Shadows of Command-Erwin Smith

chapter-twelve (nsfw)

The air felt different today. Heavy. Each step Reign took across the campgrounds echoed with the gravity of what was to come. The Rumbling loomed like an unstoppable shadow on the horizon, the kind of cataclysmic event that few believed they would live through. Despite the grim odds, the Scouts moved with a purpose that betrayed their collective fears.

Reign stood among her comrades, watching as they prepared the final gear, tightening straps, and checking weapons. She could feel it in her bones—this could be the last battle. But instead of succumbing to dread, Reign maintained her usual air of confidence. Even if she wasn't entirely sure of her fate, her duty was clear.

Jean, Connie, and Sasha approached her, their faces a mixture of forced smiles and genuine warmth. "Hey, Reign," Jean said, tossing her a bag of rations, "you're awfully quiet today. Thinking about your last meal, huh?"

Reign chuckled, rolling her eyes. "You wish, Jean. Just thinking about how I'll probably have to save your ass again."

Connie snorted. "As if! You've been slacking lately, Wahid. Last I remember, I was the one covering you."

They continued their banter, a welcomed distraction from the imminent threat. Mikasa, who'd been standing off to the side, joined in. "Just make sure none of you die tomorrow," she said, voice low but laced with concern. "It's too quiet without you lot."

Sasha, always the optimist, gave Mikasa a playful punch on the arm. "We're not going anywhere, Mikasa. We've been through worse, right?"

Reign smiled, though the truth of the matter was far less certain. This wasn't like any other fight. The enemy wasn't the mindless Titans anymore—and the fight wasn't just about protecting themselves anymore, it was about surviving by imposing genocide.

After they shared a few more lighthearted moments, Reign excused herself, needing space. As she walked through the camp, she felt eyes on her. She didn't have to look to know who they belonged to. Commander Erwin Smith had been watching her a lot lately, though he was always careful to keep his distance.

Their last exchange had been brief, barely more than a few words in passing, but the tension between them was palpable. They both knew it. He had his responsibilities, and she had hers, but the unspoken feelings lingered like a storm cloud over them.

The next day was no less tense, though the mood had shifted. Reign spent most of the morning assisting Erwin with the final preparations for the battle. Maps were spread out across his desk, marked with strategic points and fallback locations. The plan was meticulously thought out, but even the most perfect strategy seemed futile against the Rumbling.

"Do you think we'll survive this?" Reign asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Erwin looked up from his maps, his blue eyes searching hers. For a moment, the confident commander seemed to falter. "I can't guarantee it," he replied, his voice quieter than usual. "But we will fight until the end."

Reign nodded, though the weight of his words pressed against her chest. She stepped closer to him, the space between them shrinking until she could feel the warmth of his body next to hers. "I don't want this to be the last time we speak like this," she said softly, her eyes searching for something—hope, maybe.

Erwin's gaze softened. He reached out, gently resting his hand on her arm. "Neither do I."

It was a small gesture, but in the context of the war, it felt monumental. The weight of the world was on both of their shoulders, and yet, in this quiet moment, they allowed themselves to be human—to acknowledge that they cared for each other, deeply.