Back Pain - Armin Arlert x Reader

You sighed as you walked along the barracks of Wall Rose. It had been a long day at the Scouting Legion headquarters and you just had come out of a scolding from Levi. He decided to pick today as the day he was going to carry on and make you clean the entire building, ceiling to basement, due to some speck of dirt or dust he had spotted beforehand. You, as well as all the other recruits, spent the next long hours on your hands knees, scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing…

You shook your head in an attempt to push the dizzy thoughts out of your mind. You arched your back and felt the cracking which brought relief to your aching bones from practically kneeling in the same position all day. Continuing to crack your bones, you felt a sting of pain in your shoulder blades. Any attempt you made to bring relief to the area was only met with aching pain. They had remained stationary for so long that they must have locked.

You hated when this happened.

Watching the sun set over the hills, you descended from the wall and returned back to the Scouting Legion headquarters. You walked past the kitchen and saw Eren sitting with Mikasa and Armin. Your eyes landed on Armin. He was such a sweet boy. Always cheerful, always helpful. He was someone you could always talk to. His intellect was incredible and always knew what choice to make and always made the right call.

You could always rely on Armin.

You walked into the kitchen and looked away from him as he hadn't caught your gaze, luckily. You had always had a crush on Armin.




When you both were cadets, he helped you pass your assessment. You had trouble getting the hang of the 3DM Gear and Armin spent hours helping you practice and giving you advice on how to keep your balance. You passed the assessment with ease, all thanks to him.

Armin and you shared many commonalities as well. Like two peas in a pod, you both adored literature. Armin hadn't realised you loved books as much as he did until one day he caught you reading a book in the kitchen. You were so swept up in the novel, you hadn't noticed him approach you.

"Um, excuse me, ______. What are you reading?" He had said, sitting himself down opposite you.

"Oh, it's called 'Inventae'. It's about this man who is trying to remember his past and has to relive all his past experiences. It's quite intriguing, really," you said to him, looking up from your book.

"That sounds like a very in-depth story. Would you mind if I borrowed it after you've finished it? I'd love to read it…" his hand flew to the back of his neck as he rubbed it sheepishly. His cheeks turned pink as he let out a big smile.

"Sure thing, Armin," you said back to him and smiling warmly at him.




You snapped out of your day dream as you quickly took an apple before heading back to your room. As you had nearly exited the kitchen, you must've twisted the wrong way as the sharp sting of pain sliced across your shoulders. You managed to suppress a wince, but not a stumble as you walked towards the door. Your knees buckled underneath you and you slightly fell against the door. You waited a few seconds before gaining control of your breath and resumed your walk back to your room. Little did you know, a pair of sky blue eyes had caught your episode of pain.

Hurrying back to your room, you softly shut the door and leaned against it. Your back was killing you now. You needed to get rid of this knot in your shoulders but you had no idea how to do it. No matter how you twisted your back, you either got no results or more pain.

Dammit Levi. This was all his fault.

It wasn't until you heard a small knock at your door when you turned around. Placing the apple you had scavenged on your desk, you walked towards the door and opened it. You were greeted by warm sky blue eyes and you had to admit, you hadn't been happier see him. Armin smiled gently at you before you allowed him to step into your room. He turned to look at you as you did that same. His big blue eyes were so calming to you, so full of courage and hope.

"Is everything alright, _____? I saw you stumble before. Are you hurt? Is there anything I can do to hel-"

"Everything's fine, Armin, relax. I've got a really sore back and it's been giving me grief all afternoon. Any suggestions?" You smiled up at him and gently placed your hands on the side of his arms.

He smiled softly at you and walked towards your bed. He gestured for you to follow him and you did. As you approached your bed, you couldn't help but question what he had in mind.

"Lie down on y-your stomach, please," he said shyly. You could see a small hint of red in his cheeks.

Your eyes widened slightly but you followed his instructions. You lay down on your front and rested your chin in your arms. He sat down beside you as you both continued to blush without letting each other catch on.

"C-can you take off your jacket?" He was stuttering more now.

"Uh…I'll need some help…" the shyness you felt before had increased ten fold.

You sat up on your knees and you felt Armin's tender hands slip around your shoulders and slowly and carefully pulled your jacket off your pained shoulders. Once your jacket was off, he neatly placed it on your desk before returning to your side. You lay back down on your stomach, resuming your previous resting place with your chin resting in your folded arms. His hands softly ran over your back and you let out a small gasp.

"Can y-you tell me…where it hurts m-most?" His hands pressed into your back and began to softly rub your spine. It felt wonderful.

"A little higher. Towards the shoulder blades," you answered him.

His swift but tentative hands flew to the instructed area and began to massage you irritable back. The pressure he was putting on your back hurt, but it was a good pain. You could feel the knot in your back slowly loosening with Armin's hands at work. His hands moved below your shoulder blades, getting rid of any stray pain. You let your eyes flutter shut and you let out a content sigh. You knew he was smart, who knew he could get rid of back pain this easily as well? Once you felt him finish, you sat up and arched your back. No pain was felt and the knots had loosened up. You felt fantastic, almost brand new. You started to turn to face the blonde-haired boy to give him your thanks,

"Thank you so much, Armi-" you were cut off by a pair of nervous lips.

You tried to grasp the situation. Armin was kissing you. Armin Arlert was kissing you. It wasn't a quick kiss or a friendly kiss, it was a real kiss. Instinctively, your eyes quickly shut and you kissed him back. You arms floated over his shoulders as he pulled you closer. Your hands tangled themselves in his blonde locks, pulling him closer to you. Your previous thoughts had faded away and you melted into his touch. His lips were soft and sweet, like his hands on your back. After what seemed an eternity, the two of you pulled apart for air. He placed one more peck on your lips before blushing beet red. In turn, you did the same as you kissed his cheek passionately.

"You don't know h-how long I have been waiting to kiss you, ______…" His voice was sincere and you could the love in his tone, "I really love you."

"And I love you too, Armin. Ever since I met you," the two of you shared another passionate kiss before you pulled back and looked him the eye, "Have you finished 'The Inventae' yet?" you asked him.

"I have. But I like this ending better." Armin looked at you with an emotion that could only be described as pure love.

"So do I," you whispered back to him before kissing him on the lips once more, to which he accepted fully.