Attack on Titan (Camping AU) - like a crackling log fire

X. Regrets

I made a mistake.

This whole week felt like a mistake.

I briefly considered following him, but Armin intervened and tried to calm me down. "He just needs some time for himself. Stay with us. We're here for you", he explained. Judging by the look on his face, he did not expect me to reject this offer. I didn't want to stay at this party anymore. Nonetheless, I still felt a twinge of regret when I told him that I need some time for myself as well.

This evening was practically over for me. The whole week felt wrong and wasted.I felt my throat tighten and realised rather quickly what was about to happen. "You won't cry because of that, you idiot," I scolded myself in my head. Turns out that burying your face in your sleeves while sobbing uncontrollably is not a good way of hiding the fact that you're upset. 

I didn't want the others to see me like that, but Armin noticed my current state and sat down next to me. He softly wrapped his arm around my shoulder and sighed."I screwed up, Armin. What if Jean wants to end our friendship? What if Jean doesn't want to be in our group anymore? What if Jea-," 

"IF Jean ends your friendship because of that, he's dead to me. Believe me, I doubt horseface would miss me in particular, but he basically grew up with this group. It's like leaving his family. Besides, who else could even stand having him around all the time?" Eren tried to joke, but stopped after noticing Armin's cold glare that could possibly be translated to something like, "It's only getting worse, you donkey!"

"Marco, listen," the short blonde began while looking up to me with a comforting gaze, "Jean has had some difficulties concerning his family over the past few months. He doesn't feel well and he refuses to tell what's going on. In my opinion, it's not the right time for Jean to start dating."

The party felt like an eternity. I was glad when it was over. After it had ended, I went to our tent, expecting to find the others or maybe even Jean. I realised something was wrong the second I entered our tent. Why was there so much more space? 

"Wait, where's Jean's bed?" I wondered while eying the big space where his sleeping bag was supposed to be. Eren came in and raised his eyebrows in confusion. "So you haven't been told yet?" he asked in confusion. "Told what? I got dressed in the bathroom and went here immediately after. What happened?" "Apparently Jean will be sleeping in another tent."