Chapter Text
WELCOME TO BZZ!
PLZ TAKE TIME TO COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE
THEN YOU CAN MEET OTHER LOCAL BEES AND GET BZZY!
Jean sighs at the suggestiveness of the greeting. Already he feels like he's throwing himself to the wolves.
[“19 / Here goes my faith in humanity.”]
ARE YOU SURE YOU WISH TO UPLOAD THIS PROFILE DESCRIPTION? OTHER BZZY BEES WILL SEE THIS
YES
OKEDOKE, LOVELY!
[Photo selected]
ARE YOU SURE YOU WISH TO UPLOAD THIS PROFILE PICTURE? OTHER BZZY BEES WILL SEE THIS
YES
ALRIGHTY, GORGEOUS!
Well, this is... exactly what Jean had expected. He'd hoped that with all the hype surrounding this new social app that maybe it would have something else to it other than the standard layout, optional anonymity and the typical sleazebags creeping on your profile. But so far this app seems as unsubtle and gross as the rest of them.
He kicks off his shoes and leans back on his bedframe. Because if he's going to do this, he may as well make himself comfortable for a long evening of regret.
Jean debates whether to toggle on the 'whereabouts' feature. Sure, it'd be nice if he gets talking to someone who lives nearby - it'd definitely be convenient if they want to take it beyond talking. Then again, if he stumbles onto someone he already knows on here...
It's not as though it's a secret, Jean reminds himself. There are very few people in his life he cares about the opinion of, and all of them are already aware and accepting of his sexuality. And he knows he's more than capable of dealing with any unwanted advances. The user blocking feature can handle that though.
With a whispered "Fuck it", he switches on the 'whereabouts' feature.
FORTY-TWO BZZY BEES IN YOUR AREA!
Wow, well okay. That's a little more than he had anticipated. And he's not entirely sure that's a good thing.
Though the 'whereabouts' feature only covers a thirty mile radius, and Trost is a heavily populated area. Plus, the app was just released months ago and is only gaining popularity now - so forty-two is probably quite a small figure in comparison to what it could be. And this number won't count the ones without their own 'whereabouts' feature on.
Forty-two though. Once Jean weeds out the weird ones he's sure that figure will dwindle down to a single digit.
So he sets to work, blocking users based on their vulgar profile descriptions or default avatars. Maybe he's being overly judgemental, and Jean is well aware of what kind of social application this is - but that doesn't mean he's 'DTF' whoever sends him so much as a hello. And based on previous experience with different applications sometimes he doesn't even receive that much before being spammed with nudes.
Really, why is he doing this again?
A quick glance at user hot4grandpas's praying mantis icon has Jean swiftly hitting the block button.
THE USER hot4grandpas HAS BEEN BLOCKED
TWENTY-NINE BZZY BEES IN YOUR AREA!
Jean knows he can't expect the same thing Reiner has - the friend that told him about this app in the first place is now no longer using it, having met his current boyfriend within a week of signing up.
"Stop scowling at me and get the BZZ! app already." Reiner had told him. "It's one of the best gay social apps out there."
"I'm not gay though." Jean had testily replied. He hadn't been scowling.
"Yes, I know. What I meant is... Well you can meet pretty girls anywhere, Jean." Reiner puffed up his broad chest and clapped Jean on the back. "Pretty boys though... sometimes you need a bit of help finding those."
And well - Reiner isn't wrong about that. Short of hitting on his existing known homosexual/bisexual/pansexual acquaintances, Jean finds himself sticking to his dating default - girls and the strict rule that every boy is straight until expressed otherwise.
It's a sucky default, and he hates assuming sexualities - but he doesn't want to have to deal with the outrage or discomfort of the straight boy he takes a chance on. So gay social networking applications it is.
Jean raises an eyebrow as he scrolls further down the list of users. Is that a photoshopped sonic screwdriver on this dude's dick? Well, okay.
THE USER eXterminatemyass HAS BEEN BLOCKED
TWENTY-FIVE BZZY BEES IN YOUR AREA!
Slim pickings so far. But if he can ignore user kavinnnsky's shutter shades and focus on his abs then he can remain unblocked for now. And he's pretty sure this other user fifteen miles away has Vaccines lyrics in his description. Jean supposes he can stay too.
But it's not as though he's brave enough to contact anyone first. Well, he's not so much 'not brave' as he is 'wanting to seem cool and aloof'. So Jean's plan is to wait to be approached, be as chill yet secretly judgemental as possible, and hope nobody's too turned off by his icon (a sheepishly taken photograph of his clothed torso - his face is hidden but it was still a tight fitting t-shirt and he's still trying not to feel embarrassed about it).
First Jean figures he had better sort through the remaining 'BZZY BEES' in his area. He narrows it down to seventeen users, and even then he's still iffy about most of them. The majority do show their faces in their icons, but there's still the occasional default or random object avatar.
Like user honeybeebb for instance. The app states that they're within fifteen miles, so that's pretty close. Their icon is a high quality image of a sunflower which Jean thinks might be kind of cute... maybe.
To sate his own curiosity, Jean clicks the profile and blinks at the description.
[Save the bees!]
...Wait. This feels a bit out of place. Because... save the bees? Where's the suggestive hookup line, the age, or the something relating to this person's purpose on this app. For a moment Jean thinks it must be some kind of troll. Then another thought hits him.
What if it's a kid? Some dumb, naive kid thinking this application is part of some kind of campaign for the Protection of Bees or whatever? Is that likely?
Jean wants to ignore it. He should just convince himself it's a dumb conclusion to come to and that it's definitely just some troll mucking about. Nothing he needs to be concerned about.
But that persistent sense of unease just won't go. If it is some underage kid then they're going to get a terrible surprise when some gross dude sends them nudes without warning - and Jean's going to have this twisted sense of responsibility and guilt if that happens.
Better him warning them just in case, before some creep hits on them... right?
Shit, he thinks and opens a conversation window.
WANNA GET BZZY WITH honeybeebb ?
Ughhhhhhh, fuck no, he thinks. Then he selects YES and sends a message.
(19:57) witnessj: hey
They might not even reply. Jean sure hopes they don't. Or maybe they've already realised what kind of app this is and removed it without deleting their profile. Or -
(19:57) honeybeebb: Hi.
Or not. Shit, that was quick, Jean notices. They must've had the app open when he sent the message. He figures he ought to just get this over with quickly.
(19:58) witnessj: not to get up in your business or whatever but... do you know what kind of social app this is?
(19:58) honeybeebb: I'm just realising now.
(19:59) witnessj: shit did you actually think this was a bee protection discussion app or something?
(19:59) witnessj: didn't you think the age requirement was a bit of a hint?
(20:01) honeybeebb: I thought maybe the age requirement was for profanity. STB forum discussions can get quite heated.
Jean stares at the message onscreen. Is this a joke, or is this kid for real? Is it even a kid? Either way, Jean reckons they'd better get away from this app pronto.
(20:02) witnessj: how old are you?
(20:02) witnessj: i don't mean to be a creep, i'm seriously asking out of concern
(20:04) honeybeebb: Nineteen.
(20:04) honeybeebb: Though I'm still not sure I'm old enough to be on here.
(20:06) honeybeebb: That's definitely not eXterminatemyass's real penis.
(20:06) witnessj: if it is he definitely needs to see a doctor
(20:07) honeybeebb: Preferably one with a medical license and not one whose own screwdriver can't handle wood.
Jean snorts aloud. Then immediately reprimands himself for doing so.
He cannot start joking around with this person who didn't even mean to be on here. He's made sure they were aware of what app they're using, now he should be sending them on their way. Right?
(20:09) honeybeebb: I really like kavinnnsky's glasses.
Or maybe not. honeybeebb doesn't seem to be in a hurry to leave. And Jean is on here to... well, be social. What harm can he do to find out a little more about them?
(20:09) witnessj: yeah though they're not really what i'd be focusing on
(20:10) honeybeebb: The glasses are what primarily drew me to his profile.
(20:10) honeybeebb: But yes, I understand why you'd remain there.
(20:10) honeybeebb: Though I've seen better.
(20:11) witnessj: oh really?
(20:11) honeybeebb: Yep. Mine, obviously.
Jean can't help but smirk at that. Have they progressed to flirting already? Maybe this will be fun.
(20:12) witnessj: oh? can u confirm that?
(20:12) honeybeebb: I could. But I believe some things are best left to the imagination.
(20:12) honeybeebb: (Sorry, I'm lying - his abdominal muscles are much more prominent than mine. But the imagination thing is true.)
(20:13) witnessj: I'll let mine run wild then, Mr. Save The Bees
(20:13) witnessj: (does that mean you're not really a sunflower????)
(20:15) honeybeebb: Though I see your own shirt leaves nothing to the imagination.
(20:15) honeybeebb: (No, this is a Real Picture of Me. It's my best selfie.)
Although it's only words on screen, Jean's cheeks grow warm despite himself. He doesn't know whether to be embarrassed or pleased - so he settles for a mixture of both, and chooses to respond as he usually would.
(20:17) witnessj: well i do work out
(20:17) witnessj: and i'm just naturally fit, there's no helping it
(20:18) honeybeebb: Well, that much is obvious.
(20:19) honeybeebb: I'm more a watch-others-work-out kind of person.
(20:19) witnessj: whoaaaaaa, voyeur
(20:19) witnessj: i'm starting to think this whole 'save the bees' thing is some kind of elaborate ruse
(20:20) witnessj: you're really just here for the same reason we all are aren't you?
(20:23) honeybeebb: ?
(20:24) honeybeebb: Oh, no I really did misunderstand the purpose of the app.
(20:24) honeybeebb: Although looking at the layout of it now, it's kind of obvious.
(20:25) honeybeebb: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(20:25) witnessj: ? what
(20:25) honeybeebb: Well I may as well spread awareness while I'm here.
(20:25) honeybeebb: Do you want to know more about it? !!
(20:26) witnessj: what, bees?
(20:26) witnessj: ahahaa
(20:26) honeybeebb: Yes!
Shit, they're probably serious, Jean realises. After all, they did sign up for the app by mistake in the first place. They must just be that kind of person.
This isn't really how Jean had imagined this evening to go. But he finds that he doesn't really mind when he shakes his head and smiles down at his phone.
(20:28) witnessj: sure, lay it on me
(20:28) honeybeebb: Okay!
(20:29) honeybeebb: How much do you know about pollination?
(20:29) witnessj: honestly? like nothing
(20:30) witnessj: except y'know it's important and stuff and bees are involved in the party
(20:31) honeybeebb: It is important! And bees are responsible for 70% of the party! Without them we could lose nearly a third of our diet - that's basically half of our fruits and vegetables. No more blueberries, grapes, onions or avocados!
(20:32) witnessj: I do like grapes
(20:32) honeybeebb: Then you'll miss them when they're gone!
(20:34) witnessj: wait
(20:34) witnessj: no avocados??
(20:34) witnessj: does that mean no more lush avobath bath bombs??
(20:35) honeybeebb: If its ingredients include fresh avocado - which I believe it does - then I'm afraid so.
(20:35) honeybeebb: No more dazzlingly soft skin for you.
Jean minimises the conversation window to bring up his browser. Searching out sources for himself, he clicks his tongue as he realises that honeybeebb is right. How could he not know this? He's more in disbelief at the bee crisis than he is about some stranger on a gay social app getting him worked up about it.
(20:41) witnessj: damn
(20:41) witnessj: this is actually pretty shit
(20:43) honeybeebb: It is. I wish more people knew about and wanted to help stop it.
(20:44) witnessj: how do we stop it though? i got websites here telling me it's pesticides and global warming and blood-sucking bugs and shit...
(20:44) witnessj: how do we fight that?
Soon Jean finds himself bombarded with links and suggestions on how he personally can help. He ignores the niggling voice telling him he's a naive idiot for letting himself be sucked into this - like one of those gullible passerbys that fall prey to the pushy people with leaflets on the street. Instead he bookmarks the links and promises himself he'll definitely do something about it later.
(20:52) honeybeebb: Do you like Lush products?
Well, yeah I work there, Jean thinks. But he won't say that. If honeybeebb really is only ten miles away then it wouldn't be hard for them to visit their nearest store and figure out who he is from the employees.
Maybe he's being overcautious about this - but Jean's pretty sure he's not going to give up his identity to this bee-enthused stranger just yet.
(20:53) witnessj: yeah, well i do like having dazzlingly soft skin
(20:53) witnessj: it just accents my already natural handsomeness
(20:53) witnessj: you?
(20:54) honeybeebb: Yes, when I can afford it. There have this really lovely banana and avocado hair moisturiser that I love. I don't remember the name though.
Hsuan Wen Hua, Jean supplies automatically in his head. But again, he's not going to say anything.
(20:55) witnessj: yeah it can be pricey. for good reason tho
(20:57) honeybeebb: Oh yes, I know! I really love everything they do for their employees, and all the charities they support!
(20:57) honeybeebb: Did you know they celebrate National Honey Bee day? !! And that Honey Love is one of the charities that some of the proceeds from their charity pots go to? !!
(20:57) honeybeebb: Well, 100% of the proceeds go to lots of charities but still!
(20:57) honeybeebb: Oh, and National Honey Bee day is August 15th this year! Just if you want to mark that on your calendar!
(20:58) honeybeebb: My friends and I celebrate it every year!
(20:58) honeybeebb: Well, really I make them celibate with me because I always get really excited about it - but we always end up havIng fun and making some money f or HHoney Love!
(20:58) honeybeebb: We dress up and go busking! !! k
(20:58) honeybeebb: Is that
(20:58) honeybeebb: Oh shoot!!! I didn't mean to send tha
(20:58) honeybeebb: t
(20:58) honeybeebb: **celebrate!! Not celibate, wow.
(20:58) honeybeebb: Oh jeez! I'm so sorry I'm rambling and making mistakes
(20:58) honeybeebb: I jsut get really excited sometimes and forget other people aren't really interesting
(20:58) honeybeebb: **interested!!
(20:59) witnessj: okay i'm gonna need to pause you there for a sec
Laughing into his hand a little, Jean scrolls back through their conversation. The texts had spammed their conversation at an alarming rate - too quickly for Jean to fully read and respond to each individual one. Not that he was in any state to. He's still snickering good-naturedly when more apologies come through.
(21:00) honeybeebb: Really, feel free to ignore me cause I doubt this is what you're on this app for
(21:02) honeybeebb: Not that I'm judging at all!!!!!!!
(21:02) honeybeebb: I'm sorry just
(21:02) honeybeebb: Ignore me
(21:03) witnessj: your enthusiasm is kinda impossible to ignore
(21:03) witnessj: not that it's a bad thing, so you don't have to apologise
(21:04) witnessj: or text so formally, you know
(21:04) witnessj: and i'm totally into all the stuff you're saying by the way so don't worry about that either
(21:07) honeybeebb: Oh then okay
(21:07) honeybeebb: If you're fine with it
(21:09) witnessj: so you like to busk for charities?
(21:09) honeybeebb: I have a honey bee costume I wear when we busk!
(21:10) witnessj: you're such a nerd holy shit
(21:11) honeybeebb: Do you mean that in a mean way?
(21:11) witnessj: what no!
(21:11) witnessj: i mean it in a
(21:11) witnessj: 'you're so passionate about This Thing and it's cute as hell' way
(21:13) witnessj: so please elaborate on this bee costume
(21:14) honeybeebb: I feel like you're just going to make fun of me if I tell you. Also, you call can me Beeb if you like.
(21:14) witnessj: oh definitely. but i wanna hear anyway. and since we're exchanging obvious nicknames call me j
Jean loses count of the number of times he smiles at his phone screen throughout the night. But he does count the four times he ignores other users messaging him in favour of honeybeebb's explosive rant on the endangerment of the Iberian lynx.
It's not that he's overly invested in the things honeybeebb's talking about, but his new chatmate's excitement is infectious and almost endearing. He likes to think he's making this person's day by talking to them about these things - and that this person a mere fifteen miles away is genuinely happy to speak with him.
What do they look like? Jean wonders, then immediately shoves that thought away for now. Talking is fun for the time being, and he doesn't want to spoil anything by pushing at those boundaries quite yet. Apart from some light teasing which could be misconstrued as flirting (though most of it seems to be completely flying over honeybeebb's head), there's been nothing to imply any romantic or sexual interest between them. And Jean feels like he's actually more than okay with that right now.
That's not to say he's not any less... frustrated. But he reckons he's fulfilled his longing for social contact for the day. Almost.
(01:27) honeybeebb: Oh jeez the time!
(01:27) witnessj: amazing how long you can talk to a stranger about animals rights for isn't it
(01:28) honeybeebb: Yes! I really should go now though, I have an early class.
(01:28) honeybeebb: Sorry for talking your ear off for over four hours, wow!
(01:28) honeybeebb: Or sorry for straining your eyes if I want to be more accurate.
(01:29) witnessj: I love when you talk literal to me
(01:29) honeybeebb: J!
(01:29) honeybeebb: That was an inappropriate implication!
(01:30) witnessj: you're forgetting what app you're using beeb
(01:30) honeybeebb: That's partly your fault. I don't mind though if it means I got to talk to you.
Aw man, Jean thinks as his cheeks warm. That's embarrassing. Who knew a stranger's words on his phone could make him so happy?
(01:30) honeybeebb: Really though I should go!
(01:30) honeybeebb: Goodnight J!
(01:31) witnessj: night beeb
He comes so close to adding a subtle little 'x' at the end but decides against. Jean's not really the 'x'-at-the-end-of-texts type, and he doesn't think Beeb is either, but something in that bee-loving dork makes him want to be... textually affectionate. At least he stops his phone from autocorrecting 'beeb' to 'babe'.
What a totally bizarre experience though, Jean thinks. He definitely wants a repeat of it.
With heavy eyelids, Jean sets his phone aside and readies himself for bed. When he lays down a few minutes later, his head feels like a dense weight against the pillow. But there's a feeling of satisfaction settling deep in his chest, and he snorts aloud at the thought of some poor sap fifteen miles away mistaking a hook-up app for a beekeeper campaign forum before his eyes flutter shut.
!
It's through clenched teeth that Jean tells the girl with the armful of shopping bags that no, free sample pots do not come in larger sizes. He's sure it just looks like he's smiling mechanically as usual.
"But like... do you see how much hair I have?" She gestures at her mane of tangled red curls. They're... definitely something to behold. "How is that teeny tub of shampoo supposed to give me three to four washes? I doubt it'll even cover half my hair in one wash."
Jean tries his hardest to make his shrug seem sympathetic. "Company policy. Sorry."
There's longing in her eyes as she quickly glances back to the full-sized product on the shelf, then back to the smaller pot in her hand.
"Okay, I'll take it." Her shoulders slump a little, defeated. "Thanks."
"No problem." Jean manages, but she's already weaving between the other customers and heading towards the exit.
When the store quietens down a little and Jean's certain every customer currently in has been approached by a staff member at least twice, he takes the chance to complain about the girl to his friend and co-worker.
"My heart bleeds for you, Jean." Marco rolls his eyes. "Gee, do you ever think maybe some people just don't have as much money to throw around as we think they do?"
"Hey, you didn't seem the half a dozen Urban Outfitters bags on her arms. She can spend forty quid on a flimsy scarf but she won't stretch a tenner on six months worth of hair care?"
It's easy for Marco to say anything. He never seems to get the fussy, demanding customers. And if he does on some rare occasion happen to encounter one, he can just smile that good-guy smile and crinkle his eyes and that's it - they're putty in his hands. Putty. They may as well just hand over their bank account details then and there. Jean knows for a fact that more than a few girls come in on a regular basis just to try to wangle a sample hand wash out of him.
Jean on the other hand is pretty sure none of his own fans (and oh, he's certain he has some too) prefer to lurk and watch him from afar. If he looks at them they'll blush and scurry out of the store. So apparently he's not the approachable kind of crush.
"Those bags could've been recycled. Maybe she has a friend with a discount. Maybe it's none of our damn business. So you - " Marco pauses in the act of stocking the bath bomb shelves to nudge Jean's chest with his elbow. "Quit being so presumptious."
Jean huffs and stalks off to serve at the till. Of course Marco's right, but that doesn't mean Jean has to be happy about it. It's already enough having to deal with the drastic increase of customer flow now that the semester has ended for the summer. So he's already feeling antsy today as it is without the additional lecture on morality.
When he finishes serving, he allows himself a quick glance at the phone that's technically not supposed to be in his pocket. It flashes with unread text messages from his Mum and Reiner, but that's it. There's no tell-tale yellow LED notification that he'd been anticipating. Well no, not anticipating. More like hoping for.
It's been four days since Jean sent that goodnight message at 01:31. Four days since he received Beeb's goodnight message 01:30. There has been nothing since and Jean thinks he's more upset about this than he has any right to be.
Okay, so it's not like they made any promises to stay in contact. How much commitment can be expected over a hook-up app? Especially when one of the parties wasn't there for the intended purpose of the app in the first place.
But they seemed to be getting along so well. What did Beeb think they were doing - a quick four hour chat then cut off all contact? Surely there would've been some kind of hint.
He checks his phone again and wants to smack himself for doing so. This is getting ridiculous. He needs to stop feeling like he's been left feeling dirty and used after a one night stand. Maybe he should try talking to someone else on BZZ! tonight and work on making the Real Deal happen. Because if he's going to end up feeling hollow and pathetic afterwards he at least wants a wank out of it.
When his shift finally ends, Jean means to make a quick escape to meet go meet Reiner. But Marco catches him at the door with an invitation.
"Feel like going out tonight? Armin and I had our last class of the term this morning and I'm meeting him and Eren later to celebrate."
Jean tries not to let it show how much he really doesn't want to sit and listen to Eren's drunken claims that his best friend is the 'bestest boy in t'whole world' and that Jean 'doesn't know what he's missing'. Whatever that means. He'd had enough of that the last three times they all went celebrating at Sina's together.
"Come on, it'll be fun. Eren's not that bad."
"He gets plastered on Kopparberg." Jean shakes his head. "I'm getting Reiner at ORVUD anyway."
"Okay you know the student union bar prices suck, right?"
"Yeah, but the coffee's good."
"Uh, no it's not."
"Well, I'm hoping the company will be." Jean shrugs him off, calling a "See ya" over his shoulder as he leaves.
!
More than once over the years Jean has asked himself why he stays friends with Reiner Braun. He thought about it when they got caught playing poker in the closet during a maths test. He'd mulled over it for weeks after the fireworks fiasco on New Year 2013. And he definitely considered breaking off the friendship after the mooning incident last winter. Jean still has nightmares and wakes up crying over the vivid image of Reiner's bare red ass and the almost impressed looks on the police officers' faces.
And maybe this instance isn't as dramatic as others have been, but Jean's still beginning to wish he'd gone with Marco and the others after all.
"I swear if you two don't stop eye-fucking each other I'm throwing my drink at you and leaving."
Bertholdt jolts guiltily and looks away with a cough and a deep flush on his face. Reiner sighs a "Ignore him, Bert" before twisting around to look at Jean. But despite his strong jaw and 80s Action Hero build - he has the decency to look as shamefaced as he did the day he squashed Jean's favourite Tamagotchi under his foot. Incidentally that was also the day they met and the first time Jean regretted their reluctant friendship.
"Sorry I've been so busy with my new boyfriend, he said. Let's catch up just the two of us, he said."
"Right, okay I'm sor -"
"You know, literally all we've been talking about for the past few months is how sad and lonely I am. Now you just parade your hot new boyfriend in front of me like -"
"I'm sorry, okay?" Reiner sighs as Bertholdt's cheeks darken even further at Jean's words. "But Bert's going on a trip with his family for two weeks come tomorrow and I just wanted to soak up every minute I could with him."
He throws his boyfriend a sappy look which is returned with a soft smile and now Jean's pretty sure there's some hand-holding action going on under the table.
"Jesus. Go buy me another drink so I can smash the bottle over your head."
With what appears to be a great deal of reluctance, Reiner presses a note in Bertholdt's palm and asks him to get the next round of drinks from the bar. He watches him leave with a mix of fondness and regret before finally turning back to Jean.
"Sorry, buddy. I don't mean to be a dick."
"Yeah yeah, I know." Jean groans and leans back in his seat. ORVUD may have a sucky product range and dull atmosphere but the urban furniture is surprisingly comfortable. An evening at Sina's may have proven a better time, but at least here he's not on an unstable bar stool or slipping in a puddle of spilled cider.
"And anyway, I'm guessing by your attitude that BZZ! hasn't really been working out for you."
Jean snorts and wonders if his fans at Lush could sense his sexual frustration as well.
"Have you even tried talking to somebody or have you been blocking users left and right?"
All Jean wants to do is narrow his eyes at the pure resignation in Reiner's tone. Instead he unloads four days worth of annoyance at the lack of contact from Beeb and how he's not even sure the interest is reciprocated, at least not romantically or sexually, and that he's driving himself crazy wondering if he's totally imagined the chemistry between them.
It's not as though there's a lot of chemistry to be had over text messaging, Jean knows. But he's not stupid - there was definitely something.
"Okay, we'll come back to the whole random bee hippy wandering onto a hook-up app situation later." Reiner raises his eyebrows at Bertholdt who'd returned in time to catch the end of Jean's rant. "But I'm gonna ask the obvious here - why don't you just text them yourself if you're so into them?"
Jean only grunts as he takes a drink. He doesn't want to answer because he'd have to admit that he doesn't want to seem to be too pushy. Cool and aloof, that's his thing. Or at least that's what he wants it to be. And he knows Reiner's already guessed his reason, and ignores the implied "pathetic" in his snort.
"You know... You won't get anywhere if you don't take a chance. " Bertholdt says softly. "It could be that he's as anxious as you are, and you'll both just be stuck in an endless cycle of being afraid to take that risk and speak up."
"Not that I'm butting in or anything." He adds quickly under Jean's sharp look.
He lets their voices fade out as he's sure Reiner says something grossly romantic to Bertholdt, and loses himself in thought for a moment.
Bertholdt does have a point. The other night Beeb had seemed hesitant to share when he'd worried Jean might not be interested in what he had to say. Maybe Beeb is waiting for his message just as much as Jean is for Beeb's.
Then and there Jean resolves to himself that tonight he's going to get a grip and make contact. What's the worst that could happen?
Alright, so maybe Jean's not reckless enough to actually throw his glass - but when Reiner's mouth inadvertently finds itself attached to Bertholdt's shoulder, Jean dips his fingertips in his drink and flicks beads of vodka at the pair of them.
!
It's late when Jean eventually stumbles home. He feels like he needs a shower to wash away the grossness of Reiner and Bertholdt dancing/grinding to that Grease number, but he's too worn out from his own Single Ladies solo for that.
Instead he drops face-first onto his bed - sluggishly wriggling out of his clothes before reaching for his phone. A dozen possibilities bounce around inside his fuzzy head. He struggles to ignore the dirtier ones and tries to focus on keeping it simple. Opening his BZZ! app, Jean brings up his conversation window with honeybeebb and his uncontrollable fingers slip over the keyboard.
(03:09) witnessj: sup babe
(03:09) witnessj: babe
(03:09) witnessj: noooooo
(03:10) witnessj: BEEB
(03:10) witnessj: good Morning beeby
That's all he manages before sleep takes him.
!
Bzz!
Bzz!
"Urmff... what."
Bzz!
The vibration on his neck almost chokes him awake. Jean cracks open a sticky eyelid and clumsily lifts his phone as close to his face as possible.
A soft yellow light pulses at the top of his screen and he suddenly can't unlock his phone fast enough.
(09:34) honeybeebb: Look!!!!!!
(09:34) honeybeebb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr5EwZo_CHQ
(09:34) honeybeebb: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aren't they amazing !!!!!!!!!!!
(09:35) honeybeebb: Also, I hope your head hurts a lot right now because your texts interrupted a much deserved nap.
Jean gives a soft snort at the video content, then winces as his head throbs violently. He really could do with a few more hours of sleep. But somehow he just can't bring himself to put down his phone.