#nothing just thinking of reiner in a little pinny as he bakes

[marleysfinest]

post-war reiner who discovers a new hobby

this came from a fleeting couple of messages between @flamespond and I; it's just fluffy reiner trying to keep busy!!!

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post-war reiner still finds it hard to have to plan his day. he's so used to such regimented, timetabled living that being left to his own devices feels alien. what is there to do? does he pick up a hobby? where does he even begin?

he starts simple, and just walks. around the town's winding streets, discovering the wonders that hide in the nooks and cranny's by way of a tiny shop selling yarn, another touting artisan ale, another a purveyor of small, delicate brooches. he finds wonder in the artistry of it all, how people can turn their hands to almost anything and make it beautiful. he wondered, could he, too, use his hands to create, instead of destroy?

after ducking into an ancient looking bookshop and picking up a relatively amateur-friendly looking cookbook, reiner raids the local market for the ingredients of a simple sponge cake. he carries the eggs so delicately, ever afraid he'd shatter them by mistake.

at home, he splays the recipe out on the counter and reads it at least twelve times before summoning the courage to begin. with almost amusing accuracy, he weighs his ingredients, and takes a minute to make sure he has everything ready before moving on to the method.

predictably, the kitchen looks like it's been ram-raided by the time he's finished. flour is dusted across the counter, egg shells roll on the floor, and you're pretty sure that's some jam on the ceiling (how?) but, to give him credit where credit's due, reiner has baked a cake. a damn good smelling one, too. the sponge is light and fluffy, and its colour suggest it's been baked to perfection. the jam sandwiched between the layers is decadent; his sweet tooth must have prevailed and encouraged him to use far more sugar than the recipe called for.

he presents his creation to your proudly when you return home, and you find yourself almost emotional that he's finally busied himself with something so creative. not to mention, he clearly had a knack for it.

reiner had put on a healthy bit of weight since the war ended, but it wasn't something to complain about. he needed the extra pounds, and deserved the indulgence just to ease himself into 'normal' life. his stomach still sported telltale signs of the muscle he'd spent so long building, and his arms were very much still defined. but he was much less gaunt in his face, far less pale. his cheeks often sported a rosy tint, and his chest was much more pillowy than firm. this baking habit would probably have to be monitored (that sweet tooth will always get him), but who were you to deny him this simple pleasure?