LABYRINTHUM INBOX II

[placation]

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[placation]

Oh, I didn't imagine that you were.

I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, either.

maruki oh my god

[abandonhumanity]

What do you mean by that?

WHAT!!!

[placation]

You lived past that, even though you weren't meant to. You've had to keep moving forward.

You wouldn't be able to if you kept yourself mired in that guilt and regret.

It's something I'm struggling with myself.

[abandonhumanity]

You are?

[Of course he is, Eren's beloved Other.]

Talk to me.

[placation]

[ He'll have to eventually, won't he? ]

I know you think I was trying to save everyone, and I was...

But it was against their will. It's the same as being brought into a new reality with the promise of a wish being granted.

I really was prepared to do anything to entrap them in a world I thought was best for them, Eren. Of course I feel guilty about it still.

[abandonhumanity]

[Of course, Eren has never looked at it that way before. He's sure Maruki hadn't either, before experiencing it himself. It makes them both feel strange and sick, Eren's sure, as if their hearts right now were racing in unison.]

The world was saved from you. And we'll save this world. You'll balance the scales.

[placation]

That's all we can do, right?

Haru is the only one here who lived through that. She doesn't hold it against me at all.

Somehow, that makes it more difficult to let go of the guilt. Isn't that strange?

+1 goodwill point for haru

[abandonhumanity]

I understand.

[I hate that you understand. I don't want you to understand. I love you too much.]

Do you think you don't deserve to be forgiven?

[placation]

[ Ah. That's difficult. ]

I wouldn't go that far...

[ How does he begin to explain? ]

What happened to me... I suppose it sort of means I can't think that way.

It's more that I never thought I would have the opportunity to be forgiven. Back in the true reality, with one exception, there's no reason for the people who fought against me to see or speak to me again. Here, though...

Well, it's inevitable.

[abandonhumanity]

[He's feared it all along, that Maruki will live the rest of his life a lonely man. That's the price of his freedom. Eren resents it.]

I hope you're enjoying your time.

[To anyone else, those words would be biting, downright vicious, but he knows Maruki will sense that it's so very genuine.]

[placation]

[ And Maruki knows it. He knows how Eren would ask that of anyone else. He also knows Eren would never turn that same blade on him. As ever, he's the exception.

All the same, though... ]

Eren...

I really am.

You don't think that's a bad thing? Not even a bit?

[abandonhumanity]

[It's a difficult question, and it's not. Of course he's happy that his Other is happy. He just knows that it won't change his goal. He doesn't truly believe it will change Maruki's either.]

It's like I said. While you're here, you can rest. You should.

[placation]

Thank you. I really mean that.

I never told you what wish brought me back here, did I?

[abandonhumanity]

You made a new one?

[placation]

I did.

My old wish was to heal the world of all of its suffering, after all. I can't say I want that anymore.

[abandonhumanity]

[Eren's didn't change. He wished twice for the power he needed to destroy his enemies. It came true once. Maruki doesn't want to save the world anymore, but surely he doesn't want people to suffer instead. This, Eren thinks, is the one place where they must differ...]

What is it, then?

[placation]

[ He feels oddly self-conscious sharing it with Eren, even though he knows he won't be judged. ]

I wished to be able to find my own happiness. To make the most of this second chance at my life.

[ It's so selfish.

It's so necessary. ]

In all my life, I've never wished for something like that.

Just like wish my last wish, there's no power in this reality that can grant it for me, and I don't labor under the delusion that it will. But this time, I think it's something I can give myself.

[abandonhumanity]

[If they were in person, Eren would be left speechless. With only their devices connecting them, his mind goes blank; blinding light. Only one thought becomes clear.]

Every day I wish I was more like you.

[placation]

[ And that's not what he's expecting at all. ]

What? Why???

[abandonhumanity]

I could never do something like that.

[Eren has learned to appreciate happiness as it comes, but he could never seek it out for himself, never wish it upon himself.]

You're stronger than me. You're better.

sorry to do the behated text to action but like. gotta

[placation]

You really think that's strong?

[ ... ]

I'm not better than you. I'm not better than anyone.

Will you come see me? I'm just at the machiya.

OH HUSH ERERUKI IS EXEMPT

[abandonhumanity]

Yeah. Open your window.

[Wide enough for a gull to fit through. Eren starts flying without another word. It will only take minutes to get there.]

[placation]

[ It's beautiful, isn't it? The way he can stand there at the kitchen window, both arms outstretched for a bird to land on.

Eren could fly in himself, of course, but no– Maruki wants to be able to bring him inside, to hold him against his chest for a moment, safe and warm. ]

[abandonhumanity]

[Eren lands in Maruki's arms, and he's held. They're always holding each other. They hold each other a thousand different ways.

[Eren nuzzles his soft head into Maruki's chest and peacefully settles, feathers ruffling in content.]

[placation]

[ Head bowed to drop a kiss to the sleek feathers atop Eren's head, he whispers like a secret: ]

I'm always thinking to myself about how much stronger you are than me.