Eren's POV

It's been a month since we saw the sea. A month since the Beast Titan and the Armored Titan disappeared from our world. Or at least as far as we could see them. The scout regimen or what's left of it at least have been planning our attack day in and day out.

The only problem is we have no way of knowing what it's like across the sea. My dads journals tell some details but those details are at least twenty to thirty years old. As far as we know what we'd be facing could be the exact opposite now.

One thing is for certain though.

We are not giving up.

As I sat in my bed in my apartment that I had recently had the time and money to buy I couldn't help but think. Would we be to late? Would we lose even more survivors? Would the more experienced military win or would we?

Wracking my brain for answers only made my anger grow. We have lost so much and suffered monstrous casualties yet these people are able to live somewhat normal lives.

I sighed as I dragged my hands down my face. I wouldn't get any sleep like this. As I rolled over I couldn't help but stare at the painting on my bedside table. Before the first wall had collapsed when we were kids I had a street artist painting a portrait of Armin. He didn't know this of course but I had kept this treasure in my pocket and it was the only thing I had from our old house.

A small smile dragged across my face. His eyes to his hair to his chubby cheeks. Armin was the most beautiful treasure this hellish world had ever produced. A tinge of anxiety hit me as I remembered the charred remains of the love of my life before he had been turned into a sentient Titan.

Shaking my head I got up from the bed praying to god the floor wouldn't creak and wake the neighbors who were very particular about late night noise.

Thankfully it didn't as I walked across the room and opened the door to the rest of the apartment. I had to get those images out of my mind. I had to see Armin. I blushed as I thought about him. Oh how I wished I could just tell him.

As I walked in a daze I suddenly felt my body run into a solid object and I jumped back. Looking up I saw Armins tear stained face.

I may have forgotten to mention but this apartment has three bedrooms, one for me, one for Mikasa and one for my precious Armin.

"Eren..." Armin choked out as he wiped the tears from his face. His face was red and his eyes looked tired.

"Armin Wha-"

"I can't stop seeing his face..." Armin said as he chuckled and wrapped his arms tightly around himself. "I should have been the one to die not Erwin...".

"Armin!" I shouted now but caring if the neighbors heard. I stomped my way over to him and pulled him into a hug by his hair.

Startled Armin took only a second to hug me back. I felt him settle perfectly into my arms. We fit together like puzzle pieces.

"Erwin wanted you to live Armin...he used the last of his strength to make sure you lived...Armin..." I said as I choked on my own tears. I hadn't even noticed I was crying till I couldn't breathe.

Armin buried his head in my shoulders and nodded. I know he doesn't believe me but it's true. I sniff as Armin suddenly pulls back. He looks at my face and slowly wiped away my tears just as I had done for him moments ago.

"Thank you..." Armin whispers.

I can feel his breathe on my neck and it makes me shiver. Armin looks at me with his wide blue eyes as if wondering if he's done something wrong. I give the nervous blonde a small smile to reassure him.

Armin slowly steps away from me with a nod as he turns to go to his room. His blue eyes seem to glow in the night. Before I can think I'm dashing forward and grabbing his hand.

I pull him to me and he lands swiftly in my chest. I wrap my arms around the stunned blonde as our noses just barely meet.

"Eren..." Armin whispers.

"Armin...I know it's selfish but I might not live much longer having been the holder of the Attack Titan for so long and never knowing...I have to do this, I can't die without telling you...telling you...."

My voice dies in my throat as my face heats up. I don't know where the sudden courage to tell my best friend my biggest secret came from but it wasn't a lie. Titan holders only have fourteen years to live after they take on their Titan form. I have no clue how long I've had mine without knowing. I could die tomorrow for all I know...and so could Armin.

Armin patient as ever looks up at me with those big blue eyes. The eyes that showed me the ocean long before I could feel it for myself.

I gulp as I run my hand through his soft locks. He leans his head onto my hand and his soft smile gives me the courage to do what needs to be done.

"Armin....

I love you...."

TBC