Chapter 27: Kittens and Broken Glasses

Hanji's POV

Today might be the best day of my life. I got up of my bed with Levi waking me up (which actually includes a series of yelling and pillows at my face), and him taking me to my work initiatively. He volunteered this morning to accompany me on my way to our building just because of the reason that 'I might arrive late'. Tho I really know that Levi did it because he is being protective especially with the happenings last night and it makes me so happy to see him like this. Who would have thought that this chibi can be this possessive? I always imagined that he would just care for his brooms and scrubs but it seemes like I have finally zipped past his cleaning obsession.

After last night, I think that Levi and I grew more attached with each other. I mean, I have always been crazily fond of him but I never thought that he could reciprocate that kind of feeling towards me too. As much as I hate seeing a close friend of mine get hurt, that still proved to me that Levi can be so jealous to the point that he can beat up a person. It scared me a little tho but seeing him like that also made me feel so overwhelmed. It was just a few months ago that Levi always wanted to push me away because of my messy personality but now, he wanted to claim me his thru his simple gestures. This is seriously making me fall for him even more and I hope that he is aware of that.

I didn't notice that time went fast for us two while we walk and we reached the company sooner than I wanted. Levi let go of my hand once we have stepped in front of it and deep inside, I let out an unsatisfied sigh. He looked at me with his usual blank expression while I tried to work my face muscles to give him a goofy smile. In all honesty, I just want to stuff him inside my bag right now and take him to work but since that is impossible despite his height, I still got to tell him goodbye.

I patted my boyfriend's head. "Thanks for going out of your way just to take me here" I said and he answered with a nod.

"I'll be fetching you later too" He told me and my eyes immediately sparkled. This is definitely a great day.

"Really?" I leaned towards him. He frowned at me, taking a step back but I just leaned closer to lessen the distance between us. "Really? Really? We're going home together again?" I asked feeling so excited for the end of my shift eventhough it hasn't started yet.

Levi rolled his eyes. "Yeah so get your ass inside that building already" He said, pushing my body away. I giggled like a kid. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Levi's face softened as his lips curled a little bit upward. Lately, he has been showing little of his smiles and it now makes me more happy than science. The Levi that I first met was so cold and distant but now, he has become a bit calmer and open, especially to me. Tho it seems like his usual frown will forever be in his face, atleast, I know that I am able to draw a different expression on him now.

My giggle and Levi's pushes stopped when someone walked past us. It was Moblit and it seems like the aftermath of Levi's anger on him has made a mark on his face. At the side of his cheek is a bandage just above a bit purplish flesh and his lips has a very noticeable cut at the side. He also didn't greeted nor looked at us when he went to the building which made my heart hurt for a second. Despite what he did, Moblit is still one of my closest friend and seeing him give me cold shoulders is actually affecting me a bit.

Levi immediately took hold of my arms when he saw Moblit making me look at him. He is throwing my colleague some glares and I am sure that he is cursing him right now inside his head. Before it got more severe, I decided to break the tension.

"Hey" I cut Levi's glare making him look at me with a frown. "You have to go to your class now"

My boyfriend rolled his eyes. "Can you take a day off today? It is seriously bothering me that a bastard is working with you" He said, following Moblit's figure with his eyes.

"That bastard which you are talking about is a close friend of mine" I told him, squinting my eyes a bit. "And I won't do anything to worry you. I promise"

Levi let out a breath, rubbing his hand in his temples. "I know that you won't. It is the people around you which I don't really trust" He confessed. My heart jumped in joy seeing him get so possessive. To muffle my squeal, I bit my lower lip and pulled both of his cheeks.

"I really have an adorable chibi, don't I?" I said, pulling it even more. Levi protested and then he swatted both of my hands away. He threw me a glare afterwards.

"Do that again and I won't seriously forgive you Hanji" Levi threatened but I just laughed it off.

"Go now!" I pushed him a little. "It would be pretty embarassing if you'll be late to your students" I said smiling at him before I took a step up the small stairs in front of our building. Levi nodded.

"Alright. I'll be going now" He said adjusting his laptop bag in his shoulders. "Goodbye" He looked at my eyes directly as he said that before he turned his back to walk away.

"Bye!" I shouted after him when he has already made a distance between the two of us. Levi finally blended in with the pool of people in the streets as he went his way and I can't help but feel a bit sad thinking that it'll take me atleast 10 hrs before we see each other again. Nevertheless, I still went inside the building.

I was immediately welcomed with a blow of airconditioned air and couple of murmurs emanated from the conversations that each employees had with one another. I walked at the lobby, greeted by few of my colleagues who I replied back with a smile. Then I went to the elevator and once I have reached it, I clicked my floor number. It opened after a few seconds and I was shock to see the person inside. It was Moblit and he seemed as surprised as me. He bowed his head low when I went inside, settling myself a few feet away. There was a huge space between us and none bothered to talk while we were inside the elevator. The tense and the pressure that the elevator ride has gives me made my stomach turn. I can already feel the breakfast that Levi made this morning at the bottom of my throat and I think that another minute inside will definitely make me puke.

At 4th floor, the doors opened and to my horror, a group of workers went inside. Their mass pushed me to the back where Moblit is situated thus for the next few floors, we stood besides each other.

When it finally reached our floor, I immediately squeezed myself in between the people inside to get out first. I can't take anymore of the tense inside and seriously, it has been producing beads of cold sweats in my forehead.

Once I have reached my cubicle, I groaned and lazily dropped my bag at my desk. I slumped in my chair and closed my eyes a little. Moblit and I have grown awkward with one another but I think that it would be the best for us right now. The happenings last night was still too fresh in our mind and right now, we are probably still suffering its consequences. Levi has been bothered by it, I have grown a bit anxious to Moblit, while my colleague is definitely trying to avoid me. Thus I think that letting it past for a few more weeks would be the best before I try to once again reconcile with him.

"Hanji!" A voice half-yelled at me which broke me out of my thoughts. I opened my eyes, surprised to see Lynn's face just above my divider. She is looking at me with a worried expression.

"What is it?" I asked. Lynn went inside my cubicle.

"Can I ask you a favor?" She asked me as soon as she leaned close to my desk. I tilted my head in confusion but afterwards, I nodded my head.

"What favor is that?" I asked. Lynn bit her lower lip and then she pulled me by my arm. I didn't bulge from my seat since I am still expecting for an answer. Noticing my behavior, Lynn sighed and pinch the bridge of her nose.

"Just follow me for a second please" She said looking at me, pleading. Still confused, I got up of my chair and followes her.

We went out of our floor and took the elevator down to the lobby. Then we crossed another set of hallways till we reached the back prep room. Lynn turned the knob of the door and then she gently pushed it open. Once the space is wide enough, she sticked her head in before he pulled it back to look at me.

"Come in" She said, opening the door entirely. The room was a bit dark and when Lynn closed the door entirely, my vision became completely black. It was just for a second tho but it was enough for me to feel something furry touching my legs. I screamed in shock at the same time when she opened the light. I looked at my feet with fear only to be greeted by a pair of blue round orbs of a kitten. He has white fur with black patches and its eyes seems like it is naturally narrow, kinda reminding me of Levi's. It circled around my legs, tangling its tail around as she rubbed her head on it.

"Aawweee" I sat down, petting the head of the kitten before another one went to me. The new kitten has a ginger colored fur and its curious golden brown eyes stared at me from below. I tried to reach my hand on him but unfortunately, it jumped a few steps back and then he hissed. I looked at Lynn who is smiling at the sight. "What is this? Why are there 3 kittens in the office?" I asked. Lynn rubbed her head as she looked at me embarassingly.

"They are my pet. I am looking for someone to look after them since I'll be accompanying Mr. Smith in his week-long business trip" She said kneeling down and clicking her tongue. The ginger colored cat who has his fur erected while hissing at me, suddenly calmed down and then he ran towards Lynn. He met her hand which was extended, bumping his hand on her palms before she started petting him. "Nifa actually volunteered to take care of them for a while but her cousin who is allergic to cats suddenly came to her house for a vacation. So these babies does not have someone to look after them now" Lynn said, her voice becoming a bit lonely.

"So you want me to do it?" I asked. Lynn looked at me, her expression pleading.

"Please? I have their foods and vitamins in my bag and if you happen to spend an amount of money on them, I promise to pay you" She said, crawling to me. Lynn grabbed bot of my hands and clasped it on her. "I'll give you even double the amount. Please" She looked at my eyes directly.

Basically, it is okay for me since I also like to tend some animals. But I don't know if it is okay with Levi. Knowing that he has a really sensitive view in terms of cleanliness, he would definitely not approve of this. But I also can't ignore Lynn's request. I mean, she always granted me every favor that I asked of her after all.

Lynn said another 'please', leaning herself closer making it harder for me to decide. I was planning to say no when the white kitten with black patch suddenly jumped at my thigh and rested himself on it. How could I even reject this offer when it involves this cuties?

I let out a sigh and looked at Lynn. Her eyes lit up when she saw me smile. "Okay then" I answered and then she embraced me. We almost crushed the kitten between us when we stopped midway because it let out an annoyed 'meow'. The both of us looked at each other instinctively and then we laughed. We both petted the cat on its head, purring loudly due to the attention it got from its owner and me.

Nevermind Levi. I'll be taking these cuties with me.

Levi's POV

I am so pissed off. First, my colleagues bombarded me with questions regarding Hanji, second, my girlfriend left off work without me eventhough we have agreed to go home together, and to make things worst, the rain poured down heavily, keeping me trapped under a hooded bus stop. I didn't bring an umbrella since the forecast said that today's weather will be fine but fuck that news cause it went otherwise.

I let out a breath and crossed my arms. The tapping of the heavy raindrops on the roof of the bus stop made me more annoyed so I place my hands on my forehead rubbing it to calm my nerves. Before the day even started, I already feel stressed out when I sent Hanji to her work knowing that Mobshit will be there too. I kinda lost my trust on the dude after all cause I didn't expect him to do that to her. But looking back yesterday, there was a blonde woman who told me to go at the back of the building yesterday, just before I saw what was happening to Hanji. I forgot about her since I was too angry yesterday but now that I think about it, who was that and why did she purposely draw me in there? Does she know something about me and shitty glasses?

"Levi!!!!!" A voice called, breaking me out of my thoughts. I look at the direction of the voice and I immediately saw shitty glasses sprinting forward with an umbrella in hand. She also has a huge bag hanging at her back amd despite all the rain and puddle of water at the floor, she still got to run to me without tripping or falling.

"Hanji" I muttered "What are you doing in here?" I asked as soon as she was in front of me. Hanji folded the umbrella and held her knees as she catches her breath.

"I-I was at L-lynn's house earlier" She said, still catching her breath. "I saw you in here so I kinda guessed that you might be trapped with no umbrella" Hanji told me and I frowned at the fact. The bag at her shoulders slided down and Hanji's expression immediately shifted to an anxious one. Before it reach the ground, she immediately caught it, letting out a sigh of relief afterwards.

"What is in there?" I asked, getting a bit curious due to how she protected it earlier.

"Stuffs that I brought from Lynn's apartment" She said while grinning. "Anyways, lets go! My babies are waiting for me at home" She told me and my eyebrows met. What babies?

Hanji opened the umbrella and then she pulled me at her side. We started to walk, sharing one umbrella with Hanji enjoying the moment.

"Isn't this romantic?" She asked while beaming. "Couple sharing an umbrella as rain pours down at them" Hanji chuckled "this could pass for a movie already"

I rolled my eyes to counter her excitement. "Yeah and the couple would definitely get a flu after" I answered sarcastically. Hanji lightly pushed me out of the umbrella making half of my body wet. I glared at her while she just showed her tongue. What a kid.

"Serves you right, you little spoiler of fun" She said chuckling at me. I hissed but afterwards, Hanji wrapped her free arm at my neck. "Just kidding. I love this chibi" She whispered, creating a small smile at my face. She loosened it after as I took hold of the umbrella for her. For the next couple of minutes, we walked back to our apartment with me forgetting about my annoyance because of the rain and the happenings lately.

~*~

We arrived at the apartment just before the sky went entirely dark. Both of us were drenched in rain but surprisingly, the bag was just a little bit wet. Hanji really did a good job protecting it from the rain, more than herself and her boyfriend, much to my disappoinment.

I opened the door, waiting for Hanji to get inside first before I also let myself in. I removed my shoes and placed it on the rack but my stupid girlfriend didn't do the same. She walked inside immediately, her wet and dirty shoes soiling the floor.

"OY HANJI!" I yelled stomping my way in the living room. "TAKE YOU FREAKIN' SHOES OFF!" I said but Hanji just glared at me, a small travel crate fence in front of her.

"You scared them!" She complained, opening the door of the cage. "Come here" She clicked her tongue. "Its alright little ones"

I frowned in confusion as I watch my crazy girlfriend but then my expression immediately changed into a surprise one when a small white and black kitten went out of it. It walked towards Hanji's lap before a ginger colored kitten hesitantly went out of the cage too. It didn't go towards Hanji and instead, it went at the side of the crate as if it is hiding from humans.

"What is that shits?" I asked pointing a finger at the kittens. "Why are they in here?!"

Hanji laughed at me. "They are Lynn's cats. She'll be going on a business trip with Erwin this week so she needs someone to look after them" She said, rubbing the side of the kitten's head.

"Why did you agree?!" I half-yelled "Cats make a mess! I can't deal with 2 more creatures making this house filthy"

Hanji threw me a glare, taking hold of the kittens. "Don't you dare throw them out you chibi" She warned me which made me roll my eyes.

"Just return those two back to their owner" I calmly told her but my girlfriend shook her head no. I frowned even more. "Hanji." I said in a warning tone.

"No" She replied back, looking at me straight.

I hissed and stomped my way to her but before I can even reach the cats, Hanji blocked me with her body.

"Get out of the way shitty glasses" I warned her but she stayed firm in her place.

"I seriously love you Levi but if you do something to these kitten, we're done" Hanji said squinting a bit at me. My eyes widened.

"Are you choosing those damn cats over me?!" I asked exasperatingly. My girlfriend nodded and I immediately groaned. Seriously, this woman is tougher to handle than those cats.

While Hanji and I are busy arguing about those kittens, a loud noise errupted in the apartment making both of us look at the direction where it came. From the top of a shelf, the ginger colored kitten meowed while looking down the floor. It has pushed a box down from it, creating a huge mess. Then it jumped from the shelf down to a table, sprinting its tiny legs towards the kitchen

"NO SAWNEY!!!" Hanji yelled running after the kitten. I brushed my palms at my face. I knew that something like this is bound to happen.

I kneeled down to pick up the craps that the cat made. As I do so, an old eyeglass case caught my attention because it was too small and the leather covering of the case has already torn off. I opened it and much to my confusion, a broken pair of glasses greeted me. The frame was almost flat and the lense are missing some of its fragments. My eyebrows met and just as I was about to ask what it was about, Hanji came with the ginger colored cat in her arms.

"Sorry Levi" She laughed. "Sawney is a troublemaker" Hanji said placing the kitten down on the floor. I faced her with the glasses in my hands.

"You really do like to keep your trash don't you?" I told her. Hanji's eyes widened when she saw the thing in my hand. As fast as a lightning, her hand snatched it before she carefully tucked it inside the old case.

"Don't you dare throw this away" She said, embracing the glass case. "This is important for me, you see"

Hanji examined the old glasses before a smile errupted from her face. Her eyes became soft and gentle and for a second, I thought how different she was to the usual Hanji.

"Why is that?" I asked. She smiled at me.

"This is the reason why I met the first guy that I have ever liked after all" She giggled kneeling down to help me pick up the other mess at the floor. "You see, I met this kid when I was a teenager and the 10 minutes we spent walking back to my house together were probably the best 10 minutes that I have ever had in my whole teen years" Hanji said picking the last crap at the floor. She placed the glasses on top of the other stuffs before she closed the box once again.

"Tell me more. I might be able to trace that bastard down" I told her standing up to lift the box. Hanji chuckled at my comment.

"Well, he was probably younger than me that time and you actually remind me of him cause now that I remember it, that kid was really cold and distant as well" Hanji nudge my shoulder "We bumped into each other and since I'm a really clumsy bum, I fell at the floor and my glasses got thrown off at the road. It was drove over by some random vehicle so that is the reason why it was so broken" She said, taking the box from me so she can place it above the shelf once again. "The kid brought me to my house instead since I am literally blind and helpless when I don't have my glasses" Hanji laughed. I froze at my spot as the story became familiar little by little.

"In the end I didn't get to know his name since the stupid truck at our house was too loud that it covered his voice" She continued, her smile becoming a bit sad.

Then it all rained down to me.

"Green house. Chester street, Block 24" I muttered, looking at her with a surprised expression. Hanji frowned at me.

"I didn't tell-" Her eyes widened "WAIT...... THAT THE KID WAS YOU?!" She yelled, pointing a finger at me as my eyebrows met.

"I told you before that I was not a kid" I answered and then, both of her hands went at my shoulders.

"But it was you right? It was you?" She asked, shaking me by it. I swatted her hands away and just nodded. "Oh gosh. This is so cool!" Hanji said looking at me.

"Yeah right" I answered turning my back at her. But deep inside, I felt really shocked and happy at the same time because of that.

Who would have thought that we already met way before we even know each other? Did fate really played along with us that time or did it just coincidentally happened? But looking back at that moment, it was the time that I was at my most darkest state, with all the errands that I do for my previous guardian. Hanji really do find me when I am at my worst state and somehow, she always lifts me up in every manner that she can.

???'s POV

I faced my boss and bowed at him before I once again stood up straight. He looked at me underneath his hat as he waited for my report.

"I have confirmed his identity sir" I said and my master immediately grinned. "He is really Levi Ackerman. Your nephew and the previous member of your gang" I handed him a paper with our target's photo, along with his current location and the biometrics I have acquired. When I met out target in the streets, I got him distracted for a moment and somehow, I was able to clip a strand of his hair. That was the only needed evidence of mine to confirm his identity.

"Good job my second in command, Traute Caven" He said, praising my good work. My heart immediately swelled due to his compliment.

"I have also found a way to get him sir. We can use this woman" I continued, showing him a photo of a brunette with glasses who was with our target in the streets. "Apparently, the two of them are dating. I have also confirmed that the other day sir"

My boss glanced at the series of pictures of Levi and the woman. His eyes became dark as he look at each photo before he darted it to me.

"Let us not rush it Caven. We can get him little by little but for now, let us send my dear nephew a gift" He menacingly grinned. "I have missed him after all" My boss said and then he laughed loudly.

"Yes sir" I answered, a smirk forming at my face.

It has begun. It has finally begun.