled.

***

The cleaning crew had used a flashlight to work on a darker section of the school’s basement the week before, and that’s what Levi was crossing the corridor to retrieve. The path wasn’t pitch black, as the emergency lighting had kicked in, but it was still far from ideal. The lamps barely illuminated the narrow space, creating an eerie atmosphere.

When he reached his destination, the room was so dark it didn’t matter if his eyes were open. Levi closed the door behind him with a click.

“Who is there?” a hesitant voice called from the darkness ahead of him.

Levi froze. His blood felt like liquid ice and his heart started pounding hard inside his chest in the second of silence that followed the question. His breathing picked up.

It wasn’t his imagination.

He shut his eyes hard, taking in a deep breath as quietly as he possibly could, though he was sure his heart could be heard from a mile away. Levi slowly backed up with his hands behind him, until he felt the light pressure of the wall against his fingers. His movements were silent and calculated. He slid his body to the side, always slow, hands always lightly on the wall, until he was met with harsh resistance. He felt around the edge of the desk, lowering his digits when he found the drawer.

Levi cringed at the light noise of wood sliding against wood as he carefully pulled on the handle. From the opposite side of the table, came a choked gasp.

Fuck caution! Levi reached inside the drawer, but the only thing he felt was cold fingers wrapping around his.

“AAARGHH!!” they yelled in unison.

The hands repelled each other immediately! Levi opened the door wide and sprinted through it, stumbling on his own feet. Suddenly a dancing yellow beam revealed the corridor before him. Levi took the opportunity to run faster, no longer hindered by the low lighting.

But the ring of light kept moving forward too. In fact, it seemed to be going faster than him. And the sound of steps he thought were just from him now seemed to also belong to someone else, someone close.

“Wait!” the voice called from close behind him. He looked back for a split second. White clothes. Brown hair all over the place. Crazy wide eyes. Fuck. Levi boosted again.

“Slow down!”

“The fuck I will!”

“I swear, I won’t hurt you!”

He didn’t respond, all his energy on his feet. Running. Running. Run-

He crashed flat on the ground like a starfish, crushed by the weight of whoever tackled him. Levi struggled like a bull trying to knock over a cowboy, to no avail. The weight lifted off of him for one second, enough for Levi to turn over and face his assailant. He was met with a blinding light.

“Who are you?” the voice sounded more composed now. It was low and rich, Levi tried to free himself again. The person above him sighed.

“I’m Hange. I work here." The flashlight turned 180º. Through the yellow stains in his vision, left behind by the light, Levi got a look at the person straddling his hips. Strands of brown hair were glued to their face. Ghosts don’t sweat, right? And the white clothing he got a quick look at before was a lab coat. “I’m the chemistry teacher. And you are a janitor, I assume?”

Levi remained silent.

“I’m sorry I tackled you.” Hange began explaining “It’s just that you were running in the dark and the doors of this corridor are locked” then pointed the light at the double doors not 3 meters before him “Good thing I stopped you, or It would’ve been bye bye to this perfect face.” Hange booped his nose.

“Tch. Get off of me” he struggled under the strange teacher again.

“If you tell me your name.”

He grunted.

“Levi.”

Hange smiled, finally de-straddling him. Levi staggered up to his feet, moving towards the corridor doors.

“It’s locked.” Hange warned. Still, he tried to push them open.

“Told you.”

Levi clicked his tongue and began walking in the other direction.

“I’ve tried that one too. We’re stuck here.”

“Huh?” He frowned.

“It happens sometimes to workaholic idiots who don’t know when to clock out,” Hange sighed.

Levi’s head was spinning. It was all too much. He stumbled back.

“Are you okay?” Hange was up in a second, hands all over him, lifting his arms, patting his sides and his face, searching for injuries. Levi flinched when two fingers simultaneously pressed on sore spots on his cheek and forehead.

The light was on his face again.

“Oh, you hit this side pretty hard.” Hange muttered, “This one is going to leave a nasty bump.”

Levi pushed the hand that held the flashlight away but allowed the other to rest gently on his cheek. “There’s a fridge in the teacher’s lounge, we can get you some ice! Come on!”

Several seconds of silence passed, but Levi eventually sighed in defeat.

***

“Voilá” Hange opened the door in an exaggeratedly cordial movement. “Mi casa es su casa.”

“Does su casa have any food?” Levi let his body fall on the two-person loveseat that occupied one corner of the room. Hange approached him moments later, bearing gifts.

“Iced tea and soufflé cake or ice cream?”

Levi reached for the right, grabbing the bottle with one hand and the small Tupperware and fork with the other.

“Don't these belong to someone?”

“The power is out, so it’s our moral imperative to save this food from waste!”

Levi shrugged, leaning in to take a bite out of the treat.

“I think Nanaba has some candles in here from the rising water experiment her class did last week!”

Levi took a few sips of his drink as the strange teacher jumped from cupboard to cupboard, fleshlight in hand. Soon, the room was covered in dancing shadows cast by candlelight. The heavy rain outside created a soothing symphony. Levi crossed his legs, supporting the cake on one of his thighs. Hange sat next to him, with a few ice cubes wrapped in a dishcloth.

“Is this clean?”

“Of course! Fresh out of the cupboard.”

Hange laid the improvised cold pack gently on his cheek, then on his forehead.

“You think we’ll be in trouble for staying in?” He took a sip of his drink, looking at his new acquaintance out of the corner of his eyes.

“Only if we get caught” the reply was casual “I usually hide in the teacher’s bathroom when I hear someone coming. Then I just have to wait a few minutes and make sure no one else is in the room before I exit. The timing is tricky though, no room for errors.”

He almost choked on his iced tea.

“How many times have you done this?”

“Don’t know. Lost count.” Hange shrugged.

“Why?”

“The lab is my favorite place in the world. Well, that and this lovely room right here” Hange joked but something vulnerable lurked behind the feigned chuckle. Levi turned to face the teacher, who continued “I also don’t have much else going on in other parts of my life. This is the closest thing I had to a date in… I don’t know… a year and a half?”

Levi’s cheeks felt warm, and he was grateful for the warm tones of the lighting in the room. To his surprise, he found himself saying:

“Eight months.”

He tilted his bottle to touch Hange’s ice cream cup.

Hange laughed, sincerely this time. The sound was low, bubbly, irregular. It was the weirdest combination of strange and familiar that made something resonate deep within him.

“What a couple of losers we are.”

“Yeah,” Levi replied, still stunned by the feeling.

***

“We should try and get some sleep.” Levi proposed, as the rain died out, and Hange nodded.

Except they didn’t. For some reason, whenever one of them stopped talking, the other broke the silence. Hange talked excitedly about the experiments the class did that day. Then Levi complained about the mess of the students and how some of the staff half-assed the cleaning. Hange nearly died laughing when Levi explained he ran because he thought he was being chased by a ghost but, for some reason, he didn’t mind. He liked it.

***

“I guess we won’t be needing these anymore.” The chemistry teacher blew the candles on the little center table before them, as the morning light entered the room, filtered by the blinds.

“I guess we won’t.”

“So, we’ll be out of here soon,” Hange commented.

“Yeah, I guess we will.” Levi turned to face his newfound friend. Now that the sun was up, he could see Hange’s features clearly. Smooth light skin. Strong, slightly convex nose. Brown chaotic hair that somehow fit the whole picture. Deep brown eyes one could get lost in and lips so full, so soft looking.

He averted his gaze when he realized he was staring, but it was too late. There was already a strange charge in the room, hovering over them. It was slightly uncomfortable but also exhilarating. The tension that precedes a leap into the unknown. Levi gulped, creating the courage to look at Hange again. Brown eyes stared right back at him. His heart picked up the pace as he moved forward. Hange moved too, tongue peeking out to moisten those lips. He could feel the heat emanating from them. Any second now.

A loud clanking outside made them jump in surprise.

“It’s the doorman!” Hange whispered. They both ran for the window. As one man unlatched the gate, another stood behind him.

“That’s Erwin, the history teacher!” Hange whispered as though they could hear them talking from that distance. “He always comes here first thing in the morning! Quick! Hide!”

They ran to the bathroom, hiding behind the partially closed door.

There was a creek. Then slow steps. Then the sound of a refrigerator door opening. Then silence.

“Is he gone?” Levi mouthed.

The chem teacher peeked through the crack and nodded negatively. Then frowned.

“What is it?”

There was a moment of silence. Then, in what can only be described as an oopsie face, Hange mouthed “I think he’s looking for his souffle cake”.

Levi caught the laughter last minute, letting out only a strangled snicker. Meanwhile, Hange was all silent open mouthed-chuckles, which intensified when Erwin rested his chin on his hand in a stoic pose while examining the empty fridge.

By the time the room was clear, they were both out of breath. Levi and Hange stepped out of the bathroom, looking each other in the eyes. The moment was gone, but there was a tinge of promise in the air. Hange spoke first.

“So, I’ll be bumping into you from now on?”

Levi shrugged. “if you’re lucky.”

Hange laughed and, once again, they ran out of words. Levi moved towards the door, but as he took a step out, he heard the teacher speak again.

“Hey, Levi!” He turned back to find Hange with the fingers of both hands crossed. “See you around!”

“See ya.” Levi stepped out this time, a smirk hiding on the corner of his lips. Maybe socializing with his coworkers wouldn't be so bad, after all.

#levihan #levihan fanfiction #levi x hange #levihan fanfic #levihan secret santa 2024 #youre-ackermine #lovely moots 💕

47 notes · View notes

starshower1215 · 6 months ago

Text

Thank you to @kirimachi, who was kind enough to allow me to use this piece of their art in my work.

This is my gift to @this-is-krikkit for the Levihan Secret Santa Exchange, hosted by the marvelous @levihanweek. I worked hard on it, but the topic pushed my comfort zone quite a bit, and I wasn't certain how to approach what I thought you might like while remaining within my area of knowledge, so it may be a little strange, lol. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy, and that you have or have had a wonderful Christmas, Kit!

Your 2024 Elf,

Starshower1215

Edit: This is a thank you speech at this point, lmao, but I failed to mention my gratitude for the help I received from @darkskywishes, who provided me with probably 90% of the resources I used for research on full thickness burn recovery, treatment, and experiences. So, of course, kudos, credits, and thank you to her for her unintentional help in producing this.

#levihan secret santa 2024 #attack on titan #hange zoe #levi ackerman #shingeki no kyojin #levihan #levi x hange #levihan fanfiction #my writing #this-is-krikkit 🐸

37 notes · View notes

quillsandblades · 6 months ago

Text

The Devil's Choker (ao3 link)

My entry for the Levihan Secret Santa 2024

Wishing a late but heartfelt merry Christmas to @wanderlustqueen-writes ❄️🎅🏼 I was you secret santa!! Apologies for the late submission, a bunch of things I hadn't expected happened in life so I ran late finishing this. But it's here now and I hope you'll like it ☺️

Thanks to @levihanweek and @alemanriq for organising this event!! It's so good to see the fandom so active.

My search history for this fic includes:

non cringe pet names flirty assassins can use.

Structure of the odm gear

Guns that can fire two shots

How do poisons work and a short research on their types and methods of effect

Can horses gallop through snow?

Summary:

Hange has known her life in the Underground as fight, kill and survive. Accompanied by her faithful friends, she lives it wholeheartedly, while Levi has a normal (as normal as an Ackerman gets) life up on the surface. Their paths cross when Hange's entrusted with a mission by a noble: steal some valuable documents and kill Levi Ackerman and Erwin Smith on the way. But of course, when had things ever been simple for her? Naturally, nothing goes according to plan. ---- The unmistakable wings of freedom were stitched over their jackets. The emblem of the Survey Corps. Two of them stood down, watching her. One blonde, with a thunderous gaze and large build; the other much shorter, his raven hair falling over his eyes, a deep frown digging into his skin. Huh. Two handsome scouts were chasing her through the streets instead of her family’s loyal dogs. Things couldn’t get any better.

Also I wanna thank @sunflowersunite for providing those hilarious but amazing guesses about poisons and assassins in the snow and what not. Their support got me through this haha

Happy reading and happy holidays everyone!! 🎄

#levihan #levihan secret santa 2024 #levi ackerman #hange zoe #attack on titan #my writing #levihan fanfiction #shingeki no kyojin #levi x hange

33 notes · View notes

dont-f-with-moogles · 6 months ago

Text

My Home For All Seasons

(Merry Christmas, Levihans! Here's my contribution to this year's Levihan Secret Santa 2024! @levihanweek for Nautilidaes on Instagram. Thanks so much to @alemanriq for organising!)

My Home For All Seasons Characters: Levi x Hange Word Count: 1446 words

A sky of granite loomed overhead. Temperatures had fallen below freezing; the heavens could no more threaten snow than promise the relief of sunshine. Instead, pavements glistened with ice, much to the delight of Shingeki middle schoolers who skated their way through the frost-glazed gates. Others stepped gingerly, whilst some of the more unruly boys slid onto their backsides, laughing with raucous embarrassment.

Levi Ackerman, the janitor, rounded the corner of the school building. He was rubbing his gloved hands together partly to relieve the numbness in his fingers, partly with the distaste of having just handled a large bag of refuse. His disgust, however, was short-lived; Levi’s brow furrowed further as his eyes fell on an unexpected and inexplicable scene in front of him.

“Oi -”

Hange Zoe, the chemistry teacher, was engaged in a heated discussion with a cab driver. The man was leaning out of his car window, gesturing emphatically at a grey and white donkey which stood behind them. A leather rein ran from the science teacher’s hand to a loose cord around the animal’s neck.

“Levi!” Hange’s labcoat whirled about their knees as they turned to him. “Tell this mean, old driver that I’ll pay him triple rate if he just lowers the seats in the back. That’s all he has to do to make enough room!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Levi raised his hands. “Context, Hange. Let’s start from the beginning. Now, what’s with the ass?”

“Excuse me?” Hange looked affronted. Levi snapped off a yellow rubber glove and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“The ass. The donkey.” Levi indicated the animal who had his hooves rooted firmly to the icy ground. “Our equine friend right here.”

“Right, right!” Hange scratched the back of their neck, their grip on the rein slackening. The donkey, who had been pulling in the opposite direction, stumbled. He reared his long, white-tipped nose with a grunt of protest. The cab driver waved off Hange with a few choice words; his rear wheel screeched and smoked against the ice as he pulled away sharply.

“None of you seem to understand!” Hange cried, outraged, “this donkey has been subjected to the most horrendous conditions! Forced to participate in the school’s nativity production, he’s been standing beside a manger in the freezing cold all afternoon while grubby-handed fourth graders have manhandled him.”

Levi stared as the animal’s black-tipped ears shivered.

Trembling, Hange continued. “And once the school returns him to the mobile petting zoo it’ll be another nativity tomorrow, then a kid’s party, then a day of donkey rides at the amusement park… it’s a schedule straight out of hell.”

They stroked their knuckles slowly, fondly down the animal’s soft nose.

“...and I just can’t do that to old Moppel.”

“Moppel?”

With a mournful whinny, the donkey reared his head. Flecks of white stood out against his begrimed flanks. The creature’s dark, almond-shaped eyes were blinded with sadness; a watery grey film seemed to coat them, while grit clumped in the corners. Suddenly, a gust of arctic air ruffled his fur, forcing his aching lids closed.

“He just looks so… lonely.” Hange’s voice caught.

“Look…” Levi tore his gaze away, gesturing with an ungloved hand. “Let’s be realistic. Say we don’t return him. Where else is Moppel going to go? He can’t come home with you.”

“I know that!”

“Besides which, donkeys are notoriously difficult to train,” Levi continued, “they’re stubborn, noisy and they eat everything.”

“Actually Levi, they’re deeply misunderstood creatures!” Hange contradicted him with a declaratory finger, “you would be a little stubborn too if your handlers were cruel, forcing you to entertain children all day and then locking you in a cage all night! Donkeys are not only intelligent but also have excellent memory retention.”

Levi surveyed the animal doubtfully as it closed its large teeth around the white collar of Hange’s labcoat.

“You’d know more than me…” Levi conceded, “...even so, the petting zoo will want him back. The guy’s gonna charge the school if we don’t return him.”

Hange traced the donkey’s soft fur. The animal pressed its long nose gently into Hange’s open palm.

“I wasn’t going to keep him for myself, you know, ” they spoke in a small voice, “my friend Moblit knows someone who runs a wildlife sanctuary not far from here…”

“Hange.”

Moppel lifted his head again, brushing lightly against Hange’s forehead. The scientist closed their eyes, savouring the delicate tickle of grey fur against their cool brow.

“...I know,” they relented, “I know. It’s just… difficult to see him go back to a place like that.”

Hange’s hand slackened over the rein; Levi lifted it from their grasp. Wary of the newcomer, Moppel took one begrudging hoof forward.

“I’m sorry…” The science teacher was contemplating the empty sky. “It’s just… the holidays are hard, you know?”

Levi inclined his head. Without words, the two of them communicated the private pain of their separate burdens.

“You know, some of the site staff are going out for Christmas drinks tonight,” Levi offered, holding Moppel’s rein aloft whilst the creature pawed at the ice, “...come with us.”

Hange returned his invitation with a forced smile.

“That’s okay. I’m not really in the mood to celebrate. Christmas… it’s not my season, you know?”

Hange raised their hand in parting then, thinking better of it, let their arm drop by their side. They did not look at the donkey as they turned around.

“Come on…” Levi coaxed as he slowly led Moppel away.

…

Hands stowed within the pockets of their black parka jacket, Hange passed through a plain-walled hallway. Apartment doors were adorned with huge, satin ribbons and embellished wreaths. Some bore doormats with festive slogans; Deck the Walls! and Silent Night, Holy Night. All is Calm, No Titans in Sight.

Levi’s message had been more of an insistence than a casual invitation. And, if Hange was honest with themself, they had been only too relieved to leave the quiet confines of their own rooms. No decorations marked their front door. No Christmas tree stood in their sitting room. There was no bunting trailing Hange’s bookshelves; no lights brightened their apartment windows. A pile of unopened cards cluttered their desk. To Hange, Christmas was simply another day on the calendar.

Stopping before a silver wreath, Hange rapped their knuckles smartly. The door opened by a fraction, revealing Levi’s tight-lipped smile. As he backed into his narrow hallway, Hange recognised the meagre light spilling from his small kitchen and the dark shape of a Christmas tree in the lounge beyond. Its silver baubles trembled. Hange took another step, astounded to find that the rest of Levi’s sitting room was filled with donkey. There stood Moppel, sedately chewing one of the lower branches of Levi’s tree.

Hange’s mouth fell open.

“You saved him!”

With a short cry they flung themself upon the creature’s soft neck, pressing their face into his grey fur. Hange breathed in his animal scent; earth and straw and cold air. They ran their fingers over his long nose, cradling his head lovingly against their own.

Levi watched the reunion with folded arms, lips pressed into a thin line.

“Guess you were right, Hange. He is a smart ass.” A husky little laugh escaped him. “Turns out there’s plenty we still have to learn about donkeys.”

He lowered his arms.

“Besides, that mobile petting zoo is suspicious as fuck. I borrowed the school minibus to take Moppel back and… let’s just say my eyes were opened. Animals crammed inside tiny cages… The yard was filthy…”

“Huh…” Hange reflected, “so, is that why…?”

They straightened, stood, to look at the reindeer who was bucking its head up and down slowly, snorting. A beard of white fur lined his chin and front; his antlers rose in beautiful, sculpted arcs.

“That’s Elgelhein,” Levi told them. “...he looked cold.”

Hange’s laughter warmed the air. “Wow, Levi! Looks like you’ve got your own zoo now!”

“Yeah, yeah.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “They aren’t permanent housemates. You see, I thought we could go check out your friend’s wildlife sanctuary tomorrow…”

The breath was knocked from him as Hange threw their arms around Levi’s neck. He uttered a hoarse gasp as he felt the press of their lips against his flushed skin.

“You’re one stubborn ass yourself!”

Levi was about to retort when Hange’s breath curled in his ear.

“...but you’re the one who always understands me.” They kissed his neck again. “The only one. Thank you, Levi.”

His hand lay entangled in their hair as he pulled them closer, savouring the feeling of their body in his arms.

“Merry Christmas, Hange…”

#no donkeys were harmed in the writing of this oneshot #levi ackerman #hange zoe #levihan #attack on titan #snk #levihan secret santa 2024 #my writing

30 notes · View notes