Live!
The first face to appear in front of his face was Eren's. The boy was smiling and reaching out his hand to him, offering him help standing up since Armin was apparently sitting on the ground for some reason. A moment later Mikasa and Marco appeared to each of his side, both smiling exactly the same way Eren was. They were all wearing swimming suits and Armin could see the sea and sandy coast behind them. Having no memory how he and his friends had been able to reach the world otherside of the walls, he wanted to ask them and parted his lips to do so but no sound came from his mouth. The trio in front of him didn't move nor speak, they just looked at him their faces reflecting pure happiness and Eren's hand remained reached out for him. After breathing in the unbelievable fresh air Armin suddenly realised that he really wanted to grab that hand. He needed to grab it to finally find his peace. But as soon as he had made up his mind to do so a dark cloud appeared above their head and thunder echoed in his ears and rain poured down on him and his companions, companions that slowly turned transparent and started to fade away.
No ! Don't go ! Stay with me ! Don't go ! Eren ! Mikasa ! Marco ! Please ! Don't go !
Armin thought in panic while stretching out his hand to finally grab the hand that was offered but it was too late and instead of his best friend he grabbed onto empty air. He stared at the place where his three friends had stood and felt tears swelling in his eyes. Eren ! Mikasa ! Marco ! Come back!
He begged while closing his eyes as he let those tears roll down his cheeks but he opened them again when he heard someone calling out his name.
" What are you doinghere, Armin ?" a familiar voice asked and he looked up to see his grandfather standing there with a worried look on his face. The cloud had suddenly disappeared and was replaced with sun which warmed Armin's skin. His grandfather fell on his knees in front of him and just stared at him for a while and then surprised Armin by pulling him into his arms.
" My dear boy ... It's too soon for you to be here. You have to go back. You can't stay here, not yet." he said and Armin wanted to ask why but once again he couldn't voice his question. His grandfather took his hat that he was wearing and placed it on the blond head of his grandson.
" You have to live on, no matter how painful it is. You have to be strong and you have to remember that you are never alone." he said. And before Armin could do anything a hand appeared from the sky, grabbed him by his shoulders and tossed him into the water. Finally, he was able to let out a horrified scream that was heard by noone.
Armin sat up quickly in his bed, his eyes were wide open and he was panting for breath. The body next to him stirred and slowly sat up next to him.
" Another nightmare ?" the sleepy voice asked and Armin took a deep breath before he nodded.
" Well ... something like that. But not really ..." he said and looked Jean who just stared back at him curiously.
" What ?" he asked in confusion and Jean rubbed his eye and yawned before he shrugged.
" I don't know ... want to talk about it or something ?" he asked and Armin smiled.
" No ... but ... could you just ... hold me ?" he asked and Jean's face light up before he shifted even closer and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, holding him close and then kissed him.
" I love you" Armin said softly before dozing off and Jean grinned.
" I love you too" he kissed the blond on his forehead and fell into blissful darkness a moment later.