[Something clicks. A hunch, maybe, but—
[If the nightmare made him feel like a helpless Scout again, then Levi’s words cut right to the terrified boy. Eviscerated by words; no weapons, no blood, just righteousness and tears. A decisive slice to the nape, just as ordered.
[And Eren’s clinging to her....]
[He’s ten. He’s just lost his mother, is maybe about to. He might as well be reaching through Aubrey, taking her heart in his hands and wringing it with every cry. She holds him; of course she holds him, arms wrapped around him the way they only can when he’s this small. Dying wasn’t supposed to be an option. Idiot. He’s just a kid....]
[Her own eyes sting. She pulls the boy close, tight, drooping her own head over his with a soft kiss. It’s impossible, everything he’s been through, put others through, done and failed to do and there’s no excuse, no atonement. It’s true. She won’t say it’s okay.
[A pathetic, stupid, selfish coward… The end of the world…
[A child.]
no subject
[Something clicks. A hunch, maybe, but—
[If the nightmare made him feel like a helpless Scout again, then Levi’s words cut right to the terrified boy. Eviscerated by words; no weapons, no blood, just righteousness and tears. A decisive slice to the nape, just as ordered.
[And Eren’s clinging to her....]
[He’s ten. He’s just lost his mother, is maybe about to. He might as well be reaching through Aubrey, taking her heart in his hands and wringing it with every cry. She holds him; of course she holds him, arms wrapped around him the way they only can when he’s this small. Dying wasn’t supposed to be an option. Idiot. He’s just a kid....]
[Her own eyes sting. She pulls the boy close, tight, drooping her own head over his with a soft kiss. It’s impossible, everything he’s been through, put others through, done and failed to do and there’s no excuse, no atonement. It’s true. She won’t say it’s okay.
[A pathetic, stupid, selfish coward… The end of the world…
[A child.]
[To him, and him alone: I love you anyway.]