Thanks, Burningdetective1997, for that awesome review! :D I hope y'all enjoy this chapter, cuz I did! (ifuknowwhatimean)

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan.

FIFTY-FIVE

Next day, I dialed Marco's mom's phone while eating cereals again. I briefed her on the whole Family Department shit and she understood it, though it was necessary but a bit carried out, -"That's just how they are. I don't blame your father either, but he should have payed you a few visits to see how you were doing."

I sighed, playing with my breakfast without appetite, -"Yeah...,"- I pushed the bowl aside and rested my elbow on the table, -"Hey, are you going to Church today?"- I was kind of bored and desired to see Marco. I couldn't stop thinking of yesterday's hug.

-"I'm planning to. I was going to invite you."

-"I'd like to,"- I said and started walking upstairs, remembering she actually wanted me to come as a favor to get Marco out of his room, -"Gotta convince Marco first though."

-"I'll pick you up and bring you here so you can speak to him. I'll be there in a few."

We hung up and I quickly searched for something to wear. It had to be proper, but not too proper and not too trashy either. I picked up a white jean, a plain white T-shit and a brown leather coat. With a pair of brown boots, I decided it was simple enough and dressed up. When I finished, I waited for Mrs. Bodt to arrive while playing with my cellphone. After a few minutes, I heard her car's honk and mounted it. She greeted me before we rode off.

At her house, with permission, I headed up to Marco's room which I was familiar with. It was closed and hopefully not locked. I knocked softly before calling him, -"Marco?"

I heard rustling and footsteps before the door opened to reveal Marco... still in his pajamas and drowsy. He rubbed his eyes, which I found so damn adorable, and squinted at me. He gasped, expecting someone else, -"Oh! Jean!"- He quickly looked back at his room and down at his clothes abashedly, -"Um, what're you doing here?"

-"Gonna go to church with your mom and I was hoping you'd come too."- I pointed downstairs.

His eyes widened a bit, unable to believe what I said. He knew I wasn't much of a believer, -"Really? You?"- A smile grew on his slightly blotchy face.

I nodded, scratching the back of my neck. It's awkward, this, we both knew we're avoiding a certain topic, trying not to even think about it.

-"Well, I'm in, as long as I can see you bored to death,"- He chuckled and turned to walk inside his room, -"Let me change up, um..."

-"Wait,"- I spoke quickly before he disappeared through his room. I didn't wanted to disturb his privacy. I knew he wasn't so comfortable with me after... that day, -"I..., h-how are you?"- Discreetly, I observed his lips, remembering how harshly I bit them that day. They were still a bit bruised, but much better than then.

He turned to face me again, -"I'm alright...,"- He answered, knowing what I meant, -"And you?"

-"I'm alive, at least,"- I joked, trying to dissipate this awkward feeling, eager on not keeping it like this, -"Well, uh..., I'll let you change then."

He nodded and headed inside -but not before exchanging one last look with me; it had incertitude and yearning in it. Last time we spoke, he was in the fringe to break up with me and yet the words never came out -or maybe I didn't let them. In any case, I knew Marco dreaded it as much as I did. I'm tired of this ricochet and I want Marco and I to have a normal life, be together for as long as we can, but I had to make him see that he has nothing to hide or fear from God or his faithful family, that he wasn't sinning. I had to show him see that I'm not afraid anymore and that he shouldn't either and that no matter what, God, and everyone else, will love him as he is. I really wanted him to keep his faith, because he treasures it, but that can't stop him from loving whomever he pleases.

We waited for him downstairs and his mom asked me how I managed to convince him. I said that it took no effort at all and that I though Marco actually wanted to go out for some time, but not with anyone, he wanted me to come. That meant he really longed for me, even after all the piling issues... just as I have.

After a few minutes, Marco came down and again, I appraised him: he had light-blue jeans accompanied by an elbow-length plain white shirt and a jean-material vest, matching his trousers. With a pair of light brown boots, he looked like one of those models from Calvin Klein. He smiled, a light blush coloring his cheeks, -"Well, well, look at you,"- His mom stood up and embraced him into a hug, -"How elegant. I'm glad you decided to come with us."- She kissed his cheek.

-"Thanks, mom."- Then, our eyes caught each other and he eyed me just as I eyed him. He tried to be discreet about it, looking away occasionally, his cheeks blushing like always, but I saw through him. A smirk rose to my lips.

We mounted the car and rode to the near church, the one Marco and his mom always attended. It surprised me to see how small it actually was yet full of people. I suppose these people found comfort in here, no matter how small it was. When we dismounted and went inside, it feel comfortable enough and I saw all kind of faces; from the youngest to the oldest, pregnant mothers and mothers who recently gave birth and came baptize the baby.

Aside from all that, I felt weird here. A stupid joke crossed my mind: oh good, I haven't been burned yet, but I kept it to myself. Still, maybe it's because I haven't attended church in a long, long while. Last time I did, I was a just a kid who found it extremely boring, like most did, and just slept throughout the chant. A lot had changed since then and even though I wasn't as faithful as the people around me, I found a bit of comfort. It was quiet and had a peaceful touch to it.

We sat on the front rows and when the chant began, everyone stood up, except Marco, who was beside me. I placed my hand over his and squeezed it tight, giving him a smile. I stood up and gestured him to follow suit. I was a problematic guy, always getting in fights, making enemies and homosexual, so what? Still, I stood up fearlessly and Marco saw to that. He stood up close to me and whispered, -"You're crazy, you know that?"

Another smile rose to my lips, -"Crazy in love, that's what."

His cheeks lighted up, but he gazed away from the front cross, where a dainty figure of God laid nailed onto the wood. My eyes dropped too -but only for a second. I raised them back and looked straight at His figure.

When the moment to confess our sins and beg for forgiveness came up, everyone kneeled in a small chair below the benches. Marco kept looking down at his and then up -and occasionally, at me. He was unsure if he should beg pardon, he was struggling with himself, but at the same time, he didn't wanted to say sorry for loving another man. A small smile formed on my lips as I nudged his knee. He looked at me, uncertain of what to do. With some gestures, I told him to just watch and listen.

I breathed deeply as I descended into the small chair, resting my knees on it. With my hand tied together in front of me, elbows resting on the front bench, I spoke, not too loud nor not too low, just enough for Marco to hear me, -"Dear God,"- I began, -"I do have a lot of sins that need your attention; the fights, the problems, my temper, my brash attitude...,"- I gave Marco a side glance. He was looking somewhere else, but I knew he was listening to me, -"But my feelings for someone of my own gender aren't a sin. It's an emotion, one that I cherish above all other and you can't punish me or him for it,"- This all felt weird. I didn't know if who I was speaking to even existed. I might as well be speaking to a wall, but then again, I was doing this for Marco -well, for both of us, -"I love him and I have the right to. I won't let you deprive me of my emotions nor my rights and no matter what you throw at me, I'll surpass it, I won't give in. Amen."- It felt right to bow slightly and do the cross gesture with my hands before standing up and sitting beside Marco.

His eyes had widen up, his mouth gaped at my cope. I placed my hand over his and tied our fingers. I smiled warmly at him, -"See? You don't have to throw anything away, Marco, don't be afraid. You once told me that, remember?"- He did, but it was on a different situation -well, a bit different.

Marco looked down at our intertwined hands. Just as I did, he noticed that some people, from the front and back row, spotted us like this, but it didn't mattered. They started whispering to each other, but it didn't matter. Marco took a deep breath before nodding slightly. He looked at me, his lips turning into a small smile and I saw a spark of resolution ignite in him, -"If you can, so can I."- Slowly, he descended onto the small chair and knelt.

His words made a smile from on my lips. I watched how he placed his hand before him and started speaking. I began to tell him that he didn't need to say it out loud, but he said he wanted me to hear him. I couldn't hold a broad smile from growing as he spoke. He said that, like me, he loved a person of his own gender and that he couldn't hold or deny it. He said that he didn't wanted to change that, that love was a beautiful emotion for him and that it didn't matter to whom he expressed it for as long as it was true. He confessed it is true, so true that he wanted to spent his whole life with me, that I was the one person he truly felt safe, comfortable and happy with.

A knot formed on my throat afterwards, hindering me from swallowing a few tears. I quickly rubbed my eyes, brushing the lump of water off them before they fell. After saying amen, Marco sat beside me again and gave me a tender smile before resting his head on my shoulder. My whole body warmed and an inmense happyness overwhelmed me.

After a while, Marco stood fearlessly for every chant and whatnot and I was overjoyed, but most of all, I was proud of him. When it all ended, Marco's mom began speaking to people she knew while Marco and I walked around, hands tied together, -"I'm proud of you, you know."- I said, swinging our hands back and forth.

He chuckled, nudging my shoulder with his other hand playfully, -"No, I'm the one who's proud."

I smiled at his words and my eyes trailed to the murmuring crowds who were cautiously looking at us, -"Yeah, well, I always impress you."- I said jokingly, returning his latter gesture. Still, it was true.

Marco chuckled again, resting his head on my shoulder. Not to brag or anything, but I've noticed his recent behavior, kind of like girlish, towards me like he was more enamored of me and I do think so. My latter cope with God was brave -if not a bit dramatic. I wasn't going to gloat about it though. It made Marco more comfortable with himself and his faithful beliefs and that was my original intent, that's what mattered.

The though that Marco was more in love with me brought a broad smile to my lips. Marco noticed and tilted his head, puzzled, -"What are you thinking about, huh?"

-"Nothing,"- I said and took a chunk of his cheeks with my fingers, -"Except your adorable face."

Marco giggled at my touch. I was about to compliment him again until his mom called us, -"Alright, boys. Time to go."

We mounted her car and rode off. During the ride, Marco's mom asked him how he felt after our time in church and he answered with honesty, with confidence in both of us. She told him that she was glad, that she was so worried about him. He ended up saying sorry to her -and me too, for all the trouble, trouble which seemed foolish to him now. Mrs. Bodt and I shook our heads and told him that it was normal to feel like that and that no matter what, we'll always be there for him. What's left now was to confront his family and Mrs. Bodt told me that she'd like me to visit on Christmas. She said the whole family would be there, but that if I didn't felt comfortable or didn't want to go, it's okay. I refused. If I have to meet the King of Sina for Marco, I'll do it.

-"Mom, I'd like to stay with Jean,"- Marco digressed, -"In his house, I mean. The doctor said he needed to find company, right?"

Mrs. Bodt smiled, -"Yup, he did."

-"Well, can I? I'd... hate for him to stay alone for so long."- His willfulness and concern enthused me.

-"Of course you can. You'll need clothes though -including school's uniform. I'll have to pick you up around 7:30."

Marco nodded, resolute on his decision. Some time alone with Marco appealed me... for many reasons. Sadly, school wasn't over until next week, so he wouldn't be 24/7 with me. Still, it was enough for both of to catch up and just... be together.

After collecting his stuff from his house with my help, we rode off to my house and when we arrived, Marco said farewell to his mom, -"Thanks for everything, Jean,"- She told me, her solicitude finally reaching to an end, -"You're truly made for each other."

-"No, thank you. I wouldn't have done much without you."- I replied, feeling overwhelmed with emotions as I picked up one of Marco's bags.

-"Nonsense,"- She said, giving me a knowing smile, -"You would've done it anyways."

I chuckled, -"True,"- I looked back at Marco who was entering my house with his stuff and knew that she was right. One way or another, I would've accomplish what I did today. I'd go through any lengths for him, -"Goodbye then. Take care."- It saddened me a bit that she'd be the one to stay alone now, but there was no way I could convince her otherwise -nor Marco.

-"You too."- And with that, she left.

Inside, Marco was transporting his stuff to my room, my messy room. I scratched the back of my neck as I observed the jumble; shoes and clothes thrown everywhere -yup, even underpants, -"Sorry for the mess."- I apologized, not feeling as ashamed as last time we were here with a similar mess.

He just smiled, -"It's nothing. Still, let me help-"

-"Screw that,"- I said as I strolled very close to him from behind and took his hand, -"Been meaning to speak to you... for a while."

He turned around to face me, not leaving the thin space between us, -"What about?"

He knew what, -"I... wanted to apologize... for that day,"- I breathed deeply and allowed myself to vent off a bit, but still keeping control, -"I didn't wanted to hurt you, it wasn't my intention,"- With my thumb, I grazed his lips and the small bruises in them, -"I just... missed you a lot and I didn't wanted you to break up with me. I should have controlled myself, I'm so sorry..."

-"I know, Jean and I understand,"- He touched his lips too, -"It did hurt, but it wasn't much, so please, don't worry,"- He took my hands and squeezed them. Our eyes locked with each other, -"I missed you too, but I was confused, I didn't know what was right anymore... I didn't wanted to hurt you either..."

-"Is it now?"- I inquired, drawing my face nearer.

He smiled tenderly and nodded, -"It has always been, I was just..."

-"Not a fool, Marco, don't say that."

-"I'm sorry,"- He apologized, -"Whatever happens, Jean, I want to be with you for as long as I can."

Man, that was so good to hear, -"Me too,"- I replied and looked straight into his eyes, like Diego advised, -"And Marco, I promise I'll let the past in the past."- Once, my past was tied to me and that's what detained our relationship, but not anymore.

Marco shook his head, -"No, I was asking too much of you..."

-"No, you weren't. If you, Diego or Mom didn't told me, I would've been stranded there right now, but not anymore, Marco, I won't let it shape my future.., my future with you,"- Tears were forming on Marco's eyes as I placed my hand on his cheek, -"I love you and I want to try again. I'll do better this time, I swear, I'll be in control, I'll change, I'll..."

Marco smiled, tears already cascading down from his eyes. He quickly nodded, -"I want to try again too and you don't need to change,"- He said, our faces only inches apart, -"I love you as you are now."

Our lips met almost immediately. I held his face tightly as we kissed passionately and gently, trailing my hand through his smooth hair. He wrapped his arms around my waist and when I parted, I breathed deeply, -"Really wanted to do that for a while..."- I mused, looking into his eyes and seeing longing. I knew he wanted to do that for a while too.

He chuckled and when I was about to step away, he pulled me towards him and our lips found each other again, taking me a bit by surprise. This kiss lasted longer than the last one and I was completely overjoyed. We kissed a bit faster, but still gently, our tongue grazing each other as we shifted our heads in sync. I didn't allowed my hunger for his lips -and more- posses me, not wanting to wound him again, but our desires were still lurking around. Marco bit my lower lip frequently, playfully, but softly, spurring me to act more. A smirk grew on the borders of my lips as I deepened our kiss, pushing his head closer to me. My tongue traveled the layers of his mouth, licking and biting his lips smoothly. Marco moaned and breathed deeply when our faces separated for a second before continuing. It last for more than 5 minutes and we grew more intimate as I began to claw my fingers up his back, caressing his slick skin. My other hand ran a bit lower from behind into his pant, but I stopped myself and kept it there, fingers tying with his pant's fringes. Marco, however, didn't held himself as I did when he clutched my waist and pulled our hips closer until they collided. My body began to warm up as an arousal grew in me, specially in my lower part. Then, when I felt a slight bulge from him in my lower area, I understood why he pulled me so close to him.

Our lips parted for a second, both of us breathing intensely. I drew my lips close to his ear, -"You know, you just have to ask."- I whispered, slowing pushing him to bed.

He bit his lower lip in an attempt to conceal a playful smile, his face flaring up. I took his chin with my finger and kissed him again as we descended onto my bed. I landed over him, as I usually did, but this time, I didn't pin his wrist over him, this time, I let his arms free, not feeling right about leashing him. Even though in our previous romantic moments I did pinned him he never complained, but still... my body over his was enough. Sure, the moment I put my hands down, he gripped my shirt and pulled me down closer to him, wrapping his arms around me. My eyes widen. Damn, isn't he horny? In the aftermath, I was turned on.

I began to kiss neck and traveled lower to his chest, smelling his flesh. Oh, the smell of sweet vanilla I was getting accustomed to invaded my nostrils and it was good. When I licked and sucked small parts of his chest, Marco moaned and mused my name, fueling my hunger in the process. I worked trough his chest, pulling his shirt up and running my hands through his lustrous abs. Oh and he didn't strayed, he retaliated, trailing his hand though my abs too. His touch sent gleeful thrills throughout me, making my head dizzy in arousal. I smashed my lips onto his and we kissed once again, -"Marco...,"- I spoke as an erection spurred me into action, -"I want to...,"- Marco quickly nodded, knowing what I was talking about. Images of the last time we masturbated together flooded me as I began to undo my pants. When I finished and looked down, he already had his undone, -"Damn, Marco..."- I muttered with an excited smirk on my lips before shoving my hands into his pant and his into mines.

The moment I took hold of his crotch, he took a hard intake of breath and when I started working him slowly, but effectively, he breathed out in exhilaration. Then, I increased velocity and in doing so, increased my own erection. I noted that Marco was unable to jerk me off as I worked him. It had to be one at a time. A bit bothersome, considering my actual status, but I understand him. Still, while I pleased him, his deep and satisfied moans delighted me into euphoria, so the next minutes were kind of blurry until I felt my hands sodden. Marco's breathing was ragged, his face so red that his freckles were barely visible and his grip on my shirt tightened, jolting it. Marco was having an orgasm and when I licked and bit his earlobe, his really sensitive spot, he let out a contented sigh and relaxed under me after releasing a quantity of cum. His breathing subsided and he smiled at me before jerking me off.

My skin prickled at his grip on my crotch, sending waves of chills trough me. My body went numb and I fell on him, our forehead colliding. My heart beats increased the moment Marco increased his movement which were like a rhythm, perfectly executed; up and down, up slow, down quickly, a bit of squeezing and then up and down again. I buried my face in his shoulder as he continued to work me, more faster now, hindering my breathing, -"Marco..."- I mused, feeling really, really aloft and ecstatic, it was almost dizzying. I began to shift uncomfortably as cum dripped out of my really hardened groin. I was reaching climax and when Marco caressed my abdomen and licked my chin, sending a ticklish sensation trough me, I released and relaxed.

Both of us panted, our sweaty forehead still joined, -"I... love you."- I said, closing my eyes and smiling, completely at ease and content.

-"I love you too."- He replied, giving a sweet peck in the lips before we both settled down and took a nap.

Delicious, delicious yaoi ;P