-

Despite all the swirling thoughts in your mind throughout the whole car ride back to the hospital to see Grisha, before you knew it, you felt the car halt and you were brought back from your thoughts.

You thought it was a bit of  a hassle that you had to go from one hospital to another since Grisha's was across town and it was an entirely different one. Levi had brought you to the nearest hospital he could find, which was the one that you were at previously, and were now headed to the one Grisha had been staying in.

You blinked a couple times and turned to the side to see that Hange had parked on the curb of the hospital entrance. You breathed out once and quickly grabbed your purse to prepare to step out of the car. But not before you heard your assistant's voice calling out your name.

Neither you or Hange said anything and the car was in complete silence except for the sound of the vehicle's engine itself running. Hange could tell you wanted to jump back into your life as soon as possible and not waste time mulling over things that are meaningless and pointless to you. You were zoned out the entire way to the hospital and as much as you tried to hide it, something was clearly bothering you and that facade was falling.

But for years, Hange has seen yourself slowly crumble in on yourself without accepting any help from anybody and the incident seemed to have been a catalyst for something way bigger than either of you knew, but that deep down you knew was serious, yet were desperately trying to avoid. You're still very young but the light in your eyes is just gone.

Your natural bright expression had sunk and changed drastically from the time you first hired Hange. They've noticed the little things that only they've taken notice of because they're with you 24/7. Your body language has altered, compared to how expressive you used to be. To Hange, your youthful soul was completely left your body and its yet to come back.

"I'll go park, but remember i'm just a phone call away if you need anything," Hange reassured as they turned their body in the driver's seat and reached over to put their hand on your knee comfortingly. They knew that even if you've recovered physically, your emotional health has probably skyrocketed since the incident from the night before. If anything, you needed support now more than ever, despite how much you tried to say you were 'fine'.

From your place in the backseat, your eyes went from the hand on your knee and then up at Hange who was looking at you with such softness and support behind their eyes that you couldn't help but smile back.

They knew for a fact that something happened last night but if you weren't ready to tell, then they'd be by your side regardless and always have your back. You had been avoiding eye contact ever since the two of you left your hospital room, and clearly thinking about something that had you in some sort of trance. Even from the way you were sitting in the car, encroaching yourself in your seat, in the corner, making yourself seem smaller. Hange had no idea what that was about because that was entirely new for them to see.

You put your hand on top of theirs and sent them a warm and gentle look of gratitude. "Thanks, Hange. I promise I won't take too long. I just want to see if Grisha's okay after being discharged, so just don't go too far, okay?" You said, patting Hange's hand lightly before turning your body to face the door and prepare to leave. You saw Hange nod, quickly moving back and straightening up in the driver's seat as they watched you through the rearview mirror.

You took a quick breath, finally opened the door, and at last stepping out. After that, you quickly made your way inside the building. You already knew where Grisha was staying you didn't have to stop by the front desk at this point. You immediately made your way across the lobby and headed straight for the elevators. You remembered the floor and the section Grisha was in so you were quick to press the button of the floor, stepped back to lean against the wall as you watched the doors of the elevator close.

After that, everything felt like a blur. You felt like your body went on autopilot and your mind was blank as the elevator continued to rise. It was only when it felt like an eternity passed that the ding of the elevator and the doors opened that you finally snapped out of it. You shook your head quickly and slapped your cheek, telling yourself to get it together. You didn't want Grisha to see you in the state that Hange obviously noticed so you knew he would too.

Before the elevator doors closed, you straightened up and walked out as you kept your head help up high. You really hoped that Grisha didn't see right through. You didn't want him to worry and he already had enough on his plate. It should be easy, enough right? You looked up to him the most in this world and you wanted to be the image he raised you to appear as.

It's all you could think about as you turned a corner and got closer to the door that would lead directly to Grisha's room. As you opened the first door, you saw the short hallway and you didn't even let your body pause like you thought it would from the nerves you were feeling, but instead you sped up in your step and started to get closer and closer to the door.

But open reaching the door, you paused when you saw a woman who you've seen before, that works for Grisha, standing outside of his door. You realized you were walking too quickly and halted in your step right in front of door. Noticing you were in the presence of someone else, you awkwardly cleared your throat, fixed your hair and held your purse in front of you, glancing at the woman next to you and sending her an embarrassed smile.

She has seen you before as well and knew you were there to see adoptive father, so she was sent you a professional smile and reached her arm over in front of you and began to pull the door open. When you did, your most convincing expression was plastered on your face in less than a second. When the door opened fully, you were quick to notice Grisha inside.

Though, you noticed that he wasn't alone. There were a couple of other employees of his that were in the room as well that were either packing up his hospital bag, setting the bed neatly, or just keep guard. Grisha, however, was sitting by the edge of the bed as he was finishing up putting on his shoes.

He hadn't noticed your presence or the door opening so you made yourself known. "Hey, Grisha," You smiled as you got your feet to move and walked into the room. Upon hearing your voice, Grisha perked up and turned his head to look back and see you walking over with a gentle look on your face.

When he saw you walk over and stop to stand next to him as he sat on the bed and you stood next to him, looking down at him, he was quick to mirror your expression and smile at you. "Oh, hello, dear. Came to see me off?" He said as looked up at you, adjusting the glasses on the rim of his nose slightly.

You nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "I promised I would, didn't I?" You reminded him, watching him button up his vest before he reached over to his jacket laid out on the bed next to him, grabbed it, and began to slip it on, forcing you to drop your hand from his shoulder. As he finished tidying himself up, you took a moment to study your surroundings.

"So, I'm assuming everything's done here, then? Are you heading home?" You asked as you turned your head back down to look at him, watching as he straightened his jacket's fabric once he actually had it on. You heard him let out a huff and let his hands drop to his lap. He definitely looked tired.

Before he answered, you spotted a chair near him. You quickly walked over to it, turned it around, and brought it closer to Grisha before sitting on it, facing him and giving him your whole attention. "Yes, the doctor's said that there's nothing wrong and I'm free to go," He said, making that practiced smile that was on your face be replaced with one that expressed nothing but relief.

"I'm so glad. Don't you feel more at ease now? Aren't you glad you listened to me? It wasn't so bad" You said as a teasing smirk came upon your lips, knowing that you were the one who pushed for him to get this checkup for so long, especially at his age. You were glad that after all that back and forth bickering, something good came out of it and he was still the pillar of health that he's always been. You were glad he didn't have to worry anymore.

He deadpanned at you but couldn't help but let a smile crack through as he reached turned and grabbed his cane that was also sitting on the bed, that was already made. You watched as he placed his cane in front of him and put both of his hands on it, one on top of the other, leaning forward a bit on it. "Don't gloat so much. It's not a good look," He said, making you roll your eyes and lean back in your chair as you ran a hand back through your hair.

You could feel Grisha's eyes on you as you settled yourself in your seat, keeping your arms crossed. There was silence for a couple more seconds until he finally found the words to break the ice. "So...do you want to tell me how your first day as a 26 year old has been?" Grisha asked and even if you felt like you physically tensed up, you hoped it wasn't too noticeable for him, knowing how observant and keen Grisha could be.

Everything that happened from the moment it hit midnight that day seemed to replay in your mind one more time, making you blinked a couple times, sending Grisha a forced smile that came out downwards and a small shrug. "It's been fine. It's been the same as every other year," You said, lying straight through your teeth about what's happened since your birthday ended. Not to mention the whole issue you were having with Karina at the moment.

Grisha's eyes narrowed on you and zeroed in on your face and body language. You thought you were being subtle, but knowing you for as long as he has, Grisha knew there was something different. From the moment he brought up your birthday, you flipped like a light switch and you were closing yourself off. He could read you like a book. You should know that by now.

But the two of you were having a good conversation just now, and if you wanted to leave it for another time and not talk about it at all, he would do that no questions asked. So, even if he felt deep concern over the drastic you you're showing between yesterday and now, he decided to change the subject as he suddenly remembered something he had to attend to.

"I almost forgot, but I need to head back home and tend to my plants. It's been a while since I've fertilized them," Grisha said, deep in thought, and he watched that as soon as he said that, you perked up and your entire body language and facial expression changed. You brightened up in a second. He found it clear right then and there that you really didn't want to talk about how your day was going, but he hoped he could remedy that.

Your face softened and you sat up in your chair, looking very eager. "Well, if you're heading home, do you want a lift? Hange's waiting downstairs, and I can keep you company," You offered, remembering that in Grisha's property, he had a huge greenhouse where he harbored hundreds of plants that he nurtured and grew on his own. Since you were little, he took you there regularly so he could teach you his process and to keep him company.

Despite getting scolded by Grisha, when you, Mikasa, Armin, and Eren were little, the four of you always used to play hide and seek since it was just so expansive. There came a time where Grisha just gave up on trying to make the four of you stop playing around the plants but just decide to enjoy the presence of the 4 kids that he held dearly to his heart, who sought comfort in the space he created. It was a place full of dear memories for you.

Grisha really appreciated the offer but it was odd for you to not be at work at around this time. He thought you'd come see him and then head straight to your office. It was just really unlike you. His eyebrows rose and his eyes widened a fraction. "I thought you'd head back to work after this. Your schedule is usually packed," He asked as he gripped his cane a little tighter.

You moved and fidgeted uncomfortably in your seat a little when he asked that, looking off to the side, avoiding eye contact with him. But noticing your movements, Grisha sighed and brought his cane up and then brought it back down hard noticing how you were yet trying to avoid his questions. He didn't want to mention it because he thought you had it under control, but Grisha knew it all. He knows what happened, and not what happened with Levi but he knows exactly what kind of place your company was in right now.

He thought that you were heading off to work right after coming to visit him after getting discharged, but what was going on with you that you were leisurely going into work later and offering to stay with him? Were you purposely blowing it off? That couldn't be it. Working took up nearly every moment of your days and Grisha thought it was shocking enough you were here with him at all. He was concerned, that's all.

There was something farther than what was going on with your company that you weren't telling him and keeping to yourself. He knows exactly what you'll tell him once he tries to bring it up and you're so resistant to get help that he knows he isn't the person around you that has noticed it. Grisha breathed out and his eyes turned serious. "What's going on, y/n? Your company's stocks have shrunk in millions and you seem completely unbothered by it," Grisha said as he scooted closer to the edge of the bed and closer to you.

He saw the way your smile turned gentle and your eyes softened. You were hiding. Grisha needed to brace himself for what he was about to hear. You didn't want to worry him and would do everything to make sure he was at ease. "I know, and I promise I'm taking care of it," You assured him.

There it was. When his eyes narrowed and his hands tightened on his cane, you knew that he was starting to think further into it. He started to remember that you would never let something like that happen on your account, and it was done purposely by someone. Someone out to make sure that they ruined you beyond repair. And they were doing a pretty good job at it.

Grisha could already name a few people right on the spot that were his own flesh and blood that could have done this, but he wanted to hear it from you. You were too immersed in details, meticulous planning, dedication and perfectionism that he knew it wasn't just a coincidence and your company's market caps suddenly dropped in millions in value overnight. It hasn't happened, ever, in the history of your company and it was very unusual.

Grisha leaned back a bit and sighed through his nose, briefly closing his eyes. He suddenly took on a tone that made your blood run cold. "Tell me. Who was it?" Grisha said seriously, knowing full well that you knew who it was, but you still wanted to either handle it yourself and not burden him with it, or flat out trying to protect that person. But knowing the kind of relationship you had with the family, Grisha doubted that it was the latter.

You were fully aware that if Grisha got involved, it would cause more stirring within your family, everything would get more hectic and you'd be looked down upon even more. In a way, you were trying to protect Karina, but from Grisha. You knew that if he found out it was her, he'd take worse lengths than you'd ever have the guts to do. He was the head of the family after all.

He really had all the power, and the family secretly feared that and loathed that about him. The way you had been thinking of handling this situation would be peaceful, if Karina wanted it to be, and she would be spared from Grisha probably blacklisting her from the business, or worse. It would be dealt with quietly and that was exactly how you wanted it to be. You did not want a scandal to come out of this and make the situation worse.

"I-I really don't know. I know just as much information as you," You said, but with the way Grisha was looking at you, you knew he didn't buy that one bit. He hoped that if you weren't going to tell him, he wanted you to at least accept his help, but that was a long shot too. "Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked, and as expected, you shook your head with a smile.

That damn smile of yours that looked beyond practiced and that he knew you hid behind. You reached over and placed a hand on his knee for a second before retracting it. "No, don't worry. I've managed this company for years and I've done just fine by myself. I can handle it. Besides, I'd hate having to ask for your help after all this time. I got this, okay?" You reassure him, even if he looked at you skeptically and knew that he should give up on trying to get you to accept help from anyone. He hoped you knew that even if you turned him down now, his help would always be available to you.

He chuckled a bit and you watched as he groaned a little once he began to stand up and used his cane as support for him to stand steadily. Once he was completely standing up, a thought suddenly rushed into your head. Your eyes widened in realization and seeing that Grisha was beginning to take steps towards the door, you spoke up. "Grisha," You called out, and he was quick to turn his body around to face you again when he heard his name.

But just as you were about to speak up again, there was a knock on the door. Both you and Grisha turned your heads to look at the door, but before saying another word, Grisha turned back to look at you and there was a slight sense of urgency in your expression and your movements. The moment the two of you made eye contact, it was decided that you could tell him later and the two you could discuss whatever it is that you had to say later.

Grisha turned back to face the door and took a couple steps towards it. "Come in!" Grisha said, and not even a second later, the door slid open and a man in a white coat stepped in. You had no idea who it was, but judging by Grisha's reaction, you knew that he knew the man.

The both of them began to talk to one another, and exchange words with each other, and from context clues and the clear appearance of the man and the nurses behind him, you knew he was Grisha's doctor for the whole checkup procedure. You didn't know what he looked like, but you supposed that you should thank him eventually for the checkup.

As they spoke, you heard them have small talk back and forth, with the doctor asking how Grisha's feeling now that he's been discharged, then Grisha saying he feels good, and so on. The doctor wanted to make sure that Grisha was comfortable and feeling good enough to leave the hospital. As they continued to have small talk, you waited patiently in your chair.

There was something you wanted to tell him that had felt so urgent when you remembered it but now it was all you could think about as you watched Grisha and his doctors have a light conversation. You looked down with slight dejection, knowing that no matter how much you tried to hide it from him.

He could see right through you. You were just glad he didn't push you more on it because you would've caved and with everything that's suddenly arising in your life, you knew you didn't want to involve your loved ones. You got yourself into it and you were going to find a way to get yourself out of it too.

-

After a couple more minutes of waiting for Grisha to finish speaking with his doctor, eventually it wrapped up, and everything after that went pretty quickly. The doctor and nurses left the room, and you quickly stood up from your chair, taking your purse with you. You were honestly excited to go to his greenhouse because you haven't visited it in a long time.

You held out a hand for Grisha so that he could cool onto it and you could help to guide him out of the hospital room. When he took it gratefully, the two of you headed out of his room and towards the elevator. His employees had already tidied up the room and they were downstairs with his bags.

Everything after that was pretty uneventful. On the elevator ride down, you made sure to quickly give Hange a call, telling them that you were heading down and that they could bring the car around, also mentioning that Grisha was coming along and that before going to the office, he had to be dropped off and that you'd be staying there for a bit before heading to work.

You knew you were taking a while to head back to the office, and you didn't want to think you were stalling because there was nothing to avoid. But part of you wanted to have this last moment of peace before going back into work-mode.

You enjoyed these little interactions with Grisha, so heading back to his house and spending some time with him while he tended his garden for a little while longer would be the last thing you'd do before you would finally focus on what you needed to. It really wouldn't hurt.

After getting confirmation from Hange that they were going to bring around the car by the time you and Grisha made it down, you quickly thanked them and hung up. There was comfortable silence in the elevator after that, since on Grisha's end he knew you didn't want to talk about any issues you're having in your personal life or your company or just simply want to keep the tranquility between you two.

As for you, you would be open to talk if he wanted to, but just not any of the topics you'd brought up before. In a way, the two of you were fine with not saying anything as long as the other was comfortable enough. Grisha wasn't going to press you on it anymore unless you wanted to talk about it first.

He trusted you to make the right choices and understood your situation. He's had his company for years and he's had his back up against the wall many times, so he had no doubt that you would be able to solve whatever issues you had going on and come back from it stronger.

Soon, the two of you made it out of the elevator, made your way across the lobby, and then went through the revolving doors to see, as expected, the car parked outside with Hange in the driver's seat from what you could see.

You smiled and carefully guided Grisha closer to the car. Sensing that there was help needed, Hange quickly stepped out of the car, made their way around and immediately started assisting you in helping Grisha get in the car first before you. "Are you settled in, Mr. Jaeger?" Hange asked, earning a quick reply of confirmation from Grisha himself.

That was your cue to get in as well in the seat by the window since Grisha had moved to sit by the other side, and when you settled in your seat, Hange closed the door and made their way around to the driver's seat as well. When Hange shut the door, put their seatbelt on and everybody was in the car, your assistant shifted gears and now the three of you were officially on your way back to Grisha's home.

Not much was said in the car ride there, except for small quips between Hange and Grisha. Grisha was asking your assistant how they were, what they'd been up to and how they've been recently, just in general Just basic conversation that didn't go past small talk, but it was nice. You were relaxed from just listening to them talk and were content just remaining silent. It was pretty much like that for the rest of the way there.

Eventually, the three of you arrived at Grisha's home, and the home you grew up in when he took you in. Your assistant drove the car through the front gate and swiftly parked the car on the curb of the mansion. Hange was first to get out of the driver's seat and open the door on Grisha's side since your side was close to the curb and it would hit it. Hange helped Grisha get out of the car first and helped him stand up until he was able to stabilize himself with his cane.

You moved across the seats of the car and got to the other end, and then just as you looked up, you saw that Hange had their hand extended out to you. You smiled and quickly took it, stepping out of the car and using their help to stand up. Once Hange locked the car and you and Grisha were about to head to his backyard where his greenhouse was, you turned your head back and saw that Hange remained by the car.

You turned your body fully and sent them an inviting smile, mingled with a slight hint of playfulness. "Well? are you coming?" Your smile turned into a teasing smile and Hange didn't say anything except mirror your smile and lean away from the car, joining you by your side. Grisha watched the exchange with amusement and fondly.

He knew that you weren't completely alone in your life, and you had people who you could depend on, he was extremely glad you had other people in your life that could make you smile, that you were comfortable with and could lift up your mood that easily. After the conversation you had with him at the hospital, and he'd noticed your body language, your tone, your answers, he was

but while he never had that type of relationship with his employees and he keeps it strictly professional , he's known that you consider Hange someone dear to you farther than just a relationship that's bound by an employment contract. You see them as a friend and more than just your assistant, and moments like that just now that Grisha has witnessed more than once, was more than enough proof for him. You had a different way of managing your employees that differed a lot from his and he respected the approach you took. He hoped you kept it that way.

A couple minutes after walking through the door of Grisha's mansion, the three of you made your way across the house and then made it to the backyard where you could faintly spot Grisha's greenhouse. You and Hange were walking side by side while Grisha was in front of the two of you, walking with his cane. As the three of you continued to walk, the greenhouse got closer and it felt nostalgic.

You hadn't been here in ages. Your eyes sparkled and gleamed in the sun as you looked at it, suddenly remembering so clearly all the memories you made there with your cousins. Eventually when the three of you walked up the cobblestone path, surrounded by plants and so much overgrown foliage by the entrance, Grisha sped up in his step to get inside while smiles appeared on yours and Hange's faces when your adoptive father beamed with happiness at seeing his plants again.

You watched the way he looked around with so much joy on his face, seeing that his plants were still doing well in his absence. You and Hange briskly walked behind him and caught up to Grisha, halting your steps entirely when he reached his small platform that he had set up in the middle of his greenhouse. Almost every inch of this place was covered in plants that he grew himself over the years.

The two of you watched him lightly lean down to a cluster of plants that he had been attending to before his check up and you began to scan the area a little more. It's the same as it's always been, except that there were many more plants now. In the platform that Grisha had in his greenhouse, it had two wicker chairs and a small table with a vase full of flowers the he grew himself to have tea occasionally, a few cabinets for the storage of his supplies for gardening, a shelf with 3 levels with a couple of other items, and a few other trinkets here and there.

It hadn't changed a lot from the last time you were here. But what made you turn your head back, was hearing a displeased sound come from Grisha. You turned to look at Hange once, who had looked at you at the same time and the two of you looked back at the same time to see Grisha hovering over another set of plants he grew over the last couple weeks.

"Oh, no. Poor things. How are they wilting already?" Grisha said, and hearing that, you frowned and took a couple steps away from Hange and walked over to stand next to Grisha, leaned over and and looked down to see what he was talking about. He was right. It made your frown deepen.

Many of the plants were drooping already and you knew he was already regretting not having had someone look over them. But then again, Grisha had a certain way of taking care of his plants that no one else could replicate and has done it that way for years so he took the chance of leaving them alone for a couple days hoping it would happen to them. Besides, nobody else he knew cared for these plants as much as he did.

You leaned forward and put a hand on his back gently, "Don't worry, I'm sure you can restore them in no time. Besides, nobody will notice," You said, missing the fact that Grisha didn't care if anybody noticed that his plants were wilting. He only cared about the state the plants were in and if he was still in time to salvage them, feeling deeply concerned.

You leaned away from him and then noticed he was moving to sit at the edge of the platform so he could get a closer look at them. As he sat down, you noticed he was extending his cane to you, and you quickly took it from his grasp, holding it safely for him. "Nobody else comes in here besides you. I'm all these plants have in order to thrive. If you noticed that the leaves started to sag, then anybody else will too," Grisha said as he began to reach over to grab something from one of the baskets with supplies next to him.

You sighed and turned away from him, heading toward one of the chairs on the platform. On your way there, you walked directly past Hange and made eye contact with them. You nudge your head to the side and gestured for them to come sit with you. With no words having to be said, they quickly understood and began walking with you to the set of chairs.

You sat on the chair closest to Grisha, propped up his cane next to the tall cabinet next to you and Hange sat down on the other one next to you. You saw how Grisha had grabbed the item he took from his basket, which was a dissolving fertilizer. He unscrewed the cap and quickly poured it into a jug of water that he had next to him. He waited a couple seconds until the product blended into the water, but suddenly another concern came to mind for you as you noticed the position he was in.

He was sitting on the platform in a position that couldn't be good for his legs. You sighed, realizing that he was still so careless about that. Your eyebrows pinched together as you sat closer to the edge of your seat. "Grisha, you can tend to them later. You just got discharged but you should still take some time to rest. You're straining your knees too much," You said as your eyes softened with concern, watching him tend to his plants.

Grisha saw that the fertilizer had completely dissolved into the water and started to pour them over the patch of plants that he wanted to salvage. That would be the first step for their growth. Grisha breathed out and a gentle smile came upon his face as he adjusted his glasses.

"You worry too much about me, I'm fine. After the checkup, I also got a quick revision on my knee and got prescribed new medication," Grisha said and your eyes widened when you saw that he was trying to stand up. You quickly stood up, rushed to his side and held onto his arm to help him steady himself on his feet. You began to guide him over to one of the stools he had and helped him sit down and securely.

You looked back at Hange and sent them a helpless look, earning you a gentle smile from them that told you to hang in there, especially with how stubborn Grisha was when it came to his health. You turned back to Grisha and put a hand on his shoulder once he was secure in his chair.

"Look, I'm not the only one who's been telling you not to push yourself. You treat painkillers like they're supplements. You can't take them as often as you do. Eren has been telling you for years too to take it easy while you think you're indestructible and above your injuries," You said to him, but he avoided eye-contact with you and continued to look over a different section of the garden, leaning over slightly in his stool to see if there were any other that were wilted and that he would also have to tend to.

You stood back and straightened up, but your eyes remained focused on what he was doing. The way he was straining himself just to look over his plants worried you, so you came to a decision. "You know what? You clearly have a lot of plants to look over, so why don't I help? Just tell me what to do," You offered with a smile, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

But you saw the way Grisha lifted his hand and waved you off even with his back to you, making your shoulders sink. "Don't worry, I can handle it. I have a process for this. You'll ruin it, just go sit over there" He said, making you deadpan at him, while a smile of disbelief tugged at your lips. You raised your hand to press to the bridge of your nose and then begrudgingly  turned back to go back to your seat, knowing you'd never convince him.

As you sat back down, you smiled with embarrassment when you heard a light snort from Hange. You turned your head to look at them and saw that they were desperately trying to keep their cool. They have seen the countless attempts you've taken to help Grisha that at this point it was just amusing for the both of you. They reached over and placed a hand on your knee, rubbing it comfortingly, reminding you not to take it personally.

"You keep straining your knees because you think you can take those painkillers back to back, but I'm telling you, they'll catch up to you eventually," You said as you put one leg on top of the other and intertwined your hands together. But you only heard Grisha chuckled in response as he continued to tend to another section of plants in front of him.

"I know one thing. Taking these painkiller's can't be worse than hearing you and Eren nag me as much as you do. I keep telling you two i'll be just fine but you keep hovering. You don't need to walk around eggshells around me," Grisha started, making you breath out through your nose as you leaned back in your chair, listening to him give you yet another lecture.

"You don't understand it yet, but pain is just a part of getting old. I won't be here when you come to that realization but at least I can tell you now," Grisha said as you watched him start to clip away some dead leaves with small clippers. You didn't want to think of him leaving this world so soon, and you hated when he started talking like that. It's like when parents give you the 'When I die...' speech. It just brought down your mood.

But just as when you began to feel down, you heard a gasp from Grisha and you instinctively straightened up in your seat and began to lean forward as much as you could. You could see that Grisha was pointing at something as he leaned forward in his stool but you couldn't see much.

You didn't know what he was talking about until he verbalized it. You found it endearing how the little things made him so happy. "There's a new bud growing, look at it, dear," Grisha said, so to see what he was talking about, you leaned to the side as much as you could to see what he was pointing to and what was making him so happy all of a sudden. A new flower was blooming and seeing that lifted his mood so quickly.

"I'm sure it's going to blossom into a beautiful flower, don't you think?" Grisha said as he turned his head back excitedly to look at your reaction. His excitement made your smile grow further, and when he moved, you were finally able to see what he was pointing to. He was right. It was a really beautiful thing to see how the flower was blooming slowly but surely.

You turned your head back at Hange and made eye-contact with them with a smile. You gestured with your head for them to come see. "Hange, come look! It's so pretty," You said invitingly, which quickly persuaded them to see the flower bud. You never had an affiliation for plants or flowers, but since you were little, you've seen how much Grisha cares for the ones he grows and it made you begin to be more and more interested in them.

Hange leaned forward as well and you caught their smile growing when they finally saw the flower bud. Grisha's excitement for a flower that has yet to bloom, but still had such a long process ahead of them to grow into a beautiful plant, was such a contagious feeling for both you and Hange.

Though, even if that comforting moment lasted for a couple more seconds and nobody else said anything after that while Grisha continued to tend to his plants, you realized that this was probably time for you to bring up what you wanted to talk to Grisha about before at the hospital. As much as hange usually stuck around for any other conversation of any kind that you have with Grisha, this was one in specific that you wanted to have nobody around for. It felt like the air thickened only around you and nobody else.

You swallowed nervously and saw that Hange had straightened up in their seat, so you quickly leaned over to the side, and noticing this, Hange could tell you wanted to tell them something so they met you halfway and leaned to the side as well. "Hange, I need to talk to him about something. Could you give us a minute?" You whispered near their ear, so that Grisha couldn't hear since he was distracted. Your tone made Hange turn their head to face you fully. Their features hardened and they nodded assertively.

"I'll head back to the car. Call me when you're ready to head out," Hange said and you sent them a soft smile, nodding at them gratefully. They could tell and understand that what you wanted to talk to Grisha about was none of their business and they didn't need to stick around. It was nice having accompanied you and Grisha here to see the greenhouse.

The two of you pulled away from each other and Hange waited a few seconds before they cleared their throat, standing up from their chair. "Excuse me, Mr. Jaeger. I have a business to attend to so i'll be stepping out for a bit, thank you for having me here," Hange said as they adjusted their glasses. Grisha heard this and turned back to face your assistant, and his face quickly morphed into one of understanding.

"It was my pleasure, Ms. Zoe," Grisha said simply, and that was enough for Hange to bow their head forward slightly in gratitude and then begin to step out of and take their leave. You watched as Hange stepped down from the platform and began to head towards the doors of the greenhouse. When they stepped outside, turned a corner and left, you were left with Grisha alone. You didn't quite know how to go about asking what you've had in mind all this time but you knew that it had to be now.

The only things that could be heard were the sounds of the plants moving in the wind from the air that came into the greenhouse, the insects that found refuge in the plants, the sound of Grisha's clippers and the feeling of fresh air in this place. But you let out a short breath and finally got the courage to speak up. "Hey, can I ask you something?" You started with a little bit of hesitance in your voice, which you knew Grisha heard clearly.

Grisha didn't turn their head back to face you when you spoke but he replied even as he continued to tend to his plants. "Go ahead. Is that why you asked Hange to step out?" He said with a knowing tone in their voice that made you smile, knowing he'd seen right through you. Now he knew that whatever you had to say was serious since you had Hange leave so it was just the two of you now. He always knew.

Even with him knowing you wanted to talk about something serious, he was all ears now and it was time for you to just come out and say it. You were going to talk about it with him anyway at the hospital. You paused for a second as you gathered what you were going to say. "I just wondering, if by any chance, there was something that you..." You started, but trailed off as the words caught up in your throat and you cursed inwardly at yourself.

Grisha noticed your abrupt hesitance midway through what you wanted to say and his eyebrows furrowed to himself, still keeping his back to you and continuing his tasks. "It's not like you to hesitate so much. Just say it, I'll listen," He said and you looked at him for a few seconds with internal conflict showing in your features that you were glad he wasn't seeing.

You looked off to the side for a second and leaned back in your chair as you crossed your arms. What you were going to say, to him, would definitely feel as if it came out of the blue and for no reason, but to you, it's something you had been thinking of for a while, for many reasons.

"Is there anything you'd like to tell me? Did something happen that you feel like you have to hide from me?" You asked, finally getting it out there, feeling the weight lift off of your shoulders. But you tilted your head to the side in confusion, seeing how he barely showed any body language that demonstrated that he was at all affected by it. He only chuckled in return to your words which made your face twist in even more puzzlement.

"I sure am. I have a lot of secrets. So much that I have lies that flow in my veins instead of blood, keeping me alive," He laughed, clearly deflecting, as he continued to clip dead leaves from his plants. You sighed and leaned forward, loosening your crossed arms and letting them fall on your lap.

"Grisha, I'm being serious," You said as you reached over and patted his back a couple times, letting him know that this was something serious. You've known for years that he wasn't a saint, not even close, but lately it's felt like he has deliberately been trying to show just one side of him for your sake, and you wanted him to be transparent.

That's what he taught you as a kid, so that when you were older, no one would take advantage of you, step all over you and you could survive in the real world. Be transparent, clear with what you want and sincere with everyone around you and you'd be successful, is what he told you. But what he said next is something the exact opposite of what he's taught you.

"Business owners can't afford to be honest nowadays, trust me," He said, making your eyebrows furrow and your eyes softened sadly. You don't think you've ever heard him say that before. You couldn't comprehend it. You've been able to be as successful as you have because you've followed his words, his advice, and his footsteps. Did he change his mind entirely?

Once again, You leaned over and you reached over to put a hand on his shoulder. "Grisha. Stop dancing around the question. Be honest with me, that's all I'm asking for," You asked, and when Grisha turned around to face you while you kept your hand on his shoulder, he saw the slight but very noticeable desperation for you to have honesty between the two of you clear in your eyes. It's what's made you so close over the years. You didn't know what you'd do if that crumbled to pieces.

Grisha looked at you straight in the eye and even through his glasses you could see how serious he became. He sighed and placed a hand on top of yours. "If you want me to be honest, then that's what I'll do. Like I've always been," He said, and after hearing that, you looked him dead in the eye to see if there was any hesitancy behind those words, but you didn't find any.

You tilted your head to the side and your eyes narrowed just the smallest fraction. "So, you're not hiding anything from me? Are you sure?" You wanted to double check a second time, now that you'd finally gotten him to be serious and to answer you truthfully without trying to joke.

Though you noticed the way his breath got caught up in his throat and he visibly tensed up. His eyes darted back and forth as he kept them locked on yours, taking a couple seconds before he took a short breath and finally answered. "I promise you," He said, and your eyes widened a bit. Not only did he promise, which you didn't ask him to do since you only asked him to say yes or no, but now he had made a commitment to you to be honest. He must have known how important promises are to you, so you accepted it.

When he began to turn away and go back to tending to his plants, leaving you to your thoughts and to go over what he said over and over in your head, you heard him speak up again. "Besides, I know you're too keen to let anything get past you," He said as his back faced you once more. Hearing the ruffling of the leaves he was tending you made you realize that this is as far as this conversation would go. That promise was more than enough.

You nodded slowly and scooted back in your chair to lean back fully on it. "Okay, that's all I wanted to hear," You said, smiling gratefully and putting an end to the topic at last. You were satisfied with what you heard. "I'm taking your word for it. After all, you're one of the only people I can trust," You said with a soft laugh as you got comfortable in your chair.

But you didn't see or notice the way Grisha tensed up the moment you said that, still keeping his back to you so you didn't see the way his face changed. You're putting all of your trust in him, believing wholeheartedly that there is nothing that he had on him that could make that trust shatter.

He has never given you a reason to think otherwise. You were asking before because you thought it was all in your head to think that he was hiding something from you, but his words were reassuring enough. Though, he should've realized how important promises and coming through with them was to you. He should've thought of another way of reassuring you.

But he couldn't help but feel his blood run cold whenever you said things like that. His long silence and lack of a reply to your words would make you start to rethink his reassuring promise because you'd think there was something wrong, so Grisha was quick to try and deflect and to attempt to drive the conversation somewhere else. "Where did that question come from? Did someone say something to you?" He asked, not turning around so you couldn't see how he could barely disguise his doubtful expression.

You perked up at his question and were quick to shake your head, even if he couldn't see you. "Oh, no. There wasn't really a reason for it, I was just curious. It's something I'd been thinking about and I'm glad it's nothing," You said and your words made Grisha grimace as he cursed mentally. You were making this so hard for him. You sound so relieved and happy now, in contrast to how desperate you sounded before. He couldn't ruin that.

He heard you shuffling in your seat, assuming you were distracted, so he closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them back up and let out a quiet breath. He fixed his glasses and continued to fix the plants in front of him.

"If only you knew..." He whispered to himself, quietly enough so you don't hear him. How long could he possibly keep this up for? But before he could continue to fall into the dark rabbit hole he was digging himself deeper in, a savior came and interrupted both his and your thoughts.

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