Hello once again everyone, seiji here and this will be my first attempt at doing an Attack on Titan fanfiction. got the idea to do it after rewatching the 1st 2 seasons and am now following the 3rd on toonami. this story takes place after season 2 and before season 3 just so you know. before I begin let me say that there might be a few elements to the anime that could be left out during this fanfiction so hope you don't mind. anyway, hope you enjoy~

A week has passed since the attempted abduction of Eren and Krista by their former comrades in arms revealed to be titans with unknown motives Reiner and Bertolt. Since those events unfolded neither they nor fellow ally and confidant to Krista, Ymir, have been seen or heard from. Eren and the others were distraught by these events, however life goes on. now residing in a small cottage somewhere in a wooded area within the plains inside wall rose, are the members of the scout regiment's special operations squad lead by Levi. Eren along with Mikasa, Armin, Krista, Connie, Jean, and Sasha have been stationed here for the past few days in an attempt to test Eren's titan abilities, with the experiments being led by Hange. though they are on a special mission and under orders, everyone seemed to have settled in quite nicely. however things were about to change, and something very unexpected, drastic, and wonderful was about to happen...

On a calm sunny day the group within the cottage are having a meal together sitting at the dinner table. Eren, Mikasa, Jean, Connie, Krista and Sasha are seated and each have a small loaf of heated bread with butter on their plates in front of them, eating to their hearts content.

"mmmm, so good~ I've never had something so wonderful and tasty!~" says Sasha with mouth half full continuously stuffing her face

"uh, it's just bread, Sasha. you eat it every day..." says Connie

"I know! and it's still so yummy!~" says Sasha

"aww geez, potato girl..." says Jean as Connie chuckles

As the three continue talking to each other Krista, Mikasa and Eren eat quickly. then Mikasa looks over at Eren who's eaten about half of the loaf in front of him and currently has it in his hand. she lets out a slight giggle before trying to get his attention.

"hey, Eren" says Mikasa

"hmm? what it is?" answers Eren

"you have... some butter on your face" says Mikasa pointing at a smudge of butter from the bread on the side of Eren's mouth

"eh? really?" says Eren

"mm-hmm" says Mikasa nodding as she reaches to her side grabbing a napkin then leans over close by to Eren
"here, let me get it for you"

She takes the napkin in hand and gently wipes the stain off of his face. after wiping it completely off she pulls her hand back but remains close to him with their faces nearly touching.

"there, much better" she says

"oh, right. thanks Mikasa" says Eren looking at her with a smile

"you're welcome" Mikasa replies as a smile forms on her otherwise emotionless face
"is there... anything else you need me to do for you?"

"umm..." says Eren trying to think of what to say, but is at a loss for words realizing just how close Mikasa is to him. he looks away for a split second then makes eye contact with her again, slightly blushing.
"I-I think I'm good for right now. thanks anyway, Mikasa"

"ok" says Mikasa simply as she moves back to her seat.

Eren starts eating his loaf of bread again then notices Armin standing by himself leaning against the wall and looking out the window. he looks down and sees a whole loaf of bread not even touched on a plate that belonged to Armin.

"hey Armin, aren't you gonna eat? best to eat it while it's warm" says Eren

Armin hears him but waits a full 3 seconds before answering, inhaling and exhaling before giving his delayed reply.

"I will in a minute..." says Armin in a low voice, sounding somewhat depressed still looking out the window

"I volunteer to finish sir Armin's portion!~" says Sasha raising her hand

"oh no you don't!" says Jean

Eren looks over at Armin who remains in place, realizing that he doesn't seem like his usual self and is acting strangely. he ponders to himself as to Armin's disposition. a few hours later around noon Armin is standing by himself a few yards away from the cottage leaning against a tree, looking up at the sky seemingly deep in thought about something.

"I wonder... what could've been... what if... I told her..." he says to himself quietly

Seconds later Eren appears from the cottage and looks over spotting Armin, then walks over to where he is standing.

"hey Armin, what's up? what you doing standing way over here by yourself?" says Eren

"...oh nothing, just needed some fresh air is all..." says Armin still looking to the sky in the same low tone

"say Armin, you seem bothered by something. like, something on your mind. what is it? wanna talk about it? it isn't like you to sulk like this" says Eren

There was a brief and awkward slience between the two for a few seconds before Armin finally answered.

"...wow, do I really seem like that?" says Armin letting out a slight chuckle

"uh, yeah kinda" says Eren

"well its... just... it... its kinda hard to talk about... or explain" says Armin

"come on, you can tell me. we're friends, aren't we?" says Eren

"yeah..." says Armin under his breath
"... you know, you... you're a lucky guy, Eren..."

"huh? lucky? what do you mean?" says Eren with a confused expression

"you have someone special... someone who cares for you a great deal..." says Armin

"wha? I don't know what you mea-" says Eren before Armin interrupts him

"don't play dumb, Eren. you have Mikasa. I see the way you two act around each other, the way she always protects you and follows you, the way she fonds for you" says Armin as Eren's expression changes from confused to shocked
"must be nice having a girl you like care for you like that. just watching the two of you, honestly, I feel... well... lonely.."

"lonely?" says Eren

"yeah... I know, I sound weird right now..." says Armin looking away shaking his head

"Armin... I assure you you're not alone. me and Mikasa are your friends too, we have been since were kids. that hasn't changed. plus there's everyone here from the special operations. they may be oddballs but..." says Eren

"no no, that's not what I mean..." says Armin shaking his head again

"huh?" says Eren

"you... and Mikasa... even though you don't admit it, you've got quite a relationship with her, don't you? I'm jealous... I wish I had someone like that..." says Armin

"wait, you're talking about... like a girlfriend?" says Eren

Armin hearing him slowly nods, and Eren blushes slightly.

"oh, well if that's the case you could try talking with one of the girls here. there's Krista and Sasha, not much of a selection but still. oh yeah, there's also Hange, but... she's a little uh, out there haha" says Eren

"... I don't think I could have that kind of relationship with them. I mean, Krista's practically royalty... Hange's a... whackjob scientist, and Sasha... is obsessed with food... I feel like... everyone else has that special someone except me..." says Armin

"aww, come on Armin. there are plenty of girls out there, you just gotta meet the right one, is all" says Eren encouragingly

"the right one, huh?..." says Armin

Another brief moment of silence passes before he speaks again.

"you know, I still think about her..." says Armin

"huh? who?" says Eren

"... Annie" answers Armin

"wha? Annie?" says Eren

"yes..." Armin says nodding

"but, she's a titan. she tried to kill us, and killed numerous comrades of ours" says Eren

"I know, I know but... she.. spared me... several times... there's something about her that, just... I don't know... makes me feel a certain way..." says Armin

"Armin..."

"now she's crystallized, and possibly dead. we'll never see her again, and I've come to terms with that, but... I still... can't stop thinking about her. I mean, she's even in my dreams now.. I dunno why I feel like this... I just... wish i could see her once again... and tell her about these feelings I have" he says clenching his fist
"just one more time... cause I... miss you, Annie" he thought to himself

Meanwhile, deep within one of the inner strongholds in wall rose at a secret underground location is the crystal where annie is encased in, placed in a room where no one is currently stationed. suddenly, a large crack appears within the crystal and annie's eyes begin to open...

End of Chapter 1~