For the One I Love || Hanji x Female Reader

Chapter Thirteen: Presage

When I woke up, I was surprised to see that Captain Levi was by my bedside, holding up a glass of water. He arched an eyebrow at me before saying, "I figured that you'd want something to somehow cool yourself down."

I could only nod at him before taking the glass and downing it in one go. It had an instant effect on me - partially cooling me down, though when I touched my forehead, it was evident that I still had a fever.

"How's Hanji? They stayed up really late last night, and...I took their room too," I asked him as I handed him back the empty glass.

Captain Levi sighed and closed his eyes for a bit as he answered, "Shitty four-eyes didn't sleep. Said they didn't need it."

I opened my mouth to say something in response but Captain Levi cut me off when he said, "Don't worry, I knocked them out when I gave them medicated tea instead of coffee."

I let out a sigh of relief as I nodded in understanding, fidgeting with my fingers in the process.

How do I tell Captain Levi that it was actually awkward that I was only in Hanji's shirt, my underwear, and nothing else under the blanket?

"Your emotions and thoughts are all over your face, [Y/N]. In case you're wondering, I didn't bother peeking at your plain figure," Captain Levi said nonchalantly. 

I hastily turned to face him and exclaimed, "What was that?"

'Well, did he really have to say it like that?'

"It's good that you got your energy back, at least. Your fever hasn't broken still, so four-eyes will come by in a while to give you another medicine that should work. I'll have them run several laps if that still doesn't work."

Despite the circumstances, I couldn't help but smile upon hearing his words. It made me feel warm, even if the way he cares for others wasn't that obvious.

"You idiot, what the hell are you smiling about?" Captain Levi asked, his eyebrows furrowed in irritation.

I scratched the back of my head as I sheepishly smiled at him and said, "It's just that you're like an older brother figure to me, Captain. It reminds me of the time when I had asked for one from my parents when I was young. Turns out, it didn't work that way."

Captain Levi merely crossed his legs and distractedly stared at a random spot on the wall behind me, until I cleared my throat and peered at him as I asked, "Captain? Are you alright?"

He looked a bit shaken as his eyes met mine all of a sudden, and he looked down on the floor before he said, "Yes, I'm quite alright. That idiot scientist should be here any moment with your medicine."

As if on cue, the door suddenly swung open, revealing Hanji along with the other 104th cadets. Sasha immediately ran over to my side and hugged me as she cried out, "I was really worried about you! Where have you been?"

Mikasa and the others went to my bedside as well and asked similar questions, to which I answered with, "I'm sorry for suddenly disappearing, I needed to think about something."

Connie raised an eyebrow and asked, "And that something should be a someone, right?"

Sasha quickly smacked his head, and the two argued once more like they usually did. Mikasa sat down beside me and pat my head, before leaning close as she whispered, "Squad Leader Hanji kept on roaming the corridors until sunrise because they didn't know why the medicine wasn't working."

Ymir, who heard it, nodded as she added, "They were worried sick about you, no pun intended."

Christa nudged Ymir's side before saying, "Please get well soon, [Y/N]. So we can all spend time together training again."

I nodded at this and answered, "Of course, I will! I mean, Hanji's medicine will work this time, right?"

Upon hearing their name, Hanji, who was talking seriously about something with Levi, finally walked towards me as they held a small vial on their hand. The other cadets quickly gave way, until it was painfully obvious that they were setting us up as they watched from a distance.

I quickly straightened up and sat down a bit too stiffly, my blanket covering my legs so nobody else will figure out that I was half-naked.

Hanji tentatively sat down on the edge of the bed and said, "I assure you that this one will work. I've been trying to correct the formula since last night, and this is the one that I came up with."

I could only nod at them and they smiled tightly before they leaned a bit closer to me.

"Open your lips, [Y/N]," Hanji commanded in almost a whisper, and I did as I was told. I parted my lips ever so lightly, and Hanji carefully positioned the vial so I could drink its content.

It tasted a bit bitter, and it must have shown on my face because Hanji said, "Just a little bit more...there you go."

Hanji quickly handed me a glass of water to wash off the bitter taste, and I mumbled my thanks to them. Hanji gently ruffled my hair before they stood up and said, "Your fever should be gone within the day, but I'll still keep tabs on you with Levi."

Sasha raised her hand and volunteered, "We can also take turns in monitoring, Squad Leader!"

Captain Levi intervened as he said, "All of you, go back to your training. [Y/N] will be joining you again tomorrow."

Sasha looked like she had something else to say, but Captain Levi's glare stopped her in her tracks.

"It's okay, you guys. I really appreciate it! I promise to get well soon to join you for our training tomorrow!" I told them with a bright smile.

Though they looked hesitant, they said their goodbyes and waved at me before they left, with Captain Levi closing the door, leaving me alone with him and Hanji.

"Training? Do we have an upcoming mission?" I asked as I bit my lower lip in curiosity.

Hanji nodded at this and Captain Levi stated, "We were tasked to kill all the remaining titans that are roaming around the ruins of Utgard Castle, especially since Dauper and Ragako are nearby. Truth be told, I doubt that there'll be any survivors."

"Don't be like that, there may still be those who managed to stay alive for some reason," Hanji interjected as they lightly hit Captain Levi on the shoulder.

I nodded understandingly and said, "In that case, I will definitely join them tomorrow. I also know that we need to have more soldiers for the mission, especially since it will involve rescue as well."

The two leaders were quiet for some time before Hanji smiled proudly as they said, "Very well said, [Y/N]."

Captain Levi sighed in exasperation as he turned to face Hanji and asked, "So four-eyes, will you still be going through with what you told me?"

My interest was piqued by this, all the more since Hanji looked like they were rooted to the spot, the shock evident on their face before they looked down on the floor with a sigh.

"Unfortunately, Levi, I have to," and with this, Hanji walked out with the door shutting after them.

I glanced at Captain Levi, wanting to know what it was about, to which he replied with, "You'll know tomorrow, [Y/N]."

[Author's Note]

Hi, I'm back with another chapter! There will be more heartbreak from this chapter onward, but I swear that it will be worth it in the end.

Also, anyone here who's a fan of Kimetsu no Yaiba/Demon Slayer? I'd like to promote my new story, Breakable Heaven, with Sanemi x Female Reader as the pairing. Please do give it a try!