MARCO

We've been friends since the third grade, Jean and I. He stood up for me when I couldn't do it for myself. I remember the boys on the playground would laugh at me for crying when my mom dropped me off and would kick rocks at my face until they would get stuck in my nostrils. Jean was always there with his headstrong, fiery spirit to scare the kids away by doing this weird thing with his fingers.

"Run away, before you catch it too!" He'd scream, holding up his hand with the fingers all mangled up into a weird fist.

After that, we were best friends. I'd keep him from doing stupid things, and he'd keep me from being beat up.

But recently, I've been seeing him in a new light. Now that we're in high school, I've begun to notice how handsome he is. Everyone calls him a horse face, but I think his face is the perfect length. He can be belligerent, especially toward Eren, but it's nothing I can't handle. He's become less like my best friend and more like someone I love. I-I'm not saying I love him! It's just that I feel like more than his friend. I don't know, I guess I'm just being stupid.

"Hey, Marco! Over here!" Reiner yelled from across the cafeteria. I never really talked to him, so I wondered why he would call me over to his table.

"Why don't you sit with us today?" He asked, sneering. I was suspicious, but against my better judgment, I sat down across from Reiner.

I was worried he called me over to give me crap about what had happened in History this morning. All I did was correct a mistake he made in class, I did it to help him.

"You're pretty good at history right?" He asked, leaning back in his seat, folding his arms behind his head.

"I-I suppose. Why?"

"Well, as you could probably tell, I'm failing. I need someone to help get my grade up so I can play this season. Coach says I need an 80 to play, and I have a 58. Do you think you could help me?"

At least I wasn't about to get my ass handed to me.

"Uh… Sure, do you want to come to my house after school today? I'm planning on studying for the next test anyway."

"Isn't the test next week?" Reiner sounded confused.

"Well, yeah, but I like to be prepared."

"Alright, Bodt." He chuckled.

"Why can't you just study by yourself, Reiner?" Jean came up behind me and looked a bit irritated. His eye was getting all twitchy like it does when his mom tries to tell him to clean his room.

"I wasn't talking to you, Kirschtein." Reiner grumbled as he rolled his eyes.

"Jean, calm down, he needs my help in Pixis' class. If he doesn't get an 80 by Homecoming, he can't play."

"I think our team can survive without him." Jean mumbled.

"What was that Kirschtein?" Reiner said, standing up from his seat. He walked over to Jean and got in his face, his nose being about 1 inch from Jean's.

"Guys, stop!" I blurt out. They both look at me, Jean looking a bit embarrassed at his behavior.

"Jean, I'm going to help Reiner after school today, okay?" Jean just looked at me then immediately darted his eyes off in another direction.

"Jean!" I shout.

"Okay, okay! Fine!"

"Well, I'll see you later, Reiner!" I wave as I walk with Jean over to our table, Jean tugging me along.

"Jean, that wasn't necessary."

"Well I didn't know why he called you over there, he's a dick, Marco, I don't know why you would agree to help him."

"You sound like a child, just sit down and eat, you big baby."

"I am NOT a baby!" he yelled. I gave him a look and he knew to sit down.

"What's with you two?" Armin asked from across the table.

"He's just upset that I'm helping Reiner." I giggled

"Am not. He's just a dick." He mumbled, avoiding making contact with my eyes.

After lunch, Jean and I went to Biology, and he still looked irritated. He passed me a note that said "I'll only be okay with you helping him if I'm there with you." I just looked over at him and mouthed "Fine," then rolled my eyes. Jean can be such a baby, but at least I know he cares.

After school let out, I walked down the front steps of the school to find Jean waiting for me. I was slightly irritated at his impatience, but I was going to let it slide today.

J E A N

I know I'm being a burden to Marco; I just have to watch over him. He's been picked on and bullied since elementary school, and I'm the only one that's tried to protect him. I have a bad feeling about this Reiner guy. He's just a dumb jock, he could hurt Marco. I know I sound like a controlling boyfriend. B-BUT WE'RE NOT TOGETHER. Though I may have thought about it a few times since sophomore y—I'M NOT GAY, NO HOMO.

I waited outside the school for him. I wanted to walk home with him and be there when Reiner showed up. I didn't trust him alone with Marco. It's not that I think Marco can't handle himself; he's just very… passive. He's never been able to stand up for himself, and it's irritating as hell, but I have to be there for him. Plus, he's very sensitive. I guess you could say I'm over-protective, but I don't see it that way. I'm just a good friend who doesn't want to see his best friend hurt, okay?

When Marco saw me he rolled his eyes like he does best.

"Are you seriously waiting here for me? Do you think Reiner's gonna kidnap me ten feet away from the school?" He was being his typical sarcastic asshole self. But I can't complain. He's adorable with his freckles—I mean… Freckles suit him well. He doesn't look like a dork like other freckled kids do.

As we were walking to his house, I looked over at him. He was looking down, watching his feet to make sure he wouldn't trip over anything. He felt me staring and looked up at me, and me being completely unaware, we were staring at each other.

"Jean…?" he said.

"Huh?" I'm a clueless twat. He and his big brown eyes and those god damn freckles.

"Are you okay? Is there something on my face?" He panicked, feeling all over his face.

"No, I just—"I paused. I looked down to realize I was holding Marco's hand. I was trying to pull them off of his face because he was panicking. Now this is really awkward.

"—I, uh, spaced out for a second. You're fine." I dropped his hand and looked away as fast as I could so he wouldn't be able to see my face.

"Well, hurry up, I told Reiner to be at my place by 4 and it's already 3:45."

Once we got to Marco's house, it was 4:05.

"Oh well look at that, he's late."

"It's only 5 minutes, Jean."

"He's still late." I pouted.

We sat in his room, on his bed. I had been there many times before and have spent many nights there, but for some reason it felt different. I watched Marco as he read his history book and flipped through notes, occasionally brushing his hair out of his face. It was oddly relaxing. And kind of cute. It's like he constantly has a smile on his face, no matter what he's doing. Oh no. I'm staring again. Shit.

"Jean don't you have any homework to do?" He asked. He sounded too much like my mom. He looked up at me and looked me in the eyes, and dear God it was terrifying.

"Uh… No, I, uh, left my books in my locker." I stuttered. Marco's stare is hard to break. The only times he's gotten angry with me, he gave me a look that shot through me like a bolt of lightning. He sighed and shook his head at me. I knew he was disappointed, maybe a little bit irritated, but I didn't care. I just liked being around him.

"He's 30 minutes late now." I reminded him. "Maybe he's not coming."

"Jean, if you hate him so much, then why are you even here?" I could tell he was angry with me now. I wish I could tell him completely why I wanted to be there, but it's hard. It could make everything between us awkward. I could ruin our friendship if I told him…

"Well?" Marco continued. I felt threatened somehow, and I didn't like it.

"Marco, I—" I started.

"You what? You don't think I can handle myself with a jock? That everything will go awry if I'm alone with a jock like Reiner for one hour?" Ouch.

"Well, Marco, you have to understand… I just hate to see you hurt. I care about you more than I care about my own family…" I may have gone too far. I just spilled the beans and now there's no taking back what I said. This is it. This is the moment I ruin our 10 year friendship with awkwardness. I could feel my face turning beet red. I had to look away from him again.

"Jean…" he sounded more sincere and less angry than he did 30 seconds ago.

"I should go." I got up and walked to his bedroom door. Before I could walk out, I felt Marco's hand grab mine. Oh god. Oh fuck fuck fuck fuckity fuck.

He pulled my hand and spun me around into his arms. He was hugging me. We haven't hugged, like, ever. Could he maybe feel the same as I do…?

"Thank you." He mumbled from my chest. I don't think I've ever felt so comfortable.

"Uh… Hey, sorry I'm late." Reiner said from the end of the hallway. "Your mom let me in so I just… uh… Is this a bad time?" he stuttered

"Actually, uh, yeah I have a thing tonight, so maybe tomorrow?" Marco said, still hugging me. I was mortified. How could he be so casual?

"Alright, I'll just… leave you to…it." Reiner said awkwardly, turning around and speed walking out of the house. There are few ways to react to two guys hugging closely like that, I didn't really blame him.

"But—" I started.

"I told him tomorrow. I'll help him tomorrow." Marco's voice was cracking, and it sounded like he was about to cry.

"Marco, are you okay?"

He looked up at me, red, puffy eyes, tear-stained cheeks, and the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face. It took me by surprise, and it was so cute I had to look away, covering my face with my hand.

"Jean, I've never had someone care that much about me…"

"Yeah, well… I know I may be over bearing sometimes, but I only act that way to protect you. You're the most important person to me, and I guess I lo—" I couldn't mouth the next syllables. I didn't even know if I meant it. Do I love Marco?

He looked up at me again, blushing this time. I couldn't handle it. I may have messed everything up by blabbing my mouth. I really should leave now.

MARCO

Jean's never been good with words. He usually makes a fool of himself when he tries to say something meaningful. It's no wonder that what he said caught me by surprise.

"You're the most important person to me, and I guess I lo—" Love me?

Did he try to say he loves me? My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest, and Jean looked like he was going to throw up. I think we were both a bit surprised. At that moment I realized that I may feel the same. I could be in love with my best friend of 10 years. We stood in the doorway to my bedroom, staring at each other. It wasn't exactly awkward, not for me at least. It was more like a big sigh of relief. Everything was almost out in the open. Jean looked like he was ready to run away, he let go of my hand and started down the hallway. I didn't want him to go.

"Jean, wait!" He stopped in this tracks. He turned around and did that thing where he looks at me and immediately looks away. He's bad at keeping eye contact.

"Jean, I—" I couldn't believe what I was about to say. "I love you too."

He walked slowly back to me, almost as if he were afraid to approach me. This time, he was looking me dead in the eye. He threw his arms around me and held on tight. We've never really hugged before today. Definitely not like this. The only sounds I could hear was Jean breathing and our hearts beating, both very fast.

J E A N

Well, that went well.