Making a Home out of Loose Ends

Homely Place

Contrary to what they liked to believe, Hange didn't recover after Levi's visit, not fully. At times, while giving a class, the professor would be overcome with a sense of overwhelming dread, lacking in source or direction. If their students ever noticed, they didn't mention it.

They were almost mid-way through the semester, and by that time Hange had gotten to know some of those students. Armin Arlet instantly stood out. His near perfect scores were the best of the class, his commentary was insightful, and his eagerness was such, Hange suspected he spent most of his free time reading research papers for his own amusement. He was often accompanied by Eren Jaeger, who despite his atrocious name acted as a kind young man, if at times a bit impulsive. While not nearly as talented as his friend, Jaeger did well enough in his own right, and Hange had come to respect him.

"This generation has potential," they told Levi, leaning back on the lab chair. Even though his shift had ended a long while ago, he had chosen to stick around to talk.

"How can you tell?"

"I just know."

The two had started to hang out not only during work, but on the weekends as well. He still preferred to keep to himself, but he was an amazing listener, asking the right questions at just the right times, quick to point out inconsistencies and share his own thoughts on a subject once given enough context. He even helped with doing chores at their apartment, no matter how hard Hange tried to dissuade him from doing it.

Levi did a lot for them, and so Hange started wondering what they could give to him in return.

One lazy Saturday morning, they had the impulse to invite him out to a recently opened tea shop. It took Levi a while to finally see and reply to the text, and to Hange's delight, he agreed.

-.-.-.-.-

It was a small, homely place, with ivy blossoms hand painted on the wall and warm lights hanging from the ceiling. They were soon offered a table for two and given a lengthy menu, containing varieties of tea and infusions neither Hange nor Levi had ever heard of.

"Good morning," a waiter asked after they had been settled for a while. "What may I serve you?"

"I'm going to want, uh, do you have hot cocoa?" The waiter said yes. "I want that, and some of those cookie sandwiches filled with strawberry jam. They look really good."

The waiter took note.

"And for your date?"

The waiter's words were like a punch to the face. This man, who didn't actually know them, had the nerve to make assumptions about their relationship. He considered for a second if it would be appropriate to return the punch, this time physically, but discarded it the moment they heard Hange cackle as loud and shamelessly as a raven.

"Sorry, it's just that we aren't, we aren't dating." Hange was not yet recovered from their fit of crying laughter when they tried to explain their situation to the waiter. He blushed, and apologized profusely.

"I want black tea." Levi said, less like a request and more like a threat. "No sugar. No milk. And an almond biscuit."

He left, still abashed by the interaction.

"I hope you don't take it the wrong way, shorty," they said, still trying not to chuckle. "Look, I do love you, but I'll be honest upfront. I would never date you."

Levi stared at Hange for a moment, not offended by the implication that he was romantically undesirable, but trying to process the fact that someone had just told him "I love you" like it was no big deal. He felt his chest go warm with something akin to joy.