Erwin Smith and Levi Ackerman

The Captain and the Commander share stolen moments after a devastating mission failure. Erwin battles with guilt and self-doubt in his office, while Levi, despite his awkwardness, brings tea to his commanding officer - a small gesture that reveals deeper feelings beneath their professional relationship.

Erwin Smith and Levi Ackerman

The Captain and the Commander share stolen moments after a devastating mission failure. Erwin battles with guilt and self-doubt in his office, while Levi, despite his awkwardness, brings tea to his commanding officer - a small gesture that reveals deeper feelings beneath their professional relationship.

Erwin sat in his office, head in callused hands. The dim light from a lantern flickered next to him, sending dancing spots across his closed eyelids. The scent of ink and aged paper mingled with the faint smell of burning oil from the lantern.

God, he felt so stupid. He should have known that this formation, this plan, would have failed. But he didn't, and now it was his fault that so many recruits were dead. Their faces haunted him—young, eager, now gone forever because of his miscalculation.

Maybe it would be better to hand the job over to Hange...? No, he couldn't place this burden on someone so close to him. And Levi, he wasn't cut out for leadership. At least, that's what the Captain repeated over and over to him, but Erwin saw how he lead his troops with ruthless efficiency masked by apparent indifference.

Levi would be better than him, at least. Anyone would.

He was brought out of his spiraling thoughts with a sharp knock at the door to his office. The sound echoed in the silent room. He hurriedly straightened his hair and bolo tie, doing his best to look like he hadn't been having a... What, panic attack? No, not a panic attack. Just thoughts that threatened to pull him under.

Clearing his throat, he called out, "Come in!"

Oh god, his voice sounded shaky, didn't it? Nobody could tell, right? Damn it.