entranceway | 2nd Mission video/action

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2nd Mission video/action

[Armin often visits the shoreline, so it's not unusual at all to meet him here. He sits with his legs tucked up to his chest, boots off, waves lapping at his feet. Sometimes for hours.]

[Those who know him might notice one small difference however; his clothing. His uniform looked more or less the same, but he was missing his green cape, and the emblem on his jacket was not blue-and-white wings, but two crossed swords.]

[He looks to his communicator at his side. His eyes, normally so bright with intelligence and curiosity seem unsettlingly dead.]

No one had ever told me... Is it true that this is the ocean?

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[ Okay, this is... starting to legitimately freak Eren out. ]

Armin, what are you talking about? You were with Jean on the mission outside Rose, when you ran into the female type titan. Did you... hit your head or something?

[ Going to kinda... strain his neck trying to check the back of Armin's head without getting too close. ]

[Armin puts his hand on his neck where his scar is visible, more actively trying to avoid Eren's gaze. It obviously is making him nervous, but he can't just avoid his friend.]

I haven't been outside of Rose... Since Shigashina. Such a mission never happened...

[ Oh god, it's the neck thing again.

Eren respects his friend and his personal space about as far as two co-dependent PTSDriddled kids can respect something nebulous like personal space. AKA it's a miracle he's lasted this long without surging forward and pulling at Armin's jacket. Which is what he's doing now. ]

What the fuck is this?

[He tries to dive away at the last second, but it's too late. Eren catches his jacket and the root like tendrils of scar tissue crawling up his neck become visible. It's obvious they continue running down where his shirt hides their path.]

Eren-- Please, I don't...

[It's so painful just to think about. He doesn't want to explain himself again.]

[ what the fuck is this?!

Okay, okay, there is something incredibly wrong with Armin right now, and Eren can't even figure out what it is or how to help. So he does the only thing he can think of-- he drags Armin into an awkward hug and holds him tight. ]

[Eren hugs way too tight-- there's no way he can get out-- he struggles, and struggles, and slowly the struggle stops and he's clinging instead, his hands clutching and wringing at Eren's cape. Armin shakes and cries silently, eyes wide as every time he blinks he sees things unwanted and unbidden.]

I-I'm sorry, I s-so sorry-- [He hiccups.]

Edited 2013-08-21 02:44 (UTC)

[ Crying is not good; Crying Armins are never good (even if they are plentiful). So Eren just stays where he is, trying not to freak out.

Once Armin starts apologizing, though, he knows he has to say something, even if he's still so confused. ]

Don't apologize; don't ever apologize. You, of all people, should never ever apologize, alright?

Edited 2013-08-21 03:31 (UTC)

[He shakes his head with conviction, staring away, at the ground.]

You still don't understand-- I didn't-- I couldn't...

I couldn't save you!

Armin...

[ 'You always save me,' is what he wants to say. But he doesn't. Instead, he holds Armin tighter and asks: ]

Why would you believe that?

[Escape is impossible. Armin fights with his words like he's pushing down bile at the same time.]

At Trost, you-- you said you believed in me, but, I didn't believe in myself... I couldn't get the garrison to stand down...

[He gasps a full breath.]

We ran back into the city, but... We were taken down by Titans. It was over so fast...

[ Okay, Eren loosens his grip and pulls away a bit-- only enough to look at Armin's face. ]

At... Trost?

[He nods, not bothering to wipe the tears from his face.]

[ Okay.

Eren releases Armin and stands, determination on his face. Determination for what, exactly?

For picking up Armin bridal style, of course. ]

We're going inside for a bit.

[Armin makes a sound like a goose with bronchitis as he's suddenly in the air, not expecting anything other than maybe admonishment from Eren, and definitely not being picked up. He flails a little, but he doesn't want to fall either, so he grasps at Eren's jacket too.]

W-what are you doing???

Getting you out of this salty air.

[ He starts walking towards the Mansion with arms full of Armin. ]

It can't be good for you.

[You might even say he has Armin in his arms.]

I'm n-not an invalid...

[But he's tired. So tired. Weary of fighting, running, hiding, failing... His life seem to be an unbreakable cycle of disappointment. It's satisfying to give in for a moment and let Eren lead him as he may, as he did for so much of their lives. He doesn't have the pride left to feel ashamed.]

I know you're not.

[ Still carrying 5ever ]

But there's something wrong happening-- something very wrong, and until I can figure out what's happening, I'm not letting go of you.

There's nothing wrong, Eren. This is only... reality.

[I'm a hopeless, useless mess still being rescued by you.]

No, it's not.

[ wait ]

Well, I guess... yes? It is?

[ fuck things are confusing ]

But you saved me at Trost, Armin. Me and Mikasa, both. You saved us all. Many times after that, too.

You say that, but...

[He looks away.]

It wasn't me. I have scars to prove it.

Of course it was you. Scars or no scars, an Armin's an Armin. There can't be multiples of you.

I don't understand either. If anything I agree... But I'm not lying to you, I swear.

So you saved me and Mikasa at Trost, then. [ logic?????? ]

[Armin sighs deeply.]

I wish those were the memories I have... Instead of these...

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