Silent Love, Silent Pain [Levi x OC]

21. Helping each other

Giving Sophie a chance to go back to the Underground was a risky thing to do. Once again Erwin was doing something that he had no idea how it would end. Will she leap at the chance and get back to the same swill that she came from? He hoped not, but as they left Survey Corps' Headquarters and rode to the capital he saw emotions returning on her face, something he thought he would never see again.

Ever since her first expedition her facial expression was non-existing, as if she lost the ability to show emotions at all. They rode in complete silence, the only sounds accompanying them were those made by their horses' hooves while they were riding canter. Even when they stayed for a night in one of the Garrison's HQs she kept on being quiet, not saying anything to him nor to other soldiers that tried to begin a conversation with them.

She got more astir as they entered Wall Sheena. Her eyes widened as large, rich encrusted buildings spread across them. The last time she was there she didn't get a chance to take a good look at them, because she was riding in a carriage and her eyes were still not used to sunlight, so she tried to focus them on the inside of the vehicle. But now she was used to it. She was used to living above the ground, so she could look at those buildings and streets around her as long as she wanted. Erwin saw how interested she got in things surrounding them. He hoped that it would make her change her mind. That was his plan - to drag her there, give her a chance to decide, but do everything he possibly could to make her realise that living here would be better for her than living underground.

"How far are we from the gate?" she asked. Her question saddened him, but he tried to remain calm and unbothered, as if he didn't care at all whether she would stay or not.

"About ten streets away" he informed her.

"Good" she nodded. Her heart started pounding faster in sudden excitement, happiness even if that's what it should be called like. She was just relieved that soon she'll return to her home. Home that was dirty and full of bad memories, but it was still a home. More importantly, it was a place where she spent time with Furlan, where she fell for him and where he was alive. The idea of returning to the place where her beloved was happy was something she couldn't resist.

"But we'll get there tomorrow" Erwin added, making her stop on her horse. She did it ineptly, still struggling to control her horse, but it listened to her anyway.

"What? But we're so close!" she opposed.

"And I'll let you go there tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll keep my word" he said firmly. "But that doesn't mean that I won't try to change your mind" he slightly smiled, angering her.

"Why can't you just respect my wish?" she crossed her arms as she looked at him.

"Because I don't believe that you should go back there" he answered honestly, surprising her. For a one brief moment she seemed to be caught off guard, not even knowing how to respond, but she quickly snapped back from her initial shock.

"Well, you're not the one to decide"

"I know. You are. That's why I want you to spend one evening with me in here. Can you do that or is it too much for you?" he had to touch her nerve to make her grant his wish. Hinting on her strength seemed like a good call. Indeed, it was. She clicked her tongue and narrowed her eyes, but nodded her head. "Great.

They got two rooms for a night in the Military Police's Headquarters, but as soon as Sophie unpacked her stuff Erwin knocked on the door and entered. She looked at him with pure hatred. She wanted to stay alone. To lay on the bed and count hours for a moment when she'll return home, but no. Of course he had to have other plans for them.

"We're going to see the city" he said.

"What's the point?" she whined.

"It's your last day here, right? When you'll come underground you will at least have stories to tell"