Growing Feelings 2 (Bertholdt x Reader) College AU

Harsh Realization

I was lazing around the house when I got a message from Reiner. He was asking if I wanted to go to the coffee house with him. I told him yes and went to my room to choose my outfit.

We were currently having a break from university obligations, so I was using this time to relax and charge up my energy for once I got back to it again. In the meantime, Reiner had called me a few times to go to places and just hang out with him. I guess he feels lonely lately since his best friend is not around.

Bertholdt...

I gave up on my task to choose what to dress and threw myself to the bed. I stared at the ceiling, looking back on those days after we... broke up.

In the beggining I was hoping we could talk and fix things since it was all decided on a whim. But after Reiner told me he had left... it hit me. I felt the despair of not being able to see him. To touch him.

To be with him...

Apparently, Bertholdt left right after we had that talk. He told Reiner he was leaving and that his phone was broken so he wouldn't be reachable for a while until he bought a new one. He told him that he would go to his internship and for him not to worry about him.

But his internship was supposed to only start later.

I could tell Reiner missed him since he wasn't as cheerful as his usual self. And, of course... 

I missed him too.

But right now there was nothing I could do. We weren't in a relationship anymore and it was even him who wanted to end it... I was in no position to demand anything.

All I could do was wait until he got back.

______________

I entered the place and looked arround. It was a shocking contrast from the one across the street. Everything was brown and moody, with some 'old tavern' kind of feel. The counter was on the left, and there were some tables on the right. I saw what seemed like some men from the military on one of the tables. To be fair, I had avoided that place until then since Susume Coffe House seemed more appealing to me. Since there was some kind of rivalry between them, I also didn't really feel like going before.

This time Reiner insisted to have me meet the place and to be fair, I had no actual reason to say no since I had nothing better to do.

As soon as I entered, I felt the gaze of the barman as if it was odd for someone who wasn't a regular costumer to come over. The atmosphere was so heavy over there that I felt like turning around and leaving.

- (Y/n)! 

I watched as Reiner walked pass me and choose a table, pointing to the chair so I would sit, and so I did.

- So what do you think of the place? Pretty cool right?

- Well... yeah.

- I've worked here part-time before... but now I'm going to become a regular. So you can come and visit me anytime right?

- Oh I didn't know you had a part-time job.

- It was before I started college. But anyway, now that we'll have this break I'll be here more often... So I wanted you to know.

Our talk was interrupted by a guy with light brown hair that had come closer without me realising it.

- I can't believe you're back here. How do you even dare to show your face.

- Porco...

- I hope you didn't forget  that my brother was fired because of you. I won't fogive you that.

- Porco, take it easy on the guy.

The female voice made me turn around and behind me there was a pretty girl with long dark hair. She looked like she hadn't slept in ages.

- You know he needs the money... it can't be helped. So let's all get along shall we?

Porco scoffed and left. Pieck stayed and asked what were our orders.

After a while I saw something that surprised me. I saw four kids coming in, which was odd since that bar gave me the idea of being for older people. A dark brown haired girl put on an apron and came running to our table.

- Reiner! - She said as she jumped to him. Then she backed away and straightened her back, with one hand behind her, with a forced composed face. - May I have your order?

- Gabi... Pieck already did, but thanks. - Reiner said with a soft smile.

- Mr. Braun, is it true you'll be working here again? - Asked a blond boy.

- Yes... I'll be starting next week.

- I see...

- Falco why are you doing that face? It's awesome that Reiner will get to spend more time here. Right?

- Of course! - Falco said, embarassed that Gabi had moved her face so close to him. 

I thought how nice it is to be young, until they left and I started to wonder why did kids even work in this place. 

Is it really ok to have kids work here?

- You're wondering why there's so many people working here when there's not a lot of costumers right? It might seem like that now but trust me, this place gets full when it's at night. We have live performances, you should come to see one sometime-

- That's... not my issue. 

- Then why the somber expression?

- They're... just kids right? Should they be working in a place like this?

- Oh... that. You see, it's because they want to... they're helping their families this way. I did the same when I was young.

Pieck came over and brought our requests. I observed as Reiner grabbed the cup, feeling an hint of sadness in his tone.

I looked over to the barman that had stared at me when I arrived. He had blonde hair and wore glasses, his clothes were quite fancy. In his hands there was an empty glass that he was cleaning.

- Is that person the owner?

- Yeah... that's Zeke. He's our boss.

I nodded and got back to my drink. I let some time pass before speaking again.

I knew I shouldn't bring this up but... I had to.

- Have... have you heard from Bertholdt?

- Yeah...

I felt electricity running through my body now that he finally have gave some news.

- How is he?

- He said he's good. He hasn't got a new phone yet but he sent me message through Facebook. He's not very into social media though, you know, so I don't know when he'll send another one... - Reiner sighed - anyway he said he's taking care of things to start the internship soon. He also said for me not to worry...

- I see...

- He didn't... say anything about you.

I felt my heart sink with the harsh reality. Part of me hoped he would at least ask... how I was or something. Something... to show that he still cared.

I finished my drink and got up.

- Thank you for inviting me Reiner. I... gotta go now. I'll see you some other time?

Reiner got up as well.

- I'll acompany you to your house-

- There's no need. I'll go alone. 

I waved goodbye and left. 

Once I got home I sitted on the floor and hugged my own legs.

He doesn't care.