Morning sunlight leaked through the cheap apartment blinds, thin golden stripes stretching across the living room floor. The place looked like a tornado had passed through it—textbooks stacked beside baby bottles, a half-finished assignment open on a laptop, and a tiny pair of pink socks abandoned on the couch.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, a baby’s soft cooing filled the room.
Reiner sat on the couch with the little girl balanced carefully against his chest, one large hand supporting her back while the other awkwardly held a bottle. His blond hair was messy, like he hadn’t slept at all, and dark circles rested under his eyes. He was exhausted, but he also looked strangely happy.
“Okay… okay,” he muttered softly to the baby, bouncing his knee. “Easy there, princess. Your mom’s gonna wake up soon and save both of us," the baby let out a tiny squeak
From down the hall, the bedroom door creaked open.
You stepped out slowly, hair messy, wearing one of Reiner’s oversized hoodies. The moment you saw the living room—Reiner on the couch, the baby, and the absolute disaster around you—you sighed and rubbed your eyes.
“…I have work, and practice after. Did our girl sleep at all?” You say, the little misfit babbling.
Reiner glanced up, “Absolutely. She got tons of sleep,” he said with a smile.
You walked over, leaning down to peek at the tiny girl in his arms. She stared up at you with wide curious eyes, one small hand grabbing a fistful of Reiner’s shirt.
For a moment everything was calm. Then suddenly—the baby’s face scrunched up, Reiner froze, “…Uh oh.”
You immediately straightened, “Reiner.”
“I didn’t do anything! I swear!” Reiner says, already bracing for the loud noises.
A loud crying wail filled the apartment. You sighed, scooping her up carefully, “She’s hungry again.”
“…We’re never making it to class.”
Your phone buzzed on the table, Reiner noticed, then you turned the phone toward him.
Sasha:
ARE YOU TWO ALIVE???
Bring the baby!! We're free!!!!! Plssssss
"You have to be kidding me. Really?" Reiner says, looking at you with a look that says no way in hell.
Sasha's text bubble popped up again, a spam of baby emojis and bottles.
Sasha:
Can we have her for a weekend?
Twenty minutes later you were standing outside a loud, chaotic apartment door. Music was faintly playing inside. Reiner shifted the baby carrier nervously.
“…This is a mistake.” Reiner huffed
The door immediately opened before you could even knock.
Sasha stood there in an oversized hoodie and fluffy socks, her hair messy but her eyes lighting up the moment she saw the baby.
“THE BABY!”
She practically lunged forward, you held the baby slightly away, “Sasha, calm down—”
“OH MY GOD SHE GOT BIGGER!”
From inside the apartment, a voice yelled, “IS THAT THE BABY?!”
Connie appeared around the corner wearing a blanket like a cape and holding a pancake in his hand.
He stopped dramatically when he saw the baby, “…Woah. She looks likes a doll Sasha.”
“Give her here!” Sasha squealed.
You carefully handed the baby to Sasha. Sasha immediately cradled her like she had been waiting her whole life for this moment. “Hi little angel,” she cooed.
The baby blinked at her, Connie leaned in. “…Do babies eat pancakes?”
You and Reiner both shouted at the same time. “NO.” Reiner finally stepped inside the apartment, looking around at the chaotic living room filled with empty cups and blankets.
“…You guys had a party," Connie nodded proudly. “Legendary one.”
Sasha bounced the baby gently, Reiner looked around the chaotic apartment—Sasha laughing with the baby, Connie trying to entertain her with a pancake, the ridiculous mess of friends who somehow always showed up when you needed them.