A/N: Second part of the Jeansasha Week 2021 collection is here! Today's prompt was Travel/Dance, and I wanted to write about these two babies dancing for so long! Hope you enjoy the one-shot :D

Disclaimer: I do not own the Attack on Titan universe and its characters

Lights coming from torches and chandeliers, filling up the room as if the world hasn't witnessed what can easily be described as its darkest moment.

Musicians playing their instruments in a corner, cheerful music that celebrates the birth of Queen Historia's first child, as if the world wasn't filled with cries of anguish, grief and horror only a week ago; although sometimes you have the impression that it's only been a few hours since you woke up from your mindless Titan form.

Laughter and cheers coming from the guests; from the nobles dressed in their fine clothing, the few military officials left, dressed in their uniforms as if trying to cling to their branch's formal glory, and the simple citizens who share news and comments on how the newborn Princess will bring hope and strength to the island.

Gossip and malicious glances directed towards you and your friends, as if you carry some kind of illness. Ironic comments and hushed words being whispered between the guests, which you still manage to hear thanks to your training as a huntress that helps you focus on specific sounds depending on the goal. Whispers not even the music and the happy sounds from the dancers in the middle of the room can conceal.

"Demons…"

"Devils…"

"Murderers…"

"They dare to show up here…"

"The Ackerman girl didn't even have the guts to appear…"

"They killed Humanity's Last Hope…"

"They allied with the enemy…"

"They became mindless Titans themselves, do you know that?"

"Maybe staying that way would be the best…"

You briefly close your eyes and steady your hands on the buffet, all thoughts of getting some food completely forgotten, overwhelmed by the feeling of the gas coming towards you, the same gas that briefly turned you into a mindless Titan…the feeling of clinging to Jean and Connie in what you thought were your last moments as a human, and the memory of your own voice thanking them for everything.

You open your eyes again and scan the room, a small smile playing on your lips as you see Connie dancing with Historia, the latter's husband holding their daughter, the rest of your friends and allies sitting at a table close to the dance floor; Pieck chatting with Falco, Armin and Annie, Reiner ruffling Gabi's hair, Levi sipping wine and rolling his eyes, probably thinking that this stuffy feast is unnecessary, and Jean cautiously looking left and right, painfully aware of the guests' disdain for all of you.

And, all of a sudden, you're sick and tired of this disdain.

You're sick of everyone considering you devils and not seeing below the surface.

You're tired of defending yourself, and the memory of the dead, to those who can't understand how hard the choices you made were and how you're all struggling with guilt and nightmares you probably won't be able to fully let go.

Your eyes meet Jean's and you find all the guilt and all the nightmares there; all the emotions he has kept inside for so long in order to make composed decisions in this unprecedented war; all the sadness for the people they have lost; all the anger at the revelations and at the people who don't see beyond the image. And you can only guess how uncomfortable this room filled with gossip makes him feel, yet as you look at each other, you feel something soothing wash over you, like something steady anchoring you and reminding you of what truly matters.

You and him have been dancing around each other ever since you recovered from Gabi's gunshot, as if your awakening made you see some things clearly. Yet both of you treated it delicately, almost with fear, especially since everything was so uncertain and fragile back then. And now that everything is over and has started anew, you haven't had the chance to open up about this dance between you.

After all, your future is still in the air, given everyone's hatred towards the Alliance, and the political intrigues going on behind the scenes.

But in this room, in this feast, with you looking at each other, with the music and the dance and the gossip everywhere, you suddenly don't care about anyone's opinion anymore.

You tilt your head slightly, gesturing towards the dance floor, chuckling quietly at the way his look turns surprised, like he didn't expect this silent invitation from you. You keep your eyes locked to his, your head still tilted, a gentle persistence to send everyone to hell and making some good moments with you.

You meet in the middle of the dance floor, a couple among others, yet with the shared knowledge that the ordeal you have been through has changed you forever. Your right hand in his left one, his right hand on the small of your back, your left hand on his shoulder, gripping a little tighter than you have to for the dance, yet needing this steadiness as you allow the music to guide you.

"They are watching." He whispers in your ear, referring to all those who hate you for what you did during the war, all those who won't allow you a moment of peace even now that everything is over.

But you don't want to care about this. You don't want him to care about this either.

You bring yourself closer to him, pressing your cheek against his in the most open and intimate gesture you've made ever since the dance between you started. It makes you feel warm and safe and loved. Judging from the way you feel him smile, and the way he playfully twirls you around before bringing you back into his hug, it's mutual.

There is still fear, and uncertainty for what this means for the two of you. But after the horrors you have witnessed, after beating the odds and coming back from your Titan form, you decide that the time of taking the others' opinions into account is officially over.

"Let them." You whisper back, your smile now wider, as if everyone else has faded away, as if it's you and him dancing to the music when the world is ending and beginning at the same time.

As long as you have a say in this, you and Jean will dance without a care for as long as you can.

A/N: Here we go, another story has come to an end. Hope you liked it, and more content will soon come for you!