Hanji's POV

Weeks passed by, and today is around the timeframe where Levi said he'll come. But I wasn't given the specifics. Deciding to go to the pier to see the arriving ships, I was stopped by Zeke. I was taken aback since I wasn't aware he'll be here. Almost like he was also waiting for something.

"Nice to see you here, Hanji," He says, taking out a cigarette and placing it on his lips. "What brought you here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

He chuckles, lighting the cigarette before puffing out a small cloud of smoke. He takes one look at me, showing his weary eyes. "How have you been?"

"Losing 6 months is still a little startling. I wish I knew what happened during that time." I walked up against the metal rail that lined the road. Below the rail was nothing but a cliff- straight down to the ocean. And I just want to see when Levi comes...

Zeke turns around, facing the ocean as he puffs out another ball of gray smoke. He sighs heavily, continuing to smoke. "I can't imagine that. That means Eren took your memory..." Something about what he's saying is making me question a lot. "So, you're here for an unnamed reason then?"

"You could say that. You? If you say the same thing, it sounds like you're hiding something."

There was a slight pause from him as he cleared his throat. "I thought it'll be nice to have a smoke by the ocean. Something nice before we get chewed out by Marley." He turns around, leaning his back on the rail as he adjusts his glasses. "What?"

He keeps his cigarette in his mouth as he takes his glasses off and cleans them before putting them back on. I turned back to see what he might've seen, but there wasn't anything there. Just a few people walking. 

"Are you okay, Zeke?"

"I thought I saw something, but I'm sure it's impossible."

"What?"

"It's probably nothing-."

I stomped my feet and knocked the cigarette out of his mouth with the back of my hand. "Don't make any stupid excuses. What did you see?"

"There's the real Hanji." He smiled softly, chuckling to himself. "I missed that."

"You're not answering my question."

"I thought I saw their captain," he says, "The Survey Corps' captain: Captain Levi." I felt every tension being relaxed as I heard him say that. That means he arrived safe and sound. But where? It makes my heart flutter that he's here... but it's bad news if he's caught. I don't want to see him killed. "You don't seem fazed, Hanji."

"I only heard stories of him, Zeke. I haven't dealt with him before. He sounds like some harmless guy. I'm sure I can kill him."

"I thought I could do the same, Hanji. When I first met him, I underestimated him. He defeated my titan within a matter of seconds. Do not underestimate him." He checks his watch as he gets off the rail. "We should start heading back before we are late."

"Fine."

We started walking, and I began scanning the area for Levi. I'm sure he'll be attempting to keep his head down, so it'll be difficult to see him. But if there's a chance to confirm his existence here... I'll be content.

"Am I able to see the real Hanji much more often now?"

"Speaking of that, what do you mean by 'the real Hanji,' Zeke? Hm? What do you mean?"

"I consider the real Hanji as someone a little cruel with her words. Someone that could scare the living shit out of people. And I would gladly pay to see you dominate someone."

"Dominate someone?"

Zeke rolled his shoulders, "I don't know at this point. But ever since you left on that trip, you've been acting differently. I hardly hear your snarky comments. I love hearing them. Especially how you used to put Porco in his place by threatening to shove your boot in his ass if he wouldn't shut up with his complaining from time to time. But now, I think he'll be... less threatened."

"Why's that?"

"He's going to use the fact that he got a titan before you as a bragging point."

"True, he would..."

We continued walking as he asked me another question. "You don't know what happened?"

"What happened during those 6 months? No, I don't." He stares at me with his eyes, studying my face. "I mean it, Zeke. I don't know how to get them back. Think we can get the founder titan to reverse the process?"

"Maybe. But then again, Eren is considered our enemy, and I don't think he'll do something as merciful as that, Hanji."

I don't want to see them as an enemy... I trust Levi... I want to see him again.

"Who knows? Maybe they would be."

Zeke grabs me by my arm, staring deeply into my eyes. "Hanji, are you hiding anything from me? You can trust me. I won't tell anyone. I swear."

"I'm not. And even if I were, why would I confide in you? Weren't you the one that exposed your parents to being traitors? I wouldn't place my cards in your hands, Zeke. I trust, but I don't trust you with my secrets."

"Such as?"

"You wouldn't understand a woman's body-."

"Okay, fine, I'll shut up."

We continued to walk in silence, but I could feel his eyes burning through the back of my head. There's no doubt that he's questioning my claims, but what can I do? I don't know who to trust anymore. Oh, but there is one person...

*   *   *

I returned home around 8 pm. The lights were turned on, which was surprising. Peeking a glimpse into the kitchen, I gasped when I saw him standing there. My heart began to pound hard when I saw him messing with the stove.

"How the hell...?" He murmurs, continuing to mess with it.

"You could've waited until I got home," I say, seeing a shudder run through his body. He didn't jump at all. "How did you get into my house, Levi?"

"Spare key."

"I need to fix that," I murmured, locking the front door before closing the curtains. "And at least close the curtains. I don't want someone to spot you and report me to Marley. I'll be killed for that."

Levi nods his head, "Fine. I didn't realize you had curtains." He gives up on the stove before walking over to me, kissing me on the lips. "I missed you, Hanji..."

I returned the kiss, taking off my armband. "I missed you too, Levi... I've been lonely without you, you know. How long will you stay with me?"

"A week. After that, I have to return home and do the entire thing again."

"Well, let's make this week last then, shall we?"

We continued exchanging kisses. Not a word of my work or his entered this entire evening. A perfect night. Now... I'm not as lonely as I thought I was.