Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan). I write this for your enjoyment only; I hope you like it! This will be a bit different from my previous installments because it is mostly from Armin's POV and written in the first person; it will be my take on his possible feelings towards Mikasa. I always believed that the relationship between a trio of close friends would become complex later on if two are boys and one is a girl or vice versa because at one point a pair of the opposite gender may become a couple and the third friend may feel left out. Anyway, enjoy and please review!

Acceptance

And that is why I want to be with him forever…

Its lines like these that really do a number on me, make me want to cry, smile, laugh, and sigh at the same time. I don't know if she even realizes how much it pains me to hear her say things like that.

Mikasa…she was the first girl to ever look at me without really looking. To see my potential as a strategist and intellectual instead of the fragile, weak little boy other people saw that always needed protection. For a time, I also saw myself that way but it was she who inspired me, made me feel that I could be so much more than I was. She smiled at me- for me. No one had ever smiled at me before- at least not like Mikasa did. Or maybe because it was because she was the one smiling, a girl my age, taking an interest in me. A kind girl who cared when I fell and asked me if I was ok when my face looked flushed, a kind girl who would help me with my chores and leave me little treats when I was feeling down, a secretive girl who showed a side of herself to me that few others would ever see.

A taken girl… already in love.

I suppose it sounds cliché, but Eren is my best friend; I even think of him as my big brother. I envied his courage, his charisma, his strength, and to an extent, his fine looks as well. But most of all, I wanted to have the same kind of love and devotion he does; I wanted Mikasa to love me like she loves him.

But I know it's not possible.

At first, I thought she might have a crush on me. Mikasa was, after all, very affectionate, friendly, and understanding to those closest to her. But I suppose I was being rash and overly hopeful; of course she would be affectionate, friendly, and understanding to me, she was my friend, after all! And like a good friend should, she tried to lift my spirits when I was down and make me see my strengths and potential when most people had difficulty seeing past my frail appearance.

I did appreciate that but at times, I felt it hurt more than it helped because I knew that beneath all her encouragement was pity for me as well, pity that I was not as strong, brave, or handsome as Eren. Eren, who jumped without hesitation, into the mouth of a titan while missing a leg and in excruciating pain, to pull me to safety, even if meant getting eaten alive himself. Could I have done the same if I were in his place? I want to believe I would, but deep down, I felt I might have been too scared. People often criticized Eren's recklessness but in truth, I admired it, even envied it to the point of being angry at him sometimes.

But I couldn't stay angry at Eren, at least not for very long since I loved him like I would love a brother of my own. It wasn't his fault for being protective of me and everyone else he cared about and it also wasn't his fault that it was in his nature to care more about others then himself, even if he was the one who was hurt most. He was always so kind to me; he only meant the best and he still does.

So now, I simply watch over them, sticking mainly to the sidelines, adding a few comments here and there, pushing them together at times, and pulling them apart at times as well as being there to help them make-up when they fight. Sometimes I get jealous, yes, and try to be by Mikasa's side more than Eren's, trying to subtly win her over and sleep beside her when we travel but there was always a line I never crossed because I knew where her heart really lies. And when you love someone, you want to see them happy, even if you are not part of their happiness.

And I do want to see Mikasa happy, happy with my best friend, Eren, the brother that I've always wanted, but never had. And who knows? Maybe in the future, I could be best man at their wedding, playing quiet witness as they pledge their love to each other for the rest of their lives. It would be romantic and sweet and I'll be very happy for them both, all while ignoring the quiet ache in my own heart.

Yes, Mikasa, I love you. But because I love you, I'll never let you know…

A/N: So what do you think of this little snippit? I know that Armin probably doesn't have those kind of feelings for Mikasa and if he did, he wouldn't likely show them since he knows how she feels about Eren but it was a fun idea to experiment with anyway and I hope you all like! ;)