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3D maneuver gear training was always your favourite part of the day. You could not help but feel as though you had sprouted wings, and when you spread them and soared into the air, all your problems, all your worries and fears, you left behind you on the ground. It was the only time in your life you felt truly free.

The feeling of the wind whipping through your hair, letting it trail behind you in a [h/c] stream, the sharp tug of the wires that left you slightly breathless, the feeling of muscles tensing and relaxing rhythmically – those sensations were comparable to nothing, and you let them carry you forward, further from the ground, further from fear, from responsibilities.

You wished you could fly away from them forever, but there always came a time when you could no longer outrun them, and you had to return to the ground, to your cage of fifty meter walls and let reality catch up to you.

You landed lightly on tree branch, high above the forest floor. You weren’t quite ready to return yet, content to sit and watch the sun set beyond the wall, childishly dangling your feet over the edge of the branch. It was peaceful at the edge of the woods. Most trainees had returned to the barracks for dinner, but not you. You knew that the second your feet touch solid earth would be like having your limbs cuffed in iron chains. You shivered at the thought.

A sound from behind startled, nearly sending you tumbling to the ground. But you held on, watching warily for the source of the noise. Jean emerged from the trees, landing nimbly beside you on the branch, out of breath.

“Jeez, you’re fast,” he remarked, panting slightly.

“Did you follow me?”

“What of it? You were hurtling through the trees like you had a Titan on your heels. Running from something?” He grinned impishly and sat down beside you, one foot propped on the branch, the other dangling freely.

“Yeah, your face,” you replied, laughing at his expression.

His face turned serious. “You shouldn't be so reckless with your gear. I’ve watched you. You’re good, but at those speeds avoiding a mid-air collision…”

“You’ve been watching me?” you asked with a smirk. Jean’s face grew red and flustered as he stammered out at explanation.

“W-what? No! Not like that! I mean…” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his head nervously. You laughed at him.

“I’m just concerned, that’s all. We've already lost some fellow trainees to carelessness…”

Your laughter died into silence, and you looked out onto the horizon. A sliver of green, rolling hills could be seen beyond the wall, just a glimpse of the world outside. There has to be more than this…

You noticed Jean was watching you, seemingly transfixed by your profile, illuminated by the fading orange light. You offered him a small smile and he looked away, cheeks dusted with pink.

You returned your gaze to the horizon, frowning ever so slightly. “I don’t mean to be reckless…”

Jean looked up, watching you curiously.

“When I’m in the air I just feel so weightless, like I don’t have a care in the world. I feel free. But that only last for so long, you know? Everything catches up eventually…”

“I know what you mean,” he sighed, following your gaze into the distance, his eyes slightly glazed.

“No matter how fast I run, I can’t escape it… If I slow down for a moment, ever for one second, if I let my emotions catch up to me, then it’s all over. Their weight, it’s crushing…” You trailed off into silence, a sad expression on your face.

Suddenly aware that Jean was still watching you closely, you snapped back to attention and shrugged, a strained smile across your face. “So I try to outrun them, and for the most part, it keeps me sane. For now, at least.”

The two of you fell into companionable silence again, watching the sky grew steadily darker. The first stars began to appear on the horizon, winking at you, taunting you with their promise of freedom.

“Jean…?”

“Yeah.”

“What would you say if I told you I wanted to join the Survey Corps?”

He turned to you, a horrified expression on his face. “You can’t be serious! What brought you to that decision?! This is exactly what I’m talking about, [Name]! You don’t think!”

“On the contrary, Jean, I’ve never thought about anything more in my entire life. It’s the right decision for me.” Your expression was blank as you watched him get to his feet, turning away from you.

“It was Jaeger who convinced you, wasn’t it? That suicidal bastard is going to lead you to your death!”

“Eren had nothing to do with this, Jean,” you snapped you’re voice rising. “I made this decision on my own and you should respect it.”

“Idiot. Did you ever stop and think how others would feel about your decision?”

“What does it matter?” You rose to your feet to stand with him face to face.

“You’re a contender for the top ten, are you really going to throw away a chance at that life?!” He was almost shouting now, and you flinched back from him slightly.

“Oh please, I’d take Titans over a life in Wall Sina any day. What kind of life is that? Trapped in a cage you can’t escape.”

“The safe kind,” he paused, hesitating as though he wanted to say more. He swallowed, his voice dropping, averting his honey eyes from your [e/c] ones. “The kind you get to spend with those who care for you… A life with me…”

You stared at him, taken aback. “Jean…” You were lost for words. Since when did Jean care about you in such a way? The two of you were close, but you never thought…

Jean gulped, shifting closer. He licked his parched lips, sweat beading on his brow. “Guess it’s my turn to be the reckless one,” he said.

“What are you t-”

You were cut off by a pair of lips, soft and insistent, upon your own. Your eyes widened, too shocked to react, but as you felt his strong arms enclose around you, you relaxed into him. He had you caged, unable to pull away, but all you felt was warmth and comfort.

When you broke apart, you were both blushing furiously, but you exchanged a small, shy smile.

“Any chance that changed your mind?” Jean asked, hopeful.

You shook your head. “Nope. But perhaps with a little more convincing, I can change yours,” you said, smiling as you pulled him in for another kiss.