[He didn’t mention that. Ugh, not something she would have said out loud—] Sorry, I mean…
[Armin’s kiss is so soft.]
…It’s a nice place.
[Aubrey falls quiet. All circumstances considered, she’s not surprised Eren never mentioned that the tree was important to Armin and Mikasa, too… it just hasn’t seemed like he ever intended to, either.]
[Secret, sacred places.... The lake flashes through her mind; Armin might glimpse it.
[Yeah. She can guess why Eren stayed quiet.]
[Until he hears Aubrey's thought, it doesn't really occur to him that Eren might not have wanted him to share; doesn't occur to him that he might have just, somehow, cheapened something special to Aubrey. It occurs to him now, and his smile fades just a bit. It was their place first, sure, but...he doesn't mind sharing it...
[He doesn't recognize the lake, but...he's sure he saw one, if only for a moment.]
You know...Eren's always been a deep sleeper like this.
[Armin still has Eren's hand in his.]
I know there must be something more going on, but it's just...familiar. Sometimes he'd sleep for days straight without moving an inch - didn't get up to eat or anything.
[It’s not so much cheapened as it is… different, somehow. Had they been through less, Aubrey might think Eren was lying to her on purpose. But she gets it. It was a past he was avoiding when he introduced it, and since then… well, it’s never been a good time.
[Maybe she’ll ask him about it… but really, what’s to say?]
[Armin’s focus has shifted, for now.] …Days?
[Not too concerned, since Armin doesn’t sound it… but that’s still a long time.] Must’ve been really worn out....
[What was it Levi said? The weight of the world on his shoulders.
[…Oh god, Levi. He’ll be pissed. And she should tell Armin about him, too—but for now, relaxing in the respite, she just watches.]
Back when he was first learning how to use his titan...
[He doesn't need to justify the weight the falls over them when he says that; at least, he doesn't think so. He can certainly feel it. Back then, Eren was just a rookie kid with a new, strange power. None of them knew that he'd eventually use that power to destroy the world.
[After all of that, death was really the only sort of sleep that could be restful enough, wasn't it...?
[The weight isn’t too confusing. Eren was trying to use his titan back in Shiganshina; he must’ve had it back then, years younger. Aubrey doesn’t know the full story of how he got it, or for how long—but, well.
[“…we’re resting the fate of all humanity on your shoulders.” It’d connect.]
[Aubrey’s not certain if that shared, but she might as well:] …Levi. I met Captain Levi, before this.
[Armin recognized the voice instantly, yes, but assumed first that it was only one of Eren's memories, shared through yet another convoluted conduit. Apparently not the case. He can't keep the look of surprise from his face.]
[She manages to keep her tone neutral enough, somehow. Maybe a little too blank, considering she’s trying not to betray any strong opinions; her thoughts haven’t settled enough for even an involuntary one to form.]
At least, that’s where I last saw him.
[But I doubt he’s going anywhere. With a limp like that…? For however much spatial permanence matters here, and if he’s not world-shifting on purpose....]
[Armin's a smart guy. At Aubrey's thought, it's pretty obvious that Levi has come from the same point he has, even if timelines before Eren's death had been a little...disjointed in this universe. Then again, maybe that only applied to Eren, who had infinite access to all of time anyway. It's enough to make Armin's head hurt...
[He nods, understanding.
[He's...sorry that Captain Levi has to be here. If anything, what he deserves is rest, and it's not as if there's much left of their world, but...Armin and Mikasa want to be with Eren. He can't imagine that Levi does...]
Sorry. Whose...turn is it again?
[Armin can also tell that something is going on in Aubrey's head, but she doesn't exactly look as though she wants to share, so...]
[What is there to ask, really? They're all just sort of...stuck here. Captain Levi showing up isn't exactly a surprise at this point. For whatever reason, it just...makes Armin a little sad that he has to be stuck too.
[Aside from that, Captain Levi will always feel like a superior to Armin - a role model, someone to be respected. It doesn't matter that he himself technically in charge now. It feels wrong to talk about him when he's not here. Especially in front of Eren...
[So the question is a reprieve, even for it's...strangeness. Armin wrinkles his nose.]
Is that...really something people think about? I've only ever been with someone the same age, but as long as they were within a similar window, I don't really see how age matters.
[So Armin finds it strange, too. Good. She would’ve started looking at him weird (voluntarily or otherwise) if he didn’t.]
Yeah, it’s like that in my world, too. If you do make a big deal of it you’re kind of a weirdo.
[Somewhere, faintly, Aubrey is reminded that she was not cognizant of Eren’s age, and hadn’t even thought to ask, until… fairly late. But that would have changed things, so her dignity’s intact.] Anyway, uh. Your go.
I think this game just hates you, pal. [Which is… probably not something she should be joking about, but. Come on. First round, heartbreak exposure, now… whatever the hell is going on here.]
[Aubrey shakes her head, sharing the exasperation.] It’s like a microcosm of this whole place. Nice one second, then… [With a vague wave at the TV. Shame there’s no remote; it probably wouldn’t work, anyway.]
Oh, and no. I haven’t received a homemade chocolate. [She’s not sure if it’s supposed to be a chocolate-something, but the answer’s no anyway.]
[He looks exasperated. Is the next question going to ask about his worst break-up, his first time, or whether or not someone has ever drawn a heart on a piece of paper in the same room as him? Ridiculous...]
[It's easy to lie. Armin does it all the time. He's a fantastic liar, in fact. Unfortunately, the universe doesn't seem to care about that; he can't bring himself to no matter how hard he tries - and if he tries too long, the answer will be obvious anyway.
[So, he offers a weak echo instead.] In front of Eren...?
[He stares at his sleeping friend. Eren's brow is pinched. He must be hearing all of this too...]
I...
Not...not without...talking to him first...?
[Oh, yikes...]
I'm sorry! I really don't mean anything by that-- I-I'm sorry.
[Thing is, (Aubrey’s realizing, as Armin stalls and sputters,) she could’ve said “no way” or “not interested” or literally anything except “in front of our love interest?”.
[These are also things Armin could be saying.]
Look, [she says, no sooner has Armin finished; back to being flat,] this world’s grilled me and Eren before. And not playing along isn’t an option, so—
Try to ask me something else, and if that doesn’t work, then. [Quick glance to Eren. Aubrey can’t quite read his expression, maybe it’s the angle or that he’s asleep, but. Well, he knows what this place can be like. A quick thought his way—Sorry—but it’s better than tempting another barrage, right…?]
[Back to Armin. Small shrug. Finishing the sentence:] Fuck it.
["Fuck it"? Surely, she can't be serious. Then again, she doesn't exactly look as though she's playing around. Lord, but Armin Arlert can blush. Eren is one thing. He's never had a girl want to kiss him before-- Not that she's saying she wants to or anything!!!]
I...
[He glances at the TV, waiting for a number. They seem to roll on forever...
[Aubrey is quickly losing the resolve she scraped up for that little speech. When the question hits, she rubs her face, groaning.] Ughhh…
See, I would’ve said no, right? Not in that way. No offense, it’s not you, just—
[Rip off the band-aid, girl.] I kinda screwed myself over with that answer, earlier. You’re… strong. And your blush is kinda cute I guess and the point is, it’s a dumb game and Eren is my husband no matter what.
[The world forced that little hastily-mumbled part out of her. Totally.] So.
[“I don’t think that’s some big mystery…” Nail bat right to whatever facade she had left!]
[She’s not sure if she’s grateful for the “dare,” sparing them another round of sputtering madness, or if she hates it because it kinda feels like there’s no way she’s not taking it. Maybe it’s that competitive spirit, burning in her yet. Or, moreso, it’s how Armin looks like this, boyish and blushing. It’s very… human. Not that that was ever in question for him, when he was so expressive and alive from the getgo, but…
[At some point Aubrey started petting Eren’s hair, as if to apologize and/or reassure him in advance; that hand goes still, resting on him, while the other reaches for Armin’s chin. If he was anyone else she might just dive in, get it over with, but it’s Armin and that feels crass.]
[Aubrey shrugs, as if her face isn’t threatening to match her hair.] Dare’s a dare.
[Armin gulps down a nervous lump in his throat. Will Eren mind? Surely, he will. Then again, he'd kissed Armin and Aubrey hadn't minded (at least, Armin hopes not). It's strange to feel that he and Eren's relationship is both tenuous and the strongest its ever been.
[How could anything this low stakes not turn out okay after everything they've been through?
[Armin is a good kisser. He's had a lot of practice. He cups her face with one hand and kisses her. It doesn't drag on and on - he has no ulterior motives. But it's a full kiss, lips parting around lips, moving together and then breaking apart. He doesn't mean to linger as long as he does once its done.
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[…Oh.]
[He didn’t mention that. Ugh, not something she would have said out loud—] Sorry, I mean…
[Armin’s kiss is so soft.]
…It’s a nice place.
[Aubrey falls quiet. All circumstances considered, she’s not surprised Eren never mentioned that the tree was important to Armin and Mikasa, too… it just hasn’t seemed like he ever intended to, either.]
[Secret, sacred places.... The lake flashes through her mind; Armin might glimpse it.
[Yeah. She can guess why Eren stayed quiet.]
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[He doesn't recognize the lake, but...he's sure he saw one, if only for a moment.]
You know...Eren's always been a deep sleeper like this.
[Armin still has Eren's hand in his.]
I know there must be something more going on, but it's just...familiar. Sometimes he'd sleep for days straight without moving an inch - didn't get up to eat or anything.
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[It’s not so much cheapened as it is… different, somehow. Had they been through less, Aubrey might think Eren was lying to her on purpose. But she gets it. It was a past he was avoiding when he introduced it, and since then… well, it’s never been a good time.
[Maybe she’ll ask him about it… but really, what’s to say?]
[Armin’s focus has shifted, for now.] …Days?
[Not too concerned, since Armin doesn’t sound it… but that’s still a long time.] Must’ve been really worn out....
[What was it Levi said? The weight of the world on his shoulders.
[…Oh god, Levi. He’ll be pissed. And she should tell Armin about him, too—but for now, relaxing in the respite, she just watches.]
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Back when he was first learning how to use his titan...
[He doesn't need to justify the weight the falls over them when he says that; at least, he doesn't think so. He can certainly feel it. Back then, Eren was just a rookie kid with a new, strange power. None of them knew that he'd eventually use that power to destroy the world.
[After all of that, death was really the only sort of sleep that could be restful enough, wasn't it...?
["Maybe that's what this is..."]
Things were a lot different back then.
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[The weight isn’t too confusing. Eren was trying to use his titan back in Shiganshina; he must’ve had it back then, years younger. Aubrey doesn’t know the full story of how he got it, or for how long—but, well.
[“…we’re resting the fate of all humanity on your shoulders.” It’d connect.]
[Aubrey’s not certain if that shared, but she might as well:] …Levi. I met Captain Levi, before this.
[It’s abrupt, but she leaves it at that.]
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Captain Levi? He's here?
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…Yeah. Back at, ah, a different friend’s house.
[She manages to keep her tone neutral enough, somehow. Maybe a little too blank, considering she’s trying not to betray any strong opinions; her thoughts haven’t settled enough for even an involuntary one to form.]
At least, that’s where I last saw him.
[But I doubt he’s going anywhere. With a limp like that…? For however much spatial permanence matters here, and if he’s not world-shifting on purpose....]
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[He nods, understanding.
[He's...sorry that Captain Levi has to be here. If anything, what he deserves is rest, and it's not as if there's much left of their world, but...Armin and Mikasa want to be with Eren. He can't imagine that Levi does...]
Sorry. Whose...turn is it again?
[Armin can also tell that something is going on in Aubrey's head, but she doesn't exactly look as though she wants to share, so...]
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[…Huh. Aubrey thought Armin might have more to say about that revelation. No questions or anything…?
[She is perfectly fine with him not asking, though.] Right, ah… [Mental rewind. This, from Eren sleeping, from his tree—] My turn.
[The number rolls… and when it lands, Aubrey makes a face.]
Ninety-eight: “Do older or younger partners turn you on more?”
The fuck kind of a question is that?
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[Aside from that, Captain Levi will always feel like a superior to Armin - a role model, someone to be respected. It doesn't matter that he himself technically in charge now. It feels wrong to talk about him when he's not here. Especially in front of Eren...
[So the question is a reprieve, even for it's...strangeness. Armin wrinkles his nose.]
Is that...really something people think about? I've only ever been with someone the same age, but as long as they were within a similar window, I don't really see how age matters.
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[So Armin finds it strange, too. Good. She would’ve started looking at him weird (voluntarily or otherwise) if he didn’t.]
Yeah, it’s like that in my world, too. If you do make a big deal of it you’re kind of a weirdo.
[Somewhere, faintly, Aubrey is reminded that she was not cognizant of Eren’s age, and hadn’t even thought to ask, until… fairly late. But that would have changed things, so her dignity’s intact.] Anyway, uh. Your go.
kept the question bc it's funny to me
[The numbers roll. When Armin sees the world's next selection, he just looks confused.]
Twenty-three: have you ever received a...homemade chocolate-- [He cuts himself off to give Aubrey an exasperated look.]
How can it go from questions like that to everything else they've asked?
poor Armin
I think this game just hates you, pal. [Which is… probably not something she should be joking about, but. Come on. First round, heartbreak exposure, now… whatever the hell is going on here.]
[Aubrey shakes her head, sharing the exasperation.] It’s like a microcosm of this whole place. Nice one second, then… [With a vague wave at the TV. Shame there’s no remote; it probably wouldn’t work, anyway.]
Oh, and no. I haven’t received a homemade chocolate. [She’s not sure if it’s supposed to be a chocolate-something, but the answer’s no anyway.]
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[He looks exasperated. Is the next question going to ask about his worst break-up, his first time, or whether or not someone has ever drawn a heart on a piece of paper in the same room as him? Ridiculous...]
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[Deep breath in. Bring it on, or whatever.]
Number thr—
[She stops. Turns. Looks Armin dead in the eye.] Question three. “Are you a good kisser.”
I'm running with this
[Armin's eyes go wide, face exploding with pink blush.]
I didn't say that. Didn't think it--
That wasn't me.
RUN BOY RUN
[What do you know, the reaction is mirrored!]
Huh? Yeah, I heard— It wasn’t—
[Wait. Shit. Not the first time—and yet?]
[Sputtering on autopilot,] In front of Eren?!
[“Armin, would you do it?”]
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[So, he offers a weak echo instead.] In front of Eren...?
[He stares at his sleeping friend. Eren's brow is pinched. He must be hearing all of this too...]
I...
Not...not without...talking to him first...?
[Oh, yikes...]
I'm sorry! I really don't mean anything by that-- I-I'm sorry.
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[Thing is, (Aubrey’s realizing, as Armin stalls and sputters,) she could’ve said “no way” or “not interested” or literally anything except “in front of our love interest?”.
[These are also things Armin could be saying.]
Look, [she says, no sooner has Armin finished; back to being flat,] this world’s grilled me and Eren before. And not playing along isn’t an option, so—
Try to ask me something else, and if that doesn’t work, then. [Quick glance to Eren. Aubrey can’t quite read his expression, maybe it’s the angle or that he’s asleep, but. Well, he knows what this place can be like. A quick thought his way—Sorry—but it’s better than tempting another barrage, right…?]
[Back to Armin. Small shrug. Finishing the sentence:] Fuck it.
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I...
[He glances at the TV, waiting for a number. They seem to roll on forever...
[No, really. They aren't stopping.]
I don't know what to ask...
["Are you attracted to Armin?"]
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[Aubrey is quickly losing the resolve she scraped up for that little speech. When the question hits, she rubs her face, groaning.] Ughhh…
See, I would’ve said no, right? Not in that way. No offense, it’s not you, just—
[Rip off the band-aid, girl.] I kinda screwed myself over with that answer, earlier. You’re… strong. And your blush is kinda cute I guess and the point is, it’s a dumb game and Eren is my husband no matter what.
[The world forced that little hastily-mumbled part out of her. Totally.] So.
Yeah.
[“And you, Armin?”]
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I mean...
[Why is his heart beating faster? This is weird...]
Of course, she's-- [He's talking to Aubrey, here.] You, I mean. You're...you're very pretty. I don't think that's some big mystery...
["Kiss him, Aubrey. I dare you."]
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[“I don’t think that’s some big mystery…” Nail bat right to whatever facade she had left!]
[She’s not sure if she’s grateful for the “dare,” sparing them another round of sputtering madness, or if she hates it because it kinda feels like there’s no way she’s not taking it. Maybe it’s that competitive spirit, burning in her yet. Or, moreso, it’s how Armin looks like this, boyish and blushing. It’s very… human. Not that that was ever in question for him, when he was so expressive and alive from the getgo, but…
[Fuck it. It’s cute.]
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[At some point Aubrey started petting Eren’s hair, as if to apologize and/or reassure him in advance; that hand goes still, resting on him, while the other reaches for Armin’s chin. If he was anyone else she might just dive in, get it over with, but it’s Armin and that feels crass.]
[Aubrey shrugs, as if her face isn’t threatening to match her hair.] Dare’s a dare.
[She leans in to kiss him.]
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[How could anything this low stakes not turn out okay after everything they've been through?
[Armin is a good kisser. He's had a lot of practice. He cups her face with one hand and kisses her. It doesn't drag on and on - he has no ulterior motives. But it's a full kiss, lips parting around lips, moving together and then breaking apart. He doesn't mean to linger as long as he does once its done.
[His stomach seems to do a backflip. Oh dear...]
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back in the “i have no fucking icons for this” trenches lads
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2/3 I lied
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