Bits & Pieces - Aruani Oneshots

Warmth amongst Winter

A/N: while this is set during the s3 timeline, i imagined s4 armin/annie while writing this lol – also annie is not involved in the whole "warriors of marley" plot in this fic (obviously)

They'd been riding in the bitter cold for hours now, and while the sun began to set, there was no shelter in sight. The Survey Corps had set out on a mission to a cabin-camp deep in the mountainside, where there had been reported sightings of a highly intelligent Abnormal. The cabins had been vacated after the Titan sighting, so because it was empty, the cadets had been instructed to set up camp there once they reached it. With three squads spread out in search of the Titan, it was a race against time to not only avoid death by Titan, but by the freezing bite of the winter as well.

Armin's legs were getting stiff in the saddle, currently unable to feel the entirety of his feet. He wasn't even sure his feet were still in the stirrups. They'd stopped earlier to rest the horses, but their only source of water had been the snow, so they'd made quick work of it. Armin's fingers were stuck around his reins, which were pinched between his pinky and ring-finger. He didn't know if he could pry them off without a torch.

Behind him, Armin was joined by the rest of his squad; Connie, Jean, Sasha, Annie, and Mikasa. Eren had been placed with Levi's squad for protection. While their mission was to look for the Abnormal, the group agreed to prioritize the search for the camp; for the sake of their blue lips and numb limbs.

They set out into smaller groups; Connie with Jean, Sasha with Mikasa, and Armin with Annie.

Currently, the light of his horse's white coat and the glittering snow was the only light the duo had to work with. Armin led on, Annie trailing quietly. She was in equal discomfort, though, her teeth beginning to chatter as she let go of the reins to hug herself for warmth. She trusted her mare to trail Armin obediently, as trained. Quite frankly, she wished she was in Armin's coat. For warmth, obviously. It just looked cozier.

They kept walking for another mile or so before Annie couldn't take it anymore.

"Armin, my limbs are all stiff and I can hardly feel my fingers and toes. Please, for the love of Ymir, let us take a break. At least build a fire?" Annie complained monotonously.

Armin looked back at her with a smile. "Don't worry, we're here."

Annie looked past his shoulder, her horse catching up as though it sensed the destination. She heaved a great sigh of relief. The campsite.

Dismounting, both scouts groaned in pain as their numb feet hit the hard, frozen ground, needles poking at their soles. Stiffly walking the horses to the ramshackle stable to the left, Armin offering to untack and stable their mounts for the night.

"Looks like we beat the others."

"Guess so. Wanna go get warmed up in one of these cabins while we wait?"

"Yes please,"

Armin and Annie settled on a cabin nearby, yanking on the frosted wood door to get inside. Armin poked at the fireplace, the wood set to the side mostly dry.

"Think it'll work?" Armin asked.

"It fucking better."

After a few minutes of trying, a small fire finally sparked to life in the mantle. On either side of the fire were wood pallets topped with thin mattresses. Armin almost felt disappointed that he'd sleep alone that night; while he usually did, tonight was especially cold, and a warm body sounded nice.

Annie kneeled in front of the fire, rubbing her palms together. Armin watched from behind, setting their saddlebags on the opposite wall. The fire illuminated the wild hair around Annie's head, creating a warm glow reflecting off her golden hair. Her bun was messy and loose from her hood and long ride.