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iamnightduchess · 2 years

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🖋That Post Over There🖋 Series

⏳ (The ReiKasa Edition) ⏳

The young houseman reclined against the wall next to the Paediatrics ward's entrance. She carefully avoided a hospital attendee pushing a trolley full of afternoon treats for the young patients within. She pressed against the side of her neck, trying to ease the strain of the muscle there by taking a long deep breath.

She felt so relieved, like a burden had just been lifted from her shoulders, as soon as she saw the approval signature by her supervising doctor earlier. It also came with a 'Job well done' and a positive encouragement from Dr. Hange Zoë as a neat finishing touch to her daily report. Going through the daily ward rounds with Dr. Zoë is always the best because the older doctor has a quirky sense of humor and has nothing short of good energy around her. Dr. Zoë might be eccentric and unconventional at times, but the Paeds Specialist is one of the best doctors to shadow.

She snuck a glance at the watch on her wrist; half past four. As if on cue, a rumbling sound could be heard coming from her own belly. An embarassing indicator that the young doctor-in-training had skipped not one but two important meals of the day due to the demanding nature of her work.

She quickly made her way towards the ground floor, where the hospital's cafeteria would be.

Another low sigh escaped her lips. She would be counting her lucky stars if she could get a bowl of beef noodle soup at this hour. She couldn't possibly survive the next eight hour shift on energy bars and snacks from the vending machine.

Why haven't anyone invented a vending machine for fresh onigiri yet?

Upon realizing that proper food should be cooked and served fresh, she immediately override her own inner thoughts. Lest she desires for the whole building to flood the triage unit due to mysterious food poisoning.

She exhaled another long sigh. She needs food. Badly.

As soon as she stepped into the almost empty cafeteria, she subconsciously sighed with utter disappointment. Nevertheless, she still marched towards the counter, trying very hard not to break down in tears in front of the lunch lady.

"Hello, doctor," greeted the sweet elderly lady with the floral head wrap, and a floral apron.

"Hello..." Mikasa replied weakly, eyes glazing apprehensively at the remaining meal options available. Clam chowder, chicken sandwich, beef stew. She chose the most fulfilling one of of all - beef. With a side of deep fried vege tempura.

Hurriedly thanking the old lady, she chose a seat at a secluded corner inside the cafeteria, with a meal tray in her hand. Saying her grace, she dug into her meal and wolfed down the beef stew, savoring the bits of garlic bread she had dipped into the gravy. All while being completely oblivious to the stare she was receiving from a stranger sitting at another table, enjoying an afternoon tea. It wasn't until she was already three quarter through her meal with half of a brinjal tempura jutting out of her mouth, only then her vision caught a blonde-haired older lady staring at her, hands clasping against her chest with an endearing expression upon her face. At least, that's what Mikasa was hoping. It was either that or she was just too polite to show her disgust at the young doctor's temporary lack of table manners.

Mikasa sheepishly nodded in embarassment, immediately reaching out for the napkin next to her bowl and dab at the gravy stains near the corner of her mouth. To be honest, she's really not the type to give two fucks to anyone, let alone a stranger's perception but in the hospital, she had to maintain a certain air of formality and courtesy.

At least in front of patients and visitors.

Silently, she was hoping the lady would leave her be to her meal but it didn't seem that would be the case anytime soon as the woman's hazel eyes were still fixated on her face. Mikasa didn't want to be impolite and just told the other woman off, but a tiny voice inside of her just nagged at her conscience to be kind. Maybe she reminded the woman of her own daughter perhaps?

Mikasa then did the only rightful thing to do - smile. That's the first rule of bedside manner. Even when you're having the shittiest of days or even when your own family member is dying, you still need to smile because you'll never know when that day would be that patient's last day alive or when someone out there is having an extremely difficult time.

Mikasa saw the older lady stood up and approached her table. She was slightly panicking, unsure if she might just be in trouble after all. She caught the way the older woman was fishing out something from her handbag as she got closer to her own table.

Oh my Lord, is she going to pull a gun out and shoot her? Were she that ill-mannered?

She blinked rapidly, still trying to determine her best course of action. To fight, flee or negotiate? She's aiming to be a Paediatrician not a Psychologist! Maybe she should just stop smiling, maybe her smile was just offensive?

All while Mikasa was having a dilemma of her own, the older lady handed her a piece of 4R-sized paper, held her hand and said, "You look like my future daughter-in-law." Then she just left without any further words.

Oh my God, that was bizarre. Mikasa only sent the retreating woman's form away with a perplexed look.

When the woman was gone, she eventually found the courage to look down at the piece of glossy paper in her hand. Lo and behold, there was a group of digits - a phone number obviously. But when she turned the paper around, she was stupefied to discover that it was a picture of a man. A really handsome steadfast-looking man in formal military uniform.

REINER BRAUN. VICE COMMANDER. MARLEY LAND FORCES. WARRIOR DIVISION.

She felt a steady stream of blood rushed up her face. 'Was that lady this man's mom? Why did she give me this? Is there something wrong with him?'

That day had been the trippiest day of her life.

Mikasa found herself with a gazillion questions inside her head even after she finished her graveyard shift the next morning.

-oo-O-oo-

At Dr. Zoë's comical behest, Mikasa decided to just humor the old lady by actually dialing the stranger's number the very next day. And maybe to complain to her son about his mother.

There was a ringing tone from the other line.

'Please don't answer. Please tell me I got the wrong number. Please don't pick u-'

"Hello? Braun speaking." A deep, husky voice could be heard coming from her mobile's speaker. 'Oh my goodness, why does he need to have an amazing voice too? No, no. This is backfiring the hell out of your ass, Mikasa.'

She swallowed the air pocket in her throat and nervously replied, "Hello?"

"Hello, may I know who is this?"

"Well actually, I'm a doctor at Shinganshina Hospital. I believed I met your mother yesterday."

"Is she alright? She's supposed to be accompanying my stepsister. Her due date's very close."

"She gave me your number." There was a short pause before Mikasa reluctantly continued, "and also your formal military picture."

"SHE WHAT?" The other man's voice immediately climbed a note higher and instantaneously he apologized. "I am very sorry, I have no idea why she did that. Did she say anything else?"

"You look like my future daughter-in-law?"

"Holy crap. I apologize on her behalf. My mom can be a bit overbearing most of the time. She means well but her executions of matters can be really meddlesome sometimes. Just because I told her I have no time to date doesn't mean she should be setting me up with one."

Mikasa couldn't believe how genuine this stranger sounded through the phone. He was very polite, apologetic and very respectful towards not only his mother but her, a stranger, too. "I think it's very endearing how much your mom really loves you. I mean, if my mom is still around, I wouldn't mind being coddled. Occasionally. With set boundaries."

The man chuckled in response. She couldn't fight off that little voice inside her head that thinks this man has a very soothing laughter.

"Thank you for the recommendations, Doctor--?"

"Ackerman."

"Dr. Ackerman." The man, Reiner, offered, "I am actually flying in to Paradis in 2 days time to visit my stepsister, could I please retrieve my picture from you while I'm there and also to apologize for my mother's behavior in person?"

She dismissed his need to apologize again. "There's no need to apologize, really. I think I can track down your mother if she's still going to be around here in the next few days and return your prized portrait to her directly."

There was another deep chuckle from the other end of the line. "I wouldn't say its prized but I feel objectified by the woman who gave birth to me. I need to wrestle my own agency from my own mother. But she raised me to be respectful to women so, please let me make it up to you with dinner as a new acquaintance. IF, your partner doesn't mind it, that is."

Mikasa's lips curved upwards into a small smile of her own. "I'm sure my shifts don't mind. I can block my calendar."

"No husbands or boyfriends?"

"I see what you're trying to do, sir."

Another deep chuckle from him and another prickling feeling of butterflies in her stomach. "Just checking." There was a short pause before he continued, "Thank you for not thinking that my mom's a creep or scream at me when you call."

"Are you kidding? I'm a rockstar when it comes to children and the elderly. But in all honesty, has this happened before?"

"Technically, this is actually the first time she's trying to set me up with someone not in our neighborhood."

The raven-haired houseman feigned a shocked gasp. "Oh dear, this calls for an intervention."

"I believe so. Should I fixed a consultation with you first this week?"

"This might need more than just one consultation, I'm afraid."

She could hear the smirk even through the receiver. "I see what you're trying to do, Dr. Ackerman and I'm more than happy to fix those appointments immediately."

"I'll block my dates then."

"I think I know now why she approached you."

"Why?"

"I can feel you're a very genuine person. You have a kind heart."

"You are going to change your mind when you finally see me and you are going to regret what you just said."

"We will see."

Their first phone conversation had been the first of many from that day. When she met the older woman again the following day, she didn't have any intention of returning her son's picture.

That picture had been in a frame on her nightstand not too long after.

Reiner's eyes had never stopped shining the minute they met face to face for the first time two days after their initial phone call. Needless to say, Mikasa met her bestfriend for life on that day.

And she did end up being Karina's daughter-in-law a year later.

That day in the cafeteria had been the moment in her lifetime when she would soon meet with her destined soulmate. All through a chance encounter with a meddling but well-intentioned mother.

-oo-O-oo-

The End.

#ReiKasa #TPOT #that post over there #reiner x mikasa #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman #reiner #mikasa #karina braun #matchmaking #snk snippet #snk fic #snk oneshot #by nightduchess #doctor!mikasa #soldier!reiner

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iamnightduchess · 2 years

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Kiss Me More #03

A/N: This post is dedicated to the wonderful @xrocketmanx Please accept my heartfelt appreciation for the thoughtful remembrance, kind wishes & a generous tip on ko-fi for my birthday last November 💖 I know that you told me to take my time with this, but hilariously, I can't afford to take time when I have none 😢 Many, many, many 💯 apologies for this super extremely delayed post (I've had this in my drafts for more than 2 months!) but I hope this would still bring a smile to your face 😽 Thank you for always supporting my works!

A belated Happy New Year!! 🎁

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"Crush"

Pt.01 | Pt.02

Pairing: Reiner x Mikasa (ReiKasa)

Universe: SnK Highschool Caste AU

(Feat. Quarterback!Reiner & Goth!Mikasa)

Trope: New Light

Summary: Ever since their unexpected movie date together, they both begin to see each other in a new light. From sneaking things into each other's desks or lockers to becoming stealthy supporter in each other's after school club activities, a new crush is dawning on their horizons. That crush would sooner become a refreshing distraction to the gothic wallflower when a disturbing gossip broke not only the school's internet, but also their hearts.

🍫💿🏈🎭 + 💔💔=💓💓💓-->❤?

Rhythmic Muse: Crush by David Archuleta

Mikasa is a person with a very specific routine. She had to make sure that everything was done on time and in place. That includes her stationeries, textbook, notebook and water bottle - everything needed to be in its designated place on her study space in the classroom. Nothing more, nothing less. Except that day, she discovered there was something extra which somehow had mysteriously found itself inside her class drawer.

At first she thought she might have sat at someone else's place but the tiny carved 'A'-shaped symbol at the corner of the table's surface proved that it was indeed her desk. That symbol made the other students assumed that she's an anarchist supporter when in fact, it is the ancient family emblem form her mother's side.

She retrieved the neatly-wrapped rectangle-shaped item and read the attached note.

I was at the store the other day and saw this. I remembered at the diner on how much you said you've missed them because they're so hard to find here. -R.B

She gently undo the paper wrapping of the item and marvelled as she took in the view of a Charleston Chew bar - chocolate flavour, her most favourite. She couldn't help but beam in happiness, she could almost jump on the spot even! It has been too long since she last saw one, not since the day she left Hizuru.

She didn't expect him to have even paid any attention to their conversation, at the diner or during the whole car ride there after their movie outing together. Well, she wasn't used to it at all, not when every topic she ever tried to talk to Eren seems to mostly fell on deaf ears while with Armin, it's always the boy who initiates conversation more. She immediately turned her head towards where the school quarterback's seat would be and Reiner had already sent a short stealthy salute her way, waving away any potential doubt by mouthing, 'It's no big deal.'

Mikasa immediately marched towards the older boy's desk and shook her head. "I can't accept this. You should have it back."

Reiner shrugged, replying, "It's just a small thank you for dinner that other day and I noticed you've been looking a bit stressed out with midterms lately, I thought this could cheer you up."

Mikasa couldn't believe that Reiner would actually notice all these little things about her. Things that even Eren never takes note of, despite being the closest person to her. Reluctantly, she nodded. "Thank you." The chocolate bar still tightly gripped against her chest in appreciation. "I've been having a hard time with Physics and Chemistry. I used to have a stock full of these by the dozens to help me pull through."

"So far, apart from my baby cousin, you're the only other girl I know who openly embraces your sweet tooth instead of screaming at my face because candy bars make you put on more weight."

It was her turn to shrug her shoulders in disregard, while tapping a finger against her own temple. "It won't add more weight if you burn it here first."

"Ditto." The blonde-haired student athlete nodded in agreement, yet not without a chuckle escaping his lips at the quirky meme reference from the other girl. "I could burn all these calories through one training session on the field."

"I'll accept this on one condition." She extended the chocolate bar towards his hand. "If we share this between us."

"Halvsies it is then." Reiner accepted and proceeded to break the snack into two even parts using his brute strength, earning him a stupefied but secretly impressed gaze from the goth girl. Mikasa eventually nodded before bumping her own half to his, uttering a shy, "Cheers."

When they both chewed on the shared chocolate, Reiner smacked his own lips in appreciation. "It's never too early for chocolate but damn, Ackerman. You have impeccable taste."

She shook her head again in disbelief. Eren always laughed at her preferences, calling her taste options as odd; as odd as herself. Yet here, the most popular boy in school is complimenting her choice of snack.

She briefly wondered, what would he think of wasabi-coated peas or boba-flavored popcorn?

He offered, "If you're in need of a study buddy, I'm only a text message away. I could also use some help with Calculus and Bio myself." They're both in the advanced class and none of her usual study groupmates could help her with her revision. Eren pretty much prefers to slack off on his homework and play video games more - too much gaming for her liking, sadly.

Reiner leant in for a mock whisper, attempting to convince his potential study buddy, "Bert's so quiet, the silence is distracting. I could really use a more 'proactive' group discussion."

Bertholdt, who's sitting next to where they were, only sent a confused look their way. "I'm sitting over here, you know."

That morning, they not only shared a candy bar together, but they too shared a laugh over poor Bertholdt's expense. Mikasa never hesitated to agree to Reiner's proposition, although it still puzzles her to learn that Reiner perceives her as someone that he'd be comfortable to have discussions with despite her being quiet as a mouse in most of their classes. Even quieter than Bertholdt in fact.

She'd almost always prefer to study on her own but a time-pressed revision calls for a change of revision strategy. This was for her own grades and as much as she initially thought Reiner was all brawn but the jock had shown her that there's more than what meets the eye from their ensuing close encounters.

-oo-O-oo-

Do you catch a breath when I look at you?

Are you holding back, like the way you do?

Each day ever since, a simple gesture of leaving candy bars inside each other's desk drawers or school bags became a fixed subtle exchange between the school quarterback and the school wallflower. A simple salute or a shy smile became their wordless greeting in the mornings.

Reiner had even been kind enough to make Mikasa a mix CD, a compilation of songs from their shared favorite metal and rock bands. It was a foreign yet very welcomed addition to Mikasa's very specific set of routine and the highlight of Reiner's day.

The raven-haired goth girl soon notices the stark differences between being in the presence of the quarterback as opposed to being in her longtime childhood friend slash longstanding crush (for as long as she could remember). She always thought seeing Eren at school is the only thing that could make her days better but Reiner's fun and quirky ways of approaching everything in life truly opened her eyes more towards viewing things much differently.

The tiny gestures of their friendship sooner turned into a daily after-school routine. On the days that Reiner has football practice, she'll secretly waits for him on the school bleachers until he wraps up his training session. While on the days that she has drama club meetings, he'll sneak into the school auditorium and sits at the secluded corner of the hall to wait until she's done. Always, afterwards he'll drive them both to her aunt's diner and they'll work on their homework or revisions together. Even Ms. Ackerman had endearingly dubbed the star quarterback her best diner crew seeing that he sometimes stays behind to help them clean the place up before closing. Reiner even received the nod of acceptance from their Additional Maths teacher, Mr. Levi, who, surprisingly he just discover, is not only Ms. Ackerman's son but also Mikasa's second cousin.

It was a fact that both Mikasa and Levi made him swore not to divulge to anyone else in school, for reasons unknown. But it somehow had something to do with some past underground family history, some questionable business associates and official informant in the family.

From snacks to mixtape CDs, they both found joy in the little things that reminded them of each other. None of them realized that just the simple thought of each other will always make their eyes light up and a warm beam to appear upon their faces. When it was only the two of them, Mikasa finds it comfortable to just be herself and be more open to conversations. She feels acknowledged.

Unlike with Eren, her words tend to be dismissed or disregarded. It even made her feel as if she is the third wheel in Eren and Armin's close friendship most times.

However, when she was in Reiner's company, even with Bertholdt around, the most popular boy in school always makes her feel heard. And seen. Despite her feeling that she's invisible to most people.

Unbeknownst to her, Reiner had been feeling the same way, as such even being in her presence had been the other best part of his day besides football practice.

It wasn't glaringly obvious at first but it was slightly noticeable to those who were closest to them, namely Armin and Bertholdt. Even Galliard, the younger one, had began to grow suspicious of their budding friendship. The football team had began to pick up on the co-relation between the goth girl's diligent presence on the school bleachers during their training and their star quarterback's peak field performance.

Porco had teased the blonde jock about it after practice. They were all in the locker room one day, getting freshened up after a long drill. The linebacker immediately caught sight of the quarterback making a fuss on his wet hair with his plain white tee half untucked from his waistband. A slow notification tone could be heard coming from the phone inside Reiner's jeans pocket, in which the latter began to hurriedly answer, "Hey, I'm heading out from practice..." Followed by a short pause and another reply, "See you in a bit, Mika-..sa." Reiner leered suspiciously at Porco, who wasn't being very discreet with his eavesdropping.

"Rushing for your date?" Porco asked, a towel drying his own dripping hair diligently and the most annoying smirk on his face.

Reiner shrugged his shoulders, eyes focused on the small tangled spot on his head and a comb in his hand, trying to wrestle the knot away. "I'm running late for my study group."

"Thought it was a study date." The younger Galliard brother snickered, shaking a body spray in one hand. "Guess you don't need this."

Reiner's face scrunched up as he attempted to sniff himself. "Shoot. Do I still stink?"

"I thought Mika liked the way you smell?"

"Shut up, Galliard." Reiner, upon realizing that Galliard was trying to make fun of him, quickly stuffed all of his clothing items into his duffle bag and made an immediate beeline towards the locker room's exit.

"Tell Mika I said 'Hi'!"

Without looking back, Reiner responded to Galliard's quip with a display of his middle finger. Earning him a loud, rambunctious guffaw from the Marley Warrior's linebacker. The soles of his Chuck Taylors squeaked against the polished floors of Paradis High as he sprinted towards his truck as if the distance in-between represents the winning point for his team. He was supposed to meet Mikasa at the diner like 15 minutes ago! Of all the days Coach Mitabi wanted to do extra drills and it happened to be on the day that Mikasa left the school earlier.

He knows Mikasa wasn't the type of person who'd be overdramatic over slight tardiness but it isn't something that he'd like to begin - a bad habit of taking her patience for granted. He's not gonna pull the same actions that Eren did.

-oo-O-oo-

In a secluded corner of a diner, sat a raven-haired girl, all engrossed in a Calculus workbook on the wooden table. Hard at work, Mikasa tuned out all of the background noise and voices of the other patrons with a blast of music from her trustee vintage discman; the last working possession of her late father. The edgy yet lyrical tune from Killswitch Engage helped her focus better on the required calculations at hand. It was one of Reiner's selection in the mix CD he made for her, a tiny yet thoughtful gift from a fellow metal head.

"Sorry, I'm late." A low, husky and familiar voice sounded from behind.

Speak of the devil, Reiner immediately appeared within her line of vision. His tall, muscular figure hunched slightly before scooting over to take a seat on the opposite side of the dining table. She could pick up a whiff of fresh shower gel scent coming from the quarterback and the all surprisingly homely smell of his letterman jacket the moment he settled his backpack down next to him. He pushed forward a takeaway cup towards her and said, "An apology for being late."

Mikasa took out the earphones from the player and shook her head. "I didn't even realize you were." She glanced at her watch and added, "You're only 30 minutes late. I've waited far longer than this. That is before I even realized I was stood up."

Reiner's expression darkened at the sudden reference, in particular, the incident which had led to their impromptu group movie outing almost a month ago. "Sometimes, I might not always be on time but I'll always show up."

She lifted the warm beverage cup in her hand and said, "This is not necessary but thank you." She knew a good cup of chai latté will always make her feel better.

And Reiner is well aware of that fact too. "Only the best chai latte in town for my MVP study buddy." His remark was received by an adorable smile in return. He suddenly felt a sudden surge of warmth creeping up his cheeks but he shook it off immediately.

Without wasting anymore time, they both immediately went straight down to their revisions, yet not before her offering him an adapter to hook his own earphones into her audio jack. It had by now became a natural, spontaneous action between them.

Occasionally, he'd ask her on a problem he needed help with and him, teaching her on the ones she had trouble solving. Observing her from across the table when she wasn't looking back, Reiner secretly admitted to himself that he truly enjoyed seeing the way Mikasa's face changes from hyper focusing in deep thoughts, twirling her pencil furiously to the satisfactory gleam and the tiny victory pose she would do when she had successfully solve a difficult question. The people in school dubbed her as the most emotionless girl in school, but on the contrary, Mikasa is actually a really animated and fun girl to hang out with.

Without any doubt, the one you want to introduce to your mother, your family and your bros.

Marcel was right, Mikasa is a home girl. He didn't even realize another wave of fuzziness tugging from within his chest.

Ms. Ackerman would often pass by their seats, offering a plate of fresh from the oven treats to the two high schoolers and quickly check in to see if they ever needed any more refreshments.

Reiner leant in for a hushed whisper, "I think that your aunt is secretly trying to spoil me by fattening me up."

"You're only realizing that now?" Mikasa's eyes squinted in seriousness. "We do need a human sacrifice at the upcoming full moon solstice."

His jaw dropped at the slice of terrifying information.

"Kidding." She added, still deadpan. He'd almost spitted out the ice tea he was drinking.

Their banter was suddenly robbed by a text message coming into her phone. The minute Reiner saw the light disappearing from her eyes, he'd knew that it had something to do with Eren. Yet, he remained silent, courteous enough not to prod unless she needed to talk to someone about it.

Until he saw the way she slipped her phone into her backpack quietly with disappointment, evident from a long sigh from her tinged lips.

"You ok?"

She shook her head. "Sorry. I just need a minute."

"Let's take five then." Reiner shut the workbook close and temporarily set it aside. He also took a long sip of his chilled ice tea, savoring the tangy taste of lemon in the drink. "If you need to vent, I'm your man." He nervously retracted his statement but correcting himself, "Friend. I'm your friend." He scooped his own face with a hand, trying to cover up the blunder and nervously laughed, "Shit, sorry. I almost sounded like Jean just now."

Mikasa sent him a deathly glare, disgust mixed in there somewhere. Just a mentioning of the school's bad boy was enough to trigger the goth's annoyance. Jean's persistent crush on Mikasa was old news but her obvious disinterest was what made the situation legendary. Their situation in a sense, reminded Reiner of himself and Historia, even.

Both of them crushing on a girl whom barely talk to them and the only thing they know about the girl was only on a surface level.

Maybe he'd understood that feeling more than he thought he did.

He begin to realize that maybe he's also starting to crush on the same girl as Jean do, after knowing her more and more each day.

"Sorry."

"Are you being nervous about something again? You're needlessly apologizing."

Wait, what? Oh shit. He went still, silent.

"Eren's been ignoring me on purpose again." Mikasa eventually confided. "He said that he had plans with Armin but when I texted Armin about it, he said Eren also bailed out on him. Since last week."

Reiner looked back at her sad face, wishing that she could stop letting Eren invade the space inside her head. Just the mere thought of Eren would wipe off the endearing smile upon her face. On certain days, it would drag her down and push her into her emo mode.

'You're just too good for him.' Was what he'd wanted to say but instead he uttered, "Give him time. He probably didn't realize he's been ghosting you all this while. Besides, we've been studying together for quite some time now, maybe he understands you're neck deep with midterms."

She gazed downwards at her clenched hands, seemingly to take in his words with serious consideration. Nodding, she relented. "Okay. Thanks for listening. I really appreciate it."

He waved away her gratitude. "Anytime."

Just before they both continued their revisions, out of the blue, Mikasa nonchalantly asked, "Reiner, have you seen the movie Twilight?"

He recalled that the title is somewhat familiar, even if he's not as adept in pop culture as most kids his age do. "I've heard of it from my baby cousin. She's been asking me to watch it with her. I heard there's a sparkling vampire and a werewolf?"

"You must think it's cheesy like Eren does. He said it's too corny but I love it. Especially Jacob, the werewolf." The blush on her cheeks signified that this Jacob character is the goth girl's crush, which Reiner made a mental note of to be a potential topic of interest. Or future blackmail, depending on the situation.

"One of these days, I should introduce Gabi to you. You both would get along well together."

"I would love that."

"And she would love you."

Her eyes lit up at his remark. "Uhmm...the movie's sequel is releasing soon, maybe we could watch it together with your cousin?"

"Are you asking me out on a movie date, Mika?," asked the hunky quarterback as he leant in closer from across the table.

A crumpled piece of rough paper hit him straight on his face almost immediately.

"Now you're sounding like Jean."

"I do deserve that paper bomb."

He knew his eyes weren't playing tricks on him when he saw a glimpse of a blush and a shy smile right before she shoved his own workbook back to him, urging him to focus back on their study.

-oo-O-oo-

Do you ever think when you're all alone

All that we could be, where this thing could go?

Am I crazy or falling in love?

Is it real or just another crush?

The tip of her pencil tapped anxiously against her puffed up cheeks, her other hand gripped too hard against the pages of her Chemistry textbook. She swore she had the periodic table memorized at the back of her head. A long sigh escaped her lips as her mind kept on drawing blanks despite having fast computing skills and being the highest subject achiever in the whole school. She's an ace when it comes to formulas and facts. So, to have her brain stumped when it comes to something as natural as the extended chemical components, puzzled her more than the Advanced Chemistry homework did.

Why can't she get the formula of Phosphorus pentoxide right?

She exhaled another sigh. 'Why is Eren avoiding me?'

She was too lost in her own thoughts that she didn't notice an uninvited presence approaching towards her seat from the lab's door.

"Hey Mikasa!" A loud gruff voice, followed by a loud thud against the empty space on the long lab table disturbed her much appreciated solitude. She grumbled underneath her breath when she took in the form of Jean Kirschtein with that ever smug grin on his face. He didn't even give her the chance to say anything before forcing a piece of paper, written with numbers - his phone's apparently - next to her pencil case.

"What is this?" She asked, alienating the obvious answer, without even reverting her gaze away from her homework.

"My number."

"......"

"I think we should go out on a date sometimes."

"......"

"I really like you and you can do better than Eren."

She stayed silent. Hoping that Jean would take it as a sign of her usual dismissal.

"Guess you haven't heard the news about Eren then."

She looked up to Jean the second she'd heard the mentioning of Eren's name. Yet, she remained wordless and only gave the other boy the sternest look she had ever given anyone.

Jean's smirk grew annoyingly larger, as if he's proud of withholding a prized information that she'd be dying to know. "You'll find out soon enough and when you do, just know that I'll be more than happy to give you my shoulder to cry on."

She sent another discomforting glare. "No." For the love of Satan, can someone or something just walk into the room before she stab this annoying person's eyes with her pencil?

Jean lifted his head as soon as three newcomers, all clad in the high school's letterman jackets, walked into the lab. One of them spontaneously chided, "Wasted no time in making a move already, Kirschtein?"

"Piss off, Galliard."

Bertholdt appeared from behind the younger Galliard brother and offered Mikasa the formula she'd been looking. "P4O10"

She looked down, nodding. "Thanks."

The third person, Reiner, naturally took the seat on the table next to hers. Only the small dividing walkway separating their seats. He finally offered his take, more of the fact that he could see how visibly uncomfortable his classmate is upon the rather intrusive presence. "You know that she's just too nice to tell you to piss off, Jean."

Jean scoffed at his underrated remark. "I'm just looking out for her. With Eren-"

Reiner cut the other boy's word off, dismissing it. "Head to your class. The bell just rang 2 minutes ago."

Jean tried to argue with the much older senior student but he could only grit his teeth at the untimely interruption, eventually walking away. The last thing he needed was to instigate an altercation with not one, but three of the Warriors squad members.

"What was that about?" Mikasa said to herself, unaware of the subtle way the other three boys were exchanging concerned looks between them. Reiner had an inkling that since it's only first period, Mikasa has not yet to either one: met Eren and Armin yet or two: checking in on her social media profile because she would regularly keep her phone off in school. A bomb had been dropped last night on the net and the whole school's been buzzing about it since. Mikasa being oblivious to the online bomb's explosion are a blessing and a curse at the same time.

Reiner took in a long, deep breath. Maybe he should pull her behind for a quick chat during recess, just to preempt her before she meets up with Armin, or worst: Eren. He quickly wrote in his notebook and waved for her attention.

'Can we talk after fifth period?'

She was slightly surprised at his request yet she nodded.

Reiner tried to remain focus in class for the whole time but a heavy dread tugged at the pits of his stomach. Little did Mikasa know that her day would end up from bad to worst.

-oo-O-oo-

By the end of the fifth period, Mikasa waited at the back of the classroom for Reiner, but since the quarterback was caught up in a conversation with a few other classmates, she decided that maybe he'd forgotten about wanting to talk to her about something earlier.

She peered through the doorway and smiled when she spotted Armin from afar. She waved towards the bespectacled junior student, but her gesture was responded by a worried look on the other boy's face.

"Armin, why the long face? Have you seen Eren?"

Armin only pulled her with him, and made a mad dash towards the school hallway. She was very concerned of Armin's peculiar behavior that she'd failed to notice the sympathizing looks almost all the other juniors and sophomore students were sending her way. Armin stopped just right in front of their lockers and quickly opened his own, a grim warning from his lips. "Mika, there's something you need to know."

She placed a hand on the shorter boy's shoulder and asked, "Are you ok?"

"It's about Eren."

Mikasa gasped, almost shaking her close friend's glasses off as she began to worry at the mentioning of her childhood crush's name. "Is Eren alright? Did something happen?"

Armin adjusted his glasses before offering his explanation but a voice sooner interrupted their conversation.

"Hey guys." It was the person in question.

"Eren!" She couldn't help gushing over the face that she'd been missing for a few weeks now. "We were just talking about y-"

"There you are, Eren." Another soft voice and a feminine hand immediately latched onto the boy's arm. The golden-haired girl in the cheerleading uniform turned her head towards them and tried very hard not to let disgust shown on her face. "Oh hey, Dork. Weirdo."

Eren shook her head and softly said, "Historia, you promise you'll be nicer to my bestfriends."

"Sorry, darling." The Queen Bee covered her mouth demurely and corrected her greeting. "Arlert. Ackerman. Looking forward to seeing you guys around more. Hey, maybe we could all sit down together for lunch sometimes?" Historia's round blue eyes widened in forewarning as she gripped Eren's hand possessively in hers. "But not everyday ok?"

'What the fuck is happening?' Mikasa's heart pumped hard - too hard that she felt that she might as well just die due to cardiac arrest on the very spot she's standing in. She glanced at Armin, who's already hiding his head inside his locker. She was at a loss for words, unsure how to take in the current situation. Even she herself had never touched Eren's hands before. Or even called him with an endearment.

"What?" Mikasa could feel her voice cracking, the same way her own heart is crumbling on the inside.

"Since Eren's my boyfriend now, we'll be spending a lot of time together." The head cheerleader shook her head. "Silly girl."

Mikasa was frozen. 'Boyfriend?' She blinked rapidly, her cheeks feel heated and she could feel her eyes begin to water - either in shock or devastation, she just didn't know. Maybe both.

The other girl squinted her eyes, scrutinising, "Are you going to cry, Ackerman? Don't tell me that you like Eren too?" The heir of the filthy rich Reiss family decided that maybe breaking her heart wasn't enough. She had to publicly humiliate her too. "Sorry, I guess Eren doesn't feel the same way since he asked me to be his girlfriend first."

Mikasa decided that very instant that she's done being the nice, quiet girl that Historia and her possies can push around. What made it worst, as if rubbing salt into her wound, from the corner of her eyes she spotted Jean. He was resting against his own locker with that irritating smirk on his face, folded arms and a first class seat to the school's hottest drama of the week. And maybe use the situation to his advantage after the fiasco had wind down.

She mustered up all the courage she had and sternly urged, "Listen here, you b-"

Before she could even finish that sentence, a large, muscled arm slinked around her waist from behind and a low, husky voice greeted her tenderly. "Hey, babe. I've been looking all over for you."

She looked up towards the new presence and almost lost her grip on the books inside her arms. "Reiner..."

"Babe???" Now it was everyone else's turn to be shocked out of their wits. Armin, Eren, Historia and Jean included. Only Bertholdt and Porco stood idly by, nodding in acknowledgement. Apart from showing their support towards their team captain by doing a bro fist bump with each other and against their chest.

Eren asked with obvious disinterest, "You and Reiner? Really?"

Reiner stepped forward, his height and build towered over the younger boy, intentionally making the latter seemed pale in comparison. "You have a problem with me dating Mikasa, Jeager?"

"I mean, since when?" The brunette shrugged his shoulders. "No offense but you're not exactly her type, Reiner."

"Maybe you don't know her as well as you thought you do. FYI, we've been going out together since more than 3 weeks ago. We prefer to keep it on the DL because Mikasa knew you'll be a dick about it." They weren't entirely lies but Mikasa didn't deserve to be treated like she's a loser, especially by Eren of all people. "Mikasa's been my girlfriend way before Historia even bothered to start talking to you."

"I don't trust you. You're just jealous that Historia's dating me and not you."

"I don't give a shit on what you feel or think. Maybe you're the one who's jealous because Mikasa chose me and not you."

"Mikasa," Eren looked back at her. "Please tell me this is a joke."

All eyes were on her now. She was lost in the current situation but she knew what she had to do. She looked up at the taller jock with bated breath. "Reiner..."

She saw the way the quarterback's eyes glanced at her nervously, worried that she might expose the real truth behind his lies. Even Reiner was holding his breath anxiously.

But instead, she clenched at his much larger hand and reassured, "You're not the only one with feelings, Eren. Deal with it."

Eren had a lot more to say, "But--"

"Let's get out of here, Rein?" It was Mikasa's turn to walk away with her dignity intact.

"After you, babe."

Reiner nodded, truly relieved that Mikasa understood what he was trying to do. The moment they walked hand-in-hand across the hallways, the whole school had been talking about them. But Reiner knew all too well, the tighter her grip was on his hand, the harder Mikasa was trying to keep herself from falling apart from the heartbreaking situation.

Her day could have been a lot worse.

Making up a lie had been an easy part. Keeping up a lie though takes a lot more work and sooner or later, the line between the lie and the truth gets blurry each day.

But what happens when the lie slowly converges into a truth?

Both Reiner and Mikasa will learn that the heart is not a tool to play around with especially when their families and close friends are getting involved in their unexpected equation.

-oo-O-oo-

End of Pt.3

#reikasa #mikasa ackerman #reiner braun #reiner x mikasa #snk fic #aot fic #snk highschool caste #quarterback!reiner #goth!mikasa #kiss me more series #by nightduchess #reikasaverse #snk highschool au

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iamnightduchess · 2 years

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Chills (Gen)

(Reiner x Mikasa - Modern AU)

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan

Rating: General

Trope: Mature Love, Second Chances

Feat. Pairings: ReiKasa, AruAni, LeviHan, JeanPiku

Prequel to Dangerous Woman

CS:

A grieving mother finds herself confronting the shadows of her guilt, the long overdue failing of her marriage and memories of the one who could have been the moment they wheeled in an injured soldier from Marley straight into her operating room. The day she saved the life of Vice Commander Braun of Marley's prized Titan unit was also the day he saved her own lost soul in return.

More often, memories may be lost forever but the heart never lies. He still makes shivers dance down her spine heading down to her feet just like he used to do ten years ago and his heart still beats as hard for her the same way. Even when he can't ever remember why.

ReinerxMikasa. Modern + SnK HighSchool (Attack on High School Caste) AU. ReiKasaverse.

Primary Fic Art: @ermioney

Read Chapter: 01

**Wattpad exclusive

#ReiKasa #AruAni #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman #reiner x mikasa #snk fic #aot fic #ReiKasaverse #chills #by nightduchess #wattpad

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Text

Us Against The World

"Two hearts, four broken pieces,

That's who we were before.

Somehow we fit together,

Now we're unbreakable."

♡ Reiner x Mikasa ♡

~As You Are (Act II), 2022~

AO3 | Wattpad | WebNovel

Art Commission ©️ Ermioney

| Tumblr | Twitter

** Please do not repost or modify/edit & reuse this fanart without permission.

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Text

♡Infinity♡

"If I make my arms, the home you seek

If I sway my brush, would I capture thee?

If I hang your scars in a gallery

As a work of artistry" ♾

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Reiner x Mikasa

~ Infinity, 2022 ~

AO3 | Wattpad

Art commission ©️ ermioney

| Tumblr | Twitter |

** Please do not repost or modify/edit & reuse this fanart without permission.

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Text

TheDuchess' Content Archives (2017-2022)

AO3 Profile

If you ❤ my works, pls treat me to a ko-fi!

*Ongoing *Completed *To-be-released

REIKASA'S RETROSPECTIVE

Part I : Why Reiner & Mikasa's synergy is pivotal in 'saving' Eren?

Part II : The Shield of Marley & The Blade of Paradis

Part III : The Route That Should Have Been

FANFICS

Title: Infinity (*New / Ongoing)

Genres/Tropes: Friendship, Found Family, Hurt, Comfort, Loss of Innocence, Saint and Sinner, Romance, Soulmates. Canonverse AU.

Link: AO3 | Wattpad | Playlist | FanArt

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

Canonverse After Ending

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, ArminxAnnie, JeanxPieck, LevixHange

Summary:

She was a fallen angel of war, unfamiliar in the ways of men, love and life. Still grieving for her first love, still nursing the wounds of an unfulfilled dream.

Seeing a sheltered 22 year old Mikasa Ackerman again, the one with the innocence of a young blossoming girl - untouched and so pure, forces Reiner Braun to acknowledge the devil in him. The same devil that wants nothing more than to corrupt and conquer this angel's sweet innocence.

ReinerxMikasa. ReiKasaverse. Manga spoilers (139).

Title: Eien no honō @ An Eternal Flame (Eien) (*New / Ongoing)

Genres: Romance, Friendship, Soulmates, Found Family. Canonverse AU

Link: AO3 | Wattpad | Playlist

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: Heaven & Earth

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, ArminxAnnie, JeanxPieck, LevixHange

Summary:

Post-Rumbling AU. The world rebirths and humanity rebuilds in the aftermath of a near global annihilation. As the last legitimate heir of Hizuru’s ancient shogunate, Mikasa returns to her mother’s ancestral land; reviving a dead monarchy and ascending the East Sea throne as the nation’s new age Empress.

When the imperial court decides that it’s time for Mikasa to choose a royal consort, hilarity and chaos ensue as the new monarch decides to smoke out the candidates her way - resulting in a wild goose chase for her royal advisors and living kin.

Enters their last hope - Reiner Braun, former Vice Commander of the Marley’s Warrior unit, one of World’s Saviors and personal yojimbō slash matchmaker (?) to the Empress Mikasa Azumabito née Ackerman of New Hizuru, who would sooner change her whole damn mind about becoming an unmarried ruler.

As the Empress' new sword and shield, Reiner offers his loyalty and services, least expecting that he'd also be giving her his heart and his companionship in the course of his duty. Manga spoilers (138). ReinerxMikasa. Reikasaverse.

Title: As You Are (AYA) (Ongoing)

Genres: Romance, Explicit Smut, Arranged Marriage, Soulmates, Angst, Hurt, Found Family, Enemies to Allies to Lovers, Sexual Discovery. Canonverse AU

Link: AO3 | Wattpad | Fanart(s) : Act I Act II | Playlist

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: Unbreakable

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, ArminxAnnie, LevixHange, JeanxPieck

Summary:

He only wants to secure the future of his loved ones through doing whatever it takes to save the remnants left behind by the recent ambush on Marley. With less than 2 years left, his only duty is to be a Warrior as he had been from the very beginning; sacrificing himself for a nation that owns but doesn't deserve his unwavering loyalty.

While she knowingly becomes the pawn of a clan she has recently discovered, hoping that she would finally be at a place where she belongs. Fighting for a united future of her loved ones and her bloodlines.

Both former enemies are thrown into a turbulent sea of obligations where feelings are sacrificed in pursuit of a prospering peace between three warring nations.

For the rest of their lives, at least until his last drawn breath, they both have to fulfill their duties and come as they are to each other - as a friend, a known enemy and an old memory to strangers intertwined in a web of political matrimony.

Title: Boyfriend (BF)

Genres: First Love, HS sweethearts, Fake Dating, Friendship. SnK HS Caste AU.

Link: AO3

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: Love Like This

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, ArminxAnnie

Summary:

He is the aspiring athlete, star quarterback and king of Paradis High who’s been gunning for the head cheerleader’s affections for a long time.

She is the mysterious goth, theatre nerd and wallflower who’s been crushing hard over her childhood friend since forever.

According to the status quo, they are not even supposed to be talking to each other in school. Yet, when circumstances bring them together for a united purpose, they find themselves becoming more than just accomplices in winning their longtime love interests’ hearts.

Yeah, right. What happens when the line between the truth and the lies gets blurry?

ReiKasaverse. High School Caste Universe feat. Quarterback!Reiner & Goth!Mikasa. A prequel to “Chills” & a sequel to “Dangerous Woman” and an expansion of the “Kiss Me More” Tumblr mini-series.

Title: Chills *Wattpad Exclusive

Genres: Mature themes, Romance, Family Dynamics, First love, Separated HS sweethearts, Loss of a child, Marriage & Divorce. Modern AU.

Link: Wattpad | FanArt

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: Love Like This

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, ArminxAnnie

Summary:

A grieving mother finds herself confronting the shadows of her guilt, the long overdue failing of her marriage and memories of the one who could have been the moment they wheeled in an injured soldier from Marley straight into her operating room. The day she saved the life of Vice Commander Braun of Marley’s prized Titan unit was also the day he saved her own lost soul in return.

More often, memories may be lost forever but the heart never lies. He still makes shivers dance down her spine heading down to her feet just like he used to do nine years ago and his heart still beats as hard for her the same way. Even when he can’t ever remember why.

Title: Dangerous Woman (DW) (Oneshot. Completed)

Genres: Mature themes, Romance, Explicit smut, Family Dynamics, Roleplay. Modern AU

Link: AO3 | Wattpad | Teaser by Kotofeyya

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: Love Like This

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, ArminxAnnie

Summary:

Something about him makes her feel like a dangerous woman. Making her do things she won’t normally do.

She’s a married woman and she sure as hell shouldn’t be out here at a bar, planning to wine and dance the night away all by herself. She isn’t supposed to be flirting with a random stranger whose name she’d never bothered to ask. She’s most absolutely not supposed to be grinding bodies with this handsome enigma and allowing him to take her dancing all the way back to his hotel room. Modern AU.

Title: Until Dawn (UD) (Ongoing)

Genres: Romance, Angst, Comfort, Explicit smut, Friendship, Family. Canonverse AU

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: No Time To Die

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, LevixHange, JeanxPieck, ArminxAnnie (implied)

Summary:

As the alliance races against time and the Rumbling to stop Eren’s madness, the new plan forces the team to make an unexpected detour in Odiha, a coastal city south of Marley. They only had less than fourteen hours to get the water plane’s engine ready and to gather their bearings for what might just be their final confrontation with Eren.

When Mikasa struggles in between the lies she kept telling herself from the awful truth, he, out of everyone, sees her for the fraud that she was - a terrified young girl hiding behind this invincible facade, clinging to the last anchor of her livelihood, burdened by unbearable guilt.

Furtive glances and subtle touches told him what words couldn’t.

If one last night alive is all that they’ve been given, then it would be a night of no prohibitions - one that they’ll carry to their graves. When the dawn breaks, it is time to return to their agonizing reality - moving forward towards inevitable death, when staying alive was no longer a possible option.

Perhaps, that one night in Odiha might leave behind a lasting mark that transcends beyond space, time, life, and even after death.

---

Title: Maria (Oneshot. Completed. Prequel to As You Are)

Genres/Tropes: Romance, Friendship, Sisterhood, Reunion under the guise of First Meeting. Canonverse AU

Link: AO3

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: Unbreakable

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa

Summary:

Koi No Yokan; “a sense a person has upon meeting another person that future love between them is inevitable. This is not the same as love at first sight." That was the term that Miss Kiyomi had taken the time to explain to her the night before. She’d just never expected that it could happen to her the very next day in the back alley of a fascinating patisserie.

She searches the streets of Marley’s city for any possible glimpses of Eren’s shadow but finds herself in the paths of a handsome stranger instead. If only he wasn’t wearing the red armband, maybe she would’ve taken his charming offer to walk her home or she would have asked him out over a cup of hot coffee with a touch of vanilla ice-cream on top.

Maybe, just maybe. There could be a next time.

Title: Twilight Blue (TB) (Completed)

Genres: UST, Explicit smut, Outdoor smut, 104th training. Canonverse AU

Link: AO3

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa

Summary:

The top 2 rising Cadets of the 104th found themselves in a rather unhinged situation. They had always been notoriously known for their insane physical strength and extraordinary capabilities as soldiers but a training excursion unexpectedly triggered their much darker, animalistic side which they kept hidden so well from the world. What began as a simple attraction escalated into a battle for dominance.

Title: Kiss Me More (*New / Ongoing) *formerly known as The Soulmates Series (TSS)

Genres: First Love, HS sweethearts, Fake Dating, Friendship. SnK HS Caste AU.

Link: EP.01 | EP.02 | EP.03

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

AU: The Jock & The Goth

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, ArminxAnnie

Summary:

Status Quo? There ain't no such thing.

---

Title: When I See You (Complete)

Genres: First meeting. Canonverse AU

Link: AO3 | FanArt

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa

Summary:

When a boy meets a girl in a hopeless place. Koi no yokan. Reiner & Mikasa.

---

Title: It's Gotta Be You (IGBY) (Complete)

Genres: Young love, HS romance, Friendship, Family. Modern AU

Link: AO3

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

Featured Pairing(s): ReinerxMikasa, BertoltxAnnie, ErenxHistoria

Summary:

A wedding of his former high school sweetheart makes Reiner realize that the bride is not the one who got away. It is her new sister-in-law apparently and it took him almost a decade to figure it out. ReinerxMikasa one-shot songfic to Isaiah’s It’s Gotta Be You.

FAN EDITS

Reiner & Mikasa Official Art Edits/Manips

Reiner & Mikasa Final Season Key Visual Arts

OUTTAKES

#001 | #002 | #003 | #004 | #005 | #006 |

HEADCANONS

(Across The Universe Series)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : Fic Ask I - Dating & Courting (IGBY Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : Fic Ask II - Parenting & Twins (IGBY Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : NSFW A-Z Ask

ReinerxMikasa#001 : NSFW HC (IGBY & AYA Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#002 : Bad Bitch Energy (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#003 : Reiner's Tattoo HC (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : 32 Weeks Crack Post

ReinerxMikasa#004 : Reunion & Alliance (TB Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#005 : Dad!Reiner & Mom!Kasa HC (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : Random Post-Rumbling HC (Canon AU)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : Fic Ask I (AYA Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : Fic Ask II (AYA Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#000 : SnK HS Caste AU - Reiner as Mikasa's DK

Mikasa#000 : Maternity HC (Modern AU)

Reiner#000 : Dad!Reiner HC (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#006 : New Year's Eve HC (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#007 : High School Fluff HC (IGBY Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#008 : Domestic/Fluff HC (AYA Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#009 : Valentine's HC (AYA Universe) ft. Falbi & PokkoPiku

Mikasa#000 : Empress HC (Canon AU)

ReinerxMikasa#010 : Pregnancy HC (IGBY Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#011 : Argument & Make-Up HC (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#012 : NSFW Extremely Kinky HC (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#013 : NSFW HC (IGBY/Modern AU)

Mikasa#000 : Mikasa & Gabi Sisterhood HC (IGBY)

ReinerxMikasa#014 : Argument & Make-up HC (AYA Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#015 : Actor/Celebrity HC (Modern AU)

ReinerxMikasa#016 : Post-Rumbling HC (Canon AU)

ReinerxMikasa#017 : Baby Ryder's HC (IGBY/LLT Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#018 : Post-Rumbling HC (Canon AU) Pt.2 (Marriage, Kids, Legacy)

ReinerxMikasa#019 : Extremely Kinky A to Z Ask HC

ReinerxMikasa#020 : Fic Ask (Chills) LLT Universe

ReinerxMikasa#021 : Sexy+Pregnancy HC (LLT Universe)

ReinerxMikasa#022 : Actor Universe Crossover (Spy x Family) HC

OTHER SERIES

That Post Over There (TPOT)

"You look like my future daughter-in-law"

❤

More forbidden archives content will be made available soon!

#ReiKasa #ReiKasa Archive #ReiKasa Masterlist #ReiKasa fics #ReiKasa edits #ReiKasa content #by NightDuchess #reiner x mikasa #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman #ReiKasaverse #ReiKasa sovereignty

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Text

Kiss Me More #02

"Don't Dream It's Over"

(Formerly named 'The Soulmates Series')

Read Ep.01

Pairing: Reiner x Mikasa (ReiKasa)

Universe: SnK High School Caste Canonverse

(Feat. Quarterback!Reiner & Goth!Mikasa)

Trope: Unexpected Date

Summary: He sees her sitting all alone at the matinee waiting area with a large popcorn bucket, a large soda with two straws and the saddest eyes he's seen on her ever. It wasn't his intention to turn that frown into a smile by the end of the evening, but he did it anyway.

Rhythmic Muse: Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House

"Don't dream it's over. They come to build a wall between us, we know they won't win."

He stands in a long queue in front of the cinema's ticketing booths, next to a vigil Bertholdt. The tallest boy in their school has his nose buried in a new dystopian novel he just bought from the bookstore only 30 mins ago. From the looks of it, his best friend's already passed the first 3 chapters - evidence that he's already won over by the new universe crafted by the sci-fi series' famous author. Reiner's eyes squints to read the screens displaying showtimes from the far distance. Times like these, the recurring suspicions that he might need a pair of glasses doesn't seem too farfetched after all.

A low snort and a guffaw break his focus as he looks at the Galliard brothers; Porco, the younger one, is showing a funny meme on his phone to his older brother, Marcel, a first year student from Marley University.

"Hey," he calls for their attention, "which movie are we catching?"

Porco whips his head to his direction, "Captain Marvel, duh."

"Most of the earlier tix are selling out fast. I'd rather we just get the evening show so we could still get the best seats." He suggests, before continuing, "I'm ok if we stayed until dinner time. My mum's not needing my help for the whole day."

Marcel, the oldest one in the group, nods in agreement. "Sounds good to me. I could also check out the IT store for some hardwares."

Porco and Bertholdt shrugs, the former suggesting 'Arcade' while latter suggesting 'Cat Cafe' to kill time until their possible movie time.

Reiner lets out a small laugh in response and chides, "We have time to do both." He whips his phone out and goes on his 'gram, scrolling past pictures of Jean standing next to a horse that's trying to eat his face. He quickly types, 'Hey Jean, your uncle's missing you so much isn't he?' in the comment box, not forgetting to include an evil laugh emoji before he presses the send's arrow button. He scrolls past his feed, occasionally commenting when he sees something of interest and chuckles hard when he sees the pop-up notification of Jean's reply to his earlier comment with some unsavory curse words.

His thumb pauses on his screen the moment an image of a petite, blonde-haired beauty appears in his feed. He likes the photo before scrolling down towards the comments section. He cringes the second he registers the flirty comments singing praises towards the girl's picture. He sighs, 'When will you notice me, Historia?'

Marcel quips, "I heard the sigh. What's up?"

"Nothing."

Bertholdt peers from the top of his book and gives a side glance at the school's star quarterback. "Unrequited crush."

"Hey, Historia's the girl of my dreams!" Reiner falters, right before he sheepishly adds, "I want to marry her someday. She's the girl I want to have that white picket fence whatever thing, one day with. Sort of."

Marcel lowers his head to take a good look at the picture on his screen. "She seems...well...." The older Galliard brother shrugs his shoulders. "So, you like the blonde, princess types huh?"

"What?"

"Nothing. What makes your boat floats, I guess. Didn't think you'd go for the plastics." That blonde hair, blue-eyes and ruthless eyes with a background of constant luxury materials just screams a lifetime of high maintenance, gaslighting and emotional manipulation. Marcel Galiard has an innate ability to read people's true characteristics only by seeing their faces - a gift that he's been more content in keeping to himself and between his parents. Even his younger brother isn't aware of such things.

"She's not a plastic! She's pretty, kind and has a nice smell!," objects Reiner adamantly.

Marcel jibes further, "Ok....and?"

"What else do you want me to say?"

Marcel shares his immediate observation. "Rich man's daughter? Drives a convertible or has a driver that waits on her hand and foot? Designer dresses and shoes bought with Daddy's black card? Gangs up on those who look different? Walks with her nose up in the air?"

"Fine. Stop it. No one's perfect. I don't care--" Reiner almost chokes on his own response. "--what everyone in school says about her. I know she has a good heart."

"Did she ask you to either do her homework or run some errands for her, just so she'll able to get to her facial appointments or shopping spree, dude? Uses you like a boyfriend but never sees you as one?"

Reiner curses. "Dammit. Shut up, Marcel!" He doesn't like that the older boy's shallow, judgmental perception were spot on even when he'd never even met said girl.

Marcel shrugs. "I've seen more of those type of girls in college, Reiner. Believe me when I say this - pretty faces alone ain't the ones you'd want to bring home to mom in 10-15 years. You'd best be setting your sights on a homegirl not a trophy wife."

Porco looks up from his own phone and chimes in, "The Queen Bitc-I mean, Bee? Hah, dang right. Reiner always goes for the hot, manipulative ones who's always 'Me, Me, Me'."

"What's your type then, Marcel?" Comes the challenge in his words. How dare Marcel even judge Historia and groups her with the girls he'd seen in his campus. Historia is special. She's a QUEEN.

The brunette scans around the cinema hall and shares, "That, that and that."

"You're just being random."

Marcel releases another low chuckle. "I'm not looking to date but IF I was, I'll definitely march my ass over to that lounge and talk to that cute goth over there. Now, that is a girl I'd know I could have an amazing conversation with."

The three boys follow his line of gaze and all three have different expressions on their faces - Bertholdt's almost beaming, Porco's gasping and Reiner with a surprise on his face.

"Ackerman?" The synchronized voices exclaim out loud, upon registering the identity of the girl who has ensnared Marcel's interest.

"Wait, you guys know her?"

While the other three boys are conversing, Reiner sees her sitting all alone at the matinee waiting area with a large popcorn bucket and a large soda with two straws and the saddest eyes he's ever seen on her ever. He'd seen when those eyes held nothing but either sheer determination or fascination when they were in classes together. Despite how the popular clique jeered at the school's wallflower, whispering behind her back and calling her with unsavory names, Reiner knows that underneath those thick makeup and black eyeshadow - that layer of cosmetics actually conceals a human being with a high IQ and EQ despite her introverted front.That girl's secretly a gifted genius yet not even once she wanted anyone to know. He'd once overheard the conversation that confirmed this taking place between the school's counsellor, Mr. Dietrich with Ms. Brzenska, their Physics teacher after school hours.

Bertholdt's voice breaks his instantaneous train of thoughts as the tall boy offers the information of said girl to the group. "She's the new transfer student from East Sea. Came in last summer. Already surpassed Reiner's top spot in the school's Calculus, Physics and Maths ranking and based on the grapevine of the teachers' lounge - a potential valedictorian."

"Beauty with brains, huh? And graduating?"

"Bro," Porco jumps into the conversation, "She threw a ball right across the hallway gobsmack into my balls on her first day in school. I had to get myself iced the whole day. Ackerman's got a strong grip. She would've made a good linebacker if there's a girls football team."

Marcel nods his head in admiration. "Beauty with brains and balls of steel who terrified my brother? I'm going to get her number."

Reiner snorts. "Sure, if you're planning to go to jail."

Porco shivers in reflex. "Bro don't. She'll stab you in the guts. I heard she transferred from a juvie."

Completely ignoring his baby brother's plea, Marcel presses on. "Isn't she your classmate?"

"She's fifteen but she's in the senior's class and Porco, shut your mouth. She's from an elite convent school not juvie. Get your facts straight. Jesus." Reiner's eyes had almost roll back into his skull at that point.

The nineteen year old's mouth gapes open in sheer disbelief. "You don't say." There is a gleam of admiration on Marcel's face as if the metaphorical sun's ray just glazes over him out of nowhere.

Porco quips, "I thought she's always with that loser Jeager and nerd Arlert?"

Before Reiner could answer the question, Bertholdt lifts his head again from his reading and offers an information that even he wasn't aware of. "They're always together but Eren seems to be more annoyed with them both constantly hovering around him."

"How did you know about her?"

"We're in the Theatre Club together. We do talk to each other, you know. Besides, everybody in school knows about her legendary crush on Eren."

"The unrequited crush, huh?" repeats Marcel, giving nod to to the taller boy's earlier remark. "Hey, do you follow her 'gram?"

Reiner squints his eyes and asks, suspicions visible in his dark hazel eyes. "Why?"

"I'm just curious."

Reluctantly, Reiner hands over his phone to Marcel. The latter's eyes reflects the light from the screen as he scrolls down the feed on his classmate's social media profile. He gasps shockingly and snatches the phone away when he realizes what Marcel is doing by double tapping on the screen. "What the hell, man? Those are old posts. She might think I'm stalking her!"

Marcel whistles low. "Hey, I didn't know you guys took a selfie together before? You guys actually looked cute together."

"When did--oh that was for a proof of our Physics project in the lab." After a while only then he registers Marcel's last sentence. "Wait what did you just said earlier?"

"Why did you never like it? Douche." There was an evil grin on the older Galliard brother's face. "Like." He reaches over and double taps on the screen of the phone in his hand.

"You asshole!"

"You can't unlike now or you'll be the asshole." Marcel sends him a sly wink instead. "The future you will thank me a lot in the future."

The group standing in front of them shift, forcing them to move along and he'd almost missed the figure belonging to the topic of their conversation passing by unnoticed.

"Mi-mikasa!" Bertholdt called out for the goth girl's name. Reiner could only hope she never gets the notification on her phone or notice the way his eyes are almost popped out of his sockets upon seeing her up close.

His eyes sweeps over the younger girl. She'd actually look adorable in the full dark purple plaid overall dress and fishnet stockings, a fresh change from her usual attire in school - black shirts and red or black gingham skirts.

Mikasa pauses, her hands still full with her snacks and two movie tickets of a show that had actually began 30 minutes ago. "Bertholdt?" She looks up to the gentle giant with a tight smile on her face. A smile that never seem to touch her eyes. Not the same as the one he'd seen whenever she's around Jeager.

"Great seeing you here," says Bertholdt, a sincere tone in his greeting.

Mikasa nods her head slowly. She looks like she'd rather disappear there and then than having small talk with the same group of people she tends to avoid at school. "Eren took a raincheck." Reiner didn't miss the visible look of disappointment on her face when Jeager's name slips out of her lips.

Porco pipes in unabashedly. "He stood you up? That sucks Ackerman. Ow--" He yelps when Marcel's palm hits the back of his head due to his insensitive remark.

She hands over the huge tub of popcorn and the large drink tumbler in her hands towards his bestfriend's hands. "I don't think I'll be needing this anymore, Bertholdt. Please enjoy it and don't worry, I haven't taken a sip yet."

Reiner felt the nudge from Marcel's elbow against his ribs, prompting him to ask, "Are--are you leaving already?" When did he even begin stuttering?

She gives another slow nod in return.

Bertholdt took the offered snack and already sweating beverage container as the ice had melted quite a while since it was bought. "But it's raining outside. You can't be waiting for the bus in this weather."

"I'll wait." Comes the slow, hesitant reply. It's fairly obvious to everyone there with the exception of Porco who has an inability to read his surroundings, of the well-concealed dejected sigh underneath the girl's breath. She was really looking forward to this 'movie date' with the guy who stood her up.

"Hey," eases Marcel, "Why don't you join us? If you don't mind catching the new Marvel movie. Afterwards we can stay and wait together with you at the bus stop if it's still raining after."

Mikasa's eyes widen in astonishment at the stranger's friendly offer. "I--....Thanks but it's alright."

Reiner smacks his palm on his own forehead. "Marcel, stop being a creep. She doesn't know who you are."

"Introduce me then."

Reiner clears his throat, mildly embarassed at his senior's boldness and eventually introduce them to each other. "Mikasa, this is Marcel Galliard, we've been friends since we were kids. He's studying in Marley U. Marcel, this is Mikasa Ackerman, our classmate."

"Galliard?" Her eyes dart back and forth between the older stranger and the blonde-haired jock whom she knows from school; the latter seems to still be terrified of her ever since the 'ball-busting' incident on her first day in Paradis High.

Porco stammers, "Yeah...he's my big brother. Please don't throw anything at me, Ackerman." He almost hides himself behind someone, which happens to be Bertholdt 'the human wall' Hoover, to take cover like a second nature now. This girl is so dangerous up close and personal. He'd never be caught dead trying to pick a fight with her. She'd be the type to shank him with a swiss knife she'd hidden somewhere inside her combat boots if he'd even so much look at her the wrong way.

He could only gulp in nervousness when he sees his own brother extending a hand towards the girl, which she shook gently. With kindness and a smile. With kindness. And a smile. What the fuck? Porco stares, horrified when he sees an unfamiliar beam and a soft gaze on his own brother's face.

Somebody call the Devil because hell has frozen.

Marcel is already smitten with this girl and they just met!

-oo-O-oo-

Reiner saunters wordlessly next to Marcel who's already smoothing his way into a conversation with the goth girl while the group heads towards the arcade on the fifth floor. Mikasa, despite the initial awkwardness and who seems to be a bit shy at first, gradually settles herself into a cordial conversation with the older teenager. They've got time to kill. Their movie's not starting for at least another one and a half hour.

"So, Reiner told me that you guys are lab partners. Did he mooch off his work a lot on you?," asks Marcel, jokingly.

Mikasa shakes her head. "Not quite. He's been really helpful."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Reiner listens in to their conversation, being the silent spectator while Porco is already dragging poor Bertholdt towards the front of the group. The boy's hand is already shoveling a handful of the caramel popcorn from the tub in the latter's hand straight into his mouth.

"What do you like to do for fun, Mikasa?" He heard Marcel's question, to which she responds to with a quick, "Besides beating your baby brother up?"

Marcel couldn't hold back a loud guffaw from his lips. "Shit- sorry, yeah, besides beating my brother up."

"I like to take a walk into the woods and offer little sacrifices to appease the Dark Lord."

"Se--seriously??"

"Not really. I only hex people for fun."

Marcel's face is already turning pale.

"Just joking."

"Holy crap. I really thought that you're a witch."

"I only ever messed with an Ouija board once. You really don't wanna know of the literal skeletons in my closet."

"Occult lover huh?"

Reiner's already clutching his belly, trying to hold his laughter down. He'd never realize how much he's been missing her quirky comebacks and oddball humor ever since she's become much closer to Jeager. It's like when she's around Eren, she hides the true real person from within.

Just like how he's always putting on this façade of a popular, devil may care and life of the party kind of a guy in school, especially in front of Historia.

The things we do and front just to impress people who don't even think we're worth a minute of their time.

"Bertholdt told me you might be graduating earlier than your peers. Done any college tours yet?" He'd heard Marcel's query towards the soft-spoken girl, who's now walking in between them.

"Not yet. I'm looking into pre-med programs in Karanes or maybe in Hizuru."

"You know, Marley U has an amazing science foundation for medicine. If you ever feel like checking it out, maybe you could give me a text and I can always give you a tour around campus."

"I really don't want to trouble you."

"No sweat. Here, let me give you my number. Whether you text me or not, it's really up to you."

Reiner immediately rolls his eyes when Marcel gives him a sly, victorious smirk; flexing his smoothness.

'Fifteen' He mouths sternly, sensing a natural inclination to be slightly protective over his younger classmate.

-oo-O-oo-

"It's funny that you've never noticed what's in front of your face all this time, Reiner."

"Whatever the hell was that supposed to mean?"

"A polite girl who you can talk to about anything, who has a quirky sense of humor, who saved our asses in House of The Dead 4 and kicked our asses in Street Fighter? That's a keeper, man, for sure."

"Pfft."

"She's a homegirl."

"Haha..."

"Make sure she gets home safe."

"Give it up, Marcel."

"We'll see."

"I'll book you a place in prison if you even dare text her for a date."

"Aah to be able to see the blossoming seeds of jealousy. 'Twas an amazing feeling."

"Shut up."

Reiner suggests out loud as they both stand in front of the mall's entrance, "Hey, I don't think the bus is going be here anytime soon and it's almost getting dark. Let me give you a lift."

"There's no need, really. I really don't like troubling anyone." She shakes her head, a hand lifting in a timid resistance.

"I insist." He could feel a smile on his face when the shakes turn into a tiny nod. "I also insist you keep the jacket on too. The wind seems to be a bit chilly than usual tonight." The cold draft of the evening wind only makes the prickling blush on her cheeks turn a shade darker.

"Thanks. I really appreciate it." She encloses his bomber jacket around her front and she pulls at them snugly. Despite the jacket being two sizes bigger, it truly feels comfortable enough for her.

"Sorry if it smells a bit funky. I always wear it in school."

"I don't even notice at all. Maybe because I'm already used to sitting next to you in classes?"

Reiner couldn't help the little chivalrous feeling from within when he sees her small action ever since she accepted the offer of his jacket from inside the movie hall hours earlier. Unlike a certain girl who wrinkled her nose in disgust whenever he offered it to her in school especially during rainy days. She said it reeked of his sweat.

Marcel's right. Mikasa is a really polite girl.

He pries open the door to his trusty old four-wheeler, a priceless hand-me-down from his uncle and apologizes to her for a potential discomfort. "My car heater's a bit busted so--"

"Do you always apologize when you're nervous?"

"Whuh?"

"I notice that you do that a lot. Especially in class."

"I do?" He waits until she manages to hikes herself up against the worn out leather upholstery of his car seat. He pushes the car door shut and gets into the driver's seat, instantaneously turning on the ignition by reflex. The engine roars to life before regulating into a steady rhythm.

"You notice things like that about me?" He quickly checks on his rearview before heading out of his parking spot, navigating the lanes into the main road carefully.

"We're lab partners for more than 2 terms, it's really difficult not to start picking up things about you."

"I'm really flattered to hear that, Ackerman."

Her eyes remain fixed to the road ahead. "Are you nervous about something?"

"Well, it's just that apart from my mom and baby cousin, you're actually the first girl who's ever ridden in this 4-wheeler with me driving."

She whips her head around, mildly disbelieving his sudden, voluntary proclamation. "That's surprising." She immediately squints as she mock whispers, as if there could be anyone watching or listening in. "Won't your squad be giving you trouble if they know about this?"

"Eh-- don't worry about it. Bert and Porc's seem to be surprisingly cool with you today. Even Porc said his brother's crushing hard on you today."

"Marcel?" She finds it difficult to believe that she had to repeat the name again. "Marcel?"

"Yeah...I'm just curious, what do you think of him?" The grip against his steering wheel tighten apprehensively, waiting to hear her response. Out of pure curiosity as a friend of course.

A quick notification ding diverts her attention towards her own phone, letting his question remains unanswered, and robbing off the demure smile away from her slightly flushing face.

"Is everything ok?"

Mikasa nods her head, yet her pursed lips tell him the opposite. "Just a text from Eren. Saying he's sorry that he just remembered we're supposed to catch a movie together today."

"But you said earlier it was a raincheck?"

She drops her head down in an awkward silence, her hand presses on the phone's lock button. A bit embarassed that he might've caught on to her little white lie.

Eren never texted her earlier to let her know. He'd only texted her at 6pm when the show would've ended by more than 3 hours ago.

He actually left her hanging all by herself just like that.

Reiner huffed none too gently. His mother raised him to be a gentleman and seeing Mikasa's face lost the cheer it had only a minute earlier frustrates him a lot. He quickly turns his head towards the passenger seat, asking, "Hey, are you alright?"

Her quivering lips told him the answer she couldn't say. He gives her the space to gather her breathe, without pressing her any further.

She eventually divulges, "I was fine and I really had a great time with you guys but it only takes one text message to pull me back from that good place."

He listens wordlessly, his eyes focusing back to the road.

She asks, "Have you ever feel so strongly for someone so much that it still hurts you over small things they do or didn't do?"

Reiner nods slowly. "I have." Still do.

The next thing he knows, Mikasa is seen burrowing her face into the folds of his jacket. Her heaving shoulders only confirms her unexpected breakdown.

"Crap" He panics, trying to rummage through his glove compartment for a napkin to offer and grunts when he couldn't find one. As a guy, he didn't really see the need for him to prepare such things but now is also a very bad time to regret his vehicle furnishing decision - or lack of it. On a second thought, he realizes that maybe what she truly needs from him is just his empathy.

And his bomber.

He tries to alleviate the piercing silence by switching on his radio and a slow 80's rock song could be heard mid-play from the vehicle's stereo speakers. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive but I thought maybe you'd prefer not to be heard. Not that I have a problem with either way you prefer to process."

Mikasa eventually lifts her head up and he finally sees her teary face. "I might have soiled your jacket. I'm sorry."

"Hey, you're the first girl who's ever ridden in my car and the first girl who has a minor meltdown in front of me, so don't feel bad about it. I'm secretly honored."

She takes a deep breath before rubbing at her eyes using a hand. "I was being petty over small things."

"You're not." He pauses his sentence when he stops to make a turn into a cross junction. "You always are quiet in class. This is the first time I'm seeing you like this. Hold on, let me just pull over."

"But...why?"

"So I could be able to listen to you better if you need to just talk."

He pulls the car to the side of the curb where it's safe and left the engine running. He places the hand gear to P, waiting for a little while until the engine slows down to idle. The light and easy rhythm of a slow rock ballad serves as a suiting, albeit slightly out-of-place accompanying music to their current situation. Like a scene from a cheesy teen movie. She's the sad, jilted female lead and him the ever loyal classmate slash good friend who's offering her a shoulder to cry on.

"I think I might have stamped all of my eyeshadow on the inside," sighs the goth girl as she pulls the big outerwear aside. Her lips purses in shame upon registering the unintended stains left behind by her sudden burst of tears.

Dismissing her guilt away, Reiner wouldn't be caught dead in ever admitting this out loud, but with her makeup almost gone from her face, he could finally see this girl's natural beauty - the one that's always been hidden underneath her regular cosmetics.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She shakes her head without hesitation. "No, thank you."

"Alright then," he clears his throat from the chilly evening air, "but, a little unwarranted advice if you don't mind....from one friend to another."

He holds her teary gaze in his own unyielding stare. He could perceive her anticipation of his next words. He's a bit wary that he could have offended her in any way, considering they've never conversed anything beyond academics or the occasional shared preferences of music in school.

She tilts her head to the side, nodding once and he takes in the gesture as her acceptance.

"I know that you don't want anyone to know of how smart you really are but shedding tears for a guy who wouldn't appreciate your time? It's not befitting coming from someone so intelligent like you."

Another single tear trickles down her cheek when she hears those genuine words. She's stunned. Speechless. She'd never knew that the star quarterback has a lot more empathy than what he's usually displayed in public at school. He's one of the holier than thou do-gooders club members that picks on kids who just doesn't fit their status quo. She could barely tolerate his clique in school.

But on his own, Reiner actually has a good heart all along.

"And you," she chides, "Why do you hide your kindness whenever you're in school? Acting like the cool heartbreaker, trying to impress the head cheerleader?"

"I think we both might have been too caught up in trying to get the attention of the one we like."

They both look down in mutual contempt upon realizing that they could somehow see through the other's façade when it was just the two of them.

"You're setting yourself up for a heartbreak when it comes to Jeager."

"I think you could use your own advice too when it comes to the school queen."

The immediate closeness between them - discovered through their shared plight - instigates an unfamiliar yet a very welcomed feeling. He lifts a thumb to wipe away the melted mascara stain running down her cheek, causing her skin to flush even redder than before.

Have you ever look at someone's face and happened to realize how much you want to stop their tears and take their pain away?

Reiner relishes in the fact that he can now say yes to that question for the very first time.

When she grips his hand and squeezes it appreciatively in return, he could feel his heart's almost bursting out of his chest from such a simple action.

In movies, this is usually the part where they somehow find themselves in a magical trance before sharing a kiss.

"Your hand smells of popcorn." She remarks nonchalantly with a grin and they both burst into a hearty laughter.

"Shh Mikasa...you're breaking the spell you had me in just now."

"What spell? You really believe that I dabble in dark magic?"

"The way you make even the toughest guy like Marcel to be charmed by you upon first sight?"

"Really? How come it works on Marcel but not you?"

"What makes you think that it didn't?"

"Very funny, Braun." She shakes her head as she wipes her cheeks dry with the cuff of his bomber, fighting off the smile on her face.

Reiner smirks at their banter. At least his intended half truth-half humor had made her stop crying.

"Thank you for listening."

"And?" He leered at his jacket.

"Thank you for the jacket."

"Maybe I'm your Dark Knight after all huh?"

"That was a joke that Eren doesn't seem to get." There is a brief pause in her words as she realizes another truth. "But you do."

She's putting him under another spell and she doesn't even know it.

A distinctive guitar riff intro of a song came through the speakers and both their eyes lit up at the same time, proclaiming "That's my jam!"

"Jinx!" Their hands automatically searches the other's. He's very sure she's not the only one with a wide beam on her face inside the car.

Reiner grins as he turns the volume dial up and Crowded House's vocalist begins to sing.

"It can be our jam now. Give it up top, Ackerman!" He lifts his hand up and the girl's smaller, dainty hand meets his in an impromptu high five this time.

"Ready to go?"

She nods.

He puts the gear back to D and steers the car back into the main road, traversing the route heading towards her destination at a cruising speed. He hums the rhythm before he starts to sing along, his deep voice resonates against the four walls of his car.

But you'll never see the end of the road while you're travelling with me.

She remains mum but she couldn't help herself when she eventually joins him mid-chorus.

Her voice is just beautiful. Her speaking voice is slightly deeper than most girls he'd ever met but her singing voice; she could make the angels weep in envy.

'Damn you Marcel for putting ideas in my head.'

He decides to ease up on the accelerator just so he could prolong this moment with her, just feeling like they're on top of the world. No thoughts of Eren. No thoughts of Historia.

If Eren deems his time too important for her today, he'll be more than happy to keep her smiling until the moment he sends her at her door step.

She asks, "Reiner, are you in a rush for dinner with your mother?"

"Not really. She's actually at my uncle's house. Anything?"

"My aunt is inviting you over for dinner at her diner. On the house. As a thank you for treating me to the movie earlier--" She pauses and she bites her lips nervously, before finding the courage to share her appreciation. "-- and also for the company."

He snickers in glee. "You know it's rude for me to say no to a free meal."

"Great. Her diner's meat pies are to die for."

"You know there's a saying, 'A key to a man's heart is his stomach.' I'm flattered, Mikasa."

"Ha-ha." She derides his cheeky joke with a sarcastic laugh.

"Whatever happens in this car, stays in this car."

She rolls her eyes but even in the dim lighting of the sunset from outside the windows, he could still see the ghastly vision of the sweetest smile he's ever seen on her face.

Until he'd heard her asking, "Reiner....why did you like my old photos?"

Crap. Damn you Marcel.

-oo-O-oo-

End of Ep.02. Read Ep.03

#ReiKasa #ReiKasa fic #ReiKasaverse #snk fic #aot fic #snk highschool au #quarterback!reiner #goth!kasa #goth!mikasa #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman #ReiKasa modern au #snk highschool caste au #marcel galliard #porco galliard #bertholdt hoover #kiss me more series #by nightduchess #Spotify

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Text

Infinity (R18)

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan

Rating: Explicit (AO3)

Pairing(s): Reiner x Mikasa (ReiKasa), Armin x Annie (AruAni), Jean x Pieck (JeanPiku), Levi x Hange (LeviHan) - implied

Summary:

She was a fallen angel of war, unfamiliar in the ways of men, love and life. Still grieving for her first love, still nursing the wounds of an unfulfilled dream.

ReinerxMikasa. ReiKasaverse.

Manga spoilers (139), with ReiKasaverse taking place after. The ending of the series is where their stories truly began.

Chapter(s): 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05

Playlist: Listen

#ReiKasa #reiner x mikasa #ReiKasaverse #ReiKasa canonverse #ReiKasa fic #Infinity #by NightDuchess #snk fic #aot fic #snk after ending #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Note

Hi! I’m so new to this fandom but I binged your AS You Are fic today for like 4 hours straight and am so in love with your writing style. The way you craft the characters is incredible and feels so realistic. Valentine’s Day is coming up and was curious if there could be a potential head cannon for our fav couple or how each spend their days including ReiKasa, Porco/Pieck, even Gabi and Falco!!!

Hello Anonie! Welcome to the fandom & thank you so much for reading AYA in one go! Zomg I truly hope the 4 hour seating was worth it 😭 Oh, Happy Valentine's Day to you 🥰 I am sorry I took quite a long time to complete your Ask but today just couldn't be a more perfect time for it ❤ I hope you'll enjoy this!

Reiner x Mikasa (ReiKasa) Fic AU Headcanon #9

Fic AU : As You Are

ft. Falco x Gabi & Porco x Pieck

Falco x Gabi (Falbi)

Valentine's Day, according to Falco, is a day when people share their love for one another. Unfortunately for Gabi, she thinks it's just a day when people acts super weird & corny. According to Porco, horny *snorts*

But, it's also a day where there will be a special fair hosted in Liberio with many fun things to do, cool things to see and many delicious things to eat - like pizzas, burgers and ice-cream!

That year, Falco told Reiner that he'd like to ask Gabi out and take her to the fair, to which Reiner agrees to chaperone their little outing/'date'.

Falco woke up early that day and brought a paper flower that he made using the art of Origami, which Mikasa had helped him with the day before. According to Mikasa, paper flowers lasts forever but Gabi was too oblivious of the young boy's well-hidden message.

Reiner and Mikasa accompanied the children to the fair where they got on the carousel rides together. Reiner even bought the children balloon animals, popcorns and sweet treats like caramel apples and chocolate-dipped pretzels. They had a great time at the petting zoo, bobbing for apples and tagging along with Reiner and Mikasa into the Tunnel of Love boat ride.

Apart from sharing the same birthdate, Falco shares the same love for ice-cream with Mikasa. They both bonded over the shared enjoyment of that creamy, cold vanilla goodness.

Falco goes to the shooting range to win a giant soft plush for Gabi, but Gabi is too competitive to allow Falco to beat her at her forté - no scope shooting. They ended up having won four big ones instead.

Falco and Gabi, with Reiner's permission/supervision, got to stay outside after dinner time. They joined the adults for an open air classical romance movie screening for the first time ever in Liberio's town. They had a nice picnic mat spread out with some snacks and drinks until both the children fell asleep in the second half of the movie. Reiner ended up carrying Gabi home and Colt came by to bring Falco back with him.

Despite their continuous bickering, Falco and Gabi had an amazing time together. With Mikasa's help, Gabi bought a small falcon-shaped pin as a present for Falco which the boy really loves.

Porco x Pieck (PokkoPikku)

In the morning, Porco took Pieck to the bee farm and sunflower farm. Porco almost got stung because he forgot to close the visor of his bee suit much to Pieck's amusement. They both had a lot of fun diving in the sunflower beds.

Pieck wants to do something new and fun that year so after lunch, Porco took her to a vineyard in the outskirts of Liberio. They learnt how wines are made, Pieck even get to squash grapes in a giant tub and they got to do some wine tasting with cheese platters.

Porco took Pieck to the seaside later that evening to catch the sunset and enjoy the evening breeze together.

For dinner, Porco took Pieck to his favorite steakhouse where they shared a giant Meat Lover's platter.

They went to the military's watering hole where a Valentine's Dance night was hosted. They went dancing and had another round of drinks for a nightcap.

Reiner x Mikasa (ReiKasa)

Reiner volunteers to chaperone Falco and Gabi's outing, therefore he also saw that as an opportunity to take Mikasa out for a date and leisure in Liberio's town. He got speechless the first time he saw Mikasa in that beautiful light blue sundress. She doesn't wear jewellery but he thought she looked beautiful with a single blossoming frangipani slid in between her ears and that she smelt amazing.

They took the children on carousel rides and the Tunnel of Love rides. They snuck in quick kisses inside the dark tunnel when the children weren't looking. They don't hold hands in public but Reiner would always make sure he has a hand on the small of her back so he wouldn't be separated from her in public.

Reiner discovers that Mikasa enjoys ice-cream very much that he bought three different flavors for her in the morning, afternoon and dinner.

Reiner also learns that he and Mikasa both really enjoy trying new or rare cuisines.

When they catch the classic movie in the open air viewing under a sky full of stars, Reiner spent more time admiring Mikasa's face more than actually watching the movie itself. They held hands the whole night. He draped his long overcoat on her and Gabi to keep them both warm.

Mikasa loves the fresh clean smell that Reiner always has after he shaves and that day before they go to the fair, Reiner made sure he has a fresh trim with his razor. She showed her appreciation by rubbing the side of his jaw or leaning much closer to his face more often than usual on that day.

She loves sharing an ice-cream with him. She also noticed that they like to take a bite on the spot where the other's lips had been.

She enjoys accompanying the children on the rides and found herself laughing more than she's ever had in one day. She also secretly admires the way Reiner had been so naturally fun and loving with the children.

Both her and Reiner found themselves stammering and flushing so hard when other fair attendees mistaken Falco and Gabi as their children. Gabi accidentally calling Mikasa "mom" wasn't helping either. Reiner jokingly reassured her that it would be a good practice drill for the two of them.

She discovers that she and Reiner both love dark chocolates and fried street snacks.

It makes her weak in the knees everytime Reiner leant in to sneak her a swift kiss on the forehead in public. She also loves that smile on his face whenever he saw Falco and Gabi got into their competitive mode. He said it reminded him to when they were young cadets in Paradis and that he's always been proud to be the 'number 2' to her 'number 1'.

In the evening, she gave him a surprise gift: a custom kerchief that she had self-embroidered with a monogram of the letters R & M; the initials of their first names.

They ended that night just holding hands while gazing deep into each other's eyes until they fall asleep.

-----

I hope the above headcanons are ok! Thank you for the Ask 💐 xoxo

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Note

For the ask hehe 🏆fic youre most proud of?

Hello my dear Aka! Thank you so much for the lovely Ask 🥀 The answer to your question would be (without a doubt):

As You Are was first born on August 31, 2018. When it was first published, I had no idea how big it would really be several years later down the lane. There are a lot of reasons why this fic holds a very special place in my heart, but the following would be the ones that resonate to me the most:

1) It explores the potential significance that Mikasa's Hizuru bloodline would have had, but was not given as much room for expansion in the source material other than introducing an ally to the island. I adore Mikasa and I always hope to see her be reunited & surrounded by her Ackerman and Azumabito kin in the course of things. But since we did not get to see that in source material, I'm really looking forward to explore that in later chapters.

2) When the first chapter was published, I had no idea who's not going to make in the manga, boy am I glad I stayed true to my original vision. I really wanted to explore an alternative to the source material's happening where a truce between Marley & Paradis be negotiated (with Hizuru as the mediator through Mikasa's position) to fortify the 50 year plan & beyond. Mikasa could have been a character that has a lot to offer through her independence (she did it once in Trost, I want to see her taking a similar initiative as a leading figure again) I also want her to have all the opportunities she wasn't allowed to have in the source material because she's more than what was delivered by the end of the manga's final volume.

3) Reiner and Mikasa together are an unstoppable force if given an opportunity. I want to explore them together as a combined unit representing two major nations in the world map.

4) Through AYA, I have made new, cherished friends who shared more than fandom discourse with me. This story has also opened the pathway of RK's many possibilities. I have also had the privilege of having a direct, personal conversation with readers who are hardcore shippers of canon ships (will not cite which for obvious reasons 😆) who had shared how they have fallen hard for this OTP through accidental reading of AYA. I feel happy to know that AYA has a magical power of inclination and persuasion 🤣

5) AYA's only completed Act I, but it is blessed with a number of kudos that I'd never dreamt it would ever received! Thank you to every one of my readers for their continuous interest & support.

6) Hange-san lives. My preferred endgame OTPs will too, be delivered and achieved through AYA ❤

7) The significance of Reiner & Mikasa's healing powers towards each other will be unraveled more and more. Through that place of deep need and darkness, there will be the light that shines to balance it out. They both have been deeply affected by Eren's actions, apart from Armin. Reiner & Mikasa had unfortunately been at the receiving end of Eren's personal terrorizing action (Mikasa at Niccolo's restaurant, Reiner in the underground basement), that they will find the soothing emotional anchor in the other without them realizing it.

8) Reiner's duality & his psychological turmoils; if it had the reciprocal, continuous support from someone who would embrace it with her whole heart?

9) Mikasa's devotion & her emotional strength; if it was embraced openly (with pride) by someone who would appreciates it the most?

Edit: 10) Mikasa having a mother and a family again through Reiner's 😉

I hope I didn't bore you with my answer. I really appreciate the Ask very much 🫂💖 Thank you once more, for being one of my biggest cheerleaders! Thank you & take care! xoxo

#ReiKasa #reiner x mikasa #ReiKasa fic #ReiKasa fic asks #as you are #by NightDuchess #writer's note #writer's asks #ReiKasa canonverse au #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Text

Dangerous Woman (R18+)

Rating: Mature (AO3)

Pairing: Reiner x Mikasa (ReiKasa) ft. tiny Armin x Annie (AruAni).

AU: Love Like This

Trope: One-night stand (?)

Summary: Something about him makes her feel like a dangerous woman. Making her do things she won’t normally do.

A/N: Inspired by this post & this post.

Rhythmic Muse: Dangerous Woman (Cover) by Travis Garland.

Content Warning: Adult undertones. Dubcon (somewhat). Rough, unprotected sex. (I do not condone this. Please practice safe intercourse in real life, everyone and only with people you trust, please!). Expect some OOC-ness because this is a self-indulging Modern AU fic. Happy reading!

----

The smooth tunes of the Spanish guitar blasting from the seaside cafe’s stereo speakers and the sounds from the crushing waves of the ocean serenaded her weary senses, soothing her jaded body after a long day at work. She’s been busting her ass more than usual, covering more graveyard shifts than she could humanly manage in her years of field experience. The salty seaside breeze wafted through her senses, mixed with the smell of grilled seafood and freshly-made martinis from the nearby bar, reminding her that her work vacation had been long overdue.

God, that trip to the Mediterraneans sounded much more tempting than before. Just lazing at the beach, soaking up the sun, reading a book or two and maybe toss in some kinky actions with a hot hunk somewhere along the way. But alas, they only managed to get away to a seaside resort just slightly out of town for the weekend.

A low, murmured whisper coming from her opposite direction turned into an uncontrollable cackle and she leered at her flaxen-haired companion, who’s now already tongue-deep inside her date’s mouth.

“Gross.” The raven-haired woman rolled her eyes, yet not without a small smile on her face.

“Don’t be jealous, Mikasa,” chided Annie as she broke her kiss with Armin, causing the latter to blush and stared back at his childhood friend sheepishly. “Just because your husband’s not here, doesn’t mean I can’t make out with mine.”

Armin sent a cautionary look at his wife and sighed. “Annie, we’re not supposed to remind her of him tonight. Sorry, Mikasa.”

The small smile turned into a tight frown as she continued to nurse the drink in her hand. She rolled mindlessly at the double olives on that tiny skewer inside her glass. “It’s fine, Armin. Annie’s right, you two are supposed to have fun. Don’t let me hold you both back. It’s your first night away from the girls after half a year, right? Go wild. But, not too wild ok?” She signaled to the other woman’s slightly protruding belly.

The upcoming fourth addition to the five member brood of the Arlert family.

Armin sent her a concerned look. He didn’t miss the way Mikasa had been restlessly fiddling with the wedding ring on her finger ever since she reached their planned venue of the evening from work. He and Mikasa have always been tighter than two halves of a whole since they were both in grade school.

He’d know when she’s in distress. That doesn't require his professional skills in psychology to read the other woman's body language and facial expression.

“Did he wish you an anniversary greeting this morning?,” asked the blonde-haired academician.

She shook her head, her glazed eyes cast downwards as she took a sip from her dry martini. “Not yet, at least. I did slip something into his luggage before his flight out last week. Maybe he’s just busy.”

Annie slammed her own glass of fruit juice on the lounge table and declared out loud, “I’ll kick his ass for you tomorrow. If he ever gets here.”

“Thank you for the offer, Annie but I still got this under control and please don’t. You’re pregnant.”

Annie scoffed in return, expressing her distaste at said man’s nonchalant attitude. “Well, at the very least he should have given you a hall pass if he’s going to be ditching you here on your own. Give you the freedom to make up for his shortcomings. It’s your anniversary for crying out loud,” remarked the expecting mother before continuing to offer her unwarranted opinions. “I don’t know how you could go through all this for more than ten years? Sure, Armin and I have been married for fourteen years, together for sixteen and I can’t ever imagine being away from him for too long.”

Armin’s gaze hardened, he looked back at his wife’s rather harsh words in concealed disagreement, but he also knew that his long-time friend's married life was also none of their business. “I’m very sure he has a very good reason. Which has something to do with his work.”

Annie let out a long drawl of sigh. “Still doesn’t give him a reason to be a dick to her.”

Armin’s jaw dropped down in disbelief. “Annie!”

Mikasa waved away Armin’s chastising of his own wife. “It’s the hormones. This is not your first rodeo, Armin.”

He shrugged, “But this time, she’s much more brutal than usual, Mika.”

“After three girls, maybe this is finally a boy. Who knows?”

Armin beamed at the possibility, catching his wife’s eyes in a soft, appreciating gaze. “That would be nice, but even if this one’s another girl, it’s still not an issue to me. I love all my girls regardless.” Annie snuck a quick peck on the tip of her husband’s adorable button nose and nuzzled against his cheek softly, whispering, “I love you.”

Mikasa held the other couple in an admiring gaze. They are rock solid, there’s no doubt there. Also, by the way Annie’s hands had been slinking into the folds of the younger man’s casual dress shirt, rubbing slowly against her husband’s skin, Mikasa knew that Annie’s hormonal condition also came with other perks, which Armin clearly appreciates very, very much.

She shook her head and chided the pair teasingly, “Just head on back to your room, guys. Don’t remind me what I’m missing.”

Armin turned his head back at her, reluctance persisted against his own conscience. “We’re not going to leave you here on your own.”

“I’ll be fine. I just want to get another drink then I’ll be calling it a night.” She lifted the triangle-shaped glass in her hands and gestured for the couple to make their way back first.

It was Annie yet again, who made her concerns very vocal for the umpteenth time. “You know, if you’re gonna be dicking with one of these attractive men available around here tonight, we’re not gonna tell him. Scout’s honor.” She just had to end her sentence with a sly wink and a two finger salute.

Yep, someone’s super horny right now.

She raised an eyebrow with a mock disappointment on her face. “Just get the hell out of here. Armin, fill her mouth good.”

“Mikasa…” Armin shook his head in embarrassment at the crudeness of her sentence. He could still never get used to the savage side of his best friend, who’s more of a sister to him than anything else in this world. “Stay safe and just call me if you need anything at all.”

“Thanks. Now go on.” God bless Armin’s kind soul but it was bold of him to think that she’d be calling him when he’s already in way too deep inside his wife. Even IF she’d really ever needed someone’s assistance. Regardless, she waited patiently until the silhouette of the pair disappeared beyond the canopy walk heading towards the guest rooms’ direction. Only then she lifted herself off the lounge seat, clutch in one hand and fixed the hem of her skirt and her hair, already messed up from the strong breeze in the other. Eventually making her way towards the bar. With the manner she strode across the dining area, her heels clattered against the wooden floor, she willfully disregarded all the stares thrown her way - appreciating or lewd - from quite a number of the male patrons of the establishment. Deliberately, she dabbled lightly at the thin gold chain around her neck. Putting her wedding band on obvious display and on purpose.

Mikasa sighed in relief, silently to herself the moment the message was duly received by the interested parties. The last thing she needed was to be in a complicated entanglement. She continued walking towards the bar, nodding at the chirpy bartender who bid her good evening and asked for her latest choice of poison for the night. She took her seat on the high bar stool, crossing her long legs comfortably and decided on another appletini. While waiting for her drink, she rested her face on her hand and tapped her fingers lightly against her cheek to the smooth R&B rhythm, staring fondly at the sight of a beautiful young couple slow-dancing not too far from the live DJ booth.

The moment a nostalgic tune she had once heard from an amazing night in Hizuru’s Havana Club years ago began to play - the intro to the Spanish dancehall genre blasted through the speakers - her body couldn’t help but move slightly to the sleek music.

This was their song. It was playing on one of the first few dates they had with each other. She’s even wearing the same red dress that she wore on that date eons ago. Back when they were younger. Back when promises were made to never be apart even for a day.

After eleven years of being married together….well, who’s counting anyway?

Unbeknownst to her, a set of dark amber eyes had been lingering appreciatively at the way she tapped her heels and the manner which her body grooved slightly to the playing tune.

----

The moment she’d walked across the distance between the patio lounge and the bar, she’d caught his attention from the get go.

Everything about this woman reminded him of Edwyn Collins’s crooning of his timeless serenade, A Girl Like You. She’s absolutely making him acknowledge the devil in him without an ounce of doubt.

His eyes glazed at the way her short dark tresses wavered in the evening draft and the way her off-shoulder red dress hugged her body tightly. The sheer fabric outlined the lithe curves of her waist, its edges danced around the long legs that seemed to be endless with every motion, beckoning his admiring gaze even further. She took her seat on the high bar stool, legs crossed and the edges of the dress hitched upwards, exposing the sight of her smooth thighs. Porcelain. Perfection.

It seems that he’s not the only person sending interested looks her way as he spotted several other men staring in awe at this breathtaking lady in red, without so much as a blink.

He exhaled a breath, much deeper than before.

He eyed the dark gold pumps on her feet that matched the delicate gold chain on her slender neck and the gold wedding ring on her finger. It also didn’t escape his observation on the beginnings of a rather intricate ink, emerging from the lace fringe on the back of her silky dress.

He wants to study the story behind it from the top down to where it might end if she’d be keen to share it.

He’s itching to know how much skin the ink covers.

He took in another long, deep breath, fixing the crisp collar of his suit. A hand smoothed his hair back in one fluid motion and finally, made his move towards the bar.

He’s going in for the kill. A wedding band had never stopped him before.

Several steps away from the bar and he’d already caught the fragrant scent of something succulent and delicious in the air coming from her direction.

Her perfume.

Juicy. He found himself licking his dry lips in response towards the prospect of savoring the taste of figurative sweet cherries on luscious porcelain skin.

As it were, she could feel the prickle of piercing eyes on her back. She then turned her head around and their eyes met from across this crowded space.

Her eyes, a curious granite hue, reflected a hunger that has not been fulfilled for quite some time.

It’s a rather perfect coincidence that he’d been ravenous for the similar thing as well.

He wandered over to the empty seat next to her. “Good evening. Can I buy another drink for you?”

She pretended that she didn’t hear him at first, yet began to cave in after realizing that she was just too polite to turn down a stranger’s offer. “Thank you but I can buy my own.”

A knowing grin graced his lips. He knows an elegant woman with a refined taste when he sees one. “I can see that you’re waiting for someone. Can I, at least, keep you company for the time being?”

She gestured to the vacant bar stool next to hers with a short tilt of her head. “Help yourself.”

He asked for a serving of whiskey on the rocks from the gentleman on the other side of the tropical themed bar. Certainly didn’t miss the way her chest hiked the moment she took in the smell of his cologne and he also didn’t miss the way she ran a thumb against the small jewelry on her finger at the same time she took a sip of her martini. Like she was reminding herself of a line she’s not supposed to step over.

Instead of taking over the offered seat, however, he turned his body around and reclined against the side of the wooden bar’s curved edges. He’d caught her staring at the outline of his pecs between the already undone buttons of his shirt. “Can I take a guess?”, he eased his way into another opening for small talk, “A husband who’s running late or almost letting you know that he’s not going to make it?”

Bullseye. He could feel her glaring at him from the corners of her eyes. “Aren’t you the expert on lonely women?”

A deep chuckle escaped his lips shamelessly. “Well, if you were my wife, you’d never find yourself waiting all on your own or getting stood up for that matter.”

The large hoop earrings dangled against the side of her neck when she turned her head sharply towards the devilishly handsome but certainly up-to-no-good face. “Does that line work with all the married women you’re trying to seduce?”

His sturdy, well-trained shoulders shrugged incredulously. “Only those that match the very specific types: cold, mysterious, killer legs and silent ones that are forbidden to touch.”

“Hmmm….” She shook her head at his rather brave yet stupid audacity of assuming she’s just like the other women he had successfully added to the notch under his belt. She’d wished he’d just take a hike and let her finish her drink alone.

“How about this, one dance and I’ll leave you to your lonesome for the rest of the night?”

One dance. It wouldn’t hurt anyone, would it?

She should’ve said no. But she didn’t.

The second he pressed her snug against his own well-honed body on the dancefloor, she could feel her own conscience gradually diminishing through every grip of this man's fingers against her waist. His muscular arms ensnared her in a vice hold before he turned her around again and again to the fast tempo of the music. Their touch electric, their bodies coordinated flawlessly to the sensual rhythm and lips almost brushing dangerously against each other.

He twirled her around and let her back rest against his chest. His voice was a low, deep growl - reminiscent of a sly devil, whispering nefarious sins into her ear. "You are a very interesting woman.

"I know what you're trying to do."

"Let's not beat around the bush then."

She shook her head incredulously, lifting the hand with her wedding band right in this stranger's face. "I'm still married."

A dark chuckle escaped his lips, the thrumming of his chest reverberated against her bare back. "I'm still interested."

She pushed herself forward ahead of him. "I need to go." Only to have her hand ensnared in his again.

The blonde enigmatic stranger lowered his head, his warm breath mixed with his sharp clean scent assaulted her senses. A contradiction to the sudden shift in his voice to a firm, authoritative tone instead. "Your husband is holding extremely confidential information that could jeopardize national security. I'd strongly suggest that you remain compliant until we can get to a more secure and private place to talk."

"You can't force me to go anywhere with you. I don't even know you!"

"I can assure you, making a scene is only going to make things more complicated, Ms. Ackerman."

Her eyes widened in shock. "How did you know my name?"

"You're a person of interest. I have all the intel on you." His dark, cryptic eyes held her gaze in a subtle warning. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

"Fine."

----

As soon as he closed the door to his room, the stranger pressed her body hard against the wooden surface, wasting no time in taking over her body’s will through the pull of his hands. He began to pat her body down with a force so strong she could feel the pervasive grip of his muscle against her skin.

She tried to push his hands away, almost gasping in shock upon his sudden action. "What are you doing?!"

He lifted a finger against his lips, demanding her absolute silence. "Searching for any hazardous items you might be hiding underneath your dress."

She scoffed. "As if."

An arm held her shoulder down while his other hand pressed at the curve of her hips, pushing her ass hard against the door of his room. He lifted one of her long legs and let it wrap around the side of his broad torso.

He palmed the lower front of her dress, caressing the shape of her hidden mound and his lips curved upwards in a wicked grin. "Found it." The same hand hitched her dress upwards and slipped through the layers of fabric until it reached its intended destination. "This, I believe requires a more thorough search."

He dropped down to the floor yet not without holding her leg in place so it now rested firmly on his toned shoulder.

The pointy end of her heels grated tantalizingly against his back as he marveled at the leverage he had taken from her, along with her resistance. Mikasa looked down in horror as the top of his blonde head disappeared underneath the wavy ends of her crimson dress, a gust of warm breath against her barely-covered mound. The only thing that she could register on her brain next was something wet and boiling hot brushing against the flimsy fabric of her lacy thong, just before the muscle of his tongue slid across her cunt in one long, torturous lick.

She could only moan involuntarily, her breath coming out in pants with every daring lick of this mysterious man's tongue against her already dripping core. Oh God, it’s been too long. “More….” She whimpered softly, yet her voice though, was a contradicting guttural sound, even foreign to her own self as she urged him to pay more attention to that little bundle of nerves hidden somewhere in between her folds. But that asshole wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

His powerful hands gripped her waist in an unyielding hold, pulling her with him before pushing her body back on all fours onto the springy mattress. She bit her lower lips in anticipation, her watchful gaze lingered on the way the stranger's lips savored the taste of her with his tongue.

He pulled on the edges of her dress downwards, leaving her in only her brassiere, her thong and her pumps. A tiny shiver tingled across her spine as the cold air from the air conditioned room hit her bare skin. He grabbed hard at the firm shape of her ass, only covered by a measly thin string and eventually tore the flimsy underwear away.

"Beautiful." His tone appreciative, followed by a low growl. "So much more beautiful in person. Your husband is a very lucky man indeed, Ms. Ackerman. Or should I call you Mrs. Braun instead?"

Her breath labored heavily in her arousal, induced by this man's words. "No-- we can't--" Her body heaved as she felt this man's long digits prodding through her drenched slit without warning. Her traitorous lips let out a slow whimper, grunting in regret at her own body's betrayal.

It wasn't supposed to enjoy another man's intrusive touch. But it's too late. The intense animal magnetism of this man was just too much for her body to resist. Certainly not when its needs haven't been satiated for quite some time now.

She heard the rustling of coat and dress shirt, followed by the unmistakable sound of a zipper coming undone from behind. "Wait--we can't--"

"You're my captive for tonight, Mrs. Braun. You won't be getting any rest until my questions have been answered and our bodies have been mutually satisfied."

She felt his hand undoing the clasp of her brassiere and she watched helplessly as the undergarment was ripped apart, landing against the carpeted floor of the luxury hotel room. "What answers?"

"For starters, tell me how hard do you like to be fucked?"

Her head turned sharply, her body struggling to wrestle control against the iron grip on her nape and her waist. "HOW ABOUT NO?"

"Are you sure?" She could feel his fingers toying with the sacred bundle of nerves within her folds and the blazing hot tip of his manhood already teasing at her slick entrance.

"God…." She moaned in agony. The sloshing sounds made by her own treacherous body couldn't make her sinful desires even more obvious than it already was. "Wait--we can't--" Don't do it, Mikasa. "Please…" Oh, heavens... Her voice cracked, her words turned into a series of low, incoherent grunts and mewls.

She muttered another low whimper, cursing when she felt the unwarranted sting on her skin following the sound of a loud smack from this smug asshole's palm hitting her ass.

Without yet another warning, the piercing tip of his member penetrated through her slit as he rammed into her viciously; she could truly taste him pervading her walls, its head hitting her crux with a painful yet thrilling contact. Her shock manifested in the way her lips trembled and her knees buckled against the soft egyptian cotton sheets. A long drawl of whimper escaped her scarlet sunrise-painted lips when he filled her so deliciously.

“Can your husband make you scream like I do?” He whispered those vile words into her ear when their hips pounded against each other once more upon impact. This sinful stranger imposed on her a choice she’d never make as a decent woman, wife and mother. The second he thrusted his whole length and girth raw into the tight passage deep inside her with no abandonment, she’d eventually admitted that her conscience had been long gone the moment they first laid their eyes on the other in the crowded bar.

She felt a hand seizing her chin from behind, tilting upwards and forcing her long neck to stretch further than she usually could. Their bodies fusing, this man rested his whole weight on her, pressing her flat against the mattress. It sprung from their combined weight. This man's mystifying gaze punctured through her conflicted soul - he was a metaphorical devil. Claiming not only her unjust body, but also her reluctant soul. Even more so when he brushed his thin full lips against her trembling ones. Their teeths chattered, their tongues wrestled for dominion of the other's will.

He snickered through the kiss, his chest vibrated against her back. She could even feel his member vibrating deep within her wet, hot canals. "What would Mr. Braun say if he sees you this way, hmm?"

Fucker. He stretched her thin and she cursed herself -- her body kept pulling him in. This man commandeered full authority over her body through every twist of his hips and every angle of his thrusting. Harder and faster. Faster and harder. Yet her mouth kept screaming a feigned resistance. As if the pure, innocent part of her was justifying the pleasure she was receiving along with her impending, forced shame.

Something about his recklessness and guts made the wicked person inside her want to break free. She was a good wife but this man is pushing her to the edge, tipping her scale from good to super bad really quickly. If these walls had eyes, they would patronize her for being so unabashedly wanton with another man’s dick deep inside her, filling her up, stretching herself tight using his substantial size with every thrust, wet glides and titillating tractions.

This man kept on thrusting mercilessly, his hips pounded hard against her ass again and again from behind until their inevitable gratification of merciful release, eventually setting her free.

He growled loudly for one last time when he unloaded his release deep inside her tight passage. Almost frozen, barely able to move as their bodies crashed flat against the springy bed, stacked on top of the other.

"Break." She mumbled against the sheet, still gasping - almost choking- for the air that she had lost.

"Agreed." He nuzzled against the back of her nape, inhaling in her sweet fragrance and the unavoidable scent of their aftermath. "Fuck, I miss you so much, baby." He snuck a kiss on her cheek as he pulled himself out of her, staring at his already flaccid member, secretly commending it for an exceptional performance even when he's almost approaching the big 4 Oh.

Mikasa turned herself slightly and rested her hand against the sinewy hardness of his thigh, showering it with gentle and loving caress. "Welcome home." God, he still amazes her even after twelve years together.

"Come here." He pulled her body closer to his so they both rested against the headboard of the bed, with his arms around her. "I've never stopped thinking about you when I was away."

"I wasn't doing any better." She cupped his jaw, smiling at the thick growing beard she found there. "You haven't been shaving."

He wiggled his eyebrows cunningly. "I think it adds more character don't you think?"

A sudden realization caused her body to spring up and asked, "What time is it?"

He leered at the watch on his wrist. "Eleven. Why?"

"I was supposed to take the pill two hours ago, Reiner."

"It's fine. I forgot to pack a box too. Miraé found the one at home and she thought it was a really special balloon we've been hiding. Thanks to her, I think the one we have might have expired anyway."

A grin formed on her lips. "That girl. I told her so many times not to snoop around our dressing table." She looked back at him hesitantly before confiding, “Reiner, I’ve actually been forgetting to take the pill for a week now. What if we--”

“Then it’ll be a nice surprise don’t you think? I kind of missed seeing you pregnant again.” His large hand rested on the curves of her sculpted abdomen. He remembered very vividly how breathtaking she had been, even more beautiful when her body was swelling with not one but two babies from nine years ago. The pregnancy had been harder for him due to his Couvade Syndrome for two full trimesters but he’d do it all over again.

She traced the inks on the left side of her husband’s torso : the kanji of their twin’s names - Masaru and Miraé. “I thought we’re done having babies?”

“I’ve held our home front with the double trouble and I love every single second of it. Another baby’s not gonna be a new challenge but it’s really up to you, dearheart. You know I’d carry the baby if I could.” He rested his palm over the hand on his torso. “Another ink would be nice. Or two? Rémy's been asking if he can have his own baby brother, I quote, and or sister since Armin and Annie's having another new cousin for them.”

Mikasa swallowed slowly, envisioning another pair of twins inside the house. Her eyes lit up at the potential new adventures or misdemeanours in tow - either way you can't have one without the other. "I think it would be really amazing. I couldn't do it without you."

"And I couldn't do it without you."

He ensnared her lips in another appreciative kiss.

“Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Braun. Thank you for an amazing eleven years of married life together.” He fumbled around his wrist for the luxury watch, engraved with their names and the most important date of his life: the day he made her his wife. “Thank you for the gift. I love it very much. And, here's mine for you.” He retrieved a custom-made dark blue box wrapped with a matching dark purple ribbon from the side table.

Her eyes widened as she saw the box and recognized the label. Only from the finest custom jeweller in South Marley. "Oh…."

"I know you don't wear jewellery because it's hazardous when you're performing surgeries but I really want you to have something more practical but still reminds you of me every second."

Great minds think alike it seems as he too had gotten her a custom fitness watch made from palladium only available in Marley. "I love it. Thank you so much, Reiner." She wasted no time in placing his gift around her wrist, absolutely revelling in its perfect weight and its snug fit. Just like every part of him to hers.

"Look, we match." He grinned as he moved their wrists closer.

"Always."

They basked in their blissful aftermath before their lips found each other again.

“If you were my wife?", she laughed at the callback of their earlier rendezvous at the seaside bar. “Your roleplaying skills have gone rusty, Vice Commander Braun”

“Well, my dear Dr. Ackerman-Braun, it only means we need to do this more often. Hey, maybe next time we can do the hot teacher, bad student routine?”

“We’ve done that 2 years ago.”

“This time I’ll be the hot teacher.”

“Hah…depends though, will you wear your reading glasses?”

He wiggled his eyebrows hilariously. "How thick do you want it to be?"

"Oh god."

He pecked at the juncture of her neck. "Hey, do you think I can borrow one of Armin's work shirt vests?"

"Please stop." She was already laughing hard at the horrendous mental image yet didn't stop his fondling hands or the tiny bites of his teeth against her skin.

They were about to dive deep into another round of lovemaking when the room's phone rang, completely shattering the private haven they have built between the sea of sheets.

"Baby, leave it." Reiner growled into her ear, his hand pulling on her own that's already pressing at the device's speaker button.

"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY YOU SICK FREAKS!" A loud voice could be heard from the other end.

"Shut up, Annie." Reiner barked at the phone, but his tone was betrayed by the amused smirk on his face.

Mikasa shook her head at her husband. "Thanks, Annie. Armin too if he's still awake."

"Hey… welcome back, Reiner." Armin's voice could be heard coming from the background of the other couple's room.

"Thanks, bro. Sure good to be back."

"You know Reiner," quipped Annie. "If you really stood her up, I'll be the one who personally hooks Mikasa up with one of those handsome rando strangers we saw at the bar."

"Not today, Satan. I meant, sis."

"Asshole."

The two couples broke into a mutual amused laughter.

"Now, Annie, can you please piss off so I can get back to banging my sexy missus?"

Their respective spouses' hollering their names echoed behind their backs before the call ended with a quick 'Make a baby!' phrase from his stepsister.

"Now, where were we, Mrs. Braun?"

The ends of her painted lips curved upwards and her lightly painted nails were already trailing down her husband's impressive body. She leered sensuously when she climbed on top of her husband's broad frame. "Making a baby."

----

A/N: This is inspired by my upcoming Love Like This AU, where Reiner’s stepsister, Annie is married to Armin, who’s also his wife’s childhood friend. Mikasa and Annie are competitive in-laws and the dysfunctional Braun-Leonhardt family are chaotic, eccentric and loving as they come. No children were harmed in the making of this fic. As a matter of fact, on that night, a child has been conceived haha Thank you for your reading! xoxo

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