The Walls We've Built - ◈ ARMIN ARLERT X OC ◈

Chapter 8 - Allies

After Erwin finishes his address to the remainder of the cadets who have chosen to join his regiment, we all quietly talk with each other about joining the scouts and the future ahead. I look around at the cadets, some faces are familiar whilst others are ones I haven't seen before, I notice one girl in particular, she has hair the colour of honey and a soft face structure. She looks so familiar yet at the same time it feels as though I am seeing her for the first time. Her grey eyes meet mine and she nods her head at me and smiles before turning back to her fellow comrade. I smile to myself before turning back to the others.

Next to me Jacob and Gen are arguing about who is going to kill the first titan outside the walls, typical. I continue looking around until I see the familiar blue eyes of Armin Arlert, he is with his friends smiling as per usual or at least with me. He either hasn't noticed I'm here or has but is busy discussing with his comrades, well more like getting yelled at by Jean.

"Who are you staring at?" Gen questions waving her hand in front of my face. I take my eyes off Armin to look at Gen. Next to her Jacob is looking over her shoulder in the direction of Armin and his friends trying to work out what I was looking at. "Oh, I know," Jacob says looking at me with a stupid smirk on his face. I cross my arms leaning on my left leg, here we go. Gen squints her eyes looking over in Armin's direction, she has never had the best eyesight. Since she can't deal with things close to her eyes she refuses to get them tested and Jacob and I gave up on convincing her ages ago.

Gen's gaze returns to us and she looks at me with a big smile on her face. "What?" I asked honestly confused as I have no idea what either of them is doing. Gen begins speaking "Is that Ar-", "Zaryia's heroic lifesaver Armin Arlert? I think so!" Jacob finishes it with a mocking tone. I look at them blankly, "Huh?" I question. They are too busy laughing when I hear someone call my name behind me. "Zaryia!" Armin yells jogging towards me, I swiftly turn on my heels to face him, "Hey Armin! So you join the scouts too, huh?" I reply with a smile.

As Armin reaches me he trips on his own foot, coming falling in my direction, "Ah!" he yelps as he tries to stop himself from falling on his face. I quickly move towards him and grab his arms stopping him from face planting into the ground. He takes hold of my forearms, stabilising himself, "Sorry, I don't usually fall over, I'm not normally this clumsy!" he nervously laughs as I help him stand up. "You sure you're cut out to join the scouts when you can't stand on your own two feet?" I question sarcastically, Armin laughs in return to my smartass comment. I let go of his arms as he can stand by himself now, "Thanks" he replies letting go of my arms rubbing the back of his neck, I smile unsure of what to say.

"So what happened to you joining the garrison regiment?" Armin asks, intrigued by my sudden change in choice. The night I ran into him in the hallway of the scout's base I told him I was going to join the garrison regiment so I could help people as they did for me 845. I briefly told him about my experience of that day but I didn't go into much detail, 5 years later I'm still not able to talk about it without getting emotional. "Well, Commander Smith's speech moved me, I guess. The scouts have a bright future ahead of them, brighter than any other regiment and that's something I want to be a part of." I say genuinely, Armin's face goes a bright shade of red and replies "Me too!" enthusiastically.

"Eh-Hem," I hear someone say behind me, Armin points over my shoulder to who I am guessing is trying to get my attention. Right behind me, Jacob is standing staring down at me with Gen by his side. I look up at Jacob towering over me "Hi" I respond looking up to meet his gaze, he replies with an affiliative smile before looking over me, to Armin. "Hi" he says in a friendly tone, but Gen and I know him too well to know it's extremely fake, however Armin doesn't. Armin's expression changes, "Hi?" he says in an intimidated tone. I move away from Jacob and stand with Gen who is trying not to laugh, I nudge her in the side light enough that it doesn't tip her over again.