Spotter

Waiting

Erwin was fuming as he left Zackly's office. Y/N had been missing for almost 48 hours now, and he didn't feel any closer to finding her. When Levi and Erwin arrived last night, Zackly was drunk at a dinner party. Erwin thought it was bad enough that they had to wait until morning to speak with him. Now Zackly was probably going to take his time reading through the entire packet.

He couldn't remember the last time he had been this angry, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep it together. He needed to get out of the building before he hit someone. Meanwhile, Levi was almost jogging to keep up with Erwin as he stomped through the halls to the exit. Erwin flung open the front doors and stepped out into the fresh air. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he breathed in through his nose. He filled his lungs until it hurt.

Calm down. He has to read everything. Of course, he does. You'll get to her soon.

"I can stay here and wait until he's finished reading," Levi offered.

"Fine." Erwin started walking away. "I'll be at the MP headquarters."

Levi could hear Erwin's heavy footsteps long after he lost sight of his stiff form.

With every hour that passed, Erwin got more tense. He was a sentinel across the street from the entrance to the headquarters. Even when an afternoon shower rolled in, Erwin didn't move. He continued staring at the door, cataloging every face that entered and exited the building. Even though he knew he wasn't going to be lucky enough to see Ryker or Y/N, he still felt disappointed every time it wasn't one of them.

The rain dried up after an hour, but the dark clouds remained. They blocked out the sunset, bringing nighttime to the city earlier than usual.

Erwin's cloak kept him mostly dry during the storm, but he was still uncomfortable. He had to ignore the aches in his body and the growls from his stomach. He was paranoid that the moment he walked away Y/N would be there. There was no way he would chance missing her because he was hungry.

"Commander," Levi called to him.

Erwin had to peel his eyes away from the doors to look at Levi. His neck was stiff when he turned his head.

"Zackly has made his decision," Levi said.

Erwin looked back at the building one last time before he walked away with Levi.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Zackly greeted the two.

He leaned back in his chair and tossed a paper onto his desk. Erwin and Levi remained standing rather than sit in the chairs opposite him. Neither said a word.

"I was really hoping that your accusations were unfounded," Zackly sighed. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "However, the evidence is overwhelming. You have my permission to arrest Ryker and his immediate subordinates. Bring Garrison soldiers with you if you want the back up."

"Ryker didn't come up with this scheme on his own," Erwin interrupted.

"Probably not, but you have no evidence to prove that he was taking orders from someone above him," Zackly argued. "If Ryker says something different after he's been arrested, then we will act further."

"Yes, sir," Erwin didn't want to argue anymore.

"However, I must insist that you wait until the morning to arrest him."

"What?!" Erwin knew he shouldn't have yelled, but it was a gut reaction. "I'm sorry. You've read the evidence; you know he has Y/N somewhere."

"And she'll most likely still be there tomorrow morning," Zackly stared at Erwin, daring him to continue arguing. "Just because your girlfriend is missing, doesn't mean you get to bust into the Military Police headquarters whenever you want. You will wait until morning."

Erwin clenched his jaw. "Yes, sir."

He turned on his heel and left the office. For the second time today, Erwin was leaving this building in a huff. This time he was even angrier than before. It felt like every time he got close to Y/N she was snatched away from him again.

Cool air rushed past Erwin when he opened the front door. Erwin walked down the quiet street that was lit by the full moon then turned down an alley. When Erwin finally stopped walking, Levi stood next to him waiting for an order. Erwin huffed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Go to Pyxis and ask for some of his men. Be ready and waiting before sunrise," Erwin instructed.

Levi nodded then used his ODM gear to disappear onto the roofs. Erwin followed suit but headed back to the same building he'd spent all day watching. When he found an angle that allowed him to look down on most of the headquarters, Erwin settled into a seated position. Even on the hard roof tiles, his muscles sighed in relief. He was exhausted and starving, but so close to Y/N. So close that he knew he could make it until morning. He had to make it until morning.

For hours, he sat in the same place waiting for the night to end. His patience wore thin as he followed the moons path across the sky. He stared at it until his eyes hurt, urging it to move faster.

When the moon finally touched the wall, Erwin could hear Levi and a group of soldiers arrive on the road below him. Erwin turned his head and looked opposite the moon and waited. Waited for the first ray of sunlight to peak over the wall and give him permission to act.

A sliver of sun shone above the wall like a beacon. Erwin immediately stood up and jumped off the roof. He landed with a thud next to Levi and the other soldiers. With a final look at his friend, Erwin climbed the few steps to the entrance and kicked open the double doors.