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Eren’s height is objectively tall. Standing at a proud six feet, standing above most of his friends.
Most.
Eren was aware of Jean’s tall stature. During their cadet years, it was evident, considering Jean was always two or more inches taller.
However, it wasn’t exactly something to be mentioned, as it was a relatively close height difference.
It was never pondered over or even argued over as they aged, life throwing an absolute shitstorm of complications at the two. It was a shocker that they even had the time to argue, but that is Jean and Eren for you.
Eren knew he was oblivious; falling short of romantic advances was practically his label, an identification of his personality. Something his friends frequently commented on, finding joy in his confusion.
But even Eren would have to be a fool to not notice it now.
A gentle, constant breeze blew outside the cabin, the sun warming the surroundings through the fluffy clouds.
With a desperate need for fresh air in the cabin, Eren threw open all the windows during Jean’s food-hunting turn, refusing to brave the early forest himself. As was his god-given right.
To combat the junk that had accumulated after months of winter, Eren decided on a light spring cleaning, spurred by Levi’s instilled cleaning habits.
It was fine, dust a corner, throw out some junk, argue with himself, the usual. Until Eren realized he couldn’t find a spray bottle that was usually kept under the sink,
“Damnit, Jean.” Eren murmured to himself, frustrated by his boyfriend, “Ah, yes. Let’s just move the cleaning spray.” He rolled his eyes, making his way through the cabin with annoyance written across his soft face.
“You don’t even use it; why even move it?” He continued as if Jean were there to respond.
Eren checked each nook and cranny until he spotted the bottle atop the shelf, the red tip peeking out just above the edge. Immediately, rage filled Eren’s gut.
Really? The top shelf, the one fucking place Eren wouldn’t be able to reach. No, no. Jean could put the bottle anywhere, but that bitch purposefully chose right there.
Glaring, Eren made his way over to the shelf and looked up. For shits and giggles, he reached a hand up to see if he could reach it.
No surprise, he couldn’t.
Frustrated, Eren got onto his tippy toes, though it only added another inch or so, not nearly enough to grab the bottle. Though his fingers skimmed the ledge, he was unable to hook around and reach the bottle's base.
As Eren turned to grab a chair and admit defeat, he felt a warm body press behind him, his back gently pushing against a firm chest behind him.
“You.” Eren seethed out the words, rolling his head back enough to see Jean's face, purposefully blank, but Eren knew Jean better than that.
Jean was smug; what a little shit.
“Hah?” Jean raised a thin eyebrow, his long face angled downwards to stare at Eren. “What are you on about?” He questioned as if he was actually confused.
Eren barely swallowed his annoyance, eyes rolling hard, “You—“ he paused by the first word, startled into silence for a brief moment.
Jean was tall; Eren knew this, always has.
Never tall enough for his chin to be higher than Eren’s forehead, never enough to make Eren feel short in the others company.
Never enough for a large hand to rest on Eren’s hip, the other easily holding the highest shelf as if it wasn’t an accomplishment.
“Eren?” Jean questioned after a moment, his eyebrows narrowing in confusion as Eren blankly stared, lost in thought.
Eren opened his mouth for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. “You got taller?” He questioned, managing to squirm around so they were chest to chest.
The height difference only became more apparent, Jean's chin above Eren’s head.
“You have to be shitting me!” Eren complained loudly, Jean's eyes widening in confusion from the abruptness. “Calm down, it’s not even a big deal.” Jean said, grasping the shelf above him tighter.
Eren’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, it is! It’s a ma—“ Eren was cut off by Jean grasping the spray bottle above and shoving it into Eren’s hands, a glare silencing the brunette for a pause.
That silence lasted for a total of six seconds.
“Back to back! I want to see!” Eren demanded as he grasped Jean's shoulders, “Come here!” He huffed, following after Jean as the man took a step backward, fleeing from Eren’s persistent grasp.
“Hah?! Hands off me, stop being such a freak!” Jean yelled, shoving at Eren as he took another step back, only for Eren to take another forward.
“Come here, you fucking Horse!!” Eren shouted as he chased after Jean, circling the table in the diner.
It was a long two hours.