For the One I Love || Hanji x Female Reader

Chapter Seven: Midnight

As embarrassing as it was, I ended up staring at the impassive look on Hanji's face as they gently held my hand while giving the man a staredown. I could feel the gazes of the onlookers since Hanji's loud voice must have caught the attention of those standing nearby. I could also see the surprised looks of everyone from the 104th - but then again, it's not every day that you see a squad leader practically challenge someone from the Garrison over a girl.

"Pardon me then, for not seeing that she already has an escort for the night," the Garrison soldier said as he arched an eyebrow and calmly withdrew his hand.

Hanji just nodded at him, not letting go of my hand. The man then proceeded to walk towards a group of Garrison soldiers, probably to inform them of what had just transpired.

I heard Hanji sigh from beside me before saying, "Now that that's settled, would you care to oblige me my request?"

They bowed ever so lightly while not breaking eye contact with me, and I felt all my blood rush up to my cheeks. I couldn't believe what was happening. I didn't even plan on dancing tonight, and yet here I was, with the person I admire the most as my partner.

I wonder if Hanji can hear how loud my heart is beating right now.

"That would be my pleasure," I answered as I dipped in the most graceful curtsy that I could manage.

As if on cue, the orchestra started playing the beginnings of a waltz, and Hanji knowingly smiled at me as they led me to the dancers lined up at the center. I could see Connie and Sasha, as well as Mikasa and Eren among them. The others were giving me cryptic smiles, which only made me even more conscious than before.

Hanji carefully placed their right hand on my waist and held my hand on their left. I gingerly placed my right hand on theirs and the other on their shoulder. It was then that I became awfully aware of our height difference. Hanji was almost a whole head taller than me. I could only manage to look straight at their shoulders - and I was already wearing heels at that.

"That was interesting, don't you think?" Hanji asked, lowering their head slightly to peer at my face.

I probably resembled a tomato. A very ripe tomato, for that matter.

"Yes, it was," I answered still looking directly at their shoulders, not sure what else to say. I fully expected to dance with the Garrison fellow, as unpleasant as it was. But somehow I had ended up in Hanji's arms.

The waltz had already begun, and even with my basic skills, it took me some time to adjust my paces to Hanji's. Hanji was an excellent dancer, and in no time they were skillfully leading me. I noticed that their facial expression was much gentler now, and they would smile at me from time to time.

"If I may ask, what was that about?" I swallowed nervously as I asked, risking a peek at their face.

Wrong move. It was apparent that Hanji had been gazing at me the whole time.

Maybe Connie was right.

"Hmm, if I'm to be honest, I surprised myself too," they replied, finally breaking eye contact as if they were embarrassed. I could see the beginnings of a blush on their cheeks as well.

"You certainly surprised me, as well as everyone else."

Hanji effortlessly twirled me in accordance with the music, then held my waist tighter afterward. I could almost feel their heartbeat due to our proximity, and I'll bet my soul that Hanji could hear mine as well. For some reason, I couldn't will myself to look at them, especially now that our faces were almost touching.