September 30, 850

Dear Annie,

Everyone wants you out of that crystal. Jean was trying to break you out with his blades, it was actually kinda funny watching him nearly break his 3dmgear bashing the crystal. but don't tell him I said that. I know why you went in there. It was to to protect yourself, and your secrets. You've always been a secretive person Annie.

December 15, 850

Dear Annie,

It's been three months since you've crystallized yourself. We've tried everyday to get you out of there, but we've never even made a dent. Eren's been coming down to where you are a lot. He yells and swears at you telling you to get out of there. But you never move. there's been a couple times where he got so angry that he almost changed into his titan form and If we didn't sedate him in time he'd go berserk and destroy the compound. He really needs to learn how to stay calm and controlled when he's in his titan form. Who am I kidding he needs to learn how to do that all the time. Too bad you weren't here….you could teach him how."

January 25, 851

Dear Annie,

Remember all those years ago during our years in the cadet corps when I'd try to talk to you, and i'd fail miserably and you'd just walk away? And when you used to train with Eren in hand to hand combat? I used to get so jealous when I saw you two training together. I mean Eren was pathetic I admit it, but he had potential. Me? I couldn't even throw a punch. You two always seemed to get along. He could go up to you and say whatever he wanted to with no hesitation whatsoever. I wished I could do that. I thought It was hopeless dream to ever think i'd get you to talk to me, until Mina actually convinced you to! I was so grateful to her...I still am.

February 5, 851

Annie,

Everyone hates you. The captain, the commander, all of the remaining 104th cadet corps...everyone but me. part of me wanted to, but I could never hate you Annie. Even if my life was in danger because I didn't hate you, I could never do it. I've done some things in the past few months I never thought I could ever do, I murdered someone Annie, I did. I've gone past the point of no return; but even so, I could never...ever...hate you.

March 22nd, 851

Dear Annie,

I got you something. It's a new ring. One to replace the one on your finger right now. It doesn't have a hidden blade. I know you can't wear it now...you may never get to wear it. But I got it anyway for this very special day. Happy birthday Annie.

May 10, 851

Dear Annie,

I'm looking at you Annie. Right now as I write this, I am standing in front of your crystallized body. I see your closed eyes, your blond hair, the look on your face. And you are so beautiful. You're like a work of art, a beauty so incredible human eyes shouldn't be allowed to gaze upon you. That's how beautiful you are. Some people would look at you and see a monster. When I look at you, I see a angel. You've done some horrible things Annie, but so has everyone else. The difference? You feel sorrow over the wrongs you've done. I can tell by your frozen tears.

August 18, 851

Please Annie Please! Come out of this stupid crystal. Please! It's been almost a year, Annie PLEASE! If you're not coming out because you think we'll execute you you're wrong. We won't hurt you. we can't hurt you, we need you!

I need you…

April 3, 852

Annie,

It's been awhile since I last wrote. Been awhile since I last visited you. I was angry. I was angry because I want you here...with me. but that was selfish of me. I was angry at you because of something I wanted that I couldn't get. I only thought about myself, not you. I didn't think about why you might not want to come out. Maybe you're not ready, to face the people you've hurt, to face the fact of everything you've done. And that's okay. Don't come out until you're completely ready. But know this- No no matter how alone you feel, you're not. I'm here for you, I'll always be here for you, by your side. I've missed you, alot. I've missed you since you left, I miss you every time I see your frozen body, I've missed you since you went to the military police while and I went to the scout regiment. I've missed you for a long time. I miss you because… because I love you Annie Leonhardt. I always have. I love you...I miss you.

The last few words of the last letter written four days ago are smudged as tears fall on top of them-Annie's tears. Her hands shake as she holds the letters tightly in them. She opens her clenched fist to reveal the ring Armin left for her. It's pure white and glistens in the moonlight. Engraved on it are the words 'You are a good person' a sob escapes her lips as tears roll down her face. Annie used to think it was nearly impossible for her to cry, now she can't stop as she reads the words on the grave in front of her over and over again:

Armin Arlert

November 3, 835 - April 6, 852

K. I. A.

He was right, she wasn't ready to come out yet, but when she finally was, It was a day too late. Annie takes off her old metal ring from her finger and puts the one Armin bought her in place of it. She then places her hand on his tombstone. "I love you Armin…"she stares at it and rests her forehead on the cold stone as her uncontrollable tears fall onto the freshly dug grave.

"And I miss you too."