Reiner's impact on Victoria extended beyond just her neck; there were multiple marks on her collarbones and a few on her inner thighs.
Each one was a vivid reminder, painted in shades of red, purple, and yellow. The colors told a story of their own, a narrative of passion intertwined with pain, each bruise a testament to the intensity of their encounter.
Victoria hadn't fully grasped how rough he had been, as if he were unleashing pent-up frustration on her skin, a physical manifestation of emotions bottled up for far too long.
The warmth of the shower heightened her sensitivity, causing her skin to tingle as her fingers gently explored the bruises. The water cascaded over her, a soothing balm contrasting sharply with the pain the marks left behind. As she traced the outlines of the bruises, she felt a mix of emotions swirling within her—confusion, desire, and a hint of worry. Each touch sent ripples of sensation through her body, awakening a deeper awareness of her own vulnerability.
"He's going to hurt you," Annie's voice echoed in her mind again. She growled in frustration, slamming her fist into the wall. The rack hanging the bottles of shampoo shook slightly, threatening to fall.
In the steam-filled bathroom, the air was thick with the scent of her floral body wash, a stark contrast to the rawness of her experience. She closed her eyes, allowing the water to wash over her, hoping to cleanse not just her body but also her mind. Memories of Reiner flooded back, moments of laughter and tenderness interspersed with the more tumultuous exchanges that had left their mark.
Victoria leaned against the cool tiles, the juxtaposition of heat and chill grounding her in the present. She thought about the way he had looked at her, a mix of hunger and desperation in his gaze as if he were trying to consume her whole. The intensity of that moment had been intoxicating, yet they had also left her feeling exposed, as if she were standing on the edge of a precipice, teetering between exhilaration and fear.
"He's going to hurt you."
Victoria sighed. Apparently, the only thing that was going to silence that nagging feeling in the back of her mind was unconsciousness.
Frustrated, she turned the water off. For a moment she stood there, letting the cool air wash over her. Finally, after a moment, she turned, grabbing her towel. Drying off, she threw on her clothes, carefully adjusting the towel over her neck. Mentally preparing herself for another ambush back in the her cabin, she stepped out into the cool night air.
It was quiet and peaceful. Victoria stood there, enjoying the silence for a moment.
It was broken by the sound of a screen door creaking open. Victoria instinctively dove for cover. She was not supposed to be out this late, no one was. Curfew existed for a reason, and breaking it was a serious offense.
"She's going to hurt you," Annie's voice, not in Victoria's head this time, was harsh as it cut through the night air. "She'll probably kill you when she finds out who you really are."
"I can't believe you fucked that devil bitch!" a masculine voice hissed not so quietly in the darkness. It sounded familiar, but laced with anger Victoria had trouble recognizing it. "I knew,I knew,I was right to be worried you were distracted when I caught you kissing her, but this, Reiner!? It's fucking disgusting. What were you thinking?"
Reiner?
Victoria frowned, peeking around the corner of the showers, trying to see who was speaking. She saw him, broad shoulders tense and blond hair glimmering in the gas lamp. They weren't even trying to hide, as Bertholdt Hoover berated him in somewhat hushed tones on the front patio of their cabin. Annie stood in the shadows below, her blond hair a mess.
How long had she been standing there? It looked like Bertholdt had dragged everyone out of bed, even Reiner who was half-dressed.
"You're sure he had sex with her, Bertholdt?" Annie asked softly, but Victoria could hear the anger bubbling in her tone.
"Yes!" Bertholdt responded, taking a step over to Reiner. The blond teen tried to move backwards but was not fast enough as Bertholdt pulled down Reiner's shirt collar, exposing a hickey that was a purple-yellowish color in the gas lamp. "See!?" His eyes looked panicked as he stared at Annie for advice.
"Wow, Reiner... What would Marcel think?" It was clear that Annie's words struck a chord, as Reiner straightened up, his shoulders squared. Although Victoria couldn't see his expression, the tone of his voice was something she had never encountered; it was icy and cutting. His eyes seemed to darken as he looked down at her.
Who was Marcel?
"Do you need a reminder of who is in charge here, you two?" Reiner's voice was dangerously quiet when he responded.
Annie stuttered for a moment, before falling silent.
"Do you know who her father is?" Reiner continued. "Not the dead one, but the military pig that adopted her? I didn't think so," when they didn't answer. "She's nothing but a method to get to him. With his approval, we can rise through the Military Police ranks quickly. Plus," his tone shifted darker, sickly sweet. "She's a fun pastime."
"You didn't have to fuck her to do..." Victoria heard Annie mutter under her breath, but Reiner ignored her as he continued to reassure his friends that he wasn't distracted. But the words were lost as Victoria's mind began doing cartwheels.
A pastime?
V felt her heart pounding in her chest, each beat echoing the chaos swirling within. His confession of love not hours earlier had been a revelation, the truth she had longed for, yet now it felt like a cruel joke. Reiner's words hung in the air, taunting her with their sweetness, while the reality of the situation clawed at her insides.
"A pastime?" she whispered to herself, the phrase echoing like a mocking refrain. She had come to think of Reiner as a friend, a lover, someone she could trust, but now she felt betrayed. How could he profess love when he was being so cruel about their connection to his friends?
Who was he lying to?
It didn't matter.
She jumped up suddenly, crashing against a stack of boxes as vertigo flooded her head.
The crate she knocked over sprawled onto the ground, its contents spilling out like her emotions—papers, tools, and military equipment scattered across the dirt. The camp, once filled with laughter and camaraderie, now felt suffocatingly silent, the weight of her turmoil pressing down on her. She could feel their eyes on her, their curiosity mixed with concern, but she couldn't bear to meet their gazes.
"V-Victoria..?" Reiner's voice cut through the stillness, a tremor of uncertainty lacing his tone. It was a sound she had always found comforting, but now it felt like a reminder of everything that was unraveling. She could hear the desperation in his call, the way he reached for her even as she turned her back on him, even though he tried to hide it.
But she couldn't stop. She couldn't face him, not now. The emotions roiling within her were too raw, too volatile.
She sprinted toward her cabin, the familiar path blurring as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Each step felt like a betrayal of the connection they had shared, but she couldn't help it. The hurt was too deep, the confusion too overwhelming.
"Wait!" His voice was louder now, tinged with panic, but she didn't slow down. She could almost feel the warmth of his presence behind her, the way he would comfort her in his arms, but she couldn't allow that.
Not when everything felt so fragile, so precarious.
No footsteps followed her as she reached her cabin. Victoria fumbled with the door, her hands shaking as she finally managed to push it open. She slammed it shut behind her, the sound reverberating in the small space.
"Victoria?" Ymir stood just by the entrance, having been watching Victoria out the window. She fixated on the tears on V's face as she asked, "So, who was it? Reiner, Bertholdt, or Annie?" Something in her stare seemed to suggest Ymir already knew the answer.
V could only shake her head in silence as she fled to the comfort of deep sleep.
~o~
The following afternoon in class, Victoria struggled to concentrate.
Lack of sleep weighed heavily on her, the late-night outing and the emotional turmoil that followed had left her feeling hollow. The notes scattered across her desk appeared as a jumbled blur, her eyes unable to stay focused long enough to absorb any details. She found herself rereading a single paragraph multiple times, and all she could grasp was some information about trajectory angles during mid-flight maneuvers.
Armin seemed to notice, as his eyes kept flickering over to her, worry etched all over his face as he diligently took notes. His blond hair kept falling into his eyes and he kept brushing it aside. His anxiety was obvious to everyone in the classroom.
Thankfully, it pulled attention away from Victoria.
Reiner's absence was unexpected, his usual spot in the back corner vacant. The empty chair seemed to loom larger than life, a stark reminder of his presence that was now missing. She found herself looking back several times, each time meeting Annie's intense gaze from the seat next to where Reiner should have been.
Annie's expression was inscrutable, something that Victoria couldn't quite place. It was as if she was silently assessing the situation, her sharp eyes flickering between V and Armin with thoughts that remained unspoken, seemingly unaware, or uncaring, about Ymir staring her down.
Bertholdt was also nowhere to be seen, adding to the unusual atmosphere in the room. His quiet demeanor often balanced Reiner's boisterous energy, and without them both, the classroom felt oddly incomplete.
The teacher droned on, but Victoria's focus was elsewhere. She could feel the weight of Annie's gaze, a silent challenge that urged her to confront the unease that had settled in her chest. It was a strange day, one that felt like a turning point, and she couldn't shake the feeling that the absence of Reiner and Bertholdt was just the beginning of something much larger.
The classroom, usually a place of routine and familiarity, now felt charged with an unspoken tension. In the distance, the bell tower rang, and Victoria released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"Freidrich," Instructor Muller called out, "Come see me."
Victoria sighed, gathering her things as the rest of the cadets hustled out, off to whatever they had planned next. Armin shot her another glance as Eren pulled at his arm.
"So," Muller spoke sharply as Victoria approached her. "You were a fantastic student when you first started. And now, with 6 months until graduation, your grades are slipping. Can you tell me why, cadet?"
Instructor Francesca Muller had a tall and thin figure, and everything about her was gray.
She seemed to be in her late 50s, her hollow cheeks and pronounced nose highlighted by delicate silver wire-rimmed glasses. Her skin had a pale, chalky hue, and as she directed a sharp, penetrating glare at Victoria, her intense steel eyes were surrounded by deep crow's feet and dark circles that seemed indicative of a sleep problem. Her hair, a striking shade of dark gray, was meticulously arranged in a perfect bun. Even the suit she wore under her dark green military coat was gray, impeccably pressed, and tailored to perfection. In fact, the military coat itself appeared to lean more toward gray than green.
"Well?" Muller continued when Victoria didn't reply after a moment.
"I have no excuse," Victoria spoke, her voice cracking slightly. "I'm dealing with some interpersonal relationship complications." Her shoulders hunched forward, unable to meet Muller's intense glare.
At least that was honest, if a little vague.
Instructor Muller appeared completely unfazed, her intense gaze still fixed on Victoria. "Cadet Arlert, step forward!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. Armin, who had been nervously hanging back just outside the door, jumped in surprise and quickly rushed to Muller's desk, offering a sharp salute. Eren tried to peek in after him but was swiftly pulled back by Mikasa.
"As my highest achieving student, I would like you to mentor Cadet Friedrich," said Muller, interlacing her fingers and leaning back with a look of determination on her face. There was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes as she shot a playful grin at Armin. "She will thrive with your guidance. Think of this as a chance to showcase your leadership skills."
Armin's eyes widened briefly, a mix of surprise and apprehension flickering across his features. The weight of her words settled heavily on his shoulders, but he quickly composed himself and responded with a crisp salute.
"Yes ma'am!" he cried, eyes shining with determination, "I'll make sure she aces her tests!" He began to go off on a tangent about the different subjects and where he struggled, but Armin insisted the methods he used to study would help her as well.
"Excellent," Muller said, her voice firm and authoritative as she pulled out a pen from her pocket. "You've convinced me you were the right person for this Arlert. Don't let me down."
The sound of the pen clicking open echoed in the otherwise quiet room as she began to jot down notes on her pad. Her handwriting was neat and precise, each stroke deliberate as she crafted two notes for each of them: one for tardiness and another granting after-hours access to the library, a privilege rarely granted to cadets.
Armin and Victoria accepted the notes. However, they hesitated, exchanging glances that spoke volumes. Both were eager for further instructions and a clearer understanding of what was expected of them in this new arrangement.
"You're dismissed," Muller snapped after a moment, her tone tinged with impatience as she gestured for them to leave. The finality in her voice left no room for debate. Armin and Victoria shared one last look, a silent agreement passing between them, before stepping out into the corridor, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the walls as they hurried to their next class.
~o~
The mess hall buzzed with the lively chatter of dinner time, a cacophony of laughter, clinking cutlery, and the occasional shout that punctuated the air. It was a familiar scene, but for Victoria, the noise only amplified the turmoil swirling in her mind. She found herself staring blankly at the unappetizing gray stew in front of her, its color reminiscent of the dreary skies outside. Her spoon moved aimlessly, pushing the vegetables around the bowl without any real desire to eat.
Each swirl of the spoon felt like a futile attempt to stir her thoughts into clarity, but they remained stubbornly murky.
Her friends were quick to notice her disinterest. Sasha, ever the optimist, leaned across the table with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Victoria! Try this bread! It's warm and fresh, I promise!" she insisted, holding out a piece that looked no different from the stale loaf on Victoria's tray. The earnestness in Sasha's voice was endearing, but it only served to deepen Victoria's sense of isolation. She offered a weak smile in response, but even that effort felt heavy as if the weight of her thoughts was pulling her down.
Across the table, Armin and Mikasa exchanged worried glances, their concern for her evident in the way their brows furrowed. Armin, usually the peacemaker, hesitated, unsure of how to reach out without making things worse. Mikasa, with her fierce loyalty, leaned slightly closer, her expression softening as she tried to gauge Victoria's mood.
Yet, despite their silent support, Victoria felt like she was encased in a bubble, separated from the warmth of their friendship.
Meanwhile, Connie and Eren, seated a few spots down, appeared frustrated by Victoria's silence. Eren, with his characteristic impatience, threw his hands up in exasperation. "Come on, Vic! You can't just sit there like a zombie! Say something!" His voice was loud enough to draw the attention of nearby tables, and Victoria felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her neck.
She wanted to respond, to assure them that she was fine, but the words felt trapped in her throat. She couldn't bring herself to lie to them, so silence was the answer.
Jean, on the other hand, seemed to focus solely on his food, shoveling spoonfuls of stew into his mouth with a determined expression. Yet, even he couldn't resist the occasional glance in her direction, his brow slightly raised as if he could prompt a response.
Victoria simply shook her head, stuffing a piece of bread into her mouth to avoid saying anything. She focused her attention on the table, tracing the wood grain patterns as her friends let out a collective sigh.
"Please, V," Armin urged softly, his voice laced with concern. Victoria couldn't bring herself to look at him, her eyes darting away in search of a distraction. That's when she noticed Reiner standing in the cafeteria line, his broad shoulders hunched slightly as he scanned the options laid out before him.
The sight of him brought the mix of emotions within her back to the surface—anger, confusion, and a hint of something deeper, something bittersweet. He was always so confident, so sure of himself, and yet there was a vulnerability in the way he hesitated as if he were grappling with a decision that weighed heavily on him. Victoria's heart raced as she watched him, momentarily forgetting the conversation at her table.
"V?" Armin's voice broke through her reverie, pulling her back to the present. "You're not listening. We just want to know what's going on with you. You've been so quiet."
She felt the weight of their gazes on her, the concern etched into their faces. It was suffocating, and she wished she could just disappear into the wood grain of the table. "I'm fine," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper, but even she could hear the lie in her words.
"Fine doesn't look like this," Krista chimed in from the end of the table, her tone firm yet gentle. "You can talk to us, you know that, right?"
Victoria bit her lip, her mind racing. She wanted to confide in them, to share the turmoil that had been brewing inside her, but the words felt stuck in her throat. Instead, she found herself glancing back at Reiner, who was now chatting with a couple of classmates, his laughter ringing out like a beacon.
"Look, I just... I don't want to burden you guys with my problems," she finally admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "You have enough on your plates already."
"Don't be ridiculous," Connie replied, his eyes earnest. "We're your friends. We want to help you, moron, but we can't do that if you don't let us in."
Victoria let out a soft sigh, her eyes wandering back to Reiner.
She found him staring.
The moment their gazes locked, an electric tension filled the air, as if a storm was brewing between them. It was a connection that transcended words, a silent understanding that pulsed with unspoken emotions. She could feel her heart racing, each beat echoing in her ears, urging her to get up and walk towards him.
It seemed like he was about to approach her himself, his expression shifting from contemplation to determination as if he were gathering the courage to break the invisible barrier that separated them.
Victoria's breath hitched in her throat, anticipation swirling within her like a whirlwind. She could almost feel the warmth radiating from him, drawing her in, promising a moment that could change everything.
But then, just as the air thickened with possibility, Bertholdt stepped in, his hand firmly resting on Reiner's shoulder. The sudden interruption felt like a cold splash of water, dousing the flames of their moment. Victoria's heart sank as she watched the dynamic shift, the connection between her and Reiner fracturing under the weight of Bertholdt's presence.
Victoria couldn't breathe.
The warmth that had enveloped her moments before was replaced by a chill of uncertainty. She could see the way Bertholdt leaned in, whispering something to Reiner, his expression serious and intent. It was as if he were pulling Reiner back from the edge, from whatever it was that had been brewing between them.
Victoria's gaze flickered between the two of them, searching for any sign of Reiner's true feelings. She wanted to scream, to break the silence that had suddenly enveloped the room, to tell him how she felt, but the words lodged in her throat, heavy and unyielding. Her mind raced, a flurry of thoughts colliding in her head.
Was she reading too much into it? Did Reiner feel the same way, or was she merely a fleeting thought in his mind? The questions spiraled, each one more daunting than the last.
She felt exposed, vulnerable.
As Annie stepped in beside Reiner, her intense glare directed at Victoria was overwhelming. Unable to bear it any longer, she rose to her feet, ignoring her friends' concerns, and hurried away, leaving her meal untouched as she sought to escape the rising tide of anxiety.
~o~
The library stood as a separate structure, nestled comfortably close to the instructor's cabin, its presence both inviting and unassuming. Modest in size, it exuded a sense of quiet charm, with its unadorned exterior blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The building's weathered wooden façade bore the marks of time, yet it radiated a warmth that beckoned visitors to step inside, gas lamps always burning.
Upon entering, guests were typically greeted by the librarian, a petite woman with a warm smile and an air of quiet authority. Her glasses, perpetually slipping down her nose, seemed to be a part of her character, adding to her endearing appearance.
Rosalyn Schmidt was often found perched at her desk, surrounded by a scattering of papers and a steaming cup of tea, ready to assist anyone in search of knowledge or a good story.
The interior of the library was a haven of quiet tranquility, with soft light filtering through the windows, casting gentle shadows on the polished wooden floor. The walls were lined with simple wooden shelves, each one brimming with a diverse collection of books. From intricate ODM schematics that detailed the inner workings of various devices to comprehensive mathematics texts that challenged even the most astute minds, the library truly had something for everyone.
As visitors wandered through the aisles, they would discover not only academic tomes but also novels that transported them to distant worlds, poetry that stirred their souls, and reference materials that catered to every conceivable interest. The scent of aged paper and ink filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both nostalgic and invigorating. Whether one was a student seeking assistance with a challenging assignment, a teacher looking for resources to enhance their lessons, or a casual reader in search of a new adventure, the library stood ready to welcome all who entered its doors, a sanctuary of learning and discovery in a world that often felt chaotic and overwhelming.
In one corner, a cozy reading nook invited patrons to settle in with a book, its plush armchairs and soft cushions providing the perfect spot for quiet contemplation or spirited discussion. The library was not just a repository of knowledge; it was a community hub where ideas flourished, friendships blossomed, and imaginations took flight.
It was particularly quiet this evening, as Victoria found a haven to hide in. She knew eventually Armin would show up, but for now, she found comfort in a poetry novel Rosalyn, she insisted everyone call her that, had suggested.
Crashing waves on an empty beach,
the rhythm of our hearts,
two drowning lovers, lost at sea,
my lips adrift in yours.
-Michael Faudet
The word "comfort" might not have been the best choice, and she let out a sigh as she set it aside. Choosing poetry was certainly a mistake. The library, with its hushed whispers and the scent of old books, felt stifling.
"Hey, there you are," Armin said softly as he turned the corner, his voice barely above a whisper to adhere to the library's strict rules. He had a knack for appearing just when she needed him, but today, even his presence felt like a weight. "I bet you were the champion of hide and seek as a kid, right?" He attempted to lighten the mood, but the atmosphere remained tense, thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.
"Hey," Victoria replied, her tone flat and devoid of the usual warmth. "Let's just... get this over with, okay?" She could feel the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach, a sensation that had become all too familiar.
"O-Okay," Armin replied cautiously, his eyes darting around as if searching for the right words. He held his notebooks tightly against his chest, a shield against the emotional storm brewing between them, as he trailed behind Victoria to her spot in the corner.
The small table, usually a haven for study sessions and laughter, now felt like a battleground. "Can we talk about what's... what's happening? What's going on with you and Reiner?"
Hearing his name felt like a jolt to Victoria, and she paused, her hand hovering over her math book, the pages fluttering slightly as if caught in a breeze that didn't exist.
"Reiner?" she echoed, the name tasting bitter on her tongue. It was a name that had once brought her joy, a name that had filled her thoughts with warmth and excitement. But now, it was a reminder of confusion and heartache, a tangled web of emotions that she struggled to navigate.
"Yes, Reiner," Armin pressed gently, his voice steady but laced with concern. "I've seen the way you two have been acting around each other. It's...different. And I just want to make sure you are okay." His sincerity was palpable, and for a moment, Victoria felt a flicker of gratitude for his unwavering friendship.
"Armin," sighed V, slouching deeper into her chair. "I-I.. don't know if I can talk about it, ok? It hurts." Armin didn't say a word, but reached out and placed a hand on her knee. With a gentle smile and squeeze, he encouraged her to continue.
"We were... close," she finally spoke after a moment, "Like.. sneaking out to see each other close." She hesitated, watching Armin's face as he processed this. His blue eyes swirled with questions. "W-we... um... kissed..."
"W-what? What happened?" Armin was staring at her in shock. "You guys would be great together."
"Reiner happened," she scoffed, eyes darkening. "I caught him saying some really hurtful shit about me to Bertholdt and Annie. I don't know what is wrong with him. One moment, he was sweet and kind, Armin," she looked up, amber eyes bitter. "The next... I don't know. I don't think I really know who he truly is."
"I'm sorry, Vic," Armin mustered after a moment. "I know Bertholdt said that their lives were really hard after Wall Maria. The Titans were basically on them before they could react since they didn't live anywhere near other towns that got warning right away."
"Wait, what?" Victoria's eyes shot up with renewed focus. "They weren't in Shiganshina?"
Armin shook his head, "No, Bertholdt said they were from a mountain village, just on the southeast side of the wall. He told me how when he woke up, he felt the earth rumbling and his animals were freaking out. When he opened his window, there was a Titan right there!"
Victoria stared at him in shock. That was a lie. The three of them were in Shiganshina. That's where she met them. Where she had saved their lives with Chisaki's help.
Her vision began to swirl.
"No... I.. saw them..." V stuttered for a moment, words barely above a whisper as they came out like a hiss of steam. Armin had to lean in to catch what she was saying. "How did they get to Shiganshina? Are all of them liars!?"
Armin's brow furrowed in concern. "You saw them? Who?"
But Victoria found herself unable to respond, her words trapped in her throat as the onset of another panic attack loomed over her. The room felt like it was closing in, the walls pressing against her as her heart raced, each beat echoing the chaos of Shiganshina all over again.
"Hey!" Armin gently took her hand, pulling her forward. "Just breathe." His eyes sparkled like how she imagined the ocean looked, a calming presence amidst her turmoil. "It's alright; trauma can really distort memories. You mentioned before there are parts of that day you can't recall, right?"
She nodded, her fingers gripping his hand firmly, as if he were a lifeline in the stormy sea of her emotions. The warmth of his touch grounded her, pulling her back from the edge of panic. She focused on the rhythm of her breath, inhaling deeply through her nose and exhaling slowly through her mouth, trying to match the steady cadence of Armin's voice.
"Good," he encouraged softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a soothing motion. "Just like that. In and out. You're safe here, Vic. Nothing can hurt you."
As she concentrated on his words, the memories began to swirl in her mind like a tempest, fragments of that fateful day flashing before her eyes. She could see shadows darting in the corners of her vision, and hear the distant echoes of screams that sent shivers down her spine. But with Armin's presence anchoring her, she felt a flicker of control returning.
"Tell me what you remember," he asked gently, his voice a steady beacon in the fog of her thoughts. "Even if it's just a little bit."
Victoria hesitated, the fear of reliving the past clawing at her insides. But she could see the sincerity in Armin's gaze, the genuine concern etched on his face. It was a reminder that she wasn't alone in this; he was there, ready to help her navigate the darkness.
"I... I remember the screams," she finally whispered, her voice trembling. "They were so loud, like they were right next to me. And then... people were running. I couldn't see their faces, but I could feel their fear. It was like a wave crashing over me."
Armin nodded, his expression encouraging. "I remember that too. But you're here now, and you're safe. You survived that day, Victoria. We all did. And now you're gonna survive this, you're going to graduate because I'm going to help you. Just... forget about Reiner! Focus on your studies!"
With that, he pulled his books out and began setting them up to tutor her. But, in the depths of his eyes, some darkness seemed to suggest that something was really out of place.
"Oh, hey, don't tell Eren, about Reiner, about any of this. I'll never hear the end of it," Victoria added after a moment. "Matter of fact, don't tell Mikasa either. I don't think she'd run her mouth on purpose, but eventually something would slip out to one of the other girls we bunk with and then I'd really never hear the end of it. Especially if Sasha and Ymir found out."
Armin smiled, warmth returning to his eyes "Of course, V. Ready?"