I know. [She fixes her eyes on that blasted TV, instead.]
[Something something bandaid. Her stray hand scratches at (grabs at, more like) her mouth, and the other closes and opens around her husband’s hair in an absent-yet-anxious gesture. Eren should be the one with this information, and no one else, and yet.]
[Spit it out before you’re dared to fuck on the cou—] It’s a boring answer; I’m a virgin.
[Bury her now yadda yadda yadda.] It’s not like I buy that save-yourself abstinence crap… but why the hell would I trust some doofus just to say I did it?
[Aubrey still feels more than a little humiliated, but of all unwitting audiences… well, Armin wouldn’t be her last choice. Between his words and Eren’s silent message, she huffs, somewhat less tense.]
[For Eren alone: I will.]
[And out loud,] Thanks. And I won’t judge you either.
[The static keeps spinning. Oh, yeah—] So, I guess my answer is “literally anything.” Hah…
[That’ll work.]
Alright, Armin, number fifty… “Would you be willing to rebel against society for love?”
[Aubrey is… a little distracted, from that last exchange, but Armin’s answer is short and bittersweet and it makes sense. Surely Eren’s known by people who’d do far worse than kick him. She’d like to help him forget that....]
[But! For now, on to the next question. Idly Aubrey thinks she’d be more flustered if it hadn’t just spiked; as-is, she shrugs a little.]
Guess it’s when you start doing… well, romantic things. Kissing and all that.
[…A belated realization.] —And, uh, if you want it to be romantic. It’s— I don’t know, the “what are we” talk?
[“Armin, do you have a crush on anyone right now?” Which Aubrey hears too, despite the lack of roll. Just double-whammy him, sure.]
[Oh. Well, that’s fair. Aubrey nods, catching the subtext but attempting to ignore it.] Yeah. Just having a crush doesn’t mean it has to turn into anything—
[“Do you want it to, Aubrey?”]
[Pointing both hands open at Eren, exasperated once more:] I’m married.
[At this, Armin can't help but smile. He gets it. He really does. And sometimes you do have to find things to laugh at, even in uncomfortable situations. Eren's expression isn't helping - disgruntled, confused.]
Actually, Aubrey...I think this might be a good time to ask...
[Since Eren is married too...]
When Eren and I reunited...
Well, you saw what happened. I know you aren't oblivious, but...I guess I'm just sort of wondering...
Does that...behavior bother you?
It's worth discussing, I think. [Even if Eren should really be a part of that...
[Eren’s muffled consternation doesn’t help. Has he been hearing the questions? Is it better or worse if he isn’t?]
[Armin’s smile is nice, though. This topic’s a breath of fresh air, all considered, and something they’d probably talk about even without some numerical prompting.]
You know, it actually doesn’t. [The idle Eren-petting resumes.] I keep thinking maybe it should, but… you’re happy. Both of you. And that’s what I want for you, so....
[Armin's eyes drop back to Eren's face, his smile softening, warming as he watches the man sleep. He's so beautiful that Armin thinks he might crumble...]
I love Eren very much. When it comes to feeling happy, there's really nothing else I'd ask for...
[Aubrey follows Armin’s eyes back down to Eren, soft and sleeping. Armin’s words might as well be her own… although, surely it must have hurt before. He didn’t find out until after they’d married (the first time), after all, and Aubrey hadn’t put it in the best light, either....]
[But despite all that, here they are.
[It’s nice.]
[Too nice, apparently. They haven’t exactly answered everything, but:]
Oh, sixty-seven. [With some mild annoyance at the interruption.] “What are your thoughts on polyamory?”
[This world is subtle as a fucking sledgehammer, huh?]
[Armin's never hear the word "polyamory" before, but it isn't difficult to figure out what it means (what with the root words and whatnot - he's a smart guy). Subtle as a sledgehammer is right. Armin lets out a breath of a laugh.]
Well...
Would that be...what we're doing? With Eren, I mean.
[Not the most familiar word in the world to Aubrey either, really.] I… guess so…?
Isn’t that when a guy has a bunch of wives? [A little confused, but she got the spirit. Kind of.] I know he loves you all—you, Mikasa, Reiner—a lot. And I wouldn’t want that to change.
[She makes the latter assumption, mostly because it seems to her like Eren already has multiple… partners? lovers? Armin’s better at the word games, clearly.]
[It feels strange, thinking it over. But not unwelcome. The world really seems to be pushing her and Armin together, but she meant her vow to Eren. Isn’t that… unfair, to him? Both ”him”s?]
[After a good pause;] Can I say I’ll think about it? [As if this is a world-ordained question, and not from Armin being ever patient.] And talk with Eren, too.
[Sixty-six...Armin sees the question and can't help but laugh; seems he's been doing that a lot this game, if only to avoid getting frustrated.]
Yes. I have.
[As if it isn't obvious. But the world beckons more honesty. The voice asks: "What was it like, Armin? Your first time with Eren?"
[At this, Armin feels his face burning hotter than it has the entire game. He hesitates for only a moment, realizing quickly that a memory could easily be shared if he isn't honest. To this end, he blurts out the initial answer:]
It was beautiful.
[There's a painful stab in his chest. It was beautiful. It was perfect.]
We were...young. Uhm. Neither of us really knew what we were doing, but...
[It's so painful to recall. Armin doesn't notice his hand lightly gripping his chest, just over his heart.]
I just...fell so in love with him. It was gentle, and...he was so honest. I don't know how else to describe it, I'm sorry. [Is he apologizing to Aubrey, or trying to placate the universe?]
It was perfect.
[There's only a brief, brief flash; nothing exposed, entirely innocuous. Just stormy green eyes, filled with tender tears. They blink and the memory ends.
[At the “bonus” question, Aubrey wants to bark out a protest immediately; she’s not allowed. It doesn’t have anything to do with the prompt! What gives?!
[She turns away instead, embarrassed for him; both of them, really. The flash, too—not that she’s never seen him teary, never seen him soft, but that’s… it’s different. More vulnerable, somehow. And it’s not hers to dwell on. It is not hers to dwell on.
[Eren’s movement gets her attention before she can sputter anything dumb; and then he’s all she’s looking at, though her face burns for Armin, too.] Sorry— sorry, we’re being asked more than you can hear. [Aubrey strokes at the tension in his face, trying too soothe but hasty from nerves.] I know he wouldn’t have shared that if he didn’t have to.
[A glance to Armin; ah, the way he holds his heart....] Hah. [She’s not smiling.] This game sucks.
[Armin isn't smiling anymore, isn't laughing. He watches Aubrey stroke Eren's face until it evens back out in the peace of sleep. All at once, he's desperate for him to be awake. This is wrong. He has no say in what's happening...]
Still...[A glance at Aubrey.] At least we trust you.
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I know. [She fixes her eyes on that blasted TV, instead.]
[Something something bandaid. Her stray hand scratches at (grabs at, more like) her mouth, and the other closes and opens around her husband’s hair in an absent-yet-anxious gesture. Eren should be the one with this information, and no one else, and yet.]
[Spit it out before you’re dared to fuck on the cou—] It’s a boring answer; I’m a virgin.
[Bury her now yadda yadda yadda.] It’s not like I buy that save-yourself abstinence crap… but why the hell would I trust some doofus just to say I did it?
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And whatever your answers are, if this goes on…I’m not judging you for them. Okay?
[Maybe if they can…both agree to that, then this will be…less miserable.]
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Wait for me…
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[Aubrey still feels more than a little humiliated, but of all unwitting audiences… well, Armin wouldn’t be her last choice. Between his words and Eren’s silent message, she huffs, somewhat less tense.]
[For Eren alone: I will.]
[And out loud,] Thanks. And I won’t judge you either.
[The static keeps spinning. Oh, yeah—] So, I guess my answer is “literally anything.” Hah…
[That’ll work.]
Alright, Armin, number fifty… “Would you be willing to rebel against society for love?”
Huh. Tame.
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[The numbers roll. Sixty-four. Oh boy…]
Where do you draw the line between friendship and romance…?
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[Aubrey is… a little distracted, from that last exchange, but Armin’s answer is short and bittersweet and it makes sense. Surely Eren’s known by people who’d do far worse than kick him. She’d like to help him forget that....]
[But! For now, on to the next question. Idly Aubrey thinks she’d be more flustered if it hadn’t just spiked; as-is, she shrugs a little.]
Guess it’s when you start doing… well, romantic things. Kissing and all that.
[…A belated realization.] —And, uh, if you want it to be romantic. It’s— I don’t know, the “what are we” talk?
[“Armin, do you have a crush on anyone right now?” Which Aubrey hears too, despite the lack of roll. Just double-whammy him, sure.]
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[This world really is toying with them...]
You know...as sudden as it might seem, I think this world might be trying to get us to have the "what are we" talk right now...
[He smiles, half-apologetic.]
Sure. I do.
I've had crushes on plenty of people. I'm not really ashamed of that.
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[Oh. Well, that’s fair. Aubrey nods, catching the subtext but attempting to ignore it.] Yeah. Just having a crush doesn’t mean it has to turn into anything—
[“Do you want it to, Aubrey?”]
[Pointing both hands open at Eren, exasperated once more:] I’m married.
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Actually, Aubrey...I think this might be a good time to ask...
[Since Eren is married too...]
When Eren and I reunited...
Well, you saw what happened. I know you aren't oblivious, but...I guess I'm just sort of wondering...
Does that...behavior bother you?
It's worth discussing, I think. [Even if Eren should really be a part of that...
[They'll catch him up.]
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[Eren’s muffled consternation doesn’t help. Has he been hearing the questions? Is it better or worse if he isn’t?]
[Armin’s smile is nice, though. This topic’s a breath of fresh air, all considered, and something they’d probably talk about even without some numerical prompting.]
You know, it actually doesn’t. [The idle Eren-petting resumes.] I keep thinking maybe it should, but… you’re happy. Both of you. And that’s what I want for you, so....
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[Armin's eyes drop back to Eren's face, his smile softening, warming as he watches the man sleep. He's so beautiful that Armin thinks he might crumble...]
I love Eren very much. When it comes to feeling happy, there's really nothing else I'd ask for...
I'm grateful that that doesn't hurt you.
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[Aubrey follows Armin’s eyes back down to Eren, soft and sleeping. Armin’s words might as well be her own… although, surely it must have hurt before. He didn’t find out until after they’d married (the first time), after all, and Aubrey hadn’t put it in the best light, either....]
[But despite all that, here they are.
[It’s nice.]
[Too nice, apparently. They haven’t exactly answered everything, but:]
Oh, sixty-seven. [With some mild annoyance at the interruption.] “What are your thoughts on polyamory?”
[This world is subtle as a fucking sledgehammer, huh?]
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Well...
Would that be...what we're doing? With Eren, I mean.
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[Not the most familiar word in the world to Aubrey either, really.] I… guess so…?
Isn’t that when a guy has a bunch of wives? [A little confused, but she got the spirit. Kind of.] I know he loves you all—you, Mikasa, Reiner—a lot. And I wouldn’t want that to change.
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[...]
Is that something you're interested in...?
[Does he mean "for Eren" or does he mean "for you also, Aubrey"? He leaves it open to interpretation on purpose.]
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[She makes the latter assumption, mostly because it seems to her like Eren already has multiple… partners? lovers? Armin’s better at the word games, clearly.]
[It feels strange, thinking it over. But not unwelcome. The world really seems to be pushing her and Armin together, but she meant her vow to Eren. Isn’t that… unfair, to him? Both ”him”s?]
[After a good pause;] Can I say I’ll think about it? [As if this is a world-ordained question, and not from Armin being ever patient.] And talk with Eren, too.
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I hope it doesn't seem like I'm pushing the issue. Eren should be involved, absolutely.
I guess I was only curious.
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Mm…
I don’t hate the idea. For the record.
[She has learned nothing from these forced honesty games.]
[And feels bad, for some reason. Aubrey coughs.] Uh, whose turn is it, again…?
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[His heart feels...warm and anxious.]
I think it's my turn. [And sure enough, the numbers roll.]
112. Have you ever been skinny dipping?
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[An exasperated whisper:] Jesus christ.
No.
[It feels awkward. It’s not the question’s fault.]
[New roll.] —Oh, come on.
Sixty-six.
1/2
Yes. I have.
[As if it isn't obvious. But the world beckons more honesty. The voice asks: "What was it like, Armin? Your first time with Eren?"
[At this, Armin feels his face burning hotter than it has the entire game. He hesitates for only a moment, realizing quickly that a memory could easily be shared if he isn't honest. To this end, he blurts out the initial answer:]
It was beautiful.
[There's a painful stab in his chest. It was beautiful. It was perfect.]
We were...young. Uhm. Neither of us really knew what we were doing, but...
[It's so painful to recall. Armin doesn't notice his hand lightly gripping his chest, just over his heart.]
I just...fell so in love with him. It was gentle, and...he was so honest. I don't know how else to describe it, I'm sorry. [Is he apologizing to Aubrey, or trying to placate the universe?]
It was perfect.
[There's only a brief, brief flash; nothing exposed, entirely innocuous. Just stormy green eyes, filled with tender tears. They blink and the memory ends.
[Armin hates that it's been shared...]
2/2
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[At the “bonus” question, Aubrey wants to bark out a protest immediately; she’s not allowed. It doesn’t have anything to do with the prompt! What gives?!
[She turns away instead, embarrassed for him; both of them, really. The flash, too—not that she’s never seen him teary, never seen him soft, but that’s… it’s different. More vulnerable, somehow. And it’s not hers to dwell on. It is not hers to dwell on.
[Eren’s movement gets her attention before she can sputter anything dumb; and then he’s all she’s looking at, though her face burns for Armin, too.] Sorry— sorry, we’re being asked more than you can hear. [Aubrey strokes at the tension in his face, trying too soothe but hasty from nerves.] I know he wouldn’t have shared that if he didn’t have to.
[A glance to Armin; ah, the way he holds his heart....] Hah. [She’s not smiling.] This game sucks.
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[Armin isn't smiling anymore, isn't laughing. He watches Aubrey stroke Eren's face until it evens back out in the peace of sleep. All at once, he's desperate for him to be awake. This is wrong. He has no say in what's happening...]
Still...[A glance at Aubrey.] At least we trust you.
[He feels nauseous. The numbers roll.]
Fifty-six. Do you consider yourself clingy?
1/2
I trust you, too.
[Aubrey’s lucky she blurts that out before the question hits. Right through the heart.]
2/2
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2/3 I lied
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