The soft hiss of ODM gear slicing through the air. Armin zipped between the towering trees, his sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. His concentration was unwavering, his every sense attuned to the mission at hand.. Until Eren’s voice crackled through his headset.

Eren's voice came through again, his tone light and casual, as if they were lounging around back at headquarters instead of patrolling Titan territory, “I love you.”

Armin’s grip on his triggers slipped for just a second. His body jerked, his ODM cables taut as he narrowly avoided slamming into a low-hanging branch. He managed to right himself, though his balance was slightly off as he stumbled onto the next tree trunk.

“Wh-What?!” Armin sputtered, his voice cracking. His face burned as he fumbled with the controls, trying to focus. “Eren, this is hardly the time for—”

“For what?” Eren interrupted, the grin evident in his voice. “Telling you I love you?”

“Yes! I mean, no! I mean—” Armin groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead as if that could somehow stop the heat from spreading to his ears. “We’re on patrol, Eren! This is serious!” “I am serious,” Eren said, and the sincerity in his tone made Armin falter again. “You’re doing great out here, by the way. Just thought you should know.” Armin tried to focus on the task at hand, on the path ahead, on anything but the way Eren’s words sent a fluttering warmth through him. He sighed in fond exasperation. “Focus on the mission. This isn’t the time for…distractions like that.” “Distraction?” Eren’s voice crackled with amusement. “Nah, it’s called encouragement. Don’t tell me it didn’t make you smile.” Armin bit his lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. But even as he zipped between the trees, his cheeks still warm, he couldn’t help muttering under his breath, “Idiot…” The headset crackled again. “Love you too, Armin.”

“Eren!”