To you, in 2000 Years

The Fate - II

Amidst the serene surroundings, another lightning strike. Y/N's eyes flew open, covering her ears with both hands. Struggle, she tried to gasp for air as her heart raced out of her chest. Out of nowhere, a firm hand landed on her shoulder. Erwin made an awkward gesture in an attempt to comfort her.

"You don't appear to be the type of person who is afraid of anything." 

He asked, looking at her with pitiful eyes. However, she closed her eyes and deliberately ignored him. Though, as a superior, Erwin had the authority to demand an immediate response from her, he chose to remain silent. He observed her calmly and waited for her response patiently.

There was a reason why Y/N was terrified of something as insignificant as lightning in comparison to Titan. She contemplated whether she should share this private matter with her superior. It felt like she was a small prey being exposed to the predator to let someone see her weakness. However, it was different with him. She trusted him implicitly. In her heart, she knows he will never take advantage of her vulnerability. As the decision was made, she took a deep breath before slowly opening up to him.

"Since I was little, I always loved the rain. There was something soothing about the sound and smell of it. It's always put my mind at ease."

Erwin listened intently as she continued, her gaze still fixed on the flame.

"I wasn't afraid of it...until the Shigishina fall. The moment the colossal Titan tore through the wall."

She vividly recalled every moment of it. She can still taste the blood in her mouth and smell the smoke even now. The chaos, as well as the fears and terrors. It was an endless cycle of nightmares.

"It sounds just like lightning striking." As tears started to well up in her eyes, she turned her face away from him.

Erwin's heart was weighed down with sympathy. He never sees this side of her. She never failed to have a smile on her face, which lightened up the room. She was always happy, but today he saw otherwise.

"You are brave for sharing your story with me. I am sorry for what you had to go through." He said it in a husky tone. His heart sank, but his eyes bid no emotion.

She nodded, quietly wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes. The worst thing about it, though, was that it brought back memories of her parents' deaths, which she chose not to share with him. Her miserable, pitiful story did not need to be known by him. Compared to others, her story seemed insignificant. Just as she sank into the despair, his quiet voice broke the silence.

"I too, despise the rain..." He sighed and shifted his gaze to the flame dancing in the fireplace. His blue eyes were clouded with sorrow. Through those eyes, she felt his pain.

The rain made Erwin sentimental. Plans go haywire when it rains during an expedition. Many lives were lost. He wondered how many soldiers he had to sacrifice just to achieve the goal.

"I have lost many good soldiers because of the rain."

He did not know how to handle the situation. Despite his deep desire to comfort her, he is unable to do so because he is her commander. He must maintain a safe distance from her. This line of thought meant that Erwin would always be isolated and alone for as long as he led the Survey Corps. He buried the feelings of desolation in the recesses of his heart.

But that is just another part of my fate.

Masking the pain, he resumed his conversation.

"So don't ever feel bad for sharing this story with me. I will be sure to keep this secret between us."

Looked at her, he gracefully bowed to assure her that he would keep his word. Her heart lightened up. He gave her a sense of security and comfort that she had never experienced before.