[It’s a dreadful memory. Armin, young, his hair still long, standing in front of a full length mirror. The room reflected is empty - two beds and scarcely anything else. He’s staring at himself, tears slowly sliding down his cheeks. But he looks angry.]
You’re worthless.
[The hatred in his tone is more than palpable; it’s inescapable. He speaks through shaky breaths and withheld sobs, biting down hard on his lip when he starts to allow himself too much reprieve.]
You’re a worthless, stupid piece of shit.
Everyone is counting on you, and all you do— [He cuts himself off with the shortest little gasp of a sob. Then he reels his hand back and slaps himself hard in the face.
[There’s a long moment of silence, his head hung.]
All you do…is put the people you love at risk.
They chose you. This? This is how you repay them?
You’re a coward. You’re weak.
[Then, one full sob. He slaps his hand over his mouth to hide the sound. When he removes it:]
They should have let you die instea—-
[A voice through the door, calling. It’s Eren’s.]
“We gotta get going, Armin.”
[All at once, his demeanor changes. He straightens where he’s standing, quickly wiping the tears from his eyes. When he calls back, his voice is easy and pleasant. There’s not a trace of negative emotion left.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
here lies flyleaf 1/2
You’re worthless.
[The hatred in his tone is more than palpable; it’s inescapable. He speaks through shaky breaths and withheld sobs, biting down hard on his lip when he starts to allow himself too much reprieve.]
You’re a worthless, stupid piece of shit.
Everyone is counting on you, and all you do— [He cuts himself off with the shortest little gasp of a sob. Then he reels his hand back and slaps himself hard in the face.
[There’s a long moment of silence, his head hung.]
All you do…is put the people you love at risk.
They chose you. This? This is how you repay them?
You’re a coward. You’re weak.
[Then, one full sob. He slaps his hand over his mouth to hide the sound. When he removes it:]
They should have let you die instea—-
[A voice through the door, calling. It’s Eren’s.]
“We gotta get going, Armin.”
[All at once, his demeanor changes. He straightens where he’s standing, quickly wiping the tears from his eyes. When he calls back, his voice is easy and pleasant. There’s not a trace of negative emotion left.]
Just one second, Eren!