A Beautiful Façade┃Reiner X Reader

Chapter 5: Skepticism

"Okay, warriors, you've got the same tasks planned this week as you had last," Koslow announces from the front of the room. In his hands, he holds a paper detailing your group's endeavors. "No show-offy missions or grand pursuits, you are here to follow instruction from we military servants. Is that clear? Yes?"

"Yes, sir," says Reiner, his voice calm, as it is during work hours.

"All clear, sir," Colt adds.

Koslow pauses to read through the paper.

Magath gives an eyeroll, "get on with it, Koslow, you're boring their brains out."

"I'm getting there," the man points his finger out at you. "Y/N L/N, since you are set to inherit the cart titan, you'll be alongside Pieck Finger and the Panzer Unit. More practice in the artillery is required for battle."

Hooray, another week of oh-so-boring training drills. You don't have the Cart yet, so since you can't actually transform, you only hang around to jot down information on her titan abilities and aimlessly watch her try on new armour. Though, every now and again you'll be involved in actually interesting activities, like watching as she shoots direct targets in titan form.

"Zeke Jaeger, Commander Magath wants you to outline upcoming battle tactics. As for Colt Grice, since Zeke won't be focusing on the Beast, you can supervise the trainees for today," his eyes fall on Reiner. "Reiner Braun, I don't have many plans for you in particular. You have been excelling when it comes to your training in titan form but physically, you've lost alot of muscle and weight. This has been affecting how you act in battle. Are you well enough to exercise today?"

"I don't think I can," Reiner looks down shamefully. "I apologise, Mr Koslow. I've been trying to earn the weight back... but it's hard. My gun-shot wound is still barely healed... it takes me enough exertion as it is to just walk."

Pussy Reiner is back with a vengeance. It's so strange seeing him act this way now that you've seen what he can truly be like when provoked. Your eyes go to Koslow who is clearly buying all of this performance, nodding his head with a concerned expression.

"You should keep resting," Magath decides. "Whatever state your body is in is clearly not good enough for today's procedures. It's better for you to be weak than dead."

"I can do that, sir," Reiner gives him innocent, sad eyes.

That explains why he's so different when he's alone, this whole emotional persona is a farce, a conniving tactic to skip work. Huh, you didn't think he had it in him.

Porco raises his hand. "What do you want from me today, sir?"

Eyes darting back to his schedule, Koslow pauses for a moment. He states aloud, "work with your own training unit and practice your sprint as the Jaw. Your speed is lackluster compared to the Galliard before you."

Seemingly disappointed by that news, Porco frowns frustratedly and nods.

"Alright, your shifts end at noon," Magath orders calmly. "Zeke, follow me. For the rest of you, head to your stations and train up."

The group announces 'yes, sir' in unison and separate into their respective groups. You stand up calmly and stretch your arms out, relaxing the muscles in them after the tedious lecture. Eyes fawning up, you notice Pieck and Porco from a metre ahead sharing a conversation, with the latter man seemingly in an angry daze of ranting statements; though, what's new?

You begin towards them, though, after only a step or so, Reiner appears in front of you. He looks to be stern and serious over something, using that same expression that you saw all throughout your last few meetings. Giving a perplexed expression, you open your mouth to begin an objection, yet, he presses a finger to his lips and shushes you.