Under That Tree (Bertholdt x reader)

Chapter 6

The words that fell out of his mouth made your eyes broaden. Your heart was racing so badly, and it was somewhat difficult to even breathe properly. You leisurely, and without a hurry, creaked your head towards Bertholdt. He stared at you hoping for your answer, but you couldn't even speak, let alone open your mouth. "You do...?" is all you managed to get out your mouth "yes..." The only thing you could do; is smile. Smile so much. Tears were slowly streaming down your face, as you unhesitatingly wiped them away to prevent humiliating yourself in front of Bert, who was flat-out flushed and red. He got so scared that you were crying, and because of something he said!

"Y/N! Are you okay?! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I didn't think you would cry-" you interrupted him. "I'm fine." He stared so much, so scared he had said something that hurt you. "I'm okay. It's just, I, I've never had someone tell me that, at least in that way. " You choked up from talking too fast and turned around so Bert couldn't see what a mess you thought you were being. You rested nervously against the wooden bark of the tree you two had been laying upon for quite some time.

You stared at the grass for a second, the next, at bertholdt's eyes. His hands had taken hold of your face, as he smiled so gracefully upon you. He realized those weren't tears of being hurt, but joyful tears that someone said such a thing to you. Seemingly placing your hands on his arms, his red colored face calmed down."Y/N, I want to live my life with you, and only you." you didn't know how to feel at that moment and could only say negative things. "But, what if I- what if I die? What if I get killed by titans and, I'm not even pretty enough to be with someone like you-" you stopped yourself. You didn't want to make a fuss and make Bertholdt lose interest in you."I WILL make sure to keep you safe, and happy. I love seeing you when you're happy, because I love you." He sounded so serious, and was. You never had someone feel that way for you.

"I.... love you, too." You responded. You didn't notice it, but Bertholdt came closer to you, shutting his eyes. "Ehm, may i?" You then closed yours as well, waiting, feeling his breath on your face, wrapping your arms around his neck. When he placed his lips on yours, everything felt so warm. Your body was no longer tensed up, your breathing slowed down. The only thing you felt were butterflies in your stomach. Bertholdt's breathing was so pleasant, and adorable. He put a little smile on his face, grasping your waist, tugging you closer to him. You both rested on each other, holding each other.

You let out a quiet cry, not being able to process what had just happened. Bertholdt
was surely startled by it, and didn't know much about how to calm someone down, but tried
his best.
"Ah, im sorry its just i-"
"Its okay."
He held you even tighter. He let go of your waist, making his way to your shoulders resting his arms on your back. You laid there letting him caress you, hand on your head, face in the crook of your neck, delicately playing with your hair. He didn't say a lot, but his actions were more than enough to comfort you, and soon the tears stopped coming.

"You're so much more beautiful up close." Bertholdt faintly whispered in your ear. You choked up a little from that compliment of his, being so flattered. "stop it! now you're making my face all red." you urged, in an annoyed, joking tone. "What?? It's true." Bert said quietly. He unwrapped himself from you and took hold of your hands. "Gosh, you're really cold. Here." he took both of your nearly numb hands and rubbed them together, causing friction, while also making them ticklish." Stop! Aha, Bert, I don't think it's working!" You chuckled. After hearing that, he instead bundled your hands into a ball with his own, and put his mouth on them, blowing his warm breath to keep them heated. "There! See? Already warm." He stared up at you, at your hands level, continuing to heat your hands. It was beautiful how his eyes looked when he gazed at you. You could only feel your stomach twist with happiness, but also with nervousness??? You broke eye contact, bunching your shoulders up to your neck, grinning. You felt so fuzzy, but it didn't really matter anymore, because the way he made you feel was so special. Like he was the one for you. When he was done, he hesitated to let go, so you both kept each other's hands warm for the while.

Having been sitting there a little while, laying against the now heated bark of the tree, you fell asleep from exhaustion. Bertholdt gently shook you to wake you from your sleep, but it didn't seem to work. "Hey, hey. It's time to go back." Bertholdt said in a mellow tone. He didn't want to wake you up, but you both had training in the morning, requiring you to get up earlier than normal. "Huh? Wha- Oh, yeah that's right. S....sorry.." speaking was difficult, and words were just spilling out from your mouth at that point, being so drowsy. "Ah, it's okay. I can just take you back myself, it's alright.""Oh.... Okay.." So, Bertholdt carried you back to the barracks, with your head slumped over his shoulder, arms on his back, resting on him while he walked. In the dark, all alone. Just the two of you. When he went to stand you up as you yawned yourself awake, he quickly pecked a kiss on your cheek, thinking you wouldn't notice, and said goodnight. You paced your way back to your bed, and practically jumped on the mattress, falling to slumber.

Waking up in the morning, you remembered what happened, but believed your interaction with Bertholdt was a pleasant, rare dream that must have been real, being so vivid. But it was all real, because you forgot to give bertholdt's sweater back. As soon as you saw it on you, you went crazy. Wait. This is, Bertholdt's...... Sweater?? What happened in my dream, was real. OH SHIT. I KISSED HIM? I.. I REALLY KISSED HIM! You couldn't believe it. The person you loved so madly loved you back. That was the best night ever. Oh, I should probably give this back to him. As everyone was awake and getting up, you didn't want anyone to see you wearing Bert's sweater because you didn't want them to question you. So, you folded it as much as you could hiding it at every angle where it wasn't visible.

"And where are you running off to???" An intimidating voice slipped from behind you. It was Annie's. "Also, I thought I heard someone go to the door of the barracks last night. A boy and a girl. Her footsteps sounded a lot like you. You better not be secretly going out with someone." Oh no. What do I say. She won't believe me if I say it wasn't me. "Uhm oh yeah, yeah, I went to the bathroom and bumped into someone on the way so we chatted for a bit." Annie didn't believe you one bit, but she had come to like you, at least not mind your presence, and decided not to call you out on whatever you were doing.

As soon as you speedily walked out the door, you saw him, standing by the door, waiting for you. "Oh! Good morning Y/N! Did you sleep well last night? " Bertholdt greeted with you with a skittish, awkward smile." Yeah, I actually slept pretty good!" you answered back." So, I kind of came over here so I could, get my sweater back-" You accidentally interrupted him out of being so nervous to see him, after all that happened last night. " OH! Your sweater! That's right! So sorry for not returning it." you handed the folded sweater of Bertoldts back to him." No it's fine. You, you seemed like you needed it last night, but thanks." he responded, tinted red in the cheeks, taking the folded cloth back.

You both stood there waiting for the other to say "see you later" or" goodbye" and start the day, but he didn't say anything. Surely enough, you brought up the courage to open your mouth and say something. "Well, see you later, I guess." Bertholdt said farewell, but immediately thought it sounded cheesy, but it was cute to you. After that, you parted ways for the day, training, and since then, you both stuck together. Sometimes, you two would still go under that same tree, until graduating from the Training Corps, and talk about how you both confessed to each other of your love. Right there, under the old branches of that tall, narrow, and specially beautiful tree.

(im maybe adding another part to this bc it seems so boring srry lmao)