Armin and Mikasa emerged from the sealed room that held Erwin and members of the government; The young soldiers had been drilled with question after question about their morals, duties, destruction of the city, and finally their encounters with the Female Titan...or for lack of a better word Annie Leonhart. Was it all true or a dream, did Annie the stern silent Trainee turned Military Police member actually become a Titan and cause the death of millions of soldiers and civilians?
"I thought they'd never let us leave, it seems all we do is act as witnesses for court." said Armin with obvious fatigue in his voice.
"It is tiresome but it couldn't be helped, it comes with the job." replied Mikasa her response to the point like always.
The pair joined up with their fellow Survey Corps members further outside of the building, it was easy to see a great battle had just taken place, among the rubble various members of the Police and able bodied civilians searched for anyone who may have been lost in the debris in more ways then one; They joined up up with Connie, Sasha, and Krista who were trying to rest as much as they could but it was easy to see they were on edge themselves if it's one thing Survey Corps members could look forward to it was dirty looks from citizens or frantic questions from everyone else.
"Finally you two are back, how's Eren?" asked Connie trying to keep his wife about him; Sasha and Krista looked deeply concerned as well.
"He is fine, ate like a madman then fell asleep." confirmed Mikasa as she sat down against a building wall adjacent to her.
The group looked out at the city before them and still couldn't believe all the destruction; Just moments ago this was a quiet high end city then in the blink of an eye was transformed into not only a battle zone but a mass grave. The townspeople were on all ends of the spectrum, they either were frantic and emotional over lost loved one's, casting dirty looks or thoughts about soldiers especially any the recognized from the fray, or they were on their knees crying out at the walls and screaming chants or prayers through crying screams, the only silence came from the group of young soldiers.
"I think we all have the same question on our minds." began Krista breaking the silence with her small mousy voice trying to avoid it altogether.
"You mean what's for Dinner right?" asked Sasha half jokingly out of her usual hunger, her stomach could be heard growling easily as she finished her sentence.
Connie sighed in a tiny annoyance "I wish that were the only thing we had to worry about. Never would have thought Annie though, of all people..." Everyone agreed silently.
Armin began to shake inwardly, though he was one of the soldiers to help discover the identity of the Female Titan he never saw Annie being the one, he remembered her as the silent and interesting girl he tried to befriend in basic training not a spy or cold blooded killer. Unbeknownst to Armin, Krista had been watching him and reading his every move.
"You loved her, didn't you Armin?" Everyone including Armin seemed to pipe up at the statement.
Armin tried to find words "What do you mean Krista?" he was not denying anything but it was obvious he was shocked and caught off guard.
Krista looked at him sweetly "It was obvious Armin, after all you gave her chance after chance for her to come down into the tunnel, and we all knew you had interest in her from day one. Did you forget we all trained together?" Armin regained his composure a bit but still didn't know how to react, he always kept those feelings hidden.
Connie laughed a bit "You sure know how to pick them Armin." Everyone became taken back by his remark, Admin was trying to keep anger from forming on his face.
Mikasa finally spoke up "That's enough, the Titans tear humanity apart as it is so don't start doing it to each other." She rose from her spot and began to walk "I'm going to check on Eren, I suggest everyone find something to stay busy." The group began to slowly disperse in separate directions Armin was the only one who seemed to remain.
"Don't mind Connie, you know he can be an idiot sometimes." said Sasha placing a hand on Armin's shoulder before leaving to join back up with Connie.
Armin stood still for a few seconds to calm himself; Everyone was so on edge lately it was hard to think of the last time anyone seemed friendly to one another, this war saw no end in sight but Armin had his own hopes to hang onto even if they seemed far-fetched. He kept thinking of Annie, he wondered if she would ever wake up from her stasis and if so he knew a trial would take place and the thought of her being executed frightened him to no end; Armin began to walk toward the HQ of the city for some much needed sleep, but he doubted he would sleep at all.
Later that night Admin was wide awake in his bunk staring up at the ceiling; He couldn't shake Annie from his mind, he had so much he wished to tell her or things he should have said sooner but now she was a war criminal, a traitor, and pasting dormant for who knows how long. Admin mentally scolded himself for not saying a word to her, he often thought of how life after the war would be, assuming the war had an end and he often thought about how life would be if Annie were included and he began to remember a vivid dream he had once.
Armin awoke peacefully and a small yawn escaped his mouth as he got up and walked up to the mirror of the bedroom he was in; He always laughed to himself as he looked at how he had aged the military had been good to him but strain was present if you knew where to look. it seemed like yesterday he was a timid soldier and now he was a retired general living outside of the walls but not far from the city. Admin did some final touches to his hygiene before putting his grandfather's worn hat on his head and combing the small beard he had been growing and then turned to face the bed and approach the female form that still lay inside it curled up in a peaceful sleep.
"I'm heading out to work Annie, I love you" Armin bent down and placed a tender kiss on her head and like clockwork he waited for her response.
Annie stirred and began to groan and stretch "Armin, you know I love you but must you profess it before sunrise? You know I'm not a morning person like you.".Armin laughed a bit at how cute she looked half asleep.
"I know Annie, but it wouldn't be a good start to the day if I just left and not said anything" replied Admin with a shy smile on his face, He and Annie were opposites but they meshed so well together.
Annie smiled a bit "I know, have a good day and don't forget your smoke flare." she said before drifting back to sleep.
Armin walked to the bedside table and picked up his smoke flare, it had been years since a Titan had been sighted but Annie insisted her carry it with him anytime he left home weather he went into the city or if he worked farther into the land of the ranch they lived on, you can take soldiers out of the military but you can never stop soldiers from being soldiers; Armin just saw it as Annie saying in her own way that she cared. Upon leaving the room and the house Armin found himself outside looking out at open land with a small barn and stables; The perk to retirement was that he had days where he could just work the land much like he and his family did before and at time it was a form of relief for him, since Titans were a rare sight the Survey Corps had just become a group that was seen as more of a novelty unit to make special appearances at events for trainees or special anniversary events; Armin took in a beep breath of the fresh air as he approached the stables and began his day.
Many hours later the sun had began to set and Armin returned home, he took off his grandfather's hat and placed it on a nearby table and placed his flare down as well and began to walk toward the open backdoor of the house, he found Annie outside training with a worn punching bag; He loved watching her train she was a beautiful but deadly force as she landed strike after strike.
"I'm home Annie!" he yelled out toward her as she finished up and began cleaning sweat off her skin and walked towards him.
"Good, missed you." she said as she gave him a quick peck kiss before going inside with Armin following behind like a puppy, that habit had never changed.
The pair settled down at a table and began eating dinner and. catching up with the following other or their day and as it went on the conversations turned silent until Annie spoke up.
"Eren and a few soldiers came by today." she said as she began putting used dishes away, Armin looked up surprised at the mention of his old friends name.
"Really, what's the famous Titan Slayer up to? It's not like him to come with a group." Armin waited or a reply but was rather surprised and began to assume the worst.
Annie turned to face him "All is well, ever since Levi replaced Erwin he makes sure Eren has armed escorts is all. However, he came to see you. Something about a trip." Annie moved closer to Armin and sat down beside him and took his hand in hers.
Armin sensed her thought "When we were kids, we said we would go outside the walls and see what all was out there; However you seemed worried Annie." he said squeezing her hand in concern.
Annie looked him in the eye "I know the Titans seem to be gone, but I guess I'm just a little worried that the peace is just temporary." She looked away a bit in thought.
Armin silently got up walked behind Annie and embraced her from behind and held her for a moment, he knew Annie kept feelings to herself but this was a rare moment that she was outwardly open about anything.
"I know you're worried darling, but no matter how far I could go I'd always come back home or make sure you were with me through everything. I love you Annie weather it was miles or even Titans nothing is taking us away from each other."
Armin had that dream every once in awhile and it still stayed real to him each and every time; Now he was just hanging onto the hope to make it real and that He and Annie would share a world together soon.
AN:Hope you enjoyed reading this, it is my first story for A.O.T and though it takes place after the finale of season one it doesn't follow the manga or anime. Just something I came up with after watching it. As stated this will be a three part story and anything that is marks in italics is a dream sequence.