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[ If it's too hot for Jean, he can just enjoy the steam coming off it, so it's a win in his book.
Jean nods at the look, lifting a small cloth bag. ]
Wouldn't leave us hanging.
[ They're just simple canvas shorts, and not anything fancy. He knows from previous experience the towels will be provided.
The man manning the spring station lets them know the rules, including insisting on no touching anyone's bits, ya hear?, which only makes Jean flush and nod, thinking of his previous experience with Mikasa. But, either way, they go through the motions they need to do and meet at the edge of the hot spring. ]
Jean nods at the look, lifting a small cloth bag. ]
Wouldn't leave us hanging.
[ They're just simple canvas shorts, and not anything fancy. He knows from previous experience the towels will be provided.
The man manning the spring station lets them know the rules, including insisting on no touching anyone's bits, ya hear?, which only makes Jean flush and nod, thinking of his previous experience with Mikasa. But, either way, they go through the motions they need to do and meet at the edge of the hot spring. ]
[And, then, they dip into the water. It is hot, but clearly not dangerous. Eren's skin itself doesn't steam, so it shouldn't cause them any damage - and they wouldn't let just anyone in if it weren't safe, right? Well. Maybe Eren doesn't necessarily trust that - still, it seems alright.
[It's wonderful, actually. Eren sinks in all the way down to his shoulders as soon as he's in, briefly closing his eyes.]
Yeah. That's better...
[It's wonderful, actually. Eren sinks in all the way down to his shoulders as soon as he's in, briefly closing his eyes.]
Yeah. That's better...
[ It's just on the edge of almost too much for Jean - but not quite, and he makes a pleased noise as he sinks in. ]
Oh, that's worth the flight.
[ He, too, sinks down to his shoulders, looking over at Eren and the way his dark hair fans out behind him in the water. ]
Hot enough for you?
Oh, that's worth the flight.
[ He, too, sinks down to his shoulders, looking over at Eren and the way his dark hair fans out behind him in the water. ]
Hot enough for you?
[Eren nods his head. Jean now in the water, he scoots over close, their legs touching. A passing dragonkin employee glances at them, and Eren glares back. Eventually, it leaves.
[He turns back to Jean.]
You're already turning red.
[It occurs to him that this isn't unlike what it felt to be trapped in a titan's stomach, but...thinks better of it, for once.]
Jean. The rest of your night is free, too, isn't it? Stay with me.
[He turns back to Jean.]
You're already turning red.
[It occurs to him that this isn't unlike what it felt to be trapped in a titan's stomach, but...thinks better of it, for once.]
Jean. The rest of your night is free, too, isn't it? Stay with me.
Not all of us like being boiled.
[ His eyes have slipped closed as he speaks; despite his words, the heat is nice. He'll get out when it's too much to bear.
Eren's words make Jean open his eyes again, giving Eren a smile. ]
I was planning on it, love. We can fly over to Stellari when you want, and book a hotel, or stay in one of the rooms here.
["Love". Eren isn't turning red due to the heat. He's always been one to blush. That didn't change just because he started wearing a mask.
[He wants to tell Jean that he likes it. To call him that more. But he doesn't. Just looks at the water and nods, leaning in a bit closer against Jean's shoulder.]
We'll do that, then. I don't plan on taking one of the houses here. I don't plan on moving the farm either.
[Maybe now isn't the best time to talk about things like that, but...it comes up anyway.]
Whatever you choose to do...that's fine too.
[Eren's not really sure if he believes that, but he has no right to force Jean to live in a wasteland. He won't impede his freedom to choose.]
[He wants to tell Jean that he likes it. To call him that more. But he doesn't. Just looks at the water and nods, leaning in a bit closer against Jean's shoulder.]
We'll do that, then. I don't plan on taking one of the houses here. I don't plan on moving the farm either.
[Maybe now isn't the best time to talk about things like that, but...it comes up anyway.]
Whatever you choose to do...that's fine too.
[Eren's not really sure if he believes that, but he has no right to force Jean to live in a wasteland. He won't impede his freedom to choose.]
Edited 2025-01-18 06:12 (UTC)
[ Jean notes the flush, anyway, and stores that information away. He leans his head against Eren's. ]
I didn't think you would move either of them. I'll probably purchase some space to set up a kitchen here for Thermo, though.
[ He sighs softly. ]
And of course I'm going to stay with you on the farm.
[ His hand finds Eren's, hooking their pinky fingers together. ]
Someone has to watch Frog when you're not around, after all.
I didn't think you would move either of them. I'll probably purchase some space to set up a kitchen here for Thermo, though.
[ He sighs softly. ]
And of course I'm going to stay with you on the farm.
[ His hand finds Eren's, hooking their pinky fingers together. ]
Someone has to watch Frog when you're not around, after all.
Edited 2025-01-18 06:23 (UTC)
[Ah...
[Relief. Eren squeezes their pinkies together under the water. He should be honest, here, while he feels he can.]
I'm glad.
I wouldn't want you to go. Not for good...
[...]
I don't know if Dolph will stay. But I'd like him to.
[Relief. Eren squeezes their pinkies together under the water. He should be honest, here, while he feels he can.]
I'm glad.
I wouldn't want you to go. Not for good...
[...]
I don't know if Dolph will stay. But I'd like him to.
I wouldn't want to either.
[ He squeezes back, reassuring. The mention of Dolph makes him think of plans of a house in the future. ]
I'll see how he feels - he might.
[ He exhales softly. ]
We have been talking about getting a house, after we're married. But I would still be at the farm, too. He wants space that he knows is his own... You know how he gets about feeling like he's intruding.
[ He knows, knows Eren would give Dolph any space he asked; the garden, a room of his own. But Eren also may understand Dolph wanting a space that's wholly his from the start. ]
[ He squeezes back, reassuring. The mention of Dolph makes him think of plans of a house in the future. ]
I'll see how he feels - he might.
[ He exhales softly. ]
We have been talking about getting a house, after we're married. But I would still be at the farm, too. He wants space that he knows is his own... You know how he gets about feeling like he's intruding.
[ He knows, knows Eren would give Dolph any space he asked; the garden, a room of his own. But Eren also may understand Dolph wanting a space that's wholly his from the start. ]
[ Maruki's had the same thought. Neither of them knew it consciously at the time, but that's the power of the subconscious and the collective unconscious, isn't it? Eren found him...
He smooths the stray hairs that fall over Eren's forehead away from his face. ]
We could go take some photos, if you'd like.
He smooths the stray hairs that fall over Eren's forehead away from his face. ]
We could go take some photos, if you'd like.
AS PER USUAL we can move toward a WRAP if you wanna (look at us go)
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abandonhumanity
2025-01-18 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Eren's not sure what to do with the way that suggestion thrills him. He's never felt anything quite like it before.
[He nods.]
You already have your camera, right?
[He nods.]
You already have your camera, right?
[Anyone could see the logic in wanting space for themselves, but it still stings Eren to think of either of them leaving longterm. Jean assures him now that he'd still stay somewhat at the farm, but Eren doesn't know if Dolph would do the same...
[It's not his place to argue, however. Those two can have a real marriage together. Could Eren even really blame them if they wanted to spend every night together? Maybe. But he'd let them. He'd let them both go if it meant that they'd be happier.
[His eyes are on the water, jaw tight. He nods.]
I get it. [He has spaces of his own - spaces Jean doesn't and never will know about, like the Windmill, and he, Maruki, and Akechi's secret space in Stellari. Eren said he wasn't looking for a place to stay here. It's because he's already found one.
[So, he can't possibly argue.
[He'll focus on Jean, since Jean is here; his heart aches for Dolph anyway.]
I'm not at the farm every night either. As long as you came back sometimes, I wouldn't be angry.
[It's not his place to argue, however. Those two can have a real marriage together. Could Eren even really blame them if they wanted to spend every night together? Maybe. But he'd let them. He'd let them both go if it meant that they'd be happier.
[His eyes are on the water, jaw tight. He nods.]
I get it. [He has spaces of his own - spaces Jean doesn't and never will know about, like the Windmill, and he, Maruki, and Akechi's secret space in Stellari. Eren said he wasn't looking for a place to stay here. It's because he's already found one.
[So, he can't possibly argue.
[He'll focus on Jean, since Jean is here; his heart aches for Dolph anyway.]
I'm not at the farm every night either. As long as you came back sometimes, I wouldn't be angry.
Maybe we could get the house on the farm.
[ What has he heard them called - mother in law houses? Close enough to Eren, but with space for Dolph to spread out. He still would be more than happy to keep all three of them in the farm, though.
It's a different dynamic to Eren, himself, and Mikasa, but he finds that he likes those kinds of things - where all the people he cares about are together.
For now, though, he curls his hand to pick Eren's up, lifting it out of the water. He kisses the tips of his fingers gently. ]
I'll come back more than sometimes. You're my husband too, you know.
[ What has he heard them called - mother in law houses? Close enough to Eren, but with space for Dolph to spread out. He still would be more than happy to keep all three of them in the farm, though.
It's a different dynamic to Eren, himself, and Mikasa, but he finds that he likes those kinds of things - where all the people he cares about are together.
For now, though, he curls his hand to pick Eren's up, lifting it out of the water. He kisses the tips of his fingers gently. ]
I'll come back more than sometimes. You're my husband too, you know.
[Jean lifts Eren's fingers, speaks kind reassurances. It makes Eren's heart flutter, than squeeze. Eren is his husband, too, and Jean only hates one of them.
[But he hadn't considered a house on the farm. He likes that idea.]
A house on the property. I'd like that too.
I'd like that a lot, actually...
[But he hadn't considered a house on the farm. He likes that idea.]
A house on the property. I'd like that too.
I'd like that a lot, actually...
[ Jean smiles at Eren reassuringly. ]
I can't make any promises, but I'll see if he likes that idea too.
[ Jean presses a kiss to the back of Eren's hand, next, and then turns his head to kiss the tip of his nose. Wordless reassurance, though he makes sure to stop there in case the workers get cranky about more. ]
I can't make any promises, but I'll see if he likes that idea too.
[ Jean presses a kiss to the back of Eren's hand, next, and then turns his head to kiss the tip of his nose. Wordless reassurance, though he makes sure to stop there in case the workers get cranky about more. ]
let me know if u wanna wrap or keep going? I'm down for w/e!
abandonhumanity
2025-01-18 07:20 am (UTC)(link)
[If the workers have a problem with a chaste kiss to the nose, Eren will break theirs. He leans his forehead down. He wants one there too.]
Tell him that I signed off. Tell him it would...[Make him "happy"? He doesn't use that word anymore, but...]
Tell him he's welcome. As long as he wants.
I'll tell him too.
Tell him that I signed off. Tell him it would...[Make him "happy"? He doesn't use that word anymore, but...]
Tell him he's welcome. As long as he wants.
I'll tell him too.
[ The forehead tilt is so endearing, and Jean obligingly presses a kiss to that spot as well. ]
I'll tell him, I promise.
[ He is, however, hitting the limit of how long he can spend in the water. He moves himself to sit on the edge, instead, so he can watch Eren or hang his feet over his shoulders. ]
I'll tell him, I promise.
[ He is, however, hitting the limit of how long he can spend in the water. He moves himself to sit on the edge, instead, so he can watch Eren or hang his feet over his shoulders. ]
I do! It's in my satchel.
[ Which he flops over sideways in their little blanket nest to grab from where it's shoved up against a support beam. From there, he attempts to roll backwards and sit up at the same time, and winds up flailing and squawking like an idiot for a good ten seconds before managing it.
Breathless from the sudden fight against his own body, he pops up to face Eren again, farther away now, and grins. ]
Let's go!
[ Which he flops over sideways in their little blanket nest to grab from where it's shoved up against a support beam. From there, he attempts to roll backwards and sit up at the same time, and winds up flailing and squawking like an idiot for a good ten seconds before managing it.
Breathless from the sudden fight against his own body, he pops up to face Eren again, farther away now, and grins. ]
Let's go!
[Jean is allowed to free himself from the boiling waters. Eren makes him rest his legs over his shoulders, holding onto them like he's about to hoist him up and carry him around. He doesn't though. Instead, he lays his head back on his husband's thigh, stares up at him, and talks all night. They stay in the hot springs until the sun goes down, and the employees warn that the air ship is making its last trip back to Stellari. It's only that risk of being stranded that lures them back into the city, where they'll find somewhere to rest.
[Together. It's a good night. They'll never be perfect. That's fine. They never were anyway.
[For however Eren feels about Jean, his own mistakes, the rift they've caused, he feels loved tonight. It matters.]
[Together. It's a good night. They'll never be perfect. That's fine. They never were anyway.
[For however Eren feels about Jean, his own mistakes, the rift they've caused, he feels loved tonight. It matters.]
[ As promised, a few hours after their conversation ends, Maruki comes home.
He doesn't expect Eren right away, or even soon. It really is okay. He meant it when he told him to take his time. Something like whatever he's doing with Dolph shouldn't be rushed– and anyway, it gives Maruki time to lay up in the windmill loft and try to sort through that conversation in his mind.
It's complicated. It's been complicated. Maruki has always kept his opinions on Eren's personal life to himself – it's none of his business, never has been, never will be. To be told that he won't move forward with anyone if he doesn't have Maruki's blessing...
Yeah. It's complicated.
There's a temptation to doze off, so synonymous the windmill has become with naps, but Maruki fends off sleep until he hears the heavy wooden door begin to creak open and sits bolt upright, scrambling across the nest of blankets and cushions so that he can peer over the banister. ]
He doesn't expect Eren right away, or even soon. It really is okay. He meant it when he told him to take his time. Something like whatever he's doing with Dolph shouldn't be rushed– and anyway, it gives Maruki time to lay up in the windmill loft and try to sort through that conversation in his mind.
It's complicated. It's been complicated. Maruki has always kept his opinions on Eren's personal life to himself – it's none of his business, never has been, never will be. To be told that he won't move forward with anyone if he doesn't have Maruki's blessing...
Yeah. It's complicated.
There's a temptation to doze off, so synonymous the windmill has become with naps, but Maruki fends off sleep until he hears the heavy wooden door begin to creak open and sits bolt upright, scrambling across the nest of blankets and cushions so that he can peer over the banister. ]
[Eren doesn't know how to feel, and for once, it's a wonderful thing. Only weeks ago, he cried tears of joy at the mere realization that, for one perfect moment, he'd felt happiness again. That happiness - the joy he'd felt in sharing that Maruki was, above any and all, his soulmate of all soulmates - is something he knows he could never replicate with anyone else, but he doesn't have to.
[That is their happiness. A kiss shared on a snowy farm is Dolph and Eren's happiness. He could have happiness with others too, then - hoisting Luz up over his shoulder while she protests, posing with Daisy for Hythlodaeus' photos, listening to Akechi read fun facts from his book, or the way Subaru poses like a dork when he makes a stupid point - on and on; he loves so many.
[It all matters. It always has, but Eren didn't know. He didn't know that that could mean happiness. He didn't know there was no need to resist it...
[So, he feels rare and free. He closes the heavy door behind him, looks up to the loft, and there he is.
[There He is.
[Eren's greatest happiness. His love of all loves. His Other. If Eren can feel it, Maruki can feel it. Eren wants to smile. Maybe he'll be able to one day without having to think about it. Maybe...
[Climbing the loft, he skips rungs on the ladder with his long legs. He wants to reach Maruki as fast as possible. Once he does, he puts two arms around his waist and yanks him down into their nest with force, planting a kiss on his cheek. He rests his nose there, closing his eyes.]
You're here. [He says it like he's saying, "Thank God," instead.]
[That is their happiness. A kiss shared on a snowy farm is Dolph and Eren's happiness. He could have happiness with others too, then - hoisting Luz up over his shoulder while she protests, posing with Daisy for Hythlodaeus' photos, listening to Akechi read fun facts from his book, or the way Subaru poses like a dork when he makes a stupid point - on and on; he loves so many.
[It all matters. It always has, but Eren didn't know. He didn't know that that could mean happiness. He didn't know there was no need to resist it...
[So, he feels rare and free. He closes the heavy door behind him, looks up to the loft, and there he is.
[There He is.
[Eren's greatest happiness. His love of all loves. His Other. If Eren can feel it, Maruki can feel it. Eren wants to smile. Maybe he'll be able to one day without having to think about it. Maybe...
[Climbing the loft, he skips rungs on the ladder with his long legs. He wants to reach Maruki as fast as possible. Once he does, he puts two arms around his waist and yanks him down into their nest with force, planting a kiss on his cheek. He rests his nose there, closing his eyes.]
You're here. [He says it like he's saying, "Thank God," instead.]
[ Eren doesn't need to smile. He never has. Maruki can tell when he wants to, and only one other time has he felt it radiating so purely. Things must have gone well, then. More than well.
He only has a few seconds to consider it before Eren's clambering deftly up into the loft and pulling him down, all at once clinging and affectionate. Maruki's whole body sighs with relief, arms wrapping around Eren's back, cheek nuzzling up against Eren's nose squashed against it. Instinctual reactions; he's barely conscious of them. They've become second nature. ]
You're here.
[ As promised, as always, as ever. Thank god. ]
And you're in a good mood...
He only has a few seconds to consider it before Eren's clambering deftly up into the loft and pulling him down, all at once clinging and affectionate. Maruki's whole body sighs with relief, arms wrapping around Eren's back, cheek nuzzling up against Eren's nose squashed against it. Instinctual reactions; he's barely conscious of them. They've become second nature. ]
You're here.
[ As promised, as always, as ever. Thank god. ]
And you're in a good mood...
[He can't even deny it, can he? There's no way to - he doesn't want to.
[But it's exposing, a naked feeling. He curls himself around Maruki and hooks his chin over the man's shoulder instead, face smashed halfway into a pillow, as if he really were trying to hide a smile. Mutters:]
I'm happy to see you...
[Not "glad" - "happy".]
[But it's exposing, a naked feeling. He curls himself around Maruki and hooks his chin over the man's shoulder instead, face smashed halfway into a pillow, as if he really were trying to hide a smile. Mutters:]
I'm happy to see you...
[Not "glad" - "happy".]
[ It courses through Maruki like the static electricity, tiny zapping shock after tiny zapping shock. Has Eren ever said those exact words? He's happy to see him...
He's happy.
Eren might be trying to hide his face away, but Maruki immediately starts wriggling around in his hold like a fish to try to lay face to face with him instead... to middling success. He really has been completely enveloped here. ]
What happened? You're so...
[ Another wriggle. He wants to see Eren. If even the tiniest hint of a smile appears, Maruki wants to see it. ]
Hey. Look at me.
He's happy.
Eren might be trying to hide his face away, but Maruki immediately starts wriggling around in his hold like a fish to try to lay face to face with him instead... to middling success. He really has been completely enveloped here. ]
What happened? You're so...
[ Another wriggle. He wants to see Eren. If even the tiniest hint of a smile appears, Maruki wants to see it. ]
Hey. Look at me.
[Eren rarely jokes around - if he does, it's only ever with Maruki. As the man wriggles about, he increases the strength of his grip, effectively immobilizing him until he makes that simple request.
[There's some anxiety, oddly pleasant - Maruki might look at Eren and see a different person. He feels different...
[He releases his hold, pulling away and shifting to rest his elbow on the ground, his cheek on his hand. He's still not smiling, but his expression is light, and it's there - nothing hollow, nothing dull about it.
[He reaches out with his free hand and runs it through Maruki's hair, just a touch coarser than his own. It comes to rest on the man's shoulder.]
What?
[There's some anxiety, oddly pleasant - Maruki might look at Eren and see a different person. He feels different...
[He releases his hold, pulling away and shifting to rest his elbow on the ground, his cheek on his hand. He's still not smiling, but his expression is light, and it's there - nothing hollow, nothing dull about it.
[He reaches out with his free hand and runs it through Maruki's hair, just a touch coarser than his own. It comes to rest on the man's shoulder.]
What?
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