You didn’t notice him at first.

You were too busy tending to Jean’s injuries, too focused on wiping away the blood staining his face, too caught up in making sure he was okay. It was only when you heard the soft, shaky breath behind you that you turned—and saw Armin.

His face was pale, his eyes unfocused. His breathing was uneven, like he was trying to hold something in. You barely had time to register the way his hands were trembling before his knees buckled.

“Armin!” You rushed to him instinctively, catching him before he could collapse. His body was warm—too warm. And there you spotted, he is losing a bit too much of blood from the injury that was inflicted on him by the titan you all fought.

“Ah… sorry,” he mumbled, his voice weak. “I didn’t want to… bother you.”

Your stomach twisted with guilt.

“What happened?” You scanned him for injuries, fingers hovering over his arms, his sides, his chest—until you felt it.

The dampness. The faint warmth of blood.

Your heart lurched. He was hurt but his reaction was too calm, too…expectant. Like he was waiting for this moment?