Within the woods (Levihan)

Warmth within the woods

It was around 9am .
Hange sat at an oak table with Levi sitting across from them . The table was on the brink of collapsing along with wooden chairs who's legs shake at every weight. The tea that rested in their palm felt hotter than usual, as though it was almost burning.
A content smile spread across Hanges face unnaturally as if it was a foreign thing, which was unusual as their life in the woods with Levi was going great so far. Their little cottage ,hand-crafted by hange, was tucked away in a neat corner of the woods. Looking down at their books, a comfortable silence filled the air with an unspoken agreement that the others company was enough.
It's been a while since the decision of staying in the woods and has been living peacefully ever since. They spend their days cozying up by the fire with evening walks where the crisp air tickled their noses and the brilliant sunsets bless their eyes. Hange always reaches out for Levi's hand on these walks which Levi returned with a reassuring squeeze as they interlocked their fingers. Hange thought to themselves that perhaps they should go on a walk now, since the fire was awfully hot despite only being fuelled by a small amount of wood. "Say Levi, why don't we go on a walk huh?" Hange implored, nudging him in a playful manner. A few seconds passing before Levi's hesitant reply "are you sure?" His face was plagued with an even more stern expression than usual causing Hange to furrow their brows in confusion as they impatiently replied, "of course I'm sure ,let's hurry so we can catch the sunset". Grabbing Levi's hand, Hange began pulling him upwards in an agitated manner. Levi rose slowly in deep thought as though he was carrying a heavy, unspoken burden. "Before we go I want you to have this." Levi spoke gently while holding up Hanges hand and placing his cleaning hanker chief into hanges palm . Hange threw their head back, letting out a loud cackle, and in utter bewilderment they questioned out loud. "Why on earth would you give me this!" To which Levi gave them a playful shove "shut it four eyes, just take it." He then proceeded to pat hange on the head. Out of nowhere, a white noise buzzed in hanges ears which became irriatating and constant like when a fly is nearby. "Urgh, this stupid noise won't go away and as stupid as your gift may be, I might need it to clear my sweat cus' it's way too hot in here" Hange huffed, slouching their shoulders in a childlike strop. Levi didn't reply but instead giving a simple roll of the eyes at hange in response to their silly yet lovable antics and finally they made there way to the cabin door, hand-in-hand. There was a mysterious knock on the door with two more knocks slowly following afterwards. This knock was not loud as it seemed gentle almost. Hange was agast, they had not heard that familiar knock for quite a long time. "I didn't know we where expecting visitors" Hange claimed with a tone of poorly hidden excitement. Again levi did not speak but gestured to hange as if to say open the door. To which they did. The door creaked open and to Hange's surprise stood a tall man with mellow brown curtains and a kind face shaped with soft crevices. "But... what are you doing here? I thought you were ..." hanges voice trailed causing Moblit to cut them off "don't fuss like you always do hange, we've been waiting for you." And with that moblit stepped aside to reveal three figures in the distance. They were perched under an old birch tree, which despite its age stood strong. They looked to be having a nice picnic with familiar laughter ringing out into the air. Laughter which Hange couldn't quite place a finger on.
Hange turned to Levi in utter dismay, seeking reassurance from him, but what hange saw was the most shocking site of all. There it was, in all its glory, a single tear gently rolling down his cheek. In all the years they had been companions hange had only ever seen Levi cry just once on that day. Surely a picnic couldn't even compare to that day. "C'mon! It's boiiiiling in here, let's go already!" Hange gently tugged at Levi's arm but he simply pulled away. After a short moment of silence that felt like years, Levi finally spoke in a broken, quiet voice. "See ya Hange."
"What? Aren't you coming too Levi?" Hange frowned in reply while crossing their arms in a child-like manner. Levi looked as though he could not utter another word but he managed to croak out a whisper, "I'll be with you again soon, I promise it won't be long so just wait for me near this cabin, alright four-eyes?" Levi had never sounded so certain in his words before and yet so melancholy leading Hange to understand he was being earnest. They knew Levi well and the best thing they could do was to not reply but instead they simply nodded while giving him the reassuring smile like they had done many times before. And with that, Hange linked arms with moblit before setting off towards the tree. The door began to close shut as Levi lurched toward it with his image beginning to fade. His mouth was open as if he we're trying to shout something. However, it was muffled, to muffled for hange to make out. The door finally came to a close and the buzzing faded to only a faint tapping along with the heat which began to cool to that of a tamed fire. Hange felt something they hadn't felt for a while yet they couldn't quite pinpoint the emotion. The warm emotion felt the same as watching the sea lap at the shore or the sunset on a cool evening. Oh yes, that's it, Hange thought of the emotion. It was peace. 'This is a nice thought. Maybe I can meet up with Levi later at the cabin? He did say I didn't have to go back to him just yet. For now I'm tired and I'm sure Levi won't mind. Besides, I haven't seen Erwin ,moblit ,nanaba or Mike for what feels like years. I've really missed you guys...' Hange thought while Erwin informed them on the lack of food ever since Sashas arrival. Hange smiled softly in thought, it had been a while since they've seen a scout from the 104th. Hange had grown fond of them and without realising it, Hange and Levi had become temporary parents to the scouts of the 104th survey core. Sasha was the same as always with wide eyes and a cheery personality as she leaped like a starved animal for the perfectly cooked meat on the picnic blanket. Hange grinned a sad smile.... if only Connie and Jean were here to see Sasha too. To know that Sasha was happily eating in pure bliss and wasn't suffering anymore. However, hange had a feeling they'd get some more visitors soon, sooner than they thought .