Stay With Me

Break Stuff

Jean knew better than to test a threat from Eren, so he made sure never to mention Armin or Mikasa again, and he refrained from homophobic language while at work. After all, he did not want to risk losing his job just for some jabs at his old rival.

That did not mean the pranks and small torments stopped. On Monday, Jean microwaved Eren's coffee while he was in the restroom, so when he came back and took a sip, it burned his tongue, sending Jean into peals of laughter.

On Tuesday, Jean sent Eren an email about important tasks that Eld Jinn needed to be done before morning, and conveniently sent it at 4:45 PM, forcing Eren to work overtime, so late into the night that by the time he got home, he skipped dinner and collapsed into bed.

The next morning, Eld called Eren into his office, concerned about the shoddy, rushed work. Eren apologized but noted that if he had been given more time, he could have polished up the draft. Eld looked confused and said he had requested the task first thing in the morning. Eren showed the email from Jean, sent at the end of the day. Eld said he would have a talk with Jean, but the man's work up to that point had been impeccable, so one late email was not enough to punish him.

Of course, Eren had noted that none of Jean's pranks were ever done twice. He was smarter than to make something habitual. When Eren left Eld's office fuming with rage, Jean was right down the hall, chuckling with that annoying smile.

Eren's brow tensed as he glared down the hall. "You have a sick sense of humor, putting the reputation of this company at risk just to get some laughs."

Jean shrugged nonchalantly. "I knew you could do it in time."

"I couldn't, you ass. It took me until eight at night, and Eld was disappointed in the work. Even if you had given that project to me when he first asked, it would have been an all-day task."

Jean smirked slyly. "Then maybe you're not as talented than Reiner insists you are. Better watch out, or I'll take your job." With that, he turned away, sauntering off.

Eren let out a growl and returned to his desk.

Two days later, Eren saw Jean again, seemingly waiting for him in the hallway to the executives' offices.

"Chatting with the CEO again?"

Eren shouldered past him. "I'm busy. Can I ignore you some other time?"

"You sure do get called into Levi's office a lot. Is everything okay?"

"None of your business," he snapped.

"Whoa, I'm just asking as a concerned friend."

"You are not my friend," Eren snapped quietly.

"Are you gonna get fired? Should I polish up my resume to take your job?"

"In your dreams, horse-face."

Jean's eyes narrowed. "Seriously, what have you and Levi got going on? No one gets called into his office as much as you, not even Eld. Holy shit," he said, pausing in his loping gait beside Eren. "Wait a minute. Are you having an affair with the CEO?"

Eren spun on him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, he calls you to his office at least once a week, you're in there for hours, and Reiner said something about you being obsessed with him."

"I respect Mr. Ackerman. That's a big difference."

Jean grinned playfully. "Do you have the hots for the boss?"

Eren grabbed Jean by his shirt. "You do not disrespect him, got it?"

Another voice shouted out, "Hey, you two!"