Eren took a deep breath and tried calming himself down. "I must look so attractive right now," he said trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh absolutely stunning, the snot and tears really bring out your charm," Jean said sarcastically.

"Thanks, Jean," Eren said with a smile.

"Anytime," Jean smiled. "Do you want to just go home?" Jean said more as a suggestion than a question his concern was evident.

"No, I think I can go back in now," said Eren, "we need to get our stuff."

Jean hesitated but nodded and they made their way back into the store. They walked back to the aisle that they were on before hoping their stuff was still there. When they saw the baskets had been untouched they let out a sigh.

"Wow, we're lucky," Eren said picking up his basket.

Eren finished helping Jean pick out his stuff and Jean walked with him while Eren was searching for his own supplies. He refused to leave his friend's side until he was safely back in his car.

Eren had just one more thing to find. It was a paint brush that would help him with the current painting he was working on. He had almost searched the whole row before he found it.

When he did they headed towards the front of the store. As they were standing in line Jean noticed that Eren was fidgeting more than usual.

"You okay?" Jean asked.

"Yeah, I just feel like I'm being watched," Eren said as he kept his head down. He instinctively moved a little closer to Jean as the uncomfortable feeling had felt unsafe and scary. "It's just paranoia from what happened earlier," Eren thought out loud.

Jean watched as his friend looked like he was going to start shaking from the terror he was facing in his own mind. He put a hand on his shoulder and felt as Eren slightly flinched but relaxed a little knowing his friend was trying to comfort him. "Don't worry, I'll protect you," Jean said pulling Eren a little closer to him to let him know he was safe.

Eren looked like he was on the verge of having another panic attack, but he had calmed down thanks to Jean.

When they made it to the counter Eren took a mental sigh of relief. They paid for their stuff and exited the building. As soon as they stepped out of the door Eren felt someone grab him by the shirt. The person yanked Eren back and pushed him against the wall harshly.

Eren's vision blurred a little after his head made contact with the brick wall. When his vision cleared seconds later the face that stared back at him almost made him scream, but he was too frozen in fear.

"Eren!" Jean yelled trying to push the man off.

"Long time no see," the man said, "I thought you moved away, out of town, turns out you never left," he said with a sickening smile. "The others will be so happy to hear that," he said trying to stand his ground as Jean tugged at him to get him off. 

Jean finally backed up and swung with all his might. He balled his fist tightly with his thumb in the correct placement he pulled his shoulder back and swung his hips. All those little preparations took a fraction of a second to complete in order to ensure the punch was brutal. Upon impact, Jean felt something crack both beneath his hand and in it. He knew this punch would probably cause him a broken hand at least, but it was so worth it. Not only did it cause the man to release his grip on Eren, but it also brought Jean so much satisfaction to finally hit the guy that has haunted his friend's nightmares for years. Oh how he wished he could do so much more to him, but he needed to make sure Eren got out of there and fast.

"Go Eren go!" Jean yelled grabbing his arm as he started running Eren was pulled behind him looking back over his shoulder at the man who had gotten back up and was smiling at him menacing. His face was already starting to bruise and it had looked like Jean had knocked a few of his teeth out.

"We'll find you, you can't hide forever," he yelled after him, "we're coming for you." As he yelled blood had spued out of his mouth as he spat the words at him.

They made it to Eren's car and Jean grabbed Eren's keys from his back pocket as he was standing there frozen in shock as his fear overtook him. 'We're coming for you,' It rang in his head over and over again.

Jean sat Eren down in the passenger seat before he got in the driver's seat. "I hope Levi doesn't kill me for driving his car without permission," Jean mumbled starting the car. He pulled out of the parking spot and gassed it getting away from the store as fast as he could.

Eren snapped back to his senses and realized he was in the car. He looked beside him and realized that Jean was driving.

"Jean?" Eren asked he was still in shock.

"Are you okay, you've been sitting there for almost ten minutes with that blank stare," Jean said looking over at him.

"I have?" He asked.

His head was throbbing probably from the harsh contact it made with the brick wall. "How are you going to get back home or get your motorcycle from the store?" Eren asked.

"I'll have Marco pick me up and help me get it, but that's not important are you okay?" Jean asked again.

"I think I'm okay," said Eren.

"Are you sure? Your head took quite a blow, are you sure we don't have to go to the hospital?" Jean asked as he glanced at Eren. He couldn't really see the injury, but he knew it would be bad.

"Nah, I'll be fine. I mean people always did tell me I have a hard head," Eren said with a light chuckle.

Jean rolled his eyes, "yeah yeah, all jokes aside you are sure you are okay?" Jean asked in a concerned tone.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Eren answered. He put a hand up to the back of his head where it hurt and when he pulled his hand back he looked at it. He quickly closed his fist and put it out of Jean's view. He tried to desperately hide the evidence of his blood soaked hand.

They reached Eren's house and Jean got out of the car and handed Eren the keys back.

"Do me a favor and make sure your boyfriend doesn't' kill me for driving his car."

"Well I think he would probably thank you, I was in no position to drive, and the way the circumstances were you didn't really have a choice," Eren said with a thankful smile. 'I think he would be more pissed if I got his seat full of blood,' Eren thought. He hadn't put his head up against the seats and when he got out he didn't see any where he had been sitting, but he wasn't exactly seeing clearly in the first place.

They entered the house and Jean had Eren sit on a dining room chair. He asked Eren where there were medical supplies and then proceeded to grab the, from the bathroom. He came back and stood behind Eren as he looked at his injury.

"It's still bleeding a little, but it's not very deep which means you won't need stitches," Jean said holding pressure against the wound so it would stop bleeding. "You might have a heck of a time getting the dried blood out of your hair though."

Eren winced at the pressure but was grateful that Jean was trying to make sure he was okay.

"Looks like Marco's medical studies have worn off on you," Eren said smiling.

"Well, they should. You know how many tests I have to help him study for," Jean said with a laugh.