We're on the Same Side (Bertholdt x Reader)

Training

     You awoke early in the morning just like everyone else and prepared for training. It was tough, but nothing you couldn't handle. You had been through worse. A lot worse. You started with the aptitude test where we learned how to balance with the ODM gear and whatnot. You got hooked up into the thing and lifted. It was harder at first, but you soon got used to it. The girl, Mikasa, who was next to you was also doing it perfectly. You were complemented by the higher ups before being let down. They said that in order to do it properly, one would need outstanding leg strength, spatial perception, strong core muscles, and the ability to remain calm under pressure with lots of mental fortitude. Luckily, you have more leg and core strength than any other part of your body and balance was definitely a strong suit for you. Then you followed a small group who passed perfectly to receive your official ODM gear. You noticed that Bertholdt was one of them and felt that he kept staring at you. 

     It took long enough, but after a whole day of ODM  gear training and learning how to use it, you were finally let off the hook for the night. You and the rest of the cadets were coldly warned that today was an easy day and tomorrow they would take ODM gear to the next level. Looks like tomorrow would be one heck of a crazy day. Usually, one would rest up before a day like that, but I had something to take care of. While everyone was getting ready to go to bed, I stuffed my things under my blankets to make it look like I was still there, old school, but effective, and snuck away with my bag. Once I had gotten just beyond the boundaries of the boot camp, I pulled the scroll I had found yesterday and took a look at it, then, I was on my way. If I hurried, I should be back just before they ring the morning bell to wake us up. And if I really, really hurry, I just might be able to catch a wink of sleep. 

     That morning, I was exhausted. I had been running all night long and barely made it back in time. But I didn't let lack of sleep get the best of me. First, Eren did his best to prove that he could use the gear. I stood next to Bertholdt and watched his failed, then successful attempt. Then we did ODM gear maneuvering all day and by sunset, most of us were already doing acrobatics. 

     That night, I fell right to sleep. The next day, we started on more basic stuff. We had breakfast, then worked out, and then lunch, and then worked out, and then dinner and bed. We didn't even practice our ODM gear! 

     That following day, we started with what would soon become our default training routine. Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, report for role call, classroom lectures, run through the forest nearby the camp, lunch, basic everyday workout, water break, sparring, ODM gear training, dinner, and finally bedtime. That was what we did when we didn't have anything special to work on. 

  The next day, it was a day entirely reserved for horseback riding. We were assigned to a horse in the stables and practiced riding it. Afterwards, we learned how to stand up while our horse was moving and jump off and go flying with the gear. It was a whole lot harder than it looked. 

     The day after that, it was an all day classroom lecture, with a short workout. We all showed up in our normal clothes for a change. I saw Bertholdt out of the corner of my eye and took a seat next to him. I saw him look at me out of the corner of his eye and I could have sworn that I saw him smile. We were told to take notes and that we were going to have to study and memorize them because everything they taught us will come in handy and they were going to test us on it. They showed us the maintenance of ODM gear, the rain gear, the snow gear, and the official swords that were used to fight the titans. They also taught us how to kill a titan without it regenerating: by slicing the nape of the neck or their heels. They said that only a cut to the nape the is 1 meter long and 10 centimeters wide. Valuable information, if you ask me. 

     The day that followed was a special day. Every 9th day, we get a day all to ourselves to read, rest, and workout however we wanted. They had an obstacle course for us and we were free to wander, but we had to stay in uniform. I spoke to Sadies and he allowed me to hike down to the lake just beyond the barbwire boundaries to swim laps. I just told him that it would be quite the workout and my muscles were going to be so sore afterwards and he agreed just like that. He was more impressed by the fact that I actually knew how to swim, oddly enough. Apparently, the ability to swim is not exactly as common around here as I thought. Nevertheless, the headed down to the lake with my swimsuit and dove in and just swam laps back and forth until I was exhausted and had to stop to catch my breath. I wished that I had my snorkel. I looked up and I saw Bertholdt, Reiner, Eren, Armin, and Mikasa walking alongside the bank. They all looked at me with a odd looks.