one-shots | snk/aot

Let's Pretend - Armin x Reader

    "What'cha doing there Armin?" You asked, hopping on the seat next to the bowl-haired comrade, leaning in closely into the book while he hungrily read page after page as if there weren't enough words to fulfill his lust for reading.

    He groaned a response, not glueing his sight off the book. You placed both legs upon the oak table, trying to break the eerie silence filling the badly illuminated library if not only the sound of turning pages ringing your ears. After failing to catch Armin's attention, you leaned onto his shoulder before grabbing the novel from his possession.

    "Cut it off f/n!" He whined, chasing after your frame with an extended arm, desperately attempting to impede you from scanning a single paragraph.

    "Why are you hiding this from me?" You asked, still keeping the hard cover close to your chest. And even within this inky darkness, you could faintly notice Armin's cheek and nose bridge become a light crimson, "Are you embarrassed?"

    "Stop teasing and give it to me already."

    You pulled the book up close, flipping through the various pages in search of what Armin was struggling so hard to conceal. With uncertainty whether you did want to know or not, your e/c eyes squinted as they passed the lines. You could hear Armin shuffling beside, rather uneasy and worried.

    "Th-there's nothing you'll find. Gi-give up f/n." He stuttered, his heavy perspiration only incrementing the overwhelming sensation bursting in your chest.

    You started reading aloud, "The couple and its captivating love walked through the calm streets, dawn rising up the sky," Armin tried escaping the library, but you quickly grasped his wrist, "The ginger woman suddenly stopped dead on her tracks, making a quick spin and embracing her partner with great force."

    Now, it was your turn to feel the embarrassment rising up your cheeks. Never would you've guessed Armin spent countless hours caged in this suffocating library, reading such corny and heart-warming stories.

    Nevertheless, you continued torturing Armin while reading the soppy anecdote, "Her warm hands soon travelled up his jawbones, caressing it softly before leaning in for another alluring kiss. They cringed as both tongues collided with such desperation, in need of each other. Soon enough, things began heating up under the dusky morning..."

    "Okay! Enough!" The blond screamed, snatching the book off your now clammy hands.

    You looked up to his indigo orbs, realizing just how rattled he felt. After placing the book away, you couldn't help but crave for a moment just as cheesy as the one written in the romantic fiction. Yet, you restrained from coming any closer to Armin, afraid he didn't compromise the same feelings towards you.

    Armin scratched the back of his neck, his eyes droopy with tiredness. 'I should leave.'

    "F/n."

    "Yes Armin?"

    Silence embraced you in such an uncomfortable way, the guilt eating you. After all, you did indeed invade his privacy and safe haven without even expressing regret for such inconvenience.

    "Listen, I'm sorry for..."

    "It's fine f/n." He interrupted your apology, slowly walking to you and putting both arms on your shoulders with trembling hands, yet confident, "You know, I've been thinking. What if we pretended... to be inside our own story?"

    With a tilted head, you quizzically gazed at Armin even though you knew exactly what he meant. He sighed, looking sideways before giving you a kind grin.

    "Pretend we're strolling down calm streets, the dim moon glimmering down your face as I slowly cup your cheeks, my heartbeat echoing inside my eardrums," Armin whispers, his gentle voice resting the tension in your muscles, "And I say I love you f/n. I've had ever since we exchanged gazes and I hope you feel the same."

    Your eyes widen at his statement, goosebumps rising up your skin. Yet, you try recomposing enough to reply the affection, "And I reply I love you too Armin."

    He smiles, inching closer to you, and finally crashes his lips against your plum ones. Your bones go weak under Armin's engulfment, his warm hands going down your waist as you hug his neck not quite conscious and a bit fazed. You hungrily deepened the kiss, knowing this was a once in a lifetime event and soon it would end.

    Splendid, sumptuous, dazzling. And just now, you realized that the feeling of loving someone was more than anything described on books. Yes, you were still trapped inside this massive walls, living under the pressure of monstrous titans, but there's no place you'd rather be if not inside Armin's comforting embrace.

    His hands roamed your back, bringing you even closer to his chest while you tangled your fingers with his golden and soft locks. Things went slow, but neither of you felt the need of fastening the process. Alas, you tried procrastinating the end of this stimulating kiss. 

    With lack of air, you detached away from the boy, "I thought you were shy as shit Armin."

    He cringes in surprise, drops of sweat trickling down his temples, "U-uh ye-yeah. I th-thought s-s-s-so too." You chuckle at his usual self.

    "No need to worry Armin, I still love you." You declare, resting your cheek at his chest before feeling the pressure of his chin upon your head.

    You would remain inside his embrace, if it wasn't for a certain brunette barging in and revealing her presence. Her eyes gazing at both of your frames, in fascination.

    "Awww! So kawaii!" Sasha yelled, hopping up and down.

+++

So short! Don't kill me :(