The forest path was quiet except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the crunch of their boots on the dirt trail. The sun was low, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink.

Jean glanced at Armin, his hands resting casually behind his head. “You think the others are jealous of how chill our patrols are? We’ve basically mastered the art of walking in circles.”

Armin hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe. Or they just don’t trust us with the more exciting stuff.”

“Hey!” Jean shot him a playful glare. “I’ll have you know I’m a certified excitement magnet. It’s just… on my days off.”

Armin chuckled softly, adjusting the straps of his gear. “Right. On your days off.”

Jean slowed down as they approached a narrow footbridge, stepping forward to inspect the creaky planks. He gestured dramatically. “After you, my good sir. Wouldn’t want you falling into the river because of my, uh, magnetism.”

Armin raised an eyebrow but nodded in thanks, stepping carefully onto the bridge. “You’re surprisingly polite today.”

“Don’t act so shocked,” Jean replied with mock indignation, following him across. “I’m always polite. I’m basically a gentleman.”

“Basically,” Armin teased, glancing back with a small grin.

Jean caught the look and shook his head, laughing. “There it is again—that smug little smile. I swear, if you weren’t so smart, it’d be annoying.”

Armin rolled his eyes, but there was warmth in his voice. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was,” Jean said simply, his tone quieter now. “You’re… I dunno, cool like that.”

Armin blinked, surprised by the genuine note in Jean’s voice. He opened his mouth to respond, but Jean cleared his throat quickly, pointing ahead. “Anyway, let’s keep moving before something decides we’re easy targets.”

Armin smiled faintly and stepped back into pace with him. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward but comfortable, filled with an unspoken understanding between the two of them.