[Maruki's misery is laid out so plainly in front of Eren, and it hurts.
[Maruki, ever strong, ever steady, crumbling on the dusty floor of a nigh-abandoned windmill with only Eren's body there to anchor him. Eren has never seen his friend in a state like this.
[He shifts closer, pulling Maruki close against his chest, cradling his head as if he were a child, pressing his nose into his hair.]
I know. [Whispered. Fingers trail over Maruki's spine.]
I know. [He hasn't experienced it himself. It's difficult to imagine, given that, but he tries - tries to think of how it would feel to see Armin walk through town, not a hint of recognition on his face as their eyes meet--
[Eren takes a long, deep breath. He breathes against Maruki. He breathes so he can feel it. He breathes so his friend can breathe too.]
I know. [What else can he say? He closes his eyes. He kisses the top of Maruki's head, gentle, lingering. It's what Eren's mother would do for him. It's what Maruki would do for Eren.
[He rests his cheek there afterward, holding tight. Eren is not built to soothe, but he tries. He tries...]
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[Maruki, ever strong, ever steady, crumbling on the dusty floor of a nigh-abandoned windmill with only Eren's body there to anchor him. Eren has never seen his friend in a state like this.
[He shifts closer, pulling Maruki close against his chest, cradling his head as if he were a child, pressing his nose into his hair.]
I know. [Whispered. Fingers trail over Maruki's spine.]
I know. [He hasn't experienced it himself. It's difficult to imagine, given that, but he tries - tries to think of how it would feel to see Armin walk through town, not a hint of recognition on his face as their eyes meet--
[Eren takes a long, deep breath. He breathes against Maruki. He breathes so he can feel it. He breathes so his friend can breathe too.]
I know. [What else can he say? He closes his eyes. He kisses the top of Maruki's head, gentle, lingering. It's what Eren's mother would do for him. It's what Maruki would do for Eren.
[He rests his cheek there afterward, holding tight. Eren is not built to soothe, but he tries. He tries...]
I'm here. I've got you, Maruki. I've got you.