I GONNA REMOVE THIS FIC IN THREE DAYS! I'M ON AO3! ;3;
KARAOKE
Burning Heart
…
The following week, two weeks before Sasha's wedding, Mikasa met with Reiner to buy a gift for her best friend, after that they would go singing at the bar. They ate street hot dogs, walked in the park, looked at the fountains, and decided that the best gift would be an industrial blender along with free food coupons from a supermarket; They talked about the weather and why The Goonies was the best children's movie in the world.
Reiner had left work early, he had worked overtime the past few days when Mikasa asked for his help so he could pick her up from work. On the other hand, Mikasa decided to leave at the time of departure for the first time. Although Levi didn't want to bother asking about the sudden change, he still did. Mikasa only said that she would go buy Sasha's gift, but Levi knew instantly that she was telling him the half truth and was surprised to see Mikasa get into the car from a stranger she seemed to know very well.
So there the two of them were, in the park at night, eating stray hot dogs, standing, watching the dancing fountains. Reiner had a bruise on his right cheekbone which caused the brunette to laugh but she carefully ran her finger over the purple and swollen area.
"A street fight or with a co-worker?" She finally questioned, after finishing her greasy and very delicious hot dog. The blonde just made an uncomfortable face, scratching the gray beanie that he had.
"A client." He replied defeated. "Clients who owe 20 years of taxes to the Treasury are exceptionally rude." He scratched his cheek, a tic when he felt embarrassed. "An old man lost his temper hearing how much he owed, and his cane ended up in my face." He looked at her with a forced smile. "Don't mess with people's money, but that's what my job is about."
"What did you do?" she asked surprised, it's true that there are ungrateful and rude customers, but hitting someone with a metal cane is another level.
"Besides ice, a well deserved half hour break in the cafeteria." He winked at her, as if that was a great reward. Mikasa just looked a little upset but glad to see him in good mood. Of all the blows in his life, this was surely the softest of hims, which made her curious about his past.
"Uhm." she started, thinking her question which made Reiner interested. "What does it take to be a military man?" Reiner slightly opened his mouth, surprised by the question that Mikasa softened, something unusual for her but he wouldn't miss the opportunity of this moment. Placing his gray beanie on Mikasa's head, Reiner stood in front of her, parted his coat a little and with his right arm on his chest, Reiner looked at her with a serious but friendly look. Mikasa just watched curious.
"Be stupid." He slurred the words a little, deepening his voice. Mikasa first analyzed what happened, then she smiled when she realized the reference and then she began to chuckle for long 5 minutes, so much so that she had to hold onto Reiner's coat that he joined her.
"You are an idiot, Braun." She chided, wiping the tears from her eyes. "You aren't as charming as Rocky Balboa."
"So you are a Rocky fan?" He said surprised and pleased that he didn't really look like an idiot.
"Yes, Eren loved it."
The smiles faded from their faces. Mikasa looked at the ground, Reiner cleared his throat, he didn't mean to make her remember that man she adored, so with one hand on his hip, he had to solve this no matter how embarrassing it would be.
Before pulling away from her, he took off the gray cuffed beanie and tossed it away, taking a few steps away from her. "Mkaesá! Mykaesá! " He screamed gravely as if he didn't see her, the rest of the people passing by just looked at him, some laughed. Mikasa glanced at the people who looked at him and then looked at her, "Mykaesá!" He screamed again. Mikasa remembered that she loved that movie and not just because she saw it with Eren.
"Rayneer!" she yelled, running to her side albeit with an expressionless face. Reiner's hands reached for her and took her by the forearms. Mikasa barely held back her laughter, he was taking her role seriously. He was a good actor, he took everything seriously.
"Where's your hat?" He asked sweetly. Mikasa burst into laughter, Reiner released her and ran for his beanie, he put it on Mikasa, again. Glad to see her laugh, it doesn't matter if she was a lousy stone-faced actress. He was aware that he could make a fool of himself all the time just to see her with a smile.
Once she calmed down, they walked around the park talking about Rocky. Mikasa had the position that the first was insurmountable, but Reiner argued that all the films were all good and that even the fifth was just as good as the first movie; they talked about what character they would be in the saga. Mikasa would be Drago and Reiner would undoubtedly be Paulie. Reiner mentioned that there was a small cinema that brought the classics and that he was going to check the billboard to see one of Rocky together, but it wasn't a date. No, Mikasa had been blunt when she told him that they had to go to an ice rink, maybe that could be considered a date, but it was certainly just a two friends' outing for drinks.
When the clock struck 9 p.m., they went to karaoke for a while where they only had two cocktails each and sang the two Survivor songs that were in the Rocky movies: Eye of Tiger and Burning Heart. Mikasa took the microphone first and sang Eyes of Tiger at the top of her lungs, pulling off karate moves: she was a black belt and junior champion in high school. "Goth karate-kasa" or so Reiner started calling her.
[Face to face, out in the heat
Hanging tough, staying hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive] She sang energetically, still wearing Reiner's gray beanie. Everyone was laughing, but she felt good. She was a bit liberating, a bit nostalgic but she had a lot of fun and more when Reiner, on stage, doing backing vocals.
When it was Reiner's turn, Mikasa handed him the microphone, he took her by the hip, to sing 'Burning Heart' together.
[In the warrior's code
There's no surrender
Though his body says stop
His spirit cries: never!] He yelled in the last sentence. He moved Mikasa from side to side around the stage, she just clung to Reiner's shirt, trying to keep up with him.
[It's the paradox
That drives us on
It's a battle of wills
In the heat of attack
It's the passion that kills
The victory is yours alone!] They sang together, smiling at the euphoria by the song and the two cocktails.
The song ended, they got off the stage, heard another drunk sing, and left the bar, happy and in a good mood.
Reiner took her home and on the way he mentioned that they couldn't see each other on saturday at the bar because he would have to leave Gabi and the rest of the youngs at the military school, their end-of-year holidays ended and he would be with them all weekend at his uncles' house.
When they got to the entrance of Mikasa's building, he stopped the car and they stood there, Reiner just didn't want to look her in the eyes, not when Mikasa looked so pretty with his beanie on and with that blush that she suddenly had on her cheeks, on that scar on her right cheekbone that he was tempted to caressed so many times. Ignoring the fact that she was hugging her knees, bare feet on the seat.
Reiner appreciated the corporate norms of making female members wear skirts, and even though Mikasa wore black stockings, he had a good view of those toned thighs.
"Reiner." Mikasa's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Have fun with the boys." and she put on her black patent leather shoes. She adjusted her jacket, smoothed her short hair and took her leather portfolio, took the handle from it but before opening the door, she turned to Reiner with a shy smile as a sign of gratitude for accompanying her.
She got out of the vehicle and walked to the entrance, looked at him one last time before entering, unable to say anything. Seconds later, Reiner noticed that the wedding gift was still in his vehicle, in the back seats. He sighed, took the wrapped gift and went down in the direction of Mikasa's house. With his free hand he pulled out his phone and dialed, she answered instantly.
"I'm outside, you for-" and the door opened instantly, revealing the slim figure of her without those sacks and heavy jackets, a cat at her feet looking at him curiously. She looked at him expectantly, Reiner was slow to recover. "You forgot the gift." and he stretched his arm, bringing the gift to Mikasa's chest who looked incredulously at the gift and then at the blonde who was looking at the black cat.
Mikasa understood what was happening and adopting a stoic look, she took the gift from him with a reluctant thank you. Reiner smiled a little uncomfortable and taking a step back, he said goodbye with a slight wave of his hand.
The door closed and Mikasa fell to the ground along with the gift, hugging it tightly. Angry with herself for expecting something from him, from that man who is a drunk, ex-military, depressed, anxious, crybaby, mentally unstable, lonely even when he has a family that loves him, a huge idiot who can barely stand up but despite of everything, he smiled at his clients every day, grateful to life for seeing his cousin and other boys smile, who took care of her when she burst into tears, encouraged her to sing and accompanied her on lonely afternoons like this. That man who made her laugh, feel comfortable and who smelled of citrus: tangerine and lime. Cozy, loyal.
Her black cat sniffed her hands, Mikasa grabbed it so fast that the cat squealed in fear and hugged her along with the gift.
She had a problem choosing men.
…
The days passed and although it was sunday she had no plans. Before, she would meet Sasha to watch movies, eat at new restaurants and hang out with the other, but now they all made their lives further and further away from each other. Sasha was weeks away from marrying her fiancé who was a talented and loving chef; Hange went on a wildlife excursion with Moblit who is also a zoologist; Levi, her only living relative, had been married for over 15 years to his talented husband Erwin; Mina and Thomas married and with two adorable children; Armin traveled for long periods to Antarctica as a marine biologist to study marine life in low temperatures; Connie was on the cusp of his career as a mountaineering instructor; Marlo was even married to some girl he met at his bookstore; and Hitch, well, Hitch was happy being a millionaire heartthrob; Jean was beginning to date a mysterious woman he met on a business trip to France and Eren and Historia were going to be parents.
She didn't do anything on sunday, she just saw her cat running around chasing a moth.
After work on monday, she contacted Armin and they decided to meet to talk in some bar, in that karaoke bar. Armin agreed happily that he was finally going to meet his friend after so many weeks without contact.
Armin waited for her at the entrance, he was a little nervous to enter a bar, he was still a little shy but he had become a sweet gentleman that when he saw her coming, smiled enormously. They hugged briefly and walked inside. The host who already knew her offered them the best place, away from the noise of the enthusiastic drinkers. Away from the stage as far as possible. Armin looked at her with a bit of guilt and concern.
"Mikasa, how have you been?" He asked, notably concerned. Armin took her hand lovingly, understanding of everything she might be going through.
"I'm fine, I swear." Armin's hand was small and soft but strong enough to hold her in one piece even when she wasn't quite right. Armin knew it.
Armin had to speak the truth about when he found out from Eren's mouth that he would be a father along with Historia, who didn't regret having ended the relationship with Mikasa with those words of rejection and contempt; that he would continue with his small company and that he needed someone like Historia in his life as a companion. Those months before they finished they were already meeting secretly. Armin ended up in a fist fight with his best friend and that since then Armin has had zero contact with him and that what little he knows is from Floch.
"I know it's not okay coming from me, but Eren will carry on with his life," He stared at her intently, carefully holding her hand. "You must carry on too, Mikasa." he added with a hopeful accent. Armin always looked beyond even in the most extreme situations and that was his strength. Mikasa was going to respond but when she saw Reiner enter the bar with a girl she felt her heart leap out of her mouth. Armin noticed the change and looked where Mikasa was looking.
A couple entered, a tall blond man along with a short, equally blond woman.
"Do you know them Mikasa?" Armin asked.
"Uh?" She exclaimed without understanding the question, Mikasa only watched as Reiner and that mysterious woman sat at the bar, ordered a dry drink of whiskey and, very close, began to speak. Reiner had a terribly serious, gloomy look; the unknown woman looked downcast, tired.
"Mikasa, are you okay?" Armin asked, already worried. Mikasa came to herself and with a snort told him that yes, she only knew the man there as a matter of work. Armin only pretended to believe her and they continued talking but Mikasa occasionally peeked out of the corner of her eye, surprised that Reiner didn't notice her, concentrating on the whispered conversation he had with that woman who was about to burst into tears, but Reiner in turn asked for a bottle, he joked and although the blonde girl hit him on the shoulder, he laughed a little.
Armin joined her, looking exclusively at the woman. "She is pretty." he commented and Mikasa just nodded her head. "Will they be a couple?" the blue-eyed questioned, a little flushed.
"Go and ask them." she replied grimly, visibly angry at the involvement. Did Reiner have a partner? Was that blonde woman his partner, his lover, flirt or ex? So Reiner also liked... short blondes with blue eyes. "Armin, let's-"
"Annie, let's sing!" Reiner shouted euphoric, getting up from his seat, already a little drunk but the one referred to only covered her face, ashamed of being the center of attention.
"Shut up you fucking idiot." she took a drink, annoyed. "I would never sing with you."
"Oh come on, Annie, don't tell me you're embarrassed to sing in public?" He scoffed, placing his hand on the shoulder of the smaller one who glared at him. "I don't remember you being that coward."
"I will not do it." She crossed her arms. "Besides, the others are coming."
"If you sing, I'll be your punching bag." Reiner took a big swig straight out of the bottle, pulled his tie off by placing it on his head, grabbed Annie's arm, and led her to the stage. Mikasa and Armin watched them go up on stage, although the blonde woman objected, was carried away by the strong hold. "Annie, are you ready?"
"No." She replied dryly, but still took the microphone. Reiner tied the jacket to his hip and asked for the song that caused a massive blush in the blonde that threw the microphone at Reiner who caught it in the air and taking Annie's arm, began the lyrics.
[I come home, in the morning light
My mother says "When you gonna live your life right?"
Oh momma dear, we're not the fortunate ones!] In the highest voice he could muster, Reiner sang with passion, wiggling back and forth with the little blonde who was dying of embarrassment.
[And girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun…] He sang in Annie's ear as she pushed him away from her with her hand, red and dizzy, all the customers looked at her amid applause, even those from deep down.
"C'mon Annie, it's your turn!" Reiner handed her the microphone and Annie, not sure what to do, turned her back on the audience to see the karaoke lyrics.
[T-the phone rings, in the middle of the night...] she sang out of time, a little nervous.
[My father yells "What you gonna do with your life?"
Uh, oh ... dear daddy, you know you're still number one] She smiled at the lyrics, Reiner chose the song indicated. She would make him pay. With a little more confidence, she looked at the audience.
[But girls they wanna have fun,
Oh girls just wanna have ~] She looked at a boy with blue eyes in the background, she smiled, letting herself be carried away by the song, a bit proud to feel observed by that stranger.
Armin gulped. Mikasa didn't want to laugh at such a show, but watching Reiner dance like a crazy teenage girl was more than she could bear.
[That's all they really want, some fun
When the working day is done
Oh, girls they wanna have fun] They had taken the mic together, sang in unison, their hips moving from side to side. The drunks and not so drunk whistled, threw the odd expletive at the two blondes but were silenced by a couple who had just arrived at the bar, jumping up and down while singing from the entrance. They went up on stage, Annie and Reiner laughed when they saw them go up with dance steps included. A bearded man with glasses and a woman with wavy black hair.
[Girls, they want
Wanna have fun] The four of them sang together, holding hands, shaking their heads like in the music video.
[And girls
Wanna have] The bearded man picked up the microphone and took off his shirt, stole the show and the night.
[Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest of the world
I wanna be the one to walk in the Sun
Oh, girls, they wanna have fun] The extroverted man with the husky voice sang, the brunette and the two blond adults sang the choruses, dancing and accepting the drinks from those who brought the glasses to them.
From one moment to the next, Armin and Mikasa laughed at the show and burst into laughter when this funny quartet began to sing Macarena. The man with glasses who went by the name Zeke began by gesturing very provocative and feminine movements.
[When I dance, they call me Macarrena
And the boys, they say qe soi buena
They all want me
They can't have me
So they all come and dance beside me
Move with me
Chant with me
And if you're good, I'll take you home with me] He sang in a high-pitched voice, strutting his hairy chest.
[Dare a tu cuerpo aregía Macarrena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' asdfghjklñ cosa buena
Dare a tu cuerpo alegía, Macarreena
Heeey~ Macarrena!] The three of them sang with effort, sometimes not even trying to make it sound like spanish but they enjoyed it with those failed steps that only caused more laughter.
At one point in the song, Annie and Reiner came off the stage, picking up the drinks. Reiner and Annie walked to the last tables, where, a little drunk, he noticed Mikasa. Surprised, he approached her even if she was accompanied by a man but the alcohol made him advance, Annie followed him.
"Mikasa, damn, I dream and think of you and find you when I least expect it." He leaned against the table, looking at the man with her. Small, bright-eyed and blond. Reiner took Annie as she screamed furiously in protest at his grabbing. "Look, both have smol blondies!" He said cheerfully, Annie just stared at the two strangers as she clawed at Reiner's face, pulling him away from her.
Armin smiled, Annie looked away, blushing. Mikasa couldn't process what Reiner told her and without being able to say something, she watched as Reiner took the bitter blonde as a sack of potatoes and with a "Write me!" he said goodbye to go back on stage.
Armin looked at Mikasa silently, smirking and the black-haired woman didn't know how to explain the blush that rose to her cheeks.
"So I worry too much." He nailed it, Mikasa had to explain how she met that drunk who loved karaoke.
The meeting turned into a show that ended when this Zeke tried to take off his pants, the brunette with long hair ended up crawling drunk all over the place while Reiner and Annie continued drinking until they vomited at the bar, apparently an endurance competition that Reiner won only because Annie threw up seeing him hold the vomit in his mouth. Zeke was singing Tarzan Boy from the ground even when the mic was taken away.
Mikasa and Armin drank responsibly while talking about their jobs and Sasha's wedding, but neither took their eyes off that strange group that at some point gathered at a table and solemnly toasted.
"For the Warrior Unit!" they heard them say and clinked glasses, faces darkened by bitter memories.
At the end, Mikasa saw them go, paying for the damage, Zeke and Pieck left in their taxis; Annie and Reiner staggered on the sidewalk, Reiner holding her as best he could. They spoke in whispers, she was crying shyly and hugging him, Reiner only lightly caressing her shoulders, also heartbroken. They took the same taxi and Mikasa didn't know what to think, clearly these two didn't get along, but he never wanted to take the same taxi with her even though they could share the ride.
When Mikasa and Armin decided to leave, they agreed to go to Armin's house which was the closest one. A little drunk, Armin only talked about how beautiful the companion of Mikasa's "friend" was, so much so that Mikasa accepted that she would ask if Reiner could give her the number of the blonde woman, but Mikasa was afraid that these two, Reiner and that Annie were more than friends. They arrived at the department of the enthusiast of the sea and the marine creatures that prepared the couch where Mikasa would sleep since she refused to stay in Armin's room.
They talked a bit more about how everyone was doing well at work, glad to know that despite the long distances that could separate them, they are still bound by a bond of affection that is impossible to break. Almost brothers, childhood friends. Mikasa couldn't be more grateful to him and his genuine concern.
She lay down on the couch, covered herself with the blanket, talking to Armin always reassured her. Her phone vibrated, one message, three, seven. Her chest heaved at the sight of the sender. Reiner.
[it´s late, sorry]
[but i think i saw you at the bar]
[if yo did it, yu safe?]
3:29 am.
[if i am crazy just ifnore this]
[igmore*]
[ignore*]
[heck]
3:32 am.
Mikasa immediately write:
[Don't worry, you aren't crazy, not at that point]
[I'm safe. Why are you worried?]
3:34 am
[u look sad]
[thankd, it's good to know that i'm not losing my mind]
3:36 am
[Losing your mind?]
[Are you OK?]
3:37 AM
[can call you now?]
3:41 AM
Mikasa looked at the message for a few seconds and answering a simple yes, she waited for the call that soon came in. She answered instantly, a little excited, a little curious.
"Mikasa, I think I'm going crazy," Reiner started from behind the line. "Today is the fucking anniversary of the death of my best friend who died protecting a scum like me and I-I was about to do something crazy..."
"Eh?" Mikasa stood up, alarmed. "Where is your friend?"
"Annie? At her house, I just accompanied her."
"Where are you, Reiner?"
"I don't know and it doesn't matter" Mikasa imagined him in a park or in a parking lot because of the little noise from the cars. "Today I was planning to kill myself, after spending a weekend with Gabi and the kids, my mother and my uncles, I left everything organized at work, I gathered my ex-colleagues from the military to celebrate and have fun for the last time, I agreed to accompany you to buy a gift for someone I don't know, everything was ready but… "His voice cracked, Mikasa clung to the phone when she heard him. "But seeing you at the bar made me want to wake up, put up with the damn job, relive the damn nightmares that won't let me rest so I can watch you sing a silly song to your ex." She heard him walk as he caught breath. "It's my fault, you know, I stopped taking the medicine they prescribed me, I thought I no longer needed it.
"Reiner, are you okay now?" She asked softly as she instinctively left the apartment, her heart pounding uncontrollably. "I'll go get you and we can talk about this."
"Mikasa..." and she felt how Reiner's voice became more... "I think I'm crazy and it's not a joke, sometimes I hear your voice in the sea of voices inside my head and from all the voices, Gabi's voice... your voice is the only one that forces me to return to reality; But it is not always like that, sometimes I see you in my nightmares, it seems that you fly with wings that are blades and you try to kill me. You force me out of my little misery, today just seeing you made me change my mind... I just hoped it wasn't my imagination, but it wasn't my imagination, was it?" Mikasa nodded even though he couldn't see her but he understood her silence as a comforting statement. Reiner sighed a little relieved, agitated in the middle of his aimless walk. "May I ask why you were sad? Tell me why those eyes of yours were so sad. What happened?
Mikasa started to laugh inside, Reiner was a very eloquent drunk. She wished she had walked up to him at the bar, invited him over to her house, told him what she couldn't say to Armin, told him quite frankly that she wasn't okay.
"I'm not fine, no." Hot tears fell down her chin, she gritted her teeth with anger. "You will think that I'm a weakling for crying as a child because my boyfriend left me for another more beautiful and incredible woman, that I can't get over it, but for me," she swallowed hard, "for me Eren was everything!" She cried on the line. "My parents were murdered in front of my eyes, I hid myself and although those murderers escaped I believed that I would never leave that hole in the floor, I was so afraid... but Eren saved me, took me out of that dark world and gave me a reason to stay alive. He took me in with his friends, took care of me and inspired me to keep going." She walked to the elevator, her hands shaking. "Now that he is separated from me I have to deal with the lack of him and with this love that he rejected." She clenched her knuckles, desperate and helpless. "What am I supposed to do now?!" She screamed, she didn't mind being in the corridors of the building in the middle of the morning.
She came down the elevator, barefoot, wearing nothing but pajamas that Armin loaned her. "I'm not okay, but I think one day I will be." She went out into the street, looking at the night sky.
"I guess it only remains to keep going, holding on." He added, defeated but with resolution in his accent, an accent that soothed Mikasa's whimper who didn't take her eyes off the sky. "Mikasa, are you on the street?" He heard the incessant passing of the cars behind the line
"Watching the sky." She didn't want to think anymore, not when the night sky seemed to glow from its immense darkness. Reiner instinctively looked up at the sky, a starless night and a new moon.
"Thank you." And he hung up the phone.
Mikasa knew immediately that what he needed most was to get along with the darkness and loneliness of his thoughts and memories, just like her.
Turning her attention back to the apartment building to return, she saw Armin standing, concerned but far enough away not to disturb her. Considerate and kind, Armin accompanied her only to take care of her what was necessary to put the pieces of her together because at any moment she would break down, he was vigilant. Mikasa still felt the warmth of Reiner's words in her ears.
Grateful she was there to save him, just like Armin was there, behind the glass door, just like Reiner when she heard him sing for the first time at the bar. It doesn't take much to save and be saved. You just need to be there.
And Eren was no longer here. Before he was, but not now.
…
The week was running smoothly, Mikasa had spent 3 whole nights in Armin's apartment just like the old days, just enjoying each other's company after work. When she returned to her house, Her cat, who had been cared for by her neighbor, caressed her as she entered the kitchen. She reinstated, turning on the radio while she prepared dinner feeling good due to the peaceful days with Armin and a cathartic call with the local drunk that made her laugh at his bad jokes.
She was humming, thinking of him. The last she heard about him was a story that came up a few hours ago, it was the badly framed photo of him along with the 4 teenagers on a beach years ago, the youngs were only children in that photo and Reiner was a teenager who had the body ideal for an NFL player but a military badge hung around his neck, his fair hair cut to the root, he was smiling gallantly. His arms hug the happy children. Seeing that story, she was encouraged to upload photos of her plump cat, with filters and many hearts.
Before long she received messages from Reiner.
[Goth fatass cat]
7:32 PM.
[Her name is Ymir :P]
7:33 PM
[hahaha she's cute]
7:40 PM
[Do you like baklava? My aunt prepared too much
so I have baklava in tuppers as for
two months]
7:42 pm
[Do you want some?]
7:42 PM
[We can eat it together]
7:43 PM
When reading the messages, Mikasa had to reread them again to make sure that he was literally inviting her to eat together. She would leave out that it would be preheated food that Gabi's mom gave him for overdoing, but the thought of having dinner together was nice enough to get excited.
[What about now? I am preparing pasta]
7:44 PM
[Perfect, today will be, I'm just getting ready to go out
and I'll catch you at your house... can you repeat your address?]
7:45 PM
After sending him her address, Mikasa ran to the room to put on something more decent, she didn't really know why, it was just dinner at her house. Her house. Mikasa was someone neat and very clean, but sometimes having the bed made was silly, no one would see it. She ran to make the bed, to tidy up her room. Well, she thought, he was just coming to share his homemade food containers and eat pasta.
Pasta! She ran downstairs, everything in order. She grabbed Ymir when she saw her walk across the kitchen, combed her hair a bit, and laid her on the couch. She finished preparing the pasta with some vegetables while she reviewed the last message from him that he had sent her: "I'll be here in 25 minutes." Mikasa just waited while preparing the table, it was the first time that he proposed something other than going to see Rocky or singing drunkenly at karaoke so she hoped to spend a delicious dinner with him, besides, she felt a little nervous, she never invited men to her house. Her male friends didn't count. Eren too.
When she heard the doorbell ring, Mikasa almost ran to open the door but kept her composure a bit, took the lock, removed it and opened the door.
Her phone began to vibrate, an incoming call.
Behind the door all he could see were those large, sharp emerald orbs that glowed in the dark.
"Yo, Mikasa, were you expecting someone else?" Eren spoke with a dull but curious tone to see her with that expression of surprise and then helplessness.
"Eren." It was the only thing she could say.
…
Without success, Reiner hung up. He couldn't get in contact with Mikasa and tell her that some idiot had hit him and that now he was waiting for a tow truck to take his car to a mechanical workshop and that he couldn't reach her, not when his insurance couldn't cover the accident and he almost have a fist fight with the idiot who hit him.
Mikasa didn't answer any of his calls, she didn't even see his messages. Was she mad at him? Should send her photos of the condition of the car? Send her more messages? Should he catch up with her in a taxi?
Reiner was bleeding a little from his nose and although it was only a small bruise, the anguish of knowing that she was still waiting for him or that she is upset with him, disturbed him more. The paramedic approached him but Reiner ignored him completely, he saw his phone… there was no answer, could something have happened?
Upon the arrival of the tow truck and the accident's insurance agreeing to pay for the repairs, Reiner decided to call one last time and if she didn't answer he would go to Mikasa's house just to see if she was okay.
He called and this time she answered.
"Mikasa, sorry, I had an accident and only now have things cleared up." He began, "I promise you that tomorrow I'll leave work early and invite you whatever you want, I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry I understand." She responded behind the line, emotionless, almost robot-like. "I hope you are well. Dinner is postponed for later. Luck." and she hung up.
Reiner's heart nearly sank in his stomach. Mikasa was upset and disappointed.
…
It was 10:44 pm on a Thursday night when Reiner received a message from Mikasa.
He was sitting on the sofa in his small apartment while he was finishing some forms and checking the accounts of a debt that should be ready for tomorrow, however Mikasa's message made him completely forget about work especially when he read the message.
[are you busy? I need you]
When he was going to answer, Mikasa called, Reiner answered immediately.
"Reiner, right now I'm drinking tequila on the legs of a hot lawyer and if you don't come get me I know I'll end up doing something crazy." She said clearly drunk and judging by the noise of the music and the bustle, she was in a club. "Come and take me to your house, please." she begged in a thin voice, uninhibited drunkenness assaulting her in a sudden heat.
Reiner heard the laughter of men in the background and without saying a second thought he took the laptop, put it in his briefcase, put on a coat and a scarf but without hanging on the black-haired woman who was laughing forcibly.
"Mikasa, what club are you in?" He asked over the speaker as he opened the Uber app and google maps.
"I'm in a bar called..." Mikasa turned her attention to the man she was sitting in, "what is the name of this club?" and the man replied, more drunk than she. Reiner heard him say 'Lobster'. "The club is called Lobster, on Trost Avenue."
"Don't delay!" A man yelled in the background and with that last word, Reiner googled the address and put it in his app and asked for an uber. Even though he waited for 5 minutes, it felt like forever. As he got in, he asked the young driver to take him as fast as possible and would give him a good tip.
Even without violating traffic laws, Reiner arrived in less than 30 minutes at the Lobster club. Thanking the young driver with a hasty thank you, he got out of the vehicle. He stormed into the club, completely ignoring the hoster behind him. It was a noisy club, full of teenagers, electronic music, a few office workers, and small businessmen gathering to watch the younger girls dance. He looked among the people, at the tables, he took out his phone to call her but when he saw those black bangs and those platinum eyes dull by alcohol and disappointment that made Reiner almost run to her side, to that table where she was sitting on the legs of one man, surrounded by two others.
Skirt rolled up, the black pantyhose squeezed her thighs and those heels that sank into the man's leather shoe was a clear sign that Mikasa wasn't telling lies. No jacket, the loose buttons perfect to see the straps of her black bra. She didn't laugh, she didn't have fun, she just drank and sank her heels deeper into the shoes of the so-called lawyer who said nothing because he hoped to get that "craziness" in return and that made Reiner furious.
Behind them, he approached Mikasa from behind, took her by the shoulders and whispered quietly. "Mikasa, let's go." and he, with a firm hand, took her arm and then encircled her waist with the other hand, lifting and separating her completely from the man who protested instantly. "Gentlemen," he said sarcastically, glaring at the three men with anger and contempt, "I will take this lady with me." He wanted to add more but Mikasa's hand ended up on Reiner's chest, caressing him a little, looking intensely into his eyes, pleading, appeased his anger.
Reiner put her on her feets and they walked to the exit, she finally looked away from him and concentrated on walking next to her, holding onto Reiner's grip that didn't release her and tightened her against his waist.
They left with difficulty, bumping into those who were having fun at the club, but when they came down the stands, Reiner felt someone take him by the shoulder and turning to see who had done that, a fist exploded against his face.
Reiner kept on foot, the blood from his broken lip fell to the ground, Mikasa clung to Reiner, watching a Reiner that she didn't know, a Reiner who spit blood and never winced and naturally his body had adopted in a defensive posture while he pushed her away from his side to protect her from those three drunks who wouldn't allow the blonde to go with that beautiful woman.
"Don't approach." Reiner warned them with that deep and dangerous voice. Mikasa recovered a bit from the drunkenness for surprise so she watched as one of the three men came up behind her. The other two men who faced Reiner approached.
Reiner waited for them to attack and when the first idiot threw a random blow, Reiner took him by the tie and with a closed fist he hit the nose, breaking it instantly, and then pushing him to destabilize the other man. Reiner propelled the force of his torso in the direct blow to the jaw. It was that lawyer and seeing the teeth that shot up into the air gave him great satisfaction. He turned his attention to Mikasa but she was in the middle of an attack, a simple but well focused jab to the third man's face.
Mikasa was cleaning the floor with that man, her blood on her knuckles made him wonder if it was normal to get excited about that when seeing her drunk and yet so terrifying, powerful. When she finished, the black-haired girl clung to his back.
"Apparently I worry more." Reiner said with a smile on his face.
"I'm glad you came, even though I never said I was in trouble." She commented with a bit of arrogance, without turning away from his back.
"If you tell me you need me, I will come. Never mind that you can kick ass better than me." Reiner took her by the hand and they left the place, people began to cause a scandal because of the small fight.
They walked a few streets down, Mikasa swaying a bit but Reiner's hand held her steady, just enough for her to stay on those stilettos.
"I'll order you an Uber to your house." He said taking out the phone but Mikasa's hand snatched it from him angrily.
"Let's go to the subway." She demanded with a frown. "We can still take it." Reiner looked at his watch, it was almost 11:50 pm, the subway closed at 12:30 am.
"Mikasa, I have some reports to finish."
"So what did you come for?" She questioned angrily, pulling Reiner's phone out of his reach. "You came to make sure I didn't have sex with a stranger because you don't want to make love to me?" She walked a few steps away from him. "I'm a mature woman and I know what I want." That last one made Reiner lose his temper.
"Shut up!" Yelled in response. "If you are very sure you know what you want then why did you send me that message? If you were so sure of fucking those three man, why did you call me?" He strode toward her, straight, a hard expression on his face. "Did you see your ex? Did you look for your ex and he rejected you again? Do you want consolation? Do you want pity by me and easy sex?" He took her by the shoulders, looked straight into her eyes. "Didn't I tell you to call me when you wanted to call your ex and we'd go to karaoke together?" His gaze softened, now his hands caressed her shoulders. "It's not much, but it's what I have."
A tear rolled down Mikasa's white cheek, she hadn't looked for Eren, she wasn't looking for easy sex with those men, she wasn't sure why she called him, but what she was sure of wasn't wanting him to let go of her. Her silent crying was the only answer to all those questions, she hid from Reiner's gaze, ashamed, hurt.
"Eren came to my house," she started out of nowhere, still with the blond's heavy hands on her shoulders. "But he wasn't looking for me, he didn't come to see how I am or to speak, he only came for some things that he left..." With a quick step, she threw herself at Reiner's chest, hiding the ugly swollen and tearful face of her.
"You need to rest, I'll take you home." His arms wrapped around her waist, it wasn't much but he wanted to help her.
"I don't want to go home!" she screamed as she pulled away from the hug violently. "I don't want to go home, I don't want to get to that big, frozen house, I don't want to get to where no one is waiting for me, where no one is…" She stopped, looking at the ground. "Even my cat left!" and she began to cry, covering her face. "I haven't found her for two days..." She wanted to stop crying but it only caused a tearful stutter. "Take me with you." She took her hands away from her face to look at him between supplication and an order, Reiner couldn't say no, not when those eyes almost penetrated his heart with a sadness that he felt so personal.
Reiner took her hand, pulled with strength and determination, walked towards the subway. He didn't let go for a second, he didn't let her get away from him even though she tried, ignored her questions and simply led her to the subway. The last wagon.
With her calmer, Reiner paid for the tickets, they entered the station that would take her to Mikasa's house but she no longer protested, she only obeyed when Reiner held her so tightly that the thought of opposing was comical, she didn't want to let go, not when on the last platform, sitting, Reiner opened his coat so that she could enter inside and cover her from the icy wind of the subway. Hot, Reiner's body was always this warm.
The clatter of the subway wagon on the tracks seemed to lull her, Reiner's breath close to her ear was heady enough for her to feel comfortable and sleep on the last ride to her house. To that wide, lonely and cold house.
When they arrived at the right station, Reiner took off his coat and placed it on Mikasa's shoulders, who with a slight blush thanked him. They walked a few blocks up, passing some neighborhoods in silence. Reiner didn't let go of Mikasa's hand that was holding him with equal force, fearful that he would release her from one moment to the next. He didn't let go of her though, not until they were in front of the porch of her house. Mikasa looked at him silently, he motioned to her to open, but she only looked at him with intensity, asking without having to open her mouth if he would enter.
"I'll accompany you tonight and help you find that fat cat." He responded sweetly, brushing the bang from Mikasa's forehead, who smiled in relief, agreeing with that. "Nothing else."
Mikasa knew what he was referring to, she knew that he wouldn't say it out of shame, to evoke the obvious, to incite what he also wanted, deep within his warm shell. Rubs, caresses, kisses, provocation, excitement and a lot of passion, making love. She nodded and opened the door of the house, dark, the two entered but when Reiner closed the door behind, Mikasa was already on him, kissing him strongly and he couldn't refuse those lips that were looking for him with a passion, to contradict himself and respond with same passion to that woman who hugged him by the neck and moaned with a single touch of his hand on her hip to her inner thigh area close to the groin.
The skirt came down to her butt, the heavy coat was already on the floor, the ugly scarf on Reiner's feet, Mikasa's shirt fell to her navel, showing the beautiful black lace bra. He took her chin, deepening the kiss that made them dizzy in a wave of heat that momentarily scared them both. Mikasa lowered her hand to his chest, searching for the buttons on his shirt and when she found them, she pulled.
The buttons fell and Mikasa had a free pass to the blonde's chest who let out a growl in response, a growl that turned her on like she had never been, why did the forbidden have to be so exciting? Reiner's heavy hand ripped through the pantyhose to access the brunette's wet underwear that she asked for a finger, a finger inside her folds of flesh, but Reiner only tentatively stroked the wet fabric while the other hand squeezed her butt.
They parted from the kiss, surprised but not sorry. Mikasa lowered her hand to his belt buckle and removed it masterfully, Reiner smiled although his smile disappeared when he felt her put her hand into his pants and Mikasa couldn't help but compare him to Eren.
When she did that with Eren, he would smile at her, congratulate her, caress her cheek. Reiner, on the other hand, was a playful by nature, a shy but impulsive man who enjoyed testing, tasting, measuring his caresses, or so Mikasa thought when she felt Reiner take her hand to bring to his lips, a gentle kiss that she would need for her whole life, although it was a gentle kiss on the palm of her hand, she felt a very different affection than Eren gave her.
Eren kissed her to excite and initiate her, but Reiner was a man who despite his rough appearance was a romantic who went slow, slow because he knew she needed to go slow.
Mikasa jerked away, scared.
"We shouldn't, it's not right..." Mikasa exclaimed a little scared, shocked and regretful, sorry for stopping that display of affection so different from the one she was used to. Reiner looked at her in silence, sighed a little exhausted and adjusted his pants and his shirt without some buttons. Took a few steps, stretched out his hand towards her. He lightly patted her head, as he patted her cousin and the youngs.
"It's fine, I'm sorry." And he released her. He walked through the darkness, looking for the switch and finding it, he turned on the lights to take the briefcase from the ground and take the laptop. "I'll use your table to finish my reports and then we'll find that fat cat." He sat on the couch, took out rectangular glasses from the same briefcase, and began to type. Completely ignoring Mikasa that she was adjusting her skirt and shirt, she didn't want to cry, feeling bad about playing with him. She sought him out because she wanted him to ease her pain, taking advantage of his openness and affection.
Mikasa understood why Reiner was doing so badly in life. The idiot didn't skimp on caring for and giving his heart to whoever stood in front of him and asked for help, whoever needed it. He always lost out, but he never blamed anyone but himself for being such a fool, and whenever he could, he did it again.
He gave and received nothing, he was fine with that. He never asked for something in return and if he did ask for it, he got tired of the negatives of people, circumstances and life itself.
Mikasa hugged him from behind, Reiner let her snuggle into his back until she, as a result of alcohol and emotional exhaustion, ended up on the couch, sleeping on his lap as she watched him do numerous accounts with a small calculator he had in the briefcase. Mikasa looked at him between dreams, she licked her lips when she saw him murmur long digits, he had thick and pale lips but still soft, warm and burning. Mikasa watched silently, more asleep than awake. Reiner looked like a nerd with those glasses, especially when he adjusted them to make sure he had written a number correctly on the laptop... Mikasa liked the way he looked, she also loved how his shirt looked half buttoned and how she felt his big hands on her hips and behind. She also loved the tickling of his beard on her palm and her cheeks.
Mikasa loved those kisses and those touches, she liked to feel him hard at her touch. She loved how he tore up her favorite pantyhose to touch her there, caress her, taste her. She buried her face in the couch, a massive blush recovering her from the alcoholic heat. She sat on the couch, hugged a cushion, without taking her eyes off Reiner who occasionally looked at her sideways, curious to know what was going on in Mikasa's mind, although he liked seeing her like that, quiet, blushing, hugging a cushion, deep in her thoughts.
"I'm almost done." He commented rushing through the accounts. Mikasa just wanted to lie on him and enjoy the night, the two of them lying on the couch but she didn't, she just hugged the cushion more. Reiner was a fool, he could take advantage of her in this urge of warmth and touch… but he was a principled, charming fool.
In less than an hour, Reiner closed the laptop, stretched out his arms giving a big yawn, waking Mikasa from the reverie who threw the cushion in reflex. He stood up, removed his glasses and stretched his back, tired of being hunched over for so long. He headed for Mikasa, recovered and strong enough to search the neighborhood for that fat cat.
"Let's go find your obese cat." He cheered, no matter that tomorrow he had work, no matter if he was tired, the sparkle in Mikasa's eyes after hearing him would be completely worth it. Especially when he saw her spring to her feet, with overwhelming energy. Mikasa ran upstairs to put on more comfortable shoes and grab a hoodie and when she came downstairs, she saw Reiner waiting for her at the entrance, with his coat on and without the glasses.
They walked out of the Ackerman house and through the small garden, they searched the neighborhood with their phone lamps. They searched the bushes and fences, the thickets of flowers and leaves. In the garbage cans, in the trees. At one point, one of Mikasa's neighbors came out scared to ask what they were doing and upon hearing the reason, he went back into his house, a little nervous. Mikasa never brought problems but the blonde who accompanied her looked a bit intimidating.
An hour later and two neighborhoods toured, the brunette squatted down, looked at the ground. "We will not find her."
"Is a female?" Reiner asked, his hand on his hip. It was after 2 in the morning and if so, they will continue through the night.
"Yes..." Suddenly she stopped to think, since when did her cat gain so much weight? She opened her mouth, a thought crossing her head. She stood up, took Reiner's hand and ran towards her house, Reiner followed her in dismay, asking what was happening but Mikasa was focused on getting to her house and searching among the closets and hot spots.
Entering the house, Mikasa released him and with a committed look, said: "Help me find Ymir among the clothes. She never left."
Reiner followed her upstairs, they searched the pile of clothes, under Mikasa's bedroom bed, in the guest room, and in the laundry room. There they looked through the washer and dryer, in the latter, there was the black cat with 5 baby kittens. Mikasa looked silently at her beloved cat who was already a mother. She caressed her with tears in the eyes, happy that Ymir hadn't left the house to have her babies. She would take care of her new kittens.
Reiner only looked at the mother cat who looked at him suspiciously but, despite her withered face, allowed him to caress her.
Reiner smiled happily, it was the first time he had petted a cat in so many years. Mikasa seeing him so happy just because of that. Now her house had 5 more members and a friend whom Ymir didn't scratch the first time.
After bringing warm blankets, food and water, Mikasa decided that she would dry her clothes using the old clothesline in the backyard. Reiner on the other hand had gone to the kitchen to prepare some tea for the two of them once Mikasa finished caressing Ymir and thus let her rest. She went downstairs, meeting Reiner on the island, choosing from a wide variety of teas, choosing the one that never failed and perhaps the only one he has already tried: Chamomile. When Mikasa reached it, the tea was already prepared. Reiner was checking his phone, had taken some photos of Mikasa's kittens and put filters on them, adjusting the color. Mikasa looked over his shoulder, curious. Reiner when noticing her blushed and locked the phone.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of." she commented, taking the cup.
"I know, just don't mention it." He took a sip, still red. They were face to face, Reiner slowly sipped his tea while he glanced at the woman he met at the bar who was now drinking tea after looking for a black cat. He smiled to himself, who would say that he would end up in such a situation.
"Reiner," Mikasa called, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Would you like to go to my best friend's wedding with me?" She put the cup on the island, her face was relaxed, so pretty and expressive. Reiner wished to see her like this more often but had to refuse her invitation with a slight nod.
"I'd rather not go." He answered quite frankly, leaning his arms on the island. He couldn't, shouldn't. Not after those kisses, he wanted more of those lips and caresses but it wasn't the time. Mikasa was one of those who pushed hard and then released. Indecisive yet passionate.
Mikasa looked away from him, biting lips.
"I don't want to go alone." She began.
"There are your friends." He argued fast.
"Everyone will be accompanied." She fought back, frowning.
"Go with the blond boy from the other day." He commented, crossing his arms. Mikasa smirked, was he jealous of Armin?
"He asked me if you can give me your friend's number... Annie?" It was a somewhat risky move, but if she got Annie's number, she could finally shake off the idea that Reiner and this Annie had something beyond camaraderie.
"He's short but he sure has balls to want to get Annie's number." He congratulated the blonde and unconsciously pulled out the phone. "I sent it to you by sms." Mikasa felt relieved and victorious when her phone vibrated in the pocket of her hoodie.
"I ask you again, do you want to go to Sasha's wedding with me?" Again, Mikasa took a sip and looked at him with a small smile. Reiner just sighed, looked into her eyes and knew he couldn't say no to her, at least not forever.
"I would like." He acquiesced in defeat, throwing his head back from his shoulders. "But keep in mind that you're inviting the drunk that is gonna end up singing some sad song in the wedding waltz of a bride I don't even know." He warned her. He's gonna try not to go near the bar.
"Thank you." If possible, Mikasa would hug him but she was no longer drunk and doing so now would be very uncomfortable. She wished she had a glass of wine to encourage her to hug him but she just watched him silently, genuinely delighted with this drunken karaoke-loving accountant.
It wasn't even 5 minutes later when Reiner agreed to sleep in the guest room, a room right across from Mikasa's. He said goodbye to her with a "good night", closed the door, lay on the bed totally dejected. Not even his shoes took off when he fell asleep. Mikasa stayed in his bed, staring at the ceiling, still and with a dreamy gaze, having someone in the next room was reassuring and welcoming. She passed her fingers over her lips, still trembling feverishly from Reiner's touch and those kisses that took her to another level of caresses and with that thought, Mikasa was left in a beautiful silence of dreams warm and unreal. Between dreams of green grasslands in the meadows and the streams of the dense forests.
...
The shower faucet was closed, the stream dried up and Mikasa woke up from the pleasant dream with a little surprise when she found herself accompanied at her home, however that companion wasn't Eren, nor was Sasha. Mikasa stayed in bed, hugged her pillow and remembered the painful night when she asked to Reiner to literally put a fin-
A soft knock called on her door. As soon as she could, she stood up and ran to open the door.
The first thing she saw was Reiner with wet hair, changed, ready to go. Mikasa wondered if those kisses, fondling and caresses were just a product of her alcoholic state, a dream that she didn't even advance beyond those kisses that she wanted to repeat in the dream world. Reiner seemed as if the night he lived was a very different one than the one she lived. However, when they met their eyes, he had a small smile, warm and somewhat embarrassed, confirming that they lived the same night. Mikasa, on the other hand, looked at him curiously.
"It's time for me to go." Reiner said. "I took one of the towels off the shelf, I hope you don't mind." He commented, pointing to the shower room, Mikasa just looked a little more curious. Reiner watched her carefully, attentive to Mikasa's short hair. His smile widened, Mikasa had crazy hairstyles in the morning and she looked adorable. Those bangs looked like cockatoo crests.
"Don't look." She said with a pout, annoyed, but Reiner just laughed in complicity, caught up in his little mischief so his hand got close to Mikasa's hair.
"Wait, let me-" and he stopped, his hand never touched the brunette's wild hair, regretting that he wanted to touch her almost unconsciously. Mikasa without waiting for him to touch or caress her like he did at the bar, grabbed Reiner's hand and brought close to her hair, Reiner only swallowed with difficulty but touched the jet-black strands, passing his hand from the crown to the beginning of the ear, over and over. He smiled to himself, satisfied. He brought his hand to his mouth, licked the tips of his fingers to bring back to the unruly hair and quell the static. He smirked when a bang finally fell into place.
"Hey, Mamma-Reiner, stop." Although she tried to sound nonchalant, the blush was more than evident. Reiner reconsidered what had happened, realizing his mistake. Embarrassed, he withdrew his hand from his side with a slam.
"Thanks for letting me stay." He started, fixing his shirt without 4 buttons.
"Wait," She replied, not knowing exactly what else to add. "It's still 7 in the morning." She added. "Why don't you stay for breakfast?" Mikasa didn't mean to invite him to lunch, but well, that's it, she did and she didn't regret doing it. She didn't want him to leave.
"I have to go home to get a shirt, I can't go to the office with a shirt open." He pointed to his blue shirt without the first four buttons. Mikasa looked more than at the shirt, his chest half uncovered.
If she were her boss, of course she would let him work in that state, but putting aside that unseemly thought of hers, she entered her room with, "I can help you with that." and then invite him to pass.
"Don't worry, you don't have to lend me your ex's clothes." He said, cautiously entering Mikasa's room, a Mikasa who let out an annoyed snort upon hearing him.
"I'm not lending you Eren's clothes, you can't fit in them." Mikasa said as she searched in a drawer of the closet. "I'm just going to sew some new buttons to your shirt." she said as she took out a small sewing box. Her expression of annoyance had changed to one of complete longing. She sat on the bed, silently staring at the little box. Reiner was in the middle of the piece, not knowing exactly what to do but in the end he decided to accompany her by sitting on the bed, admiring Mikasa's minimalist room.
She took a long sigh, opened the sewing box, and searched for buttons, blue thread, and a small needle.
"I didn't know you could sew, do you also embroider?" He asked her interested, looking inside the box that Mikasa closed fondly when she found 4 buttons that were different from each other.
"I don't know how to embroider, but I've seen tutorials on the internet..." She confessed, a little embarrassed, she generally didn't talk about her hobbies. "They aren't the same type of button but it will work."
There were two white buttons, one larger and thicker than the other; the third button was black and small that belonged to Mikasa's cute dress vest; and the last button was diamond-shaped, small, shiny, and gold. A button that she didn't remember how she got there, but that was perfect for Reiner. Mikasa asked him to take off the shirt so that she could work quickly. Reiner agreed instantly, he took off his shirt to hand it to Mikasa who didn't stop looking at the exposed back of Reiner who had no problem with being half naked in a girl's room, in fact he just sat there, staring at the ceiling, occasionally touching his forearm, looking from time to time at Mikasa who began to sew the buttons. Concentrated and staring at the needle, however, she sometimes turned her face to Reiner.
It wasn't the first time she had faced a shirtless man. She has lived with men more than women so she got used to seeing her friends without shirts but none of them had those marks, those scars all over their bodies.
There was a scar in the middle of his abdomen, in the pit of his stomach, deep and badly healed; he had bullet marks on the back, stitches on the base of his neck. Burns from the left side to his navel along with a large tattoo on the chest. Mikasa decided not to say anything, just watched silently when she held the button tightly to the shirt. Reiner seemed like someone completely different, much more intimidating, much more cruel, although in reality his gaze was a waste of solemnity, fatigue and a lot of sadness.
"Reiner, what happened last night," She spoke, fixing her gaze on the work. He watched her silently. "sorry. I was selfish."
"I'm glad we stopped." He emphasized crossing his arms thoughtfully. "I don't want you to regret having sex just out of spite. Plus you were drunk." He finished with a sincere smile.
Mikasa finished sewing the buttons but before handing over the shirt, Mikasa took out a gold colored thread from the sewing box and biting her lip, mentally drew a small sun on the left end of the shirt pocket. She began to embroider a small sun, she would apply her knowledge from those tutorials. Reiner watched her embroider at all time, curious to see what it was about until Mikasa cut the excess thread with her teeth, finishing the little sun that had nine peaks even though she intended to make ten.
"Is a star?" Reiner dared to ask, looking closely.
"Is the sun." Mikasa kept calm, it was obviously the sun.
"It looks like a star." He commented already more relaxed, really enchanted by the detail and the beautiful buttons.
"The sun is a star." she answered already annoyed, throwing the shirt into Reiner's hands who took it.
"Thanks Mikasa, from now on it's my favorite shirt." He took the shirt, took a closer look at it. No one else had sewn a shirt for him, much less a special embroidery, not even his mother, that mother he adored so much. He ran his thumb over the little sun or star, then pulled on the shirt.
He stood up, went to the mirror on Mikasa's dressing table to appreciate the little sun and the funny buttons. He turned to Mikasa who was still looking silently over the bed and the box on her lap.
He sat next to her and with a calm but deep voice, asked: "Can I kiss you?"
"Uh?" Mikasa looked into his eyes, felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Yes." and Reiner kissed her.
Sitting on the bed, Mikasa clung to the sheets and the corner of her bed mattress, Reiner took her by the chin, caressing her neck in passing, encircling her with that heavy hand. He kissed her slowly, taking his time to savor the sweetness of those lips that he might never again have the happiness to taste. It was a very different kiss from the passionate kisses of last night, this kiss was soft, it was tender.
Mikasa felt herself melt at his gentle movements, as she felt the taste of his saliva and touched the tip of his tongue for the first time that encouraged her to respond with that firmness and softness.
Her body was burning, she had started an internal fire that spread throughout her body. Mikasa hadn't been aware that she was only wearing shorts and a tank top, the fire eroded the tips of her fingers and her breasts. Mikasa brought her hands to her chest, she felt naked. Vulnerable under this man who at any moment could, in a single bite, eat her whole but didn't. She was enjoying a gentle, long kiss that neither of them wanted to end. However it finished.
They contemplated each other in silence, their lips numb and reddish, the traces of saliva were beyond a strange taste, it were but the delicious trace of two mouths silenced by a union that deserves another silence, many silences. Kisses. More kisses. Slow, smooth and exciting.
Reiner pushed the sewing box aside, Mikasa pulled him to her body, he took her by the shoulders, gently pushing her until Mikasa was lying down with him partially on top. With their eyes closed tightly, they discovered that a slow, gentle kiss was much better. They were in control, they explored cautiously, they felt every single movement, and it was just an innocent kiss. Without pretension to more.
Reiner broke away from the kiss, Mikasa bit his lip in protest but finally let him go. He smiled, amused.
"It's getting late." It was what he said when he got up from the bed, smoothed his shirt, looking at the shirt again. "Thanks again."
"Don't thank me and better keep kissing me, Braun." She responded with a pout, turning her back to him. She wanted more.
"Come on, get your butt up, I'll make breakfast." He stroked those unruly black hair that surrendered under his touch, Mikasa needed more of those strokes. She wanted more from Reiner and that scared her a bit.
…
Once Reiner left the room, Mikasa stepped into the shower where it took her 5 minutes to get out. Quickly she changed, she combed her hair, this time she used a little makeup although the blush on her cheeks was natural, she also decided not to wear stockings or pantyhose and just put on those black heels together with a skirt three fingers shorter than usual. Mikasa hated company policies forcing women to wear skirts as a uniform, but today she felt daring. She felt good.
Before going down to the kitchen that began to emit a delicious smell, the black-haired woman visited Ymir and her 5 kittens, kissed each one, caressed her black cat and went downstairs to enter the kitchen that she never expected would smell this way. She sniffed carefully, closing her eyes: there were peppers, tomato, onion, potato and bacon that she had been in the freezer for about 4 months. She sniffed again before reaching the kitchen, there were also eggs like all real breakfast.
Reiner had to lower the flame to see Mikasa who looked amazing. He wasn't surprised why she was the best real estate salesperson in her company, Mikasa was a woman you can't take your eyes off of. She's beautiful, proud, tenacious and with a drive that she scared most men. From the stove, appreciating her in that outfit could be a habit that he could have until the last of his days.
"Shall I set the table?" Mikasa asked, moving closer to the stove to see the saucer.
"Please." He answered returning to the preparation, smiling from ear to ear. Cooking, he liked to cook for others. "I see you eat a lot of vegetables." he commented, starting a little chat while she took out the dishes and put the pot on.
"I don't eat a lot of meat." She responded by pulling out the cups, stepping past Reiner. "What are you preparing? Smells good." She stayed by his side, staring at the food and then looking at him.
"Bacon with egg, I just added the previously fried vegetables." He commented with one hand on his hip.
Once the table was set and breakfast ready, Reiner served the plates, Mikasa served the coffee. With everything ready, they sat down. Before taking the first bite, Mikasa took out her phone to answer some messages sent by Levi, by the time she finished sending the message, Reiner had already finished breakfast. Mikasa's mouth twisted, how can someone eat so fast? Reiner noticed her surprise and was quick to apologize, taking the cup of coffee.
"It's a bad habit that I have. In the war we didn't even have time to pee." He explained.
"Well." She didn't want to add anything, she just took a bite and was amazed at the dish. Not only was it bacon and egg, the vegetables fried in paprika and black pepper gave a drastic change to the flavor. She wasn't a fan of meat but she could repeat this dish every morning. "It's delicious." She covered her mouth with her hand, the blush much more evident. Reiner drank from his coffee cup. A thought invaded his head.
"I'm glad you won't be alone anymore." He put the cup down on the table, crossing his arms with a face filled with relief or so Mikasa noticed. "Now you'll just be the crazy old hag with cats."
"Shut up, Braun. The only crazy person here is you." Without wanting to admit it, his unnecessary comment made her want to laugh but she kept her stoic face, she couldn't laugh when she has become the neighborhood spinster with 6 cats and a drunk-suicide acquaintance.
"You're right." He chuckled, taking the cup of coffee again.
"Whenever I see you outside the karaoke bar, you get a blow to your face." Mikasa pointed out, not that she cared but Reiner had a strange attraction to injuries and bruises. Days before he had a traffic accident that injured his sharp nose and yesterday he received a direct punch to the mouth by the drunk from the bar. Kissing him made evident the taste of the dried blood from the wound, a wound that Mikasa made sure to kiss gently.
"Now I look more like Rocky?" He joked innocently and Mikasa had to scrutinize him with her eyes, Reiner despite having that listless and tired expression had the sense of humor of a high school boy. Defeated, he just looked up at the ceiling, searching for a more serious answer. "Some idiot passed over, nothing serious." He replied as he grabbed a cookie, a fiberglass and no sugar. He bit down and grimaced, he could eat mud but that wasn't a cookie. He still ate half the package.
"What agency did you take?" Mikasa asked, finishing her plate and then dipping her tasteless cookie in the coffee and biting down. Reiner found that little habit adorable. "Reiner." Mikasa called when she had no answer.
"Uh, I," he looked at the table, recovering from his reluctance. "None. I sent it to a particular mechanical workshop, believe it or not, that SUV has been with me for 15 years. I bought it when I was in high school, I worked very hard at a used car dealership, even saved my lunch to buy that beauty." He said proudly, remembering those days when everything was simple: school, sports, part-time work and home.
"Why a SUV?" Mikasa asked.
"I was a kind of popular boy during high school, but few knew that I lived in a small apartment on the dangerous suburbs of the city with my mother, uncles and cousins. My mother and my aunt Karen worked in a textile factory, my two uncles worked in a plastics factory, my aunt Eli, Gabi's mother, the one who took care of me and my cousins." He sipped what was left of the coffee, Mikasa saw a strange smile on Reiner. "I wanted to buy a corvette, it was red and its only defect was an exhaust that it could repair."
"Why didn't you buy it?" Mikasa asked.
"Because I hated seeing my mom and aunt arrive tired after a tiring day at work and a long foot ride on the subway." He wore a sour smile, pleased by his decision but a little regretful, as if he still longed for that old worn out corvette he could never buy. Reiner smirked, looking into her eyes. "However with that minivan I also had fun, I picked up all my friends on weekends to go to the beach or just to fool around. I even had my first kiss there."
"And what else couldn't have happened in that vehicle." She highlighted it with a raised eyebrow. "When I saw your truck I thought you were a child depredator, but you just turned out to be a dedicated son of the family." She joked or at least tried. "I would have bought the corvette, but only because Eren would have liked it and because he and Armin were the only persons that mattered to me at that time.
"And because the Corvette could fit all three." Reiner added, pointing his finger in complicity. Mikasa nodded, amused at imagining the three of them in a corvette in high school.
"Eren, Armin and I were in a foster home. Always the three of us together, always united through thick and thin. It seemed that nothing could separate us." She gulped down the coffee with a very serious look. "In the end, time is what separated us. Everyone chose a different path. Armin decided to go to college, Eren went to work at a startup with other guys while I, well, I met my only living relative and he took me in as his ward at the real estate company. I had a natural talent for consolidating deals." There was no arrogance in her voice, just a fact that made her stand out among so many and for that reason, advance in the business without having to study a career. "I became very good, so good that I began to work more, without time, I could no longer go after them. I couldn't keep up with them." She bit into a cookie thoughtfully. "Eren and I started dating when we were 20 years old. This house was supposed to be our house." She looked away, avoiding any contact. Reiner looked at the wall, there were still the photos of the two of them.
What was he doing here?
After a few minutes of silence, Reiner got up from the table, picked up the dishes, and washed it while Mikasa cleaned up. They chatted about the details of the wedding.
"Anything you should warn me about?" Reiner questioned, expecting the black-haired woman to say no, but Mikasa nodded her head.
"My friends are very scandalous, when they see you arrive they will harass you." she fixed her hair, a little embarrassed. "One of them, Jean, may be trying to intimidate you."
"Why?" He left the half-washed plate to turn his gaze to Mikasa who was cleaning the table.
"He and I tried to date in one of the many breakups I had with Eren. It didn't work. So he will be a bit territorial." She explained, hoping that with that Reiner would not reject her invitation to go with her to the wedding.
"Okay." He cocked his head, imagining what this guy named Jean was like.
They finished cleaning the kitchen, Reiner checked his watch and when he saw the time his heart almost left his chest. 20 minutes to 9 AM. He ran to the room where his briefcase was, took it. "I'll take an Uber." He said while he asked for the service, a little calmer. "In 4 minutes it will arrive." He reported turning his face to Mikasa who came up behind him. "Mikasa, thank you for everything." He said looking at the shirt, one hand held his briefcase and on his forearm the coat and scarf while on the other hand he held the phone, in front of the door.
"4 minutes, perfect." And Mikasa took him by the neck, drawing him to her mouth. Reiner reflexively tried to object but when he felt Mikasa's lips press hard and savagely, he gave up and kissed back.
Still with his hands full he managed to take her by her thighs and draw her to his hips. He leaned against the wall, letting the brunette's weight fall on him, allowing Mikasa this time to deliberately take control of the kisses. Mikasa caressed his cheeks with her open palms, delighted to feel him under her hands.
"Uhm." She let out a small moan as she put her tongue in him that received her urgently, if the Uber took another minute, she didn't assure to let him go as in the morning. Luckily or unlucky for both, the phone alerted the arrival of the Uber next to a horn in front of Mikasa's house.
They separated, they looked at each other intensely for a few seconds and Reiner came out the door with a soft 'see you later' that weighed on Mikasa's heart, when would she see him? She saw him get into the vehicle. She already wanted to see him again. She touched her lips, skirt up to her thighs, trembling from the shock of the kiss and all the kisses given.
When Mikasa came to the office for a meeting, all the executives stared at her, even Mike and Petra stared at her stunned. Levi, who was the last to arrive in the meeting room noticed that everyone was looking at Mikasa as if she had some ridiculous costume so he looked at his only relative and dropped his mouth in surprise.
What he saw in Mikasa was beyond him.
Mikasa grew up as an austere, accurate and orderly woman, a bit impulsive in terms of those she loves, but outside of that, a focused woman without excesses. However, seeing her with flushed cheeks, her skirt shorter than usual and without pantyhose, not forgetting that little idiot smile she wore, made Levi prepare to go for his Swiss army knife that he kept in a drawer in his office for later search for that brat called Eren. Surely that obnoxious brat came to see her.
Levi sighed, relaxed, and began the meeting.
The meeting ended, everyone fled the office to leave the two Ackermans alone. Before leaving Mike told Levi that she smelled strange, something unusual. Mike would recognize a scent wherever it was. With everyone outside, Levi approached Mikasa who was preparing some income papers. Called her by her name and with her eyes on him, Levi noticed that she looked more relaxed and jovial.
"A date?" He asked harshly. Mikasa licked her lips.
"Actually, I came from one." She looked into Levi's sharp eyes, which immediately twitched, understanding what was implied in what Mikasa said.
"Wild sex with a stranger, brat?" He arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms. They were never close but he was a married man and seeing his only family suffer in love was something he could meddle with.
"No, a breakfast, coffee, cats and a few kisses. Nothing else." She stood up.
"Eren?" Now he was the most nosy distant uncle in the world but in love, he knew it very well, one can be a big asshole.
"No." She closed the folder tightly, took her briefcase and headed out the door to get on with her work day, leaving Levi behind. Levi needed a few minutes alone to talk to his husband Erwin about Mikasa. He needed to talk about this with someone. Levi didn't know whether to be happy or more worried.
On the other hand, Reiner, who was a few minutes late for work, was fixing the photocopier because he had thrown his coffee in the machine, he had lost himself in his thoughts about that woman who embroidered a small sun on his shirt and who had also kissed. He felt in high school, longing for a girl, wanting to see her soon.
"Oh shit!" He had smeared the ink on the paper.
First, I'm gonna remove this fic from FFN, some eliminators report me cuz the lyrics and the guidelines, so, I'm sorry. It has never been my intention to take the credit for the songs, on the contrary, I like to share and talk about these songs with others. To avoid problems I'll only put short sentences of the lyrics U.U so, I'm truly sorry. I'm on AO3, i gonna remove this in 3 days u.u
With that said, I also want to tell you to forgive me if I'm bad at portraying issues like depression and suicide. They are difficult and sensitive topics, however I have noticed that many of those who think about committing suicide tend to be very orderly and condescending: agree to go with friends, tidy up your room, send messages that had not responded long ago, satisfy desires of others, pay bills/things or finish something they started. Reiner is someone who doesn't want to bring more problems, everything ready so that his near death is unnoticed, but shocking at the end. On other hand, Mikasa who begins to develop some depression, needs something that will inject energy and reason to keep going and not just focus on the negative. I hope to connect the dots, but any corrections or observations are super welcome!
I was in tears writing that part ;3; but, but i hope it's okay, if not, let me know pls
I love Rocky movies and songs. I can't contain my love for Rocky u.u Annnddd, Yes, a car speaks so much about a person, Mikasa prefers bicycle 'cuz eco-fitness and Reiner is a daddy per natura. I don't make the rules .
I how Reiner is a honest, funny, strong man but very shy, guilty and weak inside. He's a man of dualities, sometimes a soft boy, sometimes cruel soldier.
Songs in Order:
Eye of tiger - Survivor
Burning Heart - Survivor
Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cindy Lauper
Macarena - Los Del Rio
THANKS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL REVIEWS! THANKS FOR READING!
