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Yet another day, yet another exercise mission, yet another snore fest. At least, that’s how Jean Kirstein always looks at it.
What else is he to expect, though? After the last mission which went off rails as they had to rescue Christa, it’s highly possible for Commandant Shadis to see more potential in the recruits so sends them out on a new venture too soon. Perhaps a bit TOO too soon as the moody 13-year-old boy isn’t all up for it today but got reeled in anyway.
Actually, his pouting isn’t just due to the training exercise, but the fact that it’s taking place on his best friend’s 14th birthday.
Everybody had already gathered around in the mess hall this morning to wish him a happy birthday, some of them even gave him some presents and even if they were little, Marco Bodt highly appreciated the thoughts. Jean was too embarrassed to show up then as he never had the time to go out and buy a present of his own. He did kept the thought to just buy new clothes for him but soon realised it’s too lame.
What makes this all hurt even more? This is his first birthday within the training camp. Only adds insult to injury for the poor, frustrated boy.
So here he is now: outside in the warm summery air in the middle of the same dark woods from days ago, curled up inside his not-so-cozy sleeping bag, surrounded by the irritating snores of his comrades (mainly from Connie). Try as he might, Jean cannot get the guilt out of his head. He turns only to see the freckled boy inches away sleeping peacefully, no doubt happy for what a nice special day he experienced - this sight is enough to make Jean sick.
And so, the boy wriggles his way out of his bag and quietly stands up, eyes shifting back and forth in case any of the others heard him. Knowing he’s safe, ambles towards the thick woods shadowed in the dark… suddenly-
“J-Jean? Where are you going?”
A yelp nearly escapes Jean’s lips. Turning around instantly, it appears Marco is the only one who picked up on his somewhat silent footsteps.
“Uh… I-I have to pee.” He stutters.
“Will you be alright on your own? It’s really dark tonight, even with the moon out.”
Marco asks in such a worried tone that it’s hard for Jean to turn down. However he’s the last person he wants to see after failing at being a terrible friend on his birthday; last to know about it too.
“I-It’s fine. I can make it.” Jean attempts to assure him.
Marco, on the other hand, can already sense something isn’t right with him. With no hesitation, he himself gets up and walks towards his friend with a pretty stern expression. “No. I’m going with you. Someone has to make sure that you’ll come back.”
Welp, that settles that. Jean can’t disagree with him so he reluctantly nods his head and off both boys go into the woods.
-
Darkness is all they can see. Pitch blackness that can soak up even the smallest rays of light from the moon. Not to mention a bunch of clicky sounds from insects are everywhere. The only way Jean and Marco get around is by feeling their surroundings; which shouldn’t be too hard as Jean only needs to find a tree, do his business and carefully find the trail back.
Didn’t take too long for that to be possible. Marco waits patiently and scans around the area while he does so, catching mumbling under Jean’s breath very well. “You said something?”
“Of course not!” He’s quick to shut that down - another sign which confirms his friend’s suspicions.
“Alright then, but just so you know that you can share what’s on your mind with me. Once you ever do that is.”
There he goes with the mix of agreement and persuasion again - he’s always been good with that - and like always it gets Jean thinking as he finishes.
He doesn’t normally- okay, ever open up himself to others before, but Marco is different. Whenever Jean vents about training or any other nonsense, Marco manages to speak with him and calm him down whilst everybody else in camp ignores him. The optimistic freckled boy has become Jean’s first friend because of it, and yet he still hasn’t talking about real problems. Maybe that should change.
“Actually…” Jean begins, wiping his hands clean with a tissue from his pocket. “Marco…”
The name catches Marco’s ear. “Yes?”
‘Deep breath, Jean. You can do this. You’re a man.’
“I… I didn’t had the time to get you a birthday gift!”
Those big brown eyes stare at him once he let that loose, his mouth half-open as if he’s genuinely hurt, it only makes the other teen even more guilty and tries to think of an apology, until…
A laugh erupts. Marco is laughing a happy laugh. Totally not what Jean expected to hear - and hopes are that it’s not AT him.
“That’s what all of that was about?” Marco giggles continually. “Really Jean, it’s fine. It doesn’t matter if you’ve gotten a gift or not, I just need to see you wishing me a happy birthday and it’s enough.”
“But you don’t get it!”
Jean’s sudden yell halts the freckled boy’s laughter. He goes all quiet as Jean spills his piece.
“Th-This was suppose to be very important to me, as I never felt the need to do this sort of thing with anyone before. Y-You’ve been there to chat with me during sparrings and meals, we studied together for classes and… even I’ll admit there were times where I was a colossal idiot and you snapped me out of it.”
Jean finds himself lightly blushing; and thanks to the darkness Marco can barely see it.
“I really wanted to return the favor for all of that, but I couldn’t think of anything since I’m so shitty at these kind of things. F-For that, I’m…”
Out of nowhere he feels his hand being held, and Marco’s smile can be seen right in front of him.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t know it meant that much to you, but… It’s still gonna be fine. I mean, we are both planning to join the Military Police once we graduate, based on different motives sure, but we’re still going to be together. They’ll be plenty of times when you can get me the best birthday gifts anyone could get me - the words you exchanged tonight? They’re more than enough.”
His piece nearly got Jean blushing again, and not just for the sweet words. Marco’s eyes seem more sparkle while up so close -no! He can’t think these thoughts about his best friend.
“Welp… that was a waste.” Jean shakes his head. “Let’s head back before we sink into the sand.”
“A-Arlight.”
Fortunately, there are no quicksands within the woods, a lot of thick grass though. As soon as one of the boys took their first step, a little light can be seen beside their feet. Looking down, it glows brighter, tiny but brighter. It begins to hover then fly right by their faces; one of them, provably Jean gasps silently.
It’s only the beginning: one light signals another little light, followed by another, then another, and another. The lights shine rapidly until the entire area is covered in flying, yellow glows. The teens gaze in astonishment, eyes widen to express delight, it even brings a smile to Jean’s face. Without words, they make their way to sit down on the ground to view.
At first they remain speechless as to not disturb the bugs, but one boy can’t contain his joy. “Who knew there were fireflies all over this particular woods during the night, huh?”
“Yeah. Pretty crazy timing.” Jean responds quietly.
The teens admire the light show so much that they don’t notice their hands almost overlapping each other. Marco can slightly feel the weight of Jean’s, begging himself not to look down and hide away his blushing cheeks instead. He’s very lucky Jean is too distracted to even feel a grip.
Minutes have passed now, and before the fireflies can flutter away out of the dark woods, one more exchange escapes Marco’s lips:
“This has made my birthday even better.”
Jean’s blush glows as bright as those fireflies.