Chapter Text
When Connie joined the Survey Corps the last thing he thought was that he would be a babysitter. Don't get him wrong of course, he did enjoy missing out on some training and having to avoid chores, but he was one day into this child care business and he was already exhausted, who knew caring for a little life was so exhausting!
He already had a long list of rules he was given by Levi, and he meant a real list, handwritten and given on that fancy paper only someone with too much money would use. And it was long, Levi's tiny writing was squished on the paper, giving him nothing but an essay of instructions. Only a select few people could hold Armin, after they showered, of course, he was not allowed to go to the stables or step anywhere near the training grounds and god forgave he let Hange touch the boy. He was sure not even the military police had to follow these many rules, but here he was, his once friend, now turned baby, sitting on his stomach playing with the fabric of his shirt as he lay in bed, dozing off as the warm breeze blew through the window. It reminded him of lazy days with his siblings, when his mom needed some quiet time he'd put them all down for a nap, and if he was lucky he could rest his eyes for a bit before the demand of being the eldest in a big family took over.
However, he knew his peace was only temporary as the door creaked open letting in the sun's bright rays and a very stinky Eren.
“Aren't you supposed to be distracting Hange?” Connie didn't bother to get up, Eren possessed the irradiated face of someone who was thrown at the eccentric scientist as a distraction to their small problem. And Connie was not getting into the middle of it, especially when Armin just settled down.
“I just came in to change '' Eren lied as he picked his friend up by the armpits causing the baby to squeal while Connie reluctantly sat up.
“Dude, are you stupid? You're holding him wrong” Connie grabbed Armin back, resting the kid on his hip. The boys both glared at each other for a second before Eren turned around, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and changed, throwing his old ones on Armin's bunk, mumbling “he's not gonna be using it anyways”
“Come on you cranky bastard” Connie handed Armin to Eren, resting the boy safely in Erens arms before guiding them out of the room to grab an early dinner. Armin enjoyed the walk, finally awake pointing and everything that moved and babbling about what they assumed was the grass and the birds, but neither could be too sure.
“Armin!” The trio hadn't even stepped into the room before Sasha's loud shouts could be heard, her footsteps echoed as she ran towards the group, ripping Armin from Erens hands and making her way back to the table.
“Hey, wait-” Eren tried to protest, but his cries fell on deaf ears as Sasha babbled as incoherently at Armin and kissed his unnecessarily chubby cheeks.
“You should be more careful” It was Mikasa's turn to grab Armin, no one bothered to think about saying anything, if Mikasa wanted to hold Armin they would let her, in fear of losing a limb, or worse.
Finally settling in Armin mashed peas and potatoes on Mikasa's plate as Jean told the valiant tale of how single-handedly saved Sasha from falling into the shrubbery Armin nearly fell into himself. This tale brought a small fight to the table between the two, which Eren was quick to join in on.
“Uhh guys' ' Connie grabbed at Jean's shoulder, telling him to stop yelling as his eyes watched Armin's lip quiver and bright eyes filled with water. However he could not stop his friends from their loud banter he could not stop the tears spilling out of Armin's eyes and his loud cries, and he most definitely could not stop Levi's death stare as he marched towards their table.