Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

 In the quaint town of Trost, nestled between rolling hills and verdant forests, an extraordinary group of individuals lived discreetly among the unsuspecting humans. It had been barely a year since Zeke Yeager and his adopted children had returned to town. Reiner Braun, a vampire who appeared to be in his early twenties, was the oldest among them. The latter was still a young vampire, with only a few decades under his belt. He had been turned into a vampire by Zeke when he was just a seventeen-year-old boy with dreams and aspirations. The poor boy had found himself at the wrong place at a wrong time, which had cost him his life. Well, his human life. The group of Zeke had crossed path with a Reiner on the brick of death. The old vampire took pity on the blond boy, but was also very impressed by Reiner's resilience and will to live. So he turned him, and took Reiner under his wings. 

Being a young vampire meant that Reiner was still very attached to his humanity and previous life. Therefore, Zeke had promised the newborn to provide him with a few more years of his lost "humanity", but to do this, Reiner first had to learn how to master his new condition, and the responsibilities that came with this "gift", as well as his thirst, so that he would be in the greatest  possible control when in the presence of humans. It took him almost thirty years to archive that, but he succeeded. That's why they had come back here, to Trost. It was Zeke's birth place. When he was human, but also when he had started his new life has a vampire. So here was home, even though Zeke thought the entire world was his home.

Once here, Reiner made the unconventional decision to attend high school (cliché you must think, but give him a break, he never got to finish school when he was human.) So Zeke enrolled him as a freshman at the local (and only) high school in town. Zeke also forced Annie Leonhart and Bertolt Hoover (two other "teenage like" vampires from the group who were at least a hundred years older than Reiner) to also attend the school for the next four years. just there to make sure that Reiner wouldn't do anything stupid. 

So they all went to school. Reiner craved the semblance of a normal human life, even if it meant concealing his true identity from other fellow students. He enjoyed every second of it, even though it was all an act. That's the only thing they all had left now anyway. The lies. With no possibility of real evolutions. At school, Reiner and Annie both took the role of the adopted kids who had tragically lost their parents in a car accident. Classic scenario. But it worked every time. And as for Bertolt, he simply was the real son of the new historian Zeke Yeager, who kept the last name of his mother, who had lost her life while giving birth. (They absolutely don't look alike at all, but people are usually too self-centered to really noticed anything. That's the beauty about humans).

The first year went smoothly. Reiner had joined the Karate club, the football team and also the baseball team of the school. He had also decided not to be the cliché of high school jocks, and to actually use his brain to have good grades. He was at the top of his class, followed by Annie and Bert. Every time the "kids" were on spring break, Zeke and the rest of the vampire group would leave for that period, and then they would come back.

Sophomore year was more... complicated, to say the least.

Among the sea of new faces at the school was Connie Springer, a sixteen-year-old boy who had moved during summer to Trost. With his infectious laughter and genuine kindness, Connie quickly attracted attention, including that of Reiner. The vampire found himself inexplicably drawn to Connie's bright spirit and compassionate nature. 

As the school year progressed, an unbreakable bond formed between Connie and Reiner. They spent countless hours talking about their aspirations, fears, and the mysteries of the world. Little did Connie know, his feelings for Reiner had grown into something deeper, evolving into a love he struggled to contain. However, Reiner remained oblivious to Connie's unspoken affection, seeing their connection purely as a cherished friendship (just because he knew he couldn't offer him more, because of who he was.) The vampire changed a lot, his behavior towards his "family", he started to be more and more involved with humans (not just Connie, but also other kids from his class) All of this started to make Zeke very angry as well as the rest the group. So much so that Zeke even asked Annie and Bertolt to found a way to get rid of this human boy who started to be a treat to all of them. They tried at first, but they soon  figured out that being against Connie meant that they were against Reiner, and they couldn't afford to lose one of their own. Especially not Reiner, who was like a brother to them. 

One fateful night, when the moon hung low in the sky, the tranquility of Trost was shattered by a sudden and brutal attack. A ferocious werewolf, unleashed by Jean Kirstein's newfound lycanthropic abilities, rampaged through the town, its bloodlust seeking a target. Unfortunately, that target turned out to be none other than Connie.

Cornered and overpowered, Connie found himself on the brink of death, his life ebbing away with each agonizing second. In a desperate bid to save his dear friend, Reiner arrived at the scene with lightning speed. His heart pounded in his chest as he beheld Connie's pale face, contorted with pain and fear.

"Con'... Connie!" Reiner's voice quavered with a mix of terror and determination. "Hey ... hey, please, you have to hold on!"

Annie and Bert' had followed Reiner, and the two vampires couldn't help but to be saddened by this horrible picture that led before their eyes. Connie had also gotten closer to them, even though they tried to deny it at first. Both had become more human, because of the influence of Connie, and Reiner. 

"Ze...Zeke is probable behind all of this. He must have known the Kirstein's were werewolves." said Annie.
 

"He wanted us to take care of Connie, but we refused. He probably found a way to trigger Jean's werewolf gene." added Bertolt.

Connie weakly turned his head toward Reiner, his voice barely a whisper. "Reiner... I... I can't... I don't want to die..."



"There's only one way Reiner... and you know it." Annie's trembling voice. Laying her hand on her  brother' shoulder. "he's gonna die if you don't...". 

Fueled by a surge of desperation and love, Reiner made a decision that would forever alter their lives. Drawing upon his vampire abilities, he bit into his own wrist, allowing his life-giving blood to flow freely. With trembling hands, he pressed his bleeding wrist against Connie's gasping lips, urging him to drink.

The transformation began as Reiner's potent vampire blood mingled with Connie's frail human form. The warmth of Reiner's essence coursed through Connie's veins, knitting his wounds, and revitalizing his fading life force. Connie's body trembled, a symphony of pain and awakening surging through him as his own vampire nature emerged.

After what seemed like an eternity, Connie's eyes fluttered open, revealing a mix of confusion and awe. His once-human existence had been irrevocably altered, and he now shared a bond with Reiner that transcended mortal comprehension.

Reiner, overwhelmed with relief at Connie's recovery, knelt by his side. Tears of joy mixed with the droplets of blood still staining his wrist. "Hey there. Don't try to move to quickly, your body is still probably sore"

Connie tried to move a bit anyway, but Annie stopped him easily with one hand "listen to him Springer, you've been through a lot. You have to rest." 

"Annie? wh...what are you doing here? and Bertolt too?" said Connie, stressed about the situation. Then, the boy remembered. 

"Jean... he turned into some kind of big dog... and he attacked me?" trembling with the still very obvious fear. "What the fuck happened?" 

"Jean is a werewolf, not a dog. Although us vampires like to refer them as dogs, but you'll get the chance to find out why eventually." said Bertolt, tapping gently on Connie's back. 

Confusion clouded Connie's face as he struggled to grasp the enormity of what had occurred. "What... what do you mean by that?

Reiner's voice quivered with a mix of guilt and affection "It means we're vampires, Con'." he stopped for a little while, gathering his courage. "And now... you're one too." 

As realization dawned, Connie's eyes widened. "wait... wait, what? You're a vampire? and I'm ... I'M A VAMPIRE?"

Reiner nodded, his gaze filled with a mixture of tenderness and worry. "Yes, Connie. I didn't have a choice. You were dying... but it's going to be fine. I promise. I'll be there for you every step of the way."

Now ... Reiner and Connie's destiny were intertwined. What would the future hold for them? 

Chapter Text

The morning light gently spilled into Connie's room, illuminating the remnants of a restless night. As he blinked away the haze of sleep, the memories of the previous night flooded his mind, a tumultuous whirlwind of fear and transformation.

Connie's body felt different, as if he had undergone an extraordinary metamorphosis. He flexed his muscles, marveling at the newfound strength that coursed through his veins. There was a hardness to his being, an invincibility that whispered of untapped power. It was an unsettling sensation, as though he could throw himself against a car and emerge unscathed. A shiver ran down his spine.

Amidst his contemplation, Connie's phone vibrated on the nightstand, jolting him from his thoughts. The screen displayed Reiner's name, accompanied by a concerned message. "Hey, Con'. Are you alright? How are you feeling?" Connie stared at the text, his fingers hovering over the keys, unsure of how to respond. The weight of his unspoken emotions bore down upon him.

A wave of overwhelming sensations crashed over him, his enhanced senses bombarding him with a barrage of stimuli. Every sound, every scent, every flicker of movement seemed magnified, threatening to engulf him. It was as if the world had intensified, its vastness and intricacies suddenly within Connie's grasp. He struggled to adapt, feeling adrift in a sea of heightened perceptions.

Hunger gnawed at his insides, urging him to seek sustenance. The thought of breakfast with his family filled him with both longing and trepidation. How could he face them, fearing that his newfound nature could harm those he loved most? Connie's resolve wavered, and with a heavy heart, he decided to spare them the potential danger and silently slipped out of his room, leaving his house behind.

The embrace of nature's sanctuary beckoned to him, and Connie found solace in the depths of the nearby forest. Here, amidst the towering trees and dappled sunlight, he could explore his burgeoning abilities. He marveled at his enhanced speed, dashing through the underbrush like a fleeting shadow. He tested the limits of his strength, sending the trunk of a fallen tree soaring through the air with a mere flick of his wrist. His breath caught in his throat as the realization of his newfound capabilities settled upon him.

Unable to contain the weight of his uncertainties any longer, Connie reached for his phone and composed a message to ... Annie Leonhart. "Hey. We need to talk. Meet me in the forest near my place. Come alone." With a flicker of hope, he sent the message into the digital abyss, yearning for guidance and understanding. Moments later, Annie emerged from the shadows, her eyes glinting with a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Hey... Hm, thanks for coming so quickly ..." said the new vampire 

"Yeah, whatever. I'm kind of surprised you would asked for me though." replied the girl "we're not exactly close" she added. 

"I know, but I can't talk to Reiner right now I just ..." Connie hesitated ... " I just need to talk about last night, and everything. Can we do that... please?" he asked, a bit scared and out of breath.

Annie agreed, and they found a secluded spot, surrounded by the ancient trees, and sat down to discuss what Annie knew. She revealed that Zeke, the chief of their clan - and who also pretended to be their father -  was behind the attack that led to Connie's transformation. She also added that Zeke possessed the unique ability to awaken supernatural entities within humans, a power that had been used to awaken Jean Kirstein's latent werewolf heritage. 

"That's so fucked up.. I mean I don't get it. What did I do ? It makes no sense at all." Connie struggled to understand why a powerful vampire like Zeke would target a simple teenager like him.

"I think... he just doesn't like your relationship with Reiner. That's all. He's probably scared to lose him over you. Reiner has a unique ability, he's insanely strong for a young vampire. Zeke doesn't want to lose him." 

"Wait... that's all? I was almost murdered because a lunatic I don't know how old vampire is scared that his fake son would leave for a human?" Connie asked bewildered. 

"It seems so. Now I don't have all the answers. Maybe there is more." nodded Annie, pulling her hood up.

Seated amidst nature's embrace, Connie poured out more of his fears and confusion to Annie, his words tumbling out in a desperate rush. She listened patiently, her gaze never wavering, as if she understood the turmoil that churned within him. And then, Annie began to unravel the enigma of their existence, unveiling the truth of vampirism.

"Ok first, you need to know more about what you are now" She stopped for a second, letting Connie have a moment "As a vampire, you are now immortal," Annie explained, her voice carrying a weight of centuries. "During the day, our powers are subdued, but we can still walk under the sunlight. However, our true strength manifests at night. We have the ability to manipulate and control human minds, and we possess a physical prowess that exceeds that of a hundred men. And more, but you'll get to discover all of what you can do later."

Their conversation delved deeper into the intricacies of their new reality. Annie elaborated on the sustenance vampires required, revealing that most of their kind fed on the blood of humans. Connie's unease grew as she explained that vampires who consumed animal blood were weaker than those who partook of human blood. The revelation sent shivers down his spine, for he couldn't fathom becoming a creature that fed on or harmed his fellow humans.

"I don't... I don't want to harm or kill humans. That's not who I want to be." Connie revealed. 

"And you don't have to be. I congratulate you for resisting the temptation to feed on your family this morning. It takes tremendous willpower, Springer. Not a lot of us could have done what you did" Congratulated Annie, giving Connie a small smile. It was a bit out of character now that Connie thought about it. Annie never smiled.  "Now,  there are options like blood bags and animal blood that can sustain us without causing harm to humans. You'll have to choose whatever diet suits you better".

To ease his troubled mind, Annie shared her own harrowing tale. She recounted her death during World War I at the tender age of sixteen, turned into a vampire by a manipulative and deranged boyfriend. Consumed by her insatiable thirst, she had unwittingly slaughtered her entire family, plagued by guilt and remorse for decades. Annie commended Connie again for resisting the urge to harm his own family that morning, for it was a testament to his strength.

Driven by a surge of curiosity, Connie hesitantly asked Annie how she sustained herself. Annie's hesitation was palpable, but she mustered the courage to confess the truth. "For a little over thirty years now, I have been feeding from blood bags," she admitted. "Reiner and Bertolt also follow this diet. We made the switch when Reiner's transformation made it apparent that we would somehow be involved with humans."

"So ... you did feed on human before? Other than your family I mean..." asked curiously Connie. 

"Yes, in the past I did. I've been alive... for a long time. And Bert too. Now, I don't want to talk for him, but I can say that it wasn't until Reiner's turning that we realized there could be another way. A more complicated one, but a better." she said softly. 

A complex web of emotions churned within Connie. Disappointment, relief, and a lingering sense of betrayal mingled together. He found himself confessing why he had reached out to Annie instead of Reiner, expressing his frustration at being thrust into this life against his will, even though he understood why he did what he did. Annie nodded empathetically, understanding the tumultuous mix of emotions that plagued Connie's heart.

"To be totally straight with you... I think you're kind of lucky. I wish someone with good intentions had turned me," Annie admitted with a touch of melancholy. "My boyfriend at the time, wanted me to be his forever, but not out of love. He saw me as an object, a possession to control." She said, staring off into the distance. "Reiner's heart is pure. I've never seen that in a vampire before. You can trust me when I tell you this: you're lucky that HE turned you." 

Connie nodded. Precessing everything that Annie had told him. "Could... could you please tell Reiner that I need time to process all of this," he asked. "Let him know that I will reach out to him when I feel ready."

Annie nodded, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "Take all the time you need, Springer. The dude will still be around, not matter what."

The day stretched on, and Annie took Connie under her wing, guiding him through the intricacies of vampire hunting. She taught him how to feed without causing harm, instilling in him the importance of respecting the sanctity of life. As the sun began its descent, Annie bid Connie farewell, leaving him to confront the challenges that awaited him.

Returning to his family home, Connie battled against the relentless thirst that threatened to consume him. With sheer determination, he resisted the primal urge to harm his loved ones. Instead, he managed to spend precious moments with each of them, cherishing their presence, before retreating to his room.

As twilight bathed the world in its muted hues, Connie's phone buzzed once again. It was Reiner, reaching out in genuine concern. The message illuminated the screen, yet Connie found himself unable to reply just yet. The weight of his newfound existence, his conflicted emotions, demanded solitude and reflection.

Alone in his room, Connie grappled with his conflicting emotions, reflecting on the events of the day. As the moon bathed the room in its gentle glow, he contemplated the path ahead, unsure of what the future held for him.