Underneath the Mistletoe (AoT ArminxAnnie Oneshot)

UNDERNEATH THE MISTLETOE

ANNIE & ARMIN (an imaginary universe where Eren had finished "destroying" the world and the new Earth is thriving again and all our fave characters alive and have no other deadly business anymore)

(ANNIE'S POV. Everything happens in her pov only)

My comrades from the Scouting Legion had decided to gather in a house by the North where the ocean can be seen, where a party will be held to welcome another year of being alive along with a few people. Including me. I wasn't sure why I was invited but I was secretly glad that they did, and I didn't hesitated to come, besides, Reiner will be there and so will Mikasa.

She and I had become... let's say "friends". Since after all that's happened we begin to "hang out" most in our free time or if we crossed paths in the streets which I think is kind of funny because we go the same street every morning during an area patrol.

The Scouts have been recognized as the true heroes of Paradis and Marley, their regiment have become a favorite of the new recruits though their regiment doesn't do much now after the Titans are gone.
The curse of Ymir has been broken and the Titan shifters are now free and can live longer.

I didn't expected to be glad about living a longer life despite all the wrong I've done that I almost thought of killing myself. But something inside me found a new meaning to live.

"Hey Annie, do you mind putting this on the table?" Connie gave me a large bowl of mashed potatoes.

"Uh...okay." I say and went to the dining room where all the food are displayed, ready for the party at midnight.

Three hours left and a new year of a hopefully peaceful new beginning will arrive.

"Do you think this will work?" I turn around to find Eren, carrying a case of drinks.

"For sure, since when have I lied to you?" Came another voice and came in Armin, also carrying a case of drinks.

"Okay fine, I'll try tonight." Said Eren with a heavy sigh. "Oh, hey Annie."

I waved at him as a greeting and tried to form a smile on my face. It's weird because smiling has become one of the new things I've been doing lately.

Armin smiles at me. Not a very grand one tho, but enough to make my stomach have butterflies in it.

"By the way have you seen Mikasa anywhere?" Eren asks, putting the bottles of drinks in the cooler.

I shrug, "No. I was at the kitchen the whole time," I replied, "maybe she's with Reiner and Captain Levi."

Eren sighs again, "Okay, I'll go check on her."

Eren left after putting the bottles in the cooler.
Since the curse of Ymir was lifted he had been showing affection towards Mikasa. I didn't knew those two had a thing until Armin told me about it out of the blue.

"Eren's back to his old self, but a bit more open about his feelings now." Armin said, closing the lid of the cooler. He stands up and smiles at me again.

Speaking of Armin, we have become closer too. After that time we had on the boat we...started to connect or something like that. Though, I wasn't sure how to do it in the beginning because everything was so new. I was raised without knowledge of affection or having romantic relationships with anyone. My father and I aren't really the sweet father-daughter tandem and I never had a mother to show and teach me how. But after spending the days with my comrades I'm starting to know how to have empathy towards a person.

"Did you cook these?" Armin asks, looking at the freshly cooked food on the large table.

I made a mental note to dig in for that sweet pie in the corner.