Chapter Text
Bertholdt couldn’t help but smile at Reiner while they sat in the hospital waiting room together. Reiner was giddy with excitement and couldn't help but hum to himself and sway back and forth in the chair. His mother, Karina, bore a tired expression, but still seemed to show the telltale signs of excitement despite her fatigue.
The recent cancer diagnosis had been hard on her; her body weight was way down and the lines on her face had deepened despite Reiner helping to take care of her. But regardless, she couldn't miss the birth of her sister's first child. The whole family was ready to meet the baby.
“Having trouble sitting still?” Bertholdt joked, but Reiner continued to fidget while he stared at the television in the waiting room. He didn’t care at all about the soap opera that was on, Bertholdt was sure. He just wanted something to look at.
“Yeah, I’m just excited is all.” Reiner replied. He moved one of his hands to grasp one of Bertholdt’s, then squeezed. He stroked his thumb along the back of Bertholdt’s palm, and his radiant grin was enough to take Bertholdt’s breath away. Karina laughed to herself while she watched her son and his boyfriend.
“You’re reminding me of how your Aunt Emilia was when you were born.” Karina said, Reiner turning to his mother and raising his brows in acknowledgement. “She couldn’t wait to meet little Reiner. She was a little bouncier though, she was only ten when you were born.” Yes, his aunt had been far more energetic and excited to meet baby Reiner. Karina had groaned and not wanted her baby sister anywhere near after she was exhausted from the delivery.
“I wonder what the baby is going to be like? I was so disappointed when Aunt Emilia said she wasn’t going to learn anything about the baby. Just ultrasound pictures we can't interpret...” Reiner tapped his fingers along the back of his thigh. “I think she’s having a girl. With black hair.”
“Really? I thought she might be having a boy, with blonde hair. Maybe looking just like their cousin Reiner.” Bertholdt leaned to the side, resting his head on Reiner’s shoulder. Reiner brought his arm up, holding Bertholdt’s shoulder in his hand. They had been speculating on Reiner’s new baby cousin since his aunt had announced her pregnancy. What would they look like? Would they be a boy, or girl, or neither in the end? Would they take more after Reiner and Karina, or like their father?
“You just think that because I think the baby isn't going to be getting the Braun family genes. They're gonna look like their daddy.” Reiner teased, pecking Bertholdt on the cheek. Karina let out a chuckle at that.
“I don’t know, Reiner, I think the baby might be a classic little Braun baby.” Reiner turned to his mother, betrayal on his features. He and her already had the 'classic Braun family' looks, they needed some variety!
“Braun? Braun family?” Reiner and Karina perked up at that, getting the attention of the hospital staff. “The baby is here, mom and dad are ready for visitors now.”
Bertholdt and Reiner stood quickly, Reiner reaching out a hand to help his mother up. They made their way with hospital staff to the room, and Reiner nearly knocked down the door on the way in.
“There’s my favorite aunt and uncle!” Reiner said as he entered, his aunt and uncle turning to look at him. The baby in his Aunt Emilia’s arms had a tiny puff of fluffy black hair, and was wrapped up in a white bundle. Emilia handed the baby to her husband, who promptly handed the child to Reiner. “What’s the baby’s name?”
“Her name is Gabi Marie Braun... isn't she perfect?” Emilia said tiredly. Reiner sat down and stared at his new baby cousin. He had stars in his eyes as Gabi opened her own, her breathing in and yawning before closing them back again. Bertholdt sat down in the chair next to Reiner, accepting the bundle when Reiner handed her over. Bertholdt cooed at Gabi and poked her tiny nose with his finger. Gabi made a tiny sound at the poke.
“I told you she’d look like Uncle Oskar. I can see it.” Reiner teased, earning a chuckle from Emilia. Bertholdt stuck his tongue out playfully at Reiner before handing Gabi back to him. “She’s perfect, Aunt Emilia. I'm so happy to finally get to meet her.”
“I trust her cousin and his boyfriend will be good examples for her?” Emilia teased gently, closing her eyes when her husband handed Gabi back to her. She was obviously exhausted. It had been a few hours since Gabi had actually been born, which gave the hospital staff time to get Gabi cleaned up and Emilia time to recover from the birth before the arrival of her family.
“I have faith that Bertholdt will be, but I don’t know about Reiner...” Reiner again looked offended, him bringing his hand to his chest and looking at his uncle incredulously. Bertholdt laughed and ran a hand up and down Reiner’s back.
“You too, Uncle Oskar? Why is everyone picking on me today?” Reiner complained, everyone in the room chuckling at his expense. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes while he chewed the inside of his cheek.
“Because you aren’t the baby anymore." Oskar replied, Reiner pouting in response. “There, there, Reiner. When we have another in a couple of years, you can tease Gabi because she won't be the baby anymore.”
“I’ll be way nicer to Gabi than you are to me, at least...” Reiner grumbled. Bertholdt glanced over at Karina when Reiner complained. Karina couldn’t help but give Bertholdt a playful look before looking back to her son.
Reiner had run out the door so fast Bertholdt didn’t even have the chance to ask what was wrong. It was late, and they had been asleep. His eyes had only just started sliding open when he realized Reiner was up and hastily getting dressed, then he was running out the door. By the time he was sitting up in bed, the sound of the car starting had meant Reiner was already long gone. Bertholdt plopped back down and looked at the empty space next to him.
Bertholdt stood up and dressed himself after a few minutes of wondering where Reiner had gone. At this point his stomach was twisting with worry. He tried calling Reiner’s cell phone a couple of times, but he went to voicemail each time. About an hour after Reiner had left, he got a text message. Bertholdt quickly grabbed his cellphone and opened his messages when the light came on.
“Not now. I’ll call you soon.”
It took another hour for Bertholdt to get the next message from Reiner.
“Get a taxi to mom’s house. There’s some cash in my nightstand if you need it.”
It didn’t take long for the taxi to arrive. The driver cocked an eyebrow at the cobbled-together outfit Bertholdt had thrown on at three in the morning, but Bertholdt didn't care. The living room light was on at Karina’s house, bizarre because she was almost always in bed by ten or so. There was a police car outside, and Bertholdt felt a pit open up in his stomach.
Bertholdt ran to the door as soon as he handed the wad of bills to the taxi driver, him not even worrying about getting his change. He opened the door and saw Reiner and Karina sitting on Karina’s loveseat. There was a police officer there as well, sitting on the chair next to them.
Reiner and Karina both looked exhausted, their faces red and tear-streaked. Karina had her head resting on Reiner's shoulder, and he had his arm around her shoulders. He held one of her hands in his free hand and stroked the back of her palm.
“What’s going on…?” Bertholdt asked, approaching Reiner and Karina. The police officer stood and got out of the chair, him offering the seat he had been sitting in. Bertholdt blinked and sat down, him noticing that Reiner only gave him a tired glance.
“Sit down a minute, sir. I have some bad news.” Bertholdt obeyed the officer, him staying in his spot and fidgeting with his fingers. Reiner buried his face in his hands, and Karina buried her face into Reiner’s shoulder. “There was a car accident. A drunk driver struck a vehicle, and both passengers died.”
Karina sobbed harder into Reiner’s arm. “Two people died…?”
“Their identification identified them as Oskar and Emilia Braun.” The officer ran his hand through his brown hair, him fidgeting with his hat. “The babysitter for their child called the police when they never returned home, and gave us Ms. Braun’s information. She said it was bizarre for them to stop contacting her.”
“Oskar and Emilia are dead?” Bertholdt asked, the police officer nodding solemnly. “Where’s Gabi?”
“Their baby is safe, she’s at the police station. We took her when the babysitter had to leave.” The police officer scratched the back of his head. “Mr. Braun will be going to get her shortly.”
Reiner nodded at that, moving to stand. “Bertholdt. Come with me to get her, please.” He sniffled and wiped at his face. “I can’t drive right now…”
“Of course, Reiner. Anything you need.” Bertholdt breathed deeply. He couldn’t believe Oskar and Emilia were both gone. He wasn’t close to them the way he was with Karina, but they were still Reiner’s family. They were all friendly. “We’ll be back soon, Karina.”
“I know.” Karina said, her voice raw. Reiner knelt down and hugged his mother tight before leaving with Bertholdt, him handing the car keys over and getting into the passenger side of the car. Bertholdt got in, starting the car and adjusting the heater. It was July, but also the middle of the night. Reiner was shivering whenever they got into the car.
“Bertholdt. We need to talk.” God, he hated those words so much. Nothing good ever came after them. Reiner held his forehead in his hand and breathed deeply, his breath shuddering.
“About what happened...?” Bertholdt said when Reiner was silent for a moment. Reiner nodded wordlessly.
“I’m going to be taking custody of Gabi. Mom and I talked about it before you got there.” Bertholdt turned and looked seriously at his boyfriend when they got to a red light on the way.
“Reiner—”
“Mom can’t do it, not with her so weak from her cancer, and Gabi’s only family is me and mom.” Reiner said, him letting out a sob as he rested against the glass of the window. “I’m the only one… if you don’t want that... if you don't want to have to take care of her, I won’t be mad if you leave...”
“What?!” Bertholdt asked in horror. It would make sense for Reiner not to be thinking clearly, but even with that in mind his words jarred Bertholdt. “What the hell do you mean by that?”
“You just graduated college, you’re only twenty-two...” Reiner met Bertholdt’s eyes when he pulled into a parking spot outside the police station. Bertholdt put the car in park, but didn't turn it off yet. “If you don’t want to be stuck with a baby so young, it’s fine, if you want to leave—”
“Damn it, Reiner! Don’t say things like that!” Bertholdt reached over and squeezed Reiner’s shoulders. Reiner's eyes were still swollen. Bertholdt carefully took a hand and wiped away Reiner's tears. “It’s true… we didn’t talk about kids for a while. But I’ve been your best friend since we were kids and your boyfriend for the past seven years.” Tears started to flow out of Bertholdt’s eyes, him choking out a sob. “I chose you when my parents had their fit about me being gay, why would I decide to walk away from you now?”
“I just don’t want you to feel burdened, Bertl…” Reiner leaned over and let Bertholdt hold him. “You didn’t sign up for a baby this suddenly, it wasn’t fair for me to decide to take her without you. I wanted you to have a choice in the matter.”
“You didn’t sign up for any of this, either. I do have a choice, and my choice is to stay with you, Reiner.” He squeezed his arms tighter, Reiner clutching at the fabric of his coat. “Things will work out, I promise...” Bertholdt very gently ran his hand through Reiner's hair in an attempt to comfort him.
“Bertholdt…” Reiner cried more into Bertholdt’s chest. He wished so badly there was something he could say. Reiner grew up with his Aunt Emilia. He loved his aunt and uncle. He needed support now more than ever.
“Reiner. I love you.” Bertholdt moved, holding both of Reiner’s cheeks in his hands. He ran his thumb along Reiner’s cheekbone, moving to kiss his temple gently. “It’s going to be okay.”
He held Reiner for just a bit longer before they got out of the car, going to the police station to collect Gabi.
As it would turn out, logistically it was much easier to say they were going to take in Gabi before the realities of the situation sank in.
If there was any silver lining, any silver lining at all, it was that they didn’t have to buy any baby stuff for now. Emilia and Oskar had everything they needed and more. Reiner was able to collect all of it once they were able to begin taking care of settling Emilia and Oskar’s affairs.
Their friends had jumped on the opportunity to help them out as well, once they overheard the situation. Porco and Pieck gave them some of their son Marcel's old things, him now two. And Annie had gone on a shopping spree of her own, gifting outfits that Gabi would grow into on the condition that they send pictures of Gabi in said outfits.
They had to move out of their apartment, moving from downtown to within five minutes of Karina’s home so Reiner could care for her more easily as her cancer treatment progressed. But it meant leaving behind their established home and paying a bit to break the lease. And it was the first home he and Reiner had together, so of course it hurt to say goodbye.
In the end Bertholdt had to go crawling back to his parents to beg for money when the costs of moving began piling up. He insisted, much to Reiner’s frustration, that he go deal with his parents by himself. The problems with Reiner had started the moment he came out to his parents and told them they were in a relationship. His mom hadn’t liked it at all. Hell, they cut him off two years ago. He hadn't seen either of his parents since.
Bertholdt swallowed and stared at the front door to his parent’s home. His house… it was bigger than he remembered it being. His hand shook, but in spite of that Bertholdt brought it to the door and knocked.
The door opened, a tall and slender woman opening the door. His mother smiled, sweet as honey, her pulling Bertholdt in for a hug. “My Bertholdt, it’s so good to see you! It's been too long, dear...”
“It’s good to see you too, mom.” Bertholdt said, awkwardly patting his mother on her back.
“Did you graduate?” Bertholdt bit the inside of his cheek.
“Yeah, I did, about six months ago…” Bertholdt rubbed the side of his arm. His parents had lots of money, but he was cut off about halfway through college. It had gotten so, so hard during that time. His senior year was easier because Reiner was able to take a job and help support him in the meantime.
“I’m so glad. You know your father and I are so proud of you.” Bertholdt went inside with his mother. His father was sitting down on a reclining chair; Bertholdt noticed the wheelchair and oxygen tanks next to it. His condition hadn't gotten any better since the last time he'd been home.
“Hi, dad.” Bertholdt said, waving at him. Bertholdt’s father’s eyes seemed to light up, him smiling wide at Bertholdt.
“Son, it’s so nice to see you again!” Bertholdt moved to sit on the loveseat next to his father. “I’ve missed you. What made you reach back out?”
Bertholdt fidgeted with his thumbs nervously. “I graduated college a few months ago, and I have a good job lined up. I’m going to be a librarian at the library in Liberio.”
“That sounds like you, you always loved reading,” His mother reminisced. Bertholdt’s eyes fell half-shut. He wanted to ask her, ‘But what did I like reading?’
“But I need to move really soon, and I have to break my lease. The cost to break the lease is a lot, they want two month’s rent. Plus I have to pay for a deposit on my new place, and first month’s rent. It’s going to drain my savings to do it…”
“Why do you need to move so soon? Did something happen where you can’t just commute to Liberio?” Bertholdt looked down at the floor as his father spoke, both his parents noticing. “Did something happen with Reiner?”
“I guess you could say that...” Bertholdt started, his mother interjecting before he could elaborate.
“If you need a place to stay because you broke up, you can stay here with us.” Bertholdt turned to look at his mother, his brow furrowed and a frown setting onto his face.
“Mom, I’m still seeing Reiner. We’ve been together for seven years.” Her expression dropped quickly. “We need to move into a new house, as soon as possible.”
“He wants a big house now? Why doesn’t he pay for it himself?” Bertholdt frowned at the ground; there she goes again. Reiner always felt subhuman when he heard the things that Bertholdt's mother had to say. Old money didn't care for having some poor boy around.
“Mom, Reiner took custody of his cousin. We need to move into a house big enough for her, so we can raise her.” Bertholdt’s father raised a brow up at that.
“She? What’s her name?” Bertholdt’s father leaned back in his chair, adjusting the oxygen tubes before relaxing again.
“That doesn’t matter, Luis.” His mother snipped. “Bertholdt, when are you going to stop supporting him? Now he wants you to take care of the rest of his family too? And you want us to fund it?”
“Gabi’s a baby, mom, she isn’t exactly going to be going out buying up designer bags and clothes!” Bertholdt crossed his arms, his frown turning to a scowl. “Besides, he supported me in college when you cut me off!”
“I cut you off so you’d stop playing games, Bertholdt! When are you going to leave him and marry a nice girl you can have a real family with instead of taking care of someone else’s kid?”
“Real family? How can you be so hateful? Karina went to more of my school events than you ever did!” Bertholdt stood up, his mom doing the same. “I love him! I’ve loved him for a long time, and I’m going to be taking care of her whether you like it or not.”
“How much do you need?” Bertholdt and his mother fell silent when his father spoke. “For the baby, how much do you need?”
“Luis!” Bertholdt’s mother turned to him, him holding up a finger.
“Mila. Stop this,” Luis adjusted himself in his chair. “I haven’t seen my boy in two years because I went along with you. I’m not about to let you chase him off again. I'm never going to get to see my only child graduate college. I don't want to miss more...”
“Dad...” Bertholdt started, Luis bringing a finger up again.
“I spent my whole life working and saving up money and I missed you growing up. We both missed it. I overheard you call Ms. Braun ‘mom’ on the phone one of the last times we saw you.” Luis started shivering in his chair. “I’ve missed you, and if you insist you’re going to take care of Gabi I want to help you. If I wasn’t a father… I want you to be.”
“Dad…” Bertholdt wiped at his eyes and looked down at the floor. Mila walked out, turning to look at Luis.
“We’re going to talk about this later.” Bertholdt heard the sound of the front door opening and closing, then a car starting.
“What’s Gabi’s name?” Bertholdt rubbed his arm awkwardly and met his father’s gaze.
“Gabi Marie.” Luis nodded at that.
“A pretty name, I’d assume for a pretty girl.”
“She’s a doll, dad. I remember the day she was born, she was so cute when I held her in my arms...” Bertholdt smiled and recalled her grabbing Reiner’s finger, sucking on it when he was playing with her that morning.
“Bertholdt. I’m sorry. I know that won’t change what all happened.” Luis exhaled heavily. “The biggest regret of my life has been missing out on yours. I should have defended you when Mila took issue with you being gay and going to be with Reiner.”
“It’s… going to be okay, dad...” Bertholdt ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m not saying what happened was okay, but… maybe things will change with time.”
“Bertholdt. My checkbook is in the study down the hall in the drawer. Please go get it,” Bertholdt did as asked, going and retrieving the checkbook since his father couldn’t move much. “I hope… if things get better, I might get to meet little Gabi one day.”
Reiner held Gabi in his arms, him rocking her back and forth when they finally arrived with the moving truck to their new home. “Look at the house, Gabi.” Gabi blinked and suckled at the pacifier. She was three months old now; her hair was getting thicker, and she was growing like a little weed. "This is our house. Your new home."
“It’s a lovely home.” Karina said, taking Gabi from Reiner and holding her niece. Reiner went to help Bertholdt open the truck to move all their furniture into their new home.
Gabi’s room had already been set up, her nursery stuff having been easy to move from Karina’s home. They had stayed there to take care of Gabi while they sorted out getting the house. Karina made her way to the nursery, sitting with her niece while Reiner and Bertholdt worked tirelessly to set up their new home.
“I think about Oskar and Emilia every day.” Karina said, Gabi yawning at the words while Karina rocked back and forth in the rocking chair. “I miss them. They loved you so much. I wish they were here, that you would get to know your mommy and daddy.”
Karina couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Reiner swear, complaining about how heavy something was. “But I know you’re in good hands. Bertholdt and Reiner fell in love with you the moment they met you.” Gabi drifted off to sleep, the pacifier falling out of her mouth. Karina caught it and set it aside.
“Yes. You're in good hands. Reiner and Bertholdt will give you a life you deserve."