ArminxReader - My Best Friend

Chapter 9

WARNING: Depictions of abuse.

Night had finally fallen. The clocked ticked a quarter past nine, and the neighborhood began to quiet. The streets were still and free of cars, people turned off their lights, and street lanterns glowed a soft orange on the pavement. As the sun set below the horizon, the world felt like it was finally embodying Autumn in the brisk wind. By the time it was mid September the cool weather of fall would stay, and slowly everyone would re-adapt to going to school.

Normally on a night like this you'd already be in bed struggling to fall asleep, but this time it was much different. Although it was so late your company still remained, but you didn't mind at all. Fortunately their presence was not a bother but a comfort. The aura of the room was more relaxed rather than rambunctious as it was previously. Once Mikasa returned, everyone settled on the couches with one another, and once again the group joined in conversation. But, Armin had neglected to join them quite yet.

Armin was out on the porch until he could see his breath in the cold night air, and until his hands felt the bite of the cool temperature. He had left you in the house in the company of Eren and Mikasa, while he sat out here alone in the quiet. There were too many things he had to think about at the moment, he felt as if he had to avoid you. He rested in a chair by the door in complete silence, hearing the distant sounds of the residents around him and you inside. He leaned his elbows on his knees hunched over, and his intertwined fingers supported his chin. The light from the screen door and windows illuminated behind, and was the only thing allowing Armin to still observe around him. His eyes stared intensely in front of him as his mind was engulfed in concerns and things he had yet to resolve with himself.

Armin shifted in his seat, and furrowed his eyebrows as he thought. Slowly he could feel his feet become colder, and his nose become subject to the slight breeze, but he still didn't move an inch and remained seated. Like it would happen every so often, he began to think about his late parents out of nowhere, and didn't like to be around people when he began to remember. There was a part of him that just wasn't sure if he could ever be truly happy until his parents had the justice they deserved. He felt himself become enraged at the thought of it, and his expression turned serious.

Sometimes he would sit and ponder about the murder of his family, and has spent weeks upon weeks researching, and investigating their killers. At late times like this it would bug him the most, when he felt a certain rage burn at his belly and thoughts that only infuriated him further. When he was like this, he was dead silent, almost to the point where it was eerie. He thought it would be best if he stayed away from you especially when he got into this mood, the last thing he would want is to upset you.

Another thing he thought heavily on, was the words Mikasa had spoke to him earlier. A part of him was happy she said that just because of his own feelings, but at the same time he hated it. Although he had presented himself to be dead to do the public, he couldn't be certain that they were convinced. It was too risky to still go about his life in his hometown as if he never left, he was only planning to stay here for a couple of months. How he would be able to leave you here, he didn't know, and that was what troubled him. Eventually he would have to leave, and he couldn't bring you along. There was a lot of things he had to do to set everything right, and there was no way he could involve someone else.

Armin thought maybe he should go in now, but as he sat he decided to let his mood bubble over a bit before returning. Once more, he just needed some time alone.

But finally, tired of stressing himself out and over thinking his entire life, Armin decided he should rejoin everyone. Slowly he got up from the chair, and sighed as he stretched his back from sitting for such an extended amount of time. Armin swiped his bangs from out of his eyes, and slowly walked to open the door. Immediately as he pulled open the knob, he heard you and Eren conversing loudly in the living room through the kitchen. He could see Mikasa paying little attention, and sat drowsy in the recliner. Shutting the door, Armin smiled seeing everyone. As he walked back in from the porch and through the kitchen, he felt Mikasa's gaze on him as he drifted over to the couch. "Welcome back." Mikasa said as he entered.