A/N: Welcome to the first chapter or "Original Sin"! I've literally had the outline for this fic fleshed out YEARS before I decided to write it, I'd forgot about it. But I stumbled upon it recently cos I was in the mood to write some Jearmin. ouo Enjoy!

ORIGINAL SIN – by azxrae

Chapter One

x-x-x-x

Armin remembered a lot of things about Shiganshina; the fact that there was a perpetual chill in the air being one of the more prominent. He certainly wouldn't miss that, but he was confident he wouldn't miss most things about the dead-end town. Why would he? Shiganshina was dry and cold, and devoid of any type of recreation save for a pitiful excuse for a mall and the dive bar that was mostly frequented by high school students.

Armin loathed Shiganshina. He always had. That was why, as soon as he was granted emancipation from his less-than-present parents, he'd bought a one-way train ticket out of there.

He did remember the offer Eren and Mikasa made him before they'd left Shiganshina. Whenever Armin was ready he could come to Chlobra and live with them. It was an incredibly sweet gesture, but Armin knew he wouldn't be truly happy with that plan. His friends were both small-town folk by nature; they'd liked the intimacy of Shiganshina, for one reason or the other. But not Armin. He craved the thrill of being in a city; always having things to do, people to go meet, places to travel to. The ability to get lost in a crowd whenever he pleased. Those were the things he'd always desired.

So, immediately after his high school graduation he'd packed up his valuables, stuffed two-hundred dollars into his pocket and climbed on a train. His destination wasn't all that important to him; he just needed to get out (but Armin did happen to know he was headed towards the inner Rose districts).

No one had been on the platform to see him off, but that was fine. Armin wanted to make as least of a fuss about his leaving as possible. Not that he thought anyone would really care either way. He didn't focus on making any lasting friendships when he was in school; the boy was mostly concerned with maintaining an unblemished GPA and getting his diploma, so he wouldn't have any ties and he could go far, far away.

The "going far away" aspect hadn't been hard, at all. Armin didn't even look back when the train pulled away from Shiganshina Station; he'd just settled into his chair, plugged in an ear-bud and nosed deep into the marine life magazine he'd plucked from a newsstand earlier that morning.

The ride had been about five hours, and surprisingly, without any hiccups or random stops to delay his arrival. But that was good – the eagerness Armin felt to begin his new life was difficult to suppress.

He'd opted against getting any food in the terminal, (he thought to save his money for something more important later on) and instead, made a beeline to the washroom waiting just outside the metal detectors. Before his official farewell to Shiganshina, a bit of an alteration had to be made, he realized.

Armin pushed open the door and dawdled in, parking himself in front of the sink. He sat his duffle bag down beside him.

Reflected in the mirror he saw neatly-kept blond hair framing a round face. There were no real delusions surrounding his attractiveness, he knew, but he also knew that there was something holding him back. A hindrance. That sort of thing might've been okay in his hometown, but not here. In Trost he would be someone different. He wouldn't allow himself to simply fade into the background again. Armin wanted to be unforgettable to someone this time around.

He unzipped the side pocket of his duffle bag for his contact case. In the past, Armin never cared much about his appearance, but this new Armin did. It was time to "glow-up", as he was sure that phrase went. The boy smiled to himself as pale hands reached up, removing the thick-rimmed glasses resting over the bridge of his nose for the last time. He popped open his contacts and expertly filmed them over his eyes, then gave a second look to his reflection.

Big, cerulean hues stared back at him. It was a shame, he thought, that such a pretty face had been hidden away for that lot of time. Armin knew it would be different now. He sunk his hand into his hair and smoothed down his vest, turning this way and that to survey his appearance.

"I can be anyone I want." He told himself with his eyes still fixed on his reflection. There was but a breath of hesitation when he snapped the glasses down the middle, then tossed them into the trash bin.

A final peak was given to his reflection, and then, once he was satisfied, the blonde exited the bathroom and started his trek out of the station.

It was difficult not to cringe at the dingy state of the room he checked into, but the distaste Armin felt was compromised when he was reminded of how much money he was saving. Verona Motel was cheap enough to go nicely with the two-hundred dollars he had to his name, but he wondered how long he'd be able to keep this living situation up before his funds ran out.

He'd need some sort of income sooner or later, but for now Armin would focus on familiarizing himself with his new home. He shrugged off his backpack and threw his duffle bag onto the bed, crossing the short distance to the window. The sun was starting to set; he could see the busy streets, and a pair of women clad quite scantily sauntering the sidewalk below.

Trost was certainly a change from Shiganshina. Armin knew It would take some getting used to before he could really call this place home – which, strangely, was an exciting prospect to him. He could see himself growing to like it, but any place was a step-up from where he'd come from.

Armin pulled away from the window and sat on his bed. He'd begun to reach into his pocket, then remembered his problem: he didn't have a phone. When he'd left, the monthly payment of his Verizon bill went with it. At current he didn't have a job, which meant no luxuries. But it also meant he couldn't contact Eren and Mikasa, which was a stressful l thought.

Armin sighed. 'This is too much to think about on my first day here.'

A walk was decided to occupy him for the time being. He realized that staying in this room for much longer would force him to overthink every aspect of his situation, which he really wasn't in the mood to do.

After triple-checking that he had his keycard, he left the room. Armin did his best to never-mind the sharp pain in his stomach. It was likely the product of the absence of food; he'd not actually eaten since the previous morning. But that wasn't something he'd allow his mind to worry over – at least, not at that moment.

The boy smiled when, after exiting the motel, he was greeted by a warm gust of wind. His hair tossed about his face and it felt kind of raw against his contacts, but he'd endure it willingly. It was preferred to wearing his glasses by a longshot.

Armin decided to follow the dim sound of a saxophonist playing, which lead him northbound up Morheim Street. His watch read 7:13PM. Good time, he thought, perhaps he'd even spot some sort of establishment in need of a new employee during his outing. Just the idea of a new job was enough to cool his nerves.

"Hey, you okay?"

Armin paused in his tracks. Was that addressed at him? The voice had come from behind him. It sounded female, and close enough to where she definitely must've been speaking to him. But why? To his knowledge there was nothing visibly wrong with him that needed to be pointed out. Armin was sufficiently confused.

But still he turned, making sure to do so with caution. The person that spoke out was indeed a female. Her features were disarmingly friendly, which comforted him a little.

"You were stumbling while you were walking." She elaborated, "Are you okay?"

The girl had auburn hair and a pair of almond-shaped, brown eyes. She was munching on a bag of potato chips and the crumbs, he noticed, were gathering around the corners of her mouth.

"Um... was I?" Armin blinked to display his confusion. Stumbling? He'd not realized that. But he had been feeling out-of-it ever since this lack of food thing had come to bite him in the butt. "I didn't notice… but I'm fine. I swear." The blonde gently rubbed his temple. "Just kind of dizzy, but I'll manage."

The concern didn't leave her face. Armin figured that maybe he'd not been all that convincing, but he'd hoped she'd respect his privacy enough not to press.

"When…." She seemed to be considering her words. "When have you eaten last? If you don't mind me asking, I mean."

'I do mind you asking.' Armin's lips parted to form some kind of further assurance that he was fine. He was cut short (thankfully) by a distraction. A male approached her side, appearing to be thoroughly irritated by the iPhone he was holding.

"Sorry, Sash. Had to take that. Ymir was ringing my phone off the fuckin' hook."

The guy seemed… older than the both of them, but only by a couple of years, presumably. He had stubble around the bottom-portion of his face, and his hair – which was this greyish-lightened brown color – was in an undercut that was overdue for some upkeep.

"It's no biggie." This "Sash" girl shrugged her shoulders. "Is everything cool with her now?"

"Yeah. Mostly." The guy sighed and nodded, then moved a questioning gaze to Armin. "Who's this?"

The blonde sucked in his breath. He'd been much better off if he'd just walked away. Now, he was getting involved with two strangers – which was only more anxiety-inducing than it needed to be.

"Not that it concerns either of you, but I really have to be on my way." Armin tried to sound as courteous as he could but still firm enough so they'd understand. Truthfully, he didn't have anywhere to go. He just would rather not deal with someone he didn't even know fussing over him.

"Well damn." The guy poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue. "Was just asking a question."

Evidentially his attempt at courtesy didn't go as well as he'd hoped. Either that, or this guy was just trying to be obnoxious. It was likely the latter; he lookedlike a butthead anyway.

"And like I said, the answer doesn't concern you."

The guy's gaze sharpened. "What the hell's wrong with me knowing your name?"

"What's wrong with you not knowing?" Armin peered up at him through his lashes. He watched as his companion placed her hand on his arm to try and calm him.

"Jean, don't be a dick. It's not even that serious."

Jean exhaled. He seemed to mull over something, then his eyes shifted back to Armin. Looking at him this intently, the boy might think he was… handsome. But it was hard to see it before, since he was introduced to him when he was mid-scowl. Nevertheless, Armin surveyed his appearance, noting the black-t-shirt, the dark-wash jeans, and the plaid shirt tied around his waist. His eyes were honeyed-brown, and went nicely, he thought, with his remarkably blemish-free skin.

But he was still a butthead.

"What did I do?" He asked, now looking at his friend. "All I did was ask who he was, and Blondie over here decided to be a little shit."

"Excuse me?" Armin bristled at that.

Jean took a step closer, making their difference in height all the more apparent. The smell of cigarettes hung in the air now.

"You heard me, kid." He narrowed his eyes. "I just asked a damn question. I don't know why you had to be so rude."

Armin crossed his arms. "I wasn't being rude. I just didn't think it was important for two strangers to know my name." His voice retained its composure, despite the fact that he was getting ridiculously irritated. "And, by the way, you're a bit too close, Jean."

Jean was momentarily stumped. Clearly he'd not been expecting Armin to use his name. The boy got a strange sense of satisfaction from that, if he was being honest. He smiled inwardly and toyed with sleeve of his Henley. He'd won.

"Christian?" Jean squinted.

"…Huh?" Armin blinked.

"Luis?"

"What? No." Was he trying to guess his name?

"Xander?" Jean eyed him up intently. "You look like a Xander."

Armin snorted. "This is getting ridiculous." Shaking his head, his gaze returned to the female. "I'm sorry for worrying you. But thanks." He hoped his assurance was convincing enough. "I'm fine, though."

The brunette gave him a look, then cracked a small smile. "Fair enough. It's not really any of my business what you do, just…" She tilted her head. "Please get some food. There's a McDonald's up the street. Won't cost you more than five bucks for a meal."

"She's right." Jean agreed with a smirk. "And maybe if you eat something you won't be so damn grumpy, huh?" He reached into his pocket and grabbed a pack of cigarettes, then a horizontally-striped lighter.

Armin grimaced at that. "I am not grumpy. I wasn't even being mean!"

Jean chuckled, positioning one in his mouth and lighting it. "Whatever you say, Blondie."

"Will you quit that?" The boy huffed.

"Tell me your name then."

He considered it. What was so bad about doing so? It wasn't like they'd ever see each other again. And besides that, Jean was hot. That alone should be enough incentive, but Armin was having fun withholding the knowledge. He was having fun playing with him.

"Fine." Armin unfolded his arms, speaking in an exasperated, defeated tone. "It's Armin. Happy?"

Jean took a drag from his cigarette. He craned his neck forward and squinted his eyes at him. "Ar-min, huh? It's a weird name, but it suits you."

"You don't know what suits me." The boy shot back. "You don't even know me."

Briefly, he looked like he was going to retort, but then Sash nudged his side gently with her shoulder.

"Remember, we ordered Dominos to the house. And that was like twenty minutes ago."

"Ah, shit, yeah." Jean agreed, "We should probably go." His gaze flicked back to Armin. "See you around, Armin."

The blonde couldn't help but feel a little bummed that their exchange was coming to an end, but he kept that to himself.

"What makes you so sure you'll see me around?"

"It's a small town. Everyone seems to know each other around here." Jean exhaled more of the cancerous smoke, his smirk widening. "And besides, a cute kid like you would stand out anywhere."

Armin visibly tensed. His cheeks dusted with a hint of rosiness. Jean thought he was cute? Sure, it wasn't that difficult to grasp, but it still made his stomach jump in the most unpleasant of ways. The boy clenched his jaw and started to pivot in the opposite direction.

"I… have to go." He mumbled.

Before he turned, Armin noticed the girl waving in his direction. He offered a polite smile before swiftly moving up the street towards the direction he'd been told the McDonald's was in. After eating, he'd make a dash back to the motel. Armin had definitely had enough for one night.