Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 30: Willow

The walk back to campus was quiet. Neither of us said much and I think it was all due to the shock. The fact that the culprit had so carelessly allowed himself to get caught was still a surprising factor that left us both baffled. Then again, he had been injured. It was likely that his wound did require medical treatment. But still...the assistant dean? The man who had been in charge of the memorial services for both victims...his victims? That was sick...that was twisted.

I snuck a settle peek up at Jean. He walked beside me, his hands shoved into his pockets and shoulders back. His brows were furrowed, and his lips pressed in a hard line. I could tell he was thinking. Most likely about all that transpired at the hospital.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we're going to have to ask you to leave," one of the officers said to Jean.

"What?" he snapped back, turning away from me. "Did you not hear what I just said? This fucker is responsible for killing my cousin!"

"I understand that you're upset, sir," the officer continued. "After his injury has been properly examined and treated, we're taking him down to the station for questioning."

"Fuck that!" Jean growled. "Let the fucker bleed out. He deserves to fucking die after all that he's done!"

"Sir," the second officer said, clearing his throat. "Please leave. Don't make us repeat ourselves again."

Jean glanced between the two police officers. I could see the rage on his face. It burned in his eyes and it made him almost terrifying. Almost. Despite his anger, I still saw the fear that I knew stemmed back to Marianne's death. He didn't want to risk seeing that man walk free. And, honestly, I didn't blame him.

"Whatever," he scoffed. He reached down and took my hand into his. "Come on, Y/N. Let's get out of here before I say something I'll regret."

I glanced down at the hand he had held and recalled how it made me feel. His palm had felt so warm against mine...his touch ginger and not intimidating. My face flushed scarlet, remembering how his sudden action had made my heart race. I remembered hoping he couldn't hear how my pulse strummed in my ears. Then again, had he, what would he have done? Nothing...that's what.

"Hey," he said abruptly, glancing down at me. "I should have said this earlier, but thanks. If it wasn't for you...I'm pretty sure I'd be in jail right now."

I knitted my brows together. "Why are you thanking me? All I did was cry like an idiot."

"You snapped me back to reality," he breathed. "If it wasn't for that, I would've killed him." The corners of his lips drew up into a soft smile as he added, "And you're not an idiot. You shouldn't talk down on yourself like that."

That smile and that response...I had expected neither. I figured he would have just brushed my words off like dust and continue on sulking, but he didn't. He was taking me by surprise more and more and I kind of liked it. He was more than just fierce eyes and snarky remarks. He was...a great guy.

"Pfft," I snorted. "I didn't do anything. You were the one who stopped. I was just there."

"Look at you, Ms. Modest," he teased. "Just take the gratitude."

"For being a bystander?" I chuckled. "I didn't do anything special."

He stopped walking and turned to me, causing me to do the same. We both stood there, our eyes boarding into the other. The wind blew, its fingers gently combing through his chestnut locks as it did mine. I had never really paid it much mind before, but as the twilight shadows danced across him, I realized something. He was a beautiful man. His long face was not a handicap to his appearance, but an enhancement. Even with his sharp features, it all worked in harmony. He was indeed a very attractive specimen.

"You might think you didn't, but if it wasn't for you...if it wasn't for you bringing me back from my anger, I would have become the monster," he breathed, his eyes locking onto mine. "You pulled me from that rage, Y/N."

I whispered, "I-I was...I was just doing what anyone would have done."

He took a step closer to me, his eyes never leaving me. "No. It's so nuch more than that." He bit down on his bottom lip, adding, "Why...why does it always feel so right? Why does it always feel so natural with you? What is it about you that disarms me?"

My breath hitched. "Jean, I...I don't know. Why...why do you make me feel this way? Why is it that when I'm with you I feel -"

Just as Jean reached me, I was cut off by my cell phone going off. We both froze, nothing but the gale shimming through the newly budded trees being all we heard. He stopped in front of me. His body was so close that I could practically feel his body heat, yet so far that I couldn't feel him. I wished he was closer to me. His cognac eyes dropped to my pocket before lifting back to me, a sense of disappointment appearing in them.

"Should...should you check that?" he asked, backing away.

Disappointed, I nodded, "Yeah. I guess I should."

I dug into my pocket and fished out my cell. Annoyed and discouraged, I went to my messaging app and froze when I saw the text I had received. My eyes went wide as my heart dropped, my soul draining from my body. All my senses went numb and my hands began to tremble.

Jean must have noticed because he lifted a brow, questioning, "Is everything okay? You look pale."

I brought my eyes to his and shook my head, feeling the tears already rolling down my cheeks. "I need to go. Now."

**Ello my sweet lovelies. So, that moment with Jean, eh? Don't ya just love how I keep throwing curve balls at y'all? Can't be that easy, right? Any ideas as to what will happen next? Feel free to let me know! Thank you so much for everything! Y'all are amazeballs! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. Very Random chapter name lol.