catalyst ⋆˙⟡ nerd!armin arlert x reader

chapter 4

Paradis was in the middle of a fairly industrialized city, surrounded by skyscrapers and smaller neighborhoods where plenty of students housed themselves, making it perfect for parties without getting knocked by campus police, which seemed to swarm at all times of day.

Just beyond the final dorms was the entirety of downtown, swarming with tourists and people, and littered with clubs and bars that Sasha and Connie had been talking about the other night over dinner, which was packets of ramen, served up by Sasha to look like a top-tier dish.

Mikasa and you walked in silence for the most part, and unlike Sasha and Jean, nobody waved or acknowledged you as the two of you walked. You couldn't say you hated it; rather, you kind of enjoyed it. The silence and relaxation that followed when not being watched by the people around you. This is how it had been at Marley, one of the few things you missed.

You weren't popular at Marley, having very few friends, and the few you did have felt artificial, as if you just hung around each other because people expected you to. They were dorks, as were you. You didn't mind the stereotype, you supposed, but not immediately being boiled down to it at Paradis was nice, an enjoyable change of pace.

Mikasa turned to you when you entered another smaller courtyard, this one was by one of the on-campus libraries, one of the less modern buildings on campus with fogged windows and grand columns outside. Opposite the library was the coffee shop.

"We're here," She said plainly, marching to the front doors of the shop. It was quaint, very small, and cozy, with warm lighting and plenty of plants, as well as an abundance of seating options.

As you walked in, you noticed Sasha sitting with her earbuds in at a table by the window, her notes scattered around her, and an iced chai at her side, half full.

You turned to Mikasa, who had her arms folded over her chest, staring at the menu above the ordering station. "Thank you again for walking me here."

She turned and gave you a meek smile. "Don't worry about it. Thank you for freeing me from Jean."

Without another word, you turned and walked over to where Sasha was, tapping her on the shoulder before sitting across from her, placing your backpack on the hardwood floor of the shop. She took an earbud out and looked over at you from above her computer.

Sasha had worn your navy sweater, and she looked better in it than you did; it brought out the tan glow of her skin and made her eyes look amazing. Her hair was up in a ponytail, as it so often was. "Oh my gosh, finally." She groaned, taking a bite of the Danish she had next to her. "I was wondering if you'd ever show up."

You frowned. "I got out of class early, I'd probably be about an hour later if it wasn't for that."

Sasha looked at the time on her phone. "Shit, it feels like I've been here for hours."

"What have you been up to?" You asked, leaning on the table, trying to catch a glance at her computer, which she abruptly shut off.

She shook her head, face flushed. "Nothing," she said quickly. "How was biology? Did the Professor call you an idiot in front of the entire class and dump a bucket of pond water on you as part of an experiment?"

You almost brought up your lab partner, and how utterly fucked you were, but you bit your tongue, feeling like if you said it outloud it would become too real.

You snorted. "No, it was fine. I did meet your friend Jean, though."

"Oh, good!" Sasha beamed, clapping her hands together, before taking another bite, she spoke through a stuffed mouth. "He lives with Connie, I mentioned you to the other day, but he didn't get the chance to stop by."