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I'm sure you've met people like that - those who capture your attention without making a sound.
[Joker, who caught Akechi's eye no matter how he attempted to blend into his surroundings. Quiet. Masked. Attentive.
Shido, who demanded acknowledgement in his tone, demeanor and posture. There was no room for another to question it. No chance to fight it. Oppressive. Cruel. Unyielding.
The cliff appears in the distance. Akechi begins to deviate to a different path than usual.]
They walk into a room, and it belongs to them the second they do. You had that even in your youth.
[Joker, who caught Akechi's eye no matter how he attempted to blend into his surroundings. Quiet. Masked. Attentive.
Shido, who demanded acknowledgement in his tone, demeanor and posture. There was no room for another to question it. No chance to fight it. Oppressive. Cruel. Unyielding.
The cliff appears in the distance. Akechi begins to deviate to a different path than usual.]
They walk into a room, and it belongs to them the second they do. You had that even in your youth.
To get back home. I have people waiting for me, and I promised them I'd come back.
[And then from there... It's hard to say. What does one do when their sense of normalcy has been ripped from them? He doesn't doubt for one minute that the government will try to take control of him as the "victor", the threat he poses isn't just national, but international.
He doubts that they'll see eye to eye, that they'll let him just go back to living an every day life with the people he cares about.]
Hopefully expand my horizons while I'm here too, I guess.
[And then from there... It's hard to say. What does one do when their sense of normalcy has been ripped from them? He doesn't doubt for one minute that the government will try to take control of him as the "victor", the threat he poses isn't just national, but international.
He doubts that they'll see eye to eye, that they'll let him just go back to living an every day life with the people he cares about.]
Hopefully expand my horizons while I'm here too, I guess.
[ An astute observation about a relatively new friend; that doesn't escape Maruki's notice at all. Noted to bring up later...
He smiles at Eren, sets the tea down. ]
You're right. For a little while, I didn't feel quite so alone. It was a huge help, actually...
[ He slides off the chair then, moves to package up his own leftovers for Akechi.
He won't say that it was only a text conversation, that he was hardly going out and seeing anyone beyond whoever happened to be at the farm during his working hours. Maruki knows that isolating was a bad idea; he knew even as he was doing it. Did it anyway. ]
Speaking of not being alone, though. Are you going anywhere else tonight?
He smiles at Eren, sets the tea down. ]
You're right. For a little while, I didn't feel quite so alone. It was a huge help, actually...
[ He slides off the chair then, moves to package up his own leftovers for Akechi.
He won't say that it was only a text conversation, that he was hardly going out and seeing anyone beyond whoever happened to be at the farm during his working hours. Maruki knows that isolating was a bad idea; he knew even as he was doing it. Did it anyway. ]
Speaking of not being alone, though. Are you going anywhere else tonight?
I hadn't planned to.
[Eren stands up too, taking his own plate to the sink. He simply begins washing it, as casual as anything. There's not a time in his life where he would have gotten away with anything else.]
Unless you want me to leave. I'd just find somewhere else to go tonight.
[Eren stands up too, taking his own plate to the sink. He simply begins washing it, as casual as anything. There's not a time in his life where he would have gotten away with anything else.]
Unless you want me to leave. I'd just find somewhere else to go tonight.
[ Jean will always carry a part of Eren with him - just like he carries a part of Sasha, and Marco, with him. What he had to learn to do was not carry their whole body and burdens. Like Mikasa, he'll never forget Eren. Unlike Mikasa - he'll let him go, one day.
The same way he did with Marco, when he chose to catch Reiner over a sea of Titans.
He says none of that. Instead he watches Eren, amber eyes soft, and nods after a moment. ]
Of course.
Come back when you're ready. After seeing everyone.
[ But, with that request, he reaches out to tug Eren to the bed, so they can watch the window. So Jean can hold him, bury his face in his hair and be glad he gets to see Eren again, one last time.
The Eren he really lost when he came to Visium. ]
The same way he did with Marco, when he chose to catch Reiner over a sea of Titans.
He says none of that. Instead he watches Eren, amber eyes soft, and nods after a moment. ]
Of course.
Come back when you're ready. After seeing everyone.
[ But, with that request, he reaches out to tug Eren to the bed, so they can watch the window. So Jean can hold him, bury his face in his hair and be glad he gets to see Eren again, one last time.
The Eren he really lost when he came to Visium. ]
[It's not as though Eren can't see where Akechi is coming from. He's not entirely self-unaware. There's a reason his plan worked as well as it did, and it had plenty to do with commanding attention. He's always been able to rally people together. It's the greatest weapon he has.
[That being said, he likes hearing it a lot more from Akechi than he has anybody else.
[He follows him as he deviates off the path.]
I'd guess that people say the same about you. That's the reason you protect your image so carefully, isn't it?
[That being said, he likes hearing it a lot more from Akechi than he has anybody else.
[He follows him as he deviates off the path.]
I'd guess that people say the same about you. That's the reason you protect your image so carefully, isn't it?
[Eren can't help but find the "expand my horizons" answer to be a bit trite, but he's a bit embittered about this particular topic.
[As for the rest...]
As far as I understand it, that's what a lot of people here want - nothing more than to find a way back home.
That's good. It's what should happen.
The question is how to bring that about. You'll be keeping your eyes open, won't you?
[As for the rest...]
As far as I understand it, that's what a lot of people here want - nothing more than to find a way back home.
That's good. It's what should happen.
The question is how to bring that about. You'll be keeping your eyes open, won't you?
[Maruki has become Eren's landing point, really. It's just another consequence of being the only person that can understand him. Eren spends days and nights with all sorts of people - partners, friends, those that fit no category at all. He cherishes those moments. They're moments he shouldn't have for a thousand reasons, and he wants them.
[But being with his best friend makes him feel like he's taking his shoes off at the end of the day. It signals time to truly rest. He doesn't have to be adequately miserable or adequately functional or adequately cold or adquately warm.
[He only has to be.
[So, he stays here most nights. It's comfortable. He doesn't hesitate at the edge of the bed anymore. He has sleeping clothes and a toothbrush, just like Maruki has at the farm across that little swath of forest.
[It's safe. It's nice.]
[But being with his best friend makes him feel like he's taking his shoes off at the end of the day. It signals time to truly rest. He doesn't have to be adequately miserable or adequately functional or adequately cold or adquately warm.
[He only has to be.
[So, he stays here most nights. It's comfortable. He doesn't hesitate at the edge of the bed anymore. He has sleeping clothes and a toothbrush, just like Maruki has at the farm across that little swath of forest.
[It's safe. It's nice.]
[ It's safe. It's nice. It's easy.
In the end, that's the common denominator between those in Somnius that Maruki is closest to and loves most – it's easy to be around them. He fakes it well in the general populace, but it's so rare that he finds it anything but difficult to relax and be himself. Not so with people like Venat, Akechi, Kurogiri, Maki, BB– and Eren. Of course Eren.
He sprawls out on the large bed next to his best friend, turns his head to look at him. ]
Ah, before I forget... Remember when you mentioned the photos up on your wall?
In the end, that's the common denominator between those in Somnius that Maruki is closest to and loves most – it's easy to be around them. He fakes it well in the general populace, but it's so rare that he finds it anything but difficult to relax and be himself. Not so with people like Venat, Akechi, Kurogiri, Maki, BB– and Eren. Of course Eren.
He sprawls out on the large bed next to his best friend, turns his head to look at him. ]
Ah, before I forget... Remember when you mentioned the photos up on your wall?
[Eren's hands are folded over his chest, thumbs pressed together. His eyes are already closed, but he isn't dozing, really. It's a comfortable bed. That's all.]
That's right. They're still there too.
That's right. They're still there too.
They– yes. Most of them.
[ With a huff of effort, he hoists himself up to his knees, reaches for one of the shelves above the bed. When he flops back down, he has one of his many stolen library books propped up on his chest, opens it up to a place in the middle with a photo stuck between two pages.
Gently, he plucks it and nudges it into Eren's hands. ]
I took it from your room while you were gone. Sorry...
[ The guilt is entirely genuine. ]
[ With a huff of effort, he hoists himself up to his knees, reaches for one of the shelves above the bed. When he flops back down, he has one of his many stolen library books propped up on his chest, opens it up to a place in the middle with a photo stuck between two pages.
Gently, he plucks it and nudges it into Eren's hands. ]
I took it from your room while you were gone. Sorry...
[ The guilt is entirely genuine. ]
[A photo is placed in his hands. Eren props himself up on his elbows, holding it up right in front of his eyes. He recalls setting the timer. Maruki told him that he was afraid. Eren told him that everyone was...
The timer goes off.
[Eren blinks and looks at Maruki, lowering the photo.]
It's as much yours as it is mine, isn't it? I don't care.
I remember this day...
[Eren blinks and looks at Maruki, lowering the photo.]
It's as much yours as it is mine, isn't it? I don't care.
I remember this day...
No, it's yours. I want you to keep it.
[ Quietly insistent. He has his own version, on his phone. He still doesn't know what possessed him to go up to that bedroom Eren and Jean share while the farmhouse was entirely empty, to stare at the photos on the wall and take one down for himself.
In the end, he guesses he just wanted something of Eren's. In case it all started to disappear. ]
It was an important day for me. I still wasn't being honest with you back then, though... [ More guilt, twisting in his gut. ] We talked about creating realities, but I only let you know that it was something I researched, not something I did. [ A beat. ] Or do. Or– will, or whatever. [ Ugh, his head. ]
[ Quietly insistent. He has his own version, on his phone. He still doesn't know what possessed him to go up to that bedroom Eren and Jean share while the farmhouse was entirely empty, to stare at the photos on the wall and take one down for himself.
In the end, he guesses he just wanted something of Eren's. In case it all started to disappear. ]
It was an important day for me. I still wasn't being honest with you back then, though... [ More guilt, twisting in his gut. ] We talked about creating realities, but I only let you know that it was something I researched, not something I did. [ A beat. ] Or do. Or– will, or whatever. [ Ugh, his head. ]
[Eren frowns a bit, watching his friend stumble over his words. Clearly, something is really bothering him. Apparent dishonesty, or...what he considers to be.]
I don't remember being angry that you kept the extent of your abilities a secret. It makes enough sense.
I might have been annoyed that you didn't trust me, but we hadn't realized yet. [That they're the same, that they were meant to meet, that they're who they are at all.]
I don't remember being angry that you kept the extent of your abilities a secret. It makes enough sense.
I might have been annoyed that you didn't trust me, but we hadn't realized yet. [That they're the same, that they were meant to meet, that they're who they are at all.]
[ Maruki props up just long enough to stretch an arm blindly over his head, haphazardly lay the book back down on a shelf so that he can turn on his side and face Eren. ]
I know. I had a reason for everything that I did or didn't tell you. That doesn't mean I don't feel bad about it in hindsight, though.
[ Everything happened exactly as it needed to, as it should have. They exited that circle of lantern light changed; it couldn't ever have happened sooner than that. Still, the guilt gnaws. Maruki is a man who lives steeped in regrets, after all.
He looks at the photo in Eren's hands. That somber face next to his own grinning one; it's the same as in the selfie on his phone, and he treasures that dichotomy between them. ]
Anyhow– I remember thinking you were letting your hair get long because you were a lazy little shit. I guess you just never cut it again, huh?
I know. I had a reason for everything that I did or didn't tell you. That doesn't mean I don't feel bad about it in hindsight, though.
[ Everything happened exactly as it needed to, as it should have. They exited that circle of lantern light changed; it couldn't ever have happened sooner than that. Still, the guilt gnaws. Maruki is a man who lives steeped in regrets, after all.
He looks at the photo in Eren's hands. That somber face next to his own grinning one; it's the same as in the selfie on his phone, and he treasures that dichotomy between them. ]
Anyhow– I remember thinking you were letting your hair get long because you were a lazy little shit. I guess you just never cut it again, huh?
[Eren doesn't respond to Maruki's jab, the photo between two fingers again, turned about in the air in front of his face. As he settles back down against the pillows, he keeps it there.]
I guess I didn't. It stopped being necessary.
[A glance at Maruki.]
You think I should cut it now?
I guess I didn't. It stopped being necessary.
[A glance at Maruki.]
You think I should cut it now?
[ Maruki looks at him for a long moment, considering, calculating. Squints. Tries to picture it, pulls a face like he's just tasted something unexpectedly sour. ]
No. You'd look weird. Too clean-cut...
[ And then he reaches out to push Eren's head, musses his loose hair over into his face. ]
Plus, I can do that when you start acting stupid.
[ And he'll do it again! ]
No. You'd look weird. Too clean-cut...
[ And then he reaches out to push Eren's head, musses his loose hair over into his face. ]
Plus, I can do that when you start acting stupid.
[ And he'll do it again! ]
[Still possessing reflexes, as one does, Eren scrunches his face up when Maruki starts mussing his hair around in front of it. He smacks the man's hand away.]
I can never get all of it. [He mutters this as he takes out his hair, scrubbing his hands through it to shake it all loose.
[Along with the aforementioned niceties, Eren also has one (1) hairbrush he keeps nearby, which he sits up and takes now. Just let him get the tangles out...]
I like it better down, but then it really gets in my face.
I can never get all of it. [He mutters this as he takes out his hair, scrubbing his hands through it to shake it all loose.
[Along with the aforementioned niceties, Eren also has one (1) hairbrush he keeps nearby, which he sits up and takes now. Just let him get the tangles out...]
I like it better down, but then it really gets in my face.
[ Maruki watches him meticulously brushing out his hair and huffs a little laugh. ]
Get someone to braid it for you. Not me, though, I don't know how. Ah, maybe Maki does...?
[ And now he has to laugh even harder at his own joke! He's a funny man, that Takuto Maruki.
While Eren's sitting up, he takes the opportunity to curl up cozier in the bed, one of his many blankets haphazardly thrown over them. It's really more of a nest than anything else. ]
Get someone to braid it for you. Not me, though, I don't know how. Ah, maybe Maki does...?
[ And now he has to laugh even harder at his own joke! He's a funny man, that Takuto Maruki.
While Eren's sitting up, he takes the opportunity to curl up cozier in the bed, one of his many blankets haphazardly thrown over them. It's really more of a nest than anything else. ]
No way. [Immediate, dismissive. There's no humor to it.]
I'll just keep putting it up. It's not that much of a hassle.
[Not to sleep though. He gets tired of waking up to find it all knotted up.
[Eren settles back into the bed, crossing his arms over his chest. He lays his head all the way back on the pillow, eyes closed toward the ceiling again.]
Your hair's gotten longer too. Don't think I didn't notice.
I'll just keep putting it up. It's not that much of a hassle.
[Not to sleep though. He gets tired of waking up to find it all knotted up.
[Eren settles back into the bed, crossing his arms over his chest. He lays his head all the way back on the pillow, eyes closed toward the ceiling again.]
Your hair's gotten longer too. Don't think I didn't notice.
[ Maruki touches his own hair, a little self-conscious; it's longer against his nape than it's ever been in his life. ]
I guess I'm a lazy little shit too.
[ Mild, still joking, and then not: ]
I spent a month babysitting, and then we were at war for god knows how long, and then– well, you know.
[ He was too sad to even move! ]
Things have been too busy for a while. Although I suppose I don't have that excuse now...
I guess I'm a lazy little shit too.
[ Mild, still joking, and then not: ]
I spent a month babysitting, and then we were at war for god knows how long, and then– well, you know.
[ He was too sad to even move! ]
Things have been too busy for a while. Although I suppose I don't have that excuse now...
Edited 2024-10-09 09:30 (UTC)
[Eren makes a brief, thoughtful noise, cracking an eye open to get a look at Maruki's hair.]
Unless you want one of those things to cut it...[He speaks so fondly of the locals!] You'll have to find someone.
Unless you want one of those things to cut it...[He speaks so fondly of the locals!] You'll have to find someone.
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