Jean watched the way Mikasa stood protectively between Eren and Armin. He knew that they were best friends, and Mikasa and Eren would do anything for Armin. He knew that, and yet he couldn't deny the gnawing feeling in the back of his mind.

"Jean, you're staring again," his best friend, Marco, pointed out. "Why don't you just tell him how you feel?" He suggested once again with a warm smile.

Jean snapped his head the other way and glared at his friend. "Do you really think it's that easy? Mikasa will probably rip me to pieces," he muttered, glancing back at the blond boy who was now tugging on Eren's sleeve.

"I could talk to him for you..." Marco said when he saw Jean curl his hands into tight fists. A small smirk played on Marco's lips when he realized how jealous Jean really was, though he did feel sympathy for his friend.

"Just... Look at them!" Jean threw his hands up in exasperation when Armin stumbled and grabbed Eren's arm, giggling and apologizing at the same time, blushing slightly. "He's so... So, perfect... I don't understand why he sticks around with that-"

Marco nudged his friend. "If you're so jealous, stop being scared and just tell Armin how you feel," he urged.

Jean sighed and put his face in his hands, but quickly lifted his head to sneak more peeks of Armin. Maybe, he thought, maybe he just would do that.

-

/I could talk to him.../ Armin thought to himself. /But he looks like he's busy with Marco. It would be rude to interrupt./ He felt a pang of jealousy when he saw the way Jean laughed at one of Marco's silly jokes, placing one hand on Marco's shoulder and leaning in ever so slightly, his cheeks flushed from laughter.

Armin sighed and crossed his arms, slumping down onto his bunk. It was almost time to go to sleep and he knew Jean and Marco would be sharing a bunk, like they always did.

He watched as they walked over to their bunk. Marco began to climb up onto the top but suddenly he slipped and began to fall.

"Gwaaaah!" He shouted.

"Marco!" Jean reached for his friend, but was a bit too late and toppled down to the ground, Marco landing just above him.

Neither of them were hurt, but they didn't move for a few seconds, Jean rubbing where their heads collided and Marco profusely apologizing. Armin frowned and felt his skin crawl, feelings mixed with jealousy and annoyance and sadness swirling all around him.

"It's almost time to go to sleep, guys," Armin said coldly, scaring the two boys away from each other.

-

A few minutes later, after the lights went out, Jean glanced over at the blond boy who was tossing and turning in his bed.

Armin didn't know why, but he was bothered by how close Jean and Marco were. He knew that they were best friends, but... Why couldn't it be him? He was unaware of the looks he was earning, or the rustle of blankets and soft sound of quiet footsteps making their way towards him. The boy flinched in surprise when someone sat at the edge of his bed.

He peeked up to see who it was, and sure enough Jean was there, giving him a concerned look. "You're moving an awful lot. Mind tellin' me what's up?" He whispered, barely audible.

Armin stared at him for a few seconds before sitting up and reaching for the other boy and pulling him down to lay beside him. "Wha-?!" Jean began to ask, but Armin quickly put a finger to his lips to hush him.

"I just want you to stay with me tonight," Armin murmured into Jean's chest, burying himself in him. He noted that Jean smelled very good, surprisingly.

Jean was glad his face wasn't visible to the small boy as it was as red as a tomato. "Armin, you're acting like a spoiled child," he whispered, wrapping his arms around Armin.

"I don't care," Armin replied quietly, beginning to drift off into sleep.

Jean didn't know what he'd done to bring on this behavior from the blond boy, but he silently hoped he'd do it more often.