I made myself sad with this one.

As always, I don't own SNK or any of its characters.

There is a pungent smell of blood in the air. It never leaves. My eyesight covered by a constant smoke caused by burning flesh. A dull ringing echoes in my ears: the memories of screams long gone and yet ever present. There is nothing else.

"It looks like there's going to be a clear sky today." Jean said pleasantly as he turned from the window to face Armin. He was greeted by the same silence that had been the blonde's response for the past year. The brunette smiled and set a blanket over Armin's shoulders. "It's still a bit chilly. We don't want you getting sick."

Blue eyes stared straight ahead. No response.

Jean hummed as he took two bowls from the kitchen counter and walked towards the table.

"Time for lunch! It's a far cry from what we used to eat at training, huh?"

Jean used to avoid talking about anything that had to do with their time fighting the titans. He thought maybe that would help Armin, but he soon found out it was no use. Jean tried the opposite approach then. He would kneel before Armin, hold his hands, and talk about their training days. He talked to him about Eren and Mikasa and even about their deaths. He hoped that maybe confronting the problem would bring a solution but no matter what he said nothing seemed to reach the blonde.

The great victory of humanity had come at a heavy price. Many people died and the sight was so gruesome that many of the surviving comrades went into shock, Armin being one of them.

A treatment center was made to care for those people but Jean wouldn't allow the blonde to be taken there and instead took responsibility of him. He felt like it was the least he could do in the memory of his fallen comrades. They all owned them so much…

Including Armin

Jean shook his head. He didn't like to add Armin into that category. He was still living and breathing at his side.

Since that day, Jean had given every effort to try and get a response from the blonde. Whenever another member of the 114th training squad met with him they would try to hide the pity in their voice as they asked how Armin was.

"We're good." Jean would answer and that was how they would know that nothing had changed.

After half a year of silence, Jean changed his goal. It no longer was to get Armin to answer, it was simply to care for him and stay at his side for the rest of his life.

Jean sat down, his chair next to Armin's own. He took hold of the bowl and spoon. He blew on it lightly before nearing it to the blonde's mouth. He gently forced those lips to part. Armin's body automatically swallowed but his eyes didn't seem to register anything.

"Sasha's going to stop by next week. She said she would bring some bread but knowing her she'll eat it on the way!" He chuckled before dipping the spoon back into the bowl.

"We should go take a walk after lunch. The wind is strong but the sun is out. We should take advantage of this and go to the ocean." Jean's smile twitched. "I know how much you like the ocean…"

Once the bowl was empty Jean quickly ate his own meal before setting out to find a sweater for the blonde.

"Sweater time. It'll be dark for a bit." Jean pulled the object of clothing over Armin's head. The boy didn't move as Jean pulled at turtleneck so the blonde's head was back out. "Ok, now one arm." The brunette took hold of the limp limb and passed it through the hole. "Now the other."

Once they were ready, Jean pressed lightly onto Armin's shoulders. "We're going to stand up now." He then put his hands under the blonde's armpits. "Going up!" He lifted him to his feet. He kept hold of him until he felt Armin's body become stable. He let go then took hold of Armin's right hand with his own before setting his left arm over the blonde's shoulder to guide him.

"Let's go." He pushed him forward lightly. Armin's body obeyed and moved. They slowly made their way outside. Jean had purposefully chosen to live near the ocean for Armin's sake.

The brunette smiled. "We really shouldn't but… how about we take off our shoes to feel the waves?" Jean bent down and untied Armin's shoes. "It's been too cold to go outside for a while. Excited?"

Shoes off, Jean guided the blonde to the ocean shore. The water splashed softly at their feet. Jean smiled down at the water before turning to Armin. He felt something similar to a stab in the chest when he saw no reaction in those eyes. He swallowed down the knot in his throat and forced himself to keep smiling. "It's cold, isn't it? But it feels good."

They continued walking for a while until they reached Jean's favorite spot. It was a little cliff that overlooked the sea. He carefully sat the blonde down. They had gotten there right at sunset. The sight was breathtaking.

Jean turned to Armin. The boy's head was actually limp against his chest staring unblinking at his lap. Jean's smile fell and before he could stop himself he shook Armin.

"Armin, look at it! It's the ocean! Remember you love the ocean!? You always talked about it with such desire! It was your dream to see it! It's in front of you, dammit!" Tears began to escape Jean's eyes. The brunette held Armin's sweater tightly. He buried his face against the boy's stomach and sobbed. "Please wake up! Please come back! I need you! I want you to see this with me! Please!" His entire body shook with sobs.

Realization hit him hard. He jolted and straightened, rubbing the tears off his eyes quickly.

"Fuck, fuck, sorry!" He quickly took hold of the blonde's face and gave him an adoring smile. "I'm sorry, ok? Don't mind me. I was just being stupid." The blonde made no response as Jean kissed his forehead.

Poor Jean.

Anyway, It's time to declare which prompt gets a sequel!

I considered doing "The New Knight" because I really didn't like the idea of Jean being dead but almost everyone asked for "Sketches" so that's what I'll do! I'm excited!

I hope I'll have it done by the weekend so it can be a valentines day present for you guys!