Bertholdt x Reader [Oneshots]

New Year [AU]

"There you are..."

It was surprising how he could hear her voice at all, over the loud music and voices from the people downstairs. Bertholdt himself took a moment to consider if he was just hearing things. It could be the alcohol,  he thought. Shifting his weight to another elbow, he continued to lean against the railings of the balcony, looking out into the dark sky; breath fogging up in white puffs. But when he felt her hands loop around his arm, he had no doubt in his mind that it was her.

He would never forget the feeling of her presence around him.

"I've been looking for you," [Name] mumbled, her face nuzzled against his arm. It was apparent she had been drinking, from the way she half-slurred her words and the whiff of alcohol that flitted to him when the freezing wind blew by.

"You're going to get sick, coming out into the cold dressed like that," he told her, smiling affectionately as she continued holding onto his arm.

"If you were downstairs with me I wouldn't have to be out here in the first place, Bertholdt."

The tall male let out a chuckle. "Sorry, parties just aren't my thing."

"I know," she sighed out; shifting so that her back was pressed against the railing of the balcony with Bertholdt arms on either side of her, like a protective circle that would shield her from any harm that dared to come her way. Bertholdt smiled at her antics. She was a lot bolder when she was intoxicated, and telling from the flush of her cheeks, she must have had quite a bit to drink.

'She's cute like this', he decided, when she wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging him so that he stooped a little lower to match her height.

"Thank you." Tipsy as she was, her words were sincere, genuine and came from the heart. For what purpose she was thanking him, he had no idea. Maybe she was thanking him for coming to the party with her, or perhaps it was for other reasons. But Bertholdt decided against asking any further.

There was no need to.

A sneeze interrupted the moment, and Bertholdt immediately shrugged off his coat, placing it over her shoulders in response, affection evident in his eyes as he watched her let out a quiet huff at the warmth that lingered in his coat.

Peering up at him, [Name] stepped towards him, and understanding her intentions, Bertholdt circled his arms around her.

"You're warmer," she muttered against his chest.

"I cant possibly keep you warm enough in this weather," he said softly, holding her body closer to him, trying to protect her from the cold.

"You're more than enough."

Her innocent statement hit him more than he'd like to admit.

In more ways than one, he promised, "I'll try my best for you, [Name]..."

~~

Midnight was fast approaching; bring about the end of one year and the start of another. From where they stood on the balcony, they could see some of their friends in the garden unboxing some fireworks to set off to usher in the New Year.

"Do you want to join them downstairs?

[Name] giggled at his question, her body shaking in his arms. "I think I'll probably hit someone if I were to set off fireworks in my current state."

"That's true," he laughed.

The loud shouts from inside the house suddenly seemed to bring everything to a suspense filled moment.

"10! ... 9! ... 8! ... 7! ... 6! ..."

The grin that grew on her face was so bright; Bertholdt couldn't help but join in on the countdown with her.

"5! ... 4! ... 3! ... 2! ... 1! ..."

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Fireworks went off all around them; painting the sky with brilliant colours. The firecrackers were loud, and combined with the cheers and laughter all around, it was hard not to get sucked into the festive spirit.

Tearing his eyes away from the bright display, Bertholdt glanced at her, and he found himself unable to look away. With the lights illuminating her face, they highlighted her features beautifully, leaving him to wonder how someone like him could ever deserve her. Even though he still had his arms wrapped loosely around her, it felt as if she was so far away; and no matter how hard he tried to prevent it, she could just disappear in an instant.

She turned to him suddenly, and he felt his heart pause at the sight of her stunning smile. The times he spent with her were truly the happiest in his life, and he wanted nothing more than to be the person who put a smile to her face.

Maybe... he could be selfish this once and wish to always be by her side.

"Happy New Year, [Name]."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down to her and kissed him. It shocked him initially, but he soon gave in to her intoxicating kiss. Her lips still tasted faintly of alcohol, but it couldn't take away the sweetness of her lips that he loved so much.

"You know what my new year's resolutions are?" She said breathlessly as they parted, her lips skimming against his.

It was moments like this that he knew he could never let go of her. He'd never forget her smiles, her laughter, and the way her kisses often left his mind filled with nothing but the feelings of her lips on his. "W-what?"

"One: Get good results this semester.

Two: Be able to spend this coming year with you." A breath caught in his throat at her words, and he couldn't help but smile. Opening his mouth to say something, she stopped him with a finger.

"Three: Tell Bertholdt that I'm hopelessly in love with him, and nothing will ever change that."

Bertholdt pulled away from her, holding her at a distance; staring into her eyes as if desperately looking for a hint of deception. But he found nothing of that sort. Instead, he could only see the reflection of her words; the sincerity of her confession in those [e/c] eyes of hers.

"Thank you for loving someone like me..." Embracing her tightly, he whispered, "I love you ... I love you so much..."

"Happy New Year, Bertholdt."