19
With her heart nervously racing, Iris walked through the headquarters toward Erwin's office. It was a quiet day unlike any other. The scouts were resting after yesterday's expedition; the exhaustion was prominent on their faces. She knocked on his door three times. When she felt she was permitted to enter, Iris revealed herself to her commander.
"Iris. What brings you here?" He raised his head from the book he was reading. There was a smile on his face-- it wasn't obvious but she knew what that face meant. "No, I know why you're here. Have you finally changed your mind?"
Iris saluted, her right hand was drawn to her chest. "Yes. I've decided. There's no time to cower in fear anymore. I'm ready to put my life on the line again for the people I care about the most."
Erwin adjusted the bolo-tie rested around his neck and showed a stoic expression. "Not for humanity?"
She honestly shook her head and sighed. "I don't have faith in it. But that doesn't mean I won't try to save it. Your principles and mine differ, I think. So long as we understand each other, that won't matter. I was bound to a promise I made to you four years ago, but now... I'm doing this willingly." He lowered his head and nodded.
"Then, welcome back, Major Iris Schmidt-"
"Wait, Major? Did you change something again?" she teased. He was known for doing things his own way, even ignoring the actual military structures. He was the sole reason why the position of Captain was created to begin with.
Iris smirked. She thought he had nothing else to say so she turned around to leave after saluting once more. When she heard her name once more, she raised her brows in confusion.
"I heard you're going out with Levi." Iris tried so hard to remain calm yet her face was practically red at this point. She awkwardly cleared her throat, trying so hard to remain stoic.
"Do you oppose it? Perhaps, dating doesn't have a place in the military." His footsteps echoed in the empty office as he walked closer toward her.
"The opposite..." Erwin stared at her with his icy blue eyes. "Why'd you think I asked him to come after you and not Hanji? You both understand each other very well. More so than I do." For the first time, Iris felt like there was a huge boulder between them. When he put it like that, she realized how true that statement was. She lightly gasped when Erwin placed his large hands over her shoulder.
"What you and Levi have is unique. Don't let it go." She curled her brows upwards in concern. Her lips turning into a frown.
"Why... you're making it seem like we're special-"
"Do you love him?" His question made her step backwards. Love? Yes, she cares a lot about him but-
"What even is love?" she asked him, she asked herself. She adored Levi, she cares for him, but has she ever felt that before? Does Levi feel the same way?
The confusion on her face made Erwin chuckle. Placing his hand over her head, he made sure to reassure her that it was just a question. "Don't worry. True love doesn't happen right away. Time can only tell when you start to feel that way." She pouted at his reply and gently slapped his hand away.
"I'm not a kid anymore."
He looked at her kindly, the same blue eyes were littered with relief and sadness. "Yeah..."
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Freedom: Levi Fanfiction
Fanfic"The only way is forward", said Iris Schmidt, a refugee adopted by Grisha Jaeger. At the young age of 15, Iris watched as her parents were mercilessly eaten alive by a deformed titan. All she had known was a peaceful life outside the walls, secluded...
