Because of You || Hange x Reader

Chapter 5

(Y/N)'s Pov

It's been nearly 3 weeks since mine and Hange's breakthrough with the corrosive and we've spent nearly every second of it together. Between working together in the lab, experimenting with Sonny and Bean and doing Hange's paperwork (because yes now I help with that too) we're nearly always together. Not that I'm complaining. I actually really like being with Hange. Working with her, talking with her... I've fallen asleep on her couch several times too. When that happens Hange either wakes me and walks me back to my room or I wake up with heaps of blankets piled on top of me and a note left by Hange telling me to 'sleep well'. I prefer the latter. We've become close. Inseparable really. I really like her. Really, really like her. 

I am, once again, curled up on Hange's couch - which really at this point is my couch. Reading a book while Hange does her paperwork. She doesn't need my help this time, so I don't really know why I'm here. All my own work is done. There's no real reason for my being here, other than I want to be. I flick to the next page in the book. Hange lent it to me a few days ago. Speaking of the scientist... Hange lets out a long sigh. I turn around and raise my brows at her. "Everything ok?" Hange puts her head in her hands and groans. "No." 

I frown, sitting up. "What's wrong?"

"I hate paperwork!" 

I chuckle and walk over to her. "Need any help?" 

She shakes her head, rubbing her temple. "No, it's alright. It's just boring admin stuff, not anything fun." She groans again. "I've such a bad headache too."

"You should take a break," I say, closing the file and putting it to the side. "Do you want me to get you some water?" 

"No I have some, it's just- ow, my head." 

"Maybe your ponytail is too tight?" I suggest. Hange just sighs and closes her eyes, leaning into her palm. I walk around and stand behind her. I gently pull at the band keeping her ponytail up and slide it off. Hange's hair falls in a wave around her shoulders. I run my fingers through it, smoothening it out. "Is that better?" I ask. I peer around to look at he face. Her cheeks are bright red. I pull away, blushing. "S-sorry..." I start. Oh god, I just ran my fingers through her hair. Idiot. I've just made her really uncomfortable. 

"No, no," Hange says quickly, swallowing. "It's ok, I just... I don't really wear my hair down in front of people."

I kick myself, panicking. "Sorry Hange I-"

"No it's fine," Hange says. She turns around in her chair to look at me. She shrugs. "I don't mind. It's kind of nice." She smiles shyly at me. I don't think I've ever seen Hange being anywhere close to shy before. It makes me shy too. Butterflies flutter in my stomach. 

"It looks nice," I tell her. "Your hair, like that." God why do I sound like a such an idiot. 

Hange smiles. "Thanks." She drags a hand through her hair and sighs at her pile of paperwork. She looks really tired, and really stressed. I hate it. I step forward again, then hesitate. Then I gather my nerve and reach out and stroke Hange's hair. Hange stills and I give her head a little, soothing scratch. Like my mom used to give to me when I was little. Hange releases a breath and tilts her head back into my hand. I bite my lip, the butterflies in my stomach going into a frenzy. I move closer and continues to scratch gently, fingertips grazing her scalp. Hange sighs and closes her eyes. I smile at the content look on her face. Silence passes and the seconds tick by on the clock. Then there's a knock on the door and Hange and I both stiffen, my hand stills against her head and then I pull away. Hange swallows and clears her throat. "Who is it?" she calls, smoothening out her hair and throwing it hastily back up into a ponytail.