Waking Up in the Real World

Chapter 23 (version Jean)

We all walked home as the sun set. It was a good 30 minute walk and I felt out of breath when we finally arrived.

I held the door as the others walked into our home. That just sounds weird. "Our home." The place I live with characters I believed to be fictional.

My dad could be seen cooking bacon and pancakes on the stove and the wonderful aroma wafted throughout the house.

The pile of pancakes was at least a foot high. Yum. I didn't realize how hungry I was until that very moment.

I hugged my dad and took the plate to the table and set it. We all dug in.

As we began to run out of dinner to eat, my dad asked Eren "Will you ever be satisfied?"

"He will never be satisfied," I responded, sharing a look with Hanji.

After dinner, I left to my room to work on my art project.

I could feel someone looking over my shoulder.

I turned my head to see Jean looking over my shoulder as I sat at the desk.

"Jeanbo? Seriously?"

"Well, yeah. Kurt said to use the name of someone I love," I blushed. There was no point in hiding the truth now. As much of an asshole Jean could be, it was impossible not to fall for him.

His eyes widened in astonishment. Without a word, he pulled up a chair and watched as I continued with the piece of art.

I outlined his name in pencil and then in amber oil pastel to match his eyes and he smiled.

When I pulled out my oil pastels, he asked if he could help.

"Sure thing. Which color do you want to use?"

He picked out a golden pastel and traced circles in the empty space.

We both went to grab for a dark blue at the same time, causing us both to blush.

Without saying a word, Jean grabbed for my hand instead of the writing utensil.

"[F/n], I'm sorry all of that happened today. I should have listened when you told me not to go meet those bullies. Is what you wrote in that diary really true? You dreamed about me before we even met?"

"Yes."

He hugged me tightly. "I will never let them hurt you again. I promise I will protect you."

He pulled away and stared into my [e/c] eyes. The world just faded away.

I leaned forward, our lips inches from each other.

He initiated.

The kiss was calm, innocent, and beautiful. It was like I had melted into him and couldn't escape my infatuation.

He leaned back and let me finish my project, looking over at the piece as I used the blue to darken the background.

I could have done better, but this seemed just...

"Perfect," Jean said with a smile.