A/N: Sorry for being away so long! D: I've been down for the count for a few months because of an injury, but I'm back and ready to write!

Also, if anyone is interested, I have an account with Fictionpress under the name ObsydianWing is anyone would like to check out my latest, original work, "Riders of Haven". I'd greatly appreciate the feedback!

With that, enjoy!


Graduation day had come too soon for Jean. Yes, he'd been proud to make it into the top ten, and yes he'd been upset about being ranked lower than Eren. But what he'd hated the most about all of this was the decision he'd have to make concerning being in the Military Police… or following Armin. More than anything he wanted to stay beside the blonde and make sure everything would be alright between them, but he'd wanted to be in the MPs since he was young. He wanted to be safe and sound, to never have to think about dealing with titans and to be part of the elite force.

But when would there be another chance to see Armin? To be by his side, just holding him and enjoying his presence?

Would there ever be a chance when they could see each other?

Jean walked out into the cool air to get a breather from the day's events. Yes, he was glad to be in the top ten… but conflicted about how happy he should really be.

He looked up at the dark sky and grumbled. Something about how bright and cheery the stars were made him relatively upset. The sky should be as dark and dull as he was feeling, just to make everything else seem balanced. It made him think of all the times when he'd look up to the sky as a child and wish the bright stars would dull and disappear from sight. As a victim of his own childhood bullies, he had his many moments of self-hatred, and hatred towards the world. Even growing up and joining in the training camp, he continued hating the stars. I wasn't until he looked into Armin's bright, shining blue eyes and revelling in his glowing smile, that he finally understood what the fascination of the stars was.

There was romance in the stars, mystery and wonder. Something untouchable yet seen every night before heading into slumber. Armin was much the same way. His true thoughts, his true feelings and his beautiful way of expressing his emotions, were all something relatively impossible to be a part of. It was just… him. And there was nothing and no one else like him.

He was a bright and shining star. So far away, but so very interesting.

"Might I join you?" Said star suddenly spoke up from behind the confused teen, making him jump.

Jean took a breath and smiled at the blonde before him. "If you don't mind a short walk through a dark and scary camp."

Armin only grinned as he strode up to Jean's side. "Don't worry. I'll keep you safe."

Jean was happy to have the company, knowing Armin didn't question him to the point of annoying and the fact that he knew the blonde was probably having the same thoughts he was, set at ease a bit. But of course, there was still the little itch in the back of his head that made him just wary enough about the situation that he felt he should bring it up.

The brunette took a breath and let it out slowly. "So… now that we've graduated, I suppose you're following Eren into the Recon Corps."

"Jean, I've told you before that I'm not following him. I'm going through to the Survey Corps because I want to explore what's beyond the wall. I suppose since Eren's little speech today it may look like I'm just trying to be there for my friend, but Jean… you know me better than that. Or have you forgotten all the private little talks we've had after dinner before the others filed in for bed?"

The taller of the two shook his head. "Never, Armin. It's impossible for me to forget every moment I've had with you. Which… only makes my decision harder."

"You're having second thoughts about the Military Police?" The blonde questioned.

Jean only shrugged. "Yes and no… I mean, I'd love to be part of the elite and to be protected in the interior. But…" he trailed off, still too afraid to say it so soon into the relationship.

The blonde took hold of his arm, still continuing on their walk. "I know… I'll miss this too. But we can still be in touch. I could send you letters or come to visit…"

"If you don't die, anyway." The brunette reminded coldly. "Let's face it, your chances of survival are slim, even if you were part of the top ten. Facing off against titans is a sucker's way of dying, and I have no intention to live a life like that. And it kills me to see someone as smart as you throw away their lives for something that is impossible to stop. You want to be outside the walls and find all this amazing stuff, then be my guest. I think it's an admirable goal for someone like you. But for people like Eren, who only want death to something practically un-killable… it's just a waste of time."

Armin was silent after this for what felt like a long while, making Jean fear that he'd been too blunt about the topic yet again. Hell only knows the guy was too honest for his own good some days.

However…

"You're right." Came the surprising words. "And I think Eren needs to see for himself just how tough it is to be a soldier before he has any right to say anything about any other soldiers. However, I can't stop him from what he wants to do. He's too angry and too proud to realize that he's digging his own grave. I can't say I'm any better for wanting to join up with the Survey Corps, for nothing more than to document what's beyond the beyond… but I won't stop until I see it all for myself. And it has nothing to do with Eren or Mikasa. It's what I want… what I believe I should do. And Jean, whatever it is you feel is right, then you should do. No one's telling you to join the Military Police and no one is telling you to join the Garrison or Survey Corps. Just do whatever you think is right."

The taller teen grinned down at his blonde little friend before kissing his head lovingly.

"I promise, I'll write to you every day." He whispered to the blonde. "I promise."

"You'd better… because if you're going to be lounging about in the interior with no worries about us working class, I expect you not to lose your ability to hold a pen."

"Yes, dear." The teen mocked, smiling at the warm comfort of knowing Armin wouldn't hate him for leaving for the interior.

Perhaps things wouldn't be as bad as he'd imagined. This might actually work out for them.

It couldn't be as terrible as he was imagining it…

…right?