[“That thing.” Some fine Captain.... It feels impossible to bite back the retort, but Aubrey at least keeps it to a mutter:] He’s not a monster....

[But. Hell. Lest she forget the context of that conversation. Of having to wonder, now, if he has a pulse at all.]

I know, I… [She shuts her eyes for a moment. Eighty percent.] I know.

[It’s not a defense.]

He’s still a person.

[Eren respected his Captain.... Quieter, but not trying to hide it:] You know that.