[Immediately, Eren feels a lump in his throat. He doesn't like the sensation that they've been apart. Maruki's pain resonates in Eren's chest, and he reaches out to grip his friend's arm, pull himself up out of his chair.]
That must mean...it's him you're with... Is that right, Maruki?
[Maruki's love really does radiate. Eren becomes intensely aware, grip tightening on Maruki's sleeve, breath caught in his throat. It's you I'm with. Him. Them...]
Maruki... When you say that... [When Eren said it...] That you're with me...
[ Maruki's smile doesn't falter, but he does blink rapidly behind his glasses– he'd only meant it in the way he assumes Eren meant it, nothing more, but...
It must come through in his tone. He can hide it around most anyone else, but not Eren himself. ]
Ah... Well, that's...
[ A short, awkward laugh escapes his lips; his brows knit together, wholly unsure of how to answer that. ]
[It's like a tether is tugged, a rope, something that releases a trap door and allows Eren to exhale - forces him too, emptied and hollow and oh-so-calm. His eyes sparkle at his Other, though he doesn't know to call him that yet.]
[ Despite himself, Maruki's cheeks do color a bit at that. It is strange talking to Eren about it at this age, but... it's just Eren. No matter what, he's still his Other. ]
I do. I feel like I should clarify that I'm not... part of what you have with the others.
[ A beat.
He wants to believe this more than anything: ]
What we have is different than that. It's more than that.
[This ought to make it easier to believe; Eren's response is nearly immediate.]
I already knew that. I mean--
[Ah. And then the deeply ingrained embarrassment of being a teenager surfaces, and he has to look away, eyes slightly wide at his own odd confession. His hand flexes at his side, but he doesn't look...unhappy.]
Maruki doesn't doubt that. Eren told him he loved him after they'd only known one another for a couple months; I don't want you to understand. I love you too much.
No matter how he means that word, it's always been true. And if they were meant to meet one another here, then didn't they already love each other, even before they knew it?
Maruki's hands find Eren's, drawing them together so he can hold them tightly. ]
I'm so happy I get to see you again like this, Eren. Lately, these days...
[ Will Eren believe this? Surely not. ]
You smile so much around me. You seem so much younger and freer. I see you all the time in the man you become.
[Will Eren believe this? Surely not. It shows on his face, a skeptical look, almost as if he's waiting for some sick punchline, but Maruki wouldn't joke about this...
[Eren is pulled into Maruki. He cries. He's always crying. He can't remember the last time he smiled, and when Maruki says that happiness is waiting for him, all he can think is that he doesn't even want it anymore.
[He clutches his friend and sobs.]
What does this mean? We have to say goodbye now?
god this is gonna be the most miserable wrap sorry
[ Soft, but filled with conviction. Maruki shakes his head, tipping his chin down to bury his face atop Eren's hair, hugging him closer, tighter, longer– forever, if he can help it. ]
We don't have to say goodbye any time soon. We can stay here for as long as we want.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Oh, this is fun.
Maruki crosses one leg over the other, ankle resting on knee, and folds his hands in his lap. ]
What if I told you Vaeros was dead?
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[Well. That gets his attention.]
What the hell do you mean by that? I'd tell you you're crazy.
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[ Maruki's head tips to one side, eyeing Eren curiously. ]
We always knew he wasn't the true ruler of this place, didn't we?
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[Eren weighs a serious look at his friend.]
You shouldn't know more than me about any of this. What's going on here?
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You were right. We're dreaming again. Back in reality... it's been a long time since I've seen you at this age.
[ A beat, heavy. Maruki can only ever be honest with Eren, now more so than ever.
There's just the slightest pained edge to his voice. ]
I missed you.
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That must mean...it's him you're with... Is that right, Maruki?
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It isn't a bad pain. Not at all.
Maruki lays a hand over the one Eren has wrapped around his arm now and smiles at him, radiating warmth, love. ]
It's you I'm with. You in the future. You're the same Eren as I've always known.
his dialogue looking like a laby sunny tag
Maruki... When you say that... [When Eren said it...] That you're with me...
How do you mean? What...are we like?
ASDHlkjsd STOP
It must come through in his tone. He can hide it around most anyone else, but not Eren himself. ]
Ah... Well, that's...
[ A short, awkward laugh escapes his lips; his brows knit together, wholly unsure of how to answer that. ]
It's odd, telling you when you're this age.
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Tell me anyway. Dammit, you're supposed to be able to tell me anything.
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The words come even weightier than the silence that precedes them. ]
You're important to me. More than anyone else.
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Do you really mean that...?
NOTTTTTT THE BLUSHTOLIVE
I do. I feel like I should clarify that I'm not... part of what you have with the others.
[ A beat.
He wants to believe this more than anything: ]
What we have is different than that. It's more than that.
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I already knew that. I mean--
[Ah. And then the deeply ingrained embarrassment of being a teenager surfaces, and he has to look away, eyes slightly wide at his own odd confession. His hand flexes at his side, but he doesn't look...unhappy.]
More? Yeah. Alright. Alright...
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You already knew that? How? You didn't know Vaeros was dead, and... all this happened after that!
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[His eyes are on Maruki again, cool green moss, some new sparkle.]
What we have is different. Haven't you always felt that way?
I have...
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[ Ah, are his cheeks getting even warmer? ]
This particular development took me by surprise anyway.
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Yeah, well...that doesn't surprise me.
[. . .]
I love you, though. I've always loved you. So...
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Maruki doesn't doubt that. Eren told him he loved him after they'd only known one another for a couple months; I don't want you to understand. I love you too much.
No matter how he means that word, it's always been true. And if they were meant to meet one another here, then didn't they already love each other, even before they knew it?
Maruki's hands find Eren's, drawing them together so he can hold them tightly. ]
I'm so happy I get to see you again like this, Eren. Lately, these days...
[ Will Eren believe this? Surely not. ]
You smile so much around me. You seem so much younger and freer. I see you all the time in the man you become.
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[He shakes his head.]
That's... That doesn't make any sense.
[Freer? Here?
[He squeezes Maruki's hands, anxious.]
That's wrong.
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I don't think it makes sense to you in the future, either. But that doesn't mean it isn't true.
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[It brings tears to his eyes, jealous and angry, even as he matches Maruki's breathing. His hands still grip his friend's, tight.]
That's not fair. After all he's done... How could he ever let himself be happy again?
EVIL ICON CHOICE
[ A soft reassurance as Maruki tugs on his hands, pulling him closer, beginning to envelope him in a hug. ]
You'll see when you get there. That happiness is waiting for you, too.
why didn't I upload any ugly wugly crybaby icons who AM I
[He clutches his friend and sobs.]
What does this mean? We have to say goodbye now?
god this is gonna be the most miserable wrap sorry
[ Soft, but filled with conviction. Maruki shakes his head, tipping his chin down to bury his face atop Eren's hair, hugging him closer, tighter, longer– forever, if he can help it. ]
We don't have to say goodbye any time soon. We can stay here for as long as we want.
[ For as long as this dream will last. ]