Disclaimer: I don't own Shingeki no Kyojin.


An Angel's Wings

Armin always had sharp shoulder blades. Sometimes, when Armin would lie on top of him, light as a feather, in the dead of night, Eren would run his hands over the smooth skin of his back, fingers ghosting over the bony blades, and Eren would wonder whether he used to have a pair of wings.

Perhaps in a life before their current one, Armin was the archangel that ruled over all others. Perhaps in another, they'd never met; Eren a lowly human, walking the cruel Earth, and Armin a gorgeous deity, watching him from the Heavens.

Perhaps Armin was still that great being, and whoever created their current universe pitied Eren enough to give him his angel in a physical form.

The dreams he shared with Eren to drive his reason to fight, each of his clever plans crafted to keep them all alive, and just plain putting up with Eren's recklessness – the shifter would be damned if Armin wasn't his guardian saint in a delicate human body.

He thought about it all again that night, when they lay in bed; skin against skin, limbs tangled, Armin's lips pressed to Eren's neck, and Eren breathing in the earthy smell of Armin's hair. They were in the fifth cabin that month, still on the run with Levi and the rest of their comrades from the government and Wall Cult. Rarely did they get a break from Hanji's experiments and Levi's training, but when they did, it was late at night when everyone was fast asleep.

Then is the time when they could allow their hands to roam, caressing cheeks and waists, lips pressing together desperately, all gestures that said I've missed you and You're alright and We will make it.

Eren let his eyes flutter half-open when Armin moved subtly to kiss his shoulder. His hands traced up the blonde's spine, feeling every delicate ridge under thin skin and the vibration from Armin's throat as he hummed in contentment. His lips brushed against the shell of Armin's ear as the blonde raised himself up off of the brunette, eyes a more piercing blue in the moonlight and hazed over with sleep. Eren's hands found his shoulder blades once again.

They exchanged no words, opting to revel in each other's touches and presence. Armin's fingers played with the ends of Eren's hair, brushing it out of his eyes and over his ears, out of the way and kissed his drooping eyelids. Eren copied the earlier motion, carding his hand through blonde locks and letting it rest at the base of Armin's neck as a few strands fell forward to frame his face. Armin smiled shyly in response and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of Eren's mouth.

Eren wondered just what the hell he did in a past life to be rewarded with such an amazing and beautiful angel of a friend.

He awoke again a little later, when the sun began to peek over the horizon and through the dusty cabin window. It was open and the gentle morning breeze blew the translucent curtains ever so slightly.

And maybe it was a trick of the light, or perhaps the sleep that still invaded his imagination, but Eren swore he could see the faint outline of white wings spread out from those sharp back bones and resting protectively over him.