"Jean!" Marco shouted from across the street. It looked to be a busy day, cars buzzed through the streets, and when the street finally cleared Jean went to Marco. "Marco, it's been a year, how are you?" Jean asked impatiently. "It's been great Jean, I have a girlfriend, my mom has gotten better, and I'm so happy." Marco said with a big grin. "A girlfriend?" Jean asked quietly. "What, did you think I was gay, silly Jean, you always were the friend that needed as much help as they could get." Marco laughed out. Jean stood there silently. "Right, well I have to go, bye Marco." Jean said before dashing back through the street, past they cars, and away for good.

        "Marco Please, I-I- I think I love you." Jean said drowsily as he woke from his sleep. His face was slick with tears, and his hair was very messy. It was Christmas break, right after the winter formal, which was when he and Marco had gone to Marco's house and played the Xbox instead of going. It was close to Christmas, and flakey, white crystals fell almost everyday, down from the gray sky. Jean decided to go get Marco a gift. He hadn't had the slightest clue about what Marco would like, but it had to mean something. So Jean went shopping, and he brought all his money that he had earned from his job.

       Jean dragged his cast through the store, stumbling every now and then. He thought about everything that Marco liked. Art, Animals, Corny Jokes, Cartoons. With all the information Jean needed he just wandered the store. He had soon found the art section. It smelled of plastic and glue, and it felt warm for some odd reason, like a comfy type of warm. Colors like a rainbow surrounded Jean, every type of paint, every glue, and fabric, it was all here. Jean grabbed every color of Acrylic paint, then he grabbed at least twenty canvases, along with many brushes. He paid with all his money, and barely had any change left.

        When Jean got back to his home he searched for more money after throwing the art supplies onto his bed. As soon as he found two hundred dollars in a jar behind his lamp, he went on the internet. He typed some words. 'German Shepherd puppy for sale'
When a few adds came up he checked them, just to make sure they were real, and that he wasn't buying from a mill. Soon he found the cutest one, he knew that the puppy was perfect for Marco, and it only took one glance. Jean grabbed the art supplies on his bed and began to paint the puppy.
  
        It had taken two whole days, and all of Jean's free time, but he accomplished it, and just three days before Christmas. He painted some words at the top in bold, red paint.
'Will you be my new owner???'- Duke
It didn't seem like much of a name, but it was perfect for the puppy, unfortunately it wouldn't be another month until Duke would be ready to be adopted, but Jean still bought him early. Duke was perfect, and he was growing so fast, and Jean already became attached to him, and Marco would as well.

        Jean sighed, he was ready to take a nap, but a buzz kept him from doing so. It had been Marco who sent a text. 'Hey Jean, my mother is getting better, and I'm going to your house to give you your gifts early.' The text read. Jean blinked twice before running to hide the gifts, it actually wasn't even close to running, more like stumbling and tripping a few times. Jean hadn't seen or talked to Marco since the day he played games with him during the winter formal, and Jean felt awful about not talking to Marco. Jean heard the doorbell ring, followed by a yell from his mother to get the door. Jean went to get the door, when he opened it he saw a really happy Marco carrying a canvas covered with a blanket. "Jean! Merry Christmas!" Marco said happily. Jean said the same, and he led Marco upstairs.

        When they got up there Marco sat the canvas down and practically lunged at Jean. Jean was taken aback, and the air was knocked out of him. He also could not breath due to the fact that Marco was crushing his lungs with a hug. Jean blushed, then he pushed Marco back lightly. "I got you something." Jean said before pulling the canvases, brushes, and paints out, he hadn't got his painting out yet, though.

        Marco gasped at the things Jean got him. "Jean, I only got you a painting, you got me stuff that is way better!" Marco whined. "That's not true, I'll love your painting, show me." Jean said. Marco blushed and nervously set his painting out. Jean blinked rapidly and looked at the detailed work of art. It was a painting of Marco and Jean, standing side by side. It being detailed to the very last millimeter, it even had the right number of freckles on Marco's face, and Jean's hair was faded perfectly. "Marco, this is the most amazing picture I've ever seen!" Jean exclaimed. Marco looked confused. "Really, it's not that gre-" Jean cut him off. "Marco, it's amazing, and I love it." Jean said. Marco blushed. "But wait, we're not done here, you still have to see the last present I made for you." Jean handed Marco the painting of Duke.

       Marco looked at the painting confused, then he read the top aloud. "Will you be my new owner??? -Duke" Marco smiled widely. "No way, no way, really!?" He shouted. Jean nodded. "You're not kidding?" Marco asked again, still unsure. "No, he's real, I bought him just for you!" Jean explained. Marco screamed in joy. "I love him!  You did a great job painting him!" Marco said. He kept going on and on about Duke, and Jean already knew that Marco fell in love with the cute puppy, just as Jean had. Then something unexpected was said. "Wow Jean, you really know how to make someone's day." Marco said before he went in for another hug. Jean buried his nose in Marco's shoulder. "Thank you so much Jean, I love him, and I love-" Marco was cut off by a shout from down stairs. "Jean!" Then loud footsteps. "Marco, hide!" Marco darted underneath Jean's bed. "Dammit boy, what did I tell you?" The voice shouted. "Speak when I say something to you!" Jean flinched. "To never turn homosexual." Jean said quietly. "Right, now who the fuck is this?" He screamed in Jean's face. The picture was one with Marco and Jean hugging somewhere, it was when they were saying goodbye after Jean went to Marco's to play his Xbox. "That's M-Marco, he's my b-best f-friend." Jean stuttered. I loud slap was heard as his father crossed Jean's face with his hand.

         "Better be the fucking truth." He said as he left the room. Marco scurried out from under the bed to Jean's side. "Are you okay?" Marco asked. He put his hand on Jean's shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine." Jean replied coldly. Marco had a worried expression, but he didn't say anything. "How about you come to my house, you can show my mom Duke. I'm sure she'll love him." Marco said. Jean nodded, then grabbed Marco's hand and silently walked out of the house. "Okay, I'll be back with your presents." Jean said before stumbling back inside. When he got back they walked silently to Marco's house.

       Jean loved how Marco's mom's eyes lit up when she saw the puppy. Marco's mom had many stories about Marco. She being full of life and color didn't surprise Jean at all. She had the same dark eyes, and every freckle was in place. "Oh this reminds me of when Marco told me that he liked boys, it was cold out, and just two days before Christmas." She said wistfully. Jean had his legs crossed, and he sat his chin on his fist while looking over at Marco. "Oh really, I never knew that." Jean said. Marco blushed furiously. "M-mom!" Marco groaned. "It's okay Marco, I never told you that I was bisexual, we all have secrets."

      Marco blushed some more. "Awww you two are so cute, I hope y'all both have fun at Armin's Christmas party." Marco's mom said. "We will, have a nice day Mrs. Bodt." Jean said before walking out if the room. Everything was according to plan. As far as Jean knew Marco was practically in love with him. "So let's go to that party." Marco said nervously. Jean agreed, and so they left.

         Armin's house was the nicest in the entire town, it looked grand, and beautiful, and it looked over anyone, with glory and majesty. "This is Armin's house?" Marco asked surprised. "Yeah, it's pretty nice." Jean said. Marco helped Jean walk faster, so they made it on time. "Hey guys, nice to see you." Armin greeted them. "Hello Armin." Marco said kindly. "Hey." Jean replied. They all walked in the house. It was filled with cheer, and happiness. Many of their friends were there. Mikasa, Eren, Connie, Sasha, Ymir, Christa, and of course Armin.

        The TV displayed colorful pictures, in which seemed to be a cartoon Christmas movie. "I love Christmas movies." Marco said innocently. Jean rolled his eyes, and they both went to the couch and sat by each other. "So what have you guys been doing today?" Connie asked casually. "We exchanged gifts and hung out." Marco replied with a smile. "That's pretty cool, so what did you get eachother?" Sasha asked. "Marco gave me an amazing painting." Jean replied. "And Jean made me a painting too, but he got me art supplies, and he's getting me a puppy!" Marco squealed. Jean laughed lightly, and a small splash of red covered his face. "What's the puppy's name?" Armin asked. "Duke, and he's the cutest German Shepherd ever." Marco said happily.

        "Hey if you guys want any wine I have it." Ymir said from behind a counter in the kitchen. "Well, I'll be back, you can stay here Marco." Jean said as he fumbled to the kitchen. Sasha leaned in next to Marco. "Do you like him?" She asked in a whispered voice. "Yeah, he's a funny guy." Marco said. "No, I mean do you love him?" Sasha persisted. Marco blushed and nodded his head. "You should tell him, but not if he gets drunk." Connie said. Marco stayed silent, and he leaned back, and sighed. Jean returned moments later with a small glass of wine. "Hey guys, who wants to play Uno?" Eren asked from the other room. Jean sighed be grudgingly, then he agreed. Marco immediately agreed, running into the other room. The others joined too, and soon they all fit into the tiny, white room.

       "I'm dealing!" Connie said eagerly. Connie dealed the cards, and they all began war. Ymir put the first card down, it was a yellow.  Marco came in next, and he put down a yellow Skip card, and he stuck his toungue out at Jean. Jean groaned. Armin was next, but only because Marco skipped Jean. After Armin went Eren, and he put a color change down. "I change the color to Red." He said. Mikasa put down a Skip card, causing Christa to be skipped. Ymir put down a draw two card, and Marco drew out two cards. Jean put down a color change card. "I think this game would look nicer if the color would be blue." Jean said mischievously. The game continued, with Mikasa being the winner, and Eren losing big time. Jean had to stop himself from laughing. It had gotten late, and before they even realized it, everyone was going home. "Bye guys." Jean and Marco said as they began to leave the house. "Bye!" Everyone replied.

        "What do you want to do tomorrow?" Marco asked Jean. Jean thought for a second. "I'll hang out with you, I might even show you how Duke is doing. "I would like that." Marco said with a smile. Jean looked down. It was quiet for a while. "Marco, I need to tell you that I needed you in my life. It's been really hard, especially after I lost Lucas." He said quietly. "I understand Jean, It wasn't that long ago, my sister, she....  she got cancer. I took care of her, we just didn't have the money, we really wanted her to get better, but-" Jean hugged Marco, and he sobbed into Jean's shoulder. Jean inhaled Marco's sweet scent, and he had to keep himself from pulling back and kissing Marco's face until he smiled again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Jean apologized.

       Marco pulled back. "No, it's fine, I need you as much as you need me." Marco said, looking Jean in the eyes. They continued to walk back, and Marco silently slipped his hand in Jean's. Jean didn't say anything either, in fact, he squeezed his hand lightly. When they got back Marco's mom let them in. "Hello boys, how was the party?" She asked polity. "It was nice Mrs. Bodt, Armin was a good party host." Jean said. Marco nodded in agreement. "Well, I'll be going to bed now, goodnight." She said before getting up. "Here, I'll help you." Marco said. The two dissapeared into the other room. Moments later Marco returned and sat next to Jean. They didn't say anything, they just sat there in silence. Eventually they fell asleep, as would anyone in a quiet, comfortable room.

       Jean woke due to some shuffling next to him. It was Marco, he was sleeping soundly, his head gently placed on Jean's shoulder. Jean wiped his face, and grew tired again, so he fell back to sleep. "Jean!" Jean opened his eyes, causing him to stare straight into Marco's deep brown eyes. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you." Marco said flustered. He was blushing, and his eyes were darting. Jean just pat Marco's head. "You're fine Freckles." He said as he stumbled to the bathroom. Jean washed his face, and he looked into the mirror solemnly. "Dammit Marco, your so oblivious." He said laughing. Jean then dried his face and left the room.

        "Have you checked on your mom this morning?" Jean asked Marco. Marco seemed to jump out of thinking. "No, I'll go do that." He said as he went off. Jean sat on the couch. Thoughts swarmed his head, he couldn't take this anymore. Jean left the house walking to the side, and he sat in the snow. Marco hadn't looked for him, as he thought that Jean went back to the bathroom to change or something. So Marco decided to make some food.

        Jean sat outside, the bitterly cold temperatures didn't seem to eat at him at first, but soon he felt cold bites on his ears and nose. "What are you going to do, you'll be lucky if he even wants to be your friend after this." He said to himself while pulling his hair. He could already feel his cast getting wet, so he looked for a dry spot to sit.

        Marco cooked some eggs, he tossed in some salt and pepper, and added some cheese. He always knew Jean liked cheese in his eggs, it was just another thing that Marco liked about Jean. Marco always knew he liked boys, but when he met Jean, he was never happier. Jean wasn't the nicest person, but it felt like he could be himself around Marco. Marco was happy that Jean actually even decided to hang out with him. Marco just always saw himself as a loser, or a geek.

        Jean found the dry spot, he sat down, and buried his face in his knees. Trying to win Marco over would never work, even if Marco did like guys he would never like Jean like that. Jean couldn't keep himself from crying, it was stupid. "Jean you are utterly stupid!" He said to himself over and over again.

       Marco really liked Jean, he liked to hang out with him, and talk to him. He really liked that he could just be himself around Jean. "Jean, I wish I could just tell you. I wish you liked me the same. God Marco you are stupid." He said to himself. They didn't even know that the other was beating themselves up for the same reason. Marco finally finished breakfast, then he grabbed some, put it on a plate for his mom, and he brought it to her.  "Mom, do you think you can give me some advice on love?" He asked quietly. "Marco, what have I told you about love?" She asked. Marco thought for a moment. "You just know." He said, but it sounded like a question. "That's right, you just know." She said with a smile. "Mom, I think I love Jean." He said to her. His mother smiled at him. "Go after him, and tell him that you love him. I'm sure he feels the same. Marco went to the bathroom, but Jean wasn't in there. What if he heard Marco, what if he left?

          Marco went by the door. Jean's shoe was gone, but there were footsteps leading to the side of the house. Marco grabbed his coat, and a coat for Jean, then he ran outside. "Jean!" He shouted while looking for his friend. He ran to where the footsteps were, and he found Jean, crying. "Jean!" He said again in relief. He ran up to Jean and put the coat around him. "Jean, you can't stay out here." Marco said as he sat down next to him. Jean looked up. "I'm thinking Marco, things are so complicated." Jean said. "I know Jean, I was thinking too." Marco said. "I was thinking about you Jean, I think I love you."

.....

~Oh. Hey. How ya doin, I hope you like this chapter, we made it past 3,000 words, sadly I must go, but it's for my Attack On Titan cosplay, I'm going to go buy some boots. Bye!~