[ Eren used to tell him almost anything, it's true. But not everything Maruki learned about him was through conversation. Observation and analysis have always been more important tools in his skillset than he thinks Eren has realized.

Asking if he visited the farm elicited a reaction. Mentioning Thermo and Jean elicits a reaction.

Noted.

He tears off a tiny corner of what's left of Eren's croissant to have a nibble himself. ]

I'm not counseling in any formal capacity, no. I won't start that again. I don't know how long I'll stick with cooking either, but for now it's good.

[ A beat. He doesn't look at Eren, shrugs. ]

It got me out of the house, at least. I wasn't leaving otherwise.

[ Another beat. Maruki doesn't know why he's still talking. He and Eren got to a point where he really couldn't obfuscate his emotions anymore, and certainly couldn't lie about them. They pour forth, even with this Eren who hasn't had to listen to him for four infinitely long years. ]

I felt a little like you, sometimes. Forcing myself to keep to a routine because otherwise, there was just... nothing.

[ Grief. He's describing grief.

And normally, this is where he would apologize, change the subject, get back on track. You say what you think you should say instead, Eren told him once, to get him to cut the bullshit. But he doesn't do that anymore. Not with Eren. ]