Chapter 7

Party Fun

It had been a year since Evelyn was brought to Marley. She was still talked about behind her back and there were people that still didn't trust her. Karina was slowly warming up to Evelyn, letting her help with dinner when they visited and help clean up. Gabi was still being stubborn to accept Evelyn there. Evelyn and Galliard were starting to get along, slowly. Reiner and Evelyn had grown closer as the months went. She started to trust him more after he saved her from the Soldiers that took her. She still had feelings for him, but she thought he thought nothing more of her as a sister or a prisoner.

Reiner got off the train with Pieck and Galliard. They had been gone for two weeks to deal with survey ships being sent to Paradis and then called away to deal with conflict in a neighboring country. Word got out that Marley didn't just loose the Colossal Titan but the Female Titan. Evelyn had not been happy to be left behind. The kids and Anita had gotten the okay to take her places and work, but there was a guard outside the house when she was home.

"Its good to be home." Galliard said, throwing his arm around Reiner and Pieck. Zeke walked by them. Reiner rolled his eyes as he pulled away from Galliard. Pieck was using her crutch to walk.

Evelyn was finishing some work at the hospital.

"Eve. The train arrived. Might want to get to the gate." Anita hurried over with Falco, who came to get her.

"Shit." Evelyn said, putting down the files.

"Go. I'll finish the rest and you got a week off." Anita said, shooing her and Falco out.

"Thank you." Evelyn said. Falco and Evelyn quickly run for the gate. Karina was there with Gabi.

"Got her." Falco called. Karina turned and smiled.

"Sorry. I lost track of time." Evelyn said. Gabi rolled her eyes.

"They haven't got here yet." Gabi said. Karina shook her head at her niece. The gate opened and soldiers started to come through. Reiner saw his friends greet their families.

"Reiner." Evelyn called. He saw her with his mom, Falco, and Gabi. Reiner headed towards them. Reiner hugged his mom and Gabi. He pulled Evelyn into a hug, surprising her. She returned the hug.

"Glad your home." Evelyn said.

"Same here." Reiner said.

"Come. I got food ready for all of us." Karina said. Reiner let Evelyn go and they head to Karina's house.

Evelyn helped Karina set out the food as Gabi and Falco asked Reiner questions. Reiner smiled as he answered the questions. Evelyn sat down next to Reiner as the food was set out. Gabi's parents were with them.

"So is it true there's a party tomorrow to celebrate Marley's victory?" Gabi asked. Evelyn looked at Reiner.

"Party?" Evelyn asked. Reiner nodded.

"Its to celebrate one victory for Marley." Reiner said.

"To bad you can't get rid of those Island Devils." Gabi grumbled. Evelyn lifted the mug to her lips to hide her sadness on her face. She had her birthday in Marley, but didn't say anything to anyone because she didn't have her brother to celebrate it with. She heard talks they were sending scouting ships to the Island to take a look. She was only there to be a tool agaisnt her friends and family.

'What are they going to do to me when they don't need me to bring my brother to them? Turn me into a Titan? Or kill me?' Evelyn thought. Reiner saw her unease.

"We got stuff to deal with right now with unrest in Marley with the alliance after loosing two titans to Paradis." Reiner said. Evelyn wouldn't look at him as she continued to eat. They ate in silence. Gabi and Evelyn helped Karina clean up as Reiner stepped outside for some air. Evelyn came out after awhile.

"I'm ready to go home if you are." Evelyn said. Reiner nodded. They headed home.

"Why are you so quiet?" Reiner askedd as they entered.

"Nothing." Evelyn said. Reiner grabbed her arm and turned her.

"Eve. I know your lying to me. You were quiet after Gabi brought up the Island." Reiner said. Evelyn pulled her arm free.

"What's going to happen to me if you get ahold of my brother? Turn me into a Titan or kill me?" Evelyn said. Reiner saw the worry and concern on her face. Reiner pushed hair out of her face.

"I won't let that happen." Reiner said.

"You won't be able to when you have to transfer your powers in seven years." Evelyn said. Reiner sighed.

"I'll make sure your sent back to the island before that happens." Reiner said.

"I'll hold you to it." Evelyn said. Evelyn goes to head to her room.

"Want to come with me to the party?" Reiner asked. Evelyn looked at him. "I got the okay from Magath to bring you with. You been causing us no issues, plus you'll be with me."

"I guess." Evelyn said.

"Good. Pieck will be here to take you dress shopping tomorrow." Reiner said.

"Thank you for asking Reiner." Evelyn said with a small smile. She headed for her room. Reiner couldn't help but smile.

The next day. Evelyn and Pieck were in one of the dress shops.

"I'm glad you said yes to Reiner. It'll be nice to have someone to talk to." Pieck said as they looked at the dresses.

"I never been to a party. Really didn't have those back home." Evelyn said. Pieck came over.

"That's why Reiner sent me to help you get ready for tonight. Just stay with me and Reiner during everything and no one will pick on you." Pieck said. Evelyn found a dress that she couldn't help but smile. She got the dress and shoes to go with it.

Later that night. Pieck and her were getting ready in her room. Evelyn looked in the mirror after she finished getting ready. The dress was dark green with long sleeves and a v neck that showed some cleavage. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun. She wore black heals. The dress was tight around the chest and the skirt was not to tight and flowly. She took a loot in the mirror. Evelyn thought she didn't look that bad.

"You look pretty." Pieck said coming out in a blue dress with long sleeves. Evelyn had helped her pick it out since she couldn't decide between three dresses. She wore flats since she was walking with a crutch.

"You don't think it's to much?" Evelyn asked.

"No. You'll be fine." Pieck said.

"Girls. You ready to go?" Reiner called up the stairs

"Besides. I think you will get someones jaw dropping." Pieck said making Evelyn's checks turn red. Pieck was the only one that knew Evelyn had a crush on Reiner.

"We're coming." Evelyn called down the steps.

"They like to take their sweet time." Galliard said in an annoyed voice.

"Give them a little bit." Reiner said.

"We're ready." Pieck said, coming down the steps with Evelyn beside her. Reiner's jaw almost hit the floor at the sight of Evelyn. She usually was in pants or a skirt but mostly in pants. His eyes trailed down her body. Evelyn couldn't help but smile at Reiner's reaction. He was in a suit and tie and looked pretty handsome. "Told you." Pieck nudged her. Galliard closed Reiner's jaw.

"You look amazing." Reiner said, coming up to Evelyn. Evelyn blushed.

"You look great as well." Evelyn said.

"We better get going or we'll be late." Galliard said. Reiner held out his arm for Evelyn, who gladly took it. Galliard held out his arm for Pieck and they followed Reiner and Evelyn out.

At the party. Reiner mingled with soldiers and Evelyn stayed close to him. She held her third glass of wine. The wine was really good here in Marley. She took a long sip. Reiner looked bored and Evelyn didn't listen to half of the conversation. Some of the people they mingled with seemed to give her looks. She tried to be nice, but their focus seemed to fall on Reiner. Evelyn looked for Pieck and didn't seem to see her through the crowd. She felt a hand on her. Evelyn turned her head to see Pieck next to her.

"Let's go sit." Pieck said. Evelyn looked at Reiner, who gave her a nod to go. Pieck pulled her to a table where Galliard and Magath were sitting. "Give Reiner fifteen minutes and you can go rescue him." Evelyn sat down with Pieck. Galliard had glossy eyes and red in the checks. He was drunk. Evelyn had saw Pyxis drunk like it. She knew how to handle her alchol as she took another sip of her drink.

"Enjoying the party, Evelyn?" Galliard asked.

"Yes." Evelyn said. Magath sat in silence as they watched people start going to the tables. Reiner was still talking to a man.

"Go get him. Food should be ready soon." Pieck whispered. Evelyn stood up and quickly slipped through the people heading for the tables. She gently grabbed Reiner's hand, gently. He looked down at her as she smiled up at him.

"Food is almost ready to be served. Let's go sit." Evelyn said. The man excused himself as Evelyn and Reiner head for the table.

"Thank you." Reiner whispered.

"You looked like you needed saved. Just to warn you. Galliard is drunk." Evelyn said. Reiner shook his head. Reiner and Evelyn sat at the table with the others and Zeke soon joined them. Reiner grabbed two wine glasses as Evelyn finished off her wine and handed her one. Food was soon served and talks filled the room. Evelyn thought the food was pretty good. Evelyn had to bite her lip thinking how Sasha would have all this food gone in a heart beat.

"So did Reiner tell you the good news. He got promoted." Galliard said, in a drunken slur. Evelyn raised an eyebrow as Reiner glared at him.

"I think you had enough alchol." Magath said.

"What does he mean?" Evelyn said, looking at Reiner. Reiner and Galliard glared at each other. Evelyn knew Galliard was pissed yet that Reienr got the Armored Titan instead of him.

"He was made Vice War Chief. Though I think it.." Galliard started.

"Enought Porco. No need to start a fight during a party." Pieck said.

"Congradulations." Evelyn said.

"Thank you." Reiner said. Zeke shook his head at Galliard.

"Stop calling me Porco." Galliard grumbled.

"It does explain why he's drunk." Evelyn whispered to Reiner. Reiner sighed.

"Yes." Reiner said. A blonde man came over to the table.

"Evelyn this is Colt, Falco's brother." Zeke said.

"Hello." Evelyn said.

"Your the girl Falco talks about." Colt said.

"He's a good kid." Evelyn said. Colt sat down next to Zeke. Reiner leaned towards her.

"He's competing to get the Beast Titan." Reiner explained. Evelyn nodded as she took a long drink of the wine as music started playing. Couples were heading for the dance floor. Evelyn reached for another drink when Reiner grabbed her hand gently. She looked at him. "Want to dance?" Evelyn nodded. Reiner stood up and held out his hand. She took it and stood up.

"So how Long does my brother have?" Evelyn asked.

"Four years." Reiner said. Evelyn nodded. They reached the dance floor. Reiner wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, holding her other hand as she rested on hand on his shoulder. They moved around the dance floor.

"So they promoted you even after what happened in Shignashina?" Evelyn asked. Reiner sighed as he twirled her around and brought her back to him.

"Yeah it was a total surprise to me, but we don't think this will be the last stuff we got to deal with other countries. Unrest is happening in all of them." Reiner said. She felt eyes on them. Reiner seemed to feel them as well. "Ignore them."

"Was it really a good idea to bring me?" Evelyn asked looking up at him.

"I don't care anymore what people think. Thought you deserved sometime out of the home." Reiner said. He pulled her against him. "There will people that still don't trust you, but you got people that are and friends here." Reiner pressed a kiss to her forhead. She felt her skin tingle a bit.

"Reiner. Thank you for everything. I know I haven't said it since I came here, but you least made me feel welcome or tried to help." Evelyn said. Reiner smiled at her. The dress did make her green eyes darker.

They danced what seemed like hours as they enjoyed each others company. Pieck was watching the two with a small smile on her face.

"Surprised they don't admit they like each other." Zeke said.

"I hope after tonight they might. He can't keep his eyes off her." Pieck said. Magath watched the two.

"Those two already act like they are married." Galliard hiccuped. Pieck smacked him over the head. "What was that for?"

"Just let them be." Pieck said.

Reiner pulled her off the dance floor. Evelyn smiled as she never felt more happier.

"Want some more wine? There's a balcony we can go out on for awhile before we head out." Reiner said. He nodded over to the direction of the windows.

"Yes." Evelyn said with a smile.

"Go ahead out and I'll meet you out there." Reiner said. Evelyn looked at him in surprise. "I trust you." He squeezed her hand. He disappeared into the crowd. Evelyn headed for the glass doors. Evelyn stepped outside. The night was warm. She went to the railing and saw there were gardens down below.

"Can't believe they brought the Island Devil to a party like this." A woman's voice said. Evelyn's head snapped towards the few woman on the balcony. Luckily she was hidden in the shadows where they didn't see she was there.

"She seems nice though. She did look like she was uncomfortable here." Another woman said.

"It doesn't matter if she's nice or not. They are nothing but trouble." A blonde hair said. Evelyn closed her eyes.

"And its embarrasing to our Vice War Chief to have her on his arm. There are plenty single woman out there." The first woman said. Evelyn bit down on her tongue from bursting out in anger.

'There is no need to start something.' Evelyn said feeling the tears forming. She looked for stairs to the garden. She heard more nasty talk as she spotted the steps away from the girls. She pulled off her shoes as her feet started to hurt. Evelyn slipped towards the steps and hoped Reiner would find her as sh walked down the steps and into the garden.

Reiner walked out on the patio as the girls slipped back in. He heard mentions of the Island Devils. Reiner gritted his teeth as he stepped out. He had heard the whispers. Not a lot of people were happy he brought her. Luckily his friends were on his side. He looked around and saw no sign of Evelyn. He didn't see her on the patio. He knew she wouldn't have gone far. Reiner walked over to the railing and saw a figure walking into the garden. Reiner went down the steps to head towards her.

Evelyn found a bench near a pond and sat down. She whiped the tears from her eyes. The garden was beautiful. Evelyn sighed.

'A night ruined.' Evelyn thought as she pulled out the pins of her bun and let her hair fall in curls. She was starting to feel more homesick.

"What are you doing out here?" Reiner said, coming over. Evelyn jumped a bit. Reiner came over and sat down on the bench with her. He handed her a glass of the wine. She gladly took it and took a long drink of it. Reiner raised an eyebrow. "Everything alright?"

"Just needed to get some fresh air and wanted to see the Garden." Evelyn said. She wouldn't look him and he saw her eyes looked a little red. Reiner grabbed her chin gently and made her look at him.

"What happened?" Reiner said.

"Just some ladies talking about me. Saying I shouldn't have been brought to this party and that I'm embarrasing you." Evelyn said, looking down.

"Look at me." Reiner said. His voice was stern. She looked up at him. He had a soft look on his face. "I wanted you here and so did Pieck. I'm not embarrassed to have you with me. I'm glad you came." Reiner's head inched towards hers.

"Your not?" Evelyn asked. Reiner shook his head and pushed hair out of her face.

"No. I care about you and.." Reiner stopped. Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Fuck it." Reiner pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes widen, but she melted into his kiss as she wrapped her arms around him and returned it. He pulled her against him to the point Evelyn was sitting on his lap. Evelyn felt the stress fade as they kissed. Reiner pulled away and pressed his head against hers. "I love you, Evelyn since before I betrayed you guys." Evelyn smiled and poked his chest gently.

"I love you too." Evelyn said. Reiner kissed her nose.

"Uh guys." Pieck's voice came and Reiner and Evelyn turn to look at her. "Sorry for interupting a moment." She had a smirk on her face. "But Zeke sent me to get you Reiner. Porco and Colt are drunk and he needs help with them." Reiner groaned. He pressed a kiss to Evelyn's forhead and Evelyn stood up. Evelyn got her shoes back on and Reiner led the way. "About time?" Pieck elbowed Evelyn in the side. Evelyn blushed. They entered the banquet hall. Galliard and Colt were passed out on the table. Reiner looked at Zeke.

"Who gave them both more alchol?" Reiner asked. Pieck gave an uncomfortable cough. Reiner pinched the bridge of his nose. "And both are lightweights when it comes to alchol, Pieck."

"Just help me get them to their place." Zeke said.

"I'll take Evelyn home." Pieck said. Reiner nodded as he went to get Colt up. Pieck linked arms with Evelyn as they head for the door. "Your going to spill everything." Evelyn just smiled. They passed the women that were talking on the balcony. They glared at her but Evelyn held her head high. Evelyn told Pieck and Pieck shook her head, but smiled to see her friend happy.

At home. Pieck had headed home. Evelyn slipped into her room and leaned against the door. Her lips were tingling from the kiss. She smiled. She got out of the dress and heals and into shorts and a tshirt. She heard the door downstairs open and close. She slipped down the steps to see Reiner taking off his jacket.

"Got them home?" Evelyn asked, coming up to him. Reiner looked up at her and smiled.

"Yeah. Both are passed out in bed. Though I don't think Colt's parents are happy with him." Reiner said. He came up to her. She looked up at him.

"So what now?" Evelyn asked. Reiner grabbed her arm, gently and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arm around him as he held her close.

"Well. Would you like to be my girlfriend?" Reiner asked. Evelyn smiled up at him.

"I would like that." Evelyn said. Reiner pressed his lips against hers and they kissed. Evelyn didn't care what people thought. She had Reiner. She couldn't be more happy.

AN: Yay. I got them together. LOL. Till next time.