[It is extremely unnecessary, but Aubrey is nothing if not appreciative that Armin at least shares her frustration. Alas, the guard pays them no mind, even as Armin is extra polite about the whole thing.]
Jackass!
[No dice.]
[The only thing stopping Aubrey from flipping off the soulless husk is that, well, she’s with Armin. More subdued shame, among the rest of the inevitable emotional cocktail, will probably set in sooner or later—but for now, it’s weirdly refreshing to be mutually baffled in a not-apparently-life-threatening situation.]
[That in mind, she’s gonna sidestep the “misunderstanding” comment for a second.] Sorry we had to meet like this. And for the, uh, noise, earlier.
[Huh...He really should keep his senses sharp, even in a place like this. Not that he's found this world to be particularly dangerous, or anything like that (ha). Honestly, he really doesn't remember much of anything outside of that Denny's...Aubrey was there too. Still, he's a soldier. Anything could happen at any time.]
This is a little embarrassing, but I didn't really notice any noise. I mean...
[He takes a minute to look around the store, eyes a little wide as he does so, despite being here for the last thirty minutes or so. There's just too much to take in.]
This place is incredible. I'm not even sure I mean that as a good thing. I can tell it's some sort of shop, but it's massive. I've never seen anything like it.
[Oh, he didn’t notice? That’s a relief. Not that Aubrey thinks Armin would’ve judged her too much for dicking around, but it’s one less thing she has to explain.]
Ha, sure is “incredible”… [She doesn’t say that like it’s a great thing, either. As Armin looks around, Aubrey takes a moment to squint at the maybe-screens; the muffled reflections are familiar enough, but…] It’s a department store. We have places like this where I’m from, but there’s a lot of… weird techy stuff here that I’ve never seen, either.
Speaking of new stuff…
[It’s strange that it took this long for her to notice. Maybe they were under the table? The cape and the uniform are one thing, but Armin’s also wearing two giant… what are those, some kind of metallic carry-on? Clearly designed with some intention, there’s what might be a fuel tank on top…
[Aubrey nudges the cuffed hand in the direction of the closer one.] What are those? [Curious. She hasn’t taken her eyes off them since noticing.]
[He follows her gaze to the ODM gear. It's not surprising that she wouldn't recognize it. It only exists on Paradis. He taps the top of the one she's pointing to a couple of times.]
Omni-directional mobility gear - or ODM gear, we call it. It's-- well, it's a little hard to explain without showing you.
[Casually, he releases one of the grappling hooks from the left side; not enough to send it anywhere. It falls a bit limp, and then he lifts it with his fingers.]
We're able to aim and shoot these grappling hooks into nearby surfaces. They're made of extremely strong material, so they can hook into almost anything. Then...
[Tapping the fuel tank now.]
The fuel here allows us to propel ourselves to where we've grappled. It's designed for fighting titans - we grapple onto them, and then...
[From the tank furthest away from Aubrey, he takes on of his handles and clicks it into place on the sheath, then smoothly draws one of the blades. Even to the naked eye, it looks extremely sharp.]
We use these to cut the nape of the titans' necks. It's their only weak point.
[He sheaths the blade again.]
Like I said, though, it makes a little more sense when you see it in action. I'd show you, but...
[Lifting their hands, still cuffed. He gives her a slightly apologetic look.]
[This is, hands down, the coolest thing Aubrey has heard about in a long time. Maybe ever?
[Her face doesn’t betray much, other than wide eyes and a keen focus as Armin offers a mini demonstration. People don’t just make and wear stuff like this for fun. And she’s never been a military geek or anything, doesn’t know much about mechanics other than how to fix a bike and a pipe leak… but like, look at it! Grappling hooks!]
[Shortly after Armin draws the blade Aubrey’s mouth falls open slightly, but it’s not because she’s stunned by the sharpness. That’s part of it, but… the nape.
[Her free hand raises to rub her own. It might be mistaken for a sort of bewilderment if not for the slight blush on her cheeks. Eren.... Where is he, now?]
[The blade is sheathed, and the moment’s over. Right. She’s here cuffed to Armin.]
Hah. That’s pretty neat. [Subdued, but not ingenuine.]
[Aubrey looks back to the screen. Is she seeing things, or is a soft blue flickering out of focus? No, it’s— it’s just her, Armin, hands raised.]
I’m sorry. This wasn’t a misunderstanding. [Only meeting his face through the screen.] I… wanted to find you, actually.
[If Armin notices the blushing, he doesn't say anything. He'd have nothing to attribute it to anyway. When she turns to look at the screens though, he does too. Did he just notice a flicker?
[No. Just him and Aubrey. It's almost like a mirror...
[Her words surprise him. He looks at her - her, not the reflection - brows pinched together.]
Really? Not that I'm not flattered, but...was there some reason?
[Images: him, sitting back, staring at his hand. Smiling, faint but determined. Eren, staring at her, wounded by dispassionate words. Eren, caged, human—]
[Abruptly Aubrey jerks her hand back and storms away from the screen. It was only a couple seconds, if even that, but more than enough for her to recognize the scene; it cuts off again, more abrupt, as she tries to pull Armin away.] Let’s talk somewhere else.
[Eren! Armin's breath stills in his lungs. Eren! Eren, but he's smiling - and then he's...hurt? And then he's--]
H-hold on! Wait a minute!
[The screen has flickered off. He's being pulled away.
[Eren! He looked so...so much like he used to. Armin is desperate to see the rest of the memory, but the screens are black, and he's stumbling after Aubrey, and--
[Eren...He looks better than alive. He looks...he looks like he's starting to come back to life.]
Aubrey, please - please stop!
[Armin stops dead in his tracks, planting his feet so Aubrey can't keep dragging him. They're already away from the screens, but...maybe he can still see them.]
What was that? Why did he--
Eren's what? You stopped yourself. Please tell me.
[Jesus, why did Aubrey talk to Eren like that? For better and/or worse, Armin’s not giving her a chance to mull it over. She’s not going to make a u-turn, but fine, she can stop being a child for five seconds; it’d hurt if she was teased with a glimpse of her old friends, too....]
[Her pace has already slowed before Armin makes the stop final. They haven’t gotten far; he’d just have to look over his shoulder to see the screens, though they remain black as ever. Aubrey can see them past him, in fact—and more, smaller reflections, all over the damn shelves on either side.]
God. Of course this world would— First the questions, now the… [Aubrey’s grumbling to herself; she raises both hands to rub her face, but Armin’s there, so a one-handed gesture will do. When she faces him again it’s with clear reluctance, but… better her than the screens.]
[“If we steel ourselves, we can win.”]
Eren’s… fine, I think. Or, as fine as anyone can be, here. [It is so, so strange to talk about him with someone else again. The reluctance is almost more sheepish than hurt.] He’s changed, almost—or, I’m seeing a lot more than last time we talked.
["He's changed, almost." Armin's eyes go wide with hope, undeniable. He can't begin to hide it. Aubrey says it like it's a positive thing; Aubrey is a nice person. Aubrey hates Eren's plans just as much as Armin does. This is good. This is really good.]
Please, tell me more. You have no idea how worried I've been - I mean, you might have some idea, but it's really-- To hear he's doing alright, or better, even-- I can't tell you what that means to me, I--
[Every reflective surface surrounding them lights up; a hundred Eren Jaegers, looking directly at them.]
"Aubrey. If you see him again, give him a message from me this time."
[The screens all shut off. The hope in Armin's eyes only grows. He directs it toward Aubrey.]
[She should have stayed facing away from Armin. God, she almost wants him to shut up, but Armin is so goddamn nice the anger-projection crumbles at the source.]
[And before Aubrey can so much as sputter his name, Eren. Eren, everywhere, just about— That free hand is staying over her mouth just a bit longer.
[You know what? Fuck department stores, actually. Fuck this store and every reflective surface in the entire world; she’d almost prefer the wall.]
Armin, I am so sorry—
[The hand curls into a fist, clenched tight by her neck. She can at least look at the guy when she breaks his heart. Rip off the bandaid, leave no room for doubt—]
“Tell Armin to stay away from me.”
[As Aubrey talks, the wall-screens directly behind Armin flash on, all creating one widescreen picture of Eren’s stormy gaze, locked on the viewer—which, from where Aubrey stands now, almost looks like Armin himself. Eren’s low voice booms from an unseen loudspeaker; there’s no escaping it.]
[Then, just as suddenly as the world came to life, it ends.]
[He has to look away from Aubrey. God. He's humiliated. Wouldn't anyone be? For as much as he loves Eren, and for as much as he shows that, for all he's said to Aubrey, for his own message...
[He twists his lips to the side a bit, hoping it will keep his sinuses from starting to burn again. He's so tired of crying over Eren Jaeger.
[Every inch of him burns with pain.
[Eren is improving. He smiled. He looked almost like his old self.
[And he still wants Armin to stay away from him. His heart breaks in real time, and it's obvious. The hopeful light in his eyes has gone...dull.]
Sorry, Eren...
[His voice sounds more weak than cold, but...unlike Armin all the same.]
[The screens stay blank. Dead, crushing silence. The only reflection Aubrey sees is Armin, the hope in his averted eyes withering away into a faint shadow.]
[Her heart aches for him, too.]
[The stillness weighs hollow.]
[The clenched fist loosens. The hand closest to Armin, locked to Armin, reaches out, fingers brushing his; an offer, nothing pushed. He might want this moment to himself. But…]
Do you… want to talk? [It’s a very quiet question.] About it?
[For a moment, Armin is quiet. He keeps his eyes off of Aubrey; he clenches his fists at his sides.]
You know...
[A deep breath. He lets it out in an incredulous laugh.]
Yeah. Maybe I do.
[Maybe that's his right after all Eren has done. It wouldn't exactly be disloyal to tell the truth. He looks at Aubrey.]
After all Eren's put us through these past couple of years, I'd say it's my right to have a word with him. The last time I saw him, he beat me so badly I could barely stand. He said unforgivable things, and I forgave him anyway. I forgave him before he even started.
Do you want to know what I think?
["Don't say it, Armin. You'll regret it if you do." He glares at the ground. He feels his eyes starting to burn. Goddammit, Eren. Why is he doing this?
[Armin's voice is soft with anger.]
I think Eren Jaeger is a coward. [He hates the words that come out of his own mouth.] He wasn't. Not always. But he's sure as hell acting that way now.
There's no reason to run from us. Just because we won't help him destroy the world? That's the thing, Aubrey.
Eren knows that if I had ten minutes alone with him, he'd come to his senses. And he's terrified of that. Because then he'll have to face what he's done.
That's what I think.
[He releases the tension in his fists. He closes his eyes. He breathes. And then his eyes are open, blue, and steady.]
You can tell Eren that I'll stop at nothing to see him again. He'll have to kill me if he wants me off his back. Personally, I don't think he's prepared for that.
[The mixed thoughts, that is. The feelings. Being furious with Eren, but unable to not pry for the better still left in him. Being unable not to chase him, to the ends of the earth and then some.
[Because Eren Jaeger is a coward. It’s a very human thing. And it’s impossible not to care.]
[For the most part, Armin’s words, his anger and his grief, command the room. It’s enough, all the more impassioned in its quiet, to fill the space and then some. But there was just a moment, as he described being beat: the screen behind him flickered to life again, a violent shadow in a window. Aubrey’s attention only strayed for a moment; it was all she needed to know.]
[Then: “He wasn’t. Not always.”
[A boy.
[And then he’s gone.]
[Armin makes his final promise; a threat, a gloat, a declaration of love. Ever-admirable, ever-steady.]
Armin…
[And then the wall comes to life again, stealing Aubrey’s focus once more. It’s not her memory.]
[On the screen, they're nine years old. There's a commotion - young voices, shouting.]
Leave him alone!
[Eren Jaeger, knee high to a cricket, rushes a group of older boys, growling as he pounds his tiny, weak fists into whatever he can reach. The older boys cackle and sneer, picking him up by his collar and tossing him carelessly to the side. Armin cowers with his hands covering his head, sniffling back tears.
[Eren can't be kept down for long. He launches himself up from the ground and continues the pathetic onslaught. The bullies pick him off every time, even as he screams and rages. Armin is covered in bruises.]
You piece of shit - I'LL KILL YOU!
[His voice is too young to sound the way it sounds, but he's got fresh tears in his eyes as well. They're all on behalf of his friend. One of the older boys slams his fist into Eren's face, sending him backwards, dazed, into a wall. He cracks his head on the brick and slumps to the ground, a small whimper escaping him.]
"It's useless, Jaeger. You're too weak. Too bad Mikasa's not here to pick your fights for you."
[Eren pushes himself up. It's shaky. His nose is bleeding. With a sudden growl, he's on his feet again, running toward the group of boys.
[Armin jumps up. He runs between Eren and the boys.]
"Eren! Stop! You can't! They'll kill y--"
[Eren doesn't see him in time. His fist collides with Armin's face, knocking him onto the ground. Eren's face drops into horrified shock. It's about then that Mikasa shows up; the group of boys flee instantly.]
Armin!
[Eren slides down onto his knees, taking the boy's face in his hands. Fat tears roll down Armin's cheeks as he begins to sob again. Eren's looks like he's about to start crying himself.]
No! I'm-- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Armin...Armin...
[He throws his arms around his best friend's neck, clutching his head protectively.]
I-I really didn't mean to. W-we'll get you all cleaned up, okay? I was just trying to help. I wouldn't hurt you on purpose - not in a million years!
[Armin hiccups, wiping at his swollen eyes.]
"I-I-I...I kn-know you...d-didn't mean to, you...you were just trying...t-to save me."
[The screen goes black. In its reflection, Eren Jaeger, behind them, both hands chained to one of the displays.
[He stares, eyes wide with shock - at the screen, at Aubrey--]
[Your boyfriend might be gay if he forgets you exist when his estranged husband is in the room. Kidding. When Aubrey swings into him, he tries to move his arm to catch her, even though his hands are chained. He does not, however, look at her.
[It's at this point that Armin lowers his arms, tossing Aubrey an apologetic, but very brief look. Then it's back to Eren. Eren speaks first.]
You need to leave.
[Eren tries to sound firm, but really he just sounds stiff, uncomfortable. It's hard to see Armin like this - especially after that memory. Armin wasn't wrong when he said that Eren was afraid of his influence. Armin can talk his way out of anything; he can talk most other people out of anything too...]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[It is extremely unnecessary, but Aubrey is nothing if not appreciative that Armin at least shares her frustration. Alas, the guard pays them no mind, even as Armin is extra polite about the whole thing.]
Jackass!
[No dice.]
[The only thing stopping Aubrey from flipping off the soulless husk is that, well, she’s with Armin. More subdued shame, among the rest of the inevitable emotional cocktail, will probably set in sooner or later—but for now, it’s weirdly refreshing to be mutually baffled in a not-apparently-life-threatening situation.]
[That in mind, she’s gonna sidestep the “misunderstanding” comment for a second.] Sorry we had to meet like this. And for the, uh, noise, earlier.
no subject
[Huh...He really should keep his senses sharp, even in a place like this. Not that he's found this world to be particularly dangerous, or anything like that
(ha). Honestly, he really doesn't remember much of anything outside of that Denny's...Aubrey was there too. Still, he's a soldier. Anything could happen at any time.]This is a little embarrassing, but I didn't really notice any noise. I mean...
[He takes a minute to look around the store, eyes a little wide as he does so, despite being here for the last thirty minutes or so. There's just too much to take in.]
This place is incredible. I'm not even sure I mean that as a good thing. I can tell it's some sort of shop, but it's massive. I've never seen anything like it.
no subject
[Oh, he didn’t notice? That’s a relief. Not that Aubrey thinks Armin would’ve judged her too much for dicking around, but it’s one less thing she has to explain.]
Ha, sure is “incredible”… [She doesn’t say that like it’s a great thing, either. As Armin looks around, Aubrey takes a moment to squint at the maybe-screens; the muffled reflections are familiar enough, but…] It’s a department store. We have places like this where I’m from, but there’s a lot of… weird techy stuff here that I’ve never seen, either.
Speaking of new stuff…
[It’s strange that it took this long for her to notice. Maybe they were under the table? The cape and the uniform are one thing, but Armin’s also wearing two giant… what are those, some kind of metallic carry-on? Clearly designed with some intention, there’s what might be a fuel tank on top…
[Aubrey nudges the cuffed hand in the direction of the closer one.] What are those? [Curious. She hasn’t taken her eyes off them since noticing.]
no subject
[He follows her gaze to the ODM gear. It's not surprising that she wouldn't recognize it. It only exists on Paradis. He taps the top of the one she's pointing to a couple of times.]
Omni-directional mobility gear - or ODM gear, we call it. It's-- well, it's a little hard to explain without showing you.
[Casually, he releases one of the grappling hooks from the left side; not enough to send it anywhere. It falls a bit limp, and then he lifts it with his fingers.]
We're able to aim and shoot these grappling hooks into nearby surfaces. They're made of extremely strong material, so they can hook into almost anything. Then...
[Tapping the fuel tank now.]
The fuel here allows us to propel ourselves to where we've grappled. It's designed for fighting titans - we grapple onto them, and then...
[From the tank furthest away from Aubrey, he takes on of his handles and clicks it into place on the sheath, then smoothly draws one of the blades. Even to the naked eye, it looks extremely sharp.]
We use these to cut the nape of the titans' necks. It's their only weak point.
[He sheaths the blade again.]
Like I said, though, it makes a little more sense when you see it in action. I'd show you, but...
[Lifting their hands, still cuffed. He gives her a slightly apologetic look.]
no subject
[This is, hands down, the coolest thing Aubrey has heard about in a long time. Maybe ever?
[Her face doesn’t betray much, other than wide eyes and a keen focus as Armin offers a mini demonstration. People don’t just make and wear stuff like this for fun. And she’s never been a military geek or anything, doesn’t know much about mechanics other than how to fix a bike and a pipe leak… but like, look at it! Grappling hooks!]
[Shortly after Armin draws the blade Aubrey’s mouth falls open slightly, but it’s not because she’s stunned by the sharpness. That’s part of it, but… the nape.
[Her free hand raises to rub her own. It might be mistaken for a sort of bewilderment if not for the slight blush on her cheeks. Eren.... Where is he, now?]
[The blade is sheathed, and the moment’s over. Right. She’s here cuffed to Armin.]
Hah. That’s pretty neat. [Subdued, but not ingenuine.]
[Aubrey looks back to the screen. Is she seeing things, or is a soft blue flickering out of focus? No, it’s— it’s just her, Armin, hands raised.]
I’m sorry. This wasn’t a misunderstanding. [Only meeting his face through the screen.] I… wanted to find you, actually.
no subject
[No. Just him and Aubrey. It's almost like a mirror...
[Her words surprise him. He looks at her - her, not the reflection - brows pinched together.]
Really? Not that I'm not flattered, but...was there some reason?
[A sudden, sinking dread.]
Is Eren alright?
no subject
[Yep. Here they go.]
Eren’s alive. He’s—
[Images: him, sitting back, staring at his hand. Smiling, faint but determined. Eren, staring at her, wounded by dispassionate words. Eren, caged, human—]
[Abruptly Aubrey jerks her hand back and storms away from the screen. It was only a couple seconds, if even that, but more than enough for her to recognize the scene; it cuts off again, more abrupt, as she tries to pull Armin away.] Let’s talk somewhere else.
no subject
H-hold on! Wait a minute!
[The screen has flickered off. He's being pulled away.
[Eren! He looked so...so much like he used to. Armin is desperate to see the rest of the memory, but the screens are black, and he's stumbling after Aubrey, and--
[Eren...He looks better than alive. He looks...he looks like he's starting to come back to life.]
Aubrey, please - please stop!
[Armin stops dead in his tracks, planting his feet so Aubrey can't keep dragging him. They're already away from the screens, but...maybe he can still see them.]
What was that? Why did he--
Eren's what? You stopped yourself. Please tell me.
no subject
[Jesus, why did Aubrey talk to Eren like that? For better and/or worse, Armin’s not giving her a chance to mull it over. She’s not going to make a u-turn, but fine, she can stop being a child for five seconds; it’d hurt if she was teased with a glimpse of her old friends, too....]
[Her pace has already slowed before Armin makes the stop final. They haven’t gotten far; he’d just have to look over his shoulder to see the screens, though they remain black as ever. Aubrey can see them past him, in fact—and more, smaller reflections, all over the damn shelves on either side.]
God. Of course this world would— First the questions, now the… [Aubrey’s grumbling to herself; she raises both hands to rub her face, but Armin’s there, so a one-handed gesture will do. When she faces him again it’s with clear reluctance, but… better her than the screens.]
[“If we steel ourselves, we can win.”]
Eren’s… fine, I think. Or, as fine as anyone can be, here. [It is so, so strange to talk about him with someone else again. The reluctance is almost more sheepish than hurt.] He’s changed, almost—or, I’m seeing a lot more than last time we talked.
no subject
Please, tell me more. You have no idea how worried I've been - I mean, you might have some idea, but it's really-- To hear he's doing alright, or better, even-- I can't tell you what that means to me, I--
[Every reflective surface surrounding them lights up; a hundred Eren Jaegers, looking directly at them.]
"Aubrey. If you see him again, give him a message from me this time."
[The screens all shut off. The hope in Armin's eyes only grows. He directs it toward Aubrey.]
no subject
[She should have stayed facing away from Armin. God, she almost wants him to shut up, but Armin is so goddamn nice the anger-projection crumbles at the source.]
[And before Aubrey can so much as sputter his name, Eren. Eren, everywhere, just about— That free hand is staying over her mouth just a bit longer.
[You know what? Fuck department stores, actually. Fuck this store and every reflective surface in the entire world; she’d almost prefer the wall.]
Armin, I am so sorry—
[The hand curls into a fist, clenched tight by her neck. She can at least look at the guy when she breaks his heart. Rip off the bandaid, leave no room for doubt—]
“Tell Armin to stay away from me.”
[As Aubrey talks, the wall-screens directly behind Armin flash on, all creating one widescreen picture of Eren’s stormy gaze, locked on the viewer—which, from where Aubrey stands now, almost looks like Armin himself. Eren’s low voice booms from an unseen loudspeaker; there’s no escaping it.]
[Then, just as suddenly as the world came to life, it ends.]
1/3
2/3
3/3
[So very empty.
[He has to look away from Aubrey. God. He's humiliated. Wouldn't anyone be? For as much as he loves Eren, and for as much as he shows that, for all he's said to Aubrey, for his own message...
[He twists his lips to the side a bit, hoping it will keep his sinuses from starting to burn again. He's so tired of crying over Eren Jaeger.
[Every inch of him burns with pain.
[Eren is improving. He smiled. He looked almost like his old self.
[And he still wants Armin to stay away from him. His heart breaks in real time, and it's obvious. The hopeful light in his eyes has gone...dull.]
Sorry, Eren...
[His voice sounds more weak than cold, but...unlike Armin all the same.]
I won't do that.
no subject
[The screens stay blank. Dead, crushing silence. The only reflection Aubrey sees is Armin, the hope in his averted eyes withering away into a faint shadow.]
[Her heart aches for him, too.]
[The stillness weighs hollow.]
[The clenched fist loosens. The hand closest to Armin, locked to Armin, reaches out, fingers brushing his; an offer, nothing pushed. He might want this moment to himself. But…]
Do you… want to talk? [It’s a very quiet question.] About it?
pop OFF sis
You know...
[A deep breath. He lets it out in an incredulous laugh.]
Yeah. Maybe I do.
[Maybe that's his right after all Eren has done. It wouldn't exactly be disloyal to tell the truth. He looks at Aubrey.]
After all Eren's put us through these past couple of years, I'd say it's my right to have a word with him. The last time I saw him, he beat me so badly I could barely stand. He said unforgivable things, and I forgave him anyway. I forgave him before he even started.
Do you want to know what I think?
["Don't say it, Armin. You'll regret it if you do." He glares at the ground. He feels his eyes starting to burn. Goddammit, Eren. Why is he doing this?
[Armin's voice is soft with anger.]
I think Eren Jaeger is a coward. [He hates the words that come out of his own mouth.] He wasn't. Not always. But he's sure as hell acting that way now.
There's no reason to run from us. Just because we won't help him destroy the world? That's the thing, Aubrey.
Eren knows that if I had ten minutes alone with him, he'd come to his senses. And he's terrified of that. Because then he'll have to face what he's done.
That's what I think.
[He releases the tension in his fists. He closes his eyes. He breathes. And then his eyes are open, blue, and steady.]
You can tell Eren that I'll stop at nothing to see him again. He'll have to kill me if he wants me off his back. Personally, I don't think he's prepared for that.
no subject
[It makes sense.]
[The mixed thoughts, that is. The feelings. Being furious with Eren, but unable to not pry for the better still left in him. Being unable not to chase him, to the ends of the earth and then some.
[Because Eren Jaeger is a coward. It’s a very human thing. And it’s impossible not to care.]
[For the most part, Armin’s words, his anger and his grief, command the room. It’s enough, all the more impassioned in its quiet, to fill the space and then some. But there was just a moment, as he described being beat: the screen behind him flickered to life again, a violent shadow in a window. Aubrey’s attention only strayed for a moment; it was all she needed to know.]
[Then: “He wasn’t. Not always.”
[A boy.
[And then he’s gone.]
[Armin makes his final promise; a threat, a gloat, a declaration of love. Ever-admirable, ever-steady.]
Armin…
[And then the wall comes to life again, stealing Aubrey’s focus once more. It’s not her memory.]
[It’s not Armin’s, either.]
1/2 talk about a novel
Leave him alone!
[Eren Jaeger, knee high to a cricket, rushes a group of older boys, growling as he pounds his tiny, weak fists into whatever he can reach. The older boys cackle and sneer, picking him up by his collar and tossing him carelessly to the side. Armin cowers with his hands covering his head, sniffling back tears.
[Eren can't be kept down for long. He launches himself up from the ground and continues the pathetic onslaught. The bullies pick him off every time, even as he screams and rages. Armin is covered in bruises.]
You piece of shit - I'LL KILL YOU!
[His voice is too young to sound the way it sounds, but he's got fresh tears in his eyes as well. They're all on behalf of his friend. One of the older boys slams his fist into Eren's face, sending him backwards, dazed, into a wall. He cracks his head on the brick and slumps to the ground, a small whimper escaping him.]
"It's useless, Jaeger. You're too weak. Too bad Mikasa's not here to pick your fights for you."
[Eren pushes himself up. It's shaky. His nose is bleeding. With a sudden growl, he's on his feet again, running toward the group of boys.
[Armin jumps up. He runs between Eren and the boys.]
"Eren! Stop! You can't! They'll kill y--"
[Eren doesn't see him in time. His fist collides with Armin's face, knocking him onto the ground. Eren's face drops into horrified shock. It's about then that Mikasa shows up; the group of boys flee instantly.]
Armin!
[Eren slides down onto his knees, taking the boy's face in his hands. Fat tears roll down Armin's cheeks as he begins to sob again. Eren's looks like he's about to start crying himself.]
No! I'm-- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Armin...Armin...
[He throws his arms around his best friend's neck, clutching his head protectively.]
I-I really didn't mean to. W-we'll get you all cleaned up, okay? I was just trying to help. I wouldn't hurt you on purpose - not in a million years!
[Armin hiccups, wiping at his swollen eyes.]
"I-I-I...I kn-know you...d-didn't mean to, you...you were just trying...t-to save me."
[The screen goes black. In its reflection, Eren Jaeger, behind them, both hands chained to one of the displays.
[He stares, eyes wide with shock - at the screen, at Aubrey--]
2/2
no subject
[Bullying.
[Children.
[A punch.
[A savior.
[“I wouldn’t hurt you on purpose—not in a million years!”]
[The hero in the flesh—chained.]
Eren....
[Breathless.]
1/2
2/2
[He throws his arms around Eren's neck, clutching the back of his head, desperate.]
no subject
[Armin is strong; Aubrey gets swung. Her chained hand brushes Eren’s head, pulled into the reacharound.]
1/2
Your boyfriend might be gay if he forgets you exist when his estranged husband is in the room.Kidding. When Aubrey swings into him, he tries to move his arm to catch her, even though his hands are chained. He does not, however, look at her.[It's at this point that Armin lowers his arms, tossing Aubrey an apologetic, but very brief look. Then it's back to Eren. Eren speaks first.]
You need to leave.
[Eren tries to sound firm, but really he just sounds stiff, uncomfortable. It's hard to see Armin like this - especially after that memory. Armin wasn't wrong when he said that Eren was afraid of his influence. Armin can talk his way out of anything; he can talk most other people out of anything too...]
2/2
[He looks at Aubrey again, even more apologetic than his first glance.]
Sorry, Aubrey. I hope you're alright.
[Eren's glare deepens.]
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/4
2/4
3/4
4/4
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
2/2
(no subject)
oh hello?? 1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/3
2/3
3/3 (messed up the order but Aubrey can next!)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/?
2/?
3/?
4/?
5/?
6/?
7/?
8/? my god
9/?
10/?
11/?
12/13
13/13 HOOWEE
(no subject)
1/2
2/3 jk
3/3
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/3 jk
3/3
(no subject)
1/2
2/3 jk again sorry
3/3
no apologies I love it
1/3
2/3 dumb boy content coming in 3, 2, 1...
3/3
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...