[You’ve never loved, or been loved like this, more in your entire life. So unconditionally, so wholly—not like this, not since bygone days, years long-past. An understanding, deeper and truer and more human than anything; and you stare into the mouth of hell and fight to your very last breath. For her.]

[It strikes Aubrey through the heart. When Eren’s words tempt the old gnaw of loathing—that he’s being so kind, so forgiving, and she deserves none of it—it… has no bite. How could it?

[She loves him. He loves her. They could die here and now, arm in arm; and they’d go down fighting, hand in branded hand, for each other.]

[Stunned, soft, burning— Aubrey takes Eren’s face in her hands, whispers] I forgive you, too.

[…and kisses him like they’re the last people alive.]