Chapter Text
They weren't hitting him. The teenagers at Rose High were smarter than that. It was a private school for a reason. No, when they decided to gang up on an unsuspecting student, it was with words that were sharper than a sword and glares that could make the most harden students want to run for cover.
What Marco Bodt had done to warrant such attention Jean really didn't know. Maybe it was the annoying way he was always done with tests before anyone else. Or the way girls would approach him and tuck their hair behind their ear and blush while they talked to him. Or just the simple fact that the carefree smile on his freckled face could get on a person's nerves. Not that Jean had ever noticed this personally- he just heard things around the school.
Any one of these catalysts could have been the reason as to why he found three classmates surrounding Marco in the empty hallways between class periods. They had already knocked his binder to the floor and loose leaf paper littered the linoleum floor. One of the bullies had already stomped on a book and there were ripped pages hanging out of the book at awkward angles.
Normally, Jean would turn a blind eye and continue on his way. Armin was the only other student he had ever really see teased or belittled, but he had Eren and Mikasa to defend him. While Marco was on friendly terms with most of the student population, Jean wasn't sure how many actually considered them their 'friend'.
Jean stared at the proceedings, rooted to the spot. He wasn't the nicest student and had started his own fair share of fights. Although his had usually been with fists and not words. And for once, Jean was tempted to use them in the defense of another person.
Jean watched on as the two sides of his mind argued with each other. If he put his neck out in defense of Marco he would make enemies of students who would normally leave him be. Was helping someone he never even talked to worth the hassle?
Marco made a strangled noise as one of the bullies grabbed the other textbook he had been clinging too. Jean didn't even realize his legs were carrying him over to the scene until the teenage who had grabbed the book from Marco turned his head and asked, "What the hell do you want?"
Jean ignored the question and turned to Marco. The freckled boy's eyes were wide and pleading. From that moment on, Jean knew he couldn't leave until the other three student's had ran away with the fear of god firmly in place.
"I suggest you guys get along to class." Jean narrowed his eyes and stared each of them right in the face. He made sure that his 'Do you really want to fuck with me?' expression was in full force.
"What? You're defending this softie now? Why don't you take your own advice, Jean?" The leader dropped the book he had taken from Marco. Jean could tell that they had been in the mood for kicking around someone weaker and weren't really looking for a fist fight but that didn't mean they were going to back away at just a few words from him.
Jean held his ground. Flexing his hands, he made it perfectly clear that 'no, he wasn't going to back down'. Finally, one of the tag alongs huffed and shrugged his shoulders. "Come on, let's just get out of here."
The other teen wiped his finger under his nose. "Yeah, come on. I can't have another suspension."
Realizing that he had lost his reinforcements, the leader kicked the closest textbook. "Fine. But don't consider this over."
Jean scoffed and flicked them off once they had turned their backs. What a bunch of losers.
With a start, Jean realized there was still Marco to consider. The other teen had bent down and was picking up the mess of papers and textbooks on the floor. He was shoving them in his backpack, not bothering to look at what went where.
Jean rubbed his hand over the back of his neck completely out of his comfort zone. Now what? Was he suppose to help? Talk to Marco? Chastise him for letting himself be pushed around? Urg, this is why I shouldn't have bothered!
Marco popped back up and Jean stepped back in surprise. The freckled faced teenager lowered his head and a blush stained his cheeks. "Um, thanks. They're not usually so persistent..."
Jean felt suddenly sick at the thought of Marco being teased before by the same low-lifes. How many times had it happened and he had never noticed? Guilt washed over Jean and he averted his eyes. "Well, if they ever give you any trouble again..." Jean accented his point by pounding a fist into his palm. He wouldn't hesitate to give the assholes a pounding if they bothered Marco again.
Marco waved his hands, completely flustered. "Oh! No, it should be fine. Thanks again, Jean."
Jean swallowed hard. It was the first time Marco had ever said his name. He found that he liked the way it sounded when it came from Marco's mouth. It carried a sweeter tone than he was used to-
"Um, we should probably be getting to Lit." Marco pointed hesitantly down the hall. "We're already pretty late."
Jean started. He had forgotten they had the next class together. Or have I ever even noticed? How many other classes do we have together?
---@---
Jean racked his brain as he followed Marco down the hall towards their Literature class.
Thankfully, the teacher only sighed when they entered the classroom. Jean could feel eyes on him. He was normally never late and to be late with Marco...Jean was considered the 'lone wolf' of the school. For him to be with anyone else was more than unusual.
Jean ignored the searching looks and slumped into his desk. Marco made his way to the back and Jean became oddly aware of the other teen's presence.
The teacher droned on and Jean took his usual notes. He didn't particularly like Lit and he really hated the subject matter for the chapter they were studying. He enjoyed a good war or adventure novel, but the current chapter on Shakespeare made Jean want to stab himself with a sharpened pencil. He doodled in the sides of his notebook to pass the time. It was better than checking the clock on the wall every five seconds.
Jean's gaze wondered over to Mikasa. Jean tried not to grit his teeth as she took extensive notes and Eren slept. Everyone knew that Mikasa and Armin shared all their notes with Eren. Jean watched as the light played over her long raven colored hair. Why does she have to be interested in Eren? He was so much better than the little turd. Jean frowned and drew a stick figure (that looked oddly like him) beating up another one (that looked amazingly like Eren).
"And lastly, you're all going to need to pick a partner to work on the plays your going to be writing." There was a collective groan from all the students. "Yes, yes. I know. But no amount of belly aching is going to get you out of this. I expect to hear who your partner is going to be on Monday." The bell rang and everyone ran for the door.
Jean shoved his notebook and textbook back into his book-bag. He fought his way through the crowd to the cafeteria. He grabbed a drink from one of the vending machines and made his way outside. There was an oak tree that was far enough from the main tables but still close enough that the teachers didn't bother him. It was 'his' tree and no one ever sat there except him.
He sat down and opened his book-bag. He took out his brown paper bag and unwrapped the ham sandwich he had made earlier before school. He could ate the school lunch but he didn't like wasting half of his lunch to stand in line for lukewarm mounts of what passed for food in a school cafeteria. I need to buy more ham and I think the cheese is running low. I'll have to check-
Jean's thoughts of his grocery list were cut short when a shadow loomed over him. He looked up to see the uncertain face of Marco staring down at him. Marco worried at his lower lip. "Um, I didn't really get to thank you properly before."
Jean was tempted to tell the nervous teen to 'get lost'. Being late to class together was one thing, but being seen together at lunch opened up a whole other set of problems. Not that he cared what the others said about him. Jean took another bite of his sandwich. What the hell! Jean knew he was going to regret the words, but he said them anyway.
"Are you going to sit down or what?"
Relief flooded Marco's face and he said down next to Jean. Jean shuffled slightly away from the other teen. Marco opened his backpack and started to unwrap a sandwich. It looked like it was peanut butter and jelly and it looked smushed. Jean gritted his teeth. Fucking jackwads.
"Have you picked a partner yet?" Marco asked after he took a sip from his can of fruit juice.
"Nah. You?" Jean noted the bitterness there. He wished he could ask Mikasa but like that was going to happen. She wouldn't give anyone the time of day unless they were Eren.
"No..." Marco answered.
Jean could tell he wanted to say something more, so he look a long gulp of his soda to fill the silence until Marco finished thinking over whatever he couldn't quite bring himself to say. Marco twisted the plastic wrapper from his sandwich in his hands. Jean almost yelled at him to 'Just get on with it!', when Marco finally blurted out.
"Do you want to be my partner?" Marco nearly shredded the plastic wrapper in half.
Jean was too stunned to answer. Does he really want to be my partner? Or is this a strange thank you for what happened earlier...While it was true that Marco probably had a better grade in Lit than he did, Jean wasn't the type of person who needed a hand-out.
"I don't need your help and if this is your way of thanking me you can just get lost." Jean practically growled. It came out harsher than he had planned. He couldn't put his finger on the reason why, but he felt as if Marco was betraying him by trying to bribe him for what he had done earlier. I don't need him.
"Oh!" Marco dropped the plastic wrapper. "Oh, no. I didn't mean it like that..."
"Then how did you mean it?"
"I just thought it might be nice to work together." Marco mumbled.
Jean stared, stunned to silence for the second time in five minutes. Finally, Jean raised an eyebrow. "Why are you doing this now?"
"Because I wanted to talk to you before and-" Marco looked stricken after the words had escaped his mouth.
Jean thought over his options. It was either pair with Marco or get stuck with Sasha. It really wasn't much of a decision. "Yeah, let's work together." Jean finished putting all his garbage together and stood up. "I'll see you on Monday."
"See you!" Marco's voice called after him.
---+---
I can't believe I just did that. 'I've wanted to talk to you before?' What was I thinking?! How could I have said that? Marco fought the urge to bury his face in his hands.
He had taken about all the courage he had to approach Jean and then he had to go and make such a fool of himself. By some divine miracle, Jean hadn't punched him in the face at his weird admission.
He had been wanting to talk for Jean for weeks and the situation had finally presented itself. It had been too good to pass by. Marco smiled at the memory of what had changed his mind about Jean. Marco had figured the other teen was just another loner and hadn't paid him much attention. Marco had plenty of other people he talked to and even if Jean made Marco's heart beat that much faster it really wasn't something to fret about. It just wasn't. Because he had no chance anyway, so why even bother?
That was until some boys had ganged up on Connie. The other boy could grate on others nerves and sometimes he said more than was smart. Some of the seniors had finally had enough and had tried to roughed Connie up.
Marco had been walking to class and caught the tail end of it. Jean had been standing in the way of the bullies much like he had for Marco. That was when Marco had realized that even though Jean picked fights with Eren, Jean never abused his other classmates. Jean stood up for others, and the confirmation that Jean wasn't a bad guy, made it even harder for Marco's thoughts not to wander to the mystery that was Jean Kirschstien.
Marco knew the reason Jean always picked fights with Eren...it was because of Mikasa. Practically everyone in the school knew that Jean had a crush on the girl. It was equally obvious that Mikasa would never give him the time of day...not as long as Eren was around. And even if he wasn't around. Mikasa was completely devoted to Eren and would probably always be.
Marco took his seat in Advanced Chem and opened his textbook. Every word of the lecture went in one ear and out the other. He finally had the chance to talk to Jean, become friends with Jean; it worried him as much as it excited him.
Butterflies and nausea fought for dominance in his stomach.
What had he gotten himself into?
---@---
The weekend flew by and Jean only thought of school once the entire time. It didn't help that he lived in the dorms. Well, almost everyone lived at the dorms. Few students had special permission to live at home but that was part of attending Rose High. They owned you body and soul until graduation.
Jean sighed and threw his arm over his eyes. The sound of the TV filled his room with white noise. The short conversation he had had with Marco replayed itself for what seemed like the millionth time. Jean wondered if he should have exchanged numbers with the other teen. Then he punched his pillow for even caring...then he repeated the cycle of thoughts all over again.
Monday couldn't come soon enough.
---@---
Then Monday came and Jean didn't want to drag himself out of bed. He stared up at the white ceiling and groaned. God, I've really worked myself up, haven't I?
He had somehow managed to convince himself that Marco was going to ignore him and all that had happened on Friday was just a dream. Because he didn't have friends nor was he normally trying to make any. In fact, his face usually put people off and they just looked at him with a cross between uncertainty and fear. Jean cursed and started to get ready for school.
Jean shuffled in with the other bleary eyed teenagers. Half of his History class was still asleep and they had their heads buried in between crossed arms. The teacher took role and Jean's ears perked up at the sound of "Marco Bodt?" and the reply of "Here!"
Jean turned his head over his shoulder and spotted the half-asleep face of Marco. When he noticed Jean's gaze, he gave him a small smile. Jean's head whipped back to face the teacher and he didn't turn around for the rest of the class. That still didn't stop the feeling that here were a pair of eyes on his back the whole class period. How did I never notice him before? Jean wondered how far up he had had his head shoved up his ass to miss the fact that he had at least two classes with the other teen. Well, I suppose I always knew he was here...I was just never really aware of it before.
The bell rang and class was dismissed. Unlike Friday, Jean took his time waiting to see if Marco would approach him. He almost released a sigh of relief when he heard Marco say, "Hey! How was your weekend?"
I spent most of it thinking about you. Jean frowned. "Fine. You?"
Marco's smile wavered. "Good...it was good."
Jean blinked and realized his frown was probably freaking Marco out. He threw his book-bag over his shoulder and tried to straighten his glare out into a more friendly expression. "What class do you have next?"
"French." Marco said. Except it sounded more like a question.
And that's when Jean realized he had French next period too. He nearly slapped his forehead. "Oh, shit. Really? How many classes do we have together?"
They made their way out of the classroom and Jean took special care to make sure that he didn't bump into Marco.
Marco laughed. "Just the three. Never noticed?" The freckled boy's tone was light but Jean sensed the nervousness in it.
"In all honesty I just go through the motions of the day." It wasn't a lie and it sort of answered Marco's question without actually answering it.
Marco didn't press the issue and they took their seats in French. Once again, Marco was in the back of the class. Why is he always in the back?
Jean took out his pencil and let his thoughts pitter off as the teach told them the results of their test from the week before.
---+---
The bell rang and Marco shoved his things into his backpack. Like the period before, Jean waited for him without actually waiting for him. Jean made a huge production of putting everything into his book-bag. Marco smiled. He knew it looked ridiculously goofy and he made sure to wipe it off before he reached Jean.
"Hey." Marco said. He instantly berated himself for sounding like a girl with a crush. If he had longer hair he might as well have flipped it. That made him think of Mikasa and Marco's stomach turned unpleasantly.
Jean didn't seem to notice and stood up from his desk. They made their way to the door of the classroom. Marco turned left and Jean turned right.
Marco let out a nervous laugh. "I guess I'll be seeing you in Lit?"
Jean nodded and dissolved into the mass of students. Marco stood and stared after him for another second before he made his way to his next period. Marco finally released the sigh he had been holding in.
---@---
"I'm going to be working with Marco." There was only a slight mummer at the announcement. The teacher just nodded and marked it on her clip board.
"Now who am I going to work with?" Sasha lamented.
It was decided that Sasha would work with Armin and Connie. Jean sent out a silent prayer for the blonde boy who was always the third wheel. He wondered how much work would actually come from the boy who couldn't pay attention for five minutes and the girl who was always stuffing her face.
Jean was just happy that it wasn't him trying to corral the two to actually pay attention and write a play.
After they announced their partners, they went back to discussing Shakespeare. And Jean went back to trying to balance a pencil on his upper lip. Just because he did well in his classes didn't mean he needed to pay attention. Eventually he gave up his balancing act and began to finish his doodles from Monday.
"I'd like to have the theme and the general outline for your play by class on Wednesday." The replies were littered from around the class and half of them sounded less than enthusiastic.
The bell rang and Jean didn't have to slow his pace for Marco to appear at his side. They headed towards the oak tree- that had somehow morphed into 'their' spot after only one lunch together.
"So, any ideas for the paper?" Marco asked. He sat at Jean's right side and Jean stared down at the small space between where his knee and Marco's leg almost touched.
"Nah, I hoped you'd be able to handle that." Jean paused before adding, "Not that I'm not planning on carrying my weight, but fuck if I can figure out all this Shakespeare shit." Just the thought of it irritated him. Give him an advanced calculus equation and he could handle it no sweat. Ask him to identify the major themes in 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' and he would start swearing like a sailor.
Marco let out a giggle that quickly turned into a deep laugh. His shoulders shook and he covered his mouth so that pieces of bread didn't go flying out of his mouth. "I didn't know you felt so strongly about it."
Jean rolled his eyes. "Yeah, just don't expect me to be very insightful about 'themes' and 'double meanings'."
Marco let out another laugh. "It's okay. Don't worry. So, when do you want to get together to discuss the paper?"
"I suppose we might as well get it out of the way as soon as possible. You free tonight?" Jean munched on a potato chip.
"After my student council meeting I'm free."
Of course he's on the student council. Suddenly Jean felt a burning desire to know more about the freckled teen who was extending his hand in friendship. They were so different from each other...yet, instead of clashing, they fit together. Jean wondered how much time he had wasted not getting to know Marco sooner.
Jean made up his mind that no more time would go by where they didn't walk to class together or sit under the oak and eat lunch. For some reason it seemed vitally important that he made Marco a permanent fixture in his daily life. Jean didn't like the idea of ever seeing the terrified look on Marco's face again and not being there to protect him. Jean swallowed hard at all the foreign thoughts swimming through his head and the feelings of fierce protection surging in his chest. Urg, I'll think about it later.
Jean's gaze drifted over to Mikasa. He sighed. Now if only I could rescue her from some bullies. Except every bully knew that if they messed with her they wouldn't be walking away...because she would have broken their legs.
It was rumored that Mikasa had broken a boy's nose in junior high school. No one had believed it until someone had picked on Armin and the same boy turned up to school the next day with a black eye. He never admitted to Mikasa giving it to him, but everyone knew it had been her. After that, the bullies had been much more careful about picking on the soft spoken blonde boy.
"What dorm do you live in?" Marco had scooted closer (or maybe it had been him?) and their knees bumped together. For some reason, Jean pulled away as fast as he could. It felt like his skin had been burned under his uniform. Jean chose to ignore the way his heart thumped an odd beat after the quick touch.
"I live in Rose dorm room 221B. You?" The bell rang and Jean sprang up.
"Maria 312A." Marco slung his backpack over his shoulders. "Do you want to met at my dorm or...?"
Jean cringed. "My room is a mess. I have a feeling yours might not be covered in dirty laundry. What time will your meeting be over?"
"Does six work for you?"
Jean nodded. "Yeah, sounds good. See you then!"
They parted ways and Jean cursed when he realized he had still forgotten to ask Marco what his cell number was.
---+---
Marco was usually very attentive in the student council meetings. They were only once a month and they could get very heated when certain veins of conversation would come up. Levi was the president and Hanji was vice-president. Marco tried to keep his mind on the business at hand but his mind kept floating back to the realization that in only a few hours Jean Kirschstien would be in his room.
Levi was once again arguing the fact that the student's weren't taking cleaning the classrooms seriously enough and everyone else was pointing out the fact that it didn't matter.
Marco kept his opinion to himself because he wanted the meeting over as soon as possible. He was sure he had left some textbooks scattered about his room and his art supplies were spread all over his desk. God, I've got to clean that all up. Do I still have air freshener?
An eternity later the meeting wrapped up and Marco handed in the notes from the meeting. Thankfully, the meeting had resembled the one before it and Marco's concentration not being entirely on it hadn't affect the content of the minutes from the meeting.
Hanji took the notebook and gave Marco a knowing wink. Marco said his good-byes and dismissed the wink as just another unusual thing that Hanji did. The sounds of Hanji going on about spores (and Levi's disapproving sounds) followed Marco out of the student council room.
He only had about ten minutes, but it was enough to throw his books under his bed and shove all his art supplies in his desk drawer. He finished of by spraying his room with Febreze. He wasn't a cleaning spaz like Levi but that didn't mean he wanted his dorm room to smell like old socks. Not a moment later, there was a knock at the door. Marco let out a steadying breath before he called out, "Coming!"