Sorry, this had to be split into two parts, it was just super long. The story is still the same though and it's still
gender neutral
A gasp escaped your lips as Armin stood up abruptly, dragging you with him- gently of course.
"That's it!"
His voice drowned out the others' noisiness as he continued to yell.
"This is Y/n's birthday and you're ruining it! That was their cake. Their cake Sasha! Not. Yours. You three will be cleaning up this mess. Goodnight."
Armin took your arm lightly before leading you to the large doors.
"And if Captain Levi says anything about there being a mess- you three will be taking the fall."
He spoke with authority causing the three to not only be shocked at what he said but how he sounded. Armin slammed the door before turning to you in the hall.
"I'm so sorry baby. None of this was supposed to happen." he soothed.
His voice was frantic and he wiped the cake off your shoulder and put it in a napkin that he had grabbed before leaving. He looked at your hair and sighed. His eyes met yours and he saw how heart broke they were. A few stray tears had fallen down your face but the majority was contained in your sockets, two pools practically sitting on your face.
"Oh no beautiful please don't cry, here I have an idea. Let's go get you cleaned up. I can fix this." He said as he nodded before leading you through the corridor to your room.
He grabbed fresh clothes before taking you to the bathroom to shower. The whole time tears hadn't stopped their constant flow on your cheeks. Your eyes were starting to get a little red as Armin started the shower.
"Do you want me to help you?" His voice was gentle and soft, asking but letting you know that saying no was okay and something you shouldn't hold back, he would respect you either way.
You opened your mouth to speak but only a small squeak came out. Deciding that that form of communication was out, you nodded slightly, giving him a yes.
(i know this might be a little too much for readers to there'll be a small section for if you said no, this -however- doesn't affect the story too much, I just wanted to give you the option)
this section does have slight body dysmorphia and body image issues- nothing too heavy but please be warned and stay safe<3
~back to the story~
His eyes stayed connected to yours while his fingers softly took off your shirt. He didn't touch you anywhere that wasn't necessary, he knew now wasn't the time and he is a gentleman after all. His eyes only left yours briefly to undo your bottoms, his pupils soon reconnecting to your sight when he didn't need to see what he was doing anymore. His hands and fingers worked the fabric off your legs before lifting each leg individually to help you step out. After making your top bare, his fingers moved to the waist of your underwear.
"Y/n?" He asked softly.
Despite your yes earlier he would do anything to make you were as comfortable as possible and since your voice wasn't working as well as normal, there was a possibility that you wanted him to stop- even though you hadn't indicated it. Without speaking, your fingers met his at the waistband and helped push it down. Tears had stopped flowing and all you wanted was to clean yourself off. Armin nodded and pulled off your underwear, stepped you out of them, and put them in the pile of your other discarded clothes. Never once did he look at your form. His eyes never left yours and all you could see was the love that bubbled in them.
Armin had seen you naked before, yes, and every time you felt less self-conscious but the thought always nagged at you.
This time could be it.
"Don't."
Armin's touch broke you out of your rapid stream of thoughts, his hands moving your forearms from protecting your stomach.
"Please don't, I love you so much Y/n. You're so beautiful- please don't." His lips met yours softly and briefly before leaving. Slowly, Armin lead you into the showers steady flow of water. It immediately cured your tense structure and Armin stepped in, his shirt and pants off but his underwear still on.
Gradually, Armin cleaned you. First, your hair with shampoo and conditioner, making sure that each time he rinsed your hair as his hand rested on your forehead- blocking water from getting in your eyes. You realized then that his gentleness didn't stop at his eyes- his hands, fingers, and overall touch was soft and loving. Everyone once in a while he would kiss you, whether it's was in your lips, neck, shoulder, or fingertips, he never did it sexually. Instead, it was his way of reassuring you, reminding you that he was here, and that everything was alright. He understood how upset you were. You had tried really hard to socialize today. Today was supposed to be special.
You had stopped crying by now, Armin had started humming quietly while washing your body too. The washcloth that separated your skin from his cleaned you gently, feeling amazing after what had occurred. After Armin had thoroughly cleansed you, he rinsed you down completely, making the warm water pulse over you and wash any suds that were left. After you had been rinsed, he pulled back the shower curtain and stepped out, leaving you momentarily so he could wrap a towel around his soaked waist and underwear.
He didn't care about the water that dripped into the floor and he held a towel out, the ends held in his hands as the towel straightened out to his wingspan. Without stepping back in the shower, he wrapped the towels and his arms around you, making the cold airs assault on your warm skin more bearable. He guided you would of the shower, keeping you in the hug and pressed to his chest. After a short while, his hands moved.
At first, they rubbed arms over the towel to soak up the water but soon moved onto other areas to dry you off. Just like when he undressed and washed you, he touched private areas but did nothing to try and start anything. His sole purpose was to dry you off and he did so kindly. After you were dried, he helped you with your hair (wrapping it in a towel if it's long or just setting it on top if it's short), before walking to your room to make sure the blinds were closed before you came out. He picked out some warm pajamas and helped you get changed before telling you he'd be right back. You sat on your floor at the end of your bed.
•••
(This section is for those who didn't want Armin's help- this doesn't change the rest though)
Your eyes stayed connected to the ground. You knew Armin wouldn't shame or belittle you for saying no, and as you suspected when you gave your answer he accepted it completely.
"Yeah, no problem sweetheart. I'll set out some pajamas for you yeah? Take your time. I love you." He said before kissing your forehead and leaving the bathroom.
You quickly stripped yourself, eager to be cleaned and forget about earlier. After stepping in the shower you noticed the temperature. It's was perfect. Just like Armin. He always knew what to do or say. Finding the shampoo and cleaning your hair, followed by conditioner and your body, you stepped out, happy to have the cake smell that was on you gone.
You found the towel Armin had set on the sink top before he left, the fluffiness wrapped around you and the cold air didn't feel so bad once you weren't completely bare. After drying yourself off, you opened the door a bit.
"The blinds are closed, your good," he said.
He sat in the bed facing you. As you dressed you noticed him. He hadn't changed from earlier. You were a little concerned. He hadn't gotten particularly dirty but still, he probably wanted a shower. He noticed you and knew what you were thinking and answered.
"I didn't want to leave you." His words were sweet and made you constantly replay them as you finished dressing.
Armin sat you at the end of your bed on the floor, your back resting against the back of the bed.
"I'll be right back okay?"
You nodded, showing your understanding, before he gave you a once over and left out the door.
(Section Over- The story now continues as usual)
•••
True to his word Armin returned after a small amount of time. His clothes changed from what he was wearing earlier to black sweatpants and a white tee shirt. His hair had been brushed and then messily laid. He looked handsome. You smiled at him before noticing what was in his hands. Two small cupcakes and a single candle sat cradled in his grasp.
"It's all they had left. Sorry babydoll." he apologized.
"Don't be." You spoke softly. "You did amazing. Thank you."
He smiled slightly as he sat down across from you.
"I know it's not much but we can have our own little party if you'd like?" He offered.
You hummed a yes before he set the cupcakes in front of the two of you. He put the candle in yours and lit it.
"Make a wish," he whispered.
You did as he said, made a wish, and blew out the candle. This time though, the cupcake didn't move. Instead, the only sound was Armin's quieted claps of appraisal.
"Good job Y/n!" his tone was hushed but his words still held impact.
The two of you ate the cupcakes in silence, talking every so often but choosing to keep the mood light. When you had both finished the two of you talked quietly.
Armin apologized for making you go through with the party to which you immediately dismissed and told him you had enjoyed it for the most part. He was glad that he hadn't totally destroyed your birthday. He moved to sit beside you, both leaning on the other and resting against the bed. The conversation continued until a soft knock interrupted the discussion.
Captain Levi poked his head in. If he was surprised to see Armin too, he didn't show it.
"Happy birthday by the way Y/n. Don't worry about the mess. Sasha, Connie, and Jean will clean it tomorrow as well as any punishment I decide. Don't stay up too late though, and training starts at 9 instead, okay?"
He didn't wait for a response before closing the door firmly yet softly, noise being kept to a minimum.
"Looks like the captain does care." Armin joked lightly. "Even he knows how today went."
You nudged him a little.
"Today was perfect. Thank you, Min."
You couldn't see it but the smile on his face was soft yet intense. He had made your birthday perfect, according to you. That was all he needed. After picking you up and setting you in the bed, he laid down next to you and fell asleep. The candle and cupcake wrappers still set on the floor.
A/n- Thoughts? Also, feel free to suggest things or characters to write about.