Another Wintry's Day (Bertolt x Reader) [AU]

DISCLAIMER: This story is an AU or remake. It’s not going to flow with the original story and there will be major changes to the original storyline. It’s just a short.

Rating: N/A

       The frozen breeze crumbled the leaves of the trees that surrounded the small town. The sub-zero temperature caused flakes to fall and compile into snow. As the snow fell it eventually blanketed itself over the entire town in a pure and soft white sheet. Children prayed for this time to come where winter would bless them with the heaven’s white purity. As time passed however safety had to come first due to the sheer coldness of it all. Sickness loomed and everybody had to remain tepid.

       Bertolt rose from his cold bed. Taking in a few breaths before exhaling heavily he got prepared for another day of school. University life wasn’t the best during winter because nobody would want to get out of bed. But he had to because he was the good student. Having a good lukewarm shower and dressing thickly he left the house for his early morning coffee. His thick dark navy blue coat along with the corresponding coloured scarf and black pants and shoes accompanied with fuzzy gloves and slipper-like boots he was pretty much well insulated.

       “S-So cold,” he gnashed his teeth vigorously together as he chattered.

       Today was minus ten below and the density of the snow rose. The viscosity of it really put him in a bad mood to start off the day. Every day for three months he was going to put up with this.

       “Ughh!” he exasperated with utter annoyance.

       Finally arriving at his local coffee shop, ‘Café Lycoris,’ the place where he’d always stop by every winter to purchase his warm cup of either hot chocolate or black coffee depending on the circumstances of his day. Since it was forecasted to be another miserable day he decided on black coffee. Entering through the door the bells above it jingled signalling his arrival. He looked around and it was half full with people as usual, lining up for their hot drinks. Sighing he walked up to the counter and avoiding eye contact with the waiter he grabbed a few loose changes from his pocket and placed his order.

       “One cup of large black coffee, please,” he ordered with a bit of a cold tone, a bit of icy breath emanating from his crackled lips.

       At that he placed his loose change on the bench and grabbed a cardboard cup warmer along with some sugars and a stirring stick before returning to grab his change.

       “Okay one cup of large black coffee it is then!” a cheery and bright voice lit up his attention. Never before had he heard such an unfamiliar voice. “Your name was?”

       “B-Bertolt,” he said before clearing his throat, “Bertolt Hoover.”

       “Alright won’t be long Mr Hoover,” you said before placing softly the change into his hand.

       Taking his seat he kept his eyes on you, the apparently new recruit to the coffee shop. Watching your every actions he seemed captivated by your lively demeanour. Then again he had never seen you before. Looking away he began contemplating a bit. Did you just move into town? Whereabouts did you live? All this pondering kept him occupied that he hadn’t noticed you bringing him his coffee.

       “Large black coffee Mr Hoover?” you confirmed, placing his cup on the table gently.

       “O-Oh y-yes,” he snapped his attention to you. “Thank you ughmm…” Looking at your name tag he said your name, “(Name). Thank you (Name).”

       “Anytime,” you smiled before tending to the next customer.

       Bertolt sat smiling to himself. Perhaps the start of winter wasn’t going to be so bad after all. After school he went back to Café Lycoris. It was unusual for him to go back for seconds but he wasn’t just going back for it. He was going back for a second glance at you. Entering once again the bells jingled and he heard a ‘Hello and welcome!’ Peeking up it was you again.

       “Oh!” your eyes widened upon seeing him again. “Mr Hoover, wasn’t it?”

       Walking up to the counter Bertolt nodded and placed his order, this time making it something less strong but warm and sweet. He had eye contact with you this time, sweating at your beaming face up at him.

       “One large hot chocolate with marshmallow please,” he asked with more warmth in feeling.

       “One of my favourites,” you said.

       “O-Oh really?” Bertolt asked tilting his head.

       “You have good taste Mr Hoove--”

       “P-Please, Bertolt is fine,” he smiled.

       “Haha okay Bertolt, I won’t be long,” you said. “Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.”

       Quickly gathering some material and ingredients he took to the vacant seat. The place was empty because it was late. Bertolt finished late on Mondays so he figured to make it routine to come here often after class since he assumed you would still be working. What a guess. Yet you were here working tirelessly and with a bright smile painted elegantly on your features. He kind of adored you. Never had he seen someone like you. Most girls were a bore to him but something stood out with you. Ruminating over it he was oblivious to your presence in front of him.

       “Bertolt?” you set his cup of hot chocolate with marshmallow down before him.

       “Ah!” he jerked from his thoughts. “S-Sorry I was thinking.”

       “You look like a smart thinker haha,” you giggled. Placing your hand on the seat opposite of him you asked permission, “May I?”

       “But your shift…”

       “Oh I’m done for the night,” you told him.

       “Oh o-okay in that case please,” he gestured.

       “Thank you.”

       In your hand you held a small hot chocolate with marshmallow cup. Fingers lacing around the cup you warmed up your whole hand as the temperature continued dropping. Bertolt noticed the drink you had.

       “S-So you like h-hot chocolate with marshmallows as well I see?” he laughed lightly.

       “You bet I do!” you grinned at him.

       A minute of silent then remained over the two of you as you both sipped on your drinks one after the other and at a time. Before long Bertolt couldn’t hold in his questions so he had to get them out.

       “I’ve never seen you before, around here that is,” he began. “D-Did you just move in?”

       “Yes I did,” you affirmed. “Last Friday in fact. I started work here since last Saturday and to be honest, I’m loving this little petite town. It suits me greatly in my opinion. What about yourself Bertolt?”

       Bertolt’s chest pounded as he heard you call his name. You were very polite and formal and your personal interest in others astounded him.

       “I-I grew up here,” he said. “I’ve seen this town develop since I was a child and just recently the university was just built around the corner there. So the town is really growing.”

       “Oh wow,” you looked up with wonder. “That’s so fortunate and nice.”

       “May I a-ask, where d-did you come from?”

       “Oh me?” you pointed at yourself for a moment before continuing, “I came from a big metropolitan city. However it didn’t really suit my liking so I asked my parents if I could move to somewhere small and quiet. Hence we found this place. I really like it here despite only just arriving last week.”

       “Well I hope you enjoy it here (N-Name),” Bertolt smiled before taking another nip of his hot drink.

       “Thank you Bertolt,” you nodded. “Do you go to university? The one just built up like you said?”

       “Oh yes I do,” he answered. “I just started this year so I’m k-kind of a-a--”

       “Freshmen?” you giggled. Bertolt gulped but you appeased him by saying, “Don’t worry so am I. I plan to get into that university once I have enough money to pay for the entrance.”

       “O-Oh okay,” he said. “Well I hope it all goes well for you th-then (Name). A-And if you need anything y-you can contact me.”

       “Aww that’s so sweet of you Bertolt. Well okay then, here’s my number.”

       After exchanging numbers you both departed separate ways and bid each other goodnight. It was a good start.


       Time passed during the first month of the winter season and Bertolt popped in more often with a more anticipative attitude since he was going to see you. Every time he came in you were there with that huge greeting smile of yours. After classes on Mondays he’d come by again and order the same hot chocolate and you’d sit with him and exchange further details about each other.

       “I live by myself,” you said.

       “Me too,” Bertolt said as well.

       “Oh but what about your parents?” you inquired.

       “Th-They, they died unfortunately when I was a little boy,” he recited from his past. “I was looked after by my grandmother until I was about fifteen before I learned the basics of survival and moved out and closer to the inner parts of the town and closer to the university that was in current construction at the time.”

       “Oh…” you ducked you head with sadness. “I’m so sorry for asking such a question. I should’ve--”

       “It’s alright (Name), really,” Bertolt reassured you with a tender smile. “What about your family, if I may?”

       “Ah yes,” you jumped back onto topic. “My parents still live in the urban city because mum and dad both have lucrative careers there. I plan to take up study here and maybe do the same but I’m loving this small town so much I think I’ll study, graduate and work here.”

       “M-My thoughts exactly!” Bertolt raised his voice slightly before calming himself. “S-Sorry I, just--”

       “No no it’s fine haha,” you assured him. “It’s good to meet someone who has similar goals to mine.”

       “Likewise,” he couldn’t agree more. You were like his missing half. “But can’t your parents fund for your school then?”

       “They are but we’re still short by a mile and they need the savings for the important stuff in their work so I decided to take up this job to earn and basically make a living. Then, pay for my entrance into your university. It won’t be long because the pay here is so generous,” you described to him the reason and your future plans.

       “Th-Then i-if that’s the case let me help fund you (Name),” he suggested. “I can assis--”

       “Oh no Bertolt that’s a bit too much!” you waved him down. “As much as I’d love it I can’t fall in debt to you now.”

       “I didn’t s-say you’d be in debt,” he said. “I’m willing to pay for you.”

       “It’s okay Bertolt really,” you kept declining.

       Bertolt had a bit of sadness written on his face and you noticed. You both got up as it was time to leave and to show your gratitude and comfort you walked up to hug his tall and slender figure.

       “Thank you though for your kind consideration,” you said.

       “Y-Y-Y-You’re welcome (Name),” he stuttered.

       “Look can we meet up sometime outside of this place? I’d like to have a little tour around town, if that’s okay with you,” you asked.

       “O-Of course! I’d be more than happy to do so!” he replied promptly.

       “Thank you Bertolt! Okay let’s make a date where we can go out together.”

       Pulling out your notebook you set a time and date and unknown to you was the fact that Bertolt was looming over with intense joy.


       The second month of winter passed and the final stages of it had arrived. Snow intensified and one time the town suffered a blizzard. Bertolt had took you out on a tour as planned and promised. Showing you the different places and his little past background stories of them you were fascinated even more at its history. Then he took you to his university where you sat with him at one of his classes and after that you ended the day with the usual routine, hot chocolate with marshmallows. The two of you had grown somewhat closer to each other now.

       “I’m so glad to have met you Bertolt,” you looked up at him as he escorted you home.

       “Me t-too (Name),” he looked down at you as your (e/c) connected endearingly with his emerald olive ones.

       Arriving safely at your front door he bid you farewell but was stopped by your call.

       “Goodnight Bertolt,” you kissed him on his forehead.

       “G-G-Goodnight (Name),” he spluttered out.

       He wasn’t expecting this at all and he ended up overheating in his clothes that he would be able to walk naked with that hundred degree Celsius sweat. Finally you waved him a final goodbye before entering your house. Your phone buzzed in your pocket so you pulled it out and answered it. It was your mum.


       The very next day Bertolt was deciding on whether or not it was a good idea to bring you roses after school. He took the risk because he knew that that kiss from last night wasn’t any ordinary kiss. So, after school he quickly bought a bouquet and got his confession ready before heading to Café Lycoris. Entering with the jingles of the bells he confronted the cashier, only to find your colleague Sasha there in your place.

       “Eh? Sasha,” he called her. “(N-Name)?”

       “Oh ughmm (Name) had something very important to do today so she can’t come in,” Sasha informed him.

       “Oh okay then.”

       At that he ordered two cups of hot chocolate with marshmallow, one large one small. Before exiting he heard some of your other colleagues conversing concernedly about you.

       “I hope (Name) is alright,” one of the girls said warily. “I heard something had happened with her family and that she had to move out right away.”

       Hearing those words and others Bertolt became worried. Therefore without further hesitation he rushed to your house. Knocking on your front door he was wishing for you to open it but it was just silent. Nothing. Nobody. Empty.

       “Oh that girl just moved out this morning,” the old lady across the road notified Bertolt. “She seemed very distraught about something. Poor girl.”

       Afterwards Bertolt made it back to his home. Bertolt felt sad. Miserable. What happened to you remained a mystery to him. Were you going to come back? You left without a formal farewell. No more hot chocolate with marshmallows. No more going out. Your abrupt departure pained him. He wanted you to stay and although you dreamed big things here you suddenly leaving broke his heart a bit. Then again you had your reasons and he wanted to know out of concern what they were. So he pulled out his phone and sent you a text message. No reply.

       The hot chocolate was growing icy cold now beside him. The bouquet of flowers laid on the stoned cold floor and eventually withered away with the frozen wind. Sadly for Bertolt Hoover, it was just another wintry day.

       …