[ Oh, Maruki hears that edge. It doesn't surprise him, either. He knows Eren like he knows his own soul. He knows how he feels about all the people who have hurt Eren, even if it was entirely unintentional on their part. They're the same, he knows...

It's not something he'll press. Eren can feel however he feels. It won't change the fact that he'll do anything to build a new relationship with this Akira. Eren's words from before still ring true: Akira found him here, so he must need him. No matter how painful it is for Maruki, maybe it was meant to happen this way for both of them.

It also won't change another, much more pertinent fact. Maruki doesn't know if it's something he needs to state outright, but–

It can't hurt.

He picks his head up, leans back enough to be able to look Eren in the eye again. ]

I want to say something important.

[ Before, he'd ask if that was okay, or tell Eren to please hear him. They're not things that need to be done anymore. ]

Even if we manage to become as close as we were back in my reality– or closer, even...

[ It feels impossible, but Maruki knows better than to bet against anything here. He and Akira will go through things that he never could have dreamed of back in Tokyo. Their relationship will be different, inevitably. Maybe stronger. Maybe not. He doesn't know. Either way, though– ]

You're important to me. More than anyone else. [ Words Eren has said to him, repeated firmly, with all the conviction he can grasp through his exhaustion. ] I've never had a friend like you in any reality. In every reality, even.

[ And despite everything that's transpired, despite that horrific well of rage and pain he's put on display for Eren now, despite how miserable the coming days and weeks and months will be as they're put through hell after hell–

Maruki smiles. It's nothing less than entirely genuine. ]

It's special. You are, I mean. Nothing will change that.