[It sounds like Akechi is apologizing for lighting up the world. He stares Eren in the faces and lies. A lot changes in four years - not so much in two weeks; even so, Eren feels cold rage in his heart, familiar to this particular dance. But he doesn't much feel like catering to Akechi's personal neuroses anymore.]
I haven't forgotten you. That's what you want, isn't it? Akechi.
[It doesn't matter if he does. Akechi's voice remains neutral, feigned smile plastered. Eren remembers. Whatever. He doesn't give a shit. ]
It can't be helped then. I didn't want you to feel compelled to speak because we were previously acquainted. Ah, well - of course I'm pleased to know you remember me, though it's a shame you were brought back.
[Akechi can't stand him. Shifts his body, adjusts his stance, lets a hand fall to his hip. ]
Nothing has changed. If you need help getting adjusted to the surroundings, feel free to contact me.
You should be the one that's embarrassed. Not to be rude, of course. I'm simply comparing situations.
You leave all your little sycophants in disarray, cause messes for others to clean up and tore your way back to your own reality, only to fail at even staying there - what a disappointment.
[Akechi doesn't know that Eren knows this hack. Akechi is thrown onto his back, and then Eren's knee is on his chest, full weight pinning him to the ground.]
And his breath is knocked out of him, so it's impossible to really express that. Eren had him beat in physical strength prior to his four year gym membership kicking in. He's down. Eren's talking. Akechi's never hated him more.
It doesn't stop him from trying to push his knee off his body with angry huffs. Would try to dig his nails in, if gloves weren't blocking his way.]
I didn't miss you. I'm not mad - I'm always calm. I only retaliated against your sh-
[HE IS THRASHING. TRYING TO REACH FOR HIS THROAT. GET OFF!!!!!!!!]
[Akechi's in a vulnerable position - that's putting it lightly, really. All Eren has to do is swing his head out of the way to avoid that punch, and then he's pressing down with more weight, grabbing at Akechi's hands and pinning them to the ground by his head.
Akechi can't breathe - only manages to do so when he stops squirming, pulling, tugging his way out of a gentle touch that doesn't belong between them.]
You're mistaken if you think that's where my ire lies. I was happy you left. Isn't that the goal?
[He ignores the thumbs on his palms - keeps hands steady and still. Resists the urge yet again to summon Loki to make a lunge at those fingers against his hand. As if Eren has the right to touch him like this.]
[There's a weighted moment; it drags on. Eren stares down at Akechi, and he's just how he remembers. They were never meant for gentle touches, but Eren wishes that weren't true. He'd love to see Akechi smile, feel tender hands, listen to a contented voice. He wants this, his happiness.
[Wants to rage too; relents anyway, releasing Akechi's hands and shifting off of him. Eren stands. A battle may break out yet. Maybe one of them will be lucky enough to kill the other one - or lucky enough to die.]
It isn't the goal yet. I have another. You know that.
[It's as simple as that. Eren can't quite accept that he didn't return of his own volition - not necessarily out of pride so much as twisted, time-warped logic. He is the bender of Eldian reality - he himself is an Eldian. It only makes sense.
Not yet. [His Founder ability is barred from him once again, but there's no telling if that's due to this reality, or to his brother's absence from it.]
For posterity [With a subtle, upward, mocking tone.], you don't either, right?
There's a part of Akechi that's more disappointed than he's ever been and one that longs to continue.
He doesn't want someone else to destroy this reality. Wants to rip it apart himself, piece by piece. Unravel the injustice that stole his dream and replaced it with a false wish.]
What a disappointment.
[But that's it. That's all. Eren's back, from war, from death, from an oceans of blood. Everything else is the same. Nothing changed. Akechi stretches his arms out in front of him, glances back at Eren and-]
I'm sure Maruki-san and Aubrey are eager to see you. They're sentimental enough to want a discussion of your time away.
[He isn't. Doesn't. Eren's only value is as a resource to be used.]
But I'll expect you tomorrow, in front of my door, first thing in the morning. I'm sure you could use the exercise after so much time away.
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I haven't forgotten you. That's what you want, isn't it? Akechi.
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[It doesn't matter if he does. Akechi's voice remains neutral, feigned smile plastered. Eren remembers. Whatever. He doesn't give a shit. ]
It can't be helped then. I didn't want you to feel compelled to speak because we were previously acquainted. Ah, well - of course I'm pleased to know you remember me, though it's a shame you were brought back.
[Akechi can't stand him. Shifts his body, adjusts his stance, lets a hand fall to his hip. ]
Nothing has changed. If you need help getting adjusted to the surroundings, feel free to contact me.
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You're right about that.
[Eren closes the distance between them; stops only when they're chest to chest.]
You haven't escaped me. You aren't fooling anyone. Certainly not yourself, Akechi.
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[Oh, he's not moving. Eren is close enough to strangle. To attack. To do anything and-
Akechi stands there - holds his ground. Smile waning, irritation apparent. ]
I don't know what you're implying - why would I want to escape an old friend? My, I couldn't be happier.
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I already told you. You aren't fooling anyone. You never have.
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OKAY.]
You should be the one that's embarrassed. Not to be rude, of course. I'm simply comparing situations.
You leave all your little sycophants in disarray, cause messes for others to clean up and tore your way back to your own reality, only to fail at even staying there - what a disappointment.
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[Eren shoves him. It's light enough.]
Be rude. I'm curious what that's like.
1/2
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But he does place both hands against Eren's chest, and lightly pushes him backwards, so gently, so kindly. Get the fuck away from him.]
No. I wouldn't dream of being rude intentionally - that would be stooping to your level and I'm far above it.
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But Maruki tends to find him when his persona gets activated - it's not coincidence, likely an unspoken Azathoth power.
The hit bruises his cheek on impact. A copper taste. He bit his tongue a little and-
He lunges in a blind fury, and throws all his weight into Eren's stomach to try and force him to the ground.]
cw: violence
There we go.
You're angry. I get it.
I missed you too.
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And his breath is knocked out of him, so it's impossible to really express that. Eren had him beat in physical strength prior to his four year gym membership kicking in. He's down. Eren's talking. Akechi's never hated him more.
It doesn't stop him from trying to push his knee off his body with angry huffs. Would try to dig his nails in, if gloves weren't blocking his way.]
I didn't miss you. I'm not mad - I'm always calm. I only retaliated against your sh-
[HE IS THRASHING. TRYING TO REACH FOR HIS THROAT. GET OFF!!!!!!!!]
Stop making assumptions and get off.
[Oh, he is huffy. Oh, his little lungs.]
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[Just one glimpse through the curtain, and he's taken again.]
Just me, then. I've never believed that.
Since you're calm, let's talk a while. I don't plan on leaving you alone.
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His jaw hurts.]
I'm a captive audience for you, aren't I? Something I'm sure you enjoy. By all means - talk.
[His cheek aches and-
Akechi will wait a second. Two. Three and-
Try to punch Eren in the face.]
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[Thumbs stroke Akechi's palms.]
I didn't mean to leave you. Not yet, Akechi.
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Akechi can't breathe - only manages to do so when he stops squirming, pulling, tugging his way out of a gentle touch that doesn't belong between them.]
You're mistaken if you think that's where my ire lies. I was happy you left. Isn't that the goal?
[He ignores the thumbs on his palms - keeps hands steady and still. Resists the urge yet again to summon Loki to make a lunge at those fingers against his hand. As if Eren has the right to touch him like this.]
Let go.
cw: suicidal ideation
[Wants to rage too; relents anyway, releasing Akechi's hands and shifting off of him. Eren stands. A battle may break out yet. Maybe one of them will be lucky enough to kill the other one - or lucky enough to die.]
It isn't the goal yet. I have another. You know that.
Where's your ire, then?
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Eren moves - Akechi follows, eager to pull himself up from the ground and back on neutral ground.
His arms cross over his chest, instinctively. Watches Eren's hands, his expression, everything. He won't be caught off guard again.]
That you came back. You were out - what were you thinking?
[It's not his fault - not entirely, but what's the point of proclaiming yourself a destroyer of worlds if he can't even fucking rip this one apart.]
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[It's as simple as that. Eren can't quite accept that he didn't return of his own volition - not necessarily out of pride so much as twisted, time-warped logic. He is the bender of Eldian reality - he himself is an Eldian. It only makes sense.
[And he did make that promise.]
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[He's so fucking mad. Who gives a shit about promises, but-]
It feels pointless to ask, but I will for posterity - you don't have the ability to leave or solve this problem now, do you?
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For posterity [With a subtle, upward, mocking tone.], you don't either, right?
Our [Our.] battle continues.
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There's a part of Akechi that's more disappointed than he's ever been and one that longs to continue.
He doesn't want someone else to destroy this reality. Wants to rip it apart himself, piece by piece. Unravel the injustice that stole his dream and replaced it with a false wish.]
What a disappointment.
[But that's it. That's all. Eren's back, from war, from death, from an oceans of blood. Everything else is the same. Nothing changed. Akechi stretches his arms out in front of him, glances back at Eren and-]
I'm sure Maruki-san and Aubrey are eager to see you. They're sentimental enough to want a discussion of your time away.
[He isn't. Doesn't. Eren's only value is as a resource to be used.]
But I'll expect you tomorrow, in front of my door, first thing in the morning. I'm sure you could use the exercise after so much time away.
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I'll see Aubrey when our time together is through. You know how it works.
We've only just reached the summit. Let's go to our chess game.
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[There is a chessboard in the Machiya and it would be far more comfortable to play in the confines of that space. Watch Eren. Relearn and assess.
Then ignore him. He only needs facts. New details. He'll play a part today and during their jogs. Keep him at a distance beyond that.]
We'll play somewhere different, if you don't mind.
DO W/E U WANNA DO, THREAD THE WALK, SKIP, DO SMTH NEW - LEXY POWER