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Everybody was busy inside so that made the perfect opportunity for the two cadets to slip away.
They looked around to see if anybody was still patrolling; including their scary, bald instructor. Thank goodness everything was cleared or they would be in big trouble. One of the boys was still skeptical.
It was too late, however. Once they stepped out of the doors there’s no turning back. Out of nervousness, the anxious one grabs hold of the other’s hand, he didn’t mind it and so ran at a moderate pace to keep their footsteps light. Shut eyes are held - despite them doing this already a year prior - and are kept that way until they made it towards the big cliff.
Big sighs of relief were shared and up they climbed.
-
As the fields glowed a tint of orange, and more grass appeared as they ran forward, they knew they were nearly there. With the weight of being caught left their shoulders, the freckled boy could smile again, keeping in his excitement to experience this yearly event.
The other boy, the one with the undercut, also had positive emotions but was more tame compared to his friend. Now the latter was the one pulling him by his hand as they reached closer to the location; looking back at him from the angle he’s at made his smile seem brighter.
“Hurry, Jean! We’re almost there!”
Rushing forward as fast as they could, the hill getting more steeper and… there it was! An old, huge oak tree. Now the journey came to a halt.
Taking a small moment to catch their breaths, the sun remained at its position in the sky - the perfect position for a glorious sight.
“So…” Jean began whilst panting. “Looks like it hadn’t changed when we left, means we didn’t had to run all the way here… like the many times before.”
A light chuckle escaped from the other smiling boy. “Hehe, sorry. It’s kinda a forced habit of mine to make sure I don’t miss it.”
That laugh seemed to always get Jean smiling more than he usually did. And not the cocky, arrogant grin he gave around others, an honest smile. Marco’s optimism worked like a disease in a way.
Anyhow, they eventually took their seats right by the oak tree, laying their backs upon the cool patch of grass, and slightly squint as they watched the horizon. It felt very magical, growing more so every summer they went there. The sunset reached a point in the sky which caused the entire atmosphere to give a gentle, golden glow. Some clouds could still be seen but they were very small and thin in comparison to the bright circle up there. Marco could stare at the scenery for hours - Jean had grown quite accustomed.
They stayed silent for a moment to really reel in the beauty, and of course, Jean couldn’t help but layout his curiosity. “So why is it exactly that the sunset is much higher on this particular day?”
“It’s the summer solstice.” Marco happily replied. “My mother told me that right in the middle of the season, the sun moves to its highest point in the sky, causing it to be the one time of the year which the day lasts longer; and takes longer for it to set.”
“Heh. Never thought you’d be almost as nerdy as Armin.” Jean joked, laying his elbows up till his hands were behind his head.
He briefly thought he sounded a bit harsh but pushed it aside right when Marco laughed again.
“Well… we also saw it as a symbol of a brighter future ahead of us; nothing nerdy about that one.”
Jean paused after Marco’s witty retort. “Brighter future, huh?”
This got him thinking back to their very first day in the camp. How he announced loud and clear on his lifelong dream to live within the Military Police, how he’s been working his damn ass off to reach those high scores to get in, and how a certain tempered baby called him out for being a coward for it. Recollecting those memories got Jean distracted enough to have him not look back at Marco and notice his reddish cheeks.
“Say, uh…” The former continued whilst rubbing his neck. “Are you sure you wanna stick with your plans on serving the king?”
Marco turned his head over at him. “Y-Yeah. Of course I do.” He replied. “W-Why did you ask?”
Jean didn’t like the way he was stuttering with his response or his questioning back; for all he knew he could be hiding something.
“Curiosity I guess. I mean relaxing within the interior with all the drinks we can get sounds much more appealing to me, I could have you tag along with me too.” His smile faded with the memory stuck inside his head. “But then I saw how hard you trained today and talking to Jaeger of all people - about the scouts no doubt, right?”
The freckled boy nervously shifted his eyes away from his friend. “Well… yes. We were only discussing on his goals to join them and what he’ll do once he does. That’s all.”
“Alright then.” Jean relaxed and layed back down on the grass.
That sudden moving on from the conversation had Marco curious. “We’re you worried that I’d changed my mind and become one?”
“N-No! I… I didn’t mean it like that!” Now Jean was the one blushing like a rose.
“I-I know. Don’t get me wrong, I think it would be nice to do something heroic for everyone in the walls - as Eren described it - and Armin made seeing the outside world feel fascinating, but… I don’t know. Titans do still kinda scare me.”
“Pfft, only an idiot wouldn’t be.” Jean mumbled to himself.
“Besides…” Marco smiled again, blushing lightly again. “I think you’d be the better scout out of the two of us.”
“That again? Hate to keep reminding you, man, but I’m nowhere near the skill for that sort of bs.”
Marco almost flinched at hearing his friend being doubtful about himself again. He understood Jean was very insecure but still, he needs to be aware on his own hidden talents - which is why he faced towards him with a sad yet firm expression.
“Jean, I told you. You have a lot more skill than you realise, you’re smart, honest - a bit blunt at times though - and that’s how others can sympathise with you. I know it’s hard for you to understand now but if ever comes a time when we have to face danger, I know you can lead us to victory.”
No words were shared afterwards; just two teens keeping eye contact with their heads facing towards each other. One couldn’t express his thoughts on that speech, while the other didn’t realise his blushing was getting a little redder. Why you may ask? It’s due to the truth he was about to spill:
“I-I still dream of joining the MPs… but now I want to do so at your side, Jean.”
His eyes were still locked onto his freckled friend, and yet he didn’t pick up on why he was embarrassed to admit that.
“I see…” Jean spoke. “I guess if anything does eventually happen, such as the titans, I’ll be prepared for it… Sorry about that.”
Once Marco’s blushing died down a bit, he responded. “It’s okay, I do get it.”
With all said and done, they continued to gaze at the setting sun as it last. This reminded Jean on how far away they were from everybody else. He’d never talk about his own flaws to anyone like that, how weak he can feel, but Marco is a different story. The guy could read him like an open book, notices his weak points, and yet didn’t judge him for it - instead he saw the good that comes from it. And since nobody else knows about the location by the oak tree, he can probably take Marco hear anytime just to watch the sunset together. To laugh and chat at ease.
Jean relaxed his narrowed eyes and takes a small breath in, turning his head again to look at the calm freckled boy next to him. His smile was only half-visible, probably still a little upset, which wasn’t a good sign to finish the evening with.
“Marco?” He said in a quiet tone.
“Hm?”
“W-Would you mind if we could come up here some other time? Just the two of us?”… and it doesn’t have to be the next solstice.”
(Why does he feel his face going really hot?)
Nothing else could’ve made Marco any happier than hearing that. He found himself scooting closer to express words for only Jean to hear.
“I would like that very much.”
-
Jean Kirstein finds himself walking across an empty land, however, the entire scenery remains familiar to him. There’s not as many patches of grass as there use to be, but the pathway is still visible and he knows it like the back of his hand. He slowly walks up the hill at a steady pace to really reel in the sense of melancholy. One memory at a time flow right back.
He continues his walk of recollection ‘til he approaches the distant view of the signature landmark - only now the oak tree has fallen.
What once stood proud and strong with its branches swaying in the wind has been knocked down due to events which occurred not too long ago, a particular event changed their island for good, probably represented by said oak tree’s condition.
A mournful smile spreads upon the man’s face; he gives one of its big root a pat as a way of respecting it. And so moves on ahead until he finally reaches the top of the hill. Everything goes still for Jean as he gazes at the horizon, it all feels the same as it was from the beginning: the glistening grass beneath, small clouds floating by, calm breeze making his mullet dance within and the sun’s position in the sky giving the view its magical, golden glow.
Jean can sit here and be amazed for hours upon end, take off his suit jacket and soak in the warmth of the sunset, but there’s something he must do first.
Right behind him lies a stone. This stone was never here during his constant visits with his friend, in fact, Jean was the one whom planted it here himself. His signature handwriting can still be evident although the stone needs cleaning, and right in front of it lies a small bottle full of a grey sandy substance.
The man bends down on one knee, a hint of sadness in both eyes as he begins his piece:
“Hello there… it’s been a while hasn’t it? I apologise for taking about three years to come and see you again, it’s just… things have been crazy lately. At least I can tell you the titans are no more and will never be seen again. That was one of your old fears, huh? Anyway, I’m still keeping busy still. The scout regiment may be extinct as well but its name is being soiled by a bunch of rebels still wishing for the rest of the world to suffer. But I’m doing by best to fight back - we all are.”
Through instincts, Jean takes his seat right next to the marker. His gentle hand covers the top as he stares wonderfully at this year’s summer solstice.
“Heh. To think that we use to climb all the way up here to talk about our plans for the future, one which we thought possible. Well… I’m still going to do so, and I’ll tell you all about it. Don’t worry, nobody else knows about this place but us still. I would ask if you don’t mind but… I know you too well by now. E-Especially now than before.”
He can feel a lump building in his throat. A flash of a memory quickly crosses his mind; one of which pictures the young, freckled boy staring right at him with his cheeks as red as roses. He use to think it was due to the sunset, but it wasn’t, and he was too naive to understand.
“I-I’m very sorry to have let you slip away… before you could have the chance. It’ll probably take many years until you can take it again. B-But I’m still here, and I’ll tell you as many times as I need to every time I visit you. To make up for being so stupid…”
Tears build up in his blinking eyes, trying not to let them out but failed, a couple of sniffs escape before he can finish and does his best to smile upon the bottled ashes resting.
“I love you too… Marco.”
Jean finally got to say all the things that have been kept inside throughout his absence, they’ve all been flushed out and he begins to feel at ease - enough for him to turn back and face the sunset.
It’s been years now but Jean remembers that solstice crystal clear; the calming breeze to the golden sky itself. It feels ridiculous to believe, however, in honour of his lost love he keeps ahold of the belief of the solstice meaning a brighter future. One which he can see yearly and keep his hopes up to continue bringing peace back into the world. A world he’d be proud of.
Although, there’s a certain something about it which will never make Jean feel fully happy.
The sun doesn’t shine as brightly as Marco’s smile.