The Guardian's Tale (AOT fanfiction)

-Painful Memories-

The air's cold fingers slowly dug into my skin, slowly tearing it apart as though it had a grudge it was waiting to release, while I just stood silently beneath the starry sky. The wind mixed in with the night's quiet sounds, forming a sad and nostalgic melody as it filled my ears. In the distance, heavy yet careful footsteps could be heard echoing against the paved ground as a sleepless soul made its way to me.

Strong and sturdy hands gently placed a coat on my shoulders and I turned around, only to meet familiar hazel eyes, the tears shielding them glistening under the moonlight. Without a word, I lifted my hand up to meet his cheek and brushed my thumb under his eyes as he gripped my wrist and buried his face deeper into my palm.

"My love..." Reiner softly greeted. "I've been looking for you."

My lips too frozen to speak, I simply buried my face in his warm chest as he sat us both down on the cold grass, his arms wrapped around me in a protective embrace. The silence that once filled my head was now replaced by Reiner's slow heartbeat, followed by his harsh exhales while his hand gently rubbed my back. For the first time in what seemed to be years, I realized how young we all were and I finally felt as though I could be weak and let my usual cold facade fade away even just for a moment.

"It was that nightmare again wasn't it ?" He finally spoke up, breaking the heavy silence.

I simply nodded and slightly shifted my body sideways so that I would be able to see his face, the face of the man that made this darkness look more inviting. His soft gaze locked on mine as his legs shifted closer to him, pressing my body deeper into his chest while a small smile painted onto his lips. 

"You don't have to be scared you know ?" He gently spoke. "I made a promise to protect you and I'm not gonna break it any time soon, because if I let you get hurt...I'd never forgive myself."

"Reiner..." I whispered. "Am I selfish for wanting you by my side for as long as I live ?"

After a moment of silence, he leaned down and brushed my hair out of my face before locking his lips with mine. At that moment, it felt as though I was free of any worries, of the nightmares that had been haunting me, from the world's cruel grasp. I slowly closed my eyes and a single tear rolled down my cheek before he wiped it away with his thumb and held me closer, silently telling me that he was here, that I had nothing to be scared about anymore.

"If you're selfish for wanting that..." He pressed his forehead to mine and smiled. "Then I am too, because I'm never letting you go. I love you...that's why I would give anything to keep you alive."

The air's cold fingers slowly dug into my skin, slowly tearing it apart as though it had a grudge it was waiting to release, while I just stood silently beneath the starry sky. This time, the stillness weighed on my heart as I desperately looked for the familiar footsteps that had comforted me every night. I slowly placed my hand over my mouth, silencing myself as heavy tears rolled down my cheeks and crashed on the grass in front of my bare feet.

"Come back..." I pleaded. "Please Reiner."

"I love you too."

TO BE CONTINUED !