Eren lay on his bunk, groggily blinking into the dark and wondering vaguely what had woken him up. A sleepy little moan beside him seemed to answer his question. Eren turned onto his side, facing the small, blonde-haired figure that slept on the bunk beside him. Armin was curled on his side, partially under his blankets. His feet were uncovered, thanks to the death grip he had on the section of blanket he was holding near his face. He was frowning in his sleep, brow furrowed and eyes darting around beneath his pale eyelids.

"Hey, Armin..." Eren touched his friend's shoulder gently. Armin twisted away from him, whimpering. "Armin, come on, wake up." Eren spoke gently, whispering in the dark. "You're just having a nightmare..." Eren sat up, still watching Armin. Armin lay on his back now, clutching his blanket to his chest. His jaw was clenched, and he was whimpering like he was about to cry. "Armin." Eren smoothed his hair and touched his shoulder again. Armin stiffened, then gasped. His sapphire eyes flew open, and he looked around quickly.

"E-Eren?" Armin panted, tears filling his eyes. "S-sorry...did I wake you?"

"No." Eren lied. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah..." Armin turned onto his side, wiping his eyes. "I just had a bad dream, that's all..." Eren lay back down, still facing Armin. Armin sniffed. He was a mess, his body covered in a cold sweat and shaking with sobs. Armin muffled his crying with the blanket, trying not to wake any of his cabin mates. Eren hated to see him cry. He scooted closer to his friend, wrapping his arms around Armin's slender frame. Armin curled into Eren's chest, trying to calm down.

They lay like that for a while. Eren waited to see if Armin wanted to talk about it, and when Armin didn't breach the subject Eren didn't ask. Armin would talk about it if he wanted to. He rested his arm on Armin's side, bending his elbow so he could reach up and stroke Armin's hair. It was something that always calmed Armin, a simple gesture. Probably something Armin's mom used to do when he'd come home, scuffed up and crying because of the bullies that tormented him. Armin calmed down eventually, straightening his body slightly and taking deeper breaths. He shifted, throwing his blanket back over his body and laying his head on his pillow, Eren's arm tucked under his neck.

"Better?" Eren asked.

"Yeah, but..." Armin wrapped an arm around Eren's torso, "please don't leave..."

"I won't leave." Eren stifled a yawn and moved his pillow over, getting more comfortable. His eyes drifted shut, and he listened to the soft snores and breathing of his cabin mates.

"Hey, Eren?" Armin whispered.

"Mmm?"

"Do you...do you still wonder what it's like? Outside the walls?" Eren opened his eyes sleepily, looking at Armin.

"Of course I do..." Eren said. Armin lay quietly for a while, and Eren began to wonder if he had fallen asleep.

"I miss them..." Armin whispered suddenly. "Mom, dad, grandpa..." Armin sighed, sounding a bit like he was going to start crying again. "I miss them so much..."

"I know..." Eren shifted Armin closer protectively. "Everyone here is probably missing someone..." Eren murmured. Armin sighed, tucking his head under Eren's chin. Eren closed his eyes again, inhaling the earthy scent of Armin's hair.

"Thank you, Eren..." Armin murmured sleepily.

"Mmmh..." The two of them drifted off, safe and content in each others arms.