Chapter Text
“Reineeeer!”
The older Braun cousin startled awake from his office chair. He had spaced out yet again, slumped down cheek first on his desk, while sorting out his next week's workload. It was gonna be a lot, his boss Mr. Magath was not joking when he warned Reiner that this next project was gonna take a lot of his freetime too. Since then he had been really busy and felt guilty that he hadn’t had enough time to spend with his family, or take time for himself.
Reiner really had little to no motivation for his work lately. The only thing that lifted his spirits even slightly was seeing his younger cousin Gabi every day after work, her always being so happy to see Reiner. They were more like siblings, since they lived under the same roof with Gabi’s parents and Reiner’s mom.
Speaking of the devil, that particular loud teen was the one that woke him up from his slumber.
Before Reiner even had a chance to collect himself and respond, Gabi was already clinging to his neck and spinning him in his chair, away from his laptop.
“Do you know who’s birthday is coming up soon?” Gabi asked, grinning. Reiner couldn’t help but smile back even though he was still kinda sleepy and exhausted from work.
“Who’s?” he asked back, as Gabi let go of him and put her hands on her hips, looking kinda bossy.
“Mine, you dummy!” she exclaimed, with no foul tone in her voice. “I’m finally gonna turn 14!”
She sounded happy as ever and Reiner was so relieved that she didn’t notice that he actually had forgotten her birthday. He kept smiling as Gabi was jumping around his home office excitedly, but inwardly cursed at himself for being so featherbrained. Sure, his work was making him forgetful and unaware of the world happening around him, but even thinking of completely missing Gabi’s birthday made him disappointed in himself.
“Don’t tell me you actually forgot,” Gabi said and Reiner immediately shook his head smiling nervously.
“I could never!” he laughed as he ruffled Gabi’s hair, covering his internal struggle. She giggled, still seeming to be completely unaware.
A sound of a doorbell rang through the house. Reiner sighed in relief for the interruption as he rose from his chair and followed Gabi to the hallway. There they saw Bertolt, who was awkwardly attempting to small talk with Gabi’s mom who had let him in. When he saw Reiner approaching, his tense body language immediately relaxed and a smile spread to his face. Reiner smiled back. The blond felt so relieved to see his boyfriend, he was an amazing listener and always managed to make him feel better no matter what.
Reiner was going to greet him, but Gabi was faster and was already running to hug Bertolt. She jumped and squeezed the startled man tightly.
"Bertl! We were just talking about my birthday and how Reiner almost forgot, can you believe it?" Gabi looked up at Bertolt as he smiled timidly at her and hugged back.
"Oh really now?" Bertolt said and turned his gaze at Reiner.
"I was just joking!" Reiner tried to laugh it off, but only managed to sound nervous. Bertolt looked at him knowingly, it was very hard to lie to him, since he was so observant and knew the blond better than anyone else. Bertolt tried to smile at him reassuringly while Gabi kept going on, listing about the things that she wanted to do on her birthday. Eventually she and her mom left the two men alone, as they retreated to Reiner’s study for a cup of coffee.
When both of them sat down, finally by themselves, Reiner let out a tired sigh sinking into his armchair. He looked at Bertolt, the other having a small, compassionate smile on his face.
“Before you even say anything, yes, I forgot about her birthday, and no, it was not intentional,” Reiner muttered, averting his gaze in shame. Now was Bertl’s time to sigh.
“I know. You would never purposely do that, you adore Gabi,” he answered, shaking his head. “But you still have time! We can do planning and shopping together, I’m more than happy to help!” Bertolt said, trying to cheer Reiner on the best he could.
“But I have no idea what to give her!” he replied with dejection in his voice. “If she has been giving hints about what she wants, I’ve completely missed them. My work has completely overrun my personal and social life, including my family.” Reiner took a long sip of his coffee and slammed the mug onto the coffee table, with too much force, getting upset with himself. Bertolt jumped a bit.
“And you too. I’m lucky to see you everyday at work, but it’s not the same,” Reiner looked at his boyfriend sorrowfully. “I’ve been too neglectful of everyone around me.”
“W-well, yeah, you’ve been… a little busy, but it’s okay! I’m sure you can make this right!” Bertolt stuttered and kept his bright expression, even though you could see he got a little uneasy, a sweatdrop rolling down his temple.
Reiner knew that it wasn’t all right and Bertolt agreed on that, even if he didn’t say it directly to him. The tall man tends to be like that, he didn’t want to worsen Reiner’s already bad mood, even if he deserved to hear it. Nonetheless, he still appreciated that Bertolt was always here to shine some positive light into his life and keep him sane during his depressive episodes, or when he made mistakes like this.
Reiner was pulled from his self deprecating thoughts when Bertolt suddenly rose from the armchair he was just lounging on and kneeled in front of the one Reiner was sitting, stumbling a little because of his awkwardness. He put both of his arms on top of Reiner’s knees and looked into his amber eyes closely.
“We all know you’ve had it rough lately, but I promise everything’s gonna be okay. You don’t mean to be absent and everyone understands that, especially Gabi. She’s very smart,” Bertl smiled and squeezed his knees reassuringly. Reiner felt his heart swell and felt a smile tug at his lips too as he pulled his boyfriend into a hug. He was right, he didn’t have the time to mope around anyways. Also there was no better thing to cheer him up than seeing his baby cousin happy.
Next day, it was still early in the morning when Reiner was getting ready to work. The whole morning, every five minutes or so, he had to go and try to get Gabi off of bed and go to school.
“It’s my birthday week, give me some mercy,” she had muttered, still half asleep when Reiner had tried the fourth time to pull the covers off her bed.
“Even if I did, the school won't give you any,” Reiner replied, not sure if the teen had even heard him, since she had rolled over and didn’t give an answer.
After ten more minutes Gabi had given up and finally gotten up, looking drowsy and displeased, sporting the worst bed head ever seen. Reiner had to suppress his amusement at her messy appearance. He didn’t want to annoy the brunette any more. He knew very well that early school mornings were the absolute worst.
A little bit later, as Reiner stepped outside to the crispy spring weather, he was caught off guard when he saw a familiar face waiting in front of their front porch.
“G-good morning Mr. Braun,” Falco greeted with an uncertainty in his voice that couldn’t be missed. The blond boy tended to be really shy, even with people he was familiar with, like Reiner.
“Good morning, Falco,” Reiner returned the greeting. “What brings you here this early? Gabi won’t be ready for school for a while,” he continued. Behind Falco, further down the street, he saw Gabi’s two other friends, Udo and Zofia curiously peering at them, clearly trying to hear the conversation they were having.
“Don’t tell her I was here!” Falco was shaking his hands furiously. Was that a blush on his face too? “I was just wondering what you were getting for her birthday, I d-don’t want to give the same thing,” he explained, looking down at his shoes, stubbornly averting Reiner’s eyes. Yes, he definitely was blushing.
Reiner couldn’t help but smile at the poor kid. It wasn’t a secret that the boy was crushing on Gabi. Pretty much everyone knew, but Falco denied ever having any feelings for her. Reiner couldn’t tell if Gabi herself knew, she tended to be a little obvious about these things, but it was also a possibility that she was teasing the boy and testing him, waiting for the right moment to confess, if Falco wouldn’t do it first.
“Honestly, I’m kinda lost, I haven’t been able to find the perfect gift yet” Reiner scratched his neck laughing nervously. Falco finally looked at him with some insecurity still in his expression. That wasn’t the whole truth, but he wasn’t lying either, since he was reminded of her birthday only yesterday.
“But, I was thinking… I heard that she has been talking a lot about roller skating lately,” Reiner trailed off, reflecting on the conversation he had with Bertolt last night. It was kinda embarrassing for the blond to not know about his cousin’s latest fixations, but on the other hand it warmed his heart that his boyfriend knew her so well. Bless Bertolt, he has saved his skin way too many times to count.
As Falco heard Reiner’s words his expression brightened instantly and a shy smile spread to his face.
“Yes! Gabi told me last week that she has been looking for skates and some lessons! It would be a perfect gift,” Falco exclaimed and immediately put his hands on his mouth when he realized that he was being loud and she could maybe hear him.
“I was hoping to hear if these rumors were true,” Reiner chuckled and Falco gave an embarrassed laugh back, his face still flushing slightly.
“Y-yeah,” Falco replied. Then his expression faltered and his gaze fell back down to the ground. “B-but the problem is... Roller skates are kinda expensive, I’ve been trying to collect money to get them, but I don’t think I can make it in time,” he muttered, kicking the dirt lightly.
Reiner felt bad for the boy, he looked like a kicked puppy. He couldn’t let him struggle by himself, they both wanted Gabi to have an amazing birthday.
“You know what?” Reiner said and Falco raised his face back to look at him. “You go get her something that you can afford with your budget. I can buy the skates and say it’s a gift from both of us,” the man continued and smiled reassuringly. Falco’s eyes widened in surprise.
“R-really? Y-you could do that?”
“Yes, of course.”
Falco started grinning from ear to ear and visibly couldn’t hide his relief.
“Thank you so much Mr. Braun!”
“No problem. And just call me Reiner, I’ve told you before,” the man replied and ruffled Falco’s hair gently. The boy smiled back the sweet smile of his. He turned to look behind his shoulder when he heard his two friends calling for him from the street.
“I gotta run or we’re gonna be late from school. Thank you again, this means so much to me! A-and remember not to tell Gabi I was here,” Falco stuttered and turned to run back stumbling a little in hurry.
“Don’t worry, I gotcha!” Reiner assured him and waved them all a goodbye. He looked from the porch as the three teens walked off, Falco explaining enthusiastically about something, probably about their plan. He smiled. The geeky kid had a heart of gold, that was for sure.
Falco, Udo and Zofia made it in time to school, with 5 minutes to spare. The blond boy’s plan of action for Gabi’s birthday had changed a little, but he was really grateful to Reiner about it. Now he was sure that Gabi’s birthday was going to be a success.
As the trio was sitting down to their first class a realization suddenly struck him, something he totally failed to consider.
“I have to figure out something else for her birthday gift,” he blurted out, out of nowhere.
“Duh? I thought you realized that right away,” Zofia scoffed, staring at him with her tired expression that didn’t seem to ever change. Falco squirmed in his seat nervously, blushing a little from embarrassment.
“Don’t worry, you can come up with something! Now that you have a much smaller budget, I’m sure it’ll be no problem at all,” Udo smiled at him, rubbing his friend’s stiff shoulder.
“But I’m the worst at figuring out what to give as a gift for someone!” Falco replied with desperation. “Remember what I gave to you last year? Or when it was Zofia’s 12th birthday?”
“You don’t have to remind us,” the girl replied, the tone of her voice not changing, but Falco knew that she was still picking on him for it. He had gotten her a baseball, with their town’s local team’s Zeke “Wonderboy” Yeager’s signature on it, knowing very well Zofia despised all team sports. It had felt like such a good idea back then, Falco had no idea why. Maybe because he himself would’ve loved to get something like that as a present.
Falco put his face into his hands as he remembered the embarrassing memory. He didn’t want the same thing to happen with Gabi, she would laugh at him forever and never take him seriously ever again!
Udo glared at Zofia with a clear message to stop making fun of Falco. The blond girl just shrugged and turned to focus on double-checking her homework. Udo sighed.
“Maybe she will give hints about what she would like. Just stay focused and listen to everything she says!”
“Not that you already do that--” Zofia started but Udo elboved her side sharply to keep her shut. Now was her time to glare at him, but Udo just ignored her.
“That’s how you caught up on the roller skating thing too. Besides, you know each other so well, I’m sure she would be happy to get anything from you,” he continued, smiling at his friend. Falco looked at him thoughtfully and a small smile tugged at his lips.
“I guess you’re right, I tend to overthink things anyway--” Falco started, but immediately stopped when he saw a familiar face bursting through the classroom door in a hurry.
“Speak of the devil,” Zofia muttered amusedly, lowly enough that only the three of them heard her. Falco felt his cheeks warm again as he saw Gabi coming forwards to them and tried to cover it by pretending to check his notes the book way too close to his face, hiding behind it.
“You’re lucky the teacher is late. You made it just in time!” Udo scolded her, but Gabi just laughed.
“I got everything under control!” she replied with a smug look on her face, dropping her backpack on her desk. “Besides I’m the teacher’s favourite, I could get away with it if I wanted,” Gabi grinned. Zofia rolled her eyes and Udo laughed.
“I’m pretty sure Ms. Finger wouldn’t let it slip through her fingers,” the black haired boy tried to make an awkward pun, the joke flying over everyone’s head.
“But I’m too cute to give detention to!” Gabi tried, but was interrupted by the teacher, who had come in the class just behind her.
All students quieted down as the teacher started the first lesson of the day. Falco liked biology quite a lot, but just couldn’t focus much at all, his friends’ words repeating in his mind. He found himself staring at Gabi multiple times, totally lost in thought. He was thankful no one caught him or they would think he was a creep.
Later that day, Falco and Gabi were strolling through the town's shopping center together. Zofia and Udo had music lessons after school so Falco had gathered his courage to ask Gabi to hang out, just the two of them. Secretly he hoped that it would be a date, but he was too much of a coward to ask her out like that.
Falco was walking half a step behind Gabi, still deep in his thoughts. Now was the perfect opportunity to get hints of what Gabi would like to get! It was his other intention, besides just being with her, and luckily the brunette had had time to come.
Said girl had been blabbering about for the last ten or so minutes about her lacrosse practice and the upcoming match against their rival team in Trost Highschool. Falco was interested to listen, he always loved to hear her, whatever she was speaking of, he too was excited about the game. But today he was having such a hard time concentrating on most of the things that were happening around him.
In all the things in life, Falco had the tendency to have trouble keeping focus on many things at once. Especially when there was something he was stressing out about. He knew he was taking way too much stress over this whole thing, but he couldn't help it, he just really appreciated Gabi so much and wanted her to be happy.
"--or what do you think, Falco?“ The boy startled, finally hearing Gabi’s voice through the haze of his thoughts and feeling her slap his back in a friendly manner.
"Um… Y-yeah, s-sure!" Falco stammered, trying to sound confident and aware of the ongoing conversation, but not doing a very good job at it.
Gabi stopped walking and stood in front of him, tilting her head. She leaned forward and looked down at him. She had grown past Falco a long time ago and she knew how to use it to her advantage to tease him or anyone really. Their height difference wasn’t even that big, but just a few centimeters boosted the girl’s confidence a whole bunch.
"You weren't listening, weren't you? Or do you really mean that I should be benched the whole match?“ she accused him. Falco felt warmth spread to his whole face when realizing his error.
"N-no! I mean…"
"Clearly, you're just not interested in the things I have to say!“ Gabi said sarcastically and turned her head away dramatically, pouting her lip.
Falco gave a deep sigh and brought his hand to his face. He was already familiar with Gabi’s quirks so he wasn't worried he actually offended her, she just liked to be dramatic like that. But he still felt bad and ashamed, even if he didn’t mean to ignore her.
"I'm sorry, Gabi. I was so lost in thought and didn't hear you."
"You've been like that the whole day! What's up with that?" she questioned, looking at Falco again, quickly forgetting about her act of being mad at him.
Falco’s blush deepened even more under her inquisitive gaze. He started to fiddle with his hands nervously and tried to think of some excuse that would sound the most believable.
Just as Falco began to mutter something Gabi stopped him abruptly by grabbing his shoulders roughly, startling him yet again today. He probably should start to be worried about his heart at this rate, getting scared multiple times on a daily basis.
“Oh my god, look at that!” Gabi turned him around and ran towards the closest store’s showcase. Falco was so dumbfounded he didn’t get a chance to react until Gabi was already almost pressing her face against the glass looking at the items at the display.
“Look at that adorable beach hat! I neeeed it!” Gabi turned to look at Falco who was now coming closer to look at what she had seen. “Don’t you think that’s the cutest thing ever?” she was pointing at the beige one with a big rim and a cute pink ribbon around it.
Falco tilted his head and looked at the hat. He was the last person to ask about fashion and he assumed Gabi knew that too, but he still opened his mouth.
“I guess? But it isn’t even summer yet,” he answered while rubbing his head. Gabi rolled her eyes.
“It doesn’t matter! Besides I can wear it whenever I want,” she stated and turned back to admire the garment.
“True, true,” Falco replied. He stood there for a second feeling kinda awkward, not knowing what to say. Until he felt a light bulb being turned on above his head.
That’s the perfect gift he’s been looking for!
If it fits his tight budget.
Falco tried to act as nonchalant as possible, stepping closer and peering over Gabi’s shoulder trying to see the price tag.
Falco’s expression brightened. It was perfect! Thankfully Gabi didn’t have an expensive taste in clothing. With this he would have money left over too!
The boy inwardly rolled his eyes at himself, his first thought being that now he would have enough money for Gabi's next birthday, or Christmas, or anything. Stupid brain.
Nevertheless, finally he was able to breathe again, his stress gone! Now he could focus on other things too.
Like what Gabi would like to eat at her birthday party.