"Hmm... I think your outlook is better. What we might consider bad might be someone trying their best to do what they think is good."

The conversation with Reiner and Porco is still fresh in his mind. Kids doing what they thought was right, adults telling them where to go. He laughs softly, abashed at Armin's words, rubbing his thumbs over the skin of Armin's hands where he encloses them in his larger ones.

"I know I'm a little naïve sometimes, for the world we live in. But someone has to be. Thank you," he beams at Armin. Then, because it feels appropriate, he leans down to press a kiss to Armin's forehead. It's not the first time he's kissed Armin, not by a long shot, but it's the first time here.