Chapter Text
Chapter Seventeen
(A Cheerful Redemption)
POV: Jean *Mostly*
Weeks passed by in a haze.
Both Eren and Jean were healthy.
During thier solitude at the hospital, before they were released, they made an important decision. Eren and Jean made a promise to each other that they'd try thier hardest to get along. If not for thier sake, then for Armin's. The boy shouldn't have to sit through thier arguments every second of everyday without pause. And, to be honest, the two teens were tired of fighting as well.
They also concluded that it'd be best if they didn't join the football team. Jean; because he refused to work alongside Armin's attacker. And Eren; because the hospital wouldn't allow him to. So, that's how they came to the position they were currently in.
"Jean! What the hell man?!" Eren whispered harshly. The room was dark and damp. "What is this place?"
"The janitor's closet..."
"Okay," Eren chuckled nervously, backing away to leave the room, "this is getting weird now."
Jean grabbed his arm, "No wait! Hear me out first."
The brunette sighed irritably, pulling his arm out of the other's grasp, "Fine. What is it?"
"It's..." Jean exhaled shakily, "about Armin."
Eren rose a brow, "I thought you already told me everything that he'd kept a secret. The bullies, the depression, his scars. What else is there?"
After Eren awoke from his coma at the hospital a few weeks prior, Armin broke into a depressing sob, before admitting everything he's kept hidden; including how he'd been attacked by Annie and two other students. "I'm so sorry! I'll never lie to you ever again, Eren!" The boy had cried.
Eren was caught up on everything he'd been excluded from; or so, he thought.
The taller male began to shuffle his feet. And because of this, Eren became suspicious.
"Jean? Seriously, did something bad happen to him?"
"N-no," Beads of sweat formed against his nape, "nothing like that."
"Annie's coming back to school soon, is it about that?"
"No..."
"What is it then?" The brunette scoffed.
Jean's eyes fell to the floor and his throat constricted, "Well... homecoming is coming up soon, and-"
"No." Eren interrupted.
Jean blinked owlishly, meeting the other's gaze, "What?"
"I'm not going to homecoming with you."
The teen had a hard time holding back his laughter as Eren crossed his arms over his chest defiantly. "Me?!" Jean snorted, "With you?!"
Eren coughed awkwardly, "Wasn't that what you we're going to ask?"
"Hell no!" He chortled, "I was going to ask Armin to go with me."
"Oh." The brunette smiled for a brief moment. And then, realization dawned on him, "Wait, what did you just say?"
Jean made his way towards the door before yanking it open, "So, I have your permission right?"
"Wait, no! I never said tha-"
"Cool, thanks!" Jean smiled, stepping outside of the closet, "Ah, I'm so glad we're getting along now Eren, aren't you?"
And with that, the 'horse-faced' boy was gone. Eren stood in shock, his mouth slightly agape. Did that really just happen?
How dare he trick me like that? That asshole!
"Mr. Yeager!"A voiced boomed. Eren jumped slightly, turning his gaze to meet a man's. This man was short... very short.
"O-oh! Hello Mr. Ackerman, Sir!" Eren sputtered with his arms pressed into his sides.
Everyone in this school held a great respect towards the eldest English teacher; Levi Ackerman. He may be short, and moody, and sometimes cold-hearted by giving out piles of homework on Fridays, But Mr. ackerman could kick just about anyone's ass. Perhaps this short man was even more intimidating than thier principal; Erwin Smith.
Levi sneered, "Why are you in the janitor's closet?"
The brunette looked behind himself, and then, back towards the man, "Um... Well, you see... I just needed some soap. Yeah, some soap! And, well-"
"Nevermind," Mr. Ackerman pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, "just get to class, brat."
"Right!" Eren nodded polity, despite his nerves being at an alltime high, "Yes, Sir!"
Once Levi was sure that the teen had turned the corner, he swallowed thickly. He was almost caught sneaking into the supply closet... Agian. You see, this english teacher had a bad habit of 'borrowing' the school's cleaning supplies. It wasn't something he was necessarily proud of...
***
"So, Armin, are you going to homecoming this year?" Jean asked during the walk towards the bus.
"I'm not sure yet," The blonde shrugged, "I don't really have anyone to go with..."
And then, a bright smile overtook Jean's face. He had been working up to this moment for a while now. He'd spent countless hours rehearsing in front of his mirror how he'd ask the boy this question. It was a simple thing really, "Hey Armin, will you go to homecoming with me?" But, for some reason, the word's caught within his throat. A warm blush crawled up the teen's neck, dusted over his cheeks, and latched onto his ears. The possibility of rejection was starting to enter Jean's mind.
What if Armin says no? What if I creep him out? What if he hates me afterwards?!
Armin looked at Jean, his features portraying a great amount of concern, "Woah, Jean, are you okay? Your face is really red."
'Y-Yeah, um..." Jean bit his lip, before deciding to just blurt his question out, hoping that the repercussions wouldn't be too severe. "Will you go to the dance with me?"
Armin stopped suddenly, "Like... a date?"
"Yes," Jean nodded, shifting from foot to foot, "a date."
The blonde paused, before shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, "Sure, why not?"
"Great!" The other grinned, a bright aurora sounded him, "Um, I'll pick you up at seven on Friday then?"
"Sounds good." Armin giggled at the teen's euphoric reaction.
"O-okay, then! I'll see you tomorrow, Armin!" Jean rushed off to his car, waving goodbye to the small blonde. And once he thought he was out of sight, he broke into a victory dance.
Happiness wasn't something Jean found easily. So, he relished this moment, shouting with glee in the middle of an empty parking lot.
"I'm going with Armin, I'm going with Armin!" He chanted blissfully.
Armin watched him from afar, snickering every now and then. Deep down, the blonde was happy too. Happy that he didnt have to initiate the first step between them. Truth be told, Armin had been interested in Jean too. He was just too shy to admit that out loud. And now, he didn't have to.
Mikasa will be delighted to hear this...