Night Changes

It wasn't to say that Armin and Hermione weren't aware of what had happened last week. In fact, Hermione and Armin were very much aware of the… indulgences that occurred the week prior.

If the teasing, whispers, and suggestive looks were anything to go by, it seemed his drunken assurance of formality and propriety did absolutely nothing for his fellow Scouts.

It was just that, through either sheer willpower or genuine closeness (and despite the awkward morning after) they'd managed not to let it change their dynamic too much.

The same could not be said for what had transpired later that week...

He sighed, eyes closed as he soaked in the last bits of sun from the sky.

They both had the day off- no work required whatsoever. And they chose to spend it at the Orphanage as it could be the most relaxing place within the walls at times.

But despite it being relaxing, it was still quite a bit of work, so after a long day of chasing kids and picking miscellaneous items out of Hermione's hair (and an even longer week in general)- laying next to Hermione on that soft bed of grass felt like bliss.

He smiled as he felt Hermione burrow deeper into the grass with a sigh.

Armin was particularly grateful for this day with just the two of them.

Ever since her "stunt" a week ago, his Commanding Officers had finally begun to believe that she had nothing menacing to hide.

How that seemed to be the final nail in the coffin proving Hermione's true allegiances- he wasn't sure, but it worked out well enough.

But on the days following her brazen, drunken act, Hermione was in the constant company of not only Armin, but of the Commander, Section Commander, and Captain as well- making it hard for them to discuss where exactly they stood in their previously all-platonic relationship.

He glanced to the side to see her, eyes closed in comfort as a languid smile played at her lips. He looked back up at the darkening sky.

Many of the obstacles that had previously been keeping them from pursuing any type of romantic relationship were now gone. That had, then, left them the option to actually begin something- though not very publicly. It was, at first, a rocky guessing game of where they stood.

Nonetheless, the days after were relatively easy-going. The awkwardness had faded and the blushing, teasing, and intellectual back and forth continued as per usual.

Armin nervously played with the grass beneath his fingers.

It was what Hermione had learned in those formal Scout briefings that had begun to strain their easy-going relationship. Though, retrospectively, it might've been more of his fault than hers- no, it was most definitely his fault.

He sighed softly.

"What's on your mind, Armin?" No Meer.

No Meer? Had they backtracked so severely that she no longe-

"Hey," he felt her nudge his arm with her elbow, "What's been going on in that brilliant mind of yours?"

He turned his head to face her with a playful smirk, "My brilliant mind? What about yours?"

She rolled her eyes with a smile, "Do try not to avoid the question, it's unbecoming of you."

He turned his head back to face the sky, "Is it now?"

"Mm," she let a beat pass by before elaborating, "In the short time that I've known you, you've not seemed the type to shy away from what needs to be said- no matter how much it may hurt the listener."

He spoke with a nervous chuckle, "You've got me all figured out, haven't you?"

"Perhaps… though, I'd have even more if you told me what's been bothering you."

He looked back at Hermione to see that her brow was raised at him knowingly.

There was no eluding Hermione's knowing gaze, just as there was no eluding his.

"It's just that… you know what I am now-"

She sent him a confused look.

"-that I'm a Titan, the Colossal Titan even- the God of Destruction. It's inevitable, what damage I'll cause- how many lives I'll take… that's not necessarily the greatest look, you know… it's- being… that," he choked out resentfully, "is not a good thing to be." Especially when you're so… when you're so…

Pure.

He knew how spooked she was during his Titan transformation- how shocked she was by the sight. And by all accounts, she shouldn't have been as friendly as she was. To him- to all of them… and yet, she was.

And although he wasn't too bothered by the thought when they were first acquainted, it certainly ate at him now.

It was just that… he was worried- how could he not be?

He was riddled with sins.

He scoffed internally- he was a soldier in a harsh world- of course, I'd be riddled with sin… But did Hermione deserve to be tied to that? Did she even want to be?

And for all his belief in the inexistence of a good person or a bad one, he couldn't help the uncertain voice in his head that eagerly put Hermione in the category of good.

From everything he'd seen of Hermione- from her altruism, her impartiality, to her kindness towards strangers- he was, shamefully, left wondering if he even deserved to be her friend.

"Meer," she grasped his hand in hers and his eyes went from scanning her face to staring at her warm brown eyes.

"If you're worried about how I see you- nothing has changed-"

"-Bu-"

She squeezed his hand gently, "-But nothing. From the day we first spoke, and I mean truly spoke, I had already watched you eat someone alive… if that Titan could even be called you in the first place."

She wiggled closer to him, arms now adjacent, "And I may not have known what that would entail, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I had already come to terms with it," she took a deep breath, "I was disturbed, yes, but it never lasted long."

His eyes nervously searched her face for falsehood but found none.

"What- what made you come to terms with it so fast?"

She shrugged, "I decided to learn more, judge later."

Armin's Ocean eyes stared, transfixed with her honest gaze.

"And you know what I learned?"

He shook his head, mesmerized by her words, her voice, by her kind, open eyes.

"That you were caring and kind, a person I knew could trust… even though you were quite the sneaky fellow-"

"-hey! I resent that!" Though his words were harsh, his eyes spoke a different tale- one of fondness and joy.

"That that sneakiness," she smiled playfully, "was a product of that smart, cunning mind of yours mixed with this military life you live." She looked up at the sky, yet Armin's eyes stayed on her face.

"I learned you were clever, thoughtful, stern yet gentle, a bookworm like me," she smiled softly.

"And I think… I think that everything I've learned and how I feel because of it trumps any way I may feel about you being the "Colossal Titan".

And with her latter words, he became nervous once again. "And… and how do you feel about me being the Colossal Titan?"

Her face dimmed with remorse, "Mostly sad."

He was rather surprised by her answer.

"Sad?" He said apprehensively, "Why?"

She looked away, curls dampening with her mood, "It's well- I- I don't- I don't even know if I'm qualified to feel this way. There are so many people who've known you longer- who know you better- who've cared for you long before I ever entered the picture but… it's because- well, you… you only have thirteen years left. Thirteen," she whispered, almost to herself. "And probably even less with your military lifestyle and by Merlin, Armin-" She inhaled deeply to try and quell her quickening breath.

Armin's heart stuttered in his chest.

"I can't- I don't want to even think of what that could-" her voice faltered abruptly, filled with the distress that she'd been keeping inside since she'd learned. And with that, Armin cursed his incompetency, his awkwardness- he cursed his insecure nature and self-involved despondency.

He immediately rolled onto his side- almost hovering above her- and with his free hand, cradled her cheek. Armin gently turned her face towards his.

He was not there for her then, but, by Maria, he'd be there for her now.

"Mond," he leaned down to let their foreheads touch as her free hand wrapped around to clutch the back of his shirt, "It's okay, mein Mond."

Gradually, she relaxed into his embrace and they began to inhale and exhale in sync, chests moving in harmony.

"I'm here, I'm right here," and Hermione nodded against his head.

She was quiet for a while before she whispered, "But how long will that last?"

"For as long as you'll have me, for as long as you'll stay- I'll be here, I'll make sure of it." And he meant every last word he'd said.

"Oh…"

Oh?

"... that's right, I… I still have to go home."

Oh.

"You'd- you'd forgotten?"

She sent him a sheepish look, "I mean… the thought is always there- in the forefront of my mind, but sometimes... I tend to forget…" She looked away but he could still see her look was one of guilt.

Oh… Armin blushed.

She forgets when she's with me…

Ignoring the light flutter he felt in his chest, he rubbed gentle circles into her cheek. And since her skin was earth-made flesh he could not make out a blush, but he could feel her face warm under his ministrations, see the way her hair seemingly preened at his touch.

He smiled as her face continued to heat and as her hair continued to grow.

How did I get so lucky... as to exist in a world with you in it… even for just a moment.

"I'm honored to have made you feel at home in a place so far from yours. I hope I wasn't too much of a distraction though- I wouldn't want you to regret anything." Especially anything concerning me.

She shook her head, "Weirdly enough, I… don't really regret anything I've done since I've gotten here. Well- except for..." A small smile started to creep up on her face, "Except for all those times Uncle Levi made me clean without magic."

Her hand left the back of his shirt to clutch hers instead. She huffed, but it couldn't hide the smile in her eyes, "Ugh, it always left my back feeling as gammy as a quidditch player's."

Armin rolled his eyes at her antics, grateful for this lighthearted respite. A quidditch player? Surely not to that extent.

He swiftly rolled onto his back, taking her along with him. And with her lying flush against him, he asked, "This better for your back?"

Stray curls tickled his cheek as she nodded against the side of his head, "Mhm, so much better- in fact, I think I've already forgotten what ailed me."

He chuckled into her hair-covered neck as his arms wrapped around her waist, "C'mon Mond, with all that talk of "preferring the muggle way", I'd have thought you'd love cleaning for Captain Levi."

"Maybe if Captain Levi wasn't so Captain "Leviy", then sure," she shrugged against his chest.

He breathed out a huff of a laugh, "I thought you were warming up to your…" it was still hard for him to stomach, "Uncle Levi. Has he not been up to par lately?"

In all honesty, he thought it was brilliant- a thing of beauty really- the way that two people of extremely different features and backgrounds could see each other as family (even if it was mostly in jest). He just couldn't really get past that last hurdle of referring to the Captain with any type of informality.

"No," she pushed herself up off his chest and caged him with her arms- successfully blocking the sun from his view- almost like a solar eclipse.

He chuckled internally. In just how many ways would she be the moon to him?

"He's been fine- his usual grumpy self, but even then, I don't regret having ever met him either," she grinned as he tightened his arms around her waist.

"So you really don't regret anything- anything you've done here?"

You don't regret last week?

Hermione shook her head, the ends of her curls brushing against his cheek as she whispered, "I don't regret a thing."

His arms held their tight hold as he tried to understand his own feelings, what they meant- what they said…

Why do you have to go?

Hermione sighed, lowering her forearms onto his chest. She then laid her cheek against her arms and her usually warm eyes looked up at him with sorrow, "For so many reasons... reasons that persistently dim in the light of your presence." He blushed bright red.

She answered me? She heard me-

Merlin! She heard me! He mentally slapped himself upside the head.

"O- oh," he replied, stunned.

In his contemplative, wallowing state, he must've said the question out loud.

Oh Sina, she heard me… but her answer…

Armin looked up at the sky in awe and disbelief. My presence… really affects her… like that?

With his arms wrapped around her waist, he slid her up- their heads now leveled- so that he could hide his face in the crook of her neck. Still blushing, he softly asked, "Will you tell me more about your life? I don't mean to pry or to somehow keep you from… leaving but, I just want to know if you'll be happy there- truly happy."

Hermione lifted her head to smile down at him, and warm, crinkled eyes danced across his face to admire his honest mien.

She stared into his eyes before focusing on a rather plain section of his shirt.

Nervously, she began playing with its sleeve, "As you know, I have friends- family really- whom I cherish and who cherish me back…"

The people in her photos…

"We've been through so much together- through so many hardships- through hell… and it's... it's hard to see the rest of my life lived without them by my side," she closed her eyes.

"And I have my work… my life's work," she sighed, "I've spent the past few years of my life tediously making sure that all the members of Magical society get treated with fairness and humility, and respect."

Her forehead fell to meet his and he closed his eyes in response.

"My career means so much to me- it's my passion- my dream, the rights of those creatures mean so much to me and I've worked so hard to get things to where they are, so I can't give up now- I can't lose it all now..."

Even for you.

"I just hope you can understand…"

He squeezed his closed eyes tight, "I do. Unfortunately, I do…"

"Just-" don't forget about me when you go. He sighed, rethinking his next words, "Tell me more about what you do, or why you do it, even how you do it- tell me everything you can really. But most importantly tell me you'll be happy."

She hid her face in the crook of his neck and her first attempt to speak ended abruptly in what sounded like the back of her throat, "Well-"

"-And no rationalizing, no sidestepping, just- will you be happy?"

She seemed to be in thought for a while.

"I… will be happy in a way… tired but… happy. Mmm, satisfied? With a job well done perhaps… content with my friends… It's not the same happiness I receive from being in your presence, but it's happiness nonetheless…" she mumbled into his collar.

Armin nodded in understanding, both warmed and saddened by what she said, "Okay, well," he started, to shift the conversation to something he knew would lift Hermione's mood, "I'm still quite interested in your job, that you actively work for the rights of the "creatures" in your world. Why exactly do you do it? How do you do it?"

She physically perked up, head lifting out of the safe space of his neck before she rolled to the side, hands holding and bodies adjacent once again.

She stared up at the darkening sky.

"I've grown up, surrounded by inequality, by the inequalities based on the inherent features that one cannot change… I've been affected by it myself… in a multitude of ways," she sighed, "People have these preconceived notions and propagandized stereotypes about magical creatures- about people that end up hurting said people. I want to help them because I can understand. I want to help them because, as of now, it seems I'm one of the few who want to or can."

Armin thought of the fear-based hatred the rest of the world had towards them, as consequence of the Titan-wielding abilities that the Eldians had. There was a little voice in his head that couldn't begrudge them of their fear- just months ago, they were afraid of Titans themselves…

To be honest, they still were.

"But what if some of those stereotypes hold truth, what- what do you do then?"

She smiled a small smile, a kind one that let him know she knew what he really meant with those words.

"You remember my friend, the werewolf? The reason why I got here in the first place?"

He nodded.

"Well… he was one of those very cases. He was a potential danger to those around him- but only on full moons, where without the Wolfsbane potion, he could kill his friends, family, or anyone within distance of his wolffish form."

She sighed. "But anytime besides the full moon? He was just like everyone else- meaning he had the same capacity for good and evil as any other wizard or just human even."

She paused as if to mentally test the waters of her next words.

She turned her head to him before squeezing his hand in reassurance.

"Think of your newly acquired powers as another tool you have to protect not destroy. This power isn't evil Armin, and neither are you. You should find ways to use that power- use it to protect the ones you love."

"Your Titan may be the God of Destruction but knowing you, you'll find a way," she almost smirked though sobered quite quickly- that almost smirk transforming into an earnest smile.

"Because you aren't inherently evil, Armin and neither is your Titan… especially when you're so… interconnected and especially when you're so good."

I- I'm good? Hermione thinks I'm good?

B- but-

She continued on, as if what she'd said wasn't something to be debated or reflected on further.

"My friend had a disorder, a disorder in which the treatment for it drastically improved the state of his life and those around him. Because when you have Lycanthropy it's not just the people around you who suffer but the person with it most of all."

"Hermione…" but she went on, emboldened by what seemed the dawning of something important.

"And maybe… by Merlin, just maybe, we can make a potion- something with similar effects- something that'd give clarity and humanity back into these "pure Titans" just like how the Wolfsbane potion gives clarity to Werewolves. Maybe it will even ease the misery- the agony some of these people must be feeling trapped in those things."

"Because they're really just humans, yes? Stuck in a form that strips them of their humanity- thus making them a danger to the people around them? But if we can just counteract that, if we can strip them of the very thing that makes them feared- we can begin the decriminalization process. We can start humanizing Eldians, even in their Titan form, to the rest of the world!"

She grinned, "Yes, yes I think that could be done," her eyes sparkled with vision- hope- and they gleamed as she ran "Arithmancy" calculations in her head (as he knew she would).

He smiled softly- sadly, endeared by her kindness- her idealism, but he was also intrigued. Was she so sure because she'd seen it done before?

"And the treatment that Werewolves face, is it better now because of it- because of the Wolfsbane potion?"

She dragged her free hand down her face, "Yes- it is. Steadily, but not fast enough for my tastes." She sighed, "Public perception is getting better. Mainly because of the reassurance the Wolfbane gives but also because of my friend's role in the… in the war-"

War?

"-and the dismantling of the normalized blood purity rhetoric before it. Not to mention the work my department and I do for a myriad of-"

Blood purity? She's mentioned it before… during those first few days of interrogation…

…

And her friend was a pivotal role in that war?… Her friend…

"-creatures. Our work is breaking down the very boundaries that led to the ostracization of magical creatures. Those myths and stereotypes propagated by blood purists are being countered and debunked little by little every day."

So she must've had close proximity to the war, she was probably targeted by those blood purists-

Dread seeped through his heart. Her scars…

She must've been deeply involved in it… emotionally, as a victim, or maybe even physically, as a soldier.

Both would explain the scars…

"To be honest, the "little" traction we've made is leaps and bounds beyond what has ever been attempted before."

'I've been affected by it myself even', she'd said…

"Wait wait wait, let's backtrack on that. There was a war?"

She stilled before nodding. She closed her eyes in resignation, "Very unlike the wars and battles you may be used to but a war nonetheless. It was a war started on the pride of a soulless, power-hungry being bent on "redeeming" himself from his first great failure. And well… not only that, it was strategically propagated through the guise of blood purity… which, unfortunately, wasn't hard to do."

She opened her eyes and let out a frustrated huff, "Many viewed us as-" Hm?

"Us?"

"O-oh," she smiled sheepishly. "I- I know I don't talk about my past too often… especially when it concerns my scars… and, well- I think you've had an inkling about the connotation of them for a while now..."

Her fingers twitched in his hand, presumably itching to rub at her scar.

"I was in a war for my life and for the lives of everyone affected by that war."

"It's because, well- I'm not considered magically pure by many in the Wizarding world. To them, my blood has been "muddied" by muggles. To them, we are threats to magic- their magic- stealing it from who they deemed pure and worthy of it."

"Their feelings of fear used to be unfounded but understandable- centuries ago, when witches and wizards were murdered by muggles in troves. Now, as you know, we are hidden from the muggle world, "safe and separate"," she rolled her eyes, "and those feelings are no longer understandable to any degree."

"So… the discrimination in your world is parallel with the danger they are deemed to pose on it?"

"Mm, yes but not exactly. The severity of discrimination towards a person or creature can vary depending on the generalized perception of them from society. Most people in the world are othered by others, and whether that ostracization is systematic or not- life-endangering or not, many times, depends on their stereotypes."

"There are different types- different levels of discrimination and all types of "excuses" to justify them. Gosh, sometimes the stereotypes and generalizations can even positively…" Hermione's eyes grew large in realization, "they can positively affect someone's life."

She instantly sat up, Armin following in her stead.

"Yes! Because Metamorphmagi- people who can change their appearance at will- are seen as gifts because of their association with special magic that's common in… certain wizarding families. And they're praised for their powers juxtaposed to how people with Lycanthropy are demeaned, even though if they really wanted, a Metamorphmagus could be just as dangerous as a werewolf."

"It's because they've only been associated with death and suffering in the same way that Titans have only been associated with death and destruction, but look at how much Eren's Titan has helped reconstruct towns and protect your people."

"We just need to prove that Titans can be more than agents of chaos and war- that your abilities can be used for good. Because I know they can, it's just a matter of letting the world know too."

His ears frantically tried to hold on to each word of her rapid speech, it was a talent to be sure.

"Hermione, Hermione, I think that's a beautiful idea- a truly wonderful one. And I know that if anyone can achieve it, you can… but- but do you really think people would be willing to change how they view us just because Titans don't seem mindless anymore?"

"I mean, compared to the centuries of legitimate evidence the world has against us, can they really be blamed for not being able to either."

"Armin," she looked back up at the dusky night sky, "People still affected by your ancestors are allowed their frustrations but never- never should their frustrations amount to revenge- especially on such a mass, non-discriminatory scale. And neither should their grievances be weaponized by their governments as some sort of justification for the oppression of your people."

"Otherwise the cycle will just repeat itself- like it is now. And then others will come along with the same justifications against the Marleyans and begin another violent, vicious cycle that will just never end."

"Yes, you're right," he acknowledged- as she rarely ever wasn't, "That's what should be done… but will it?"

Conscious of the way he worded his reply he backtracked, "Don't get me wrong- I'd love to live in a world where people can negotiate first, kill later. I'd love for people to be able to put aside their differences… but everyone's not us, Hermione- not everyone can see as far ahead as you and me- care about more than just "me and my own" like you and me."

"We're different and we're far and few between," he sighed, "and that won't change anytime soon..."

Hermione was quiet for a while- every thought imaginable was probably crossing her mind, flowing and connecting to finally land at some sort of conclusion. Whether or not she would voice that conclusion would remain to be seen.

"Hm…" her eyes took on a determined cast, "We'll see… We'll see…"

"I mean, it's been done before- in my land. They weren't perfect fixes, but the oppressed groups did come out of their situations better than before. Remember?"

The Americans?

Mm…. although he was in awe of the progress Black Americans made through mostly peaceful/legal opposition, he still felt like their current way of living was nothing he'd view as… ideal- and even if we did manage to live in a multicultural setting, being targeted by any version of this world's MPs or her worlds American police were not exactly winning.

Apparently, there were even major riots just a decade before in America- over the excessive, unjust beatings of a black man during an arrest- unjust beatings that still happened regularly.

That's not the life he wanted for himself or for those who would come after him.

"The thing is, we have something they don't."

"Huh? And what's that?"

"A witch willing to get her hands dirty- a witch able to get her hands dirty," she smiled.

Hands dirty? Was that a jest or was she…

"There'd be no laws or restrictions preventing me from interfering within your affairs. I'll be able to both discreetly and openly use my knowledge and skills to accelerate the progress of your cause."

He was curious still, "To what extent are you willing to get your "hands dirty"?"

"I won't be murdering anyone-"

Oh.

"-no controlling the minds of the masses either- that'd be both unethical and unsustainable-"

Better than me still.

"-Armin," Hermione leaned forward to bring his attention back to her, "You're…" She cupped his cheek, "you're not alone, you know? And you're not evil for it either," she stared into his eyes, willing him to believe it.

"Armin, I've also… ended someone's life."

In his surprise, he sprang forward to lay his hands on her shoulders, "You have?!" Her hand slipped from his cheek.

Easy there, Armin.

He eased the tenseness that his hands had on her shoulders, "I mean, oh- you have?"

She chuckled nervously- awkwardly, her hand rubbing at where he knew her scar to be, "Surprising?"

Well, it shouldn't be. What with me fully knowing you'd been through something traumatizing, it really shouldn't be.

He was speechless for a beat, "I- I mean- yes. Yes. You were just so-"

She raised a brow at him.

He slid his hands down her shoulders to grasp her fidgeting hands, "You just didn't seem like the type to... do that," he finished awkwardly.

She sighed, "You're right, I wouldn't have and- well, I'm still not exactly sure I have either- at least, not in the same context."

"But you-"

"I know, I know, it's just that- you know how I alluded to things not exactly being the best for me during the war?"

He nodded.

"Well… let's just say there wasn't enough time to check if your spell had made a fatal blow or not..." she said, eyes taking on a sad gleam. But his hands tightened around hers in response- in a show of presence, comfort.

"I know for sure that I've caused at least a couple casualties- and whether they were caused directly or not doesn't change the fact that they're gone because of me."

"I have blood on my hands Armin, but that doesn't make me any less capable of goodness and kindness, it's the same goodness and kindness that you hold for your friends- for your people- for all people."

In his continuing awe of her perspective- her outlook- her forgiveness, he couldn't help but feel a little foolish. In his growing endearment of her, he had neglected to take her off this golden pedestal- a pedestal that was both idolizing and dehumanizing.

And though he held her in high regard still- an even higher one than myself, he thought- Hermione was just human, witch or no. Of course, she wasn't this "perfect manifestation of goodness"- that was absurd.

That was insulting.

Armin remembered the way she exaggerated her tears in the courtroom, the way she'd get so engrossed in her work she'd forget to check in on herself and the people around her- Sina, he even remembered how she exploited Captain Levi's endearment of her to escape doing chores.

She was Hermione, flawed and completely capable of exploitation and guile. And although that should've frightened him, it didn't.

In all reality, it only ended up likening Hermione to him even further.

This was the same Hermione he'd known for months. She was always these things- all these things and more… just like he was. The problem was, he'd just been overlooking that though…

"So you see…" She smiled softly- sadly- sheepishly even, "We're really not so different," she said, rubbing soft circles into the hands holding her own.

Armin smiled.

He wasn't seeing her in a new light, no- he was seeing her in a clearer one. One more grounded, but no less appealing- no less admirable.

Armin's face took on a more contemplative mien.

He looked down at their conjoined hands and in that moment, their differences couldn't have been more irrelevant to him.

Their contrasting skin, contrasting languages, even their contrasting worlds were a testament to just how meaningless those things really were between them.

It would all pale in the light of just how right the feeling of simply existing with her really was.

Despite this, despite their shared traits, his self-deprecation persisted- though, now- in a much, much less harsh mode.

"I guess we're not…" he said, eyes crinkling with warmth- with an appreciation that was uniquely Hermione's- or uniquely for her, that is.

Eyes still filled with warmth, he looked up to where a crescent moon was making a slow ascension into the night sky.

It reminded him of how fast time seemed to pass when in her company- of how time truly did fly when it was enjoyed, cherished even.

He looked back down only to recognize the moon's effects on Hermione's hair.

Wow, it looks like-

"-like a cloud," he whispered.

"Hm?"

Shit.

"No-" he chuckled, embarrassed, "U-um- your hair- in the moonlight, it's- um- oh nevermind," he smiled bashfully.

"Hey," she cupped his cheek, "It's alright."

Her eyes were encouraging, if not a bit loving, but it was probably all in his head.

"Alright," he breathily replied.

"Well… your hair," he tucked some of the luminous locks behind her ear, "It reminds me of a cloud when the light hits it just so," he gestured to the certain places where the moon's light looked especially beautiful, "Any light in fact, not just the moon's."

"It's beautiful, truly. It's magical," he looked into those, now, familiar brown eyes, "You're magical."

He watched as she looked down bashfully, their roles now reversed, though- he swore he saw the makings of tears in her eyes.

Armin, not wanting to push his luck, segued, "Oh um, speaking of moonlight, we should uh, probably head back now," he began standing up, brushing off any residual dirt and weeds from his body.

He held out a hand to help her up.

"Yes. Yes, that's right," she sniffled and his hand faltered and his heart dropped.

Did he accidentally insult her? Did he bring back bad memories? Did he-

And then she smiled.

She looked up to hold his hand and the way she smiled. It just- it stole his breath away.

Her smile was beautiful- bright, it replaced his every negative thought with that of the feeling of warmth. Only warmth. Only for her.

Just as her smile was only for him.

"Thank you," she said softly as he helped her stand.

Mesmerized by her gleaming eyes- gleaming eyes that now took on a different context- he could only nod.

She kept her hold on his hand- tightened them in fact. "And Armin? We can change the world, you know," she said, almost clairvoyantly, "I know we can."

Her free hand went to cover their clasped ones and she inspected them fondly.

She chuckled, "Us. Together?" She focused her fond appreciation onto his face once again, "We'd be dangerous."

Humoring her, he smiled boyishly and placed his free hand on top of her's, "To us or to them?"

"Both," she said simply.

"Though," a sly smile crept onto her lovely face, "more so for them, don't you think?"

Somehow, his grin grew, "I'd have to agree with you there, mein Mond. Very dangerous indeed."

"Well then, just as you said, let's get our very dangerous bums out of here and hurry back home."

Home.

It was only a split second, but the very mention of home in relation to a place where they both lived gave him a vision of a future he truly wouldn't've minded.

Hermione looked expectantly at him, eyes warm and accepting and bright, and it was directed at him- for him.

"Mm," he hummed, "Lets," he smiled softly- at her and for what could be with her.

"Let's head back home."