Disclaimer: I own none of these characters!
Note: The first of the transitioning chapters. There are fairytales I wanted to incorporate into the story but they just didn't quite fit in how I wanted them to. So I'm doing these mini-chapters in between the major plots. This is fairly unrelated to the main plot and it's 100% filler (save for the Annie bits, that's relevant) but enjoy. Next chapter starts a new section of Eren and Levi's relationship 3
It was midday when Reiner grew terribly bored of being at home. As he usually did on days when he and Bertholdt would finish their work in the barn early. He gave a tug on Bertholdt's arm and placed a gentle kiss to his shoulder.
"Let's go out," he said. "On a hike."
"A hike…?" Bertholdt asked softly. He was busy hanging clothes out on a line when Reiner wrapped his large arms around him. Bertholdt smiled and leaned back against his broad body.
"Why not? It sounds nice, doesn't it?" Reiner said with a teasing grin. "Get away from our work for a little bit. Just to relax."
He placed a gentle kiss to the back of Bertholdt's bare neck, where he could reach him.
"Are you just trying to go hunting again?" Bertholdt asked with a laugh.
"That's not all why! I actually want to go out. Now come on. Let's go grab our coats."
"And axes?" Bertholdt added. Reiner grabbed his hand and tugged him into their house.
Walking in to the forest was pleasant. The air was nice and it was quiet, save for the creek that ran by them. But what made it absolutely perfect was getting to hold Reiner's hand. It was a simple gesture of endearment, but to Bertholdt it meant more.
It was always a little more difficult in the town. Everyone knew everything about anyone. It made keeping anything private. Especially a relationship…
Bertholdt certainly wasn't ashamed of Reiner. And he knew Reiner wasn't ashamed of him (honestly, what was Reiner even ashamed of?). And their usual group of friends had no problem with their relationship. It was the older crowd who could be judgmental or questioning or prying. They were the ones who liked to ask questions about their personal life.
The feeling was always too much. So they tried to pretend, at least in public, that they were simply friends living together.
So going out into the woods was always nice. They could hold hands and share kisses without looking around for prying eyes first. Bertholdt would blush and Reiner would laugh at him. It was nice. So nice. And it calmed Bertholdt's constant nerves to know that he wasn't being stared at like a giant, romantic freak.
"Bert, look!"
Reiner shook his hand and pointed with an excited finger. Bertholdt looked up and saw, not too far away, a precious little cabin nestled between the trees. But it wasn't made of wood or sticks. The walls were gingerbread and it was all sealed together with a sweet smelling frosting. Gumdrops and lollipops and sugar crystals adorned the house as its decoration.
It was cute. And tempting.
"Come on."
"W-Wait, Reiner we shouldn't…," Bertholdt said. Reiner laughed, shaking his head. He tugged on Bertholdt's hand and dragged him over to the house.
Bertholdt looked around nervously. It was wrong. It was definitely wrong.
"Reiner, don't eat that!"
He ran up to Reiner and tried to take away the piece of chocolate between his fingers. Reiner reached up and shoved the piece in Bertholdt's mouth instead.
"Oh…"
"Good, isn't it?" Reiner said with a teasing grin. He picked up another piece of chocolate and popped it into his mouth as Bertholdt chewed.
"It's so good…but we shouldn't! We really…really shouldn't…"
"Really?"
The door to the candied cabin suddenly flew open. Bertholdt grew rigid and Reiner had his hand at his axe. But they both soon relaxed after seeing the girl in the doorway.
It had nothing to do with the fact that it was a girl. Or the fact that she was tiny and petite. Or even because she held a cake batter covered spoon in her hand.
"Annie!" Reiner cried, "When did you move out here?"
The girl, Annie, kept her eyes locked on to them, her expression not changing.
"Why are you eating my house?"
"Why is your house delicious?" Reiner asked. Bertholdt covered his mouth and laughed at his comment. Annie, however, shook her head and closed the door.
Reiner quickly ran up to the door and knocked on it, still laughing. "Aww, come on! I was joking, Annie! Let us in."
"No."
Bertholdt walked over to Reiner and placed his hands on the man's broad shoulders.
"Perhaps we should go?"
"Annie, if you don't let us in, I'll eat this door!"
There was silence. The door creaked open and Annie peeked out at them.
"I should turn you into a frog again," Annie whispered.
"You're a nice witch," Reiner said. "You wouldn't."
"But I can see why she would," Bertholdt laughed. Reiner elbowed him and Annie opened the door more, a tiny smile creeping on to her face.
"It really is nice to see you two again," she said softly.
"You're living here now, right? We live in the town not too far from here."
"Neighbors. I'm excited."
"Annie, can I ask…why is your house candy?" Bertholdt asked. She sighed.
"I conjured a house and it came out like this," she said. "I'm still working out the kinks of that spell…"
"I don't see any problem with that spell," Reiner said, dipping his finger into the frosting glue. "None."
And so Bertholdt and Reiner ran into the witch in the forest. The witch with the house made of sweets. Not only had their friend returned, but she brought with her spells on how to create candies. It was definitely nice.
But what Bertholdt loved most of all was that she did not question or judge the kisses he shared with Reiner.