[ Maruki knows. He feels it in that grounding, comforting touch, and he sees it in Eren's deadened gaze. It's an apology he doesn't need to give. There are ways that they will hurt one another that are inevitable; grief is one of them. It's neither of their faults. It's simply the way of the world. All things end, again and again and again.

Still, Maruki accepts it. Goes to catch Eren's hand– it's already gone.

He breaks the remaining croissant in half, hands it over to Eren without question. ]

There's plenty of time. And candidly... I'm tired too. Not like you are, but.

[ It was a familiar feeling in the worst way. No amount of sleep or even just inertia could give him any reprieve. Whether he closed his eyes or not, he was still miserable, so what was the point?

He's tired. Now that the adrenaline of finding Eren has all but entirely faded, it's been hitting him again and again. ]

Let's take a nap. I'm serious. I don't have anything else going on today, and even if I did, I don't care. And you deserve to rest, Eren. You do.