Study Buddy (Armin Arlert x Reader) [1/2]

You stared up into the sunken eyes of the instructor, Keith Shadis, with fear. A bead of sweat dripping down your forehead as you waited for him to 'instruct' you.

He was obviously pissed , for what reason you had no idea. He had made you stay while the others went to the mess hall for dinner. Many of the trainees had given you solemn looks , knowing you wouldn't come out of the confrontation without a bruise or two.

"You are the dumbest shit I have ever met , (Name) (L.Name)!" he boomed , smashing his fist on the top of your head , making you scream in exaggerated agony. You could have sworn you heard a chorus of 'Oohs' in the distance.

Out of sheer strength , you got up and saluted the instructor, but alas you had the wrong arm crossing your torso and landing on your heart. Another blow to the head and another yelp.

"Wrong fucking direction , (L.Name). Do you not pay attention in all your classes!? Or do you just sit there , shit faced and giggly!?

You honestly didn't know how to respond to that without sounding dumb , so you sat in silence. He countinued to stare you down while you attempted not to shake in fear. He rose his fist up again to hit you and you flinched but still held your , though still wrong , passionate salute.

His fist still high in the air , he analyzed you with great scrutiny. Dumb but agile. Slow in the head but speed in the 3D gear maneuver was no problem for you. You were in par with Sasha. The only difference was that you weren't keen on excessive eating.

If you weren't so slow when it came to strategy and the precise cut of the titan then you'd be up in the ranks with at least Eren Jaeger.

He thought hard on what he should do with a solider like you. Can't have two Sasha's running around.

After coming up with a conclusion, he lowered his fist and you visibly relaxed , but you jumped again as he roared ; "If you don't pass the written exam at the end of this month , you're dumb-ass is going home! Understandable (L.Name)?!"

You nodded , and switched your arms so the salute was correct and rushed to the mess hall.

----

"Well. Connie , Sasha.  This is farewell."

The two goofballs looked up at you , food filling there cheeks until they looked like chipmunks. You would've burst into hysterics if you weren't attempting to be serious. Connie swallowed and gave you a confused look.

"What do ya mean 'farewell'?" Connie asked. Sasha swallowed her mouth full as well , but stuffed another piece of bread in. "Yeah? What do you mean?" her speech was muffled.

You puffed out your cheeks. "If I don't pass the writing test, I have to go back home!" you grumbled and crossed your arms. It just wasn't fair! You were good at everything else. Why'd you suck at this?

In an instant , your two friends were next to you. Clinging on to your arms and shooting rapid fire questions and accusations.

"Are you serious?! That's so unfair!"

"Did Instructor Shadis tell you that? He always has it out for us , (Name) , I swear!"

"There's no way you'll pass it , (Nickname)!"

They're voices carried out through the mess hall , everyone listening into your conversation.  Though this didn't stop you three from becoming more rambunctious.

The door burst open with a great force. Shadis coming in , a rage in his eyes that was directed at your trio.

"What the hell is all this noise?! Springer! (L.Name)! Braus! Is it you shit heads again!?"

Mikasa rose her hand silently. "Its actually just Sasha , sir. She farted again."

The look of utter horror crossed the brunette's face as everyone stifled their laughs.

Shadis quickly covered his nose and backed out slowly ,slamming the door in the process. You could hear him outside , yelling about Sasha and her need to control herself.

Once everyone settled down and Sasha's dramatic pose was over , you three began to discuss , quietly , about how you'd actually graduate.

"Well it's obvious that the actual classes aren't helping." Connie said. "Maybe someone else could help..?"

You tilted your head at your friend. "Yeah like...?"

"Oh! I know! Armin could help!" Sasha mouth was full again , with your food of course.

"Armin?" you pouted and leaned over the table and spotted the blond next to Eren. Both of them deep in conversation , but the smiles on their faces meant it wasn't all that serious.

"I don't know guys. Whenever I'm near him he clams up , stutters , and just basically avoids me." you put your elbow on the table and rested your head in your hand. "I doubt he'd want to spend extra hours with me ,studying and what not."

Sasha and Connie give each other knowing looks and elbow you in the ribs. "Welp only one way to find out , (Nickname)!" Sasha said cheerfully while Connie yanked on your hair causing you to sprawl on the floor.

You yelled 'Hey' , as you attempted to reclaim your seat , but the two dolts were vigilant and wouldn't let you back between them. They looked pointedly at Armin and then back at you. You whined in defeat and got up , shuffling towards the two friends at the end of the table.

As you got closer you noticed how Armin's eyes sparkled as he talked with Eren. You also noticed the book he was holding. Gesturing towards it with entusiasm. Your heartbeat galloped as he looked up at you once you reached him.

The smile was gone , a blush spread across his face and he hid within his book. All within a matter of seconds. Eren turned around to look up at you , a smirk on his face.

"Heard you're gonna flunk out cause you're an idiot , (Name). I'm really gonna miss you whe- OW! Hey!"

You had smacked him on the back of the head and reached out to grab his ear. "Shut up Eren! Or am I gonna have to remind you about the time on the training field when you got your wires tangled with Connie's and I had to help your sorry ass out!"

Eren was about to protest , but you cut him off with another smack. "I'm not here to hear your excuses Jaeger. I'm actually here for Armin."

At the sound of his name , the blond looked up from the comfort of his book , only to see you inches from his face. Huge grin and all.

He nearly fell off the his chair because of his flinch but you grabbed his wrist before the fall. The contact sent a spark to your heart , but you ignored it.

"Heya Armin!~ You got a minute?"

He stared in awe at the hand on his wrist. Wondering how your hands were so soft after all this training. He also wondered how it would feel on other parts of his body. The blush just wasn't going to go away anytime soon.

"Armin are you even listening?"

Armin snapped out of his daze and looked at you. "Umm.. I'm sorry can you.. repeat that?"

You sighed but nodded your head. "As you may know, my shouta friend, I am not the smartest potato in the batch. In fact  , I'm slower than Sasha when it comes to the... learning aspects of titan killing."

Armin nodded in understanding , but hated how you were bringing yourself down.

"Well since you're the smartest person I know I have a question to ask." you clasped his hand in yours. You took a deep breath and looked into his ocean blue eyes.

"Can you be my Study Buddy?!"