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

Chapter 36: Hange's Research Expedition

The morning light poured through the tea shop's windows, casting a golden glow over the wooden tables and shelves lined with jars of dried tea leaves. It was a peaceful start to the day-at least until Hange burst through the door, clutching a sketch of an unidentifiable plant and grinning from ear to ear.

"Levi!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the quiet shop. "I've had the most brilliant idea!"

Levi, seated at the counter with a steaming cup of black tea, raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "What now, Four Eyes?"

Hange slammed the sketch onto the counter with a flourish. "This! This plant! I read about it in an old journal. It grows in the mountains nearby, and it's supposed to have the most incredible aroma. Imagine-tea infused with this! It could be revolutionary!"

Levi leaned over the sketch, frowning. "It looks like something a goat would chew on."

"That's why we need to go find it!" Hange insisted, grabbing his arm. "You, me, and a short trek to botanical greatness!"

"No," Levi said flatly, pulling his arm away.

"Come on, Levi," Hange wheedled, her grin widening. "You could use some fresh air. It'll be fun! Just imagine it-us, exploring the wild, gathering ingredients for our next tea masterpiece."

"I can imagine it," Levi said dryly, "and it sounds like a pain in the ass."

Gabi and Falco, who had been restocking the shelves, exchanged amused glances.

"I think you should go, Captain," Gabi said with a smirk. "You wouldn't want to miss Hange's brilliant idea, right?"

Falco nodded, barely suppressing a laugh. "It might actually be... fun?"

Levi glared at the two. "You're both cleaning the tea garden when we get back."

Hange clapped her hands, undeterred. "So that's a yes! Great! I'll pack the essentials-maps, tools, and snacks!"

Levi sighed, finishing his tea in one gulp. "If we're doing this, we're leaving now."

An hour later, Levi found himself trudging up a narrow mountain path, Hange leading the way with an enthusiasm that bordered on manic. She carried a satchel filled with notebooks and small vials, her goggles perched on her forehead as she scanned the landscape.

"Just a little further!" Hange called over her shoulder. "The journal said the plants grow near the ridgeline."

Levi followed at a measured pace, his crutch tapping against the rocky ground. "If this plant turns out to be useless, I'm throwing you off the ridge."

Hange laughed, clearly not taking the threat seriously. "You'll thank me when our customers rave about the new blend!"

They reached a clearing, the air crisp and filled with the scent of pine. Hange crouched by a cluster of bushes, examining the leaves with the intensity of a scientist on the brink of discovery.

"Not it," she muttered, standing and moving to another spot.

Levi leaned against a tree, arms crossed. "Remind me why I'm here again?"

"Because you're my husband," Hange said absentmindedly, her attention fixed on another patch of foliage.

Levi stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he glanced around the empty clearing. "Keep your voice down."

Hange looked up, grinning. "Oh, come on, Levi. There's no one here but the birds-and I think they already know."

After an hour of searching-and several sarcastic comments from Levi-they finally found what they were looking for. Hange knelt by a patch of vibrant green plants, their delicate flowers emitting a faint, citrusy scent.

"This is it!" Hange said, her eyes gleaming. "Levi, smell this!"

She thrust a sprig toward him, and Levi reluctantly leaned in, his nose wrinkling slightly. "It's decent," he admitted. "Still not worth this hike."

Hange ignored him, carefully harvesting a few sprigs and placing them in her satchel. "This is going to be amazing. I can already imagine the blend-citrus undertones, a hint of floral sweetness..."

"Let's go," Levi interrupted, already heading back down the path. "Before you start naming the damn thing."

On the way back, they paused by a small stream to rest. Hange splashed water on her face, her hair sticking out in wild angles as she sat on a rock. Levi sat nearby, leaning back against a tree with his eyes half-closed.

"You know," Hange said, her voice softer now, "I was thinking about how far we've come. From fighting Titans to... this."

Levi opened one eye, glancing at her. "A plant expedition?"

Hange laughed. "No, I mean... this life. The shop, the quiet, everything we've built together. I didn't think we'd get this far. Did you?"

Levi's gaze shifted to the stream, his expression unreadable. "No," he admitted. "But I'm glad we did."

Hange smiled, leaning her chin on her hand as she watched him. "Even when I drag you on crazy adventures?"

Levi sighed but didn't look away. "Even then."

When they returned to the tea shop, Gabi and Falco were waiting with barely-contained grins.

"So, how was the hike?" Gabi asked, her tone innocent but her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Hange beamed, holding up the sprigs of her discovery. "A huge success! We found the most incredible plant. Just wait until you taste the new blend!"

Levi brushed past them, muttering something about needing tea, but Gabi caught the faintest hint of a smirk on his face.

As Hange began excitedly explaining her plans for the new blend, Levi sat at the counter with a fresh cup of tea, letting her voice fill the space. It was chaotic, as always, but in a way that felt exactly right.

And for a brief moment, as he watched Hange hold up her prized plants like they were the key to the universe, Levi allowed himself a rare, contented smile.