Chapter 6

You thought you'd feel different after.

Not in a bad way. Just different. Lighter, maybe. Or like something would click into place and suddenly the whole world would rearrange itself around this new reality. But it didn't.

 You were resting your head on his chest and it felt weird, good. Too good to be true.

What came instead was quiet.

Not even the kind that sometimes fills your head when you're too tired to think. This quiet was deeper. A hush inside your bones. Like the air right after a storm, when the sky hasn't quite decided whether it's done or not. It was weird, but in a scary way.

Armin had fallen asleep not long after, your naked body pressed against his. His breathing even and soft, face turned toward you, one arm still draped across your waist like he didn't want to let go even in sleep. His skin was warm against yours, chest rising and falling with a rhythm that made you want to cry even more.

And maybe that's what opened the door.

It wasn't dramatic. No sobs, no gasping. Just a single tear at first. Then another. Silent. Sliding down the side of your face to soak into the pillowcase. You didn't even know why it was happening, not exactly. It didn't hurt. You weren't sad. But something in your chest felt full in a way that hurt anyway. Like stretching too far after holding yourself tight for too long.

You turned your face away, trying to hide it from him—even though he was asleep. Even though he wouldn't see.

But he felt it. Somehow he always did.

"Hey," he mumbled, voice rough and half-asleep, "you okay?"

You stilled. "Yeah," you whispered. Your voice broke slightly at the end. "Just... yeah fuck. Sorry."

He shifted beside you, reaching up, thumb brushing your cheek. You winced instinctively, not from pain, just from being known too well.

"You're crying," he said softly, like he was afraid to scare you off.

"I'm not," you said, too quickly.

His eyes opened, blinking at you in the dim light filtering through the blinds. He didn't look annoyed or confused. Just... concerned. And tired. And a little sad, like he already knew why.

"Talk to me," he said. "Please."

You hesitated. You didn't want to ruin it. The warmth of the sheets tangled around you. The way his skin still smelled like you. The afterglow. But you couldn't lie to him, not now.

"I used to think about this," you said, voice barely above a whisper. "Not just the sex. That, yeah, but... this. You. Being with you. Waking up next to you. And now it happened and I think part of me just doesn't believe it's real."

He was quiet for a moment. Then he shifted closer, pressing his forehead to yours. His hand didn't leave your cheek. His thumb kept moving, just lightly enough to make you feel held.

"It's real," he said. "I'm here. With you."

Your breath hitched. Another tear slipped free.

"I wanted this for so long," you said, voice cracking. "And for a while I told myself it wasn't gonna happen. That maybe I made it all up in my head. That maybe I was just... something you liked once but didn't need."

His hand slipped down to your neck, fingers curling gently there. "You were never just something. Not to me. Even when I didn't know how to say it."

You closed your eyes, tears sliding faster now, but still quiet. Still held in. He pulled you in tighter, both arms around you now.

"I got you," he whispered, close enough that his breath warmed your skin. "I've got you. You don't have to do this alone anymore, I am here, and I won't go, I promise"

That was the part that undid you.

You hadn't realized how much you'd been carrying, how long you'd been walking around like you weren't allowed to want too much, feel too deeply, ask for more than just scraps of affection and empty promises. Now you were here, finally in his arms, and it was safe to fall apart a little. So you did.

Not for long. Just enough.

He didn't say anything else. He just held you, one hand tracing slow circles on your back, the other gently pressing your head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, strong. And for once, you let yourself listen to it without worrying when it might leave.

                                                                            ***

Morning came slowly.

You were awake before the sun fully rose, blinking into the low gray light that seeped in through the curtains. The room was quiet in a way that felt rare. No phones buzzing. No doors slamming. No Eren stomping around in a half-awake rant about missing socks or Jean singing terribly in the shower.

Armin was still asleep, his arm heavy across your waist, face half-buried in the pillow. His mouth slightly open, one golden strand of hair stuck to his cheek. You could feel his warmth wrapped around you like a secret, something soft and fragile and just yours, at least for now.

You turned slowly, careful not to wake him, just to watch him. God, he looked young like this. Not in a childish way. But peaceful. Unburdened. Like the world hadn't touched him for a few hours and you got to see who he was underneath all the thinking and second-guessing.

You let yourself trace the line of his jaw with your eyes, then the slight bruise your mouth had left on his collarbone. A reminder that last night had been real. That you didn't dream it.

For a second, the weight in your chest came back. The fear that maybe it was too good. That maybe this quiet wouldn't last. But you caught it this time. Took a breath and let it pass. You can't let yourself destroy this moment.

Armin stirred just as your fingers brushed his arm.

He blinked awake, slow and soft. And when he saw you, his face shifted into something that made your heart twist, something warm and stupidly gentle.

"Morning," he whispered, voice thick with sleep.

"Hey," you said. Your voice was a bit rough but still soft, he smiled anyway, like it was his favorite sound.

He leaned in, pressed a kiss to your shoulder without thinking. His hand slid up your spine, pulling you closer. Skin to skin again.

"You're still here," he mumbled.

"Yeah" you said. "You too."

"You thought I will leave?" You asked and laughed a bit

"Nah, no"

You lay there for a while, tangled up in each other, saying nothing. Letting the sun rise slowly over two people who hadn't quite figured out how to be okay yet, but were trying, together.

After a while, he pulled back slightly. "Eren and Jean are out, by the way," he said. "They stayed at Connie's last night. Probably won't be back till late afternoon."

You raised an eyebrow. "Was that... planned?"

He gave a small smirk. "Eren said he was tired of third-wheeling. Jean just wanted to drink Connie's beer."

You blushed slightly. "So they knew."

"I think everyone knew," he said. "Sasha literally handed me gum on Friday and said, 'for when you stop being a coward.'"

You buried your face in the pillow, groaning. "Ah Jesus I hate all of you."

He laughed, breath warm against your shoulder. "No you don't."

And you didn't.

Because even with the awkwardness coming- Eren barging in later, Jean probably making some smug comment, Sasha definitely texting within the hour, right now, it was just you and him. No timelines. No old scars. No noise. No unnecessary shit.

You eventually rolled onto your back, staring at the ceiling. The sheets had slipped low on your hips, and the air in the room was cool, but you didn't reach for your clothes. Not yet. You didn't want to break whatever spell this was.

Armin propped himself up on one elbow, head resting in his hand as he looked down at you. His fingers played absently with the edge of the blanket, like he didn't know where to start or maybe didn't want to say the wrong thing.

You turned your head slightly toward him. "You're staring. Creep."

"Can you blame me?" he said, and it was lame, but sweet, and it made your chest ache a little.

You gave him a small smile, but it didn't quite reach your eyes. He noticed. Of course he did.

"You're overthinking" he said gently.

You nodded, because you were. It was too much shit in your head now and you didn't even know how to start.

He leaned in and kissed your cheek. "Wanna let me in on it?"

You stared at the ceiling for another second. "I just... I don't want to ruin this by assuming too much."

There it was. Out in the open. The thing that had been buzzing under your skin since the moment you woke up.

He shifted beside you, quieter now. "What do you mean?"

You swallowed. "Like... I don't know what this is. What last night meant. I don't know if it was a one-time thing or if we're just gonna pretend it didn't happen, or..."

"Stop," he said. Not harsh, just firm. "Don't do that, please."

You looked over at him, heart in your throat.

"I'm not pretending anything didn't happen," he said. "I've been in love with you since, like, forever. But I was a coward and a dumbass and I didn't want to screw it up. I tried to push it away, to just... hookup and get high and drunk and...God"

That made your throat tighten. "You could've told me."

"I know," he said. "But I didn't. And I hated myself for it every time I saw you with someone else. Or when you looked sad and I wasn't allowed to ask why."

" I was with others because... I thought I couldn't have you" Your voice was low, almost whispering.

"I know... and believe me I hate myself for it"

You didn't say anything, not yet. Just watched him.

"So no," he went on. "This wasn't a one-time thing. Not for me. I don't know what label you want or if we even need one right now, but I want you. And I want this. For real."

You bit your lip, heart beating a little louder. "You're really saying that? Like...this is you choosing me, not just... responding to the moment?"

"I'm choosing you," he said without hesitation. "I already did. I just took too long to say it."

The silence between you now was different. Still soft, but heavier. More solid.

You reached out, took his hand. His fingers were warm against yours, steady.

"I want this too," you said. "But I need you to understand... I'm still figuring shit out. I might get in my head. I might overthink or pull away sometimes."

He nodded, already knowing. "Then I'll remind you. Every time. That I'm still here."

Your throat went tight again. "Okay."

"Okay?"

You smiled, finally real. "Okay."

He leaned in and kissed you then. Not hurried or rough, no tongue, or even particularly passionate, just slow and sure. The kind of kiss that felt like it belonged at the beginning of something.

And when he pulled back, you didn't look away.Your eyes locked on his.

"I guess we're a thing now," you said smiling.

"I'd call us a couple," he replied. "But if you prefer 'weird obsessed emotional disasters in love,' that works too."

You laughed, rolled your eyes, and shoved him lightly. "God, shut up."

But you didn't stop smiling. Not this time.

                                                                                        ***

You saw them before they saw you.

The group had already gathered at the usual spot near the campus, pushed-together tables and, a ridiculous number of drinks. Sasha was halfway through a sandwich she probably didn't pay for.Jean was leaned back in his chair, gesturing dramatically at Connie, who looked like he was pretending to listen. Historia sat half-curled into Ymir's side, one boot on the bench, scrolling on her phone. Reiner surprisingly wasn't paying attention at all and Mikasa had her arms folded and eyes on Eren, who was talking way too fast with a coffee he clearly didn't need in one hand.

You spotted Armin beside them, laughing at something Connie said, golden hair catching the late sun.

Your stomach flipped a little. This was the first time you'd see them all after. After everything. After waking up in his bed, skin against skin. After that kiss. After the promises that still echoed in your chest.

What were you even now? A couple? A secret? A maybe?

You took a breath and walked over.

Jean noticed you first. "Well well well- look who's finally graced us with their presence."

"Jesus Shut up," you muttered, sliding into the seat next to Armin. Your thigh brushed his under the table. He looked at you with a quiet smile, and his hand found yours and he was now holding it.

That simple touch answered the question better than any label.

"Hmm," Sasha said, mouth full. "You look... glowy. In the best way girl" and gave you a funny look.

Connie snorted. "Is that code for 'got laid'?"

Armin choked on his drink. You elbowed him lightly. "You people are the worst."

Ymir raised an eyebrow. "You say that, but you're smiling. He's smiling. Y'all are disgusting."

"Wait- wait," Jean said, pointing between you two. "Is this happening? Is this what I think it is?"

"Define this" you said trying to look nonchalant.

Jean blinked. "I mean...you and Armin over there. Together. Like, emotionally compromised and publicly annoying?"

Armin, to his credit, didn't flinch. He looked right at you, then turned back to the group and said, calm and sure, "Yeah. We're together."

It was quiet for half a beat. Then Eren laughed.

"Took you long enough," he said. "I had to sleep on Connie's floor for this."

"I told you to use the couch," Connie muttered.

Mikasa nodded once, the ghost of a smile on her face. "It's about time. I'm happy for you"

Sasha raised her soda. "To finally not dealing with all that tension. Seriously, it was painful to year her all the time saying  oh we will never be together, he doesn't like me and all that"

You should've felt embarrassed. You kind of did. But the warmth in Armin's hand, the way he looked at you like nothing in the world could shake him, made it easier to breathe.

Historia leaned toward you with a grin. "So... are we doing labels or what? Asking for my bet with Ymir."

You shrugged, letting yourself laugh. "We're figuring it out. But yeah, we're a thing."

Ymir smirked. "Called it."

"You called everything," Jean muttered.

Connie leaned in. "Wait, so this means I win the main bet, right? 'Before spring break' was my prediction."

"What main bet?" you asked, narrowing your eyes.

"The one we've all had since, like fucking forever?" Historia said like it was obvious.

Armin blinked. "You all had a bet on us?"

Eren scoffed. "Of course we did. The tension was unbearable. I had to leave rooms sometimes."

"You were in those rooms," you said dryly.

"Exactly. I suffered."

You turned to Armin, caught the look in his eyes. That same look from this morning. Real, steady, warm. His fingers tightened slightly around yours beneath the table.

But still, some part of you was holding back. Just slightly. Like stepping onto new ice.

And Armin noticed, as always.

He leaned over, lips brushing the shell of your ear. "Too much?"

You shook your head, barely. "Just... not used to being seen, like this."

"We don't have to put on a show."

"I know," you said, "but it feels like... it's just new, you know?"

He nodded, giving your hand one gentle squeeze.

You stayed like that for a while. Talking. Laughing. Letting it settle. Armin let go of your hand eventually, not because he wanted to, but because it didn't need to be held the whole time anymore. It was enough that he sat close. That his knee brushed yours every now and then. That every glance still had that same quiet promise: I'm here. I'm choosing you.

Ymir glanced across the table, eyes sharp. "So are we gonna have to sit through obnoxious couple stuff now? Shared hoodies? shit like that" She was talking like she wasn't in a relationship with Historia for like 2 years now.

You looked at Armin. He grinned. "No comment."

"Oh, it's already happening," Jean groaned.

"They're gonna start using one-word inside jokes and we'll all just sit here like idiots," Sasha added, scandalized.

You smiled into your drink. "That's fair."

Reiner leaned forward for the first time, looking amused. "Honestly, I'm just surprised it took this long. Everyone else in this group has either dated, kissed, or fought each other at least once."

"Hey," Connie said. "Not me and Jean. We didn't fucked or kissed"

Jean made a face. "Don't say it like you're disappointed."

"I'm fucking not. I had to kiss Eren and Reiner once when we played spin the bottle. FUCKING HELL" Connie said, making a disgusted face like he just ate trash and dirt.

Another round of laughter, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you felt like you weren't just in the group, you belonged there. Not on the outside, watching. Not pretending you didn't feel too much. Just part of it.

Part of something real <3.

Damn thank you for all the votes and comments. I appreciate them all. The story its basically over. But if you all want like extra chapters I could do more. If not that was it with Nerdmin.

THANK YOU AND I HOPE YALL LIKED IT! Check my new work "I used to know me". Bye<3333333Update: Since some of you asked, I will write extra chapters soon <3