Pairing: Armin/Historia, hinted Eren/Mikasa, Armin/Eren/Mikasa friendship

Verse: Canon, an AUish scenario in which Armin is kidnapped and tortured.

Rating: T

A/N: This came about when I saw this fanart of Armin on Tumblr. At first, I thought of Historia being one of the ones saving Armin, but this happened instead. It's not too graphic in terms of violence, but there's mentions of it. Enjoy.

He was going to die.

Armin was okay with that. If it meant that they'll never get their hands on Eren, he'll die a thousand times over.

"Tell us where Eren is and we'll let you walk out of this with all your limbs intact."

His bruised, cut lips pulled up into a smile, despite the tears in his eyes.

"Guess I'll crawl, then," was his raspy, light reply.

What little pride he had left was long gone. They stripped him of everything, chaining him up with his arms over his head, and he wore nothing but the skin on his back. His back, which still stung from how many times they've whipped him mercilessly when he didn't answer their questions the way they wanted him to. They've had their fun with him in all the worst ways, cutting his side open with little slits; blood oozing its way down his hip, and he's lost count of the days. He was bruised from head to toe, and he could feel a small bead of blood trickling down his arm from where they cut him. God, he was in so much pain…but he had to stay strong. He had to stay strong until the end. He wanted Eren and Mikasa to know that he didn't die a coward.

Eren…Mikasa…It still hurt to smile, but he just couldn't help himself. I hope you guys are okay…I'm sorry I couldn't be strong enough to get myself out of this. I know where this is heading. I'm…I'm alright. I miss you so much already. Look after each other. That's all I ask. You…you must make it to the ocean and see the world. Please…for me…

He blinked, and silent tears streamed down his cheeks. That was when one more person appeared in the forefront of his thoughts. The very person he was in love with. Historia…god, I love you. I'm sorry my life has to end this way. I should've been dead a long time ago. I know things were starting to change between us, but…well…it looks like, maybe, it was never meant to work…I know you'll have a long, life-changing reign. I believe you will. The people will love you. You'll change the world as we know it. I don't deserve you…I never did. I'm so sorry I have to leave you. I'm sorry I have to leave…all of you…

He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the final blow that will end his life.

But it never came.

Thud.

Muted cries of pain were cut off quickly, followed by panicked footsteps. Confused and weary, Armin opened one eye. But he couldn't see anything. He listened for anything else out of the ordinary, but the sound of bodies hitting the ground were enough for him. They were under attack. Someone was coming to his cell. Someone was coming for him, and he didn't know if he should be relieved or afraid.

Boom.

His door exploded and he instinctively cringed with a whimper and sharp pant, a habit he developed from his time being nearly tortured to death every day. Disoriented from the debri, he held his breath and kept his eyes closed; more footsteps bounded into the room quickly. Distinctly, he could indentify two, but…

Wait…

"Armin!"

Familiar arms were thrown around him tightly - albeit carefully, given his position, and his chains were cut loose in two quick, sharp slices. He fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes; but the same set of arms caught him and pulled him close, and the other followed suit.

And that's when he knew.

"Y-You're here…" Armin breathed, leaning his head against Eren's. He winced as soft, pink lips peppered his face in frantic, gentle kisses. "Mikasa, ow…"

"Sorry," Mikasa apologized, cupping his face. "Are you okay? Are you hurting?"

"Of course he is. We have to get him the hell out of here," said Eren. The titan shifter took off his green cloak to wrap around Armin, making sure it was wrapped secure around him to keep him warm, and let Armin lean his full weight against him. Slipping an arm under the broken blond to help him to his feet. It's been so long since Armin had walked, and his knees buckled underneath him, but his best friends were there to catch him.

The two huddled close to Armin from either side of them as they walked at a brisk pace for the exit. It hurt to walk, to think too hard, to breathe, but Armin's mind was spinning. "Where…where is…everyone? What's-?"

"We'll explain everything once we get you safe," Eren cut him off, his eyes not staying in one direction for too long. He had his hand balled up halfway, just in case he needed to transform at any second. No doubt he will, knowing him.

"Everything's gonna be okay, Armin," Mikasa murmured from the other side of him, despite the ferocity in her eyes.

Armin believed the both of them.

The next hour and a half was a blur, between Armin drifting in and out of consciousness. And the different voices he heard; it was like he was trying to hear them from down a long tunnel. But he picked up on a few in particular. Levi. Mikasa. Eren. Hanji every once in a while. He was riding in a…carriage? Wasn't he? Explained all the shaking…the sound of rubble under his trembling body…Eren and Mikasa stayed in close proximity the entire time, which he found comforting. His head somehow ended up in Mikasa's lap, her fingers running oh so gently through his hair, and the calloused hand holding his belonged to the green eyed teen who was just relieved to have his best friend back and alive. They cleaned his fresh wounds with the best of what they had, and thankfully he had on pants by the time they reached their final destination.

Queen Historia's palace.

.

.

.

She waited with impatience from her seat on the throne, leg bouncing up and down, misty gaze staring out of the window with extreme intensity and desperation. Where were they? Shouldn't they be back by now? What if they never came back? What if Armin was…what if he was…

"Historia."

Sasha's voice brought her out of her daze, but she didn't turn. The young queen sighed and rubbed her temple, lower lip trembling. "What is it?"

"They're back." The elation in her voice made Historia's head snap up just as the two grand doors opened. Connie and Jean, who were also in the room, immediately diverted their attention to the door. Eren and Mikasa slowly walked into the room, looking a little beaten and tattered but they were alright, with Armin right in the middle; holding his hands to help him walk.

Historia flew to her feet, eyes wide and watery, but she fought those tears back and held herself as straight as she could. They were getting closer, and her reserve was crumbling. She was about to break. Armin was back. He was alive. He was finally back.

What have they done to you? she thought worriedly as she got a closer look at him. He must have gone through so much hell. Duties be damned, she would have gone if Eren had convinced her to stay.

Armin lifted his head, and their eyes met. He was smiling at her. Her heart leaped into her throat, and she was knocked breathless. How was he able to still smile after all of this?

"I got it," Armin reassured Eren and Mikasa softly under his breath. There was some reluctance there, but the duo let him go and gave him a little space. He took one measured step forward, then another, and another, until he was standing before her. He began to kneel, only for it to bring him great pain, and he winced in surprise.

"At ease!" she cried just as both Mikasa and Eren shot forward, and Armin obeyed, straightening into a normal standing position; clutching the cloak tighter around himself. The latter two relaxed slightly, still tensed, and the other three in the room were stunned silence.

Historia pressed her lips together, addressing the rest of the group. "Leave us."

Jean, Sasha, and Connie saluted her before they made their departure, and there was more hesitation on Eren and Mikasa's end before Mikasa had to almost drag Eren from the room. The large doors closed behind them, leaving Historia and Armin alone.

Historia's feet carried her forward, down each step one by one, until she was right in front of him; stopping on the last step. Armin gazed up at her in earnest; apologetic. And she knew that he was about to start apologizing.

"Historia, I-"

She held up her hand and he quieted. Letting the same hand drift forward as she took the last step down, she cupped his face with the palm of her hand and breathed his name. "Armin…" Her free hand followed suit to the other cheek, stroking his bruised skin with small, tender patterns. He gasped, leaning into her touch. His own reaching up to cup over hers; to keep her there. Eyes fluttering closed. "You have nothing to apologize for." She blinked away her tears. "I was so worried about you."

"You were worried about me?" he whispered.

"Don't sound so surprised," she whispered back.

A long beat of silence passed between the two, gazes lingering before Historia finally leaned up and closed the space between them, brushing her lips against his. Sighing against her lips, he slipped his arms around her and pulled her as close as he could manage with his lack of strength; returning her kisses just as softly.

"I thought I was never gonna see you again..." he murmured against her mouth, cupping her face.

"I thought I lost you..." she murmured back, threading her fingers through his hair. Holding him close. "Don't scare me like that again. Please."

He nodded, dipping his head into her shoulder. Her grip tightened on him when he began to tremble with his own tears.

"Will you let me take care of you?" she whispered in his ear, a lone tear escaping her eyelid and falling onto his neck.

"Y-Yes," he whispered back.