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[placation]

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[wintolive]

She loves me more than anything.

I destroyed her.

[placation]

And yet the love remains.

You'll see her again, Eren.

[wintolive]

She won't see me again.

[placation]

Why not?

[wintolive]

[Abrupt anger. Isn't he listening?]

Because I sent her back to nothing. I'm gone.

[placation]

[ Eren, when you are more lucid one day, reread this conversation and imagine Maruki trying to follow it. HE'S DOING HIS BEST. ]

Anything can happen. I think we all just spent a couple weeks learning that. Don't write your future off so completely.

[wintolive]

[Simply read minds. Eren's done it.]

I'm not looking for hope.

I just wanted you to understand.

[placation]

[ He is so tired. Possibly has never been more tired. ]

And I'm not trying to give you hope. I'm just stating facts.

Thank you for telling me.

I'm sorry this has happened to you, Eren. It's so hard, and you don't deserve it.

[wintolive]

[Tell him about it...

[No more talking about what Eren does and doesn't deserve. It's happening. It's hard. So is everything. Eren's never known rest. Never will.

[Oh, well.]

Things have settled now. I saw that your office is closed. Let me know when to start bringing meals again.

[placation]

You're still going to do that?

[wintolive]

What else is there to do?

If I lie around all day, Captain Levi will just flip me out of bed himself. If nothing matters, then fine. I'll just keep doing what I always do. I have no choice.

[That's how it's always been. "Keep moving forward." What else was he supposed to think?]

I haven't forgotten the fight. But it's just like it's always been. We're stuck still again.

[placation]

[ Hm.

Consider Venat's words. Extend honesty and vulnerability. Try to break through. ]

I understand.

I didn't close my office because of the repairs being done to the buildings. I closed it because I need to take a break. I haven't taken a break in

Years, I guess. A decade. Maybe longer.

At this moment, if I keep doing what I always do, I may bend far enough that I actually break, and then I'll be of no use to anyone. So- a forced rest.

Something to keep in mind, perhaps. You always have a choice, Eren.

[wintolive]

[No...

[No, he's never had that choice.]

You should take a break if you can. You deserve that. [Genuine words, despite everything; it matters.]

I can't. [He stares at his phone. He begs for understanding.] I just can't.

Still, I won't bother you. Just tell me when you get hungry again.

[placation]

You can.

And you're not bothering me.

The office will reopen in a week. Until then, I'm laying low at home. You're welcome to come by any time. I won't make you talk - or if you do want to talk, I'll listen - but either way, I'd like to see you.

[wintolive]

[Would he like to see Maruki? Would he like to see anyone? In a "before it's too late" sense, sure; in a "the more you love them, the more it hurts" sense, not so much...]

I won't make you listen. Not if you're taking a break.

[He hasn't spoken to Akechi since...whatever that was. That castle probably isn't the best place for him, but some stubborn grudge tells him that's all the more reason to go. Why should he get to decide?]

I'll still be fucked a week from now, so don't worry.

If you'd like to see me, I'll come. Just tell me when.

[placation]

You're my friend. I'm not taking a break from our friendship, just from having to be out in the populace for a bit. I'll always want to see you, no matter how messed up you are.

Accept it or don't, it will remain true regardless.

I'll see you in a couple days, how about that?

[wintolive]

I just want you to rest.

[Being friends with Eren is such...a chore...]

[placation]

Good news, I am resting. I don't really have a choice in the matter there. When you come by to hang out, I'll still be resting. And the company will be greatly appreciated.

[wintolive]

[Maruki's love is as unconditional and baffling as anyone's. He'll never understand.]

I'll see you in a couple of days, then.

What do you want to eat?

[placation]

[ It's okay, he doesn't have to understand it, or even accept it. It will still always be there. ]

Surprise me. I've cooked nonstop for two weeks, anything at all will make me happy.

And Eren...

I'm really glad you're still here.

[wintolive]

[...]

I do remember that night. I remember everything.

I guess I've changed my mind again on how I feel about this place.

I don't belong here. I want to go home, and live out the rest of my life to its end.

[Even so...]

I'm glad you're still here too.

[placation]

And my promise still stands. I will make sure you're able to do that.

Until then, we're here. I won't say "let's make the best of it." What I will say is this:

Let's support one another in this fight, no matter what.

I'm sorry Maruki but I simply cannot let you rest

[wintolive]

I will.

[There's a...pause. Yet again, Eren doesn't know what should and shouldn't be said - what would or wouldn't disturb the sanctuary that Maruki said he needed...

[But...

[He tries to choose his words carefully. There's no way Maruki could understand, but if Eren can just unscramble his mind enough to get the point across...]

Memories don't work the way people think they do. They don't just belong to one person. They're everywhere. Some are real. Some aren't. Some you can completely make up. Whole worlds of memories that touch other worlds of memories.

[No, he's really...not making much sense, is he...? Still...]

I won't forget you. If part of me does, another part will remember.

I'm an Eldian. By my very blood, my memory can be changed.

But it all comes back to the same place. I won't forget.

[placation]

[ ............. huh. ]

I understand what you're saying more than you could ever possibly have guessed.

If something lives in the collective unconscious, or even just our shared subconsciouses, then it's never truly forgotten or lost.

You and I already shared two dreams. Those dreams will always exist, even if we don't. Our memories too, even after we're gone.

I won't forget you either.

[wintolive]

[...?

[But...]

How did you know?