When he was twenty-nine, he was caught off-guard.

After over three months of meetings, hearings, more meetings, and the ever-present splitting headache caused by the joy of politics down in Sina, Armin couldn't get back to the Survey Corps complex quickly enough. Though as he fought back yet another yawn, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe it would've been better for him to wait for a carriage after his sleepless night instead of hitchhiking on that cart, even if it would've meant a full day's delay.

However, all thoughts of sleep and his aching bones were washed away the instant he saw a familiar blonde walking toward him away from the complex. Just the person he wanted to see. "Annie!" He ran over and pulled her into a brotherly hug, twirling her around happily.

"I'm guessing that means good news?" the shorter girl asked when he finally put her down; he could see the edge of nervous anticipation in her eyes.

Armin beamed. "There's still loads of paperwork to fill out and a few stipulations, but you are well on your way to becoming a full-fledged member of the Survey Corps with permission to go on missions outside the walls."

"Stipulations?"

He grimaced. Of course she'd zone in on the one dark speck in the otherwise bright ray of sunshine. "We have to continue to report your activities to the Military Police, and they reserve the right to appeal for a change in custody should they deem it necessary, but all-in-all, they aren't unreasonable demands."

"I suppose." The admission sounded bitter to his ears. They both fell silent for a moment before Annie looked up and gave him a small smile. "Thanks, and…welcome home."

His eyes were warm. "It's good to be back." He made a face. "It'll be nice to not have to weigh every word I say from fifteen different angles for a while."

"Sounds like you had a mentally stimulating trip to the interior."

"Oh yeah," he shook his head and chuckled in amusement. "Hey, you've got this smudge of black gunk near your eye," he tutted as he licked his thumb and began rubbing the makeup off. His eyes softened in affection when she wrinkled her nose at him; "I'm not a child," the action pouted.

His smile faded slightly as he took her in, his thumb absently running circles over the offending smear. There was something different about her. She seemed taller, the angles of her face softer, her body fuller…had her eyelashes always been that long? Had her hair always been this silky? Had her lips always been—? He blinked and quickly wiped off the last of the inky black, stepping away from her. His brow furrowed at her appearance: hair half-up in her usual bun; makeup; a light, grey jacket over a hooded pale pink dress that fell about mid-thigh; and knee-high heeled chocolate boots…. Had she dressed up for somebody? She wouldn't wear these kinds of clothes just to go shopping with the others. The thought made his chest feel uncomfortably tight. "You…look nice…. Special occasion?"

She rolled her eyes. "Blind date. I lost some stupid bet I didn't even want to take, and now I have to go to lunch with Nina's cousin or something." She motioned to herself. "The outfit and makeover were part of the package."

He forced out a laugh with a dark edge he distrusted. "You're old enough to date boys now?"

The look she leveled at him could wither up his beloved ocean. "I've been old enough to date boys for as long as you've known me, Armin. I'm ten years younger than you, not ten-years-old."

"Uh huh, if you say so."

She was clearly itching to lay him out.

He squeezed her shoulder as he walked past. "You're going to scare him off if you keep glaring like that. Be good, now."

When he finally flopped down on his bed after reporting in to those he absolutely had to see, he stared up at the ceiling with a hard frown. Annie had a date. So what? It wasn't any of his business, and he shouldn't be this irritated. She didn't even know the guy.

But she could…if the date went well….

His face clouded over. This was ridiculous. She was nineteen, a teenager. She should be spending time with people her own age. As her main benefactor, he should be encouraging this sort of thing. Annie was reclusive enough without the whole prisoner-of-war/titan-shifter/(former) traitor of humanity thing going on. She needed to be reminded that she was on their side and deserved to be part of the community. He needed to loosen up. He wasn't her father or legal guardian; he had no right or reason to object.

He shouldn't care.

But he did.

It wasn't any of his business.

But it was.

There were other more important things to think about and do, so why was this the only thing that he could focus on? He was being childish. It was just a date. There was nothing wrong with dates. He'd even been on dates.

"That was different though, wasn't it?" an insidious voice whispered in his ear. After all, he only dated girls when it was a convenient cover for espionage. People let down their guard around familiar faces, and public displays of affection almost always make people look away. The two combined ensured an invaluable level of anonymity. As bad as it sounded, Armin had long ago become accustomed to using and manipulating people, and considering how physically attractive he'd become, girls were the easiest to snare in his net. He was careful not to break any hearts, though; a bad reputation could ruin future prospects. But Annie, she wasn't going on a date for the sake of a mission. …Not that it mattered.

"She didn't want to go in the first place," he reminded himself.

"That's irrelevant," the voice purred. "What matters is if she wants a second date."

He shoved that thought away with difficulty and threw his arm over his eyes. He shouldn't be bothered by this; he didn't think of her that way. She was like a kid sister to him. Maybe ten years ago he could've felt that way about her, but not now. He was far too old for her. It would be lecherous and indecent. "Yes, it would be indecent to fall in love with Annie," he snarled in disgust at himself.

Annie with her quiet nature and dry sense of humor.

Annie who could uncannily say just what someone needed to hear in that sharp tone that commanded attention and would show unexpected gentleness if the occasion arose.

Annie who was so much kinder than she let on and who harbored the weight of her sins more than anyone ever should.

Annie whose eyes would glitter with life when she was in the middle of doing something she loved and whose rare, subtle smiles were like precious gifts that one treasured.

Annie who had seen the inner strength within him before he'd been aware of it himself and had loved him. She had known him when he'd been scrawny and weak and his only claims to fame were being good at studying and being a mess in everything else, and despite his lack of redeeming qualities, she'd loved him.

He exhaled painfully. It would be so easy to fall in love with Annie, and even if she didn't love him now, he could try to win her back.

But.

He closed his eyes and let the familiar words wash over him again. "'I am a soldier who has sworn himself to the restoration of mankind! I have no greater desire than to give my life to serving that end!'" He stood; his face hard with resolve. Even before Annie had encased herself in that crystal, he'd decided to give his heart fully to humanity. That was the path he'd chosen, and he would not abandon it. He banished the protest that welled up within him with a purposeful stride toward the door. Wishing to be with Annie was a waste of time and energy. Things like love weren't for the likes of him.