"I... I like you. A lot," he stammered. "I think you're the most incredible girl I've ever met. You're always on my mind. I know it sounds crazy, but... I think I love you."
Reiner was Blair's first love-the one person who treated her with kindness...
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Is it too late for me by Beowulf ~~~ Present: Age 22
The headquarters is unusually quiet this morning as I walk back inside. I guess I should try to eat something at this point. I can't afford to be anything less 100% with everything on the line.
"Couldn't sleep?" Armin calls out.
I stop, turning to see him leaning on a windowsill.
Slowly, I walk over to him, leaning right next to him with my arms crossed. "Something like that." I pause, searching for something light to say. "You almost look as shitty as I do." I add, trying to make a joke, but it comes out awkwardly.
He gives me a faint smile. "It never gets easy, does it? We seem to be the only two who understand what the other's going through."
"Yeah... just two people in love with beautiful traitors."
"What?"
"Beautiful traitors." I shrug. "That's what I call them, I don't know why."
Armin looks intrigued by my choice of words. "Beautiful traitors? That's... kind of poetic in a way. What does it mean to you?"
"They were once our comrades, people we trusted our lives with. But they betrayed us; they were spies. And now we're just...working with them again. Like nothing happened. And within all of that, I can't help but still love him, thinking of all the good times and just how beautiful I think he is."
Armin nods. "I understand what you mean. When you explain it like that, 'beautiful traitors' is a fitting name."
~~~
We are currently on board a ship, leaving Paradis behind. Jean, Pieck, Reiner and I have been tasked with sneaking into Marley to destroy some of their military weapons. While the others remain inside decompressing before the mission, I sit alone outside on the deck. The scent of saltwater, the cool breeze on my face, and the sounds of the crashing of the waves brings me a sense of peace.
"Blair."
I don't need to turn to know who it is. Reiner, I recognize his deep voice now. I listen to the soft taps of his footsteps as he approaches. The bench creaks slightly when he sits beside me.
"What do you want, Reiner? "I ask quietly, my gaze still fixed on the horizon ahead.
"I got your letter. I just—"
"How does it feel?" I cut him off, turning to meet his eyes, tears welling up in mine. "How does it feel knowing you broke me past the point of no return?"
His expression tightens, and tears brim in his eyes. "Blair, I'll spend the rest of my life hating myself for what I did to you. I'll do whatever it takes to win you back—even if it takes years."
I drop my gaze to my lap, watching the tears fall and darken the fabric of my pants. "Reiner... can we just—can we talk about this after the mission?" I whisper, my voice barely audible over the wind.
A heavy silence falls between us, broken only by the distant sound of waves. Finally, he speaks, his voice thick with emotion. "Okay." he says, his words cracking ever so slightly
I don't look up until I hear his footsteps retreating. My chest tightens as I watch his figure disappear through the doorway, back inside with the others. I wipe away the remaining tears, turning my attention back to the sea.
~~~
A/N: Short chapter sorry.
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