literature

For the little hero | Erwin x Reader | AU

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I sit behind the small counter, turning another page from the book I'm reading. The old radio plays its cheerful melodies of the season from the simple shelf behind me. At least I don't have to spend my day here in silence.

It's past noon. People are living their busy lives outside the streets, rushing from store to store, hunting presents for Christmas. Even though countless people pass by this street during the day, this shop isn't gaining their interest. Most of the people are being lured into these big chain stores filled with well known brands.

Those are the perfect places for feeding people's endless crave for something new. Their items are wrapped in plastic. They're shiny and polished, perfectly neat and never used. All these new fashions and trends, upgrades and new products. There's always a better version of something that's already near perfection.

Buy, use, toss away and buy a new one, a better one. It's a never ending circle.

So many people walk past this store that I'm lost in count before lunch time. Some of them may glance at the shop window, seeing the nicely placed, old looking books and comics, but not being interested enough to enter. One look, before continuing their way without giving this store a second thought. It's sad, but completely understandable.

My books don't have that lovely smell of fresh ink. You can't feel the stiffness of the covers that have never been opened, or feel the smoothness of brand new pages. These books and comics are here to get a second chance, waiting for their opportunity to stretch their already much seen lifespan a bit longer in someone else's hands.

I like it here. The store is cozy and rather quiet, a perfect place for someone who enjoys solitary as much as I do. Of course more customers would be better for the business, but I enjoy just having these few people coming over every now and then. It's nice being able to actually talk to people, when there's no rush to just serve a never ending line.

It's Christmas eve tomorrow, and soon my doors will be closed for the holidays. Another year is coming to its end, not really looking any better from last year -at least for my business. Perhaps I can forget my financial worries for a few days, when I get to spend few days with my relatives.

Pfft, what am I even thinking? It has always been bothersome to visit my family. Every time I get to hear the same interrogations; Have I found a man? Will I ever start a family? Is my business still doing bad? Am I ever going to do something else with my life? I hate the idea of going there, but I can always hope that this year they would cut me some slack.

The soft beam of Christmas lights decorating the shop window lightens the cashier section, creating this calm and relaxing atmosphere. That's exactly what I need to calm my anxious mind. I turn another page from my book and switch my leg over the other, easing up the numbness created by my previous position.

The door opens, letting the cool winter breeze to enter the store for a short moment. I raise my head with a smile on my face, being ready to greet the customer, but once I see the person, I freeze for a moment -and it's not because of the cold air that hugs me through my clothes.

It's a man, a very handsome man, if I may correct. His wide shoulders and neatly styled blond hair are powdered with snow, making him look like a delicious cupcake with frosting. The cold weather had caused his cheeks to gather some healthy color in them, making him look almost ridiculously cute.

Great. It's just my luck that someone like him shows up here in a day, when I decided to put up this old sweater and thought that just this once it's alright not to brush my hair.

His bright eyes meet mine, and I immediately close my mouth, after realizing that I was staring at him with my lips parted like an idiot. I quickly put up a smile, hoping that it would cover the previous expression before he noticed. He returns the act, and oh sweet heavens, of course he has to have the most gorgeous smile I've ever seen.

"Hi." I greet the man before I get lost into my dreamland for good.

"Hi." the sound of his rich voice makes my cheeks immediately collect some warmth in them.

He shifts his gaze from my eyes to the store, taking a look around the shelves and piles of books, before he makes his way to the nearest row. I let him look around in peace, taking my opportunity to sort out my messy locks now that he's not looking at me. I watch for a moment how he slowly steps around the shelves. He takes a book, and after giving his quick judgement, places them back one after another.


I move restlessly on my chair, wondering if I should go there and ask if he was looking for something specific. Why am I so nervous? Go there and offer your help like you're supposed to do. With that thought, I place my book on the counter and stand up. I quickly adjust my clothes to look at least a bit more presentable, before I step away from my cover.

"Can I help you?" I inquire with a friendly voice as I stop my approach by the shelf that he's currently examining.

He looks up from the cover which he was eying at, locking his gaze with mine and making my insides turn upside down immediately.

"I suppose I'd use some help, yes." he speaks while he pushes the book back on its place. "I'm looking for a present for this certain person. The other bookstore's selections didn't really fill my expectations. Something told me that I might find the right one from here."

I stay quiet, his voice and those blue eyes sent me in a different dimension for a moment. I blink my eyes, returning to the moment.

"Oh, well, I sure hope you'll find what you're looking for from here." I move aside and take a quick look around my shop, as to give him a silent 'come on, look at all this shit' gesture, before returning my eyes back on him again. "Do you have anything specific on your mind?"

"Hmh, basically whatever 7 year olds find entertaining." he shrugs.

"Oh, I see. I do have a quite a lot of books for that need." I smile and turn around to lead the way towards the right shelves. "Boy or a girl?" I ask as we arrive to the slightly more colorful rows.

"Boy."

"What kind of stories does he likes?"


"His taste is pretty wide for that matter. I suppose anything that would keep him entertained for a long time would work fine."

"I see." I state to myself as I start scanning the spines, trying to spot suitable ones for his need. I start with my obvious choice, which is a book with multiple short stories. "This has a lot of exciting stories in it." I give the book to this tall blonde to look at, before I focus back on the shelf, wanting to give him more options.

I keep giving him copies one after another, speaking more or less about each one of them. He listen me quietly, eying me curiously and nodding every now and then. He seems rather quiet, perhaps these aren't what he's looking for. Deciding not to give up yet, I gaze up towards the top row.

"Hmm, I wonder." I move closer and reach up on my tiptoes, trying to get my hand on the top shelf, which is barely out of my reach. Of course.

The man notices my struggle, and quickly offers his help. "Which one?" he lifts his arm.

"Oh, it's that one over there. No, the one next to it... that's it." he finds the book which I had in mind, pulling it out from its long lasting stand. He looks at the worn book with his eyebrows furrowed, staring at the picture of a reptile-like footprint on its cover.

"It's a book about dinosaurs" I speak with a playful smirk, and the man glances at me curiously. "Don't let its looks fool you. The covers have taken a little damage by its previous owner's little hands, but the pages are in flawless shape, and, sorry, I'll just -" I gesture him that I want show him something and he hands the book to me.

I scroll through the pages, showing the detailed pictures and tons of texts in it. "The information might be a bit out dated, since it's an old book, but this one has a lot of content in it. I'm sure every child loves dinosaurs, and the artwork is done really skillfully, I mean, look at this one for example -" I talk in excitement, being so into babbling about the book that I miss noticing that the man is staring at me with a wide smile on his face.


I eventually finish my talk, noticing his stare as soon as I look up from the pages and I'm pretty sure that my face is visibly red by now. I close the book and clear my throat. "Sorry about that. I get carried away sometimes." I speak up with a nervous chuckle.

"I don't mind." he says without dropping his smile, which only torments me even more.

I find it impossible to look away from his eyes for some reason, and he doesn't take his eyes off of mine either.

"Anyway." I force myself to break the staring contest. "I'm sure there's still something else here. The book isn't in the best shape, so I guess it's not the best option for a present. I know kids can be very competitive when it comes to following toy trends."

"I'm sure he won't mind. He's not exactly one of those kids who cares about impressing friends."

"Really?" I narrow my eyes in disbelief.

The man simply nods, remaining quiet for a while. "I happened to inquire what he wishes from Santa, and he said that he only wants his parents to be more happy." he extends his arm, wanting to examine the dinosaur book himself, and I give it to him, having this puzzled look in my face.

"Is he your nephew or something?" I ask casually, while I pretend to be busy with adjusting a few books on a better position.

He doesn't answer right away, and once I look at him again, I notice how he suddenly has a whole different depth in his lowered gaze. The spark wasn't there anymore.

"No." he looks through the pages of the book. "He's a patient, actually. He's very ill, but it amazes me how well he can handle it, unlike his parents. It's amazing how kids can accept all the ups and downs which life gives to them." he turns another page. "He has to spend his Christmas in the hospital, which itself is terrible already. Kids, if anyone, should be able to spend these holidays at home with their families."

"That's... terrible." I'm speechless. The previous tickling hot sensation was now erased completely, like someone had just dropped a bucket of icy water on me. I just stared at him in silence, not being able to find words.

"He acts so mature for his age. He's all smiles and laughs when his parents and relatives comes to visit him with new toys and sweets, but once they leave and I pay him a check up later, he always tells me how dumb they are for buying him stuff he doesn't need." he chuckles shortly. "But he's still just a kid, and he deserves all the gifts in the world for being so brave. I thought he would enjoy something what would make him forget the reality for a moment, and I think this book will do just that." he then looks back at me again.

It takes me a while to understand what he said. My mind is still stuck with this image of a boy laying alone in a hospital bed. His awaiting stare makes me blink my eyes, and I finally process his last sentence.

"Oh, alright then." I state as happily as I can. "Is there anything else you might need?"

"No. This is more than enough." he smiles once again. How can he smile after all what he just said?


Without another word spoken, I lead the way towards the cashier. My mind whirls. Suddenly the way I thought about seeing my parents made me feel ashamed. At least I'm able to go and be with them, unlike this poor kid. I walk around the counter, glancing at this tall man while I make my way to the cash-box.

He seems such a good man. He's buying a present for a kid, who isn't even related to him. I wonder if that kid has been his patient for a long time. My mind creates an image of him sitting next to this boy's bed, listening the little man's matters, always laughing to his stories, smiling at him, being there for him. I bet the boy likes him. Heh, I know I do.

"Something wrong?" the man asks, noticing the smile on my face.

I shift my gaze from the wooden counter to look at his eyes. "I was just thinking how sweet you are for getting him a present." I take the book he had placed in front of me.

"Hmh, it's the least I can do." he gives me a warm smile in return.

I was just about to press the price to the machine on my right, but suddenly I can't find the will to do so. I lower my gaze at the book in my hand, and then I place it back on the counter and simply reach down to take a bag for his item. The man had already taken out his wallet, but he doesn't hear me saying a single word about the payment. He watches in confusion how put his book inside the bag, and simply place it in front of him.

"What's this?" his adorable looking face makes me smile again.

"You said the boy doesn't feel comfortable when people buy him stuff. Maybe he can enjoy this even more, when he hears that it didn't cost anything."

"Are you sure?" the man lowers his head at the end of his question.

"I'm sure." I nod. "Just make sure you'll say hello to this kid for me. Consider that as your payment."

"I can do that." he chuckles, and puts the wallet back in his pocket after a moment of hesitation. "And who is this nice person he can thank for his present?"

There it is. The playful spark in his eyes is back.

"[Name]" my smile reaches all the way up to my eyes. "And can I hear the name of this brave little hero's friend?"

The man shoulders twitch in silent laughter. "It's Erwin. Thank you for giving this, that's really kind of you." he refers to the bag he lifts from the counter.

"No problem. I hope he likes the book." I say, while I watch how Erwin steps back to adjust the collar of his jacket, as he prepares to return back to the cold air.

"I can always come over later and tell you." he turns his head.

The look in his eyes is filled with promises, and I suddenly feel lighter than the air around me. I lean my elbows against the dark wood and rest my chin on my palm.

"Sounds good." I grin.

I watch him leaving to the door. He yanks it open, and his face is immediately being greeted with a blow of snowy wind. He moves his head to get cover, and the disliking grimace on his face makes me chuckle.

"Have a nice Christmas."
Erwin recovers enough to give me a quick smile from his agony.

"Merry Christmas." I reply with a sympathetic smile. Still giggling.

Our eyes meet one more time, before he
reluctantly looks back into the unpleasant weather, and disappears behind the door.
Behold, the most cheesiest Erwin fic I've ever done.
I'm so done. This was the result of my long struggle and I'm about to pass out. Hnnngh, enjoy<3
-Special thanks to akaluv for beta reading and lemme give a big bearhug to aotlemon as well, thanks for the support!!


Erwin belongs to Hajime Isayama.
Picture source
© 2014 - 2024 MissFic
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somefreehugs's avatar

am i late? LMAOO

( this is so good wtf)