𝐚𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 | 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

The Rest Of Our Years - Armin x Reader

TW // mentions of blood, gore
requested by avery (av3ryisaw33b )
"laying in bed snuggling with armin while the sun comes up talking about the ocean and how he can't wait for this to be over..."

Y/N lay underneath the thin covers of linen, the darkness surrounding her, except for the light of the stars that peered through the window. The days had been long; she even killed a titan. But no matter how exhausted she was, Y/N never fell fast asleep. The darkness was too calm and comforting to sleep away. And the nightmares that followed her slumber? She didn't want to think about it.

It was the everyday occurrence of death that scared her. It was the pained expressions of a last breath on one of her comrades faces, right before she pulled the blanket over their heads.

Y/N pulled the linen over her own head and sighed. She couldn't tell if she really had much to live for anymore. Because what really lied behind the walls, if anything? Was it barren land that was untouched to a titan, nor man? A cliff that would drop them to their deaths?

Or hope?

"I can see that you're thinking about it again."

The blond-headed boy next to her revealed his head from the covers, opening up his arms against their pillows. Even in the dark Y/N could make out the features of his face— his small, rounded nose, a calming grin on his face. The blue eyes that held so much sadness, it would take weeks to take it all in.

She scooted herself across the bed to him, positioning herself in between his arms so he could wrap himself around her. His embrace was warm despite the cool air.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Hey, I get those thoughts too," he assured her. "You know, after a long day of titans, it's normal."

"How did you know I was thinking about what's behind the walls—What's behind...what's behind the horizon?"

Armin took his arm and began to cradle her head. He didn't pretend to be the greatest boyfriend in the world, nor a mature adult. He was still a kid, just as she, but he knew some things that were well beyond his years. Curiosity.

"You know," he started, "I can just sort of tell with you. Especially at night, 'cause that's when the thoughts come. We know each other well enough that I can see through what you try to hide."

"You can't read me as well as Eren and Mikasa though."

He hesitated, and embraced her. "I...I don't know about that. Sometimes I'm not quite sure with those two, if I'm being completely honest." Armin took a deep breath. "But they grow and change, just as we have."

They lied there for a while after that, not saying anything to each other, but taking in each other's sweet scents. The sun began to rise, marking a new day, assuring them that there were new beginnings for them both. After a while, Armin spoke once more.

"Do you know what's out there?" He asked.

"I don't."

"Well I do," he said, and he closed her eyes with his hand, then closing his own for visualisation. "There is a sea out there. Its a body of water that is so big, giant creatures the size of titans swim under it in an environment never seen before. There are so many creatures there, it could be its own system of humanity.

"In the sea there is so much life, Y/N. And the sun reflects all of it back to you, all of its beauty in a reflection. But across the sea, I don't know what is out there. I don't even know if creatures as big as titans roam the sea, that's just me telling a story. But I know that water is there." He looked down at Y/N, who had tears budding in her eyes. And he smiled. "I know there's opportunity out there."

"What else is there?" She asked. As the sun rose, she didn't even care about her lack of sleep. All Y/N cared about was the story he told.

Armin kissed her on the forehead sweetly, pulling her in even tighter. "I see something in the future," he whispered, nuzzling his face in her hair. "I see a little cottage on the beach, with a straw topped roof and stone infrastructure. I see a few little kids running around, one with blond hair and the other with h/c."

"And their gear on?"

"No," Armin said. "This is a future without the titans, where they don't have to worry about the clutches of a power too difficult to understand."

"I see us," he continued. "Sitting in the cottage and laughing, thinking about all the things we dreamed of as kids that came true. And we're happy. We're really, really happy, because what we once thought was impossible became achievable, and anything and everything we ever wanted we have."

"Armin," Y/N began. She could see so clearly in her mind the thought of Armin and her growing old, their children playing outside of the house. She coulf see all the colours of life around her. It hurt to feel him tear up on what could be. "Is this our future?"

"I can only hope," he noted. Bare chests against another they engulfed themselves in each other's embrace, never wanting to rise with the sun again. Staying there forever in a safe attraction was something so rare, that the uncommon occurrences became sacred. And when Armin told his stories, it was all the more special. Because he gave Y/N the hope to live once more, a candle being lit after it had said to burn out.

Final flickers of light that could signify a close death, or the chance of more life to come.

"I want to spend the rest of my years with you. In that little cottage by the water, living out life happily and free from the world as we know it."

"What if it is a fantasy?"

Armin opened his eyes and took her in, breathing softly and kissing her on the lips.

"Then I, though nothing more than a mere cadet, will do everything in my power to make this dream come true."

——
i love armin so much 🥺
thank you avery for requesting a one shot!
if you'd like to request as well, you can comment on the request page or send me a dm!
thanks for reading, as always:)
-sm