catalyst ⋆˙⟡ nerd!armin arlert x reader

chapter 17

Rain pelted outside the brick library, droplets rolling down the arched windows, and thunder crackling in the distance, the vibrations from its mighty wake shook the structure. When a particularly loud clap sounded, you flinched, your shaky hands faltering further.

The Fritz library was the nicest one on campus, with an old-money feel and dusty books that hadn't been touched in decades. It was one of the only structures on campus untouched by the modern reconstruction of the buildings, which meant it was not only beautiful but had many hidden crevices. Your favorite was on the second floor, the most elite study spot in the entire building, nestled in a corner that was nearly impossible to find.

Though it was only early October, you'd found your spot at Paradis University in more ways than just a secure study spot. You felt as though you'd solidified your position in a friend group, mainly with Sasha and Mikasa, along with Connie, Jean, and Eren, who had gone out of their way to be around more. 

And since your conversation at the party two weeks ago, you and Armin have been... Normal. 

Pleantries in class, nodding if you saw each other in the halls or on campus, friendly things you hadn't done before out of fear and embarrassment, and beyond that, he had started letting you help with the labs. 

You were still lost, the first month of information was lagging in your brain, which is why you had finally folded, and texted him a week before the first exam. 

(y/n)

hi, i know its been a few weeks and if you don't want to anymore i get it

but i could use some help with reviewing if you're not busy this week

no pressure

armin 

Hey.

I'm not busy at all. 

How's tomorrow at Fritz? I'll get a study room.

(y/n)

oh ok

that works for me

armin

Perfect.

The shortness of his messages had thrown you off at first, and continued to. Though your exchanges were few and far between, the way he texted kept you on edge, the complete opposite of Sasha, who essentially poured herself out over text messages at all hours of the day.

Scrolling through your messages with Sasha, you remembered a message you hadn't replied to for a few days. One from Reiner, asking if the two of you could talk. You'd ignored it, trying to forget the fact that he and Bertolt were friends after his unexpected appearance the other week. Though you'd been dying to, you didn't ask Eren or Armin what Bertolt was talking about with them, or explain your history with him, and neither of them brought it up to you. 

Must have been unimportant. 

Or that's what you kept telling yourself, but a deep twist in your gut appeared when you thought about him showing up at the party, looking at you from across the pool, Eren and Armin beside him, and Reiner nowhere to be found, which was almost worse than if he were to be right beside him.

You had planned to reply, but then you got deep in thought. If Reiner and Bertolt were friends, would it be wrong to seek things out with Reiner? Did you even want to seek things out with Reiner? His hands on you at the party had been nice but brief, and if you were honest with yourself, you didn't know much about him other than his impressive athletic feats, but his main appeal was physical, and the fact that he seemed to want you.