Eren doesn't pull back - won't listen and oblige Akechi's rejection. He gets in a mood and they end up in a different kind of battle. One he doesn't dislike. Based on a mutual unspoken want and hatred.
Eren pulls back. Looks up. Makes a noise that might be pained. Shows weakness in this dark room. Maybe he thinks Akechi is another shadow protecting him from the unjust world that takes and takes and takes.
I'm glad I got to see you tonight is sincere. Reminds him of sitting in a tunnel that exposed a heart. Eren doesn't deserve mercy, but Akechi sees a debt to repay in quiet grief.]
[It feels like an odd request, but Eren really has no reason to think so. Maybe it's the lack of ire that surprises him, but he feels too tired to remain surprised for long. Even a sick dog can follow a basic command. Eren sits on the edge of the bathtub. His reflection never did take on a life of its own.]
[Akechi sits next to him - close, only the smallest sliver of space separating. It's uncomfortable.
Quiet.
He doesn't break the silence for a minute, then two and-]
Let me be blunt-
[Whatever's happening Eren's head has to stop. They don't have the luxury to lament the loss of those always meant to leave.]
Aubrey is a strong woman - you helped her become that. Physically. Mentally. Even without powers, I feel as if her will rivaled those of gods at times. In her reality, or should she be pulled back here or to any others, nothing will shake her again. She'll go on to live a long life, unburdened by an unjust world. Your bond with her allowed her heart to be free.
[It's a lie - it's the truth. He hates Aubrey. He doesn't miss her. Wonders if all her friends greeted her the day she arrived back.]
You have a power to make others stronger - this cannot with her. With the rest of your entourage. With Maruki or whoever else you deem worthy in this moment. It's a gift you have that no one else can match and our greatest asset in this fight.
[It's dark. He can see still see the grooves between the tile under their feet - follows the lines with his eyes up to the cabinet and back.]
For as long as these lights are off, you can grieve to your heart's content - do whatever you wish. I won't hear or see a thing, just as you didn't a few weeks ago. I'll allow this much and I'll remain here to ensure this room stays yours.
[No one will come in. He'll send a nasty text about it if they try. There's more than one bathroom in this place.
But when they flip the lights back on and leave-]
Do you understand?
hopefully akechi lets him do this, but if not, I can adjust my tag - also die
[It's strange. It's strange because it isn't, somehow. Akechi's words are undeniably kind. He may as well be giving a pep talk. His voice is his own though. He says it like Akechi Goro would say it; so, Eren can start to believe it, or, at least, believe that Akechi really feels that way.
[It matters to him how Akechi feels.
["Your bond with her allowed her heart to be free."
[Since when does Akechi Goro speak to matters of the heart? "Do you understand"? He knows grief. "Do you understand?" He knows Eren. "Do you understand?"
[Eren starts to nod, but it's too dark to see. He whispers a hoarse, "Yes."
[And then he feels for Akechi's hand. He takes it. He pulls it over onto his thigh and lays his other hand over it. The muscles in his fingers twitch and shift, but he doesn't let go. He stares forward, and it's black, silent.
[Every once in a while, there's a quiet
drip
drip
drip
[on the tile.
[And that's all. Until Akechi stands up, turns on the light, that's all.]
[Later, Akechi will speak to him in this empty, lightless room that protects - offer unprompted advice in a near silent whisper. 'Don't form bonds that will ruin you. If that means being alone, that's what it requires.' Weakness is a luxury. Eren is allowed one moment because he gave one when Akechi didn't know he needed it most. He gets one to repay a debt. He gets one-
Because that's what allies are supposed to do. It's the image he's trying to convey. It's a mercy kind hearted princes give, even though that vision vanishes in front of Eren more often than not these days.
He gets one because the warm hand clasping his against a thigh is a lifeline. Akechi reached for one in the throes of his grief as a child, and never got it. Eren should receive the same treatment. Eren knows he can't rely on people, so reaching out now should be punished.
Akechi doesn't move. Stays ramrod straight, completely still, and does nothing as promised for the duration of their time in there. Ignores noise. Doesn't even turn towards Eren. Fills the silence with thoughts about this world, this reality, the numerous others waiting and the singular one they'll all return to.
However long it takes, Akechi stays. However long this lasts, he waits. When Eren loosens the grip on his hand, he pulls back. When they stand-
Akechi pulls at the loose hairs at the back of Eren's head - readjusts the bun because he's absolutely pathetic and they can't leave a dark bathroom together looking like a mess. The line of questioning that would follow-
He doesn't want to deal with it.
'That's all the time you get' are his final parting words before a blaring, brilliant light shines over them.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Eren doesn't pull back - won't listen and oblige Akechi's rejection. He gets in a mood and they end up in a different kind of battle. One he doesn't dislike. Based on a mutual unspoken want and hatred.
Eren pulls back. Looks up. Makes a noise that might be pained. Shows weakness in this dark room. Maybe he thinks Akechi is another shadow protecting him from the unjust world that takes and takes and takes.
I'm glad I got to see you tonight is sincere. Reminds him of sitting in a tunnel that exposed a heart. Eren doesn't deserve mercy, but Akechi sees a debt to repay in quiet grief.]
Sit down.
I'm already sick please
get sicker
Quiet.
He doesn't break the silence for a minute, then two and-]
Let me be blunt-
[Whatever's happening Eren's head has to stop. They don't have the luxury to lament the loss of those always meant to leave.]
Aubrey is a strong woman - you helped her become that. Physically. Mentally. Even without powers, I feel as if her will rivaled those of gods at times. In her reality, or should she be pulled back here or to any others, nothing will shake her again. She'll go on to live a long life, unburdened by an unjust world. Your bond with her allowed her heart to be free.
[It's a lie - it's the truth. He hates Aubrey. He doesn't miss her. Wonders if all her friends greeted her the day she arrived back.]
You have a power to make others stronger - this cannot with her. With the rest of your entourage. With Maruki or whoever else you deem worthy in this moment. It's a gift you have that no one else can match and our greatest asset in this fight.
[It's dark. He can see still see the grooves between the tile under their feet - follows the lines with his eyes up to the cabinet and back.]
For as long as these lights are off, you can grieve to your heart's content - do whatever you wish. I won't hear or see a thing, just as you didn't a few weeks ago. I'll allow this much and I'll remain here to ensure this room stays yours.
[No one will come in. He'll send a nasty text about it if they try. There's more than one bathroom in this place.
But when they flip the lights back on and leave-]
Do you understand?
hopefully akechi lets him do this, but if not, I can adjust my tag - also die
[It matters to him how Akechi feels.
["Your bond with her allowed her heart to be free."
[Since when does Akechi Goro speak to matters of the heart? "Do you understand"? He knows grief. "Do you understand?" He knows Eren. "Do you understand?"
[Eren starts to nod, but it's too dark to see. He whispers a hoarse, "Yes."
[And then he feels for Akechi's hand. He takes it. He pulls it over onto his thigh and lays his other hand over it. The muscles in his fingers twitch and shift, but he doesn't let go. He stares forward, and it's black, silent.
[Every once in a while, there's a quiet
drip
drip
[on the tile.
[And that's all. Until Akechi stands up, turns on the light, that's all.]
cw: ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Because that's what allies are supposed to do. It's the image he's trying to convey. It's a mercy kind hearted princes give, even though that vision vanishes in front of Eren more often than not these days.
He gets one because the warm hand clasping his against a thigh is a lifeline. Akechi reached for one in the throes of his grief as a child, and never got it. Eren should receive the same treatment. Eren knows he can't rely on people, so reaching out now should be punished.
Akechi doesn't move. Stays ramrod straight, completely still, and does nothing as promised for the duration of their time in there. Ignores noise. Doesn't even turn towards Eren. Fills the silence with thoughts about this world, this reality, the numerous others waiting and the singular one they'll all return to.
However long it takes, Akechi stays. However long this lasts, he waits. When Eren loosens the grip on his hand, he pulls back. When they stand-
Akechi pulls at the loose hairs at the back of Eren's head - readjusts the bun because he's absolutely pathetic and they can't leave a dark bathroom together looking like a mess. The line of questioning that would follow-
He doesn't want to deal with it.
'That's all the time you get' are his final parting words before a blaring, brilliant light shines over them.]