riptide ⋆｡𖦹 ˚ 𓇼 ˚｡⋆ armin arlert x reader

chapter 5

The pier was lively, people running past you, calling out to their friends as seagulls violently squawked overhead. Though touristy and overrated, you enjoyed the wooden mass structure. Reaching out into the ocean, surrounding those standing on the platform with the wonders of the sea, the pier had a few amenities.

A rickety Ferris wheel, several overpriced boardwalk games that were impossible to win, you and Ymir had learned that the hard way, a slew of food stands, and vast amounts of unstable carnival rides, including roller coasters that creaked and cried with every turn and spin.

Tonight, the boardwalk was packed to the brim, as it was the first official night of summer.

Beside you, wearing a pair of oversized jorts, a white tank top with her black bikini underneath, and a distinctly placed hickey, was Ymir, who looked like she had been through the ringer.

An hour prior, she had shown up on the front porch of the summer house.

Your hair was still in a towel, as you'd only just gotten out of the shower seconds before you heard her knocking, washing the smell of coffee beans and pastries off of you after a long day at Sawney and Bean's, studying.

"Good lord," You snorted, holding the door open as Ymir walked in, the bruise on her neck the first thing you noticed about her.

She stormed in, giving you a sideways glance as she brushed down the hall into the living room, flopping onto the plaid couch. You had the windows open, letting the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore echo through the house, and the smell of salt and seaweed cling to every surface.

"Don't start," Ymir muttered, folding an arm over her face, but you already had.

"Did Historia try and eat you? I leave you alone for half a day, and she's already trying to put a damper on my summer plans." You joked, walking over and sitting down on the coffee table, trying to get a better look at her neck, but she kept moving to avoid you. "Oh, come on, Ymir, you've seen me with hickeys, don't be embarrassed."

Ymir swatted at you, blush covering her tanned cheeks. "I'm not embarrassed, you dork."

You leaned back, hands on the wooden table you sat on, tilting your head at Ymir, who was sitting up, tired and lazily smiling. "I have concealer upstairs, you left it last time you were here."

Ymir frowned, her brown shag falling onto her shoulders as she gave you a look. "It's been years, that shit is far past expired. Besides, I don't need to cover it up, I'm proud."

"Most people just get promise rings, or matching necklaces, you know." You teased, before standing up and heading upstairs to get dressed for the night.

Ymir advised you to wear a swimsuit, seeing as after the pier, the group was going to a beach bonfire in a closed-off alcove, one you were all too familiar with. You'd lost your virginity there years ago, before you left for good.

Before you let go of the sea for a second, and ground yourself in reality, letting go of Paradis and its parties.

You pulled on a light blue bikini, one Ymir had convinced you to buy the other day, an airy white tank top, along with a pair of loose jean shorts that allowed for the sides of the string bottoms to peek out. Shimmying on a pair of sandals, you rushed downstairs, and the two of you were off as the sun began to set.

Now, standing at the pier, you wish you'd brought a light jacket.

Despite it being the middle of summer, the breeze was fierce and nippy, and you were a tad bit chilly.

Ymir and you were standing, waiting in line for funnel cake, a delight the two of you had been talking about the entire walk over, Ymir because she had the munchies from smoking with Historia, among other things you presumed, and you because you'd only had a latte and half a croissant all day, and were ravenous.