(not) your eyes | r. braun

𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗹𝗶𝗲

6

days later

Days later, Gabi shyly goes up to thank you for your words that night. It was a manner you had forgotten and apologized profusely for.

This morning, you decided you would take a look around Liberio again, hoping to catch a nice meal.

❧

the day after

You kicked it again.

"Hey, I'm really sorry about last night. I was more drunk than I thought and I think I made everything weird."

You get in another kick. The ring of his voice is only a distraction. With a perplexed look, you stop and shake out your legs.

"What are you talking about?"

"Last night..." he started.

"Yeah?"

"I had my arm around you then you left. It was my fault and I'm sorry."

"What are you on about? I didn't even know you were awake for that." Your hands go up to your hips.

"I sleep lightly. I think I got too carried away."

A pause. Then a laugh comes deep from your belly. It forces you to hold it and bend over as your eyes water. "You can't remember, can you? What a lightweight!"

The only thing Reiner's face does is flush up to his ears. His hand goes to the back of his neck. An uncomfortable feeling settles in his heart. A door opens by him but you both fail to hear the creak.

"Nothing happened, Reiner. I promise you. All I did was make you more warm," you say once you calm yourself.

You could see his chest settle with your statement.

"I will act like I didn't hear any of that," comes a deep and mature voice from behind.

"Good morning, Commander," you say, "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a baby."

"That sounds amazing!"

An annoyed look crosses his face. "Enough, you. You'll be with me the entire day."

"For what?"

"We're going to meet the Tyburs."

❧

days later

For some reason the air will not stop getting cooler. It wasn't even that early in the morning when you strolled and your covered shoulders were being blown by the quick wind.

You passed many taverns and coffee shops before settling on one which seemed particularly busier than usual. Almost everybody held a newspaper at their table, even two guys with their newspaper standing up, shielding them from their coffee.

Your waiter sat a menu at your table. You wait for his return while skimming it to see if you would want something different. Every time, it fails.

❧

the day after

The house they showed up at was so big, it could've been the Tybur home itself. You were greeted with not-so-friendly guards who recognized your armband standing next to Magath's empty arm. It made your question the point of even going.

Willy Tybur flew open the doors with the biggest smile on his face. His eyes go straight to you, then to Magath who he greets in a standard fashion.

When you let out your hand to shake, his eyes do not dare to look. Instead, he hugs you like his life depends on it. Shocked, you manage to lift your hands and pat his back awkwardly.