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Chapter Text

Reiner knew that he was being punished, that much was obvious. He was a soldier, a Warrior of Marley, and yet here he was, playing bodyguard for a royal who hated his people with every fiber of their being. His mother thought that it was a great honor, to be personally picked to serve for royalty, he had chosen to leave out that he was guarding the weak and sickly princess. It was a slap in the face that his comrades were fighting wars to bring greater glory to Marley while he was babysitting a weak and spoiled palace brat.

The door to the Princess' sitting room was open when Reiner arrived, noting how you stared out the window longingly, your wheelchair parked in front of it. Since the start of your illness, while once a healthy and normal girl, now you'd shriveled away to nothing. Even the best doctors hired by your mother, the Queen couldn't tell what exactly was wrong with you. All that had managed to be discovered was your short life expectancy.

Reiner knocked anyway, not wanting to startle you as he cleared his throat. "Princess?"

Slowly your gaze landed on him, your eyes regarding him with neutrality, a polite but tired smile on your face. "You must be Warrior Braun."

He steps in, feeling increasingly awkward. "Yes ma'am. That's me." He was waiting for you to laugh at him, to send him away, outraged to have an Eldian watching over you.

"Sit."

Reiner's eyebrow raised, for a Marleyean, and royalty to offer an Eldian a place at the same table was unheard of. Even more outrageously you attempted to pick up the teapot laid out in front of them, fully intending to serve a Subject of Ymir had he not noticed how your hands trembled. Reiner grabbed the pot from you, serving the both of you, a look of bewilderment on his face that he couldn't hide.

"Tell me about yourself Warrior Braun."

You wanted to know about him? What the hell was your game? He had to be careful of he'd end up giving up the Armored Titan because he insulted you in some way.

"Me? There's not much to say, I became a Warrior when I was just a kid. It's an honor to serve Marley to redeem myself for my ancestors' sins." The rehearsed line had gotten easier to say over the years, easier to take on the guilt from thousands of years ago.

"I didn't ask you to recite, Warrior Braun. Or can I call you Reiner?"

He blinks, not sure what you wanted from him. And you wanted to call him from his first name? There was something seriously suspicious about this. "Uhm, sure." He realized his error before quickly adding. "Ma'am."

"Really tell me about yourself, what are your hopes, dreams?"

Reiner clears his throat again. "I don't think this is appropriate-"

"Are they that bad? Just tell me."

He hesitates for a moment more, worried about upsetting you now. "Well. There's not really much to dream about, before I really start living I'll be eaten by a Titan so that someone else can have the Armor." He realized that it sounded like he was criticizing the Warrior program, he flushed, desperate to make things right to not sound like a traitor. "Of course, that doesn't mean I'm not proud to be a Warrior-"

"I've always hated that program, if I wasn't so sick I would've shut it down years ago."

You surprise him yet again, most Marleyeans thought that the Warrior program was the least Eldians could do to atone for their blood. Yet here you were, condemning it.

"You would've shut it down-?"

"It's barbaric, you're all just children, then you go to war and die. I despise it."

"It's how we can repay for our sins-"

"Please Reiner, spare me. No one deserves that life. You shouldn't kill yourself to join into society. When I'm queen I will abolish internment zones, allowing your people to integrate into society."

It was far too idealistic this dream, to think that the world would get rid of their prejudices overnight was wishful thinking.

His disbelief must have shown on his face since you continued.

"I'm going to do it. Mark my words."

"I just don't understand, why? Why stick your neck out like this?"

You lean closer, eyes piercing into his. "Because you are not a devil Reiner Braun. None of you are. You're just people, like me."

Those words alone were criminal, anyone who denied the evil in Ymir's descendants blood was liable for treachery. However a princess could be the only one to be able to get around that law. Still he couldn't accept it, but it would be in bad taste to argue with a princess who held his life in her hands.

The conversation died, allowing you both to sit in a comfortable silence, with you looking out the window longingly.

Reiner notices, he knew how you'd been cooped up indoors since the beginning of your illness. Everyone said it was for your benefit, so you wouldn't be exposed to more germs. However, Reiner believed personally that the sunshine would probably help. But he could never suggest defying a doctor, not when he had no training or reputation to back him.

"Is it nice out today?" You suddenly asked.

He was caught slightly off-guard by the question. "Yeah, it is. Sunny with a couple clouds, not too cold or hot either." Reiner continued to watch you stare out at the elaborate gardens. "We could go out, if you'd like." He was a stupid fool to offer that, if you wanted to do something then there was nothing holding you back from doing it. Who was he to step in and interject?

You shake your head. "I couldn't do that."

"Why not? You're the princess you can do what you want."

"My mother wouldn't like it. She thinks that the outdoors is bad for me."

Reiner scoffed, who in their right mind could think that going outside would be bad for someone who was prepared to die at any moment? If anything the fresh air would do her good. "Come on, let's go." He stands, putting his hands on the handles of your wheelchair.

"You're mad, you know that?"

"I've been called worse."

"I could have you beaten for this, you know."

"I know. But I'm choosing to take the risk that you won't if it means helping you."

You study him for a moment more, surprised at how determined he was, before finally relenting. "You know what? Sounds like fun. Let's go."

For the first time in a while Reiner cracked a small smile. A voice in the back of his head was warning him to be careful, to not get too attached. However the louder, more reckless side told him to throw caution to the wind.

As Reiner pushed you through the palace halls, he knew what voice was going to win.

Chapter Text

The bright sun hit you hard with a wince. Fresh, clean air hitting your lungs for the first time in a while. The dust of the palace seemed far behind, replaced by a new sense of freedom. When was the last time you had been outside? Felt the sun on your face?

As Reiner pushed you down the cobblestone, each new sight and sound was a wonder. However when he came to the grass, your wheelchair wouldn't go any further, starting to catch and sink into the damp ground.

You sighed in disappointment, knowing that your adventure had come to an end. "Thank you for this, it was fun while it lasted."

Reiner could sense your disappointment, for some reason, it hurt him to know that what you had so desperately wanted couldn't be achieved. While he had no reason to help you, would only be risking his life and his mother's by being too bold for an Eldian, he had to. Something about your sorrowful look tugged at his heartstrings.

"No, we're not done."

With grace and ease he picks you up in his arms, carrying you into the cleared lawn. It pained him with how little you weighed, the sickness having taken its toll on you. Once, he was sure you would've been fairly pretty with curves, looking every bit the princess you are. Now you were too thin, sickly, like a sack of bones. Death was at your door, and it was up to him to make sure you made the most of it while you could. The thought of you dying without experiencing little joys bothered him more than he'd like to admit.

Reiner set you down gently onto the grass, sitting beside you. It was a bittersweet feeling seeing how entranced you were by simply touching the blades beneath your fingertips. There was an almost smile on your face, and for a princess, it was rather refreshing how you didn't seem to care about the dirt getting under your fingernails. In fact, it was like you welcomed it.

"Enjoying yourself, Princess?"

You don't answer, you don't need to, the evidence of your joy was written all over your face. It thawed a cold part of him that he'd long since thought frozen over completely. If he couldn't save the world, it felt like he was at least saving one person. Maybe that was enough for him.

"Thank you, so much." The pure gratitude in your voice makes him look away, unable to stand your simple happiness. It felt cheap knowing that it would all be for nothing once you inevitably died.

Reiner grunts in response, inwardly wincing at how harsh it sounded. He hadn't mean for it to come out that way, but he reminded himself that you were Marley's princess, he was a lowly Eldian, son of the devil. Why should he care about your feelings? You hid it well, but he knew you thought of him as the scum of the earth. Deserving of little else but death.

And yet, he couldn't bring himself to hold the same burning hate for you that he did for the rest of Marley.

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They spent most of the day out there, Reiner never suggesting that it would be best if they went in, and you never asking to. You didn't know how long it would be until you experienced this again, you wanted to enjoy it while you could. Even if Reiner was hard to read, even if he seemed to loathe her presence, you wouldn't trade this for the world. A pang of disappointment went through you when the sun started to set, signifying that Reiner had to leave and you had to return to that prison, no matter how luxurious it was.

Your wheelchair felt cold and uncomfortable compared to Reiner's arms. It was like you had escaped the jaws of death for a few hours, only to be brought right back to them when he rolled you back into your bedroom. The room reminded of you of sickness now, of decay, whereas the outside world was life, life that you so desperately wanted to grab ahold of.

But that would never happen. You were dying, and nothing could stop it. It would mean no more Reiner, no more days in the sun, nothing. A dark and cold grave, to be forgotten in ten years at most. You would be forgotten, you doubted anyone but your mother would keep your memory alive.

That thought hurt, more than it had before. To be completely forgotten, was a hard pill to swallow. You would have to swallow it eventually, but when Reiner looked at you with such pity, it made it harder to. Normally you hated when anyone looked at you like that, but when he did, it made you even sadder that you were dying. As if your death would be a great disappointment to him.

It seemed that no one had noticed you had left, until your mother burst into the room, looking from Reiner to you with an expression of rage. Although Reiner earned an extra glance of disgust.

"I don't know what has gotten into you, why you've become so foolish as to completely disregard my instructions and risk everything to go outside. To leave this room where you are safe, to galivant around with this," She makes a sweeping gesture at Reiner. "Son of the devil is something I cannot allow."

"Mother-"

"After all I've done for you, employed the very best doctors, caretakers, and all you can think of is yourself? Do you just enjoy spending all of my money for it to amount to nothing?"

"With all due respect Your Majesty," Reiner interjects. "She really seemed to thrive off of the fresh air and sunshine, I think it's good for her."

"Who does this devil think he is to speak to me so casually? Hm? I'm starting to think this was all your idea, since that's what you devil's know how to do, twist people's minds to follow your whims. I bet you rather enjoyed having the princess at your mercy, who knows what you would have done with her, alone and unchaperoned-"

Raw fear pooled in Reiner's gut, the only way he'd survived this long as an Eldian was keeping his head down. Now the Queen herself believed that something inappropriate had gone on between them. He was dead, the Armor passed on, his mother probably sent to Paradis and turned into a stinking Titan. All because he couldn't keep his big mouth shut. An apology was quick on his tongue, hoping to salvage this.

"Mother please!" You're practically shaking from anger, how could your own mother say that about Reiner? Sure, he was a Warrior, but he looked like he couldn't hurt a fly. There was a kindness to him that most didn't seem to see. "It wasn't Warrior Braun's idea, it was mine, I ordered him to take me."

Surprised stayed his words, why were you taking the fall for him? It would be so much easier to lay the blame on an Eldian, everyone believed it without a second thought, and it was an easy way to get out of trouble. Many times in his childhood Marleyean kids would do something only to blame it on him. It was always believed, and Reiner could still feel the beatings he would get. Why now were you taking the fall?

Your mother seems to consider your words, debating if she believes you or not. After a moment she nods. "Very well, but this won't be the last you hear of it. As for you." Her finger points accusingly at Reiner. "You'd best remember your place in this world, boy. Marley has given you the chance to redeem yourself of your ancestors sins, don't take our generosity for granted."

With a sweep of her dress she turns, leaving the room and the two of them alone. You both collectively sigh in relief, but there's something more pressing on Reiner's mind.

"Why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Take the fall for me, you and I both know it was my idea. Why did you take all the blame?"

"Do you know what they would have done to you?"

Reiner swallows, he didn't want to imagine.

"I'll take your silence to mean you understand. So knowing that, whereas I could get a scolding, why would I not take the blame?"

The words, "Because you're Marleyean" was on his throat, but Reiner bit them back. They didn't need to be said. You had taken the fall for him, that was that. He wasn't going to reason it out other than you simply didn't have a taste for human torture. Nothing more. The Queen was right, he couldn't forget his place in this world. You were a Princess for goodness sake, he was less than dirt underneath your dainty heels. He had to remember, or he'd end up watching his life end prematurely in a Titan's mouth.

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Reiner waited outside while some bigshot physician he could never afford to employ examined you. A twice daily ritual to constantly determine how much closer to death you were marching. They kept you humble, never forgetting that all you did would perish with you.

Reiner couldn't stop the nagging in his chest as he waited, technically he could go home, spend what precious little time with his mother he had left. However some unforeseen force made him stay, he tried to convince himself it was simply wanting to know about his job security. Maybe it was even wondering about the future monarch that would hold his people's lives in her hands, if she lived that long.

As the door opened and shut again, the physician slipping out Reiner couldn't help but be a fool once more.

"How is she?"

The doctor looked like he'd been slapped, an Eldian daring to address him? "And who is this bold son of the devil who would address me so informally?"

He bit the inside of his cheek, mentally schooling his temper. "I just want to know about how she's doing, please."

There was a brief moment of tension between them, before the other man sighs. "I suppose even the Devils want to know about where their fate lies when the Queen passes on." There's another sigh, a pause, as if deliberately keeping Reiner hanging on his next words. "Whatever they're doing, they should continue to."

His eyes widen. "What do you mean? Are you saying....she's getting better?"

"It's too soon to tell, but, she seemed in better health than yesterday. And more importantly, whatever it is, she's found something to live for."

A strange feeling bloomed in Reiner's chest, but he quickly brushed it aside. There was no way that he could flatter himself enough to think that he had any impact on her. It must be the fresh air, the sunlight, it was helping her.

"And if they do keep whatever it is they're doing up...do you think?"

"I can't say anything yet, but you might have your devil-loving Queen after all."

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Reiner opened the door to the small townhouse him and his mother owned. Unsurprisingly, his mother was at the door waiting, eager to hear about his first day in such an honored position.

"Reiner.."

"Hey mom." He brushes past her, he knows what she's waiting for, but it was hard to describe when he couldn't even describe it himself.

"Aren't you going to tell me how your day was? It's not every day that an Eldian receives such an honor."

"I know."

"So tell me about it, what was she like?"

He grunted. "Different, she likes Eldians."

"Really? That's wonderful-"

"But they doubt she'll live long enough to do anything for us."

"It is a shame how the best ones seem to die first."

He clenched his jaw, debating for a moment whether to lift his mom's hopes like that. For years, she had been hoping for change in Marley, now he'd dangled it in front of her face. He looks back at her, seeing her expression, damn it all, she needed some hope.

"They say that, whatever they're doing for treatment, it's might make her better."

"Oh Reiner-"

"She could live to see her rule, and she wants to make things better for us."

"And you, did she like you?"

He couldn't even say, he didn't know. You were hard to read, your actual thoughts on him hidden.

"I think so."

"I told you things would be looking up for us. This is the start of real change."

His mother launches into a rant about all the good that was to come, Reiner tuning it out as he usually did. It used to be hard to do, his mind retreating back to painful memories, now, he found something pleasant to think about. The confusing princess who didn't seem to hate him. Maybe his mother was right, maybe change was coming.

Chapter Text

Reiner had mentally schooled himself the entire way to the palace. He had to get a grip on his emotions, making sure that he didn't do or say anything foolish. He'd taken far too many liberties, actually holding the princess in his arms? He was shocked he hadn't been executed on the spot. Reiner was sure it was only because you needed him, nothing more. He had been the first one in a while who had taken you out of that prison and given you a shot at freedom. "She's Marleyean, you know that never ends well...They'll turn on you in an instant." Never knowing his own father for that very reason replayed over and over in his mind. Nothing good ever came of an Eldian forgetting their place, all it led to was broken hearts and bullets through them.

Just like yesterday, no one regarded Reiner as he made his way through the elaborate palace halls. It worked in his favor, he needed to focus on shutting out all traitorous thoughts, especially the ones of your smile.

He pushed open the already open door, hearing multiple voices inside. Instantly he regretted it, finding you in bed still, covers pulled over your lap and chatting with a maid. Reiner started to close the door, not wanting to be caught disturbing you.

"Reiner-!" Too late.

He winces, stepping in and offering a salute before realizing how stupid that is. You're not his commander, it probably looked like he was offering a high five. In embarrassment he shoves his hands into his pockets, trying to appear nonchalant. What was it about you that threw him off balance? "Good morning, Princess."

"Come, sit." You pat the corner of the bed, surprising him yet again. Weren't you afraid that he would dirty it? That's what all Marleyeans thought. Either your façade of actually caring about his people was masterfully executed, or you genuinely felt that way.

However, Reiner does as you ask, sinking onto the plush mattress, mentally comparing its softness to the rock hard mattress he slept on each night. He noticed the array of fine food set out on your tray, trying to keep his mouth from watering, it looked like you hardly touched it.

You noticed his stare. "Please, feel free."

"I couldn't-"

"I insist."

Reiner knew you'd laugh at this behind his back later, Eldian filth only worth the scraps from your table. He should refuse, just to make sure you had no ammo. But hunger won over, making him eagerly dig in. With the first bite he barely held back a groan, it was still simple fare, for your weakened body, but far more than anything he'd ever be able to afford.

"I gained a pound from my checkup today."

Reiner hesitates, unsure if that's good or bad, the one time he'd commented on Gabi's stature, even though it was a compliment to how much she'd grown led to a harsh kick to his shin.

"That's a good thing." Thank goodness, he could never read women.

"Ah, well, congratulations." He wasn't sure why you were telling him this, why would you want to share your medical health with him? Weren't you worried about appearing weak?

"So what's the plan for today?"

"Do I look like your entertainer?" He shot back, before mentally cursing himself. He needed this job. "Please excuse me, your majesty, I meant no disrespect."

To his surprise, you laugh, thoroughly amused by him. "Maybe you're not, but I've haven't had as wonderful day as I did yesterday. I was hoping, that we could go outside again today, if you're up for it."

"You're asking my permission?" You weren't much of a princess, asking your subjects for permission to do things.

"Well you'd have to carry me again, so, it's up to you."

Looking at your pleased and hopeful expression, who was he to say no?

Reiner smiles just a little. "Get dressed Princess, your wish is my command."

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You and Reiner sat in the grass once more, this time on a spread out blanket, a game of chess set between you. You found plenty of wonder in the great outdoors, however you were afraid that Reiner was bored of just sitting. It was nice being close to someone, your mother had long since given you up for dead, focusing her attentions to your younger brother. Not until you died would he be considered heir apparent, but your mother already treated him like he was.

You didn't want to think about such things. You wanted to think about the sun on your face, and the sweet man at your side. Reiner was definitely on edge around you still, and you couldn't really blame him. He was used to thinking that if he made one wrong move, you would execute him on the spot. The thought made you uneasy, you wanted him to trust you, you wanted to be his friend. Your existence up until now had been lonely, you needed a friend more than you'd like to admit. And there was something about Reiner, like you could tell he had a good heart.

"You never answered my question." You said, breaking the silence.

He looks up. "Which one was that again?"

"About what your hopes and dreams are."

"I did."

"You just told me that there was nothing you could dream about, because you were going to die."

"Isn't that answer enough?"

"No of course not." You laugh, shaking your head. "Humor me, in an ideal world, what would be your dream?"

Reiner thought about it a moment, really considering. "I'd like to have a family, a wife, kids. The whole package. To save the world so that it's a safe place for them to grow up. nothing too fancy, just enough."

You smiled, it was sweet that in his wildest dreams, all he wanted was a family. You couldn't deny the pang of sadness in your chest, knowing that he would never have that, just like you. The facts were he was going to be eaten by the next Armoured Titan before he even had a chance at living. It was a cruel world, one that demanded these poor souls give their all just for the sake of being treated as sub-human instead of dirt.

Much had changed, there was something within you that you knew had changed. You didn't feel as hopeless, like your time on this earth was slipping through your fingers and you couldn't catch it. You knew there was no possible way you could recover, but despite it all, there was a small flicker of hope that had started to flare up inside you. You couldn't help but fight, fight back for your health, to see if you really could recover. If you could defy all odds to see your reign, to change things, to have more of this, more of these days with Reiner. Why that was what you longed for, you didn't know, but the idea of these moments, simply ceasing to exist hurt more than you thought.

"I think that's very sweet Reiner."

"You don't need to patronize me-"

"I wasn't, I mean it, I think it's very sweet. I hope you can achieve it someday."

"How can I? My time's almost up, the next Armoured Titan will come and I'll exist only in its memories."

An uneasy and sad silence fell over them. You knew what the future held for Reiner, it was inevitable, he couldn't just continue being the Armoured Titan past his term.

"Correct me if I'm wrong." You started. "But I heard that each Warrior passes on a bit of themselves to the next Warrior."

"In theory, mostly it's just memories."

"If that's the case....then I hope the next Armoured Titan remembers this, remembers me, so that we can become friends again."

Reiner's heart clenched, you would want to be friends with another Warrior if they held his memories? "Yeah, no sweat, I'll uhm, try my best to make sure the candidate knows that."

"Oh? You know who has been chosen?"

"Not officially, but they're talking about my little cousin, Gabi."

"How old is she?"

"Twelve, she's just a kid still."

You clenched your jaw, such a young one to be considered. There used to be a time when only adults who had lived their lives were chosen. It kept getting younger and younger. The desire to change how things were run kept getting stronger and stronger.

"I'd love to meet her some time. She's probably a lot like you."

Reiner laughs at that. "Yeah, she's not like me at all. Little spitfire. Brave, top of her class."

"I think you're brave too-"

"I'm the furthest thing from brave." He snaps, suddenly. "I'm a coward, hiding away from my problems on that island, trying to forget my duty. I should've had this power taken from me a long time ago, when I first failed."

You winced slightly at his tone, while you wanted nothing more than to comfort him, the last thing you wanted was to piss him off further. So you remained silent.

Reiner seemed to gather your silence, mentally cursing himself once again for being unable to control his temper around you. What was it about you that just made him feel so out of control? He was used to be able to hold the reigns on his emotions, you were throwing everything off balance. You made him want to believe what you said, to think that he was a good person. After a moment he sighs, the apology was quick on his tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"I'll take you to meet her sometime." He said instead.

"Would you? Oh I'd love that."

Now he smiles, feeling the tension easing. "Yeah, I promise."

"Now?"

He was caught a bit off guard, you weren't one to be bold. "Right now? Are you sure? I don't know if you're able to leave like that-"

"I'm going to be your Queen, and I order you Reiner Braun to take me to meet your family."

Reiner knew despite your words your threats were small and meaningless, but it was kind of cute to see you try and boss him around.

"Very well, your wish is my command princess."