Growing Feelings 2 (Bertholdt x Reader) College AU

Broken Promise

- Do you think we can finish it today?

Armin looked at me, wondering if he had understood it right.

- You mean... finish everything?

- Yeah.

We were by the living room's table. It's been only a few minutes since Armin had arrived, but this was something I needed to discuss right away.

- Hm... it's possible. But I would have to stay some extra hours, and I don't mean to bother-

- It's alright. Just... feel like I want to be assured that everything is done as soon as possible. So I can be at ease you know? The sonner the better, as they say... it's no problem you stay longer today.

What I was aiming for with this talk, was for there be no need for Armin to return. This way I wouldn't have to either be against Bertholdt's request or lie.

Regarding this one time though... I thought it would be better not to tell him.

Just this once wouldn't hurt... right?

- Alright then! I don't mind it. Let's give our best today.

Armin smiled and I was reassured. Things would work out like this.

They would have to.

___________

A few hours passed by and I was already feeling worned out. 

I shouldn't have went to sleep so late yesterday.

I yawned and Armin noticed it.

- You're tired right? Should we call it a day and finish some other time? The presentation is only in a few more days-

- No, no it's alright, I can keep going. No worries.

- Then... do you mind if I use your bathroom?

- Go ahead, it's that door over there.

Right after Armin left, I was startled by the sound of my phone ringing.

It was Bertholdt.

I hesitated for a second. Should I ignore?

But wouldn't that be more suspicious?

I picked up the call, hoping I could deal with the call quickly before Armin returned.

I would just have to say I was busy and for us to talk tomorrow at school, or something.

- Hello. How are you?

- Hey... I'm good... felt like calling. Were you in the middle of something? I didn't mean to call without a warning but I... missed your voice.

- Aw... it's alright. But hm yeah I was doing this one thing that I need to finish today... could we talk tomorrow?

- (Y/n) there's no toilet paper... do you keep it in this -

Armin noticed I was on the phone and stopped talking. He formed with his lips a silent "Sorry" and went back to the bathroom.

I was stuck in place, waiting for the answer on the other side. Could he had heard it?

- I see. In that case we can talk tomorrow. Goodnight then.

- Goodnight.

The call was over and I stared at my phone.

Certainly he didn't hear anything.

Or else he would ask something like "who's that?" or "why is he there?".

- (Y/n) do you think you can tell me now where it is...?

- Oh right! Sorry... I'll go get it right away.

He didn't hear it.

That's what I had decided to believe.

____________

I was heading towards the cafeteria to have lunch and as I walked I kept checking my phone. For some reason, my messages weren't being sent today. I wanted to meet with Bertholdt but I didn't find him at where he was supposed to be for his morning class.

I blamed my phone for it's awful timing to be acting up and sighed loudly.

Yesterday Armin ended up leaving my house really late. I must have slept for three to four hours tonight wich resulted in an awful headache and bad humour. 

I should have just skipped the morning class, but I thought I could do everything and pushed myself. However right now I was wondering if I could find a quiet place in a staircase to take a small nap.

Still, it would all have to be worth it. We did manage to complete everything. I was feeling quite proud of that project; and I was confident that our presentation would be a success.

In the end, I'm sure, everything would work out.

I walked up the first flight of stairs looking at a nice spot ahead to sit down.

Ah I can finally rest.

My thoughts were interrupted by a scream that filled the air arround me.

Startled I started to climb faster to get to the source of it. There was also a large bumping noise, as if something had hit the ground painfully.

Something... more like someone.

That voice, I was almost certain.

- Armin!!

I shouted when I found his body at the end of a flight of stairs just a bit above where I was.

He wasn't responding and I crouched down to be closer to him.

- Did he fall from the stairs? - my voice was shaky as I reached for my phone to call an ambulance but then remembered it wasn't working.

I looked arround to try and find someone who could help.

At the top of the stairs, there was someone. 

Right in front of the window where rays of sunlight passed through, a shadow of a man could be perceived.

- Bertholdt...?