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

Chapter 46: Pushing Against the Tide

The hospital corridors stretched long and quiet, the sterile scent mingling with the faint hum of fluorescent lights. Levi's crutch tapped rhythmically against the tiles as he moved purposefully toward the exit, his mind a battlefield of anger and intent. The lead he'd pulled from the prisoner was enough to act on, and Levi had no intention of waiting for bureaucratic red tape to delay him.

As he reached the hospital gates, Onyankopon stood waiting. His arms were crossed, his face set in a rare, grave expression. Jean, Connie, and Pieck lingered a step behind, their unease evident in their posture.

"You're not seriously thinking about going after them, are you?" Onyankopon's tone was steady but carried the weight of concern.

Levi didn't break stride. "Move."

Onyankopon stepped into his path, his voice lowering as he met Levi's steely gaze. "Levi, think about what you're doing. You're angry. I get it. But this isn't the way."

Levi stopped, his grip tightening on his crutch as his gaze sharpened. "What would you know about it?"

Onyankopon's jaw clenched, but his voice remained calm. "I know that this is bigger than just you or Hange. If you go charging in, you'll risk undoing everything she's worked for."

Levi's lip curled in disdain. "Everything you've worked for," he snapped coldly. "Hange's lying in a hospital bed because of your goddamn peace talks. Don't tell me what's at stake."

Jean stepped forward cautiously, his hands raised as if trying to defuse a bomb. "Levi, we're not saying you're wrong to be angry. We're all furious. But if you go off on your own, it'll undo everything she fought for."

"She fought to prevent this from happening," Levi shot back, his voice sharp and cutting. "And look where that got her."

Pieck's voice, quiet but unwavering, cut through the tension. "Levi, I understand what you're feeling. I've been there. But revenge won't bring her back."

"She's not dead," Levi growled, his tone simmering with restrained fury. "And I'm not going to wait for her to be."

Pieck stepped closer, her gaze softening but resolute. "And what happens if you don't come back? What do you think that'll do to her if she wakes up and you're not here?"

Levi faltered, his resolve flickering for a moment before hardening again. "I won't get killed."

Onyankopon exhaled sharply, frustration edging into his tone. "Levi, you've survived more than any of us could imagine, but you're not invincible. If you do this alone, you're gambling with your life-and hers."

Levi's voice dropped, low and cold. "I've spent my entire life cleaning up messes like this. If you think I'm going to sit here and let them get away with it, you don't know me at all."

Connie stepped forward hesitantly, his voice trembling slightly. "But what about Hange? What would she want you to do?"

Levi's jaw tightened, the question hitting deeper than he expected. He didn't respond, his gaze fixed on a distant point beyond them.

"You think she'd want you to throw everything away?" Jean pressed, his voice stronger now. "She'd want you to protect what you've built together-not burn it all down."

"I'm not burning anything," Levi said, his tone as hard as steel. "I'm finishing it."

Onyankopon's voice softened, but his resolve didn't waver. "Levi, you're not wrong to want justice. But this isn't about justice anymore, is it? It's about vengeance. And vengeance... it consumes you."

Levi scoffed, a dry, humorless sound. "You think I don't know that? You think I care?"

"You should," Pieck said quietly. "Because if you let it consume you, it won't just take you-it'll take everything you've fought for. Everything she fought for."

Levi's eye flicked toward her, sharp and calculating, but he didn't respond.

Onyankopon took a step closer, his voice firm. "Levi, we're not your enemies. We want the same thing-to hold the people who did this accountable. But you need to trust us. Let us help you."

Levi's lips twitched in what might have been a bitter smile. "The 'right way' is what got us here," he said, his voice laced with contempt.

Pieck stepped closer, her tone unwavering. "And acting alone will only get you killed. You're not the only one who cares about Hange, Levi. We all do."

For a long moment, Levi said nothing, his gaze flicking between them. The silence stretched, heavy with tension. Then, slowly, he turned back toward the hospital, his shoulders rigid.

"I'm not asking for your permission," he said quietly. "And if you try to stop me again, you'll regret it."

The group watched in stunned silence as Levi disappeared back into the hospital, his words leaving an indelible weight in the air.

Jean broke the silence, his voice quiet. "Do you think he'll listen to reason?"

Pieck shook her head. "No. He's already decided."