[Maruki's tug is weak - it should do nothing. But Eren isn't pulled. Just invited.
[Maruki isn't afraid. Not of him.
[He mourns the realities he spent without his dearest friend. How different might they have been? Not at all, maybe. Maruki couldn't change his future even once they did meet.
[But Eren isn't asking for that; isn't asking for anything, but he's given it, regardless.
[He's always wanted to be close. As a child, he craved friendship and met rejection at every turn. As a teenager, his closest friends were those assigned to him. As an adult, he destroyed them; realized that they always feared him, and that they were right to.
[Is there truly anyone else who loves Eren the way Maruki does? It's unconditional.
[Eren shifts onto his side, arms still folded tight. He feels ashamed without knowing why. He can't quite look at Maruki. His cheeks are tinged red with embarrassment, but it has nothing to do with their closeness.
[He doesn't deserve him.
[Maruki just keeps talking. Eren follows the conversation for what it is. Hell if he has anything better to contribute. It's easier, more pleasant, to talk about things like:]
no subject
[Don't. The blade will cut. Don't.
[Maruki's tug is weak - it should do nothing. But Eren isn't pulled. Just invited.
[Maruki isn't afraid. Not of him.
[He mourns the realities he spent without his dearest friend. How different might they have been? Not at all, maybe. Maruki couldn't change his future even once they did meet.
[But Eren isn't asking for that; isn't asking for anything, but he's given it, regardless.
[He's always wanted to be close. As a child, he craved friendship and met rejection at every turn. As a teenager, his closest friends were those assigned to him. As an adult, he destroyed them; realized that they always feared him, and that they were right to.
[Is there truly anyone else who loves Eren the way Maruki does? It's unconditional.
[He can think of two others. They aren't here. Eren wanted Maruki to meet them.
[Eren shifts onto his side, arms still folded tight. He feels ashamed without knowing why. He can't quite look at Maruki. His cheeks are tinged red with embarrassment, but it has nothing to do with their closeness.
[He doesn't deserve him.
[Maruki just keeps talking. Eren follows the conversation for what it is. Hell if he has anything better to contribute. It's easier, more pleasant, to talk about things like:]
A bedroll?