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

Chapter 23: Unspoken Question

The tea shop was quiet, long closed for the evening. A single lantern cast a warm glow across the room, its flickering light painting soft shadows on the walls. Levi sat at the table nearest the counter, fingers idly drumming against the wood. The shop's stillness felt heavier tonight, weighted with unspoken thoughts and a decision he'd finally come to.

Across the room, Hange was scribbling furiously in her journal, muttering under her breath as she worked. A strand of messy hair fell into her face, and she tucked it behind her ear without looking up. Levi watched her, his sharp gaze softening as she let out a triumphant "Aha!" over whatever nonsense she'd written down. She hadn't stopped since she arrived a few weeks ago, brimming with ideas she insisted had to be documented immediately. It was typical of her-throwing herself headfirst into something as if time itself were chasing her.

Levi watched her in silence. Her hair was still a mess, her hands ink-stained, and she hummed softly as she worked. It was as if she'd never been gone, and yet the ache of her absence lingered faintly in his chest.

The box in his pocket felt heavier than it should. He'd carried it for weeks, long after her return. This wasn't something he did-grand gestures, confessions, sentimental nonsense. But if there was one thing Hange had taught him over the years, it was that some things-some people-were worth stepping outside his comfort zone for. He'd intended to give it to her earlier, but the timing had never felt right. Watching her now-hair a mess, ink smudged on her fingers, entirely lost in her world-he realized waiting for the right moment was pointless.

"Hange," he said, his voice cutting through the stillness.

She startled, her pen streaking across the page. "Levi! What the hell, warn me next time," she grumbled, but her tone was teasing. She closed her journal, her grin wide and curious. "You look deadly serious. Should I be worried?"

"Come here," Levi said, nodding to the chair across from him.

Her brow furrowed, but she got up, dragging her chair to his table and plopping down with a dramatic sigh. "Alright, Captain. What's on your mind?"

Levi didn't respond immediately. Instead, he reached into his pocket and placed the small box on the table. The simple gesture made Hange's grin falter, her eyes darting between him and the box.

"What's this?" she asked, her voice unusually quiet.

"Open it," Levi said, leaning back in his chair.

Hange hesitated for a moment, then carefully lifted the lid. Her eyes widened as the ring inside caught the lantern's light. Simple yet elegant, it was everything Levi thought she'd never expect-but exactly what she deserved.

She let out a disbelieving laugh, her fingers brushing over the ring. "Levi... What is this?"

Levi's expression didn't waver. "What does it look like?"

"I mean, I see what it is, but-" Hange blinked, her grin returning, though it was tinged with disbelief. "This isn't... You're not serious, are you?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Levi asked, his tone dry.

"Because it's you," Hange said, laughing softly. "You, the guy who doesn't even believe in... well, stuff like this." She gestured vaguely at the ring, her voice dropping slightly. "So, why?"

Levi leaned forward, his arms resting on the table. "You're always leaving," he said simply. "Figured this might remind you that someone's always waiting."

Hange's laughter faded, replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. "Levi..."

She picked up the ring, holding it delicately between her fingers. "You're telling me you got me this to-what? Keep me grounded? Make sure I don't forget you?"

"Do I look like the type to waste time on something that doesn't matter?" Levi said, his tone sharp but his gaze steady.

Hange opened her mouth to respond, but stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. It was uncharacteristically raw, an unspoken answer to every question she hadn't asked.

Her voice wavered as she said, "This isn't exactly how I pictured it, you know. Not.. what I imagined."

Levi didn't flinch, didn't look away. "So, is it a yes or what?"

Hange stared at him, her eyes wide as if trying to process his words. "Wait-are you serious? Levi Ackerman is-? Holy crap. You've officially gone soft."

Levi's lips twitched in what might have been a smirk, ignoring her comments. "Well?"

She shook her head, laughing softly in disbelief before slipping the ring onto her finger. "Hell yeah, let's do this."

"Good," Levi muttered, sitting back in his chair. "Now shut up before I change my mind."

Hange grinned, staring at the ring on her finger like she couldn't believe it was real. "You're full of surprises, you know that?"

"Tch. Don't get used to it," he replied, but there was no edge in his voice. If anything, there was a faint trace of relief.

Hange leaned back in her chair, a wide smile spreading across her face. "I guess this means you're stuck with me, huh?"

Levi snorted, folding his arms. "I've been stuck with you for years. This just makes it official."

Hange burst out laughing, her voice filling the shop. Levi watched her, his lips twitching into what might have been a smile. She reached across the table, resting her hand over his. For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their unspoken bond anchoring them in the quiet.

"Levi," Hange said after a while, her voice quieter but no less bright. "You're really bad at this, you know."

"At what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Grand gestures," she teased, squeezing his hand. "But somehow, you still manage to pull it off."

"Good to know," Levi said dryly. "Now finish your tea and let me have some peace."

Hange laughed again, leaning back in her chair as she admired the ring on her finger. The quiet companionship settled over them, warm and familiar, as the lantern's glow flickered gently against the walls.