[Oh, it’s been a good while since Aubrey heard Armin laugh like that. When was the last, at the ocean? After so much… everything, recently, it makes her heart lighter to see him this way again.]
That sounds about right. [It feels a bit strange talking about Eren while he’s not around like this—but really, when have they not?] We’re probably similar like that, being blunt and all…
And if we’re similar enough, your flirting must work on him pretty well. [A friendly understatement.]
[Armin is plenty smooth, far as Aubrey’s concerned. He rubs his thumb over her palm as if to leave his own mark—not at all burning or fraught, but loving all the same.
[Time for her face’s hue to rival his again.] You know, it… didn’t have to go both ways. [She’s not complaining, though. Aubrey’s other hand reaches for Armin’s, clasping it gently.]
I'm sure that anyone who looks at you can tell that you're beautiful on the outside. That...really goes without saying, doesn't it?
There are more important things. Your courage. Your loyalty. You have a loving heart, despite everything. I know this isn't about Eren, but the way you've managed to care for him is just...remarkable to me. There's power to that kind of care. Your soul is kind, though...[With a preemptively apologetic smile.]...I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't eager to accept that sort of thing.
[Geez. The appearance compliment is enough. She’s left at a loss for words, somewhere between deeply touched and… sad? Not quite, but… it’s difficult to pinpoint. It’s not uncomplicated.
[You don’t deserve] Sorry. Sorry. It’s just—
[Aubrey squeezes Armin’s hands, apologetic without the smile. It’s hard to look at him.] I wouldn’t… I didn’t think you felt that way.
[She forces herself to meet his eyes. Softly, almost guilty,] Thanks, Armin.
Edited (accidentally a very important word) 2024-02-03 03:05 (UTC)
[Armin's smile becomes a rather sad thing, as it sometimes does. The overall expression fits his face a little too well. A thumb strokes Aubrey's knuckles.]
It really does feel that way, doesn't it? That we don't deserve the love we're given.
At the end of the day, though...I'm still grateful for it. Lucky, even. Imagine that...
You’re right… I like looking at it your way better. [It’s not quite a smile, but her own expression manages to relax. Sad, still, but that’s a face which fits them all too well.]
And… I do mean that thanks. [She rubs at his hand in turn. If it can be half as soothing as his own, it’ll be enough.] I’m lucky to have you.
[Maybe with anyone else Aubrey might feel strange about this, but… it’s Armin. Armin. The world didn’t put them through those questions, Eren smiling in his sleep on their laps, for nothing.]
Yeah… it is nice. [For now, it’s just them. Eren is cared for. She’d die for— no, live for, both these boys.]
[Aubrey squeezes Armin’s hand again, bringing it down towards their chests, away from his lips. Tilts her head slightly. Her intentions are clear. Maybe flirting isn’t her strong suit, but she knows she’s good at one thing… Armin said so himself.
[Armin likes the way she tilts her head, inviting a kiss instead of taking one. It's charming. It gives him the opportunity to lead, cupping her cheek with his hand and capturing her lips in his. Little chills ripple over his shoulders and down his spine. It isn't the same as kissing Eren; it's different in a good way. It's only hers - theirs. Her lips are soft, and her cheek is too. A hand comes to rest over the nape of her neck beneath soft hair.
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[Oh, it’s been a good while since Aubrey heard Armin laugh like that. When was the last, at the ocean? After so much… everything, recently, it makes her heart lighter to see him this way again.]
That sounds about right. [It feels a bit strange talking about Eren while he’s not around like this—but really, when have they not?] We’re probably similar like that, being blunt and all…
And if we’re similar enough, your flirting must work on him pretty well. [A friendly understatement.]
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I'm not sure if that's true. Maybe a time or two...[After Reiner, when they were young, and Eren was uncertain.
[Then again, he's still uncertain, isn't he? In ways, he always has been.]
Sounds like it's working alright on you though. [Which makes the red in his cheeks only deepen. Really not all that smooth at all...
[He takes her hand in his, turning the palm up, running a thumb lovingly over it.]
Regarding the topic at hand, Aubrey, there...are a lot of things I find beautiful about you.
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[Armin is plenty smooth, far as Aubrey’s concerned. He rubs his thumb over her palm as if to leave his own mark—not at all burning or fraught, but loving all the same.
[Time for her face’s hue to rival his again.] You know, it… didn’t have to go both ways. [She’s not complaining, though. Aubrey’s other hand reaches for Armin’s, clasping it gently.]
I like this. Just spending time with you.
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But I'd like to tell you anyway.
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Didn’t say you couldn’t.
[Quick ‘>:P’. Dammit, Armin, let her be tsundere about it.]
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I'm sure that anyone who looks at you can tell that you're beautiful on the outside. That...really goes without saying, doesn't it?
There are more important things. Your courage. Your loyalty. You have a loving heart, despite everything. I know this isn't about Eren, but the way you've managed to care for him is just...remarkable to me. There's power to that kind of care. Your soul is kind, though...[With a preemptively apologetic smile.]...I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't eager to accept that sort of thing.
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[Geez. The appearance compliment is enough. She’s left at a loss for words, somewhere between deeply touched and… sad? Not quite, but… it’s difficult to pinpoint. It’s not uncomplicated.
[You don’t deserve] Sorry. Sorry. It’s just—
[Aubrey squeezes Armin’s hands, apologetic without the smile. It’s hard to look at him.] I wouldn’t… I didn’t think you felt that way.
[She forces herself to meet his eyes. Softly, almost guilty,] Thanks, Armin.
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It really does feel that way, doesn't it? That we don't deserve the love we're given.
At the end of the day, though...I'm still grateful for it. Lucky, even. Imagine that...
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You’re right… I like looking at it your way better. [It’s not quite a smile, but her own expression manages to relax. Sad, still, but that’s a face which fits them all too well.]
And… I do mean that thanks. [She rubs at his hand in turn. If it can be half as soothing as his own, it’ll be enough.] I’m lucky to have you.
We all are.
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Maybe we all deserve that...simply for the fact that we're alive to see it...
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[Gosh, but the way he does that like it’s nothing. Consider Aubrey enamored.]
There you go again, saying just the right thing. [Now there’s a smile, soft and teasing.
[She’s not half as smooth, so she pulls just one hand up to ruffle his hair, drawing closer in turn.] Someone’s a romantic.
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Maybe so...
[There's a pause, an anxious twist in his lips that rapidly becomes a smile.]
I still can't help but feel a bit like I'm intruding, but...we've never really had time alone like this since we all agreed...
It's nice.
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[Maybe with anyone else Aubrey might feel strange about this, but… it’s Armin. Armin. The world didn’t put them through those questions, Eren smiling in his sleep on their laps, for nothing.]
Yeah… it is nice. [For now, it’s just them. Eren is cared for. She’d die for— no, live for, both these boys.]
[Aubrey squeezes Armin’s hand again, bringing it down towards their chests, away from his lips. Tilts her head slightly. Her intentions are clear. Maybe flirting isn’t her strong suit, but she knows she’s good at one thing… Armin said so himself.
[He’s not intruding at all.]
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[He's very glad for this.]