Attack on Romeo and Juliet

Chapter Eight

LATER THAT DAY:

~Reiner's House~

"Ma!" Reiner called as he entered the house with his friend, "Bertholdt's here!"

"Hello Bertholdt sweetie!" called a kind, motherly voice from the living room area. "How are you?"

"I-I'm doing good Mrs. Braun." Bertholdt answered with his meek voice.

Soon after Bertholdt had spoken, came a quiet 'boof' from the living room and in barreled Reiner's dog: A St. Bernard named... Captain Axel. Mr. and Mrs. Braun had gotten him as a present for Reiner's seventh birthday. As soon as he saw who was standing with his master, the large fluff ball charged at nearly full speed. Bertholdt's emerald eyes widened, holding both hands up timidly. 

"W-Wait! Don't-" 

Before he could finish, the Saint Bernard pounced up on him. This caused the younger lad to fall to the ground. Once Bertholdt was pinned to the ground, Captain Axel began to lick the sweaty boy's face playfully. 

The boy began to laugh as he tried to push the big dog away from his face gently. "H-Hey! Haha! S-Stop it! That tickles!" The poor thing was very ticklish. "R-Reiner! Haha! H-Help me! I-I can't breathe!" Bertholdt tried to say through his laughter. Suddenly, there was a slight cry of disgust from the v-fringed lad. "Ah! D-Don't lick my ear!" He whined, trying to cover most of his face with his hands to avoid anymore kisses. The dog was a smart cookie, however, and he found a way around Bertholdt's hands."Haha! S-Stop! Reiner! Help!"

"Call him by his name and he'll stop." Reiner smirked, rested his hand on the dog's back.

"B-But, but I-" He tried to speak, but he couldn't due to laughing so much. Secretly, he didn't want to call the dog by his full name, but he had to. Even though, to Bertholdt, it sounded ridiculous. Yet again, Reiner DID name this dog when he was seven. The boy had to given in.

"O-Okay, Okay! I'll do it! C-Captain Axel!"

"That's a good Bertholdt." Reiner teased as Captain Axel reluctantly crawled off of the boy.

Once the dog had crawled off, Bertholdt remained sprawled on the ground. He still had a bit of the giggles as he tried to regain his breathing. After a few moments, the boy soon sat up, feeling a tad gross from the mixture of his sweat and the dog's slobber on his face. His emeralds gently softened as he gazed at the Saint Bernard, whose tail was wagging excitedly. Bertholdt shook his head with a smile. "Even though you do this...every time I come over..." The gentle giant gave his best friend's lovable dog a few pats of affection. "It's always great to see you, boy."

Captain Axel barked happily before giving Bertholdt's cheek another lick. Then, the large dog went up to Reiner, jumping up on the muscular man, his paws upon both shoulders. He was excited to see his master home again. 

"Who's my good boy?" Reiner said in a sweet voice, pressing his face into the dog's fur. "You're the best boy!" The older male always loved seeing his dog. Captain Axel barked once again as if responding to his master's words and began to smother the blond with kisses as well. 

Reiner laughed as he matched his dog's affection and roughness. "I love you so much Captain! Yes I do!" 

Just then, Mrs. Braun entered the room, having heard all the laughter and commotion. She was almost as tall as her son, her blond hair in one braid down her back. The woman saw the boy on the floor and extended her hand towards him. Bertholdt took her hand and she lifted him up. Mrs. Braun was very strong for a woman of her stature. She then handed the boy a white towel. "Here sweetie, for your face. "