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【𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘】
*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*
"PSST! ANNIE!"
The air was uncomfortably warm. Himari could feel sweat slicking the skin on her back, causing her thin, black shirt to stick to her and she knew her cheeks were flushed from the heat. She remained in the shadows with her rain gear pulled low over her head, her golden eyes shining like a cat's in the dim lighting of the filtered sun. Armin stood beside her, just as warm and just as nervous with his own hood pulled over his eyes.
The blonde that they were hunting paused at the sound of the familiar, hushed tone and backtracked quickly, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw the familiar gleam of Himari's eyes with the short, familiar stature of Armin beside her, standing slightly in front of the girl.
"Hi." Armin greeted softly as Himari flashed the girl a small smile.
"Looks like you're a full-fledged MP now."
"Suits you. Especially the unicorn, it practically screams Annie." Annie shook her head slightly, unable to believe what she was seeing in front of her. The familiar, teasing tone of Himari reached Annie's ears, the girl unable to tear her eyes away from her friend. She blinked, as though not believing that the two fresh Scouts were standing right in front of her, hiding in the shadows of Stohess.
"Himari? Armin..." A small smile graced Armin's lips as Himari sighed.
"Nice to see you, Annie. Been a while, huh?" The girl said. Annie simply glanced between her and Armin, a quizzical expression flashing across her face.
"What are you doing here?" Annie asked, her question aimed mainly at Himari. The girl shrugged her shoulders, the corner of her lip twitching upwards.
"I'm probably about to be executed. I couldn't exactly leave without saying goodbye to you, could I?" Annie pressed her lips together tightly. She'd heard the news about the failed expedition - everyone had. Himari sighed quietly as Annie looked away, unable to hold Himari's gaze for much longer. Subconsciously, the fingers of Himari's uninjured arm rose to touch her ribs gently, brushing over the slight bump under the rain gear where she could feel the tight bandages holding her elbow in place. Annie noticed the movements, furrowing her eyebrows slightly when she took in the unusual green uniforms they were wearing
"Why are you dressed like that?" She asked. Himari looked down at Armin, who remained just as calm and steady beside her.
"We're cargo carriers. We're hiding ODM equipment under this rain gear. See?" Without hesitation, Armin showed Annie the boxes of swords and tanks of gas strapped to his thighs, Himari pushing her rain gear to the side to do the same. Annie straightened up, her confused gaze disappearing as her expression neutralised. There was only a hint of something that Himari couldn't quite put her finger on, but she made sure, when she allowed her rain gear to fall back into place, that she stood a little closer to Armin, being as subtle as she could.
