Indefinitely - Armin X Reader

Chapter 40 | Talk

Warning! At the end of this chapter there are manga spoilers for the finale of AOT, so please be careful!!! Do not read below "Years Later" if you have not finished chapter 139

Thank you for making it this far! If you would like to read more of what I have to offer of angsty and fluffy Armin love, please read the authors note below!

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As the door shut behind us, we started walking down the hallway in an aimless direction. Armin had his arm under my shoulders, letting me lean on him to save my leg, and Jean was letting me use his arm as support as I clung to the both of them. Armin's eyes were flickering from mine to the hold I had on tall brunette's arm, and the way his Jean's amber eyes were watching my steps.

"I've got her, Jean." Armin murmured softly, pulling me a little closer to him, and Jean let out a laugh.

"Alright, Armin." He conceded with a teasing tone, releasing my arm, however he looked down at me with a meaningful, intent look, and I could practically hear what he was silently urging me to do.

'Tell him.'

I gave a tired, exasperated sigh, and nodded.

I can't afford to wait anymore - I almost died today, and he wouldn't have known. With the way things are, with the way we no longer know who to trust or how much longer we'll be safe, I can't afford to wait and miss the chance to tell him.

I don't want to die without him knowing how deeply he's loved. For better or worse, this stops now.

Letting go of Armin for a moment, I gave Jean a tired hug, resting my head on his chest, and he ruffled my hair once more with a tanned hand, a kind smile on his lips.

Pulling away, I felt Armin put his arm around my waist once more and I sank into him.

"I'll talk to you after." I mumbled, before turning to the blonde beside me. "Take a walk with me?"

Armin nodded eagerly, and Jean gave a wave before turning and walking away, looking over his shoulder to wink at me, causing a blush to rise to my cheeks. Armin studied my expression, a dejected look taking hold of his features, mouth turning downwards slightly, however as I turned back to him he gave me a half hearted smile.

"Can we sit outside?" I requested simply, nodding my head towards a small courtyard at the end of the hallway. Instead of answering, Armin started forward, half carrying me with him.

I felt guilty relying on him so much, when he probably had better things to do. So much had happened today, he would probably be wanting to take a moment and think about everything that had occurred, and what would happen next. Annie's discovery had opened up so many things to consider, and here I was making me half carry me just to sit down. But as bad as I felt now, I would feel worse soon burdening him with my feelings.

"I'm sorry for being a nuisance." I mumbled, and the blonde shook his head instantly.

"Don't say that," He insisted. "There's nowhere I'd rather be than here helping you."

His honesty flustered me, and I looked to the side in embarrassment. "You're too nice." I whispered.

"There's never too nice when it comes to you." He answered, blushing slightly.

By now we had reached the courtyard, and he helped me to sit down on a stone bench that had moss and leaves curling up the base, creating an intricate pattern. Armin sat down beside me, hips almost touching mine, the closeness making my hairs stand on end and sending goosebumps down my spine.