Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 26: Sunset Grave

I forgot how much I hated hospitals. I've always detested how the air had a sickly feeling lingering in it, almost making me want to hold my breath. It was always stale and just unpleasant. Not to mention, just plain creepy. I mean, people died in hospitals every day, so my nosocomephobia was justifiable. But, at that moment, my discomfort was unimportant. What really mattered was getting to Marco and seeing if he was okay.

I glanced up at Jean as we rushed. I had never seen anyone who appeared so...so...so dejected and frightened. If he didn't look like crap earlier, then he did then. His eyes were wide, the dark circles beneath them almost making him look aged. His skin was paler than usual, most likely due to his color draining from shock. He was breathing roughly as we charged down the halls, his stare never once wandering to me.

To say I was concerned was a bit of an understatement. I could think of nothing besides Marco and Jean. Those two were the only ones who occupied all portion of my thoughts. And why wouldn't they? Something had happened to Marco and Jean was mentally checking out...and I could tell.

He was no longer that cocky, confident man I had learned him to be. Instead, he was broken down and panicked. He wasn't the same man. In fact, in that moment of dread, he went from being that vibrant, almost god-like guy I had known to something more recognizable. He appeared...almost like me.

"You know, you didn't need to come," he panted, glimpsing down at me as we ran. "You could've just stayed back at campus to study like you planned."

I shook my head. "No. It's better that I'm here."

He scanned me quickly, his dull eyes observing me before turning back to face forward and mumbled, "Whatever. Just keep up."

"Okay," I nodded.

It was almost disturbing. His voice was a monotone that did not match his usual charismatic tone. It was as if he was a robot or android. If he had any emotion left in him, then it was very well hidden. But I knew...I knew he was crumbling on the inside.

We reached the information desk and Jean hurried, "Excuse me. Would you happen to know where a Marco Bodt would be?"

"Marco Bodt?" the receptionist repeated. "Let me -"

"Jean!" Eren called, running over to us. We both turned to see him jogging. He stopped in front of us, motioning for us to follow as he continued, "He's this way."

Without saying a word, Jean bolted, following Eren. I did the same but managed to excuse us from the receptionist. We all three darted down the halls, taking each bend the best we could as to make sure none of us bit the dust. Luckily, we reached Marco's room with no incident...but what I saw took me by surprise.

Marco clothed in a thin, paper gown and blood-stained bandages. But, more so, he was a wreck.

His skin was pale and drained of color, leaving dark circles beneath his eyes. His thick, inky locks were messy and disheveled, making him appear unkept. Even his lips looked chapped and dried, some scrapes being visible against his complexion. Bloodied and bruised, he was a mess...but he was alive.

"Jean, hey," Marco smiled, giving a faint wave.

"Holy shit. Marco," Jean gasped, darting to his friend.

Both Jean and Eren rushed over to Marco's bed. Seeing Marco, though pretty beaten up, alive must have lifted a tremendous amount of weight off Jean's shoulders. The color which had drained from his face was returning, his youth following. Bit by bit, he was slowly returning to the Jean Kirstein I knew and that, in turn, took some weight off my shoulders. I couldn't explain it but seeing him so destroyed had really gotten to me.

I didn't understand it, but I had been genuinely worried about him. There was no telling how he would have reacted had Marco been beaten into a coma...or worse. I shuddered at the thought of it all and slowly shuffled into the room, making sure to stay out of their way.

"Oh, thank God you're okay," Jean huffed, a slight smile meeting his lips. He scanned his friend quickly, adding, "What the hell happened to you?"

"I kind of...I kind of got into a scuffle," Marco chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "But, the doctor said I'll be fine in no time."

Jean lifted a brow. "A scuffle? How? You hate violence. You never fight."

We all stood, our gazes lingering on Marco. He fidgeted with his blanket and dropped his stare. It was almost as if he was contemplating whether or not to say what it was he had harbored. I could see the way he weighed his options, but before he had a chance to speak, someone stepped forward.

"It was because he rescued me."

**Ello my wonderfully sweet lovelies. Look, Marco survived! Be honest, were y'all a little worried or not really? Does that ease your minds a little? Feel free to let me know! Thank you so super duper much for everything! Y'all are incredible! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. 5FDP is my FAVORITE band of all time (I know -you'd think it'd be a kpop group, but nope). I usually don't use a ton of their songs because, well, idk why. I plan to try to use more because I just love them so freakin' much. That said, Amber Liu is still wifey. "Gone Away" original by The Offspring.