<read the note at the bottom please!!>

There hasn't been a day that I've been alone. Levi stayed by my side from dusk till dawn was truly a feat Hanji couldn't seem to understand. Finding it both admirable and surprising she had begun to question if this was truly Levi by my side.

He had quickly placed up that cold, savage exterior whenever there was company in the hospital room. And when it was just us—well, he became quite the opposite man. Soft, sweet, and overly caring.

Placing me before anything else was something I still trying to get used to. I've never seen him act so—loving. But it was cute and my heart would swell each time I see that soft smile of his.

I wasn't sure how long I would be bed-ridden but slowly, I was getting antsy. I wanted to move around or at least walk from one side of the room to the other. But Hanji forbade it and Levi strongly agreeing with her.

"It's for your own good," Hanji had said the other day. "With the trouble you've been through—you deserve lots of rest."

I couldn't argue there. At least, not anymore. When Hanji decides something there's no changing her mind.

It was nice though, listening to her nag over my recovery while Levi would mock her when he saw fit. Everything felt normal—and even a little brighter. But there was still a shadow lurking over us like a dense fog.

And yet, none of us mentioned it. We never spoke of Edward's death or the justice for the families of his victims. We didn't talk about the news spiraling throughout the district of how Levi had ended Edward's killings—or saving me.

The hopeless Lieutenant who couldn't even fight for herself. It was best to ignore it all, it made us feel—normal. But that funny sense of normality and facade of everyday joy had swept away.

Ended when Erwin had marched into my hospital room with a serious expression. Now he stood beside my bedside while staring out the window. Levi nor Hanji where here at the moment.

Both still had to perform their duties as soldiers. A part of me wished one of them had stayed behind. I wasn't sure what Erwin wanted, I haven't seen or heard of him since the day him and Levi had that argument.

"Apologies for not seeing you sooner," Erwin finally says bringing me into a startle. Looking up I see how he wore his usual leather jacket and white buttoned-up shirt. His hair neatly combed and eyes bright with that strong drive of his. "There was many things to take care of after—the incident."

I noticed that even he was unwilling to mention that night. Nobody was, at least in front of me. And instead of anger I felt grateful for the respect he gave me. I was pardoned from revisiting a talk I wish not to have.

"It's quite alright," I smile as I gesture to chair beside me. "Did you come by to only say that or for a visit?"

Erwin finally looks at me—that light in his eyes brightening slightly. Without uttering a word he sits down. He scans me with such precision like a Commander inspecting their soldiers.

My body was still covered in bandages as my shoulder still aches from the dislocation I dealt with. It would be awhile till I completely healed but, I was in no rush.

"How're you feeling today, Lieutenant?" Erwin finally inquires with a small frown. "I've heard from Hanji that'll it be a while till your body fully heals."

I nod, "At least a couple of months. The wounds are pretty deep. But what can you do?"

He nods mutely before casting his gaze downwards. His mood was dampened—I could tell he was concerned. But I didn't want him to feel so. I was happy today, he should be too.

"'If it's just us then there should be no formality to be used'—Erwin."

His head shoots up, his eyes widening in surprise. "What?"

"That's what you said to me a while back," I wink. "Why call me Lieutenant when I've got a name?"

He blinks once before a smile breaks over his lips. It was a wonderful thing to see. Just like Levi he was most handsome when he smiled so easily.

"I did, didn't I? Then I guess I should start getting used to that then, right—Emma?"

My heart leaps at the way my name rolls out of his lips. Layered with such warmth and friendliness it brought a small huff out of me. Erwin simply watches with a gentle smile, my eyes gleaming at the sight of him.

He reaches out, his fingers gently caressing the strands of my short hair. I allowed him as I saw how much relief the action brought him. There was long moment before he spoke once more.

"You know, you've been the talk of the town lately," he says. "Everyone seemed to be gossiping about you."

His words startle that ember of confusion within me. My brow quirks up quizzically while my bottom lips pushes out. Why would people talk about me?

"What do you mean?" I ask. "Why are they?"

Erwin took pleasure in seeing me confused but also slightly alarmed. I never saw this teasing side of him but it was actually quite entertaining. It'll always be a mystery to be as to why men rather hide this carefree side of them.

"Because they consider you a hero."

At first his words meant nothing to me. I didn't fully understand them for they went into one ear and out the other. But the more I let the silence brew between us the more I allowed the words to finally sink in. It was that one word—hero—that made my throat close and my heart stop beating.

"E-excuse me?" I breathe. "A hero? For what exactly? I don't remember doing anything spectacular like our humble Captain who can practically kill a horde of Titans himself."

"I'm not talking about Titans or any of that sort," Erwin chuckles as he retracts his hand. "I'm talking about how you freed the District of Trost from a serial killer." He then pulls out a folded newspaper and places it on my lap. I blankly look down at it. "Read the first page," he instructs proudly.

And so I did. With hesitant fingers I pick up the paper and unfold it. The headline wasn't hard to miss for it was bold and took up most of the first page.

There I read something I couldn't even believe it. No, more like, it didn't make sense. None of it did. My breath was caught within me as I shake my head.

"This doesn't make sense," I state. "I didn't capture Edward and his cronies. I didn't even get information out them like Levi did." I look at Erwin with a pointed look. "Hanji told me everything. Levi got the information from Arron, she caught Booker, and Levi killed Edward. How come there's a small section of that but a huge section about me?"

"Did you not read all of it?" Erwin frowns. "You've figured out who was behind all the killings and even tried to capture him yourself. You've even saved a fellow Scout due to your sacrifice. You brought justice to those who fell into his bloody hands by your sheer determination. Don't you think that deserves some sort of praise and acknowledgement?"

"In some cases, yes." I bring the down the paper and frown at Erwin. "But towards me? I don't think I deserve that, Erwin. I didn't do all the work. You, Hanji, Levi and, the others should be taking recognition because all I did was get captured."

He simply shrugs as if he didn't care what I said. He had little interest in them and leans back with a sigh. He crosses his arms over his chest purposely.

"Well, the ones who wrote seem to think otherwise."

Now I was truly puzzled. I eye my Commander ponderously hoping he would clarify. He didn't.

"Of all the people I thought you would tell the writers to write this sort of thing," I huff.

"Actually, I planned to have you in the paper from the start," he admits with a small smile. "But a group beat me to it."

I didn't bother to hide my frustration and confusion. "A group? What group? Who would want to write about me?"

"We did."

That certain voice, one that I thought I wouldn't hear again. My breath catches in my throat when I gaze at the doorway. There stood Sean, Daniel, and Nat.

They all filled the doorway and stared at me with a sympathetic gaze. I swept both of the men a quick glance before staring at Nat who was between them. Her arm was in a brace, both hands covered in bandages, and I was certain who entire body was also bandaged.

Her face still sported some cuts and bruises but, they were healing smoothly. She offers me a hesitant smile.

"I was the one who thought of mentioning you to the writers."

I blink once completely perplexed by her decision. Sean and Daniel nodded along and that puzzled me even more. I thought they hated me?

"I don't understand," I mumble with a frown. "Why me?"

Nat let's out a small sigh before entering the room. Both men follow suit and seem somewhat wary.

"Because we owe you an apology," she murmurs as she stops by my bedside. Her gaze now downcasts to the floorboards beneath her. Her shoulders slouching in the process. "Lieutenant Wolfram we—"

"Emma," I offer gently. "Just call me Emma like before."

She nods sheepishly, "We were wrong to judge you and—outcast you for your past mission. Not only did we create more problems but we also misjudged your actions."

"We weren't there two years ago," Sean offers softly with hands clasped together awkwardly. "We don't know what happened besides the rumors and—we chose to believe the street gossip instead of asking you."

"We shouldn't have called you a cold-blooded murderer who doesn't have a heart," Daniel mumbles. "Or even associate you with—with him."
Even they had troubled speaking Edward's name. I could tell it was struggle for him to even mention his past friend. "We shouldn't have treated you in such a way. There's no excuse —it was downright pathetic."

"What we're trying to say is—you saved countless scouts on your missions and risked your life for us but all we did was treat you like a no-good outsider." Nat shifts her feet, her stance close to hesitance and guilt. I said nothing when I hear a small sniffle escape her. "You saved me, Emma. By sacrificing yourself to Edward you'd saved me. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your selfless act and I thought—I thought the whole district should try to understand that you're a wonderful solider. A solider who will protect their own."

She shakes her head, tears drip down to the floor. I clench my sheets when I notice how Sean and Daniel also couldn't stare back at me either. Both had their eyes brimming with tears but they don't let them fall.

Nat was the only one who crumbled before me and collapsed onto the bed. "We're so sorry! I'm sorry for assuming that you were behind Elise's death. I realize now that you were just as determined as anyone to avenge her. I wasn't grateful for what you've done but now—I'll do anything to win back your respect and kindness. I'm just—so sorry."

For a long moment only her soft sobs filled the room. I listen to each sniffle and hiccup in her cry. I should be mad—should feel some sort of ugly resentment towards them for what they've done.

But there was nothing. No matter how far I dug into my soul I couldn't gain any negative feeling. So instead, I reach for Nat and place a hand atop her head.

The action startles her. She looks up instantly and locks eyes with me.

"It's okay," I say with a gently. "It's all in the past now, right? Just as long you're okay and the rest of you then, everything's fine."

"You really think so?"

I nod as I retract my hand. My body felt lighter, it suddenly became easier to smile. Even Nat had wiped away her tears and grinned at me.

"We want you back as our Squad Leader," Daniel abruptly says. "If that's okay with you," he adds quickly.

That mere question. Their acceptance and kindness brought a blossoming sensation over my chest. I was wanted, appreciated, and admired.

No longer was I seen as monster in their eyes—I was seen as a colleague. Instinctively I turned to Erwin for an unknown reason. Maybe I wanted him to witness such a feat.

Or maybe see the way he smiled again. But, either way I couldn't. He was gone. Chair empty and door closed.

I frown slightly, he must've slipped out earlier. Somehow I was a little upset that he'd gone. I wasn't sure why but I quickly discard that unnerving feeling.

Even if he left I could still smile. But as I did there was growing part of me that I couldn't ignore. A part that I found quite alarming but intriguing at the same time.

I wanted him to smile along with me.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

And that's the end!
Well, sorta!😂

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