Hange Zoe Short Story Collection

Enchanted (Angst)

Warning: Angst

Pairing: GN Hange x GN Reader

A/N: I'll describe the request in the end, don't want to spoil anything :)

"There I was again tonight forcing laughter, faking smiles, same old tired, lonely place. Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy vanished when I saw your face. All I can say is, it was enchanting to meet you."

It was the time of year where the woods came alive. The air hung heavy with the thick scent of honeysuckle and the repetitive buzzing of the cicadas. Birds sung their song, fluttering through the branches. The warm wind caused the leaves of the huge pine trees to sway, luring you to venture deeper into the woods. Admittedly, you weren't allowed to be there. The woods are dangerous your mother warned. You can get hurt, bit by a stray animal, stung by a bug, or even get poisoned by a plant she would claim. Just stay in the clearing, the woods are off-limits. Sometimes, she would push a little harder and scare you with her stories. These specific woods have stories about being haunted. As if the threat of supernatural activity would deter you from having a good time. If the woods were such a problem, then why hadn't your parents fenced the backyard? That would have stopped you from going.

The lack of barrier between your backyard and the thriving woods had caused you to leave the safety of your house and enter the mystical, unexplored area. You were 12. It was fine. All you would do was see what it was like. Being inside all summer long was boring. All your friends got to go to the pool or some huge theme park, and you were stuck in the sweltering cabin your parents had rented for the summer. At least the woods would be more interesting.

The twigs crunched underneath your worn sneakers as you walked closer to the thicket of trees. A squirrel skittered by your feet, causing you to pause. It was a cute squirrel. Nothing like the animals your mother warned you of. The deeper you walked in the woods, the darker it got. There were logs with trails of ants, ponds with algae and lily pads, and frogs. So many frogs. It was nothing like you imagined.

Your imagination had included something mystical, almost fairy-like. You had imagined that walking into the forbidden woods would have changed your life. Instead, it was...it was quite dull. You turned, spying the outline of your cabin in the distance. Should you turn back? A quick look at the sky showed the descent of the sun. It would be dark soon.

Maybe it would be more interesting deeper into the woods. And so, you continued your trek, the stray branches digging into your skin as you pressed by them. For the briefest second, it felt as if the woods were alive. That it would inhale and exhale, and you were right in its belly, feeling the thrum of life all around you. Maybe it was time to turn back, it was getting—

From the corner of your eye, you spotted a faint flicker. What was that? Was it a firefly? Your eyes brightened, your posture straightening. You'd always wanted to catch a firefly! Even though you didn't believe in magic—after all, you were 12 and believed yourself to be a mature kid—you couldn't help but feel the thrill of wanting to catch a firefly. Your slow walk turned into a jog and you followed the flickering light through the tangles of the woods, not caring as your cabin grew farther and farther behind.

Your hands stretched out, your fingers reaching for the little bug. It was so close. Just a little bit closer...but apparently the universe really didn't want you to catch the firefly. The bottom of your old sneakers had gotten caught on a nearby branch, causing you to lose your balance. You attempted to break your fall with your arms but that only made things worse. You collided with the ground, getting scratched literally everywhere by branches and rocks.