[ this shit again. eren’s heard it one too many times already, so it, in all honesty drags out an enervated sigh too tired to really lash out from. you can’t hide forever, eren!!! you can say bad things about your friends, eren!! you can’t kill civilians eren you can’t destroy the world eren!!!!!!!!!!!! ]

I didn’t know that. [ sarcasm is dreary and in full as he finishes off his tea, tips his head back once the cup settles to the table, and puffs out a tiny ring of smoke, one that expands the further it rises, until it dissipates. ] It doesn’t, Mettaton. Nothing’s changed.

[ he’s still moving forward, and there’s nothing anyone would be able to do about that. there’s also the Fae Problem, but eren still has yet to know to what extent he should trust more people with that weakness. ]

You said you cared about her. If you really do, [ —yes. yes, he’s decided, now, and says with a little more stern resolve: ] keep her away from me, and me from her.

[ — if it ever comes to that. ]