Hey guys, I'm sick but laying in bed is helping me post! comments/critiques are appreciated!
Whizzing through the streets and narrowing missing pedestrians, Jean pumped the petals of his bike faster before coming to a dramatic screeching halt in front of Survey Corps, Inc. Jean locked his bike and quickly made his way inside to an information booth.
Nodding in greeting Jean leaned against the booth. "Delivery for a Miss Petra Ral!"
The worker eyed him tiredly and gestured to the elevators behind him. "98th floor."
Jean scampered toward the elevators and pushed the up arrow. He eyed the building's map and narrowed his eyes when he found his answer. Rolling his eyes, Jean held out his phone and took a quick picture of the map. Stepping into the elevator, Jean sent the image to Eren.
[Jean]
Looks like your fucking boyfriend is the VP -_-
[Eren]
?!
Scoffing slightly, Jean exited the elevator and walked over to the front desk. Flashing his dazzling smile at the receptionist, he delivered his package and got his next bit of information.
[Jean]
VP
104th floor
[Eren]
Picked up your route
Damn straight your gonna pick up my route! Jean thought heading back into the elevator and hitting the button to the 104th floor.
Jean thought back to the other day he and Eren were scouting the building. Once they were finally able to confirm that Levi worked in the damn building by seeing him exit an ungodly hour, the two worked up a plan. Intercept a delivery to the building, find out exactly where he works in the building, then schedule a delivery to the midget. Easy peasy!
Eren would deliver the package to Levi, the two would magically reunite and BAM! Happily, ever after. Cue the mother fucking music and sparkly ass sunshine.
Jean tapped his foot impatiently as the elevator stopped at every floor. He was just too damn nice. Yup. That was his problem. Too nice. He was a sucker for romance! So, when a real delivery popped up to this location, Jean didn't hesitate. Knowing Eren was out on another delivery across town and couldn't pick this one up himself, Jean volunteered. He would find out exactly where in the building Levi worked and would see if any obstacles were in the way of their future planned fake delivery. Any obstacles would have to be taken out before anything could be set in motion.
Eren was over the moon ecstatic when Jean called him with the news, he volunteered to take the rest of Jean's route and would even gladly fork over all his daily tips to him.
How could Jean resist? He really was a softy. Marco would be proud.
With a spring in his step, Jean walked out of the elevator and strolled right past the receptionist. Walking along the hall, he observed the flight of people walking around in a cloud of anxiety, busy with their work and not really giving him a second glance.
Riding on his natural high of good deeds, Jean felt his confidence booming and wanted to pat himself on the back. He was invincible.
"Jean?"
He stilled in his steps.
Glancing over his shoulder he smiled. "Hello, gentlemen."
Jean whistled as he took in the large private office. Bobbing his head, he tried to control the panic that was rising within him – this was not a part of the plan. Get in – do some recon - get out.
Not get dragged into an office with three men he met at the club who looked like they worked for the mafia!
Jean was ushered into the room the men had begun to exit. Why couldn't he be thrown into the bathroom? At least that would have been a public area. Now turning back towards the door, he appraised them all. Erwin stared at him as if he were a monster, Mike looked amused, and Levi looked...bored?
Jean cocked his head and narrowed his eyes into slits as he stared at the man's indifferent expression. Cocking a brow, he couldn't help but wonder… Did he always look like that? Was he always this short?
"Are you here to blackmail us? If so, I'll have my lawyers so far up your ass –"
"Wow, wow their Commander, sir!" saluting Erwin sarcastically, Jean gave him a strained smile. "As much as that sounds like fun, I'm a taken man! And I'm not sure if you noticed but" he gestured toward his outfit. "I'm a bike messenger?"
The trio's eyes flowed over Jean; he was wearing a black hoodie with shorts and bike pants underneath. Moving his head slightly, they saw his clear ear piece with a clear wire disappearing into his hoodie. Liking the attention, Jean smirked as he raised his right hand and showed them the small microphone clipped into his cuff.
Feeling satisfied at their shocked expressions Jean decided this was it, the moment to get Levi's attention for Eren - a new plan! Maybe he could give Levi Eren's number or tell him his best friend had been jonesing for him from the start. This was an opportunity and he wasn't going to waste it, even though he wasn't prepared for this moment, he would make it up as he went along.
Clearing his throat, he looked at Levi evenly, feeling the weight of the situation, he knew it was all on him. All for Eren.
"I have a package for you, from Eren."
The room was silent.
So quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Jean thought he heard someone cough from the other side of the door.
Thinking he must have been ignored somehow, Jean took a step towards Levi and leaned in slightly. Raising his eyebrows, Jean wanted to get his point across no matter how painfully awkward the current situation was. "Eren. The package is from Eren."
Levi blinked and from his crossed arms lifted a hand with a dismissive wave.
Fucking Eren! Did you never give him your fucking name?! Jean growled internally. Staring at the ceiling, Jean let out an exasperated sigh and gave Levi a pointed come-on-look. "He's in the military. Air Force – as in he's a pilot."
Levi's eyes widened as he dropped his arms to his sides and pointed at the door.
"Everyone get the fuck out."
Jean's body immediately snapped to attention at the dominate tone in Levi's voice. Thinking he had made the wrong choice, Jean silently began to inch his way towards the door behind Erwin and Mike.
Levi's hand extended and caught him by the collar, dragging him further into the room. "Not you, lover boy."
Pushing Jean into a chair, Levi leaned against his desk eyeing the youth darkly.
Jean swallowed and nervously pulled at his collar. Levi arched an eyebrow and Jean smiled cheekily, shrugging faintly. "I don't exactly have a package. I mean I do – my boyfriend never complains…I mean..." Jean mumbled and started to turn red. Rubbing the back of his neck, he bit his lip nervously. "Christ, do you have to stare at me like that? You're making me nervous!"
Levi rolled his eyes and moved off the desk. Placing himself down on his chair, he gracefully lifted his hands into a pyramid position onto the desk. Fixing Jean with an indifferent expression, he waited for the youth to continue.
Jean was at a standstill. He really didn't think this through. Sighing, he admitted defeat and decided to lay all his cards on the table.
"He likes you, you know. Eren? He's had a pretty shitty go around. I met him at diner one night after work at the club. He was working a late shift, and we got to talking. He needed to make fast money, I had just started working there and, yea. The rest is as they say - history. He also got me a job as a bike messenger. A friend of his, their grandpa owns the delivery company. He's actually delivering some stuff on the other side of town." Jean pulled his phone out and quickly tapped on the screen. Passing his phone over to Levi, the raven eyed it for a moment before leaning over and taking it into his hand. On the screen was a map of the city and showed several colorful dots on the screen. One in particular was moving across town with the caption Jagerbomb.
Flicking his gaze up at Jean, Levi returned the device and moved his hand beneath his chin deep in thought.
"Look, he and I work a couple of jobs, need money for different reasons and are hoping to go back to college someday. Eren is a sure thing. You can count on him. He's never been to the rabbit hole, but for some reason he wanted to with you. I don't know why, you're not exactly" Jean waved his hand toward Levi to stress his point, "friendly or anything."
Levi arched his thin brow and Jean glared back, slouching in his seat shoving his hands in his pockets. This guy was starting to tick him off. Here he was trying to level with a guy who hasn't even spoken a word to him! What was his problem, anyway? Jean felt like he was a wonderful conversationalist.
"Fuck, whatever. Judge us for working there, but it's a decent place. Hange is crazy, and was a drama major back in her day. She likes the costumes, we talk all proper and shit, and she sends us to trainings like CPR, First Aid, dance, yoga." Jean rose a finger for each one he listed off his hand. "We attend self-defense class, have a free gym membership, get regularly tested for STDs if were active at work – but we practice safe sex. I mean, she looks out for us." Jean looked on at Levi evenly, waiting for some sort of reaction. Jean had hoped Levi wasn't this judgmental because Eren deserved better than a guy who would give him shit about where he worked before knowing the whole situation.
But maybe he was wrong.
Several uncomfortable minutes ticked by in silence and deciding he wouldn't be receiving a response, Jean suddenly stood. Feeling like he just told too much sensitive information to an unworthy soul, he began to form a strong dislike form for Levi. He began to feel he wasted his time on someone who obviously didn't deserve Eren.
What does Eren see in you? what was it that drew him in? Jean wondered, hoping for a life jacket to this whole scenario.
Eren's hope was starting to taste bitter in his mouth. Jean thought back to that night in the club, searching for something to remind him why he felt this was important to Eren because he honestly sensed this was a huge mistake. Slumping his shoulders slightly, he immediately felt regret for indulging his idiotic love-sick friend.
Eren finished making the alcohol filled syringes and when he handed Jean the completed tray, he froze. He remembered the captivated expression Eren had when the group of men entered.
"That's him" Eren softly muttered, suddenly growing embarrassed and jumpy.
Jean looked back at the men and gave Eren a confused look. "What are you talking about? the VIP group? We just got briefed about them like an hour ago. You knew they were coming."
Eren shook his head and looked at Jean with such a sincere look, it stung Jean's heart. Eren was too simple for his own good sometimes.
"That's the guy I'm supposed to meet. You know? Like the universe said 'here he is.' I know it."
Following Eren's pointed finger, Jean felt his jaw hit the floor. Snapping his head back to Eren, he felt his eyes bulge out of their sockets. "That guy? He's a fucking hobbit!"
Eren grabbed Jean's arm desperately. "If he goes to the rabbit hole, I volunteer for his room."
Jean stared at Eren incredulously. How could he feel this way all of a sudden? They just walked in, for Christ's sake! Then Eren's statement suddenly caught up to his mind and Jean felt a sense of dread. Shaking his head roughly, he gripped Eren's wrist before slowly raising it off his arm. Holding Eren's wrist tightly between them, he stared back at him hard to emphasis his point. "No, Eren. You're not going in there. That place is not for you."
"Jean, I can make this decision for myself."
"You don't even fucking know him! He just walked through the damn door. And he looks like a judgmental prick with a stick up his ass!"
"Jean! Listen to me, just shut up for a second!" Eren concentrated his gaze at the tray between them. "Look, bear with me here. I'm trying to explain this as best as I can. Today was a normal day. Nothing out of the ordinary! But I just looked up, and there he is." Eren's eyes widened and he stared up at Jean eager for him to understand. "I'm just saying…it's like something inside me clicked. Like my soul went 'there you are. I've been waiting for you.' You know what I mean?"
Jean wanted to say no and burst Eren's bubble and protect him from the horrors and ugliness of the reality of their job and the rabbit hole. Jean knew how quickly that part of the club would go wrong. Jean never went into the rooms for pleasure, but he had to break up a couple of fights, especially when one unhinged client brought a knife and was high on ecstasy. Clients would get too rough with the staff, they would pressure and try to slip drugs into the staff's drinks when they weren't looking and try to make their fantasies into a fucking warped reality. That's why no one really lasted in the rabbit hole for long except for a couple of people, and when Hange announced she would be closing that section permanently next month, Jean was relieved.
But instead, Jean blinked and gathered the tray in his hands feeling a loss of words. He knew what it felt like to take a gamble on someone, how venerable it felt. Squaring his shoulders, he sighed feeling a sudden burst of compassion for Eren.
Eren was too simple. Yup. Too simple, like an adorable puppy dog. Tilting his head to the side, he smiled softly at the brunet. "You read too many romance novels, Eren." Moving from the bar he glanced over his shoulder at Eren's defeated look. Rolling his eyes, he barked back, "IF he goes, you go!"
Jean didn't have to turn around to know Eren was walking on sunshine. And probably doing the moon walk.