After our heavy conversation, Armin and I had our campfire in my backyard. I set everything up in the firepit while he watched. I taught him how to roast marshmallows, which he enjoyed. We snuggled up by the fire on one of the Muskoka chairs beside it, until it went out. That night, we stayed in my cabin. I figured people might have been wondering where we were so we should go back. Armin was quiet and went to bed without saying very much to me. I felt like I may have upset him. Maybe talking to him about his internalized trauma caused some pain to resurface. I felt bad for him. 

The next morning we woke up to the sound of the first wake-up bell. For the entirety of the day, Armin was pretty silent. He didn't have as much to say as he usually did, which was unusual for him. I was worried. Eventually, free-time came. We were walking up the hill from the mess hall towards my cabin when I asked, "Hey, what's up with you? You've been acting really nervous and quiet since last night. What's wrong? I'm really worried about you, especially after our conversation last night. Is that what this is about?"

"It's nothing."

"It's not nothing. Please, tell me Armin. Are you upset about yesterday?"

"No, I told you it's nothing. There was never anything in the first place. I don't know why you're interrogating me," he hissed. That was a lie. Armin had a lot on his mind but he didn't want to talk about it. It wasn't what I expected it to be about, though.

Once we got to the cabin, we sat down on the porch. I sat down beside him. "You're avoiding me."

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to."

Armin knew I'd inevitably notice his dodginess. He just didn't want to face me, have to tell me about what was ion hid mind. I held his hands in mine, begging. "Please tell me what's wrong. I want to know and I want to help if I can."

"Could we-"

He cut himself off with a sigh. "Well, I don't know... I've just wanted to ask you something. It's stupid," he muttered, looking down at the wooden porch. He examined each and every crack in the wood, how old it appeared to be. He tried to distract himself from the awkwardness between us. "Sure, what is it?" I asked. 

"Well um, I was just wondering if you'd go..."

"Go?" I interrogated. 

"I was wondering if you'd go out with me, like d-dating, you know. I'm sorry, I told you it was stupid. I've just been thinking a lot about our relationship and I realized we never officially started dating. I've been wanting to make it official for a while now but it's been bothering me a lot more recently. Part of me has just been too afraid to ask, out of fear of rejection. I know that's stupid, considering all we've been through, but still. I've never asked anyone out before. I've never officially had a girlfriend," he explained. I was stunned. The whole time I'd thought he was stuck wallowing in his personal hell, back in that abandoned boy's cabin. This was the first time in ages where he'd actually caught me by surprise. For once, I clearly didn't know what was on his mind. 

"Armin, that's what this is about? I mean, yeah, I'll absolutely go out with you. I never really thought of it that way because I've always seen us as a couple. I just never really thought of putting a name on it. We have been dating for a long time now, just without the title. I'd be happy to make it official with you," I replied. Armin's face lit up with pure joy. His eyes glimmered as a huge grin swept across his face. "Really?" he yelped. "Yes really!"

"Like, really, really?"

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Yes."

"R-"

I put a finger over his lips, slightly parting them. He, cross-eyed, looked down, then back up at me. "You get the point, so believe it, Armin," I told him. I moved my hand away.

"C-Can I kiss you!?"

"Armin, you already know that you don't need to ask," I laughed. Armin cupped my cheeks with his hands and pulled me in for a passionate, warm kiss. This kiss felt like he was the one taking control. I don't know, maybe putting a name on our relationship was a good thing. Maybe he wouldn't be as hesitant to be affectionate towards me. I hoped that was the case. Armin slowly released the kiss and looked at me, awaiting a reaction. I smiled and giggled. "Oh no, did I do something wrong?" he asked nervously.

"No, you're a really good kisser."

Armin's face began to heat up, coloring his cheeks a bright shade of red. "R-Really? You are too..." he stuttered. I thanked him. 

The day went by quickly and eventually, night came. The night was nice. Armin seemed a lot happier, thankfully. He smiled a lot more, laughed more, and talked more. He was generally just more open and less shy. Not that I didn't like his shy self. I thought it was cute, but it was nice to see him like that too. I lay down on my bed on top of the covers. Armin shamelessly changed by the bed's side, into his pajamas. I watched. I mean, I was allowed to, I guess. He was my boyfriend. I was allowed to admire his physique. Armin slipped his slim, barley built legs, into his thin, blue, cotton pajama pants.

I know it's weird thinking about your boyfriend in this way but, damn, I would have died for a body like his. He was so perfect without even trying. My thoughts were interrupted when his body harshly collided with mine. Armin had jumped on top of me. He was light though, at least compared to other people our age. He weighed around 125 pounds, from what I remembered him telling me. "Hey," he said with a grin. "Ready for bed?" I asked. He hummed a yes and nodded. Armin got off of me as I blew out the lantern. Both of us slid underneath the covers and lay still, silently. Armin rolled over to face me. "Hey Y/N, is it okay if I hug you right now?" Armin questioned. 

"Sure."

I turned my back to him and he wrapped his gentle, smooth arms around my torso. I held onto his soft little hands. He rest his forehead on my back and closed his eyes. "You know Y/N, you make me so happy."

"Hm, how so?"

"I've always thought that I'd be the one left out for the rest of my life. I was determined that I'd die alone, never getting a single chance at a relationship, but you've given me one. Even if it's for a day, a week, or a year, that's okay. I'm glad that I've had my chance at this. That's one thing off my list of things I never thought I'd ever achieve."

"Armin, you would have found someone if I didn't come along. I guess since I came that someone is me. And you're my someone too, you know. Don't put yourself down. You're a great guy, you just have to put yourself out there. I'm sure a lot of girls have been into you before. Not everyone's brave enough to admit it," I explained. 

"I love you, Y/N. I don't just mean that as a conversation filler, I really mean it. I love you so much. You are the only light in my horribly dark world. I know that sounds silly but I mean it."

I closed my eyes and whispered, "You mean a lot to me too. I love you, Armin." I pulled his arms up to my face and kissed the backs of his hands. I loved Armin. I was so glad I ever traveled to that place. I was glad I spoke up that day. I was thankful I listened to him and didn't leave when things got tough. I was appreciative to have him in my life.