Hello, everyone! This is a special one-shot set during Chapter 3 of "To Live with No Regrets" in honor of Erwin Smith's birthday. Hope you guys enjoy it!
Erwin Smith glanced out the window of his new office, courtesy of former commander Keith Shadis, and sighed solemnly. Today had been an emotionally draining day for him, as well as his entire regiment, the Garrison, and the Military Police. Not only was today the day that Hunter Stone had been buried after his premature death in Shiganshina, but it was also Erwin's thirtieth birthday as well.
October 14. A day Erwin once celebrated with endless smiles and drinks with friends now tarnished with the constant reminder it was also the anniversary of his dear friend Hunter Stone's funeral. Part of Erwin felt immensely sorry for Sylvia Stone, Hunter's young widow. She had tried so hard to make sure the funeral wouldn't be held on Erwin's birthday, but Premier Zackly sadly confirmed that there was no other date available to hold the service. Many apologies had been made to Erwin from the grieving widow after he learned of the funeral's date, but Erwin didn't blame her at all. No. He could never truly blame her, could he?
After all, Erwin was deeply in love with Sylvia and had been since he first laid his eyes on her twelve years ago. A fresh seventeen-year-old graduate months away from turning eighteen, it only took one look at Sylvia's undeniable beauty for Erwin to become immediately smitten with her. However, by the time the two had been properly introduced, Sylvia was already married to Hunter and expecting her daughter to arrive any day. Fate really could be cruel sometimes.
Sighing, Erwin walked back to his desk and sat down, continuing to reflect on the inner workings of his heart. A small smile graced his face, but he wasn't happy about it at all.
"Perhaps I am quite a despicable man," Erwin thought to himself, "Loving a woman I know will never love me back. Maybe I should just give up on love altogether. Dedicate my mind, body, and soul to the betterment of humanity. That is my destiny in this cruel world we all live in. It has to be."
The sound of a knock at his door broke Erwin's train of thoughts quite suddenly, as well as confusing him. He wasn't expecting to see anyone for another two to three hours when Mike would arrive for the traditional birthday drink invitation, so who in the world could be knocking at his door?
"Come in," he said.
Much to Erwin's surprise, the door opened to reveal none other than Sylvia herself. Her black veiled hat from earlier that day was now gone, replaced with a black ribbon that had been weaved through a chignon, and a thin square package residing under her left arm. The latter perplexed Erwin immensely, but he put on his poker face to make sure Sylvia wouldn't know he was surprised.
"Pardon my intrusion, Commander," Sylvia apologized as she shut the door behind her.
"There's no need for formalities, Sylvia," Erwin reassured, "We're still friends. Just because your husband is no longer part of the Survey Corps doesn't mean we can't still be familiar with each other."
"Well, tell that to your soldiers. The only reason I was even allowed into the base today is because of the funeral."
"I'll make sure to rectify that. You're always going to be welcome here as long as I'm Commander."
Sylvia wryfully smiled, "And you wonder why people criticize you for loving a then married woman."
Erwin gave a small smile at the retort, deciding to ignore it and responded, "So, what can I do for you, Sylvia?"
Walking over to Erwin's desk, Sylvia handed Erwin the square package, answering, "I came to give this to you, actually. When I went through Maria's room a few days ago, I found this and felt it would be the best birthday present to give to you in light of the situation."
His eyes widened in shock, Erwin glanced up at Sylvia, who smiled at him genuinely in response. With hesitation, Erwin unwrapped the package and its contents brought tears to his eyes: a framed drawing of him. And it was rather good, despite being incomplete. Most of the drawing had been finalized, mainly Erwin's face, but the lower part of the sketch was still just that…a sketch.
"Maria was working on that for a while, apparently," Sylvia explained, "I found her diary and she kept going on about making sketches for your birthday, as well as Levi and Petra's. She never got started on the latter two, but yours was almost finished. I figured giving it to you in an incomplete state would be the best thing to do."
Smiling a genuine smile for the first time in a week, Erwin looked up at Sylvia and said, "Thank you, truly. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift than this."
"You're welcome, Erwin. And Happy Birthday."
Before Erwin could respond, another knock sounded before Mike called, "Erwin, we want to get started a little early today. Care to join us?"
"One moment, Mike!" Erwin answered before addressing Sylvia, "Thanks again, Sylvia."
Sylvia smiled and proceeded to exit Erwin's office, the man in question not too far behind her. Before he left, however, Erwin set up the drawing on the upper right part of his desk, smiling proudly at it.
"Thank you, Maria," Erwin whispered, letting a rogue tear fall from his eye.
Wiping the tear away, Erwin then exited his office, ready to get his night of celebrations underway. If there was one word to describe the feeling he now felt after seeing that drawing, it would be a single simple word…hope. And it would be the hope of Maria's survival that would continue to drive him forward from that day onwards.
"Attack on Titan" and Erwin Smith are owned by Hajime Isayama. Sylvia Stone is owned by me.