Chapter Text
Armin fussed about with the plates, making sure everything was lined up. He checked the time, one minute to 8 AM. Perfect timing. He carefully and surgically made cuts, dividing the pie into eight equal slices. The door to their home unlocked, quiet footsteps puttering in. He turned to look at the person entering.
His beautiful radiant Annie, looking as stunning as ever. He took a moment to admire her, as she looked around the kitchen, absentmindedly dropping her blonde hair from the bun, looking a little sweaty from her daily run. She noticed the state of the kitchen, flour in places they shouldn’t be, bowls sitting in the sink, and asked, “What’s all this for?”
Armin gave her a wide smile. “I wanted to make you something.”
Annie paused, tilting her head as if trying to recall something. “What’s the occasion? I’m pretty sure this isn’t any of our birthdays, or our anniversary.”
Grinning, Armin replied, “I just wanted to do something for you.” Annie’s eyes became soft, her lips quirking in a gentle smile. Armin gestured at the pie, and Annie, ignoring the plates and the cutlery, picked up the slice, turning it side to side, inspecting it carefully. She took a tentative little bite.
Bingo. Annie was still hard to read sometimes, a remnant of a lifetime of hiding everything she felt to complete a mission. But Armin knew her, and could appreciate her little quirks. The way she would close her eyes in satisfaction, as if trying to extract as much enjoyment as possible out of the food. How her cheeks would subtly tighten, the natural response of a smile ghosting on her face. She took another, much larger bite, and then another large one in quick succession, until her cheeks began to puff. Mission accomplished.
She swallowed. “You’re staring,” Annie deadpanned.
“Just admiring my beautiful girlfriend,” Armin said, smile never leaving his face.
Annie might usually be less responsive to words, but compliments never failed to make her flustered. “Stop saying such idiotic things. I’m sweaty and eating.”
“You’re always beautiful.”
Annie cocked her eyebrows teasingly. “I would think you would have gotten enough of staring at me while I was in the crystal.”
“You were stunning in the crystal,” Armin easily replied, Annie’s face turning even redder. “But you were so much more beautiful when you were out of it.” He reached up to cup her cheek, relishing in the soft, warm skin underneath his hands.
Annie scoffed at that. “I’m sure I looked great when you saw me again. With crumbs all over my face and, what did Connie say, ‘stuffing my face with pie?’” Her tone oozed sarcasm.
But Armin simply agreed, softly, truthfully, “You were amazing.” The words lingered in the air, and Annie stopped bantering, looking at Armin, understanding what he really meant. Armin placed a gentle peck on Annie’s nose, and Annie’s eyebrows scrunched in emotion. Then a sly grin seemed to spread across Annie’s face.
Uh oh.
“Well, if you thought I looked good,” Annie purred, whispering the words into his ear, “Think about what I thought when I saw what you had become over the years.” Annie placed a hand on his chest, grabbing him and pulling him even closer. “If I had known how you turned out, I’m sure I would have burst out of that crystal earlier.” Armin gulped, feeling the blood rush to his face. Annie began planting tender kisses down his ear, down his neck, and then finally one final, firm kiss on his lips. She pulled away, looking at him with a fire in her eyes mixed with adoration. “Thank you, Armin.”
He closed his eyes and gently rested his forehead on hers. They were alive, they were real, and they were at peace. And he couldn’t ask for more.