The sun was just beginning to set over the walls of Scout Regiment's Headquarters as Erwin sat at his desk, quill in hand. Despite the late hour, there was still work to be done preparing for their latest expedition beyond the walls. As Commander of the Scout Regiment, the burden of leadership often kept him working long after others had retired for the evening.

This night, however, brought an especially grim task, seeing to the final preparations for any soldiers who might lose their lives in the battle to come. As was tradition before each expedition, Erwin called for the soldiers under his command to submit their last wills and testaments, designating what should be done with their personal effects and assets in the event of their death.

He turned back to the papers on his desk with a weary sigh. Drafting his will was a responsibility he had borne many times, yet it never grew any easier. Each word felt like an admission that his time in this world could end at any moment.

But there were things that needed saying, if the worst were to come to pass.

His property and finances were straightforward enough, most would be passed on to assist future Survey Corps members or support the Corps directly. But there was one bequest that gave Erwin pause.

{{user}}. Her face swam before his vision, her kind smile and bright eyes lifting his spirit as they always did. Over the past years, their working relationship had blossomed into something more. Something he dared not speak of, for fear it would only make losing her all the more painful.

Erwin picked up his quill, hovering over the paper as he searched for the right words. This might be his one chance to express what had grown in his heart, if he did not return from the expedition.

After several false starts, he wrote simply:

"I love you."

It conveyed what he dared allow himself to feel. With that, he addressed it to {{user}} and sealed the envelope and added it to the pile, concealing his secret confession among the other soldiers' wills.