So. After Bertholdt kicked some ass last chapter it's time for some character development. I've planned this story to the end and I do plan for romance so be prepared for everything that romance entails... fluff, angst, sadness and a little love as well as all the action.
Please leave a review and tell what you think of the chapter and if you have any suggestions. Thank you once again for the support of Lyra Sprinkles and Kuchel007!
"Hey Berty… Can you hear me?" The voice sounded like it was coming from a mile away. "Is he going to be okay?"
This time Bertholdt heard another whisper. "He'll be fine, it's just a light concussion." Unlike last time this voice sounded familiar, there was ice in its tone but behind it, there was a gentleness.
"A-Annie?" Bertholdt groaned as his eyes slowly opened.
Light flooded Bertholdt's smoky eyes causing him to hiss in pain.
"He lives!" Reiner's voice ringed in Bertholdt's ears making him wince further, seeing his friend in pain Reiner gently rested a hand on Bertholdt's shoulder. "Sorry, Berty."
Bertholdt forced a smile as his eyes finally adjusted to the harsh lights. "It's okay," he chuckled. "What happened?" He asked turning to Annie.
Crossing her arms Annie smirked down at Bertholdt. "You won," Annie gave Bertholdt a second to absorb the surprise. "They had to carry Jean out on a stretcher," Bertholdt's eyes widened with horror as he looked down at the scabs already forming on his knuckles. "Don't worry, he's going to be fine."
Bertholdt sighed in relief as he sat up. "I won," He whispered to himself. "I really won."
Reiner kneeled down next to his friend and gave him a wide beaming smile. "You really did! You really did it Berty."
"Okay, okay," Annie ordered. "Blonde, whatever your name is get out, I've got to talk to Bertholdt."
Reiner stood and looked down at Annie who didn't pay him the slightest ounce of attention, as he walked to the exit he looked back to Bertholdt and gave him a sly wink. With Reiner gone Bertholdt looked up to Annie from his seat.
"So," Annie began as she reached into her pocket. "You get the standard fee plus the winner's bonus." She explained pulling out a brown envelope.
Seeing the thickness of the envelope Bertholdt raised his hands and shook his head. "No, no. I'm not taking your money."
Annie narrowed her eyes and put the envelope back in her pocket. "Why?"
Bertholdt's eyes dropped to the floor as he scratched the back of his head. "Well… you can keep the money i-if you'll continue to teach me."
Annie crossed her arms. "Do you really want to win this thing?"
Despite the pain that burned through his veins Bertholdt laughed. "No way. I just want to train some more… it's really fun."
After waiting for what felt like an eternity a smile picked at Annie's lips. "Fine, I'll talk to my dad and see if you can train in here."
Bertholdt leaped to his feet seemingly forgetting about the pain. "Thank you! Thank you so much."
Annie scoffed a deep laugh. "Don't thank me. You're still gonna have to fight him." Annie explained as she pointed towards the tallest person Bertholdt had ever seen.
Walking into the metal cage was Mike Zacharias. He was wearing nothing other than a pair of tight shorts and tape around his fingers, what really caught Bertholdt's attention, however, was his height. Bertholdt was known for how tall he was, it was often a target of the bullies but Bertholdt knew no one would dare try to attack Mike over his height.
"He… he's huge."
Annie hummed in agreement. "Still don't want your pay?"
Bertholdt looked between Annie and Mike, the very thought of fighting the man who just made his way into the arena caused Bertholdt to break out into a sweat. "I'll fight him," Bertholdt said with a newfound sense of strength. "So please teach me."
Staring into his eyes for any sign of hesitation Annie was surprised to see utter determination.
"Okay then. You're training starts by watching him." Bertholdt followed Annie's extended finger towards the cage where Mike's unfortunate opponent had just entered. As they walked towards the arena Bertholdt got a better look at the giant.
He had almost blond hair that parted just above his sharp eyes, Bertholdt took particular note of the way Mike never broke eye contact with his opponent.
"Who is he fighting?" Bertholdt asked as he turned to look at the opposing fighter.
Annie looked towards him and hummed. "A guy called Ian Dietrich. A good fighter fast and strong."
"But." Bertholdt interpreted as the bell rang through the gym.
"Mike's defense is impeccable." Annie sighed as Ian dashed towards Mike's towering frame.
Ian's entire body rounded as he sent his foot careening towards Mike's cheek.
To onlookers, it appeared as if Ian's attack would hit and send Mike sprawling to the ground, maybe even knock him out. However, to Annie the outcome was clear.
As Ian's foot approached Mike swiftly raised his fists to form a tight guard. Ian's strike landed against Mike's forearm with a shuddering thud and Bertholdt had to resist the urge to let his jaw drop.
Mike didn't even flinch at the tremendous force of Ian's attack, he threw Ian's leg away as if was a fly, using the momentum Mike had just given him Ian rounded again and sent the soul of his foot into Mike's gut.
Acting as if the foot was moving in slow motion Mike took a step back and readied his open hands. Mike launched his hands out to catch Ian's foot, bending slightly to absorb the impact.
Mike only gave Ian a second to acknowledge his defeat before he threw his leg away with enough force to send him on his back.
Ian was quick to get to his feet where he raised his fists and charged towards Mike. The taller man's guard remained unbroken as Ian sent hook after hook and jab after jab towards his opponent. It took only moments for Mike to find a gap in Ian's pattern of attack.
Whenever Ian's fist connected with Mike's guard there was a moment between the contact and Ian pulling his fist back to his guard.
"Are you paying attention or shall I get you a notepad?" Annie said as she and Bertholdt watched with crossed arms. The moment Mike lowered his guard to go on the offensive Annie pointed to Mike's eyes. "Look how he watches Ian's pattern."
Bertholdt focused his vision on Mike's eyes. "He's looking for an opening."
"And he's found it." Annie hummed.
Just as Ian pulled his fist back to his guard Mike launched two blinding quick jabs into Ian's unguarded side. Grunting in pain Ian sent his left leg out in a tight arc hoping to send him to one knee. To his utter horror Mike remained standing tall showing no indication that his attack had even phased him.
Mike continued to guard, wait and strike with incredible results. Each time Mike unleashed his rocket-like punches Ian grew progressively weaker and weaker. Eventually, Ian struggled to even defend himself from Mike who was seemingly getting even stronger.
Less than a minute later Ian was lying on the floor, chest heaving and bones aching.
"Mike is on a completely different level than Jean," Annie warned. "He's not only strong but he's smart."
Bertholdt sighed. "How do I train to be smart."
"I'll figure that out." Annie hummed when someone caught her eye, before she could warn Bertholdt a hand clasped Bertholdt's shoulder with an iron grip.
"I was impressed by your fight," Bertholdt looked over his shoulder to see Annie's father with a sharp grin on his lips. "Maybe you aren't a waste of space."
Annie balled her fists as Bertholdt thanked her father, this was the perfect opportunity to ask for permission to use the gym. "Dad, he refused the pay."
"Why?" His voice suddenly losing all hints of friendliness.
Annie swallowed the worry that had bubbled up in her throat. "In exchange for me teaching him."
Instantly Annie's father's expression grew hard. "No. You need to focus on your studies."
"If… If we train here I can study at the same time."
He immediately opened his mouth to shut his daughter down when he looked over to Bertholdt. He looked him directly in the eye and held his gaze for what felt like hours.
"You've caught my daughter's attention. Best make sure you keep it," Turning to face Annie he crossed his arms and looked down to his daughter. "Promise me you'll keep to your studies," Annie simply gave her father a firm nod. "Fine. You can use the gym."
Annie sighed in relief. "Thank you," With that Annie's father turned and left leaving her and Bertholdt alone. "Leave your stuff here, we're going for a run."
"R-right." Bertholdt mumbled as Annie lead him out.
Outside Bertholdt fell into speed alongside Annie as they jogged through the park.
"Y-your dad really wants you to study."
Annie rolled her eyes and sighed. "Yes he does but that doesn't matter right now," She paused as they turned a corner. "What matters is getting you ready to fight a pro and not get a broken bone."
Bertholdt narrowed his eyes. "I went against Levi and didn't break anything."
A short bark of a laugh filled the otherwise quiet night sky. "I stepped in before he got too carried away but that's what you get for making him angry."
Thinking back to the fight against Levi Bertholdt balled his fists not wanting to remember all the bloody details. "H-how strong is Levi?"
"All you need to know is that he's strong enough to win against Mike," Annie deadpanned as they came to stop. "Don't think about him, just think about your training. Speaking of which," This time there was curiosity in her tone. "Why do you want to get from this?"
Bertholdt looked down and chuckled quietly. "It's a stupid reason really… There are these people at school-"
"You're like Connie then, you need something to protect you," Annie hummed as she stretched her arms over her head. "That blond Ox not enough for you?"
Clutching his sides in laughter Bertholdt wiped his eyes. "Reiner? He's great and he's looked out for me for years. I just… want to be able to look after myself."
Annie took a seat on a nearby bench and sighed heavily. "He's lucky to have someone like you."
Bertholdt was immediately thankful for the darkness that covered the blush that crept up his cheeks. "W-what do you mean?"
"You seem like a reliable guy," She shrugged. "Dull, but responsible."
"Thank you," Bertholdt laughed. "What do you mean by dull though?"
"Dull is good. You're comfortable to be around… and you're not a bad fighter either."
As they fell into a pleasant silence Bertholt couldn't but think to himself that something about sitting next to Annie felt right. They stayed on the bench for another ten minutes before Annie sent Bertholdt but before they parted ways a pair of eyes and ears was watching and listening.
"I've got you now Lanky." The voice whispered as they reached for their phone.
