It had been a few weeks since you’d last seen Jean after he dropped you and Sasha off at home that night. Normally, this would be something you’d rejoice in, however, there was one minor issue. He’s your lab partner, for your hardest class that you unfortunately depended on him for. You had gotten used to your classes and got into a good rhythm regarding your class assignments, social life, and personal life. All but BioChem, where you would spend most of its reserved time cooped up in the library for hours on end trying to understand what was going on in that class, no thanks to your absent lab partner who you were supposed to depend on.
Here you are, at the library late on a Friday night with your BioChem textbook laid out in front of you, your notes occupying the majority of the table you sit at, and a raging migraine. You turn your phone upright to check the time, 9:22pm, and you let out an exhausted sigh. You’ve been studying for hours and it doesn’t seem to be helping your understanding. And honestly, you’re pissed. The more you studied, the more mad you got at your absent lab partner because he’s the smart one that you’re supposed to depend on for a good grade in this class. You hadn’t been in contact with him either, having never exchanged phone numbers or socials, so now you have no way of getting his ass down here to study with you.
[Y/N] Where is he
[Sasha] Hi! I’m doing great, thanks for asking. I’m not sure who you’re talking about, but I’m assuming Jean. We’re in his room rn if you wanna join, they’re playing some video game
[Y/N] Tell him to get his ass over here to the library
[Sasha] He says no, but maybe if you ask nicely he will ;). He made sure I sent the winky face
You let out a frustrated groan. He’s so annoying. Grabbing your stuff off the table, you pack your backpack quickly and quite messily in your rush to get to the frat house so you could beat Jean’s ass. Walking out of the library doors in record time, you hop in your car and make the short drive to the frat house just a few minutes away. After parking your car on the curb, you decide to ditch your bag in the car. You enter their unlocked front door and make your way up the stairs to the second floor, mentally gathering your thoughts so you could tell Jean to get his act together and start actually participating in this lab because unfortunately, your grade depends on him. You now stand outside Jean’s bedroom, the sounds of Connie and Jean’s exclamations heard through the walls and door. Turning the doorknob, you push open the door to find Sasha lounging on Jean’s bed scrolling on her phone, with Jean and Connie sitting side-by-side on the floor in front of Jean’s TV, each with their own controller and their eyes fixed on the screen in front of them.
And here you are, transfixed by something that you should not be so attracted to. Jean’s hands. It was the first time you actually looked at them, really, and you’ve been missing out. They engulf the console controller that he grips and they just look so perfect. You hate it, you love it. Before you could give them any more thought, thankfully, Sasha interrupts your thoughts.
“Y/N!” Sasha grabs everyone’s attention. You hadn’t been standing there long at all, your whole realization of how attractive Jean’s hands are only taking a few short seconds, you hoped. Jean and Connie look up at you in the doorway in surprise, Sasha’s announcement of your arrival grabbing their attention.
“Hey!” Connie sends you a large smile, “You made it, come sit and relax. Take a break from studying.” Connie says as he pats the corner of Jean’s bed next to him.
You turn your attention to Jean and your eyes lock, seeing as his stayed on yours ever since Sasha announced your arrival. Somehow, however, the meeting of your eyes snapped you out of the haze that is Jean’s hands. “No thanks, I’m fine. Jean, can we talk real quick?” You ask him.
He gives you a half-hearted smirk as he turns his attention back to the video game, “I’m busy right now.” Is all he answers as his fingers move across the controller in his hand again.
Your eyes widen slightly at his blatant disregard to your request, his disrespect towards you setting in as you take some time to process what Jean had just said to you. “Okay. Again, Jean, can we talk real quick?” You repeated, your voice more stern this time. You could feel Connie’s and Sasha’s eyes snap to your figure, contrary to your two friends, however, Jean leisurely pauses whatever video game he and Connie were playing as he sighs and leans back on his hands. He ever-so-slowly moves his eyes to meet yours where he maintains your eye contact for a few moments before you lift a single eyebrow, letting him know that you were serious. He sighs one more time before he stands, now walking towards you as you stand in the door frame of the room. He pauses before you before he motions for you to move out into the hallway first. After closing the door behind him, Jean moves to stand in front of you, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he looks at you expectantly. You take a deep breath as you tell him, “Listen, I need you to actually show up to lab and lecture. I’m not sure what’s been keeping you from going these past few weeks but-”
“I didn’t know you cared about me.” He interrupts you.
Your eyes widen slightly at his interruption and accusation, “I don’t.” You reject. You care about your GPA, but decided not to say anything to save his ego because contrary to his belief, you aren’t a bitch.
Jean eyes you skeptically for a moment before he holds his hand out to you.
“Huh?” You question him as your gaze moves from his eyes to his outstretched hand in front of you.
“Your phone.”
You look up at him, skepticism written all over your face.
He rolls his eyes at your expression, before he moves his fingers in the ‘come hither’ motion and he says in a more demanding tone, “Give me your phone.”
You huff out a sigh as you reach into your back pocket and pull out your phone. You place it in his outstretched palm, but as you do this, your fingers brush against his own and you feel your breath hitch at the contact. You quickly clear your throat in an attempt to cover the slight sound, your eyes flicking away from his figure.
He raises his eyebrow at the noise as the corners of his lips quirk up into a smirk. He turns his attention to your phone in his hands, moving his thumbs across the screen before handing it back to you. “Here.” After taking your phone back from him, he then places his hands into the front pockets of his sweatpants.
You eye your phone skeptically for a moment, “Did you fuck with my phone or something?” You question him.
He rolls his eyes and scoffs, “Don’t be so dramatic. I put in my phone number, just send me a text when you have a question and I’ll start showing up to lab, maybe lecture. Probably not.”
This situation felt all too familiar. Here you are, yet again, as you wait for lab to start alone. You’re sitting at your undesignated-designated lab table as you not only wait for your lab partner, but your friends as well. You honestly didn’t expect anything else from Jean, although he told you he would actually start going to lab you didn’t believe him, and you’re glad you didn’t get your hopes up at that. You are surprised, however, at the absence of your two dear lesbian friends, Ymir and Historia. Despite the pair not showing up to the first day of lab, they did actually show up to the labs following that. Although you were definitely annoyed, you didn’t want this one little thing to ruin your day, so you got over it quickly. As you watch the hands of the clock tick to the beginning of the hour, your chin resting on your hand that sits on top of the table you sit at, your phone lets out a ding! Grabbing your phone from in front of you, you look at the notification.
[Historia] Let’s party!!
[Y/N] ????rn? its like 9am. Also, why aren’t you guys here, im lonely :(
[Ymir] Y/N are you dumb? Ofc not now, we’re going out tonight
[Ymir] And you’re always lonely, nothing new there
[Y/N] Shut up Ymir, who’s party are we going to?
[Historia] A frat, not AOT tho
[Y/N] Mmmmmm, okay yeah im down
[Ymir] Of course youre down, Y/N, you alcoholic
You scowled at Ymir’s comment, you were not an alcoholic. If anything, she was the one that made you like this. As you typed your very disrespectful text back to her, you heard a throat being cleared in front of you. Your head snaps up and your gaze meets Jean’s, your eyes widening in surprise at his presence. His bored eyes leave yours as he looks to your left before he returns his gaze to yours, his head motioning to the spot on your left. Looking to your left, you see your stuff sprawled out across the table and the only other chair at the table. “Oh!” You exclaim and you scramble to move your things to give him space. After doing so, he takes his seat next to you and gets situated. You sit there awkwardly, seeing as this is the first time he’s been to lab before and you didn’t know how to react, shockingly.
“Why are you so awkward.” He questions you, his question sounding more as a statement than anything.
You move your eyes to his frame, meeting his profile instead as his own eyes observe the lab room. “I’m not being awkward.” You answer, a scowl on your face.
Jean lets out a soft chuckle, “Sure. You didn’t expect me to be here, huh?”
“Honestly, no. I thought you were full of shit.”
He rolls his eyes and scoffs at this, “Okay, whatever. Just tell me what we’re doing so I can get out of here.”
Now it's your turn to roll your eyes. You slide him the piece of paper the lab tech gave out with the instructions for today’s lab, “Here.” Is all you say to him.
He takes the piece of paper from you and looks it over briefly, “Oh, easy. We’ll get this done within 15 minutes, tops.” He says breezily, before he grabs the lab equipment and gets to work. You stare at him dumbfoundedly. There’s no way, you think, since it takes you the whole 2 hours of the designated lab time to finish without him there. Yet here Jean is, going through the motions of the lab without a second thought and without any mistakes. As you sit next to him and let him do all of the work, you complete the sheet as you observe his actions. Unfortunately, observing his actions leads to a very familiar situation and yet again, you can’t look away from his hands. One of his hands is holding a flask (or beaker, you’re really not sure), while the other rests on the instruction sheet, his pointer finger skimming the page as his lips mouth the instructions and his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. You can’t look away from him, much to your dismay – not really – until he holds one of his hands out to you, his palm facing up. Your gaze moves from his frame to his outstretched hand, before you move your eyes to meet his questionably.
He rolls his eyes, “Did you not hear me? Pass me the tweezers.” His fingers move up in the ‘come hither’ motion.
Your eyes widen as you let out a quiet, “Sorry.” And you quickly hand him the tweezers that rest next to you on the table. Get it together, you give yourself a quick pep talk.
“Also,” he starts, “your phone has been going off nonstop, can you silence it or something? I’m concentrating here.”
“Oh! My bad.” You let out and you grab your phone, checking the many missed notifications.
- [Lesbians + Y/N] -
Missed Notification [Ymir] Damn, my bad Y/N. I didn’t think you would actually get upset at that
Missed Notification [Ymir] Answer me, im apologizing here
Missed Notification [Historia] Give Y/N some space, Ymir, you probably really upset her :(( Text me Y/N if you wanna talk!!
[Y/N] Oh my god, you guys are so annoying. I’m in lab, where you guys should also be, by the way. Chill out
[Historia] Yay! You’re not upset :) Anyway, we’ll text you later with the details for the party tonight. Can't wait!
- [Roomies] -
Missed Notification ‘Sasha’ has added ‘Connie’ to the chat
Missed Notification [Sasha] Y/n! We’re going out tonight and you can't say no :)
Missed Notification [Connie] Sasha, we literally have a group chat already. Why did you add me to this one
Missed Notification [Sasha] I lost it when I blocked you earlier :( but you’re basically one of the girls! Welcome honorary roomie!
Missed Notification [Connie] Cool cool cool cool,,, you couldn’t have just made another group chat? And maybe add Jean too? Why isn’t he in this one
Missed Notification [Sasha] Too much work :/ and Jean isn’t one of the girls
Missed Notification [Connie] And I am??? Plus, it's literally the same amount of work as adding me to this chat
Missed Notification [Sasha] Yknow what, this is why I blocked you earlier
[Y/N] I don’t want to be in a group chat with Jean
[Connie] She’s finally here! Hi Y/N
[Sasha] Connie close your mouth, I can feel the moisture from your drool all the way over here
[Connie] Shut up Sasha
[Y/N] Both of you shut up, i'm in lab
[Sasha] Oh! That’s right! Is Jean there? Say hi for me
[Connie] Y/N just mute your phone
[Y/N] no
[Connie] Who are you saying no to??? And Sasha, just text Jean, you’re literally on your phone
[Sasha] That's too much work :(
[Connie] Im literally going to block you Sasha I swear to god
[Y/N] That frat party, right?
[Sasha] Yeah!!
[Y/N] Okay cool, do you want me to see if Ymir can give you guys a ride?
[Sasha] ;)
[Connie] ;)
“Okay, I finished. Did you finish the sheet?” You suddenly remember that you’re in lab right now. Setting your phone down on the lab table, you check the time, it really did take 15 minutes.
You turn your attention back to Jean, “Yeah, I finished. I’ll go turn it in.” You tell him as you begin to pack your things, thanking the lord that Jean was able to finish the lab quickly and you could both get out of there.
“You going to the party tonight?” You hear Jean ask from behind you.
You quickly spin around to meet his gaze, seeing his stuff already packed up and his backpack sitting on one of his shoulders.
“Yeah,” you answer him cautiously, not realizing that you both were friendly enough to just make conversation. “How about you?” you return the question.
He hums his confirmation, “but I won’t be getting there until after I get off work,” you hum in understanding, even though you really don’t understand, since when did he have a job? “You have my number right?” he asks you.
Your furrow your eyebrows, “Yeah? Why?”
The corners of his lips quirk up slightly, “Text me if you need saving from Eren again, maybe I’ll leave work a little early if you ask nicely.” He throws a wink at you.
You scowl and roll your eyes, “Ugh, shut up. I didn’t need you to ‘save me’ or whatever from Eren, I was having fun until you dragged me away.” At the thought of that night, you feel yourself blush. You were either drunk or tipsy, not sure which one, but you definitely weren’t sober, you can tell yourself that much with the way you were acting toward Jean that night. Ew.
He raises a singular eyebrow at your response, “Sure.” He says before walks past you and leaves the room.
Ymir’s car was filled to the brim. Not only with all of her junk, but with your friends as well. While Historia had girlfriend privileges and got to sit in the passenger seat, despite being the smallest one, you unfortunately had to sit in between the bickering Connie and Sasha.
“I was saving that last cookie and you know it.” Sasha told Connie angrily, an accusing finger pointing at him.
“I was the one that bought the cookies!” He argued back at her.
“For me!” Sasha all but screamed back.
“Okay, nope. No more.” Ymir warns them from the driver seat. “Both of you better shut up right now before I kick you out of this car and you can find your own way to the party and back home.”
“Sorry.” They both mutter quietly as they turn their attention to their respective windows and you roll your eyes. Apparently the pre-game wasn’t enough to get them loosened up.
“What is wrong with you guys today anyway? You’ve been bickering all day.” You ask the pair of best friends.
“Maybe you guys should just fuck and get it out of your systems.” You hear Historia suggest quietly from the passenger seat. Immediately, everyone’s attention snaps to her and all hell breaks loose.
After the very short moment of silence following Historia’s quiet suggestion, Connie is the first one to break the silence with an astonished and loud, “AYO!”
Following is Sasha’s “EW!”
“You would be lucky to get with this,” Connie motions to himself as he speaks to Sasha, “come on now.”
You couldn’t contain yourself anymore at that and burst out laughing, and you almost choke on yourself as Sasha lets out an audible gag at Connie’s comment.
“I love you, babe, but that was honestly the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard you say.” Ymir whispers to Historia, who has gone quiet.
“Oops, it just made sense to me.” She responds.
“We’re here! Thank god, get me out of here please.” Sasha begs, her hand already around the door handle as she attempts to open it. After Ymir parks her car and unlocks the doors, Sasha is quick to open the car door and books it to the frat house, where the party is already alive.
You are properly drunk. After doing a few rounds of shots, your friends dispersed and went their separate ways. You found yourself sitting on a couch that was pushed to the corner of the living room, some guy chatting next to you but you’re not quite sure what he’s saying, a nice buzzing in your ears distracting you from him as you observe the room. It was past midnight now, the party now at its prime as was your drunkenness. As you observe the room, your eyes land on one figure. You were surprised to see Jean, for some reason, despite him saying he was going to the party just late. He was chatting with Marco across the room and despite your wishes, your drunken eyes were too lazy to leave his frame. He continues to talk to Marco a bit more before his eyes move to suddenly meet yours. Your eyes don’t sway from Jean’s though, despite sober you wanted to do so desperately. He raises an eyebrow at you and a corner of his lips turns upwards. You watch as Jean reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his phone, where he then begins typing something on his phone. You watch him do this, again, your eyes being attached to his fingers as they swipe and type against the screen before you feel your phone buzz in your lap.
[Jean] Need me to rescue you from him too?
Immediately you scowl, your head snapping up and your eyes meeting him. He raises both of his eyebrows at you, encouraging you to answer him. You roll your eyes instead and turn to the random guy sitting next to you. He was cute, granted, but you were not interested in him whatsoever. His eyes lit up as they met yours, but before he could say anything, you hear a voice that you wish was not there.
“You,” he gestures to the guy next to you, “move.” Jean all but demands the random guy.
“Hey, c’mon Jean. We’re having a nice conversation here.” The guy reasons with him. You definitely weren’t having a nice conversation with him, but nod your head anyway just in spite of Jean.
Jean watches you nod your head and a dry chuckle leaves his lips, “Don’t care, move.”
The guy rolls his eyes but stands anyway, and moves to the other side of the room as Jean occupies the now empty seat.
Your eyebrows shoot up at this, “Hey! What the fuck, dude.”
“Chill, you were basically asking me to come over here and help you out.” He says to you as he gets comfortable on the couch, his arms crossed across his chest as he pushes his thighs out slightly and moves his hips up to slide down the couch, his knee touching yours slightly.
You feel yourself beginning to blush at the miniscule contact, and you move your head in the opposite direction so he doesn’t see. Why do you always get like this? You scoff at his accusation anyway, “No, I was not.”
“Please, I could tell. Don’t worry though, you don't have to thank me.” You could hear a smug smirk with his words.
Your face turns red with anger now and you snap your eyes to meet his own, which were already sitting lazily on your frame. “I did not ask you for any of this, let’s get that straight. Also, stop acting like you know everything about me, you know nothing about me, and what you do think about me, is wrong. So get off your high horse and chill it with your ego, I genuinely can’t fathom how you’re so cocky. Why can’t you just leave me alone? I was fine before knowing you, thriving, even. I don’t want to be your friend, and I don’t like you. I don’t need you for anything, despite what you might’ve made up in your head, and I only interact with you because you’re my lab partner. So please, just save us the trouble and don’t try to force a friendship between us because we both know it’s not gonna happen. We can be civil when we’re with our friends, but let me make it clear, I do not want to be your friend.” The words tumble out of your lips, your breathing having picked up with anger and annoyance. Your fiery gaze stays on his as you see surprise and something alike to hurt pass through his eyes, but he quickly covers it with anger of his own. You’re drunk, you want to tell him, but you’re not sure if that answers the question of whether you’re telling the truth or not. But before you decide if you should answer that questions or not, you push yourself up from the couch, smoothing your skirt down as you walk away in search of something other than Jean. As you walk in the direction of the kitchen, you realize that you’re more sober than you thought, maybe you did mean what you said to him.
“Y/N!” You hear a voice call out to you. Turning your attention to the side, you see Eren making his way toward you. Thank god. You force a smile and greet him with a hug.
“Hey, Eren, how are you? It’s been a while.”
The feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, distracting you from whatever Eren is spilling out of his mouth. You can feel Jean's hard gaze set on you, his obvious staring making your body feel like it’s on fire as the weight on your feet shifts with discomfort. You know your argument with Jean had pissed him off immensely, you’re tipsy, not stupid. Jean's piercing glare from the corner of the room was enough to worry that maybe you overstepped a bit, maybe. Turning your gaze behind you, you find Jean sitting on the couch in the corner of the room, his body facing yours with his jaw clenched and gaze hard in anger. He was leaning back with his arms sitting lazily on the back of the couch behind him and his legs spread wide, his manspreading actually kinda hot but you would never admit that out loud. You bring your eyes up to meet his, Jean's eyes already set on yours. It seems it’s his turn to observe you now, Jean slowly dragging his hard, intense gaze from your eyes downward, his eyes stopping on certain parts of your frame every so often, making those areas warm up. He painstakingly brings his gaze up to meet yours, now locking his eyes with you. His eyes were hard and expression unreadable, but you felt your cheeks heat up at the tension. The tension was too much for you, your body on fire and buzzing with an odd anticipation.
"Y/N, you good?" Eren asks from his place in front of you, the conversation you had barely started dying off with your distracted state.
Bringing your attention back to Eren, you give him a swift nod and tight smile, "Yeah! Of course! Don't worry about me, what were you saying again? Sorry." You rush out.
He squints uncertainly at you, your frantic state worrying him slightly. "Right, well, the rest of us were thinking of going to that bar in town if you wann-"
Your upper arm was grabbed from behind you suddenly, the vice grip forcing you to let out a gasp. Being dragged backwards, you turn your attention to whoever the fuck decided to grab you like this, your anger through the roof in your almost drunken state. Your eyes meet the back of Jean's head and your blood boils impossibly more. "What the fuck?" You shout at him but his dragging continues. Jean drags you through the crowded living room, the looks you receive as you pass people should make you embarrassed, but you pay no attention to it, the situation you find yourself in distracts you enough. Jean continues to drag you into the somewhat secluded hallway. You struggle against his grip, your mind foggy from the alcohol, confusion, and anticipation of what could happen, the tension you felt with him from his seat on the couch giving you a glimmer of something, you just weren’t sure what that something was. You weren’t sure what to expect or what you even wanted but your curiosity about his motives was peaked. However, you wouldn't be yourself without a little fight. Your attempt to rip your arm out of his grip failed, your arm not even moving a centimeter in his firm grasp. Jean's hand wraps around your arm grew tighter at your actions, your attitude testing his already thin patience. Suddenly, Jean brings you both into a room off to the side of the hallway. You were suddenly blinded by darkness, the dim lights from the party now missing. Too soon to even process what was going on, Jean had closed the door behind you and pushed you against it. You let out a quiet gasp as you felt the wooden door hit your back, the air in your lungs rushing out. In the blink of an eye, you find Jean towering over you. You could feel Jean's large hand on your upper arm and see his hand set on the door beside your head from your peripheral, your faces just a few inches apart and caging you to him and the door. Your eyes meet despite the dark room and your eyes widen with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, while Jean's remain cold and unreadable. You stare at each other for a minute longer, you both deciding to remain silent despite the questions occupying their minds.
"What are you doing?" You whisper out, not daring to move a muscle as you gauge his reaction to your question. His expression remains unreadable as he remains silent.
You continue to stare at one another in silence until he finally speaks, “You said your peace, let me say mine.” You gulp. In all honesty, you felt 100% safe, despite the circumstances you find yourself in. Not one thought of Jean being violent towards you crosses your mind as you continue to stare into his eyes. Your tipsy mind, however, gets distracted as you shift your gaze to the hand that rests next to your head, your eyes observing how large his hand is and his long fingers and the veins that pop out of his skin.
Jean watches you as you observe his hand and he puts finally two and two together. No way, he thinks to himself. Jean is smart and he knows it, which is why he’s surprised he didn’t figure this out earlier, especially with all of the signs you have shamelessly thrown at him the past few days. He feels himself grow confident, you affect him more than he’d like to let on. And now he’s distracted, he was going to give you a piece of his mind, but with this new revelation he’s made, his mind decides to take a different direction.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" He asks you, his voice quiet and low, the timber of his voice shooting through you and down your spine.
The little air in your lungs leaves you once again in a small gasp, his question making your body run cold. "What do you mean?" You ask him quietly, just above a whisper, as your eyes move to meet his.
He continues to stare back at you, his gaze never leaving yours for a second. Movement distracts you as you feel the hand grasping your arm move ever so slowly to your waist, his large hand now encompassing your side. You shift your gaze to observe the new position, your eyes soaking in the sight of his large hand stretching around your side, your breath picking up slightly at the sight. Jean dips his head low to run his nose along the exposed side of your jaw and you don’t dare move your head, shocked by the situation you find yourself in. Your breathing becomes shallow, your close proximity getting the better of you as the tension between you both thickens. He runs his nose upward against your jaw until his mouth reaches the shell of your ear, his lips ghosting over your ear as he whispers, "Do you think about my hands a lot, Y/N?"
You freeze even more, if that were even possible, your eyes locked onto his hand on your waist as he gives it an experimental squeeze. You shiver, being completely blindsided by his question. "Excuse me?" You ask Jean with a single breathy chuckle. Your guard was now up, not expecting him to ask you something like that so straight forward.
He smirks against your ear, loving the way your body was responding to him. The adrenaline that was running through his veins was rushing through him and his nerves were at an all-time high. His mind was muddy however, both from the alcohol and from you standing before him. Jean's heart was beating all too fast, his body buzzing from the situation he put the both of you in. "I'm not dumb, Y/N, I see how you look at my hands." He says lowly in your ear.
You try to control your breathing, it having picked up at Jean’s confession of his observations from the time that you both have been spending together lately. You don’t dare to move a muscle either, your body frozen in a mixture of fear and embarrassment at being caught with your dirty secret of your weird fixation of Jean’s large hands.
You slowly fix your eyes to look into his own and meet his gaze for a few short minutes when he brings his face in front of yours from its original spot next to your ear. “I hate you.” You whisper. Your heart was pounding both from adrenaline and embarrassment.
Jean was quick to react to this, however, his movements were so slow. His hand that was resting next to your head moves ever-so-slowly, his fingers tracing the shell of your ear before it drags down across the line of your jaw before his thumb and forefinger grips your jaw, bringing your face closer to his and keeping it in place. “Say that again for me.”
You gasp at this, the sudden noise making Jean break his eye contact with you to move his gaze to your lips. He wonders how soft they are. He waits patiently for you to say it again, because he needs you to say it again so he can ground himself and not lose his sanity.
“I-” You were interrupted by the door opening. Jean quickly releases your waist and chin and tucks his hands into his pockets as he puts space between the two of you. You can feel yourself finally let out a relaxed breath for what felt like the first time in forever as your head snaps to the intruder. Your body feels cold without Jean’s close proximity.
“Y/N, there you are. Are you okay?” Eren says from his place at the doorway as he observes your flustered state. His eyes moving to eye Jean accusingly, “What did you do?”
“Dude, I didn’t do shi-”
“I’m fine, Eren, don’t worry.” You assure him as you let out a breathless chuckle. “Are you guys still going to that bar in town? I’ll join.” You rush out as you make your way to Eren, he steps aside so you can slip past him and out of the room.
Jean and Eren eye each other for a moment longer before Eren turns to follow you.
Jean lets out a shaky breath and runs his hand through his hair, fuck.
You woke up feeling like pure shit. Your head is pounding, your eyes are sensitive as hell, and you’re so nauseous that you just might throw up right on Historia’s perfect white sheets. The sun was blinding your eyes painfully, no thanks to Historia’s choice of white, see-through curtains, and so you let out a loud groan at the pain from the raging hangover you have from last night. Pulling the pillow your head was resting on in front of your eyes, you attempt to shield your eyes from the blinding light.
“Y/N, please shut up. It’s too early to hear your bitching.” Ymir groans groggily from somewhere in the room. You shoot up and your head already starts screaming at you to stop moving so fast. Squinting at the bright sunlight hitting every part of the bright and clean room, you attempt to find Ymir and Historia, seeing as the pair are not laying on the bed with you. Instead, you find the couple laying just a mere few feet away from the bed on the floor covered in blankets and pillows.
“Historia,” You grunt out to her, “Move over really quick.” She lets out a tired grown in acknowledgement, her body rolling over a few inches. Finding an extra pillow of the many that crowd Historia’s bed beside you, you throw it as hard as you can despite your painful hangover, hitting Ymir right on the side of her face.
She moves to sit up and sends you a glare as she threatens, “I’m seriously going to kill you.”
You roll your eyes and plop back down on the comfortable sheets, “Please do, my hangover is insane.” How you got so drunk was a mystery to you. Granted, you had a few cups of Connie’s punch and a few shots, but that certainly wasn’t enough to get you this hungover. You were still very aware of what had happened last night, especially the interaction you had with your lab partner right before being (thankfully) dragged away from the conversation. Now that you’re (somewhat) sober, the events and information that you learned last night was beginning to set in. Since when was Jean part of AOT? And how did you not know until now? You weren’t best friends with AOT like Sasha is, but you certainly were acquainted with who you thought was every member of the frat. Your interaction with Jean last night definitely confirmed what you thought of his character, he was a piece of shit.
“We really shouldn’t have kept drinking when we got back.” You hear Historia’s quiet, muffled voice from her spot on the floor.
“We drank more when we got here?” You ask, not remembering a second of this.
“Yes,” Ymir groans, “I was ready to pass out but you and Historia teamed up together to keep drinking so I went out and got us some alcohol. You guys are so annoying when you team up together, shit.” You snicker at this, not surprised that Ymir couldn’t say no to the both of you.
“Can we go get something to eat? I need something greasy.” Historia pleads.
You shoot back up at this, “Oh my gosh, please. Let’s go to Miche’s. They have the best hangover food.”
You and Historia turn to Ymir, your expectant gazes pleading her with your eyes. Ymir’s eyes switch between the pair of you both before she lets out a sigh and a roll of her eyes, “Fuck, fine. I guess I’ll drive.”
After eating your insanely greasy yet delicious breakfast burger, you said goodbye to Ymir and Historia as they dropped you off back at your own apartment so you could get ready for your BioChem lecture class happening in just a few hours. Walking up the three obnoxiously long flights of stairs, you finally arrive to your apartment door exhausted. I’m too hungover for this. Opening the door, you were surprised to hear commotion in the kitchen, assuming Sasha stayed over at the frat last night as she always does. “Sasha?” You call out. It was uncommon for Sasha to be home after a party, usually spending the night wherever the party was or at AOT’s frat house.
“Yeah! We’re in the kitchen.” You hear Sasha call back, followed by the sound of clashing pots and pans. You inwardly cringe, not only from the loud noise making your head pound from your hangover, but also from the fact that your new pots and pans were problem bent somehow. So, you cautiously made your way to the kitchen to see what your roommate was cooking up this time with Connie. What you weren’t prepared for, however, was the sight of your very own lab partner at your island counter sitting in your island stools.
Jean’s eyes widen as they meet yours before a shit-eating grin blooms on his face and he lets out a laugh. You immediately scowl, your face contouring into a face showing only annoyance. What the fuck is he doing in my apartment? You’re too hungover for this still, your head is pounding and you’re insanely dehydrated. Donning Ymir’s shirt and Historia’s shorts with your hair up in a very messy bun and your BioChem lecture happening in only under an hour, you really don’t have time to process any of this.
“Oh! My bad, I forgot to tell you. We decided to come back here last night. There were people having fun in Connie’s and Jean’s rooms last night so we didn’t have anywhere to crash.” You turn your attention to Sasha as she explains to you from her spot by the stove.
“Don’t worry about it.” You reassure her.
“Oops! Sorry! Forgive my manners, this is Jean. He’s part of AOT too.” Sasha explains to you, a smile found on her face.
Turning your attention back to Jean, he gives you another dumb smirk before he says, “Nice to meet you.”
You roll her eyes at him, “Shut it. We already know each other, we’re lab partners for BioChem.” You explain to Sasha and Connie, who stands beside Sasha at the stove. Immediately, their gazes find each other as they let out a fit of laughs at this newfound news.
“No way! Jean, Y/N’s your lab partner?” Connie asks him incredulously, his eyes wide and his head pushed slightly outward towards your lab partner in excitement.
Jean rolls his eyes at his friend’s overreaction. He opens his mouth to respond before you interrupt him, “Huh? What are you guys talking about?” You ask Sasha and Connie
“Jean’s been going on and on about you, Y/N.” Sasha explains. You were surprised by that and curious as to what he had to say about you. He probably said something about how much of a bitch I am, that little shit. “He kept talking about how much of a bitch you are! Which isn’t true, I hope you know that. But he honestly hasn’t shut up about it, his ego’s like seriously wounded, good job Y/N. Usually Jean’s all ‘Nothing bothers me’ or-“
“Or ‘look at me, I’m so cool.” Connie finishes for Sasha.
“Yeah! Yeah!” Sasha all but screams excitedly as Connie continues to mock Jean.
“Okay, we get it.” Jean cuts them both off with a scowl and a roll of his eyes.
You really weren’t surprised that Jean was talking shit about you. Granted it hurt a little, but you weren’t such a big fan of him anyway. “Yeah, whatever. I have a class soon, so I’ll talk to you guys later.” You tell them before turning and making your way to your bedroom just down the hallway.
“Okay! Feel free to have some food, Y/N. Connie’s making a tater tot pancake!” You hear Sasha calling out to you and honestly, you were kind of intrigued.
You had stepped into your lecture hall alone, finding Jean had left your apartment before you were finished getting ready for lecture. Not that you wanted to walk with him to lecture anyway. You claimed a perfect seat right in the center area of the lecture room, not wanting a seat too close to the front or a seat too close to the back, something easy and inconspicuous. Other than meeting your quirky yet fun Professor Hange, your first BioChem lecture was quick and easy as your professor went through the syllabus with you and your classmates. You were going over the ‘Academic Dishonesty’ section of the syllabus and was about to pass out when you got a text.
[Sasha] We’re going out tonight
[Y/N] It’s literally Tuesday and we went out last night, chill
[Connie] Okay and? AOT got invited to a new high-end club tonight but we gotta bring as many ladies as possible. So your hot ass has to come
[Y/N] Me and my “hot ass” aren’t going anywhere. I’m still hungover, I can’t handle another night out right now
[Connie] Drinks are free all night for the frat and our guests
[Y/N] I’m in
So here you are, back at your apartment at 9 in the evening getting ready to go out to the new high-end club in town. You were dressed up a little more than you usually would be to go out to a bar or a frat party, needing to look the part that you actually belong in a club as nice as this one. Wearing your tight mini dress and a pair of simple heels, you honestly felt hot as hell. The dress hugged your curves generously and the hem of the dress rising a little too close to the bottom of your ass (deliciously, of course). After putting on your jewelry, you were busy working on your makeup in your shared bathroom when Sasha waltzes in.
“Shit, Y/N, you look good. Your ass looks great.” She comments as she finds her way next to you.
Scooting over to allow her some room for the mirror, you answer her, “Thank you, I know. You look fantastic as always.” You compliment her outfit as she dons a similar dress to yours, a short and tight mini dress but in a deep plum color.
“Of course.” She responds. “I wanna apologize for this morning, by the way, if Connie and I made you uncomfortable.”
You shook your head and met her eyes already trained on yours in the mirror. “Of course you guys didn’t, don’t worry about it, really.” You assure her. You really did love Sasha and enjoy being one of her best friends, and vise versa. Although she could be a lot at times, she’s always a fun time and truly cares about every person that enters her life.
“Okay, if you’re sure.” She somewhat warns you, a playful hint to her voice. You roll your eyes at her in response, a small smile finding its way onto your face. “So tell me, what do you think of Jean?”
You snort at the question, “What do you mean ‘what do you think of Jean’?”
“Connie and I know what Jean thinks of you, we’re just curious how you feel about him. We like to know everything about everyone.”
“Oh, I know. And I like to hear about everything you find out. But honestly? He’s a piece of shit. One of the rudest people I’ve ever met.”
Sasha nods her head at your answer understandingly, “Yeah, I get that. It takes a while for people to warm up to him.” She explains to you. After a moment of hesitation, she blurts out, “By the way, he’s joining us tonight.”
Your eyes shoot up to meet Sasha’s once again but her eyes refuse to meet yours as she’s busying herself with finishing up her makeup. “You’re kidding.” Maybe you should’ve prepared for this, seeing as he is a member of AOT and best friends with Sasha and Connie, but in your defense, you’ve never seen him at a party before last night so why would you expect him to go to tonight’s outing?
“He’s also DD tonight.”
“Sasha!” You yell at her as you turn to lightly slap her arm in annoyance.
Your wide eyes meet her own wide eyes, “I’m sorry!”
“I’m gonna Uber.” You state as you turn back towards the bathroom counter and start to clean up the mess you made.
“No! Y/N, this night is supposed to be completely free! It’ll be fine, I’ll sit with you in the back! Plus, you’re too broke for an Uber.” Sasha points out.
You contemplated your choices. On one hand, you can just pay for an Uber and avoid him the whole night or, you could just suck it up and be around him for the 20 minute car ride and then avoid him for the rest of the night. “I seriously hate you. Whatever, when’s he getting here?” You ask her as you make your way out of the shared bathroom and into the hallway.
“He just pulled up with Connie!” Sasha yells her response to your retreating figure.
“Fuck.”
You and Sasha had finished getting ready and made your way downstairs just a few minutes after Jean and Connie had arrived. The two of you had just stepped out of your apartment building and into the cool autumn air when you see, what you assume to be, Jean’s black car waiting just opposite of the entrance to your building. The passenger window rolls down and Connie’s head pops out, a big grin spread across his face. He lets out a loud wolf whistle after seeing you and Sasha before he says, “Lookin’ good ladies!” Followed by an excited laugh.
Sasha follows his lead and screams back, “Yeah! Let’s party!” Followed by more of Connie’s cackles.
After following Sasha into the backseat of Jean’s car, Connie turns around from his spot in the passenger seat in front of you, “Damn, Y/N! You look good! A lot better than what we saw this morning.”
“Shut up, Connie.” You warn him just as Jean pulls away from the front of your apartment building
Sasha lets out a laugh, “Oh please. Don’t flirt with her, you’re just gonna embarrass yourself again. All stuttering and shit.” Sasha implying the first time that you ever met Connie when he attempted (and failed miserably) to flirt with you.
“Chill, Sasha. We don’t have to bring up old news.” Connie retorts, a small scowl etched onto his face.
Sasha lets out a gasp at this, something seemingly important popping into her head. “Speaking of old news, Y/N, what’s up with you and Eren?”
You turn your head to look at her, your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “What do you mean? And how does whatever Eren has to do with me ‘old news’?”
“Dude,” Connie butts in, “He’s been trying to get into your pants since freshman year. How have you not noticed?”
You let out a laugh in disbelief, “No way! Eren’s just my friend, isn’t he into Mikasa, anyway?” You ask.
Sasha scoffs and rolls her eyes, “Oh, for sure. But he’s in denial. They’ve been best friends since they were kids, I think he’s just too scared to start anything with her or whatever.”
“C’mon, Y/N.” Connie nudges you with his elbow, his eyebrows raising up and down suggestively, “You can finally get out of this dry spell you’re having. Get some dick, girl! You can finally stop being bitchy, some dick will do you good.”
Your mouth drops at that, “I am not bitchy and I am not in a dry spell. I just don’t want to have sex right now! I’m too busy for that.”
Sasha cocks her head at your words, “Too busy for sex? Who’s too busy for sex? Y/N, you’re hot and single, take advantage of it before you’re all old and wrinkly.” Her nose scrunches at the thought.
“Yeah! Eren’s literally ready and willing to get his dick wet by you, go get ‘em!” Connie encourages your non-existent relationship with Eren further. Granted, the thought kind of excited you. You didn’t want to admit it aloud, but you were in a dry spell. Having not had sex for a few weeks because of summer vacation ending and the fall semester starting, you really wanted some dick. Maybe even needed some. Eren wasn’t a bad choice either, he was good looking and a great friend, maybe you could work something out with him.
“Eren’s willing to get his dick wet by anyone, don’t let his attention get to your head. You’re not special or anything.” Jean speaks for the first time this night, interrupting your thoughts. Your eyes immediately snap to the back of his head while his are still trained on the road ahead of him. Ouch.
“Wow, what a mood killer.” You hear Connie mutter from his seat next to Jean as he turns his attention forward.
You finally turn your attention back to the side to look at your own window after a paused moment, realizing your glaring at the back of Jean’s head is doing nothing for you, only to see that Jean had pulled up the curb outside of the club. You didn’t want his unwarranted comment to ruin your night before it even began.
“No way!” Connie exclaims, “There’s valet parking too? This place is nice!”
“It is,” Jean agrees as everyone steps out of his car, “So don’t fuck this up for us, alright?”
“Dude, when have I ever fucked anything up for us?” Connie counters. Jean gives him a pointed look as the four of you begin your way to the front doors, passing by the incredibly long entrance line that wraps around the building and deeper into the block. Connie rolls his eyes, “Fine, whatever. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
The four of you were able to pass the entrance line and walk right into the club. “I didn’t know AOT was this… influential?” You leaned over and whispered to Sasha. The club was super nice, definitely out of your college-student league of dirty bars and frat parties. Neon lights were the first thing you noticed, the obscene amount of lights blinding you first thing. Then, you notice how impressive the club actually is. It was two stories, the second story consisting of a balcony full of lounge chairs and couches. There were also two bars, one on each end of the first. The most impressive thing, however, was the giant fountain sat right in the middle of the room, the water descending from the ceiling, through the opening of the second floor, and down to the first floor with the light-up dancefloor surrounding the fountain’s base. Connie better not fuck this up.
“Pfft, I didn’t either. Who would’ve thought.” Sasha mumbles back at your question, her gaze also set on observing the club before her. “Ooh! The bar, lets go.” Sasha easily distracts herself and excitedly grabs your arm and steers you the bar sitting on the right wall of the club.
It was safe to say that after a montage of free sake bombs and cocktails, you were feeling good. You and Sasha had been drinking with each other ever since you guys made it into the club, needing that, as Sasha says it, “liquid courage” to get laid tonight. However, instead of the alcohol effecting you the way you wanted it to, you find yourself just wanting to have fun instead of searching for a guy to hook up with.
“Sasha!” You slur, your hand reaches our and grabs onto her arm, shaking it slightly in an attempt to get her attention.
“Hmm?” She responds, her head lulling to the side and her eyes meeting yours.
“I wanna dance! Let’s go dance.” You urge her.
“No,” Sasha groans, “I’m so bloated. Go dance without me.”
“I can’t leave you alone, though. That would be so shitty of me.” You retort. You bring your gaze out to the rest of the club in an attempt to find someone you can drop Sasha off with, because you really wanted to dance right now. You spot Connie just a few feet down the bar where he seems to be chatting up a girl who’s not really giving him the time of day, pass. So, your lookout continues. Turning your gaze now to the few lounge areas that are spread throughout the first floor, finding Marco sat on a couch alone sipping on a beer, perfect. “Sasha, go keep Marco company.”
“Where’s Connie? I gotta tell him something.” Sasha slurs back, her head moving back and forth from one side of the club to the other in search of her best friend.
“He’s busy-“
Sasha’s gasp interrupted you, “He’s talking to a girl! I gotta see that.” Releasing her arm from your grasp, she begins her way to where Connie and the girl he’s chatting up are sat at the bar, “Don’t worry about me, have fun!” Sasha calls out to you, giving you a very enthusiastic wave.
Honestly, you were too drunk to be concerned about how Sasha was about to ruin Connie’s potential hook-up plans. Plus, you just really wanted to dance. So, you set off to find an empty spot on the dance floor. It was crowded with couples and groups, but you managed to find an empty spot big enough for yourself. Drunk both on liquor and the music, you found yourself lost in the baseline of the sensual yet upbeat music, your eyes closing and your body moving and swaying on its own with a content smile occupying your lips. Your eyes remained closed, your drunk mind and body enjoying the beat of the music, and only opened when the beat changed to a new song. You were surprised, however, when you opened your eyes and met a pair of familiar brown ones already set on your own. Sat alone at the bar with a drink in his hands, Jean continues to hold your gaze, unfazed at the meeting of your eyes. A rush of adrenaline washed over you as you realize that he had most likely been paying attention to you, watching you dance and it doesn’t seem like he’ll stop. Granted, you won’t stop either. Maybe it’s the alcohol talking, but you didn’t care that he was watching you. A sense of pride and confidence was coursing through your body, remembering what he had said in the car. “You’re not special or anything.” Not special? You question him internally. Then why are you watching me? You refused to look away, your gaze unwavering and continuing to hold his stare as you dance to the beat of the music. Jean takes a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving yours, before he sets his drink down on the bar and gives you a singular eyebrow raise, amusement written all over his face. Honestly, you were enjoying his attention, something you would never admit out loud. Maybe it was because you know he doesn’t like you and when his attention is set on you, whether it be with annoyance or whatever the fuck is going on right now, you felt in control, the one in charge. Just as quickly as his eyebrow rises, it falls and his amusement is replaced with annoyance. You are about to question why until your thoughts are distracted by a nose running up along your neck and a pair of arms encircling your waist, their hands resting on your hips. You felt their body close in on yours, their front just centimeters away from meeting your back. Jean’s hard gaze strays for the first time since meeting yours to run down your body, stopping for a few moments at your neck where the person’s nose is running along, and then continuing their path until he finds the hands resting on your hips, before snapping up to meet your eyes again. You felt yourself freeze, your body ceasing its rhythmic movement to the music. The hands on your hips encourage you to keep moving, guiding you into a slow grinding against his front. Your eyes never leave Jean’s, even as his leave your own to move south, watching as your hips grind against those behind you, his jaw set tight.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” The voice says from behind you, his lips having moved from your neck and now sitting very close to your ear.
Immediately, the tension you shared with Jean across the way vanished. You let out a hesitated chuckle, “Eren. I didn’t even know you were here.”
He gives you a hum in response, not wanting to say anymore. You continue to dance with him, your hips speeding up to match the beat of the song. Finally, your eyes left Jean’s, who continued to watch you and Eren dance. You felt yourself getting looser, enjoying your drunkenness, the song, and dancing with Eren. Maybe you would be down to work something out with him, having a sexual relationship beating having to find stranger after stranger every weekend. Your eyes close, focusing on the beat of the music and the feeling of Eren’s hips against yours. You reach your hands up and behind you to rest on Eren’s neck, your fingers playing with the hair sitting at his nape. Eren’s nose runs down your neck as he lets out a light grunt as you slightly pull his hair. You began to push your hips back into his own as his began to move your hips faster. You were quickly getting lost in the arousal that formed between the two of you when you were oh-so rudely interrupted by a hand circling around your arm and pulling you away from Eren. Your eyes shoot open to meet Jean’s and your eyes widen in surprise, his face just a few inches away from yours. His eyes look back at you, his gaze hard yet you were unable to pinpoint an exact emotion he was feeling.
“Dude!” You could hear Eren exclaim from behind you yet you made no effort to move away from Jean.
“Connie got kicked out, we’re leaving.” Is all Jean says, his hand still gripping your arm.
“I can take Y/N home, chill out.” Eren argues.
Jean’s eyes meet yours again, an expectant look meeting yours. He wants you to say something. You wanted to stay, though. You were having fun with Eren and are so close to getting laid tonight. There was one problem, though, you didn’t have your key. Knowing drunk Sasha, she won’t be waking up until 5pm tomorrow despite her having classes to attend.
You turn and give Eren an apologetic look, “Sorry, Sasha has our key.”
“Just stay with me tonight, I’ll give you some clothes for class tomorrow.”
At that, Jean lets out a scoff and pulls you with him towards the exit of the club. “She’s not staying with you, dude.”
You were surprised by Jean’s reaction, it being so abrupt. Why is he so angry? He’s the one that needs to get laid, damn.
I just want to thank everyone for your support! I know its not a lot right now but all of the likes and follows is really appreciated and very encouraging :) I really appreciate you guys!
You're desperate to finish your last few years at college before you start your nerve-racking years at nursing school. Seeing as you're good at everything you do, this should be easy for you. But with the looming fear that is Biochemistry facing you head-on this semester, your luck has run out. However, your GPA may just be saved by none other than tatted-up frat boy Jean Kirstein.
Staring intently at the clock hanging just above the door, you watch with your head propped up on your hand as the minutes pass, one by one, getting closer and closer to the start of lab. Irritated, your eyes switch between the clock and the door to the classroom, sighing as you lean back into your lab chair, picking up your phone and unlocking it to check your messages. Great, you think after seeing no new notifications. You glance at the clock one more time and curse under your breath, "Dammit," noticing that lab starts in a short three minutes. Accepting your fate that lab was going to totally suck seeing as your friends decided to skip (on the first day of lab, mind you), you put your phone away and start surveying the room. Strangers had already started to pair up, making small introductions here and there, with some already making complaints about the course. There seemed to be an odd amount of students in the lab and available partners were diminishing fast. At this rate, I won't even have a partner. Maybe I'll just have to join a pair and be a group of three, you thought to yourself as you observed the room.
The sound of a throat being cleared managed to grab your attention from the rest of the mingling students, glancing to the man standing on the opposite side of your table. All you could think as you look at the man before you was, tattoos, because he was covered in them. Colorful tattoos completely covered both of his arms, peaking slightly onto his wrists. His neck was covered too, the colorful patterns creeping up above his black tee and curling around his sharp jaw. You were stuck in a trance, embarrassingly enough, but you quickly snap out of your daze as the man before you shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other, uncomfortable by your obvious staring.
"Oh, sorry, how can I help you?" You ask from your seat in the barstool, fitting your eyes on his.
"Is it cool if I sit here?" He asks, gesturing to the table that you currently reside at.
"Oh! Yeah, sure." You say, moving to move your bag from the only other seat at the table.
He thanks you with a smile, moving to sit next to you. Picking your phone back up, you start to type out a text to your friends as the chair beside you is pulled out.
[Y/N] Where the fuck are you guys?
[Historia] Sorry Y/N!! We got a little distracted :)
You pause for a minute, confused by how your friends could be so distracted to not even come to class. Your mind reels until it clicks and you let out an audible gasp.
[Y/N] Are you guys serious right now? You guys are leaving me alone on the first day of lab to get it on?
[Ymir] Chill, Y/N. We'll grab you after lab to eat. Just because you're not getting any doesn't mean we can't get some.
[Historia] Ymir! Be nice, Y/N's sensitive :(
[Y/N] I am not sensitive! And I am getting some. I hate you both, you guys better buy my food.
"Alright everyone, put your phones away." A voice calls. Setting your phone down, you turn your attention to the front of the lab room. "Welcome to BioChem 3319 lab. Assuming this is an upper-level class, you guys should know that this class is made up of not only the lab but the lecture as well, which is held on Wednesdays, so be sure to be there for that. I'm your IA and instructor for the lab, you can call me Moblit, no honorifics, please, they're weird, Moblit is fine. The actual instructor for this course, Professor Hange, will instruct lecture, so you will be meeting them on Wednesday. Today's just an introduction day since we haven't been to lecture yet, so go ahead and introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you, they'll be your lab partners for the rest of the semester. Once you feel that you've met them enough, feel free to leave." He concludes, turning his attention back to the paperwork on his desk.
You let out a quick sigh, grateful that you were going to get out of lab quickly. You were starving and desperately wanted Ymir to pay for your food, a big power move on your part. You turn to the man sitting next to you to officially introduce yourself but was stopped by the sight of him on his phone. Now that you think about it, you remember him being on his phone the entire time class has been in session. Did he even pay attention to what their lab instructor was saying? It was your time to clear your throat to grab his attention. He turns to you, a little shocked by the sudden noise, but keeps your stare nonetheless. He doesn't say anything though and just looks at you expectantly.
"We, um, have to introduce ourselves and stuff and then we can leave class." You answer his questioning gaze. "I'm Y/N."
His face contours as he understands what you were saying, his eyes widening and his mouth opening slightly. He gives out a chuckle as he introduces himself, "Jean, nice to meet you."
"Ok cool," You respond, somewhat surprised by his pretty and soft name, a seemingly complete contrast to the tattoos peeking out onto his wrists and jaw. "What's your major? I'm nursing."
"Oh, I'm a business major."
Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. He did not seem like a business major at all, you know, with the tattoos and all. Not to mention this is biochemistry, not an easy science course in the slightest. "Why are you taking BioChem, then? I doubt this is required for you."
He laughs lightly at your question, "No, but I need a science course and I tested out of all the other sciences so I'm being forced to take this one." He answers your question.
Your mouth opens in shock, so he was smart too? Thank god, you think to yourself. You need this, seeing as BioChem is known for being a difficult course and you need to keep your good GPA to get into a good nursing program. You were excited now, thanking whoever did you this good.
You let out a laugh, "Sorry, that's just so surprising. You definitely don't seem like who you portray."
He cocks his head to the side and squints at you slightly, "What do you mean?" He asks.
"Well," you begin, "I mean, you don't seem like the kind of guy to major in business and test out of almost all science courses." You answer, motioning back to him.
"Hmm," is all he responds with, his eyes sweeping over your body and face as he continues to cock his head to the side. You shift uncomfortably at the attention, he gaze never leaving your frame. The silence was making you anxious until he spoke again, "Well, you definitely fit my first impression of you." He says, his eyes finally leaving you as he shifts in his seat to get more comfortable, his elbow sitting on the lab table beside the both of you with his head resting in the palm of his hand, his eyes observing you some more.
You cock your head to the side slightly, intrigued by his statement. "What do you mean?" You ask him.
"Well, you're a judgmental bitch, really." He answers. Your eyebrows shoot up in response, his answer offending you deeply. Amusement washes over his face as he observes your reaction.
You let out a single dry chuckle in response. What the fuck. "Excuse me?" You ask him, your voice dripping in venom.
A large smile grows on his face, "This is gonna be a fun semester, see ya." He says. His grin remains as he grabs his backpack off of the floor and swings it over his shoulder. Meeting your gaze, he gives you a lazy wave and passes by your seated frame to head out of the lab room. You stay seated in shock, still trying to process what had just happened. Who the fuck does he think he is? It had taken a few minutes for you to actually get up out of your seat and walk out of the lab room, the interaction you had with you semester-long lab partner, Jean, stunning you into complete silence.
You had finally made your way out of the room after grabbing your own backpack from the floor, your phone in your hand as you typed out a message to your friends.
[Y/N] Got out of lab, where are you guys? Ymir owes me some food
[Ymir] We'll see about that, but we're almost there
You huffed out a sigh, choosing to lean back against the wall of the hallway as you wait for your friends. You keep your phone in your hand down by your side, not having anywhere to put it due to the skirt you wore. It didn't take long for them to arrive after that, however, seeing the pair make their way to you from down the hallway. You push yourself off the wall to meet your friends halfway, because unlike what Jean thinks, you aren't a bitch, let's forget about that 'judgmental' part, though.
"Y/N! How was lab?" Historia asks as you meet the couple, turning around as the three of you walk in the direction you came from to exit the building and make your way to a dining hall.
"Yeah, what'd we miss?" Ymir asks, her bored tone never seeming to leave.
You groan as you think about lab, the mess that it was giving you a headache. "Nothing, really. We just met our lab partners."
"Do we get to choose our partners?" Historia asks, a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"Yeah, you guys can partner up. Just leave me alone, I get it." You sigh dramatically. It wasn't uncommon for the couple to do things on their own, despite them not necessarily being official yet. It took you a while to get used to it, having been friends with them since freshman year and them not hooking up until a few months ago. Despite this, you're happy that they're happy, and got used to being singled out pretty fast. It's not like you didn't have other friends, though, which you did, but being singled out in your main group was a little shocking.
Ymir groans at your sarcastic comment while Historia lets out a small chuckle, the pair having completely opposite reactions. "You know how much I hate whining, Y/N, shut up."
"But you didn't mind when-" Historia begins to mention to Ymir, her head turning to the tall girl.
"Ew! No! No more." You let out loudly, "Please do not talk about your sex life's with me, I love you both too much to know what you do with each other."
Ymir barks out a laugh, "Oh please, Y/N, you go into details about your sex life, which is non-existent, might I add, all the time. Let us have a turn."
"This is totally different though," You point out, "I've known you guys and your sex life's separately for too long, I love you both, but please, I don't wanna hear how you two have sex. It's like hearing how my two sisters have sex, very incest-y, so zip it."
"Ew." Historia mutters at the analogy.
The three of you keep walking, now making it outside to the Quad. The transition between summer and autumn was your favorite, the air not too warm but not too cold yet either. You enjoy the warmth the sun brings but the slight nip of the cool breeze, the sign that autumn was close to arriving. "Where are we eating, anyway?" You ask, not sure where the couple were wanting to eat.
"Survey, they're serving hamburgers today." Ymir answers as the three of you continue to walk.
"Oh thank goodness." You respond excitedly. Your campus provides three main dining halls, Survey dining hall, Garrison dining hall, and MP dining hall. Personally, Survey was your favorite, mostly because they always give you the biggest portions and had delicious food.
The three of you had finally made it to the dining hall, having found a table and sitting down after grabbing your food. As usual, they gave you the biggest portions and the food was delicious.
"Y/N," Historia's voice pulled you out of the trance that was your food, your gaze moving up to meet her kind eyes, "Are you coming tonight?"
Your eyes squint in confusion, her question throwing you off, "Huh? What's going on tonight?" You ask her in return.
"Our brother frat is hosting their 'Beginning of the Semester Bash', remember?"
Oh shit, that's right. You had completely forgot about it, "Oh yeah! Sorry, it slipped my mind but I'll be there." You promise, knowing Historia likes it when the three of you go out.
Her eyes light up at your answer, "Yay! I'm so excited, AOT hasn't hosted a party in forever." She stresses, her excitement obvious as she basically bounces in her chair. Historia's brother fraternity to her sorority, which she's the president of, of course, was known for throwing the best parties, but they didn't throw many, which is why the party tonight is expected to be insane. AOT is the best frat around, mirroring Historia's sorority as being the best as well. The frat was known to be super selective in their recruitment process, only accepting the best of the best guys on campus, essentially the most attractive and smart. You were never into the whole Greek Life part of college until Historia became part of it, and now there wasn't a frat party that you weren't seen at. You had never joined a sorority yourself, but had been invited nevertheless with your relation to the pretty and chatty Historia.
"Do you need us to pick you up?" Ymir asks you.
You shake your head in response, "No, I'm gonna see if Sasha's going and then we'll ride together."
"Ok, good. I wouldn't have picked you up anyway. Let us know, though." Ymir responds as you roll your eyes at her.
After finishing your lunch, you had returned alone to your off-campus apartment that you share with your close friend, Sasha. Slipping the key into the lock, you unlock the door and step inside the apartment. Immediately, your nose was swarmed with the smell of burnt food. Your eyes widen at the unexpected smell and soon began to water at the onslaught of smoke escaping past you into the hallway. You take a hesitant step inside your shared apartment, bringing your shirt up to cover your nose and mouth, just to make sure, because you could barely see a foot into the apartment. A figure suddenly appears in front of you and you instinctively take a precautionary step back.
"Y/N! Oh my goodness, thank god you're here." Sasha says from her spot in front of you. She immediately grabs your arm and pulls you closer into your shared apartment. You let her drag you deeper into the apartment and in the direction of the kitchen off to the side of the open space. You find another figure at the stove, the smoke making it hard to decipher who the mystery person is who just so happens to be frantically wafting one of your kitchen rags in the air in a desperate attempt to dissipate the thick layer of smoke that occupies your apartment. "Please help us, I don't know what happened." Sasha pleads to you.
"Don't know what happened?" The male voice in front of you exclaims, "You burnt the fucking ramen! How do you burn ramen?"
"Shut it, Connie. You fucked up scrambled eggs last week. How do you undercook and burn eggs at the same time?" Sasha retorts, her grasp on your arm still present.
"I cannot believe you guys." You finally manage to let out, shaking your head in amazement at their, to be blunt, plain idiocy. "Go open the windows and the balcony door and start moving the smoke through there, I'll clean up here." You resolve, letting out an exhausted sigh.
After letting most of the smoke out of the small apartment, the three of you had taken your seats throughout the kitchen and living room eating the pizza Sasha had luckily ordered with her knowledge of Connie's cooking skills. You had met Connie just a handful of times, and always at frat parties. He was a member of AOT himself which was an easy invitation to all parties hosted on campus, and with your connection to Historia you've had no trouble meeting him. You knew that Sasha and Connie had met during one of their freshman year classes and had hit it off immediately, their personalities just too similar and complimenting each other greatly. Also meeting Sasha your freshman year, her fun and easy-going personality had you guys hitting it off as well. You had met Connie by chance at one of the frat parties your freshman year when he tried to flirt with you a bit but failed miserably. He was a mumbling mess and kept stumbling over his words, the loud music and your drunken state not helping his case. Your encounters at parties after had been awkward until you found out about his friendship with Sasha, and now in your junior year of college, you see him many more times being Sasha's roommate.
"So, Y/N," Connie begins from his seat on the couch. You turn to face him from your seat next to Sasha at your kitchen island as he continues to ask you, "You coming to our party tonight?"
"Of course she is!" Sasha answers for you, swinging her arm to rest on your shoulders and pull you into her side from her seat on the barstool next to you, "When have you never seen her at a party?"
"True," Connie nods his head in agreement at Sasha's comment of your punctuality when it comes to parties.
"Would you guys be willing to give me a ride, actually?" You ask.
"Yeah no problem, we'll be there early, though. I have to help set up beforehand. You and Sasha can just hang out in my room." Connie gives you an answer.
"Thanks Connie!" You give your gratitude.
You were leaning against the arm of the couch, lazily swirling the mystery contents that occupied the red solo cup in your hand. Sasha and Connie had told you it was his secret recipe with a giggle, doting the name "Titan Fluid" because apparently it really fucks you up. You probably shouldn't be drinking it, which is why you're on your third cup of it. Sasha and Connie were very right about his drink because you are really, really drunk. A new recruit for the frat was currently trying to hit on you and failing miserably. You found out last year that the frat likes to send recruits your way at parties as a little, harmless prank, because they knew you would turn them down brutally. You don't mind it, of course, you also finding it amusing after the first few times.
"So," He begins as you turn your gaze from the dancing bodies to his lazy stance leaning on the wall beside you, "What's your major?"
Your face twists in disgust and slight annoyance at his horrible attempt of small talk, "Ew, no, don't talk to me."
"Oh." Is all he lets out as he rushes past you and disappearing into the bodies in front of you, probably on his way to seek out the members of AOT who dared him in the first place for their condolences.
You take another sip of the odd concoction Connie had thrown together, it tasting a lot better than when you were sober. A new figure had made their way to you and they immediately bring a smile to your face. "Eren!" You exclaim as you wind your arms around his neck, careful not to spill your drink as you give him a hug. His own arms wind around your waist as he reciprocates your hug. "How are you? It's been a while."
"Yeah it has, I've been good though. How was the first day of classes for you?" He asks as you take your place back on the arm of the couch and he leans against the wall beside you, a beer in his own hand as he takes a sip, his eyes set on yours.
At the mention of your classes your mood immediately turns sour, remembering your biochem lab, specifically, your biochem lab partner. You roll your eyes before answering him, "Ugh, don't even get me started."
Eren chuckles at your response, "Really? Tell me about it."
"I just had biochem lab, right? Which isn't a good start anyway because, you know, its biochem, but I got stuck with the worst lab partner ever." You answer before taking a sip of the juice, taking note that you're almost out and need to get a refill soon.
"Shit, sorry, that sucks. What did they do?"
"God, he's just so pretentious, you know? Like, he doesn't even know me and he had the audacity to call me a 'judgmental bitch'." You scoff at the memory, your blood starting to boil at his offensive comment.
"Dude, what the fuck? Are you okay? That's so shitty, I'm so sorry. Who is he? I'll say something if you want." Eren exclaimed worriedly.
You drunkenly shook your head at him, "No, don't worry about it. I don't even remember the guy's name." You give him a smile as a thanks. Eren continues to look at you with concern in his eyes, definitely not as much when you first started talking about your shitty day but it still remains. You take another sip of your almost empty drink when someone entering the room from the hallway next to Eren grabs your attention. No fucking way. Your eyes widen as you recognize who it is, and you immediately grab onto Eren's sleeve to get his attention. His eyes widen at your touch and he brings his eyes to whoever has yours. "That's him!" You stated, shaking Eren's arm slightly.
Once Eren lays his eyes on Jean, he immediately grimaces. "You're kidding me." He groans.
You turn your head to the side to look at Eren, shocked at his reaction of learning who your biochem partner is. "You know him?" You ask Eren, noticing how Eren has refused to take his eyes off of Jean since first seeing him.
"Yeah, he's a piece of shit." He responds to you, his jaw set and his eyes hard. "Stay away from him, alright? He's no good."
You tilt your head to the side, intrigued. "How do you know him? What's so wrong with him?"
"He's part of AOT and he's a dick, just be careful around him, alright?" He asks you, his worried gaze finally leaving Jean to meet yours.
You nod at him, trusting Eren's judgement. "I will, don't worry." You assure him. Finally releasing his arm, you excuse yourself to refill your drink and find Sasha, needing a change of pace for tonight. You had completely forgotten about Jean in that minute of you leaving Eren in search of more alcohol, thanks to your drunken self. You pass the beerpong table where Reiner and Bertholdt were currently losing to Marco and Marlo, a crowd surrounding the table to watch the tense game. You finally made your way to the kitchen to find Ymir pouring everyone shots and Historia leaning on her, a glaze covering her eyes.
"Y/N! Come here." Ymir calls to you as you get closer to her. She hands you a shot when you get close enough, "Here, take this."
"Ymir, this is literally filled to the rim, I'm gonna black out." You point out to her, at least, you're pretty sure that's what you said but you couldn't be sure in your drunken state.
She gives you a large smirk at your comment, "That's the point. Cheers!" She screams the last part, everyone around you cheering in response and raising their cups. You raise your shot glass anyway and take it, the liquor burning your throat as it goes down. "Ew, fuck. What was that?"
"Everclear." Ymir answers with a glint in her eyes.
"Ymir, you bitch." You murmured at her answer, not actually meaning it, of course. "What's wrong with her?" You ask Ymir, motioning towards Historia who didn't take the shot with you and Ymir.
"She's really high." Ymir sighs, "I'm trying to sober her up a bit before we head out."
You nod in response, your eyes still trained on Historia as she giggles into Ymir's shoulder.
"It's not funny," Ymir chastises, "You shouldn't have taken that last hit."
Historia rolls her eyes but grins nonetheless, "Shut up, Ymir."
"I know you didn't just say that." Ymir says, pulling Historia into her side.
You smile at the pair, "Y'all are cute, it's gonna make me throw up." Ymir rolls her eyes at your sarcastic comment. "Can I get a refill?" You ask her, handing your cup over the counter to Ymir. After grabbing it and refilling it with Connie's mystery juice, you ask, "Have you seen Sasha or Connie?"
Ymir nods, "Yeah, they're in the basement smoking."
"Okay, thanks! I'll see you guys later." You say with a wave and a smile, your now fully filled cup grasped in your hand. You move past the dancing bodies and open the door to the basement, the smell of weed escaping past you as you start your descent down the stairs. There you find a small group of people, all sitting in various areas of the basement passing a few joints around. Finding Sasha and Connie, you make your way to them and plop down on the floor of the couch they sit on now, squishing your way between their legs as they discuss some topic you don't care to listen to. Taking a sip, your eyes observe the room. A group in front of you are shouting at a drinking game they're playing, a couple in the corner of the room are making out and seem to be very into it, and a group taking photos on one of the bare walls in the back of the basement. Footsteps descending the stairs had caught your attention from your people watching and you turn to see who had just entered the room. Your gaze meets Jean and Marco's figures as they make their way down the stairs and your heart rate increases from annoyance. You watch as they turn and make their way towards you when Jean's eyes finally meet yours, his eyes widening slightly in surprise before they squint as his face breaks into a large smirk. They're getting closer to you now and you start to panic, not wanting to talk to him at all. However just as they enter your personal space, Jean sends you a wink and continues past you. Marco, however, takes a seat on the floor in front of you, bringing Sasha and Connie out of their discussion to greet him, you doing the same. The three had started up a new conversation, one that you couldn't bring yourself to engage in, Jean's presence souring your mood immediately.
"Do you guys think I'm a judgmental bitch?" You interrupt the three solemnly. All three turn their attention to you, shock written all over their faces at your sudden question.
"Definitely not judgmental, a bitch though? Yeah." Connie answers, nodding his head at his own answer before Sasha hits his arm in retaliation. "Ow!"
"Dude, shut up. You're gonna make her cry." Sasha mutters.
"Of course you're not, why would you ask that?" Marco says from in front of you, his face twisted in concern.
"Just curious." You answer, not wanting to get into it. Marco was about to say something but was interrupted by none other than Jean, his hand slapping onto Marco's shoulder with his eyes set on you, a smirk dancing on his face. You roll your eyes at his presence and move to stand up, "I need a refill, I'll see you guys later." You leave before anyone can mention your already filled cup and make your way out of the basement to find someone else to converse with. You move back to the kitchen, needing a shot, Jean's presence sobering you up more than you'd like. Finding no one behind the kitchen counter, you make your way around it to pour yourself a shot of Everclear. I need something strong, right now.
Just as you were about to take it, a voice behind you pulls your attention from your task at hand. Spinning around, you find Jean with his dumb smirk just a foot behind you, "Pour me a shot?" He asks you, nothing but honey and kindness dripping from his voice. You squint unassured but turn back around to pour him a shot anyway. "Everclear, huh? You really want to get fucked up tonight." He points out as the liquor touches the shot glass.
"Something like that." You mutter back, turning around to face him and hand him the shot. His fingers brush yours as he grabs the shot glass and you quickly bring your hand back to your side after you ensure he grabs the shot, you would hate to leave a mess at your favorite frat house.
"Cheers." He says to you, his mouth forming into a grin as he shoots you a wink. You squint at him as you take it, never breaking his eye contact. You let out a little cough after the liquor goes down your throat, the strong alcohol burning in its wake. "You really like skirts, huh?" He asks, motioning to your chosen attire of the night, and probably due to the fact that you wore a skirt to classes today.
"Hm." Is all you say, not wanting to give him any sort of the satisfaction he's trying to find with conversing with you.
He raises an eyebrow at your response, "Would you like to say anything to me tonight or would you rather me just fuck off?"
That second option seemed very appealing to you, but just as you were about to say so, Ymir grabs your shoulder from behind the counter you rested on, grabbing your attention. You spin around and slightly bend over the counter to hear her better, the loud music and conversations making it hard to do so. "Hey, help me with Historia, she's passed out. Just stay with us tonight, I don't want to leave her alone to bring you back to your apartment." You nod in agreement, not taking a second to hesitate to help your friend. You turn back around to say your goodbye to Jean, feeling like a good person for a little instead of being rude to him (which, to be fair, he deserves it in your opinion), but the thought leaves your mind as you catch him staring at your butt. He shoots his eyes up to meet yours, and he immediately knows he's been caught. He smiles sheepishly but winks at you anyway, his cocky attitude getting the better of him. You scoff and roll your eyes, moving around him to take Historia back to her apartment.
He looks like he's about to say something before Ymir interrupts him, "Hey, pig." Ymir spits at Jean, "Watch yourself." She warns, grabbing your shoulders to move you in front of you and steers you in the direction of the front door.
You let out a relieved breath, "Thanks, Ymir."
"Yeah, anytime." She responds from her place behind you, her hands staying on your shoulders as she guides you out of the frat house.
It had been a while since Veena had been comfortable. The constant feeling of fear and uncertainty had dwindled as the years went by but never went away, a reminder of that time three years ago in Shiganshina.
Veena was only a young teenager at the time of the attack on Shiganshina District. Living with her parents and older sister, she had a happy life living in the quaint yet busy district. Her parents owned a small shop around the corner where she often worked to pass time with her older sister, Olivia. Olivia had been the sweetheart of the district, captivating the hearts of men in Shiganshina and the surrounding districts. She is beautiful, ethereal, and has a way with her words that ensured the likeness of everyone she met. Those characteristics didn't pass well to Veena, however. Veena is pretty, but not beautiful. She's charismatic, but not as much as Olivia. She's well liked, but not as popular. In a way, Veena has always envied her older sister but ever since the fall of Shiganshina, the envy she held for her sister slowly diminished until it no longer existed.
Olivia and Veena were working in their parents shop when the Colossal and Armored Titans destroyed the wall. Veena was behind the counter counting the money they made so far in the day while Olivia was assisting the customers in the shop itself.
"Ven," Olivia called out. Looking up from the cash in her hands, Veena found her sister deeper in the store assisting a man, giving Veena a soft smile with a book in her hands. "Can you check him out? Give him the discount, please!" She asked while handing the book back to the customer, her smile growing larger.
Giving her a small smile back, she looks back down at the cash in her hands. Putting the cash in an envelope, she hears Olivia and the man exchange a few more words. The discount that Olivia gives out isn't much, really, only about 5% off, but she gives it out only to the nicer guys that hit on her. Their parents don't mind either, taking advantage of their daughter's good looks and personality to keep men coming back to the shop. Hearing the customer walk up the the small wooden counter, Veena glances up. Meeting his eyes, she gives him a smile while grabbing the book he handed out to her.
"Just the journal is going to b-"
Suddenly, a loud boom interrupted their conversation. Startled, Veena locks eyes with Olivia across the room, her eyes wide.
"Ven-" Screaming interrupted what Olivia was going to say to Veena. Veena's head snaps to the front windows of the store, breaking eye contact with her sister to see a mass of people running past the store. Now very much scared rather than concerned, Veena puts the book down on the counter and rounds the wooden counter to crosses the store to the set of windows, her gaze set on the chaos outside. Looking out to where the now even larger mass of people are running from, her fear only grows larger. As the smoke dissipates, Veena sees a large titan peering over the wall.
"There's no way..." Veena mutters to herself.
"No way, what? Veena!" Olivia screams at Veena, hearing Veena's muttering over the sound of screaming and shoes on pavement outside. Meeting Veena at the window, Olivia can feel her heart drop into her stomach as she sees the titan for the first time. "Is that...?" She mutters.
Their gaze is interrupted by another loud boom. Casting her eyes slightly downward from the large titan peering at them from behind the wall, Veena sees a large hole in the wall with titans now coming through into the district. Olivia must have seen the event too, quickly grabbing Veena's hand and squeezing it tightly. Veena was frozen in fear, not even wincing at the death grip that Olivia was giving her hand, while Olivia starting shaking in fear, feeling tears form in her eyes as she began to sob. After hearing her older sister's whimpers, Veena snaps out of her daze. Turning to face her sister, Veena grabs her attention.
"Olivia, we gotta go." Olivia's head snaps to meet Veena's gaze, her eyes wide as her heart starts to beat impossibly faster.
"Veena, are you crazy? We can't go out there, there are titans!"
"Are you kidding? We can't stay here, Liv." Veena observes the scene in front of the shop, trying to piece together a plan of what to do. Her mind was scrambling, her eyes fitting everywhere almost all at once, observing the people running by, the titans pooling into Shiganshina, and the large titan that continues to peer at the chaos it's caused.
"Crap." Veena jumps, surprised by the male voice behind her. She had completely forgotten about the customer in the shop. He's peering outside the windows with Veena and Olivia, his eyes wide and breathe hard and fast. This sisters watch as he rushes to the front door of the shop, forcing it open despite the large crowd of people running against the door. Immediately, he's knocked down as the rush of people push past him, no one caring about the grown man knocked to the ground being trampled on.
Olivia starts to sob harder, watching the man being trampled to death in front of her. Staring in horror, Veena struggles to think of a plan to get out of this situation. They need to leave immediately before the titans reach their location and they get eaten, but they can't leave through the front door or else they'll be killed by their own people during the chaos.
"Olivia, we need to go, now." Veena emphasizes to her sister. Turning towards each other, Veena has problem focusing as she watches her sister crumbles to the ground and break down in front of her.
"We'll, um, yeah we'll leave through the back door into the alleyway and follow the crowd. The alleyway should be empty. I'm sure the Garrison is doing something about the crowd right now." Veena concludes out loud. "Liv, let's go." Grabbing her hand roughly, Veena pulls her sister up to her feet and starts to make for the back door on the opposite end of the shop. Pushing the door open, Veena pulls a sobbing Olivia into the alleyway. Looking at the open end of the alley, another large crowd of people are rushing by. "C'mon Olivia." Pulling her sister's hand hard, Veena and Olivia start running to the open end of the alley to the mass of chaos. Meeting the crowd, Veena pushes herself and Olivia into the swarm and beginning sprinting with the flow of people.
It's absolute chaos, the sounds of people's screams and cries are deafening as they run to who knows where. The sight of everything are traumatizing itself, lone children crying for anyone to listen, dead bodies already littering the streets, and destroyed homes.
As they continue to run, Veena can feel Olivia pulling back on her arm. "Ven, what about mom and dad?" She manages to say despite her sobbing and her being out of breath due to the running.
Veena's blood runs cold, forgetting completely about her parents during everything happening. Truthfully, she's doesn't know what to do. She's conflicted, because if she risks finding her parents, her and Olivia's lives are even more at risk than they are now. However, if they were to continue with their current plan, they may not even see their parents again. Veena realizes she has to decide quickly seeing as they're approaching the market where their parent's were shopping at during the time of the break on the wall.
"Fuck, okay," Veena hesitates, "we'll swing by since the market's close, but we're gonna be quick, okay? We can't risk wasting too much time." She concludes as she tells Olivia. She can hear Olivia hold in her sobs, grateful that Veena is taking over in this situation.
Olivia had always envied her sister. Veena had always been headstrong and quick to think and move. She's incredibly strong mentally, never allowing things to bother her, or at least if it does, she never shows it for the sake of those around her. Olivia wasn't dumb like many thought, she knows many girls of the district were jealous of her beauty and charisma and many men wanted her. She knows her reputation in Shiganshina, but never truly understood why her sister didn't have the same reputation alongside her.
Honestly, Olivia was scared. Her mind is racing with thoughts of what will happen, what did happen, and is happening. She desperately wanted her parents here to help them and to make sure they were safe. Olivia felt immensely guilty right now, having her younger sister take over and protect the both of them during a time like this.
Turning right, Veena continues to pull Olivia throughout Shiganshina, weaving themselves around people, rubble, and bodies. After a few more minutes, they reach the almost deserted market. The market was a large area filled with booths of vendors selling anything you need or can think of, however, now it was just an area of destruction. The usually large, empty, area was now littered with broken booths, produce, bloodied bodies, and stone from the now destroyed wall. With barely any people making their way through the area, it was easier for Veena and Olivia to look around.
"Remember, Liv, make it quick. Okay?" Veena tells Olivia. After Olivia makes her understanding known, they separate their hands. Veena and Olivia begin to look in every spot they can for anything to identify their parents with. They look under pieces of booths, around corners, and even under rocks in their desperate search for their parents.
Suddenly, Veena hears Olivia release a scream. Snapping her head in Olivia's direction, just a few feet to the right of her, Veena finds her older sister with her knees on the pavement, her shoulders shaking as she sobs. Veena feels her stomach drop, immediately running in the direction of her sister. Meeting her, Veena feels her heart break at the sight in front of her. Sinking to her knees next to her sister, she too starts to cry at the sight of their parents dead bodies. Veena couldn't believe, just a while ago her parents were leaving the shop with a smile and a wave, claiming they'd be back soon.
Olivia starts sobbing harder and hides behind her hands, not believing her eyes while Veena sits still, tears running down her cheeks as she's frozen, not being able to process what she's seeing. Closing her eyes, Veena leans her head back, facing the sky, and inhales deeply. After she lets out a breath, Veena brings her head back down looking one last time at her parents. As Olivia continues to sob, Veena reaches for her parents' hands and grabs their wedding rings. She pockets them after slipping them off of their fingers and moves to stand up. As she leans back, she feels the ground rumble. Alarmed, Veena looks up and around, trying to find the source of the noise. Wiping the tears from her blurry eyes, the sound continues. Veena attempts to find it while she stands up, getting ready to grab Olivia and run. The rumble gets louder each time it occurs. Footsteps, Veena realizes. Now very alarmed, Veena attempts to get the attention of her still sobbing sister.
"Olivia, we need to go right now." Veena emphasizes, reaching down to grab her sister's shoulders, still searching for the source of the footsteps.
"Ven," Olivia manages to choke out, "I don't think I can go." Her hands still holding her head, covering her eyes.
Veena snaps her head to the back of her sister's, "Olivia, you're kidding me right? We can't stay here, let's go." Veena's grip on Olivia's shoulder's tighten as she attempts to pull her sister up to her feet. Olivia struggles, wanting nothing more than to be with her parents right now.
Veena's eyes sting with fresh tears, "Liv, please, we need to go."
"I can't leave them, Ven!" Olivia for the first time since finding their parents lifts her head from her hands and locks eyes with her sister's. Veena's heart aches more, if that were possible, as she looks at her sister with red eyes and tears threatening to spill out, but trying her hardest to hide it for her older sister's sake.
"Olivia, please, I can't lose you too. Let's go before-" Suddenly, Veena realizes the footsteps are much, much closer than just a minute ago. The thuds becoming louder and louder with each passing second.
"Hey!" Veena whips her head behind her to the sound of the deep voice calling out to them to find two Garrison soldiers running their way. "What are you guys doing? Get to the boats!" One screams as they make their way to Veena and Olivia.
A loud thud distracts Veena however, bringing her gaze to the area before her, locking eyes with a titan standing at the opposite end of the market. Her breathe hitches and her adrenaline rushes through her, her blood turning cold with panic at the sight of a titan just mere meters in front of them. Olivia either doesn't notice or fails to care, continuing to grieve their parents' deaths with her head buried in her hands.
The Garrison soldiers arrive to the sisters, noticing the titan standing just in front of them. "Shit," one of them mutters, "Smith, grab her and run before that titan decides to move for us, alright?"
The other soldier swallows thickly and nods, moving to grab Olivia's elbows to pull her up from the pavement. The soldier that spoke grabs Veena's shoulder, spinning her around and taking her frozen gaze from the titan that still hasn't moved.
"Are you okay? You both need to get to the boats immediately. Let's go." He says to her as he pushes her in the direction the soldiers came from on the opposite end of the market from the titan that continues to stare at them.
"Wait-" Veena tries to reason, not wanting to be separated from her sister.
"No, you need to leave now. Understood? The boats are waiting, you know where they are. We'll deal with her. Just focus on your safety right now." The Garrison soldier interrupted.
Veena knew he was right, in times like this you need to be selfish and think for yourself, no one else. However, Veena had already lost her parents and didn't want to lose her sister too. Veena's mind was racing with what to do, either she stays and risks her life, or she leaves and risks never seeing her sister again, whether that be death or being separated wherever they end up as refugees. She felt herself finally break down. Veena always prided herself in keeping her stress and fear hidden from others, in knowing when to step up and be there for everyone else. But she was tired. As the seconds ticked by, she felt her resolve dwindle little by little until she could barely hold herself up. She felt her eyes stinging with tears, threatening to slip out at any moment. Veena felt sick with herself. She's ashamed that the one thing she prided herself in is failing. She's ashamed that she can't support her sister who needs her right now more than ever, that all she wants to do is run and never look back.
"Liv, please, let's go." Veena pleaded with her older sister as her tears finally slipped out, staining her cheeks. She stood just a meter behind Olivia, watching as Olivia shook her head no. In a way, Veena was mad. She was extremely frustrated at her sister, her collected façade finally fading away at her sister's constant denial to save herself and her sister. Veena felt herself get angrier as the seconds ticked by. Why is her older sister acting like this, a child? Veena shouldn't be the one calling the shots, being the comforting hand in a time like this. She's only so old, being 15 years young and having to save her older sister's life as well as her own.
Veena sense movement in front of her, noticing the titan beginning to move slowly toward the group.
"Shit, Olivia, get your ass up and let's go the boats, now." Veena demanded with her sister one last time, her patience stretching thin as the situation gets worse and her stress level rises.
"Smith, bring this one to the boats," motioning towards Veena, frozen in fear as she watches the titan slowly but surely make its way towards them, "I'll carry that one to the boats. Move now!" the Garrison soldier ordered to the other. Immediately, Smith sits up and makes his way to Veena, grabbing her elbow and pulling her with him to the boats. Veena wants to struggle, wants to stay with her sister, but she can't find herself doing so, allowing the Garrison soldier to pull her in the direction of the boats. After taking a final glance at her older sister, Veena turns around and runs to the boats with the soldier, making a silent final goodbye to her family.
Veena was sitting on the soft grass outside, basking in the cool air of the autumn season as she looked at the calming scenery in front of her. She was enjoying the view when she heard footsteps behind her, the sound of flattening grass causing her to turn her head as she observed who had decided to interrupt her intended time alone that she sets time for everyday. The bright sun behind Veena had blinded her momentarily as she shifted her gaze to the intruder, quickly covering her eyes to protect them from the bright sunlight. She curses, turning her gaze back around to the view of the small town below her from the hill. Veena heard a deep chuckle resonate from behind, the person coming to interrupt her peace and quiet now just inches behind her. Immediately, she scoffs, knowing exactly who is now taking their seat next to her on the grass to join her.
She rolls her eyes, "Shut up, Marco."
He fully laughs this time, always amused by way of conversation. "Oh please, Fischer. You're a dumbass, I can't help it."
She felt herself crack a smile at that, "You're such a fucking smartass, Marco. Now leave me alone, you know 5pm is my alone hour." Out of everyone in the 104th Training Corps, Veena was closest to Marco. After the fall of Shiganshina, she had been alone for years, her witty and quick to engage attitude long gone. Veena never looking anyone in the eye, never stood up for herself, and never bothered to befriend anyone. In a way, Veena did this to punish herself. She greatly regretted what she did to her only sister, Olivia, leaving her to die in order to save herself. Veena had always hated selfish people, but had turned into one even with family involved. Her life had no direction during those years, only living to survive. Granted, there wasn't much she could do as a refugee. She constantly felt like a burden to those around her and the locals made sure the refugees knew that with either their words or their actions. Veena felt empty during those years, at some points just waiting to die, the loneliness and guilt eating at her constantly. Everyday, she wished to go back and do things differently on that day in Shiganshina.
She finally started to feel like less of a burden and more of a person when she joined the 104th Training Corps. Seeing it as a way out of being a refugee, Veena reluctantly signed up and started her training. As the days went by however, she started to actually enjoy herself. She made friends with those training alongside her and felt her burdens slowly lift off her shoulders.
Veena began actually looking forward to being a soldier, getting the opportunity make up for her sins and protect others rather than herself. She trained hard everyday, never backing down without a fight, in hopes to make it to the Military Police to live a quiet and comfortable life. Granted, it would be more rewarding for her to join the Survey Corps or even the Garrison, but even after the fall of her home district, she was still a selfish person on the inside now matter how much she hated it. Veena definitely wasn't the best cadet out there, far from it really, but her dedication to improve had caught the eyes of her superiors and fellow cadets to where she was seen as a respectable soldier, despite her skills. However, she wasn't as skilled as she had hoped, choosing to join the Survey Corps after failing to make the top 10 cadets during her training.
Veena felt Marco place his hand on her shoulder from beside her, giving it a small squeeze as he said, "Yeah, well, dinner's ready. I thought I should be a good person and grab you before all the food ran out and you just got the scraps."
Feeling herself scoff, she muttered out, "Fucking Sascha. I swear, she hasn't gotten better about this food thing after all these years, even with everyone beating her ass about it everyday." Looking to her right, she sees Marco pull a large grin, silently agreeing with her.
"She is crazy, that's for sure." He agreed. "Eat with me, we haven't eaten together ever since our first day of training."
Veena felt her blood boil, getting annoyed with what Marco was requesting despite knowing how his bestfriends act around each other. "Marco, you know I can't do that. Meals are Jean's time with you." She reasoned with him. She loves Marco, she really does, but she would definitely rather spend less time with him if it meant she could avoid Jean.
Jean and Veena used to get along, them two with Marco making an iconic trio. However, Veena and Jean's friendship ended suddenly, for reasons both of them couldn't identify. Now, it's a mutual hatred, both competing for Marco's attention. Granted, Veena knows she doesn't need to prove her friendship with Marco to Jean, very confident that her friendship with Marco is strong. Normally, she would find this type of behavior childish, wanting nothing to do with it. But for a reason unknown to her, Jean frustrates her to no end, to the point of her participating in his childish competition.
Looking to her right, she sees Marco frown, still looking at the scenery of the small town in front of him. "Yeah, I know." He mutters to his friend to his left.
She leaves it at that, feeling Marco's obvious disappointment but not wanting to get into it, knowing her attitude would get the best of her. Jean and Veena's constant competing has affected Marco the most, no doubt. Constantly being called to one of the two while the other is present, having no choice but to be in the middle of whatever their trying to prove to each other. It was hard on him, his usual nice and friendly demeaner running thin when the two of them are together. Veena obviously senses this, so she tries her hardest to either avoid Jean or ignore him, for the sake of her and Marco's sanity. Jean makes it hard to do so, however, loving how he can rile her up and see what reactions he can get out of Veena.
Veena moves to stand up, Marco's hand sliding off her shoulder at the movement. Brushing the dirt off of her pants, she holds her hand out for Marco to grab. After reaching his own to her, Veena helps him up. "C'mon, let's go eat before Sascha gets a chance at the food."
They make their way back to the Mess Hall, the sun now setting behind them. "I'll stop by your dorm after dinner for a little, I promise." Veena says, peering up at the tall man next to her. His happy eyes fit to hers, giving her a warm smile at the promise.
"Good," he says, turning his gaze back to the Mess Hall, "I miss you, Fischer, we don't hang out anymore." He informs her, the pair getting closer to the doors of the cafeteria.
Veena scoffs, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
Marco interrupts her before she can say anything, "I don't wanna hear it, Fischer, I know. It's always Jean. Why can't you guys just get along? Like old times?" Marco asks Veena, he voice softening. He really did miss his best friends getting along.
Veena sighs at that, not wanting to continue the conversation. "I don't know Marco, ask him." She stops the conversation at that. Arriving at the doors of the Mess Hall, Veena gives Marco a small wave and smile as she opens the doors and walks in, "I'll see you after dinner, I promise!"
Marco gives her a small smile back, following behind her and making his way to sit with Jean, Sascha, and Conny. He takes a seat next to Jean, saying his hello's and settling into the conversation at the table. Sascha and Conny are complaining adamantly about training tomorrow, not looking forward to the hand-to-hand combat that was scheduled for the cadets. Jean was listening to the two friends complain, saying things here and there, but never saying too much in the fear that their captain, Levi, will hear, who will not hesitate to enforce the harshest of punishments on his scouts.
"I cannot be paired up with Mikasa again this time." Sascha emphasized to their group, remembering Mikasa landing Sascha on her back every time they re-matched. "She's insane, I was sore for a week after that."
Conny nodded enthusiastically, "She really did beat your ass over and over again, it was impressive you didn't die from embarrassment, honestly." At that, Sascha smacks Conny's arm next to her, "Ow!" He exclaims, rubbing his somewhat sore arm.
"Annie's insanely good, too." Marco butts in, remembering her spar with Ymir just last week.
"Fischer's really good too, definitely not on the same level as Annie or Mikasa, but definitely a good fight." Conny commented, watching her spar last week with Christa. Granted, Christa wasn't much of a fight, but Veena made very good technical points.
Jean scoffed at this, "Please, I could take Veena in a fight." Glancing to a table a few meters in front of him, where Veena sat eating with Reiner and Bertoldt. This made Conny and Sascha laugh hysterically, eyes wide at the claim.
"Jean, you're hilarious! There's no way you'd win in a fight against Fischer, but I'd definitely pay to see you try." Conny managed to let out in between his laughs, his mouth set in a wide grin as he looked at Jean. However, Jean had his hard gaze already fixed on Veena, planning to prove his friends wrong by beating her at training tomorrow. Jean pushes up off the table suddenly, standing up and beginning to make his way to Veena.
"Oi! Jean, where are you going?" Conny calls out to him but Jean ignores him, already close to the table Veena resides at with Reiner and Bertholdt.
"Hey." Veena jumps, startled at the sudden intrusion that interrupted her conversation with her friends. Looking up, she sees none other than Jean making his way to her table. Instantly, her mood sours.
She rolls her eyes, "What do you want, Kirstein?" She asks, fitting her gaze onto his.
"Pair up with me tomorrow."
Her eyes widen, amusement starting to settle in as her lips start to curl into a smile. "Are you serious right now?"
This infuriates Jean, seeing her amusement in her eyes.
"Um, Jean, no offense, but I really don't think that's a good idea." Bertholdt butts in, sitting to Veena's left.
Jean scoffs, "What's that supposed to mean?" He accuses.
"Jean, listen, we don't mean to be rude to you when we say she would easily put your ass on the ground." Reiner points out from across the table, causing Veena's smile to turn into a grin.
She meets Jean's eyes again, "Why would you even want to pair up with me Kirstein?" She asks him, confused by his request.
"Well, Veena, everyone seems to think you're good at hand-to-hand combat." Her smirk grows at this, "But," he continues, "I disagree, you're average, at best."
Immediately, her smirk vanishes and her eyes narrow at him. At this, Jean wears his own smirk, satisfied with her reaction.
"Excuse me?" She asks him, offended. She can't believe his words, her ego definitely wounded as he insults the one of her defining features as a scout. They have the attention of the whole cafeteria now, everyone watching the scene unfold, nervous as to what's going to happen next. Veena and Jean are known to get aggressive with each other, constantly bickering, with some of their arguments almost reaching physical. This sort of thing was common for the group, Jean and Veena always finding something to argue about.
Veena chuckles darkly, standing up from her seat and leaning onto her hands that sit on the table in front of her, eyes set firmly on the man in front of him. Their eyes narrow at each other, trying to figure the other one out. Veena rounds the table, making her way to stand in front of Jean, never breaking eye contact with him.
"Y'know what, Kirstein, why even wait for tomorrow? We can find out right now if my 'skills are average, at best.'" She challenges, blood boiling and adrenaline running. They step closer to each other, challenging each other with their eyes as they continue to stare, eyes never fitting anywhere else. Veena can hear someone stand, the sound interrupting the silence that had fallen throughout the Mess Hall, shoes hitting the wooden floor as whoever it is comes closer to the pair. Eren put his hands on Veena and Jean's shoulders in an attempt to calm the situation.
"Guys," Eren said to the pair, "break it up before Captain gets here."
"Shut the fuck up, Jeager."
"Stay out of this, Eren." Veena and Jean snap at Eren at once. Eren backs off, removing his hands from their shoulders and huffs out a sigh, returning to his table with Mikasa and Armin.
"I'll take you up on that offer, Veena." Jean mutters to Veena, his voice quiet and deep.
Ignoring how he called her by her first name, Veena's eyes widen slightly at the sound of his voice, a shiver running down her spine and her body warming up, not expecting it to sound so deep. She's startled at how she reacted to his voice, realizing that she sort of liked hearing him say her name like that. Scoffing, she rolls her eyes, annoyed with herself.
Jean notices the actions. Thinking her attitude was a result of what he said, he feels his annoyance at the girl grow. He takes another step closer to her, watching as she instinctively takes a step back at his intrusion.
"Watch yourself, Kirstein, don't cross a line with me." Veena warns him, feeling uncomfortable with how close he's gotten to her, not enjoying how her body is reacting to him being so close.
Jean, of course, is unfazed by her warning, staying where he is. If he's being honest, Jean is worried. His body is on fire being this close to Veena and he doesn't understand why. He's never been this close to her, even when they were good friends, and a small part of him doesn't mind being this close to her. However, the majority of him had sirens going off in his head, telling him to back away before he did something dumb.
Before he was able to, though, the doors of the Mess Hall slammed open, revealing Captain Levi alongside a nervous-looking scout. His eyes fall on Jean and Veena immediately. "You two," his voice booms in the quiet Mess Hall, grabbing everyone's attentions immediately. Jean and Veena salute him, turning away from each other and facing their captain. Veena can finally feel like she can breath, the situation far too tense for her liking. "Come with me," Levi orders, turning on his heel and walking outside.
Nervously, the pair follow. After meeting Levi outside, he stares at them for an uncomfortably long period of time.
Jean and Veena stare back, too scared to move or say anything. After a few more long minutes, Jean begins to speak, "Um, Captain-"
"No," Levi cuts him off. "You'll speak when I allow it. Now, one of you, tell me why I just had a scout interrupt my meeting with the Commander so I can make my way over here to break up a potentially physical altercation, which, as I saw when I arrived, was very close to being violent." He orders at the pair, his eyes flickering between Veena and Jean, waiting for an answer.
Veena's heart starts racing, trying to get a grip to give her superior an answer before Jean ruins it by opening his mouth. "I apologize sir," she starts, her eyes meeting Levi's, "Our argument got out of hand, it won't happen again, sir." She apologizes, starting to feel ashamed she let Jean get to her and for things to get so far.
Levi is not satisfied with her apology, he will not condone behavior like this from his squad. "I will administer your punishments tomorrow," Levi informs, "now, finish your dinners and don't let this happen again. You're supposed to work with each other, not kill each other," He warns, "If you desperately want to fight each other, do so during training." He finishes, leaving the pair as he returns to his office.
"You're a dumbass, Jean." Veena breathes out after the Captain is a good distance away. She's exhausted from everything that has occurred in the past 15 minutes, feeling a headache take over. She turns, intending to walk back into the Mess Hall to finish her dinner before bed, seeing as she needs to shower and chat with Marco before heading back to her own dorm for the night.
"Fuck you." Jean counters, saying the first thing that can come to his mind as he trails behind her. She ignores him, and continues to her table. She plops back down on her seat, her elbows resting on the table in front of her. Veena brings her head into her hands, shielding her eyes from the views of everyone and massaging her temples.
"Are you okay, Fischer? What happened out there with Levi?" Reiner asks her, moving across the bench to sit in front of her.
She lifts her head looks at him, "He's deciding our punishments for tomorrow. I just have a major headache right now. I think I'm gonna leave dinner early and head the showers, I'll see you guys tomorrow, yeah?" She says to the two, standing from her seat.
"Yeah, see you. Let us know if you need anything." Reiner ensures, sliding her dinner his way to finish. She smiles at that, appreciating that the food won't be going to waste due to her loss in appetite. She waves them a goodbye, turning around and entering the hallway to head to her dorm to prepare for her shower.
Veena's mind is racing, if she's being honest, not quite used to her reaction to Jean being so close to her. She hates him, that fact is obvious, and the way her body started heating up at his deep voice and close proximity made her feel sick. She decided to ignore this for the time being, pushing it to the back of her mind. Arriving to the room she shares with Christa, Veena walks to her side and begins rummaging through her dresser. Finding her pajamas and grabbing a towel, she begins her trek to the showers. After her shower, she arrives back to her shared room, finding Christa also getting ready for her shower.
"Veena! Oh my god, are you okay? You seemed really stressed out after talking to Levi." Christa expressed her concern, wanting to make sure her roommate wasn't hurt as Levi is known to be harsh with his punishments.
Veena smiled at this, looking at her roommate, "Don't worry, Christa, I'm fine. He's telling us our punishments tomorrow. I'm just exhausted, is all. Jean infuriates me too much. Also, you know-"
"Yeah, yeah, 'Only call me by my last name,' whatever." Christa rolls her eyes. "But Jean can be a pain," Christa agreed, "be sure not to let him get you too worked up, okay? I'm worried about you."
Veena laughs at this, genuinely happy that she has someone to look after her. "Thanks Christa, but don't worry about me, I'll be fine." She promises to her roommate. After getting dressed, Veena turns her attention to Christa, watching as she grabs what she needs to freshen up before bed. "I'm going to chat with Marco for a bit, so don't wait up!" Veena says to Christa as she opens the door, heading out into the hallway. After hearing Christa throw out a, 'See ya!', Veena shuts the door behind her and begins her walk to the other side of the dorms that house the boy's rooms. After walking only a short few minutes, she arrives at Marco's door, giving it a knock. After a minute of waiting, the door swings open to Jean with his shower supplies being carried under his arm.
At the sight of Veena standing outside his door, Jean lets out an annoyed huff, turning his head to Marco, who was sitting on his bed reading a book, already having taken his shower. "You didn't tell me she was coming over, dude. Warn me next time so I can be out of here before I have to look at her."
Veena scoffs at Jean's annoyance, shouldering him to push into the shared dorm room. "Shut it, Kirstein, I'll only be a minute." She says, making her way to sit on Marco's bed with him.
Jean watches her pull herself onto Marco's bed, leaning her back against the wall next to him. "Whatever," he says, "Just be sure you're out of here before I get back." He finishes, heading out the door and shutting it behind him.
Jean couldn't help but feel annoyed. He hated how she was everywhere, whether that be in the same area as him, hearing her name slip out of other people's mouths, or now, even in his head. He hadn't thought of her like this until recently, tonight's events at dinner riling him up. Jean wasn't sure if it was due to annoyance or something else, but his body reacted to her in a way he didn't want to happen again, embarrassed by how caught up in the moment he got. Yes, he likes to push her buttons to see how far he can push her before she cracks (he honestly couldn't believe he almost got her to crack tonight), but tries to restrain himself from going too far, before things get physical or things are said that can't be taken back.
Veena misses hanging out with Marco, this fact becoming much more present as they talk on his bed. They were laughing, Marco bringing up what his friends were talking about at dinner tonight, specifically about what made Jean snap and challenge Veena. She was laughing hard as Marco recounted what Conny and Sascha had said of Jean when he left the table to find her. The door to Marco and Jean's dorm swings open suddenly, causing Veena to halt her laughter and snap her gaze to the front, startled by the sudden intrusion. In walks a topless Jean, his towel hanging around his hips and his hair still dripping with water. Veena's eyes widen an embarrassing amount, her eyes glued to Jean as he steps in the room. Holy shit, Veena thinks, her cheeks starting to burn. Immediately, Veena whips her head to the side, taking her eyes off of the man in the doorway as she shuts her eyes, Ew, she thinks to herself, disgusted that she had this kind of reaction to Jean.
"Fuck dude, put some clothes on next time, yeah?" She shouts angrily at him, her head turning back around to face him, eyes concentrating on his as she glares at him.
Jean scoffs, turning away from her as he rummages through his drawer to find some clothes to change into. "Shut it, Veena, I thought I told you to be gone by the time I got back. Plus, this is my room, don't overstep." He warns her, annoyance creeping up on him. It was embarrassing enough to have to walk around the halls in nothing but his towel, and now he really didn't want to be reminded that the reason he had to do that in the first place was due to Veena's presence. He had completely forgotten about his change of clothes, for some reason his mind wiping clean when he opened his door to her small figure waiting on the other side.
Veena rolls her eyes as she jumps off Marco's bed, smoothing out her clothes after her feet land on the wooden floor beneath her. "Alright, whatever, I'm leaving now." She announces to the pair, turning her body back in Marco's direction behind her. "See ya tomorrow, Marco." She says to him, giving a wave. She makes her way to the door, "Later, asswipe. By the way, stop calling me by my name, you know it pisses me off." She calls out to Jean as she opens their door, continuing through the doorway as she hears him respond with, "Yeah, whatever."
After pulling on his clothes, Jean climbs onto his bed on the opposite wall of Marco's, leaning his back against the wall. He looks at Marco, who pulled his book back out after Veena had made her leave.
"You still like her, don't you?" Jean asks Marco. Pulling his eyes from his book, Marco cracks a smile as he looks back at Jean.
"Oh please, Jean, that was ages ago, I'm over it. You never got over your crush for her, huh?" Marco cracks a smile, the memories of those years ago resurfacing as he turns his attention back to the book in his hand. Marco had always thought about this, assuming the reason Jean had changed his attitude with Veena was because of some dumb crush, but as the days turned into months and the months now turned into years, Marco isn't confident in his theory anymore.
Jean doesn't even hesitate as he scoffs, "I never liked her like that, Marco, you know that. She pisses me off too much."
Marco knows Jean is lying, "I really don't believe you, Jean. You know, it's okay to like her, she's cute, you gotta admit." Marco teases, enjoying this (one-sided) playful banter.
Jean is really annoyed now, "I'm not talking about this right now."
"Life for us is short, Jean, don't waste too much of it with petty arguments and being in denial, yeah?" Marco lectures. Jean lays down now, pulling the covers over intending to go to sleep soon. He can hear Marco sigh, putting his book on the nightstand next to him. As Marco puts out the oil lamp, hiding their room in darkness, Jean can't help but replay Marco's words in his head over and over again, annoyed knowing Marco is right about having a short life in this world.
Yay! First part! I'm not sure how many part there are going to be total, I didn't plan that far ahead. You can also find this work on my Wattpad and AO3 account! I'll be combining chapters here since I'm anticipating over 20 chapter so far and I don't want to have that many on here! Let me know how you think of Save You so far!
After living behind the safety of the walls, the fall of Shiganshina had brought nothing but pain and despair to Veena Fischer's life. However, now a graduated member of the Survey Corps, she finds herself feeling at home with the people she met within those years after the destruction of her hometown. Well, everyone but Jean Kirstein.
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