Some Say (Jean Kirstein X Reader)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jean and I sit on the forest floor embracing each other. I'm not sure how long we've been like this but I don't want to move from his warmth.

No words have been exchanged only tears and heavy sighs. I thought knowing would've brought me some kind of relief, some kind of closure. It has done the complete opposite.

He should be with us now, fighting by our sides. Laughing at Jean and I being romantic towards one another. Being an uncle to little Marco.

Being able to live his life.

I don't want to go through that ever again

Marco and I stand side by side ready to fight. Who would've thought we would be thrown into battle this early? We hadn't even graduated properly yet.

He takes my hand and gives it a quick squeeze, there is a hard look of determination on his face. "We can do this. All that training, it's time to prove ourselves. We get to view into what the Survey Corps will be like."

I give off a nervous laugh. "This is really going to help you two seal the deal on becoming Military Police."

Marco scratches the back of his head. "I really admire you, (y/n). Becoming a Survey Corps soldier takes a lot of heart and determination."

"I still think you're crazy." Jean comments from beside Marco.

"And, I still think you're annoying." I fire back.

So cry no more, oh my beloved

The snowstorm starts to really set in. I drag my heavy body towards the light. Every inch of me has gone numb. I was stupid to think that I could do this alone. Why do I always have to learn the hard way?

A dark figure runs towards me, lantern in hand. Collapsing just as they come to greet me. Marco catches me before I face plant the snow.

"Thanks." I barely get through my lips.

"We need to get you inside immediately," Marco says. "Jean! I found (y/n). She needs help."

Jean runs over to us helping Marco with me. I'm dragged inside where the cold lets up a little. Marco peels my jacket off me, tossing it aside.

Go ahead, be proud and fight it out

His eyes narrow and I'm glad that looks can't kill. He snatches the pillow from my hold as I grin at him. Marco quickly darts in between us before Jean can beat me to death with his pillow.

"Okay, that's enough now you two," Marco says.

Jean drops the pillow to his side. "What do you mean enough? I haven't even started with her yet."

I shrug and return to my spot on his bed, lying down so I take up more room. Marco takes a seat beside me, keeping distance between us. Jean glares at me as he sits on the end. I nudge him with my foot and he snaps his head in my direction.

"I will suffocate you with this pillow." He threatens waving the pillow at me.

"Then who will you flirt with," Reiner announces.

Once again the whole room fills with laughter as Jean mumbles something under his breath. Marco elbows his friend softly with a smile and Jean shakes his head returning it.

You are the one, our rising star

Marco grabs me by the arm, dragging me over to a table with a guy sitting by himself. His haircut is a little strange but it suits him. Forcing me down onto the bench across from the guy Marco gives us a huge grin.

"(y/n), this is Jean Kirstein. Jean, this is (y/n)." He introduces us.

Jean and I share an uncomfortable look before I hold my hand out across the table to him. His cheeks flush pink a little but he takes my hand, shaking it tightly.

"Nice to meet you, Jean," I say with a small smile.

"Likewise." He answers looking away from me.

Marco nudges him hard in the side. "Be nice. (y/n) here wants to join the Survey Corps."

Jean's head snaps back in my direction. "Are you mentally deficient?"

My face drops and I look at him like he's stupid. "Sorry, do you not want to fight for humanity?" I question back.

"I can do that without getting my ass eaten by a titan." He sneers.

I cross my arms over my chest and smirk at him. "That will be the only thing that will eat your ass."

His mouth drops open and he doesn't know how to respond to that. Marco winks at me before trying to soothe the situation.

You guide us far, to home, yet girt

Jean gently lifts me from the ground, my arms wrapped around his neck. There is a deep, lost look in his eyes. I place my hand on the side of his arm and his beautiful brown eyes come to look at me.

"I think he would be proud of us," I whisper.

Tears brim along the edges of Jean's eyes. "I don't think we would be where we are now without him."

"I miss him so much, Jean. Why did it have to be him? Out of everyone on this island, in this messed up world, why Marco?"

He shakes his head. "I can't answer those questions. I don't think anyone can, not even those two who caused his death." He whispers to me.

I look through the thick of the trees at the silhouettes around the campfire. People we used to consider allies, friends, humanity's strongest are now a group of people fighting for freedom once again.

A small figure laughs loudly running away from a taller figure. I can't help but smile as Marco is lifted off the ground by Connie. They spin around together bringing some light to the darkness.

Jean nuzzles his head into the side of mine. "We really created something amazing, didn't we?"

I give a small nod. "We really did, Jean."

Connie and Marco spot us both through the trees and motion for us to come back. Jean puts me down gently but quickly takes my hand.

"Are you going to be okay?" He asks.

"I think so. I'm just going to have to work through this like I did so many times before." I look up into his eyes. "Are you going to be okay?"

He places his hand against my cheek and a sly smile grows on his face. "As long as Marco and you are by my side, I will always be okay."

We walk out of the trees, Annie barely gives us a glance. Marco escapes from Connie's hold, running straight over to us. He looks between Jean and I with big eyes. Jean scoops him up in his arms.

"Mummy, uncle Connie said that you used to be mean to daddy."

Small chuckles ring up around the group as a smile grows on my face. I tuck some of his hair behind his ear.

"You're daddy was just as mean to me as I was to him. You know he called me stupid the first time we met."

Jean sighs. "I didn't know what else to say. I panicked, there was a beautiful girl in front of me and she was just as crazy as the Jeager kid."

"That's not very nice, Jean." Marco scolds him.

"You know you're in trouble when your own son uses your first name." Connie cracks.

"I think I like this kid," Levi grumbles from his spot.