Not so Enemy? - Porco x Reader

45

Later in the evening, Reiner takes a seat next to Porco, a small distance away from the others. The campfire crackles nearby, casting a warm glow over their surroundings.

Reiner glances at Porco, his expression serious yet understanding. He senses the turmoil within his fellow Warrior and knows there's much on his mind. „You okay, Porco?", he asks quietly, keeping his voice low enough for only Porco to hear. Porco keeps his gaze fixed on the fire, his expression weary. „Yeah, I'm fine.", he replies low and somewhat distant. He takes a moment before adding, „Just... got a lot on my mind." Reiner nods sympathetically. „I get it. Lots of heavy stuff going on. But you don't have to carry it all alone, y'know?"

Porco turns his gaze to Reiner. „I know. But some things...some things you gotta face head-on. Alone."

Reiner studies Porco's face for a moment. He respects his friend's solitude, his independent nature. „You're stubborn, you know that?", he remarks with a slight smile. „But just remember, we're here for you." Porco lets out a small huff, a hint of a grim smile playing at the corners of his lips. „Yeah, I know I'm stubborn and I appreciate the sentiment, but... some things are just better off dealt with alone."
Reiner looks at Porco with a knowing smile. „I know how deeply in love you are." He says bluntly, „I saw it even back when she was still a prisoner in Marley."

Porco's expression visibly flinches at the mention of his feelings for you. He can't deny it, deep down, he knows Reiner has seen right through him. „What's your point, Reiner?" Reiner chuckles lightly, shaking his head. „No point, just stating the obvious. You've always been more transparent than you think." Porco lets out a huff, torn between irritation and resignation. He knows Reiner is right, that his feelings for you have been painfully obvious, at least to those who know him well. „Yeah, I guess I'm an open book.", he mutters, sarcasm lacing his voice.

Reiner bumps his shoulder against Porco's, a playful gesture. „Not entirely an open book. You're still a mysterious, brooding Warrior, after all. But in this one thing, yeah, you're pretty transparent." Porco rolls his eyes, „Yeah, fine.", he grumbles. „I'm an open book about her. Happy now?" Reiner grins, genuinely amused by Porco's reluctant admission. „Just glad you're finally acknowledging it. It's pretty clear to anyone with eyes that you care about her." Porco scoffs, attempting to maintain his usual tough exterior. „Care about her? Sure, I care about her...But it's not like it changes anything." Reiner tilts his head slightly, sensing the struggle within Porco. „It doesn't change anything in terms of your loyalty to Marley.", he says serious now. „But it does speak volumes about your heart, Porco." Porco looks away, his gaze flickering back to the fire. „Yeah, well... my heart doesn't matter when it comes to duty and loyalty. I'm a Warrior, after all. My duty comes first, no matter how I feel about..." His voice trails off, his thoughts lingering on you.

Reiner, sensing that Porco is opening up about his experiences with you, takes the opportunity to ask a question. „I'm curious," he says casually. „What have you two been up to on Paradis? I mean, it must've been quite a journey together." Porco hesitates for a moment, his thoughts flickering back to the time spent with you. He takes a deep breath before responding. „It's... been a lot. Spending all this time here, on the island... and with her." Reiner senses the depth of Porco's response, the way his voice softens when speaking about you. He can see the conflicted emotions etched on his friend's face. „You two must've grown pretty close, right?", he asks gently.

Porco nods silently, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. „Yeah, we've gotten... close. It's... been different than anything I've experienced before." Reiner leans back, his expression thoughtful as he absorbs Porco's words. „Different how?", he asks, genuinely wanting to understand the depth of your connection. „What makes it different from anything else you've felt before?" Porco pauses for a moment, grappling with his emotions as he tries to put his thoughts into words. „It's... intense. Being with her, I feel this...this connection, like nothing I've ever known. She sees a side of me that nobody else does." Reiner listens quietly, his eyes never leaving Porco's face. He can see the struggle, the vulnerability in his eyes as he tries to articulate his feelings. „I see. That level of connection...it's not something to take lightly. Especially in your situation."

Porco's voice drips with resignation and guilt as he speaks, his words thick with regret. „Yeah, that's the thing." He mutters, his gaze drifting back to the dancing flames of the campfire. „It didn't even really get a proper chance to begin, and I already managed to mess it up. I had to hurt her, had to walk away from her." Reiner senses the heavy burden of guilt weighing on Porco's conscience. He notices the pain in his eyes as he speaks about having to hurt you, having to leave you behind. „You had no choice, Porco. You know as well as I do that it's for the best."

Porco's jaw tightens, his face hardening in response to Reiner's words. „I know...But knowing it's for the best doesn't make it any easier. The look in her eyes when I walked away... it's something I won't forget."