serenity

try again

content warning(s): mentions of drink spiking, drowning (?)

again, just a heads up, i use she/her AND they/them pronouns for the reader, but they're still fem-bodied (obviously)

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"Was I not enough?" A voice from behind you two creeped up and neither you or Reiner could move an inch.

Armin wasn't intending on finding you at this moment as he wanted to give you some time and he thought running after you will just make it worse. He himself wanted to cool off in the pool and it just so happens that you and Reiner were there. He also immediately regretted saying that out loud, but he didn't know how else to confront you two.

You managed to turn your head to where he's standing and you could only see his silhouette because of the lighting, but you could tell that he's shaking. He's holding onto his shoulder with an ice pack, making you realize that you hurt him from pushing him earlier.

You were barely hanging on to consciousness, but it's as if you never drank at all because your senses have been regained.

"Wait. Fuck. It's not what it looks like. It was my fault." Reiner says as he glances towards Armin for a moment then turns back around.

No one spoke for a few seconds.

They were waiting for a response from you, who's still frozen in place just staring at Armin.

"Uh- sorry. I'm just- I need to go." He turned around and as if on instinct, you ran towards him and hugged him tightly before he would walk away.

"Don't leave..." You whisper.

"Let me go." He's trying so hard to keep you distanced, but you're making it hard for him.

"Sorry." You kept your arms wrapped around him and you started hearing sniffling from him.

"I can't do this right now... please let me go." He repeats as he takes both of your hands and pulls them apart so he could be free from your restraint.

He turned his head towards you for a bit to take a look at your face before he plans on leaving you alone for at least the rest of the night. From this, you could see a tear run down his left eye which made you drop to your knees out of shame and guilt. Both of you are now weeping, sniffles heard all throughout the pool area.

Eren and Connie already kicked everyone out of the house as well as finished cleaning. They're both passed out on the couch, snoring loudly. It's impressive how Jean's threat worked on them because it's as if a party was never thrown.

You couldn't believe yourself. Why didn't you stop Reiner? Why did you get mad at Armin to the point where it led to his. Why? Why? Why?

Reiner couldn't even look at what's happening behind him because he feels just as embarrassed for himself.

Armin started to walk away, but you scooped your arms around his leg and wouldn't let him go. You were sprawled on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably because something like this is serious and you had no valid excuse.

"Please don't do this... please." He covered his face and pinched his eyes to keep himself from breaking down. Armin himself isn't sure what to feel. Anger? Sorrow? Pity?

"Armin... don't leave me." You started crying on his leg, your tears leaving marks on his pants. Something as pitiful as this usually wouldn't be something you'd do.

But it's Armin.

You'd do anything for this to not end.

For what felt like a few minutes, it was just the sounds of sniffles and whimpers from both you and him. Reiner covered his face with both his palms, not sure of what to do next because he knows the extent of what he just did.