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he does not feel this way about a single one of his partners jsyk
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abandonhumanity
2024-11-05 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Eyes narrowing.
[He's gonna be pissed off at the prospect of BB fucking Akechi for the rest of the night.
[He'll go help Maruki make the tea...]
[He's gonna be pissed off at the prospect of BB fucking Akechi for the rest of the night.
[He'll go help Maruki make the tea...]
[Ha. He's not sure he could answer that if he tried.]
I'm at the farm. Are you coming?
I'm at the farm. Are you coming?
[This is serious, then.]
Come to the barn. I'll shut the doors.
[The hayloft is made up comfortably now.]
Come to the barn. I'll shut the doors.
[The hayloft is made up comfortably now.]
[No.
[No.
[He moves swiftly toward the forest connecting their two properties, dialing Maruki on the phone.]
[No.
[He moves swiftly toward the forest connecting their two properties, dialing Maruki on the phone.]
Edited 2024-11-08 15:38 (UTC)
Maruki. [Immediate, the second he's done talking, with a gentle firmness he wouldn't give to anyone else. He attempts to be grounding.]
I'm coming to you now. I'll be with you soon.
Breathe. We'll find the answer.
I'm coming to you now. I'll be with you soon.
Breathe. We'll find the answer.
[ Maruki stops in his tracks, and it's immediately a mistake. His knees buckle. If he stops, he's going to sink to the ground. He grits his teeth, forces himself to keep walking.
And he breathes. Every breath hurts. ]
I need to get away from here.
[ Is his voice shaking? He can barely hear himself over the pounding in his ears, but he certainly doesn't feel steady, so it must be. ]
I can't– he's at the machiya, so I can't be near there right now. Please.
And he breathes. Every breath hurts. ]
I need to get away from here.
[ Is his voice shaking? He can barely hear himself over the pounding in his ears, but he certainly doesn't feel steady, so it must be. ]
I can't– he's at the machiya, so I can't be near there right now. Please.
I'll take you away.
[Eren's pace is nearly a jog. He moves through the last stretch of Horizons' fields and cuts into the woods. He makes no attempt to be quiet. The rustling should alert Maruki that he's coming (assuming he has awareness enough to notice at all).]
I know where to go. Keep moving toward the farm.
[Eren's pace is nearly a jog. He moves through the last stretch of Horizons' fields and cuts into the woods. He makes no attempt to be quiet. The rustling should alert Maruki that he's coming (assuming he has awareness enough to notice at all).]
I know where to go. Keep moving toward the farm.
I– okay. Alright.
[ Maruki's not saying anything more than that. If he starts talking, he won't stop. If he stops walking, he won't start again. He's too much in his own mind, so far outside his body, everything on autopilot as high, tinny static grows louder in his ears.
He doesn't know if he should still stay on the phone, silent save for his breath, but he does just in case Eren has to tell him where to go. At this rate, they'll meet in the middle, and– what? Sit in another lantern-lit circle?
Maruki is going to be sick. ]
[ Maruki's not saying anything more than that. If he starts talking, he won't stop. If he stops walking, he won't start again. He's too much in his own mind, so far outside his body, everything on autopilot as high, tinny static grows louder in his ears.
He doesn't know if he should still stay on the phone, silent save for his breath, but he does just in case Eren has to tell him where to go. At this rate, they'll meet in the middle, and– what? Sit in another lantern-lit circle?
Maruki is going to be sick. ]
[Eren stays on the phone. Neither of them talk. At one point, he pulls the device away and gives a sharp whistle with his fingers. It cuts through the air.
[When he sees Maruki, he carelessly drops his phone to the ground and closes the space between them, gripping his friend by either bicep. He looks him in the eye.]
I'm here.
[Elke canters into view behind him. Eren doesn't move toward her just yet.]
We need to get away, right? We will. Just hold onto me, Maruki.
[When he sees Maruki, he carelessly drops his phone to the ground and closes the space between them, gripping his friend by either bicep. He looks him in the eye.]
I'm here.
[Elke canters into view behind him. Eren doesn't move toward her just yet.]
We need to get away, right? We will. Just hold onto me, Maruki.
[ The hand holding his phone to his ear drops to his side, though his fingers stay white knuckle tight around it. Eren reaches for him – grounds him – and speaks impossible words.
Maruki glances behind him, sees Elke. Then back to his friend. He's far from blank. There's too much going on behind those eyes, even though his words come out stilted, numbed. ]
Where?
[ But he holds on. Phone pocketed, he brings his hands up to wrap around Eren's forearms, the two of them holding one another in place. He holds on. ]
Maruki glances behind him, sees Elke. Then back to his friend. He's far from blank. There's too much going on behind those eyes, even though his words come out stilted, numbed. ]
Where?
[ But he holds on. Phone pocketed, he brings his hands up to wrap around Eren's forearms, the two of them holding one another in place. He holds on. ]
[Eren nods, as if the answer to that question was as simple as a, 'yes'; but he'll continue.]
To the windmill. No one ever bothers with that place.
[Still holding strong to Maruki, he begins to inch them both back toward Elke.]
I'll help you get on.
[He can quite literally lift him into place if necessary.]
To the windmill. No one ever bothers with that place.
[Still holding strong to Maruki, he begins to inch them both back toward Elke.]
I'll help you get on.
[He can quite literally lift him into place if necessary.]
[ The windmill. Maruki's never been.
He exhales, sharp with relief. Nods. Walks closer to Elke, heavy step by heavy step. ]
I've never ridden a horse...
[ He's deliberately avoided it for all the months they've spent on the farm. It terrifies him. Or it did, it should now– but it doesn't. He'll let Eren help him up. He'll do whatever Eren tells him to do so he doesn't get kicked off and die instantly, because horses are dangerous. He doesn't have any fear left over to spare. ]
He exhales, sharp with relief. Nods. Walks closer to Elke, heavy step by heavy step. ]
I've never ridden a horse...
[ He's deliberately avoided it for all the months they've spent on the farm. It terrifies him. Or it did, it should now– but it doesn't. He'll let Eren help him up. He'll do whatever Eren tells him to do so he doesn't get kicked off and die instantly, because horses are dangerous. He doesn't have any fear left over to spare. ]
I know. [Voice quiet. He helps Maruki onto Elke's back. She's a patient animal. She stays still and calm. There's no danger.
[Eren climbs on next. He's adept enough to do so without disturbing Maruki. Once they're both seated, he glances back at him.]
Hold onto me. I won't let you fall.
[Eren climbs on next. He's adept enough to do so without disturbing Maruki. Once they're both seated, he glances back at him.]
Hold onto me. I won't let you fall.
[ He's on top of a horse.
Eren is in front of him.
Maruki holds on even before he's told.
Arms around his best friend, cheek smashing into his back as he leans forward onto him. It happens without Maruki meaning to, as if the weight of everything simply toppled him over.
He nods. ]
I trust you.
[ More than anyone, really. ]
Eren is in front of him.
Maruki holds on even before he's told.
Arms around his best friend, cheek smashing into his back as he leans forward onto him. It happens without Maruki meaning to, as if the weight of everything simply toppled him over.
He nods. ]
I trust you.
[ More than anyone, really. ]
[Eren takes off. Elke is fast and strong. Maruki wants to be far away from the machiya, and the farm isn't far enough. Eren doesn't know all the details yet; Kurusu is here, and he doesn't remember Maruki.
[It's the greatest sin he could commit
[That's fine. Eren will pick up the pieces. He'll spend two thousands years rebuilding Maruki out of sand. He'll return the care he's always been given. He won't leave Maruki's side.
[They make it to the windmill. Eren dismounts easily, but it will be tricky for his friend, who's never had to before. Eren reaches up to wrap his arms around Maruki's waist.]
Come on...[Assuming the man latches back onto him, he'll easily and safely pull him down.]
[It's the greatest sin he could commit
[That's fine. Eren will pick up the pieces. He'll spend two thousands years rebuilding Maruki out of sand. He'll return the care he's always been given. He won't leave Maruki's side.
[They make it to the windmill. Eren dismounts easily, but it will be tricky for his friend, who's never had to before. Eren reaches up to wrap his arms around Maruki's waist.]
Come on...[Assuming the man latches back onto him, he'll easily and safely pull him down.]
[ They'll have to do this again sometime in the future, when Maruki is cognizant enough to take in the excitement of the world rushing around them as Elke gallops along. He has just enough awareness to realize that he should be thinking about how cool this is, but not enough to actually do so.
They come to a stop, and Eren's all but hoisting him down onto the ground himself. Maruki doesn't have it in him to protest, to flail around trying to dismount himself. He simply wraps his arms around Eren's shoulders, lets it happen.
When his feet hit the ground, he finally speaks. ]
I told them I'd be back for dinner. If you could just– keep track of time for me.
[ A beat. ]
I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing.
They come to a stop, and Eren's all but hoisting him down onto the ground himself. Maruki doesn't have it in him to protest, to flail around trying to dismount himself. He simply wraps his arms around Eren's shoulders, lets it happen.
When his feet hit the ground, he finally speaks. ]
I told them I'd be back for dinner. If you could just– keep track of time for me.
[ A beat. ]
I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing.
Don't worry about them now. [He isn't going back there.
[Eren takes Maruki's hand and leads him into the windmill. There's a great urgency to be alone. No one else needs in on this conversation.
[The heavy door slams shut behind them. He turns and takes Maruki by the shoulders, gripping tight.
[What now?
[Eren takes his hands away; he pulls Maruki into his arms.
[Head to the chest, hand to head; there is no part of Eren that doesn't understand the devastation. Maruki doesn't have to explain. He's told Eren enough already; Eren has listened.]
[Eren takes Maruki's hand and leads him into the windmill. There's a great urgency to be alone. No one else needs in on this conversation.
[The heavy door slams shut behind them. He turns and takes Maruki by the shoulders, gripping tight.
[What now?
[Eren takes his hands away; he pulls Maruki into his arms.
[Head to the chest, hand to head; there is no part of Eren that doesn't understand the devastation. Maruki doesn't have to explain. He's told Eren enough already; Eren has listened.]
[ The door closes, and the windmill is silent, so still that he can see dust particles floating through the weak sunbeams that filter in through the slatted windows.
And then he can't see anything at all. His face presses into Eren's chest, a hand at the back of his head. Strong, warm, safe. It's safe here. He's safe.
Maruki's fingers wind into the fabric of Eren's coat as he clings on, knuckles going pale and trembling with effort.
He doesn't have to explain, no, but it starts to spill out. ]
It's as if we never met.
[ That blank expression, confused and guarded in equal measure. That tension visible in the lines of his shoulders and jaw when Maruki was too familiar, too quickly.
Maruki's voice is a harsh, tight whisper. ]
What the hell is wrong with this place? Why?
And then he can't see anything at all. His face presses into Eren's chest, a hand at the back of his head. Strong, warm, safe. It's safe here. He's safe.
Maruki's fingers wind into the fabric of Eren's coat as he clings on, knuckles going pale and trembling with effort.
He doesn't have to explain, no, but it starts to spill out. ]
It's as if we never met.
[ That blank expression, confused and guarded in equal measure. That tension visible in the lines of his shoulders and jaw when Maruki was too familiar, too quickly.
Maruki's voice is a harsh, tight whisper. ]
What the hell is wrong with this place? Why?
It's Hell. [He whispers it.
[Where they're standing, Eren slowly, slowly, slowly begins to sink toward the ground. He never releases his hold, gently bringing Maruki with him.
[His dearest friend has forgotten him. The love of his life did too.
[Why should he have to stand?
[Eren brings them to the floor. He keep his knees bent, spaced apart, feet flat. There's plenty of room for Maruki to crumple against him. Eren will envelop.]
They want us to suffer. [A gentle hand through familiar hair.] We do...
It's not fair.
[Where they're standing, Eren slowly, slowly, slowly begins to sink toward the ground. He never releases his hold, gently bringing Maruki with him.
[His dearest friend has forgotten him. The love of his life did too.
[Why should he have to stand?
[Eren brings them to the floor. He keep his knees bent, spaced apart, feet flat. There's plenty of room for Maruki to crumple against him. Eren will envelop.]
They want us to suffer. [A gentle hand through familiar hair.] We do...
It's not fair.
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