It all started, as most things concerning their friend group did, at a party thrown by Connie and Sasha, for no other reason than that they felt like it. Almost everybody was out in the backyard; Eren and Ymir were playing beer pong, and most of the crew was gathered around them, jeering and cheering in equal measure. As far as Jean Kirchstein knew, there were only three people in the house. It was the perfect time.

"Tonight's the night, Marco," Jean slurred drunkenly. "I'm definitely gonna ask her tonight."

Marco grinned back just as drunkenly, waving him on from his blanket nest on the floor behind their hosts' sofa. Jean took a moment to appreciate how adorable he looked, before about-facing and marching (staggering) over to the kitchen where Mikasa Ackerman was leaning against the wall, looking as cool and as beautiful as ever. She was gazing outside through the open sliding door, probably keeping an eye on her brother and Armin, and Jean hated to interrupt her life's mission, he really did, but…

"Mikasa!" Jean had never taken such a demanding tone with the intimidating girl before. He wouldn't ever do it again, because the look she gave him was terrifying.

"Kirchstein." Mikasa's head tilted slightly to the left, her lovely dark hair swaying with the motion. "What is it?"

Jean took a deep breath, knowing that if he couldn't ask now, even with all his drunken bravado, he wouldn't ever be able to. "I was wondering, Mikasa – whydon'tyoulikeme?"

He spat it out as fast as he could, hoping she had understood. Standing before her, shifting from foot to foot, Jean felt like a school kid again. He hadn't been this nervous to talk to Mikasa in years; but now, with her fathomless black eyes trained on him, Jean felt his stomach flip.

(The alcohol probably wasn't helping).

"I love you, Kirchstein."

Wh- huh?

Something snapped in his brain when he heard that, Jean would swear it. Mikasa was staring at him, one corner of her mouth ticked up in amusement.

"I'm only saying this because you asked, you know. And you won't hear me say it again. I do love you, you and Bodt both. You're good friends. But I don't like either of you."

The mental whiplash was giving Jean a headache (again, not helped by the copious amounts of alcohol in his system). Once he comprehended the last bit though, he flinched back, stung.

It was ridiculous; he had come over to ask specifically about that, hadn't he? But to actually hear one of the people he admired most in the world say that she didn't like him… Jean rubbed a hand over his heart, as though that would lessen the sting. And Marco? Why on earth would anybody not like Marco? He was the sweetest, kindest, most amazing guy on the planet. Mikasa throwing him in wasn't something Jean would have ever anticipated.

"But why?" He asked, fighting his bleary vision to stay focussed on her face. "We- we're friends, but you don't like us? What did we do?"

Even to Jean's intoxicated self his questions sounded plaintive.

Mikasa turned her head to look outside, where the sound of Eren Jaeger's crowing was distinctive even amongst their rowdy friends. She turned back to Jean, who felt something leaden form in his stomach at the hard look in her eyes.

"Because, Kirchstein. You make my brother a liar."

AN: A lil something! Pretty sure chapters will all be drabble length like this, or at least not much more than 1000 words. Modern AU, obviously. I might explain my AU ideas, might not. They're not all that important, to be honest. Thoughts always welcome!

- Kelly