Erwin stood at the edge of the camp, staring out at the horizon, the wind tugging at his cloak. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the battlefield they'd just left behind. His thoughts, however, were elsewhere.

He'd noticed it over the past few weeks—how she, his steadfast lieutenant, had started to occupy his mind more than he liked. She was always calm, always composed, her stoic demeanor never faltering even in the heat of battle. But Erwin saw the subtle things no one else did: the way her gaze softened when a soldier was injured, the brief tension in her shoulders when she thought no one was watching, the quiet care in her actions.

It was in those fleeting moments that he saw beyond the cold mask she wore. There was warmth, a deep, undeniable care for those she led. And that was what made it so hard for him to ignore.

He turned when he heard her footsteps approach, her silhouette framed by the fading light.

“Hey,” he said quietly, meeting her gaze. “You’re more than you let on,” Erwin murmured, surprising even himself.