[ 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?