A/N: Hey, quick update! I made a few adjustments to fit the story better, but it's nothing really too noticeable, so it should be fine to read. :)

(You should know what I changed if you're an avid fan)

Hope you enjoy, reviews are much welcomed, and see you in the next chapter.

(Jean P.O.V)

"Why not talk to him?" Marco insisted. "You never know, he may like you."

"Why do you insist that I have this nonexistent crush on that guy?!" I growled out. "He's friends with that over-preachy freak Eren anyway. Lord knows he won't even speak to me if I did like him."

"You're denying it, Jean. I know you are." He said slyly. "Just talk to him."

"No!" I finalized, grabbing the cloth I used as a towel. "Now quit bugging me so that I may shower in peace!"

"Why can't you just fess up your feelings?" He asked. "I've seen the way you look at him…"

"You mean Mikasa." I corrected. "I've had a thing for her for a while…"

"No, Armin." He shot back. "You look at him the same way you looked at Mikasa the first time around before she showed her loyalties to Eren. Just come out and admit it already! Ymir and Krista are more than open about their loyalties. There's no shame in it!"

I ignored the guy before storming out the door and heading for the outdoor showers. It was a pretty cool night, but the summer day had made it almost unbearably hot so it rolled in through the night when the sun went down. I usually showered around this time because the cool water kept me asleep at night until the morning when we'd have to start training again.

I walked over to the showers, expecting to be alone as per usual, when I heard the spray of water hit my ears and realized someone else was taking up the showers.

To my immediate dismay, I saw a familiar blonde washing away the day's filth in the public showers. The only thing to be shown was his head and torso.

I froze in my place and fully realized that I wasn't alone in this situation.

The public showers were used for cleaning off right after the training day was done, with males in one while females took up another. It wasn't usually crowded since most people took to the indoor showers, but some preferred the outdoor ones due to the fresh air and cooler water.

I guess Armin was one of them.

I bit down my blush and went for the shower a few pipes down from him. I hated it when Marco was right so I always fought him on the subject of Armin. But he'd been correct. I did have certain feelings for him, but I pushed them aside. He was Eren's best friend and much more if you looked between the lines. I couldn't go after him or Mikasa… it was just not my luck.

Armin looked over when he heard the squeak of the shower door before looking away.

"Hi," came his timid response.

I grumbled before stripping away my trousers and turning on the shower. The cold water was nice on after training in the humid sun all day. But being mere steps from my desire, fully nude, I had to mentally stop myself from saying something I knew I'd regret.

It was dark out, and our only light was the small lanterns lit about around us. But something still seemed to catch the blonde's eye as he looked up into the sky with a small smile.

"It's nice out, isn't it." He whispered.

I dared to only look at his face. "What do you mean?"

He nodded up at the sky. "The sky is clear, the stars are out, and it's quiet. I wish it was always like this."

I scoffed at the dream-like words. "Tomorrow the day begins again, though."

He shook his head. "No, it won't. Tomorrow is up there. It's in the darkened sky getting ready to become light again. The same day does not repeat twice, and the same events won't happen again. Tomorrow someone else will be commanded to do laps until they keel over, and another of us will do dishes. No day is the same, no hour is repeated. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery… and today is a gift." He smiled at his own words before turning off the water and clothing himself again. He then glanced at me with a sharper smile. "That's why it's called the present."

I revelled in the memory until the horn blew for us to get up and get dressed for the new day of training. I'd remembered those words like a lesson from god itself. This shy and unassuming kid had captured my heart that night and I was too chicken to stop him from leaving and tell him just how beautiful I thought his words were.

I slipped on my shirt and paused for a moment to watch the others for a moment.

No two person, no two days, and no two hours are exactly alike. Annie slept an extra few minutes, Krista and Ymir were closer than before, Connie and Sasha were planning something new to take out of storage, Reiner woke up Bertolt this time with a pillow to the head, and Eren was getting Mikasa to stop treating him like a child by waking him up. Things changed every day, and it would keep doing that for always and eternity. The one thing I'd like to know more than anything, though was if Armin had changed his mind again and was closer to choosing me than Eren.

I didn't intend to bother him about it, but I'd still like to know.

I stepped outside early today to watch the world go by from the barracks. It was always interesting to watch people when they didn't know.

Mello was listening to Matt explain about the newer gear they'd let us use today, the blonde hanging onto every word and stopping the red head with a kiss when he talked too much. Light was trying to drag L out of the barracks by the chain, but the black haired man did not intend on moving at all within the next hour. Naomi and Penber were working on a battle plan together, Ross and Rester were carrying about some materials, Lidner was helping Pixis with some battle strategies, Gevanni was resting in the shade with Near, and the Survey Corps – Corporal Levi, Erwin Smith, and Hanji – were waiting for Mello to give the orders to move out and clear a path for us for when we left. All of this seemed the same as yesterday, but I could tell the differences in circumstance.

I felt a presence rest beside me and heard a familiar hum.

"I used to watch people all the time as a kid." Armin spoke softly. "Me and Mihael would watch people together and give them their own voices and lazy backstories. It was fun spending time with him when he could spare it."

I smiled at that. "I would have killed for an older brother. Being an only child was nice in the fact that I had my mother all to myself, but I had no one to really teach me and take me places all the time. I'm guessing you have a lot of memories with him."

"Him and Eren." He admitted. "They kept me sane in this crazy world."

I nodded at this before turning to him. "Armin, I'm sorry for scaring you with that… erm… kiss. I shouldn't have done something so forward like that, and I just want you to know…"

I felt a pair of lips touch my cheek and my mind went hazy. I honestly couldn't remember what I was saying a moment ago. I knew I was apologizing, but that was about it.

The blonde smiled shyly. "Don't worry about it." He then gestured over to Mello. "It's my brother you should really worry about. In his mind I'm still ten and innocent. He'll tear you apart if he gets even a whiff of information that you've scared me in any way. I managed to save your butt last time by telling him not to hurt you, but you may not be lucky again."

I felt a slight blush rush to my cheeks that couldn't fade away. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

The blonde turned to walk away but I stopped him by grabbing his arm. "Wait, I just need to tell you… don't worry about your choice. I know you'll make the right one and I don't want you to think you owe me or Eren anything. We were childish to fight about this and you deserve better. So… don't think too much about it. I'll always be your friend no matter what, I promise."

He grinned at me and nodded before walking off and leaving me behind. What I didn't tell him was that it'd kill me to see him with someone else… but I knew I couldn't do that to him. His happiness was what mattered most.

…

…even if it meant my misery.