Hello, Stranger (Hange Zoë x f!reader)

Part five

You had watched the soldiers until the sun had set, moving only when the disappeared horses were returned to their stalls. You received a few inquisitive stares, dismissing them with an innocent sounding mew. They had shrugged and continued their own chatter, complaining about some captain or other or the fact that they were due up at first light. Once night fell, your expedition would begin. It was just a matter of getting inside.
There lay the main issue. You could imagine that strolling in the front door as a human would lead to some, issues. You’d be tackled to the ground, hands tied, interrogated, and you couldn’t count on Hange’s assertions you weren’t a threat. Maybe they’d just pop your head off of your shoulders there and then. Thus, in the interest of keeping your head where it was, you had decided to slip inside still wearing your current skin. You just needed to find an open window, a cracked door, anything. Then you could begin your search. For Hange, and everything in between. Their weapons, their books, their everything. You trotted closer to the walls, sniffing at the structure. It smelt old. Maybe even older than the books you had kept at home. You could faintly hear chatter and footsteps, but not nearly as much as earlier. Increasing your pace, you found exactly what you were looking for, a door left ajar. Perfect.

You slipped inside, shivering slightly as the cool stone hit your pads. At least outside had retained some of the sun’s warmth. Torchlight flickered against the stone walls. You had come to a junction. Heart thrumming, you turned down the quieter passage and began scenting the air. Nothing yet, at least. Various doors sped past as you kept up your pace. You couldn’t tell what they were for, bedrooms maybe? Nosing the closest open a crack more, it was indeed. Beds stacked up on top of one another You sniffed again. Something faint this time. If you kept following in this direction, you might just be able to find Hange. What then? Paw at their door until someone noticed you? You shook out your fur. You’d cross that bridge when you came to it.

A least another half a dozen paces and you once again became disorientated. It was dark inside, far darker than you had been used to. Why not build more windows? Boots thumped on the stone and you were drawn from your wonderings. People. You darted further along, only to crash into the very thing you’d been trying to avoid. You slowly glanced up, only to meet the eyes of a man that seemed entirely unhappy with your presence. He was short, cropped back hair, and a glare that you were convinced could send a titan running.

“Levi!” You knew that voice. You stumbled backwards and hurried towards it, coming to a sliding halt at their feet. Your eyes sent a silent beg to your would be saviour, Hange.

“You got a cat? Aw, why didn’t you tell me? It’s so cute!”

You yelped slightly as you were suddenly lifted upwards, and cradled into their chest. They ran a finger under your chin, continuing to coo and hum.

“It’s not mine,” the man, Levi, took several paces closer. “Never seen the thing before. Now put it down, you don’t know where it’s been.”

“Aww, but look at it,” Hange bounced you slightly. They pushed the fluff from your cheeks forward. “How can you say no to this face?”

Levi looked unblinkingly from Hange to you, and then back once more. “Very easily. Put it outside.”

“If it’s not yours, then I’ll keep it. It might be interesting. I’ve never studied animals in much detail.”

Levi seemed visibly frustrated by their antics, yet simply let out a resigned sigh.

“Whatever. Just make sure it sure it doesn’t make a mess.”

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll be very well behaved, don’t you think whiskers?” You mewed softly as you were enveloped in a hug. It was warm. Hange was warm. You were quite sure if they had held you there for much longer you would have fallen asleep.

“Erwin was looking for you, put that thing somewhere and meet him in his office.” With that, Levi turned on his heels and strode off, back into the labyrinthine corridors.

“Mr Grumpy doesn’t know what he’s talking about, you’re going to be the best kitty ever, aren’t you?”

You were clinging to their jacket now as they moved, yet still trying desperately to keep your claws from hurting them. Had they missed you? You blinked up at their face, watching as the torchlight danced around the rim of their glasses. A pit in your stomach hoped they had. Your journey would have been pointless otherwise.

“You’re gonna stay in my room with me, it’s nice and warm, the bed’s big enough for both of us.” For some reason your face felt hot at the idea of sharing a bed, even looking as you did now.
They came to a halt outside a room at the end of a corridor, propping you up with one hand and opening the door with the other.

“Welcome to your new home!”

The room was somewhat disorganised, with papers, books and flasks piled atop one another, nearly hiding the wood of their desk entirely. Bookcases packed with more volumes than you’d ever seen were plastered to the walls. Another door at the back sat half open.

“Now, please don’t eat anything from in here, I probably need it.” They tiptoed over a pile of scrolls. “Oh, and it may be lethal, so definitely don’t.”
It explained their scent at least.

“Back here then,” they elbowed the second door open, “is my bedroom. Less chemicals, a bit more pet friendly.”

You were placed on their bed, unmade from its last night of use.

“Now,” they checked their reflection in the mirror, straightening their ponytail somewhat, “wait here while I go see Erwin, alright? I’ll be back soon.” They gave a final wave as they closed the door, leaving you alone, finally.

The bedroom was indeed somewhat neater, with a smaller desk illuminated by candlelight in the corner. A sofa, small bookshelf, and an attached bathroom. It had everything they could need. You leapt off the bed and padded towards the desk. Tensing your shoulders, you just about managed to scramble atop it. You missed being able to just walk like a human.

Notes, and a single notebook. You gingerly hooked a claw under the cover. Ilse Langnar, the book was labelled. Thankfully, you were able to read the language it was written in. Skimming through another several pages, you realised it was a field journal, written by this Langnar person, documenting their journey through the military and life. Their successes, their shortcomings, everything in between. An entire personal history in a single book.
You soon became engrossed in the small tome, turning pages over using your paws and nose. You’d never seen anything like it, they had written down everything and anything they could, including, you realised with horror, their own death. You pushed it away. You couldn’t bring yourself to finish it.

“I’m back!”

You leapt off the desk and clambered back onto the bed, ruffling your fur slightly as if you had been asleep.

“You been asleep? Wish I could’ve slept through that. Erwin always prattles on about paperwork.” They reached down and gently patted your head. You purred into it.

“Give me another five minutes, and then I’ll come and give you snuggles.”
Again heat flushed under your skin.

They grabbed a new shirt and disappeared into the bathroom, humming until their voice was swallowed by running water. Should you run? It felt somewhat invasive, you reasoned, you weren’t an actual innocent animal, you were you. Would they get mad if they knew? You scanned the wall. There was indeed a window, but it was locked. You couldn’t have opened it. If you shifted, there was no guarantee it’d be in time, and then what would Hange think, finding you naked in their bedroom? No. You would just have to stay the night.

Several minutes later, they emerged from the bathroom. You stole a quick glance before avoiding eye contact. They were in an oversized shirt, still clinging to their skin with damp in some spots. They had let their hair down and allowed it to spill over their shoulders. Again your cheeks and ears burnt. You made a point to turn your back and lay down. It didn’t last long, as the bed shuddered under Hange’s weight.

“Aw, c’mon, no snuggles?”

As soon as they were safely wrapped up under their blankets, again they reached for you. You tensed, but allowed them to draw you closer, wrapping an arm over your small furry body, and sighing in content.

“You’re like a fuzzy hot water bottle, do you know that?” Their voice was becoming heavy with tiredness. Your heart was near in your mouth.

“Night night, kitty.”