How It Started (Jearmin)

Part Five: Rare Moments

After the female titan fiasco the scouts had some slight down time to recuperate from the big battle. Well, most scouts had down time. Armin and his friends weren't as lucky.

Eren was constantly with Levi and Hange discussing titan matters and doing more experiments. Mikasa found herself either with Eren or doing her own training. All of this left Armin to his own devices. He had been contributing to some of Hange's experiments and also agreed to take up some research to help figure out more about titan shifters.

Armin had been reading and writing for hours at a time. He'd sit at his desk all day, from when the sun came up to when it went down. It was only when it was night time he'd sneak out to get a small meal then crash on his bed.

Without his small trio with him they didn't notice his new habit of barely taking care of himself but someone had picked up on it. Jean would usually eat a late dinner and help clean up the meal hall. With his down time he didn't really do much other than train and write an extra letter to his mom. He had been seeing Armin wander in to meals alone and only at night.

The short blonde boy would always look exhausted and distressed. Somehow he appeared skinnier too. He scarfed down his food and would promptly leave. Armin never came in with anyone or sat with others. He was always alone.

Jean saw this as weird behavior since Armin was always clung to Eren and Mikasa. It made him concerned and by the looks of it Armin's health was not doing good. The poor boy appeared so tired and malnourished whenever Jean saw him. It was pretty worrying. So Jean decided to take things into his hands.

The next night as Armin waltzed into grab a meal Jean had already prepared him a full meal.
"Hey Armin, I had a feeling you'd drop by for your dinner soon so I made sure Sasha didn't eat all the good stuff before you got here." Jean said as he placed a tray in front Armin at an empty table.
"Oh thank you." Armin replied slightly too tired to seem surprised. He just accepted it as a nice gesture and picked up a utensil to slowly eat.
"I just realized you've been busy so I wanted to help you out, usually that's Erens job I know."
"Huh? Oh yeah he's got a lot going on." Armin slowed down his eating a bit and now just flung some mashed potatoes to the side of his plate.

The blondes bright blue eyes had gone grey and hung low with dark circles. All he could think of was his work and the fact he was alone. Jean felt a slight pain in his chest seeing such a smart and hopeful boy become run down and worried.
"Hey I know you've been alone with Eren and Mikasa doing their own thing, and you've been working yourself to death. I'm just worried about you, maybe you could take a break?" Jean placed a hand on Armins shoulder causing the other to look him in the eyes. Jean held a firm glance at Armin that showed true concern for his friend.
"I can help you out if you need anything. I know I'm no Eren but I'm right here."

Jeans face ever so slightly turned red with jealousy of Eren. The suicidal maniac of a man was always attached to Armin. How could someone so reckless be friends with a boy that's as smart and collected as Armin? It almost made Jeans blood boil that Armin saw something in Eren.

"That's ok Jean I'm fine I promise. I wouldn't want to burden you." Armin went to stand and grab his plate to put it away but Jean grabbed his wrist.
"You've barely ate." Is all he said as he guided the other back down to his seat.
"It's ok Jean I'm not hungry." Armin went to yank his wrist out of Jeans grip but the bigger man only tightened his grasp. Armin spat through his teeth Jeans name "I'm fine just let go."
"No, you haven't ate all day, I can tell. You need to take care of yourself."
"Don't worry about me Jean just let go of me!" Armin darted his grey blue eyes into Jeans hazel ones, peering deep into them with a serious look.

Jean let go of Armin and put his hand under the table away from him. "I'm sorry" is all he said as Armin got up with a still half full plate. He walked to the kitchen to put it away and then shuffled out of the meal hall presumably back to his room.