Chapter Text
The new semester is fast approaching, and nature's vibrant green leaves are gradually transforming into shades of brown, gently descending to the ground. The familiar gentle breezes suddenly transform into biting gusts, compelling you to seek refuge and shield yourself from their icy touch.
Autumn is a stunning yet unforgiving season, and it's hard not to anticipate that this year won't be any less challenging.
You notice the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet, causing you to glance down at the ground. Pausing to observe the tattered leaves, you can't help but reflect on how quickly time has passed since beginning college.
It feels like just yesterday, yet here you are, starting your second year.
You can't help but feel a bit startled when an arm suddenly wraps around your shoulder. In an instant, your gaze shifts upward, only to be met with a sudden obstruction as a pair of hands swiftly block your view, plunging you into darkness.
"Guess who?" They ask, making a feeble attempt to hide their underlying tone but falling short.
You can't help but let out a gentle chuckle as you confidently stride forward, even with your vision obscured. "My favourite person of all time?" You speak in a gentle manner because you anticipate their reaction.
All of a sudden, your sight returns, but you're left breathless as the strong man envelops you in his arms, holding you tightly like a predator playing with its victim.
A strong hand effortlessly lifts you off the ground, leaving you wide-eyed with surprise.
"Bert," you say curtly. "I can't breathe."
"Apologies," he quickly says, releasing you from his grasp. At last, you gaze up at the towering giraffe, resembling a male, and offer him a warm smile.
Even though you saw the guy during the summer, he always managed to brighten your day. During his time off, his fair complexion had transformed into a sun-kissed glow, revealing the effects of his sunbathing.
His dark hair is styled in a short and shaggy cut, giving him a relaxed and carefree appearance that suits the holiday season. "Are you prepared for another year of this nonsense?" He asks as he confidently walks alongside you.
"Are you talking about college or..." you trail off, your words dripping with curiosity as you gaze up at him, an unpredictable glint in your eye.
He quickly catches on to your suggestion, asking, "Both?"
"Hopefully, this year will be much calmer than the previous one," you mutter quietly, shifting your focus forward. As you do, you notice a set of intense eyes fixed on you.
The iconic brunette and blonde duo.
They're positioned against the brick wall, their eyes burning holes into your head.
If looks could kill, you'd be six feet under by now
"Why is Jaeger giving us the death stare?" Bertholdt asks as you both stroll past them, yet the atmosphere between you and the man is palpable, almost tangible.
You tear your gaze away from the male, only to glance at Bertholdt and casually remark, "It's a rather long story where, as per usual, I'm the bad one."
As you walk along the familiar route from last semester, a horde of first-year students comes into your sight. The bustling hallway is alive with a flurry of activity as students rush in various directions, each with their own destination in mind. "We have plenty of time," the man next to you remarks.
You're feeling uncertain about how to respond, torn between being completely honest or softening the truth. You can sense his gaze fixed on you, anticipating a reply to his remark. A gentle exhale escapes his mouth when you choose not to respond. "It can't be worse than anything you've done before."
"We had a little something going on before the summer," you begin to say as you make your way to class. However, your attention is quickly diverted by another set of eyes that capture your gaze.
A pair of captivating bright blue eyes that effortlessly catch your attention amidst the bustling crowd.
Her jet black hair beautifully complements her fair skin, flowing down her back with a few strands delicately framing her face. Her gaze remains focused, tracking your every move. "Don't tell me he caught fee-" You abruptly walk away from Bertholdt before he can even complete his sentence.
Confidently, you make your way towards the girl, who is casually leaning against the wall. Her gaze remains fixed on you as you move towards her. "For someone who is staring so incredibly hard, I can only assume you have a lot to say. So please, speak your mind, Mikasa"
"I simply don't know what he could have possibly found appealing about you," she retorts, tilting her head in a mocking manner. "Well, I mean, you are a walking free blowjob sign, so that definitely helped his decision to pursue you."
Bertholdt quietly observes from the background, attentively taking in the conversation to gauge its potential.
Unintentionally, a smile forms on your face as you come face-to-face with her. "And maybe if you weren't such a prude nun, then you would have had him by now."
She becomes tense and visibly uneasy in response to your comment. "I will happily talk to Eren about this when he decides to grow up instead of staring me down like a toddler and instead of being his little bitch, I advise you to do the same because you're not intimidating anyone, especially not me."
"But please, do enjoy my sloppy seconds," you say with a smirk, stepping away from her.
Since the start of college, you and Mikasa have shared a complicated relationship, with an underlying tension that seems to stem from her side. Whenever Eren was involved, she displayed a strong sense of protectiveness.
"Wait a moment..." Bertholdt says, his voice trailing off as he catches up to walk with you. "What did you do with Jaeger?"
You spot the door to your classroom wide open and instinctively take a step back from Bertholdt, heading towards the door. "Let's just say someone got deflowered this summer and it wasn't me." With a playful gesture, you give Bertholdt a wink before stepping into your classroom, letting your words flow freely.
As you turn away from Bertholdt, you suddenly realise that you have psychology class waiting for you. It's a class that you have a deep affection for because it provides valuable insights into your own mind. However, it's also a source of frustration because you know why you are the way you are but can't change anything about it.
It didn't make things any better that you didn't have any friends in the class. This made it less enjoyable, but it also provided a sense of peace, as you could relax without any distractions.
"Good morning," the voice greets the classroom as her presence fills the room from behind. "Sorry for the delay; I was caught up in a meeting on the other side of campus," she says, forcefully throwing the stack of papers on her desk.
As she takes her seat, you casually walk towards the rear of the classroom. As you pass by, you catch a compliment from someone saying, "Your hair looks great, (y/n), the change suits you." Her voice echoes through the room, capturing your attention as you instinctively turn to face her.
"Thanks," You can't help but smile as you gaze at the woman who reflects your joy. You find a cosy spot towards the rear, conveniently positioned by a window that offers a picturesque view of the campus.
"Good morning, everyone." Hange clears their throat and switches on the brighter lights, offering a warm greeting. You find yourself momentarily taken aback, prompting you to take a few blinks to readjust your vision. "Welcome to your first semester of your second year."
You shift your focus to your bag as Hange continues her usual ramblings, just like she does every semester. You reach for your laptop in your bag and as you're about to set it on the desk, the grating sound of a chair being dragged across the floor sends a shiver down your spine, causing your entire body to tense up and a wave of goosebumps to wash over you.
As you shift your focus to the commotion with a disdainful expression, you unintentionally lock eyes with a set of brown, nearly hazel orbs, an encounter that immediately fills you with regret.
The male has the ability to attract any girl he desires but deliberately refrains from doing so.
Mr. Untouchable.
He glances around nervously, as if worried about attracting attention. Once he's sure no one is watching, a strand of his light ash-brown hair falls out of place as he sits down beside you. He purposely avoids eye contact as he retrieves his laptop from his bag.
He's a quiet personโsometimes too quiet.
Jean Kirstein is widely admired, yet he doesn't consider himself to be part of the popular crowd. He'd constantly keep to himself and the only thing you knew about him was that he enjoyed art-loved it, in fact. He'd never be caught for more than a few hours without his sketchbook and he mainly resided in the library.
One can't help but wonder, what could possibly cause an incredibly attractive individual to completely isolate themselves from the rest of the world?
"Welcome to another year of AP psychology," Hange declares, capturing your interest. "If you happen to take a look at your emails, which I understand may not be a common occurrence for many of you..." She briefly pauses to give a stern look to a few students.
"Make sure to review the syllabus for this year as it will not be re-sent," Her demeanour exudes a sense of menace, despite the pleasant expression she wears.
She pulls off the glasses that frame her face and places them on her desk while she rubs her eyes. "We have seven months until your exams and I don't want to waste a single second." She claps her hands as she finishes speaking and the sudden noise startles you.
Briefly, you glance around to make sure that no one has caught you but in the corner of your eyes, you see the left side of Jean's lip curve upward into a half smile. It quickly disappears, just as fast as it appeared.
"We are starting on developmental psychology, so you have five minutes to discuss what you already know, which I hope is a decent amount." She says before walking back to her desk and taking a seat.
Your eyes shift around the room, looking at everyone beginning to speak while you awkwardly shift in your seat. You had no problem speaking to Jean; however, his being friends with Eren made everything a little more awkward.
"You don't have to speak to me if you don't want to," you softly say before bringing your eyes to look at him fully for the first time. "I won't be offended."
As your eyes land on the male, you take the opportunity to roam around his features. He looked a little different from before the summer; his skin was tanned and his hair was lighter. The strands of his mane were slicked back with a slight touch of gel and he seemed to have been growing his hair out into a mullet despite the undercut sitting nicely at the back.
His sharp jawline moved as he brought his attention to you and you couldn't help but notice the light stubble growing along his jaw, making him appear older than he is.
It dawns on you that you've never been this close to Jean before.
"Why wouldn't I speak to you?" He asks, causing a dip between his eyebrows to form. His voice is completely different from how you remember it; it's far deeper but smooth enough for the words to glide off of his tongue.
As he asks the question, you mirror his confused expression. "Because it seems as if everyone in your group has a personal vendetta against me without even knowing the full story."
Ever so slightly, he narrows his eyes in further confusion, trying to digest your words. Until, slowly, realisation dawns on his features, causing his face to relax "Are you talking about the Eren situation?"
"What else could I be talking about?" You ask while keeping your eyes on the male, who continues to look away from you.
Briefly, it falls silent between the two of you. The only noise to be heard is from the other students following the task given by Hange.
"I don't get involved with these things, especially when it's to do with Eren but can you blame us for not liking you?" He opens his mouth to continue but pauses, allowing himself to swallow thickly before averting his gaze from you. "The people that you hang out with are rich, pretentious assholes who shit on people for fun."
It's hard for you to control your facial expressions as your eyes widen, visibly shocked by Jean's harsh words. "So, you think I'm a rich, pretentious asshole who shits on people for fun?" You ask, trying to refrain your tone from being snappy.
His head hangs low, as if he's full of regret.
After what feels like a lifetime of waiting for Jean to respond, he slowly raises his head to look at you. His light brown orbs traipse across your features, moving erratically before saying, "You shouldn't care what I think about you, but if you're going to hang out with people and present yourself in a certain way, then you can't expect people to see you differently."
"And what you did to Eren just helped to confirm people's assumptions," he adds before going silent.
Slowly, you draw your eyes away from the male because he's left you speechless. You didn't suspect Jean to be the one to shut you down like this, so for the rest of the class, you don't dare to look in his direction.
An Hour Later
Despite telling yourself you were going to use your free period wisely, you exit the library rubbing your eyes. It was far easier to take a nap in the library when you didn't have your car with you. Even though the chairs weren't the most comfortable, you made it work.
The hallways are a lot less crowded than earlier, meaning that you didn't have to pace around to avoid getting stuck in the swarms of people.
The vibration in your pocket causes you to grab out your device to see the notification, only for your vision to become obscured once again. The person makes you come to a complete halt, resulting in their body hitting into yours from behind.
A scent that was far too familiar instantly floods your senses, bringing a smile to your face. "I'm going to be really disappointed if this isn't the love of my life," you comment while waiting for them to reveal themselves.
Within seconds, their hands drop from your eyes and are placed on your shoulders to spin you around. Your body spins rather quickly but stops once you're standing in front of him. "Correct," the tall blonde male says, with a grin on his features.
"Cute hair cut," you compliment as you roam your eyes over him. His blonde strands are trimmed perfectly, allowing just the right amount of hair on the top and letting the strands framing his face reach the tips of his eyebrows. "Still rocking the undercut, I see."
"I'd be an idiot to grow it out," Zeke comments before throwing an arm over your shoulder and turning your body once more, so you can walk by his side.
You nod in agreement with him, "it is your only good feature after all"
From the corners of his eyes, he looks you up and down with a distasteful expression on his features. "I don't like how you're attacking me when you should be almost bursting out in tears of joy for seeing me again after a long summer."
"You're so right," you say. "My life was so dull, lifeless, and boring without you in it, Zeke. Every day we weren't together, I was feeling incredibly tortured." Your tone is monotone as you glare up at him.
A heavy sigh escapes his lips while rolling his eyes. "Okay, okay, keep it in your pants."
"How was your Germany without me? Complete and utter torture?" You taunt as the two of you continue to walk down the hallway.
"Scheiรe"ย (shit)ย He's quick to say with not a hint of humour in his tone. "I was forced to work like a dog on my Opa'sย (Grandpa)ย farm for the first few weeks and even though he's next on deaths list, he doesn't know when to fucking quit."
His words cause you to almost snort and laugh at his crude words. "I would pay so much money to seeย youย working on a farm," you say because Zeke has never worked a day in his life. His approach to life was rather spontaneous and carefree; he never thought too much about a decision and never cared too hard about the outcome.
"We should have swapped places; I deserved the relaxing holiday instead." He heavily sighs, his tone full of jealousy.
You shrug your shoulders as the two of you enter the cafeteria and say, "should have accepted my offer because I had the holiday house all to myself."
Zeke scouts out the usual table and guides you towards it while leaning closer to your ear. "And listen to you and Jaeger fuck nonstop? No thanks."
Before you have the chance to even acknowledge what he says, he slides his arm away from you and says, "Hey Pieck" He beams in a chirpy tone, causing the people sitting at the table to notice yours and Zeke's presence.
The girl turns her attention to Zeke but notices you first; her eyes widen with surprise and joy. "(y/n)! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," she says, springing up from the table and almost leaping into your arms.
You're knocked back by her chirpy greeting and you wrap your arms around her with a laugh.
"That's because she disappeared from us all summer," a deep, familiar voice says, letting out a short laugh.
Slowly, you draw back from Pieck and scan your eyes across the table before landing on the male who spoke. "If you missed me, then just say that, Reiner." You retort back.
"You're coming back to Reiner's tonight, right?" Pieck asks as she pulls a chair next to her for you.
As you take a seat, you start to say, "I don't thin-"
"Of course she's coming," Reiner interjects before you have the chance to reject the invite.
Bertholdt's, Zeke's, Pieck's and Reiner's eyes land on you. Reiner's sharp hazel orbs stare at you as if he knows a million of your secrets-which unfortunately for you, he does.
"I am?" you ask, leaning back in your chair slightly while furrowing your eyebrows together in confusion.
From the cocky expression on his face, he can tell you're trying to challenge him, which is seen as an unspoken rule to not do that. "We're planning the welcome-back party, so I need my girl with me, no?" He blurts it out.
Accidentally, you let out a laugh. It's a laugh of disbelief from his words, "Now I know you're not referring to me because I'm nowhere close to being your girl."
"Oh?" He clears his throat before leaning forward in his seat with a smirk growing by the second. "If you're nowhere close to being my girl, then please enlighten us all as to what happened at the beginning of summer, (y/n)."
Your body stiffens from his simple words and any hint of amusement disburses from your body. Staring eye to eye with Reiner, you can tell he knows exactly what he's doing and he's enjoying every second of it.
The silence breaks when Zeke finally asks, "What happened at the beginning of summer?"
They all look at you, waiting for a response that is yet to come. Reiner stares at you with malicious intent and before parting your lips, you clear your throat. "I have no idea what you're referring to; I left before summer even began."
"Maybe it's one of your other bitches that you're referring to," you say, shutting him down to stop speaking.
Reiner narrows his eyes at you while slowly leaning back in his seat. A cocky smile still remains on his lips as he says, "Maybe it was; I must have gotten confused."
A Few Hours Later
As you stand by the sink, you dip the plate in your hand into the soapy water before using the scrubber to clean off any stains. Loud music floods throughout your apartment while you use the time to clean up the kitchen.
You can see your phone constantly lighting up due to all the notifications coming through but you pay no attention, as you know it's just Zeke trying to force you to come to Reiner's.
The words to the song currently playing slip out of your mouth while you sway your hips to the rhythm before reaching for the kitchen towel. As you turn your body, you see a figure lingering against the entrance, causing your body to physically react and drop the glass in your hand.
A bloodcurdling, horror movie-style scream escapes your lips, vibrating throughout your apartment. You surprise not only the figure but yourself with how loud your scream is.
"It's me! It's me!" Their voice shouts as they emerge from the darkened hallway and into the dim lighting of the kitchen. Their hands are up in the air on either side of them to show they're not a threat. As they step further into the lightning, your heart beat starts to slow down.
"Zeke, what the fuck!" You annoyedly shout at him while stepping towards him and hitting his chest. He snickers at you as you start to hit him before grabbing your wrists. "You could have given me a heart attack, stupid cow."
His eyes widen in humour at your insult. "Stupid cow? That's a new one," he says before dropping his grip on your wrists.
"I messaged you more than five times, by the way." He steps away from you to turn the volume of the music down so that you can hear each other better. "Maybe if you checked it, you wouldn't have had the fright of your life."
You subconsciously roll your eyes at the male in front of you before looking for something to clear up the broken glass. "I was busy cleaning up."
"Cleaning or avoiding us?" You hear his voice ask, and as he does, he holds out a broom for you. Sometimes, Zeke knows your apartment better than yourself.
His vibrant blue eyes stare into yours, not letting you take the broom from his grip until you answer. It's physically impossible for you to lie to Zeke and he knew that and used it to his advantage at, "both."
He lets go of the broom, allowing you to sweep the glass off the floor. You can feel his eyes watching you as you sweep the glass into a pile before leaning down and placing the shards into a bag, "Just ask what you want to ask," you say.
"It's that obvious?" He asks while sliding his body down the floor before leaning against the cupboards.
You shake your head while copying his actions, being mindful to avoid any loose glass shards. "No but I know you," you mutter while turning your head to look at him.
"Earlier in the cafeteria," he starts to say and you already know what he's going to ask. "What was Reiner implying?"
Immediately, you start to fiddle with your fingers, avoiding eye contact with the male. You could easily lie if it was anyone but Zeke, so instead, you take a long pause to figure out a way to escape answering the question.
"Remember that one time when we made a pact that there would be six things that we could choose not to tell each other throughout our friendship?" You ask, finally turning your head to look at him. He nods his head slowly, as if the memory is coming back to him.
"Well, I'd like this to be the first of my six." You're quick to say.
"It doesn't work like that," he says while adjusting his body on the floor. "Whatever happened earlier has clearly upset you, therefore, it's exempt from this pact."
You let out a short sigh, "Are you sure you want to know? It might change your view on me"
"I've literally seen you take a shit and I've heard you moan, (y/n)" he says with a grin on his lips, "Nothing can change my view of you."
"I fucked Reiner..." you stare straight ahead, avoiding meeting with Zeke's gaze because you're not telling the full truth.
It falls silent between the two of you before you hear a disappointed, "Oh..."
"That's..." he pauses, almost lost for words. "Was it good, at least?" He asks with his face creased in disgust.
You slowly nod your head, "That's the bad part..." you lazily turn your head to look up at Zeke "He knows how to fuck really good."
Suddenly, a series of laughs come from Zeke. "How did it even happen? I never thought you'd go for him."
"Remember the last party we went to before we all left for the summer? Well, he made a move and I had been drinking, so I gave into the temptation and we ended up fucking in the bathroom."
Zeke nods his head surprisingly and says, "I understand why you didn't want to tell me. I'd probably want to kill myself after sleeping with Reiner, even just kissing him would send me over the edge."
You drop your head down onto his shoulder, transferring all your weight onto him. You lightly laugh at his words, knowing he's only joking but you can't help but constantly regret your actions, a regret that will remain for what feels like forever.
"Why are you even here?" You ask as he wraps his arm around you, pulling your body even closer to his. "Aren't you supposed to be at Reiner's?"
He nods his head while pulling his round frames from his face. "I was but it felt extremely wrong to be there without you, therefore, I'm dragging you back with me."
Without uttering another word, he rises to his feet, leaving your body sitting on the ground. His palm falls in front of you while you look up at his face with an unreadable expression, "As much as I love this view of you, we have places to be and food to eat."
With a short sigh, you take his palm and allow him to help you up from the ground. "I get to pick the food and tomorrow, you're getting me breakfast."
"Deal."
Reiner's House
Following Zeke, you feel a weird wave of nausea wash over you as you approach Reiner's houseโa house you haven't seen since the beginning of summer.
The cool air hits you like a sharp needle, causing all your limbs to shiver from the attack, "I told you I should have brought a jacket with me." You say, lightly hitting Zeke's back.
"Thank you so much, Zeke, for the food you just got me. It was so thoughtful of you," he starts to say, mocking your voice while pulling his sleeves out of his jacket. Without looking in your direction, he hands you the item while you watch him with a smile.
You pull your arms through the warm jacket that smells exactly like him before hugging him from behind and resting your head on his back while teasing him by saying, "We both know I'd never thank you."
The sound of the door finally opening causes Zeke to sigh. "Finally, what were you guys doing? Having a gang bang?"
You drop your arms from around Zeke and snicker to yourself as the two of you walk past Bertholdt. "I'm glad you could make it, (y/n)" he says before draping his large arm over your shoulder.
As you walk down the hallway towards the kitchen, you can't help but reminisce about the summer. Everything was exactly the same, which freaked you out a little bit.
Walking into the open-plan kitchen, you see everyone positioned around the extended room.
The kitchen lighting is dimmed slightly, while the second half of the room, which is the living room, has the LED lights on. Some of them are sitting on the couch watching TV while the others are in the kitchen putting stuff in the oven, while Reiner is sitting at the counter with a drink cupped in his hand.
"She didn't come?" A voice asks Zeke as he steps into the kitchen first.
All eyes are on him until you slowly appear from behind him. Your eyes scan across each person sprawled around the kitchen with a soft smile playing on your lips, "Not too late, am I?"
"Of course not," Bertholdt says, while pulling you closer to his body.
"Okay, cool, now where's the beer?" Porco loudly says, rising from the stool that is positioned against the counter. As he walks towards the fridge, his eyes fall in your direction "Oh yeah, good to see you, (y/n)."
You greet him with a short, half-smile. "So, what did I miss? Because I feel like I accidentally walked into a guy's night."
"Ymir and Annie are getting drinks for tomorrow and Pieck is upstairs in the bathroom," Colt says with a short laugh at the end. Your eyes catch a glimpse at the male and it's evident he had gone abroad for the summer because he was far more tanned than before.
"The party is happening here?" You ask before walking over to Reiner's fridge and as you do, you can feel his eyes burning holes through your head.
Bertholdt is the only one who nods in response to your question because the others are too focused on the game playing on the large screen. You pull open Reiner's fridge as if you're in the comfort of your own home before scanning your eyes across the contents.
"Your drinks are at the bottom," a voice You don't move an inch apart from dropping your eyes down to the bottom drawer and without doubt, he has stocked your favourite drinks.
You can hear footsteps approaching from behind you and from the corner of your eyes, you see a crushed can being thrown into the trash next to the fridge. "So, first, you don't even greet me in my own home and now you're blocking my way from getting another beer."
Slowly, you turn your body around to face him. His tall stature lingers in front of you with his eyebrows raised. You don't move an inch because all you do is stare at him, waiting for him to say something.
His eyes narrow ever so slightly when he realises you're not going to speak any time soon. "So, we're playing the silent game?" He asks, with a sigh.
"Normally, when someone wants another person to move, they use a phrase." is all you say.
His face furrows together with a brief confusion before relaxing once he understands your words,"Excuse me."
You continue not to move.
"Excuse me, please, (y/n)" He says it as if it's hurting him to utter the words.
You step out of his way without uttering another word but the sound of his voice stops you. "If it's okay with you, I'd like to speak with you upstairs in my room."
"I'm giving you fifteen minutes," you whisper to him before stepping towards the door and loudly saying, "The decorations are upstairs, right?"
"Yeah, second door to your left." Reiner says while keeping his back towards you.
You glance over at the males sitting on the couch before disappearing upstairs and going straight to Reiner's room-a room you were far too familiar with.
Without wasting a second, you turn on his lamp before dropping your body down onto his bed and staring up at his ceiling. You look around his room for a moment and everything is exactly as it was the last time you were here; the only difference were the sheets.
A few moments go by before you hear the sound of his bedroom door creaking open. You lazily shift your head towards the door and watch as the tall male enters with a few decorations in his hand. "You wasted no time in making yourself comfy."
He steps closer to you before saying, "you sure I had you mistaken for another girl earlier?" He taunts. He throws the packets of balloons and banners beside you, causing your eyes to follow them.
"What did you want?" You say with a sigh. He steps even closer to you, making you face to face with his lower stomach. You turn your head away from him but that doesn't stop the smirk from growing on his lips.
He reaches over to his cabinet and grabs a thinly rolled joint. He positions it in your eye line, offering it to you and as tempting as it was, you shake your head. He cocks his head in surprise but quickly dismisses it before saying, "I wanted to speak about Jaeger."
You knew it was only a matter of time before he found out.
"What about Jaeger?" You ask while extending your arms behind you on the bed and leaning back ever so slightly.
He watches you with an unamused expression playing on his features while pulling a lighter from his back pocket. "Don't play dumb, (y/n). It's not as cute as you think," he comments before creating a flame with the lighter.
"Who says I'm trying to be cute for you?" You knit your eyebrows together in confusion while watching his place the toxic joint between his lips.
Slowly, he inhales the thick smoke before smiling and saying, "Were you not trying to be cute all the times we fucked?"
His tone is dripping with smugness.
"Let's not forget who practically spent a year trying to fuck me," you say in a short and snappy tone, causing the smile to fade from his lips. "And nothing happened between me and Jaeger, nothing serious anyway."
"But something serious was going to happen, no?" His eyes never once leave you, making you feel like a piece of meat bound to be devoured at any given moment.
You push yourself up from the bed and stand in front of the male, he blows the smoke away from your face while waiting for a response. "What's it to you? I'm not your girlfriend nor will I ever be."
"Did you get a head injury over the summer or did you just happen to forget everything that happened before you left?" He shifts his body so that his whole frame is blocking you from the door in an attempt to intimidate you.
"No, everything is crystal clear." You say, clearing unthreatened by him. "I just realised that you're not used to someone challenging you but I'm not a bitch or a coward."
You take a step back to grab the decorations from the bed before saying, "Times up, by the way."
Without daring to take a glance back at the male, you exit his room, leaving him alone inside. Making your way back downstairs, you see Pieck holding the door open for Annie and Ymir, who all look up in yourdirection.
"We didn't think you were coming?" Ymir asks.
"When did you get here?" Pieck asks at the same time, making you laugh.
"Zeke dragged me back with him," you say while moving closer to them to help them with the boxes of alcohol. "But how much did you spend on all of this?"
The four of you make your way to the kitchen while being careful not to drop any bottles. "Reiner already ordered everything but we just needed to pick it up, there's definitely over three hundred worth of drinks here," Annie responds.
"What the fuck!" Porco's loud voice yells before jumping up from the couch. He lets out a groan of frustration before holding his head in his hands. "Where the fuck is Reiner?!"
All four boys twist their heads in unison to look at you, "I don't know." You shrug your shoulders before helping Pieck to unpack the drinks while Ymir and Annie get the rest.
"This is fucking rigged!" Porco shouts, groaning and throwing his head back in frustration.
Zeke glances in his direction with an amused expression, "I don't know why you had any hope, your team is shit."
"Fuck off," Porco scoffs while getting up from the couch. His eyebrows are scrunched together as he approaches Pieck from behind. He wraps his arms around her waist before kissing her cheek and the action causes Colt to glare at him.
"Zeke, can you not smoke in the house?" Bertholdt politely asks, causing you to look at Zeke on the couch.
Lazily, Zeke turns his head to look back at Bertholdt who is now standing a little beside you. He places the blunt between his lips before rolling his body off of the couch and standing on his feet. You watch as he approaches Bertholdt with the blunt still lit.
Once he gets closer to Bertholdt, a childish grin appears on his lips before taunting Bertholdt, "Say, please, Daddy."
Porco glances between the two of them and as Zeke waits for Bertholdt's response, Annie and Ymir enter with even more drinks. Bertholdt's features flush and his eyes avoid Zeke as he says, "you know I'm not going to say that, Zeke."
"That's what I thought, big boy," He places a hand on Bertholdt's chest before giving him a pat.
He starts to slowly walk towards you while saying, "Before I forget, I'm claiming the room at the end of the hallway, so don't even dare think about using it." He turns his head to look at Colt and says, "Especially you, big C."
"Who could I possibly be fucking, Zeke?" Colt asks in bewilderment.
Zeke throws his arm over your shoulder and says, "Take me to dinner and you may get lucky." He teases with a wink.
The Next Day
Resting your head against the booth, you delicately scoop out the ice cream with the small spoon in your hand. "Good ice cream?" Colt asks while giving you a stern look.
"Oh, shit, sorry." You apologise with a chuckle. "Yours always tastes better than mine," you admit.
Colt shakes his head at you. "That's why I recommend getting what I suggest because I know you'll enjoy it." Colt unexpectedly exchanges his tub of ice cream with yours and questions, "why are we still here? Shouldn't we be heading to Zeke's?"
"No, Zeke has your keys and is on his way here, remember? Porco and Pieck also said they'd join us before heading to Reiner's." You mutter as you glance down at your phone momentarily.
"Are Porco and Pieck going to be here?" He asks, placing extra stress on the word 'and'. You turn your head towards him and nod. "Fuck," he mutters.
You turn your entire body to directly face him and ask, "What's the matter?"
"Something occurred during our trip abroad and Por-" he begins to say with a face full of guilt, unable to keep his promise of secrecy.
"She's such a bitch," a familiar voice remarks, standing a bit too close to the table. As both of your heads snap up, you notice Pieck sliding into the booth, with Porco following closely behind. "It's only the second day," Porco grumbles.
"She's just trying to help you," Pieck says gently, before giving Colt and you a smile.
You reciprocate the gesture before asking, "What happened?"
"My teacher gave me a shit grade for a test we did before the break, which doesn't even make sense." He lets out a groan as he rubs his forehead.
Colt lowers his head and before you can respond, a voice interjects. "Maybe your work isn't as good as you think."
You turn your head gradually to see Colt, seated next to you. Pieck's eyebrows furrow in puzzlement as she gently rubs Porco's back, attempting to comfort him before hesitating. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Porco suddenly snaps, his head tilting as he glares at Colt from across the booth.
"You think you're so entitled to everything, Porco." He retorts, gazing directly into the man's eyes. "You think you can have anything handed to you without putting the work in or you're so selfish that you take everything for granted," he remarks.
For a brief moment, his eyes flicker towards Pieck, leaving you curious about the connection to his impending revelation.
"Colt, please stop." Pieck calmly requests that Colt stop in order to de-escalate the situation.
Porco dismisses her hand and leans closer to Colt with a focused gaze. "No, don't stop. Let's applaud him for finally dropping his balls and trying to test me."
"I do put in the fucking work and I'm selfish? Are we forgetting the fact I missed out on a party to take care of your sick self?" You can sense his growing frustration towards Colt, leaving you puzzled about the cause of the conflict.
Colt chuckles and shakes his head. "You put in the work? If you're referring to fucking Pieck, then yeah, you get an A+, or should I say fucking over? What do you think is more accurate?" He provokes.
"And we both know that story about me getting sick is a fucking lie." Colt is caught off guard as Porco swiftly reaches out and seizes him by the shirt.
Pieck swiftly grasps Porco's arms in an attempt to remove him from Colt without attracting attention. "At least I'm not a nineteen-year-old fucking virgin," he grumbles between clenched teeth.
"And at least I-" Colt begins to speak but then hesitates. He glances at Pieck, her expression filled with worry. Glancing towards Porco, he gently rests his hand on his wrist. "You're so fucking lucky she's here." His final words escape his lips as he forcefully removes Porco's hand from his body.
Colt smoothly exits the booth, prompting you to follow suit as you glance back at Pieck, feeling baffled. "What is he talking about, Porco?" As you follow Colt, you hear her question.
"Evening love birds," Zeke greets as he joins the two of you, having just arrived.
With a smile, you gesture towards the door. "We need to leave Asap Rocky," you declare, wary of Porco's potential for a second attempt.
Zeke, feeling perplexed, furrows his brow and begins to retreat, only to pivot back in the opposite direction. As soon as the three of you step out of the store, he poses the question, "Does he have anything to do with Porco grabbing Colt?"
Zeke tosses Colt the keys to his flat, and miraculously, Colt snags them flawlessly. "Did you witness it?" Focusing on Zeke, you ask.
"I had a clear view, baby," he utters as the three of you stroll towards Zeke's car. "I was secretly waiting for Porco to punch the shit out of you."
Colt looks at Zeke with a confounded look and asks, "How'd you know I wasn't going to punch him?"
You and Zeke both reach for the door handle and share a silent glance. You both remain silent, only able to chuckle before getting into the car. "What is that supposed to mean?" Colt asks as he settles into the rear seats.
"Come on now," you say, glancing back at him as Zeke begins to reverse out of the parking lot. "We all know you're not going to hit first."
Zeke cracks open the beer in the cup holder with his free hand, catching your attention. He catches your gaze and nonchalantly shrugs. "What? It's not like I'm the designated driver for tonight."
"Drinking and driving is against the law, Zeke," you sigh as you reach over to take the drink from him.
He swiftly seizes it before you have a chance. "I am more than capable of paying for my bail, (y/n)."
"Porco has an STD," Colt's voice blurts out.
Zeke abruptly presses the brake pedal as the light changes to red, making both of your bodies lurch forward in surprise.
"Well, I don't know if he still has it or not." Colt calmly adds, as though it were a routine event.
"So, was it treatable?" You ask because your thoughts immediately gravitated towards the most harmful circumstance.
"Hold up," Zeke pauses, carefully setting the beer aside while maintaining his focus on the road ahead. "How in the world did he contract an STD?"
Colt clears his throat and admits, "I don't know what was wrong with him but he was involved with multiple people this summer and yes, it was treatable."
"And Pieck is unaware?" Despite your prior understanding, you ask about the question.
Colt hangs his head in guilt.
"Let's just hope Porco doesn't turn up tonight."
Later in the Evening
Swinging the alcohol bottle in your hand, you slowly make your way towards Reiner's door. Colt struggles to maintain his balance while exiting the Uber. "How did you manage to get drunk so quickly?" Zeke asks, chuckling at him.
"Because you kept offering him shots of Patron," you pause for Colt to catch up, then reach out your arm to him.
"I'm not drunk; just a bit tipsy," Colt mentions as he gently places his arm around your waist to steady himself.
Suddenly, a hand gently pulls at the hem of your dress, causing it to shift slightly. As Zeke strolls alongside you, your gaze shifts towards him. "Your cheeks were saying goodbye to the Uber driver," he remarks.
You playfully comment, "How chivalrous," with a laugh.
Zeke retrieves the key from his back pocket and carefully inserts it into the keyhole. "I hope it's not too crowded," you express before he swings open the door.
As soon as he does, the pounding music crashes into you with full force.
Upon entering, the hallway appears to be lightly populated with individuals lingering about. Several individuals are meandering up the staircase, prompting you to glance upwards, where the crowd appears denser.
As you walk, the music's bass reverberates through your entire being. The entire house is illuminated by vibrant, flickering lights that cause you to blink incessantly. Accompanied by Zeke's guidance, you and Colt navigate through the kitchen, where numerous bodies are scattered, eventually leading to the garden.
The counter is overflowing with an assortment of drinks, while crates are casually placed in the corner, inviting anyone to help themselves. As you extend your hand to pick up a cup, Zeke casually unscrews the cap of the Hennessy bottle and takes a sip, making it seem effortless, a feat you could never imagine doing.
Colt reaches for the Jack Daniel's bottle, but you intervene. "Avoid combining dark and light colours before you black out again." You softly speak into his ear for him to hear you.
He nods and looks for a tequila as you pour out a few shots to share with Zeke. You recoil at the intense liquor as it goes down your throat, nearly causing you to cough, but you manage to hold it in.
Looking up, you prepare to meet Zeke when a pair of eyes in the distance suddenly grab your focus. You suddenly feel the weight of someone's gaze on you, even in the dim lighting. A sly grin forms on their face.
Reiner inches towards the girl standing before him, feigning interest in her words, until he leans in to kiss her.
As your face contorts in distaste, you instinctively reach for another drink and gently guide Zeke closer to you by placing your hand on the back of his neck. "I'm going to get my joints from Reiner's room so that we can smoke later."
Nodding, he gestures towards the garden, signalling his intention to be there. You signal your approval to him and then head towards the staircase, skillfully navigating around the individuals blocking the steps.
When ascending to the second level, an unexpected sight greets youโthe passageway to the third floor is obstructed, a peculiar occurrence. Turning the corner towards Reiner's room, an unexpected group suddenly comes into view.
They stand right in front of Reiner's door, and it doesn't take much time for one of them to notice you.
With a deliberate pace, Eren, Connie, and Jean turn their heads to follow Armin's line of sight, fixing their gaze on you.
When they catch sight of you, they fall silent.
"Is that door open?" You ask, gesturing towards the spot right behind Eren.
The group exchanges sheepish glances as Eren fixes a piercing stare on you. As you eagerly anticipate a reply, it becomes evident that one will not be forthcoming.
You nod with a sigh, then shift your gaze towards the large floral painting adorning the wall, sliding your hand underneath it. Whenever Reiner hosted a party, he always concealed a key for easy access to his room in case anyone in the group needed it.
After obtaining the key, you approach the group and come to a halt right in front of Eren. "Could you please move so I can enter the room?"
"Is another one of your victims in there?" Without moving at all, he asks.
He captures your attention, prompting a smile to form on your face "Calling yourself a victim yet constantly begging me to fuck you again is funny, Eren."
A faint chuckle can be heard from behind, with the source remaining a mystery.
Mockingly, you say, "And for someone who claims to hate my friends and me so much, you sure do make an effort to attend our parties," while locking eyes with his emerald green gaze.
With a subtle narrowing of his eyes, he remarks, "I'd be an idiot not to take advantage of free alcohol."
"You're an even bigger idiot for trying to make me your enemy," you declare as you move closer to the man. "I am not someone you want to fuck with, Eren."
Eren sneers at you. A smile spreads across his face as he asks, "Are you really trying to threaten me right now?"
"I wouldn't even consider doing so; however, if you insist on fucking with me, just know that I play dirty." You observe his features as his confidence fades, then lean in to whisper in his ear, "And not to mention that one of us here took the other's virginity."
"But don't worry, your secret is safe with me." You smile at him, a stark contrast from your previous look, before quickly changing and uttering, "Now get the fuck out of the way."
His intense green orbs lock onto you briefly before he steps aside, allowing you to pass. As the key smoothly fits into the lock, you carefully turn it until a satisfying click signals that the door can be gently pushed ajar.
You enter the room and close the door without looking back.
After flicking the switch, the room is bathed in light, revealing its contents. A peculiar mix of comfort and unease starts to spread through your body as you survey the room, pushing yourself to disregard the sensation as you make your way to the dresser.
Opening the drawer, your hands carefully navigate through his neatly folded clothes until they locate the hidden blunts. Sliding your hand through the drawer, you come across a hard object that feels different from clothing.
With curiosity piqued, you reach for the corner and gently pull it out of the drawer. An A4 sized notebook appears, unfamiliar to you. You were aware that Reiner was not the kind of person to document his thoughts and he was too smart to leave it carelessly.
You lock eyes with the lock attached to the notebook, ensuring its secrecy, before gently returning it to the drawer and resuming your search for the blunts. After a short period, you discover two of them, which is sufficient for now.
You tuck them into your bra due to the lack of pockets and leave the room. Stepping outside, you become aware of the group lingering nearby, their eyes following you as you secure the door.
As you pivot your body, you discreetly tuck the key into your bra, stealing a quick glance at Jean. As you walk past him, your eyes meet and lock for a brief moment.
Seeing him was the last thing you had anticipated tonight.
Heading back downstairs to the kitchen, you catch a glimpse of Ymir sitting on the couch with her arm around a brunette and a can in her hand.
"You disappeared off quick," A voice startles you from behind, but you instinctively recognise who it is without looking.
"And you were whoring yourself out real quick," you retort before confronting him face to face. "Do you honestly believe that kissing a stranger will make me jealous? If so, you are even more petty than I had imagined."
A small smile appears at the edge of his mouth. "I didn't intend to make you jealous, you simply caught my attention." Observing his surroundings, he cautiously moves closer to you, sparking your wariness. "I'm grateful that you were there because I was imagining she was you all along."
"Do you expect me to swoon over you because of that?" You say with a hint of amusement. As you retrieve the key from your bra, his eyes follow your every move. "I told you, whatever we had going on was done and it was done the moment you tried to fuck me over."
As you reach out to grab his hand, you drop the key in his open palm. "I'm done with your little games."
With a subtle tilt of his head, he observes you beginning to walk away, then calls out, "We'll see about that (y/n)."
Raising your middle finger in the air, you head towards the drinks. Dealing with Reiner always required a drinkโor ten.
You reach for the remaining items on the table and begin blending them together, unaware of the alcohol that's starting to affect you. As you carefully pour the alcohol into your cup, a figure catches your attention as they search intently for something nearby.
All of a sudden, a gentle tap on your shoulder prompts you to swiftly pivot towards the source. You appear surprised, but quickly compose yourself as the man begins to speak.
You ask with a puzzled expression, "What?"
He lets out a brief sigh before moving closer, narrowing the distance between the two of you. He leans in, his tall figure bending down as he softly asks, "Are there any non-alcoholic drinks available?"
The innocent act of his velvety voice travelling into your ear causes you to swallow thickly.
Jean stands confidently, gazing at you expectantly. You pause for a moment to carefully choose your words as you admire his appearance under the dim lighting, resembling a Greek god. The snug shirt accentuated his physique, fitting perfectly in all the right areas.
You use your index finger to signal for him to lean down again, and without any hesitation, he leans closer. "There's a drawer in the fridge with a pink note on it, you take whatever you want."
"They're not anyone's drinks, right?" He asks, sounding almost nervous.
You playfully remark with a grin, "They're mine but I'm feeling generous."
He gives a nod as he moves back from you. He utters words that you understand as a "thank you."
As you lift the cup to your lips, you take a sip while observing Jean rummaging through the fridge for your beverages. He swiftly picks up two drinks, shuts the fridge, then turns before landing his gaze on you.
"Shouldn't you be with your friends?" He asks, moving closer to you while you rest against the counter.
You can't help but keep your gaze fixed on him as he stands before you. You retort, imitating his voice, "My rich, pretentious asshole friends?"
His lips barely hint at a smile as he nods in agreement. "Yes, those ones."
"I've been pondering the same question," you mention before taking another sip from your cup, "but shouldn't you be with yours? I don't think your leader will like that you're talking to me."
He appears on the verge of laughter, yet his expression remains devoid of any humour. "My leader? That's a new one, but do you really think I care about what he says?"
"I don't know, do you care about what he says?" You ask, your gaze travelling from his chest to his face. As you gaze at Jean, you find yourself drawn deeper into a state of intoxication, his allure growing stronger with each passing moment.
"I wouldn't be standing here talking to you if I did," he states, stepping forward, causing you to swallow thickly, unsure of what his next action will be.
As his hand moves with effortless grace, placing the drink beside you, you can't help but feel a magnetic pull drawing your gaze back to him.
His movements are fluid, as if every gesture is carefully calculated yet instinctual, and you find yourself suddenly captivated by the way he carries himself.
With a subtle flick of his wrist, he cracks open the can, the sound echoing softly in the air. But it's not the sound that captures your attention-it's the intensity of his gaze fixed unwaveringly on you.
Your eyes flit between the depths of his mesmerising gaze and the tempting curve of his lips, unsure where to focus. His eyes hold a depth you can't quite decipher, like pools of liquid silver reflecting the secrets of the universe. And yet, it's his lips that beckon to you, plump and inviting, tantalisingly close yet just out of reach.
You can't if it's the alcohol taking over, but you grin wider than you'd like while remarking, "I never pegged you as a rebel, Kirstein...or a party-goer."
"Oh, believe me, I'm not. I just always find myself being dragged into these situations," he reassures, shaking his head as he takes a sip of his drink.
Your eyes are transfixed by his every gesture, following the elegant arc of his hand as it moves with fluid grace. But then, like a magnet drawn to steel, your gaze descends to his neck, where the rhythmic bounce of his Adam's apple captivates you.
With each swallow, it rises and falls-a mesmerising dance that holds your attention in a silent trance.
"Don't you find it weird how we've spoken to each other more in the past week than in the last year?" you comment while adjusting your body against the counter. His eyes haven't once betrayed him, and he hasn't looked below your neck. "Seems like you're coming out of your shell."
"Or maybe you're becoming more aware of your surroundings," he remarks, effortlessly transferring his weight to his right foot.
You give him a piercing gaze while taking a sip from your cup, asserting, "I'm very aware of my surroundings, Jean."
"Then why haven't we properly spoken before this week?" As he asks the question, he tilts his head, refusing to look away from you.
"You know it takes two to start a conversation, right?" You say that as you're unable to provide a response to his question. You seem confused as to why there has never been any prior interaction between the two of you.
Jean shifts closer to you, making room for the person behind him to pass. He looms over you, forcing your gaze to tilt upwards as he declares, "And it only takes one to be intimidating."
As you knit your eyebrows together, a look of confusion crosses your face. "You're intimidated by me?" Typically, receiving those words from others brings you joy, but when they come from Jean, it somehow unsettles your stomach.
"Tell me someone who isn't, (y/n)" His eyes lingers on you, as if your question is utterly stupid-the answer is glaringly obvious.
You find yourself unable to maintain eye contact with the man, causing you to divert your attention towards your cup. You savour the tantalising concoction, relishing in its flavours as you take another sip and let it glide down your throat. "You're awfully judgy, aren't you?"
"I didn't-"
Just as he's about halfway through his sentence, an urgent voice interrupts with a rapid succession of your name, repeating it multiple times, "(y/n), (y/n), (y/n)!"
The voice echoes through the room, instantly capturing your focus and drawing the curious gazes of those nearby-including Jean.
A look of pure joy illuminates Zeke's face, revealing that he's under the influence. He eagerly approaches you and Jean with the enthusiasm of a young child. "It's fucking happening!"
"What?" you ask, your face contorted with bewilderment. You carefully observe Zeke's face, trying to unravel the meaning behind his words.
"Colt and Porco!" His voice booms, surpassing its previous volume as he exclaims, "They're outside arguing."
"Fuck," you mutter as you toss your empty cup onto the counter. As you make your way towards the garden, Zeke follows closely behind.
The situation ahead catches your attention as a growing crowd gathers around a heated exchange of voices.
"If your ego was as big as your dick, then everyone's lives would be far more peaceful!" Colt's voice reverberates through the air as he confronts Porco, his unwavering determination evident in every word.
Porco chuckles and shakes his head. "Maybe if your ego were bigger, you wouldn't still be a virgin."
"Your only diss against me is calling me a fucking virgin. Porco, try something more original for once." Colt dismisses the guy with a hint of arrogance, "and I won't apologise for not being the type of person who spends their entire summer sleeping around and sticking my dick inside anything that moves."
You're taken aback by Colt's unexpected words, causing your face to visibly express surprise. You turn your gaze towards Zeke, his smile widening as he confidently declares, "Oh, I am so winning that money."
"At least one of us was getting some, you spent the whole time being a prude and acting superior to me because you haven't had sex" Porco fires back, his voice escalating in volume, "it's not my fault I know how to have fun."
Colt moves closer to the male, steadfastly avoiding glancing at the growing crowd around them. "I act superior?" He laughs mockingly at Porco, then proceeds to taunt him further, "You suck up to Reiner so much that I wouldn't be surprised if you've sucked his dick and I doubt it would be a one time thing."
You sense a firm grasp on your shoulder, prompting you to glance over at Zeke, who is observing Porco and Colt with an expression of pure delight.
You scan the crowd, your gaze landing on a handful of familiar faces, including Pieck and Reiner. Pieck appears visibly distressed, her face reflecting a mix of concern and sorrow. It's evident that she's on the verge of breaking down, as indicated by the trembling of her lower lip. In contrast, Reiner maintains a composed demeanour, seemingly intrigued by what is about to unfold.
Porco's intense gaze pierces through the air as he inches closer to Colt. With a piercing gaze, he locks eyes with Colt and taunts, "You'd know an awful lot about sucking dick, wouldn't you, Colt?"
His voice booms with such force that it reverberates through the air, capturing the attention of everyone within earshot.
Zeke's face loses all signs of excitement in an instant. A hush falls over the entire crowd as Porco directs his question at Colt. Witnessing the gradual disappearance of colour from Colt's face, you observe the intensity of his gaze directed at Porco, filled with nothing but absolute loathing.
"Whoops," Porco remarks, "was that supposed to be a secret? I thought it was obvious."
Colt's sight is distorted by a delicate, shiny film, which fills Porco with an overwhelming sense of self-satisfaction. Colt acknowledges Porco with a subtle nod, subtly indicating his intention to move on.
"That's right," Porco sneers, "all bark and no bi-"
Just as Porco is about to finish his sentence, Colt swiftly retracts his fist while promptly pivoting on his foot. Porco is taken by surprise as Colt's fist comes hurtling towards him, leaving him with no chance to evade the attack.
In a matter of moments, his powerful punch connects with Porco's jaw.
Colt's powerful punch sends Porco's body reeling backward.
Porco's grunts echo through the air as his body collides with the unforgiving ground, while Colt looms triumphantly over him.
Colt's words drip with a venomous threat as he declares, "I'm telling Pieck everything."
Porco forcefully expels the crimson liquid that has accumulated in his mouth, his voice laced with defiance. "You wouldn't dare."
Colt's piercing gaze sweeps across the bustling crowd until it locks onto Pieck's figure. His gaze lingers on her, caught by her presence, before shifting his attention back to Porco.