You couldn't sleep. There was a nagging in your mind, shadowy visions of titans ascending mountains, climbing walls—the same nightmares that plagued you ever since you joined the scouts all those years ago. You found yourself in the showers, all alone scrubbing away your sins and torments. But even a cleansing couldn't seem to quell your thoughts, so you roamed.
The meandering halls of the old scout regiment headquarters were cold, musty, unwelcoming even with Levi's cleaning. Glimmering lamp light under a cracked door caught your attention, the only light you'd seen while on your stroll.
The Commander was still awake.
You weren't sure what compelled you to stop, to bring your knuckles to rap against the wood of the door. You'd once been quite close with Erwin, back when you were both cadets and working your way up the ranks, but he'd become quite elusive since becoming the Commander. You'd always been interested in him, found your gaze lingering on him a little too long when was around. There was some kind of irresistible, seductive pull towards him, like if you got close enough, he might let you explore the man under the armor. You wondered if he felt it, too, or if your lust was one-sided.
You were just too curious about what would keep him awake at night. Maybe he struggled with the same miseries you did when the nights felt too dark.
Tentatively, you slid past the open door.
Blue eyes caught your movement, his handsome face tilting towards you from where it was seated in his palm.
He whispered your name, smile tugging at his cheeks.
"Commander Smith," you acknowledged, "you're up quite late."
"Seems I'm not the only one." There was an amusement in his voice that you couldn't quite place.
He leaned back in his chair as you stayed in your place, a sudden rise of bashfulness making you bite at the inside of your lip. You were sure you were pestering him; you should've just wandered back to your room. Your feet were ready to move, heels pressed against the floor to turn and leave at his behest.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"I—no, I just couldn't sleep. Apologies, I shouldn't have bothered you."
"No, you're no bother. Rather, you're quite a pleasant distraction at the moment," he gestured to his desk, littered with paperwork and books opened to forgotten pages, "come in, shut the door behind you."
You did as you were so kindly told, clicking the door into place behind you before moving in closer. His office was warm, bathed in dim candlelight from the lamp on his desk, shadows being cast from the bookshelves that lined the walls. You noticed he was in only a white button-down and trousers, his ODM gear placed neatly on a chest behind where he sat.
Your hands came to rest on the chair that was placed in front of his desk for his visitors. You remained standing, not quite ready to be so familiar as to just sit and talk with him. There was humor in his eyes as they scanned your figure, undoubtedly surprised to see you dressed so casually as well, simple pants and shirt being all you brought to wear after taking your late-night shower.
"Tell me, what keeps you awake?"
There were many answers to his question, but you erred on the side of simplicity.
"Nightmares. What about you? What's kept you awake tonight?"
Erwin sighed, deep and heavy from his chest. You observed how his long fingers gripped at the armrest of his seat, knuckles white.
