Bertholdt x Mikasa Modern AU (Bertkasa/BeruMika)

Part 8

~Bertholdt's POV~

After about an hour with Reiner and the guys, I was able to sneak back into Mikasa's dorm. I hope that this doesn't look strange to other people. Reiner and them are already gossiping like little school girls about this. I sighed to myself. What does it matter anyways. Even Reiner said that Mikasa doesn't go for just anyone.

She was still asleep, this time lying on her other side.

I quietly walked through the kitchen. The dim lights the lamps were still on. I shut them all off. I climbed back into her bed. Still as soft as ever. It was 7:15 PM now. Looking over to her window, it was shaking like before, the elements crashing, actually making terrifying but calming white noise for me. Maybe I'll sleep for an hour and try to do some homework after.

I stared at the ceiling for a while, wrapped up in her blankets. I peered over to her, checking on her again. It was one of those irrational thoughts, that you think someone is dead just because they're sleeping too quietly and too still, so you then feel the need to check up on them repeatedly.

I put my hand near her mouth, hovering, to feel if any breath exited her mouth or nose.

I was suddenly greeted with the yanking of my hand with my back now roughly on the ground.

"AAAAA!"

"HYA!" Mikasa exclaimed, quickly followed by "Holy crap!"

I groaned in pain, letting myself just lie there. How can she be so small but so strong? This puzzled me--I'm at least 81 KG! (~180 lbs).

Mikasa's face popped up over mine, her hair tickling my face. Almost made me forget about my impending bruises. She looked so worried.

"Bertholdt are you okay?!?!" she asked frantically, worry painted all over her face and her eyes scattered all over my face, trying to read me for some sort of answer.

"I-I'm okay." There was a short pause. "I think ..."

Mikasa laughed through her worry. "Ha. I--Bertholdt--Don't do that again! I may sleep heavily but I had reflexes even in my sleep." She laughed some more and sat back, letting her weight lean onto the wood siding of her bed.

I struggled to get up, trying to mask the pain she single-handedly caused,--quite literally.

I scooted back next to her.

"When do you think this storm is going to end?" I asked softly, trying to make conversation.

Mikasa threw her head back letting it lean on the plush of her mattress.

"Ugh. I don't want to think about it. I'm actually really nervous about classes, grades, and damage to the school grounds. I wouldn't mind a week off but, imagine the work load when we come back--if it happens to last that long?!" Mikasa looked to me in desparation, looking for an answer to her despair.

"Don't worry. It will be fine. Plus you're a 4.0 student, you have this."

"Ha." Mikasa monotously said.

"Wh-What?" I asked.

"Maintaining a 4.0 sounds like a slice of cake. But it's actually hell bending. The assignments I can do. But my internships--and having to wake up at 4:15 AM everyday and going to bed at 10:00 PM or even 2:00 AM sometimes--it's death on a platter. But you know, I have to keep my grades up. For my dad. For my scholarship." Mikasa stopped and looked down between her knees. "...for myself."

"I have a 3.8 GPA--I saw you at the President's List dinner last semester. You do a lot, truly. It's admirable. Maybe we can form a study group?" I offered mindlessly, then beginning to sweat. I already have one, with Armin and Krista. Maybe Mikasa wouldn't mind joining.