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It's been a few weeks ever since the incident of the dreaded fever, but it felt like it was just yesterday. All that running back and forth across the campus for materials for Marco seemed to have paid off, because his mute roommate had been a lot more peppier than when they first started college. Jean had heard from other students that Marco's been participating in classes a lot more and tried to connect with his classmates as well - could it be that interacting with Jean boosted his confidence? Who knows.
On the other side, Jean found himself to be happy for the guy. So happy that he's the only thing that crossed his mind throughout most of those days, he even didn't care when he got called out by his teacher for not focusing enough on his tasks. Every day he seemed to be learning one new thing about Marco every time they return to their dorm; like he reads visual novels, and that he listens to classical music while studying. If only he could get better at communicating with him.
That is, until the day where the new peppy freckled boy began to feel a little homesick.
Jean Kirstein was heading back to his dorm after yet another lame day of learning nothing new in his social class, but did decently well in woodcraft, but he just can't wait to put his feet up and enjoy some more bonding time with his roommate. When he arrived, he dropped his heavy bag right beside the door and released a really big sigh of relief. He then strutted over to the bottom bed of the bunk which belonged to him and messed around with his mullet.
"Man, what a day it's been. I would say it was crap, but then I remembered that it's movie night tonight." He bended down to reach for a DVD case underneath his bed, he started to wave it in front of his face and spoke in a light teasing tone. "Guess who's turn is it to choose?"
But to his surprise, there was no reaction. Marco was just sitting there at the desk, fidgeting with a pen that he passed from one hand to the other, and Jean can't see it from his angle but a tiny tear was starting to form in one of his eyes. Jean was pretty confused - he hadn't seen Marco like this since he caught his fever. He guessed that he was either catching another one or something else was keeping him down in the dumps. But since he's still not use to all the sign language at this point he couldn’t really ask him. Instead, he slowly got up and walked closer to Marco.
"Hey. Uh... you okay, Marco?" He stuttered, trying not to frighten him if he really wasn't listening earlier. From this new angle, he spotted a bunch of scribbly lines and messed up words on the sheet of paper in front of Marco, it seemed that he was trying to write something but whatever's troubling him was making him hesitant. "Geez. Is your writing not so great? Is... that was that is?" Jean placed his hand on Marco's shoulder so he would know that he's not insulting him.
Marco instantly looked behind him and stared right up at the bearded man. It seemed to Jean that those big, brown eyes of his get bigger every time he saw him. He quickly wiped away his growing tear and stared right back at the scribbled paper. After a moment of awkward silence, before Jean could quietly move back to his bed, Marco gave in and turned to Jean to show him a hand motion. First, he impersonated to write on his palm and secondly opened up his hand and tapped his chin with his thumb.
But of course, Jean can't fully grasp what he's trying to say at all. "Uh... you wanna write a... *sigh* sorry." things were starting to get awkward again for the two men; but Jean tried his best to not be so harsh with his wording. Marco looked away for a moment, staring at his blue book bag in the corner, he got up from his chair in order to quickly grab something out of there. When he sat back down, he had a phone in his hand, which he opens up and turns it towards Jean's view.
What was in front of him was a picture of Marco holding a high school certificate, with that same bright smile he always has, and standing right next to him appeared to be a middle aged woman - She had freckles the same as his, jet-black wavy hair, wearing a pastel blue cardigan and her smile was almost just as bright as Marco's. This could only be one person Jean can guess she is, and that is his Mom. When he looked back over, the freckled boy was frowning once more but it seemed fake to give him another signal. Jean thought back to the scribbled paper and Marco's hand motions and managed to put all the pieces together.
"Oh! You're trying to write a letter to your Mom." Jean smiled, Marco sadly nodded in return. "And... it's because you miss her. I can see it on your face."
The freckled boy hung his head in shame, he maybe an adult now and can do a lot of things on his own, but he's never been far away from his mother before. She had always been near him since he was born, always helping him when it comes to his disability and made sure he was happy at the end of the day. With all that said, it's only natural for Marco to have had these emotions spiraling in his head.
Jean thought for a moment. He was never the type to volunteer with helping anyone with their struggles before, but ever since a few weeks ago, Jean has been more thoughtful for others. The things that Marco has done to this man, am I right?. Besides, This could be a pretty appropriate time to try and get to know his language a lot better. He gently places his hand on Marco's shoulder before asking "D-Do you want me to help you? Just cause it looks like your having a bit of trouble writing with how upset you are."
A pause happened. Jean's friendly grin faded, feeling like he's in no hope for being allowed to help. Suddenly, Marco grabbed his arm while noticing Jean was standing up to walk away. When the two of them made eye contact, Jean felt something - like a needle just poked him right in the center of his heart. That little pin got bigger once he saw a big, brightening smile stretch across Marco's face, guess it's always been his way of showing his appreciation.
"A-Alright. Let's get to working, I guess." Jean replied softly. Does he feel heat in his cheeks all of a sudden? How can that be? All he's doing is helping to write a letter after all.
It took about an hour and a half, but they managed to write a fitting, lovingly letter for Mrs. Bodt. Throughout the progress, Jean was the one writing on a fresh piece of paper while Marco signaled him on what he's wants to tell his mother - which is why it took so long 'cause it became like a guessing game for Jean. The two sat facing each other as Jean started to read out the letter to him.
'Dear Mom,
I'm having a great time here at Sina University. I'm catching up well on my grades, the teachers and classmates are very polite and friendly, and I think I have a new best friend. Jean Kirstein started off kind of distant, but he helped me recover from a fever, and now we are getting along very well.
It's been a very long time since I saw you, and I miss you. Hopefully during the break, I can come back home to see you. Maybe I might bring Jean along for you to meet too. Wishing you all the best,
~ Marco, your loving son.
"So... what do ya think?" Jean asked Marco nervously, hoping that it's exactly what he intended to write himself. And to his luck, Marco started clapping his hands together , either from how well he read it or that he's glad the letter sounded perfect to him. Either way, Marco seemed satisfied with their work which made Jean crack a smile, and so Jean folded it up right and placed it in the envelope that was sitting on the desk.
With all that now out of the way, Jean reached back for the DVD case that was still lying on his bed - he grabbed it with his returning little grin. "Now can you pay in return by watching my pick for movie night?" When he turned back, he briefly saw Marco doing the same hand motion from weeks ago. He placed his fingers on his chin and brought them forward, and this made Jean let out a soft chuckle.
"You know, since that day... I asked someone on what that sign meant and..." He nervously placed his hand on Marco's knee, which made both of them blush lightly. "It means 'Thank You."
Marco gave once again his warming smile.