abandonhumanity | PSL / MEME CONTINUATION

[Oh, what… the hell....]

[Aubrey’s lip pulls into a frown. She looks back at Eren, genuinely baffled. She was being dramatic… or, not really, the feeling was true. But she wasn’t alone in that hallway—she just never got to see the rest.]

I got. stuck, here.

[Talking to him. Faintly, the counter-voice: “It’s not entirely impossible…”
—No. No, they’re even. If Eren had some ulterior motive it would’ve surfaced by now. But to think that… does he really believe…?]

Eren. [There’s an edge to Aubrey’s voice now, a wariness. She’s reminded that, if nothing else, Eren trapped her in this elevator cackling, and she stands.] I had other friends. I had a life.

You came out of nowhere.

Edited 2023-10-01 21:21 (UTC)

[The "other" preceding "friends" is completely missed. Eren glares at her, and it's a black, dark, evil thing.

["I had a life." Maybe Eren can't say the same.

[Fuck. Fuck! He really can't say the same, can he? He had a goal. That's it. A fight to win, a grudge to burn out, retribution to unleash - and it all matters, it's all that's ever really mattered, but he is not the one with a life he's just aching to return to, is he?

[She doesn't need him. She doesn't even want him. It's all on Eren's side. It's all--

[He jumps up from the floor, so sudden it makes the elevator rock. There's rage in his eyes.]

You ungrateful bitch. I could have let you die. I could have given you everything you wanted. I could kill you now - I could kill you whenever I want.

[But he won't. He doesn't want her to die. They've already established that.]

I've wasted every moment of my time on you. I've protected you. I've told you the truth.

Do you hate me that much? I don't. Fucking. Believe you.

[There’s something about Eren’s anger that doesn’t phase her anymore. It’s a jumpscare; he’s abrupt, he’s enraged, and Aubrey does flinch from the surprise alone (hard not to, the way he sends the room shaking)—but much as he spits venom, his words are impotent. They both know it. Why is he bothering with this?]

I— I wasn’t saying I hate you. [It’s disbelief on her face, more than anything, as Aubrey raises her hands; not high, not a full surrender, but a motion approaching it. What’s going on? Should she be concerned?] You know I can’t, for long— What don’t you believe?

[In her confusion, in turn, she barely takes note of “I could have given you everything you wanted.” But clearly, Eren doesn’t know what she wants at all....]

[There's a sudden, desperate, "I have to get out of here," feeling. Eren is so used to hiding, running, lying - he can't do this. He can't. Do this. And he knows just as well as Aubrey that those doors are not going to fucking open no matter what they do.]

I don't believe that you're counting down the minutes, waiting until you never have to see my face again.

[He's shoving words into her mouth with no basis; it's purely accusatory, unfounded, insecurity surfacing like an eruption. And from where? Fuck. Maybe he's gotten too used to the idea that his friends will remain loyal no matter what he says or does. He doesn't like that she doesn't fit into that box.]

"Why are you angry, Eren?"

[Eren whips around and slams his fist into the row of buttons, several of their caps popping off and clattering to the floor.

[He doesn't quite answer, but--]

It must be nice to have somewhere to return to! It must be nice to have a life you want.

[He's bitter, bitter, bitter, burning, burning, burning - he needs to get out of here, he wants to be free, he wants to be free!

[His chest is heaving for breath. He needs to calm down. He's lost all his dignity now; there's nothing but shame and rage left. He lets out an incredulous laugh. His eyes go back to Aubrey, burning. His voice is quieter, but there's no less hatred to it.]

You're stuck here. I'm stuck here. We both have nothing now. You want me to leave you? Tell the truth, Aubrey.

"Do you want him to leave you, Aubrey?"

[Maybe Aubrey wasn’t quite right, thinking of Eren like a rabid animal. His fist collides with the buttons, clattering, and a different word comes to mind:

[Caged.]

[She’s too stunned to answer his first statement, but what is there to say? Of course she’s not. He’s gnashing; there’s no bite. The idea that she’s had any chance to process the life she’s lost—it’s ludicrous. “A life you want”? Aubrey couldn’t have scrounged up the words if she had the chance. He knows she can’t believe in fairytales.]

[The monster howls and snarls and whines and thrashes, in circle after circle after circle, biting its own tail.

[It’s kind of sad.]

“You want me to leave you?”
[It didn’t have to be repeated.]

No.

[It’s not even desperate. Not dry. Simple statement.
[The snake is writhing, and it’s just… a really sorry sight.]

No, I. I don’t.

[She watches him from across the room.]

“Do you want her to leave you, Eren?”

Edited (added question tee hee) 2023-10-01 22:23 (UTC)

[Eren hates the question. He hates the question. As close as a human can get to legitimately roaring, he does this, slamming his fist into the doors again, and again, and again, and again - over and over until the metal is riddled with deep dents.]

Godammit, no!

[Ding!

[The door opens.]

[Just like a frightened, cornered animal, Eren rushes out of the cage, chest still heaving, right hand flexing anxiously - clench, unclench, twist, clench. The space around them is as vast and empty and featureless as always. He turns around to see if the elevator is there - if Aubrey is still there. He feels frantic.]

[And… there he goes.]

[Strangely, it doesn’t feel like a revelation at all.]

[Aubrey takes a moment, surveying the wreckage. The buttons. The metal. There’s nothing outside but him. Strange....]

[But she walks out. Steps out to Eren Jaeger, as he turns, and gives his clenching hand a squeeze. Just for a second. Doesn’t grab or linger.]

I’m here.

[He's still flexing his hand when she takes it. It's such a brief touch, but it sends an electric wave of goosebumps up his arm anyway. He stares at her. He stares at her for a long time.

[He looks...young. Nineteen. Frightened. Confused.]

I can't do this.

[He backs away. He stares. He turns to leave.

[Just like that, Aubrey is alone.]

PSL / MEME CONTINUATION

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