Lucky | Reader x Armin

Chapter 5.

As the weeks continued to move past, autumn had begun to descend on the cabin. The leaves on the trees had turned rich shades of red, orange, and gold, and the air had grown cooler, laced with the scent of wood smoke and damp earth.

Sometimes you would venture outside during the day, taking long walks through the forest, crunching through the fallen leaves underfoot. The woods were peaceful and quiet, with only the occasional rustling of leaves, babbling of streams, or chirping of birds to break the stillness.

You found yourself spending more and more time in the sitting room, curling up in front of the fireplace in the evenings reading, or simply staring into the flickering flames. The sound of the logs crackling and popping was soothing, and the warmth of the fire was comforting as the nights grew longer and colder.

It was a simple life, but it was one that suited you. You had everything you needed, and the solitude allowed you to clear your mind and focus on the things that truly mattered.

As you sat in front of the fire one evening, you realized that you had begun to feel at home here. The crackling of the logs, the smell of the woodsmoke, the warmth of the fire, all of it was a comfort to you. You turned a page of your book but looked up into the fire again when you realized you weren't really reading it anymore. It was one of Armin's few fiction books. They weren't exactly your taste but you were desperate for any entertainment besides history.

You heard the front door open and after a moment Armin came into the sitting room holding a bundle of freshly chopped firewood. You had heard him out there chopping. What you would have given to watch that.

Your eyes followed him as he bent down and placed the logs on top of the existing, dwindling pile, and then crouched in front of the fire and positioned two fresh logs on top of it. You watched him from the spot where you perched on the floor, right in front of the coffee table so that you could be as close as possible to the fire. You beamed at him. He stood up and turned to you. "Are you cold? Can I get you anything?"

You shook your head. "I'm perfect thank you." This man. You had never met someone so attentive. It had you overflowing with gratitude.

"What?" He said, tilting his head slightly.

You blinked and looked back into the fire, realizing you had been staring at him. "Nothing, sorry."

Armin smiled and sat down next to you. He peered over your shoulder at the book you were reading. "How do you like this one?" He asked.

You shrugged. "It's okay but it's not really my thing." You said.

He leaned back on his hands and stretched his long legs out in front of him. "Let's go into town tomorrow and find something that is your thing." He said.

You put the book down in your lap and turned your whole body towards him. "Really?" You asked excitedly.

Armin chuckled softly. "Really. We can get you some new clothes too. I know you still don't have a lot. And this way you can pick them out yourself." His cheeks flushed slightly.

"I like the clothes you picked out you know." You said.

"You do?" He asked.

You nodded. "But like you said. I could use more. I am getting tired of having to do laundry so often."

"Sorry about that." Said Armin, his gaze falling slightly.

"Don't apologize!" You said quickly. "I'm really grateful for everything you've done for me. Really." You hesitated, blushing. "Armin I mean it. Thank you for everything." Armin's eyes found yours. "I feel so lucky when I'm with you." you continued quietly.

His eyes widened and he seemed happy for a moment, but then his face fell. He leaned forward so that you were shoulder to shoulder. "How can you say that?" He asked quietly. "You have no other choice."

You put a hand on his arm. "No other choice than to be spoiled by you? It's not so bad Armin, I promise."

He smiled slightly at you but it didn't reach his eyes. He reached out and brushed a lock of hair over your shoulder. "I guess I'll just have to keep it up if I'm going to make amends."

His face was so close to yours now. Your heart was racing. You wanted to reassure him. He wasn't the one who captured you. He had never done a single thing to wrong you. Maybe you were on opposite sides of this war but that didn't mean anything to you. Not when he was looking at you like that.

"I wouldn't say no to that." You said quietly, your voice a little shaky.

Armin smiled at you and this time it did reach his eyes. It wasn't the same friendly smile that he usually gave you, it was softer and there was something different about it. He had never looked at you like that before. You blushed deeper and his eyes narrowed slightly. His gaze dipping to your lips, which were slightly parted.

Your face was so hot and not just from embarrassment now. He reached out again and the backs of his fingers brushed your jaw. His eyes stayed on your lips as he brushed a thumb over your bottom one. You felt a jolt of emotion run through you at the touch. His gaze was intense, and you could feel the heat emanating from him.

He leaned in closer, and you could feel his breath on your face, hot and heavy. Your heart raced as you met his gaze, feeling a connection that you couldn't explain. You found yourself lost in his sapphire eyes, wishing nothing more than to know what was going on behind them. There was a depth to them, a hidden mystery that you longed to uncover. Your gaze dipped to his mouth as his fingers traced your jaw and cheek.

"Armin." You almost whispered it. You weren't sure why you said it but you regretted it instantly because it seemed to have broken whatever spell that he had been under. His jaw tightened slightly as he withdrew his hand, and suddenly he was standing. It took everything in you not to reach out and drag him back down to you.

"I have to get up early tomorrow. You might not see me in the morning. There are oats in the fridge that will be ready when you get up."

You nodded slowly as you looked up at him. "Okay, thank you." You thought your voice sounded hoarse. "What time will you be home?"

He smiled down at you. "Before lunch. Don't worry about me."

"You can't stop me from worrying about you." You said stubbornly, as you picked up your book again.

Armin laughed softly, "Goodnight Y/N."