Complications Throughout Generations

Chapter 190

Jean's POV:

"Is it bad that my hatred for Levi is growing?" I groaned, walking around the mall with Reiner. We needed to buy a few extra Christmas gifts.

"Yes." He said, taking a sip of the lemonade he bought at Auntie Anne's.

"Why?"

"Because you're jealous. I think you're just horny in my opinion. Why don't you give Armin another shot?"

"Because he will catch feelings."

"The way you did for Eren?"

"Hey, at least I kept my mouth shut about it. Armin told me how he felt and it made everything worse."

"Then maybe you need to suck it up and stop whining."

"Easy for you to say. You don't have these problems."

"Oh, really? You don't think I have to watch Historia and Ymir all in love and shit? Get your head out of your ass, Jean. I've always loved her. I fucked up both times. I tried to 'reinvent' myself the way Eren did but obviously it didn't work. So I guess I'm not as sympathetic as I wish I could be which is why he hasn't come to me about this. He can tell that I don't care enough because he knows how fucking jealous I am. So you can be upset all you want about how your little crush on Eren is taking over your mind when you know he did all of this for Levi to begin with."

I just rolled my eyes and continued walking forward. I just assumed he was over Historia because he acts completely fine whenever she's around. I guess it just means he's more mature than I am.

"I'm sorry." I sighed.

"You fucking should be." He mumbled. "I swear to god, I'm like a dad to all of you. You forget that I got shit too. I'm always some type of personal therapist. I mean, does anyone know how I've been holding up since Bertolt? No. I almost had to get checked into an inpatient too. My mom didn't know what to do. You may have seen a dead body but I saw my dead best friend." The more he continued, the more I felt like shit because he's 100% right. No one has really paid attention to Reiner and his emotions because he's so busy caring about everyone else. "I'm what Eren thinks he is. Yeah, Eren is a great friend and he's there when you ask him to be. But everyone knows how he's doing. He acts as if no one cares. Everyone cares. He's just too wrapped up in his own misery. But he seems to be open with you over anyone else."

"Well, yeah." I shrugged.

"Over Mikasa and Hange? Levi's sisters? Seems weird."

"Reiner, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying don't play with Eren's feelings. He's getting so close to you because you're giving him what he's been so used to. He's emotionally replacing Levi with you without realizing it. Don't take advantage of that or else it'll get really messy really quickly."

I wish what he was saying wasn't true but he's definitely right. Eren's been so frantic lately that he's been thirsting for some affection. It's a hard battle. On one side, my mind is telling me that Eren loves Levi and that'll never change. The other side is telling me to slightly take advantage. I wouldn't ever make Eren cheat on Levi, but I can see why he's having a hard time. I mean, he doesn't even know if Levi wants to be with him anymore. I wish I could get a second opinion but I don't really have anyone that would take this situation well.

Suddenly, I got a buzz in my pocket. It was a text from Eren.

Eren - You free later?

"Is it him?" Reiner asked.

"Yeah." I sighed.

"Remember what I said."

"Don't take advantage." I repeated his advice, showing him I had listened.

Jean - Yeah. You wanna hang?