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Commander Erwin Smith was exceptional in all aspects.
Most would call him a fool for choosing the Scouts over the Police despite being well qualified for a position, safe in the comfort of the interior. Most people have called him a fool for it.
But Erwin Smith was beyond a comfortable life in the interior. Rather, such a life like that would be beneath him. A waste of his talents, his skills. For he was conniving, cunning, and once more—exceptional.
Exceptional enough to be tactical about the situations he was harshly shoved in, and cunning enough to know how to maneuver his way around it.
Landing him a position ranking higher than even most of the people who used to call him a fool for choosing the Scouts.
A position which was, for all it was worth, precarious and temporary. Yet he survives it, and takes it all in stride with such confidence that eventually, he climbs the ranks faster than their horses reaching the outer edges of the walls.
An occurrence that shouldn't really happen, but it did. And of course, it pissed a lot of people off. Or simply irked them enough to shun him. And Erwin knew this. And he didn't care.
On the contrary, he revelled in the odd nature of his position. He enjoyed the fact that he was now in a position to finally figure out the truth behind certain things that would name him a heretic—and be sent to the gallows. That finally he was in the position to chase after his ambitions.
Though if there was one thing his rank could never give him, one thing his position could never hope to achieve for him — it was likely going to be a certain agent whose department collaborated with the Scouts for a commission.
You.
Outside, he could remain focused and the same cold, calculating, and unforgiving leader he was known to be. Yet behind closed doors, he simply could not rid his mind of you the very day he met you.
He wanted to know more. And god was it so obvious he, in the very least, favored you over everyone else. It was so obvious how much softer, happier his smiles seemed to be when he would be speaking to you as opposed to the times when he'd be speaking to other military officials.
His usually hard expression, or his smile that usually contradicted what he actually thought in the moment — all softening at merely the sight of you.
The way a ten minute conversation would stretch into sixty. A carriage ride alone would now occupy two individuals. The usually bleak and silent office filled with the rustle of papers and the crackle of fire now filled with laughter and light chatter bouncing off the walls.
Misplaced your report file? No problem, he'll write you another. You forgot the errands you were supposed to run for the day? Oh don't worry, Erwin noted them down for you and pasted them in your notebook as a reminder. Can't remember the itinerary for the day? He has it memorised for you already.
He's walking too fast for you? No problem, he can slow it down. Cold? Maybe his coat would suffice. Hungry? Thirsty, perhaps? Always a plate and a cup reserved for you on his table. Your head hurts? He'll brew you some tea to remedy that. Your body sore from running around all day, completing errands? Resting on Erwin's sofa is alright! Encouraged even.
Erwin wasn't very known to be a giving man. If anything he'd be the complete opposite. Trading away the lives of his soldiers, in the quest for the truth. All so mercilessly. Yet that narrative would instantly be flipped on its head when it came to you.
Suddenly, he dreamed of filling your life with colour and gold. To adorn the room he envisioned to be rather bleak like his own — with roses and other sorts of intricacies that would instantly remind you of him every day when you wake up.
Write letters and deliver only the finest gifts.. He wanted to do it all just for you.
And Erwin came to the conclusion that he, in the least bit, liked you, rather fast. There was no point in denying the fact that he was quite taken by you. That his little amusement of your little quirks, turned into pure love for the kind of person you were.
Oh and Erwin loved the fact that he was in love with you. No, rather, he loved the fact that the feeling you gave him whenever you both speak with each other, was that of normalcy.
Because finally he didn't need to make such life threatening, and pressuring decisions, adding to his ever growing migraine. Because a moment with you was bliss for him. Relaxing, and stress free. However fleeting, however temporary.
Because for a moment, he felt human. He felt unburdened—like he could breathe freely without having to feel so guilty over it. For a moment, he could just smile and laugh. And dream selfishly of having you all wrapped up in his warmth.
Because he was happy, and (perhaps hopelessly) in love with another being for once.
He'd brew the finest cups of tea, only for you. Set a plate of your favorite food on his table, so you'd be tempted to take a seat and eat with him. Taking note of what kinds of scents you liked or often gravitated towards—making sure you were definitely able to smell most of it, if not all, in his office.
He’d show subtle signs of affection like that. Most of which you seemed oh so utterly clueless of.
And today would be another one of those subtle-not-so-subtle signs of affection he'd show you.
But it was okay. Erwin was not a man known to blow a fuse at the slightest delay after all. He was not a man known to get upset when someone couldn’t understand the subtleties in his mannerisms. Especially if that someone was you.
He can be very patient. And he can, and will wait for however long he may need to — if it means he'll get to have you all to himself all over again.
“I quite enjoyed our little game session today, Commander Smith. Though I do believe I might be overextending my stay here a bit too much...”
“Is that so? On the contrary, I believe quite the opposite.” He states, tilting his head ever so slightly as he fixed up the chess pieces, putting them back into order. His beautiful blue hues looking up at you, “Why not another round? Just a shorter one, even..?”
You purse your lips for a moment before chuckling softly, the laughter like a fine melody to Erwin's ears that he wished to listen to, over and over again. “Okay—but you said that like five rounds ago, Commander.”
“Just one more. Then we can continue it next time we meet.” Erwin beckons you, pouring you another cup of your favorite tea as you simply couldn't refuse by this point. “And I promise I will not let your superiors get mad at you. Just tell them it's.. Commander's orders .”
And there it was again. That knowing smile as he pushed a plate of your favorite biscuits towards you.
The aroma of the treats, paired with the scent of the tea was an overwhelming sensation making you want to stay for longer than you initially planned to.
Because if there was anything one should know when it came to Erwin was that he was very persuasive. He had such a way with words that one would be tempted to simply give in and do whatever he pleases. Because who could ever say no to a man such as him? It’s basically impossible..
And so, in the heat of temptation, you sighed and gave in. As you always did with Erwin. Because how could you resist such kind and beautiful hues which stared back at you expectantly and so persuasively? You have no choice in the matter.
“Hah.. Who would I be to deny you the pleasure then?” You relent, taking a sip of the tea with a quiet 'thank you'.
He smiles knowing that his silly little plan worked yet again . As he gets to stare at you for longer once more. He gets to listen to you for longer. Marking another quiet win for Erwin. Because every time you gave in to him—you don’t quite know it yet, but he’s already won.
He slowly (and somewhat reluctantly) moves his gaze back down to the board, allowing you to begin by moving the first piece.
“I really should be going back to work after this..” You mutter, grunting lowly as Erwin ate your pawn. He hummed, “Do you just not like breaks?”
“Well- I didn't get to where I am by taking a lot of breaks.” You laugh, causing a visible smile to appear on Erwin’s face.
“My, you're quite the hard worker.” He teased lightly, causing you to laugh even further.
“I just like to keep my hands busy. Rather— I like being on my feet a lot. Sitting down and not doing anything sometimes just makes me feel.. unhelpful? Or—lazy, rather.”
Erwin lifts his tea cup, taking a sip as he moves his rook, “Suppose I understand it somewhat. As the Commander, I normally need to be on my feet all the time as well. So sitting down and not doing anything feels odd sometimes. As it feels rather.. unproductive.”
After a moment of silence, you remained, analysing the board in silent contemplation. You reached for your pawn hesitantly, before grabbing it and keeping it in your palm and glancing at Erwin.
“That's a dangerous spot you're choosing for your rook there, Commander.”
Now it was his turn to laugh once more.
As he did intentionally place the rook there, only to perhaps allow you to win this time around.
“My bad. I'm getting sloppy, I suppose.” He spoke with ease, moving his rook to a different location.
“No, I think I'm the one who is.. I'm not usually this chatty. Sorry if I'm causing you a distraction.” You smile somewhat embarrassed. He laughs heartily yet again, “Nonsense. The chatter isn't a distraction at all.”
Because oh how he'd pay a fortune just to hear you talk endlessly .
“Also, usually? You mean you're not this chatty with other people?” He raises a brow, causing you to merely shrug and reply, “Not a lot of people like to ask a lot of the questions you do.”
“Such a shame. You're quite an interesting person.” He casually says, as he catches the way your breath hitches, and you fumbling ever so slightly.
As you move your final piece, you finally lock Erwin into a checkmate with a sigh.
Satisfied, he downs his cup of tea with a knowing smile as you stare at the chess board in front of you. The winner, but arms crossed in defeat.
“Are you not satisfied with your win?” He asks, leaning forward a bit as you look at him.
“I feel as though you weren't really planning on winning this round.. commander.”
He laughs.
Because it was true. He knew you wanted things to be fair. He knew you absolutely wanted to win fairly. Even if you'd been losing to Erwin for the past several rounds.
Winning the final round simply wasn't satisfying when your opponent just let you win.
And he knew that fact. He knew it very well.
So then he smiles knowingly, refilling his cup with tea.
“Really now? Well, I suppose that simply means we'll just have to go another round then, hm?”