Family

Hannes' Bakery

"Have to go- can't talk- explain later- bye," Jean said choppily with a slight wave, rushing out the door. Armin walked in not a second later, seeming utterly confused.

"What was that about?" he asked, closing the door behind him. Marco shrugged, being as confused as the blond himself.

"I honestly have no idea," he replied, flopping back on his bed and throwing his arms out. "One minute we were cuddling and not thirty seconds later he was out the door." Armin shrugged as well and sat his bag the the floor by his bed.

"You know, it's kind of strange how less than a week ago you were just telling me that you liked Jean," said Armin, "and now you two are together." Marco laughed lightly, thinking about that night once more.

"Hey, how are things going with Annie?" he asked, realizing he hadn't heard an update on their situation since that night. Armin blushed.

"I, uh, I asked her out at lunch today," he confessed, scratching his neck nervously, "and, well, she said yes." The brunet smirked, sitting up and facing his roommate.

"So tell me about her.”

"Who? Annie?"

"Duh." Marco rolled his eyes. "What do you like about her? What's something that you see in her that most other people don't? You've probably heard more about Jean than you wanted to the past week, so let's talk about Annie for once." Armin blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear.

"W-well, obviously I think she's really pretty," he stammered, his face getting redder by the second. "And she really cares, even if people like Eren think she's entirely unemotional. She doesn't express her emotion the way most people do, but I can tell what she's thinking most of the time. Also, she's incredibly smart, and I really like smart girls. She doesn't laugh very often - not that I mind or anything - but when she does I want her to keep laughing forever because I absolutely I love the sound of it and-" Armin paused, looking at Marco apologetically. "I'm probably annoying you, aren't I?" Marco shook his head.

"Not at all," he said with a shrug. "It's really adorable how obviously in love with her you are."

"You don't-" the blond started, but the brunet glared at him.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Armin," he said, "but I have the absolute hottest guy I've ever seen who I am completely infatuated with for a boyfriend and I have no intention of ever liking anyone else ever again. Also, just because I'm gay doesn't mean I like any guy I see."

"You're right," Armin replied, nodding his head. "I'm sorry for assuming, it was unfair." The corners of Marco's lips turned up a little as he jumped up off his bed.

"It's all good," he said. "Wanna go for a jog?" Armin shook his head.

"I have a class soon and I don't have time for both a jog and a shower before then," he replied, looking away as his roommate changed into something better for exercise.

"Okay then." Marco slipped his feet into his running shoes and grabbed his iPod and earbuds before he ran out the door.

~~~~~~

The freckled boy sat beneath an oak tree and leaned back against the rough bark, his heavy breathing disturbing the squirrels sat up in the tree. He took a big gulp from his water bottle and then poured the rest of its contents on his head. As he felt the cool liquid drip off his hair and onto his face and shoulders, another person approached him, squatting in front of his extended legs.

"Go for a run?" Eren asked, and Marco nodded. "Where?"

"To hell and back," Marco wheezed, still breathless from his intense workout session. Eren laughed, sliding a foot out from under him to sit next to his tall friend.

"I see." Marco sat up a little straighter, his desperate gasps for air becoming just slightly less desperate.

"Eren, can I ask you something?" Eren, raising an eyebrow, looked up at Marco, confused at his suddenness.

"That depends on what it is," he said carefully.

"Could you ease up on Jean for a while? I'm sure the urge to compare him to a horse seems irresistible whenever it arises, but now that we're dating he's going to be around a lot more and I don't want him to feel unwelcome." Eren shrugged.

"I'll be civil for a week if he's civil to me," he said. Marco nodded gratefully.

"Thanks," he said as he patted Eren on the back. "Anyways, how's your life?"

"My life is great," he grinned, flopping backwards onto the grass below. "Except I still can't seem to find a job. I've heard there's a local bakery that's looking for workers, but baking isn't really my thing, you know? I mean, Mikasa's doing the best she can for the both of us, and Armin pitches in when he can, but I don't want to have to depend on them." Marco nodded understandingly.

"I get it," he said, moving one ankle to rest on top of the other. "Say, what's the name of that bakery you mentioned?"

"Um, I don't think I know the name of it."

"It's fine, I'll just go googling or something," he said with a smallg grin, getting up. "It was really nice talking to you, but I desperately need a shower. See ya!" As Eren waved goodbye, Marco left, getting back up to his room in nearly no time at all. He quickly grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and left for the showers. When he returned, it was nearly dinnertime, but he had some time to spare so he got out his laptop and tried to find this bakery. After a few ad links and some nonsense results, he found the website for the bakery - which was conveniently minutes of searching and coming up emtpy, he found its website. The place was called "Hannes' Bakery." The website, while useful, could definitely use some work. It seemed straight out of the early 800s - it didn't have that modern look that attracted customers, with the sleek layout and bold colors that was oh-so-appealing. However, on the front page in bolded letters were the words: "Looking for part-time employees - little baking experience required - call number listed below." Marco found the number and dialed it up.

"Hello, Hannes' Bakery, this is Hannes," a male voice said.

"Oh, yes, hi," Marco said, trying to sound as cheerful as possible. "My name is Marco Bodt, I'm calling to ask about the job opening you advertised on your website?"

"Ah, that," Hannes replied, sounding a bit relieved. He chuckled. "I was beginning to think no one would ever call. But I'm very grateful you did, Mr. Bodt, very grateful."

"So, um, what do I need to do in terms of a job interview of sorts?"

"Straight to the point, I see," the older man said with a small laugh. "Let's see, I close at seven, so would you be able to come over at around seven-fifteen this evening?" Marco looked at the clock on his bedside table; it was nearly 5'o'clock. "I know it's soon and I don't mean to rush-"

"No, no, Mr. Hannes, that's perfectly fine," he assured after mentally going through his schedule in an instant and finding he was free. "I'll be there at seven-fifteen. Thank you for talking with me."

"Thank you for calling!" Hannes laughed. "Goodbye!"

"See you soon," Marco said, and pressed the red button on the screen of his cell. He was finally - maybe - going to get a job, and he would be baking, something he loved to do. It was turning out to be a great day.