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 intriguing fairytales, losing reality within its beautifully articulated words and intriguing plot until;

"Y/n!" Your mother's voice called from downstairs, echoing through the cottage.

You huffed, shutting the book, careful not to damage its delicate pages. After all, you didn't have the funding for a new one. "Yes, Mom!" Attitude weighing heavily in your tone.

"Levi's letter's here!"

Your annoyance was swiftly mopped away as you giddily bounced out of your chair, "Coming!" You always looked forward to Levi's stories of the outer walls, even though a candied shell coated his words.

He hardly spoke of the giant, human-craving creatures and the people he'd mention would frequently be absent in his following letters. He'd never address it and you didn't question him.

Levi very rarely wrote shakespearean poems for his cutesy niece, however, when he put a splash of effort into his words he'd describe lovely scenes you could only dream about, tree bark shifting color, mountains tickling clouds— he'd explain cool rocks he found that couldn't fit in his pockets.

Your leapt over the last of your stairs like some upbeat-disney princess, pure grace and elegance in your form, your father hadn't appreciated your unfounded skills as his newly decorated-three layered cake wobbled and almost toppled 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.

"Y/n I swear to god."

Ignoring him, you snatched the yellowing letter from your mother's fingers and plopped in front of the flaming fireplace.

Usually, Lily would reprimand her daughter's recklessness but she couldn't find the words when you're smiling so brightly.

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

Given their shared upbringing Lily knew Levi 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.

Behind Levi's tough exterior was a soft and caring man, him participating in her daughter's life was just another example of this.

"He says he saw a huge lake! Swimming with fish! And it had, circle-shaped leaves on it?" Your eyes thinned, making a mental note to flip through the few illegal books Armin had kindly gifted you.