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log-ger · 3 months ago

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๋࣭ ⭑✏ˎˊ˗The Art Of Falling For You˗ ๋࣭ ⭑✏ˎˊ

Ship: Jean Kirstein x Eren Yeager Word Count: 2300 Note: Modern College AU. <<There's the tiniest bit of spiciness towards the end!!!>>

“Why are you drawing his eyebrows like that?” A nagging voice had suddenly boomed into Jean's left ear ,causing the poor man to flinch and nearly ruin his sketch. Hand gripping on the pencil roughly ,so rough he might have broken it.

“What's it to ya?” He'd finally spit out in annoyance ,tilting his head back to stare small daggers into his dumb friend.

“Just saying! Your page is full ,and all your drawings have his eyebrows arched like that-” Connie now shrugged, gesturing towards the man's sketchbook. ”I was just wondering why. Don't kill a man for being curious.”

“I don't know what you're on about. That's what his eyebrows look like ,you're probably just damn blind.” Jean groaned, putting the poor pencil down on his desk finally and slamming the sketchbook shut with a loud thud.

“Uh- no?” Connie stared at his friend as If, for this once he was the dumb one, head tilted to the side like a confused puppy. ”His eyebrows are straight??” The poor man nearly whimpered in despair, was his friend that blind?!?

“Man, fuck off- fuck you peeking over my shoulder for anyway? I swear to God next time I'll draw you fucking your mom if you keep testing me like that.” Jean moved to gently nudge his friend with his elbow once he stood up ,rolling his eyes.

Rushing away before Connie thought about asking why on earth was Jean's sketchbook filling with images of the one person he'd been calling his ‘enemy’. He wasn't going to go down like that- wasn't going to let himself be called out. So he rushed away-

And in his rush, his large frame would collide with someone else's, someone smaller. A small huff being all that left the blonde man, his eyes quickly searching for the other person.

And there he stood. Eren stared at Jean with bright green eyes ,head tilted up and eyebrows slightly furrowed. Yeah...he was the one in the right! Looking at the brown haired man standing before him, Jean was convinced Connie was playing dumb just to annoy him ,for his muse stood before his very eyes ,and his eyebrows arched just the same way they did on paper.

“Sorry-” Jean caught himself muttering to the boy before him, yet all he received in turn was a scoff and a slight flip of the hair as Eren rushed past him and away.

He'd ignore that for now ,only because he was too annoyed with Connie to allow himself to play annoyed with Eren. Truth be told ,it had been long since the last time Eren made Jean's blood boil in anger ..instead he simply made his blood boil. Boil and rise to his cheeks whenever the brown haired man stared his way, causing his cheeks to become a bare canvas ready to be painted with the beautiful scarlet of love.

That happened now too as Jean made his way to his dorm room faster, hoping his face was not yet touched by the paintbrush of embarrassment. Groaning for the hundredth time that day as he allowed his heavy body to fall upon his messy bed, face meeting with the cold pillow as blood finally began flowing to his cheeks in a mad rush.

Sleep away the day he did ,our artist, for his dreams carried sweetness within them. They carried Eren and himself in a meadow, careless and free, holding onto each other while laying on a blanket in between an endless sea of flowers ,laughing away the day. Oh how angry he'd been once the alarm woke him and he realized the only thing he'd been hugging had been his own blanket.. so cruel was the world.

And once he'd come to terms with his sad reality, Jean would simply get up and begin his day ,albeit slowly. His eyes searching for the beautiful frame of his nemesis the moment he entered the classroom. A gentle smile resting upon his lips as Eren was spotted.. good. Now to pick a seat-

For the past month, since Jean had come to terms with the.. liking he'd taken to Eren, the man would sit in very well thought out seats. To anyone that wasn't him ,it looked like the tall man sat himself at random- yet Jean knew that what he followed was the angles in which he saw Eren best. For.. artistic purposes. Every day he'd get a different angle, and therefore a different profile to work on and sketch.

Soon ,Eren became the only thing Jean would be drawing. And he'd have seen nothing wrong with all this had Connie not spoken, yet now the blonde found himself staring at his collection ,puzzled.

That day, their history teacher ,Hange, had made pairs for a project they'd have to work on as homework. Sometimes he wondered if the teachers listened in on the gossip and rumors of the students, for after all they were all adults. He wondered that mainly because too often would people be paired in.. very odd manners ,yet funny nonetheless. Two people argued? Project together. Two people are rumored to like each other? Suddenly they're sat together in class. That happened to Jean too that day for the first time.

Hearing his name being called, Jean wasn't going to bother to listen for who his partner was to be ,yet the moment he heard ‘Yeager’ leave Hange's lips, his heart felt like it had performed a somersault.

And there he'd be, the emerald eyed angel, staring into his soul as the class ended. ”So we're partnered together. Think you can be civil for once, Kirstein?”

“Oh fuck you, of course I can be civil!” Jean shot back almost immediately ,rolling his eyes in what seemed to be annoyance ..which really was just embarrassment.

The rest of the day was a haze for Jean- all he really remembered was that Eren was to come over later that day so they could lay down the bases of their stupid project. Yeah.. stupid project- Jean would've thanked Hange personally for this. For the opportunity to spend more time with a man that otherwise he was ‘supposed’ to hate.

Trying to seem like you don't give a fuck while giving all the fucks was absolutely insanely exhausting! Jean tidied up his room and himself ,yet he'd chosen to wear pijamas just for that ‘laid back’ look. Eyes scanning Eren's whole body once the man walked in, carrying a pack of energy drinks. He'd.. never really done that. Staring at Eren as a whole that is- it was always his face. His hair and his features.. sometimes his shoulders. Yet now, perhaps for a moment ,Jean realized there was so much more to stare at and.. imagine. The feeling of Eren's bare skin against his fingertips made the man shiver so roughly it ultimately also snapped him out of his little daydream.

Blinking a couple of times to yet again adjust himself to his own reality, Jean found himself to be.. stared at. Eren sat at the end of his bed, legs crossed and head tilted to the side as he stared at the taller man. Eyes carrying curiosity…

Jean couldn't help but let out a shaky breath at the sight of just.. how perfect the other looked. The way his hair fell, how his lips just.. looked so soft. His arched and slightly furrowed brows-

And in a quick moment Jean would understand what Connie's issue was. Seeing Eren's expression change once the brown haired man realized he was being stared at in return- his eyebrows flattened. A look completely unknown to Jean- new! Or perhaps simply forgotten.

“What's with that?” Eren would ask, commenting on the man's sudden shocked expression spread across his face.

“You've just- I've never seen you-” Jean stumbled upon his words ,feeling the uncontrollable warmth that rushed to his face and ears. ”Never seen you look at me like that- or.. Haven't seen you look at me like that in a while-”

“Like what?”

“I don't know-” Jean shrugged, for he didn't! And perhaps he also just didn't wish to expose himself further than he already felt he had.

“Jean-” Eren huffed, lowering himself the way a cat would in order to enter Jean's field of vision, for the blonde had looked away. ”Like what?” He asked again, voice now softer.. gaze more loving. Eyebrows yet again furrowing and arching slightly.

A small noise escaped Jean's throat ,his heart skipping a beat at just how mischievously beautiful Eren looked in that very moment. He could almost- almost taste the sweetness of his lips. Just by staring at them.

“Doesn't matter-" The larger man finally muttered yet again, gaze traveling towards his sketchbook that laid on the bed by himself. That might have been a mistake, for the instant Eren noticed, he'd have grabbed at the item and scooted away with it. Like a gremlin ,he'd giggle before opening and looking through his …friend's work, stopping in a rather slow manner once he'd notice how he bore a resemblance to the muse of Jean's art.

“Oh I see.. this is what Connie's been talking about-”

“Fuck's Connie been talking about?!” Jean just about yelled in disbelief as he stared to the man holding one of his most prized possessions.

“Just something about how you're drawing someone in our class with a weird expression on their face or something-” Eren laughed, yet soon a realization seemed to wash over him. ”Oh fuck him for saying i look weird!”

Yes. That's all Eren got from that.

Jean however was slowly understanding himself- understanding what was at fault for the way his drawings turned out.

Love. At first he'd pushed away the idea, unable to reason why Eren of all people would look at him that way.. yet upon seeing that very look materialize before him.. Jean knew it was nothing but pure love and admiration. And that- offered him the tiniest bit of confidence.

“You look at me all lovey-dovey ,Yeager. I think that's our issue.”

“Hah?! The fuck are you on about-” Eren now closed the sketchbook, and although he wanted to deny it ,he was embarrassed-his face betrayed him. Cheeks burning a bright red, spreading up to the very tip of his ears.

“Oh my god I'm right-”

“Shut the fuck up!” Eren scoffed ,standing up and tossing the man's book at his head. Not even that could stay a malicious action, for the moment the book was in the air ,Eren's expression grew worried ,and he'd even flinch when the item landed- thankfully by Jean's side, not into his head.

Once he managed to escape his thoughts and make his body move at last ,Eren turned to leave ,legs feeling like they'd give in underneath him at any moment. A short yelp suddenly left his throat only moments later, for before he got to grab onto the door knob ,his chest was pressed against the cold door.

Jean's own warm chest pressed against Eren's back ,his hands resting against the door on each side of the boy's head. His hot breath now hitting the back of the smaller man's neck ,his heart pounding against his chest as he had to resist the urge to bite into the other, marking him with a big ol’ bite mark to the nape. It was clear he struggled ,for he wasn't hearing Eren who tried to ask what this was for…yet even if he'd heard him, the tone of his voice wouldn't have done Jean any good.

Leaning in ,letting out the slightest growl as he managed not to allow his instinct to win, Jean would instead press a deep and loving kiss on the man's skin, feeling him gasp and whine and arch underneath his lips. Eren's hips pressing back, Jean's hips pressing forward as his large hand moved to slide up the back of Eren's head, grabbing a handful of his hair and pulling- yanking the boy's head back and causing him to whimper out loud.

Twitching- Jean could feel something twitching against Eren, yet for a moment more he allowed his embarrassment to stay away ,not take over. Staring down into Eren's enchanting eyes as his head was now tilted back properly, he'd lean in. One final action before he was to let the other go. His lips meeting with Eren's parted ones in a rough ,needy and desperate kiss- one that lasted for a short while.

Before Eren knew it, Jean had let go of him and moved to sit back down on his bed, grabbing himself a drink. ”So, coming over tomorrow to fix the project?”

The poor trembling mess that was Eren only managed to glance back at Jean and offer a nod before he yet again reached to open the door.

“Might ask you to model for me.. I want to learn proper anatomy and I have a feeling I'd.. quite enjoy your body.” Jean chuckled, a dark yet loving chuckle as Eren scurried away in embarrassment, cursing under his breath.

No fucking way Kirstein just did that?!

Well.. Jean was having the exact same thought. Cooped up in his dorm room ,the boy would spend the next few hours thinking back to whatever the hell could have possessed him to do that…and what he had to do to get possessed by It again.. preferably soon. He felt he'd burst into flames if he didn't get to feel Eren against him ,his warm skin against his needy hands.

He felt he'd die if he didn't get to see that lovestruck expression he'd been drawing, on Eren's face. God...falling in love was such an art- a form of art Jean would gladly keep partaking in until the end of time.

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log-ger · 4 months ago

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#awkwardlovers!

𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼 ARUANI'S DAY OUT 𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼

content warning - fluff, mutual pining, armin and annie is so so soft pairing - Armin Arlert x Annie Leonhart (AruAni), Attack on Titan modern AU word count - 3.3k... i got carried away again. maybe i should just settle to 2k plus words because i can't with 1k or less author's note - testing the waters in fluff. i have written fluff privately but this is my first time publishing it. and of course i'm gunna use this as a self-indulgent writing for my aruani brainrot taglist - @pixelcafe-network @levihandynasty @sneak-pieck @onlyymirknows @polkadotdweeb @log-ger + discord server family <3

It was out of nowhere when Annie approached Armin's bench on a lunch break, a pile of books in one hand, and a glazed donut in the other.

"I'm taking you out on a date."

Armin nearly choked on his food. Eren laughed nervously, trying his best to cover up for his best friend and distract Annie while Armin downed his bottled water. Crap, I think Armin is finally busted. Eren thought to himself, stealing glances at Mikasa who was also surprised by the ordeal.

"Annie, are you...?"

"I said I'm taking you out on a date. Be ready in a week or so,"

Munching the last of her donut, she didn't wait for Armin's answer and walked away to her next class, leaving Armin speechless. Eren was still dumbfounded by the situation, looking over at Armin, whose ears were now bright red.

"What was that again?" Eren's gaze was fixed on Annie, watching her as she disappeared from his sight and out of the campus cafeteria. Emotions spurring in Armin's heart and cloud his mind, am I too obvious about my feelings? What if Annie thought I was lame?

"Don't worry, Armin. I'm sure you know what to do." Armin was pulled out of his self-sabotaging thoughts and turned to Mikasa, squeezing her hand to seek comfort. The cafeteria was slowly deserted, leaving the trio, especially Armin, in his mind where Annie's voice echoed.

I have one week, Armin mused. I will do everything I can for this girl. I won't miss the chance.

"I know what to do." Armin said to hype himself. He stood up from the bench and looked down at his best friends with the fiery determination in his eyes. The walk to their respective classes was quiet, bubbling with anticipation from each of them.

"Best of luck, Armin. Annie is a tough cookie," Eren waved goodbye to him, his footsteps fading into the hallways of the campus.

With that in mind, he became quiet after classes, the gears turning in his head to plan a perfect date with the girl he had been pining for years.

After that daring encounter, Annie has been fighting for her life to maintain her composure. She was notorious for declining people left and right. The cause? She only had one particular boy in mind.

Armin's plan didn't get lost under her observant gaze, which made it ten times harder for her to keep her cool, her impulse screamed at her to abandon that image of her... all for Armin.

Pull yourself together, Leonhart.

Annie shook her head firmly, schooling her expression in the mirror every day she knew she would see Armin, be it in or outside the classroom. How can a boy turn her world upside down? They hardly interact. But... maybe...

Maybe it's the wholesome interaction every time they do, maybe it's the conversation that seemed boundless? She knew she could talk to him about anything, especially games or books. Or is it because he seemed to be softer with her?

She doesn't know, and she wouldn't tell a soul, not even Hitch, who unironically keeps on pestering her to pick a guy already.

I finally mustered up the courage to ask him out first, I have to make it worth their while or it's over for me.

Armin has had more initiative in taking things to the next level with Annie. Taking the train home with her even though he had to make a trip back to his dorm, tutoring her in some of their shared classes, his routine slowly orbiting around Annie. During this time, Armin learned more about Annie: her favorite treats, her pet peeves, how she dresses, everything he could get his hands on.

He had counted the days until the date came. He got up early, ensuring he looked his best for the day as he checked himself in the reflective window of the train. Armin daydreamed of what Annie would wear, what he would say, and how Annie would react until he settled for "wing it and hope everything works out," just like Jean advised him or anyone within their group.

On his way to the plaza, Armin smoothed out his jacket and button-down shirt, holding a bag of sweet treats, assorted items of Annie's favorite things, and a plan. He was leaning against a pillar, observing the sky when Annie stepped out of the train and spotted his blond hair in the bustling crowd.

God. Why does she have to be prettier every time I look at her?

Armin's heart leaped as he greeted Annie, quickly adjusting himself and his reading glasses. Judging by his smile and wide eyes, awestruck was an understatement.

"Annie... hey," Armin waved, even though Annie was already in front of her. He mentally facepalmed himself. Pull yourself together, Armin.

"Hi. I hope I'm not overdressed," Annie looked down at herself. Armin had gotten used to her neutral-colored clothes, seeing her in pastel colors was entirely new to him. His fingers flexed, itching to caress the bangs that framed the right side of her face, or maybe take her smaller hand in his, the hands that he had been dreaming about holding.

Annie stole glances at him, not wanting to be too obvious that she was staring. He cut his hair just enough to be noticeable to her. His shirt and pants were perfectly ironed, looking more "handsome" than usual. And the scent of his cologne that always smells fresh and homely.

"No, no- don't be silly. You look beautiful. And I hope you're ready for our full-day date."

Armin couldn't hide his giddiness, pulling out a piece of paper of his handwritten itinerary. Annie raised her eyebrows and leaned over to him to read the paper, a small smile graced her face.

Turns out, she had also planned a date that she knew he'd love: a day out in the newly established aquarium.

"Armin..." Annie stepped closer, "I have planned things for us, too. I'm the one who asked you out on a date, remember?"

"Ah! Oh, um, sure," Armin smiled sheepishly, rubbing his nape as he looked down at her, her sweet scent invading his senses. "I just want you to enjoy today as much as I am,"

Annie's smile widened, and her cheeks blossomed with a light shade of pink as he took her hand in his. Hesitantly at first, before they intertwined their fingers, going silent for a few moments as their minds raced with thoughts, like two teenagers going out on a date for the first time.

Armin lets Annie take the lead, the anticipation was palpable as they approached the building. It was exactly how he pictured it: well-maintained and spoiling him rotten with its exhibits.

The spacious lobby greeted them with four separate hallways to indulge in their aquatic adventure, splashes of ocean blue, and the eco-friendly interior is a sight to behold. Various crowds were seen, from families, a group of school's field trip, and marine biology major students, adding more to the intriguing atmosphere.

Throughout the date, Armin was like a kid at a candy store, knowing more than the tour guides themselves as they perused from one aquarium to the other with awe and wonder in his eyes.

Annie smiled at the subtle squeeze of his hand in hers, the flare in his eyes when he spotted his favorite fish, she wouldn't want it any other way. She's a goner at this point.

The freshwater has low levels of salinity, providing favorable settling ecosystems. Freshwater is home to over 100,000 species of plants and animals, including fish, amphibians, birds, mammals, and invertebrates, while saltwater, despite its beauty, holds many mysteries that humans have yet to discover.

Annie didn't ask, Armin told her as they walked around from one section to another, a walking encyclopedia, she thought. His train of thought stopped when they stepped into the heart of the aquarium - an open aquarium for dolphins, right by the open sea to accommodate the dolphins' natural habitat.

The gentle laps of the ocean nearby and the kids' cheers were all they heard. Armin shamelessly queued with the smaller kids to get a chance to pet the sea creatures and interact with dolphins. When it was finally their turn, Armin gently guided Annie's hand to pet a dolphin.

He didn't even have to read the provided signage while naming each fish, Annie wasn't sure whether he did this out of his love for reading or to impress her. Either way, Annie was more than happy to listen to him, finding him cute when he did so.

Annie finds herself paying attention to him more than the fish tanks—his expressive blue eyes, and soft features watching the fish intently, while Armin is repeatedly called out to not stand too close to the fish tank, unable to keep his voice down as he rattled.

Annie subtly moved closer to him. Along the way, she started to wonder how it would be to finally let her guard down and be closer, how about hugging him from behind... and maybe giving him a peck to shut him up and see how he'd react—

Annie stopped herself. She blinked once to sober up and throw questions at Armin. Hopefully, Armin didn't catch her being too distracted.

She pulled out her phone, turning the flash off and discreetly took pictures of Armin when he wasn't looking, pretending to "take a picture of the fishes or something else" when Armin looked over his shoulder.

"Here, try this out. I charged this for our day,"

Our day? Annie's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Armin took out his gaming device from his pocket, a Nintendo 3DS to capture the group of fish swimming about in the tank, explaining how the device works, and showing off his game collection all in one sitting.

Annie's eyes danced with fondness as she looked through the pictures, and caught a dozen of candid photos of her, from the well-lit freshwater exhibits to the dimly lit sea exhibit, he captured Annie's features perfectly, the water pattern reflected on her skin.

"Hey!" Armin's cheeks flared red, covering the screen with his hand. "You're not supposed to see that! Not yet, at least."

Armin noticed their closeness in the dimly lit area, their heads nearly touching. Every muscle strained to not just lean down and do what he has been wanting to do for a while.

"Okay! I won't look. Not yet, at least," Annie teased to mask her excitement. She studied him, the rise and fall of his chest as he calmed himself down.

"Good. Now, onto our next section of the aquarium," Armin adjusted his glasses, falling into step with her as they followed the herd of people to the next exhibition.

He had made up excuses to just hold her in some way, maybe her hand, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, to ensure she wouldn't get lost in the crowd. Annie rolled her eyes fondly at that, secretly enjoying their closeness, and oh boy, she would jump around her bedroom when she caught a whiff of Armin's cologne on her shirt.

The sun had dipped into the horizon by the time they walked out, carrying paperbags full of merchandise from the gift shop, and an orca plushie for Annie. The sunset cast long shadows at the park and to the city, but Armin was too busy admiring her to look around the picturesque scenery before them.

"That was fun. We should do it again."

"Yes! We should!" Armin beamed at her, pulling her into a hug, "Thank you, Annie. This is the best day of my life,"

"Oh-"

Annie was surprised at first, steadying herself on her feet as she encircled her arms around him. She answered you're welcome, her voice muffled against Armin's shoulder. She may look grouchy and not too fond of intimacy... but with Armin, everything seems to be effortless.

Armin reluctantly loosened his grip around her. "I had so much fun back there, I wish we could go through with my plan after you spoil me with this date,"

Armin stepped back, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. He knew he didn't want the day to be over—hadn’t planned on standing here, in the corner of the park, waiting for Annie to say goodbye—but here he was, his heart felt like it was about to burst.

Across from him, Annie was fidgeting with the plushie, her blue eyes flickering between the pavement and the guy in front of her like she was trying to memorize everything.

“You, uh... you sure you're okay with taking the train alone? I can accompany you,” he asked, breaking the silence between them. Armin's voice was almost too casual, but Annie could hear the hint of uncertainty in it.

Annie shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “I’m good... I don't want to tire you out or something,"

The air between them felt charged, like it was just one spark away from igniting into something else. Something neither of them had admitted yet. Annie could feel the tension creeping up, thick like the calm before a storm.

Armin shifted, stepping just a little closer, his breath coming in shorter bursts. “Yeah, I—” He stopped himself, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck.

"I just... really don't want this day to be over. I feel like- something," Armin gestured vaguely, the tip of his ears turning red. "Forget it. I think it's stupid,"

"No, it's... not." Annie’s stomach flipped. She tilted her head, meeting his eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Something like what?”

He glanced away, his lips pressing into a tight line. “Like we’re... not talking about it. I know this is a date and all but... we haven't talked about that."

Her pulse quickened. She knew what he meant. She’d known it for a while now. They're always on the edge of something they knew they felt, they just haven't dared say it out loud yet. As the tension became thicker, Annie finally took the hit.

“You mean...” Annie swallowed, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. “What we’re both thinking about?”

Armin was silent for a long moment, looking at her like she was something precious. His gaze softened, giving her an almost imperceptible nod. A beat later, he took a step forward.

Just one. But it felt like the whole world shifted in that space between them.

“I think,” he began, his voice rougher now, “I think I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long, Annie. And I—” He stopped, his face reddening, his gaze dropping to her lips.

"I didn't know when, or how, but at some point... I fell for you. I still do, actually. And I want to be close to you- more than that surface level. But a kiss is a start, right...?"

Annie’s heart hammered in her chest. Everything went still. The city around them, the hum of distant traffic, the scent of the flowers—it all disappeared. It was just the two of them.

“Armin, I-" Annie clutched the plushie on her right side.

"I know, I know it's stupid. But at the same time, I don't want to force you if you're not ready or something," Armin said, his voice filled with urgency and love.

"No, Armin. I... I’ve wanted it, too..." Annie whispered. Armin felt like he was about to fall to his knees.

And that was all it took. In an instant, Armin was close enough that Annie could feel the warmth of his body, and could smell the faint hint of his cologne. Armin reached up, fingers trembling as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering on her skin.

Annie’s breath hitched, and she closed her eyes. She didn’t have to wait long. His lips were soft, tentative at first, but when she leaned into him, something shifted. And when they did—when their lips met in that first, electric kiss—it felt like everything had been leading up to this one instant.

Time stretched and bent, everything else falling away around them. The only thing left was the kiss, the rush of feeling that overwhelmed them both. Annie’s hands found his shirt, pulling him closer, her heart thudding in her chest as Armin's hand snaked to the back of her neck.

When they finally pulled away, breathless, Armin rested his forehead against hers, both of them trembling slightly.

“God,” he whispered, voice thick with awe, “I think... I think I’ve been waiting my whole life for that.”

Annie laughed, low and breathless, her hands still tangled in his shirt. “I know exactly what you mean.”

And in that moment, it didn’t matter that they hadn’t said the words out loud yet. The kiss had said it all.

She traced her lips with her thumb, committing everything to her memory—this day, their hug, their kiss, and him. Armin, too, felt like he was melting away in her embrace. Her sweet scent, the softness of her lips, and the texture of her flavored lipgloss.

She took a deep breath and pulled back slightly, just enough to look at the last rays of golden light dancing on his features. Armin was still cutely dazed after the kiss, trying to get used to the warm feeling in his chest.

"Who said the day has to be over now?" Annie smiled, "the night has just begun,"

Armin's eyes glinted, and the lightbulb went on in his mind. He nodded eagerly and took her hand in his, picking up their paperbags in the other. "You're right! Let's go!"

The moonlight followed them on their date, their steps falling in sync with the bustling crowds. They spend the night exploring the city, food, strips of photo booth pictures, and arcade games. They enjoyed each other's company more than they had realized, it felt like the universe finally giving him what he wanted.

Armin couldn't help but appreciate how the city lights made her look more dreamy. At one point, he leaned down and meant to land a kiss on her cheek, but Annie suddenly turned her head to show him something and ended up with another kiss.

"Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to—" Armin stammered, fidgeting from the innocent peck.

"It's okay. I think I kinda like it," Annie laughed and nudged him gently, caressing his back to calm him down.

Annie started to regret that she hadn't done it sooner. Armin, too, wished he had asked her out first and not just stayed in the background, or experienced the bitterness when Annie was asked on a date by other people. He didn't want to deal with that crap anymore, and he'll change that tonight.

Their last stop was the ice cream shop. Armin couldn't take it anymore. He finally asked her for a second date, and the third... and maybe just be his girlfriend already. Annie finds his eagerness adorable and gives him a nod.

"So... which part are you nodding to?" Armin stole glances at her, shifting from one foot to another. Annie smiled genuinely, a rare smile that had always made him weak in the knees.

They knew the answer already.

It was just the two of them on the terrace, savoring the ice cream cones and stargaze, their minds racing with newfound emotions—anticipation, relief, joy, Armin felt like he was on cloud nine, looking at Annie like a lovesick teenager. As he should, honestly.

Annie was still very much into the sugary intake, while Armin had nearly passed out from the food coma. She laughed and handed him the orca plushie, letting him doze off for a while.

As she watched him sleep, her gaze soft and full of relief, finally getting to love him openly.

The universe is really on his, or their side, after all.

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