PSL / MEME CONTINUATION

[abandonhumanity]

I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine
and rage the likes of which you would not believe.
If I cannot satisfy the one,
I will indulge the other.

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[headhooligan]

[Then stop talking like you w]Never mind.

[A pause.
[Quiet, mercifully.]

[Aubrey’s smile has faded by now. She leans her head on her husband’s chest.]

Just… ignore that, for now.

You’re drunk. Let’s just… rest.

[Or my stupid insecurity is going to ruin this.]

[abandonhumanity]

No. [Eren's voice is soft but stubborn.]

We can't ruin this. [It's still sacred. It's still true. It's still right. The vows can't be taken back - won't be. And they are still each other's.

[His arms come to wrap protectively around Aubrey once again, her head to his chest, just how it's meant to be.]

["Happiness. That's what I felt. How long has it been?"]

Enough of that, then.

[headhooligan]

I want you to be happy.

[With her own hands out of his hold—colder, now, every time—they reach around his back. She feels small.]

I want to make you happy.

[‘So you won’t leave. Ever.’]

That’s all.

[abandonhumanity]

[A bitter, self-loathing thought: "You wouldn't be the first one."

[What he says, however, is just as honest. Somehow, some leftover reverence still cradles his words.]

You're the only thing left that can.

[headhooligan]

[She knows she’s not the first—but Eren didn’t marry any of them, did he? It’s a bittersweet thought, still. Yet that, and the lingering reverence, satiate the beast.]

[Of course he couldn’t go anywhere. Aubrey’s the only one who can tell him to stop, stay—to heal at her side.]

[If he’s happy, and even if that makes her a “thing,” well…]

Good. [A hushed, almost-reverent whisper. She clings to him.] I will.

[“I’d give my life to try.”]

[abandonhumanity]

[He holds her.

["I don't want anyone giving their life for me."]

[headhooligan]

I would’ve said “devote.”

[Does that really make it better?]

Eren…

What do you want?

[abandonhumanity]

[He looks at her. At last, the drunkenness seems to be fading.

[It's an easy answer, isn't it? It's always been the same - ever since the day he was born.]

Freedom.

[For me. For you. For Armin and Mikasa. For every Paradis Eldian. For everyone I love.

[All I've ever wanted is freedom.]

[headhooligan]

[That’s…

[Well.

[What else was she expecting, really?]

[Aubrey closes her eyes. She wonders if a hand has stayed on Eren’s heart, too, or if a different name has left it marred, or something else entirely. Their vows match from ring to arm. Surely it’s always gone further… right…?]

[What she wants to say is, ‘Okay.’ Eren almost makes it sound that way.

[Instead: Let’s just… enjoy this. As if there can ever be a “just,” with them.

[Please.]

[abandonhumanity]

[Eren takes in a deep breath, forcing himself to relax the tension in his shoulders.

[Let's just enjoy this, then.

[He's actually allowed to here.

[He leans forward, kissing the top of her pink head.]

Always, Aubrey Jaeger.

[headhooligan]

[“Aubrey Jaeger,” again… It’s as close as she can get, for now, to this softness making the rest melt away.

[Close. Not enough.]

[Still, Aubrey Jaeger pulls back just enough to lean up, kiss back, and then sinks into Eren’s arms again. Why is she so tired....]

Always, Eren Jaeger.

Always.