Hand in Hand

16. Commander *

The town of Jinae is located South of Wall Rose near the towns of Ragako and Dauper. Nothing but forest for miles and long rivers surrounded the three towns and the people who lived there tended to live off the land by farming, hunting, and raising livestock for themselves and the inner towns. (Y/n)'s grandparents' house was a small wooden cottage with a creaky deck, a large garden off to its right, and a row of horse stables and a pigpen. The people of Jinae lived simply but were grateful for the land that provided for them.

The morning fog laid a dew on the treetops and brought out the fresh smell of the dirt and plants. The sun wasn't even up yet. Erwin Smith had never seen a sight so raw. As he and (y/n) tied their horses to the deck of the house, he breathed in deep and let the cold prick his lungs.

"Believe it or not, I've never been South of Wall Rose," he told her. "I was quite happy when you asked me to accompany you, (y/n). Where you grew up is beautiful."

"Yeah, it is beautiful," she replied. "I hope I'll be able to come back here someday and have a family of my own."

"You want kids?"

(Y/n) nodded and began walking up the deck, stopping at the door. She placed her hand on the cold wood and rolled the dust between her fingers. "Yes, I do. I want them to be raised how I was."

Erwin walked up the steps and placed his hand under her chin, bringing her face up to his. "If they're your children, they'll be beautiful and strong-willed, I know that for a fact."

A warmth spread along her face. "Erwin I-"

He stepped back and interrupted her with three loud knocks on the door. "Are your grandparents home?"

"Yes, my grandfather-"

The door opened to reveal a tall man with his arms opened wide. Even with his hunched back, he towered over Erwin. "Oh, my (y/n)!" He threw his arms around her and squeezed her tight.

"It's nice to see you too, opa," (y/n) said in a strained voice.

"It's been too long," he stated. "Have they been feeding you well?"

Erwin chucked at the thought of numerous nights of bread and watered down soup for dinner. The Scout's food rations were anything but filling and sustainable.

"You've brought a man with you?" He turned to Erwin. Bearing a raised fist, he laughed and said, "I won't give you my blessing if that's what you're here for. Beat me in an old fashioned fight, man to man, and only then will we see who-"

His eyes traveled to Erwin's side and he blinked frantically. Still holding (y/n) at his side, he pointed to Erwin's missing arm and yelled, "Sir I don't know if you're aware, but your arm is missing! I can't give away my grandbaby to damaged goods. She needs someone to lift the barrels of grain for the animals and chop down trees for fire during the winter nights!"

"Sir, I can assure you that isn't-" Erwin began.

"Listen here, old man!"

'I'm the old man?' Erwin thought, taken aback.

The grandfather's voice was getting louder. "I won't be marrying her off anytime soon so-"

"Dieter! Why are you yelling again?"

(Y/n)'s grandfather tensed and quickly released her from his tight grip. He rubbed his creased forehead and grunted. "That old bat will be the death of me."

A plump woman appeared from inside the cottage. Her hair was tied up in a shall and she wore a tattered dress that was visibly stretched out along her wide hips from years of use. She eyed the faces the stood on her deck with a scowl until she stopped at (y/n). With a soft sigh, she opened her arms and captured her granddaughter. "My baby has returned," she whispered. "My, how you've grown."