You weren’t a soldier.

You weren’t part of the Scouts, or the Garrison, or anything that required a blade or a salute. You were just someone who lived near the barracks—a civilian with ink-stained fingers and a quiet life, someone who passed Armin Arlert in the market more often than you realized.

The first time you spoke, it was over books.

He was reaching for a worn copy of The World Beyond the Walls when your hand brushed his.

“Oh,” you said, pulling back. “Sorry.”

He smiled. “No, it’s okay. You like this one too?”

You nodded. “It’s the reason I still believe in oceans.”

He blinked. Then smiled wider.

After that, he started visiting the market more often.

Sometimes he’d ask about your favorite authors. Sometimes he’d bring you flowers—wild ones, awkwardly bundled, like he wasn’t sure if it was too much. Sometimes he’d just sit beside you on the steps outside your shop, watching the sky like it held answers he hadn’t found yet.

You didn’t ask about the Titans.

You didn’t ask about the missions, or the losses, or the weight he carried in his eyes.

You just let him be Armin.

And he stayed.

One evening, the sky turned gold with sunset. You were closing up when you saw him—standing across the street, hands in his pockets, eyes on you like he was trying to memorize the moment.

You waved.

He crossed over, slow and hesitant.

“I’m leaving tomorrow,” he said. “Another expedition.”

You nodded, heart sinking. “How long?”

He shrugged. “Could be weeks.”

You looked at him. “Will you come back?”

He didn’t answer right away.

Then: “I’ll try.”

You stepped closer. “That’s not enough.”

He looked at you then—really looked. And something cracked in his expression, something soft and scared and real.

“I don’t know how to promise things I can’t control,” he said. “But I want to come back. To you.”

You reached for his hand.

He held it like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

“I’ll wait,” you said.

He nodded.

And in that moment, Armin Arlert wasn’t a strategist, or a soldier, or a hero.

He was just a boy in love.

And he stayed a little longer.