Shadows of Command-Erwin Smith

chapter-seven

Reign's footsteps echoed in the empty corridor as she made her way to Hange's office. Her mind buzzed with the events that had just unfolded with Erwin—the charged moments, the closeness, the tension. She could still feel the warmth of his skin beneath her fingers as she shaved him, the intimacy of it all lingering in her mind.

Meanwhile, across the headquarters, Erwin sat at his desk, his fingers lightly brushing against his jaw, still smooth from the shave Reign had given him just hours before. He stared down at the scattered papers in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't stop thinking about the way her hands had felt on his skin, the quiet tension that had filled the room.

Erwin wasn't a man prone to distraction, and yet here he was, replaying the night's events over and over in his head. There had been something different about their interaction—something personal, something intimate. And that troubled him more than he cared to admit.

He wasn't a fool. He knew that his feelings for Reign had been growing for some time now. He admired her strength, her loyalty, the way she handled herself with confidence and grace. But admiration had shifted into something more—something deeper, something he couldn't allow himself to entertain.

He was her commander, and he had a responsibility to maintain a professional distance. The last thing he needed was to complicate their relationship, especially with the war looming over their heads.

And he couldn't fathom the thought of her being repulsed by the thought of her commander being attracted to her.

"What if she feels revolted? What if she laughs at him if she ever found out?" are the thoughts that haunt him.

It's just admiration, he tried to convince himself. Professional respect. Nothing more.

But even as he thought it, he knew it was a lie. He had felt something in that moment, something undeniable. And he wasn't sure what to do about it.

Reign's footsteps echoed in the empty corridor as she made her way to Hange's office. Her mind buzzed with the events that had just unfolded with Erwin—the charged moments, the closeness, the tension.

The door to Hange's office was ajar, dim light spilling into the hallway. Reign took a deep breath, feeling the familiar comfort that came with talking to Hange. She knocked gently before pushing the door open.

Hange looked up from their cluttered desk, papers and gadgets strewn everywhere, the usual chaotic energy humming in the air. They smiled broadly when she saw Reign.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite soldier! What brings you here at this hour?" Hange's tone was playful, but their sharp eyes quickly registered the tension in Reign's expression. "Everything alright?"

Reign stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms as if she needed something to hold on to. "I don't know—I just needed to talk to someone."

Hange tilted their head, setting down the strange contraption she had been tinkering with. "Talk away. You know I'm all ears."

Reign hesitated, unsure how to begin. She wasn't used to feeling so off-kilter, especially when it came to her emotions. "It's about—Erwin," she said, her voice low.

Hange's eyebrows shot up in interest. "What happened? Did something happen with Erwin?"

Reign shrugged, "The problem is, I don't know what's happening. We've been spending a lot of time together," Reign started, pacing slightly as she spoke, "I help him with paperwork, bring him meals, and it's been—fine. But lately, something's changed. Today, it was different—well to be honest, it has been different, for a while now."