Summary:Ā Based on the song by Kate Bush; Frustration with Erwinās distant behavior reaches a peak when you ask him if he still loves you, resulting in certain truths being revealed.
āAdmit it, youād rather be at your desk than here with me,ā you accused from across the kitchen as Erwin gave you a sharp look.
āIām not doing this with you right now,ā he dismissed, scrubbing his plate in the sink.
Your hands fisted at your sides as you glared at his back. You wanted to scream, smash something, beat your fists against his chestāanything to make him listen to you, to make him see you.
āWhen are we going to do this then, Erwin? Iāve been trying to talk to you for weeks. I just want you to listen,ā you began, stopping suddenly at the crash of his plate hitting the others in the sink.
He turned to look at you, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the counter, his shirt sleeves damp even though theyād been rolled up to his elbows. āI am listening. You want me to work less, right? To abandon my job and the soldiers under my care, including you, so Iām spending time with you more. Is that correct?ā
His stare was hard, and even though he didnāt mean it, there was venom in his words. In humiliation, you looked away, face heating with incoming tears that you swallowed back thickly.
āYou donāt have to make it sound like such a chore to be around me, y'know.ā Your voice was soft, and Erwin sighed raggedly, his shoulders dropping.
āThatās not what I was trying to do, love. I just donāt understand why thereās this sudden need for me to be around more now. You knew what you were getting into. I have responsibilities other than you.ā he repeated firmly, drying his hands on a nearby towel.
Frustration bubbled up in you again at his blatant dismissal of the conversation, and you couldnāt stop the words that flew from your mouth. āDo you love me still?ā
