Jean watched in horror as he saw the giant reach out and grab Mikasa from the air. He watched as she flailed and stabbed at the giant's hand before crying out, a loud snap ringing out that Jean was positive was her legs. Suddenly, he flung himself into the air, slicing at the beasts reaching out for him and weaving between their giant hands, desperate to get to the girl. His heart sank to his stomach when he saw the giant bringing Mikasa to its ugly face, it's mouth opening widely and dangling Mikasa above it.

"MIKASA!"

Another loud crunch rang out as her blood splattered on the front of his uniform, his eyes wide with fear. He couldn't save her.

Jean woke from his sleep with a gasp, panting as sweat dripped down his forehead. It had been a week since he had first saw Mikasa. A week since the nightmares had started. Nightmares of giant, ugly monsters. Nightmares of his friends and comrades dying. Nightmares of her dying. These nightmares had gotten so bad he would wake up in a cold sweat, screaming for Marco or Mikasa. Night after night, Marco would run in to make sure he was not being murdered.
Jean glanced at the clock by his bedside, the green numbers flashing 10:28. Marco should be at work by now, leaving Jean alone in their apartment.

He got up, walking to the bathroom and looking at himself. Dark bags had formed under his hazel eyes, showing the lack of sleep he had been getting for the past week. His unruly, ash brown hair stuck up this way and that from his dark undercut. Jean sighed heavily and cupped water in his hand before splashing his face with it. He dried his face then brushed his teeth, attempting to fix his hair before giving up and covering it with a beanie. He went to his room, got dressed then left the quaint little apartment.

Jean grit his teeth at the cold biting at his face, shoving his hands in his coat pockets as he walked towards the small cafe. The cafe where he had seen her. He shook his head, trying to rid his thoughts of the raven-haired beauty that had been ruining his sleep for the past week. The little bells chimed as Jean walked through the door, heading to the counter and ordering a regular coffee. He paid then took his usual seat, sipping at his coffee as he scrolled through his phone. He didn't notice the little bells chiming again or the scent of cherry blossoms entering the little cafe. He didn't notice Mikasa's dark gaze on him as she ordered her hot cocoa. He finally looked up when he heard a chair scraping against the tile, seeing Mikasa taking the seat across from him and staring at him as if this was normal. Jean nearly choked on his coffee, gasping as heat rose to his cheeks and his heart pounded suddenly.

"F-Fuck- I didn't see you, I'm sorry-" He strained to speak. How the fuck did she manage to turn him into such a blushing and stuttering mess?

"It's alright." Her soft voice made his heart skip a beat and her eyes shone with amusement. "I'm sorry for running off the other day, I didn't even get to ask your name." Her eyes stared at him over her cup and he felt himself wither under her gaze.

"Oh, don't apologize! You were busy, I get it." He mustered up a small smile, quickly meeting her gaze before locking his eyes back on his coffee. Mikasa stared at the strange boy before letting out a breathy chuckle.

"I'm Mikasa Ackerman." She announced, holding out her hand to him. Jean looked up before reaching his hand out to grab hers and shake it. Fuck, her skin was so damn soft.

"R-Right. I'm Jean. Jean Kirschtein." She managed to smile softly before letting his hand go.

"Pleasure to meet you, Jean. Is it French?" Mikasa questioned, sipping at her hot cocoa again and crossing her legs. Jean smiled at the way his name rolled off her tongue, he loved when she said it and how she pronounced it perfectly.

"Mhm." He responded, shoving his phone in his pocket. Her gaze stayed unwavering on him.

"Interesting. So tell me about yourself, Kirschtein." She rested her chin in her palm.

"U-Uh.. Whaddya wanna know?"

"Anything. You, your family, what you do for a living, hobbies, anything."

"W-Well.. Uh. Let's see. I grew up with just my mom.. My dad left before I was born so it's always been just me and her. I liked it though, my mom always tried real hard to make sure I had everything I wanted, always made sure I was happy. I really love her. I went to Trost Elementary and middle school, then we moved to Shiganshina. Went to Shiganshina High for a while, then dropped out and did online. Now, I'm 23, I live with my best friend Marco in this little apartment. It's not anything special but it's good enough for the two of us. I make art to try to pay the bills, I've always wanted to be a successful artist. Hasn't been working out too well yet but I'm not giving up. I know it sounds lame. But yeah, that's about it." He shrugged, stopping himself from rambling on. Mikasa just stared at him while she took it all in.

"Art? That actually sounds really cool." There was an intrigued look in her dark eyes. Jean felt his heart swell.

"Ah.. Thanks. So, uh, what about you? Your parents, your life?" Her face suddenly dropped.

"There's not much to say. I grew up in Shiganshina with my brother Eren and friend Armin. I lived a peaceful, uneventful life with them. It's always been Eren and I since his mother died. His father was always busy with work, so we learned to live on our own. I live with both of them still. I work at this little pizza place. I hate working there but it pays my part of the bills." She finished, her eyes on her hot cocoa as she sipped at it. Jean nodded, though he was confused. If she really had lived such a peaceful life, why did she get so upset by his question? He stared at her and frowned. She looked so small and closed off now. Nothing like the strong woman he first met who held herself up with pride. Her shoulders were hunched as her sad eyes stared into her cup. Jean couldn't help but feel sorry for asking about her life, but he didn't know why. From what she said, she seemed to live a happy life. So why did she look so sad? That look made him want to protect her. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and never let go, to let her know she was safe. It was that same urge he had felt in his dreams.

"Jean?" Her small voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked up at her to see her gathering her things.

"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry-" He raked a hand through his hair and sighed.

"Don't be.. I should get going now." She got up, pulling her black coat over her shoulders.

"W-What? If it's because of what I said, I'm sorry, Mikasa. I really am. I just can't help my stupid ass mouth, it always puts me in these shitty situations." He blurted out, frowning. She stared at him for a while, no emotion on her face. Then she held her hand out. Jean looked at her hand then up at him, confusion on his face.

"Wha-?"

"Your phone, can I see it? I'll give you my number." She explained, a small smile on her face.

"O-Oh! Right," Jean pulled his phone out of his pocket, handing it to her. He watched as she typed the numbers in, tilting her head a bit before handing it back to him.

"It was nice seeing you again, Jean." The bells chimed as she walked out the door. He watched her leave before checking his phone. A small smile was on his face, reading the letters that spelled out Mikasa. A little smiley face emoji was beside her name which made him chuckle to himself.