Annie was never one for talking. It didn't help that she was surrounded by idiots usually, but then she wished someone would answer her questions.
It was unbearable being caged like this, bound, blindfolded and gagged in a dark room. All Annie remembered during her time in the crystal was a sense of detachment. It might have been weeks or years when somehow it broke and Survey Corp soldiers had captured her. This time they made it impossible for her to transform, going as far as to bind her hands in case she tried to pick a scab. She hadn't been fed, but on a few occasions they had given her water to drink. All she knew was the darkness and gnawing hunger.
Annie didn't know how much time has passed but for what seems like for the first time in forever, light enters her life again. She had to blink a few times to adjust her eyes, but once she does she recognized the blond in front of her.
Despite the longer hair and more matured face, she knew it was Armin.
"Long time no see Annie," He smiles gently, as if he isn't holding her captive right now. "Now I'm gonna take out your gag, but you can't shift, alright?" Carefully, he reached into her mouth, and she was a step closer to freedom.
"Why would you make such a stupid decision?" Annie supposed she should thank him, but really she's the enemy.
"Because I still believe you're a good person." He cringed a little afterwards, probably remembering their last interaction.
"Anyway, what the fuck's going on?" Annie was probably doing this wrong, but the days of darkness had wore her little patience.
Armin started tapping his fingers on his leg, that wasn't a good sign. "Right now we're deciding your fate. Many want to put you on trial for the deaths of the 57th expedition, but the others believe you could be useful to humanity." He got up and approached her, mere inches from her face.
"So please, do you have any information that could help us?" Those blue eyes tear her apart. Annie yearned to confess all her secrets, but years of training steeled herself. Even if tortured, she knew to keep quiet.
"Please!" Armin's voice shook. "I'm trying to save your skin!" Surprisingly, instead of staying silent, Annie laughed.
"Why do you care about me, I betrayed you!" She might be breaking, but at this point Annie didn't care.
"To be honest," Armin moved to cup her face, and time seemed to stop. "I might have loved you before," The words rushed out of his mouth, as if he couldn't hold them anymore.
For a second, Annie reminisced back to those days while training. He was so annoying, annoying but kind. He was weak, but made it up for it with his stubbornness to succeed. He had grown on her, to the point she couldn't kill him when the time came.
'I don't have to think hard, I know I loved you,' Annie kept those thoughts locked behind her blank mask.
Armin moved closer, til his forehead was touching her's. "I just want to apologize for how I did you wrong will you forgive me?" Annie didn't speak a word, for she knew one word would be her undoing.
Saddened, Armin got back up, disappointment clear in his face.
"I see, goodbye Annie Leonhardt." And with that he left.