Shadows of Command-Erwin Smith

chapter-three

The morning sun filtered through the narrow windows of Commander Erwin Smith's office, casting soft rays across the wooden desk where Reign sat, quill in hand. The air was still, save for the quiet scratch of her pen as she copied down the contents of a report. The sounds of everyday military life—marching boots, shouted commands, and the clang of weapons—were muted, distant, as if they belonged to another world.

Erwin sat across from her, his focus entirely on the stack of documents before him. His brow furrowed slightly as he read, the lines of his face etched with the weight of his responsibilities. Yet there was a calmness about him, a quiet strength that had always drawn Reign's admiration. In the weeks since she had begun assisting him, she had come to understand why so many looked to him for leadership. His presence alone seemed to anchor those around him.

But today, the atmosphere in the room was lighter, less burdened by the usual pressures of command. The 54th expedition beyond the Walls was behind them, and though the losses weighed heavily, there was a brief lull in the chaos—an opportunity to catch their breath before the next storm.

Reign glanced up from her work, watching as Erwin carefully penned a letter, his handwriting neat and precise. He was writing to the families of fallen soldiers, a task he never delegated. It was a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes about his character. She admired that about him—how he bore the weight of each loss with such quiet dignity, even as it threatened to crush him.

"You're getting faster at this," Erwin remarked without looking up, his tone light, almost teasing.

Reign smiled, appreciating the break in the silence. "I've had a good mentor."

Erwin chuckled softly, setting down his quill. "I doubt I've taught you anything you didn't already know. You've been handling the paperwork better than most."

"I'm just trying not to mess it up," Reign replied, her tone half-joking. "Wouldn't want to accidentally declare war on the Military Police with a misplaced signature."

"That would certainly complicate things," Erwin said, his lips twitching into a smile.

Their banter had become more frequent in recent days, the formalities of their relationship gradually giving way to a camaraderie that Reign hadn't expected. There was still respect, of course, but she no longer felt the need to tread so carefully around him. In these quiet moments, when it was just the two of them in the office, the lines between commander and subordinate blurred, giving way to something more akin to friendship.

Reign watched as Erwin poured himself a cup of coffee, the steam rising gently from the cup. He took a sip and then leaned back in his chair, his eyes meeting hers with a twinkle of mischief. "So, how's life treating you outside of the office? Any grand adventures I should know about?"

Reign laughed, shaking her head. "Hardly. It's mostly just more training and catching up on sleep. Nothing too exciting."

"Training can be quite the adventure, depending on who you're paired with," Erwin said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Any particular partners giving you a hard time?"

"Oh, you know how it is," Reign said with a grin. "Jean's always got something to say, and Sasha's competitive spirit is impossible to ignore. But I suppose it keeps things interesting."

Erwin chuckled, his gaze softening. "Jean's never lost his talent for running his mouth, has he? And Sasha's enthusiasm is something to behold."

"Definitely," Reign agreed. "But it's all part of the fun. Keeps me on my toes."

They shared a comfortable silence, the kind that spoke of mutual understanding and unspoken camaraderie. Reign found herself appreciating these moments more and more—the times when they could just talk and laugh, without the weight of their respective roles bearing down on them.