Family

Big News

“I hope Emily’s okay.” Jean leaned on Marco’s shoulder as the latter ran fingers through the former’s hair. The pair were sitting on a bench somewhere on SMU’s campus, a late November wind nipping at the back of their necks.

“She’ll be fine,” Marco assured, tracing random shapes in the palm of Jean’s open hand. “There’s Connie and Sasha to push her over, Mikasa to pick her up and dust her off, Eren to kiss her booboos and Armin to keep her from getting hurt in the first place. You have nothing to worry about.” 

“I don’t even want to think about Eren ‘kissing her booboos’ or whatever,” Jean said, rolling his eyes. 

“He’s actually really good with kids,” Marco sighed, “and Emily really likes him. I’m also sure she’s enjoying hanging out with someone other than us two for a while.” Jean smiled halfheartedly. Marco noticed that the entire afternoon Jean hadn’t really been acting like himself, not really taking full interest in the conversation. He decided to ask him about it.

“Is something bothering you?” Jean looked up at Marco, seeming both relieved and terrified.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Jean said, sighing. Marco pursed his lips.

“Not really. I just know you well enough to know when you have something on your mind.” He shrugged. “But what is it?”

“It’s- uh- money troubles,” Jean mumbled, looking at the sidewalk. “My shop hasn’t been doing very well lately. I’m worried that I won’t make enough to pay rent this month and we’ll get evicted.” Marco frowned.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Because then you’d offer to help me because you’re generous like that.” Jean sighed again, his cheeks flushed partly from the cold but also partly from his confession. “I didn’t want to have to burden you like that.” Marco frowned again and shook his head.

“Jean, I’m the one with a stable job who knows when the next paycheck is coming,” he said. “You shouldn’t be ashamed to come to me when you need a little help. That’s what I’m here for. Well, that, and your good looks.” Marco smirked, trying to bring light to the conversation, but it didn’t work.

“I just don’t want to bother you with my problems.”

“When we started dating, your problems became mine,” Marco stated, threading his fingers through Jean’s. “That’s kind of how it works.”

“I know, it’s just…” Jean struggled to form sentences around the thoughts he was trying to convey. “You’re such a good person, and you shouldn’t have to deal with problems that aren’t yours.”

“But they are mine, Jean!” Marco protested. “And I’m not going to sit by and let you and Emily become homeless or starve when I could have done something about it much earlier. Now if you’re not going to let me give you money, let me move in so I can pay part of the rent!” Jean looked at Marco, surprised at his sudden offer. Marco stared at him expectantly in return. “Well?”

“Wait, you’re serious?” Jean asked incredulously.

“Jean, living with you would literally be having a sleepover with my best friend every night,” said Marco. “I wouldn’t have said it if I weren’t serious.” Jean sat there speechless until the reality of Marco’s words hit him.

"Erm, yeah, I'd, uh..." Jean paused. "Honestly, I'd really like that." His ears turned a light pink color, but it was a big difference from his extremely pale natural skin tone. Marco laughed lightly.

"So is it settled, then?" he asked, and Jean nodded. "Now we're roomies!" Marco put Jean in a fake headlock and noogied his head.

"Marco no," he let out in a strangled voice.