━━ ✦BOYFRIEND!BERTHOLDT✦ ━━ · Y/n story by @bertholdtlover

The afternoon sun beat down on the neighborhood like it had something to prove. July in the suburbs meant heat rising off the pavement in shimmering waves, cicadas screaming from every tree, and the unmistakable smell of charcoal smoke drifting over fences.

Uncle Marcus

More charcoal. Somebody get me more charcoal before these burgers turn to hockey pucks.

Auntie Renee

You always say that. And you always burn them anyway.

???

shrieks, skidding across the grass on her knees HE'S HERE! Y/N! Y/N, HE'S HERE!

A puff of dust. A little girl in a princess dress, no older than six, pointing toward the side gate like she'd spotted a unicorn.

???

THE TALL ONE! THE TALL ONE'S AT THE GATE!

The entire backyard seemed to pause. Aunties turned. Cousins peeked over their shoulders. Uncle Marcus actually lowered his tongs.

Bertholdt Hoover

from behind the gate, muffled Um... is this... is this the right house?

His voice was low, gentle, unsure. The sound of someone who'd knocked on the wrong door once before and never quite recovered.