Edit: Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan (yup, I forgot xD)

SIXTY-SEVEN

Everyone, literally everyone was fighting.

Somehow, Trevor's group had found our hiding spot and had already knocked a few of ours out.

By instinct, I stepped in front of Marco, ready to defend him, -"Oi, it's Jean! Trevor was right!"- Shouted one of the jocks, pointing at me menacingly before attacking me. We grappled and I ended up defeating him after a successful punch to his jaw. I decided to commit that technique to memory as I turned to Marco, who wasn't there anymore. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him further into the hideout, kneeling before one of the wounded. He wanted to help, but I can't let him step right into the heart of the fight!

I rushed towards him and pulled on his arm, -"What're you doing?"- I yelled, barely heard since everyone's shouting

-"I want to help!"- He yelled back, shoving my hand off. I clicked my tongue, a bit vexed at his recklessness, but before I could even open my mouth, he spoke, looking at me straight in the eye, -"It'll be okay, Jean, I can defend myself. Keep them off of me while I tend to the injured."- He told me the same thing I told him in the bathroom, but now I somehow couldn't accept it. The number of enemies here was higher and the possibilities of escaping from this one unharmed were slim.

I pondered about it, biting my lips as I though about all the possible outcomes of this plan in a second, but in face of this situation and the horrible fact that we might be caught in a wrestling, I clicked my tongue again and nodded, -"Fine, just stay close to me."

Without further ado, I positioned myself close to Marco as he paced around, helping the guys who were knocked out and resting them somewhere safe -if there's somewhere place to begin with. My only goal was to keep these assholes away from him, keep him safe and unharmed. I lost count of how many I fought my way out, keeping them off of him. Nathaniel and his boyfriend fought too, but I felt their hostile glare on my back -specially Nathaniel's- when I wasn't looking and I knew they wished for this whole gang war to be against me.

I ignored them and eventually rode the enemy into regress.

Everyone tried to settle down afterwards, the wounded wailed while attempting to appease their broken nose or crippled legs. They laid against the walls or the cold asphalt, but none could calm down; they were just attacked and again, I found their zealot attitude towards war amusing. They fantasized and cried as if it was the end of the world. Please, call me when CoD franchise ends and then I'll weep my soul out.

Okay, that was kind of disrespectful, but seriously.

I was following Marco around while he tried to soothe the injured when a strong hand gripped my shoulder and wiped me around, -"What the-"- I exclaimed and for fuck's sake, I could never have foreseen a direct punch to my face in this place I though secure. The blow landed right where I've been punched before (don't remember in which fight though) and if it didn't hurt then, it definitely hurt now. I staggered and landed my back on the near wall, covering my face with both hands. My whole face went sore, specially my nose. I've never been punched like that before, but I guess I deserve it, considering how much noses I've broken today, -"Fuck!"- I cursed and when my hand began to loosen from my face, I took yet another punch. This time, I toppled, my head stunned and my back clashed on the asphalt.

-"Oh my God, Jean!"- Marco called in the distance, his usual mellowy voice filled with distress as he rushed to my aid, but someone held him back forcefully, -"What are you doing? Let me go!"

-"Enough, Nathaniel! Calm down!"- Was that... Diego? I wondered where he'd been during the attack.

Then it hit me: Nathaniel attacked me. Motherfucker. Wait... is he the enemy or am I..? Shit, I can't even think straight.

-"You're telling me to calm down?"- Nate spat and I saw his hazy silhouette point at me, -"This idiot lured them right here! It's his damn fault!"

I blinked, finally regaining my vision. I quickly met with a very wrathful Nathaniel before me, still pointing at me and grabbing Marco's arm with his other hand.

-"It wasn't his intention, for God's sake! He was-"

-"Saving his little sweetheart! One guy! He compromised our whole troop for just one guy!"- He spat again, jolting Marco, -"Because of him, they know our location and they'll raid us again!"

-"Let go!"- Marco shouted, clawing his nails at Nate's grasp. When he didn't budge, Marco bit his arm, gritting his teeth tighter at Nate's flesh. I smirked at that. Marco actually shares my attitude when it comes to me -that, or he has learned from me. Nathaniel yowled and snatched his arms away. Marco quickly knelt beside me, placing his hand on both my cheeks, his thumb caressing my swollen lips, -"Jean, can you hear me? Oh, Jean, please...,"- His eyes welled and I parted my lips to speak when Nathaniel came again, gripped Marco's arms and hauled him away, -"Just stop, please! He's hurting!"- He didn't shared everything though, I never say 'please' to anyone in battle.

That's it. I snapped again. This is the second time and the day has just started.

I swung my leg at Nathaniel; he foresaw my attack too late and fell, his back slamming on the floor with a plunk. Still, he managed to rest one of his hands on his rear head to avoid severe damage. I forced myself up, groaning at the shot of pain in my knee as I hobbled towards him, knelt before him and thew a punch. He dodged it, moving his head aside and my fists hit the asphalt instead. I hissed and threw another punch, but he dodged it again and again, my fist met the floor. I was, without a doubt, hurting myself more than I planned to hurt him. He had admirable reflexes, I'll give him that, but so did I, and I proved it when he swung his clenched hands at my jaw and I evaded it and retaliated. Finally, my fists met his jaw and he grunted. He didn't wail for long though; abruptly, he swayed his body sideways and rolled over me. We wrestled and eventually stood up. I kept throwing punches recklessly, not really aware of my own moves and he just blocked or dodged them all swiftly. He really seemed like a military sergeant or some shit, with quick reflexes and portentous proficiency in battle.

Eventually though, he started losing his cool. I pushed it, even though I dwindled, my stamina drained and that irked him. His moves got sloppy and just one goal prevailed in his mind: take me down. Before he could abide though, Marco and Diego finally stepped in. They had been trying to stop us for a while now, -"Enough, both of you!"- That was Diego, too loud for him, but none of us obliged. Nate and I kept grappling until we were literally pulled apart by our respective boyfriends. It kind of surprised me that Axel didn't joined the fray and to Nate, that was unacceptable.

-"He risked your life, Ax!"- He spat at him.

Axel shook his head, -"It wasn't his intention and you know it!"

-"Now you're defending him?"

-"Hell yeah I am!"

I know that's gonna make Nate abhor be even more, but I don't care. While they argued, I paced around, spiting droplets of blood and flicking my fingers, causing a cracking sound echo around this pisshole while waiting for an opportunity to tackle him again, until a familiar pair of arms enveloped me from behind, banishing any corrupting thoughts, -"Jean, just... stop. You're hurting yourself and I can't bear it, it's not worth it."- Not worth breaking that bastard's nose? Doubtful. I kept glaring at him, at his clenched hands and gritted teeth. He's gonna try something, I just know it.

-"Guerrero, you've crossed the line!"- Diego was really distressed, possibly because he started all this when he told Nate of Marco's situation and showed me the messages, -"Wouldn't you have done the same if it was Axel instead?"

Diego has caught Nathaniel's tongue. He just gazed away.

-"Though so."

-"I would never risk our entire operation here, De Castro."- As he spat that, he glared at me and I glared back at him. God, I so want to bitch slap him, but Marco's gentle embrace held me back. He practically had me in the palm of his hands.

-"That wasn't your top priority when they raided us, am I right?"- Diego replied and I could concede his point. I saw how ferociously Nathaniel fought, always defending Axel, blocking any attack directed to him. He reminded me of myself, at that.

-"Shut up,"- He spat and waved Diego off. He pointed at me menacingly, furrowing his brows, -"It's all your fault! This isn't done!"

-"My thoughts exactly!"- I replied, wishing to go there and punch him some more, but at the same time I want to stay where I am, in Marco's arms.

-"Next time they come, I'm handing you in."- He spat and I'm pretty sure he meant it. Marco twitched behind me and I knew he wouldn't allow it.

-"Nathaniel."- Diego warned, stepping between us.

-"You can try."- I replied, spiteful.

-"Jean, please."- Marco warned too, tightening his grip on me.

-"Look at him! He's not even sorry for all he's done!"- Nate spat and threw his hands up in exasperation, -"If he can't even think before acting, we're all fucked!"

Then my mind finally tried to make sense of all this, like for starters, why they blamed me for the attack. During the fight, I hadn't though about it -if I even think during those at all. Somehow, I lured the adversary here when I rushed out to Marco's rescue. True, I hadn't think before acting and thus, I risked every soul here. True too, I'm not feeling sorry... well, maybe a bit. I was particularly sorry and worried for Diego and Zaeed. Thing is, it didn't even crossed my mind this place's safety (or the people here) when I ran out: Marco's health was the one though and what would happen if I didn't find him soon. Brash, I know, but I followed my instinct and fuck that shit about "personal sentiments can affect the mission". I love Marco and I'm not about to lose him for this "mission".

-"Why is he even here, huh?"- Among all the things Nathaniel said, that question stood out most.

That was a good question alright. Why am I here if I don't even care for these people? I would say because of Marco, but it's getting tiresome, right? (it's true nonetheless). I appreciate what Nathaniel's doing here, stating our place and rights in this school, but it's, I dunno, not my thing. He's just playing "vigilante" and I think he cares more for his boyfriend than anything -or anyone- else (another thing we have in common. Fuck.). I just flip off, threaten or punch and knock out whoever insults me and sometimes, I don't pay it much attention. Sometimes. This whole thing for "the greater good" is not my place to act in, I say again. I really prefer not to tangle myself in such a thing, but oh well. Ever since I defeated Frank, I've become an icon of some sorts. Then again, Frank was the master mind behind the bullying and the controversy against homosexuals, but to be frank (get it?), I didn't really fixed anything, I just made his jocks angrier and feisty. Right now, the situation is worse.

I think Marco knows all this and he was giving me a concerned look, wondering what I'll say, so I'll say the truth and while I'm at it, I'll vent, -"I'm here because of Marco, alright? So what? I never asked for any of this, so don't fucking punish me for doing what I want to do. You don't have the right to-"

-"Nobody has the right to decide someone else's purpose for fighting. Period,"- I know that voice. I gazed towards the entrance and I admit, I'm completely astonished when I saw it was definitely Levi's voice I heard, -"Glad to know you've truly come. It wasn't an issue to find you at all, considering the trail of bodies you left."

I almost laughed at that, but I was still stunned at his sudden (and very punctual) appearance.

-"R-Rivaille..."- Stammered Nathaniel. Feels good to know I wasn't the only one dumbfounded right now. I do wonder what brought him here though. The attack? Why does he care about this pisshole?

-"The fuck is wrong with you making a big fuss about this?"- Levi gave him that intimidating scowl he gave me during the first days of school.

I snickered and when Levi turned to me abruptly, I shrank back onto Marco's arms, -"And you,"- He stormed towards me and I swear I've never been so scared in my life before (except when Marco fainted in my arms), -"You're too impulsive. How many times have I told you to think before acting or speaking?"

Even as scared as I was, I rolled my eyes, aware of how much he disliked it. Here it goes again, another lecture, -"I get it, I get it, I should have been aware that I'd be watched when I stepped in this hell hole and that the enemy would be attentive at my every move. I could have told Nathaniel too, so he could prepare. My bad."- When I rescued Marco, I didn't though about any of this. Again, I'm defeated by Levi and his influence over me.

Nathaniel's expression softened when I said that.

-"Exactly. I'm impressed your birdbrain comprehends the situation,"- He paused and I glared at him. I'm not a birdbrain... right? -"Well done, for what is worth."

My expression softened, -"Huh? Repeat that, I didn't catch it."- Did he just praised me?

-"Fuck you,"- He sighed and began pacing around, -"I heard what you said before I arrived and I'm fucking disappointed. In years, nobody has accomplished what you've done. You're a bloody icon, Jean, whether you like it or not,"- I gaped my mouth, unable to take anymore of that crap or anymore of their besieging, until he raised his hand, -"Shut it, I'm not done,"- He spat, ran a hand trough his hair and continued, -"But your purpose is your purpose and like I said, I don't have the right to change it. Nobody's forcing you on this, Jean, so if you want to get the hell out, go ahead, though I doubt you will. Marco's too studious to abandon school."

He's right and I'm not gonna force Marco to leave and put his studies, something he cherishes, on hiatus.

-"We still need you though, so if you change your mind, you know where I'll be."- And with that, he left. Just like that.

Everyone was flabbergasted and somehow, the wounded stood up. I don't what the hell Levi did, but he has to have some sort of motivational powers. It made me want to participate and take this campaign more seriously. Also, I want to know what the hell does he have to do with any of this and decided to pay him a visit to his classroom.

I sighed, placing my hand on my aching head, -"Jean, let me take a look at you."- Marco spoke lowly to my ear from behind.

-"Not here. Let's go somewhere else."- I said and began to trudge towards the roof with Marco following me. Up there, I sat on an empty, tossed trash can and rubbed my temples, closing my eyes and breathing deeply.

-"Jean,"- Marco called and knelt before me, looking up at me compassionately, -"Please."

I dropped my hands and allowed his to nurse my messed up face. He tenderly caressed my swollen areas, my lips and cheeks, pressing on them. A muffled groan escaped my lips at the bit of pain, but then I just felt his soft fingers traveling and healing my face. I moaned at his touch, my eyes closing on their own as I rested my head on his palm. He chuckled lowly and his voice soothed me. I got drowsy, as if his voice was a lullaby and his hands a pillow.

He sat beside me and patted his lap, gesturing me to rest my head there and I didn't hesitate. Immediately when I dropped my head in his lap and threw my legs over the trash can, I looked up at the gloomy sky and deduced it'll rain soon. With the cool breeze and Marco's fingers rubbing my hair, and cranium, however, I fell asleep.

I took a ten minute nap and when I woke up, I realized we were late for class -and that Marco has been watching me sleep, -"Hey, Marco, we're..."

-"I know and it's okay, just rest a bit more."- He smiled tenderly, still rubbing my hair.

-"Aren't you...?"

He just smiled.

This must be a dream. Marco's cutting class? For me? So I could rest? -"You're unbelievable... and adorable."- I mused, warmed at his disposition to make me feel better.

He smiled again and lent down, placing a sweet kiss on my lips, -"How are you feeling?"- He asked after he parted.

-"Waaay better,"- I yawned and stretched my body, reeling the trash can in the process. Marco stopped it with his feet. I stood up after loitering and cuddling with Marco for a few minutes, -"Come on, we've got class."

-"Are you sure you're okay?"- He asked, observing my face and leg. I think I have a bruise there, which was bugging me a bit.

-"Yeah, plus, it's gonna rain soon."- I pointed to the sky.

Marco followed my finger and stood up, -"Okay."

We tangled our hands and set off. I was glad and surprised he didn't talked about my skirmish with Nathaniel. I know he wants to talk about it. He knows that whole issue is what's causing me the headache and decided not to contribute to it. How much adorable can he be? I have no idea.

We reached Levi's and I wasn't surprised when I saw a few of my group. Only Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Ymir, Krista, Reiner and Bertolt were here and of course, Levi, giving class because nothing or no one stops him. Marco and I sat near the others, who were all clustered together. Nobody's really paying attention (I sure didn't), but they at least tried, specially after receiving Levi's famous -or infamous- glare.

During class, I stared at the dark clouds looming above me. I have to apologize to Nathaniel, right? Goddammit. Why doesn't he apologized to me? He started the fight, come on! Doesn't he feel sorry, just a bit? He punched me two times, two, right in my face, at that, and considering Marco's look when he inspected my face told me it wasn't pretty.

-"Daydreaming again, are we?"- Levi spoke from beside me. Great.

I gazed at him and just shrugged, -"You know how it is."- I said indifferently.

His brows knitted, -"You want to fuck this semester up too?"- He spat, shaking his in rebuke, -"Marco is surely disappointed."

I scowled at him and gaped my mouth. Manipulative son of a bitch, -"What semester? Have you looked out to the halls recently?"- I argued, vexed at him. Even though he terrifies me, I've gotten bold and feisty with him.

His expression went blank as he narrowed me.

-"You know what's going on out there, why bother with classes? Also,"- Now, I wasn't stopping, my mouth flapped on it's own, -"I wanna know what the hell you were doing up there. You could care less for what Nate's doing."

-"That,"- He stepped closer to me and slammed his palm on my desk, it's clonk startling Marco in front of me, -"Is none of your business."

A grin grew on my swelled lips, -"Suure and I bet Eren has to do with it."- Gasp teemed the room, specially Eren's. I saw him twitch in his chair as he faked writing whatever was on the slate and if he had even a bit of his old, peeving self, he would have said something, but he didn't and that just made the rumor even more veritable. The rumor that he and Levi had gotten on a liaison was more viral and I'm prone to believe it. I don't know if it's true, I haven't seen them hook up or anything, but I just wanted to bug him and I know it'll cost me.

What the fuck has gotten into me? This school's changing me, that's the only excuse I can come up with.

I'm proud to say I finally caught his tongue, took him off guard and won this 'who-has-more-balls' competition. It was only briefly though, but it's better than nothing, -"Jean!"- Marco called before me, twirling his torso to face me with an incredulous expression.

-"My, my, aren't you feisty,"- I might have gotten him off guard, but now he seemed relaxed, chill, totally unaffected by what I just said, -"You and I have to talk after class."

I just shrugged and the rest of the class consisted mostly of Marco's head shaking and side glances at me.

After class, Levi and I talked while Marco waited for me outside, -"You sure have a lot of balls to say that out loud."

-"Is it true though?"- It was kind of odd how loosen up I've gotten with him and how natural he seemed about it. Then again, our case was unique.

-"What's it to you?"

I shrugged, -"Just curious."

-"Then pry about something else."- He waved me off.

-"Fine, whatever,"- I turned to leave, but I halted my steps and turned to him again, -"Listen, I'm in on that whole thing, but I'm not doing it for you or anyone else."

Levi nodded, -"That's fine by me."

-"Good."

We took few classes after that and at the end of the day, we took P.E and I wasn't surprised to see Keith untouched by all the commotion. He gives no fucks and that's fine by me. I did workouts shirtless since I didn't brought a second pair of clothes and Marco's incredulous and disapproving looks turned to giddy simpers and flirtatious smirks. My body was rife with gleeful thrills as I felt his eye whip trough me, making me smirk smugly all the way to my ears. I knew he was kind of peeved at me for my loudmouth back at Levi's.

I began to wonder about the soccer team my group made as I ran by the shed that retrained the balls -yeah, the one I was captain of. I inquired Reiner about it and he left the matter in my hands. I clustered the group (which didn't had all the members anyways) and just said to cancel it for now. With the school in chaos, we could hardly practice and have a decent competition.

After workout, I was expiating my face from sweat with a towel when Marco approached me, -"Jean, how are you feeling?"

-"All good, thanks to you."- I kissed his forehead, resting the towel around my neck. My knee throbbed, but it wasn't something to wallow over.

He pulled on the towel and hitched me closer to him. With his arms around my torso, he buried his head in my chest, slowly tightening the grip, -"He shouldn't have hit you like that..."

Marco had been extremely worried about me, but deep within, I knew he was angry and resentful at Nathaniel. He concealed it, but his ears get really red and hot, and his cheeks wrinkled. Marco doesn't get angry much and I haven't seen him truly choleric like I often get, -"I liked when you bit him. Really sexy."

He blushed and chuckled, prodding my arm, -"But really, he went too far."

-"Yeah, I guess,"- You see, I was irked at him for punching me, but at the same time, I understood him. I would've done the same thing if I were in his place, -"Marco, I... decided to participate in his campaign. For you."

He looked up at me and titled his head, -"For me?"

-"Yeah, I want you to have your place here without any bastard mocking or bothering you because of your sexuality."- I spoke, feeling my head throb again. This topic really fucks me. It's kind of... unnerving, me against a whole society of homophobes, but for Marco, I'll do anything.

-"But... what about you?"

-"I'm fine."- I shrugged, unsure of the answer myself.

-"Then I'll participate for you."- He said, smiling up at me tenderly, squeezing me.

My chest warmed and my cheeks reddened, -"Huh?"- He somehow always manage to leave me speechless with his benevolent thoughts and deeds.

-"I love you, Jean, and I'll do anything for you too."- His lovey-dovey eyes were making me crazy and overwhelmed with affection.

I smashed my lips against his, finally incapable of holding the urge to hold and kiss him madly, squeeze him tightly and lovingly until his eyes pop out (I'm exaggerating). He kissed me back just as madly, ravenous for my lips as I closed the space between us. Our tongues embroiled and our hands ventured our flesh, specially his, since I was shirtless.

A distant whistle was the only thing that managed to pause our prolonged kiss. We both gazed at the door and spotted our group standing there, watching us as if it was a spectacle. Marco's whole face turned red as he toppled his head against my chest, covering it. He was chuckling nervously while I, big grumpy ass I am, was peeved. Do these guys know the meaning of privacy?

-"Long live love, huh!"- Piped Ymir, raising one arm while pulling Krista with the other and kissing her head. I always had a gut feeling those two shared something, so I wasn't surprised when Ymir brought her lips to Krista's and hotted the kiss. Krista's pale face burned as she tried to push her lover away awkwardly.

-"Oh, goodness, I had no idea you-"- Armin said, somehow unable to part his eyes from me and Marco, who still had his face buried in my chest.

-"Really? I think it was obvious."- Said Reiner, smiling at me.

The group kept chattering, except Eren, which was completely odd from him. I peered at his direction and I was shocked to see him kind of gloomy and lonely, his eyes dropped to the floor, trying to avoid Mikasa's. She was trying to enliven him, but he was ignoring her. Poor fuck. It's actually unnerving to see him like that though. The Eren I know always had something to mock about me and made up all the nicknames I've gotten. He was always vivid, eyes wide and mouth open. I couldn't help but wonder what had him like that.

I decided not to pry and just glared at the group, ordering them to fuck off. They laughed and obliged and Marco and I continued our passionate momentum.