Commander, Soldier, Spy (Erwin X Reader)

Chapter 38- Love at first sight

Reiner gathered his thoughts, collecting his emotions and pushing them down once again. Why would she do this? There was no way that she could actually be happy there. Maybe there was a secret message hidden within the letter or something. There had to be. He studied each line carefully as he walked through the internment zone.

A large crowd gathered around something drew his eyes away from the letter and to his surroundings.

"Listen! Everyone just needs to calm down and form a bloody queue!" A voice from the centre yelled aggressively.
The chattering crowd fell silent and slowed people pushed their way into a line. Revealing the source of the commotion; a cart laden with breads and pastries of all shapes and sizes.

Holding onto its handle was a woman with rust coloured hair. Reiner moved closer to the line walking past people to get closer to the front following his nose which guided him to stand in front of the woman. Their eyes locking for a brief moment for a brief collision of hazel versus grey-green.

"That means you as well." She spoke softer than before, no longer needing to shout over the booming crowd.

"U-uh. Oh. Yeah. Do you have any biscuits?"

"Sure do. But you'll have to wait in line I'm afraid and I can't promise they won't all be gone by then." She smiled sadly. "Sorry."

"Yeah! Get in the line! Just cause you're a warrior dunt mean you get to push in!" A man yelled from the queue.

"Uh...yeah of course. I know. I'm going." Reiner said in a daze before walking to the back awaiting his turn.

Around 30 minutes passed and he was almost to the front. He towered over the smaller civilians in front of him and could easily see the cart slowly getting emptier with each person reaching the front until... It was empty.

"Sorry folks, I'm all out. I'll try and bring more next time."

People turned away saddened that they'd missed out but began to make their way home. Reiner sighed. He'd really been hoping he might be able to relive the childhood memories he longed to return to. Turning away he rubbed at his temples.

"Excuse me! Please wait!" The woman called out the wheels of the cart clattering against the gravel.

Reiner turned. "Huh?"

"You asked for a biscuit didn't you?" She asked pulling one from the front pocket of her apron which was tied around her waist.

"I kept one back because I could tell you really wanted one." She smiled.

Reiner's eyes met hers once again. Falling into their grey abyss. She felt warm. But not in the way people usually were. It felt like she didn't know what he was capable of.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it." He reached out and took it from her taking a bite.

"So you're a warrior? I noticed your armband and that guy seemed to notice it too. I bet you've eaten your fair share of baked goods in your lifetime." She laughed a bit.

Reiner nodded savoring the flavor that washed over his taste buds. The woman waited for his verdict. Sweetness of chocolate perfectly balanced with the nuttiness of cashew, finished off with a sprinkling of sea salt. In that moment Reiner could have risen to the heavens and died happy.

"This... Might be the best biscuit I've ever eaten." He eventually responded, having come down from his ascension.

"I'm glad you like it. I've been working on that recipe at the bakery for quite sometime, but I'm yet to find anyone that really seemed to appreciate it's composition. I'm Elouise by the way."

"I'm Reiner." He thought on what Elouise had just said picking it apart inside his head. "Since when have we had a bakery in the internment zone?"

She tugged at the sleeve of his uniform pulling him aside. "Between you and me, that's because there isn't one. Please don't tell anyone."

"Maybe I might be open to accepting a bribe?" He responded jokingly

"Happy to help. I should be back tommorow. Same again?" She asked ready to leave.

"Yes... I suppose...." Reiner was confused not thinking she had really meant it and having only half meant it himself.

"Well I'll see you tommorow then Reiner. Take care!" She hurried away with her cart, strands of red hair coming loose from her braid and flowing out behind her in the breeze.

Reiner stared after her in disbelief wondering what had just happened. Something about her felt to him just as the biscuit she claimed to have worked so hard on had tasted. She really must have put her heart and soul into them.

This has truly been an unexpectedly eventful afternoon. And now he had something to look forward to instead of waking up every morning cursing the sky that he had to wake up and live another day.