[Eren's hand is taken, and he doesn't pull it away. What reason is there to pull away anymore? His body feels like it's full of sand. He's easy to move around.
[Still, the sentiment surprises him - echoes some old surprise. It's a lesson Eren will never learn, maybe, that people are sorry to see him go.
[He unfolds his hand, palm pressed against Hythlodaeus' heart, racing. He looks into the eyes of his friend. He's been at a loss for words all day - hasn't used them as anything but tools in a much longer time.]
Of course I recognised it. It's... brighter still, somehow. And yet at the same time, it's somewhat ragged around the edges. 'Tis something I had seen in Emet-Selch- that world-weariness. Yet the hue didn't change at all. I knew it was you in an instant.
[Finally, he smiles.]
Maruki was right. That you would not leave without saying goodbye. Full glad am I that he spoke true.
[Squeezing the hand at his heart, he glances down at their linked fingers.]
[An old friend, but a new one. Eren doesn't know Hythlodaeus the way he knows Maruki, Aubrey, Thorfinn, Akechi, Jean. There's less memory to cling to, wrought with more uncertainty, confusion, surprise. He recalls the feeling of Hythlodaeus' hand in his own, and it's warm. He doesn't remove his hand, even as dull grey-green eyes search his friend's face - for what, it isn't clear.]
That's right. [His voice is quiet; tired.] I'm not finished here.
[His fingers curl over Hythlodaeus' heart. Can he really say that he missed him too? It's difficult to tell what he did and didn't carry with him.]
I did think of you. [Trapped for thousands of years. Ymir's face was not kind like Hythlodaeus', but he remembers the two, intertwined in his mind.]
[Hythlodaeus nods, turning back to look to his friend.]
I can imagine. It will be all right. You have time to sort them out. Whether it is enough time or not, we shall see, but... there is time.
[Lowering his hand from his heart, he still keeps their fingers linked as they're set between the two of them. Eren is free to let go if he'd like, but Hythlodaeus feels no need to.]
And if you need to speak with anybody, know that I am always here for you. I may not be the first person you'd turn to, but that doesn't matter.
[Dutifully, he will remain where he is needed- no closer, no farther.]
[No closer, no farther; such is Hythlodaeus, and it's grace. Eren's always suspected that Hythlodaeus longed more than he would admit, but he was grateful for that. Eren couldn't explain what makes him come to care for someone, but it's never been through having it shoved down his throat.
[Their hands are intertwined. Eren doesn't move his away. An anxious habit, he's always twisting and flexing that hand; with Hythlodaeus as an anchor, he merely squeezes, and without really noticing.
[It's a peaceful moment, for all the turmoil in his head. That's what Hythlodaeus brings. Just a few moments of peace at a time.]
Do I look like him now? The Eren you met first.
[Foggy green eyes shift sideways to Hythlodaeus.]
This isn't our first time together. That's right, isn't it?
[Down to the vacancy in his eyes. That hollow gaze that Hythlodaeus could fall into and drown in if he wasn't careful. Letting go of Eren's hand, he decides he wants to try to bring some joy back into his expression.]
I have something to show you.
[Closing his hands together, a single, glowing flower with petals that shine every colour appears in a small burst of light. He takes it and offers it to Eren, smiling.]
An Elpis flower. It changes colour depending on emotions, but it is beautiful no matter what. While you were gone, I asked for my creation magicks to be returned to me.
[It wouldn't appear so, but Eren is not immune to things like wonder, beauty. Hyth creates something in front of his eyes, life blooming out of his palms. Eren feels his head tilt just a fraction of an inch to the side, brows pinching together. That's the extent of his reaction, but it's more than nothing. Internally, he's stunned.
[What a gift that is. Eren doesn't know how to react - doesn't know how to feel at all.
[He takes it into his hands - gentle, gentle, or he knows he'll tear the petals. He doesn't want that...
[Memories settle in as he observes the flower - because he wants to ask "Why me?" but Hythlodaeus already answered that, weeks or years ago. His dedication is true. He cares for Eren, and Eren cares for him too. He remembers.
[When he looks back at his friend, there is something young in his expression, though it's hard to place. He searches the man's face, beautiful as it is.]
I remember. [He murmurs it, as if distracted. His thoughts are difficult to pin down.]
[His smile widens, heart full as Eren recalls everything as best as he can. You're important to me. Words rarely sound so sweet.]
And you are important to me, too. That flower will never die- think of it as lasting proof that I am your friend through thick and thin.
[He rests a hand on Eren's shoulder briefly before drawing it away, content just to sit for a moment before he hums to himself. He knows what else he could create, something he's been itching to do again since he got his powers back. With a flourish, a lyre appears in his hands.]
[There's really no arguing with it. Their friendship bloomed slowly, and across multiple realities. That is the sort of thing that's lasting. He only shares something like that with one other person.
[He wonders if Hyth and Maruki looked after each other, the way Hyth looked after both of them--
[That's right. That night by the pond. Hyth brought him food. He's always feeding him. When Eren was young, he cried, and then--
[The spiral of memories is stopped and spun straight, Eren's eyes focusing on Hythlodaeus again. He has an instrument.
[It all feels so surreal, like a waking dream. Eren is arrested.]
[He can understand that sometimes you simply need time to think. So perhaps a little music would clear Eren's head, give him that space to breathe. He starts playing and is quiet as he does so, affording Eren the time needed to remember.
He's never played music for Eren before, but his fingers know exactly how to tease the strings to bring out a beautiful melody. His eyes close as he plays, and his smile softens. It's a nostalgic tune for him, a special kind of song. It makes him think of home.
When he's done, he opens his eyes again and watches his friend. Gauges his reaction.]
Sometimes, a little music helps me think. I hope it did the same for you.
[The tune floats around them, and Eren stares out across the field to a farmhouse with warmly lit windows. Familiar shapes move about inside. The air is calm, the breeze kicking up fallen leaves with the faintest chill. Eren is silent, the sun slowly disappearing over the horizon, orange fading into purples and blues.
[He wants to cry.
[Doesn't.
[But breathes, slowly in, and slowly out. His friend is near. Peace never lasts, but there are moments of safety one learns to cling to.
[He doesn't focus on recalling any memories. This will be a new one.
[He doesn't answer Hythlodaeus right away, his gaze still on the disappearing sun. At some point, he realizes the other has spoken. He turns his head, meeting lavendar eyes.
[The lyre disappears into light, as Hythlodaeus reduces it down to aether again. The sparkles waft into the air and fade, as Hythlodaeus chuckles quietly. Not mocking, simply fond.]
It doesn't matter. Thank you for listening... I haven't had the chance to play since I arrived here. I'm glad that it was special.
[For him and, hopefully, Eren too.]
I'm glad to see you again, Eren. Truly... every moment with you is precious to me.
[So he's glad that he doesn't have to give up on making more special memories with him.]
[Eren's gotten so terrible with words when they're meant to be genuine. He's glad to see Hyth too, but he has no idea how to say so. Those words alone feel cheap. He's overwhelmed, heart seized with a thousand different emotions - for Hyth, for those from home, for those here that he loves. He doesn't know what to do with all of it. It's almost too much.
[He has to settle on something. He doesn't want to lose those moments.]
We can be together. [He can promise that, at least, can't he?] Just come to me. That's fine.
[He reaches out, touches a hand to Eren's heart. This time, it's his turn to feel the beating beneath his fingers.]
Ah... but it is getting late, and you surely have others who demand your time too. I would be selfish and keep you all to myself, but I would prefer not to earn their ire!
[His smile is warm as he leans in to press a quick kiss to Eren's cheek. A fleeting thing, but no less precious to him.]
I will be back soon. I promise you that.
hehe we can wrap on ur next tag and then I'll hit up your farm tl soon
[Eren inwardly startles at the kiss, his eyes going momentarily wide. It's fleeting, but shocking. If he was at a loss for words before, he truly is now. All he can do is stare at Hyth, and his expression, indeed, betrays his bewilderment. He looks away. He can feel that his face has warmed.]
[He does, for a moment, wonder if he's gone a little too far. Still, he doesn't outwardly show that worry. Instead he inclines his head and stands up, and the world still feels brighter now that he's seen Eren is still a part of it.]
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no subject
[Still, the sentiment surprises him - echoes some old surprise. It's a lesson Eren will never learn, maybe, that people are sorry to see him go.
[He unfolds his hand, palm pressed against Hythlodaeus' heart, racing. He looks into the eyes of his friend. He's been at a loss for words all day - hasn't used them as anything but tools in a much longer time.]
You recognized it. [Of course he did.]
Then, it's still the same.
no subject
[Finally, he smiles.]
Maruki was right. That you would not leave without saying goodbye. Full glad am I that he spoke true.
[Squeezing the hand at his heart, he glances down at their linked fingers.]
I missed you.
no subject
That's right. [His voice is quiet; tired.] I'm not finished here.
[His fingers curl over Hythlodaeus' heart. Can he really say that he missed him too? It's difficult to tell what he did and didn't carry with him.]
I did think of you. [Trapped for thousands of years. Ymir's face was not kind like Hythlodaeus', but he remembers the two, intertwined in his mind.]
My memories...[How could he begin to explain?]
I'm still sorting them out.
no subject
I can imagine. It will be all right. You have time to sort them out. Whether it is enough time or not, we shall see, but... there is time.
[Lowering his hand from his heart, he still keeps their fingers linked as they're set between the two of them. Eren is free to let go if he'd like, but Hythlodaeus feels no need to.]
And if you need to speak with anybody, know that I am always here for you. I may not be the first person you'd turn to, but that doesn't matter.
[Dutifully, he will remain where he is needed- no closer, no farther.]
no subject
[Their hands are intertwined. Eren doesn't move his away. An anxious habit, he's always twisting and flexing that hand; with Hythlodaeus as an anchor, he merely squeezes, and without really noticing.
[It's a peaceful moment, for all the turmoil in his head. That's what Hythlodaeus brings. Just a few moments of peace at a time.]
Do I look like him now? The Eren you met first.
[Foggy green eyes shift sideways to Hythlodaeus.]
This isn't our first time together. That's right, isn't it?
no subject
[Down to the vacancy in his eyes. That hollow gaze that Hythlodaeus could fall into and drown in if he wasn't careful. Letting go of Eren's hand, he decides he wants to try to bring some joy back into his expression.]
I have something to show you.
[Closing his hands together, a single, glowing flower with petals that shine every colour appears in a small burst of light. He takes it and offers it to Eren, smiling.]
An Elpis flower. It changes colour depending on emotions, but it is beautiful no matter what. While you were gone, I asked for my creation magicks to be returned to me.
cries...hyth...angel...
[What a gift that is. Eren doesn't know how to react - doesn't know how to feel at all.
[He takes it into his hands - gentle, gentle, or he knows he'll tear the petals. He doesn't want that...
[Memories settle in as he observes the flower - because he wants to ask "Why me?" but Hythlodaeus already answered that, weeks or years ago. His dedication is true. He cares for Eren, and Eren cares for him too. He remembers.
[When he looks back at his friend, there is something young in his expression, though it's hard to place. He searches the man's face, beautiful as it is.]
I remember. [He murmurs it, as if distracted. His thoughts are difficult to pin down.]
You're important to me.
no subject
And you are important to me, too. That flower will never die- think of it as lasting proof that I am your friend through thick and thin.
[He rests a hand on Eren's shoulder briefly before drawing it away, content just to sit for a moment before he hums to himself. He knows what else he could create, something he's been itching to do again since he got his powers back. With a flourish, a lyre appears in his hands.]
Do you enjoy music?
no subject
[He wonders if Hyth and Maruki looked after each other, the way Hyth looked after both of them--
[That's right. That night by the pond. Hyth brought him food. He's always feeding him. When Eren was young, he cried, and then--
[The spiral of memories is stopped and spun straight, Eren's eyes focusing on Hythlodaeus again. He has an instrument.
[It all feels so surreal, like a waking dream. Eren is arrested.]
Go ahead...
no subject
He's never played music for Eren before, but his fingers know exactly how to tease the strings to bring out a beautiful melody. His eyes close as he plays, and his smile softens. It's a nostalgic tune for him, a special kind of song. It makes him think of home.
When he's done, he opens his eyes again and watches his friend. Gauges his reaction.]
Sometimes, a little music helps me think. I hope it did the same for you.
CRYING
Where is he?
[The tune floats around them, and Eren stares out across the field to a farmhouse with warmly lit windows. Familiar shapes move about inside. The air is calm, the breeze kicking up fallen leaves with the faintest chill. Eren is silent, the sun slowly disappearing over the horizon, orange fading into purples and blues.
[He wants to cry.
[Doesn't.
[But breathes, slowly in, and slowly out. His friend is near. Peace never lasts, but there are moments of safety one learns to cling to.
[He doesn't focus on recalling any memories. This will be a new one.
[He doesn't answer Hythlodaeus right away, his gaze still on the disappearing sun. At some point, he realizes the other has spoken. He turns his head, meeting lavendar eyes.
[His voice is quiet.]
What did you say?
no subject
It doesn't matter. Thank you for listening... I haven't had the chance to play since I arrived here. I'm glad that it was special.
[For him and, hopefully, Eren too.]
I'm glad to see you again, Eren. Truly... every moment with you is precious to me.
[So he's glad that he doesn't have to give up on making more special memories with him.]
no subject
[He has to settle on something. He doesn't want to lose those moments.]
We can be together. [He can promise that, at least, can't he?] Just come to me. That's fine.
no subject
[He reaches out, touches a hand to Eren's heart. This time, it's his turn to feel the beating beneath his fingers.]
Ah... but it is getting late, and you surely have others who demand your time too. I would be selfish and keep you all to myself, but I would prefer not to earn their ire!
[His smile is warm as he leans in to press a quick kiss to Eren's cheek. A fleeting thing, but no less precious to him.]
I will be back soon. I promise you that.
hehe we can wrap on ur next tag and then I'll hit up your farm tl soon
Alright. Yeah. I'll see you.
sounds good!
Until then, my friend.