Armin's memory of last night's party was all hazy. The last thing he remembered was the name 'Annie' and that Mikasa tried to contact her but to no avail. He woke up in an unfamiliar bed, squinting at the clock that was hanging across the room, 5:15, plopping down again as he clutched his head due to the awful hangover.

He tried to recognize the room as he connected his remaining memories of the night, concluding that he stayed at Jean's. Not long enough, the needling pain on his head subsided until he had the strength to pull himself up to the bathroom.

He stared at the mirror for an enough time, finally figuring out what was missing.

"JEAN!" He shrieked in shock, making the other person in the house jump out of his bed to attend to his horrified friend.

"What--? Pfft—" Jean burst out laughing at Armin's reaction to his new haircut, not mentioning that it was even funnier to know how everything happened.

"What the heck are you laughing at? I just had the most expensive haircut in New York last month!" He gasped louder as realization hit him, "That was good-for-three-months. Look my hair is even shorter!"

"What are you crying about? You just had a free haircut from a stylist." Jean's laugh was not close to dying down as he waited for his friend to ask why and how it happened.

"Stylist, you mean Ymir?"

Ah he remembers, Jean stomach was starting to hurt.

"W-What happened? Don't say that I did something embarrassing." He asked, horror was slowly creeping on his face.

"She found you and Crista, kissing in the kitchen. Don't worry, they probably forgot it by now." Jean explained, adding the last part to make the statement sound forgivable, and at least sooth his friend's embarrassment.

"No, no, no..." He covered his face as he shook his head, "And you didn't stop her?"

"I tried! But you were all so adorable!" Jean cried.

Armin leaned his hands on the countertop as he continued to scan his hair, eventually deciding that it was not bad after all. Actually, he looked more manly.

"Annie will fall for you in an instant." Jean continued to tease, not knowing that the effect of the booze last evening was still blocking Armin's memories.

Yes, Annie.

"Did Mikasa already called?" He beamed as he dashed to his clothes and quickly put them on like his hangover just evaporated.

"No. But she texted me that her friend agreed to meet you."

...

Armin's eyes were full of genuine excitement as he waited for Jean and Mikasa at the pathway in front of the university that they are working at.

On their way to Stohs, he learned few things about Annie from Mikasa. He found out that she lives alone, she doesn't talk a lot, she's bad at socializing, she's unreadable.

"That's a lot different from how I met her." He said as he remembers that fateful day.

"Then, I think she found something interesting on you." Mikasa chuckled for the first time since last night, he noted.

"Or maybe it's a different person." Jean butted in before pulling over at the parking space of the museum, "We're here. Go on, lover boy."

"You're the one to talk, Jean." Armin mindlessly run his fingers on his newly trimmed hair as he checked his face at the rearview mirror, "How do I look like?" he asked.

"Creepily excited."

"That's it. Just shut up."

The two guys almost jumped in surprise when Mikasa who was already outside knocked on the car window with the face that says, "are you going out or I will drag you out?"

"She's strong." Armin remarked as the slightly visible crack appeared on the window, making Jean agree, saying that breaking his car is Mikasa's thing.

The three arrived at the museum, welcomed by a waving lady who seemed like a tour guide. "I'm sorry but there will be a big event tomorrow, so we're closing early today."

"We're not going to tour. We are just looking for Miss Leonhardt." Jean cut her off.

"You mean, Annie? That would be a greater problem. She's preparing for the exhibit right now. So, can you just wait for tomorrow?"

"Miss Dreyse." Armin read her name pin, "I will surely miss a sleep tonight if I won't see her this very day." He said with determined and convincing eyes.

"A-Are you her—no it can't be." Hitch Dreyse shook her head.

After eyeing them head to feet repeatedly and checking their identifications, Hitch eventually allowed them to stay at the museum, however, she didn't let them roam.

Armin just stared back and forth at the old portrait of an eagle and the majestic mural of the animal kingdom at the ceiling of the lobby (noting that the name Alexander Leonhardt is written all over the place), not until his eyes fell on someone whom he hoped he'd meet again. His heartbeat started to race on his chest, and he can't figure out why.

"Mikasa?" Annie Leonhardt soft voice echoed on the empty hall.

...

"Why?" The question slipped as they stood in front of her apartment which was surprisingly close to his, so Jean dropped them on the same place.

"W-What why?"

"Why do you want to meet me?" She rephrased.

"I-I'm intrigued. I-I mean, I didn't get you name. A-And, we, having mutual friends, you know. Uhm, and I want to thank you for the pigeon thingy. They really like the freshly baked breads!" Armin stammered, cheering the last part, as his face constantly heat up whenever Annie directly talks to him.

Do I like her? What is this feeling?

He felt like a weirdo when he thinks about his enigmatic reasons on wanting to meet her again even if it means wandering around Germany. Does he look like a creep? Freak? Hence, he can't possibly survive this long without Jean and Mikasa's help to lighten up the mood earlier during their dinner.

"I see. You're welcome. Good night Mr. Armin and thank you for the ride." She smiled before opening the door, the same smile that Armin got addicted to. And witnessing these small things about her answered the question that he had to turn down many times.

Yes, I like her, and I want her. He admitted as his heart felt lighter.

"It's not me, it's Jean's." He sheepishly corrected, only earning a chuckle from her, "I mean, I still owe you!"

"I don't get it."

"I..." He contemplated the right words, "I want to treat you!"

"Wait—"

"C-Can we eat breakfast together and feed the pigeons? Wait what--?"

Annie just cocked her brow in response to his ideas. She's confused on why he thinks he was too indebted because of the small favor that she did for him.

On the other hand, Armin wasn't aware that she didn't get where he's pointing at. Not until he realized what information was missing.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"None." She shrugged, obviously still not picking up the hint.

This will take forever. He thought as his embarrassment slowly faded. It's a bit sad that she's not the type who gives a damn about romantic relationships, but he's relieved that he has a chance. He can hear Jean's voice in his mind, telling him to give it a shot.

"So..."

"So?"

"Can we hang out?" He raised his eyebrows while expectantly waiting for her answer.

"Why not?" She innocently answered, leaving the only thing hanging: to tell her that he likes her.

...

Annie Leonhardt has grown up the way she is because of her father. His constant pressure and control over her life made her learn reality at an early age. She grew up independent.

Her father enrolled her without considering what she wants. However, she personally liked that she had to attend an exclusive school in college to finish her architecture course—that she had to finally leave their house to stay in the dormitories, away from her father's control. But she can't deny the fact that her father's negligence still haunts her.

It's just a dream.

She woke up at 2 o'clock on a Saturday morning to get ready for the exhibit. However, she had to heat herself and slack off under the blanket for half an hour because it was hard to pull herself up every day with only two hours of sleep. When she finally gathered the motivation to stand, she took a bath for another time of inner peace.

She wore her usual attire, a jacket and a knee-high leather boots over her white jeans even through a special day of her art exhibit. It's not like people would go to the museum because of me, so what's the point of dressing up elegantly? She reasoned out.

As she stepped out of her apartment, her train of thoughts was cut off by the sitting image of Armin Arlert outside her door.

"Guten Morgen." He smiled, a smile he practiced overnight.

"For f*cks sake, Armin. It's only 4 AM! What are you doing here? How long were you waiting? Why didn't you call?" She rained questions before bursting out in giggles on how Armin pronounced 'good morning'.

"I am so excited for the exhibit that I did not sleep a blink. Anyways, shall we?" He was ecstatic and Annie cannot believe that he hadn't slept if not because of the visible circles around his eyes.

"I hope you haven't eaten a heavy breakfast." He started again, reminding her that she actually hadn't eaten breakfast for almost three months.

"I'm not eating breakfast."

"Mm. that's unhealthy. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day..." He lectured like a nutritionist until they reached Café Crone.

Annie laughed at the irony that Armin talks intelligently about nutrition but regularly eats donuts for breakfast. She would smile at how his eyes widen in amusement in every piece of art he sees. She would laugh at how he averts his eyes from the streetwalkers. She was fascinated at the fact that he is a book nerd. She was surprised that he doesn't drink beer.

That day, Annie completely forgot about the art gallery and the pressure that her father left to her. She enjoyed every single moment with his company, but she still doesn't understand why.

The time seem to ran faster and before they knew it, the sky was already dark. The art exhibit has ended so Armin decided to celebrate her success.

"I don't mind. But are you sure you can stand those?" Annie stated as she watched him pick a basket of canned beers on a convenient store.

"We wouldn't know unless we try!"

And with that, they returned to her apartment.

As soon as the room was lit up, Armin gasped in amazement as his head turn in all direction.

"I'll love this place." He breathed, making her flustered.

"This place is a mess—"

"No. It's beautiful." Armin was convinced it is his place favorite place in Berlin due to the hanging paintings on the walls and the miniature of airplanes and satellites hanging on the ceiling. He's also thinking that maybe he can do something about the scraps and drops of paint on the floor, "How long are you living here?"

"A year and a half. Since my father died."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright." She smiled reassuringly as she started to fill the bucket with ice cubes.

"Can I ask you something?" He positioned next to her and started unpacking the comfort food they bought.

"Anything, in one condition. Choose a movie in the VCDs. Whatever you like."

Upon rummaging on the random VCDs on the rack, Armin decided to watch 'the space between us'.

"You like romance?" She sat beside him as they started their late dinner.

"I like anything that flies." Armin smiled as he attentively watched the rocket launching part of the movie.

He's an enthusiast.

"So, these paintings--"

"My father's."

"And the airplane designs?"

"My mother's."

"You're a family of artists! I'm not surprised that you got their talents, twice—no, thrice." Armin raised his ten fingers.

"Really?" She laughed it off because deep inside, she never believed in the compliments that she receives. But she admits that he also deserves some credits, "Then, I believe in you."

The night was warmer than any of Annie's alone time in her apartment, and she couldn't recall a happy time. All she remembered was the quietness and emptiness of the messy place.

They talked about random things on their works, learning a thing or two about each other. Armin learned that she studied architecture before pursuing fine arts like her late father who was a famous artist in Germany. He originally owned the museum at Stohs but he lost it after he encountered misfortune caused by bad habits of gambling. While her mother worked as an aerospace architect before the embassy reported her death when Annie was only three.

Armin was too caught up with her stories, so he did not realize that he already finished a can of beer.

"I'm warning you. Stay away from me when I reached my limit." A hiccup escaped his throat, and Annie already knew that he's close to dazing off.

"Why?"

"I'll kiss anyone I see." He said bluntly but she received it as a joke.

"That's ridiculous, Armin—"

The statement was only proven right when she found his lips against hers while his hands cupped her face like it was the most important possession he ever had.

His lips were gentle, different from a sloppy kiss that she expected. She started to taste the beer on his lips when she decided to break the kiss by pulling his hair back, only to find out that his body was already out, so she was dragged along by his weight and stumbled on top of him.

"Dad." Armin murmured as she found herself listening to his heartbeat.

"Dad, Armin just met the most wonderful woman in Germany." He continued to blabber while his arms tighten around her, "I'll take her home."

If she remembered it right, Armin calls his grandfather 'dad'.

"Armin."

"Mm." He smiled, confirming that he was in his most honest but childish mode.

If I ask him anything, he won't remember it when he wakes up. Annie laughed at her own thoughts. "You're cute."

"You're hot-- I mean it's hot." He whined.

"But the AC is in max." She answered, but he's right, it was getting hotter. She can feel the heat on his body and see the sweat forming on his forehead.

She perked her head up, only to find his half-lidded eyes staring at her.

Armin pushed himself up and kissed her again which caught her off guard. He pulled her down as he smiled against her lips, "You're beautiful."

The remark made her heart flutter. His smile only encouraged her to return the kiss. And before she even has the chance to process the new feeling, she found herself shutting her eyes as she returned the kiss passionately.

"It's hot." He pulled out as Annie instinctively removed his vest before leaning down to connect her lips to his again. She continued to unbutton his shirt without breaking their closeness.

Is this right? The thought suddenly stopped her as she tried to register the unfamiliar feeling of lightness.

What is this feeling? She contemplated as she stared down at Armin's pale, shirtless body, and for some reasons, she started to feel nervous.

Do I like him?

"Annie." Armin was already in the middle of his conscious and subconscious mind, and any time now, he'll pass out. He trailed his hand from Annie's shoulder down to her hand before pulling it down, making her lay her head on his chin,

"I really like you." He muttered before he drifted to sleep.

Annie bit her lower lip as she tried to contain her chuckle, forming a smile on her face instead, "I like you too, Armin."

...

It seems like something happened last night that Armin can't recall. He cursed his hangover and the unwanted memory loss after getting drunk. And the only thing that he liked that very moment was waking up with an angel wearing a painted apron, staring down at him.

"Am I dead?"

"Dummy." Annie coldly said with her neutral, unreadable face.

"Forgive me if I did something wrong. I don't remember anything, I swear." He groaned as he mindlessly groped on his vest. Luckily, he's still wearing his clothes. He sighed as a relieved smile escaped his lips before gazing back at Annie to check for marks of his possible misbehavior.

"Don't even think about it." Annie avoided his scrutinizing eyes by leaving him alone to continue painting.

The body inspection went on all day as Armin secretly glances at Annie. She would catch him staring at her every time, feeling a mixture of different emotions. She can feel the butterflies in her stomach-- a sensation of pleasure that she never felt before. She felt significant when he looks at her, although she's a bit annoyed with his quietness.

"Even if you undress me right now, you won't find a single hickey, alright?" She can see him sweat and blush at her peripheral view before a certain poster caught her attention.

The biggest international air show in Europe will perform on Berlin next week. Annie dragged the confused Armin on the sidewalk as they speed-walked to the ticket center that was indicated on the poster.

"Where are we now?" Armin panted heavily when they finally stopped running. He looked at her as he tried to read her expression. Her eyes widened in hope, but it immediately faded into disappointment.

He turned ahead and saw what she was looking at.

"The tickets are sold out." Annie sighed and it was his first time to see her that upset.

"You really want to watch, don't you?" He asked, only receiving a slow nod.

"Nah, there's always a next time. Forget it."

...

Annie was taking a bath when she heard her doorbell ring.

It's still too early to pay the rent. She frowned as she rinsed her hair before drying herself. Who would it be?

There's one thing that she remembers that was scheduled that day, which she already gave up on. The airshow. She opened the door while drying her hair with the towel that hangs on her neck.

"Hello, beautiful lady." Armin greeted with a goofy smile.

"Are you skipping work?" She eyed him suspiciously.

"Nnnnope! I requested a one day leave." He reached in his pocket and slid two pieces of paper together between his fingers, his smile turning into grin.

Annie recognized the tickets. It was for the airshow. Armin...

She pulled him inside by his tie and pinned him against the door abruptly, causing his back to shut the door close. He was utterly startled by her aggressiveness, and much to his surprise, she caught his lips as soon as his head rested against the door.

She squeezed his body as she kissed him intensely.

"Where did you get those?" She breathed against his lips.

"It doesn't matter." He was still baffled but he felt that he's wanting more. He leaned forward for another kiss and at the same time, pulling her closer by the towel around her neck. However, she fought for dominance, pushing him against the door again.

"You're strong." He stopped to catch his breath before he turned them around to experience more of her. He held her face close to his as he pinned her like what she did to him earlier.

"I love you." She smiled against his lips as he did the same.

"I'm afraid we still have an airshow to watch."

"Right. The airshow. I almost forgot about it." She pushed him against the wall this time, stealing another peck before she changed to her dress.

Since that time on, he couldn't take off his eyes from her, he knew he was enchanted.

From the start of the show to the end, all he had witness was her captivating smiles. He didn't let those moments slip away without photographs. Also, he felt sorry for the person who sold the tickets to him.

Colt Grice was supposed to watch the airshow with his brother Falco. Unfortunately, Falco got ill so they had to rush him to the hospital. So, Armin wanted to pay their kindness with photographs. After the show, they visited Falco in the hospital to send their gifts and they were relieved to see the child who was very happy to see the photos.

Later that day before the sun hides, the sky suddenly poured out a heavy rain, so they decided to stay at Armin's place.

The sound of the shower against her skin is a music to her ears. Besides of sleeping, Annie finds inner peace in the bathroom, and using Armin's is a bonus because she found his scent calming.

Her train of thoughts were cut off when Armin walked inside and turned up the shower. She stiffened as she curled in to cover her chest with her arms, tensing up when he laid his hands on her shoulders.

"Is this your first time to bathe with someone?" He chuckled, only earning a nod from her.

He gently guided her shoulder, turning her around to face him. He kissed the top of her head under the running shower as he slowly moved her arms down to make her comfortable.

It was his first time to see a woman's naked body up close, and the same goes for her.

"You're... beautiful." He whispered as he stared at her lovingly before he initiated a kiss that was more than the inner peace that Annie hoped for.

He was affectionate and gentle, and she was fierce and searching. In all terms, they are opposite, but one thing is for sure, they both felt a calming and warm sensation that grows within their body as they touch.

He lifted her and pulled her closer as if he was magnetized, leaning their bodies in the nearest wall he could find as he continued to kiss her neck and shoulders. Annie reached for the shower valve to turn it off, so all they can hear were their heavy breathing.

"Love me." Annie whispered which made his face grew warmer.

"I would love to," Armin's face was completely red, his lips were already swelling, and for some reasons she found it sexy, "But I don't have protection." He timidly averted his gaze and chuckled.

"How could you, Armin Arlert." She pouted before she laughed with him.

"I can't believe that I'll miss my first time." He stole another peck on her cheek before letting her go, saving their first time for another day.

...

https://youtu.be/-LwyWm6HiT4

The time seem to fly faster when they were together. The things that he does with her were the happiest moments of his life and living in a foreign country has been easier. But as if on cue, after the rainbows, they reached another storm.

Armin hugged her closer as they lie on his bed. He only has a week to stay in Germany and on the passing day, it was becoming harder to say goodbye. He never wanted to make her choose between her responsibilities and their relationship. He respects her very much, and he didn't have the courage to test her dilemma. For this reason, he started to stress out as his departure comes closer.

Above all else, he was afraid to get disappointed.

"You look tired." Annie cut off his overthinking by kissing his jaw.

"Annie, I don't want to go."

The silence inside the room became heavier that it was becoming harder to breathe.

Annie pulled him closer as his lips began to quiver.

"I'm really sorry. I don't want to make you choose, but I'll ask you now before I regret more." He refrained from breaking down, but his voice betrayed him, trembling as the words escaped from his lips, "Will you go with me?"

"Armin." Her voice was neutral. It was like she already decided the answer long ago and that made him think that he cannot change her mind.

"I'll wait." He said as he swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Until when?" She asked and the sadness started to be evident in her voice.

"Until I die." He boldly answered.

"You know why I can't go with you, right? Hitch told you everything about my commitments, but you never asked me. You are kind enough to give me space and I know that you're doing something in secret to help me. I know it well, Armin. I saw you... but please let me do it alone. You're out of my family issues and I don't want you to get involved—"

"But I love you. That's why I can't stand to see you suffer." His embrace tightened as his throat started to itch and hurt.

"I love you too. That's why I want you to take care of yourself."

"I'll never be happy with that set up, Annie." He sat on the corner of the bed and faced the window where the moonlight brightly shines through, "You did nothing wrong. Why do you have to work your fingers to the bone to pay your father's debts? I don't understand why he left you with such terrible obligations. I don't understand a bit. I f*cking hate it." Armin broke into tears as his voice trembles.

Annie had never saw him cry before. He was full of laughter and sunshine, so she didn't know how to respond to his sadness. This made her realize that he was in pain every time she fails to value herself and her own desires. She was acting like a machine all the time, working hard day and night to earn and pay her father's debts. She even endured more than two years living in a small apartment to save money.

"I hate it when you're selfless." She heard him say before she sat up and wrap her arms around him.

"I am really sorry. But please let me be selfless for the last time." She whispered against his skin as she peppered kisses on his back.

Armin became quiet since then and they didn't talk about that matter even until his last day in Germany.

"What are you planning to do?" Jean asked as he threw brief glances at Armin through the rearview mirror of his car.

"Continue to pursue her." He answered, his eyes fixed on the window as he watched the streets of Berlin for the last time, "But I'll really miss her."

"You mean f*cking her."

"And that."

"We'll find a way, buddy." The trip gone fast and before he knew it, he's already saying farewells to his friends, for the last time, he kissed Annie emotionally as if telling her to not forget him.

...

Their last touch never left his mind. From the time he wakes up, and on his dreams, she was there. He emails her every day, but she'll only get back to him monthly.

She's still working her ass off. He would always grimace at the thought.

His grandfather regularly visits the house and they would talk about Annie all day while feeding turtledoves. That was the only thing that makes him happy since then.

Five years have passed and the day he feared the most arrived. It was six months since Annie stopped reading his emails. Eren was running impatient and told him to find someone else. He tried but he was unhappy.

"She's different." He would smile all of a sudden whenever he rejects another girl and Eren would pull a 'you're-a-lunatic' expression.

One day, he received a call from Jean, telling him that he was planning to propose to Mikasa. Armin gladly invited him to US so he can help him execute the plan.

"Yeah, yeah! That's what I'm thinking, you smartass!" Jean cheered.

"So, when?"

"When we find Annie's whereabouts." Jean's tone was serious, and the words were hardly registered in Armin's mind.

"She's missing?"

"Yes. I heard she moved to Bavaria, but we haven't confirmed yet... I'll call you back, I have a consultation with my students right now. Bye, buddy."

What happened to her?

That night he couldn't sleep a blink. He was worried and the fact that he can't do anything made it worse.

"Armin, son?" His grandfather knocked, "I'll leave early tomorrow. Please don't miss your meal."

Armin opened the door and found his grandfather standing in front of him, smiling. The pendulum clock suddenly rang, indicating that it was already midnight, along the startling sound of the doorbell.

"Who would it be?" His grandfather glanced at him.

"I have no idea." Armin answered before kissing him and sending him back to his room.

He walked nervously to the front door with his robes on. Who would visit us in the middle of the night? He thought as he opened the door.

"..."

A cold and heavy slap that he thought had ripped his skin off immediately landed on his face and he regretted opening the door without checking who it was.

"Annie." His eyes widened in both excitement and shock, and he seem to forget how to talk as his mind went blank.

"Who's Dot Pixis?" She asked with a leaking suppressed anger in her tone.

Nothing changed in her voice. She aged beautifully. She's still striking in his eyes. She's still the same but different to any other girl he has met in those years that they were at the opposite side of the world.

Armin swears he's falling, deeper...

How did she know Dot Pixis?

His eyes opened wider as he tried to absorb everything at once. What would he tell her?

Hi! I missed you. How are you? Please come in. Please calm down. The words flooded his mind, and he couldn't decide what to say. She still has that petrifying effect on him.

And before he can even answer, Annie jolted inside, grabbed his face and kissed him deeply. The feeling was nostalgic, the same intimacy that they shared in Germany five years ago.

Nothing changed. He teared up as he let himself be consumed by her touch. He held her face tenaciously, returning the kiss with greater vigor.

At that moment, Annie confirmed that he kept his promise to wait on her, for them to be together. All those years, all she wanted was his touch, and it was driving her crazy.

"I still love you. Every second." Armin finally found the words.

"I missed you." Annie whispered and he felt the demand in her tone.

As soon as he locked the door, he promptly pulled her closer, lifting and carrying her up to his room.

"Don't you ever let me go again." He breathed as he continued to kiss every part of her body.

Oh, how he missed that feeling. Her teasing smiles against his lips, the unique sensation of affection that only she can make, the particular warmth caused by their closeness. Everything in her was addictive.

Hence, they both know that that moment wasn't enough to patch the lost time and longingness they had. Even so, they took their time to wear out each other on bed.

Annie laid herself on top off him as they catch their breaths, and they rested until they felt their sweat colder.

"Why did you slap me." He was still puzzled but he admittedly likes every touch that is coming from her. Slap and kisses, he needed them both.

"I have a feeling that you're connected to Dot Pixis." She stared at his eyes intently.

"How did you know him?"

"So, it's true?" She scowled.

"N-No—I mean I don't personally know him, but I knew someone who does." He threw back his head on the pillow as he avoided her gaze.

Assuming that the person he's pertaining to was still awake due to the side effects of the medicines that he takes, also considering that he probably heard every moan they made, his grandfather called out at the other side of the door.

"Armin, my boy, are you crying?" He asked, making them frantically wear their clothes that were scattered on the floor.

"Dad, it's 3AM." Armin reminded as he opened the door.

"You know that I can't sleep on this time of the day. I think I heard you cry."

Oh my goodness. Armin couldn't hide his blush.

"Oh, is she here?" His grandfather cheered as if he's expecting for Annie.

She showed herself beside Armin and he instinctively grabbed her hand to make sure that nothing unprecedented will happen, something like a slap on his grandfather.

"Hi, Mr. Arlert." She greeted.

"Hello young lady." He smiled brightly as he offered a hand for a shake which she received after shaking off her hand on Armin's grip.

"You."

"Hm?"

"You paid all my remaining balance in the bank, didn't you?" Annie bit her lip when she felt like she was about to tear up.

"How did you know?!" The Arlerts gasped in disbelief. Armin was completely clueless while his grandfather was simply surprised.

"I just know."

"You're sharp, young lady. Alright," He finally calmed down, "You're wondering why Dot Pixis is deceased? He's my friend and he died on a war. I love his name, so I decided to use it for an anonymous account."

"Is that possible?!" Armin looked at Annie, implying her that he didn't know a thing about his grandfather's undertakings.

"I have connections, don't underestimate me." His grandfather playfully nudged him.

"That was more than 3 million euros. I-I can't pay you that much instantly." Her eyes started to well up.

"I'm already old and I don't need that money. I only wish to spend my remaining life with my grandson and to see him make his own family." He remarked, making Annie lean forward to give him a grateful hug.

"I don't really know what to say. Words aren't just enough."

"Ah, don't sweat it, really..." He winked before he walked off to his room to give them more time together, "...and one more thing, Armin was unaware about that. I haven't told him so don't kill him. You should save that later." He laughed.

"That's true." Armin watched his grandfather enter his room while rubbing his swelling cheek.

"I'm sorry for slapping you." Annie removed his hand and kissed him.

"I actually love it, Annie."

-------------------------------------------------