rubycity_ooc | it's a beautiful niiight

They are! [ And at that, the stiffness sort of begins to fade away as Marco feels himself slipping into the more cheerful ambient he generally shares with Jean. }

[ He does resist the urge to say that they're not nearly as sparkly as he is though. ]

Though... [ He shies away, blushing a bit. ] ... it feels good, you know. Being able to do this.

Yeah. Being here with you...

[ Jean does his best not to stammer, it's just... really great to have Marco around again. ]

Uh, I mean, I'm glad we-- don't have to worry as much. Doing normal stuff... together...

[ Marco just smiles in response. ]

Yeah, you're right. We really should make the most of the time we have here.

[ Wink wink nudge nudge. ]

It's nice to be able to spend time with you without worrying about everything else.

[ You mean like more cute walks around town? More dates? Jean's too flustered to think straight. God, but being with Marco is so nice... ]

H-hey, I only worry about important stuff, y'know. Never even considered doing this before...

[ Going on dates, much less with Marco... ]

Well, you're right, but it's okay to just not worry about anything for a while.

[ Like when you're having cute dates with your best friend. ]

Like right now, yeah? It's nice to just enjoy ourselves and focus on the now, and not on what's to come.

Yeah, I hear ya. I mean at least I don't have to feel guilty about it. I could pretend not to worry back home, but all I did was come off as a dick.

[ Jean sighs at all the dumb shit he said three years ago. A lot's changed. ]

I never, uh... thanked you for sticking around with me, did I? I mean, you know I, uh, appreciate you... you're like. The best. You know that, right?

[ He's never had a chance to really say this stuff before but... they're just talking. And holding Marco's hand feels so... normal. Is this what dates are like? ]

Hey, I'd be a really bad friend if I didn't.

[ Words that are as honest as can be. He knows where Jean's coming from, but he really wants to transmit that no matter what he'd have stayed at his side regardless. ]

Besides, it's the least I can do, right? [ The tiniest speck of a blush. ]

I mean, I've always admired you a bit since I met you, so it makes sense that I'd be there to support you no matter what.

You do way more than the least, trust me.

[ Jean blushes; he'll never get used to hearing Marco compliment him. The hand he's holding is starting to feel really warm (more like, Jean is starting to sweat through) but Jean doesn't let go for a second. ]

I still... can't believe that sometimes. I mean, I believe you! Uh, obviously, but... I mean, yeah, I'm pretty great and all, but you're way better...

[ Jean what are you even doing... ]

[ Jean no you're going to embarrass Marco. A lot. ]

You're just being nice for the sake of it, Jean.

[ At least that's what he thinks. ]

I mean, you're charismatic, enthusiastic, and have an immense self confidence... and I'm... I'm just me!

[ He tops it off with a tiny laugh, scratching the back of his head. ]

No way! I wouldn't do that it if it's you.

[ Jean gives Marco's hand a squeeze. He can feel his face heat up but he goes for it anyway. ]

Marco, you are the nicest, most patient and understanding guy I know. I'm not just saying that.

[ His face freezes up for a moment before it turns from his usual skin tone to a bright, flushing red. ]

J-Jean, what are you saying?

[ A drop of sweat runs down his overly blushed cheek. ]

I'm just an average guy, I think... nowhere near worth that praise...

It's all true, though! You know I wouldn't lie about it.

[ All the nice things he should've told Marco before he died-- they'll all just spilling out now. ]

You were the only one who believed in me the whole time we were in the academy. I wouldn't be half as good as I am now if it hadn't been for you always being there for me.

Hehe, thank you, Jean.

[ It takes him a lot to just say those words, but they come from the bottom of his heart. ]

I mean it. [ It takes him a while to keep his composure, but with a deep breath he continues speaking. ]

But I can't take all the credit for myself. You wouldn't be where you are today if it weren't for your own effort and perseverance.

Sure. But without you-- [ Jean squeezes Marco's hand again-- well, until he notices where they are. Good, because they'd gonna keep talking in circles if they keep that up. They still might. ]

Oh, we're here. The clock tower.

[ He could practically feel all the tension building up in him just dissipating as Jean interrupts his speech. True enough, they were there. But climbing up the stairs would be so boring, wouldn't it? ]

Looks like it.

[ Heh. ]

Say, Jean, think you're good enough with the Maneuver Gear that you can get us both up there?

[ He knows that issuing it as a small challenge will fire Jean up, like it generally does. ]

Of course I am! I'm an ace with these, remember?

[ Jean gladly takes that as a challenge-- even if Marco is a little taller and heavier than him, he can still work this out. Plus it'll be super romantic, right? ]

You're gonna have to hold onto me, but it should be a piece of cake.

I knew you'd be up to the task!

[ Which is good because this has the potential to be quite romantic indeed. Marco just sets his hands on Jean's shoulders and hops up, his legs wrapping up around Jean's torso and his forearms well set on his shoulders. ]

Are you ready, Jean?

Y-yeah. [ Wow Marco's really close and warm, but Jean does his best to focus, firing off his 3DMG as high as it'll go. This is what he wanted right? He can practically feel Marco's breath on his neck. ] Hold on tight!

Woah! [ The rush of wind feels much weirder when you're only supporting yourself on a person and not on your own 3dmg, but it's oddly thrilling in a way, or so Marco thinks. Subconsciously, he leans his head in a bit, making it so that it's practically beside Jean's. ]

[ Jean whirs them up without any difficulty, his mind totally set on the task at hand once he gets started. They're on the roof only moments later, with Jean doing his best to make the landing even-- well, it takes some doing when you're maneuvering the weight for two, but he can do it. ]

There. You alright?

[ And what an impressive landing it was. After Marco's sure that Jean has his footing established, he hops off, nodding heartily at Jean. ]

Mhm! You really are amazing with the gear, Jean!

[ And he means it! ]

[ Jean actually blushes at the compliment. 3DMG is something he really had to work hard on. Sure he started for different reasons back then, but it was still one of his few real talents. ]

Well, that's only natural, right? With the added weight, it meant I could get us swinging faster, sooner... But, uh, I'm not gonna bore you with the specifics. I can show you later, if you want.

You can go on, if you'd like.

[ Listening to Jean actually being passionate about something other than Mikasa is always a pleasure to hear. ]

We're not pressed for time, are we?

[ And at that time, he moves over to the ledge, sitting on it and motioning for Jean to follow. ]

You sure? I mean, stars won't be going anywhere, but...

Jean follows, sitting beside Marco, scooting closer to brush up to his side. How bold! He stars to ramble, mostly to keep himself distracted. ]

But, uh, anyway... I figured with the two of us, that'd effect out centrifugal force, which is a lot of what makes swinging so much more efficient than just having the gear pull your weight...

[ Oh man he's brushing up to him aaah. ]

Ooh, that makes sense!

[ That's something not even he would've figured out on the fly. ]

You really do know your way around the gear, don't you?

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