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

Chapter 29: Lingering Tension

The moon hung high in the sky as Levi and Hange returned to the tea shop. The quiet streets stretched behind them, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns that flickered in the gentle night breeze. They'd closed the shop early, leaving behind the daily rhythm of their lives for something far more significant-something that neither of them had fully processed yet.

As they stepped inside, the familiar space seemed almost foreign-quiet and still, yet charged with something neither of them could name. Levi reached for the lantern on the counter, lighting it with a quiet flick of the flint. The warm light illuminated the room, casting soft shadows over the carefully arranged tables and neatly stacked teacups. Hange lingered near the doorway, her boots scuffing lightly against the wooden floor as she hung her coat on the nearest hook.

The shop was still, but the air between them felt heavy, as though the weight of the evening hadn't fully settled yet. Levi glanced at Hange, his sharp gaze softening slightly as he took in her familiar presence. Hange, in turn, looked at him, her expression unreadable but thoughtful.

Neither of them spoke as the silence stretched. Hange moved first, heading to her desk in the corner. She pulled out her journal, her hands uncharacteristically shaky as she opened it to a blank page. Her pen hovered, but no words came. Across the room, Levi busied himself with the familiar ritual of brewing tea, his movements methodical yet slower than usual. His sharp gaze flicked to Hange now and then, noticing the stillness in her usually restless form.

The air between them felt charged, a quiet tension that neither could ignore. Levi set the teapot down with a quiet clink, the sound startling in the stillness. Finally, he crossed the room, his steps measured and deliberate. He stopped beside her and rested a hand on the back of her chair. Without a word, Hange stood, leaving her journal behind. Her eyes met his, a question lingering there, though neither spoke it aloud.

Levi gestured his head toward the staircase, his expression as steady as ever but with a softness that only she could see. Hange hesitated for only a moment before following him upstairs.

The room above the shop was dimly lit, the glow from the lantern below barely reaching the edges of the cozy space. It was simple, practical-much like the two of them. Levi moved to the window, his silhouette outlined by the faint moonlight. Hange followed slowly, her movements uncharacteristically tentative.

Her fingers found his cravat first, pausing as if waiting for permission before loosening the knot. Levi didn't stop her, his steady gaze fixed on hers. His hands found their way to her waistcoat, undoing the buttons with deliberate care. The soft rustle of fabric and the quiet rhythm of their breathing were the only sounds in the room.

Layer by layer, the barriers between them fell away, each piece of clothing dropped with unspoken reverence. The lantern's glow highlighted every scar, every line etched into their skin-marks of battles fought, losses endured, and the lives they had shared yet kept separate until now.

Levi's hand brushed against Hange's cheek, his thumb tracing the faint curve of her jaw. Hange leaned into his touch, her breath hitching as their lips came to rest against each other. The tension that had simmered between them all evening reached its breaking point, and the distance between them disappeared.

Levi's free hand moved instinctively to the small of her back, pulling her closer as their movements became fluid, unspoken, and certain. Hange's arms slid around his neck in response, her body aligning with his as though they'd always belonged this way.

Her fingers threaded through his hair, hesitant at first but quickly finding confidence. Levi responded with equal intensity, his touch deliberate as it mapped out the scars and curves he'd long known yet had never explored like this. The soft sounds of their breathing blended with the faint creak of the bed as she sat back, drawing him closer without hesitation.

Time blurred as they moved together, their connection deepening with every touch, every gesture. Levi knelt before her, his hands steady as they brushed over her arms, her waist, her chest, lingering on her shoulders as if memorizing every detail. Hange's own hands trembled slightly as they roamed across his chest and shoulders, her heart pounding in time with the moment.

Levi's touch became more certain, guiding her with deliberate ease. She responded with equal urgency, her breath shallow as the heat between them grew. The rhythm of their movements was unhurried yet urgent, a culmination of years of trust, shared battles, and the bond that had always been there.

The world outside faded, leaving only the quiet hum of the night and the soft glow of the lantern. Every moment between them was raw, intimate, and full of everything they hadn't been able to say. It wasn't just about the physical-it was about trust, vulnerability, and the undeniable connection that had been building for years.

When it was over, the quiet of the room felt almost sacred. Hange lay against Levi, her head resting on his chest, their heavy breaths mingling as they began to come back to themselves. The moonlight bathed the room in a soft glow, highlighting the tangle of limbs and the peace that settled over them.

Hange was the first to move, her voice barely above a whisper. "Well..."

Levi's hand brushed through her hair, his thumb tracing the edge of her ear with a tenderness that caught her off guard. "Yeah?"

For a moment, he didn't say anything more. His heart still raced, but a calm settled over him as he held her. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter than usual.

"I didn't know I could... feel like that," he admitted, his fingers lightly brushing the back of her neck. "I thought... it wasn't for me."

Hange's heart tightened as she turned to face him, her hand resting gently on his chest. She could hear the weight in his words, the vulnerability he offered without asking for anything in return. "Levi, you don't have to explain," she said softly, her voice warm and reassuring. "I understand."

"It's not just about this," Levi continued, his voice still low. "It's about you. You make me feel... grounded. Real."

Hange's fingers traced the curve of his jaw, her smile tender. "You've always been more than you let on, Levi. And I've always known."

Levi closed his eyes briefly, the weight of her words settling into him. "With you," he said quietly, "it's different. I feel... whole."

Hange pressed her lips softly to his forehead, her touch lingering as they settled deeper into the quiet of the night. There were no more words, no need for them.

And in the quiet aftermath, as the night stretched on, they understood each other now more than they ever had. It wasn't about labels or expectations. It was about the connection they shared-simple, deep, and true. And for the first time, Levi and Hange didn't feel like they had to hide any part of themselves anymore.