“Quiet Comfort”

The barrack was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a lantern on the nightstand. The usual hum of chatter from the other cadets had died down, leaving a calm stillness in its wake. Armin sat on his bunk, his back resting against the cold wall, a book open in his hands. The faint sound of pages turning was the only noise breaking the silence. Eren had come to him earlier, his usual energy noticeably absent. He didn’t say much—just muttered something about feeling tired before wordlessly climbing into Armin’s lap. It wasn’t unusual for Eren to seek him out for comfort, especially on nights when the weight of training and the looming threat of titans felt heavier than usual. Now, Eren sat facing him, his legs loosely draped around Armin’s waist, his head resting against Armin’s shoulder. His arms were wrapped lightly around Armin’s back, his breath warm against the side of Armin’s neck. Armin, calm as ever, held him without a second thought. One arm supported Eren’s back while the other balanced his book, his fingers turning the pages carefully. His head rested lightly on Eren’s shoulder, the closeness offering a quiet reassurance to them both. “You’re still reading?” Eren mumbled, his voice muffled against Armin’s shirt. “Mm-hmm,” Armin replied softly. “I’m almost finished with this chapter. You don’t mind, do you?” “No,” Eren murmured. “It’s nice… just being here.” Armin’s lips quirked into a small smile, his heart warming at the quiet admission. He gently adjusted his grip on Eren, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the boy’s back.