Hey guys! I'm redoing this fanfiction with a different pairing in a different universe. Grimmjow and Ulquiorra weren't really working with me on this story, so I changed it to Jean and Marco.

This is a Boy X Boy story which will have an eventual lemon and other mature themes, so if you don't like that stuff, please don't read this and review hate on it. Thanks~

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin. I just own the plot-line of this story. That's all.

Please review!

Enjoy~

April 27th, 2013

It could be classified as love. Maybe...

We had been "dating" for about 8 months. I say that lightly, as he would rather die than be associated with me. I was the quiet nerd. He was the popular jock, the star athlete of our school. I was the person everyone avoided except when they needed me to copy my homework. He was the person boys wanted to be and girls wanted to date. So why did he pick me?

August 22th, 2012

It was the first day of my senior year. And I expected it to be just like all the other first days in my school career. All the girls were squealing and hugging each other, commenting on each others' haircuts and tans. All the boys were "bro-hugging" and fist bumping, teasing each other and rough housing. And then there was me, standing off in the corner, alone of course, silently observing all the reunions happening around me.

I rolled my eyes slightly at all the idiocy of it. In a few days, most of the reunions would be forgotten in the flow of drama. If two girls are best friends and they happen to like the same boy, prepare the popcorn for the coming storm. If two guys like the same girl, it becomes a contest to see who can get in her pants first. And then when she chooses one or the other, or neither, prepare the popcorn again, as this fight could get nasty.

So that's why I keep to myself. And everyone avoiding me helps. It's really not that bad, being a loner and a freak. You don't have to compete for the prime seat next to the head cheerleader, or worry about if someone is flirting with your boyfriend or girlfriend. The only downside is when you like someone, they probably hate you and wouldn't been seen talking to you, let alone date you.

And that's where my sole issue with being a loner came in. I liked someone. Well, my heart knew that it was love, but my mind refused to believe that, saying it was "just a phase" or it was "just a crush". But whatever it was, I liked him.

Yes, I'm a guy and I like another guy. Go ahead. Call me a freak who is going to hell for loving a person of the same gender. I really don't care anymore. I've been called worse.

But anyways, I liked him. A lot. I've liked him since 7th grade. Long time, I know. But I would wait forever for him. Which I will probably end up doing. There was no way in hell that he would even look at me except for teasing me. So I'll be content knowing that he actually notices me, even if it's only to shove me into a locker or make me drop my books.

But I can deal with that.

The first day went by fast yet slow. It went slow because I had no one to talk to while the teachers droned on and on about their classes and what to do in a fire drill. It went by fast because I had him in all of my classes. I could spend all day staring at him, wanting his arms to wrap around me in the midst of a pleasure filled night. But I don't. I don't want to be considered any creepier than what everyone thinks already. I only take passing glances when he's not paying attention to someone in my general area. But I'm content with that.

Anyways, the end of 7th period came way too fast, and before too long, I was heading out to my car. On the way, I heard multiple conversations going on about the huge party at Jean's place. It's no new information. He has had a party the weekend after school starts since the start of seventh grade. Which was the first, and last, time I had any positive interaction with anyone outside of my family. And I will not make that mistake of going to a party again.

Well, I might...

It's hishouse and his party. And it's my senior year, so I really have nothing else to lose. I'm not going to pay attention to anyone but him this year, and I doubt I'll see anyone once the year is done. So I might as well go to the party.

So what could go wrong?

August 23th 2012

I had no clue as to why we started school on a Wednesday. Maybe to ease us back into school after having several months off for summer. But who knows. All I know is that the teachers give homework to the upperclassmen by the second day of school, while the freshman get to remain free to do what they want in the evenings after school, until roughly the second or third week of school. So much for easing us into the swing of things.

But I didn't mind the homework. It's not like I had somewhere to go or someone to meet. So homework was a welcome distraction from my "loneliness" or "lack of friends". It didn't bother me that I didn't have any friends, but it bothered my parents. And besides, less friends means I have more time for my family.

I am the oldest out of four, two sisters and one brother. My oldest sister, Christa, turns 14 in a few months, making her an 8th grader. She jokes that we're both seniors, because she's in the highest grade in the middle school. My younger brother Bertholdt, the third in the family, turns 11 about a month before Christa has her birthday. And my littlest sister, and my personal favorite out of my siblings, is Mikasa. The bubbly, carefree 6 year old Mikasa is one of the reasons why I don't mind being a loner. Because, if I had friends, I wouldn't be able to spend as much time with her as I do now. Even though I love all my family members, I love Mikasa the most.

My parents are very good parents, looking out for each other and for their four kids. Nowadays you see tons parents getting separated or getting a divorce. My parents would never do that. From what I know of love, my parents have had it throughout their 20 years together and will continue to have it for, well, forever.

Anyways, back to my family. My mother's name is Hanji and my father's is Levi and they do an amazing job of keeping all four kids in line. My parents often have me take care of my siblings, since I'm never doing anything outside of school. Which I was doing at that time.

I pulled into a parking spot at the town's elementary school, going to pick up Mikasa, when I saw him. He was standing in front of his car, looking bored out of his mind. I cringed when he looked over at me, not knowing what he would do. Instead of the bullying that he normally did, he motioned with his hand for me to come to him. I was shocked. The most popular boy in the entire high school, and my long-time crush, wanted me to go over to him? Well, I wasn't going to waste an opportunity to talk to him, so I went over and stood next to him.

I waited for him to speak first, not wanting to seem creepy or annoying. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long.

"That's your sister, right?" He said, pointing to Mikasa. She was too busy talking animatedly to two boys, so she didn't realize that I was here.

"Yes. That's Mikasa, my youngest sibling." I tried to keep the conversation light, not wanting him to stop talking to me.

"Oh? How many siblings do you have?" He turned towards me, giving me his sole attention.

"Three. Two sisters and a brother. So I'm the oldest of four. And you? Do you have any siblings?" I questioned, hoping that I didn't seem too prying.

"Just two younger brothers, twins actually." He smiled, obviously fond of his siblings. "Actually, they're right over there, talking to Mikasa." He motioned to Mikasa and his brothers, who were still talking and laughing.

"Oh! I didn't know they were your brothers. But Mikasa and your brothers seem to be friends already." I smiled, glad that my little sister could have the life that I never had.

"Eren and Armin. Those are their names. Eren has the short brown hair while Armin has the shoulder-length blond hair. Their hair-styles describe them too. Eren is the troublemaker and more 'manly' of the two while Armin is a bit more feminine and innocent. But you could probably tell that." He laughed lightly, smiling at me.

I gave a small smile back, trying to seem friendly. "I try not to judge people, especially kids, by their appearances. I judge people by their actions towards me, my family, and others. But that's just me."

He turned back to look at his brothers. "Well, how do you judge me? I treat you like shit every day, but you never seem to mind. You never complain to the teachers or the principal. So I want to know what you think of me."

I was shocked. I really didn't know what to say. I mean, how do I say that the only reason I let him treat me like that is because I just want him to notice me? I sighed, thinking that this will probably be the last time I'll ever talk to him.

"I let you treat me that way because - " I was cut off when Mikasa noticed me and came running over.

"Polo!" She screamed, launching herself into my arms. Smiling, I picked her up and spun her around, all while she was laughing and giggling. When I set her back down, I noticed him staring at me. I cringed, not knowing what he would say.

But he just laughed lightly, smiling at me, before turning his attention to the two boys clinging to his legs.

"Jeanie . . . Pick me up! Please?" Armin asked, giving him puppy-dog eyes.

He sighed, acting annoyed. "Why do I have to pick you up? You can stand up by yourself."

"But Jeanie . . . I want a hug. Not a leg hug. A real hug." He was almost begging.

He smiled, not able to keep the annoyed act up any longer. "Alright, fine. Just stop with the begging and puppy-dog eyes!" He said, picking him up and putting him on his shoulder.

"Too high! Too high!" He screamed while laughing. He grabbed a handful of his sandy blond hair to hold on to.

"Ouch! Let go!" He pulled his brother down from his shoulder and set him on the ground. "How many times have I told you to not do that?"

He looked down at her feet, seeming sad. I heard a sniff and I realized that he was crying.

"Hey . . . Don't cry. I'm sorry. It just hurt, that's all." He knelt down, removing Eren from his leg so he could hug Armin. When he hugged him, he burst into tears.

"S-sorry J-Jeanie . . . I didn't mean to hurt you." He managed to make that out through his tears.

"It's okay Armin. Don't worry about it." He pulled back so he could look him in the eyes. "Please don't cry. I'm okay."

He sniffed one last time, wiping away his tears with the back of his hand. "Okay Jeannie. I love you." He smiled up at him, his face red from crying.

I waited to see what he would say to that. Was he the kind of guy to say 'I love you' to his little brother while standing in front of the guy he bullied? Well, I didn't have to wait long for an answer.

"I love you too, kiddo." He smiled and ruffled his hair playfully. He turned to his other brother. "And I love you too, Eren."

Eren smiled up at him, saying a quick, "Love you too, Jay."

I couldn't take it anymore. I just had to make a comment.

"Jeanie? Is that what they call you?" I smiled, hoping that I wasn't annoying him.

He turned towards me and I cowered. But he just smiled and laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah. It's Jeanie from Armin and Jay from Eren. And you? Mikasa called you Polo. Is that what she calls you?"

Now it was my turn to smile and laugh. "Yeah, that's my name according to Mikasa. But I don't mind. It's her way of showing that she loves me." I looked down, smiling at the little black haired child currently playing with his brothers.

"Well, just don't tell anyone about what they call me, okay? I'd never live that one down!" He laughed, smiling at me.

I smiled at that. I think that this has been the most I've smiled in, well, forever. "I won't tell anyone, as long as you promise me one thing."

He actually looked scared when I said that. "And that is?"

I laughed at his nervousness before smiling reassuringly. "Just don't tell anyone about what Mikasa calls me, okay? That's all that I ask for."

He let out a sigh, smiling at me. "I won't tell a soul." But then his smile faded.

"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly. Did I offend him? I don't think I did anything . . . I hope.

"I just thought that you were going to ask me to leave you alone and to stop bullying you." He gave me a nervous smile.

I looked away, not wanting him to see my pain that was showing itself on my face. "I mean, I'd like that too, but if you have to bully me, I can handle it." I felt a few tears slip down my face and onto my crossed arms.

Pretty soon, I was crying silently, not wanting Mikasa or Jean to see or hear me. But he must have heard me because I was suddenly wrapped in his arms. I froze in shock. The most popular guy in the school, and my crush, was hugging me. But the shock quickly went away and was replaced with sadness. This didn't mean anything to him. He was probably comforting me just so he could break me down at school tomorrow. But the sadness overwhelmed me and I started sobbing in his arms.

I felt his hand stroke my hair slowly, trying to calm me down, while he spoke soft nonsense in my ear.

"It's okay. Just let it all out. I'm here. I'll stop bullying you if you want me to. If it makes you feel this way, I'll stop right now."

"No! I mean, no. It's fine. I can handle it." I pushed myself away from him, not wanting to be in his embrace any longer.

"Marco . . . What's wrong? I promise. I'll leave you alone from this day forward. You don't need to worry about the other guys who bully you. I'll tell them to leave you alone as well. Just please, tell me what's wrong." He said, holding my arm, preventing me from running away.

I sighed, not knowing how to tell him that I've had a crush on him since 7th grade. "Well, do you want the half-truth or the entire spill-my-guts truth?" I tried to avoid the question for as long as I could.

He gave a little smile, even though he had pain and worry etched on his face. "The half-truth first. Then I'll decide if I want to hear the real truth. Is that alright with you? I want you to be comfortable speaking to me." He released my arm when he was sure that I wouldn't leave.

I sighed, knowing that he would hate me tomorrow. "Well, I don't mind you bullying me is because I just want you to notice me. Is that good enough?" I cringed when I saw him staring at me.

But he just laughed at me, smiling at me. "It's impossible to NOT notice you! I mean, look at you!"

My heart sank when I heard those words. I knew it. He thought I was a freak, just like the rest of the school. I already knew that he felt that way, but hearing him say it just killed me. I turned away from him, not wanting to show the fresh tears that were running down my face. "Yeah. I guess I am pretty noticeable. I mean, everyone knows to stay away from the freak." I choked on that last word, my heart breaking.

I heard him gasp before I was whirled around to face him. I looked down at the ground, not wanting him to see me cry again, only to have my face lifted up by his hand. I was forced to look into his eyes when he did that. Surprisingly, I saw pain and hurt on his face. I thought he would be rejoicing for his success in breaking the freak, not sad. But I didn't have to wait very long for an explanation.

"Marco . . . I meant that I notice you every day."

"Only to bully me." I interrupted.

He sighed. "No. It's because you are the single, most beautiful person that I've ever seen. I only bully you because, well, I haven't progressed from how a seventh grader treats his crush. You know how when little kids, especially boys, like someone? They treat them horribly, teasing them and possibly bullying them. And that's why I bully you. Because I still have the mentality of a middle-schooler who is dealing with a massive crush. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I was speechless. The boy who I've loved since seventh grade just confessed to me. At least, that's what I thought he meant. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. So I quickly closed it and looked away from him. I didn't know what to say to him. I mean, he was probably just screwing with my head, so I didn't want to spill my feelings for him. So I just settled on a simple question that could be answered in multiple ways.

"Why?"

He took in a deep breath, before letting it out in a huge sigh. "Why what, Marco? Please, say something. I know that you now hate me and will avoid me for the rest of senior year, but please, before you leave, tell me what you're thinking, right now." His hands slid off my shoulders as he looked away. I saw a single tear run down his face. I couldn't tell if he was lying or telling the truth. I didn't know anything anymore.

In a spur of the moment decision, I reached to him and brushed his tear away, turning his head towards me while doing so. The look in his eyes killed me. It was pure anguish. I had never seen such pain in someone before, except myself. But I just had to make sure.

"Are you saying that you like me?" I stroked his cheek once, then let my hand fall back to my side.

"No. I don't like you." He paused, my heart breaking at his words. Yet after hearing his last words, my heart was filled with hope, suprise, and shock.

"I love you."

Hope you liked the first chapter of Is It Love? :)

Please Read and Review!

See ya next chapter~

-Riverspirit