Chapter Text
“Jean, yes?”
Jean nodded as the figure on his screen adjusted their glasses. “I’m Zoe Hanji, feel free to just call me Hanji.”
“Nice to meet you, Hanji.”
“Likewise, Jean! Now, looking at your credentials alone, you seem to be plenty qualified for the job.”
He nodded again. “That’s good to hear.”
“And I also can’t help but notice you share your last name with the well-known horse breeders. Any relation?”
Jean bit back a scoff behind his attempt at a composed smile. “Family business.”
“I see.” Hanji nodded, writing onto a clipboard. “You could very well be considered a guest here at Sina.”
“Well, I’m more interested in looking for a job than a vacation spot at the moment.”
“Yes, of course.” Hanji cleared their throat. “Now before we get ahead of ourselves, I’d like to ask you a few more questions if that’s alright.”
“Ask away,”
The questions were simple enough, just basic inquiries about having to live onsite if they were to hire him and how he’d deal with sharing a living space with his coworkers.
It would all be fine and dandy, of course, since Jean experienced as much from living on-campus back in his college days.
Hanji also took a quick dive into his medical history and if he had any persistent allergies that would be triggered by their location.
Jean told them about his penicillin allergy (which obviously wouldn’t be a problem in the goddamn woods ) along with his vaccination history.
While on the topic of wildlife, Hanji asked if he had an aversion to insects.
With the club’s location being near some forest there would definitely be a chance of mosquitos but Jean figured it wasn’t anything bug spray and his breeches can’t protect him from.
He could also definitely kill a spider if needed as long as it wasn’t anything bigger than his hand.
Jean said exactly that, to which Hanji chuckled. “Alright,” they cleared their throat. “Okay, lastly, how well do you handle stress?”
“I manage,”
“Oh no, not just workplace stress.” On the screen, Hanji’s glasses caught some light, making them take on a strange glint. “I mean, of course you can’t exactly escape workplace stress since you live in the workplace itself but-” They leaned back in their chair. “I’m talking more about… unique events.”
Jean couldn’t help but raise a brow at this. “Can you elaborate?”
"Given Sina's location, assistance would definitely be more difficult to acquire, especially during emergencies. How would you react whenever something unexpected happens despite your best efforts to plan?”
“Well, I try to keep a calm head,” he started. “Then I react accordingly and see where it goes from there.”
Hanji nodded, adding to their notes then looking back up. “And if you barely have time to think?”
Jean thought for a moment then shrugged.
“I just go by my gut, I guess. Hasn’t failed me yet.”
Connie: hoy chica
Connie: what do you want from cracker barrel?
Connie: omw there now
Sasha: double meat breakfast
Sasha: blueberry pancakes
Sasha: french toast
Sasha: bacon on the side
Connie: you are insatiable
Sasha: thanks con <3
Sasha: how much is everything?
Connie : i got it covered
Sasha: in that case, add a hungarian sausage
Connie: seemed like you could def use some sausage in your life
Sasha: 🖕
With both hands full of take out (Cracker Barrel in one hand and Magnolia’s in the other), Connie had no choice but to headbutt the doorbell to Sasha’s apartment then straighten up split seconds before the door opened.
He didn’t quite expect what he saw.
The Sasha that greeted him didn't have mascara running down her face or disheveled hair. Her eyes weren’t red and sore and she didn’t look like she had just rolled out of bed.
Instead, Sasha grinned and offloaded the bags from one of his hands before heading over to the kitchen.
“Took you long enough! I was starving,”
And as Connie shut the door behind him, he also noticed that her apartment didn’t seem like the desolate cave he thought it would look like considering last night’s events .
While not as meticulously tidy as one of their superiors would’ve preferred, Sasha's apartment was neat and bright, with the curtains open to let the late morning light wash over her secondhand couch and newly vacuumed floorboards. The hamper beside the couch contained what looked like fresh laundry and a few folded shirts rested on a small pile on one of the cushions.
The only thing out of place in Sasha’s apartment was the suit jacket on a hanger by her closet door.
Connie wasn’t quite sure if what he saw was for the best but walked in any way.
“Oh, you also got coffee?” Sasha asked from the dining table as she took out the containers from their plastic bags.
He nodded, then pulled out her drink. “I just asked Isabel for a grande of your usual.”
“Do I ever tell you I love you, Con? Because I love you, man,”
He rolled his eyes. “Only when I feed you.” He took out his own drink and took a sip as he sat down across from her. “The omelet’s mine by the way. So are the other two pieces of French toast.”
Connie knew he should be happy that whatever toll last night took on Sasha didn’t make its way to the morning, yet the difference between how she was when he dropped her off and her current state was too strong of a whiplash to ignore.
He mumbled a thanks as Sasha slid his food over to his side of the table along with a fork.
But Connie also knew that sometimes it was better to give Sasha the benefit of the doubt in times like this. The last thing she needed was him treating her like a china doll when she was doing her best to carry on.
He took a bite out of his toast and gave the hanging jacket another glance.
Asking about her whereabouts didn’t count as treating her like porcelain, though.
Okay. Act casual.
Connie nodded over to her closet door. “So you gonna tell me who that belongs to?”
Sasha followed his glance and sighed. “Fine.” She took a drink of her coffee then set it down on her table with a flourish that would've been more appropriate had she been drinking alcohol.
“So I was actually going to do it.”
“Object?” Connie tried his best to keep his tone even as he asked, “What happened then?
To: Sina Country Club HR
Re: You’re Hired!
Thank you for hiring me. I’m looking forward to working with you in the near future.
On that note, I’d like to inform you that my prior engagements didn’t fall through and have been postponed until further notice.
That being said, I would like to join your the rest of the staff in moving in and other team building activities and hopefully get better acquainted with them and the facilities before the season starts.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Jean Kirschtein
“And you just got in the car with him?”
“We both needed to get away so yeah .” Sasha shrugged, taking the last bite out her sausage. “He even drove me to Nicolo’s afterwards.”
Connie shook his head. “Doesn’t matter, you getting into a stranger’s cars is just wrong ,”
“You think I don’t know that?” She set her fork down to readjust her ponytail. “Look, he seemed nice enough considering the circumstances.”
Connie rolled his eyes. “ Chica , listen,” He shifted to put one of his hands over hers. “I don’t know what Hallmark movie that puta- ”
“Jean,”
“-that Juan came from, but you should know better than to run off with someone you don’t know. You were lucky this time, sure, but there’s no telling with other guys.”
Sasha rolled her eyes before nodding in agreement. “Alright, alright, I get it.” Then she pulled her hand away to turn back to her food.
Connie watched as she drizzled an ample amount of maple syrup on her pancakes. “Have you messaged Mikasa yet?”
She shook her head before digging her fork into the stack. “I don’t even know what to tell her.”
“Just tell her how you are.”
She chewed thoughtfully. Swallowed. “And what about the Plan?”
“I mean, you know Mikasa better than I do but even then I could tell she’s been worried.” Connie shrugged. “She insisted I get you something from Magnolia’s to help cheer you up so yeah. Seems pretty damn concerned to me.”
“Do you think she’ll judge?”
“Nah.” Connie paused to take a sip from his coffee. “I don’t either. And I didn’t judge you when you called last night.” He set the drink down to reach over to pinch her nose. “Not like I had the right considering I do stupid shit all the time too,”
Sasha’s face scrunched at the old gesture as she swatted him away. “Like holding Reiner up for a kegstand when he had almost a foot and fifty pounds on you?”
“Shaddup.” Connie didn’t need the reminder of that night anymore than she did. “But if I had to be honest with ya Sash, I’m more relieved than anything that your plan didn’t pull through.” He figured he could be upfront about what he truly thought about the Plan some other time.
That and among other things.
“Maybe annoyed that you ran off with a stranger, sure, but not much else.”
Sasha rolled her eyes once more but nodded just the same, then gestured to the table. “And what about now while I’m eating my feelings for breakfast?”
“You and I both know you eat more than just your feelings for breakfast.”
“Fuck you, man.”
“Love you too, Sash.” Connie replied, and he meant every word.
This was Sasha, his best friend and twin flame. The one constant in his life despite all the changes that came with time and age and whatever else the universe had to throw at him. He’d be damned if he didn’t have her back or give her the simplest, most honest truth.
“Now go call Mikasa.”
But he would also be damned if he gave her the truth when she wasn’t ready to hear it just yet.
“I’ll do it later.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
And Connie only nodded, watching as Sasha finished off the last of her pancakes.
Later, He promised, this time to himself.
“You up for some Smash after this?”
“You’re on.”
I’ll make sure to tell her later.
To: Jean Kirschtein
Re: Re: You’re Hired!
Likewise, Jean!
With that being said, I’ve attached the recommended packing list for your stay here along with the Employee Handbook. I’ve also been informed by Armin that you two go way back, so can I assume that you can correspond with him regarding the necessary paperwork?
Additionally, I believe that you’re more than aware that your position requires more preparation than others, so we’d like to know we’d like to know ahead of time if you have any additional equipment (or in this case, horses) you intend to bring with you onsite.
Thank you for your cooperation and again, welcome to the SCC Family!
Zoe Hanji
Armin: Jean, are you gonna free any time this week? Hanji asked me to handle your contract signing.
Jean: I’m good any day except Thursday
Armin: Wednesday afternoon any good?
Jean: fine by me
Armin: Alright. You okay meeting up in a cafe?
Jean: Like I’d say no to free coffee
Armin: I’ll send you the location in a bit.
Jean: k. see you there.
Armin: See you soon, Jean.
Like the last time Historia visited, it was cloudy.
And like all the other times she visited before, Historia cleaned up Ymir’s headstone and replaced the wilted bouquet with a fresh bunch of snapdragons before sitting down on the grass beside it, knees hiked up to her chest.
But this time…this time she brought good news along with the flowers.
So I found a way out, she thought, mostly to Ymir than to herself.
Though technically it was more like Jean had an excuse that therefore applied to the both of them.
The memory of the day before was still crystal clear in her mind, almost snap-shot like in the details she remembered.
The congregation’s scandalous gasps at the rude interruption.
Her father calling for as many able-bodied men to look and chase after the runaway groom and his inamorata.
The laugh she stifled behind her bouquet as she watched the chaos unfold around her before being dragged away.
And of course, her .
The divine intervention that had come in the form of a girl who had the guts to do and say everything Historia had wanted to do ever since the arrangement was presented to her all those months ago.
I think you’d like her, Ymir, Historia thought. Whoever she is.
Maybe in another life, the three of them could’ve been good friends, maybe even college dorm mates who stayed in touch even after graduating.
But as she has learned time and time again, Historia didn’t entertain the what ifs only because it hurt too much to ask questions she knew she’ll never get the answers to.
Historia let herself slump onto the cold marble with a heavy sigh.
And just because some things hurt to think about didn’t mean she stopped thinking about them altogether.
I can totally picture the three of us having sleepovers and brunches and all that.
No amount of yearning stopped her from entertaining what if and no amount of guilt stopped her from entertaining Armin.
She let out a quiet, bitter chuckle.
Maybe she was being cruel.
Have I told you about him, Ymir? I met him online while looking for a D&D campaign to join and he happened to be a Dungeon Master looking for players.
And at this, Historia allowed a small smile to form on her lips.
And I know you weren’t as into D&D as I am but believe me when I say he’s an amazing DM. He puts so much effort into worldbuilding and the story he’s trying to tell, even when his players muck everything up every now and then.
And after that first campaign ended, we still kept in touch, up until he started up another campaign and asked me if I would join.
He’s a bigger nerd than I am and we’re into a lot of the same things. We never run out of things to talk about.
I think it’s safe to say he might like me more than just as a friend and player even if he still thinks my name is Christa.
Historia sighed.
But not once did he pry or push and he’s just so nice and so smart and I…
And there it was.
The threshold of things she could never take back once she thinks of them, ready to be uttered by her mind to Ymir even if she can’t quite admit it to herself.
I think I like him back, Ymir. Historia finally allowed herself to think, feeling the tears well up in her eyes.
Can you forgive me for that?
In silence, Ymir replied to the question.
And in silence, Historia let the tears flow freely down her face as she leaned her head against the cold headstone and onto the grass beneath her.
To: Sina Country Club HR
Re: Re: Re: You’re Hired!
Yes, I’ve already come into contact with Armin and plan to meet up with him some time this week for signing.
In terms of horses, I do intend to bring my own to the Sina Country Club and would like to inquire about his transport and keeping.
Much appreciated,
Jean Kirschtein
A knock came to Jean’s door just a few minutes after he hit send , but he didn’t bother to get up to check the eyehole when he called, “Come in,”
He already knew his father well enough to know what the man’s hands sounded knocking against wood.
And so Hugo Kirschtein and his wife Emma enter the apartment with little fanfare save for a one-word acknowledgement.
“Son,”
“Père.” Jean greeted curtly, before turning to his other guest. “ Bonjour , Mère." He muttered, leaning in for la bise before leading them into the living room.
And while Jean knew his father well, he knew his mother better. Better enough to know that the smile she gave as they pulled away didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Tea?” The offer was mostly directed to Mère but both parents nodded as they sat down on his sofa.
Jean headed over to his kitchen and filled two mugs with a bag of white tea each. He set those on the counter to grab the kettle from the overhead cabinet.
In the glass of that same cabinet’s door he could almost make out Père’s reflection looking around his apartment.
Jean headed over to the sink to fill the pot.
Not looking around , Jean thought as he headed over to the sink. He’s looking for something.
Someone .
“Is your girlfriend not with you?” Père finally asked.
Even with his back to both of them, Jean still hoped neither of his parents caught him flinching in place.
He let out a cough to clear his throat. “She was here earlier but had to leave for work.”
Stupid , Jean admonished. Anyone with eyes would know a woman doesn’t live here.
He shut off the water and put the kettle over the stove to heat up before turning back to his parents who only looked at him expectantly.
“How come you never introduced her to us?” his mother asked this time.
“Even if I did, what would’ve been the point?”
Mère nodded sadly at that, and Jean ignored the guilt that stabbed at his chest for lying to his mother’s face.
“I thought you two would have eloped out of the country by now.” Père sniffed. “But then again last time I checked, you were not seeing anybody.”
“Just because you checked doesn’t mean you’re right.”
Père only hummed. “Whichever the case, due to scheduling conflicts, the ceremony was postponed for another few months.”
Jean chuckled. “Couldn’t you have dropped the whole thing altogether, all things considered? Won’t it besmirch the Reiss name or whatever?”
“Listen here, boy ,” And Père stood up to his full height. “I don’t know when or how you conjured up this girl and your little stunt , but I will have you know that you are not getting out of this.”
Jean didn’t even flinch as he stared up at his father, teeth gritting behind the firm line of his lips. “Thanks for the reminder,”
“Oh, you must be grateful now that you have time to twiddle your thumbs.”
“I am not as helpless and spoiled as you think I am, Père. In fact, I recently just got a job.”
“A job in what? Retail ?” His father’s face twisted into a slight sneer. “You know that’s beneath you,”
“If you must know,” Jean cut. “I applied to be an Equestrian trainer. So you can at least sleep well knowing none of those lessons would go to waste.”
“Where?”
“Why, so you could follow me there?”
“Jean,” Mère called, making Jean sigh.
“It’s with one of our clients. Sina Country Club.”
Leave it to her to get the truth out of him.
“I see.” Père got up, prompting Mère to follow suit. “Very well then,”
Jean couldn’t help but narrow his eyes. “Is that it?”
“Well it’s not as if you have anything better to do and any business relation is vital for our future.” Père straightened his coat. “So you have my blessing to work there for the time being.” Then he got up to open the door for his wife.
“We’ll see you in four months, Son.”
And the last thing Jean saw was Mère’s apologetic eyes before Père shut the door behind the both of them.
If he were anything like his younger self, Jean would’ve chucked the nearest thing at the door behind them, or sounded out his frustration with select curse words.
But he was too tired and too used to his father’s plans to even bother.
So instead Jean collapsed onto his couch, head in his hands.
He couldn’t even recall the last time Pére gave his damn blessing, assuming he ever even gave it in the first place. Jean didn't need it then and he sure as hell didn’t need it now of all times and of all things.
The kettle whistled, breaking him out of his thoughts.
But Jean let muscle memory go on autopilot as he got off the couch to turn off the stove as he jumped back into them.
Père definitely had a plan, or at least something that would eventually be a plan.
And Jean just didn’t know what it was to come up with a workaround.
So much for staying a bachelor.
Then his phone dinged.
Sasha: is it ok if i dry clean this thing? or does it cost more than my apartment?
This girl and her timing, Jean chuckled to himself, typing in his reply.
Jean: depends. is your apartment a studio?
Sasha: nope
Jean: good. neither is mine.
Sasha: haha.
Jean: there should be instructions on the tag. it’s in the inner breast pocket i think.
Sasha: got it.
Sasha: if i end up ruining it in the wash, you wouldn’t get mad, would you?
Jean: and further sabotage my engagement? by all means
Sasha: i’m not wrecking your jacket.
Jean: then you can keep it, if you like. looked good on you anyways.
There was a pause.
Then Sasha replied again.
Sasha: as much as i’d like the addition to my wardrobe, i’d rather give it back to its rightful owner.
Jean: suit yourself
Sasha: was that a fucking pun?
Jean: not on purpose
Sasha: sure
Sasha: anyways, i’ll be busy for the next few weeks
Sasha: think our reunion could wait a month?
Jean: fine by me.
He hesitated before typing again.
Jean: btw, are you doing alright, if you don’t mind me asking?
Sasha: peachy, just kicking ass in Smash
Jean: i’ll leave you to it then.
Sasha: thanks. bye jean.
Jean: bye. take care.
Then he pocketed his phone with a sigh.
Plan or no plan, he was already hired at Sina and that was that.
So Jean put away the teabags and the extra mug and brewed himself some instant coffee, making a mental list of all the preparations he had to do before leaving for the Sina Country Club next week.
And at the very top of that list was knowing how to get to the damn place to begin with.
To: Jean Kirschtein
Re: Re: Re: Re: You’re Hired!
Given the location of the club and its services, we do have dealings with Ness Equine Transport for our resident horses for the past few seasons.
Here’s a link to their website and the contact info of our regular liaison, Dita Ness xxxx-xxxxx
I’ll call him ahead of time to let you know about your transport needs.
Updates would be very much appreciated, so make sure to keep in touch!
Zoe Hanji
Levi: i proposed to petra last night
Levi: she said yes
Mikasa: congrats on the baby
Mikasa: *the engagement
Levi: you think you can to get into eren’s pants with comedy now?
Mikasa: 🖕
Levi: i see nothing has happened this year’s break, either
Levi: jokes aside, i hope you can keep your mouth shut until we make the announcement ourselves.
Mikasa: of course
Mikasa: do you already have a date for the wedding?
Levi: we’re looking to having the ceremony in the summer
Mikasa: when we’re busiest? i don’t have to be armin to know that’s a logistical nightmare
Levi: not if we already live at the venue
Mikasa: not only are you a cleanfreak but you’re also a cheapskate
Levi: petra’s idea, not mine
Levi: and honestly it’s not so bad
Levi: at least i know the place will be damn near spotless for the wedding
Mikasa: don’t lie
Mikasa: you could get married in a vegas drive thru wearing a paperbag and you’d be fucking jumping for joy when you’re named Mr. and Mrs. Petra Ral
Levi: you’re officially uninvited
Mikasa: kidding.
Mikasa: but i am happy for you, levi. really.
Levi: thank you.
Levi: but if you tell anyone about the baby i’ll put you on bathroom duty for a month
Mikasa: you got it captain
Levi: i can’t believe you still call me that
“ Mikasa, what’s the status of that order you put in? ” Armin’s voice came from Eren’s tablet. The device itself was propped on and up against a stack of books so that Armin could see the two of them do their respective tasks in the living room.
Mikasa swiped out of her conversation with Levi and opened the email app on her phone. “It’ll arrive tomorrow afternoon soonest if not the day after tomorrow.”
“ Does Accounting know? ”
“Yeah, I already sent the purchase order to Anka last week.”
Despite her distance from the tablet screen, Mikasa spotted the bob of Armin’s head, a telltale sign of his approval.
Meanwhile, Eren hummed absently from where he sat on the sofa as he typed away on his laptop and, judging from the wrinkle on his brow and the loud clacking of the keys, she figured he was replying to the last of his pending work emails.
Mikasa herself didn’t so much as work as she did wander to and fro around the apartment, packing and preparing for what would be another season at the Sina Country Club.
Most of the medical supplies and equipment they’d need were already en route to Sina, if not already there and just in storage. Mikasa had also already finished up with her own deliverables and other paperwork save for a few unanswered emails, but those weren't anything she couldn't just answer in transit later that week.
This just left some final errands before leaving the apartment alone for the next couple months, like sorting through the remaining groceries in the kitchen and the actual packing the night before.
Over a decade and a half of knowing and being with Armin and Eren had left the three in a kind of friendship that made room for the mundane, even if one of them was only there virtually. They’d been in each other’s company long enough to be fine doing their own things without saying a single word to each other.
Existing was hard and the world could be cruel, but having people exist beside you was more than Mikasa could ask for, really.
A distorted ringtone pinged from the tablet, making Mikasa look up.
“ Hold on, Jean’s calling my cell. ” Armin muttered a few things that came out garbled from the bluetooth speakers before finally saying, “ Drop this call so I can start a group. ”
“Got it,” Eren set his laptop aside to do as Armin asked and within seconds the group call notification showed itself, and Mikasa sat on a cushion on the floor in front of the coffee table.
“Hey Horse-face,”
“Hey Jean,”
Eren and Mikasa said together as soon as Jean’s face was on the screen.
“ Hey, Mikasa, ” Jean greeted back. He scowled and flipped a bird when his attention turned to Eren.
" Anyways, I’m getting things ready and I have pretty much everything listed down.” He held up a notebook open to a page with what looked like an actual handwritten list. “ Is there anything that isn’t on the handbook list that I should bring along? ”
“Bug spray.” Mikasa said instantly. “If you think you have enough, you’re wrong.”
“Yeah, God knows how many guests come in with bug bites.” Eren grumbled as he set his computer back on his lap, to which Mikasa nodded.
Usually it was children who were too stubborn to wear any protection at first who came in with bites, and the occasional adult who missed a spot.
(Though she and Eren made a pact to never talk about Dimo Reeves and the unfortunate placement of a bite the size of a quarter.)
Mikasa took out her phone to check her own inbox.
“Extension cords and those flat three way plug thingies.” Eren added before resuming his typing.
“ If you don’t have one yet, I suggest you get a personal Brita Filter pitcher and tumbler .” Armin chimed.
“ Got it, ” Jean fumbled around for a pen and scribbled onto the sheet he was holding. “ The kitchen is communal, right ?”
Eren nodded. “Yeah, but some days you can just grab something from the cafeteria. No one really uses the kitchen more than twice a day outside of reheating leftovers and abusing the coffee makers.”
“ Can I bring my own?”
“Yeah, just make sure to keep your shit in check.”
“ And that you use them at appropriate times. ” Armin added.
Memories flashed in the back of Mikasas’s mind of Connie making his protein shakes at five in the morning until Levi had to step in and tell him to ‘ Stop waking everyone up with the damn thing or so help me I will put your head in there myself.'
Chuckling, Mikasa shook her head as she exited out of another email.
"Something funny?" Eren muttered, low enough for only her to hear while the other two on the conference call went on.
"Connie." She supplied, making Eren snort.
“Honestly? Deserved.” he grumbled.
Mikasa chuckled again and before turning back to her mail app, half-listening to Armin.
“- the kitchen has two four-burner stoves with ovens plus three microwaves and the fridge is industrial sized so everyone just puts their stuff in there .”
“Speaking of which,” Eren spoke up, though his eyes never strayed from his own screen. “Unlabeled food in the fridge is pretty much free game so be sure to bring your own ziplock bags and sharpies."
Mikasa nodded, recalling the many (many, many) times Sasha had appropriated food in the refrigerator and operated under the rule of Finders Keepers.
(Not that Mikasa was totally innocent of that either, but the list of whatever unlabeled food items she had taken from the fridge was between her and God.)
Jean mumbled an affirmative as he scribbled onto his notebook.
“Is that all you need to follow up?” Mikasa asked.
He capped his pen. “ Yeah, more or less .”
“Good,” Eren set his laptop down on the couch and inched closer to the coffee table. “Now you have some explaining to do.”
“ About what?”
"You know what."
"I'd like to know too." Armin chimed.
And it was then and there that it clicked in Mikasa’s mind.
So this was why Armin switched to a conference call; he wanted to interrogate Jean and needed the back up.
Though she’d be lying if she said if she wasn’t even the slightest bit curious, either.
Jean let out a sigh. " Okay, what do you want to know? "
“First things first, why did your reception get canceled?” Eren started.
“Because the wedding got postponed too.”
“What?” Mikasa blurted in unison with Eren as Armin's end of the call produced a garbled noise of confusion.
"And how did that happen?"
Jean was silent for a moment before sighing again. “ If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. ”
“ Try us .” Armin challenged.
“ Okay then,” Jean sat back. “ Some girl just barged in during the ceremony and objected. ”
“Huh,” Eren said. “Last time I checked, you were single.”
“ Fuck you, Jaeger. ”
“That’s Doctor Jaeger to you, Horse-face.”
“ Was it your fiance's girlfriend, then ?” Armin asked.
“ Also no. ” Jean shook his head. “ It was just some girl no one knew who mixed up the ceremony with one at another venue. ”
Mikasa cocked her head to the side. “If that’s the case then the wedding should’ve gone on, right?”
“ Well, it would’ve. ” Jean started. “ If I didn’t play along with her and get the hell out of Saint Maria’s. ”
And it was here that Mikasa felt her jaw drop to the floor.
“You son of a bitch,” Eren said in disbelief.
“ Look, I saw the chance and took it, ”
“I don’t know if you’re just really lucky or really stupid, ” Armin said.
“Probably both,” Eren grumbled. “And what about the lovely lady?”
“ We’re cool. I got her some coffee afterwards as a thank you. ”
“And you didn’t get her number?”
“Well, technically, I did .”
Eren grinned. “ Nice ,”
“ That’s not what it was. ”
“Can you imagine, though?” Eren straightened his shoulders. “ Kids, the day I met your mother she stopped my arranged marriage .”
“ Eren, stop trying to sound like Bob Saget ." Armin exasperated. " It’s not going to happen .”
“ Agreed ,” Mikasa muttered under her breath before turning to Jean. "So is your engagement called off?"
" Still on, unfortunately, but the wedding's been moved to sometime in the fall instead."
" Bummer. " Armin sighed.
"You sure you can still work at Sina after getting hitched? Or are you gonna play trophy husband right after?" Leave it to Eren to keep pushing Jean's buttons to show concern.
" Fuck if I know. Let's just cross that bridge when we get there. "
"Alright." Mikasa conceded.
“Anyways.” Armin said. “ About Moving Day, are you going to convoy with us? ”
“I don’t think I can leave that early. I still have to handle some things ”
“You're gonna bring your horse to Sina, right?” Eren asked. “What was his name again? Grindewald or something?”
“His name is Buckwald and yes, he’s coming with me to Sina. Hanji forwarded me to Ness Equine so that’ll be settled eventually.” Jean mumbled something under his breath as he jotted some things down. “I’m still pretty sure I’m the one who’s getting lost on the way though.”
“ Well, there’s a grocery store a half hour from the club that’s along the closest highway. ” Armin suggested. “ We could meet you there after lunch?”
Mikasa lifted her phone. “I’ll send him the Google Maps,” After a few moments Jean gave confirmation.
“ The Garrison?” His voice came. “ Who the hell calls a grocery store The Garrison ?”
“I know, right?” Eren asked.
“ I think it’s pretty cool .” Armin chimed.
“ Of course you would .”
“Whichever the case,” Mikasa cut in. “We’re happy you got out of your arranged marriage. Even just for a little bit.”
“ Thanks, Mik ."
Mikasa smiled at the familiar high school nickname just as she spotted Eren rolling his eyes from her peripheral vision, but she paid him no mind.
They were never going to outgrow their rivalry over everything and she might as well just leave them be.
And then her phone vibrated in her hands, flashing a name Mikasa had hoped to see for days.
Sasha: hey. sorry for ghosting you.
Sasha: are you good to call now?
Mikasa: yeah.
Mikasa: hold on, i’ll call you
Sasha: kk
“I need to take this,” Mikasa said before getting up and heading to her room, making sure to close the door behind her and ignoring the looks the boys were giving her as she did.
To: Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, Annie Leonhart
Cc: Armin Arlert, Moblit Berner, Levi Ackerman
Subject: Some Guidelines
Salutations!
While I am aware that the three of you won’t be joining us for at least another month, I’ve gone ahead and attached a copy of the Employee Handbook and official packing list for you to peruse at on your own time.
Arrangements for your position and other needed equipment, plus inquiries on lodging and other concerns can also be addressed at a later time.
For now, I hope you enjoy your respective vacations and congratulations to the happy couple! We look forward to meeting you soon.
Thank you for your cooperation and again, welcome to the SCC Family!
Zoe Hanji
Just last night, Mikasa had worried that she had overwhelmed Sasha with her messages, or even broken a rule or two about phone etiquette and correspondence.
But all that was forgotten when she pressed ACCEPT after the first ring and pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“ Hey, Mikasa. ” Sasha’s voice came a beat later. “ Look, I know I already texted it but I just wanna apologize for essentially falling off the face of the earth .”
Mikasa shook her head even if her friend couldn’t see. “No, it’s fine, you were going through a lot.” Then her shoulders drooped as she sighed. “I shouldn’t have badgered you about it,”
“ Shit, no, you’re fine. It was a bitch move on my part practically ignoring you. ”
“If you say so. You worried me, you know.” Mikasa moved to sit at the foot of her bed.
“ I know. And thanks for worrying about me, and for coffee this morning.”
“You’re welcome,” Mikasa cleared her throat. “Are you alright?”
Dumb question.
“ Do you want the long answer or the short answer? ”
“Which one do you want to give me?”
“ The short one, for now? And it’s: I could be better. ”
“And what about yesterday? Did you attend?”
“ I made it in time for the reception. ”
Mikasa frowned. “You know you didn’t have to force yourself to go.”
“ I already RSVP-ed. ” There was a rustling from Sasha’s end. “ It would have been rude. ”
“Maybe, but was it worth it? Going?”
“ In a way, yes. ” The deep sigh Sasha let out sounded even heavier through the phone. “ But watching everything made me feel…how do I put this… ” There was another rustle. “ Do you remember the day you moved out of your college dorm? ”
“Yeah?”
“ Yeah so, you have this place, right? And you convinced yourself for a while that it’s your space, somewhere for you to be safe and happy for a good while? ”
“Mm-hm?”
“ But time goes by and then… ” Sasha cleared her throat. “ And someone else had already signed up to move in ages before it dawned on you that it was time for you to move out... ”
Mikasa hummed again, content with letting the other girl use as many words as she needed.
“ ...and you know it was coming, and you’ve signed the paperwork and you do everything else you could little by little. Taking down the decorations and photos, packing out-of-season stuff, making plans with the movers, all that shit. ” Another deep inhale followed by a heavy exhale. “ Yet eventually you’re faced with an empty space, and even though you can still remember where each piece of furniture went and what picture was in which frame and and which wall it was put up and all that, you don’t get to process that emptiness because you end up helping the next person move in. ”
“ And you watch them turn the space into their own and yeah, it’s different than what you had done but to each their own, right? And after all that you also attend the housewarming party and you buy them wine and you do your best to show how happy you are for them and yet... ”
“ ...I know nothing bad will happen to the place but I lived there, you know? And I have memories and feelings that lived there and will probably still live there because I didn’t think to pack those up with me and now…”
“Now all you can do is smile and congratulate them?”
A beat of silence before Sasha let out a small, “ Yeah .”
If Mikasa had to be brutally honest, she couldn’t care less about Berthold and how his rekindled childhood romance left Sasha in the dust. The only things she knew about the man had come from Sasha’s mouth, so Mikasa couldn’t really give her friend the benefit of the doubt that there was something there between them that was just never given the chance to form.
“Does it still feel empty?” She asked instead, carefully as if speaking to a child.
“ Yeah, but I think it’s less to do with having to leave and more to do with knowing I could never go back. ”
But Mikasa knew a thing or two about loving about having feelings so deep that the idea of not having them reciprocated was too terrifying for even a fleeting thought, much less to even consider to be the reality.
And the last thing Sasha needed now was to be apprehended for feeling the way she did, not when she already had the harshest reality check you could imagine to snuff those feelings into smoke.
“I hope you find somewhere you can call your own someday, Sasha.” Mikasa said instead, but still meaning every word.
And maybe I’ll have that too.
“Thank you, Mikasa. Really.” Another rustle (Mikasa figured Sasha was lying in bed). “Were you doing anything before I called?”
“Not much,” Mikasa lied back down on her own bed, allowing the topic to change. “Just cleaning up. Eren and I were on conference call with Armin and one of the new hires.”
“ Ooh, anyone I know? ”
“Nah, I doubt it. Eren, Armin and I know him from college.”
“ Cool .”
A beat of silence.
“ Wanna watch something?”
“Sure.”
Eren: you still on call with Sasha?
Mikasa: yeah, now we’re watching a movie
Mikasa: spur of the moment kinda thing, sorry
Eren: open the door in 5
Eren: i’m making you popcorn
Mikasa : don’t wanna join?
Eren: nah, you enjoy yourselves
Eren: i’ll order dinner around 7? you up for pasta?
Mikasa: sounds good
To: Sina Country Club HR
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: You’re Hired!
Thank you for the information. I’ll make sure to update you going forward.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Jean Kirschtein
Father: I’ll see you in my study tomorrow morning.
Historia: Understood.
Christa: are u busy rn?
Armin: not really. what’s up?
Christa: can we get on call? just to hang out? watch something? idk
Armin: is everything alright?
Christa: it could be better
Armin: do you want someone to listen or a distraction?
Christa: distraction please.
Armin: i’ll set up and call you in 15. that ok?
Christa: more than ok.
Christa: see you then <3
Armin: you too <3