Work Text:
As the rest of his class played in small groups, Jean Kirstein sat by his lonesome.
Kindergarten came with several challenges. Jean struggled with being apart from his mom for an extended time, his uniform didn't fit right, and he hadn't made a single friend yet. During the rare instances his classmates interacted with him, it was usually to tease him. Jean was the chubbiest kid in his class, earning him some unpleasant nicknames. His teacher always intervened, but that only helped so much. Friendships couldn't be forced.
So like any other day, Jean spent recess alone in the sandbox. Truthfully, he enjoyed the solitude. At least no one was around to call him names.
Besides, his mom packed his Captain America action figure to take to school today. It was Jean's favorite toy and all the company he needed. Captain America sat beside him, soaking up the sun's rays while Jean built his sandcastle. When it was completed, he wrote his name in the sand with his index finger. Ever since he learned how, he wrote it whenever he could. It made him feel grown up like his mom.
He clapped and rubbed his hands together to rid the excess sand that stuck to his palms. Then, Jean reached for Captain America to place him on top of his new creation.
Problem was, another boy snagged him first.
"Hey," Jean said as he stood up, "that's mine."
The boy's eyes softened as he pulled the action figure to his chest. "But I wanna play with it. And you're not using it."
Eren Jaeger. Prior to now, Jean spoke to Eren a total of two times. The first time being when he thanked Eren for sharing his blue paint during an art activity. The second time being when Jean brought his stuffed pony to present for show and tell and Eren was in the room.
Behind Eren was Armin Arlert, another boy Jean had little interaction with. But hey, at least neither of them were any of Jean's frequent tormentors.
Still, that was no excuse for Eren to take Jean's favorite toy.
He reached for it. "I am playing with it. I made him a castle."
"That's not fair," Eren replied. He rotated to the side to shield it from Jean's view. "I want a turn with it."
"No," Jean whined.
He maneuvered around Eren and attempted to retrieve his toy. He got a hold around Captain America's shoulders and tugged. Eren kept his grip around the legs and tugged back. The longer they went back and forth, the more frustration spread across their little faces.
"Let go, Eren!"
Eren didn't let up. "But Mr. Smith says we have to share!"
"Stop, Eren," Armin cried out. "You'll break it."
Eren wiggled the toy out of Jean's grasp, but his pout didn't subside. He pointed at Jean as he addressed Armin. "Tell him he has to share with me."
Jean crossed his arms. "Tell him it's my toy and I don't have to share."
Armin, the shortest of the three, stood on his tiptoes as he peered at the sky. He swayed back and forth as he pondered a solution. When he came to one, his eyes went wide. "Got it! Who's the oldest?"
Eren scrunched his face. "Why?"
"You have to listen to people who are older than you," Armin said. "It's the rules. My grandpa said so."
Eren turned to Jean. "How old are you?"
"Five," Jean answered.
"Me too. When's your birthday?"
"April seventh."
"Hah!" He pumped his tiny fist in the air. "My birthday is March thirtieth. March comes before April so that means I'm older!"
Jean's lips parted, his shoulders slumping. Just like that, he lost. His favorite toy ripped away from him and there wasn't anything he could do about it. If only he had been born a little bit sooner. Maybe he could ask his mom to change his birthday so he could get his Captain America back.
Eren beamed as he waved Captain America in the air. "Come on, Armin. Let's go play."
The boys raced off, leaving Jean in the dust. Alone again, Jean sucked in his lip as his eyes welled with tears. The first one fell, then another two streamed down his face immediately after.
He was too busy swiping his sleeve across his eyes to notice that Eren was already back. When Jean's gaze met his, Eren flashed a gentle smile.
"Hey Jean," he said, "why don't we play together? We can take turns."
Jean's eyes widened. As quickly as his tears came, they vanished just as fast. Sadness was replaced with shock. None of his classmates ever invited him to play with them. They did their thing, Jean did his thing.
Yet here was Eren Jaeger, bright eyed, adventurous, and occasionally feisty Eren Jaeger, offering Jean the opportunity to share his enjoyment.
"Really?"
Eren's smile doubled in size. "Yeah. We're playing superheroes. Watch."
He stretched his arm above their heads, Captain America secure in his hand. He ran in a small circle, mimicking flying noises. Armin rushed back over to get a closer look. Jean watched in awe. It was the same way he played superheroes at home with his mom. He never met another kid who enjoyed the same hobbies.
After his little demonstration, Eren handed the action figure back to Jean. "You try."
Jean sensed a tummyache coming on. Eren and Armin stared at him like they expected him to do a super cool trick, but he wasn't capable of that. He was worried if he messed up, they'd laugh at him like everyone else did and change their minds about playing with him.
"Go on, Jean," Eren said. His smile had yet to leave his face. "You can do it."
Hand trembling, Jean held Captain America above his head and ran like his life depended on it. The wind broke through his hair as he picked up speed. He paused for a moment to glance back at Eren and Armin. To his relief, they weren't laughing at him. The opposite, actually. Eren especially was visibly elated, which pushed Jean to keep going. He even grew confident enough to incorporate his own flying noises.
When he made his way back, Eren's enthusiasm was still prominent.
"That was so cool!" he said. "Okay, your turn Armin."
Jean passed Captain America to Armin, no objections this time. Armin sped away, his little legs carrying him across the playground grass.
"There's bad guys robbing the bank!" he yelled. "We gotta go stop them!"
He kept running, far from their original spot near the sandbox. Eren chased after him, but stopped once he realized that Jean stayed put. He rushed back and, still sporting that infectious smile, grabbed Jean's hand.
"Come on, Jean!"
With that, the two ran hand in hand to catch up to Armin and complete their imaginary adventure. With each step he took, Jean's smile grew wider, especially when Eren looked back at him to make sure he was keeping up.
A sudden warmth enveloped his heart. Jean finally understood what it meant to feel included. As it turned out, playing with others was way more fun than playing alone. He couldn't wait until his mom picked him up so he could tell her he made a friend at school. The boy that Jean already decided he wanted to be friends with for the rest of his life.
Eren Jaeger.
*
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!"
Jean and Eren beamed as they were serenaded by their friends and respective families. In honor of their seventh birthdays, they asked their parents for a conjoined party. It was an easy request. They had the same classmates, both wanted a party at the arcade, and both loved chocolate cake.
Jean fixated on the delectable dessert placed in front of him and Eren. Seven lit candles scattered around the perimeter, the phrase Happy 7th Birthday Eren and Jean etched with icing in the center. It looked so tasty, Jean almost didn't want to share it with anyone. Apart from Eren, of course.
"Happy birthday dear Jean and Eren!"
Jean's eyes dazzled as he surveyed the candles. Camera flashes came from all directions, but he didn't care. Making a wish and blowing out his candles was his favorite part about his special day. It only happened once a year, so he put a lot of thought into his wishes. Today was no different.
Beside him, Eren was just as eager. The boy was no longer sitting, but hovering over the cake. Jean stood up as well, knowing the song was coming to a close and they'd be free to blow out their candles.
"Happy birthday to you!"
At the utterance of the final word, Jean shut his eyes and inhaled to full lung capacity. As he and Eren leaned forward, his birthday wish sat at the front of his mind.
I wish Eren's dream comes true.
This year, Jean struggled to think of anything he needed. He was the embodiment of a happy child, a drastic turnaround from his early kindergarten days. His mom was still his best friend, he was popular with his peers, and he and Eren played at school together every day. Jean knew his life turned around for the better once Eren befriended him, so the least he could do was use his birthday wish on Eren.
He succeeded in blowing out three of seven candles. He was about to blow out a fourth, but Eren beat him to it. Jean's mouth twisted into a pout when he realized that was the last one.
"Hey!"
Eren snickered. "Too slow, Jean boy."
Jean boy. That was Jean's nickname his mother gave him when he was a baby. Eren picked up on it quickly, and now often used it himself.
"That's not fair," Jean said. "I was gonna blow out that candle."
"But I should blow out more candles than you," Eren reasoned. "I'm older."
Of course, being close friends didn't change the fact that the boys still bickered. They each had their moments of stubbornness, Eren in particular. Jean was well used to losing to Eren in nearly everything, but was at times more bothered by it than others.
With sad eyes, he looked up at his mother. "Ma!"
Mrs. Kirstein smiled and fetched the lighter. She flicked it on and lit one of the already blown out candles, the one closest to Jean.
"Here you go, Jean boy."
As Jean's disappointment of getting a hand-me-down candle wore off, Eren leaned in again, his shoulder pressing into Jean's. He brought his face forward enough that his cheek even brushed against Jean's, parting his lips slightly as if he was about to blow.
"Eren," Mrs. Jaeger cut in, "don't even think about it."
Cheeks tinted pink, Eren sunk back in his seat and dipped his head. Jean blew out the final candle, though there was much left to be desired. If only he was fast enough to beat Eren.
Oh well. At least next year there'd be an even split of candles on their shared birthday cake.
*
After four celebratory fist pumps in a row, Jean was over Eren's showboating. Then again, it also made him more determined to win. If no one else could put a stop to Eren's win streak, Jean was up for the challenge.
Chicken was meant to be a lighthearted pool game, but for a group of ten year old boys, they took it as seriously as the Olympics. They sought out their partners wisely, they gave their all every match, and it was near impossible for anyone to lose graciously.
Of course, it didn't help that the dominating team was that of Eren and Reiner Braun. As athletic as they both were, their tendency to boost each other's egos was the real issue. Neither boy liked to lose, and they certainly did their best to ensure it didn't happen.
Eren, the smaller of the two, sat on Reiner's shoulders and worked as the offense. Reiner, strong and sturdy, served as the base, keeping Eren locked in place. Their strategy earned them four straight victories. But Eren hadn't battled Jean yet.
"No way we're letting them win again," Jean muttered to his partner, Marco Bodt.
Marco, a freckle faced boy with a positive attitude, smiled. "Sure. Think you'll be able to take Eren down?"
"Of course." Jean swam over to his opponents, determination in his gaze. "I'm way stronger than Eren."
Eren sported a menacing grin. "You're going down and you know it, Kirstein."
"Eat my shorts, Jaeger."
Marco submerged underwater so Jean could position himself on his shoulders. Once secure, Marco rose above the surface, making Jean face to face with Eren.
While Eren smirked, Jean kept his face neutral. Eren was still Jean's closest friend, but Jean would be lying if he said he wasn't hoping to knock Eren down a peg. It was for his own good.
The battle started, and instantly there were cheers thrown at both sides.
"Go Jean!"
"Get him, Eren!"
Of all the matches thus far, Jean gave Eren the biggest challenge. Jean saw it in his expression. He knew Eren like the back of his hand, so it was second nature to register when his friend felt frustrated. If Eren wanted a fifth victory, Jean wouldn't make it easy for him.
"Getting tired?" he teased.
Eren scoffed. "Yeah right."
Jean wrestled Eren utilizing all his upper strength. Marco was a perfect base. No way he was letting go of Jean. Whichever team won this match depended on whether Jean could overpower Eren.
The cheers grew louder as the match stretched longer. Admittedly, Jean's arms were getting tired. But he pushed through it since he knew Eren was struggling just as much. He just needed to last a little longer and victory was his. He could taste it.
But then, a small slip up. He lunged forward, a hair too far, throwing him off balance. Eren dodged beautifully, then snaked around Jean and pushed him sideways. It all transpired in the span of a second, but that was all the time Eren needed to knock Jean and Marco down.
Defeat tasted as bitter as the chlorine that seeped into Jean's mouth. He spit it out once he surfaced for air, a disappointed but otherwise unbothered Marco beside him.
Eren, no longer on Reiner's shoulders, offered his cocky laugh.
"Maybe that'll teach you to start respecting your elders, Jean boy." He topped off his declaration with a splash to Jean's face.
Jean splashed back twice as hard. "You're only a week older than me!"
"Eight days, to be exact," he answered cheekily. He turned to the rest of the boys in the pool with his arms out. "Who else wants a piece of me?"
Jean rolled his eyes and retreated underwater.
*
"Where are you taking me?"
Eren looked over his shoulder and chuckled. "Just a little bit farther."
"You said that three times already."
"Can't hang, Kirstein?" he teased.
Jean's shoulders dropped, but he kept walking. His legs were on fire and he struggled to breathe, but he refused to quit. He came this far. Plus, he needed to save the little dignity he had left.
Eren, of course, had yet to break a sweat. He was all smiles, chin tilted toward the sun, welcoming the summer breeze like an old friend. This was Eren's thing, becoming one with nature and exploring his surroundings.
Jean, however, would rather sit in his air conditioned bedroom and paint the day away. He and hiking trails didn't mix. Now twelve years old, he finally lost the excess baby fat, mostly due to a well timed growth spurt. Still, he wasn't as physically fit as Eren.
But when Eren invited him to navigate this area together, Jean couldn't say no. Well, saying no was easy the first six times. But at Eren's seventh attempt, Jean agreed just to get his friend to shut up.
If Jean knew he'd spend an hour walking through rough and elevated terrain, he would've said no regardles how many times Eren asked.
On the brink of collapsing, a burst of relief rushed through Jean when Eren made a harsh turn. To their left was a grassy area, on an incline of course. Jean reckoned this had to be it since he hadn't seen anything but mud for what felt like miles.
Eren scaled the hill first, naturally. Jean tried his hardest, but he was out of gas. Eren shot him an encouraging smile and extended his hand. Jean accepted it, and once he was pulled over the edge, he fell to his knees.
He gasped for air like he narrowly escaped a house fire. He shut his eyes, not wanting to look at Eren. The juxtaposition of his friend's casual demeanor to Jean's excessive panting wasn't good for his already bruised ego.
"Ta da!" Eren said.
When he was ready, Jean opened his eyes. He was right. This area was strictly grass. A large tree sat in the distance, providing a tempting shade. Jean stood up, knees wobbly, and made his way over, but was distracted by the narrowing ledge beside it. It resembled the shape of a beach dock.
Jean approached it, careful not to step too far ahead, when it finally clicked how high up he was. A waterfall was on the opposite side, flowing into the stream that rested several feet below. It was too great a distance to jump, that was for sure. Even Eren wasn't reckless enough to attempt something so stupid.
When he spun around, Eren stood before him. A shy smile tugged at his lips, curiosity reflecting behind his mint green eyes. He was waiting for Jean's assessment of his treasured spot.
Unfortunately for Eren, Jean was too tired to sugarcoat his feelings.
"A cliff?" he spat. "We did all that walking just so you could bring me to some stupid cliff?"
Eren furrowed his brows. "It's not stupid. It's incredible."
Jean rolled his eyes and stomped toward the only appealing thing about this area. Secured in the shade, he sat down and leaned against the thick tree bark. His breathing patterns were semi-regular now, but he didn't plan on getting up any time soon.
Eren joined him and pulled out his canteen. "Here," he said, offering it to Jean. "You need it more than I do."
Jean didn't take it. He finished his own canteen about halfway through this hike, and he was plenty thirsty, but his pride stood in the way. "I don't want a pity drink."
"Just take it," Eren insisted.
In the duration of the slow breath he took, Jean conceded to Eren's compassion. He snagged the canteen and unapologetically chugged it. He ensured there was enough left to hold Eren over on their walk back since he barely drank anything. Also, because Eren's expression turned somber and it made him uncomfortable. Jean could count on one hand the amount of times he'd seen Eren look this dejected.
"What's wrong with you?"
Eren scanned his face. "Do you really not like it?"
Jean figured he meant this place he dragged him to, not the water.
"Does it matter?" he asked.
"Kind of."
"Why?"
Eren looked away, fixating on the open field before them. "I don't know," he mumbled. "The first time I found this place, I thought of you."
Jean's lips parted. Suddenly he wasn't tired anymore. Beads of sweat still lingered down his forehead, but his insides turned cold. Ice spread through his chest, his heart stopping in its tracks. His stomach twisted in tortuous knots, and he worried he was about to spit up every drop of water he just downed.
"What?" he choked out.
Eren still wasn't looking at him, but he was fully locked on Eren. Even in this shade, his eyes were as wondrous as they were mysterious. Like the world possessed a certain beauty only he knew the secret to. Jean wondered how it would feel to be that special. Better yet, he wondered what was so special about himself that caused Eren to think about him in a place like this.
"Yeah," Eren admitted. "I thought to myself, 'I bet Jean would think this is really beautiful.'"
Beautiful. It was like Eren read his mind. That was the exact word that swarmed Jean's brain.
Only, it wasn't the scenery that prompted that thought.
Summer tan as rich as the purest gold. Eyebrows sculpted so perfectly that even the strongest of artists would fail to replicate on canvas. Chocolate brown hair that highlighted the bright green eyes the heavens blessed him with. Hands small but inviting, filling Jean with a deep desire to protect them with his own. Heart shaped lips twisted into a soft smile, one that Jean wished was reserved for him, nobody else.
He never paid much attention before. But now that he realized, there was no way Jean could look Eren's way without thinking it.
Eren Jaeger was so damn-
Jean broke from his trance when Eren turned to him. Voice caught in his throat, he immersed himself in Eren's features head on. Against better judgment, his gaze drifted to Eren's lips, which were still curved into that same smile.
Eren emitted a weak chuckle. "Guess I was wrong, huh?"
The ice that engulfed Jean's body was replaced with heat, particularly in his face. Blood rushed to his cheeks in insurmountable quantities, so much that he broke eye contact. He was blushing, he knew it. He prayed Eren didn't notice.
"No," he forced himself to say. His volume was low, but he pushed through. "This is nice."
"Just nice?"
Jean swallowed hard. "What else do you want me to say?"
"That it's beautiful. Magical. The most amazing thing you've ever seen. Something."
Since looking at Eren was one hundred percent not an option, Jean finally took in his surroundings. The atmosphere was quite serene, or just in comparison to his panicked state. The waterfall for a backdrop was captivating, he had to admit. Sure, Jean could see how someone could classify this place as beautiful. To him though, it didn't feel right. Not when he had the true definition of beauty sitting right next to him.
"It's, uh..."
Jean made the mistake of glancing back at Eren. God, that smile had his heart doing somersaults. He dipped his head and blurted out the only thing his brain allowed him to say.
"Yeah."
He wanted the earth to swallow him whole. What was the matter with him? He and Eren had been friends since they were five. They were completely comfortable with one another. So why was he acting like such a bumbling idiot all of a sudden?
"Thank you for bringing me," he muttered into his lap.
To his surprise, Eren laughed. Jean couldn't decide if the sound relieved his discomfort or heightened it. Eren's laugh was euphoric, yet dangerous enough to drown in.
"Anytime, Jean boy. Maybe I'll wait a while before bringing you back here. You might be too young to appreciate this place like I do."
With that, Jean let out a harsh groan and faced him again. "For the love of God, you're a week older than me."
Eren, cheeky as ever, winked at him. "Eight days."
Jean gave a playful eyeroll. "At least I'm taller than you now."
Eren's smile widened. "If that's what you have to tell yourself to be happy, then so be it."
He laughed again, and Jean ignored the fluttering that traveled from his stomach to his chest.
It didn't have to mean anything. He did just embark on a rather long hiking journey, after all. It was possible he was delirious. After a long night's rest, he'd be back to his normal self. The urge to touch Eren's hand, brush his knuckles against Eren's soft cheek, erase the gap between their faces would be a figment of his past.
He hoped.
*
For the first time, Jean was glad his mother was so stubborn about turning on the heat. Until the first of December, the heat stayed off. No exceptions.
It was still November, but the temperature outside rivaled those of the harshest winters. Jean adorned three layers over his torso: sweatshirt, long sleeved shirt, and undershirt. Checkered sweatpants with decent insulation covered his legs. His feet were protected by his wool socks. Still, the brisk air that spread through his bedroom turned his cheeks red.
Well, that, and the fact that Eren Jaeger was stripping in front of him.
Jean wasn't sure if it'd be more suspicious to keep staring or to turn away. The last thing he wanted was to make Eren uncomfortable. Not that his friend was paying attention to him. Eren changed out of his day clothes and into an oversized sweater and sweatpants like it was the most casual thing in the world.
And of course he would. Eren didn't know Jean was gay. Nobody knew. At times, Jean thought his mother suspected something, but she never mentioned it.
For three years, Jean was burdened by his secret. Carrying something so heavy for so long took a toll on his mental state. He wanted to tell someone. He knew he should. But the person he wanted to confide in was the one person who could never find out.
Maybe one day, Jean could do it. But he was only fifteen, and he was out of his element. There was no telling what words would leave his mouth if he came out to Eren. If Jean had even a hint of anxiety, I'm gay could easily slip out as I'm gay and I've been in love with you since we were twelve and it makes me feel like shit because I know you'll never feel the same but no matter how hard I try these damn feelings won't go away.
Exhausting.
At least the cold forced Eren to wear a shirt to bed for a change. If Jean never had another sleepover with his crush sleeping half naked, teasing Jean with the flawlessness that he could only admire from afar, it would be too soon.
When Eren met his gaze again, a pathetic wheeze lodged from Jean's throat as he bashfully looked to the side.
Eren laughed. "What's up with you?"
Jean, still avoiding eye contact, scowled and crossed his arms. "Nothing. It's just cold in here, idiot."
"If you say so, Jean boy. Grab the remote."
They settled onto the futon Mrs. Kirstein laid out for Eren earlier, positioned on the floor next to Jean's bed. With their backs to Jean's mattress, Jean flipped on the television. His mom finally agreed to getting him a TV for his bedroom after years of begging, and he was forever grateful.
Like any other time Eren slept over, the boys planned to watch a movie or two. Jean pulled up his family Netflix account and browsed through the selections. Normally Eren would speak up when Jean hovered over something that caught his interest, but tonight he was quiet.
Jean turned to ask Eren if he was in the mood for a specific genre, but his mouth dried up when he realized how close Eren's shoulder was to his own. Jean was certain he left a comfortable distance between them when he sat down, though perhaps he was mistaken.
Eren locked eyes with him again, and Jean desperately wanted to run. He wished he could go back to when they were kids. They argued sometimes, but at least Jean's chest didn't tighten every time those gorgeous green eyes glanced in his direction.
Jean needed to say something. Anything. The longer they stared at one another in silence, the more likely Eren would figure out Jean's secret. The gay panic on Jean's face was more obvious than the heart on his sleeve. His only lifeline was the possibility that Eren was too straight to pick up on it.
Still at a loss for words, Jean was saved by the angel that was his mother. He hated when she entered his room without knocking, but he made an exception this time.
Mrs. Kirstein smiled at them. "Goodnight, boys. Try not to stay up too late. I want to leave at 10 AM on the dot."
Jean nodded. Tomorrow, the three of them were taking a trip to an art museum a couple hours away. The museum updated and expanded its impressionist collection, and Jean was desperate to see it in person. Eren agreed to tag along because he liked teasing Jean about his passion for art.
"Okay," he said. "Night, Ma."
"Goodnight, Mrs. Kirstein," Eren added.
She bowed her head and left, closing the door behind her. Jean, returning to the task at hand, reached for the remote he dropped at his side when his mother first entered his room. However, his fingertips brushed against something twice as soft and ten times as dangerous.
Eren's hand.
It served Jean right for not looking at the remote before reaching for it. Eren didn't pull away when Jean's hand cupped over his, but a tiny gasp escaped his lips while he shot Jean a confused look.
Jean yanked his hand away like Eren's skin was a thousand degrees. "Sorry," he blurted out. He gestured to the TV. "Go ahead."
Eren narrowed his brows. "You're not gonna fight me on it?"
"Nope," Jean responded, a shrill crack in his voice.
Eren shrugged and, after browsing through almost every category, settled on a random horror movie that looked like it was made on a twenty dollar budget.
Jean didn't protest. He was in no state to focus on any movie. All that swam through his mind was how he was destined to blow his cover. So what if he had a crush on Eren? Why couldn't he bottle those feelings inside and act like a semi normal human around him anymore?
He had to find a way. There was too much at stake. Jean could handle rejection. In his mind, Eren already rejected him, because why wouldn't he? But the thought of Eren abandoning him, ending their decade long friendship because of an unrequited crush, that was Jean's true definition of heartbreak.
He clenched his jaw as the movie played. No matter what, he wouldn't break character. Tonight, and every day moving forward, Jean Kirstein would play the role of Eren Jaeger's super straight best friend with no gay crushes on him whatsoever. He managed to for three years. What difference would a lifetime make?
Ultimately, Jean's bravado lasted for forty-five minutes.
At minute forty-six, a mop of chestnut brown hair graced his shoulder. Jean yelped and leaned away, but gravity forced a sleeping Eren in that same direction, his head landing on Jean's shoulder again.
Jean's eyes widened. This wasn't happening. How could he maintain composure when his crush was literally sleeping on him? Even his nose betrayed him by embracing the scent of Eren's cologne without resistance. Then his mouth betrayed him by twisting into a small smile as he observed Eren's face.
Somehow Eren was even more adorable when he slept. His nose bunched in the cutest way, and his breathing patterns were soft and serene. Jean should wake him up, but the sight was too wholesome to disrupt.
With a yawn, Eren nuzzled into Jean's sweatshirt. Jean swore his heart stopped beating. He hated how natural Eren leaning into him felt, because he knew he could never experience this the way he wanted. Jean was supposed to eject his feelings for Eren. It was his only chance at savoring their friendship.
Yet moments like these reminded him that he most likely never would. Eren left too much of an impression on his life and his heart. Now, it was Jean's choice whether to subject himself to constant heartache to keep Eren around, or save himself and walk away for good.
Though when he opened his shoulders to allow Eren to get more comfortable, Jean remembered he made his choice a long time ago.
They spent the rest of the movie like that. Jean still hadn't paid any attention. He would rather enjoy this rare high in his life of having the boy he loved sleep against him like this. It provided Jean with enough comfort to almost fall asleep himself. The only reason he fought against it was to avoid the possibility of Eren waking up to the two of them wrapped in a sleepy snuggle.
When the movie ended, Jean turned off the TV before nudging his friend.
"Eren," he whispered. He nudged him again. "Eren, come on."
Eren's eyes fluttered open. Vulnerability cast over his features as he realized the positioning of his head in relation to Jean's shoulder. He sat up, and Jean already missed their physical contact.
"What time is it?" he mumbled.
"Midnight," Jean said. He climbed off the futon and into his own bed, giving Eren the space to lie down. "Come on, get to sleep."
Eren rubbed his eye and nodded. "'Kay."
Jean linked his hands behind his head and basked in the darkness. It'd be a while before he fell asleep. Too much occupied his mind, all revolving around Eren. And he was scared that when he inevitably fell asleep, Eren would appear in his dreams. There was no escaping a crush that carried the pain of a thousand needles. A dissatisfying outcome in the tragic story of Jean's life.
He lost track of time, but at some point during his lamentations, his bed experienced a noticeable shift in weight. Jean glanced over and his expression went aghast as Eren crawled underneath the covers.
"What the-"
Eren Jaeger was in his bed.
Eren Jaeger was in his bed.
Throughout all their sleepovers, they never shared a bed. Why would they? Friends didn't do that, especially two guys. Jean was thankful the lights were off. If the heat intensity that accumulated in his cheeks gave any indication, he was red as a tomato right now.
"What are you doing?"
Eren yanked the blankets away from Jean and bundled himself inside it. "It's freezing in here and the futon blanket isn't warm enough. Move over."
Jean's mouth hung open. Given how long he knew Eren, nothing should've surprised him anymore. But every once in a while, Eren's brattiness reached new heights. Just because Jean had a crush, that didn't mean he'd cater to Eren's every whim.
"Hey," he snapped, pulling the covers back toward his direction, "you can't just crawl into my bed and hog all the blankets."
Eren tugged them again. "You don't need them."
"Yes I do, idiot."
Even in the dark, Eren was close enough for Jean to make out his smile. "But I'm older than you. That means I get first dibs."
As beautiful of a sight it was, Jean scowled in response. "I'm literally bigger than you. I need more of the blanket because I occupy more space."
Eren puffed his cheeks out and pretended to reflect. "I don't think that's how science works."
"Of course that's how science works!"
Eren shushed him before giggling, then the two wrestled for blanket dominance. The fact that Eren found this so amusing irritated Jean further, especially since he was losing.
"You are so stubborn," he said through his teeth.
Still, he couldn't maintain his anger. Not when Eren's angelic laughter flooded the room. It was quiet enough to not wake Jean's mom, but loud enough for the corners of Jean's mouth to curve upwards without permission.
What started as a petty battle for warmth turned into a silly game with no clear objective. They still grabbed for the blankets, but there was more poking and tickling and light kicking than anything else.
Eren pulled a sneaky move of tucking a decent chunk of covers under his hip. With determination, Jean succeeded at pulling it back, shielding his body again with ample comforter amount.
Problem was, when Jean yanked a little too hard, both the blankets and Eren became a packaged deal.
Half of Eren's body laid on Jean's chest. Suddenly, this fun little game wasn't so fun. Jean and Eren stared at each other, lips parted, neither saying a word.
If Jean's heartbeat was any slower, he'd be dead. His brain yelled to push Eren off, but he was paralyzed. Eren's face was so close to his. Panic rushed through him, worsened by Eren's shift in demeanor.
Jean felt it against his ribcage. Eren's fist, clenched tightly enough to hurt. It trembled maniacally, along with Eren's arm, the rest of his body still as a statue. Timid eyes scanned Jean's face, careful to avoid his gaze.
The pressure in Jean's stomach was agonizing. Of the two, Eren was always the confident one. Nothing rattled him. Even in the worst situations, Eren pulled through with a winning smile. So for him to look so uneasy, almost scared, Jean knew.
He blew it.
Eren figured out his secret. No doubt Jean's stupid crush was written all over his face. And now came the part of Eren denouncing their friendship and running off to tell everyone about how Jean Kirstein was pathetic enough to imagine that he was ever worth Eren's time.
When Eren grew brave enough to look into Jean's eyes again, Jean cursed at himself for still finding him so breathtaking. That admiration was what got him into this mess. Unfortunately, there was only one way out, and it was going to hurt like hell.
A myriad of possibilities scattered Jean's mind, each more devastating than the last. How would Eren go about it? Would he be cruel? Would he laugh? Call Jean a derogatory name? Mumble a weak apology and simply say they couldn't be friends anymore?
At this point, Jean didn't care which response he got. This silence was greater torture than any option his brain concocted. He was tempted to scold Eren and tell him to get this over with for both of their sakes.
But before he could get the words out, Eren leaned forward and kissed him.
It was soft, slow, and lacked all coordination. Eren obviously never kissed anyone before. Jean hadn't either, made evident by his unwillingness to reciprocate. Jean laid there, eyes open, completely numb as he registered that Eren's lips were on his. The kiss was short, no longer than two seconds, but Jean forgot to breathe until it was long over.
Eren kept his face close, his eyes pleading with Jean's. Jean felt like an idiot for confusing his friend's nerves for discomfort. He of all people should've recognized the fear in Eren's expression, like he was worried that he just ruined their friendship. Jean struggled with that same dilemma for the last three years.
He offered Eren a small smile. He'd offer more, but he was still recovering from his near cardiac arrest. The only other method he thought would reassure Eren was to kiss him again.
So he did.
Again, it was quick. Jean never pictured what kissing Eren would be like, since it never crossed his mind that he'd be in that situation. As it turned out, connecting his lips to Eren's resulted in electricity soaring through his veins. It was new, it was exciting, but it was also too much too soon. If he kissed Eren any longer, his head would explode from euphoria.
For now, a simple kiss would do. And just because it was short, that didn't make it any less magical or memorable. It was perfect, just as perfect as the boy Jean was honored to give it to.
Judging from Eren burying his face in Jean's sweatshirt, wrapping him in a tight hug, Jean made the right call. Eren trembled in his hold. Jean even felt Eren's heart pound through the multiple layers that separated their chests.
New to this, Jean did what came naturally. He hugged Eren back and caressed his hair. For years, Jean dreamed of running his fingers through Eren's brown locks and holding him like this. Now that he was, it didn't feel real. But he'd be an idiot to question it.
Maybe he could be happy after all.
"We can sleep like this," he suggested. "Would that help?"
Eren lifted his head. And just like that, his signature cheeky grin was back. Only this time, there was an added fondness to it.
"I guess I don't mind sharing the blankets with you." He followed up his remark with a kiss on the cheek. "Jean boy."
*
Jean totally wasn't nervous.
When the doorbell rang, he took three full breaths before rising from the couch. If he opened the door too quickly, he'd appear eager. Or worse, desperate.
Everything had to be perfect. Not just for Jean, but for Eren. Jean wouldn't forgive himself if he ruined this for his boyfriend. Eren wasn't nervous. Eren never got nervous. So whether today was a success or a disaster fully depended on Jean.
On the other side of the door, Eren's adorable smile was a knife to Jean's chest. He stood on his toes and gave Jean a quick kiss, and it was only then that Jean felt the small shopping bag brush against his hip. Jean was so fixated on his boyfriend's flawless face that he momentarily forgot why he and Eren didn't walk home together today like they always did.
Eren beamed as he held up the bag. "I got the stuff."
Jean's throat closed up. This was really happening. His mom was still at work and wouldn't get home until much later. They were safe here, no chance of getting caught, but he was still in disbelief they were going through with this.
He pushed through his anxiety to ask, "Was it weird?"
Eren shrugged. "The cashier kinda looked at me funny, but who cares?" He made way into Jean's house. "Come on."
Jean followed, his feet trudging along his living room carpet. Eren snagged a spot on the Kirstein's gray sectional and threw the bag on the coffee table in front of him. Jean sat beside him, but created some distance when their thighs accidentally touched.
Eren studied Jean with concern. "You sure you're ready? This is a big step."
"I'm sure," Jean replied.
It wasn't the truth, but it wasn't a lie either. Jean loved Eren so much it could kill him. He wouldn't trade their relationship for anything. Jean smiled more in these last nine months of dating Eren than he had his entire life, and he knew that wasn't a coincidence. The simple privilege of calling his best friend his boyfriend was enough reason to smile, yet Eren gave him about a hundred more each day.
The way he wore Jean's clothes to bed because they smelled like him. Or the way they snuck around school for private hallway makeouts until they were ready to come out to their friends. The way Eren bought a step stool for when he wanted Jean to be the one to tilt his head up to be kissed for a change. The way he refused to hang up first, which resulted in him and Jean falling asleep together every night over FaceTime.
But especially the way he whispered "I love you" into Jean's shoulder every time they hugged goodbye.
Jean fell in love with Eren three times already. First with his heart, back on that cliff when they were twelve. Then with his soul, once they were an established couple and Jean noticed how in sync they were. And then, of course, with his body.
At sixteen, Jean knew it was normal to think about sex. His mom tried to explain to him the birds and the bees, but no teenager wanted to have that discussion with their mom. Though right now, Jean wished his younger self paid more attention.
He wasn't going into this completely blind. He and Eren experimented in the past, mostly Eren telling Jean what to do. But it wasn't often enough for Jean to not question his abilities to perform well when the big moment came.
He wanted to do this with Eren. He loved Eren so badly, and he wanted to convey that to him. Jean was also enticed by the idea that making love to Eren could strengthen their relationship even further.
This wasn't a challenge for the faint of heart. From the handful of times Jean had seen Eren naked, he was too mesmerized to speak. His body reacted as expected, but his mind was in constant battle with itself, torn between acting on what he wanted to do and being too scared to follow through.
Jean snapped back to the present when Eren unloaded the contents of his shopping bag. Condoms and lube stared back at them, daring Jean to blink. He remained strong, but only until Eren reached in the bag again and pulled out more items that were definitely not on their pre approved list.
Ice cream. Hot fudge. Sprinkles. Cherries. Whipped cream. And two bananas.
Jean's eyes bulged out. A cheeky guy like Eren probably had some secret kinks, but this was too much for his virgin self to handle. Jean tensely pressed his thighs together and drifted his timid gaze toward Eren.
A puzzled expression overtook Eren's features. When he glanced back at the items on the table, the lightbulb in his head went off and he snickered. He tucked Jean's hair behind his ear and smiled.
"Relax," he said. "This stuff is for after. I thought maybe we could celebrate with ice cream sundaes."
Jean scrunched his face. "What, you want us to throw a party?"
Eren shrugged. "Losing your virginity is kind of a big deal. At least that's what everyone says."
"Fine," Jean groaned, smacking a hand to his forehead. "Go put the ice cream in the freezer."
As Eren left to do just that, Jean retreated to his bedroom. Everything was neat and tidy, and the scent of the cherry blossom candle burning brightly on his desk lingered throughout the room.
Jean sat on his bed and pressed his lips in a tight line. No backing out now, not that he wanted to anyway. He only wished his heart would chill on the spasming. The sound was starting to ring in his ears, and it was suffocating.
Eren entered a minute after Jean, box of condoms and lube in hand. He stood with his back pressed against the door, biting his bottom lip as he took Jean into view. Jean's blush spread to his neck, but his eyes refused to leave Eren's.
Eren set the items on the floor by Jean's bed and sat next to him. A brief silence passed between them, Jean unsure if it could be classified as comfortable. Regardless, Eren soon leaned in, resting his forehead against Jean's. He closed his eyes and brushed their noses together, a tender smile gracing his lips.
Though when he motioned to kiss Jean, Jean turned away.
"Eren?" he choked out.
Eren's eyes softened. "Yeah?"
Jean cleared his throat. "Which one of us is gonna be the one to..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh..."
"Stick their dick in the other's ass?"
Jean's face burned scarlet. He slapped both hands over Eren's mouth. "What is the matter with you?" he hissed.
Eren lowered Jean's hands and grinned. "Relax. Nobody's here." He added a nonchalant shrug. "Besides, if we can't talk about it, then we shouldn't be doing it."
For that, Jean had no comeback. As much of a little shit Eren could be at times, he was right. This would never work if they couldn't communicate, no matter how much it disturbed Jean.
"Anyway," Eren continued, "given that I'm older and therefore have more life experience, I volunteer myself as top."
Jean's brain short circuited.
At first, he was scared of taking on the dominant role. There would be a lot of pressure on him to make Eren's first time special. But now that the alternative was presented to him, Jean knew damn well he wasn't ready for this.
Eren giggled. "Hey. Babe." He grabbed Jean's face. "I'm kidding. I actually think it'd be better if you did it this time."
Jean relaxed his posture. "Why?"
Eren gave a weak smile. "Honestly, I don't think you'd relax enough for me to do it even if I wanted to."
Jean took a second to process before responding. "You're sure?"
"Yes." His hand drifted from Jean's cheek to his shoulder. "Don't be scared. I'm nervous too."
Again, his hand traveled down Jean's body, this time his palm landing on Jean's knuckles. Slowly, Jean lifted his fingers and locked them with Eren's. The little smile that tugged at Eren's lips was worth every bit of nerves Jean conjured until now.
"Jean," Eren said, "do you love me?"
Finally, Jean smiled back, as genuine as his answer to Eren's question. "More than anything," he replied, squeezing his boyfriend's hand.
"And I feel the same about you. And I trust you." He traced his thumb over Jean's skin. "I promise it's okay. I want to do this with you."
Jean looked at their joined hands. Eren's melded perfectly with his own. Jean's grip was tight, just like their connection. And for the first time since Eren stopped by, Jean had no doubt about what he wanted to do.
"Can I kiss you?"
With that, Eren flashed a satisfied smirk. "Thought you'd never ask."
Jean unclasped their hands and placed his behind Eren's head. As their lips met, he grabbed a gentle fistful of Eren's hair. Eren cupped Jean's waist and kissed with greater intensity. Jean savored the exploding sensation in his chest.
Eren was the first to slip his tongue between their opened mouths. He usually was. Jean followed up with playful teasing of his own tongue against Eren's, drawing out a heavenly sound from Eren he already wished to hear again. Jean broke away and kissed along Eren's jawline, eventually dropping to the crook of his neck where he was most sensitive. One of the most addicting aspects of dating Eren Jaeger was discovering where he loved being touched, and the sweet noises that accompanied his needs being met.
"Jean," he gasped, almost too delicate to hear.
Jean kept his touches light. Taunting. In the interlude of Eren verbally placing his trust in Jean, Jean developed a swift confidence boost. He was still nervous as hell, but so was Eren. That comforted him.
Feeding off the other's body language, Eren laid flat against the mattress, Jean straddling over him. Jean captured Eren in another kiss, taking his time to ensure Eren obtained maximum pleasure. Rugged hands explored Eren's trim frame, causing the boy to whimper and squirm beneath him.
Eren parted for air, so Jean kissed his temple. After allowing Eren a second to regain composure, he focused on his mouth again.
"I love you," Jean muttered, followed by a soft press to his lips.
"I love you too," Eren replied, though much more eager to experience Jean to the fullest. He slammed their lips together, any traces of the slow, sensual touches they shared long evaporated.
They kissed harder, and Eren was sent into a frenzy. He reached for Jean's hips, slowly sliding his hands under his shirt. Jean moaned into Eren's mouth. His boyfriend's hands were cold, but they set his body on fire. He wanted Eren to touch him everywhere all at once. Nothing else would suffice.
Jean's excitement spread to his lower half. He knew Eren noticed since he was literally grinding it into Eren's lap. Eren was a pleading mess right now, and it didn't take long for him to be in the same predicament as Jean.
Temperature skyrocketing, Jean removed his shirt and threw it to the floor. He hovered over Eren, giving him time to regulate his breathing. For as insecure as Jean could be, those thoughts rarely applied to his body. Eren helped him get in good shape, and he was proud that his hard work earned him an impressive physique. He even had a six pack now.
Best of all, Eren's reaction upon observing it was never disappointing.
Of course, Eren loved Jean regardless of how he looked. But Eren's flushed face as he absorbed the sight of Jean's muscular torso through half closed eyelids was captivating enough for Jean to give himself an imaginary pat on the back.
"God," Eren exhaled. His lips curled into a lewd smile as he dragged a hand from Jean's chest to his lower abdomen. "You're perfect."
Jean lost control and crashed his lips against Eren's again, his stresses long behind him. He wasn't naive to believe that their first time would be perfect, at least from a technical standpoint. That would come with practice. But it didn't matter. Eren was all the perfection he needed.
Regardless of how this unfolded, they'd get through it together. And as a young man in love, Jean couldn't wait to conquer life's many obstacles with his favorite person by his side.
*
Eren planted a light kiss on Jean's neck. As he felt Eren's smile widen against his skin, Jean smiled too. Eren's playful side was endearing, and Jean was all about spoiling him on his special day.
At Eren's request, they spent the evening on this deserted soccer field, snuggled together on a fleece blanket and talking about the future. Of course, Jean was a gentleman and treated Eren to dinner at an authentic German restaurant first. The meal was delicious, and Jean wouldn't oppose going there again, but he could've done without Eren's nonstop innuendos about the bratwurst he ordered.
If it weren't a school night, Jean would stay here until morning. He loved late night conversations with Eren, even if they weren't about anything of substance. No matter the topic, Eren's insights on the world intrigued him. Jean could spend the rest of his life picking Eren's brain, and he guaranteed there would still be another lifetime of things to learn about him.
So, here they were, Jean carrying Eren on his back and heading to his car. Eren, wearing the blanket like a hood, snuck a few kisses from Jean when he wasn't paying attention.
He then rested his head on Jean's shoulder, his hair tickling Jean's skin. Both boys were growing their hair out. It was Jean's idea first, then Eren tagged along for moral support. They were each in that in-between phase where their hair was too long to be considered short, but too short to tie up or style in a braid. Eren was a bit insecure about it, but Jean thought he looked adorable.
Jean placed Eren on the hood of his car and kissed his forehead. The streetlights above them were dim, but he still detected the rosy hue that rushed to Eren's nose. Jean beamed, still on cloud nine as he went to fetch something from the trunk.
When he returned, Eren covered his mouth, holding back a laugh but failing miserably. Jean welcomed the teasing. While he possessed certain talents, gift wrapping was not one of them. There was nothing congruent about the display. One side had three times the amount of tape, another side had three times the amount of wrapping paper, and one side had a small chunk left completely uncovered. But something told Jean that his wrap job was just as much of a gift to Eren as what was underneath it.
"You are the cutest human alive," Eren giggled as Jean handed him his present.
Jean just smiled and kissed Eren's forehead again. "Happy birthday."
Eren thanked him, then immediately began to unwrap. Jean sat on the hood next to him, admiring his deep look of concentration. Eren scrunched his little button nose and pressed his lips together. Jean couldn't resist snapping a picture.
Clumps of wrapping paper adorning the parking lot, Eren's jaw dropped as he observed Jean's painting. He loved watching Jean paint, but Jean never felt confident enough in his art to offer Eren to take any. But Jean figured if he made something on Eren's behalf, he'd feel better about giving it to him as an eighteenth birthday present. As it turned out, his instincts were correct.
There was no question about what he would paint. Eren had been obsessed with that one grassy cliff with the fancy waterfall since he first discovered it many years ago. Over time, Jean learned to appreciate it just as much. They frequented it in the spring, summer, and fall seasons, though visiting it during winter was a challenge. Still, they looked forward to the weather warming up each year so they could go back. Eren, so he could revisit his favorite spot, and Jean, so he could watch the love of his life flourish in an environment designed just for him.
"Shit, this is sick!" Eren said. "How long did it take you to paint this?"
"About a week."
Eren turned to him. "That means you had to have gone there by yourself, right? There's no way you painted this from memory."
Jean offered a slick grin. "You caught me."
There was a sparkle to Eren's gaze, one Jean never grew tired of seeing. A quick silence transpired between them, and Jean allowed their body language to do the talking. Their hearts were synchronized in this moment, Jean was sure of it. Their souls bared themselves to one another. With the wrong person, that was a scary thought. But Jean trusted Eren would always take good care of him, just as he planned to do for Eren.
"I love it," was all Eren said.
No witty remark. No impudent smile. Just his utmost sincerity. And while Jean loved the side of Eren that liked to crack jokes (often at his expense), his heart held a special place for these moments because of how rare they were.
He kissed Eren's cheek. "I'm glad."
This night couldn't have gone any better. Eren hadn't stopped smiling all day, and Jean was elated he played a major part in that. To top it off, the sweet, sentimental, extra affectionate Eren made an appearance tonight. Jean wouldn't mind having him around more often.
"You know what I just realized?" Eren asked.
"What?"
A menacing grin spread across his face. "I'm officially dating jailbait."
And the old Eren was back.
"You can't be serious," Jean said. "I turn eighteen next week."
"Yeah, but for eight days," he said, wrapping an arm around Jean, "I'm technically breaking the law. Let's hope no one calls the cops on me."
Jean pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why am I dating you again?"
"Cause I'm handsome, funny, a damn good kisser. Oh, and you'd die without me."
"Touché." He played with the ends of Eren's hair. "Especially about the good kisser part."
Their lips connected, and Jean had to remind himself not to get too carried away. Experiencing too much of Eren caused him to lose track of his surroundings. He doubted he'd ever get used to it. He hoped he never did.
With two hard, final presses to Eren's mouth, Jean pulled away.
"Love you," he muttered.
"Love you," Eren repeated. He cast Jean a seductive glance. "Now, how about we climb in the backseat and do some illegal activity?"
Jean's face went stoic. "That's it. We're leaving."
He hopped off the hood of his car and gathered the wrapping paper at his feet. He tossed it in a nearby trash can, tuning out Eren's incessant comments in the background.
"Come on," he teased. "Don't I deserve some good birthday sex? Don't tell me you've never fantasized about being touched by an older man."
Jean ignored him the entire drive home.
*
Jean couldn't take his eyes off Eren. Eight years together and he still couldn't believe his luck.
He kept a hand on Eren's lower back as Chef Niccolo wheeled out their wedding cake on an adorable display table. Eren hugged Jean's midsection, his face full of glee as the triple tiered chocolatey goodness grew closer. Jean peppered a few kisses to Eren's hair, the final one captured by their hired photographer. They normally didn't engage in over the top PDA, but this was their wedding day. Both were too ecstatic to care about onlookers.
Everything about today was a dream. The weather was beautiful, the ceremony was heartfelt, and today marked the beginning of Jean's future with the most amazing man he ever laid eyes on.
Eren always looked gorgeous, but he was ethereal in a suit. The black three piece outfit was tailored to perfection. His hair was pulled back into his signature manbun, allowing his angelic face and impeccable bone structure to be on full display. Jean had to force his jaw shut during the ceremony since he was so awestruck by his fiancé's, no, husband's appearance.
Eren was equally giddy when he saw Jean. To complement Eren's outfit, Jean opted for a white suit that highlighted his tan. He also had a professional style his hair for the first time in forever.
When Eren walked down the aisle and first caught sight of him, he burst into tears, turning Jean into a weeping mess as well. Jean could count on one hand the number of times he saw Eren cry. He never thought he'd feel so proud of getting Eren to cry over him, but this was the one exception. Jean knew a long time ago that he and Eren were meant to spend their lives together, but finally making that dream a reality resulted in eight years of love, security, and happiness pouring out all at once.
Jean's face hurt from smiling as he and Eren held the cake knife and cut the first piece. Eren took the reins, Jean more than willing to oblige.
He caught a glance of his mother in the front of the crowd, tears of joy in her eyes. She'd been crying since before the ceremony even started, which Jean found as humorous as he did heartwarming. Jean shifted his focus back to the cake before he started crying again too.
Since Eren led the cake cutting, the first piece was rightfully his. He grabbed a fork while Jean cut a piece for himself. Once they both had their slices, Jean beamed at his husband.
God, he'd never get tired of using that label.
Instead of Jean, however, Eren's eyes were glued to Jean's cake slice. His lips curled into a pout as he extended his own piece to Jean.
"Switch with me."
Jean stared in disbelief. "Why?"
"Your slice is bigger."
"That's not my fault," Jean said. "You're the one that cut your own piece."
"Yeah, but I want the bigger one." Eren pushed the tip of his plate into Jean's stomach. "Come on, tie goes to the oldest."
"You can't be serious," Jean snapped. "You're a week older than me!"
Eren smirked. "Eight days."
Jean turned his body away. "Well too bad, this slice is mine. You snooze, you lose."
"What happened to respecting your elders, Jean boy?"
Jean snorted. This whole thing was ridiculous, but that was on brand for them. And because of that, Jean knew exactly how to handle the situation.
He turned back to Eren. "Fine," he said. "Have it your way."
In one swift motion, he smashed the cake in Eren's face. A collection of gasps and giggles spread through the crowd. Eren's mouth hung open as his face was freshly coated in chocolate. Jean failed to suppress a smirk, even when he knew what was coming next.
The sound of Jean being hit with a face full of cake was drowned out by Eren's cackle. This one had the crowd laughing too, now that it was clear that both parties were in on the joke. The photographer caught the entire exchange, camera flashes going off every other second. Even Armin and Marco, the respective best men, pulled out their phones to record.
Once Jean wiped enough icing out of his eyes to open them, he and Eren were in hysterics over how ridiculous the other looked. The laughter never fading, Jean grabbed Eren's face, not caring about his hands being smeared with cake. And then, when he couldn't hold back his love any longer, he sealed his lips over Eren's.
It was the messiest kiss they ever shared, and not just because of the chocolate. Each time their lips met, one or both would start laughing. It took six tries of chocolatey, flirty, giggly kisses before they melted into the other's touch. Jean's heart fluttered from engulfing himself into a sweet mixture of his two favorite things, chocolate cake and Eren Jaeger. Not necessarily in that order.
Eren. The sweet and spunky boy he became friends with on that playground so many years ago. Even back then, Jean knew Eren would change his life for the better, he just wasn't aware how much.
With Eren, Jean had a lifetime of memories ahead. With Eren, life would never be boring. With Eren, Jean was excited to see what crazy adventure they'd embark on next.
When he pictured his wedding with Eren, he imagined it going exactly like this, chaos and all. That was what Eren Jaeger was all about. As much as Eren was the man Jean would love forever, he was incredibly stubborn. He was aggravating. At times, he was damn impossible to deal with.
And for that, Jean smiled into the kiss, because he wouldn't want Eren any other way.