If you would like to read the reader-insert version, please visit me on archiveofourown ID Koyukiy!
A request from Asperger Hero in which a kind, rich woman becomes a foster mother for Armin after he loses his grandfather! Set in modern AU!
For these imagines, I will be using the same name, Snow, so that I don't have to think up a new one for every chapter. Different people every chapter, same name for convenience. I hope that makes sense.
Please enjoy!
Life as an orphan was something Armin never thought would happen. After his parents passed away, he lived with his grandfather and although it was hard at first, knowing that his grandfather was there for him every step of the way made everything so much easier. He knew that Grandfather Arlert would probably pass away when he was in adult hood, but to pass away while Armin was still young was something the boy didn't expect and Armin was devastated. Eren and Mikasa invited him to stay with them, their mother wouldn't mind, they said. He knew she wouldn't, but he couldn't bring himself to impose on them like that, they already do so much for him.
"Hello, there."
Armin was huddled against the wooden wall of an abandoned storage shed, his legs drawn to his chest and his face hiding behind his knees. Eren and Mikasa were with him earlier and he ate lunch at their house, after not having a say when Eren practically dragged him with them. Still grieving, he wasn't up for anything when they went back out to play and he told his friends so, but he encouraged them to go and have fun. After much reassurance that he was ok, they reluctantly did just that, telling him that he can join them at any time, they'll be at their usual hang out. He looked up, hearing a voice over him and saw a young woman's face directly in front of him. He almost gasped in surprise, he wasn't aware of how close this young woman was.
"Your name is Armin Arlert, is it?"
Her voice and her demeanor, the very air around her, everything about this young woman seemed caring, almost motherly. Armin was perplexed. What would a seemingly well off person be wanting from him? He nodded his head as an answer. She smiled, her smile patient and understanding.
But could she really understand?
"My name is Snow. I know you don't know me, but I knew your grandfather. He used to tell me so much about you. I'm so sorry about what happened to him. I was heart broken when I found out..."
He didn't know her—Although her name sounded familiar—but he could tell she was genuinely sincere with her words. For a moment, it looked like she wanted to cry, her eyes watery, but she steeled herself and got back on track.
"It's nice to meet you, Armin."
"N-Nice to meet you..."
"I was worried about what would happen to you. How would you like to come with me?"
Go with her? Does she mean to live? She couldn't possibly be that generous. Armin felt himself shrinking back as Snow stood up straight and extended a hand to him.
"Would you allow me to give you a home?"
This young woman did indeed know his grandfather. She talked with Armin about him all the way to her home and when they got there, the blonde boy marveled at this young woman's home. A mansion, the word continuously circled in his head, even as she led him inside. The inside was just as impressive as the outside, it was elegant, yet simple. There weren't many fancy items around, the opposite of what he started drawing in his head. Straight ahead from the double front doors, were a set of stairs which Armin assumed led to the bedrooms. The white stairs were lined with an elegant black railing which ended in a spiral at the bottom of the stairs. Following the railing up the stairs reveals that the railing follows the entirety of the stairs and continues to line the upstairs hallway. Snow led him to a hallway to the left and entered another room passed an open arched doorway.
"This is the dining room." Snow explained, then pointed to a door on the other end of the room. "The kitchen is that way, passed that door. If you want anything, you only need to ask."
She then led Armin back the way they came from and up the stairs. When they reached the top, he was surprised to see multiple doors along the wall. Are these all bed rooms?
"This here is my room." Snow pointed open-handed to the first door you see coming up the stairs, then continued to the very next door. "This will be your room."
She opened the door to reveal a very specious room. A queen sized bed sat in the middle of the other end of the room straight ahead from the door. To the right, was a door and dresser with a decent sized mirror hanging above it and to the left a decorative desk with a small desk lamp resting on one side. Armin entered the room in a state of awe. It's so much bigger than his room was!
"You have your own bathroom through the door there." Snow continued. "It's small, but you'll have your own toilet, sink and shower."
"Madam? Apologies for not meeting you at the door."
"Ah, Jeffrie."
Looking over to the new voice, Armin saw an older man clad in a black suit, black pants and black dress shoes. Under the suit, he saw a white shirt and a black tie.
"Armin, this is Jeffrie Rhols, my head butler. He knows everything about anything in this house. Jeffrie, remember the Arlert who recently passed away? This is his grandson."
"My condolences, young Arlert." Jeffrie bowed.
Armin didn't know what to say, so he merely bowed back.
"Will the young Master be staying with us?"
Young Master?
"Excellent question. What do you think, Armin? Would you like to stay?"
Armin took a moment to think. Does he? It would be nice to live in a mansion...and Snow has been nothing but nice to him. He can say with certainty that she did know his grandfather by the talk they had on their way here and if his grandfather trusted her, he has no reason to not trust her, as well.
"Yes." Armin responded. "I would like to stay."
"Splendid!" Snow exclaimed, beaming at him, while Jeffrie warmly smiled at him. "If there is anything you need or want, anything at all, don't hesitate to tell either of us, alright?"
"OK."
"Did you eat? Are you hungry at all?"
"N-No. I'm fine. I ate not too long ago..."
"Good. I'll have your things delivered here, while you get yourself situated. I'll let you be. Don't be shy to explore the house if you'd like."
"Thank you. For letting me stay."
"It's the least I could do Armin. Family of a good friend of mine are family to me as well."
The smile she gave him left him flustered. It was a sort of smile that was caring, yet embarrassingly loving. When she and Jeffrie left, Armin sat on the bed and tested the bounciness by slightly bouncing on it. It's comfortable. He let himself fall backward, testing exactly how comfortable it is. He could fall asleep on it right now and he wasn't even tired. To think he'll be living in a mansion from now on! A small smile spread on his face. That was a real life Butler just now!
Grandfather in heaven...I think I'll be OK. An old friend of yours is going to be taking care of me from now on...
...
...
I miss you.
"How is he?" Snow asked a worried looking maid the day after she had brought Armin in to live with her.
Armin hadn't left his room since she left him to his own devices yesterday. She had imagined that he would have wandered around the mansion, maybe even found himself in the beautifully grown garden in the back.
But he hasn't even left his room.
Snow knew what he was doing. He was drowning himself in grief, much like she had done when she first found out about the elder Arlert's passing. He was a good family friend and although Snow had never had the chance to acquaint herself with Armin, she would speak to Grandfather Arlert as often as she could. That turned out to be rarely recently, as she had become so busy, she almost forgot her left from her right.
The maids had been bringing the new young Master food and he seemed to be eating it, judging by the dirty dishes he left outside of the door. If he's got a little bit of an appetite, then he's not doing horribly, but Snow still felt worried for him. When she noticed she hasn't seen him after she left him yesterday, she thought she would give him some space, but then evening turned to night and she still hadn't seen him. Snow had stood by his door and called out a good night to him when it was time for bed. She managed to catch a small good night back, so she was satisfied with that at the moment, but now it was to be evening again soon, but still no hide nor hair from him.
"He seemed to be sleeping when I brought him some of his clothes that had been delivered." the maid explained. "There has not been much movement in there."
Snow nodded and the maid excused herself to continue doing what she was supposed to do, while Snow went up and knocked on Armin's bedroom door.
"Armin?" she called and waited for an answer, but there was none. There wasn't a single movement and if she didn't know any better, she would say he wasn't in there. "I'm coming in, OK?"
After waiting another moment, she let out a soft sigh, then opened the door just enough to peak in. Laying on his bed was Armin, seemingly sleeping. He wasn't moving an inch, but by paying attention to his breathing, Snow knew that he wasn't sleeping. She entered the rest of the way in, leaving the door slightly ajar and approached him, kneeling down beside his bed. His eyes were opened and seemed to be staring off into space.
"Armin." Snow called again and this time he seemed to startle out of his thoughts, gasping in surprise and causing Snow to gasp herself. "Oh! Did I startle you?"
"A little..."
"I'm sorry. I tried calling out to you before."
"Sorry. I didn't hear you."
He was so far into his thoughts, he didn't hear her. Perhaps, it was the same for the other cases of failed responses.
"I'd like to show you something. Come with me." Snow cheerfully invited.
Armin didn't verbally respond, burying his face into his fluffy pillow instead. He doesn't want to do anything. A little bit of distraction worked for Snow, it might do a little good for him, too.
"Come on, Armin. I'm sure you'll like it." Snow pleaded.
After a moment, Armin turned his head to look at the kind, young woman, who smiled patiently, and he sighed, easing himself off the bed with some effort. Happily, Snow took his hand and led him down the stairs, to the left, the hallway opposite of the hallway leading to the dining room and kitchen, one that he hadn't gone down yet. The two passed a room that looked like a sitting area. The furniture inside looked decorative, but they passed too quickly for him to get a proper look. At the end of this hallway, Snow opened a door and pulled him with her, entering the beginnings of a flowing garden. There were walls of rose bushes, all different colors, resembling another hallway. A wave of floral smells can be sensed as soon as he passed the door frame. She continued to lead him passed the roses and to a lone bed of flowers. White roses created a rectangular shape and the inside was filled with pink carnations and summer grown Peruvian lilies.
"Mr. Arlert visited my parents and suggested a garden a long time ago, when I was young. He said it would have been grand to sit among the flowers and have a chat. We had a garden back then, of course, but it was nowhere near as grand as this. It took a long time to grow, but we finally did it." Snow spoke, smiling sadly at the lone bed of flowers. "I sent him photos of this garden, but I wanted to invite him, and you, to see it in person."
Armin remembered a couple of photos of a beautifully grown garden his grandfather had shown him a while ago. He seemed almost proud when he showed him, smiling ear to ear. Armin recalled that, at the time, he mentioned that a friend had sent him those photos. The boy had thought that it would be nice to visit a garden like that, he never would have thought that he would really be standing among it someday. Snow walked up to the flower bed and knelt in front of it, Armin followed her lead and did the same.
"Since I couldn't bring him to this garden, I've decided to bring his memory instead." She then started pointing to each flower individually. "These white roses are used to a honor a father. These are pink carnations, they stand for remembrance and these here are Peruvian lilies, they stand for a grandparents devotion and love. I did this, not only for him, but for you as well, Armin."
She placed a hand on his back as she noticed that the boy started to tear up as he stared at the sorted flowers.
"Even if you decided you didn't want to stay here, I wanted to show this to you. At least once."
Snow watched as the boy lowered his head between his knees, tears falling silently from his eyes. His sniffs and small hiccups were what gave it away that he had started to cry.
"Come here." Snow softly said, gently pulling him to her as she fought back her own tears. Armin let himself be pulled, resting his forehead against her shoulder as she lightly stroked the back of his head and rubbed his back. She called his attention again when she noticed that he had calmed down. "What do you think of me adopting you?"
The question caught him by surprise. Adoption? But he's only been here for two days!
"I know this is sudden, but I would very much like to take care of you. I won't push it and I'll leave the decision up to you." Snow stood up, taking Armin with her, bringing him to his feet. "In the mean time, why don't we see about dinner, hm? What would you like to eat? The chef can make just about anything!"
Armin followed her back into the house and to the kitchen, so he can tell the chef what he would like for dinner, but Snow ended up suggesting a meal in his stead, since Armin became too timid to meet the chef. Afterward, he returned to his room and thought of her proposition. Adoption...Snow was an amazing young woman; she knew nothing about Armin yet she still wanted to take him in. She also proved that she cared very much about his grandfather. Armin knew that all that she has done so far was genuinely for him. She has been very patient with him, trying to cheer him up with the garden, a garden that was built because of his grandfather and so far, she's done everything with a smile.
A knock on his door snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Armin?" Snow's voice floated in from the other side of the door. "Dinner's ready. Would you like to come eat with me?"
That was another thing. She always asks him if he wants to. At any point in time he could reject her and he was sure that if he did, she would still try to help him in some way. Armin opened the door and was met with her patient smile.
She's always smiling.
They walked to the dining room together, dinner already served and waiting for them. Snow sat at the end of the table and Armin's portion was next to her. Dinner was quiet, except for the occasional ask to past the something or other. However, toward the end of it,
"Yes." Armin suddenly spoke up.
"Hm?" Snow hummed in question.
"I wouldn't mind...being adopted by you."
Snow beamed at him, practically vibrating in joy.
"Oh, that's wonderful! Jeffrie!" she excitedly called him over and the butler came over to the table instantly. "Did you hear that?"
"That I did." he smiled at Armin.
"Send over the paperwork needed to my office. I'll pop in there as soon as it's ready."
"Of course, Madam. Right away." and he hurried away.
"How great! Oh, I'm overjoyed you've accepted!"
Her happiness was infectious, Armin found himself smiling and becoming giddy. Her mood continued to stay at it's peak even after they had finished dinner. She had practically skipped away when Jeffrie returned to talk to her about said papers of adopting Armin as a foster parent. She excused herself from the boy to take care of paperwork, leaving Armin to do what he wanted once again. He decided to visit the flowerbed again.
"Master Armin?" a maid had snapped Armin out of his thoughts while he stared at the beautiful memento for his grandfather. "It is late. You will catch a cold if you stay out for too long."
Oh? With how illuminated with lights the area was, he didn't notice it had gotten so dark so quickly. He nodded at her, standing up and making his way to her. The maid bowed as she let him pass her, but he felt awkward, so he bowed his head and hurried inside. The maid stifled her giggle, closing the back door behind them. The new young Master was adorable.
"He's still in there, isn't he?" Snow asked the maid she placed responsible for looking after Armin's wants and needs when she can't.
The maid, Marcia, is a red head with light green eyes. Due to her gentle nature, Snow trusted her to watch over Armin, who Snow believes is fragile at the moment. Marcia had just exited from the boy's room as Snow exited her own.
"He is, Madam." Marcia said with a solemn expression. "He doesn't seem to want to do much."
"It hadn't been too long ago since elder Arlert passed." Snow nodded, thoughtfully. "There has to be something I can do to lift his spirits..."
Snow slowly walked down the stairs, letting her fingers glide down the polished black railing as she went. When she reached the bottom, she paused, an idea striking her just then. Of course!
"Jeffrie, I'm going out to town!" she called, the butler quickly coming to her side.
She swears that he knows how to teleport. No matter where she is in her mansion, he's somehow able to not only locate where she is, but be by her side in a matter of minutes at most. She had tested how fast he can get to her from the other side of her home and he's so quick, she's half convinced the man has mastered the art of teleporting.
"Madam." he answered.
"I'm afraid Armin might not be coming out of his room anytime soon, but if he does, just make sure he's alright until I come back." Snow spoke as she put on her outing wear.
"Will you be out for long, Madam?"
"I don't plan on taking too long." Snow paused for a moment. "Actually, why don't you come with me?"
"Of course. I will be but a moment." Jeffrie hurried away to quickly get ready.
Snow knocked on a door and waited for a moment before Carla opened it.
"Greetings. I am Snow, this is Jeffrie. I am here to talk about Armin Arlert with his friends. Are you their mother?"
"Yes, I'm Carla Yeager. What about Armin? Did something happen to him?"
At the sound of Armin's name at the door, Eren and Mikasa stood behind Carla to see who exactly was at the door.
"Oh, no, no. I've just wanted to let you know that I have taken the liberty of taking him in."
Carla hastily invited the two in, noticing that they were still talking at her doorway. She made tea, pouring the two guests a cup and continued their conversation.
"So, you've taken Armin in?" Carla asked, putting a plate of pickled snacks on the table.
"Yes. His grandfather was an old family friend, he's told me much about his grandson. I was worried about what was going to happen to the boy, so I've decided to take him in and take care of him, with his permission, of course. I wouldn't want to force him into suddenly becoming my foster son."
"I see." Carla responded, then mentioned to Eren and Mikasa to come over, who were watching their mother and two strangers talk from a distance. "This is my son, Eren and this is Mikasa, I took her in after her parents passed."
The two kids politely bowed.
"It's nice to meet you two. I'm Snow and this is Jeffrie." Jeffrie bowed. "Armin's still feeling down, understandably, so I was wondering if the two of you would like to come over and visit him?" she looked to Carla. "If that's all right?"
"Can we?" Eren asked, looking between the young woman and his mother.
"I don't have a problem with it."
"Wonderful, thank you, Mrs. Yeager." Snow bowed low, flustering the mother.
"It's fine." she insisted, waving her hands in front of her. "Armin has been friends with Eren since they were little. There isn't much we wouldn't do for him."
Eren and Mikasa marveled at Snow's home, starry eyed all the way until they got inside. Armin has been staying here?!
"Snow of Shinganshina." Mikasa muttered.
"Yes?" Snow replied, as Jeffrie left to see whether Armin was still in his room or not.
"You were recently in the paper. You're one of the most wealthiest women in the Shinganshina District."
"Wha- She is?!" Eren exclaimed.
"I suppose I am." Snow smiled, a bit embarrassed she was recognized.
Jeffrie came back to the small group after talking to the maids and informed them that Armin was in the garden. Snow thanked him, thankful that Armin was up and about. She motioned for the two kids to follow her.
"I want to surprise him with you." Snow said as she reached the back door. "Stay here for a moment. I'll let you know when to come over."
"Okay." Eren replied.
Snow found Armin kneeling in front of his grandfather's memorial, essentially talking to him.
"It isn't bad..." she heard him mutter as she approached.
"Armin." she softly called to him.
He looked over and saw her smiling softly at him. He bid his grandfather a small goodbye for now, stood up and walked up to her. Snow's heart went out for him and resolve burned within her.
"I want to promise you something." Snow started to say.
"What is it?"
Snow knelt down to meet him face to face, gently holding him by his shoulders.
"I want to promise you that I will do everything in my power so that you can grow up with a family, for as long as you live here. Jeffrie and the maids, my chef, they're not only my helpers, they're also my family. I would like for you to also see them as your family as well one day. As my foster son, I want you to smile and be happy."
Her words brought tears to Armin's eyes. How is she so kind? Snow reached up and cupped both of his cheeks, swiping away any tears that fell with her thumbs, while smiling softly. All too soon, she stood up and looked toward the back door.
"Okay, you two, come on over!"
You two? Who was she talking to? Armin gazed at her with a confused expression before he saw Eren and Mikasa walking toward him, their eyes looking at the rose bushes with awe.
"Mikasa? Eren?" Armin called.
"Armin!" the two called, hurrying over to them.
"What are you doing here?
"I invited them." Snow piped up. "I thought you would like the company of your friends."
"You live in this huge house now, Armin?!" Eren questioned excitedly.
"Yeah."
"How is it?" Mikasa asked.
"I miss Grandfather." Armin confessed. "But I'm comfortable here. Snow's very kind and so is everyone else."
"I'll let you three catch up and play, I'll be inside. If you need anything at all, just call."
"Okay!"
For once in a long while, Armin was smiling. After Snow left them, she returned to her study room as there were still some paperwork she needed to finish. In the middle of her work, she heard some distant laughing floating in from her door which was a crack open, coming from downstairs. She smiled to herself, the kids have come back inside and they're happy. For Snow, that's all that matters. After another long while, she looked up to her hanging clock and saw that it was almost lunch time. Snow pulled her door open and found Armin with an extended hand, his friends standing a little ways behind him. He was most likely about to knock. After slight surprise from both sides, Snow put on her usual smile.
"Hello, Armin. Are you having fun with your friends?"
"Yes, thank you for inviting them!"
"Of course! Did you need something?"
"Yes, um..." he seemed to hesitate, but after glancing behind him at his friends, he spoke again. "We were wondering when lunch was?"
Snow chuckled, stepping out of the way, so she can close her study door behind her. She placed a gentle hand on his head as she walked.
"I was just wondering the same thing. Why don't we visit the chef?"
"Yes!" Armin smiled, then signaled for his friends to follow them.
"You have a chef, too?!" Eren said in an incredulous tone.
"This is a wealthy household." Mikasa replied very as-a-matter-of-fact.
Snow couldn't help but laugh at the exchange.
"What do you guys want to eat? Snow said the chef can make almost anything." Armin recounted.
"Ehh? Almost anything?" Eren replied, but didn't seem to have anything in particular in mind that he wants.
"We can have some simple sandwiches, does that sound good?" Snow suggested.
"Sure." Eren responded, Mikasa nodding beside him.
"Sounds good." Armin added.
Snow walked with them passed the dining room and into the kitchen, calling out for her chef. A man with short, light brown hair and blue eyes appeared out of the pantry, just about ready to make lunch. The thing that Armin noticed first was the fact that he was very tall. Snow had to crane her head up to look at his face.
"Luke, we've decided on some sandwiches for lunch."
Luke looked at her, a smile on his face.
"Sandwiches? Sure thing! Ham and cheese, pb and j...?"
"I'll say both." Snow said, looking at the kids for comfirmation, who nodded.
Luke beamed at them and then turned to Snow again.
"Can do, boss! Give me ten minutes max!"
"Thank you, Luke!"
"No problem!"
Snow then led the kids to the dining room to wait.
"Luke was pretty informal compared to most of everyone else..." Armin commented.
"You say that like this is the first you heard him talk." Eren pointed out.
"It is. It's the first I've seen him, too."
"Hah?!"
"I found Luke down on his luck in the streets years back." Snow explained. "He was an aspiring cook back then, but he couldn't find much work in the field with the little experience he had. Our last cook was just about to retire, it was perfect timing."
"So, you took him in like you did me." Armin stated.
"I suppose I did, yes. However, he was never much for formal talk. I don't mind how he speaks, I actually prefer it over formalities any day."
"She really saved me." Luke added, overhearing the conversation as he came out with a large tray full of half cut sandwiches, all with the crusts cut off. "I don't know where I would be if it weren't for her. Give me a sec, and I'll bring you some tea." he finished, setting the tray down.
"Thank you!" Armin said, as he and his friends wasted no time in digging in.
Warmth spread in Snow's chest as she watched the children eat. This is the happiest she's seen Armin, if that smile was anything to go by. She almost wished she had invited his friends sooner. Luke came back out with another tray holding four yunomi cups and a porcelain tea pot. He set the cups and tea pot on the table, pouring each of them a cup. Then, he leaned over and gave Snow a peck on her temple. The children, having seen the whole thing, stared at the two as Snow softly chuckled and Luke beamed at her.
"Thank you for lunch, Luke. Delicious, as always."
"The pleasure is always mine." he smiled, then turned to the kids. "If you want something specific for dinner, you just let me know!"
Responses of thank you's rang from the children as they ate, Luke sitting at the table with them for a cup of tea himself. When the children finished their meals, they hurried along with a cheerful, "Come on!" from Armin.
"Marcia had been saying that she was worried for the new young Master, how saddened he looked..." Luke recounted to Snow as he watched the happy children practically run out of the room. "It seems like you really pulled him out of it."
"I didn't." Snow replied. "All I was able to do was cheer him up temporarily and even then, he didn't smile this much."
"You don't give yourself enough credit. I'm sure he wouldn't be this happy if you didn't have any influence."
"You give me too much credit."
"You definitely helped him and he'll be fine." Luke gently took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, his lips lingering. "Promise me you won't worry too much."
It wasn't a question, but Snow didn't mind. This type of formality was normal for her and Luke, including the mild flirting in-between.
"I promise."
"...You just want me to let go of your hand." he did just that.
"Get back to work." Snow playfully chuckled.
With a short chuckle and final wink, he stood up from the table, put the empty cups and teapot back on the tray, then strolled back into the kitchen. Snow shook her head as she headed back to her office, a slightly flustered grin dancing on her lips.
"Thanks for having us over, Ms. Snow." Mikasa said after Snow rounded them up herself.
Snow had thought that it was starting to get late and how Mrs. Yeager probably wanted her kids home for dinner. She had found the children playing and chatting in Armin's room, she could hear them all the way downstairs where the maids were happily listening to the lively voices. Now at the front door, Jeffrie also appeared before them, in case he was needed.
"Thanks for coming, guys."
"Feel better." Mikasa replied.
"Next time you want to get taken in by someone, let us know sooner! We were worried about you!" Eren lightly scolded him and Snow couldn't help but let out a small laugh at his words.
"Sorry. I'll remember for next time." Armin was smiling, obviously going along with Eren's ridiculous request.
"We can have them over for dinner next time. How does that sound?" Snow suggested.
"How about it, guys?" Armin's face lit up at just the thought.
"Sounds great! And I'll definitely think of something I want for next time, too!" Eren replied enthusiastically with Mikasa nodding beside him.
"Good." Snow giggled. "Luke likes it best when you request something."
"See you soon." Armin waved.
Snow nodded to Jeffrie, who led the two waving children out of the door to drive them home safely.
"Did you have fun?" Snow turned to Armin.
"Yes. Thank you again for inviting them."
"Of course." she replied, putting on hand on his head. "Seeing you smiling so much was nice."
Armin's cheeks adorned a light rosy color. It's a bit embarrassing to hear her say that out loud.
"...Everything will be OK." Armin suddenly said after a moment of silence between them, just as Snow was thinking about possibly going back to her study.
"Hm?"
"Grandpa told me so." Armin nodded.
Snow's heart practically melted at his words. He was talking to his grandfather! The elder must have given him some sort of sign.
"Oh, Armin!" Snow knelt down and pulled him into a hug, thinking that he is adorable. Armin was a bit surprised and a little confused about the sudden embrace. She pulled away enough to look him straight in the eyes. "Promise me something?"
"Yes?"
"Promise me you'll never lose that smile of yours."
Everything that Snow has done so far has genuinely been for him. For that, Armin was truly grateful and he showed that gratitude with a wide smile.
"I promise."