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3:30AM-
Gabi whimpered in her sleep. Haunting images from the attack playing through her mind.
"No...p-please..." Gabi said.
"I-it's all I-I have of my mothers..."
She began to toss and turn, pulling against the covers. Gabi's brow furrowed and a pained and scared expression appeared on her face. She kicked the covers off and thrashed about.
"No!" Gabi exclaimed.
She jolted awake, her heart racing. Gabi's blood ran cold seeing four shadows surrounding her bed. Gabi gasped and covered her head. Nothing happened. Gabi peeked out. The shadows were gone. It was just a nightmare. Gabi's heart was pounding out of her chest, her breathing was erratic and a light layer of sweat covered her body.
"J-just a nightmare..." she muttered.
Gabi shakily got out of bed and used a cool cloth on her face and body. She grabbed her blanket and pillow then headed to Reiner's room.
"Reiner?" Gabi said quietly as she opened the door.
He was dead asleep. Gabi sighed. She quietly crept in and closed the door. Reiner snored lightly but didn't wake. Gabi walked to the bedside. She wanted to wake Reiner but she felt like she'd caused him enough trouble for the evening. Gabi wrote a short note and left it on the bed near Reiner. She laid her pillow and a quilt on the floor. Gabi curled up, wrapping herself in her blanket. After a while, Gabi managed to fall back asleep.
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45 minutes later-
Reiner stirred and woke up. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Upon putting his down, Reiner felt a piece of paper crumple under his fingers.
"Huh?" Reiner mumbled.
He picked the paper up.
I didn't want to wake so here's a note.
I...I had a nightmare and got scared. I came here but you were asleep. Don't worry, I'm okay now. You can't see me cuz I'm sleeping on the floor but I'll be fine. I...just needed... I was afraid to be alone.
Anyway, that's pretty much it. Hope you sleep well and see you in the morning.
Reiner leaned over. There Gabi was, sleeping on the floor...
"This is not happening missy," Reiner thought.
Reiner quietly got up. He moved around slowly and carefully so he wouldn't wake up Gabi. Reiner set up a pillow ridge in a small U-shape in the middle of his bed.
"All right, into an actual bed little miss injured," Reiner muttered.
Gabi grumbled in sleep as Reiner gently picked her.
"Yes, I know you don't like being annoyed when you're asleep," Reiner said with a laugh.
He placed Gabi in the pillow ring and wrapped her up in soft, warm blankets. Reiner carefully slipped her pillow under her head. Gabi smiled in sleep and snuggled into her new surroundings. Reiner gently patted her head.
"Sleep well Gabi, I promise to protect you," he said.
Reiner grabbed his futon rollaway bed and moved it near his bed. Both Gabi and he had a peaceful sleep for the rest of the night.
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Morning-
Gabi murmured as she began to wake up. Snow softly floated down outside. Gabi sat up and stretched, grimacing in pain after forgetting she was still badly injured.
"Reiner?" Gabi asked as she looked around.
Wait...she was in his bed, wasn't she on the floor earlier? It was very comfy though. Gabi laid back and snuggled back into her plush, comfort circle. Moments later, there was a knock on the door.
"Gabs, you awake?" Reiner asked.
"I'm...up," Gabi replied through a yawn.
Reiner pushed the door open.
"Hey sleepyhead, I brought you breakfast," he said.
"Breakfast in bed?" Gabi asked.
"I could've come down to the kitchen."
"Not with your injuries," Reiner said.
"I want you to take it easy and rest. You shouldn't even be walking on that sprain. I'd say you could use crutches but...broken wrist."
"Eh, I'll adapt," Gabi replied with a shrug.
"Anyway!" Reiner said changing the subject.
"Breakfast is served."
He set the tray down on the bed.
"Wow! It looks so good!" Gabi said.
"I made your favorite, chocolate chip waffles with fresh berries, maple syrup, whipped cream and an ice-cold glass of milk," Reiner replied.
Gabi smiled.
"Thank you, Reiner," she said.
"Of course," Reiner replied as he ruffled her hair.
He sat back on the futon bed.
"Oh! Almost forgot," Reiner said,
"You need to take your medicine."
"Oh right," Gabi muttered.
"Pieck gave it to me in liquid form since she figured it would be easier to get down," Reiner said.
He handed her a small cup with a blue liquid in it. Gabi sniffed it.
"Nope, not taking that..." she said.
"If it smells nasty, it's going to taste nasty."
"Gabi..." Reiner replied.
"You HAVE to take it. It will help with pain and will help ward off any possible infection due to the nature of the...attack."
"But it smells so bitter!" Gabi whined.
"Medicine isn't supposed to taste good you know," Reiner replied.
Gabi pouted.
"I have an idea," Reiner said.
He left for a few minutes, then came back. Reiner had a spoon and a bottle of maple syrup.
"My mom used to do this for me," Reiner said.
"You take the medicine, then you get a spoon of yummy maple syrup to make the bad taste go away."
"Does that really work?" Gabi asked.
"I don't know, you'd have to try and see for yourself," Reiner replied.
"You're impossible," Gabi said.
"Nope, you're the stubborn impossible one here," Reiner replied.
"So mean!" Gabi pouted.
"Just take your medicine!" Reiner replied.
"Ugh fine!" Gabi said.
"But if this maple syrup trick doesn't work, I get to punch you."
"Fair enough," Reiner replied.
He gave her the cup with medicine and poured the maple syrup onto the spoon. Gabi shuddered looking at the blue liquid.
"The longer you stare at it, the worse it gets," Reiner said.
"Ugh..." Gabi muttered.
She as quickly as she could, downed the medicine. Gabi scrunched her nose up at the awful taste. Reiner followed up with the spoon of maple syrup.
"So?" he asked.
"...it worked," Gabi replied.
"Told you it would," Reiner said.
Gabi stuck her tongue out at him.
"You big baby," Reiner muttered.
Gabi poked him.
"So, you want to play that game huh little sis?" Reiner asked with a smirk.
"Then, you have awoken the...TICKLE TITAN!"
He gently tickled Gabi's sides. Gabi laughed and squirmed.
"I give! I give!" she said.
Reiner laughed and stopped.
"Okay, time for breakfast," he said.
Gabi sat up. Reiner positioned pillows behind her back to allow her to sit and lean back comfortably as well as draping a blanket over her shoulders to keep her warm. Gabi smiled and started to eat.
"This is so good! Thanks Reiner!" she said.
"Glad you like it," Reiner replied.
"Have you eaten yet?" Gabi asked.
"I'll eat later, right now I want to make sure you're doing okay," Reiner replied.
Gabi scowled. She divided up the breakfast in half.
"Here," Gabi said, giving him a plate.
"Oh, thank you," Reiner replied.
"Little sis gotta take care of her big bro too," Gabi said with a smile.
Reiner smiled.
"You're the best Gabs," he said ruffling her hair.
"I know," Gabi replied with a giggle.
"Modest as usual," Reiner said.
Gabi smiled. The two ate breakfast and then watched cartoons and movies the rest of the day. Reiner took great care of Gabi and made sure she was okay. Gabi did her best to relieve any stress Reiner might have due to her injuries. Once early evening rolled around, Reiner got Gabi bundled up and helped her onto his back.
"Where are we going?" Gabi asked.
"Just for a little walk, figured you'd like to see the snow as the sun sets," Reiner replied.
"It's like a field of sparkling diamonds."
The pair headed out. Reiner took Gabi up to a small hill overlooking a field. Gabi's eyes widened.
"Wow..." she breathed.
"It is like a field of diamonds."
Reiner smiled and nodded. After having a little outing, they headed back home. Gabi was now dozing with her head-on Reiner's shoulder. Reiner shook his head and smiled. He took her upstairs and woke her up. Gabi got new pj's on, took her medicine and then crawled into Reiner's bed again. He wanted her to stay there so he could keep an eye on her and in case of any nightmares. That night passed by peacefully. All was as it should be and Reiner was going to make sure Gabi wasn't hurt again. He was going to protect his little cousin, always.