Royalty
Trigger warning for self-harm. Also, language warning.
"Fuck Zeke and fuck the walls!" Reiner burst out.
"R-Reiner!" Bertolt wrapped his arms around his legs as his tears continued to flow. One day posing as refugees and he was already homesick, already wanted to run away.
"I saw a little girl screaming for her father who's never coming back!" Reiner wrung his hands. "Don't you think that hurts? Don't you think I feel awful?!"
"I don't feel guilty!" Bertolt pled. "We did the right thing."
"That's what everyone says," said Annie, glancing away.
"Shut up," Reiner snapped.
Her eyes flashed.
"Stop fighting. I'm sorry I'm a crybaby, I'm sorry I'm weak and – and useless." Bertolt punched his thighs, but he could never punch hard enough.
"You're not weak. You're my friend, and Annie's – now that takes strength," Reiner joked, shooting her a pleading look.
She scowled in response, but kept quiet.
"Stop hurting yourself!" Reiner grabbed his hands. "Bertl. You're my best friend. I care more about you than Zeke or the walls or the royal family. You're my royalty and my allegiance." His heart pounded. "See? I'll show you."
Reiner squashed his lips on Bertolt's.
Now, this got interesting. Annie raised an eyebrow.
"See? See how far and, uh, silly I would go to show you I care?" Reiner laughed, his face pink. "You're my friend and I love you."
Bertolt's face was redder than the Colossal Titan's. "I love you too, Reiner."
Reiner threw an arm across Bertl's scrawny shoulders.
Bertolt smiled slightly through his tears. "You're my king, too, Reiner." He nodded to Annie. "And queen."
"I think that's your position."