Chapter One
“Have you got your phone charger?” Levi paused in the doorway, stopping Hange from leaving their home.
“Yes,” she hopped from foot to foot. “You helped me pack last night, remember? Because, and I quote, you can’t be trusted not to forget your own ass at the bus stop shitty glasses. End quote. Everything is packed and if we don’t leave soon, we’ll get stuck in traffic and I’ll miss the bus.”
He grunted but moved out of the way, letting her leave, and closed the door. Before he could turn from the locks, he was engulfed in her warmth.
“I’m going to miss you, grump,” Hange told him.
Levi leaned into the embrace. “Yeah. Me too.”
A moment passed. Hange released him. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
“That’s because you didn’t want to get out of the fucking bed this morning,” grumbling, Levi followed her to the car.
“It’s cold. And you didn’t want to leave it either, something to do with fucking, wasn’t it?” she wriggled her eyebrows and smirked at him.
He smirked back.
The traffic wasn’t terrible for early morning and they arrived at the school on time. Levi pulled into the sparse teachers’ car park. There were a couple of other cars there, parked side by side. He slipped in next to Moblit’s car. Hange leapt out and cursed as the frigid air stung her cheeks. “Fucking hell it’s freezing.”
Levi cringed as he got out, but kept the words he really wanted to utter to himself; he was on school grounds now, time to be a teacher. “You better hope that Erwin splurged on a bus with heat.”
She followed him around to the boot and retrieved her suitcase and backpack. “I doubt it. The budget is tighter than his asshole.”
“School grounds, Ms Zoe,” he warned.
“No students around, Mr Ackerman,” she leaned over and whispered in his ear. “You like my dirty mouth.”
“Only after you’ve brushed your teeth. And here comes your first lot of students,” slamming the boot closed, Levi busied himself with gathering his supplies for the days’ class from the backseat.
“Good morning,” Hange greeted the seniors. “Are you guys ready for this fun science filled week?”
“Tch,” Olou tried to mimic Levi’s usual response. Levi cringed.
Petra elbowed Olou. “Of course, Miss Zoe. Good morning Mr Ackerman.” She smiled at the two teachers.
“Morning. And you shouldn’t be walking through the car park, students are only allowed through the gates at the front and the bus stop.” He placed his stuff on the roof of the car and closed the door.
Petra widened her eyes in innocence. “But… we, um, it isn’t that dangerous when none of the other teachers are here yet.”
Levi didn’t really care. Yes, he would enforce the rules because they were for safety reasons or give a student a lecture about not wearing the correct uniform, but not this time.
“Ignore him,” Hange clapped Petra on the shoulder. “He’s just grumpy all the time. Head over to the bus stop, I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Okay,” Petra turned and hurried away. Olou slipped his hands into his pockets and hurried to keep up with her.
“I’m not grumpy all the time.”
“True,” she grinned. “Sometimes you’re happy. Like when you have a mop in your hands.”
“I’d be happier more often if you learnt how to clean up after yourself.” A quick look around to make sure no other students were slipping in through the carpark, Levi grabbed onto her jacket and tugged her forward, looping his arms around her waist so he could have one final show of affection. “I’m not going to be around to make sure you have everything you need packed into your bag or for you to remember to eat.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not that useless.”
“Yes, you are. You’re the shittest at looking after yourself. Which is why I’m glad Moblit is going with you.”
“Do not call him to check up on me,” she jabbed him with her finger. “He’s stressed out as it is and doesn’t need you adding to it.”
“Then take care of yourself, idiot.”
“I will, shorty. But a phone call to remind me to do so would help,” Hange leant her face down and brushed her lips over his.
He sighed. The warmth from her made him want to bury his hands into her messed up ponytail and hold her in place as he made out with her face. He pressed up so the contact was real. His hands gripped her jacket at her back.
She rubbed against him like a cat in heat, bumping and grinding.
His tongue slipped out and played over her lips for the brief second before she opened to him. It was all heat, steaming between them.
Hange broke the kiss. “I really need to go before Moblit is over run by students.”
“He can survive for a little longer. The rest of your department are there to protect the students from him finally having his mental break down.” Just a little longer, please. He silently begged.
She snuggled him closer, bringing her hands up to play with his hair. “A little longer.”
“Hmm.” He rested his cheek to the space between her breasts.
“It’s only five days,” she muttered. “We can survive five days.”
“I didn’t say a word,” he snarked.
“Just remember to feed Sawney and Bean.” She ignored his defence and he knew she saw through him.
“I always do.”
She chuckled, the sound vibrating under his cheek. “And for that, they love you more. But please message me at least.”
“I will.”
“Especially if you pass that big shit that has you constipated. I really want to know when that happens.”
Levi groaned and pushed away from the woman, cold air rushing to replace her warmth. “You’re disgusting.”
Grinning, she hefted her backpack onto her shoulders and grabbed the handle of the suitcase. “I’ll send you a photo of my first shit on this trip.”
“Do and I change the locks to the house.”
She threw her head back in a cackle.
“Get out of here,” he snatched his stuff up and started away.
“I love you,” she called out.
Looking back, he said nothing, just watched her blow him a kiss and hurry off, her hair bouncing up and down in time with her steps. She paused and called out again. “And I know you love me too.”
“Tch.” Am I that damned easy to read?
***
Tuesday.
Levi checked his phone again.
Nothing new since the morning when she texted him “good morning”.
Home was quiet and it didn’t take long for him to have all of the housework done, his lesson plans all finished and set for the next few day, and for him to be missing her. Even when she was locked in her office he didn’t feel like this because she was there, in the house, separated by a door. Now… she was ages away.
“Why can’t they be like other schools and just doing a fucking day trip to the wetlands? Why go to this far off lab? Tch.”
He started to cook his dinner. His phone chimed a message. “Send me a photo.”
“Why?” he tapped out quickly.
“Because I want to see your face.”
“No.” He rolled his eyes and went back to the stove.
But she wasn’t allowing any of that. “Leeeeeviiiiiiii.”
He groaned as he read it, imagining how she would sound as she whined. “I’m cooking.”
“A sexy chef pic then?” She sounded hopeful.
“No.”
“Please.” A second later an image of her pouting came through. He studied it hard, in the background he saw a bed which must’ve belonged to her since it was a mess and had… wait.
“Are those my underwear?!”
“Lol.”
“Don’t lol me. Why’d you steal them?”
“Because I needed something to wear.” She countered.
“You have a draw filled with your own stuff.” He was invested now and turned off the stove top. Hitting the call button hard.
“Hey,” she breathed.
“Where did you hide them? I packed your suitcase.” He snarled.
“Jacket pockets.” She admitted.
“You sick fuck. What if they fell out? A student could’ve reported you for being a pervert.”
“But they didn’t fall out because as soon as you weren’t looking I jammed them into my backpack. I didn’t want to lose them.” She defended herself.
Missing her? Ha. He wished he’d ignored his phone. “Why aren’t you supervising right now?”
“About that,” she nervously laughed.
“What happened?”
“Moblit has me on bed rest.”
“What?!” He felt the panic rising quickly in his chest.
“Yeah, kind of fell into the lake as I was trying to collect a sample and it’s the middle of winter and then I just got out and kept going with the class and now Moblit thinks I’m going to be sick because I didn’t get out of my wet clothes and into a shower straight away.”
“How long did you stay wet?” Levi demanded.
“Hmm, is this conversation taking a turn for the naughty?”
“Don’t try to turn this into phone sex. I will hang up and call Moblit.”
She huffed. “Fine. It was something like four hours. We’d made it back to the hotel when one of the kids was retelling the story and Moblit heard.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I’m fine, I promise.”
“Get Moblit to send you home now.”
“No.”
“Hange,” he growled.
“No, Levi. I am going to rest up tonight and I will continue being a fucking teacher for the rest of this trip.” She snapped back.
His jaw clenched.
She said nothing.
Great, the waiting game to see who cracked first. Usually him, but he wanted, no, he needed to prove to her that this wasn’t something she should be getting away with.
Hi dinner was cooling.
“Have you eaten?” He forced out.
“Yeah.”
“What was it?”
“Some pizza.”
“That’s not food,” he said.
“Tell me about it. It was so greasy I could’ve poured it into a beaker and tested it.” She sighed. “Can we not do this?”
“What? Talk?” He felt the stab of rejection quickly.
“No, argue. I fucked up, yes. But I needed to keep the class running and we don’t have the resources to be down a staff member just because I slipped up.” She paused. “I’m missing you.”
“It’s been two days, not even full ones.” Giving up, he sat at the kitchen counter and leaned his elbows on it. “You’re just bored because Moblit won’t let you do anything.”
She chuckled. “True about the bored part. But I do miss you. You can’t change that fact.”
Now he wanted to hug her. “Hang up. I’ll send you a photo.”
“Yahooo!”
***
Thursday.
He was struggling. Every time anyone opened their mouths or looked like they wanted to start a conversation with him, he glared. None of the teachers wanted to talk to him during recess or lunch. The ladies in the front office dispersed quickly when he came in to use the big copier. The only one willing was Erwin, and he wasn’t surprised at all by the growl.
“Hange comes home tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
Erwin nodded. “So, you shouldn’t be so grouchy then.”
“Piss off Smith.” Levi snapped.
“School grounds,” he warned.
Levi inhaled deeply and tried to relax as he released it in an exhale. Didn’t really work.
***
“Erwin messaged me,” Hange texted.
“What did principal eyebrows have to share?”
“That you’re lost without me.”
“Am not.”
“Lies.” She sent back.
***
Friday.
It really was a different day for him. Sure, he didn’t really communicate with the other staff members and he kept the student interactions to a minimum but he was… lighter. In the realm of Levi, he was eager for the day to end and for Hange to be off that damned bus. Compared to more expressive people, he was probably showing signs of being slightly happy.
“Oh wow! Congratulations.” Anka fawned over Nanaba.
“Thanks, Mike just popped the question last night over dinner.” Nanaba glowed with happiness. She turned to Levi. “Don’t tell Hange, I want to be the first to do so.”
Levi shrugged.
Marriage. Huh.
***
The brats ambled off the bus looking exhausted. They lined up, getting ready to grab their luggage from the under carriage.
Moblit flinched when he saw Levi.
Levi nodded his head in his direction. “Moblit.”
“Levi, I can’t explain it.”
“Don’t worry. It’s Hange, unless you’re with her the entire time, you’re not going to stop her from doing stupid shh-stuff.”
Moblit’s shoulders sagged. “It was a good trip and nothing else happened after that mishap. And it looks like Hange didn’t get sick at all.”
Finally, getting off last looking like she could still keep going hard, Hange jumped down. “Levi,” her smile broke into an all-out grin.
Marriage.
The thought popped into his head again. Just looking at her; the messy appearance, the bubbling warmth that was genuine, made him want to lock that shit down for good.
“You look terrible,” he told her.
“I’ve been on a bus for four hours,” she passed him her backpack, their fingers touching at the exchange. “I’ll grab my suitcase.”
Mrs Ackerman.
She retrieved her objective and bid farewell to the kids as they started off, heading to waiting parents, carpooling together, or walking home. Then it was just the teachers.
Niffa sighed heavily.
Goggles stretched his arms high above and groaned. “God, I’m done for.”
“Good thing it’s the weekend tomorrow,” Niffa said.
Moblit relaxed a little at that statement.
Keji nodded to his co-workers. “I’m heading home to my wife. See you all Monday.”
“Bye,” Hange moved closer to Levi. The others gave similar farewells and followed Keji out of sight to the teachers’ carpark.
Levi pointed to their car against the curb across the street.
“You think of everything,” she wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“Fuck four eyes, didn’t you shower at all?” He pushed her off of him.
She sighed heavily. “Grumpy, don’t be insulting when I want to feel you up in the most innocent ways, when realistically I can’t wait to get to that car and I can put my hands- “
“Not ‘till you wash them.” He flushed. Oh, he wanted the groping bad.
“But then we have to wait until we get home. And it’s not like I was going to pull down your zipper and reach inside, or anything,” she teased. “That could cause an accident.”
Levi growled, snatched up her suitcase and charged over to the car.
He got them home in record time. “Shower. Now.”
She giggled. “Together?”
“Yes,” she hopped from foot to foot. “You helped me pack last night, remember? Because, and I quote, you can’t be trusted not to forget your own ass at the bus stop shitty glasses. End quote. Everything is packed and if we don’t leave soon, we’ll get stuck in traffic and I’ll miss the bus.”
He grunted but moved out of the way, letting her leave, and closed the door. Before he could turn from the locks, he was engulfed in her warmth.
“I’m going to miss you, grump,” Hange told him.
Levi leaned into the embrace. “Yeah. Me too.”
A moment passed. Hange released him. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
“That’s because you didn’t want to get out of the fucking bed this morning,” grumbling, Levi followed her to the car.
“It’s cold. And you didn’t want to leave it either, something to do with fucking, wasn’t it?” she wriggled her eyebrows and smirked at him.
He smirked back.
The traffic wasn’t terrible for early morning and they arrived at the school on time. Levi pulled into the sparse teachers’ car park. There were a couple of other cars there, parked side by side. He slipped in next to Moblit’s car. Hange leapt out and cursed as the frigid air stung her cheeks. “Fucking hell it’s freezing.”
Levi cringed as he got out, but kept the words he really wanted to utter to himself; he was on school grounds now, time to be a teacher. “You better hope that Erwin splurged on a bus with heat.”
She followed him around to the boot and retrieved her suitcase and backpack. “I doubt it. The budget is tighter than his asshole.”
“School grounds, Ms Zoe,” he warned.
“No students around, Mr Ackerman,” she leaned over and whispered in his ear. “You like my dirty mouth.”
“Only after you’ve brushed your teeth. And here comes your first lot of students,” slamming the boot closed, Levi busied himself with gathering his supplies for the days’ class from the backseat.
“Good morning,” Hange greeted the seniors. “Are you guys ready for this fun science filled week?”
“Tch,” Olou tried to mimic Levi’s usual response. Levi cringed.
Petra elbowed Olou. “Of course, Miss Zoe. Good morning Mr Ackerman.” She smiled at the two teachers.
“Morning. And you shouldn’t be walking through the car park, students are only allowed through the gates at the front and the bus stop.” He placed his stuff on the roof of the car and closed the door.
Petra widened her eyes in innocence. “But… we, um, it isn’t that dangerous when none of the other teachers are here yet.”
Levi didn’t really care. Yes, he would enforce the rules because they were for safety reasons or give a student a lecture about not wearing the correct uniform, but not this time.
“Ignore him,” Hange clapped Petra on the shoulder. “He’s just grumpy all the time. Head over to the bus stop, I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Okay,” Petra turned and hurried away. Olou slipped his hands into his pockets and hurried to keep up with her.
“I’m not grumpy all the time.”
“True,” she grinned. “Sometimes you’re happy. Like when you have a mop in your hands.”
“I’d be happier more often if you learnt how to clean up after yourself.” A quick look around to make sure no other students were slipping in through the carpark, Levi grabbed onto her jacket and tugged her forward, looping his arms around her waist so he could have one final show of affection. “I’m not going to be around to make sure you have everything you need packed into your bag or for you to remember to eat.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not that useless.”
“Yes, you are. You’re the shittest at looking after yourself. Which is why I’m glad Moblit is going with you.”
“Do not call him to check up on me,” she jabbed him with her finger. “He’s stressed out as it is and doesn’t need you adding to it.”
“Then take care of yourself, idiot.”
“I will, shorty. But a phone call to remind me to do so would help,” Hange leant her face down and brushed her lips over his.
He sighed. The warmth from her made him want to bury his hands into her messed up ponytail and hold her in place as he made out with her face. He pressed up so the contact was real. His hands gripped her jacket at her back.
She rubbed against him like a cat in heat, bumping and grinding.
His tongue slipped out and played over her lips for the brief second before she opened to him. It was all heat, steaming between them.
Hange broke the kiss. “I really need to go before Moblit is over run by students.”
“He can survive for a little longer. The rest of your department are there to protect the students from him finally having his mental break down.” Just a little longer, please. He silently begged.
She snuggled him closer, bringing her hands up to play with his hair. “A little longer.”
“Hmm.” He rested his cheek to the space between her breasts.
“It’s only five days,” she muttered. “We can survive five days.”
“I didn’t say a word,” he snarked.
“Just remember to feed Sawney and Bean.” She ignored his defence and he knew she saw through him.
“I always do.”
She chuckled, the sound vibrating under his cheek. “And for that, they love you more. But please message me at least.”
“I will.”
“Especially if you pass that big shit that has you constipated. I really want to know when that happens.”
Levi groaned and pushed away from the woman, cold air rushing to replace her warmth. “You’re disgusting.”
Grinning, she hefted her backpack onto her shoulders and grabbed the handle of the suitcase. “I’ll send you a photo of my first shit on this trip.”
“Do and I change the locks to the house.”
She threw her head back in a cackle.
“Get out of here,” he snatched his stuff up and started away.
“I love you,” she called out.
Looking back, he said nothing, just watched her blow him a kiss and hurry off, her hair bouncing up and down in time with her steps. She paused and called out again. “And I know you love me too.”
“Tch.” Am I that damned easy to read?
***
Tuesday.
Levi checked his phone again.
Nothing new since the morning when she texted him “good morning”.
Home was quiet and it didn’t take long for him to have all of the housework done, his lesson plans all finished and set for the next few day, and for him to be missing her. Even when she was locked in her office he didn’t feel like this because she was there, in the house, separated by a door. Now… she was ages away.
“Why can’t they be like other schools and just doing a fucking day trip to the wetlands? Why go to this far off lab? Tch.”
He started to cook his dinner. His phone chimed a message. “Send me a photo.”
“Why?” he tapped out quickly.
“Because I want to see your face.”
“No.” He rolled his eyes and went back to the stove.
But she wasn’t allowing any of that. “Leeeeeviiiiiiii.”
He groaned as he read it, imagining how she would sound as she whined. “I’m cooking.”
“A sexy chef pic then?” She sounded hopeful.
“No.”
“Please.” A second later an image of her pouting came through. He studied it hard, in the background he saw a bed which must’ve belonged to her since it was a mess and had… wait.
“Are those my underwear?!”
“Lol.”
“Don’t lol me. Why’d you steal them?”
“Because I needed something to wear.” She countered.
“You have a draw filled with your own stuff.” He was invested now and turned off the stove top. Hitting the call button hard.
“Hey,” she breathed.
“Where did you hide them? I packed your suitcase.” He snarled.
“Jacket pockets.” She admitted.
“You sick fuck. What if they fell out? A student could’ve reported you for being a pervert.”
“But they didn’t fall out because as soon as you weren’t looking I jammed them into my backpack. I didn’t want to lose them.” She defended herself.
Missing her? Ha. He wished he’d ignored his phone. “Why aren’t you supervising right now?”
“About that,” she nervously laughed.
“What happened?”
“Moblit has me on bed rest.”
“What?!” He felt the panic rising quickly in his chest.
“Yeah, kind of fell into the lake as I was trying to collect a sample and it’s the middle of winter and then I just got out and kept going with the class and now Moblit thinks I’m going to be sick because I didn’t get out of my wet clothes and into a shower straight away.”
“How long did you stay wet?” Levi demanded.
“Hmm, is this conversation taking a turn for the naughty?”
“Don’t try to turn this into phone sex. I will hang up and call Moblit.”
She huffed. “Fine. It was something like four hours. We’d made it back to the hotel when one of the kids was retelling the story and Moblit heard.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I’m fine, I promise.”
“Get Moblit to send you home now.”
“No.”
“Hange,” he growled.
“No, Levi. I am going to rest up tonight and I will continue being a fucking teacher for the rest of this trip.” She snapped back.
His jaw clenched.
She said nothing.
Great, the waiting game to see who cracked first. Usually him, but he wanted, no, he needed to prove to her that this wasn’t something she should be getting away with.
Hi dinner was cooling.
“Have you eaten?” He forced out.
“Yeah.”
“What was it?”
“Some pizza.”
“That’s not food,” he said.
“Tell me about it. It was so greasy I could’ve poured it into a beaker and tested it.” She sighed. “Can we not do this?”
“What? Talk?” He felt the stab of rejection quickly.
“No, argue. I fucked up, yes. But I needed to keep the class running and we don’t have the resources to be down a staff member just because I slipped up.” She paused. “I’m missing you.”
“It’s been two days, not even full ones.” Giving up, he sat at the kitchen counter and leaned his elbows on it. “You’re just bored because Moblit won’t let you do anything.”
She chuckled. “True about the bored part. But I do miss you. You can’t change that fact.”
Now he wanted to hug her. “Hang up. I’ll send you a photo.”
“Yahooo!”
***
Thursday.
He was struggling. Every time anyone opened their mouths or looked like they wanted to start a conversation with him, he glared. None of the teachers wanted to talk to him during recess or lunch. The ladies in the front office dispersed quickly when he came in to use the big copier. The only one willing was Erwin, and he wasn’t surprised at all by the growl.
“Hange comes home tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
Erwin nodded. “So, you shouldn’t be so grouchy then.”
“Piss off Smith.” Levi snapped.
“School grounds,” he warned.
Levi inhaled deeply and tried to relax as he released it in an exhale. Didn’t really work.
***
“Erwin messaged me,” Hange texted.
“What did principal eyebrows have to share?”
“That you’re lost without me.”
“Am not.”
“Lies.” She sent back.
***
Friday.
It really was a different day for him. Sure, he didn’t really communicate with the other staff members and he kept the student interactions to a minimum but he was… lighter. In the realm of Levi, he was eager for the day to end and for Hange to be off that damned bus. Compared to more expressive people, he was probably showing signs of being slightly happy.
“Oh wow! Congratulations.” Anka fawned over Nanaba.
“Thanks, Mike just popped the question last night over dinner.” Nanaba glowed with happiness. She turned to Levi. “Don’t tell Hange, I want to be the first to do so.”
Levi shrugged.
Marriage. Huh.
***
The brats ambled off the bus looking exhausted. They lined up, getting ready to grab their luggage from the under carriage.
Moblit flinched when he saw Levi.
Levi nodded his head in his direction. “Moblit.”
“Levi, I can’t explain it.”
“Don’t worry. It’s Hange, unless you’re with her the entire time, you’re not going to stop her from doing stupid shh-stuff.”
Moblit’s shoulders sagged. “It was a good trip and nothing else happened after that mishap. And it looks like Hange didn’t get sick at all.”
Finally, getting off last looking like she could still keep going hard, Hange jumped down. “Levi,” her smile broke into an all-out grin.
Marriage.
The thought popped into his head again. Just looking at her; the messy appearance, the bubbling warmth that was genuine, made him want to lock that shit down for good.
“You look terrible,” he told her.
“I’ve been on a bus for four hours,” she passed him her backpack, their fingers touching at the exchange. “I’ll grab my suitcase.”
Mrs Ackerman.
She retrieved her objective and bid farewell to the kids as they started off, heading to waiting parents, carpooling together, or walking home. Then it was just the teachers.
Niffa sighed heavily.
Goggles stretched his arms high above and groaned. “God, I’m done for.”
“Good thing it’s the weekend tomorrow,” Niffa said.
Moblit relaxed a little at that statement.
Keji nodded to his co-workers. “I’m heading home to my wife. See you all Monday.”
“Bye,” Hange moved closer to Levi. The others gave similar farewells and followed Keji out of sight to the teachers’ carpark.
Levi pointed to their car against the curb across the street.
“You think of everything,” she wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“Fuck four eyes, didn’t you shower at all?” He pushed her off of him.
She sighed heavily. “Grumpy, don’t be insulting when I want to feel you up in the most innocent ways, when realistically I can’t wait to get to that car and I can put my hands- “
“Not ‘till you wash them.” He flushed. Oh, he wanted the groping bad.
“But then we have to wait until we get home. And it’s not like I was going to pull down your zipper and reach inside, or anything,” she teased. “That could cause an accident.”
Levi growled, snatched up her suitcase and charged over to the car.
He got them home in record time. “Shower. Now.”
She giggled. “Together?”
