A Little Bit Human (Erwin x OC)

24: The One Where They All Find Out

"Lillian." She answered.

"That's a pretty name for a pretty woman." The man smiled.

Hange pushed Lillian closer to him. "She's single. And your name is?"

"Pascal." The man, Pascal said.

"We should be heading back." Levi announced, trying to defuse the situation before Erwin's gaze turned to something worse.

"Hang on now." Hange stood between Lillian and Pascal. "This nice gentle man here asked Lil here on a date, sort of. We should give them their privacy."

Lillian knew by Hange saying privacy that what she really meant was hiding and watching from a distance.

"I don't think he meant that Hange." Lillian spoke up. "I ran into Pascal, I apologized, he asked about my book, I'm freezing, and I want to go home."

"Pascal." Hange smiled and stepped closer to him. "I'm sorry about her, she's just shy."

"It's alright. I understand we all get a little flustered. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that."

Lillian shook her head. "It's alright."

"So it's a date then, Lillian?" The man's smile widened.

"No, I'm sorry." Lillian wanted to tell the man that she was taken, give Erwin a kiss right in front of him before they would walk away together, but she didn't. Instead, she did something she never really did and that was be nice and apologize to a stranger.

"Lil!" Hange ran after Lillian as she started to walk away. "You're never that nice to random people, you liked him, didn't you?"

"No." Lillian answered shortly.

"Come on. What's holding you back from going on at least one date? It wouldn't hurt to try; he seems nice enough."

"Hange let it go." Levi cut in. For the past couple months, it's been Levi's job to clean up the mess that Lillian's and Erwin's relationship leaves. He had never spat out so many secrets in his whole life.

"No, Levi. Your sister hasn't been with someone since Furlan died, and I think she could use it. You want to be with someone, why not let yourself find happiness?"

"I have work to do."

"Come on, your friends with the Commander of the Survey Corps. I'm sure he'll give you some free time, right Erwin?" Hange looked behind her shoulder at Erwin who was walking behind with Mike.

"No. There's too much to be done for me to let the Lieutenant have more free time than the rest of us." Erwin's voice was cold, lined with jealousy.

"I think you should let yourself be happy. I mean come on, I know Furlan's death was traumatizing for you and all, but you gotta get back out there. I know how badly you want to settle down and start a family. Why not take a chance?"

As Hange went on and on to Lillian, she couldn't help but turn her head to get a view of Erwin. He held her gaze for a moment then looked away. Why would she have to go looking for all the things Hange was describing when she had it right in front of her?

"What was that?" Erwin asked.

It was earlier than when the two of them would usually meet up, but Lillian decided talking to him was worth the risk. He was clearly upset, and she wanted him to calm down.

"It was nothing." Lillian whispered as she gently closed the door behind her and tiptoed to him. "It was literally nothing. I just ran into him, and I think Hange saw the opportunity and ran with it."