Get some sleep Marco, I love you...

    Marco woke in the empty, dark hospital room. Every part of his body ached, and it seemed like half of the room had no lights, but the other half did? Marco sat, dazed and confused for a long time.

   A nurse walked in the room. "Oh, you're awake. I'll call your mother." She said with a soft smile. Marco looked at what she was holding, a tray of food.

   He greedily licked his lips at the sight of food. "Oh, here." She said. The nurse walked over to Marco's left side and put the tray on his lap.

   "Umm. So, I think there is something wrong with my eye, is that why I'm here?" Marco asked with a very confused expression.

   "Um. No Mr. Bodt. You were in a car accident with another person around your age. You lost an eye." She stated softly, almost cautiously. Marco was very confused, especially when he tried to move his arm to pick up the spoon, but nothing happened.

    Marco tried to look where his arm should be, but he couldn't see out of that eye. "Why can't I move my arm?" He asked. The nurse's expression changed.

    "You lost your arm too."

* * *

Dear Marco,                                          
                          Hello, how have you    been lately? I recently wanted to tell you about my new school. I know it's probably not as great as the old one,  but I've met a lot of new friends.            There's Connie and Sasha, Eren, Armin, and Mikasa, and Annie, Reiner and Bertholdt, and met some people from our elementary school, Crista and Ymir. I even met another guy, who's been really welcoming, he has the locker next to mine. His name is Jean Kirstein. He's aggressive at times, but I'm sure you would love to meet him.                                                             
                     Love,                                      
                               Lucas.                          

     Jean looked through the paper again. Scanning the familiar, and lost hanwriting. Looking over the scribbled sketches at the side, and the crumbling edges.

    They say good things happen for a reason, but that means bad things happen for a reason too. What about the things that aren't good or bad? What about the things that are just things?

    Was Jean supposed to find that letter, and the many others that lied in the drawer?

    He read each letter over, and over. Taking in the meaning behind every word. The newest letter was dated just before Marco moved to the school. The handwriting was more scribbled, and it was on a blank piece of paper.

         Hey Marco,
                              So about you coming to live here, I think that would be awesome. My mom has been kind of sick lately, but with your mom here she'll get better really fast. I know moving is hard, but trust me, this will be great! I've told Jean a little bit about you, but I want him to be surprised when he sees you. Our family members do say that we look a lot alike. Jean will be great to you. Anyways, I'll talk to you later. The next letter will come next week.
                    Love,
                              Lucas.

    When you think about how next week never came for Lucas, and the first time Jean had ever seen Marco was at Lucas' death bed, you'd be surprised. Not about how it all played out, but Lucas was right. Jean was there for Marco. Jean was surprised at how similar they looked.

    Jean remembered a conversation he had with Lucas a month before the accident.

* * *

    "Hey Jean, you gonna eat that?" Lucas asked. Jean looked at him with a strange look, and he rolled his eyes before throwing a sandwich to Lucas.

    "Thanks!" Lucas took a bite of the sandwich, then he spoke again. "So, you know my cousin, Marco, he's gonna come live down here. I'm sure you guys will be great friends!" Lucas said happily. Jean nodded.

    "Most likely. I mean, I made it this far with you." Jean said dryly. Lucas looked over with an offended glance.

    "What's that supposed to mean?" Lucas whined. Jean only laughed in response before standing.

    "Nothing, so, it's been one month into high school, and it feels the same." Jean sighed. Lucas didn't reply, he just nodded. The two of them looked up at the clouds in the sky. They floated like puffy marshmallows, and the sun shone like a diamond. It was perfect.

It was.

* * *
     Jean gripped the paper in his hand as tears began to stream down his face. "Damn. I haven't gotten over him." Jean sighed.

   A knock was heard at the door, and Jean stood to open it. "Jean, lets go see Marco, he's mostly aware of his surroundings now, he'll want to see you.
    
    Jean smiled greatfully at Marco's mother. "Thank you." He said.

   They left shortly after, the ride seemed like minutes, and all Jean was thinking about was hugging Marco. That's all Jean wanted to do.

     They used Jean's car to drive back and forth, and Jean didn't mind when Miss. Bodt wanted to drive.

    They got out after she parked the car. After all this, Jean wanted to run inside as fast as possible, to see those freckles, and the dark chocolate eye, and that perfect smile.

    They stopped at front desk, and the man let them go see Marco. They even got directions to Marco's new room, since he didn't need to be in the emergency unit.

    They walked down the hall way, and came to a door. Room number 32. Jean pushed open the door, and he was immediately met with the beautiful, crying face of Marco? Jean melted instantly, and he walked over to Marco's left side.

   "Hey, why are you crying?" Jean asked softly, placing his hand on Marco's cheek. Marco looked over at Jean and smiled quickly, but the smile faded. Jean kissed Marco's cheek, and he just sat there in silence, waiting for an answer from Marco.

   "I'm sorry Jean." Was all that Marco said. Jean looked over, confused as to why Marco had said sorry. Then he realized.

    "It's okay. It doesn't hurt as bad, I found your letters. I had closure." Jean said gently. Marco smiled at Jean, but it looked pained. "Listen Marco, this might be the same, and I know it's hard, surviving something that someone else didn't, but the guilt will go away. We'll never get to see Lucas again, and that's hard. It's hard because it hurts to live like this." Jean paused for a moment. "Normally I would tell you that it will get better, but I don't want to lie to you. I care a lot about you, and I still don't forgive myself for putting on the radio. Marco, just remember, I'm here, we're here. Just for you, so tell us everything. Anytime." Jean kissed Marco again, this time Marco kissed back. It was gentle and passionate.

     "I love you too, Jean." Marco said as they pulled away. Marco's mother walked over too.

    "Hey, how do you feel?" She asked softly. They sat there for a while waiting.

    "I feel fine, but getting used to not having an arm, and half of my vision will be difficult."  Marco stated. Jean reached down to intertwine his fingers with Marco's.

    "It will be a challenge, but you can do it. You're strong." Marco's mother said. She kissed him on the forehead softly.

   Marco laughed softly. "You guys really like to kiss my face." Marco joked. The room lit up with laughter. "So. Um. When did it happen?" Marco asked, serious when he asked.

    "Only about three days ago. They sewed up your arm, and you have a pretty cool eyepatch, but you aren't wearing it right now." Jean stated.

    "Of course you think an eye patch is cool." Marco said. Jean laughed a little, and Marco's mother smiled.

    They stayed in the room for a while, just talking. The Saturday went by fast as they all talked and joked. It was perfect in a twisted way.

     "You'll have to help me out a bit more Jean." Marco said. Marco grabbed Jean's hand in his own.

    "You do know that Your mom and I will always be there for you, no matter what." He said. Marco turned two shades darker, and his cheeks glowed.

     "This is out of Character for you. I'm not complaining though." Marco joked, and he squeezed Jean's hand. Jean laughed slightly and rolled his eyes.

* * *

     "Marco!" Marco turned to the sound of another voice calling his name. Before he could react arms went around him. "It's been so long! I have to tell you so much!" Marco looked at who was hugging him, and he immediately hugged back.

    "Lucas, I have to tell you something." Marco started. Lucas looked at Marco and realized the importance of the chat.

    "Alright." He said, he waited for Marco to continue.

    "About two years ago I came out to my mom as gay. She accepted me, and I wanted you to accept me too. I knew you would, but I was still afraid." Marco explained.

    Lucas' smile went wide, and it looked like he could break out into song at any moment. "That's awesome. I'm not going to lie, I thought my new friend was your type." Lucas said.

    Marco turned pink. "H-hey! That's no fair, did you already know?" Marco whined. Lucas nodded happily.

    "Well in a way. When you started talking to Jace more often, I figured you were looking for advice from him." Lucas explained.

     Marco face palmed.

* * *
   
     Jean leaned forward and kissed Marco gently before walking to the door of the room.

     "By sweetheart, I love you." Marco's mom said, sounding happier as she left the room. Jean stayed at the door.

     "I um. You know. . . I love you." Jean stammered. Marco blushed slightly and smiled at Jean.

     "I love you too." Marco replied with a smile. The door closed behind his visitors, and he was alone.

* * *

    "Marco Bodt, you are cleared, and free to go." The woman at the check out said happily. Jean looked over at Marco with a gentle smile. Marco felt relieved to hear those words after so long.

    "Hey. So I talked to some higher ups and important people, and they rescheduled graduation, just for you." Jean said as they walked out of the hospital.

    Marco didn't say anything, and when Jean looked over he saw tears flowing down Marco's face. "Hey, I did it for you. The others backed me up. You deserve this so much." Jean said. They stopped so Jean could wipe his boyfriend's tears away.

     "I love you Jean!" Marco choked out. He threw a hug on Jean, and he squeezed him tight. Jean hugged back, burying his face in the crook of Marco's neck.

     They pulled apart, and Jean placed a kiss on Marco's scarred face. They walked to Jean's car, and he drove Marco back to his home.

     They opened the front door and walked in. Marco almost burst into tears when he saw all of his friends, sitting in his small living room. Each person came to give Marco a hug. They all expressed how worried they were when they found out.

    "We're glad your still with us." Sasha said happily, giving Marco a quick hug before she went to sit next to Connie.

    "We don't know what we would do with out you." Eren said. Armin nodded in agreement and smiled over at Marco. Mikasa, Annie, and Ymir nodded as well. And Crista smiled warmly.

    "Same here, we all really care about you." Reiner stated. Marco found more tears welling in his eye.

      Marco began to cry softly. "You guys are so nice." He cried out as he began to break down. Jean enclosed Marco in a hug and placed a gentle kiss on Marco's forehead.

    Marco pulled away and smiled at Jean. "Oh. We all decided to get you gifts." Jean remembered. Marco kissed his nose before going to sit on the floor. Jean took a seat next to Marco.

    "Open ours first!" Connie said. He practicality threw the terribly wrapped gift at Marco, who dropped it.

    "Sorry." Marco said shyly before opening the present. Marco beamed at the gift. "This is perfect!" Marco pulled out a blue scarf and beanie. "Thanks guys! It's really soft!" He said  happily.

    Sasha smiled back. "Thanks, I loved making it for you!" She said happily. Marco tried to put the scarf on, but sadly failed. Jean had to help him. Marco finally got the scarf on.

    "Ours next! It's from the three of us!" Eren said, handing Marco the bag.  Marco thanked him and began to open the bad. He laughed at what he saw.

    A purple mug that said, "Keep calm, I'm a saint." Marco laughed warmly.

    "Thanks!" He said, sitting the mug down.

     "Alright, us next!" Ymir said, aggresive, but not mad. She handed Marco a neatly wrapped gift. "Crista wrapped it." She stated.

    Marco opened it and smiled softly. "Aww. This is amazing!" He said as he pulled out two striped ties and a grey blazer. "Geez, you shouldn't have." Marco said as he looked at a striped blue tie.

     Crista smiled bashfully. "We wanted to." She said with a smile.

    "Alrighty, here's Bert's and my gift for you." Reiner said as he handed Marco a bag.

     Marco opened the bag, and he started to laugh. He laughed so much that tears welled at his eye. "Reiner, this is just..." He laughed out. Bertholdt was smirking at Reiner. "I really like this." Marco said with a laugh as he pulled a pink apron that said, "kiss my freckles" on it.

     "Alright, here, take this." Annie said as she pushed her small, and neatly wrapped gift to Marco.

    Marco unwrapped the paper and with some help from Jean he opened the box. "Wow, this is nice!" Marco said as he looked at the silver watch. "I really like it, I needed a new one." Marco stated happily.

    "Yeah," Annie said "I thought you would like it." She looked away sheepishly.

    "You thought right, it's perfect." He said as he gazed at the watch.

* * *

     It was really late when everyone left. "Alright, lets get you to bed." Jean said with a smile. Marco stood up and they walked to his room. Marco fumbled with his shirt, but he was unable to pull it off of him. "Hey, I'll help." Jean said softly as he walked over to Marco.

    Marco smiled at Jean. "Thanks." He replied gently. Jean pulled Marco's shirt off, and he threw the shirt to the side. He then pulled Marco's pants down and threw them to the side. Jean walked over to Marco's dresser and pulled out a change of clothes.

     "Alright, are these fine?" Jean asked as he showed Marco the clothes. Marco nodded. Jean walked back over to his boyfriend and slipped the pants on him. Then, Jean helped Marco into the shirt.

    "What would I do without you?" Marco asked.

     Jean kissed Marco's nose. "Not sure, but I feel the same about you." Jean said as he crawled into the bed next to Marco. Marco laid back onto the bed.

    "Goodnight Jean." Marco said gently. Jean crawled over closer to Marco and snuggled into his warmth.

   "Goodnight Marco. I love you." Jean mumbled before he drifted into sleep.