(REWRITING IN PROCESS)
Reiner grips my hands a little tighter. "I...I like you. A lot," he stammers. "You're on my mind all the time." He looks down at his lap, shaking his head before looking up at me again. "I know it sounds crazy, but... I think...
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A/N: This book will follow the AOT storyline, but some elements will be changed or paced differently. This book will be more romance focused so there won't be that many fighting scenes.
7/20/25: LOL I just reread this and it's so bad and rushed why does it have 7k views wtf 😭
11/8/2025: I hope you guys enjoy the new and improved story as I work to rewrite it. ~~~
Past: Age 15
I sit next to Reiner on the patio behind the barracks in our usual spot. The smell of nature is something I will never get over. There's just something about the fresh air, combined with the scent of the trees, and the soft sounds of crickets that just makes everything momentarily feel alright. Being here, with Reiner. Just makes everything feel even better. I catch him staring at me out of the corner of my eye as I'm admiring the stars above.
I pull my gaze away from the stars, turning to him. His face flushing a little as he clears his throat.
"You know," I start as I grab a hair strand wrapping the coil around my finger. The coil loops round and round my finger before I let it go, giving my attention back to Reiner. "You're one of the few people that treats me just like everyone else. Why is that?"
Reiner's face scrunches in confusion. He opens his mouth to speak but closes it, shaking his head before trying again. "What are you talking about? You are like everyone else."
I turn away from him, tilting my head back before letting out a frustrated groan. "You know that's not what I mean."
He lets out a sigh before speaking. "Blair, you know that stupid shit doesn't matter to me. I don't care about those things, and no one else should either. If they do care, they are fucking thick in the head. You are better than half of these guys out here! I've seen you kick Connie's ass on more than one occasion."
The last comment causes me to smirk, I shake my head trying to hide the small smile forming on my lips. Reiner nudges me with his shoulder trying to get my attention again.
"You're amazing Blair. What's not to love?"
My stomach lurches, I immediately break eye contact with him, covering my face with my hands. "Okay. Okay. You can stop with the flattery." I try to shoo at him with my hands but he grabs them, gently pulling them into his lap. His large rough hands hold mine as his thumbs circle my hands.
He tilts his head trying to catch my eyes again. "Blair," he whispers. "I'm being serious. You're the best person I've ever met. I truly don't think I will ever meet anyone as wonderful as you."
Everything slows around me as I feel frozen in place, looking into his warm golden brown eyes. A shiver runs through me as my heart starts to beat faster. I'm knocked back into reality, immediately feeling overwhelmed. Unsure of what to say next.
