[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.
oh I want
[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.]