For the One I Love || Hanji x Female Reader

Special Chapter: Hanji's Distress

[Author's Note]

Hello! As requested, here's a special chapter from Hanji's point of view, and also to celebrate 1k reads! I hope that I didn't make them too OOC :( Please tell me what you think of it in the comments section!

And again, thank you for continuing to support this story!

[Special Chapter]

Hanji was beyond pissed. Why, you ask? Because they had attempted several times to steal a glance at [Y/N], but Connie caught them in every single one. [Y/N], on the other hand, thankfully remained oblivious to what they were doing, but they would bet their soul that Connie would tell her anyway. However, [Y/N] is not the type to blindly believe; she'd have to see for herself.

And that's why they had to steel their resolve when they saw Connie saying something to [Y/N]. They couldn't risk getting caught by her, lest they wants to expose themselves.

"Shitty four-eyes," Levi called out as he flicked their arm.

Hanji gave a hearty laugh in return, thankful for the distraction before saying, "So, shorty, can't reach my forehead so you had to flick me somewhere you can reach?"

Levi responded by casually stepping on their shoe, making them wince in pain.

"Hey! What was that for?" Hanji asked, exaggerating the pain they felt.

"Everyone with eyes can see that you're becoming fond of that new recruit," Levi stated as he arched an eyebrow.

Hanji tried to deny it but with Moblit next to them smiling suggestively, it was obvious that they've been out. So they just cleared their throat before answering, "She's the type who...just...you know! Moblit, help me out! You were the one saying that she's...I forgot about it but I agreed!"

"Sorry, squad leader, you're on your own for now," Moblit said as he walked away from the group with a teasing smile on his face.

"Oi, you're going to miss your goddamned turn if you keep on talking," Levi stated as he cocked his head over to where [Y/N] and the other cadets were.

True enough, a brave (but soon to be dead) Garrison soldier was talking to [Y/N] - his gestures indicating that he's inviting her to dance. Hanji watched [Y/N]'s expression, and it was evident that she wanted to turn him down.

Before Hanji realized it, they were walking towards them already. Hanji could feel the eyes of the group they left behind, specifically Levi's. Upon reaching them, they could see the surprised looks of the 104th cadets, while [Y/N]'s eyes were closed as she held out her hand to the Garrison soldier.

"My sincerest apologies, but I believe she already promised this dance to me," Hanji said as they took hold of [Y/N]'s hand before the man could touch it.

Seeing [Y/N]'s face shift from gloomy to glowing was enough to make their heart flutter. It was enough to justify the blatant lie they just said.

Hanji didn't remember anything after that, what brought them back was the feel of [Y/N] in their arms. Hanji actually wanted to hug her right then and there, but they knew that their little episode was the reason why everyone was watching them intently.

"If I may ask, what was that about?" [Y/N] suddenly asked, and to say that Hanji was surprised was a complete understatement.

Hanji involuntarily swallowed, not knowing if they should tell her the truth, or if it would be too much. Despite [Y/N] joining the Survey Corps recently, Hanji was older than her by only four years.

'What should I say? I clearly haven't thought this through. I...don't think I can tell her just yet,' Hanji thought to themselves.

And so, they made another blatant lie as they told [Y/N], "I must've drunk a bit too much tonight."

Hanji almost wanted to take back their words when they saw the look on [Y/N]'s face. Hanji also noticed that [Y/N] wasn't holding on to them as tightly as before, and even plastered a clearly fake smile on her face.

"Oh," [Y/N] said before she continued, "Make sure to get lots of rest tonight, then. Else you'll wake up with a headache."

[Y/N] tried to avert her gaze but Hanji gently tilted her chin to prevent her from doing so. They might have broken the younger girl's heart, but they were more than willing to do whatever it takes to make her smile again.

"What I did a while ago probably surprised everyone in this room, but I don't regret it one bit," Hanji said as they smiled before holding [Y/N] closer to them.

[Y/N] didn't look convinced. It absolutely stunned them when they heard [Y/N] say, "You should really slow down on the alcohol, Squad Leader Hanji. You might do something you never intended to."

There it goes. The ultimate proof that Hanji had hurt her - formalities. Hanji felt sick to their stomach, and all they wanted was to take [Y/N] somewhere private and apologize to her. Hanji was even willing to tell her everything they felt if that's what it takes.

"I apologize for what I did, [Y/N]. It's just that for some reason, it didn't sit well with me that you'd be dancing with someone like him," Hanji said as they lowered their head in guilt until their hair concealed their eyes.

"No! I mean, thank you so much for saving me from him. I didn't want to dance with him either," [Y/N]'s voice suddenly got a bit louder, making Hanji smile genuinely.

Despite the fact that Hanji had hurt her, [Y/N] still appreciated that Hanji danced with her. One of the reasons why they're slowly falling for the younger soldier, even as they desperately tried to avoid it.

The waltz was coming to an end, and [Y/N] looked like she wanted to leave the area for some time.

In an attempt to somehow tell her the truth with masked feelings, Hanji said, "Even if you don't call for me, I'll come running if I see you in any sort of trouble. Don't ever forget that," before hesitantly letting [Y/N] go to walk back to where Levi, Erwin, and the others were.

"Shitty four-eyes, that brat looks like she's about to cry," Levi muttered before he stepped away from the group to who-knows-where, but Hanji couldn't bring themselves to look back.

"I can't, Levi. You know I can't," Hanji responded in a low tone, not knowing whether he even heard them at all or not.

'It's a different agonizing feeling to know that I've intentionally hurt her for no one's sake but mine,' Hanji thought as they clenched their fist before walking past Erwin and the others.

Hanji just couldn't stand to be with anyone right now. And they had to admit, the thought that Levi may have left to comfort [Y/N] was enough to make them mad with jealousy.