𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 | 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈: 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐲

Following breakfast, Eren lightly treaded beside you. Jean walked three long paces ahead beside Armin, who was detailing the various means of transportation for heading uptown. He had learned them all from a hotel clerk earlier that same morning. A dry map crinkled in his hands louder than late-autumn leaves. There were mentions of coaches, trollies, and even walking.

You followed the words outside rather than contribute to the planning. You lacked the heart for planning. For talking. For anything, really.

"What is wrong with you and Kirstein?" Eren whispered in your ear. "He looks like a deadman, and you're acting like one."

An instant sweat formed on your upper lip. The genuine consideration made you feel ill at ease. If Eren could take notice of your curses, then the whole world surely already had.

Jean was seemingly engrossed in conversation. He also listened closely to your slightest whispers. A backward glance assured you of that.

"It's nothing," you lied in a breath.

You hated the sound of your voice.

Another quick, honeyed glance followed.

It disappeared just as quickly.

"Did you two fight?" Eren asked.

"No." Your voice was so unpleasant to hear back.

"So why the long faces? Kirstein's starting to put Lady and Carrot to shame."

"Our room was... hot. We slept poorly." You sounded nasty, like muddied gravel.

"Really? My room was freezing."

"Then I hope tonight will be more temperate for us all."

Eren received your ugly lies with a mundane acceptance. "You'd think, in such a fancy place with fancy water and fancy food, they'd find some fancy way to control the temperature."

"Man can only control nature so much."

"Or maybe autumn is creeping up on us." An attendant opened the lobby's front door and allowed your group to exit. Sharp sunbeams pierced your uncovered hands, and sweltering air blew across your cheeks. "Or not," Eren whined, using his hand to block out the sun. "This is what I get for complaining about the cold."

A dry gust nearly sent your sunhat into a pile of sizzling manure. You held tight to the brim and hid under the shade. "I wouldn't mind if autumn came sooner. I need a new season."

"You know, I'll be off to college come that new season you crave so badly."

"Even better."

"Hey!" Jean glanced again at Eren's outcry just in time to catch your friend throwing an arm over your shoulder. "Don't lie. I bet you'll be crying like Martin the day I leave."

"Oh, yes. I'll be absolutely inconsolable–" you agreed.

"Of course."

"–For a few minutes. After that, I'll be more than alright."

Jean looked away.

"Try a few months," Eren said. "You'll be lost without me. There'd be nothing to do."

"You so often forget that your own brother and Hitch are just as important as you think you are. Now, will you unhand me? I've already had one person confuse us for newlyweds, and I don't need–"

"Who confused you for newlyweds?" Jean asked over Armin's ramblings.

"Oh, we didn't tell you, did we? It was Colt Grice," Eren spat with enough venom to kill all the horses dirtying the block. His grip on you tightened. "He was asking for selfish reasons."