Chapter Text
They slept a little late, but still managed to make it to the movie on time with a few minutes to spare. Bertholdt had to practically drag Reiner out of the dorm, but he visibly perked up a bit when Bertholdt took his hand and dragged him to the car.
The horror movie didn’t faze Bertholdt in the slightest, but Reiner spent much of the movie clutching his friend’s arm and hiding his face. Bertholdt fought to stifle his laughter whenever the larger boy would jump and groan into his hands in fear.
“Don’t mention this to anyone,” Reiner laughed nervously, rising out of his seat when the movie was over.
“No worries,” the taller boy giggled. Reiner didn’t seem too serious, but this secret was safe with him.
-
Arriving back on campus, Reiner laced his fingers with Bertholdt’s as they walked back to his dorm.
“People are going to think we’re dating,” Bertholdt mumbled, looking down at his feet. He was still wearing Reiner’s oversized hoodie and the entire weekend had technically been a date. Not that he minded.
“Does that bother you?” Reiner tightened his grip, leaning on his friend’s shoulder with a smile. Bertholdt only smirked and shook his head, resting his head on the blond’s.
Walking back in the dorm, Reiner looked up at his taller friend and placed a brief kiss to his cheek. Bertholdt stared back in mild surprise, making an effort not to flinch at his touch. Reiner pulled away, blinking amiably, praying that he wasn’t being inappropriate despite everything they had done. Bertholdt could see uncertaintly creeping up on his friend's face, so he smiled to lighten the mood. Reiner smiled back, relief visibly washing over him.
“What was that for?” Bertholdt said, still smiling but breaking eye contact to look at the floor.
“For last night,” Reiner snickered as he turned away to walked into the kitchen.
Bertholdt could feel the color drain from his face and any remnants of a smile faded. “What did you say?” he forced, trying not to let the fear show in his voice and failing. Is he talking about that kiss?
“I’m sorry that I pretended to be asleep,” The blond said as he got a glass from the cabinet and walked to the sink. Reiner turned to look at his friend and could see anxiety plain on his face.
“Bertl, oh my god, it’s fine. I’m not mad,” Bertholdt was still frozen by the door. Reiner put down his glass and made his way back to his friend.
“I’m sorry,” was all Bertholdt could manage.
“Was kissing me on the cheek really that scandalous for you?” Reiner started, “we were already cuddling in my bed in our underwear,”
Bertholdt visibly relaxed a bit, but his face still looked worried.
“I thought you’d be upset because of why I did it, though,” Bertholdt met Reiner’s eyes briefly before looking back at the floor, he instantly regretted his words.
“Is my flirting really that bad?” Reiner laughed, stepping a bit closer.
“What?” Bertholdt’s eyes were wide with confusion when he finally looked up.
“It’s just that I’ve been flirting with you for a long time and now you think I’m mad at you for reciprocating,”
“I thought you were joking,” he grimaced, “since you know I’m shy and wouldn’t react,”
“Do you think I’m a jerk that flirts with people for fun?” Reiner kept his tone sincere, trying not to ridicule his friend’s feelings and make him feel worse than he already did.
“No! No, I don’t think you’re a jerk at all, it’s just-,”
Reiner cut him off before he could finish, “So you think people are only nice to you because they feel sorry for you,” he said flatly. Bertholdt’s expression turned morose, but he didn’t speak.
“Do you think badly of yourself?” he continued.
Bertholdt opened his mouth to say something, but quickly pursed his lips and nodded, not trusting his voice to stay steady. Reiner wrapped his arms around the boy and rubbed his back harshly, simply holding him there for a minute in attempt to comfort his friend.
“You’re really important to me, Bertl. I wish you’d tell me about these things instead of keeping quiet,”
“Sorry,” Bertholdt felt guilt creep into his throat. He felt exposed, he really wished he’d just kept his mouth shut and played it off like it was no big deal like he usually did.
“I didn’t mean to pry, it's just I care about you, you know? I don't want you to hide things that are hurting you,” Reiner separated from the hug, but kept a loose grip on the tall boy’s wrists.
“It’s not a big deal, no need to worry,” Bertholdt lied.
“I respect that you might not want to talk about it, but please don’t act like you’re alright if you’re not,” Reiner bumped his forehead into Bertholdt’s shoulder. “I really just want to look after you,”
“You’ve done a good job,” Bertholdt didn’t lie this time; Reiner didn’t have a lot to work with since Bertholdt wasn’t open with feelings, but had been a good friend nonetheless.
“Can I keep you for the rest of the day? I could make you some hot chocolate,"
Bertholdt beamed and nodded, not even flinching when Reiner lunged forward and pulled him into another hug before he led him into the kitchen. Reiner put his forgotten glass in the cabinet, exchanging it for 2 mugs as the other boy sat down at the kitchen table, twiddling his thumbs nervously. He repeated the things Reiner had said to him mentally, trying to think of what he should talk about.
Interrupting his thoughts, Reiner placed a mug of hot chocolate in front of him before taking his seat across from Bertholdt. They spoke idly for a while before a comfortable silence fell between them.
“I really like you, Reiner,” Bertholdt blurted, forcing his voice steady. His main priority was getting this off his chest, not his friend’s reaction.
The other boy's eyes widened and he put down his mug. He forced his drink down and cleared his throat, managing a forced, “huh?” as he tried to process what Bertholdt had said and the events prior.
“Please don’t make me say it again,” he buried his face in his hands, trying to hide his reddening face. Reiner reached across the table and pulled his hands away, despite Berholdt’s protests. Reiner simply studied his face for a moment before speaking.
“Say it again,” even though he heard him clearly. He gripped Bertholdt’s hand tighter and fought to prevent himself from smiling, but failed.
“No, no no no. Never mind!” Bertholdt was desperately trying to duck away and hide his face, but Reiner could plainly see his smile despite his efforts to conceal it. Reiner left his chair and knelt next to Bertholdt, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.
“Don’t make me force it out of you,” he said as he tried to muffle his laughter in Bertholdt’s arm, whose hands were still plastered to his face. Reiner dragged him out of his chair and onto the floor, quickly changing his position so he would fall into his lap.
Bertholdt was outright laughing now, pushing Reiner away and rushing across the floor on his hands and knees into the living room with the blond stumbling close behind. When he crawled to the remnants of the pillow fort, a strong hand clenched around his ankle, stopping him immediately. Bertholdt dropped to his belly before Reiner flipped him onto his back, taking his place back on his thighs and hands on his tummy.
“This is your last chance,” Reiner choked out, laughs preventing him from catching his breath.
“Oh no no no, no not again!” Bertholdt thrashed between his thighs. He was dizzy from laughing so much, too exhausted to fight him off.
Reiner continued without mercy, hands deftly tracing up and down his sides. Bertholdt was squeaking, grabbing at his hands and missing.
“Say it a-again!” Reiner said as he slid his hands up his shirt and tickled his exposed skin.
“I-I said, I rea-lly, like you!” Bertholdt managed as coherently as he could, despite the hands forcing laughter from his lungs.
Reiner stopped tickling to look at Bertholdt for a few moments, allowing both of them to catch their breath and get the remaining laughter out. The larger boy moved his hands from under his shirt to the floor on either side of Bertholdt’s head before leaning into him, brushing their noses together.
Bertholdt’s breath hitched before Reiner pushed their lips together and moved a hand to cup his face. The taller boy instantly returned the kiss before he brought his hands to Reiner's back, gripping the fabric of his shirt. There was a fervent desperation from both sides of the kiss; a feeling of fulfillment for all the months they had spent wanting each other.
Bertholdt took note of how forceful but soft Reiner's mouth was on his and instinctively nipped at his bottom lip before sucking on the top. In swift movement, Bertholdt flipped Reiner onto his back and straddled him. Reiner was practically purring by the time lithe fingers were tugging at his blond hair. He slowly pushed his tongue forward, prodding gently against Bertholdt’s.
Breaking the kiss and inducing a needy groan from Reiner, Bertholdt moved to press his tongue gently against the junction between his ear and jaw, pecking at the soft flesh as he made his way down to his throat. He peppered light kisses up and down his neck that elicited soft rasps from the paler boy.
Reiner cursed under his breath and clutched dark hair in his fists when he felt him suck at the base of his neck. Bertholdt took this as encouragement and sucked harder until he was satisfied with the red mark on his neck.
Bertholdt crawled off of Reiner to lie on his back beside him. Looking over, he saw Reiner’s eyes were closed and he hadn’t caught his breath yet. Bertholdt found himself smiling a bit, scooting closer and taking his hand. Reiner opened his eyes and gazed at Bertholdt lazily, flashing a content smile.
“I like you too,” was the only thing Reiner could think to say. A soft laugh came from the taller boy in response as he gripped his hand tighter.
They simply lied there in pleasant silence for a while, occasionally glancing over to each other and giggling when they made eye contact. Reiner turned onto his side so his lips could meet Berholdt's cheek and continued to shower him with more kisses. Bertholdt's smile only made him want to lavish him in as much affection as he possibly could.
“We should do this more,” Reiner hummed against his cheek.
“Only if you’ll be my boyfriend,” Bertholdt said with his newfound confidence. He didn't feel nervous, and it felt great.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Reiner gleamed and wrapped his arms and legs completely around Bertholdt, trapping him in a bear hug, kissing his face all over. Bertholdt pulled him closer and smiled widely, never wanting to move from this spot. As the kisses slowed, he pressed a final kiss to his lips an burrowed his head in the crook of Bertholdt's neck.
“Now you’re mine,” Reiner smiled against his boyfriend.