Obscurity [Armin x Reader] Armin Arlert

Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 𝟷

Episode One

The walls were pastel yellow scattered with vines, floors pine brown and dented from the many childhood accidents. Shelves cluttered with books, and desk barely illuminated by a singular candle which you carefully held above your newly acquired book.

You loved submerging yourself into the intriguing fairytale, lost within its beautifully articulated words and intriguing plot until "Y/n!" Your mother's voice called from downstairs, annoyingly echoing through the decent sized cottage.

You huffed lightly shutting the book, careful not to damage its delicate pages, after all, you didn't have the funding for a new one "Yes, Mom!"

"Uncle Levi's letter came!"

Your previous annoyance was swiftly mopped away giddily bouncing out of your chair, "Coming!" You had always looked forward to Levi's stories of the outer walls, which you understood to be dusted with a thick coat of sugar.

Since he hardly spoke of the giant, human-craving creatures and the people he'd mention would frequently be absent in his following letters, though you were young, Y/n knew not to say anything when this happened.

Aware of what their fate might've been. However, to quench Y/n's curiosity he spoke of Erwin and attempt to describe the scenery, how the tree bark would change color, and if he were on a mountain, he'd explain the different stone textures and colors.

If Levi wasn't writing about his adventures, he'd ask how school was going and if your friends treated you nicely.

Your fingertips grazed the railing while trotting down your creaky stairs, jumping over the few remaining steps and recklessly rushing past your father, who was steadily balancing a newly decorated three layered cake which wobbled, almost toppling over.

Your parents were in the food business, a scarce and obscure thing that was often dwindling on its last loafs of bread in Shiganshina's poverty ridden streets, but god willing, your family never suffered famine and would give out any spare food to the grumbling stomachs of Shiganshina's residents earning the Alden name a huge amount of favor.

"Watch where you're going Y/n!"

Despite your father's brief scolding Y/n snatched the yellowing letter from Lily's hands and immediately tore it open, plopping in front of the flaming fireplace.

Usually, Lily would reprimand her daughter but couldn't bring herself to do so once watching Y/n's eyes dart around the two pages with such admiration, while reading over Levi's weekly letter.

Lily gave a light smile leaning on your shoulders "What'd he say this time?"

Given their shared upbringing Lily knew her brother better than anyone, when he'd yell at her to stop following him then starve himself to the brink of death to ensure his younger sister wouldn't have to.