catalyst ⋆˙⟡ nerd!armin arlert x reader

chapter 13

The Reiss Estate was massive, a grand stone-clad mansion nestled between vast trees, surrounded by forest: a steeply pitched slate roof and Gothic arched windows. The landscaping was manicured to perfection, their groundskeeper worked overtime; you were certain of that.

The house radiated legacy and class in all ways, well, it would have, if not for the turbulent music that shook the glass panes in the windows and echoed down the winding driveway where you and Sasha stood, shaking off the aches of the drive. Mikasa and Pieck had gone ahead, promising to meet up with you and Sasha later on in the night.

Inside the house, the lights were dim, the heat radiating off of the hundreds of bodies lingering inside warming the place along with the lingering scent of weed that clung in the air with a dense haze. The front door led into a tight foyer, where a few people were standing, pressed against the walls as you and Sasha moved through, the bass rolling through your body as you clung onto her hand, trailing her.

"Connie and Jean are in the backyard," Sasha called over her shoulder, shouting over the music and pulling you into the crowded living room, where you spotted Ymir sitting in a plush chair with Historia slung over her lap, arms around Ymir's neck. She gave you a wink and a nod before Sasha pulled you away, through the luxurious kitchen that was riddled with booze, and into the warm air of the backyard.

There was a sizable porch with an outdoor kitchenette as well as a bar, where a group of people were doing shots, and a table and chairs just outside the door where people were sitting, sharing a blunt. Sasha tugged your hand with a squeeze, pulling you beyond the porch and further into the yard, which was littered with people, aside from one spot: a fire pit surrounded by an alcove of trees.

It was far enough from the house for the music blaring inside the house to fade to a mellow hum, and the hanging scent of weed was not stale and clinging to the inside of the house, but coming in billowing smoke out of Connie's mouth.

As you and Sasha grew closer, he stood, throwing his arms above his head. "My girls," He cheered, pulling both of you into his arms with a squeeze. He was already crossed, smelling of expensive weed and extravagant booze, but it was no shock to you; they had just won their first game of the season, you'd be getting slooshed too.

"Hey, Con," Your voice was muffled as he pulled you guys out of the hug, and slung his arm around you and Sasha's shoulders, facing the crowd around the open fire pit, embers flying in sparks, and smoke reaching for the sky.

Jean was sitting next to where Connie had been, and beside him was a guy you didn't recognize with short parted brown hair and a litter of freckles across his cheeks. he was handsome, with a stark jaw and glossed over eyes, he smirked at you.

"Jean, you didn't tell me you had hot friends other than me," The guy said, looking you up and down before Connie reached over and bopped him on the head.

He cursed as Jean laughed. "Watch it, Marco, Reiner is going to get you."

Marco gave you a look. "You're slumming it with that oaf?"

"Oh, come on, guys," Sasha said, walking over and plucking a chip out of Jean's lap and shoving it into her mouth before she sat down in one of the vacant wooden chairs around the fire pit, the last open one. "Reiner isn't half bad."

Speaking of, you hadn't seen him yet. A temporary air of relief flooded over you for reasons you had not yet figured out. Why wouldn't you want to see him? The Armin situation had thrown you off slightly, okay, more than slightly, but you were still interested in seeing what Reiner had to offer.

And he wasn't half bad, as far as you were concerned, at least.

Connie and Jean gave each other a laugh before looking over at you. "No comment," You said, throwing your hands up, trying to decide whether or not you should just keep standing awkwardly, or sit down on the dirt floor of Historia's backyard, neither of which sounded particularly comfortable.