For the One I Love || Hanji x Female Reader

Chapter Sixteen: Anticipation

[Author's Note]

Surprise, everyone! I thought I'd give you guys another chapter before the year ends, and it's some sort of my present to my readers as well. It's some sort of a filler chapter though, since I wanted to make things light for the holidays, but it's really part of the main story guys don't worry :D Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

_

I plopped down on my bed after a whole day of training, aware that the other cadets were in the room as well. They had wanted to make certain that I was alright after everything that happened, and I couldn't be more grateful for having such good friends like them.

"Scoot over, I want to sit beside you," Sasha told me and I moved to give way, and Mikasa sat down on my bed as well. Ymir and Christa were both seated on Sasha's bed, while the guys preferred to sit on the floor.

Jean sighed as he said, "So, what's up with the three of you?"

I raised an eyebrow at him and asked, "What do you mean by 'the three of you'?"

"Your brain cells must be fried after training with Captain Levi for a whole day," Connie supplied as he lied down on the floor, though his gaze remained fixed on me.

I groaned as I tried to roll over, though my legs were already protesting in pain. I pursed my lips before answering, "If you mean me, Captain Levi, and Squad Leader Hanji, then there's nothing going on."

Armin shook his head as he said, "It's actually making us curious, like there's something at play but we have no more details about it. It seems like there's some sort of tension between Captain Levi and Squad Leader Hanji, though it may be because of the planned expedition."

"Or maybe because they both like [Y/N]," Eren commented in a nonchalant manner, making us all look at him in silence.

Ymir smirked before saying, "Eren might be on to something. Think about it, [Y/N], even when you were sick they were taking turns in caring for you," she glanced at Christa and asked the younger girl, "What do you think?"

Christa tilted her head slightly to think as she answered, "I can't tell for sure, but I think that Squad Leader is hiding something from you, [Y/N]."

I can slowly feel my cheeks burning at being the center of the topic, and I quickly said, "Why are we even talking about this? I'm fine you guys, really," I added with a chuckle.

Sasha groaned and said in rebuttal, "Oh come on, [Y/N], at least allow us to be interested in your love life- all we do is train, eat, sleep, then repeat. Watching how two high ranking officers fight over you is just the right amount of excitement that we need from time to time."

"Our [Y/N] sure has grown so fast, yesterday you were merely a fresh-faced cadet and now there are two skilled veterans fighting for your heart," Connie dramatically said, complete with 'wiping' fake tears from his eyes.

"How time flies, our [Y/N] truly is a wonderful young lady now, I wonder, who do you think should have her heart?" Of course, Sasha had to join in the mix, all the while with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Mikasa was quiet the whole time, though she couldn't help but laugh softly upon hearing how dramatic Connie and Sasha were.

"If I were to weigh in, I think Captain Levi would win [Y/N]'s heart," Jean started, before he continued, "Besides, I've caught him glancing at [Y/N] more than once at training today."

"You resident horse, of course he was looking at me a while ago, I'm training with him!" I told him as I threw a pillow at him, which hit him square in the face. At his deadpan expression, I couldn't help but laugh, and the others joined in too.

Sasha then said, "I think Squad Leader Hanji suits [Y/N] better. You guys have seen them at the King's party before, right? It was like they were in their own little world," she stood up and pretended to dance around the room with a partner.

Christa spoke up in a soft voice, "But [Y/N], who's the one you truly like at this moment?"

At her question, all eyes were on me.

Just as I was about to answer, a knock on the door interrupted us, and I internally thanked whoever it was for the interference.

I hastily stood up and opened the door, only to find that no other than Hanji was the one on the other side. I stood there frozen for a moment, before glancing behind me to find the others smirking at me and chuckling amongst themselves.

"Well, well, well.." Jean muttered as he trailed off, all the while wagging his eyebrows suggestively at me.

Turning to face Hanji once more, I gave them a small smile as I asked, "Yes, Squad-, I mean, Hanji?" I mentally kicked myself for forgetting what they said before - to just call them by their name. After everything that's happened between us, I found it a bit awkward but didn't want to have to bring it up with Hanji once more.

Hanji nervously scratched the back of their head, smiling back at me before saying, "Oh! I just wanted to make sure that shorty wasn't pushing you too hard. I happened to pass by while you were training a while ago and," Hanji paused and cleared their throat before continuing, "I guess I just really wanted to see for myself that you're okay, [Y/N]."

I found my cheeks warming up once more, and I did my best to calm myself down, but it was as if my heart had a mind of its own. I fiddled with my fingers behind my back as I answered, "I'm doing alright, Hanji. You don't have to worry about anything at all. Captain Levi's strict, but I know that he's only doing that so I'd get better."

Hanji merely nodded, glancing down at the floor for the briefest of moments before leveling their gaze at me once more.

"How about you, are you doing alright?" I asked, wanting to know how they've been doing as well. After all, as much as I've tried to lie about my feelings, it's no use hiding it. One glance at Hanji and I was practically craving to be near them, to be with them, as much as time would allow.

Despite everything that's happened, it was still Hanji I had feelings for. And I had a hunch that it was going to remain that way for quite some time.

At this, Hanji smiled genuinely, and I saw them gradually start to relax, unlike a few moments ago where they seemed to be on edge.

"I'm doing alright too, [Y/N]. Been having sleepless nights, but that's just my usual routine since I'm doing research...I'm rambling, aren't I?" Hanji said as they chuckled gently, "Either way, I just wanted you to know that.."

Hanji cleared their throat once more, and I waited patiently for them to continue with bated breath.

"Do you remember what I told you before? The night of the King's party, when we got down from the coach," Hanji said as they averted their eyes from mine.

If you ever find yourself in trouble, just call for us and we'll come running.

I could only nod, with Hanji's words from before replaying in my mind.

"I meant every word I said. No matter what happens, it will always be true, [Y/N]," Hanji said in a low tone, their face showing no hesitation or any trace of half-heartedness.

At this point, my mind was reeling, my heart was on overdrive, and I could feel that my friends were practically swooning from behind the door which I left slightly ajar.

"Thank you, Hanji. And...if it means anything, you always have me as well," I told Hanji quickly in response, and it was then that I grasped the meaning of what I said.

Before I could say something to somehow defend what I said, I saw Hanji smirk playfully as they said, "I won't allow you to take back what you said, [Y/N]. So prepare to take responsibility for it."

Hanji then waved as they walked away, looking very much satisfied with our interaction, while I was left standing like a blushing idiot in the doorway.

I felt someone tug me back inside the room, and found that my friends were either smirking or looking at me knowingly, having heard the entire conversation.

There were a few moments of silence before Jean sighed in resignation before saying, "I take it back, Squad Leader Hanji's indeed perfect for you."