I Got You (Book Three)

Time

A/N: Wassup!!! Long time no see my readers! I'm back and stronger than ever with more aruani content and updates! Let's hit these comments hard and let me know what you think!
Enjoy!

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Armin heard every second pass. The beating of his heart was no longer in rhythm or tune. A man that could be seen as, empty. Well, no one would say completely... his children carry his soul on everyday. Those days turned into weeks, and weeks soon turned into months.

Months were a unit of measurement that can be added up to years. Many would agree that a man to be heartbroken this long would be ridiculous. Not him. Not Armin Arlert. The love of his life simply turned away and their whole universe was forgotten.

It's been 2 years since then.

He likes to think about the past even when the burning pain is excruciating to bear. The images of Annie. Oh how beautiful she was. A smile so rare that Armin didn't want to stare at anything else. Their history together was pure romance.

"Do you think he's over her yet?"

Sasha hit Connie on the arm, "You can't possibly think that! There's no way."

"Ow.." he rubbed his arm and looked away from the blonde man passing by. "I mean he's been doing so well these past few months. Other than those weird times he zones out."

Sasha lifted up a small bundle from the stroller, "Your daddy is a cue ball! Yes he is!"

"Hey, don't talk to Haru like that! My son is not going to start calling me that at 1 years old!"

...

Armin knew that he couldn't let everything fall, even when he was. Locking up the dark past of 2 years ago and letting go of the ideas. The ideas of a better outcome.

The blonde walked up with the groceries to his house before hearing footsteps coming towards the door. "What?"

"Armin!" He heard a voice say with the door opening.

"Hey Tess," Armin replied before giving the woman a kiss on her cheek.

A woman with long ginger hair tied up in a ponytail with bangs smiled back. Her bright green eyes were lit up at the sight of her boyfriend back home.

"The kids are just down for their naps." She grabbed a bag or two out of hands before following him to the kitchen. "Hey, I've been wondering lately. Why so much butter? We don't need this much." Tess laughed and held up the tub.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Armin scratches the back of his head. That's right, I've been thinking a lot about her lately.. "Uh-there was a sale at the market."

The ginger nodded her head understandably, "Hey look, I know it's around our 1 year anniversary and I was wondering.."

"Yeah?"

"When do you think it will be time?"

Armin knew what she meant but, he had issues with it. A pain. "Tess, I know you've been phenomenal with the twins and your dream is to have a family... get married."

She placed her hand on his shoulder, "You know I'm patient Armin. You can take however long you need. I was just, asking." A smile graced her face.

"...thanks." Armin looked down at the tubs of butter and a kiss was placed on his lips.

Tess tugged at his hair, "I love you but, this hair is incredibly long."

The blonde chuckled, "You think so?"

"It's nearly past mine Armin." She laughed and walked around the table to put more groceries away.

Arlert sat down and watched as she moved about the kitchen. Taking notice of how 'normal' she is. Tess asked him out on a date almost a year ago and he knew that his friends have set him up. Saying that it was best to try something new. It was great and all but he could feel himself hesitate towards the real commitment.

"Tess, do you still have that ring and necklace I told you to keep away from me?"

She turned around to look at him, "Y-yeah. What about them?"

"Can I have them? I feel like it's time to get rid of past and have some closure... you know?"

Tess seemed concerned and nodded with assurance. "Here."

She walked away into the bedroom before coming back with a cloth. Inside of it was two items he has avoided for a little over 2 years now.

...

"Armin you have to do this."

He stood at a cliff. It's been hours since he came here and debated making this hard decision.

"You have to do this. For them. For her. For yourself."

Armins vision got blurry and nearly unbearable pain in his chest. The tears became a natural habit but it never hurt like this before.

"It's time to let it be."

With one last breath, he chucked the cloth into the air and watched as the jewelry flew out of the red material. Shining in the moonlight one last time before descending into the roaring river at the bottom of the cliff.

Armin wiped away a tear, "Clarity isn't the only thing needed to live."

Only time can tell...