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[neighsaying]

INBOX (UN: OMNIDIRECTIONAL) text / audio / video / action This is Jean. Leave a message, and I'll reach back out when I'm available. [ Previously was thunderspear ] code credit

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[neighsaying]

[ Jean knows what it means that Eren curls his hand protectively over the nape of Jean's neck. He wonders if Eren knows - how Reiner does the same thing, like it's something instinctive every Titan shifter gets when they know what they are. The most vulnerable part of themselves in general, and on the titan.

It's why, after Eren does it, Jean shifts a little so he can nudge one arm up along Eren's back until his hand can cup protectively over that same spot. Keeping him safe, even like this. The blanket is warm and comfortable around them. Jean exhales a little, shuddering.

He feels kind of like crying but with Eren close against him - it's enough to keep it at bay. To take some strength from it. ]

[wintolive]

[It must be instinctual, somehow; Eren doesn't even notice that he's doing it. When he feels Jean's hand on the nape of his own neck, whatever tension was left in his body eases out, shoulders dropping, a soft breath escaping him.

[He's never been held like this by anyone else. Not really. Cadets shared beds in the barracks; they'd all gotten close before. But no one else has ever pulled Eren into their lap, wrapped their arms around him, sunk into him and stayed.

[Sometimes Eren thinks this must be what falling in love feels like.

[Idly, he scratches at Jean's back, an uncharacteristically light touch.

[He missed him...]

[neighsaying]

[ Jean's pleased that Eren seems to relax when he does it. It had helped Reiner too, when he'd done it. He lets his thumb brush against the skin on the back his neck in what he hopes is a soothing manner.

It helps, he finds. Eren might be scrawny and fifteen, but he takes his weight easily anyways. Just as pulling Mikasa into his lap had helped with the fact that he couldn't fix everything, this seems to help, too.

He just holds Eren a little tighter. He hopes Eren understands that he's sorry he can't make everything better with just his words. It'll take time, he knows. Eren's always the first to voice his displeasure with something, but rarely the one to accept help with the situation.

He's glad Eren's here. For once, it doesn't feel like he's wishing it was someone taller and broader instead. Maybe what Reiner said really did help Jean, at least.]

[wintolive]

[If nothing else, Eren understands that Jean cares about him. It's not that he didn't think so before; they've always cared about each other - always. But it's been different lately. How couldn't it be? They're standing from two totally different perspectives. Jean looks at him differently now - and it isn't always a bad thing. Would Eren ever have let him hold him like this if they were still both kids? It's hard to imagine. Jean has become his anchor, his stability - sometimes the only semblance of it that he has left. And Eren clings to that, clings to Jean, tracing soft circles on his back, burying his nose in the older boy's hair. He leaves a small kiss there, not quite realizing it. At times like this, all he can do is follow the natural flow of things.

[It doesn't have to mean anything...]

[neighsaying]

[ Jean feels the kiss to his hair, and gives a little sigh. It's sweet and he tries not to read into it, but he appreciates receiving it all the same. He keeps one hand on his nape and lets the other brush over his spine, petting him comfortingly.

He'll stay like this as long as Eren lets him hold him. ]