warmth



You could feel cold, late-winter sunlight from the windows peer onto your face as you scrunched your nose. Your eyes slowly fluttered open, a yawn leaving your parted lips as you began to wake up. Your mind took a moment to adjust to your surroundings, feeling shocked as you woke up in the arms of your once sworn rival.

You could feel Reiner's warm body wrapped around yours, one of his arms was tightly hooked around your waist from behind: his body spooning yours beside the burnt out fire. His other arm was beneath your head as a pillow.

Reiner's face was relaxed as he slept: his soft lips parted to inhale slow breaths and his expression appearing almost-happy. He looked genuinely at peace whilst he slept.

You closed your eyes for a little longer, holding on be to his body a little tighter to savour the moment together. You let out a long sigh, able to hear the subtle beats of his heart through his chest - you could smell his cologne that had rubbed off on you during your sleep. The fabric of his clothes felt soft against your skin.

You swallowed, feeling him sigh against your neck at the sound of your teeth gently beginning to chatter in the cold air of the office. Your pyjamas had no effect on the temperature - if anything, it felt as though they were making you colder.

You began to slip out of his embrace, deciding to go and change into something warmer to wear. However, just as you sat up, you felt his hand grab hold of your wrist.

"Where are you going?" Reiner's morning voice was raspy and hoarse, sending waves of shivers down your spine, "And, without saying goodbye?"

"I'm cold." Was all you responded with, "I was going to change into some winter clothes, I didn't want to wake you."

He lifted his arm, slowly wrapping it tighter around your waist as he pulled your body back down. Your back rested against his torso and chest, his hand tightly holding onto yours. You felt your body ease at his touch, relaxing into the warmth he radiated.

"I don't care," He whispered, "Your body feels so warm - don't leave. Just hold me."

You sighed with relaxation.

You gently chuckled whilst layering your arms on top of his, "Is that any better?"

He nodded with a murmur, cuddling against you once more.

He brushed some of the hair away from your face before allowing himself to relax with you, his bronze eyes fluttering shut as his cheek pressed against the crook of your shoulder. Reiner's body fit against yours perfectly like a glove, or a puzzle piece.

Despite feeling so tired, you felt too anxious to fall back asleep. Your eyes stayed open, your heart racing rapidly beneath your shirt.

"Christa will start looking for us soon," You breathlessly spoke, glancing up at the clock above the fire place, "We're supposed to be meeting her in ten minutes, and neither of us are even chang-"

Reiner covered your mouth with his palm, whispering softly: "Shush." Before he slowly began to drift back into a deep sleep, "Christa can wait."

"I thought you had feelings for her - shouldn't you be excited about going out with her today?"

"How can I be my best self if I'm exhausted and in a shitty mood?" He mumbled incoherently, "Let's just lie here for a while more."

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Your eyes peered through different windows in the market as Reiner drearily dragged his feet behind you and Christa. You turned your shoulder, glancing him up and down; you gave him a condescending glare.

"What?" He innocently asked you as you slowed down your pace to match his.

"Where's your usual enthusiasm?" You smiled, "You're usually at least ten times as more chatty than this. Normally, I can never get you to shut up."

"This, Smith," He lowered his head, massaging his temples with the fingers on his free hand, "Is what happens when you force me awake by physically dragging me by my feet - I still can't believe you did that!"

You sighed with a faint chuckle, watching his cold expression immediately fade into a subtle smile.

"Consider us even after all those times you've dragged me out of bed, Reiner."

"I was wondering," Christa curiously tilted her head, "Where were you this morning, Y/N? I was looking for you in our dormitory, but you were already out of bed."

"I woke up early to get a shower before the rush began." You replied swiftly, not wanting to draw suspicion.

Reiner, walking in between the both of you, offered you a confused glare whilst shaking his head: "There's no need to lie to her, Smith." Reiner half-laughed, "Since it was so cold last night, we decided to go to the fire place to warm up. We ended up falling asleep together up there."

"Oh!" Christa's pretty eyes widened with surprise - then she forced a delighted smile, "How romantic."

Your eyes pierced daggers into the side-profile of Reiner Braun as he explained what had happened during the previous night to Christa Lenz. Your brows knitted together with frustration, beginning to contemplate every moment of the evening in your mind.

'Was that entire night, the sneaking out, the sleeping together... just apart of the plan to impress Christa?'

You knew that you shouldn't have felt a hint of pain, but you did. And you weren't quite sure why, either.

You cleared your throat, demanding to go and venture in the stylish-gown shop that was at the edge of the next street to distract yourself from your own confusing thoughts.Β 

Reiner nudged your arm whilst opening the door for you and the blonde-girl, "So, what colour were you thinking for your dress?"

"I'm not too sure." You pressed your lips together, lifting your index up to your chin, "Your favourite is green - how about I find a dress, and afterwards we'll find a tie for you in the same colour?"

"Reiner does suit green," Christa added, beginning to wander off on her own to collect some sewing supplies in another area of the shop: "A deep, forest green would look so pretty with his eyes!"

If looks could kill, Christa would be dead: "Right." You replied.

"I would rather find something that you feel comfortable in." Reiner cocked his brow, his nose scrunching up, "Don't worry about me, Smith - I'm happy, as long as you're happy."

Your fingers traced down the dents of his wrist, buckling around his palm to lead him the way of the gowns. Reiner's skin felt warm as you held onto his wrist, before you slowly felt your hand slip downwards. His fingers traced over your skin before he tightly entwined his hand with yours.

You felt your body heat up at the sensation of his hand holding tightly onto yours.

Your eyes lit up at the sight of of vibrant and dull colours in the section, your hand instantly slipping away from his grasp to analyse the different dresses and pieces of clothing.

You could see Reiner lingering awkwardly in the corner of your eye, digging his scrunched hands deeply into his pockets as he whistled under his breath.

You slid the hangers over the wooden bar.

Your fingers skimmed through the beautiful dresses, your eyes slowly drawn to each colour and fabric as you sighed with concentration.

Your eyes glanced over your shoulder blade once more, realising that the blonde-haired boy was hovering just an inch behind you with a slight frown.

You giggled under your breath, Reiner offering you a confused glare as his nose scrunched up: "What?"

"Nothing; you're just following me around like a lost puppy." You softly laughed, stepping closer to him as the soft scent of his last cigarette filled your nose; "Isn't there anything that you want to buy? You could start looking for a suit."

Reiner wrinkled his nose once more before turning his head, beginning to look through different clothes.

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