Armin Arlert

The evening in the barracks was quiet, except for the crackling of the wood stove. Armin, covered in bruises from his sparring with Jean, sat on his bunk, while his girlfriend tended to a cut on his cheek.

• Mmm... ah... ts... - he hissed. “What?” Her voice was tense. —It just stings...

He looked at her and saw that she was pouting.

"Honey, seriously, stop sulking. Jean has nothing to do with this, I just got distracted." "What were you distracted by?" Her fingers froze on the bandage.

Armin blushed and hesitated:

• Ahh... well... it doesn't matter.

In response, the bandage tightened painfully.

"Honey, don't take it so long... mmm... okay, I'll tell you!" he breathed out. "I got distracted by you... You were paired with Mikasa, and I was really worried. I know you're strong, but I don't want you to feel pain..."

She fell silent and then quietly replied: -And I don’t want you to get hurt.

These words touched him more than any blow.

• I'm sorry I made you worry... I promise you, honey, I'll be more careful next time.

He didn't know if he could keep his promise in a world where titans awaited them, but in that moment, their fragile care for each other became a quiet shelter from the coming storms.