empty spaces ~ armin x reader

chapter thirteen // casting

It had been two weeks since that night and neither of us had reached out to the other. We hadn't even crossed paths in that time. I wondered if he had already healed the letters written over his heart.

Hitch had opened my eyes to the reality that hadn't hit me yet. The truth was harder to swallow than all the lies. While I had locked myself away from deeper connections, Armin was doing the exact opposite. It wasn't his abandonment that kept us apart, it was my irrefutable ignorance.

"That's not the primary issue though," Hange continued, their placid expression wavering.

I clenched my fists tightly as fear seized me. Beside me, Armin became as still as carved stone. All I could make from his expression was a flash of trepidation that shook him before indifference took over.

"General Zackly was killed this afternoon," Hange said, giving me a moment to absorb their words.

"What?" It was all I could think to say after hearing such an abrupt declaration.

Commander Hange turned to Armin, who looked like he was in the middle of processing something. His eyes danced over the round table like he was reading an invisible script.
"I think I'll have Armin share the events building up to the massacre."

Armin's head popped up as if someone had come up from behind and shaken him. His features were panicked for a moment before he was able to collect himself enough to speak.

"Mikasa and I went to visit General Zackly this morning to settle some disputes over Eren's imprisonment, and as we were turned away an explosion went off." My hand went to cover my mouth as I realized why Armin looked so shaken. "The explosion broke through the walls and immediately killed the General. His dismembered remains landed in front of a gathering of Eren Yeager enthusiasts."

"Armin-" I began, feeling the weight of what he had just told me. For a brief moment, I had forgotten where we were and how badly torn our relationship had become. All I cared about was that he hadn't been caught under the fire. I wanted to reach him, touch him, make sure he knew how much his well-being consumed me.

"Do not waste energy being concerned over me," he interrupted, brushing me off. His features became hard. His callousness was like a bucket of ice tossed over my head. I felt like a fool for expressing so much emotion during a conference, and his insensitivity just added to my mortification.

Commander Hange coughed, breaking up the awkward tension building. "Uh... so the bomb was said to have been placed inside a chair. Armin, you said this was the chair General Zackly had brought in by a few soldiers. Correct?"

Armin had his attention on me. A cold glare warned me to hide whatever feelings for him that may arise. He feared that I would humiliate both of us. No need to worry about that though, half of the capital thought we were having a threesome with a war criminal. It couldn't get more mortifying than that.

"It was one of his personal torture devices. He had no other place to store it, so he had some soldiers deliver it to him."

Hange nodded and made a note on the pad they brought with them. "Who do you think those rebels were?"

Armin pondered over the question, carefully choosing how to answer.

"I believe they might be working with the Yeagerist group. General Zackly told us that he believed Eren had been in touch with Yelena and is under Zeke's influence. He refused to give anyone clearance to meet with Eren. I can rightfully assume that the Yeagerists were not keen on this change."

"I would agree with that," I added. Armin and Hange both turned their attention to me. "They would also gain the most from his assassination. It seems like the perfect distraction."