[ BOY THEY ARE TREADING INTO DANGEROUS TERRITORY. And it's territory that keeps being trod into, these days! Akechi cleaving cleanly into the very core of his heart with one astute observation of his self-worth, Eren sniping at him about how he only listens and never talks. All of it stems from the same place. He hates that people here can pinpoint it so clearly. No one in Tokyo ever bothered. The benefits of a huge city, of a more disconnected life. He wants to return to that, fully aware of how unhealthy that desire is. ]

Well, it's my job.

[ Said lightly, almost jokingly. But Christ does he mean it. ]

Helping people is its own reward for me. I do appreciate how generous some people here are with their care, though...

[ But it isn't necessary. He doesn't need it to survive. Thrive? Sure. But not survive.

He shakes his head and uses it as an excuse to melt more comfortably into the bed, cheek turning into the pillows.

A thoughtful pause, and then without speaking or opening his eyes, he moves his right arm just enough to let his hand cover hers. The palm is rough with healing scrapes from stumbling and clamoring through the ruined rubble of a nameless city, but it's otherwise uninjured, and he's happy to hold hers as they drift off. ]