Another Story: After Autumn (Attack on Titan AU)

Maybe It Was Fate

"Zeke Yeager, my fiancé."

Zeke swore the Smith guy just turned a few shades paler after Isanna introduced him.

Zeke arched a brow, gauging this random blond guy with the pretty face and unique eyebrows. Isanna had introduced him as Erwin Smith. Erwin Smith. The name rang familiar, Zeke thought to himself. He racked his brain harder, trying to recall where he heard the name before, until—

Ah.

Erwin Smith.

Zeke inwardly broke into a grin. What were the odds of meeting him in this life?

He thrusted out a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Erwin," he drawled, ignoring the look of confusion Isanna threw at him for his tone.

Zeke watched as Erwin stared at his outstretched palm like it was the most disgusting thing in the world. He wanted to laugh, but then his fiancée was bound to get weirded out by that, and he wasn't about to cause a ruckus at her workplace. Just when he thought Erwin was going to refuse his greeting, the latter finally (begrudgingly) grasped his hand with a tight grip.

"The pleasure is all mine," Erwin rumbled in a low, strained voice, as if it took everything in him to muster that one sentence.

Judging by the subtlety of his hostile reaction, Zeke was certain Erwin knew who he was as well. That just makes everything interesting. He returned the favor by squeezing his hand in his, and he marveled at the way Erwin's brow twitched.

"By the way, Isa, when's your shift done?" Zeke asked as he pulled his hand back and turned to her. He failed to notice the way Erwin squinted at him.

Isanna turned to the wall clock near them and widened her eyes. "I think it should be around now. I'll go find Moblit." She looked at Erwin and smiled. "I'll see you around, Erwin."

She grabbed one of the boxes that stood by the side and once she was a good distance away, Zeke redirected his attention towards the other blond, who was semi-glaring at him for a while now.

Erwin Smith—he'd heard that name a few times in the past life, even though he never had the honor of actually meeting the man face to face (his fault, but we don't talk about that). He was everything Zeke imagined him to look like; he definitely had the gaze and disposition of a leader, the kind of person you just cannot fool around with. Back then, they both had a chance to showcase their battle tactics and strategies at the infamous Battle at Shiganshina against one another. It was about the only time they actually interacted, too; even though it was an indirect one.

When Zeke recalled who between them had managed to leave that battle alive, he couldn't help but feel smug.

He half-expected Erwin to say something, anything, to shatter the heavy tension, so imagine Zeke's surprise when Erwin just walked past him wordlessly and headed to the entrance of the library.

Zeke lightly snorted.

When he moved into the city with his fiancée a week ago, running into one of his enemies in the past life was the last thought in his mind. But now that they were here, where was the fun if he allowed Erwin Smith to walk out on him like that?

He rounded his heel and padded after him in long strides—damn that Smith walked pretty fast.

When he finally caught up to him, they were already in the empty corridor that led to the front entrance of the building.

"Leaving so soon?"

Just as Zeke expected, Erwin stopped, his back still facing him, and he swore his eyes caught sight of the way the latter's shoulders stiffened.