"Reading again?"

He glanced over his shoulder at her, lightly taken aback by what she'd said to him. He took her in; azure eyes, so strong, yet so meek... the gentle breeze of the warm afternoon that lifted her pale, golden bangs from her face. The low rush of this light breeze whirred about them as it ran through the lush, verdant grass on the hill alongside the grounds of the Training Corps.

"Yes. I want to learn about this world. Some say ignorance is bliss, but nothing is accomplished in ignorance."

She sighed and sat next to him on the dewey, earthen carpet, feeling the coolness on her palms as she lowered herself to the ground, pulling her knees to her chest, her arms wrapped over them. She was dressed as per always; golden locks flipped up in a twisted-knot ponytail, adorned in her slightly baggy white hoody and pants. She likely knew most of what he wanted to learn, but could never say so. His thirst for knowledge was impressive to her. He was so physically weak in comparison, but so mentally capable. She didn't know why she was so taken with this. Maybe because he had the guts and wits to stand up when necessary and was level-headed enough to do so appropriately. She admired this and then spoke, in a strange sort of cold, monotone in her attempts to deter his interest, though that would never happen.

"Some things are better left unknown."

"Maybe emotionally, but not cognitively. You should know that by now."

He met her gaze, sharing a genuine smile. He was implying getting to know her. Her letting him get to know her. Though, she didn't understand this.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything I can."

"About what?"

She was obviously growing frustrated with him; apparent by the curtness of her words and the ice in her voice.

"You."

Her eyes widened slightly, meeting his of sky before breaking their gaze anew, turning away from him.

"Annie."

His bright eyes softened lightly and he leaned forward towards her to reconnect their gazes, a soft smile spreading his face. He was always so emotionally capable. She envied and yet cherished that.

"Don't do that. You always do that. But... you don't need to hide all the time. It's just me, Annie."

She craned her head away further, denying him the pleasure he so sought in her pale, icy pools... again.

"You're the one I need to hide from the most."

Her words were soft... yet held bitterness, as though her voice were slightly shaky. He leaned closer to her, taking her chin in his hand softly, redirecting her gaze, pulling her eyes to his. She seemingly became angered at this- or frustrated?-, a pale warmth rising in her cheeks. He ignored it, intentionally. The only way to conquer her emotions was to force her to face him. She well might twist his arm and flip him over her; but he would do it anyway. He always saw right through her- saw through the walls she so meticulously constructed to keep others out, as if they were made of pure glass; which made him her emotional enemy, yet her perfect match. Her facade was one of strength, but she was truly so delicate. He pulled her chin further towards his own and gazing down at her, pierced her blue eyes; watery with the refraction of the dew of building tears, before kissing her softly. Her lips, were so warm; despite the chill she so attempted to play into her being.

"Annie-"

"Armin."

He shared a genuine smile -dimples and all- as he released her chin slowly, turning to settle back on the grass, returning azure eyes to the tome of knowledge in his lap. She slid against him, face reddened as she leaned in, inhaling through the tunic at his shoulder, closing her eyes against him as he read.