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

Chapter 31: Curious Cats

The tea shop bustled with its usual rhythm. The hum of conversation and the soft clink of teacups filled the air, but something was amiss-or so Gabi thought. She sat at a corner table, her eyes narrowed as she watched Levi and Hange behind the counter.

"Falco," she hissed, leaning across the table. "Something's weird."

Falco, who had been halfway through his tea, blinked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Look at them!" Gabi gestured vaguely toward the counter, where Levi was carefully arranging teacups while Hange scribbled furiously in a notebook. "They're acting... different."

Falco followed her gaze. Levi was his usual sharp, stoic self, and Hange was, well, Hange-animated and chaotic. "They seem normal to me."

"No, no, no," Gabi insisted, leaning closer. "Levi hasn't yelled at anyone all day. And Hange's not doing anything weird. She's actually focused. It's suspicious."

Falco frowned. "Maybe they're just in a good mood?"

"Exactly!" Gabi said, pointing at him. "When are they ever in a good mood at the same time?"

Falco sighed. "Okay, so what do you think's going on?"

Gabi's eyes narrowed further. "I don't know. But I'm going to find out."

Gabi's first plan was simple: observation. She and Falco stayed later than usual, pretending to help clean up as they lurked near the counter.

Levi glanced at them suspiciously. "What are you two still doing here?"

"Just finishing up!" Gabi said quickly, grabbing a random rag and wiping the same spot on the counter for the fifth time. Falco busied himself stacking teacups.

Levi didn't look convinced, but he didn't push it. Instead, he handed Hange a cup of tea and muttered something under his breath. Hange laughed-a loud, carefree laugh that made Gabi freeze mid-wipe.

"See?" Gabi whispered to Falco. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Falco whispered back, confused.

"Hange laughed at something Levi said," Gabi said, her eyes wide. "When does that ever happen?"

Falco shrugged. "Maybe it was funny?"

"It's Levi," Gabi shot back, glaring at Falco. "He doesn't do funny."

Levi's sharp gaze flicked toward them, and they both froze. "What are you whispering about?"

"Nothing!" they said in unison, scurrying to the other side of the shop.

By the end of the day, Gabi and Falco's clumsy attempts at espionage had not gone unnoticed. Onyankopon watched them with quiet amusement, easily piecing together what they were up to.

"Are you two always this obvious?" Onyankopon asked as they pretended to rearrange tea tins near the counter.

"We're not doing anything!" Gabi said, her voice a little too high-pitched.

Falco nodded vigorously. "Just... organizing."

Onyankopon smirked, crossing his arms. "You're terrible liars, you know."

Gabi huffed but didn't respond. Falco looked at Onyankopon, his expression nervous. "Do you think something's going on?"

Onyankopon chuckled, shaking his head. "Maybe. Maybe not. But if they wanted you to know, they'd tell you."

"That's not helpful!" Gabi protested.

"Neither is snooping," Onyankopon replied, his grin widening. "Now, shouldn't you be heading home?"

Gabi glared but reluctantly grabbed her things. "Fine. But this isn't over."

As Gabi and Falco were leaving, Hange waved them off with an unusually bright smile. "Goodnight, you two! Don't get into trouble!"

"Us?" Gabi said, feigning innocence. "Never."

Levi, who was wiping down the counter, muttered something too low for them to hear. Hange responded by nudging him playfully with her elbow, earning a glare that was noticeably less sharp than usual.

Gabi stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing as she watched the interaction. Falco tugged at her arm. "Come on, Gabi. Let's go."

But Gabi didn't move. "Did you see that?" she whispered.

"See what?" Falco asked, exasperated.

"They're acting... close," Gabi said, her voice dropping as she watched Levi and Hange exchange a glance. "Like, weirdly close."

Falco sighed. "Maybe they're just... I don't know, friends?"

"Friends don't look at each other like that," Gabi muttered, her suspicion deepening.

As they stepped out onto the street, Yelena approached the shop, carrying a crate of supplies. She nodded at Gabi and Falco, her sharp eyes glancing briefly toward the shop's lit windows.

"Late night for you two," Yelena said, her tone neutral.

"Just helping out," Falco replied quickly, shooting a warning glance at Gabi.

Yelena smirked, her gaze flicking toward the shop again. "They're lucky to have you."

As Yelena disappeared inside, Gabi turned to Falco, her expression determined. "Something's definitely going on. And I'm going to figure out what."

Falco sighed. "Or we could just leave it alone."

"Where's the fun in that?" Gabi shot back, already planning her next move.

Inside the shop, Yelena set the crate down near the counter. She exchanged a knowing glance with Onyankopon, who merely shrugged with a small smile. Neither said a word as Levi and Hange continued their quiet routine, seemingly unaware of the quiet storm of speculation brewing outside.

Yelena's smirk widened slightly as she turned to leave. "Interesting night," she murmured to Onyankopon.

"Always is with those two," he replied, his tone light but meaningful.

As the shop settled into silence, Levi and Hange shared a glance, their unspoken understanding passing between them as naturally as breathing. Whatever Gabi and Falco thought, their secret was safe-for now.