Chapter Twenty-Three

Being on a date with Ymir and Historia had to be the strangest thing Armin had ever experienced. They were just such an odd pairing and yet they just worked. He couldn't wrap his mind around it. But maybe they had the same thought about him and Mikasa. At the surface, they wouldn't seem to be a couple that works, but they do.

Historia had chosen the aquarium. Apparently, Ymir had wanted to go to the zoo, but seeing as it was January and the zoo wasn't actually open, the aquarium had been picked as a replacement. Armin didn't mind. Looking at the fish could be quite peaceful. However, being there with Ymir was not peaceful. She was loud. She had decided to find fish that looked like everyone in their friend group. Armin had found it mildly amusing up until she had declared he looked like a puffer fish. That was going too far. He started letting them get further and further ahead.

"Don't fall behind." Mikasa grabbed his hand and tugged him along. He had been suspicious at how easily she had relented to going on the date. He suspected it had to do with their fight. She knew she couldn't keep resisting if she wanted to stay together.

"I want to fall behind." He whispered, though he let her tow him along.

"Don't fall behind from me." She replied, slowing her pace. Armin adjusted their hands, twining his fingers through hers. It felt nice, being able to be a couple. "This is nice." Mikasa said, seeming to mirror his thoughts.

"It is nice."

"Would prefer it without Ymir's incessant gabbing and Historia's giggling."

"Yeah, I think this is the actual reason they can't get anyone to go out with them."

"Next time, we're going out on our own."

"Yes, please."

"What are you two whispering about back there?" Historia had stopped to let them catch up.

"Probably some kinky shit." Ymir said. "I bet someone is getting railed tonight." She smirked, up until Historia drove an elbow into her ribs. "OW!"

"Be polite!" Historia sounded annoyed.

"What?" Ymir feigned ignorance.

"Don't ruin this for me." Historia hissed. Clearly, this date was important for her.

"Okay, I'm sorry." Ymir looked away as Armin and Mikasa reached them.

"Are you guys having fun?" Historia asked, sounded a bit like a mom desperate to entertain her kids.

"Uh, yeah." Armin said quickly. It was infinitely more awkward now that Historia and Ymir were fighting.

"Well, we're almost done, and then it's the gift shop." Historia practically chirped. "That's always your favorite part, right, Ymir?"

"Yeah." Ymir looked like she was sulking after Historia snapped at her.

"And then, we'll get lunch!" Historia was pretending like nothing was wrong.

"Let's head to the gift shop." Mikasa said. So, off they went. Armin could see why Ymir liked the gift shop. It was full of absolutely random shit, most of it useless. Stuffed toys, and mugs, and t-shirts galore. Ymir definitely perked up once they were inside. She immediately began running around, picking up random things to show Historia. Armin took the opportunity to slip off to the other side of the store with Mikasa.

"Do you want anything?" he asked. She just shrugged. "Well, walk around and tell me if you like anything." After several minutes, Mikasa seemed fixated on a stuffed penguin. Why they even had it, Armin couldn't say since this place didn't have any penguins. "Do you want the penguin?" Mikasa slowly nodded her head. "Then, grab it. I'll pick out a stupid keychain or something for Eren."

"You're getting him something?" She looked at him.

"I'll never hear the end of it if I don't."

"But I don't-"

"He knows we went out without him. He knows we came here."

"You told him?" Mikasa's voice raised slightly.

"Yes. He was bound to ask where we going on a Saturday without him. He hates the aquarium and wasn't interested in going."

"Can I just ask you something?" They both jumped. Neither of them had noticed that Ymir had come up behind them.

"Jesus, Ymir!" Armin exclaimed, putting a hand over his heart. She's scared the daylights out of him.

"I have been told I look like a female Jesus." She smirked. She was leaning on a display shelf, leaning over it while she looked at them.

"What do you want?" Mikasa huffed. She hated surprised…and being startled.

"Why do you have to get Eren a gift if he doesn't even like this place?"

"Because he's a slut for souvenirs." Armin answered.

Ymir almost choked on the force of her laugh. "Oh my god. I love that."

"Let's go check out." Mikasa said. Armin grabbed a random keychain off the rack as they walked. He wasn't putting any thought into this. Eren wouldn't care what it was, as long as he got something to add to his horde.

Armin did a double take as they walked up to the register. It was…Marco. "Uh, hey." He said.

"Hey guys!" Marco beamed. "Have fun at the aquarium?"

"Yeah."

"Where's Eren?" Marco glanced around as he rang up their items.

"He's uh…not with us."

"Oh." Marco said. "Ohhhhhhh." Realization showed on his face as he glanced at their still clasped hands. "Cool." Mikasa tried to pull her hand away, but Armin just squeezed harder and pulled it back to his side.

"What are you doing here, Freckles?" Ymir called out as she came up behind them.

"I…work…here?" Marco gestured at his polo shirt and name tag, both which should scream the obvious signs of employment.

"Since when?" Ymir demanded.

"Over a year."

"Really? I don't recall ever seeing you here before."

"Well, I was here all summer and am here pretty much every weekend." Marco shrugged. He handed Armin the bag with his stuff in it. "Here you go."

"Thanks." Armin and Mikasa were still in a not so subtle tug of war with their clasped hands. "It's too late." He hissed as they walked away from the counter. "He already knows, so there's no point trying to hide it."

"But I don't want him to know." Mikasa pouted. Armin couldn't believe it. She was actually pouting.

"It's a little late now." Armin shrugged. "Besides, it's Marco. What's he going to do? It's not like he's Connie or something." Mikasa just sighed. That was her telltale sign of conceding someone's point without actually having to say it. "Anyway, the whole reason we're out today is to behave like a regular couple. And I shouldn't have to tell you that yanking your hand out of mine at the slightest provocation is not achieving that."

Mikasa cast her eyes to the ground. "I'm sorry." She said softly.

"Let's just move on." He gave her hand a squeeze.

"Okay." She said. She still wouldn't look at him, but she did squeeze his hand back. That was a good sign.

"Who's ready for lunch?" Historia clapped her hands as she bounded up to them.

"I know I am!" Ymir exclaimed, following behind her.

"You're always ready to eat." Historia replied.

"What can I say? I'm a growing girl." Ymir shrugged.

"You haven't grown any taller in three years." Mikasa stated.

"Oh, I meant growing out, not growing up." Ymir slapped her belly.

"Let's go." Historia said, marching off, Ymir trailing behind.

"I guess you're right." Mikasa said softly.

Armin raised his eyebrows. She never liked to admit that someone else was right. "About what?"

"It's only Marco. Who's he going to tell?"