Night Changes

“It hurts. It hurts.”

It- their... crying? Berthold?

He woke with a gasp, his head pounding. The image of Berthold’s Titan burned into his memory. He clawed at the blanket, feeling uncomfortably warm under its weight. 

What happened?

Sitting upright, he found that all he had on were his pants and his scouts’ jacket. And why am I shirtless?

He heard a groan beside him- Sasha!  

How did she get hurt?  

“Sasha,” he carefully pulled back the blanket to see the full extent of her injuries. “When-“

“-earth is old, much older than a measly 300,000 years. It’s billions of years old. We are but a spec in its timeline.” The accent was strange and foreign, but familiar. Hermione? 

Why did I know that?

Slowly placing back the blanket, he looked towards the direction of the familiar voice to see the same dark-skinned witch from before. She was looking at the sky with a look of resignation mixed with hope. So even though her eyes were tired, they held a certain... joy.

What were they talking about?

She looked back at his squad members with determination and his comrades looked at her with a bit of unhidden reverence. Interesting... She’s a bit of a charmer... but did she know that?  

If she did, she was crafty and a potential danger to humanity... if she didn’t... Well, that bode a different kind of danger...

She made eye contact with the group as she spoke; she was quite proficient at public speaking. He noticed at times, she seemed uncomfortable with all of the attention, and at others, she flourished. This seemed to be one of them.

“-Remnants of those species can be found-“

And though he was aware of the possible dangers, he hung to her every word like gospel, greedily committing them to memory. He would need them later; to write down at a later time or to catch her in a lie or even, to dream about in the darkness of his room...

As she continued, Armin noticed her eyes held a certain wonder as she spoke and her shoulders relaxed at her own tale. He knew that look, he knew that look intimately . He’d never thought he’d see it on another face that wasn’t his. 

She... reminds me of myself... huh...

The witch- Hermione, then gestured to Mikasa, “If you looked back far enough, you’d probably find some Homoerectus in your ancestry.” She... can explain why Mikasa’s different?

Was it all true though? And why would she tell us? What prompted this story?

She went on to explain why their human species was the one that prevailed. 

He’d only recently started coming to terms with his own strengths and weaknesses: that his usefulness and worth could be found in a war room more than a battlefield. Logically, he understood intelligence was essential, but hearing its importance- his importance confirmed gave him the strength he needed to keep fighting. 

Your mind will take you to the sea, Armin, have some faith in yourself.

She began talking about migration when she abruptly stopped and summoned a small pouch through which she began rummaging. Despite barely knowing the girl, he feared for her safety as he watched Levi walk towards her. He feared for his comrades as well...

He watched her jump at the sound of the Captain’s voice, but she looked more annoyed than scared. Respectively, he’d ask, “What the hell was wrong with her?”.

And even though the Captain's words were right- that his friends needed to know he was awake and that she had a job to do, he still yearned to hear more of her story. He’d had so little information to go off of all his life. His knowledge had always been limited to what the government had authorized, his grandfather’s book on the outside world, and anything he’d learned from being in the Scouts Regiment.

He sighed internally as his friends crowded around him, he’d hear from her later. It was inevitable, of course. At the end of the day, she was still their prisoner...

He glanced at her from time to time as his friends crowded around him. Every time he looked she gave him small smiles before turning back to Captain Levi. He shot his friends confused smiles at their fussing, but once he realized that her full attention had turned to the Captain he turned to his friends.

He laughed nervously, “Guys, what is it?” They looked at him, worry in their eyes. What exactly happened?

“You- you don’t remember?” He shook his head at Eren. “What exactly do you remember?”

“I... can remember Berthold becoming a Titan...”

“That’s it?” Armin nodded, starting to get worried himself. Did he have a concussion? Why did he forget?

“Well, you see...” as they began filling him in- although a bit hectically- he began to understand the severity of the situation. 

So I- I ate Berthold? I-

Though before they could finish, the witch- Hermione, had unceremoniously dropped a large pile of canvas on the floor. He didn’t even have the time to fully process what had happened to him... All attention was shifted from telling the story to watching the witch. I can’t blame them.  

It’s like she was created to call attention to herself- from her unique skin to her magical powers to her many, seemingly conflicting moods. She was like the moon, he realized... It existed for reasons unknown... it wasn’t always the same, it wasn’t always present, but when it was- you just couldn’t help but stare.

Like the way they were all staring right now.

The spell she said was imperceptible, but suddenly the once shapeless pile of canvas became a fully upright tent. 

He would watch this forever if he could. Magic was a wonder, but now he wondered if the sea would ever compare to the feats performed before him today.

He hoped so. He really, truly hoped so.

Faintly, he heard her call them into the tent. She seemed so casual- so nonchalant about using magic, about inviting them into her space, about talking to Captain Levi. She just seemed so confident- so reassured . 

Watching as others began to line up behind her, he resolved in taking a look too. 

As he was getting up, Mikasa put a hand on his shoulder, “Are you okay enough to move?” She looked at him with concern. He smiled to soothe their worries, “Ah, well- I heal fast now, don’t I?” He met her with a smile that couldn’t fully hide the pain he felt at the thought. Oh god, I ate Berthold. I ate our comrade- our former comrade, I-

You weren’t in control, Armin and besides, you wouldn’t be standing here today if you hadn’t. You did this to survive- you did this to see the sea.

You can’t regret this.

He looked up to see that Hermione and Captain Levi had already stepped inside. Many who’d heard her call had followed her in as well.

At first, Armin didn’t think they’d all fit, but she was magic made flesh and didn’t seem particularly worried either. Must be bigger inside...

And so a crowd proceeded to walk through the opening of a little beige tent, curiosity getting the better of them and imaginations running wild.

His eyes widened as he stepped through the flap. It was spacious of course but definitely larger than he expected. Books piled neatly in every available area- on the bookshelves, on the tables, the chairs, even the floor. It was more a library than a room, but it still had personal touches like detailed portraits that couldn’t have been drawn and written-on papers stuck on random places on the wall.

He looked to see what the witch was doing as he took a closer look at the books. Hermione had already retreated to the bookshelf in the back where she was feverishly flipping through pages. He tried reading some of the titles but found that they were all in a different language... Maybe if she stays long enough she can teach me...

The length of her stay was unknown, but if staying longer meant that he could have access to all of these books, he’d gladly accept her as an ally.

He heard a book snap shut. 

“Alright, you can stop the ogling. I’ve found the book, we can all leave, though I can always take you on a tour later...” A tour? He’d definitely take her up on that offer, “but you’ll have to earn those privileges.” Hm?

What would that imply? Getting into her good graces? Proving their worth?  He wasn’t sure, though he was aware it could partially be a joke.

He stalled, just trying to soak it all in. If this is just what she can bring with her... imagine how she lives regularly, stably with no intentions of travel.... a home filled with magic day in, day out. Must be wonderful... 

Must get boring... 

He realized now why she was so nonchalant with her magic. She’d had it all her life- this just didn’t surprise her anymore. 

To be honest, she performed magic like it was a drag, a tool- not like what it was: a phenomenon that should be stared at in awe. And if he were being brutal, he’d say he saw more life in her when she was explaining a story than when she was performing magic.

She herded them out, becoming more and more visibly irritated. But he couldn’t blame her, they were stalling... but could she blame them, this was magic.

Wait, did that portrait just move?

Right as he got out of the tent he felt a hand on his shoulder- Commander Erwin!

“Are you alright enough to use the ODM gear?” Armin nodded. So this is when we finally get some answers...

“Then put on a shirt and put on your gear, we’re headed to the basement.”

“Yes Sir!”

Once he found an unused shirt and put on his gear, he met up with Eren, Mikasa, Hange, Captain, and Commander Erwin.

“We have reason to believe that the basement of his home in Shiganshina houses a secret of the Titans that not even he is aware of. If we can just reach this basement, we may be able to obtain information that will help us break free from the Titans’ century-long tyranny.”

Commander Erwin's words echoed in his ear as he swung down to his hometown. The place where it all began...

He walked with caution despite knowing the enemy had already gone. His body jittered with anticipation, yet he still couldn’t force himself to move faster. His pace mirrored that of Eren’s. Because even though Armin knew the way like the back of his hand- he followed Eren since it was his home and his father’s basement they were going to.

He continued to walk in relative silence, observing every little change made by Armored and Colossal Titan, and the years of neglect.

What would they find in that basement? Formulas for making people Titans? Journals filled with intensive Titan knowledge in relation to their biology? Maybe to their history?

Armin wasn’t sure but he was ready to find out.

They stopped on a familiar set of stairs, “Is this it?” the Commander asked. Yes.

But he couldn’t find the voice to say it. Years of guilt about not going with them- not being strong enough rushed back to him. It froze him the same way he froze on that fateful day. He shut his eyes tight. Mikasa and Eren don’t see you that way. They say they owe their lives to you- that you saved them that day you called Mr. Hannes instead of running with them.

He shook his head, blonde strands hitting his cheeks. He’d have to start tying it up soon, either that or cut it...

They began cleaning up the area, unburying the doors to the basement that would lie underneath all the rubble. It was tedious work, slow too. Every minute or so an old memory would resurface, impeding their progress. But finally, they found the outer door- and in surprisingly well condition too. 

With lanterns lighting their way, they made it down the basement. There was no flooding, no obvious damage- it just looked old. Good, there’s been no tampering.

Commander Erwin then nodded to Eren, permitting him to unlock the door. For too long, Armin heard the clinking of metal but no actual click. Is that the wrong key? Or no- was it the wrong lock?

“What’s wrong?” asked Hange. “Is everything alright?” asked the Commander. “Eren?” asked Mikasa. 

It’s not this lock. Did someone change the lock?

Armin began to sweat. Maybe it’s a lock inside, he reasoned, Mr. Jaeger wouldn’t give him that key for no reason.

“Hurry it up,” Captain Levi said impatiently.

“This... this key... It doesn’t go to this door..”

“What?”

“You’re kidding... I’m certain that’s the key Dr. Jaeger had.” Well, if Mikasa’s certain...

He tried to soothe their worries... and his own, “Maybe it’s to a different lock, one that’s inside the door- if we can just get inside...”

“Step aside,” he pushed Eren away, “I’ll open it.” Through rushed objections and hasty steps back, Captain Levi kicked down the door. Heedless of splinters, the Captain pushed through the broken door.

He let Commander Erwin in first, with the rest of the group following inside. It was pitch black dark, but after lighting a lamp, they became surrounded by papers, books, and jars. It looks normal, too normal...

He began looking around as they talked about the Laboratory’s skillful camouflage. After being reminded to begin searching by Levi, everyone found their own little nooks to start investigating in. 

As Armin pulled out books, reading titles and flipping pages for clues, he checked the walls behind which the books were stored. After a while of nothing, he heard the clang of metal hit the floor. 

Mikasa?

“Eren, There’s a keyhole right here,” she kneeled down at the side of the desk. Ah, this has to be it.

They walked closer to the desk. They carried the lamps they brought with them making the keyhole even more visible. 

They gathered around Eren as he put the key in the lock, “It opened.” I wonder what we’ll see- “It’s empty?!”

No, that can’t be! There has to be- 

“Look closer.” Oh. “It’s a false bottom,” the Captain said as he lifted it out of the way to reveal three leather-bound books.

Armin was secretly pleased with what they had found. This was something accessible, easily digestible. They weren’t unknown liquids to be analyzed but knowledge to be memorized- internalized. Something within Armin’s reach and expertise... something viable.

They took them out of their protective bed and set them on the desk. “It smells like peppermint and charcoal. Were these treated to keep moisture and bugs away?” Hange inquired, holding a bundle of cloth. If so, what was Mr. Jaeger preparing for... Did he know what was coming? Did he know they’d be left untouched for years?

“We were looking for something... and these must be it,” the Commander confirmed. They must be.

They waited for Eren to open the first book, “I wonder what it was my dad wanted to show me...” We all are...  

Mikasa placed her hand on Eren’s, a gesture of encouragement and proof of their bond. Eren gazed back at her in appreciation. Armin smiled. 

Hopefully, they would realize each other’s true feelings. Armin was tired of playing oblivious and being uninvolved. He would go insane if he had to sit through another year of their current dynamic. It was obvious they both loved each other. Maybe one day Armin would give them the push they needed... but not now. No, they needed to do it on their own.

They carefully separated the cover to see its first page. “This is... a portrait?” Eren asked, holding the slip of paper up for everyone to see.

“Let me see that,” Hange grabbed the image to look closer, “No... it’s far too detailed for this to be drawn by a person.” Did they just say it was too detailed?

“Wait, can I have a closer look, there’s something familiar about it...” 

“Familiar...?”

“Yes, I-“ he gingerly received the portrait and examined it with care. It looked very similar to the portraits in the witch’s tent. Except the witch’s were in color and this... was not. “The witch has similar images in her tent. She might even know more about them.”

“You’re right. Now that you mention it, I remember seeing a couple of them on the walls...”

“And some on her desk too. Good job on making the connection, Armin.” Armin blushed at the Commander's praise. He handed the portrait to the Commander to take a closer look, but mid-transfer Mikasa noticed something. 

“That’s Dr. Jaeger’s writing- on the back.”

A date? Explanation?

Commander Erwin turned the image to read its back out loud, “This is no illustration.” Armin held his breath in anticipation; he found that he couldn’t breathe if he tried.

“Instead, this uses light reflected off a subject and burns the image on a special paper. It’s called a photograph.”

A... pho- to- graph?

“I come from a place outside the walls-” We weren’t the only ones... This whole time we believed we were the last survivors, but testament to Grisha Yeager’s words- and even the witch’s presence- that wasn’t true...

“-where humanity lives in elegance. Humanity has not perished... I pray the person who finds this book is a fellow patriot.” A patriot? No need to get worked up Armin- the book will answer your questions.

Commander looked up from reading to find the gobsmacked faces of his companions- even Captain Levi looked mildly surprised.

“We have what we need, let’s take the books and head back. We’ll need to be at Trost by dawn.”

He resisted the urge to stay and read but it was true. If they’d have stayed to read the books- especially with the lack of sunlight- they’d have found themselves engrossed all night.

They swiftly returned to the surface, closing the door behind them and covering it with more rubble to hide their tracks. They didn’t need anyone knowing they had something worth risking lives for.

“Let’s go.”

They hurried back up the wall to find the tent had disappeared- along with the barrier.

They walked until they reached Jean and Connie with a surprisingly well-looking Sasha. Her face was no longer pale and sweaty and she was sitting upright eating some rations. She waved to them happily, and he shot Jean and Connie a confused look. Before he could ask, Captain Levi beat him to it, “Oi, what’s up with Sasha?”

“Captain. Hermione- the witch asked if she could help heal the soldiers. I told her she could if she healed Sasha first,” Jean answered.

“Tch, dangerous call. Have there been any side effects?”

All three shook their heads, but Connie took the opportunity to take a jab at Sasha, “None so far, Sir. She’s back to being her old Potato girl-self-“

“-hey!” Sasha said with a mouth full of food.

Armin chuckled, at least one thing stayed the same.

Levi looked up at Erwin, having a silent conversation with their eyes. “Where’s she now?” The commander asked.

“She’s healing all the others- here, we’ll take you to her.”

Commander Erwin nodded.

Her eagerness to help them was well, presumably as their prisoner- was a bit baffling. She could dissolve whole boulders into pebbles and she would probably kill them all and disappear without a trace... So why did she stay? He could admit- while even knowing what she was capable of- that she wasn’t currently a threat. But even so… the potential was just too large to ignore...

But now he hears that she’s going out of her way to heal people... 

Did- did we just stumble on an incredibly powerful, benevolent military ace? He was beginning to think so.

They followed Jean as he led them deeper into the makeshift sickbay of their camp.

They could easily spot her kneeling beside an unconscious man on his back, a few of the man’s comrades watched her hopefully... and warily. Her hair obstructed most of her upper body in an almost gravity-defying way, but from what he could tell, she was moving over the man with much patience and care.

Captain Levi walked up to her with no warning and grabbed a clear bottle holding brown liquid from her hands.

As she turned around, her eyes flashed amber. Uh oh. “Yes,” she crossed her arms, obviously irritated with the Captain and very not afraid to show it. “That’s very expensive, you know, I’d like it back.”

She bought this somewhere... there are more like her then.

The Captain just ignored her which caused the girl to huff in annoyance, “What is it?”

“It’s Essence of Dittany -“ Oh, the medicinal plant... But how did it heal Sasha that fast- of course! She’s a witch. She must have put a spell on the plants to make them work faster... or something like that. “-from the leaf, Dittany,” she dangled her bag of Dittany mockingly at the Captain. Armin almost dropped his jaw in horror at the sight. Though all the Captain did was take the bag too.

After handing it to Commander Erwin, he almost seemed to joke with her, as if she were a long time comrade- 

Did- did he trust her?

Her hair frizzled and crackled in response, almost like instead of wearing her emotions on her sleeve, she wore them in her hair… interesting.

She pointed her finger at Captain Levi, “Oh, I’ll have you know that I have never slacked a day in my life.” She crossed her arms again; her bottom lip stuck out as she looked up at the Captain... It was kind of adorable. “I’m quite the workaholic you know.” …Why would she be proud of that?

“Unlikely,” the Captain said just to wind her up, though it was obvious that she really was a workaholic. The witch had been helping them almost nonstop and she’d just met them.

A strategic gain if she was their ally...

It was obvious the Captain had hit a soft spot for her so when the crackling in her hair began to die down- like the calm before a storm- others backed away, while some stepped in to protect. But the Captain just stood there smugly. What?

“So, think I’m poisoning your soldiers or what?” She was pretty bold. It was admirable, but also a little stupid. Hange spoke up to answer her but there were no questions actually answered, just directionless possibilities.

“You know there are easier ways to kill people,” she murmured into her hair. Why would she say that?! Why would she point that out?

“I know,” the Captain replied calmly. And so the same face Hermione was wearing was plastered on all his comrades’ faces as well.

She seemed particularly annoyed with the Captain because when she stood, her face wore a look of absolute contempt. She straightened her back and tried to meet him eye to eye. Unfortunately, she was still shorter. 

There were only a few that could rival the Captain's shortness- Historia definitely, but it was rare. Hermione was a next contender.

She brandished her wand, and he wouldn’t even have been able to pull out his blades fast enough before she cast some sort of dangerous spell- and oh, she just wanted to be taller than him... 

Oh my god, she just wanted to be taller than him!

Was he living in some sort of mummer’s play right now?

She crossed her arms and relished in looking down at their Captain. Hermione smirked down at him, though it lost its original spunk when the Captain just rolled his eyes. He must really like her.

Thankfully, the Commander put a stop to it all and allowed her to continue her work.

She shyly stepped off the stool and gave a weak, “Yes, Sir!” 

She vanished the stool and put her hands on her hips. She was staring very obviously at Hange. Wide, doe eyes trying to capture their curious, enraptured Section Commander’s. Instead, her wide, brown eyes captured the attention of his own. 

After being handed her items, she directed her gaze toward Hange. “You’re next in line after this soldier. Can’t have a wound so close to the brain getting infected,” she spoke with authority, an authority that, apparently, Hange was willing to cooperate with.

She gave him a small smile, then proceeded to continue healing the unconscious soldier.

This had truly been the most confusing day of his life-

Did- did she just order Section Commander Hange?

…I guess she did… 

What?!

Their superiors- Hange being an exception- had already gone to deal with arranging their leave, leaving Armin alone with his friends. They needed to finish telling him what happened. They hurried back to the main part of camp.

“So...” he began awkwardly, “I’m a Titan now...”

Jean slapped a hand to his forehead, “That’s right! We never got around to telling you everything.” 

So far he was only aware of how they defeated Reiner and how he was taken away by the Cart Titan... also how he and Eren defeated Berthold and how he became a Titan.

“Yeah, I just need to know what happened on the other side right?” They nodded. “Also, we already filled Sasha in on everything when she woke, so this’ll just be new to you.” Armin nodded at Connie’s words.

They began telling him about how the plan he made, last minute, came into fruition. How, together, the witch- which he had to remind himself to call Hermione- and Levi defeated the Beast Titan who was now in their custody.

And how Hermione had actually helped to take care of him when he was burned. I’m- I’m Hermione by the way- 

Was that her voice in his head? Had he remembered her voice from when he was burned?

He mentally shook himself to forget about it, it was probably all in your head anyways. He gestured for them to continue. 

After telling him what prompted Hermione’s story, they all agreed that he was basically all caught up. 

Apparently, she was implying that there were more people like her, that they’ve just never been exposed to it before. Could she be... from outside the walls? We can always ask later…

Then what to do now?...

Though his body felt tired his mind was awake from everything he’d just learned. He looked at Eren and Mikasa. Should we tell them what we’ve learned now? They shrugged, understanding his look.

He figured it was the right thing to do, to let them in before everyone else was informed. They were his friends of course, and a part of the Levi Squad, it wouldn’t be anything but right to do.

So he told them what they found, shushing them every few minutes or so as to not draw any attention to themselves. But by the end of the hectic exchange, Connie, Jean, and Sasha were left stunned. And rightly so; what they’d discovered changed everything.

For most of the afternoon, as they waited for Hermione to finish healing their soldiers, they sat by Sasha and watched her progress. After a while, she was even okay enough to walk on her own.

And Armin had seen her wounds- they all had. It shouldn’t have been possible, but it was; their friend was now in perfectly fine condition. 

He hadn’t seen what she did, and Jean and Connie’s secondhand recant hadn’t been enough to quell his curiosity. He bid his friends a brief farewell before going to find the witch. He needed to see her process- what she did to heal his comrades and maybe learn why in the process.

She was much deeper into the sickbay now, her posture much more slouched but she moved with no less patience and care. Her process seemed to be the use of a spell- its function unknown, and the use of either the Essence or the actual leaf depending on the severity of her patient’s wounds. Essence was used for more serious injuries while the leaf was for minor ones.

He saw her shuffle to what seemed to be the last injured soldier. He looked back to where he’d come from. In his wake lay the relieved smiles from previously injured and uninjured alike. How could she forget about herself in the process? She didn’t know these people- worse, they were obviously wary of her.

When it came to self-preservation, he observed that staying alive seemed to be her bottom line. And though she did seem a bit haunted before blocking that first Boulder from the Beast Titan... she seemed to be in a trance while doing so. And that “haunted” trance she was in... she was reacting on impulse. She had seen things- dangerous things- cruel things-

He shook his head.

But here ? In her normal state? She seemed to not care if she overexerted herself at all. 

Well... 

She was a self-proclaimed workaholic...

He watched as she shuffled towards the entrance of the sickbay, face covered by her mass of hair. It’s almost like a dark cloud… like a cloud at night…

Though it was noticeably more… depleted looking? Flat almost… like it had lost some of its life.

Her hair really is a reflection of her mood...

And her clothes… what kind of material were her pants? And her boots were thick-soled and cut off right above the ankle. Her sweater seemed to be the only familiar article of clothing on her. But what did he know- much of the world was a mystery to him. This just may be normal where she comes from.

He walked to her side to make sure she was okay. Sensing that she wouldn’t notice him until he was directly in front of her, he blocked her path. 

“You should rest a bit before we leave...” Though he already knew her name, he debated using it so casually with her. They’d just met and she was technically still their prisoner. Then he remembered the voice he thought was hers, introducing herself. Oh well, “Hermione right? Your name is Hermione?”

Her smile was genuine if not a bit tired, “Mhm, like in the Greek myths and Shakespearean tales...” she slightly slurred. What were those?

But before he could ask, she stumbled during her attempt to keep walking. She’s practically dead on her feet... He caught her before she could fall, right arm over her shoulder, the other holding her left hand to keep her steady. 

He walked her to a clearing outside of the sickbay and sat her down in the middle. He felt a bit awkward, but he didn’t know why. His nervous energy came out in the form of an awkward laugh and the scratching of the back of his neck. “I... don’t know what those are, but I’d love for you to tell me about them-“ Her doe eyes sparkled with joy. Her full lips fell into a wide smile, eyes crinkling to match- Full lips? When had he noticed - 

Almost all traces of exhaustion left her face as she clasped her hands in delight- even her hair seemed to regain some of its vitality.

Woah...

Sensing she was about to speak he interrupted her. He didn’t want to tire her out even more than she already was. She needed rest, not an eager listener expecting a full-length lecture.

“Oh no- not right now-“ and even though he knew it was for the best, watching her face return from joyful to tired made him feel guilty, “-you need rest. You’ve been working all afternoon, nonstop.” He watched her check the sky. Her mouth formed a small o in realization.

Yes, all afternoon.

She began to lay down right on the spot, a testament to how exhausted she really was. “A-alright, I guess- maybe another time,” she yawned. 

He smiled in amusement. She yawns like a cat .

“Yes, definitely another time.” He would make sure she made full of that promise. 

He waited a few beats, watching her eyes grow heavier and heavier by the second. Feeling sure that she would be okay enough to be left alone, he turned to leave but then he felt a small hand grab his wrist. Her thumb rubbed small circles on his skin and he looked back at her in alarm. He’d- he’d never been touched like that before... 

He was ashamed to say- but he liked the feeling. It was obvious she was out of it and didn’t know what she was doing, but he craved the way she rubbed gentle circles into his skin. Armin, I think you’re losing it.

“I’m really glad you’re back,” her smile was disarming and open, and his breath caught in his throat. What was she doing to him?

I guess she is just charming like that...

He nodded, finding that he didn’t have anything to stay and slipped his arm for her already loosening grasp. 

He watched as she curled up into a ball, holding onto her possessions for dear life. It’s probably all she has at the moment- and all she’ll have for a while...

After her eyes finally shut for the last time he turned to walk back to his friends.

But then he saw Captain Levi approaching him with a raised brow. I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?

“She’s done, yes?”

“Uh yes... What will we be doing with her, Sir?”

“We’ll bind her hands,” the Captain rolled his eyes, “Though it won’t serve any practical purpose. It’ll just be... a formality of sorts.”

“Yes, Captain. And afterwards?”

“We don’t have time to waste. We’ll be leaving soon,” he turned around to leave but stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder. “She’ll be riding with you.

Armin froze, but gave a nervous chuckle, “With me Sir? Why?”

“You two seem to get along,” he looked at Armin as if he knew something, “And we don’t want any more trouble on the way back.”

“Yes Sir. Of course.” 

Captain nodded to him and then took his leave. Armin let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. Did they get along? Enough for her to be partnered with him?  

Perhaps. Perhaps in relation to everyone else.

He sighed, walking to find some rope to bind her hands.

A formality he’d said, he scoffed internally. This was anything but formal.

Once he had found some rope, he walked back up to her, hesitating as he grew closer and closer to her sleeping form. He didn’t want to wake her- for her own sake and his own- but orders were orders.

He left the beaded bag hanging on her wrist and briefly wondered what to do with her “wand”. Fearful of accidentally breaking the “wand” as he was riding, he experimented with the bag, wondering if the “wand” would stay put if he tightened the opening around itself. 

He carefully opened the bag and slipped the “wand” inside only for it to just fall in completely. What hap- oh right, magic.

He tightened the end of the bag and then continued to bind her wrists. He was surprised by how still she stayed as he worked. She was deep in slumber and by the looks of it- probably wouldn’t wake until they were on horseback. 

He carried her bridal style to where his friends were waiting to depart. What an odd feeling material her pants were...

He set her down on her feet to lean on him as they stood. Her hair, a sort of pillow against the hard muscle of his upper arm.

Connie laughed at the scene in front of him, “Woah- what’s up with you and the witch?”

“Nothing's “up” with us. Captain just ordered that she ride with me on the way back.”

“Oh, tough luck there, bud, it’ll be hard riding with an unconscious person on board.” I guess...

“Yeah, but it’ll be fine though. I can make it.”

“Of course you can. We believe in you,” Eren clasped his hand on his open shoulder. Armin gave him a shy smile in return. “Thanks, Eren.”

“Let’s go already! I’m just salivating at the thought of that “Welcome home, Success Feast” we're gonna get as soon as we get back.” Sasha’s eyes glazed over at the thought of meat being served to her soon. They all chuckled at her antics.

“Alright, alright, let’s go.”

Hip to hip with Hermione, he swung down to the ground where their horses awaited. As soon as he found his horse he froze. 

Alright then- how are we getting on…?