ArminxReader - My Best Friend

Chapter 8

Eventually you and Armin arrived at your destination, and you were releaved to finally be home, and off the side walk. Armin slowed his pace as he realized where he was, letting you walk ahead of him and getting a sudden warm and familiar feeling. You may have simply walked up to your door without a single thought just as a million times before, but this moment meant alot more to him.

Approaching the house casually, you strolled up the long cement path that led directly to your door step, and made note of Armin slowing his steps as he walked behind you. "Home sweet home." You mumbled.

"Yeah..." He replied distantly.

Armin sighed and pulled his hands out of his pockets upon seeing the house. Here before him, was the place he had been waiting to see for a very long time. Looking at it all now was like reliving a distant memory from his childhood, a place he thought he would never lay his eyes upon again. But yet, here he was walking along side you, and the wait was worth every second. As the sun beamed down from the cloudless blue sky, he couldn't help but be reminded of the summer vacations he spent with you here. All of his happiest memories came from this property and he only wished he could experience them one more time.

Armin gazed around, his eyes moving back and forth studying the house that he recollected his past in so fluently. It had the same huge front yard, same tree in the same place, same color door, and same flower pots that sat under the window cills.

Even though he felt that same nostalgic feeling he had experienced his whole walk here, Armin could tell there was a different atmosphere to it all, as everything was not exactly the way he had left it.

The lawn was not taken care of, its grass was near dead and took mostly a yellowish color, the paint chipped around the front of the house, the path he walked on was no longer clear cut of weeds, and no flowers grew in the pots by the window. Even the door had not aged well in time, and it's hinges were rusted a deep orange while the wood could use a paint job as well. The only thing that remained completely unchanged was the tree in the corner of the yard, it still bloomed with life in it's branches yet everything around it seemed dull.

You trotted up the steps to your door, and started digging around your pocket for your house keys. Taking his eyes off of his surroundings, Armin quickly caught up with you doing a slight jog, and eventually was standing beside you on the porch. With jingling in your hand, you sorted through to find the correct key and unlocked the door. "Well here we are." You said.

The door opened with a familiar creak, and you both entered into what you hoped would be an empty house. With a couple of loud foot steps on the hardwood, you walked in and shut the door behind you. Armin slowly walked forward holding his breath as he took it all in. He felt such a strong sense of nostalgia once again tugging at his chest, he felt as if he had the potential to cry, but withheld it. Instead, Armin just turned his head silently looking at the interior of your house, with a happy gleam in his eye.

There were the stairs, the same couch, the same seat by the windows, everything he remembered. The scuffs on the stairs from your feet, the mark in the wall you had left when you both were fooling around, the old bookshelf in the living room, the indentation from sitting in the same spot on the carpet. It was all still here, like nothing at all changed. Though he had to admit once again, it seemed to not be kept up as well as it used to be.

You were relieved to see your step father wasn't home yet, if he was you would've heard him the moment you entered. That would have given you enough time to spare Armin the trouble, and find another place to speak. But, as you preferred you would talk here in the comfort of your living room, in the silence, and alone where no one could disturb you. Luckily, Armin did not have to cross paths with him today. For now. "Come, let's sit on the couch and talk." You said, putting your keys in your bag, and setting it down. "And remember no bullshitting me on anything either. I want you to tell me everything no matter what. Do you understand?" You said firmly. "I'm not messing around here."