Commander, Soldier, Spy (Erwin X Reader)

Chapter 1: Eye-Water

Return Address:
Berg Newspapers,
Stohess District.

Dear Commander Smith,

I write to you to ask of your assistance with the latest edition of the Berg Newspaper. I'm sure you are aware that following the scouts latest expedition outside the walls, the people are beginning to wonder if any progress is being made at all. Is there perhaps some sort of secretive plan or new piece of equipment that the military are working on in order to create a more successful route and in order for more scouts to return home to their loved ones? I understand that you are probably rather busy but any response would be greatly appreciated, and I'm sure the public would be ecstatic to hear from your own mouth how the Scout Regiment plans to continue to keep us safe.

Kindest Regards
(F/n) (L/n) of Berg Newspapers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Return Address:
Cmdr Erwin Smith
Survey Corps HQ
Trost

Dear (F/n) (L/n)

As you mentioned I am indeed rather busy and so have little time to converse with the press. However, if what you say about the public is true then perhaps I should give you a small statement on the recent doings of the Scouts and their Reconnaissance forces. Lately we have been facing tougher times than ever. But this will not stop us. We are continuing to make advances outside of the walls and this brings casualties which is to be expected. However, despite the numerous casualties we have faced in recent months our comrades deaths will not be in vain. We have been working on setting up numerous camps along our travel route and clearing out any Titans which may reside in the surrounding areas. The defense force is working alongside that of the Supply force to take both gas for our ODM gear and food so that we can remain beyond the walls for longer periods without our supplies running out. My heart goes out to those whom have lost loved ones for this cause and know that their lost lives will forever weigh on my shoulders. We shall prevail. We in the Survey Corps will continue to dedicate our hearts to the survival and prosperity of humanity.

Warm Regards
Commander Erwin Smith of the Scout Regiment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Return Address:
Berg Newspapers
Stohess District

Dear Commander Smith,

Thank you so much for responding to my previous letter all of us here at Berg are extremely grateful for your inspiring words and continued leadership of the Survey Corps. However, something in your letter has stuck with me. You mentioned that lost lives will forever weigh on you. Once I had read this I realised how careless I had been in the writing of my letter. I never asked how you were doing. I understand how difficult it must be to be so high up within military ranks in a Regiment that continually risks it's lives for the greater good. So I'm writing this to extend my deepest apologies for my unthoughtful writing, and simply to ask, separate from the writing of the article, are you doing okay?

Wishing you well
(F/n) (L/n)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Return Address:
Cmdr Erwin Smith
Survey Corps HQ
Trost

Dear (F/n)

It is not often I receive such warm wishing letters asking about my personal life. But I will say it came as a pleasant surprise to have someone ask me how I am doing myself. It's not often that I find an opportunity to write to someone so far removed from the military. As a journalist I'm sure that your job takes you all over and I'm also certain that you've heard similar stories from many other military personnel. In regards to your question the answer is not one as easy as yes or no. As you correctly mentioned being a Commander is a difficult job at the best of times. Recently, more than ever. Without sounding too down in myself, this job is incredibly lonely. Many of my friends have lost their lives in this world and because of this I spend many nights sitting at my desk talking to myself, which of course amuses anyone whom happens to pass my office in the late hours of the evening. But these conversations I have with myself are a release for my negative thoughts and a way to prevent myself becoming overly emotional during the working day. I realise this letter has been rather long for such a short question. And I hope that in your response you might tell me some more about yourself so that this letter feels less out of place. How are YOU doing?

Hope this letter finds you well
Erwin Smith.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Erwin slowly placed his quill down onto his desk and read over the letter once more before sliding it into it's envelope which he had already addressed to the newspaper printers in Stohess. He wondered why (y/n) would give him the address of her workplace if her previous letter was nothing to do with her work. Perhaps she was intending to publish his inner most thoughts or maybe she was going to write about business but then changed her mind and forgot to rewrite the address. Whatever the reason he was still undecided as to whether to send this letter feeling as though it might be too personal to share with someone he barely knew. After all he had a reputation to uphold, one of honour and dignity. Spilling his darkest thoughts and feelings to a journalist no less would most likely do him more harm than good. He stood from his desk and made his way to the door picking up his cloak from it's hook and left his office. Leaving the letter unattended and alone on his desk.