Brewed to Perfection: Quiet Tea | LeviHan | Levi Ackerman x Hange Zoe | FalBi

Chapter 22: Stories of the World

The shop was closed for the evening, the soft glow of lanterns casting warm light across the tidy tables and counters. The faint scent of marlok leaves lingered in the air, mingling with the hum of quiet conversation. Levi sat at one of the corner tables, his crutch leaning against the wall, a fresh pot of tea steaming between him and Hange.

"So," Levi began, pouring tea into two mismatched cups, "how many fires did you start this time?"

"None!" Hange exclaimed, though her wide grin gave her away. "Well, unless you count the metaphorical ones. I might've sparked a heated debate at one of the summits."

Levi raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for her to elaborate.

Hange leaned forward, propping her chin on her hand. "You wouldn't believe the people I've met, Levi. Some of them are terrifying, sure, but others... they give me hope. Like this one woman from Hizuru—an engineer. She's creating machines to help rebuild coastal towns. It's incredible. Reminded me of... well, us. The Scouts."

Levi's expression softened, though he said nothing, his hand cradling the teacup.

"And there was this old historian in the mainland," Hange continued, her eyes lighting up. "He recognized me from a portrait in some old Marleyan archives. Said he'd read about the Scouts, about what we did. You should've seen his face when I told him I was part of it."

"Did you tell him you almost got yourself killed every other day?" Levi asked dryly, taking a sip of tea.

"Of course not," Hange replied, feigning offense. "I told him about you—how you carried the entire Scout regiment on your tiny shoulders."

Levi smirked faintly. "Sounds accurate."

Hange chuckled, leaning back in her chair. "But honestly, Levi, the world is changing. It's slow and messy, but it's happening. Paradis has come a long way, even if there's still tension. And the ambassadors are doing good work. Even Jean, can you believe it?"

"Jean's always been useful," Levi muttered, though there was a note of agreement in his tone.

"Useful, yes, but now he's actually patient," Hange said, shaking her head in disbelief. "And Annie—she actually smiled once. It was terrifying."

Levi's brow furrowed slightly. "Annie smiled? What's the catch?"

"None," Hange said with a grin. "Armin's rubbing off on her, I guess."

The mention of Armin brought a pause to the conversation. Hange glanced at Levi, who was staring into his cup, his expression unreadable.

"Anyway," Hange said, breaking the silence, "I've got some news. Good news, actually."

Levi looked up, his sharp eyes meeting hers. "What kind of news?"

"I'm staying longer this time," Hange said, her voice light but firm. "A few months, maybe more."

Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering across his face. "Why?"

Hange hesitated, her grin faltering for just a moment. "Because I need a break, Levi. You know me—I don't stop. But I want to. At least for a little while. And... well, this place is my home."

Levi studied her carefully, his gaze searching for the hidden reason she wasn't saying. But if there was more to her decision, she wasn't letting it show.

"You're not just running away from something, are you?" Levi asked, his tone low but pointed.

Hange shook her head, smiling faintly. "I'm not running. I'm pausing. There's a difference."

Levi leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. He didn't trust her completely, not when she was this vague. But he also knew she wasn't lying about wanting a break. Hange didn't know how to stop unless she absolutely had to.

"What'll you do here?" Levi asked, his voice gruff but curious.

"Oh, I've got plans," Hange said, her grin returning. "I'll tend the tea garden, try out some new blends, and maybe even take over your counter duties for a day—"

"Over my dead body," Levi interrupted.

Hange laughed, raising her hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll stick to the garden. And my notes. I've got strategies to work on, ideas to bring to the ambassadors when I go back. But for now, I'm here. And I want to help."

Levi didn't reply immediately, his gaze flicking to the tea garden visible through the window. The thought of Hange staying longer, of her presence filling the shop's quiet spaces, was... unexpected. And, if he admitted it to himself, welcome.

"Don't burn the place down," he muttered finally.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Hange said with a grin, raising her teacup in a mock toast.

The two of them fell into a companionable silence, the steam from their tea curling between them. Hange picked up her notebook, flipping to a fresh page and jotting something down. Levi watched her for a moment, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

For now, Hange was here. And whatever the reason, Levi decided not to question it. She'd tell him when she was ready. Until then, he'd focus on the shop, the garden, and the quiet rhythm of their shared life—even if it was only temporary.