[Maruki's words are...disquieting, if only for the fact that Eren hadn't fully realized he needed to hear them. He has no reason to feel threatened - doesn't feel threatened when Jean is with Dolph, or when Aubrey and Akechi hang out alone (at least, not anymore). Jealousy is not a pretty or proud emotion, and certainly not one he wants to own up to.

[Maruki and Eren are impossibly close. They may as well be one person, split into two pillars. 'I've never had a friend like you in any reality. In every reality.'

[Eren feels the same. Even when it comes to Armin, the two can't truly compare; equally important, but so irreconcilably different.

[So, he gets it. But he still feels...

[Young. Lonely. A boy who had trouble making friends. He can't quite look at Maruki.

[And then he hears the word "special". He closes his eyes for a long moment.]

"Special"...

No. That's wrong...

[He opens his eyes.]

I remember what you told me about Kurusu. He's a special person. He's the type of person that might save the world, right?

I've known special people too. Someone like me, though...

I'm not special at all. That's why...

[That power never should have been handed to him.

[He doesn't finish his thought.]

You are dear to me. Maruki. That's enough, so...

You don't have to be special either.