𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 | 𝙴𝙹𝙰♡︎

Chapter 16: A Mistake

Jean finds himself strolling into the Greyfarms parking lot, surrounded by the depths of that eerie, dark sky. It was a tedious night shift; now he's looking for an escape.

Only a month ago, he would grin seeing Armin's name beside his on their work roster. Especially if it was a night shift. Without customers around, the time is all for them. They'd feed the parrots together as Armin jerked away, shocked every time the birds jumped too close to him.

"Hey!" Jean held him back, holding Armin's shoulder to bring him closer. "There's a cage right there. They can't hurt you."

"I know, I know, I just..." he blushed, looking away. "Stop laughing at me."

"Pfft, that'll be the day."

He clings to those memories now, almost bittersweetly. A part of Jean wishes they never had to meet, that one fateful morning. That when he read through the resumes, he had the hindsight to turn his away. The idea makes his throat burn, delivering the acidic taste of anxiety.

If they never met, he wouldn't have to feel this way. Haunted by memories as he trudges towards his car, covering up a remorseful secret that'll destroy him if it ever gets out. If only...

Armin's sudden voice cries out from afar, breaking into his contemplative thoughts, "hold up!"

Instinctively, Jean turns his back around, watching as the blonde chases after him. His run is oddly adorable, the way his arms struggle to keep up with the rest of his body. Armin stops in front of him, holding a fabric in his hand. It's light brown with a row of buttons, the same piece Jean walked in with when the shift began. It's thoughtful that he chased him down, only to return a jacket.

"Your coat," he hands it to him, smiling.

"Oh." Jean isn't sure where to look. He holds the clothing in hand before darting his gaze away. It's... uncomfortable avoiding him, but there isn't anything else he can do. He adds after a moment, "thanks."

"No worries," Armin's response is warm. He pauses for a moment. "You'd tell me if you were still upset, right?" as he speaks, the man gradually turns his eyes towards him. "Because... well, you're always so straightforward. So, if I were to ask and you were to answer... hypothetically, you'd tell me?"

He's asking for honesty. Jean knows he can't return that. The lie continues as he feigns sincerity, "I would. And I'm not."

"Oh?" a small grin shows on his face. "Then... can I take a drive with you?"

"Hah. You've got your boyfriend."

"He's not coming." Armin takes his hand. "So...?"

In the darkness, for a moment, Jean just stares back at him. Those genuine pupils with an expression of true companionship, his heart rate slows at the sight. He knows where this will lead- knows it'll only complicate things more. If he could just step away, here and now, and let go of this man, maybe he could have a better future. But, it's impossible.

He's too weak to walk away.

***

Lips against lips. It's a reconciliation of an embrace, a memory within a movement, a touch laced with poisonous desire.

Armin feels his back hitting against a rough, wooden frame, with hands being nailed into his shoulders to lock him in place. The rough treatment only amplifies this sensation- desire, lust, hate and anger, being shoved against a door as his mouth moves as one with another. The flexible strokes of a tongue against his own leave him whimpering, gasping out for a finite breath. His hands reach out and grab onto the man's shirt, drawing him closer in to swallow the kiss even more. It's a simple shift but it makes Jean crazy.