˗ˏ✎ warnings ! *ೃ
if ur an anime only, this is ur warning! this chapter is (kinda) going past the newest episode, and is from chapter 132 of the manga. so if you don't read the manga or just haven't got caught up to that part yet (and haven't been spoiled yet by some miraculous stroke of luck), i'd advise not reading from this point on. 🫤
but if u don't care, go ahead! lol
(but some parts would be really confusing for you if you aren't caught up)
and this chapter is a long one 😵💫 grab a snack or sum y'all LMAO
What do you do when the whole world is being stomped to death, and you're not apart of that large majority? What do you do when your best friend is the one doing the stomping?
Armin figured there couldn't be any correct answer for that question, but he still felt that laying in the comfort of his cabin bed wasn't completely right either. He felt there was something selfish and wrong for sitting in a moment of quiet when there were people quite literally dying every second. At the hand of his own best friend at that.
To avoid the headache he could feel coming on, Armin tried to change the subject of his worrisome thoughts. He sat up in bed with a groan and began to unbutton the shirt sticking to his hot skin. He frowned in confusion when he peeled back the white fabric to reveal not only smooth and lean muscle, but not a scar in sight.
Earlier while you and the others hid out of sight, Armin and Connie tried to trick the Jeagerists into giving them the flying boat to avoid a fight. But Armin's plan of peace was brutally cut short by pieces of lead piercing his body from the barrel of a Jaegerist's gun. The goal to harm none had quickly tipped over into a massacre right before his very eyes.
Armin was shot at least four times close-range. Three in the chest and once in the face. But looking at his body now, it's like it never even happened. Guess he had being a Titan-shifter to thank for that. Sometimes he forgot he still possessed that ability, considering he used his Titan maybe a total of three times while the Warriors transformed every other day.
Well if my chest is fine, what about my face..?
Armin stood up and walked over to the mirror and sink built into his room. Curious, he peered into the pane of glass on the wall and took a good long look at the reflection staring back at him. Low blue eyes. Messy blonde hair. A frown tugging at his lips. Armin didn't only look tired, but he felt it too.
Reality had truly hit him hard.
Armin cautiously touched at the scrape burned onto his cheek, wincing when his fingers grazed tender flesh. He could still taste the metal in his mouth, hear the loud pop of a gun ringing in his ears and the echo of Connie's screams.
Armin slid his arms all the way out of his sleeves to hold his shirt in front of him, only to see it still stained with darkened spots of dried blood.
He knew for a fact that none of it was his.
How many lives was he going to have to take?
How many times was his life going to be put on the line?
Armin wasn't sure how long he could keep this up. How long could he pretend that he was okay with all of this? How long could he pretend that he knew what the hell he was doing? He was burdened with the weight of one responsibility after the next. He was the one everyone looked to when they needed a plan, a leader to guide them through another life-or-death situation. There was so much pressure sitting on Armin's shoulders, he might as well have been carrying bags of bricks on his back.
But anytime Armin wanted to give up on being a hero, he remembered the day he pledged his life to saving humanity. He remembered the friends and family he lost along the way. He thought of all the important people in his life still depending on him.
It was his duty as a soldier to keep moving forward.
And this life wasn't all that bad, really. Not when he found someone who made everything better with just a single glance their way. Those bags of bricks tied to his shoulders might as well have been sacks of feathers when he held their hand. Life got a little brighter whenever he heard their melodic laugh sing to his gracious ears.
Armin decided he'd pay them a visit.
He couldn't help but feel anxious as he roamed the empty hallway, inching closer and closer to your room. He found himself re-tucking his button-down shirt into the black slacks fitted to his legs. Combing his fingers through neat blonde tresses to style his hair properly again. He was so nervous, but this was the normal when it came to seeing you, even after so many years. One look at your face and he was weak in the knees.
Armin cleared his throat as he came to a stop in front of your door, running his clammy hands down the sides of his pants before messing with his hair again. He was messing with a strand that wouldn't stay in place when he had to snatch his own hand away.
You literally see her everyday. Get it together.
He raised his fist and lightly rapped his knuckles on the door of your room. He practically held his breath waiting on you to swing it open, beam that wonderful big smile of yours, and give his brain another dizzying dose of serotonin.
But you didn't.
1, 2, 3..
Armin knocked again, but there was still no answer. He was almost tempted to press his ear to the door and eavesdrop for potential sounds. But then he thought about how creepy he'd look if anyone were to come out of their room and see him doing that.
Maybe she went to sleep? Armin stood there with creased brows, silently thinking to himself. Just to be sure of himself, he made a trip to the ship's deck. If you were anything like him, you'd probably want some fresh air after everything that happened.
Armin stepped outside to sunny skies and a salty breeze blowing through his hair. Like metal to a magnet, he instantly gravitated to the railing that wrapped around the deck, to take a look at the watery horizon that lay ahead.
Despite the number of times he's been on a ship by now, Armin doesn't think he'll ever get used to seeing this sight. This never ending, ever changing landscape of blue. The ocean was so wide and vast. It was practically its own entity, breathing in large waves that rise and fall in a rhythm, splashing over each other when they crashed against the hull of the ship. Armin watched them studiously, like a little kid in a candy shop.
And then suddenly he was engulfed in darkness.
A bright sky faded away to a starry night. A glistening sea morphed into dunes of fine sand. The salty breeze that lingered beneath Armin's nose was no more.
He rubbed at his eyes, disoriented and panicked at the instantaneous change, but the scenery around him remained the same nonetheless. He was surrounded by miles and miles of sand and blanketed in a thick cover of night.
Armin turned to his right with wide eyes, nearly blinded by the bright light of a glowing structure standing tall before him. It reminded him of the large trees in Paradis's forests, standing at a staggering height and stretching its many branches out to a navy sky painted with streaks of vivid colors that shifted hues every second.
Wait a minute.. This looks a lot like—
"We're finally here, Armin."
Armin's heart dropped when he heard that voice.
It was the voice of an old friend. Someone he used to know better than he knew himself.
Armin turned to see a young boy looking up at him. The boy looked no older than the age of ten with short shaggy hair the color of cocoa, bright eyes the shade of glistening emeralds, and an excited smile stretching from ear to ear. He wore a faded green shirt that laced up at the collar, a black jacket and black slacks.
It couldn't be..
This young boy waved his hand past Armin's eyes and like magic, the acres of pale sand in the horizon morphed into miles of fluffy white clouds. What used to be a dusky night sky above their heads was now a cloudless blue atmosphere.
From where Armin stood behind him, it was almost like this young boy was in flight as he spread his arms as wide as he could, letting the wind blow his jacket past his body like a cape.
"This is that sight you wanted to see, right Armin?" The young boy asked with twinkling eyes. It had been so long since Armin's seen any emotion in them, since he's seen Eren express any feeling at all.
But while Armin contemplated, he was already an afterthought in young Eren's mind. Eren soaked in the heavenly sight before him, sighing in content, "This.. is freedom."
Eren turned to Armin once more, but that shine in his eyes dulled down to dreadful shadows. "But they never tell you how freedom always comes with a price,"
And like his body was made entirely of the sand Armin still stood on, Eren's figure and the vision of clouds blew away with the wind, leaving Armin alone with...
The sea.
All Armin did was blink and when he opened his eyes again, he could see the sea. He could hear the squawking of seagulls over his head, and smell the saltiness of the wind as it ran its cool fingers through his hair once more. Eren was gone, and in his place was the never-ending sea.
Armin was back on the ship's deck once again, stiff with shock as he gawked at his old surroundings.
What..
What just happened?
"Hey."
Armin's mind was in a thick fog as he turned to catch the face of the new voice speaking to him.
"Down here."
Armin's eyes dropped down to see none other than Annie sitting up against the deck's railing. She looked up at Armin with creased brows, obviously confused on why Armin was just standing there, staring off into the distance.
Hell, even Armin was confused.
Annie pointed to her cheek in reference to Armin's, "Healed up already?" She asked, apparently choosing to ignore the dazed look on Armin's face.
He habitually went to touch his face and found that the wound on his cheek was no longer there. All he could feel was smooth skin. It wasn't even sore.
"Uh, yeah.. I guess so." Armin muttered to Annie's question, still in a state of puzzlement.
.. How long have I been standing here?
Armin was trying hard to think back and remember what happened to him just a few seconds ago, but his mind continued to fail him. A whole chunk of time was gone just like that.
What did I even come outside for?
"Are you looking for something?" Annie asked, finally bringing attention to Armin's clear confusion. By now, she was staring at the poor boy as if he had three heads.
Armin perked up. That's it! I came outside to look for something.. No, not something. Someone...
Armin turned to Annie with the retrieved memory finally sitting on the tip of his tongue, "Did you happen to see (Y/n) come outside?"
Annie quirked a brow before scoffing in amusement, "No, I haven't. Is that why you look like you're about to pass out? Did you two get into a fight?"
Armin quickly waved his hands to shoo off the assumption, "No, no. I wanted to see her, that's all." His eyes widened when he realized how that sounded before he quickly rushed to explain, "I-I knocked on her door but she didn't answer, so I thought she might've came to the deck with you."
Annie shrugged with a plain face, "I haven't seen her. Maybe she's sleeping. She did say she was tired on the way to the port."
The recent memory floated into Armin's mind of you yawning beside him on the wagon ride to the harbor. He was thrilled when you decided to sit next to him instead of in the cart with the others,but you had barely spoken the entire time because you were so focused on staying awake. When he finally did get to speak to you though, he made sure he said something to catch your attention. He doesn't think he's ever seen you look so surprised when he slipped in a sly comment about focusing on you. You were surely awake after that.
Armin smiled to himself before remembering to reply to Annie, "Yeah. I guess you're right. I'll just see her later then.." His voice trailed off as he looked around, unsure of what to do with himself now that his original goal was cut short.
Annie stared up at him for a moment before patting the space beside her, "Do you want to sit?"
Armin raised his brows in surprise, because since when did Annie want anyone besides you sitting by her? And why does she want him to sit down anyways?
But despite the multiple questions going through his head, Armin approached Annie anyways.
"So.. How are you?" Annie attempted to start conversation as Armin made himself comfortable beside her. She wasn't exactly the best at these things, and Armin could tell. He tried to make up for his silence by giving her his full attention.
"I'm okay.. for the most part." Armin answered, muttering the last part with uncertainty because he truly wasn't sure. He took a peek up at the clouds lazily floating across an open expanse of baby blue above. He felt funny when he looked at them. The clouds kind of reminded him of something, but the memory was too distant. "How about you?"
"I'm here." Annie shrugged as she pulled her legs to her chest. She sighed as she let her chin lazily rest on her knees.
Listening to her defeated sigh, Armin suddenly remembered Annie's situation. She still had family in Marley, her father that she wouldn't be able to save because of how fast the Wall Titans were moving through the ocean. And yet here she is, asking Armin how he's doing when really it should've been the other way around.
At his worried gaze, Annie instantly attempted to wave off the cloud of concern forming around Armin's head, "I know what you're thinking, and it's okay."
"No, it's not. It's horrible, and I'm sorry you have to go through this." Armin said. He truly didn't know how else to console Annie's crushed demeanor, besides apologize.
Annie shrugged as if it weren't a big deal. "You don't have to say sorry. It's not like it's your fault.. And there's nothing we can do about it now, right?" Annie stole another glance out to the horizon in the distance, "Marley's already gone."
Armin knew she was deflecting. He knew the Rumbling was bothering Annie way more than she was letting on, but he didn't want to force her into talking about it. Though, for some reason, Armin couldn't help but feel guilty. Annie said the Rumbling wasn't his fault, but why did he feel like it partly was?
"I've been meaning to thank you by the way." Annie suddenly said.
Armin turned to Annie with creased brows of surprise, "Huh? Thank me for what?"
"For coming to talk to me all those years. I didn't have a chance to say it then, so.. Thank you." Annie didn't look at Armin at all as she said it, but by the way she subconsciously tried hiding her face by looking away, he could tell it took a lot out of her to say it.
Truthfully, with everything going on, Armin had forgotten all about the times he would descend below the HQ's floors and visit Annie in her rock. It had become such a huge chunk of his life at some point. Eren was distancing himself away from everyone, and Mikasa was busy dealing with Kiyomi and the Hizuru. Armin had no one to turn to about his own worries, so Annie had essentially become his therapist in a way. A person to unload his stress on and help him work out his inner struggles, even if she wasn't conscious to offer any feedback.
But having her here, very much alive and speaking back, was a different story.
"Oh you don't have to thank me," Armin chuckled lightly, palming his nape in embarrassment. "If anything, I should be thanking you for listening to me."
"I was so lonely in that thing.. I felt like I would lose my mind. The only thing I could look forward to was hearing you and Hitch talk." Annie confessed before exhaling a short chuckle, "It's funny to say now, but at the time I think your girl troubles and Hitch's horrendous singing are what saved me."
Now Armin was really embarrassed.. and somewhat honored that Annie found his long rants enjoyable, but still, embarrassed. He knew it was dark, but he was hoping she would have some spout of amnesia or something to prevent her from bringing up what he said. His ears were a bright pink as he reflected on all the raw unfiltered thoughts and opinions he spilled to Annie once before.
"I always wondered why you two ever bothered talking to a rock that couldn't even grunt back a response. I thought you had plenty of friends to talk to then." Annie mused curiously, "Why would good people like you come talk to a monster that could wake up at any second?"
At that, Armin had to scoff to himself. He was getting real tired of people using that description for him, of being treated like a saint when he was anything but that. Sure, he could've went to someone else "like him" and talked, but he thought it was deeper than that.
"I know I've said this before, but I think I'm starting to hate being called a good person." Armin stated plainly, earning an eyebrow raise from Annie. "I've killed so many people. And not just soldiers. Innocent civilians. Kids, too. Just today, I chose to betray everyone I grew up on the island with, and not only that, I helped kill them." Armin turned to Annie with an expression as cold as ice, "I'm not a good person. I'm anything but that."
Annie was left speechless. Or maybe she just didn't care enough to say anything. Armin couldn't tell. Annie watched him with careful and studious eyes, honestly the most expressive she's looked since Armin sat down to talk.
Armin didn't mind Annie's silence. If anything, he appreciated this time to finally clear his name. "I can't say exactly why I went to talk to you, Annie. But I'm guessing that part of it was me trying to connect with someone I thought would understand. You went through the same things I did. Maybe for different reasons, but still."
"Well.. Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." Annie apologized, a clear sign of shock in her tone.
"It's nothing to be sorry about. You aren't the only one who calls me that.. (Y/n) does too." Armin sighed as he leaned an elbow onto his knee, "She actually said something similar to what you said. How she couldn't understand why I would want to talk to 'someone like her'." He air quoted.
"Well can you blame her? It's a little hard to believe that someone like you could be the same as us." Annie explained, trying to give Armin some perspective. "When we first met you, you were just some super nice kid who read books in his free time and liked to help everyone out with their class work. You really had no business at all being in a boot camp to kill Titans."
"Well weren't you the same? When I met you, I thought you were nice. A little stand-offish, but you had good intentions." Armin tried to defend his point, "I remember you trying to convince me to go to the Garrison Regiment instead of the Survey Corps, just because you thought it would be safer—"
"No. Because I thought you'd die the second you rode a horse in the fields." Annie bluntly corrected. "And not even from a Titan, from the horse."
"But who looked me dead in the eye and let me live?" Armin quickly rebutted.
Annie opened her mouth, before promptly closing it just a second later. She had all the chances in the world to kill Armin in the Female Titan the day Commander Erwin led an expedition beyond the Walls, but she didn't.
Armin pointed a finger at her, "See! That's what I mean. You cared!" Annie opened her mouth to argue, but Armin beat her to it. "Wether you admit it or not, you cared about us and you looked out for us. You spared my life. So with your logic, you're not a monster either. You're a good person."
Annie was stumped as she lazily leaned back on the railing again, "I can't tell if you're actually making good points or if you're just really good at convincing."
Armin smiled, "Maybe both."
Annie blew air through her nose in humor, "I only did it because (Y/n) had a huge crush on you."
Armin about broke his neck looking at Annie.
Annie laughed, "I think if I did smear you on the grass that day, she would've probably transformed to beat me up herself. So maybe you could say I was just being a good friend." Annie turned to Armin with a newfound interest suddenly alight on her face. "When do you plan on asking her out anyway?"
Armin felt like someone smacked him in the throat. He choked on air, falling into a fit of coughs as Annie patiently waited.
"Wha— What?" Armin asked after finally learning how to breathe again, "Why would you ask that?"
Annie scoffed, "Oh, c'mon. Did you really think you were good at hiding it?"
Armin's face instantly burned a shade of pink, and it was anyone's guess that it wasn't from the sun shining down on his skin. There it was, the topic he hoped never came. It was inevitable, really. You spend years talking to a rock about your dreaded feelings, and of course it comes back to get him. He had to mentally thank himself that he never said your name.
While Armin did talk to Annie a generous amount about Paradis and it's struggles with the world, he never failed to tie in his love life somehow.
Or the one he lacked.
He remembered telling Annie all about how Jean and Connie would try to encourage him to talk to new girls, because in their words 'Seeing him sulk around about a girl he knew at fifteen is kinda depressing'. Armin did try to follow Jean's advice by going with them on a few harmless outings, but he didn't click with any of the girls he met. Maybe because he already had it made up in his mind that none of them could give them what he wanted. And, well, what he wanted was you. It was hard getting you out of his head all those years apart. Even now you ran circles in Armin's mind.
Though he never imagined he'd say those words out loud, to your best friend at that.
Armin fiddled with his collar, tugging it away from his neck because suddenly it was too tight and he was pretty sure he was going to suffocate from how thin the air felt in his lungs.
All Annie could do was laugh at the sight. "C'mon. Why so fidgety now? You used to talk for hours and hours about this mysterious girl when I was in the rock." Annie teased with a knowing smirk.
"Well yeah because you were in a rock." Armin laughed lightly, popping open a button or two on his shirt to help himself cool down. "I wasn't expecting to actually have to face you outside of it anytime soon.."
"Me either. But now we're here, and I'm curious. So spill." Annie replied bluntly, and Armin swore the temperature outside got even hotter.
"You already know who the girl is." Armin said, trying to save himself the embarrassment of confessing.
Annie gave a halfhearted shrug. "I just wanted to see if you'd say it out loud, but I guess you're too chicken."
What are we, five?
"Chicken? I'm not chicken." Armin defended, sounding very much like a pouty five year old.
"Then why don't you just say it? Are you scared or something?" Annie poked again.
"Why would I be scared?" Armin scoffed.
Annie threw her hands up, "You tell me."
Armin fell right into Annie's trap and she knew it. She watched him fall into a feud of conflict with himself before he lowly muttered, "It's (Y/n)."
"Wow, really? I'd never have guessed." Annie mocked sarcastically, earning an exasperated eyeroll from Armin.
"I knew you knew, so why'd you make me say it." Armin mumbled in slight annoyance.
"Because you're both annoying. It's been what? Five years now?" Annie called him out, "What's stopping you and (Y/n) from just getting together?"
Armin was appalled by the blunt question but still tried to think of a logical answer, "Well ... There was the whole Paradis vs Marley thing going on, and—"
"Five years ago." Annie cut in, "You think anybody cares about what a Marleyan and someone from Paradis is doing right now? No. So what's really stopping you?"
Armin opened his mouth to debate, but closed it just as fast.
What's stopping him? That was a good question.
From the very moment you met, Armin's felt something for you. He couldn't quite name what that feeling was, but being around you was something he started to look forward to. Maybe it was the special attention you shown him and his hobbies, or the way you laughed at the jokes he cracked when it flew over everyone else's head. You became the highlight of his day and the muse in his dreams at night.
As time passed and you two retreated to different sides of a large sea, Armin found that those feelings only grew stronger and more pronounced instead of fading away. There was something about you that he couldn't shake. You were apart of everything he did. He'd see spring flowers in bloom that reminded him of you, read new books and wondered if you'd like it just as much as he did. You were everywhere.
And seeing you on that airship, after so many years apart, it was like someone reached into his chest and squeezed his heart. It was so hard to keep himself from running up to you, scooping you up in his arms, and taking you away from everyone else for himself. Seeing you gave him more of a reason to act on those feelings he caught so long ago. Being around you was a daily test to see how long he could hold out on doing unthinkable acts to make you his.
So what was stopping him?
Was it the fear of being rejected? Sure, you kissed before and did a couple other things, but you've been quiet ever since that night and it's been killing him. You moved on so fast, got up that morning and pretended that the night before never even happened. You even avoided talking to him. Did you regret what happened? Was it a mistake for you? Was it a one-time thing?
He really hoped it wasn't. Deep down, he hoped that night lingered in your mind just as much as it did in his. He hoped you wanted it just as bad.
Or maybe what stopped him, was the doubt and insecurity that always creeped in whenever Armin was around you. He never felt like he was good enough for someone like you. You were a powerful woman. Confident, strong, resilient. Named one of the world's greatest weapons because you were a force to be reckoned with. And Armin didn't think of himself as worthy of any of those things.
You needed someone in your league.. Someone like that Galliard guy Armin's heard so much about.
Armin first heard of Porco way back when they were camping out in Marley, just a little before the declaration of war in Liberio. At the time, only Zeke and the Scouts were aware of Eren's plan, and Armin wanted to give you a warning. He expressed his concerns to Levi and Hange, but they both thought it would be too reckless to tell you anything. They thought that there was a fair chance you'd go against the Scouts, and tell Reiner and the others.
But Armin had the weird notion to trust you. He didn't think you'd do anything like that, or rat them out. It just wasn't in your personality.
And he cared about you too much to let you be one of the many people that'd lose their life to Eren's schemes. Even though he knew you were tough enough to withstand what would come, he wanted to be sure.
So Armin killed two birds with one stone. He made a note that wouldn't exactly give the Scouts away, but was still enough to give you a heads-up. It was pretty vague, but you were a smart girl. He had faith in you. Armin sent an eager Jean to deliver it, because Mikasa had him on heavy watch. That night, Jean had come back to the Azumabito's estate, a breathless and sweaty mess when he met Armin in his room.
Jean was hunched over as he caught his breath, "She chased me with a fucking knife," Cue dramatic pant. "But she has the note. Her and her boyfriend were having a big fight about..."
And that was all Armin heard that night, before he essentially blacked out.
He didn't try to pry for information about the guy, really. It just sort of.. ended up that way. Gabi had a big mouth, and Armin may have, sort of, used it to his own benefit.
All he had to do was mention Porco's name, and Gabi was spilling it all. How brave Porco was in the heat of battle, never afraid to throw himself in the line of fire for his comrades. How you and Porco were seen as a power couple in Marley because neither of you lacked in strength and always backed each other up in fights. In fact, the only reason Galliard lost his life was because he willingly sacrificed himself to give Falco the Jaw Titan, and in turn, help Falco rediscover his humanity. Now Armin understood why you fought so hard to get him back.
Those were big shoes to fill. Ones Armin feared he could never compare to.
Would you even have left Porco, if he hadn't have died?
There goes that sinking feeling again, making Armin feel small as he sat beside Annie. He fiddled with the stray thread on his pants, "I'm not really sure if (Y/n) and I are on the same page.. Especially now, with everything going on." A weak excuse.
Annie gave a lazy shrug, "Well, the world could be pummeled to nothing tomorrow if we don't stop Eren. So what the hell, I say today's the best day to do anything." She subconsciously began playing with the sharp point of her ring as she stood up, "Just seeing you two be all shy around each-other is insufferable, really. You need to stop beating around the bush and just spit it out. If it were me, I would've asked (Y/n) out ages ago."
Huh?
"And stop trying to keep up the tough guy image. Maybe (Y/n) doesn't want that. Maybe all she actually wants is a nice guy who likes reading books.. Yes, you've done bad things, Armin. But you're not a monster." Annie wisely added, and for a moment Armin questioned if she had the ability to read thoughts.
Armin slowly nodded his head in agreement, trying to convince himself on Annie's words as he got to his feet. He blew out a breath as he dusted himself off, "Yeah.. I'll talk to her today."
"Good. Get to it, lover boy." Annie encouraged with a stern pat on Armin's shoulder.
Armin had some pep in his step as he walked beside Annie. He couldn't deny that he was feeling a little encouraged now that he technically got a blessing straight from your best friend to pursue something with you. Maybe something would be different today for him.
Annie noticed this and snorted, "I must give good advice for someone who hasn't even confessed to their own crush."
"You have a crush?" Armin asked in surprise.
Before Armin could get an answer though, Annie was already zeroed in on something else. Specifically the grey head of hair peeking out from around the mini building on the ship's deck. Armin recognized it immediately.
Connie.
"We'll talk later." Annie said before speed walking towards the corner they just saw Connie duck behind.
Unlike Annie, Armin was pleasantly surprised to turn the corner and see not only Connie, but Jean and you; just the person he was looking for. You were standing behind Connie, struggling to pull him back. But the moment, you saw Armin and Annie, you straightened up with wide eyes like a little kid who's been caught doing something wrong. Armin couldn't help but break out into a habitual smile at you. He started to say hello but Annie cut him off.
"What are you guys doing." Annie deadpanned. There was a suspicious look on her face as she waited for you, Connie, or Jean to answer.
Jean was the only one to move, raising the half-eaten oat bar in his hand to say, "Passing out granola bars."
"Oh." Annie dully replied. And then she walked off without another word. Everyone watched her retreat down the stairs, not sparing either of you a second glance. Armin wasn't the least surprised. Maybe Annie had spent all of her energy to socialize talking to him.
"Nice to see she hasn't changed at all." Jean deadpanned with an eyeroll.
"No kidding. What were you two even doing up here?" Connie asked.
With the actual topic of him and Annie's conversation standing only a feet away, Armin couldn't help but try to fight back the blush that would give him away. "We were just catching up." He said, hoping it would be a good enough excuse to get the boys off him.
Armin stole a glance your way. He was expecting you to be confused or surprised at him talking to Annie, but what he didn't expect was the irritation sitting in your eyes. He could see annoyance written all in your body language, from the way you slyly crushed that granola bar in your fist to the way your leg bounced inconsistently as if you were impatient. And not only that, you were dead silent too.
What's wrong with her?
"Catchin up, huh?" A mischievous smile grew on Connie's face as he teasingly nudged Armin, who only swatted away the boy's touch. He was too busy focusing on you turning away from everyone.
"Well I'll see you guys later." You bluntly said, already attempting to begin your journey down a set of stairs that led to the floor underneath the deck. On a whim, Armin's hand shot out to grab your arm, quickly pulling you back to him.
"Wait," Armin waited until you looked back with a burning glare that made him shudder, before asking, "Is something wrong?"
Armin mentally kicked himself. Of course somethings wrong, you idiot—
"No. I'm fine." You answered in a way that totally wasn't fine at all before trying to wrench your arm from Armin's hand. Armin only tightened his grip, refusing to let you leave. "Can you let go of me?" You grumbled.
Armin looked at you for a moment, trying to dissect your angry facial expression before he realized he had an audience. He turned to Connie and Jean, who looked like they were deeply intrigued by the show, before he painted on a strained smile, "I'll see you guys later."
"Later, dude." Connie nodded him off. Though once he realized that neither Armin or you were moving, he raised his brows in surprise. "Oh we're the ones leaving?"
Jean rolled his eyes at Connie's obliviousness before steering him away by the shoulder, "C'mon, Constance. Give the couple their alone time."
Despite the heat of this serious moment, Armin felt an involuntary leap in his chest at hearing Jean say that. 'The couple'.
Is that how other people see us?
But then Connie had to go and ruin it with his big mouth.
"I'm confused. Does he like Annie or (Y/n)?" Connie whispered not-so-quietly to Jean. And Armin had to force himself not to reach out and whack Connie on the head. Armin opened his mouth to say something, but you beat him to it.
"We're not together." You corrected Connie and Jean hastily. Though it's not like either of them paid you any mind, they were already off into another conversation as they walked further out on the deck.
Armin had to admit that it stung.
Why did you sound so disgusted at the thought of being in a relationship with him? Would it be all that bad?
Is he really all that bad?
Maybe he was overthinking it. You were telling the truth after all, you and Armin aren't together. But it was the tone in your voice, the vicious curl of your lip when you said it. Like you'll never even consider the thought of being with him.
It hurt, but Armin knew you, and he knew you well. When you were at your meanest, you were hurting more. You loved to hide your feelings behind a tough face, and Armin saw right through it. Something must've been seriously bothering you.
You rudely scoffed at Armin's worried gaze, "What? Did I lie?"
"What's wrong?" Armin asked again. You were acting like this for a reason, and he was determined to figure out what it was.
You rolled your eyes before they landed on something past him. "I just said I'm fine."
You probably hadn't even realized that Armin was watching your gaze. You've barely looked him in the eye the whole exchange. It's like it physically hurt you to hold eye contact with him.
It reminded him a lot of when he was younger in the Survey Corps. When the topic of traitors regularly came up in conversations, you'd always find another thing to look at. He turned a blind eye on your habits back then, because he was too in denial, but now? It was clear as day.
"You're lying." Armin stated.
"I'm not." You grumbled, not even realizing that your eyes flitted to your shoes, "Just because I'm not smiling doesn't mean I'm not okay. Not everyone can be as happy-go-lucky as you, Armin."
"You can never look me in the eye when you lie." Armin casually called you out. He watched as you realized your own mistake, quickly shaking off the flash of surprise on your face to lock your eyes right on his.
You made it a point to hold his gaze with a hard look when you said, "I. Am. Fine. Now if you'd excuse me," You snatched your wrist out of his hand, "I'm going back to my room."
And with that, you turned away from him and went down the stairs.
..Is it me? Am I the problem?
This is what he meant when he told Annie that you and him are on different pages. It was little moments like these when you lashed out that made him second-guess himself.
Armin couldn't understand why you were being so cold towards him, why you were trying so hard to get away from him. He thought back over everything he's said to you today, anything he might've done that could've rubbed you the wrong way but there was none.
He was genuinely baffled, but nonetheless, he still followed after you. You're probably the only person Armin would ever chase after like this. It didn't sit right with him to see you upset. Especially if there was a chance he had something to do with it.
"Why are you following me?" You didn't even bother facing him when you asked.
"Because something's bothering you, and somehow, I feel like it's my fault." Armin answered honestly.
You didn't say anything back. He watched you walk normally before suddenly speeding up. Next thing he knew, he's running behind you, trying to catch your cabin door before you could slam it in his face.
A squeak of surprise involuntarily left Armin's throat as you did just that. He gaped at the shut door with wide eyes. Did she just..
"Did you seriously just close the door on me?" Armin exclaimed to the door.
"Yes I did. That's how doors work, Armin." Your muffled voice reeked of sarcasm from the other side, and Armin had to huff a breath.
Armin's a patient guy, rarely ever got riled up, but you seemed to know exactly how to press his buttons. It's like you were dancing on every nerve he had.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. I'm laughing so hard right now." Armin deadpanned, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Well that's just great! You can laugh all the way back to your room then." You snapped.
Great. Now she's even more mad than before. You can't let yourself get as angry as her.
Think, think, think...
Armin perked up with a new approach, "I will.. If you come with me." His voice melted into something softer, something he hoped was sweet enough to make you put your guard down. "Y'know, I was looking for you earlier. I wanted to talk to you."
"I'll talk to you later." You said bluntly.
Armin pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Of course his sweet talk wouldn't work on you. You probably knew all his tricks.
"When's later?" Armin asked, dropping the nicer tone and talking regularly.
"I don't know." You replied.
Armin counted to ten, and then to twenty. It was safe to say his patience was running thin.
All he wanted to do was figure out what was wrong. If only you'd just open the door..
With no warning, Armin's hand grasped the doorknob and twisted it, only for him to realize you were holding onto it from the other side.
Smart girl.
"I'm not leaving until you talk to me." Armin said.
"I'm talking to you now, aren't I?" You quipped.
Armin rolled his eyes, "You know what I mean."
"Not really." You said.
Armin huffed a sigh, "(Y/n), can you open the door please?"
He could literally hear you scoff from behind the door. Right, my tone. Armin had to admit he did sound a little too demanding, but it was becoming harder to hide his frustration.
"(Y/n)."
There was only silence on your end now, but Armin knew for a fact you were still listening. This was probably the single worst thing you could do to him; plain out ignoring him.
His grip on the knob tightened, "I know you're there."
More silence. Armin swore he could even hear you snicker. Or maybe that was just his ears playing mean tricks on him. This was torture.
Armin rapped his knuckles twice on the door, "Are we seriously doing this right now?"
"I'm not doing anything." You finally yelled back. "You're the one standing outside my door like a crazy person."
You think this is crazy? You haven't seen anyth—
Armin ran a hand down his face to stop himself from finishing that thought. He struggled to keep his tone calm as he replied, "I wouldn't be standing outside your door like a crazy person if you'd just open it and talk to me."
"Don't you have someone else to talk to? Like I don't know, Annie. Mikasa. Hell, Pieck for all I care." You snapped harshly.
"What? What do you mean?" Armin asked. And like a lightbulb was switched on in his head, the realization hit him, "Is that what this is all about?"
You didn't say anything back this time, not even a sarcastic remark to deny Armin's assumption. Armin's mind was moving a thousand miles per minute trying to tie the loose threads together.
Were you mad at him for talking to those people?
But not just people, she only named girls..
She's .. mad about me talking to girls?
He could hear you sigh to yourself in frustration, and that was all the confirmation he needed.
But of who? Who could she possibly be jealous of? I talk to (Y/n) more than any of those girls. Armin was even more confused, because you being jealous made no sense. At this point he had to know what was going on.
Not even thinking about it, Armin tried the door again, and was surprised to feel it actually give in. He barely got it open though before your body weight was pushing on the door to close it.
At this point it was a mini battle to see who'd gain dominance. Armin was pushing to open the door while you were pushing to close it. And so far, you were losing. Armin watched that silver of space between the door and its doorframe grow wider, his opportunity to talk this out with you only getting bigger with each second.
"Armin, move-" You grunted.
"No-" He grunted back.
Not even thinking, Armin quickly wriggled his foot out of his left boot, before wrenching his shoe in the space between the door. Just as he suspected, you gave the door one last good shove. If it weren't for Armin's boot, the door would've slammed shut. It was quiet for a moment before you realized what just happened.
"Did you seriously take off your shoe just to put it in the door?" You asked in surprise, nearly breathless from the struggle.
"Yes. Yes, I did." Armin answered without an ounce of shame. "I knew you were going to close the door once I got it open."
"For a good reason." You muttered.
"And what is that reason? Just tell me." Armin plead. He tried to push the door open a little more, but you weren't budging. "(Y/n), please just let me in."
He could hear you huff another heavy sigh.
"Armin, I really don't feel like doing this right now.. Okay?" Your voice had lost that sharp edge, that bratty tone. You were really done. It was the most depressed you've sounded this whole exchange.
The soft thump of something on the other side of the door made Armin realize you let your head fall against the door, probably too tired to keep putting up a fight. Without thinking, Armin did the same. And then he made a decision.
With all the courage he had mustered up from Annie's talk deflated, Armin pitifully slid his boot from between the door. He really didn't want to leave on a bad note like this, but you weren't even giving him the chance to help or make things right.
He just had to accept it.
"If this is what you want.. Okay." Was all he could mutter before he pulled the door closed for you, and started his journey down the hall.
He heard the door lock behind him with a click.
══════════════════
"No, no. If my calculations are correct, the engine should be moved a little more to the right." Armin advised to the two engineers standing on the wings of the flying boat, holding up one of the many engines that would help the aircraft take flight.
Since the ship arrived to the deserted city of Odiha, Armin's spent most of his time in a warehouse sitting on Odiha's harbor; helping the engineers and Onyankopon with repairs on the flying boat. It was time-consuming work, but Armin didn't mind. He just needed something to focus on, to help him forget about what happened earlier.
Like how you refused to come out of your room and speak to him. You might've just slammed a door in his face, but it felt more like you put up a wall that was too invincible for Armin to break down. There was no doubt that he had all the patience in the world for you; he'd always be there for you. But it was hard to keep bouncing back after so many failed attempts in trying to really talk to you. So many times he's gotten his hopes up, and without fail they were shot down yet again.
Armin blew out a heavy breath, hoping that maybe his stresses would leave with it.
Jean entered the warehouse with another large barrel of fuel in his arms. He dropped the heavy weight on the ground beside the boat before stretching his back and lazily shuffling up to Armin and nodding his head to something past him, "Hey. Isn't that (Y/n)?"
It was second nature for Armin to perk up at your name, actively looking around for your face, "Where?" He asked.
Jean pointed at the wide-opened entrance of the warehouse, where you sat just a few feet away from it on the boat slip of the harbor. Alone.
Armin must've been totally engrossed in what he was doing, because he had no idea you've been sitting just outside the warehouse this entire time. But now that he knew, he couldn't help himself from stealing multiple glances your way.
Armin mentally thanked the big crowd of engineers him and Jean were currently tucked behind, because now he could watch you without having to face the repercussions. Like, y'know, getting mean glares from you or you yelling at him again.
Outwardly, you seemed to be focused on the engineers working on the flying boat, but just by the distant look in your eyes, Armin could tell you had something else on your mind. He's been around you so long, he could read you like an open book when it came to your emotions, at least most of the time.
"What's up with her?" Jean asked curiously, turning to Armin expectantly.
"How should I know?" Armin huffed, coming off a little too defensive than he intended. At Jean's confused frown, he quickly apologized. "Sorry.. I don't really know."
And he truly didn't. Could it have been the same thing that was bothering you earlier? Or maybe it was something else entirely.
"Well? Aren't you going to go over there and find out?" Jean asked as he pushed up his sleeves.
Armin sighed as he palmed his nape, "I'm not sure she wants me around this time.."
Or ever, Armin wanted to add.
Jean's brows creased, "Why not? Did you do something?"
"If I knew, I'd tell you.. but I have no idea." Armin muttered, completely avoiding Jean's suspicious gaze.
Jean was about to interrogate Armin some more, but something else caught his eye outside of the warehouse. "So that's where the idiot's been. He's been gone for at least an hour."
Armin immediately spotted the new point of Jean's gaze: Connie. He was casually strolling away from the ship with a half-eaten ruby red apple in his hand. He seemed to be heading in the direction of the warehouse, but once he caught sight of you sitting on the slip, he instantly took a detour. Armin caught himself clenching his jaw as he watched Connie approach you, squatting down to be eye-level with you when he finally made it by your side.
A small flame of heat burned at Armin's chest and swallowed him whole when he saw Connie lean close to whisper something in your ear. Your giggle floats in the cool night breeze to reach right in Armin's chest and squeeze at his poor heart. He's on fire watching Connie's hand linger on your shoulder after playfully squeezing it.
Armin didn't want to feel like this, didn't want to feel his eye jump in irritation anytime someone other than him got so close to you. But it was just too easy to slip into that deep dark pit of jealousy.
Connie never hid the fact that he was interested in you. He'd openly flirt with you anywhere, anytime, wether he was joking or not. Made you laugh with just a few words, took no effort at all to make you flustered enough to push him away. Armin was sure if he wasn't around to stop him, Connie would've surely gotten you already. And it pissed him off even more to know that Connie would probably succeed.
Armin had to grit his teeth to hold back from saying something when Connie finally left you alone and continued to the warehouse.
"Hey ladiesss." Connie greeted, taking another bite of his apple as he approached. Connie lifted his apple to Jean's lips. "Want some? I heard apples are a horse's favorite."
"Get that away from me." Jean grumbled, pushing Connie's hand away, "Where were you? You were supposed to come back forever ago."
Connie patted his stomach, "I don't wanna get into the details, but I'd steer clear of the bathrooms for the next hour if I were you."
Jean gave the boy a look of pure disgust, "You're so gross."
Connie shrugged, "It's nature, man. It's apart of life."
Still frustrated, Armin tried stepping away to find something else to do, but Connie grabbed Armin's arm before he could, "Hey, Armin, wait up. I have to talk to you about something."
"If it's about (Y/n), I know already. I've seen her." Armin cleared the air before Connie could say something. He was starting to wonder why everyone's first thought was to go to him about you, rather than someone from the Warriors. Where was Reiner when you actually needed him?
"So you've talked to her already?" Connie presumed as he took another bite into his apple.
"No. I haven't." Armin said.
"Well maybe you should. Cus' I tried to talk to her, but she wasn't really budging. I even offered her some of my apple and that didn't help." Connie genuinely seemed serious as he spoke through a full mouth.
Armin rolled his eyes as he turned to walk away, grumbling under his breath, "I'm sure she didn't want an apple your mouth has been all over, you idiot."
Connie nearly choked on his apple at that.
"Woah, woah, woah." Connie grabbed Armin's shoulder to twist him back around, swallowing down what was left in his mouth with a loud gulp. "Now I'm used to being called an idiot by that loser," Connie nodded his head at Jean who immediately threatened to throw a wrench, "But you, Armin? What's wrong with you, man?"
Armin shrugged Connie's hand from his shoulder in distaste, "Nothing's wrong. I'm just not in the mood, okay?"
Armin wordlessly roamed back to his original spot, looking up at the engineers and Onyankopon as they worked on the aircraft's wing engines. He ignored the obvious stares he got from both Jean and Connie.
Armin knew he was being more than unfair. Connie didn't do anything wrong. Connie was his friend, someone Armin was ready to die for just a few days ago. So why did Armin want to knock Connie into next week right now?
Jealousy really was something evil.
Connie frowned in confusion at Armin's cold shoulder before turning to Jean for an explanation.
"Couple problems." Jean shrugged.
"We're not dating." Armin uttered weakly.
"So you're dating Annie then?" Connie asked.
Armin nearly broke his neck trying to look at Connie, "What? Why would you say that?"
Connie scoffed in humor, "Why wouldn't I? Dude your face was as red as this apple when we caught you two on the deck earlier."
Armin quickly tried to clear the air, "Annie and I were just talking. It wasn't anything like that,"
"But you like her, right?" Jean interrupted.
"Why do you two think I like Annie so much? We barely even talk." Armin defended.
"Oh c'mon. You couldn't have been going to visit her in that rock just because," Jean surprisingly pitched in to Connie's defense.
"And remember when Hitch said she caught him doing something inappropriate?" Connie chimed in, earning a yelp of panic from Armin.
"Now that you say that, I do." A smirk formed on Jean's face as he teasingly nudged a bright-red-Armin with his elbow, "So? Annie or (Y/n)? C'mon. Don't be shy."
Armin could barely sputter out a noise before Connie was chiming in again, "And you better figure out soon because it looks like Annie just went up to (Y/n)."
"What?" Armin nearly knocked Connie over pushing him aside to get a better look at the warehouse entrance.
Sure enough, there Annie was, sitting right beside you on the slip now.
Armin tried to ignore the sinking feeling happening in his stomach as he watched you and Annie fall into a conversation.
Why am I worried? They're friends. Maybe they're just talking regularly.. Maybe Annie just wants to check up on her like everyone else.
That train of thought was quickly short though. A sense of pure dread rattled Armin's bones when he saw you and Annie turn to look at the warehouse. Directly at him.
With his face burning from embarrassment, Armin quickly turned his back on you and Annie, to face Connie and Jean. Now more than ever, he wished he had the ability to disappear.
"Are they still looking?" Armin whispered.
Connie craned his neck to look around Armin before Jean quickly stopped him. If you and Annie weren't sure what the boys were talking about, then you sure as hell knew now.
"Yup." Connie confirmed, oblivious to his mistake, "They're still looking."
"Ohmygod," Armin groaned, running a hand down his beet-red face.
All the things Armin told Annie today came rushing to the forefront of his mind, but most of all, the promise he made to talk to you today. He never got to do it because of the door incident, but Annie didn't know that. In Annie's eyes, with you sitting on the slip by yourself looking sad, and Armin working in the warehouse just a good rocks throw away; it probably looked like he chickened out again.
For all he knew, Annie was probably taking things into her own hands. And by the looks he got from the both of you, he could guarantee that Annie told you already.
"Dude, you have two girls fighting over you?" Connie turned to Jean in astonishment, "Who would've guessed? I always thought it would be me with this problem. Not Armin."
"Connie you haven't had a girl speak to you in that way since you were like fifteen." Jean said.
"You're lying, and you know it," Connie sniped.
"They're not fighting over me, and I don't like Annie." Armin corrected them before the boys could fall into another argument. Armin fell into a pace, walking back and forth in front of them.
"Then why do you look like you're about to shit your pants right now?" Connie asked.
"No, seriously. Did you get paler just now?" Jean asked, attempting to lay the back of his hand on Armin's forehead to get his temperature.
Armin moved Jean's hand away, "No! I'm panicking because I told Annie something earlier, and I'm afraid that she might've told (Y/n)."
"What did you tell her?" Jean asked.
"I told her.." Armin stopped pacing to suck in a breath and calm himself down, "I told Annie that I have feelings for (Y/n)." He blurted out his words in a rush, eager to just get it over with.
For the first time all day, Connie and Jean remained silent, giving Armin a blank stare.
"What?" Armin asked, heart racing in his chest.
Jean snorted a laugh, "Was that it?" He turned to Connie, "I thought he was gonna tell us something good."
"Right? Like who doesn't know that already?" Connie laughed, "Everyone in the world knows you like (Y/n)."
Armin's ears burned with embarrassment as he tried to explain himself, "N-Not just that.. I want to be with (Y/n). And I wanted to tell her that today, on my own, but I'm afraid Annie's going to do it for me."
"Well first of all, you're finally going to ask (Y/n) out? Good for you." Jean clapped Armin on the shoulder like a proud father. "Second of all, what made you want to do it now? I was starting to think you never would."
Armin tried not to let his eyes wander over to Connie, who harmlessly bit into his apple. "I've always thought about asking (Y/n) out, but I never found the right moment. But I have a really good feeling about today. I can't keep waiting anymore."
"I didn't think you had it in you, Armin." Connie acknowledged, casually adding with a cheeky smile and wiggling brows, "Cus' if you had waited any longer, I think I'd have given it a shot, na' what I mean?"
Oh?
Armin might as well have been drenched in gasoline and thrown out to the sun because he was on fire. His fingers flexed at his sides, trying their best not to curl up and form a fist. Armin was trying to bite down on his tongue as Connie laughed at something Jean said. He was trying to hold back from saying what was on the tip of his tongue, but for once, Armin let his intrusive thoughts win.
Armin painted on a smile as he joined Connie's in his laughter, chuckling out, "Well if it wasn't for you taking that kid, I don't think I'd have even had the courage to kiss her. Let alone ask her out." Armin slapped Connie's shoulder in good humor, though a little too hard. "So thank you, Connie."
That apple that sat in Connie's plopped to the ground with a dramatic thud, "You did WHAT?" Connie blurted out as he snapped his head in your direction, just to quickly be cut off by Jean wrapping his palm over his mouth.
"Stop being so loud!" Jean hissed.
Connie's rush of words were muffled by Jean's hand before Jean abruptly ripped it away.
"He bit me!" Jean yelped, swinging his hand through the air to relieve his newfound pain.
"You got to kiss (Y/n)?" Connie whisper-yelled to Armin, outwardly ignoring Jean's death glare. It was the most serious Armin's seen Connie yet as he grabbed Armin by the shoulders. "When did you do that? No, wait, how did it feel? Are her lips as soft as they look?"
"You're a perv." Jean commented, to which Connie quickly released Armin to face him.
"These are very valid questions, Jean. I don't know why you're acting like a prude right now when you used to—"
"None of that matters right now." Armin cut in, "Right now, all that matters is going over there and telling (Y/n) how I really feel," It almost sounded like Armin was trying to convince himself, maybe because he was.
Armin was freaking the hell out inside.
5 years. 5 years he's been yearning for a chance like this, for you to be his, and now it was right in his reach. All he had to do was follow through.
Armin wanted to be the first person you heard from, not the person sitting like a wimp on the sidelines as someone else did the job for him. He was tired of waiting for the right moment to confess how he felt; he learned the hard way that there would never be a correct time. If he kept up this waiting game, the opportunity would pass him by completely. Annie was right. If Armin wanted to pursue anything with you, the time was now.
So after breathing in a reassuring breath, Armin confidently started walking for the exit.
"Atta boy! Go get your woman!" Jean clapped his hands after him.
Connie threw an arm over Jean's shoulders in support, "We've taught him well,"
Jean flashed Connie a confused look, "We?"
Armin ignored the boys' banter as he walked closer to you. He didn't know how he should begin.. Should he just walk straight up to you and start? You didn't look like you were in the mood to talk right at that moment. Maybe he could—
Wait, she's looking at me.
Armin froze in his steps as soon as he caught your eye, holding your surprised gaze with one of his own. But just as fast as you looked over, you turned away again, staring down at your lap. Almost like you were shy or embarrassed.
Maybe she's just as nervous as me.
"I'm sorry, by the way." You suddenly blurted out, "I shouldn't have closed the door in your face. I should've let you in."
So it was about the door situation.. She feels bad about it. Maybe she does want to talk.
This only gave Armin more confidence to walk closer, until he was standing by your side.
It's now or never..
"So,"
It was instinct for Armin to reach a hand out for yours, as soon as you looked up to him. He hoped and prayed you wouldn't leave him hanging as he asked,
"Are you ready to talk now?"
to be continued!
word count: 11k
🗒 ❛ authors note ! ༉‧₊˚✧
*taps mic* .. is this thing on?
hi hi hiii
ik some of u were probably expecting something different (i won't say what but iykyk lmao) but i seen someone say on the last chapter that they wanted an armin pov, so i got to it asap! took me a while to actually finish tho bc of work etc 😅
do i even apologize at this point? ik u guys are tired of me and my slow updates, and rightfully so (i'm very very sorry ily pls don't be mad)
but i think everyone will LOVE *COUGH* hint hint *COUGH* the next chapter, and luckily you won't have to wait long at all bc i'm editing as we speak! if it's not published late tonight, it'll most likely be published tomorrow night or sunday at the latest (I PROMISE IM NOT LYING IM SRS)
i love u guys sm and i hope everyone's doing great!! i wanna make it clear that i'm JUST NOW seeing messages some of u guys sent me bc i hadn't visited the app in a while so if u sent something, im gonna get to it, i promise.
and as always thank u for reading <3
see u later!