"The best laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft agley
And leave us nought but grief and pain
For promised joy"

- Robert Burn

*
Jean woke up that morning the same way he did every morning.

With his little blonde haired beauty tangled in his arms, soft puffs of air fanning across his chest as he rested his head over his heart.

When he asked Armin why he always slept like that, he was informed that Jean's heartbeat lulled him quite effectively to sleep - although he admitted it with a red face and a sheepish squeak.

Jean smiled as Armin muttered in his sleep, something about Levi in a skirt, his face scrunching up like a little bunny, a soft pout forming on his face.

It was reasons like this that Jean loved Armin, the little things that he did just made his heart ache thinking about him.

Yes, he loved Armin with all his heart, and today was the day he was going to tell him.

He was determined he was going to make it special.

A little squeak brought him back down to focus on his beauty, his eyes fluttering open, those sapphire blue orbs staring directly into his own dull brown ones.

Armin smiled shyly, burying his face into Jean's chest, a pink blush dusting his face. Jean chuckled, kissing the top of Armin's head, squeezing him gently.

"Morning baby." he muttered softly into the blonde tresses, nuzzling his face in, the scent of Armin's apple shampoo assaulting his senses, reducing his brain to a love-sick mush.

Armin popped his head out of Jean's chest, being the bright morning person he was, leaning up just enough to kiss Jean's chin, hopping up and scampering off, giggling as he skipped around. Jean chuckled, shaking his head at his little lover.

"Armin, get back here! Put some underwear on babe!"

~

Jean walked downstairs into the kitchen, ready to start his grand plan to tell Armin he loves him.

However, when he stepped through the door, he was met with the rather disturbing sight of Eren pinning Levi to the wall, attacking his mouth ferociously with his own.

He sighed, and took the pink bunny slipper off his left foot and threw it at them, landing a shot right on Eren's head, giving them an unamused glare when they snapped apart.

Eren blushed like mad, while Levi stared at him with a dry expression. Jean pinched the bridge of his nose, furrowing his brow with a sigh.

These are the people you've chosen as your friends, Jean, he told himself.

"Before you guys start playing another round of tonsil hockey, can either of you tell me where Armin went?" he mumbled tiredly, seeing Levi and Eren giving each other the bedroom eyes once again.

Eren was still in a daze, and Levi rolled his eyes, turning back to Jean momentarily.

"He said he had to run to the store to get groceries, then take a few papers to the library. Now if you don't mind, horse-face, Jaeger and I have some unfinished business." he gritted out, before smashing his lips back with Erens.

Jean threw his arms up in the air out of exasperation, storming out of the room, wondering whether it was a mistake to set up the cranky midget with the horny teenager in the first place.

He sighed as he reached the stairs, running a hand through his hair. He could turn this around, right?

He still had all day, he would wait for Armin to return, then spring his master plan into action. He smirked, running upstairs to get dressed.

Watch out Armin, he thought, prepare for the confession if a lifetime.

~

It was gone four when Armin returned home, an exhausted look on his face, arms laden with about a bajillion bags as Jean estimated.

Jean had planned to be waiting by the door, with open arms and a bouquet of marigolds, the fiery yellow petals somewhat similar in colour to Armin's hair.

But when he saw the tired, haggard look on his beauty's face, that plan was put on the back-burner.

He rushed forward, gabbing a few bags off Armin to lighten his load. Armin gave a sigh, somewhat of relief, offering Jean a small, grateful smile.

"Thanks Jean, it's been such a long day." he sighed, setting the bulging grocery bags on the kitchen counter next to the ones Jean had placed.

Jean wrapped his arms around Armin from behind, resting his chin on top of his head.

He was planning on taking Armin to the park, feeding the ducks maybe, and just walk around talking until the sun set. But seeing the drooping eyes and pale ashen look on Armin's face, made him rethink his options.

As much as he was desperate to convey his deep, sappy, sickly sweet emotions to his boyfriend, it wouldn't be a very happy memory if he passes out in the pond.

So, he did what any cuddly, overprotective dorky lover would do. He picked up Armin, swinging him over his shoulder, hearing the blonde yelp in surprise, and began marching upstairs, ignoring Armin's yells to be put down.

"Jean! Put me down now! You're making the blood rush to my head!" Armin squealed, pouting in defeat when Jean smacked him on his behind to shut him up, earning a smug grin from the doofus currently carrying him upstairs like a sack of potatoes.

He hauled Armin into their bedroom, sitting him down on the bed and removing his shirt quickly, Armin stuttering and blushing like mad.

Jean immediately started working on Armin's shoulders, kneading his thumbs into the tense muscles of his shoulders, trying to make his baby feel more relaxed.

He needed to be for what he was about to say.

As he continued massaging Armin's back, Jean took a deep breath, letting it go with a loud sigh.

"Armin, when I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. When you bumped into me in the school corridor and got all flustered, I knew I had to make you mine. Armin, these past four months have been amazing, so so amazing, and it's all because of you. I guess what I'm trying to say is... I love you Armin, with all my heart." he murmured softly, tearing up slightly as he thought back to all the beautiful times they had shared together these past few months.

He waited for a response, but to his increasing worry, Armin didn't reply. He paused his movements on Armin's back, peering down at his face.

"Armin? Baby, did you hear-"

He cut himself off when he saw Armin, fast asleep in his arms, snoozing quietly sitting up.

Jean sighed, laying Armin down on his side carefully, taking off his pants and his own pair of shorts, before tucking them both under the duvet, holding Armin to his chest from behind for a well needed nap, for Armin at least.

Jean kissed the shell of Armin's ear, burying his face in the back of his neck. He still had time, he thought, first thing tomorrow he'd tell him, he was positive. Positive.

~

Jean's quest for love was getting harder and harder.

After waking up much later than they should have, only just making it in time for Jean to drop Armin off at the public library he worked at, before speeding off to his own office, Jean didn't have time to say those three little words.

Besides, he wanted it said slowly and deliberately, not just a parting comment as they raced around like headless chickens.

He sat at his desk, tapping a pen against his coffee mug, while scrolling through a floral delivery service.

If he couldn't say it personally, a large bouquet of roses and a heartfelt message would certainly do the trick, right?

After ordering two dozen red roses to be delivered to Armin's work address - with a long thought over, sweet, soulful message, describing exactly why and how he loved him so much - Jean leant back in his chair, grinning like a fool in April.

Now he didn't have to worry about messing up his speech, or distractions getting in the way of his romance.

He spent the day happily going about his business, taking calls with a smile and prancing around the hallways between meetings like he was in cloud nine.

It was only when he burst through the front door, and saw the lack of a certain blue eyed beauty, did the smile slip off his face.

Surely Armin should be home by now? Picking up his phone, he dialled Armins number, hearing it ring a few times, before he picked up.

"Jean? Hey love, I missed you what's up?" Armin asked, and Jean was relieved to hear his voice.

"Hey baby. I missed you too. When are you coming home? I thought your shift ended at three?"

He heard Armin sigh from the other end, and the sound of an engine revving in the background.

"It did, but there was an accident on the road. A guy on a bike carrying a whole load of roses got hit by a motorcyclist about 100 yards from the shop, so the road is closed. I'm having to take the long way home, and you know how bad the traffic is through there."

Jean almost screamed in frustration. Not only had he wasted the best part of 200 bucks, but Armin still hadn't gotten the message. Jean took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose sharply.

"Ok Armin, I'll see you soon. I'm making spaghetti for dinner." he croaked, trying to hide the crack in his voice, his hands clenching into fists.

He calmed slightly when he heard Armin giggle from the other end, and could imagine the light blush that was virtually a permanent feature on his face now.

"Sounds wonderful baby. Bye Jean! See you soon." Armin chirped, before hanging up. Jean just stood there, resisting the urge to go loco and punch a hole in the wall.

Groaning loudly, he rubbed his hands over his face, glaring up at the ceiling with a tight jaw.

Tomorrow, tomorrow would go to plan, he would make sure if it. Even if that means he has to tie Armin to a chair to get the chance to confess to him. Although he wasn't sure Armin would appreciate the '50 Shades of Grey' style treatment.

~

The next day, Jean didn't even bother getting up when he woke, waiting for Armin to open his eyes and the first thing him seeing being Jean.

Jean's great back up plan was the stupid, cliché early morning cuddles, which would give him the opportunity to be all mushy and sweet, and tell Armin he loved him then. The moment would be perfect!

So, he lay there, staring at Armin's sleeping face, a small smile gracing his features as he dreamt.

Suddenly, his angelic face scrunched up, nose twitching, and his lips curling down into a frown.

A soft whimper bubbled in his throat, and he flipped over, still making small, distressed noises. Jean cautiously sat up on his elbows, watching Armin concerned.

When Armin turned back to him, Jean saw tear tracks run down his face, and heard a sob escape his throat. He was having a nightmare.

Jean's eyes widened, and just as he leant down to shake him awake, Armin's big blue eyes, as blue as the oceans he so vividly described, flew open, a river of tears streaming down them.

Those eyes met Jean's for a second, before he flung himself at Jean, weeping in his arms.

Jean sat, dumbfounded, as Armin cried, wrapping his arms around his trembling beauty.

Jean hugged Armin securely, letting him bury his face in his tshirt, his blonde hair ruffled and damp around his eyes. Jean kissed the top of his head, nuzzling him gently.

"Armin, baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked, pulling the blonde from his chest so he was looking at him directly.

Armin's eyes were bloodshot and puffy, semi dry tear marks still on his pale cheeks, his lips quivering as he held in the urge to cry more.

Armin whimpered, closing his eyes and shaking his head, clutching onto the front of Jean's shirt so tightly his knuckles were white.

"I-I had a n-n-nightmare..." he choked, once again stuffing his face into Jean's chest, the feeling of being surrounded by his warmth somewhat comforting to the boy.

Jean nodded, rubbing Armin's back slowly, rocking them both calmly.

"Do you want to tell me what it was about?" he asked quietly, looking down at Armin with an inquisitive smile.

Armin tensed for a moment, before his shoulders slumped, and he nodded his head, crawling onto Jean's lap, seeking comfort.

Jean complied, by holding him around the waist, Armin's head rested on his shoulder, his breathing choppy and rapid. Armin opened his eyes, staring blankly at the wall in front.

"We were running through a forest on horses, and it was dark and raining, really really cold. And we were being chased by this monster, it was like a giant but, different. The giant was catching up on us, and I ran into a branch. You jumped off your horse just as the giant was about to grab me, but, but it caught you instead, a-and... i-it ate you... And then I woke up..." Armin croaked, trailing off into a whisper as his ended his account of the nightmare.

Jean kissed his temple, offering Armin an earnest grin.

"Don't worry Armin, I'm here now, I wasn't eaten. Although, now that you mention it, I am rather peckish. I think Armin a la carte would be delicious right now." Jean cackled playfully, planting little kisses all across Armin's face in an attempt to brighten up his boy, peppering him with pecks and nips, earning giggles and squeaks from his blue eyed beauty.

The distraction worked. Armin swatted at Jean half-heartedly, making him smirk and pull back, just so Armin could tackle him down on the bed, laughing and giggling together, the nightmare forgotten.

After their screams died down, Armin continued to stare into a Jean's brown eyes, Jean staring back, Armin lying on top of Jean's chest, breathing slowly and calm.

Armin raised his hand up, cupping Jean's cheek softly, his cold fingers instantly warmed when Jean placed his on top of Armin's, never breaking eye contact.

Armin smiled, eyes gleaming, full of life and light, and Jean couldn't help but smile back.

He was certain he was in love with this boy, positively, absolutely, completely and utterly head over heels in love.

Armin breathed out a slight chuckle, leaning his forehead against Jean's, closing his eyes momentarily, the light shut out for a second, before they stared back once again into Jean's, the brightness returning.

"Jean?" Armin breathed, barely audible, as if the air would shatter if he was any louder.

"Yeah?" Jean replied, just as softly, entranced in Armin's eyes.

Armin smiled slightly, placing a tiny, fleeting kiss on Jean's nose, giggling when Jean scrunched up his nose playfully, his smile stretching wider.

"I love you, Jean." Armin whispered, lightly touching Jean's nose with his own, their intimate position making them closer than they had ever been before.

Jean's breath hitched, eye wide, his heart beating fast in his rib cage, as he looked up at his beauty.

And as much as he wanted to be the first one to say it, he felt like the happiest man in world when he heard those three little words, coming from the one he loved more than life itself.

His eyes glistened with unshed tears, a wobbly, face splitting grin spreading across his face.

Armin gazed at him shyly, so vulnerable yet secure as he laid his heart out on his sleeve for Jean, awaiting an answer.

Jean reached up and thread his fingers through the soft blonde locks on the back of Armin's head, pulling him down into a gentle, lip tingling kiss, nothing but emotion and soft gasps poured into it.

Jean pulled back, absently stroking the back of Armin's neck with his thumb, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

"I love you too Armin. I've wanted to say that for a while now."

Armin blushed a light pink, still staring unblinking into Jeans eye.

They lay there for the rest of the morning, whispering sweet nothings to each other, sharing those three words between them over and over, succumbing to passion quickly.

In the end, it didn't matter how it was said. It didn't matter who said it first.

As long as it was, that was all that mattered.
*