Let's Start Again

Chapter Eight: Close the Gap

***I'm done typing Chp. 10 and I'm starting Chp. 11, so here's Chp. 8! Ooh~, it's gonna' get heartbreaking for a little bit in the upcoming chapters (I think two), but, remember: I promised you all a VERY happy ending, and you're gonna' get it...just not now. XD***

                                                                                     Hanji's POV

"Huh?! You're awake?"

There wasn't a windstorm out there that could've moved faster than Hanji did when Levi stared her down, still in his delirious state.

"Hanji...wait..."

He kissed me, and then he said he needed me! That's not Levi. The Levi I've seen doesn't say things like that!

Even though she told herself that, Hanji felt herself calm down and take a few steps forward.

"Sorry. I'm here, Levi. What do you need?"

The captain stumbled his way towards her, the rag now on the floor. When he reached her, Levi grabbed onto the front of her shirt, and whispered, "I can't lose...another comrade. I can't...lose you, Hanji."

"Comrade?"

Hanji wrapped her arms around Levi, who had begun to shiver. For some reason, the word 'comrade' didn't sit well with her, but then Hanji realized that 'comrade' was equal to 'friend' in the military, or, at least she hoped that.

That's what I wanted, right? For him to need me?

"Please don't go" Levi muttered. His voice was muffled, his face being buried in Hanji's chest, but he continued, "I don't want to lose you."

"I'm right here" Hanji said, "You're not gonna' lose me, Levi. I'm right here, and when we go beyond the walls, I'll be right beside you. Is that better?"

"Mm..."

Levi nodded slowly, and Hanji tensed up as Levi gave her a thoughtful glare.

"Thank you. Really."

"No sweat, lil' Levi."

"Ha!"

Hanji had seen Levi make very few facial expressions. He made shown her boredom, grief, anger, and disgust, but never – ever – had Hanji Zoe ever seen Captain Levi Ackerman laugh or smile. And, yet, that was what he did, revealing small, shallow dimples that Hanji had never noticed Levi had before.

"Lil' Levi. I think I like that name."

"...I think I gave you too much sedative."

"HAHA!"

Yep. Definitely too much sedative.

Hanji threw Levi over her shoulder, now completely freaked out. She was put even more on edge when Levi giggled like a schoolgirl and demanded that she put him down. When she did, Levi rolled over on the bed and murmured, "I haven't felt this good in a looong time."

"I guess so" Hanji said, pulling the sheets over him, "Get some sleep, okay? They'll have the test results later. Who knows? I may not have passed."

Levi nodded his head as he got comfortable. Then, in an almost inaudible whisper, he asked, "You meant it, right?"

"Meant what?"

"You'll be right beside me when we go."

Hanji nodded her head, a smile on her face.