Things continued on like usual for the most part after Armin and Annie's shared moment together, but now they were more open with each other. In their free time, they'd go on walks together along the shore of the beach, and they continued their late night talks when neither of them could find rest.
But something new between them was the stolen glances they now shared. When it was meal time for the camp Armin would look over to Annie eating and speaking with her father. And during the work day Annie couldn't help but admire Armin as he led the group and laid bricks for the new houses.
It had all been lighthearted until Annie noticed a grimace that frequently began to appear on Armin's face. Annie didn't think too much of it at first, but then she realized that everytime Armin put weight on his right foot, his face contorted in pain.
This went on for a few days and Annie was waiting for him to mention it when they were together, but he never brought it up. And because of this Annie was starting to get frustrated with Armin, did he not feel like he could talk to her about anything? Moreover, if he was injured he needed to see the camp doctor and take some time to rest.
All these thoughts came to a head one night whenever she noticed that Armin wasn't at dinner. Annie knew something was wrong then because Armin never missed a meal, dinner in particular. So she got him a plate of smoked fish, bread, and cabbage and took it to his tent.
Annie called his name before entering and waited a few moments but received no response, "Armin I'm coming in" she said while stepping inside.
His tent was illuminated by three different lanterns in each corner, and there was a round desk covered in papers and maps.
There had been a limited number of cots, so Armin had opted to make a small palette on the ground with cushions and blankets. He was currently seated there with his left boot off but his right one still on, and he had his face in his hands.
"Armin, are you okay?" Annie asked, trying to hide her worry, as she set the plate down and went to him.
Armin was startled by her voice and finally looked up, "Annie? I'm fine, what are you doing here?" he asked pensively.
"You weren't at dinner so I came to check on you and bring you dinner" Annie said back.
"Thank you for the food, but I'm fine. You don't need to stay" Armin said through gritted teeth, beginning to get frustrated with the situation.
Annie was surprised by his words, never had he dismissed her like that. But it wasn't going to stop her.
"Armin, stand up" Annie requested simply.
"There's no need for that" Armin shot back quickly.
To that Annie just stared at him, unimpressed with his continued attempts to hide whatever it is from her.
Armin held her gaze and then turned his eyes to the floor, anxiously running his hand across his jaw.
"Fine. I can't stand up and I can't get my right boot off because at the beginning of this week the ties around a bundle of giant logs snapped and one landed on the top of my foot. And I've still been working because I'm the leader here, but I don't think I'll even be able to walk tomorrow" Armin confessed all at once, breathing heavily from a combination of the pain and finally speaking what's been on his mind.
Annie stood there processing his words without saying anything, she wasn't expecting his outburst but she was happy about it at the same time. It wasn't that he didn't feel like he couldn't talk to her, he just didn't want to feel like a burden on the camp.
That was so like him, always putting others before himself.
"I'm going to get your boot off" Annie then announced, as she crouched down in front of him.
"What? No! It hurts way too much, there's no use" Armin pleaded, already having spent the last hour trying to get his boot off.
"Bite this and have some faith in me" Annie said, while handing him a handkerchief and then beginning to unlace his boot.
Then for the next thirty minutes, Annie worked to gently remove Armin's foot from his boot. They took breaks every so often, and the pain was so unbearable that tears pooled in the corners of his eyes.
But once the boot was off they both breathed a sigh of relief, Annie then opted to just cut off his sock. And when she saw his foot it was just as bad as she expected, it was swollen and purple all over. How Armin had managed to work with his foot like this was beyond her, but it was now time for him to rest.
"Not too long ago this injury would have healed in under two hours, funny how that works" Armin said, his attempt to sound cheerful was falling flat.
"Please don't do this again, tell someone if you get hurt like this" Annie asked of him and then added, "Eat some dinner, I'm going to get some medicine for you" before handing him the plate of food and then leaving the tent.
Once she was gone Armin couldn't help but feel bad that he'd worried her, but it didn't feel like he had any other choice. He was basically in charge of their camp and everyone needed his guidance, not to be burdened by him. So Armin sat there eating his food slowly and did his best not to look at his foot until Annie came back.
The tent flaps opened and Annie was back with a basin of water and a pain medicine, "You need to elevate your foot so lay down" Annie instructed while stacking a few books and then setting a small pillow on top.
Armin did as she said and laid down, and then let her place his foot on the set up she had created. He felt some of the pressure leave his foot, and it was the least amount of pain he'd been feeling in days. Annie then gave him the medicine and dipped a washcloth in the cold water and used it to wipe the sweat from his forehead, still not saying anything.
Armin realized that she wasn't going to say anything yet so he decided to break the ice, "I'm sorry for making you worry, that wasn't my intention" he admitted.
"It's okay, I understand why you did it. But you will be seeing the doctor tomorrow and be resting for a few days, and I don't want to hear any arguments about it" Annie said seriously.
Armin laughed at her sudden change in demeanor and couldn't help but say, "You're reminding me a lot of my mom right now".
Annie was surprised at his comment and almost said something sarcastic back but decided against it, "How so?" she asked.
"I used to get bullied and beat up a lot when I was little and I would always try to hide it all from her. But she always saw through me, and would treat all my bruises and cuts. Then she'd run me a bath, and let me sleep with her and dad that night" Armin told her, his mind drifting back to a much simpler time.
"It sounds like she really loved and cared for you, but I don't think I'm anywhere near as kind as her" Annie said truthfully, before adding, "Is there anything else I can do?"
Armin thought over the question before gathering the courage to ask, "You could lay next to me if you're comfortable with that, if not I completely understand" he offered, giving her an out.
But Annie nodded and made her way to the open spot next to him and laid down, "Is this okay?" she asked quietly.
"It is, thank you" Armin said back, a light pink blush dusting his cheeks.
Annie knew that she was supposed to be the one comforting Armin, but she couldn't help but relax being so close to him like this. He had always made her feel safe, but in the soft glow of the tent and his calming presence, she felt all the tension and stress leave her body and mind.
Armin discreetly watched Annie get comfortable and relax next to him, he had never seen this part of her before and he was quite fond of it. And he couldn't help the small smile that formed on his face whenever Annie turned towards him and placed her hand around his forearm. She felt secure enough to reach out for him, and that alone made Armin's chest feel warm.
"Thank you for easing the pain I've been dealing with these last few days, I just didn't want to burden the camp" Armin reiterated, his eyes staring up towards the top of the tent.
Annie tightened her grip on his forearm and then spoke, "You've never been a burden, everyone here values you greatly. If anything, hiding something like this til it gets worse is more of a hassle".
"I know, I just couldn't help but feel that way. I've always been the weakest link no matter where I am" Armin said regretfully, his mind beginning to flood with all his past mistakes and failures.
"Not excelling in certains areas doesn't make you weak, it just makes you better suited for something else. I could never create plans and strategies like you do, and you can't do martial arts as well as me. That doesn't make either of us weak, just stronger in different ways" Annie said, hoping her words had come off correctly.
Armin thought over her rational and then moved to intertwine their fingers together, "Annie you really are kind in your own way, I'm happy I get to experience it now" he said warmly.
"I'm really not at all, but I'm glad you think so" Annie whispered, her tired eyes fixated on his large hand wrapped around her smaller one.
"If only you could see yourself through my eyes, then you wouldn't question it at all" Armin said softly, and then added, "I can tell you're tired, go ahead and sleep now" while brushing away the hair that was covering her eyes.
Annie was going to rebuttal and tell Armin that he was the one who needed to sleep, but the day had finally caught up with her. So she pulled a wool blanket over them both, and then moved closer to Armin.
And the last thing she remembered before falling asleep, was the unfamiliar but welcomed feeling of Armin's lips pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.