[It wells up in Eren as Maruki speaks, this devastating admiration. Of course, Maruki would break him apart, put him back together, place him back in his own two hands - that is, after all, what he's always done.
[Eren believes every word Maruki says. He believes that he's beautiful when Maruki is the one looking at him. His eyes, or his passion, or the tacky blood on the bottom of his boots - his Other loves them all, and it's so easy. It would surprise Maruki's other friends, Eren thinks, to know he dreams of the same empty world, perfect in its ruin.
[Will they fill it with gold wherever they pass?
[Eren's hands both squeeze the stone, release, squeeze, and he hasn't even looked at it again. He's looking at Maruki.]
I trust you.
[His voice sounds weak. His arms curl in, stone still enclosed, pressed into his chest. He doesn't know what to say. And why should he have to say anything? Maruki wouldn't make him. Eren's arms loop back around the man's neck, and then he's folded into him again, hands still loosely grasping the stone.]
I'll keep it with me. All the time. I'll...enchant it or something. [His voice goes tight. Really, he doesn't even try to hold it back.] I can't ever lose it...
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[Eren believes every word Maruki says. He believes that he's beautiful when Maruki is the one looking at him. His eyes, or his passion, or the tacky blood on the bottom of his boots - his Other loves them all, and it's so easy. It would surprise Maruki's other friends, Eren thinks, to know he dreams of the same empty world, perfect in its ruin.
[Will they fill it with gold wherever they pass?
[Eren's hands both squeeze the stone, release, squeeze, and he hasn't even looked at it again. He's looking at Maruki.]
I trust you.
[His voice sounds weak. His arms curl in, stone still enclosed, pressed into his chest. He doesn't know what to say. And why should he have to say anything? Maruki wouldn't make him. Eren's arms loop back around the man's neck, and then he's folded into him again, hands still loosely grasping the stone.]
I'll keep it with me. All the time. I'll...enchant it or something. [His voice goes tight. Really, he doesn't even try to hold it back.] I can't ever lose it...