the other side of the sea - reiner braun x reader.

4 Years Later.

"You're to valuable an asset, this country spent a lot of money to train you. Denied." Commander Magath says to the warrior candidate, Gabi Braun. We are in the trenches of war and there is an armoured train driven by the enemy that needs taken out. Gabi wants to take it out herself, she wants seemingly wants to trick the enemy and quickly blow the train up.

"I know, I'm so valuable. Way more valuable than these 3, you might never find another candidate as talented as me, and even then, they won't be this cute." She retorts. I roll my eyes. Magath looks over to me. I shrug. Magath caves and allows us to try Gabis idea.

Gabi is Reiners little cousin, and it shows. She reminds me so much of Reiner when we were all training to be warrior candidates. She is fierce and tenacious. She so badly wants to be an honorary Marleyan, so much so that sometimes I think she would do literally anything to get there.

In the last 4 years I have worked my way up the ranks and am now the head battle planner for the Marleyan army. I work in the field and keep track of the enemies movements. I document everything to try and come up with the best defence and offence for our soldiers. It's hard work but I work closely with the Titan shifters and the warrior candidates.

I love working with Pieck and Porco, but not so much with Reiner. After my outburst 4 years ago I haven't had it in me to look him in the eye. I know I overreacted but I was so so hurt. It took me months to get out of the stupor that I was in. I was so angry. Not just at Reiner, but at everyone.

It wasn't fair. He didn't deserve what I said to him. He had just been through something unimaginable. But by the time my head cleared of the fog of grief that was clouding it, I was too ashamed to say anything more to Reiner. What I did was unforgivable and it's better if I just let him get on with his life. As short as it may be.

I'm lost in my thoughts when I hear a loud bang. I quickly step up onto a stool and look above the dirt wall protecting us. "Holy shit. She did it!" I yell. "Gabi blew up the train!" I hear cheers around me but all I see is Gabis small body hurdling back to this side of the field. I look beyond her and see the enemy loading up their guns. "Shit. Commander Magath, I think we need to get Galliard in there A S A P."  Magath looks at me wearily. "Fine." He looks to the soldiers next to him. "You hear that? Get on it!" He orders.

"You don't give me orders Eldian. You'll do well to who is in charge here." I internally cringe at the reprimand.  "Yes sir. I apologize, sir." I say almost robotically. As an Eldian living in Marley, nothing you do is right. You're constantly having to apologize for one reason or the other, it's easier to just grin and bear it, even if you know you're not in the wrong. Sometimes I wonder if life as a 'dirt blooded island devil' would really be so bad? I sometimes wonder if Reiner thinks so too.

"Falco, no!" I hear Falcos older brother Colt yell. I look out onto the field and see Falco running towards Gabi. Falco is another warrior candidate, and he is also gunning for the Armour. But so far Gabi is wiping the floor with him.

"Shit. Colt, what happened?" I ask while stepping up higher to get a better look. "I don't know! He just ran out there. Shit shit shit. FALCO!" We watch them with bated breath and just when it looks  like they're about to eat a bullet, Galliard shows up just in time to shield them from the onslaught. My shoulders sag in relief. "Thank fuck, Porco."

I watch as Galliard takes out one of the gunman. He moves quickly and swiftly as the jaw titan, he is so strong but so agile on his feet. My chest tightens as I think of how proud Marcel would be of him right now. I look to the sky and see one of our airships approaching. This is my cue. I step down off the ledge and run to one of the small communication rooms we have set up.

Reiner is up there and he is waiting for word from me when to drop. This is one of the few times we speak, only if it's work related. Never for any other reason. I know the airship is filled with Eldians who are about to be turned titan. I need to give Reiner the go ahead to release the pure titans, and then again for when he needs to drop. I pick up the walkie.

"Reiner? You there?" I ask. The sound of static fills my ears and then I hear the sound of the airships loud engine. Reiners voice comes through at last. "Hey kid." He answers. I smile at the familiar nick name. We can still have a civil working relationship. "Are you ready to release the titans?" I ask. "Ready when you are." I take a look at the map laid out on the table before me.

Fort Slava is a small military base, surrounded by  tall stone walls. I take a look up at the airship, I have to wait for the perfect moment to give Reiner direction. "Okay Reiner, get ready." I command. "Just say the word." He replies. I wait, one second, two seconds. I click the walkies button, "Now, Reiner!" Seconds later I look up and see multiple flashes of bright yellow light. The Eldians are turning Titan. I watch as they fall into the base's walls.

Chaos erupts from down below, but Fort Slavas technology has grown more advanced during this war. Half the titans we dropped died on impact, the other half were being quickly taken down by the enemies anti titan weaponry. I click the talk button on my walkie again. "Reiner, you're going to have to jump sooner than later. Are you ready?" I ask and wait for his response. Time is of the essence and every second matters.

Just when I'm about to ask again the walkie buzzes to life. "Got it." His voice is short and clipped. I look at the scene before me and decide we don't have any more time to waste. "Okay Reiner. Jump." I command into the walkie. Reiner doesn't reply but I watch him jump out. "Fuck." I hear Reiner say into his portable ear piece. "What's wrong?" I ask. I watch him parachute down from the airship. I feel my heartbeat quicken. "Is everything okay Reiner?" I ask again. His voice comes through one last time.

"I am sick and tired of all these walls." He says, and before I can reply I see him transform into the armoured titan in front of my eyes. I'm speechless for a moment as I see him land into the chaos and begin to fight. He is so strong. He so quickly runs to take out all of their anti titan canons, pushing them off the wall as if they were no more than a couple of tin cans.

My breath hitches when I see that Reiner has been hit by a couple canon balls, one taking his hand clean off. I dig my fingernails into my palms. I know that we plan for this, but it doesn't make it any easier to watch. He begins running, dodging oncoming fire. He gets hit one more time before taking out an anti titan tank.

I breathe a sigh of relief but it's short lived when I notice that Reiner has spotted something beside him. Another tank, pointing right at his face. "Shit!" I yell. Reiner brings his hand up to block the shot but before they even get the chance, Porco is there, crushing the tank.

I see the two men exchange a look. They haven't been on good terms since Reiner came back from Paradis. Porco blames Reiner for his brothers death and is still so angry. I don't blame him I guess. I am still angry sometimes too. Knowing that our friends were across the sea dying and we were stuck back here in Marley, useless.

Suddenly, I hear Reiner scream out and watch as he picks up a tank and flings it around. Destroying what's left of the anti titan weaponry. "Holy shit! Reiner is amazing!" I hear Gabi say from behind me. It sure looks cool from the outside, but I don't like the way Reiner is being so careless of his safety.

Reiner signals for Zeke to land after taking over Fort Slava. Now it's time to take out their naval command as well. I watch as Zeke transforms into his Beast Titan and walk into the sight of the ships under the enemies command. I watch with bated breath as Zeke winds up for his signature throw. "After 4 long years, we're about to win this war." Udo, another warrior candidate says from beside me.

Sure enough, Zekes boulder goes flying towards the ships, but something isn't right. Suddenly Zeke is face to face with hundreds of missiles, speeding towards his face. I suck in a breath and suddenly Reiner is right there, shielding Zeke. He takes the full attack to give Zeke another chance to take out the ships. One more throw is all he needs as we watch the ships sink.

I sag in relief. We won the war. I can't believe it. I have been working tirelessly for years along side Marlyean superiors who assume I have no idea what I'm doing. My research and planning were an integral part of today's victory, but I would never say that out loud of course. I clench my eyes shut and take a moment to breath. I hear soldiers cheering around me, but one small female voice sticks out the most. "Oh no." I hear Gabi say shakily. I quickly walk over to see what she's looking at.

I suck in a small gasp of air when I see Reiner, laying face down in the dirt, unmoving. His arm is bent at an awkward angle and his armour is in shambles. "Oh Reiner." I say softly. I feel a small hand wrap around the sleeve of my coat and look down to see Gabi trying to hold back her tears. I've tried that trick many times. I place my arm around the girls shoulders. "He'll be okay, Gabi."

And I hope I'm right.