Armin was nervous. He had never been on a date before, if that's what this is. He liked Erwin, a lot, but he wasn't sure if that was enough. Erwin seemed to like him as well, but Erwin would be leaving to go back to the palace soon, and Armin would be left here, alone. He didn't think he was anything special, so why would Erwin bother to stay? As Armin walked to the library, he went back over his conversation with Eren this morning.

"What? You have a date?"

"I don't think it's a date, he just said he was going to go to the library, so if I wanted to join him, I could. It was more an invitation to hang out," Armin sighed. "I doubt he wants to date me anyways."

*smack!*

"Don't ever say something so stupid again, Armin," Eren growled dangerously. "You are a good catch, and Erwin should feel lucky that you even look at him, much less speak to him. And if he doesn't get that, then I personally will beat it into him."

Armin stared at him in shock for a moment.

"No, no, don't do that," Armin cried, frantically waving his hands. "He hasn't said anything to give me that impression or anything like that. It's just, why would he waste his time on someone from a little town in the middle of nowhere, when he has to return to the palace soon? It's almost a week's drive from the palace to here, so it's not like he could visit me very often. The best we could do is write to each other, but then, he would probably just forget about me and start dating someone living in Sina. I'm a nobody, there's just no point in him keeping up a relationship. Maybe I shouldn't even go today."

*smack!*

"Don't be stupid, Armin. If you aren't worthy of Erwin's interest, then I am definitely not worthy of Levi. And Levi said he really likes me and wants to get to know me and spend time with me. Distance shouldn't stop you from being happy, and Erwin probably doesn't care about distance. And don't you dare suggest not going ever again. If you don't go, you'll end things before they ever get started. You don't know what will happen until you try. Just go and talk to him about it, okay?"

So, Armin had decided to meet with Erwin, but he just couldn't stop being nervous. As he approached the library doors, he started shaking with nerves. He knew he needed to ask Erwin what his intentions were. So far they had held hands and shared a couple quick kisses here and there, but they had never actually spoken of their feelings.

Erwin had been fidgeting all morning. So much so, that Levi had noticed.

"Erwin, if you have to piss, just go do it. Don't hold it all day," Levi said, not even looking up from his work.

"Actually, your highness, I was going to ask if I could go on ahead to the library?" Erwin asked.

"Oh, to meet your little blonde?" Levi smirked. "If I didn't know better, I'd say there was something serious going on."

"Like you can say anything, Levi," Erwin rolled his eyes. "I heard what you said to Eren last night."

"So? I at least have made my intentions clear," Levi retorted. "You, on the other hand, have yet to even tell the boy you like him. He probably thinks you have no interest in him at all. Don't lead him on, Erwin."

"It almost sounds like you care about him, Levi. What will Eren say?"

"If you break his heart, he'll complain to Eren, who will then complain to me. I just don't want to deal with it," Levi replied coolly. "And if you value your life, you will never suggest that I am being untrue to Eren."

"Sure, Levi, I will never suggest such a thing again," Erwin waved his hand in dismissal. "Anyways, I intend to make my feelings known, if he shows up today. I didn't exactly demand for him to be there, I left it open for him."

"Fine, go, just be back before dinner, I'll need the carriage to pick up Eren."

"Oh, I wasn't planning to use the carriage, I was just going to walk."

"Very well, enjoy your date," Levi waved him off before turning back to his work.

Erwin arrived at the library in record time. He looked around, but he didn't see Armin anywhere. It was just as well, he needed to get his thoughts together. He had never expressed interest in someone before, so he wasn't really sure what to do. He had asked Hanji about it, and she had suggested the library date. He just wasn't sure if Armin would actually show up. He had assumed the kiss was a positive response and implied a "yes", however, he wasn't completely sure. He wandered over to Armin's favorite section of the library, looking through the books for any on shifting. He figured as long as he's here, he should do some more research and see what the locals here believe about them.

He was so absorbed in the books, he missed Armin coming through the door. So, he was quite startled when Armin appeared right beside him.

"S-sorry I was a little late."

"Oh, er, no, you're not late at all, I just happened to get here early," Erwin replied easily, trying to hide the fact that Armin had managed to startle him. "How has your day been?"

"Oh, it's been fine, I've just been hanging out with Eren today," Armin smiled.

"Good, good," Erwin smiled back, trying not to smirk at the blush creeping onto Armin's cheeks.

"So," Armin started, a serious look on his face.

"Hmm?" Erwin stared curiously. Whatever Armin was going to say must've been important.

"Well, I just wondered, I mean, not that it's a bad thing, but it wasn't very clear, and I'm just not very sure-"

"Whatever is bothering you, just say it, it's fine," Erwin interrupted.

"Why did you invite me here?"

This caught Erwin off-guard. He had thought he had been obvious about his intentions with Armin. It seems either the boy was oblivious, or deeply insecure.

"Well, I like you and I want to spend more time with you," Erwin finally spoke. "I don't just hold hands or even kiss anyone I spend time with. You're quite special, and I wish to get to know you better. Do you not want me to?"

"No! No, nothing like that,"Armin replied hastily. "I like you as well, but, I guess I'm more asking why you're bothering with me when you will be leaving soon. Once you go back to the palace, I'll never see you again, so an actual relationship would be pointless."

"Why do you say that?" Erwin smiled softly, lightly taking Armin's hand and leading him over to sit on the couches. "Relationships are never pointless. If we were in a relationship, do you really think I would just abandon you when I return to Sina, and never speak to you again? There ways to keep in touch. I would write to you, and come visit you as often as I could. And I would bring you to visit me, when I am unable to come to you."

"That seems like a lot of effort for you," Armin frowned. "I'm not worth that."

"Of course you are," Erwin said seriously as he lightly grasped Armin's chin, forcing him to look him in the eyes. "Don't sell yourself short. You're worth more than you realize."

Armin blushed hard as he stared into the depths of those blue eyes, not seeing an ounce of dishonesty or insincerity in them.

"So, then, you really want a relationship with me?" Armin asked quietly, his eyes searching Erwin's for any sign of doubt.

"With all my heart," Erwin replied just as quietly.

"Me too," Armin whispered.

Erwin replied with a light, chaste kiss which Armin returned shyly.

A/N: OMG, guys, I'm so sorry it took so long to get this updated, but life has been totally crazy! Also, sorry it's so short, but I have had severe writer's block the past couple weeks, and not just with this story. Anyways, this is all I have of the story for now, I have caught up to myself. So, unfortunately, the updates will be very sporadic from here on out. :( I apologize sincerely, because I hate making y'all wait for the next chapter. Also, the next chapter will be after a time-skip, and we will be back to focusing on Eren and Levi. I don't know if I will be able to do another ErwinxArmin chapter since we will be getting into the main plot and they won't have much to do with that part of the story, but maybe after all that stuff happens...we'll see. anyways, R&R!