Heartbeat (Eremin)

Stardust

Stardust-Lena

"You're back?"
"I need to blow off some steam."
Jean leaned against the closest weightlifting machine, crossing his arms smugly.
Eren glanced at him from the corner of his eye while he punched the punching bag with everything he had. He had come here to get Armin's inevitable death off his mind, not to chat with an idiot like Jean.
"You're doing a good job of it. That bag will never be the same again."
"Why are you always here?" Eren continued to punch.
"I work here."
"That's such a lame assed job."
"Yeah? And what do you do?"
"Nothing."
Jean smirked. "This is why I have a boyfriend and you don't."
"Shut the hell up, Jean!" Eren's punching increased in power.
"You're into him, aren't you?"
"I told you to shut your whore mouth."
"You and I both know that I'll be faithful to Marco until the day I die."
"Then it's hot assed afterlife sex with strangers?"
"How did you know?" Jean feinted surprise. "But anyway, tell me, do you like him?"
"He's a good friend."
"He likes you, ya know."
"Did he tell you?"
"He doesn't need to tell me for me to know." Jean admitted. "When he looks at you his eyes light up just like Marco's do."
Eren stopped the punching bag and sat on the floor.
"How did you meet Marco?"
"We've been friends since elementary school. I don't even remember how we started talking. I think it had something to do with him offering me a crayon."
"That's too pure." Eren snorted.
"And now I let him borrow my 'crayons' whenever he wants. If ya know what I'm sayin'?"
"I wish I didn't know what you were saying."
Jean laughed. "So what's eating at you?"
"Nothing."
"Dude, you practically had that punching bag leaking foam, you're that bothered."
Eren sighed. "Last night Armin told me he only has four months to live and he doesn't even remember doing it."
"Maybe he was joking?"
"Armin? He would never joke about something like that. Especially since he knows what happened to my mom and all that."
"You know, it might not be my place to say. But I've been with Marco for three years and I've always found that sitting down and talking works better than anything."
"But me and Armin aren't dating like you guys."
"Then ask his ass out. I know you want to."
"I don't!"
"Just putting the thought out there." Jean chuckled. "But anyway, it works on friends too."
"I guess I could try it."
"You need to. If Armin only has four months left, you need to talk with him as soon as possible. You need to make the most of whatever time you have." Jean paused. "And if you can help him out...if there's something you can do to save him...then you have to find out as soon as possible."
"I'll talk to him." Eren looked down at his shoes.
"Good. Now get back to punching those bags. I want to see some hustle!"