Summary: Jean takes it upon himself to show his whole school that he’s turned a new leaf, but he didn’t expect his and Eren’s moms to bear witness to the rather embarrassing moment.
Glancing at her watch, Celine smiled.
“Thirty minutes to spare,” she mumbled to herself as she walked around the corner of the city block, her heels clacking with each step. Her eyes honed in on the cozy little café at the end of the block. “Carla should be proud of me this week.”
Celine was barely inside the building before she noticed her lunch date already sitting in a corner, typing furiously at a computer. Her mouth fell into a frown when she noticed Carla’s frazzled appearance. While Mrs. Jaeger was hardly the picture of business, a wrinkled shirt and barely combed hair were unusual even for her.
Rather than order a coffee she walked over to her friend, pulling up a chair.
“Someone is here early,” Celine commented, spooking Carla.
Her friend jumped in her seat, placing a hand over her chest. “Celine! I wasn’t expecting you for another hour… Wait, you’re early today!”
“Perks of managing one of the smaller branches. Same pay but much less hours and work.”
Celine rested her purse on the table as she took a seat.
“Oh I’m so glad to hear. I’m sure Jean must love that,” Carla smiled. “After being away for so long…”
Dark bags drooped under Carla’s eyes but Celine remained silent.
“Yeah, a summer turned into a year abroad but it did him a lot of good. My maman always had a firm hand. Can you believe Jean actually does the dishes and is so incredibly polite? And I haven’t heard from Erwin at all this first semester.”
“Really?” Astonishment evident in Carla’s voice. “Eren has mentioned he’s better behaved even if he’s still hanging with those same hooligans from middle school.”
Sighing, Celine nodded. “I’d heard that but he doesn’t see them after school anymore. I pick him up straight from track. He might’ve been way out of line but he was right, I wasn’t there for him so now I’m going to make sure I am.”
Carla placed her hand over Celine’s, grasping it.
“I’m so proud of you, both of you.”
“Thanks, dear. But that doesn’t explain why you’re here so early, and on a laptop no less. What’s going on?”
At that question the light behind Carla’s eyes faded. She pulled her hand back and reached into her pocket to pull out a tissue. Water formed at the edges of her eyes but she dabbed them away before they fell.
“I suppose it was only a matter of time before you found out, but Grisha… the world learned he faked the results of some of his papers. He’s lost all credibility in the scientific world and the hospital fired him for academic dishonesty. He left home a week ago and never returned,” Carla answered in a hushed tone, sorrow hanging over her words.
“Oh honey, that was his lab in the news?”
“Yes. I thought he just needed some time to clear his head but today he reached out to me. He doesn’t know when he’s coming back and he withdrew most of our savings, his savings. Now we need to move before the end of the month and I need to find a job to provide for Eren and Mikasa.”
A sob escaped Carla causing her to hunch over. She wiped away the tears as they came but she kept her voice steady.
Déjà vu hit Celine like a ton of bricks, unearthing long repressed memories. She trembled thinking about Carla’s situation but soon regained her composure. Placing a firm hand on Carla’s shoulder, she looked her right in the eyes.
“You will get through this, Carla. It’ll be long and it won’t be easy but you’ll do this. Even though it feels like your entire world was wrenched away from you, you’re gonna pull it right back and continue being the best damn mom to those kids. I’ve been in your shoes before and I’ll help you as best I can.”
Sniffing, Carla tilted her head in confusion. “You have?”
“Yes, many years ago. Jean’s dad passed away when he was just a baby and he left me with the most wonderful child to raise by myself. I know it hurts so much and you feel defeated but it’s temporary. The world won’t stop turning because he’s gone. And Eren and Mikasa won’t stop needing you. Just focus on one step at a time and everything will slowly come back into place.”
“One step at a time… I need to find a home. We at least have enough for that and a little while longer,” Carla tried to clear her mind. She took long and deep breaths until she regained her composure.
“Right, and then we can work on finding a date for you to start your new job.”
Carla snorted gracelessly at that remark.
“Start my new job? I need to find a place that’ll take a resume of ‘housewife and mother – sixteen years’.”
“Not a problem, we have an opening at my branch that I’ll hold for you,” Celine offered.
Carla’s jaw dropped.
“R-really? You’d do that for me?”
“Of course! Just focus on the other important things like your kids. They need you.”
For the first time during their conversation, Carla’s expression relaxed and the life returned to her eyes.
“Thank you so much!”
As if on cue, Celine’s phone rang. The two women glanced down to see Erwin’s picture flash across the screen, wearing his usual stern expression.
“I think I might’ve jinxed myself,” Celine sighed, ignoring her friend’s chuckling. She swiped a finger across the screen and took the call. “Hello Erwin.”
“Hi, Celine-”
“Jean again?”
“-yes. We’ve had a rather awkward situation develop and I’d like you to come down.”
Rolling her eyes, Celine gave Carla a dull stare. “Should I bring Carla? We’re currently having lunch together.”
“Ah, give her my regards. Yes, please bring her too.”
Carla cocked an eyebrow until Celina nodded at her, causing her to hang her head. “Oh, Eren…”
“Alright, we’ll be right over,” Celine confirmed. Hanging the phone up, she gestured to the door. “I’ll drive.”
The two women paid the bill and left in a rush. Much to Celine’s surprise, Carla pointed out a quicker route to the school that she was unaware of and beat her personal best time. As they pulled up to park, they saw Erwin waiting at the doors to the school.
“I hope they didn’t get in a fight again,” Celine sighed. Her son was so close to making it one semester without trouble. So damn close.
“Here’s to hoping,” Carla shook her head, unbuckling her belt.
They carefully shut the doors to the Honda Civic before joining Erwin on the sidewalk.
“Carla, Celine, I hope today has treated you well… Or at least as best as the circumstances allow,” Erwin greeted, his eyes focusing on Carla for the latter part of his statement.
“It was,” Celine said. “What happened? What did they fight about this time?”
Erwin frowned, shaking his head. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Good news is that the boys didn’t fight each other for once.”
Celine flinched at those words. “Come again?”
“From what I’ve gathered the boys didn’t fight each other. In fact, Jean defended Eren this morning from his friends.”
“Jean defended Eren? From what?” Celine interrogated the man, disbelief in her voice.
Eren wasn’t a boy that needed defending.
“Mr. Wagner and his little group were harassing Eren about his father,” Erwin started, pausing when Carla’s mood instantly soured. “Jean took exception to this and verbally lambasted them.”
“Oh he didn’t throw a punch, thank goodness,” Celine released a held breath, wiping her forehead she smiled.
“Correct, but he might as well have. His so-called friends saw fit to tape these to every locker in the building.”
Erwin pulled a neatly folded paper from his breast pocket, extending it to Celine. She quickly unfurled it, nearly dropping it when she saw the contents: a grainy picture of her son with large words underneath it.
“’Jean Kirschtein is a faggot’?” Celine read aloud, her blood freezing in her veins. “His friends did this?”
“Yes, we have them on camera. We currently have Jean in the office to shield him from harassment. Eren is also present since he took it upon himself to avenge Jean’s honor,” Erwin informed the mothers. He gestured to the building, “If you’d follow me we can go see them.”
Carla shook her head at the news.
Just as the three stepped towards the building, the doors swung open to reveal Levi dressed in a custodial outfit. “Erwin, get to the office. Now!”
“What?” Erwin tilted his head in confusion as they walked to the building. He quickly realized something was off when he heard the school’s PA echoing in the halls.
“…and the time we thought Connie shat himself on the bus to DC? That was Mina after she ate Taco Bell for the first time. Totally just blamed him and everyone bought it. Oh and she cheated on you Connie with Thomas. And then cheated on him with Franz who then cheated on her with Hannah,” Jean’s distinct voice announced.
Celine placed a hand over her mouth as the color drained from her face. While she listened to her son’s speech she noticed the posters lining the halls. Every locker with a picture of her son’s face with those nasty words underneath them.
“Let’s go, now,” Erwin stated, immediately power-walking for the office. He didn’t miss the smirk on Levi’s face as the janitor listened to the juicy gossip.
“But Thomas, you hypocrite, you’re the one that made out with Franz when you were both tipsy. And I just love how you told everyone you lost your virginity already. News flash, you fucked your stuffed bear Mr. Tinkles and pretended it was a big deal,” Jean continued. Repeated dull thuds could be heard in the background but Jean seemingly ignored it.
Celine kept her mouth bolted shut as she heard her son using such brazen language.
“And what about Franz? You really haven’t done too much. Besides the fact you like to pick your nose and eat the boogers. And that you wet your bed until like three years ago.”
The three adults were almost at a jogging pace when they could faintly hear someone shout, “Liar!”
“Call me what you want but I’m not a pants shitter, a toy fucker, or a cheater. Or a toy fucker. Poor Mr. Tinkles. In conclusion, fuck you three.”
Erwin and the mothers arrived at the principal’s office in time to see Hanji shoulder-checking the door. Each attempt was in vain as the wood held strong.
“Hanji, where are the keys?” Erwin asked, leading Carla and Celine inside.
Turning to reveal crooked glasses, Hanji raised a finger and opened their mouth but no words came out.
“Oh, right. Those,” Hanji eventually spoke.
Quickly retrieving the keys from their pants pocket, Hanji unlocked the door to reveal Jean sitting in Erwin’s chair facing the window with a sorrowful look while Eren was on the floor wheezing. Eren grabbed his sides while laughter wracked his body.
“Jean Alexandre Kirschtein, what have you done?” Celine asked, catching the attention of both the boys.
Jean spun around in the chair, his expression now akin to a deer in the headlights.
“Maman-!”
Carla’s eyes fell to her son who struggled to regain his composure. With a concerted effort Eren managed to stifle his laughter.
“He just straight up murdered Thomas Wagner, Mina Carolina, and Franz Kefka. Good riddance,” Eren explained, wiping a tear from his eyes. “Oh this is the best day of my life.”
Carla covered her mouth with her hand at her son’s reaction. It wasn’t disappointment or anger that kept her silent, but awe. Jean managed to bring a wide smile to her son’s face.
Erwin crossed his arms as he stepped into the room, clearing his throat. “My chair?”
Not needing to be told twice, Jean scampered away from the leather chair and into one of the plush chairs on the side. “Sorry, sir.”
“Why, Jean? They would’ve been disciplined and punished accordingly,” Erwin wondered as he pulled a pink sheet from his desk. He started scribbling on it, looking at the calendar on his desk for the date.
“No offense, sir, but they wouldn’t have learned their lesson. I know them. They’ve never known what lines shouldn’t be crossed and a suspension wouldn’t do anything. Now they know what happens when you go after low hanging fruit.”
Celine pursed her lips, processing her son’s explanation. While she didn’t know what to make of her son’s very public stunt, she was moderately impressed by his reasoning. Not that she’d ever tell him that.
“Ms. Kirschtein, you know the drill. Please sign here that you understand the reason for his detention,” Erwin said as he slipped the pink paper across the desk.
“Only a detention?” She asked.
Even Jean perked up at that news.
“Yes, he’ll be in detention Monday morning for using the intercom inappropriately and slandering students. He’ll be joined by his friends of course but this is no reason for suspension,” Erwin explained.
“Of course, thank you,” Celine nodded as she signed the line.
“You may take him home early today, I don’t wish for any further disturbances to our educational environment.”
“Okay, thank you.” Celine turned for the door when she noticed Carla. Before she could respond Carla held up her hand.
“It’s ok, I’ll get a ride with Levi. His shift should be ending soon and he was due to clean our house today. Go home Celine.”
Smiling, Celine replied. “Okay. We’ll talk about the other thing later. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything else. Now, come along Jean.”
Carla nodded.
Jean got to his feet, shoving his hands in his pocket and keeping his eyes to the ground. Before he got too far, Eren called out to him.
“Hey, Jean. Thanks,” Eren grinned at him.
Jean returned a tiny smile and shrugged. “No problem.”
Celine almost tripped upon hearing those words but thankfully caught herself. Today was really full of surprises.
Summary: Homecoming has arrived and neither Eren nor Armin know who Mikasa’s date is. Carla enjoys her son’s shock when their guests arrive.
Part 1 | Part 5
“Come on, Mikasa. Who’s your date to Homecoming?” Eren asked, crossing his arms.
“Eren, stop prying and don’t wrinkle your suit!” Carla warned him, waving her finger at her son. “I’m sure you’ll find out whenever he comes to get her tonight.”
“Can’t be Connie cause he’s going with Sasha… Maybe Floch? God I hope not. And it can’t be Armin for obvious reasons.”
“Eren stop trying to guess and just wait,” Mikasa shook her head. She didn’t bother to make eye contact with her adopted brother while she finished applying her eyeshadow. “I’m not going to tell you.”
“Well whoever it is better treat you good,” Eren frowned. Not that Mikasa needed any defending but the thought of someone mistreating her stirred his fury.
“I don’t think she would’ve asked them out if she didn’t think they would do that,” Armin chimed in from the doorway.
“Them? Did she ask a girl?” Eren wondered, quirking an eyebrow. Rather than give it much thought his eyes fell to his best friend. Armin wore a light blue button down shirt with a navy blue tie. Eren’s heart skipped a beat at how cute he looked. “Looking good, ‘Min.”
A pink blush dusted Armin’s cheek at the compliment.
“He’d look even better if he wore the outfit his grandpa picked out for him,” spoke a deeper but distinctly older voice from behind Armin. An older man emerged with a wide smile, placing his hands on Armin’s shoulder. “Isn’t that right, ma’ boy?”
“No one wears sweater vests anymore, grandpa,” Armin sighed.
“I disagree! Gentlemen of class still wear them proudly,” Armin’s grandpa laughed heartily, gesturing to his own sweater vest.
He walked into the room with his grandson trailing in behind him.
“Armin can wear what he likes,” Eren shrugged, taking another quick once over of Armin.
At that comment, Armin’s grandpa stepped forward and loomed over Eren.
“And what are you intentions with ma’ boy, Eren? Just ‘cause you’re now in the neighborhood and I’ve known you since you were a tadpole don’t think I won’t judge you any less if you-”
“Grandpa!” Armin interrupted, his face a deep red. “We’re just going to Homecoming! This isn’t a date!”
“He’s made advances on you, ma’ boy! I’m just saying-“
“I’m going to give him the best night of his life,” Eren answered, looking Mr. Arlert in the eyes.
A wide grin broke across his wrinkled face.
“That’s what I like to hear! Mikasa, make sure they don’t get in trouble. Oh, and that’s a beautiful dress. Red really is your color.”
“Of course, thank you,” Mikasa smiled, glancing down at her low cut dress.
A knocking at the door drew the attention of those in the now crowded bedroom. Everyone looked to see Levi dressed in a suit with a pristine white shirt and black tie in the hall.
“Mikasa, your date is here,” he informed her.
“Thanks, uncle,” Mikasa smiled. “Can you tell him I’ll be down in a few minutes?”
“Sure, I can do that,” Levi returned an uncharacteristic smile.
As Levi turned to go down the stairs, Eren and Armin both jumped to their feet to see who Mikasa would ask as a date to Homecoming.
Carla wasn’t too far behind since she knew there’d be another guest to attend to as well. She descended the stairs in time to see her son’s jaw drop and Armin go wide-eyed. Walking past the two boys she went to greet her two guests.
“Welcome to our home,” Carla spoke, her voice warm.
Eren barely kept his voice down as he vocalized his shock.
“K-K-Kirschtein?!” Eren gawked at the boy and his mother.
Jean wore a scowl, along with a crimson button down and black tie.
“Good to see you too, Jaeger,” Jean replied.
Eren’s shoulders slumped as he hung his head. “Mikasa asked you? You weren’t even on the list…”
“List? What list?” Jean narrowed his eyes, unsure how to process that statement.
Armin giggled, taking a seat on one of the sofas in the room. He explained, “We had a bet going to try and figure out who was Mikasa’s date. You never crossed anyone’s radar.”
Jean rolled his eyes, going to take a seat by Armin. “Just cause the entire grade hates me doesn’t mean I can’t get a date to Homecoming.”
“They don’t hate you, they fear you. There’s a difference,” Eren grinned. He joined the other two on the couch. “No one’s ever crossed you since you pulled that stunt last year. Mina, Thomas, and Franz never knew what hit them.”
Jean’s scowl faded into a smirk at the memory. “They deserved it. Trying to make fun of you for your dad was bullshit and I told them that. I don’t regret fucking them over.”
“Jean, language!” Celine snapped at him, causing him to straighten up in his seat.
“Yes, maman!”
Celine shook her head, turning to face Carla so only her friend could see her wide grin.
“Boys,” Carla whispered.
“Yes, yes, but I have to at least try,” Celine stifled her laughter. Her eyes bounced around the room as she took in the details. Plenty of seating, lots of pictures of Carla and her kids, a few decorations, and of course the remnants of the luxurious furniture of her previous house. “This place looks a lot more like home than the last time I came here.”
“A lot can change over a year. You really should visit more often, you live just a block away!” Carla said, placing her hands on her hips. “Just because you’re my boss doesn’t change the fact we were friends well before that.”
“True, professionalism and social life blur together so much these days anyways,” Celine sighed. “I’m glad you’ve adapted so well.”
“Thanks again, truly. I wouldn’t be this well-adjusted without your help. Or theirs,” Carla gestured to Levi and Armin’s grandpa who were lost in their own conversation.
“It’s what friends are for,” Celine stated, placing a hand on Carla’s shoulder.
“So,” Eren spoke. “I thought you did that because they posted all that stuff about you in the halls.”
Shaking his head, Jean explained, “Nah that was just the final nail in the coffin. I don’t care what people say about me. I tormented enough people in the school that no one really likes me anyways.”
“Oi, Kirschtein,” Levi called out, grabbing the attention of the boys on the couch. “All that shit you said about those brats, was it all true? I’ve always wondered.”
Celine and Carla paused their conversation as their curiosity got the better of them.
Smirking again, Jean shrugged.
“Some of it sure but adding a little exaggeration to the truth can do a whole lotta damage.”
“Wait, so did Thomas actually screw his teddy bear?” Eren asked, leaning into Jean’s personal space.
Jean snorted.
“Hell no, but now everyone thinks he did.”
Levi laughed loudly at that.
Despite being over a year later, Celine was still impressed with her son’s brash behavior that day. His revenge was brief, public, and cut deep. She almost felt pity for those three kids if they she didn’t know what they were like.
Walking over to the couch, Levi positioned himself over Jean and placed his foot on the leather cushion between Jean’s legs. He rested his elbow on his elevated knee and glared down at him.
“While I do like your spirit I will warn you. If you ruin my niece’s night I will come for you like a hawk. I know where you live and where your locker is. You better have the best intentions,” Levi threatened, his glower draining the blood from Jean’s face.
“Y-y-yes, sir!”
“Good,” Levi smiled again before dropping his leg and walking back over to Mr. Arlert, who nodded in approval.
Celine hid her giggling behind her hand. Although Levi was barely over five feet she respected how he always managed to make his presence intimidating.
As if on cue, the clack of heels drew the boys’ attention to the stairs.
Mikasa descended while holding her long, red dress just above her feet so she didn’t trip. She wore her usual stoic expression but the light blush added some color to her usual pale skin.
Jean’s eyes widened, swallowing at the sight in front of him. His hands started trembling so he shoved them under her his thigh.
“Hey, Jean,” Mikasa greeted cooly.
“H-hi,” Jean stumbled over his reply, infinitely thankful his voice didn’t jump an octave.
Celine’s heart skipped a beat at her son’s display. Bittersweet memories crept into a smile on her face, expressions that she hadn’t seen in almost two decades now danced across her son’s as he took in Mikasa’s beauty.
“You are your father’s son,” Celine mumbled, not noticing Carla’s eyes glance at her for a second.
“Okay, picture time!” Carla announced. “Jean and Mikasa, please stand right in front of the mantle.”
Nodding, Mikasa strolled over to the fireplace.
Jean almost tripped while standing up but Armin quickly caught him.
“Thanks,” Jean whispered to him, earning a nod from his friend.
The pair stood side by side in front of the mantle, inches apart. Jean wore a nervous smile while Mikasa kept her usual stoic expression.
“Get closer and put your arm around her, Jeanbo. This isn’t a family picture,” Celine waved a hand at them.
A deep blush colored Jean’s face red.
“Mom!”
“What? Get a move on, your ride will be here soon.”
Taking a deep breath to calm the butterflies in his stomach, Jean looped an arm behind Mikasa’s back and rested his hand on her hip. He gently pulled her closer. To his shock and joy, Mikasa closed the distance between them and leaned into his shoulder.
“Perfect,” Celine exclaimed as she clapped her hands together. She pulled out her phone and started taking pictures next to Carla. The pair took their sweet time trying to find the perfect angles.
Meanwhile, Levi glared daggers at Jean who did his best to ignore the icy stare of death.
Armin laughed at the display going on around him but his eyes fell to his date, who he found also gazing at Jean. He followed Eren’s eyes to Jean’s outfit. Despite the loose fitting jacket and pants, Jean really did clean up well.
“I thought I was your date,” Armin whispered to Eren, nudging his side.
Eren jumped in his seat, pink tinting his cheeks lightly.
“Y-you are!” Eren defended himself.
“Jealous of Mikasa?” Armin teased his best friend. Rarely was Eren ever flustered and Armin intended to milk the moment.
“Of horseface? As if,” Eren shook his head, vehemently denying the thought.
“I can hear you,” Jean snapped at the pair.
Before the situation could escalate, a knocking at the door drew the high schoolers’ attention.
“I think your ride is here,” Carla announced, finally done picture taking.
“Our ride? Isn’t your mom driving?” Jean asked Mikasa.
“Nope, there’s a reason my uncle is dressed up,” Mikasa informed Jean as she walked over to the door.
The door opened to reveal Erwin Smith dressed in a light blue button down shirt with a black tie, all underneath a sweater vest. Behind him the kids could see a minivan parked in the driveway.
“Hello, Ms. Ackerman,” their principal greeted. “I’m here to take my date to Homecoming.”
“One thing first,” Mikasa spoke, her voice low. “What are your intentions with my uncle?”
Summary: Raising their boys was never easy but Jean’s penchant for trouble, Eren’s brash nature, and middle school were their own special challenge for Celine Kirschtein and Carla Jaeger.
“Yes maman, I’d run all the branches in Sina county! It’s a big promotion,” Celine spoke, pride radiating in her tone. She placed her purse on her desk with a dull thud as she prepared for the last part of her day. Glancing at her watch she smiled. “The hours are a tad bit longer but the bonus and raise more than compensate for it. No more scholarships to keep Jean enrolled at Trost Prep, and just in time for high school!”
Celine sat down at her chair, still trembling from excitement of her last meeting. Her hard work and long nights finally paid off in dividends.
“I’m so proud of you, honey,” an elderly voice, her mother’s, congratulated. “But what about Jean? You barely see him and your window before college is closing. Providing is important but so is being there for him.”
“He’ll understand,” Celine sighed, her gaze falling to a portrait of her son in a track uniform on her desk. “I’ll finally be able to get us into a house and out of those shabby apartments.
“Well don’t forget to take a break and make time for him and me. I haven’t seen you two in forever. Why not come up for the summer now that school is out?”
“I can’t stay the whole time but I’m sure we’ll find some time to come up.”
Filing the idea of a vacation to the back of her mind, she thought about going north to see her mom. It really had been years since they visited.
“You could come up tomorrow and I’d be ready,” her mom joked.
“Of course, maman,” Celine rolled her eyes. A beep from her phone drew her attention away from the conversation. The screen read Carla Jaeger. Shit. “Maman I need to go, an emergency meeting just got on my schedule.”
“Always so busy, but carry on. Don’t forget to visit!”
“Bye!” Celine said before pressing the icon to switch callers. “Hello, Carla. What’s going on?”
“Hi Celine. I’m sorry to call out of the blue but Mrs. Bodt just reached out to me about something going on at the school and I don’t know what’s going on but she said we needed to get there immediately.”
“Maria? Is everything okay?”
Celine was already throwing her belongings into her purse and glanced at one of her coworkers. They exchanged knowing looks before Celine power-walked to the door.
“She mentioned drugs and graffiti and fighting but I couldn’t make heads or tails of it… I hope the boys are okay.”
“Thank you for calling, Carla. I’ll see you soon.”
Hanging up her phone, Celine pressed the button for the ground floor button repeatedly as the elevator door closed slowly. She crossed her arms and tapped her fingers against her biceps to remain calm. Calls from Erwin she got used to and accepted but if Carla Jaeger called her directly that never bode well. There was a reason they exchanged numbers in the first place after all. The boys had been so good after the joint birthday all those years before, even if it was just tolerating each other.
Her dated Honda Civic made great time on the streets when she considered the speed limit a suggestion rather than a law. She reached her son’s school just ahead of two other familiar vehicles. Even from her car Celine could see a group of students on the side with spray cans but they scattered amongst the grass along with a pile of students.
Jean’s mop of light brown hair stood out in the group of fighting students.
Anger pulsed through Celine’s veins as she slammed the car door shut. Before she could shout at the students another person beat her to the punch.
“Oi, shitheads!” A male voice called out as he sprinted over to the kids. They didn’t have enough time to even untangle when he arrived, easily pulling the kids apart.
“Levi, language!” Carla called after the man, quickly chasing after him.
Celine shrugged, briefly thankful for the man vocalizing her thoughts, and followed her as well Maria Bodt who ran after Carla. By the time they arrived Eren, his sister Mikasa, and Armin were sitting on one side of Levi while Jean, and his group of friends sat on the other. Marco sat a bit away from everyone, pale and shaking.
Jean sat with his arms crossed, covered in grass stains, dirt, and bruised up. Traces of bright purple were on his hands and shirt. His friends and Eren’s friends were in similar states of mess though Eren’s group lacked the purple paint.
Celine stared at the side of the school where in bright purple Trost sucks was written but the last s was a mess as if someone interrupted the ‘artist’.
“Jean Alexandre Kirschtein, what is going on?!” Celine demanded to know.
The blood drained from Jean’s face upon seeing his mom.
“M-m-mom?” Jean stuttered as the kids took into account the new adults.
“Eren Grisha Jaeger!” Carla yelled at her son. “What happened?”
“Th-th-they were spraying the school and we told them to stop,” Eren started to explain.
“No we didn’t, you were the ones spraying the school!” One of Jean’s friends alleged.
Celine narrowed her eyes, glancing over the kids. She confirmed her previous observation that Eren, Mikasa, and Armin lacked any paint on them. That was until Eren turned around and revealed a giant patch of purple paint on his back. Not even a kindergartner was that bad with spray paint.
As much as she wanted to trust her son’s friends, history had proven that wasn’t always the right choice.
“Y-yeah. Eren and them were-” Jean started to reply, his voice shaky.
“Don’t lie!” Marco shouted, tears at the edges of his eyes. “You guys smoked and thought it’d be a brilliant idea to graffiti the school. Eren tried to stop them while I called my mom.”
“Marco, you tattletale!” Jean squawked back, his eyes wide and filled with betrayal.
“Marco please go get Mr. Smith,” Celine gestured to the building, taking a few steps towards her son. She grabbed him by the ear and yanked him to his feet. A quick sniff confirmed Marco’s statement about the smoking. “Marijuana, property damage, fighting, and then lying to me?”
“Ow, ow, ow! I didn’t lie, it really was them!” Jean tried to shift the blame but never made eye contact. His gaze stayed focused on a rather interesting patch of grass.
“Don’t you lie to me young man! I raised you better than that.”
To Celine’s astonishment, Jean pulled away from her and glared at her.
“Raise me? You never raised me! You’re always at work and too busy to be with me,” Jean disagreed, puffing his chest out more.
Was that what this was about?
Goosebumps ran down Celine’s arms at her son’s defiance, her jaw dropping at his words.
The others watching immediately quieted at Jean’s brazen words. Even Carla and Maria Bodt were taken aback.
“Not raise you? Who do you think puts the food on the table? Who pays for you to attend the best possible school so you can have the opportunities your father and I never had? Who cleans after your messes and buys your videogames? I work late hours so you can have what you want and what you need,” Carla narrowed her eyes, reminded her son.
“What I want? Who said I ever wanted any of that! You’re never there to take me to school or track, never there in time to cook dinner. The only people who’ve ever been there for me are them!” Jean pointed to his friends, who nervously stared between themselves, then moved the finger to his mom. “You’ve never been there for me.”
That last statement felt like a dagger of ice was driven in Celine’s heart and someone twisted it as her blood chilled. To be called out by her son publically after he caused such a ruckus was definitely a new low, and her normally porcelain façade cracked but didn’t shatter.
“Don’t point your finger at me young man,” Celine replied, her voice eerily calm. She didn’t register Marco returning with Erwin and Hanji when the grass crunched below their feet. “Now I know I haven’t always been there for you but I’ve always provided, and clearly those that have are a bad influence. Drugs, fighting, and vandalism are nothing I taught you. Perhaps you learned lying from me since I’ve been telling myself the same one every day: that my son is capable of being a mature and smart young man.”
Jean’s proud appearance fell to his mom’s quieter tone. He flinched at her unusually harsh words, nothing like what he’d seen before. They were stoic, pointed, and hard. “Mom…”
“Perhaps you need a more constant and better influence. Go to the car.”
Jean wrinkled his nose at the idea, anger bursting forth once more.
“Why? So you can leave me at home and go back to work?!”
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Celine shook her head. “No, so we can pack your bags. You’re going to spend the summer with grand-maman so you can learn proper manners.”
Jean’s face fell at her punishment. “Wh-what? But what about camping with Marco? He’s moving at the end of the summer!”
“You should’ve thought about that before pulling this stunt. While he’s clearly the best influence in your life I’ve made up my mind. I can’t be there for you during the day and those that have are worse. Maybe you’ll finally grasp that actions have consequences at the end of it.”
The expression of utter hurt that crossed Jean’s face cut his mother deeper than any of the venomous words he hurled at her.
“But-!”
“No buts. Car. Now!” Celine pointed at the car.
Water formed on the edges of Jean’s eyes, threatening to fall. His shoulders slumped over as he dragged his feet to the car.
Celine turned to face the others, a strange mixture of calm and hurt.
Even Erwin remained tight lipped until he heard the door of the Honda Civic slam shut.
“Ms. Kirschtein you may go home and discipline Jean. We can talk about this mess later,” Erwin offered, much to Celine’s relief. “I can get the perpetrators this clean this later.”
“No, we do this now,” Levi disagreed.
Those present turned to see the smaller man already back with a giant blue bucket full of steaming water and equipped with a belt of various spray bottles, brushes, and pristine white cloths.
“And you are?” Erwin quirked an eyebrow, doing a once over of the smaller man.
“Levi Ackerman, Mikasa’s uncle. These brats can get this cleaned in 10 minutes if they put their backs into it.”
Cracking a tiny smile, Erwin looked at Jean’s friends. “Well you heard the man, get to it Mr. Wagner, Mr. Kefka, and Ms. Woods.”
The kids grumbled but got to their feet, trudging over to the small yet intimidating man.
Celine stifled a chuckle at the bemusing sight before taking her leave. She had plane tickets to buy and clothes to pack after an incredibly quiet car ride.
---
The looming shadow of high school prepared Carla Jaeger for many changes: her children going through puberty, the inevitable birds and the bees talk, failed tests, perhaps more fights involving her brash son, and Mikasa inevitably bailing him out. But it was the little things she could never anticipate like her son’s spontaneity. She was curled up in a warm blanket watching Wheel of Fortune while her husband sat in front of the fireplace in his armchair deep in thought reading a novel when Eren boldly strode into the room with Mikasa on his heels.
“Eren-” Mikasa tried to warn but he cut her off.
“Mom, dad, I’m gay,” Eren declared, placing his hand on his hips while wearing a wide grin.
Mikasa sighed, falling to the floor and sinking into her face into her crimson scarf.
Carla blinked twice before her husband slammed his book shut.
“You’re what now?” He asked.
“Gay.”
“Really?” Carla replied, shock slowly sinking in. She hadn’t prepared for that. And neither had her husband apparently.
“Why do you say that? Did you just decide to be?” Grisha Jaeger wondered, his tone hardening. “You’re just about to enter high school.”
“Nope, I just realized it,” Eren shook his head.
Carla shook her head, smiling at her son’s silliness. “Honey, why do you say that you like boys? Do you have a crush on someone? Is it Armin?”
“Carla, don’t encourage him!” Grisha sighed.
“No, Armin likes pots,” Eren shrugged.
His two parents were speechless by that statement, unsure what to make of it. The sound of Mikasa smacking her head with her hand broke the silence.
“That’s not what pansexual means,” Mikasa mumbled into her scarf.
“That’s not important, honey. What matters is that we support you, whatever your preference is,” Carla smiled. While not an outcome she expected it didn’t change her love for her son.
“I’ll be in my study for the evening,” Grisha informed his family, a frown on his face. “We have an important paper that’ll decide the fate of my lab so please don’t disturb me with any more inane news.”
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Summary:
Many regrets haunted Jean during his time at the Survey Corps. Between the countless split-second life and death decisions only one truly tugged his conscience repeated: the loss of Marco in Trost. He often wondered what would’ve changed if his friend had lasted the battle, but he never expected to see that thought play out with a minor caveat…
AKA Jean Kirschtein is thrust into a world where most of the events he’s familiar with played out except one key fact, Marco didn’t die in Trost. He did.
Excerpt:
“Marco! Lure it towards us. He only wants you right now,” Jean shouted.
Upon hearing Jean’s words, Marco swallowed a lump in his throat. He fired an anchor into a tower as he flew past it. Allowing his momentum to carry him, Marco swung around the tower and back towards his friends while the titan gained on him. It tripped over itself as it tried to chase Marco back in the direction it came from.
“Ok, get ready!” Marco shouted. He saw Jean and his squad perching themselves on some buildings. Landing in the street near them, he turned to face the noble titan. His legs trembled at the sight before him. Moments like this made him question why the military chose white pants for their uniforms. Perhaps it made seeing injuries easier. For Marco he was pretty sure his pants were going to be yellow at any moment. Or brown.
When the titan dove for Marco, he attempted to fly away.
“Now’s our chance, go!” Armin shouted.
Jean, Armin, Connie, and Sasha attacked the legs like Armin stated earlier. All four landed their blows successfully. The brief sense of accomplishment died when they heard Marco shouting.
“Let go of me!” Marco yelled. A large hand wrapped around his body, pressing a hand and blade into his side. With his free hand, Marco tried uselessly to cut himself free.
The sight of Marco trapped in the titan’s clutches froze the blood in Jean’s veins. His heart and throat clenched as panic surged through his body along with adrenaline. Rather than be immobilized by fear, instinct propelled him forward.
