Chapter Text
“The analysis on the weapon xv prototype needs to be done within the month,” Hanji said, juggling a mound of files in her arms. “The meeting with Erwin got moved to tomorrow. And don’t forget about the ballistics tests! They started yesterday, and results should be coming in.”
Warm hands pressed over hers, stilling her movement. “We’ve got it, Hanji,” Moblit said, and with a kindly, if not somewhat exasperated smile, lifted the files from her grasp.
Armin gave her a thumbs up from where he hovered at Moblit’s side. “Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve extensively studied Research Team protocol and procedure. I’m sure I’ll be able to assist Moblit and the team in your absence.”
Hanji took a deep breath and released it, long and slow. She willed the muscles in her shoulders to loosen. Moblit and Armin were right. It would be fine. Her team had managed perfectly well when she’d been in the field.
Smiling fondly, she grabbed Moblit’s arm and squeezed. “Thank you.”
She patted Armin’s shoulder on the way to the door. “Thank you too, Armin. I appreciate you lending the extra help.” She paused, considering, and added, “especially with Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt still on the loose. I know a part of you wanted to join your friends in their search efforts.”
Armin pressed his lips together and nodded. “It wasn’t an easy decision. But it’s the right one. I think, for now, I’m more help here. Besides, since Zeke and Pieck have yet to divulge anything, I’d like to do some digging into their backgrounds. See what I can find.”
“We’re lucky to have you, Armin,” Hanji said, and meant it.
He blushed. “I’ve been wanting to help out in your department for a long time. I’m just glad you’re giving me a chance. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on our findings!”
“Yes! I’ll have my phone-”
Before she could finish, Moblit was at her back, pushing firmly. “Nope. No. We absolutely will not. You’re going to relax and enjoy yourself.”
Hanji laughed and allowed Moblit to propel her forward. “Alright, alright. I’m going. I confidently leave the department in your very capable hands.”
As she stumbled out the door, Moblit called after her. “Have fun! And so help me, if you call to ask about an experiment, I will hang up on you!”
There were only a few current experiments she was heavily invested in anyway. At most, she’d call once. Maybe twice.
Mike found her as she ducked and dodged her way through the crowded central hall. Stepping alongside her, he slowed his steps and matched her stride.
“You never did tell me where you two are going.”
“Would you believe me if I told you Erwin has literally ordered it to be kept classified?”
“Absolutely. That is the most Erwin thing I’ve ever heard.”
Hanji smiled and bumped his shoulder. “He’s just wary about having us both out there. He thinks the fewer who know our whereabouts, the better.”
“He’s probably right. Though I’d say you’ve both proven you can soundly handle any shit that is thrown your way.”
“We did alright,” Hanji admitted.
“They gave you medals.”
“Yeah. We’re pretty great,” Hanji said, and glanced up and grinned.
Mike chuckled. “You two are good for each other.”
As they distanced themselves from the central hall, the corridor emptied and quieted. Near the building’s entrance, their steps automatically slowed.
Hanji’s gaze shifted to the wall. Fresh paint, still bright and glossy, was a backdrop to the line of photographs and plaques.
“You did a really good thing here, Zoe. Arranging for this. I know Levi appreciates it. The other agents do too.”
Hanji looked up, seeking out Isabel and Farlan’s smiling faces. To their left was Marco. And on their right, Pastor Nick. Above the photos, a shining plaque read:
Our associates. Our friends. Our family. Selfless, dedicated, unimaginably brave, they died so that countless more may live. We remember them, always.
Marco was all freckles. His hair had been neatly combed, and he smiled charmingly - if not somewhat awkwardly - at the camera.
Isabel and Farlan stood, side-by-side and with arms over each other’s shoulders. They were so young. Hanji looked from their wide smiles to their bright, shining eyes.
In his photo, the Pastor stood in front of his church. He wasn’t looking at the camera, but instead, at something just beyond. His eyes squinted and his lips curved up, content.
Hanji heaved a long, slow sigh.
“How are you holding up?”
She shrugged, honest. “I’m holding. I still have nightmares. About Pastor Nick. The missiles. Zeke.”
“It does get easier. Over time.”
It had already gotten easier, truly. Not as fast as she’d like. But still, it was progress.
“I’ve been talking about it,” she said. “Levi tells me it helps.”
“Good. It’s good that he can help you.”
“We help each other,” she said, and gave the pictures one last long look.
Mike walked her as far as the main doors. They parted with a hug, and Mike squeezed, nearly lifting her off the floor.
“Have some goddamn fun, Hanji. You’ve earned it,” he said, releasing her. “And please send Nanaba and me some pictures. We’re dying to see what a relaxed Levi looks like.”
Hanji laughed, “We’ll see. I can’t promise the pictures won’t be classified.”
She hopped down the steps, taking them two at a time. Before she reached the bottom, Mike called her name.
She looked back.
“I’m really glad you didn’t die.”
She smiled and said, “Me too.”
At the curb, a dark, sleek car waited.
The tinted passenger side window rolled slowly, leisurely down as she approached. Levi, partially reclined in the passenger seat, flicked a pair of black sunglasses up. “Five minutes my ass.”
Hanji tossed her bag into the open window.
Levi caught it against his chest, and cringed, stifling a cough. He frowned down, incredulous. “It’s not even that big. What the hell did you put in here to make it so fucking heavy?”
“Complain all you want. I’m ready for whatever this vacation might throw at us.”
Hanji threw herself into the driver’s seat as he grumbled, fumbling with the bag,
“Has Erwin deigned to reveal the location of our vacation yet?” she asked, and reached down to adjust the seat.
Levi scoffed, rolling his eyes. “He has a plane waiting for us at the airport. He didn’t say anything other than to pack a bathing suit.”
“Oh! Maybe the Caribbean? Or Hawaii?” Hanji frowned in thought. “Though I can’t rule out South America. Or for that matter, anywhere with hot springs or a spa.”
An impatient hand brushed over her arm, and then along her back. Caressing the back of her neck, he leaned over the arm-rest and pulled her towards him.
It was a brush of lips, brief and soft, lingering only so long as to promise more.
Reaching up, she cupped his face. Tracing his cheekbone with her thumb, she combed her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes at the touch, and she leaned in, pressing a swift kiss to his mouth, and then his nose.
Dark lashes fluttered against his cheeks, and his gray eyes blinked slowly, contentedly open.
It hit her then, as suddenly as it always did, that they were here, and they were alive, and shit, they’d made it this far. Titan wasn’t gone, and she knew, sure as anything, she and Levi would be called back to this fight sooner rather than later. But they had each other, and they their team - and their friends. It was hard not to be optimistic about those odds.
“Ready?”
In answer, he leaned back and flipped his sunglasses down.
She twisted the keys in the ignition.
Hand on the gearshift, she paused and said, “For the record. I’m really happy. To be here. With you.”
She expected no response; she’d said it simply because she’d wanted him to know.
The car’s engine purred, and as she shifted into drive, Levi murmured quiet and certain, “me too.”
Hanji snuck a glance at him, and saw Levi had crossed his arms, the tips of his ears rosy.
Her stomach did a happy flip. She bit her lip, trying and failing to completely reign in her smile in the face of his obvious embarrassment.
He roughly cleared his throat and said, “So are we going to find that spa, or island, or whatever the fuck Erwin is sending us to, or not?”
She grinned and pressed the pedal into the floor.