Hello, Stranger (Hange Zoë x f!reader)

Part twelve

Erwin was calm as you walked in. Unnervingly calm. He had nodded you in, indicated to the seat before his elaborate desk, in a far more organised state than Hange’s, and uttered not a single syllable. He studied you as you sat down, folding your hands over your lap, quietly, almost apathetically, sizing you up, assessing whether you would be an asset or a hindrance to his operation before either of you had opened your mouths. Those two blue eyes under his furrowed brow seemed to pry into the depths of your conscience. Past the light fluff to the dark, hidden spots you had attempted to paint over, that you kept back from even yourself. You had shrunk under Levi’s gaze, but this man’s, it was something else entirely. It was calculating, intelligent. You were tempted to sink into your chair, or turn into some small mammal and dive for cover.

“Hange tells me you lived outside the walls.”

You almost jolted when he spoke.

“Yes sir. Have, well, did all my life, until I met Hange.”

Erwin shuffled his chair closer, intertwining his fingers and resting his chin on his knuckles.

“And you managed to track them on your own? Make it through two walls, and show up on their doorstep? Forgive me if I find that slightly hard to believe.”

Your heart thrummed now. You had taken for granted how suspicious your sudden appearance appeared. From his perspective, you were some unknown outsider, who had infiltrated both the walls and the base of special operations squad, and the only reason any knew was because you let them.

“You set up the walls to stop titans from getting in, not people.”

“That’s not an answer.”

You bit your cheek. Of course he wouldn’t roll over that quickly. You pinged the straps on your legs.

“You don’t need much to scale them. Just enough determination and the right materials. I lived in a tree. I’m good at climbing.”

“She is! She dragged me up a tree!”

You’d almost forgotten they were there. Despite the tangible tension, you couldn’t help but smile as they beamed at you before looking at Erwin. Their expression was excited, but soft, different than the one when they spoke about titans. This was unfair. How dare they be cute when you were terrified.

“Very well.”

He sat back now, sighing and seemingly resigned to Hange’s input.

“In that case, I believe you may prove a useful individual in our fight against the titans. I assume, of course, that’s why your here, rather than to exchange pleasantries.”

“Yes, yes sir. I want to work beside Hange.”

He didn’t seem surprised by that.

“And how do you feel about this, Hange?”

They let out what you could only describe as a squeal and clapped their hands on your shoulders. How could they be so oblivious to the heat that would flush to your cheeks when they touched you? The glint in Erwin’s eyes told you he knew already.

“If I agree, Hange, you will be solely responsible for their training. Y/N won’t be able to partake in the next expedition, but based on their progress, they may well be eligible for the next.”

“I’ve already started showing them the ropes,” they squeezed you slightly, “it’ll be no problem!”

“Very well then. Y/N, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Survey Corps. Listen to your superiors and put the time in, and you’ll go far. Dedicate your heart!”

You flopped onto your shared bed. Hange had stayed behind to discuss further plans with the commander, and to be frank, you were glad of the respite. You hadn’t been sure what to expect when meeting Erwin  but he had certainly exceeded what mixed connotations you had. It was no wonder he was the man in charge. He was still wary of you, that was clear enough, but he trusted Hange enough to keep you under watch. If anything, that was your main takeaway from that meeting. You were toeing a thin line with Erwin.

As much as you wanted to, you couldn’t lie there forever. There were things that you needed to do now. You had a role now you were an official scout, responsibility, and your first one was tending to the horses. You hadn’t properly dealt with horses before. You’d sat by them as Fluffy, seen them with the scouts, but never actually interacted with one as a human. So when a large brown gelding shied back from your outstretched hand, you faltered slightly. Did you still smell like a predator to it? You scented yourself. There was still some faint twinges. Casting a glance over your shoulder, you turned to the courtyard. Soldiers were clustered in groups chattering amongst themselves. No one was looking at you. With a shallow breath, you allowed your body to alter itself again, this time only minutely. If you smelt like one of them, the creature may allow you to approach without threatening to cave your skull in. The beast snorted, its ears swivelling in wonder as it drunk in your new scent.

“I’m not here to hurt you handsome, I just want to give you a quick brush,” you cooed, extending your fist. The horse’s eyes flickered to your face, and with slow, tentative, clicking steps, came closer to the edge of the stall. You held your breath as its own fanned over your knuckles. It inhaled the scent of your hand, and now, seemed content. The gelding butted your wrist, and you couldn’t help but chuckle as you ran your hand gingerly over its velvety snout.

“See? I’m not that scary, am I? I’m just a big softie, don’t you worry.”

You ran your fingers through its mane, marvelling at the hard muscle of its neck beneath. These animals were bred for speed, endurance, survival, and it was blatantly obvious from even his relaxed stature. He was a beautiful creature, now content to stand by your side as you smoothed its coat with a brush.

“That’s a good boy, mhm, you’re a big softie too, aren’t you?”

You cooed absentmindedly as you worked, only stopping when you heard the faint scuffling footfalls of another.

“Fluffy! Fluffy, dinner! Fluff –“

The voice stopped as it saw you.

“Hiya Armin,” you peeked over your shoulder, offering up a soft smile. “Looking for something?”

“Hi Y/N. Yeah, Hange’s cat, Fluffy, no one’s seen her for a few days. I thought she might have come back to the stables.”

Your gut twisted. He seemed genuinely disappointed. 

“Maybe she went home? She could be a wanderer,” you shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “You ever had a cat before?”

“Maybe, and no, but the woman that lived near Grandpa did. He was called Mr Whiskers, he was a bit of a bad kitty. Anyways, how’re you settling in?”

Armin visibly brightened at the opportunity for a change in topic.

“I’m looking forward to it, and slightly terrified at the same time. Is that normal?”

Armin laughed at that, sitting on a pile of hay bales only several feet over.

“I’d be more concerned if you weren’t scared. I think everyone’s on the same boat here,” he turned back to the courtyard. The sun was starting to set, bathing the inhabitants in a warm orange glow. “People just need to find something to cling to through the fear and despair.”

You’d finished on the horse’s mane. Taking its tail in one hand, you continued to comb the strands with the other. What were you clinging to? The hope of freedom like so many? You were freer than most, but trapped in a completely different way. You stilled your hand momentarily. Did you want something, yes, but you wanted something else, you realised. Or rather, someone.