Annie was never a fan of the crowded subway. It had been a part of her life since she was small (at least smaller than she currently was) but that didn't make rush hour anymore enjoyable.

As she scrolls through her playlist, she feels the train come to a halt. Fucking perfect, even more people squeeze on. Annie sighs before popping her earbuds in and resting her eyes, trying to block out everyone.

She was just about to enter that perfect zone, where you're aware of your surroundings, but have this disconnected, dreamy feeling, when the train comes to another screeching stop, throwing something heavy on her lap.

"What the-" Her eyes pop open, ready to tell off whatever asshat had messed with her, when she realizes someone's sitting in her lap.

"Ah, I'm so sorry!" The dude apologizes, trying to place as much distant between them as possible. "I didn't mean to ma'am, but I wasn't paying attention and-" He continues babbling, but Annie's tunes out his words. He's around her age, blond, shoulder length hair, framing bright blue eyes. He's obviously not from around here though, what with the way he looks around nervously and his southern drawl.

"Hey it's cool, Blondie." People are looking, and Annie doesn't want to make a scene. "Here," She scoots a smidge over, leaving just enough room for him.

"Thank you, ma'am!" He beams brightly, and she can't help but think he's kinda cute.

"You're welcome." Annie gives him a curt nod before shutting her eyes again. It wasn't right to think about cute tourists like that. Things quiet down for a few seconds, but suddenly she feels a certain someone tapping on her shoulder.

"'Scuse me ma'am. I don't mean to nag, but are you sure it's alright to nap here? There are douchebags who would try harass women like you, and I just wouldn't feel right if-" Annie glares at him, but his rambling doesn't stop.

"Ugh," She groans before leaning forward and pressing a finger to his lips. The tourist goes still, eyes wide. "Look here, Blondie-"

"M' name's Armin-

"Whatever, I've lived in New York my whole life. I'm not taking some advice from a nosy tourist, more oblivious than I am." That finally gets him to shut up for a little while, embarrassment obvious on his face.

Annie's ready to go back to her music, but a twinge of guilt spikes through her body. She doesn't regret her words, but this guy, or Armin, seems lost. She should at least set him straight and point him in the right direction.

"So, where you heading?" The words come out clumsily, she's shit at small talk.

His face lights up at her words, blue eyes practically sparkling. "Oh, I'm meeting up with an online friend for the first time, it'll be nice to see her in person for once."

"Where she live?"

"Just two stops away, she mentioned something 'bout introducing me to a friend." Annie's ready to end the conversation at this point, he seems cool, but then something clicks.

"Wait a sec," Her eyes widen at the realization. "Do you know a Mina Carolina?"

"Why yes, why-" His face matches her as he comes to the same conclusion. "Well that's odd,"

"You're telling me."

"So you must be Annie then?" Armin extends his hand.

"Yeah, I'm sure she's told you a million horror stories about me." She takes his hand, shaking it firmly.

"On the contrary, she had only good things to say 'bout you." He launches into a story about how he got to know her, voice growing stronger and more confident as he progresses. Annie only gets one word out of five, but her lips curl into a ghost of a smile. He has a pleasant voice, when he knows what he's talking about, and Annie thinks it's not that bad hanging out with him.

They walk together to Mina's apartment, Armin still doing the most talking, with Annie prompting him occasionally with a nod. Everything is going smoothly til they find a note tapped outside her door.

"Dear Armin/Annie,

Sorry but I caught something this morning. Should be fine tomorrow, but I don't want either of you catching it. Sorry!

-Mina"

"Well this is just perfect," Armin sighs. "Looks like I'll get to see her tomorrow."

"Wait, this is your first time in New York, right?" The words tumble out her mouth before she can stop them."

"Yeah?" He raises an eyebrow in confusion.

"Well, do you want to get a drink or something?" Annie suddenly becomes interested in a piece of lint on her jacket. "I know where the not shitty bars are."

Armin grins, and it's like looking directly at the sun. "Sure!" It's been less than 24 hours, but Annie already knows she's in too deep.

A.N. I love these two, but both of them are hard to write.