catalyst ⋆˙⟡ nerd!armin arlert x reader

chapter 11

The sun nearly infringed your vision as it set in the distant horizon, a cool breeze hitting the back of your neck as you leaned against the barrier between the field in front of you, and the bleachers where you stood, back to the sea of people ready to watch soccer game.

Crepsular light shadowed the field in hues of tangerine and blush, dusting each of the players on the sidelines, many of them peering up to talk to the crowds of people swarming the barrier before they took to the field.

Your heart had seized slightly as you walked up the metal steps, the creaking of the material quieted down by the shouts of your companions. Mikasa's warm hand was tugging you behind her, keeping you from getting lost in the horde of people making their way to the bleachers, trying to get the best spot to watch the game.

Sasha had taken the lead, guiding you two through the stands to where Connie was below, waving him down.

The steady beat in your chest was rushing, throbbing against your ribs when you looked where Connie was standing, and saw him.

Biology Blonde was standing far from the metal fence separating the players from the rest of the crowd, his arms crossed across his chest, black headphones around his neck, flushed cheeks, and the lightest slick of sweat crooked on his neck. Visions of blonde hair, ruffled and messy in a way that made your cheeks warm, filled your line of sight. He was talking to Jean, voices hushed and–

"Hey!" Reiner called out, tearing your attention down to where he was standing, broad and commanding, a grin across his face.

You smiled, having nearly forgotten about why you were here, to see Reiner, Connie, and Jean play, not Biology Blonde, who seemed to also be on the team. Maybe he was an alternate? He didn't strike you as someone who would thrive in a bustling social environment, seeing as he barely knew how to talk to you.

"Hi," You said as Mikasa let your hand go with a squeeze and walked away from where you and Sasha were planted, muttering something to Sasha as she sauntered away, farther down the stands before disappearing into the rabble of people.

Looking down, you watched as Connie ran up beside Reiner, talking to Sasha with a grin on his face.

Reiner huffed out a breath, looking aspirated, and you remembered for a fleeting second that you were teetering between annoyed and comfortable.

He looked good, a bit sweaty. "I see my relentless begging convinced you to come," Reiner smirked, crossing his arms across the #4 on his jersey, the material sticking to his skin, highlighting the broadness of his pecs and the defined abs hiding just under them.

"Don't give yourself too much credit," You joked, leaning over the barrier to hear him better. "I'm here for Connie and Jean."

An unrecognizable emotion flickered across Reiner's face, bordering on annoyance, which made you smile a bit despite how wrong it was.

"Does this mean you'll be at Historia's after party for them, too?" Reiner teased, and you rolled your eyes.

Shaking your head, you spoke. "No, I'm going to that for myself."

"And me, just a little?" He asked, hazel eyes brimming with eagerness. You only slightly dreaded the party, bordering between trying to stay upset that he essentially laid his claim on you to a group of boys you barely knew and feeling flattered that someone as attractive as Reiner was laying into you.

You shrugged. "Just a little."

A lie. Mostly. So what if you were going to a party for a bit of male validation? Was there anything really wrong with that? If he was going to publicly declare to the entire soccer team, and probably more people beyond them, that you were off limits, the least he could do is shower you with attention, even if he was probably just doing it to get some.