9

( Five years later )

You and Hange haven't spoken to each other in years. You had decided to focus on being a scout and got better. You were now a section commander and had a squad you led.

Levi was now a captain, Erwin was the commander as the last died a few years ago due to a disease he had got, and Hange was also a section commander with Moblit as her assistant. When you heard the news about that you remember the time she had said 'you and Moblit' would be her assistants but of course things were different now.

You were now on your way to Erwin's office as he had called for you. You opened the door saluting as he then looked up at you.

"Y/n, no need. Especially since you're an old friend." He said with a smile. You smiled back.

It had been a while since you saw him. He was always busy and still getting used to the job as a commander so this was the first in a long time.

"You look good Erwin, even at your age." You said with a wink which he laughed at.

"I'm just waiting for one more person to show up before I start." He said as he then offered you to sit. You sat in one of the chairs in front of him as there were two in front of his big desk.

You heard the door open and looked back at who it was. "What a surprise Erwin! When I heard you called for me I ran all the way here! It's so good to see you!" They then looked over as they saw you and their smile dropped. It was Hange. Of course.

You just sat looking over to Erwin and he offered Hange to sit. This would only be professional so you kept yourself from worrying.

"It's good to see you as well Hange. Both of you." He says looking between you both.

Hange sits and everything is suddenly awkwardly silent. You then remember how Erwin didn't even know about your relationship or anything. He just knew that you got moved from their squad years ago but was too busy with being a section commander to even ask.

"So, with the last expedition we had, we lost a lot of people and me and Levi were talking. It would be a good idea for your squads to merge for the next expedition." He says and Hange looks down to their hands not saying anything, and you can tell they don't want to. But you could care less as it would only be for the expedition and that's all.

"Since the expedition is in a month we would like if your squads were to start training together and get to know each other. What do you guys think?" He asks.

You fold your hands together and take a breath. "I think it's a great idea. Looking forward to working with Section Commander Hange and her squad." You say and Erwin smiles appreciatively and then looks at Hange who just nods.

"Same, I think it's good." Is all they say.

"Great, well you both are dismissed now." He says and you get up walking straight to the door. Walking out you see Levi as if he was waiting for you.

"Did you hear the news?" He asks. You nod and just keep walking and you can tell he finds this whole thing funny. You were doing so good for years focusing on everything. You were definitely not gonna make everything go downhill again.

-

At the training grounds your squad met up with Hanges. Hange and you both went in front of everyone.

"So today-" You begin then get cut off by Hange.

"We will begin!-" They look at you and stop talking. "I'll do the talking, Section Commander Y/n."

You roll your eyes as they begin to tell both squads what they will be doing for the next month to prepare for the expedition.

Hange the starts to leaving going back inside. You didn't agree to just babysit the squads alone. "Section Commander Hange!" You call out and they turn around to you.

"Where are you off to?" You ask. "I thought we were both supposed to watch the squads." You say trying to keep your voice as calm as possible as you are also annoyed.

"Oh! I have a project with my assistant today! Sorry for not letting you know!" They smile walking away.

You bite your tongue as all you want to do is curse them out. You look back to the squads as they're doing as they're told.

At lunch, you go to your office not bothering to eat and study the formation of the expedition coming up. You haven't had the time to with new recruits and losing a few members and you didn't wanna start slipping with work.

You then heard a knock on your door. "Comein." You said looking up from the papers.

It was Levi. He walked over sitting in the seat in front of your desk. "So."

"So what?" You asked.

"Are you guys talking?" He asked.

"God Levi, no of course not and I don't care unless it's professional." You say looking back to your work.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "It has been, what, five years? Both of you are so up tight. Grow up." He says.

"Ha! Tell that to them." You say.

"Look, you both know those feelings you had are gone so why can't you both be grown and put it behind?" He asks.

"I'll be grown and put it behind when they start treating me like another Section Commander. I was left to fucking look after both squads myself!" You yell frustrated as you put both hands on your face. You then look back at Levi sighing. "I'm sorry for yelling. You're right. I'll try to 'grow up' and talk to them."

"Thanks." He says finally leaving. "Also Y/n."

"Hmm." You look up to him at the door already.

"I've talked to them many times already too and honestly they have been waiting for you to be the first to talk." He says with a chuckle.

"Of course they want that. But like you said, I'll be grown up about it." You say and he nods, closing the door behind him.

Hange was really pushing your buttons but if you wanted to get through this for the expedition you had to go through with it.

-

Around dinner time, you skipped dinner and decided to head to Hanges office. You went up to the door and knocked on it a few times before hearing their voice.

"Come in!" They sang. You let yourself in looking around as the place was honestly a mess with papers everywhere and bottles of unknown things and a bookshelf that had unordered books stacked differently.

Hange was currently reading something as they paid no mind to looking up. "So glad you're back Moblit you can just start by-" They then finally looked up seeing you and got up.

"Oh, my bad. Didn't know it was you, Section Commander Y/n." They then laughed at the sound of your name but you ignored it.

"Section Commander Hange, may I have a word with you?" You asked as they put their glasses on that were resting on their head.

"Of course!" They smile while putting their hands together. Them acting like everything was rainbows and butterflies was really ticking you off but you kept your self calm and just went with it.

You went to sit in one of their seats but seeing it had a stain of something on it, you decided to stand. "Sorry, I just never got to cleaning that." They said as they sat back at their desk.

"What is it that you're here for?" They ask.

"Well, with us working together this month I would like to know ahead of time when you have something, and can't be at the training. I also have meetings usually for my squads and your squad can also join as well since we will be working together for the upcoming expedition." You say. Hange just stares at you. Taking in everything as they nod their head.

"That's all fair. Is that all?" They ask.

"Yes that is." You say turning to exit.

"Y/n." They say and you stop as you hear your actual name without the 'Section Commander' in front of it. You turn around.

"How are you and Petra?" They ask with a smile. You clenched your jaw hard trying to stay calm and not snap at her.

You just smiled. "Petra was never gay." Hanges smile drops as you announce that.

It was true. When you got to know Petra more it was just that she was extra friendly with people that she looked up to and you were one of them. Thinking of Petra hurt you because she became one of your closest friends but you both drifted when she joined Levi's squad.

"I'm sorry." You hear them say and you turn around to say one last thing.

Your head was pounding and you wanted nothing more but to finally leave.

"Let's just keep this professional.." As you say that your gaze blurs and everything in the room spins. You collapse and you see Hange yelling to you from above but can't hear a thing.

-

You wake up in your bed with a tray of food next to it. As you smell the bean soup they usually make at dinner fill your nose. Your gaze on the ceiling is blurry at first until you blink a few times and everything clears.

You look over to the side and see Hange sitting at your desk. You sit up and Hange looks over at you.

"I'm sorry Y/n. I caused you too much stress." They begin but you stop them.

"It wasn't you. I haven't been eating. This isn't the first time I've fainted, but this was probably the worst where I actually collapsed while doing something." You say. Hange nods understanding. You can see her eyebrows furrow and you can't help but wonder why she looks upset.

"Well I did bring food." They laugh a bit and you take the tray. You start to eat and feel them stare at you, and you couldn't help but feel awkward in this moment.

"Well seeing that you're better I'll be going now." They say. "Please remember to eat it's important." They shut the door behind them and you just stared at the door, in shock that they just said all that.

"What the fuck." You say to yourself.