Do You Remember When? (Epilogue)
Written for @levihanweek Day 6: Memory and Day 7: Free Space. This is a continuation of the other fic I wrote which you can find here!
Part 1
A/N:
Levi and Hange are 24 when they meet again and 29 when they get married
Thank you @levihanweek for hosting Levihan Week and @immagoudaboi for beta reading!
Enjoy!
Levi believed, with all his heart, that he was in some cheesy romantic movie or a shitty fanfic. Like the ones where there are 2 childhood friends, they separate, meet again, and fall in love after all those years.
Well, now that movie/book had ended and opened up to the sequel: the marriage.
Levi stared at himself while he adjusted the tie in the mirror. He was currently getting ready for his big day, and he also wanted to be alone for a few minutes. Here he was at a stage in life he never expected. Marrying his childhood crush, Hange.
The couple decided to keep their marriage small. Only close friends and families were allowed to witness the event. Luckily they found a small botanical garden that was perfect for the venue, reception, and sunset photoshoots. Plus, the garden had a section dedicated to sunflowers, a flower that makes Levi smile every time he sees it. Overall, it was perfect for the couple.
Levi still remembered the day they reunited. It was only 5 years ago when Hange was with Erwin, and Levi swore Erwin would introduce her as his lover. Boy, was he wrong.
Levi made a mental note to thank whoever above for not including that.
(Np Levi)
His relationship with Hange developed smoothly for the most part. Sure there were rough patches along the way, but the two always overcame it. Thus their love grew stronger as the years progressed.
Their first date started as a simple fancy homemade dinner. It was quiet and peaceful. The couple had even sung some karaoke and ended the night waltzing to jazz music.
The second date was a whole 180. This date included Levi's 2021 Ducati XDiavel Black Star
motorcycle. It was a gift given to him by his uncle and all the gambling money he earned. The bike alone took Hange's breath away.
---
Hange let out a loud whistle as she eyed the Ducati. The motorcycle was very sleek, black, gray, and had a few hints of red. Overall, it screamed Levi.
"Levi! I didn't know you owned a Ducati! Do you know how much they are? Over 20k!" Hange exclaimed with stars in her eyes. Levi smirked before walking up to her side. He wrapped an arm around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Actually, this bike was a gift from Kenny. He won enough at the casino and bought it for me for my 24th birthday."
Hange fondly smiled at the thought. She knew Kenny always had a soft spot for Levi since he is his only nephew.
"You know what we should do now, Levi?" Hange's smile turned into a full grin. "Let's take it for a spin!"
Levi took his head off of Hanges shoulder and looked at her with shock. "Just like 10 years ago?"
"Yes! But…." Her voice trailed off, and she stared down at her feet. "Can I drive it this time?"
Levi's jaw dropped, and he just stared at her. Hange waved a hand in front of his face.
"Levi? Are you there?"
"I heard you. It's just….are you sure?" He asked with worry, and Hange chuckled at how cute he looked.
"No need to worry about me, Levi. Mike used to let me drive his motorcycle around, so I know what to do."
"He let you do what?!" Levi became horrified. Why didn't Mike ever mention this to him?
Hange waved a hand nonchalantly. "I only had minor scrapes when I first started, but I managed to pick it up quickly. Just like you!"
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"So, where do you want to go?" Hange asked Levi, who wrapped his arms around her waist. The motorcycle purred with life, and the two had their helmets secured on their heads. The only thing left to do was actually leave Levi's garage.
"I'm okay with going anywhere. Just as long as I’m with you."
"Really? You don't mind driving us off the cliff?" Hange teased and laughed at her own suggestion.
Levi rolled his eyes but smirked along with Hange. "No, and nowhere reckless, Four-Eyes. Got it?"
Hange did a mini salute before facing forward and positioning herself to take off. "Yes, sir! Besides, I know the perfect place to go."
Levi decided to not question where Hange wanted to bring him. He trusted her enough to know that wherever she brought him will hold significance to the both of them.
Levi rested his head against Hange's back as she took off. He watched the city pass by in a blur while listening to Hange's merry laugh. It was like music to his ears despite the other sounds in the background. He kept his focus on Hange only.
Hange zoomed and zigzagged through the city. What felt like seconds, was actually hours when they arrived at their destination. Levi's eyes widened in recognition.
"Is this?" Levi asked Hange, and she nodded.
In front of Levi was the same park he took her to several years ago. The park itself had been updated in the past 10 years since the time he and Hange last snuck out. There were multiple colorful flowers and trees planted all over to provide more natural shade. Additionally, the city added more benches so people could sit down and enjoy the scenery.
Hange parked the motorcycle so she and Levi could get off. She extended her hand out to Levi (which he gladly accepted) and led him to the hill, where they shared their first kiss.
This time, there was a giant ginkgo tree with bright yellow leaves on the branches. The autumn breeze blew some of the leaves off to float in the air as if they were dancing. Hange let go of Levi to run up ahead and go under the tree.
It was an amazing sight for Levi to witness: from below the tree, Hange watched the leaves fall. She spread her arms out and laughed as the leaves began dancing around her body like it was people worshiping a goddess.
Boy was Levi in love.
"Levi! Come join me." Hange called out to him as the ginkgo leaves started decorating her brown hair.
Levi strode over to Hange and reached up to her head when he was close enough. He plucked a yellow leaf out of Hange's hair and brought it close to examine it.
"Did you know that the ginkgo leaf is considered a living fossil, and it symbolizes hope and peace in China? Additionally, it also survived the Hiroshima bombing, so it also symbolizes endurance and vitality."
Suddenly, Hange's face became serious, and she clasped her hands over Levi's. The yellow ginkgo leaf remained in Levi's grasp.
"Levi, I'm sorry about our falling out in the past."
"Hange, you don't need to apologize-"
Hange shut Levi up by pressing a finger to his lips.
"Let me finish." She added and retracted her finger. "I want this relationship-" she gestured between the two of them. "To be like the ginkgo leaf. Do you want to know why?" She quietly added.
Levi remained quiet but nodded his head, so Hange could continue.
"I want us to endure through every challenge we face together. Until we die. I want us to someday live together, have kids, and keep making happy memories. I know this is our second date, but I have always loved you, Levi. I want you to know that, but I don't expect you to--"
Hange never finished her rambling when Levi swiftly grabbed Hange by the back of her head and brought his lips to hers. She dropped her hands down and brought Levi close to her.
Levi didn't need to vocalize anything, but Hange already knew. It was like telepathy between the two of them; Levi loved her too.
The couple was preoccupied with their embrace to notice the yellow ginkgo leaf flutter down and land softly on the grass.
---
Levi smiled at the declaration of love under the ginkgo tree. The leaf Levi held was now pressed in a frame that sat in the couple's living room. It was a constant reminder of a new start in their lives. It symbolized turning a new leaf for the two.
Levi moved on to add the boutonniere to his suit. The item itself was made up of fake (because it saves money and lasts longer. Hange’s words, not his) sunflowers. Levi smiled after he finally pinned the boutonniere.
Boy, was he in love with Hange.
The door rattling interrupted Levi's thoughts of his fiance, and he clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Mike! Erwin! I told you to knock before coming in-" Levi complained and turned around to glare at the intruder, only to be greeted by his fiance instead.
"Here. Hange?!" He exclaimed, and Hange chuckled.
"Oh, Levi. You know I don't knock when I enter the room. Especially the bedroom. I always catch you at the perfect times." She chuckled and wiggled her eyebrows. Levi blushed and looked away out of embarrassment.
"Why are you here? What about the whole 'seeing the bride before the wedding thing?'" Levi added, and Hange rolled her eyes.
"I could care less about that whole superstition shit, Levi. You know that."
Levi looked at Hange with concern. "What are you doing here anyway? Is something wrong?"
Hange fake gasped and widened her eyes. "Is it wrong for me to see my future husband on our wedding day?" She slumped her shoulders and strode over to stand next to Levi. Levi, noticing Hange’s distress, led her to sit down on a nearby sofa.
"Levi, to be honest, I'm nervous, and I just wanted to see you.”She admitted, wrapped her arms around Levi, and buried her face in the crook of his neck. She was careful enough to not ruin her makeup and hair.
Levi hugged Hange back and rubbed her back. "Your bridesmaids must be worried about you right now. Did you go ‘bridezilla’ on them?"
Hange laughed and looked up at Levi. He looked down at her in return. "Worse, but you don't need to know that."
Levi chuckled, and silence enveloped the two. It was nice, just sitting alone together in tranquility. This was their time to share before the ceremony. Sure, there might be chaos outside the room, but Levi and Hange were together. They endured every challenge like the ginkgo tree. The couple was also like a sunflower and the sun: facing each other until the end of the day.
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A/N:
I wrote 3 different wedding au's so far and I find that hilarious!
Thank you @cat for the suggestion! This is late but I was inspired to write more 😁