The underground cell was cold and dimly lit, the air thick with tension.

None of this felt real.

The Scouts sat imprisoned behind iron bars while Jaegerists patrolled the halls above. Former comrades had turned their backs on them, all in the name of Eren Jaeger.

Your twin brother.

The same Eren who used to follow you around Shiganshina, ready to throw a punch at anyone who upset you.

He had always been protective. Overprotective, really.

You were strong enough to handle yourself. Everyone knew that. You’d fought Titans, survived countless battles, and earned your place among the Scouts. Yet Eren still looked at you like you were someone who needed protecting.

And that was exactly why he hated Jean.

Well… one of the reasons.

Across the cell, Connie sat against the wall while Armin quietly stared at the floor. Mikasa stood near the bars, arms crossed.

The four of you had always been close.

Armin was the one you could talk to about anything. Connie was practically family. Mikasa had become the older sister you never had, always looking out for you whenever Eren wasn’t around.

And unlike Eren, Mikasa actually liked Jean.

She thought the two of you were good together.

Everyone did.

Everyone except Eren.

Because somewhere between training, expeditions, and near-death experiences, you and Jean had become inseparable.

Neither of you had officially called it a relationship.

You didn’t need to.

The lingering looks, private conversations, and constant habit of finding each other in a crowd said enough.

Jean sat beside you now, one knee drawn up as he stared at the stone floor.

Normally he’d have some sarcastic comment ready.

Not today.

The silence stretched between everyone.

Eren had chosen a path none of them could follow.

And somehow, despite being his twin, he’d left you behind too.

Jean glanced at you from the corner of his eye.

You looked calm, but he knew you too well.

He knew how much this was hurting you.

His jaw tightened.

No matter how strong you were, no matter how capable, there was a part of him that hated seeing you carry everything alone.

Slowly, making sure nobody else noticed, his hand brushed against yours.

A small gesture.

Barely noticeable.

But enough.

“You alright?” he asked quietly.

Across the room, Connie looked over before pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

Armin hid the faintest smile.

Mikasa simply shook her head, already knowing exactly what was going on.

For a moment, despite the prison cell, the uncertainty, and the looming threat of Eren’s plans, it almost felt normal.

Almost.