Where was he? Jean hadn't come back with everyone else like he promised Marco he would. Marco convinced himself that Jean was just late and that he would be back any minute, though the grave looks on everyone's face made him think otherwise. Before the group that Jean was in had left to see how many Titans were outside, Jean had promised Marco that he would make it back alive. Now, Marco was sitting all by himself on the porch of the barracks, fighting back the urge to cry. He buried his face in his hands, wishing his beloved best friend would return unhurt. Eren walked towards the now crying boy, a look of sadness and worry washed over his face. He sat down silently next to Marco, looking at his red face.

Marco saw Eren sitting next to him and he looked up, still faintly crying. "What do you want Eren?" He was frustrated and he wasn't afraid to show it to Eren, especially when he didn't have his best friend to talk to.

Eren looked surprised at how angry Marco was, he never lost his temper. "God, Marco. You don't have to get so mad. I just wanted to see how you were holding up, you know, with Jean being gone."

That triggered another chocked out sob, followed by new, hot tears streaming down Marco's face. "D-Don't bring that up."

"Oh! I'm sorry Marco. I should probably think about what I'm saying before I say it, shouldn't I?" Eren looked at him apologetically, hoping he would be forgiven.

Marco only nodded before bringing his knees up to his face, burying his face in his knees. Not knowing what to say, Eren only gave Marco a small pat on his back before getting up to walk away when Marco looked up at him. "Before you go," Eren looked back at him. "Why do you and Jean always fight?"

Eren's face flushed red, and he looked away from Marco, not wanting to answer. When he finally looked back at Marco, he saw the freckled boy still looking at him, awaiting an answer. "Well, you'll have to ask Jean that. I know he'll come back. He wouldn't die that easily." Eren left, smiling at Marco, who in turn smiled back at him. But as soon as Eren left, Marco's smile faded and he broke out in sobs once again, remembering his lost friend.

Marco stayed out on the porch long after lights-out; he didn't care if he got caught. All that mattered was being awake if and when Jean came back. He wanted to be the first to see the dirty blond-haired boy. He wanted to be able to hug Jean again, to feel the warmth emanating from Jean, his Jean. All he wanted was his Jean. He started to cry once more, thoughts of Jean appearing in his mind. Suddenly, the boy's barrack door flew open, Eren standing in the doorway. Eren walked over to Marco, sitting down next to him once again, taking a piece of bread from dinner out from under his shirt.

He handed it to Marco, who gladly took it, he was starving but he didn't want to miss Jean when he got back. Marco ate it quickly, thanking Eren for bringing it to him. He had skipped meals for the past day and he had forgotten about Eren's promise to bring him something after lights-out. He smiled at Eren, the first real smile he had seen since Jean went missing. Eren looked away, his face flushed red. Marco looked at him puzzled, then spoke.

"You really didn't have to bring me dinner, you should have worried about yourself. I'm not really that hungry." As if to state that he was lying, his stomach growled loudly, making Marco blush profusely.

Eren laughed softly. "You know, you're a really horrible liar." Marco laughed along with Eren, the noise level rising. Marco covered his mouth and Eren did the same, trying to be quieter. Marco smiled at Eren who gladly returned the favor. After calming down, the two removed their hands.

"You're really cute when you smile."

Eren covered his mouth once again as soon as it came out, thinking about what he just said. Marco looked away quickly, brush quickly spreading over his freckled cheeks. Eren became flustered, looking away from the other boy.

"I mean y-you're always c-cute but you a-are cuter w-when you s-mile." Eren's excuse for an apology came out weird, making Marco blush more. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel weird."

Marco looked back at Eren, who was still blushing like a schoolgirl. "It's okay…"

"What the hell are you doing with my Marco?"