Attack on Holidays

[hometown]

WHO: the Attack on Titan cast and their +1s
WHAT: holiday shenanigans
WHEN: around the Solstice
WHERE: an inn in Stormreach
WARNINGS: tba; please check subject lines



Sometime after a less than stellar conference call, Reiner sends an invitation to everyone from his world. "You're Invited to a Holiday Party," the store-bought invitation reads in swirling seasonally decorated letters. How very fancy!

The invitation specifies three things. Number one: it is a celebration of the holidays. Number two: it is a celebration of a year of a successful non-aggression pact. Number three: everyone is invited to bring a "plus one."

Surely, nothing will go wrong with this plan. Surely!

The party itself takes place at an inn in Stormreach, part of which has been reserved by Reiner. The inn is made of stone and wood, its aesthetic closely resembling buildings in Paradis. There are several spacious rooms available: places for eating, places for mingling, cozy corners for more private conversations, and access to the inn's bar.

• In one of those cozy spaces, one might find a lit candle known as a Candle of True Feelings. In its presence, people understand their feelings better and feel inspired to talk about them. How very curious!
  
  
• Of note: magic supersedes technology in Stormreach. One is far more likely to run across potions and crystals than gaming systems… But that hasn't stopped Reiner from setting up a gaming system in a corner, anyway.
  
  
• If one steps outside for a breath of (cold) fresh air, they'll find themselves close to the clock tower. Local legend claims that those who kiss on top of it are destined to never breakup. However, that legend has not been tested … yet.
  
  
• During the party, a table is filled with various gifts for the "+1s," created by those from Paradis and Marley. The gifts include knitted clothing (scarves, mittens, socks), chocolates, sweet baked goods, and fidget toys made of wood or stone. Feel free to partake, +1s!

Naturally, there is a wide assortment of food—some of which is best described as "ungodly spicy"—with a particular focus on potato-based foods. Also, peaches and pineapples, for Reasons™.

Have fun, and try not to break anything!


( ooc: this is a mingle! top-level, tag around, etc. put any warnings in subject lines, and if a thread heads toward smut, please take it to an inbox or something. ♥ )

Comments

[hometown]

meet & greet

Reiner dresses festively for the occasion: nice slacks, a dark green button-up, and a red-and-green sweater positively covered in dancing cartoon dogs named Snoopy wearing Santa hats. (This is festive! He researched it!) He makes a point to greet everyone, introducing himself where appropriate—always as "Reiner Braun," first name and last.

He offers his friends warm, genuine smiles, telling them, "I'm glad you could make it."

mingling

Reiner can be spotted all over the place throughout the party, positively radiating 'friendly extrovert' energy. Catch him adding handmade fidget toys to the "+1" gift table, munching on ungodly spicy food, snagging a festive drink from the inn's bar, or challenging someone (you?) to a racing game.

Astute observers may notice two additional things. One: he unconsciously keeps half an eye on Bertholdt and Falco throughout the night, protective despite the celebratory occasion. (Anyone who visibly upsets them may find Reiner suddenly swooping in.) Two: when it comes to Eren and Bertholdt, Reiner has zero concept of personal space. Absolutely zero.

quiet moments

Occasionally, Reiner steps away from the crowd to take a breather. He might find a cozy corner and give the lit candle an odd look; he has no idea what it's doing there.

Or he might step outside the inn, folding his arms against the cold as he breathes in snow-touched air, breath pluming white as he idly observes the clock tower.

( ooc: feel free to wildcard and/or combine prompts! will match prose or brackets ♥ )

gift table

[roundandaround]

Hina-chan, that's not a chew toy, you could hurt your teeth!

[Rinku picks Hina (who's wearing a glittery orange ribbon to match Rinku's dress) up from the table before she can bite the fidget toys. She looks at Reiner and smiles, petting her disappointed Zubat.]

Ehe... Hi, Reiner-san! You worked really hard on this for everyone!

[hometown]

[ Reiner is about to say, "It's fine, she can have it," but he doesn't want her to hurt her teeth! No chew toys for Hina.

He gives Rinku a smile. ]

I wanted to make it memorable. [ In a good way, not a bad one, he refrains from adding. ] This table wasn't my idea, though. I just added these.

[ He gestures to the fidget toys which so appealed to Hina. ]

[roundandaround]

[Rocks aren't very good for chewing. Rinku pets Hina and puts her back on her head.]

Really? Who made them, was it you? How do they work?

[hometown]

Yeah, it was me. They're…

[ He hesitates, trying to figure out how to explain it. ]

… Do you ever feel restless and want to do something with your hands? Or you want to soothe yourself by touching something? That's what they're for. [ Then he adds, ] They're also fun to play with.

[ That's an important part! ]

mingling

[abnormalizes]

"Reiner, thank you for inviting me! Happy Holidays, I got you something."

Evangeline holds out a wrapped present: inside is an 'I'd flex but I like this shirt' shirt. She figured it would make him smile.

[hometown]

Reiner's surprise at the present quickly morphs into a smile. He accepts it immediately, holding the gift as if it may contain something fragile. (It's wrapped! For all he knows, it might.)

"Thank you, Evangeline," he says, his smile soft. "Can I open it now?"

[abnormalizes]

"Go ahead! It's nothing scandalous, promise."

She will not promise she'll never get him an embarrassing present, but this one at least can be unwrapped in public.

[hometown]

Taking her word for it, Reiner unwraps his gift and pulls out the shirt. Then he bursts into laughter—loud, genuine laughter—as he beholds the text.

"Oh, this is great!"

[dreamsofwings]

Eren made absolutely zero effort to dress up, holiday or not. He put on a green shirt instead of a black or grey one. What do you want from him, cheer? Perish the thought. He isn't glued to Reiner's side by any stretch of the imagination. That's not how he functions. Though he's more touchy than he was before, a brush of a hand or a lean in when Reiner reaches for him. (They're probably annoying to other people.)

After awhile, Eren finds Reiner outside half on accident. Maybe they're just drawn to each other no matter what. Maybe it's just Eren's constant habit of bailing on parties. Maybe both!

"Reiner," he says, closing the distance between them. He doesn't stay at arm's length, not now. There isn't any need for it. Whatever pretence once existed that kept them apart in public is long over (not that they were ever particularly subtle).

[hometown]

As far as Reiner can tell, he and Eren aren't touching any more often than before. They aren't obvious, despite the words they spoke—the fact that they're in love said aloud. Reiner is sure they're acting little different than before.

(Reiner is absolutely incorrect.)

The difference shows mostly in Reiner's eyes, and how they soften when he looks at Eren. His affection is laid open, Eren's unexpected reciprocation bringing about a quiet sort of glow. There is a part of Reiner at peace, now. A part he genuinely thought would never be so.

What a strange thing to think, that Eren Jaeger's love could bring Reiner any peace.

But they're not glued together. And besides, Reiner is in full friendly extrovert mode. The first quiet moment they get is this: Reiner hearing Eren's voice while outside, turning and reaching without even thinking.

"Eren," he says, his hand finding Eren's, fingers entwining. Titan-hot as they should be, a balm against the chilly air. "Hey. Are you having fun?"

[dreamsofwings]

Eren isn't really aware that they touch more than they did either. He's too myopic when it comes to whatever his relationship is (love, it's love, he knows) with Reiner. Nothing changed between them.

Everything changed between them, the way that naked honesty changes things.

He does notice that softness in Reiner's eyes. It isn't quite mirrored in his own. Whatever passes for softness doesn't linger in Eren's eyes. It's only in his touch, in the slight uptick of the corner of his mouth, the way he doesn't drift off as much or as wholly. He doesn't want to be anywhere else — anywhen else.

He'll never be an extrovert again, if he ever was one, though. He was more outgoing as a kid, but he was never actually friendly. He's always been too angry, too intense, too inclined to viciousness. He'd throw down with an adult as a kid. It didn't win him friends.

He spent a long time isolated since then. Being around a lot of people can be exhausting, even if most of them are people he knows and loves.

His hand is there to meet Reiner's automatically, without thought. He doesn't even consciously notice it half the time, his need to press his (unbroken, too smooth, definitely not bleeding) palm against Reiner's.

"I guess," he says, non-committal. He's not miserable, and that's good enough.

"Are you? It's your party."

[hometown]

Reiner can be single-minded to a fault, his thoughts, feelings, and even his vision narrowing to a specific point. In the past, that point was his mission, fulfilling objectives with brutal efficiency (until the aftermath set in). These days, that point is usually Eren.

However, this party isn't one of Reiner's single-minded endeavors. He doesn't expect everyone to flourish in each other's company, nor is Reiner himself entirely fond of everyone invited. And it hasn't escaped his notice that Eren isn't basking in the social atmosphere.

But that's why they're at an inn with plenty of room. That's why they can steal moments away from the others, and stand outside beneath the clock tower. It's possible to have fun like that, isn't it?

Reiner hopes so. He's having a good time, sure, but he wants everyone else to have a good time, too. He wants Eren to have a good time.

When he gets the noncommittal answer, he figures that's about as much as he can hope for. Besides, if Eren hated it, he'd just leave.

"It's not just for me," he says, resting his free hand on his hip. "But, yeah. I'm having a good time. Everyone seems to be getting along."

That's the crux of it. Reiner has striven for the impossible here, trying to make peace between the Eldians from Paradis and those from Marley. Trying to balance two halves of himself. He never thought they could come together and enjoy a holiday—yet here they are.

He squeezes Eren's hand, smiling. "If no fights break out, I'm calling it a win."

[rustyhonesty]

Jean needed a break, too. It had been a while since he socialized this much, with the stuck at home resting going on so he's a little tired. He ends up finding Reiner in a cozy corner so he decided to see if he'd mind company.

"Hey. Mind if I stick around?"

They don't even need to talk, they can just sit in silence and rest. But if Reiner would rather be on his own, Jean would find another spot.

[hometown]

Reiner looks up from the candle he was eyeing, wondering why it's there. Did someone else bring it, or does it belong to the inn itself? Either way, it doesn't seem to be bothering anything, so he hasn't blown it out.

"Jean," he greets. "Yeah, have a seat."

He gestures to the comfortable chairs dotted around. Jean can even choose to sit on the other end of Reiner's chosen sofa, if he'd like.

[rustyhonesty]

Things may be occasionally awkward between them but that doesn't stop Jean from sitting on the same sofa. It was the coziest choice of them and it's nice to be close to a friend.

"Thanks for this. It's nice to spend holidays with people."

[hometown]

"Yeah, it is," Reiner agrees, his expression softening. The last time he spent a holiday with so many friends was in Paradis. But there, he always had to be on guard, careful not to reveal too much. Here, he doesn't have to worry about that.

"Seeing everyone enjoying themselves together is like some kind of dream," he admits, finding it oddly easy to do so.

[wingbound]

If Reiner would extend his racing game invitation to Levi, well, he's certainly going to be a little surprised, mostly because he thought nobody noticed him watching the friendly matches with confusion and perhaps some curiosity. By now he's worked out that the little automobiles on the screen must be controlled by the players, but that's about what he's got, so he does a little doubletake.

"I don't really know anything about these games," he mutters, staring at the controller uncertainly as if worried it might come alive and bite him. "Are you sure?"

[hometown]

"Yeah, I'm sure," Reiner says, still offering a controller. "I didn't know anything about video games, either. They're pretty fun."

There is a reason Reiner is asking Levi, specifically, to join him in this. And that reason becomes apparent as he adds:

"Gabi enjoyed playing them."

[wingbound]

As ever, Levi's expression remains mostly unreadable, but Reiner may catch the way his eyes seem to soften at the sound of Gabi's name. He knows she had wanted to go home, he's certain their world will be lucky to have her -- but it's still a little melancholic, thinking about her being here and then not.

"Alright," he says, and makes his way toward the free spot on the couch. He seems to shift more weight on his cane as he sits, but once he's settled, he finally takes the offered controller, turning it over in his hands a few times curiously.

He's probably going to need some instructions.

[hometown]

Usually, Reiner finds Levi's expression difficult to read; he was never able to practice doing so back in their world like his peers. But he notes the way Levi's eyes soften, and his lips quirk into a faint smile in turn.

Not a day goes by that Reiner doesn't miss his cousin. He knows she got what she wanted; he knows she can take care of herself; he knows she isn't alone there. Still, he misses her. He always will.

Once Levi takes his seat and the controller, Reiner sets about instructing him on the basics. Thankfully, Reiner is a good teacher, clear without being patronizing. It may provide a hint as to why so many members of the 104th looked up to him.

Quiet Moments

[urtitan]

[Much as Reiner reached out to her to assure her that it'd be alright for her to attend, he's an all too attentive host to everyone else at the party. Seeing that, Frieda decisively takes over part of the work, reassuring him that he can leave a number of the tasks at hand to her. She wants him to enjoy himself!

When she eventually finds him outside, looking in the direction of the clock tower, she joins him. Even though she wouldn't get sick no matter what, Jade has given her his warm cloak at this point after deeming her white outfit far too thin.]

Have you taken Eren there yet? To the clock tower?

[Sorry if that's personal, Reiner, but as the queen of the Walls, your union with Eren is of political importance to her!]

[hometown]

[ As energized as all this socializing makes him, Reiner is still grateful when Frieda takes over some of his self-assigned tasks. It gives him more time to relax and enjoy the fruits of his labor. Time to watch people from Marley mingling with those from Paradis and other worlds alike, feeling a spark of pride.

It's one of the first times he's let himself feel proud of pushing for the non-aggression pact. It's a strange feeling.

He's in the midst of processing that feeling when Frieda approaches. Turning, he offers her a quick smile, pleased to note that someone has given her a cloak. Not that she'd get sick—not unless it's a damned magical cold—but she can still feel uncomfortable.

Despite everything, he doesn't want her to feel uncomfortable. He wants her to have fun, just like everyone else.

The question takes him by surprise. His eyebrows rise, head tilting slightly in curiosity. ]

Do you think I should?

[urtitan]

Don't you want to stay together forever?

[There's warm humour in her voice, but her tone turns a bit more wistful as she adds:]

Here in Ellipsa?

[That's what all of them want, isn't it? If any of them were sent back home, they'd have to do terrible things once again - some moreso than others, but no one's hands would remain unstained in the end.]

Thank you so much, Reiner. Seeing everyone together at this party feels like an impossible dream come true.

[hometown]

[ Reiner blinks, taken aback by the question. Maybe another person would find it easy to answer, a simple "yes" or "no." But for Reiner, it isn't simple: it's a conflict that has brewed at the back of his mind for the better part of a year.

Or maybe it's been brewing for even longer. It wasn't as if he wanted to leave Eren and the others behind on Paradis. It was just… It was what he had to do.

Duty versus desire. A conflict seemingly without end. ]

… That's personal.

[ It's an unusual answer for him to give. Evidence of how much the truth distresses him.

(He wants to be with Eren forever.) ]

But, you're welcome. [ He's quick to seize a change of topic. ] I feel the same way. If you'd told me we'd be here doing this a year ago, I would've dismissed it.