![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Hasty, then. Aubrey used to be more distant. She lets go when Armin goes stiff, but Eren keeps her close— Eren!
[She reaches for his cheek, almost in disbelief. Only mouthing an echo: ‘You’re awake.’]
[He pushes himself up, Armin bracing him as he awkwardly twists himself out of their laps so he can sit on the ground himself. Once he settles, he points his stare at Armin.]
It was a long time ago.
You know how this place works. [Insistent. Blurted before the world can share the thought. Not… quite annoyed, but. It’s an overwhelm.]
[Aubrey wants Eren; she wants Eren; it’s been too long. But her gaze, too, falls back on Armin.]
I don't know what you want me to say.
[So they’ve had this talk before.]
We… we’re here for you, too, Armin.
That’s all. [It’s really not.]
I know. And I love you both for that. But I'm really alright.
[He isn't, of course. He's not even close.]
[He looks at Aubrey, seeking to exchange a glance. Maybe they both know that they won't get anywhere with him like this...]
How long was I asleep? [As if time can really be quantified here.]
[Ha, “I’m really alright.” “I’m fine;” been there, tried that. But she catches Eren’s look, and he’s right. Aubrey will play along.]
It felt like forever… I guess a day or two, but long days. [For whatever it’s worth, and all.] Do you remember anything…?
[Does he remember anything? His brow furrows with focus.]
I was dreaming...[But he never quite remembers exactly what he dreamt about.]
What did I miss?
[The yawn reminds her a bit of the first she saw. What a lifetime ago....]
A lot. Captain Levi’s here now, and he wants a few words.... [And a few kicks, most likely, but if Aubrey’s around he won’t get them.] And Armin and I have been [with an awkward glance his way] …talking.
[To Eren:] It seemed like you could overhear a lot of it.
Yeah.
I do remember that, actually. [He's looking quite...cold again, suddenly.]
Seems he already got his words in.
Yeah…
[Aubrey looks uneasy. Does he remember turning young, too?] He’ll want to actually talk with you, but… trust me, I’ll be there for that. [The “if I can,” as always, goes unsaid. She reaches for his hand.]
[Besides that…] Do you remember… any of the questions me and Armin got asked?
["It was perfect." Eren, from Armin's perspective, with tears in his eyes. His cheeks are burning. That memory shouldn't have been shared. It should have only ever been Eren and Armin's. He can't meet either of their eyes.]
Some of them.
[Armin's voice is soft with shame. He feels like he could disappear; maybe, in this universe, he will if he isn't careful. He squeezes Eren's hand, mutually unable to meet his eyes.]
If I had to guess, [For the sake of ever untangling the mysteries of this realm:] I'd say that Eren probably picked up most of what was happening during that time.
It feels safe to assume you'll remember.
[It’s impossible not to. With a glance between them, Aubrey can guess what they’re remembering; she wishes she didn’t.]
…It wasn’t just the questions. [Before, during, after; it wasn’t all prompted. Aubrey’s referring to everything and nothing; an idle comment more than anything, nudging the topic. She reaches for Armin’s hand, too, less confidently. Feels crass to push any further.]
Oh. Yeah. [So that wasn't just part of the dream, huh? Honestly, Eren had found it to be a pretty pleasant one; presently, however, he frowns, looking away from them both. The pink hasn't faded from his cheeks. Here they are, all three holding hands in a circle. How weird...]
So...what do you want, then? [A glance at Aubrey as he says this, looking not unlike an anxious dog with the way his eyes look up, his head slightly hung.
[It's embarrassing. All of it. Aubrey kissed Armin; then again, so did Eren. And he wants them both. Badly. Mikasa too, if he's honest with himself. Even Reiner...
[His heart has always been a tangle of the people he's loved.]
[Please don't hate me for this.]
And I want to know what you think.
You first.
[And that's that. He looks at Aubrey, expectant.]
[Oh, the spotlight’s on her now. She probably shouldn’t be embarrassed, after Eren heard everything, but Aubrey’s face warms anyway. Putting it into words… it feels indulgent. Would it offend him? He looks like a kicked puppy as-is....]
[She doesn’t want the world to talk for her, though. So, with a deep breath:] I think… I’d like that. If you’re okay with it. [Looking mostly to Eren at first, but then between them.] I love you both a lot… no matter what we call it. That won’t change.
[Armin can't quite meet either of their eyes, and he isn't smiling. What he inadvertently shared a few minutes ago hasn't left his head yet. But it's good that they're talking about this; he can actually be honest about this.
[So, a glance between Aubrey and Eren, a weak smile. He manages.]
I love you very much, Eren. I meant it when I said that I want to be with you always.
And Aubrey, [With a squeeze to her hand.] I think you're incredible. And I love you very much too.
So...if being close with both of you in that capacity is possible, then that's what I'd want.
[And with that, it's in Eren's court. Armin looks at him, mirroring Eren's self-conscious expression.]
[He squeezes both of their hands, frowning at his lap.
[She'll be devastated.]
I want both of you.
[And they want each other. Eren squeezes their hands again.]
It makes sense. We'll do that, then...
[—Ah, the memory…
[Mikasa danced with them. It’s bad enough that Eren took another wife, in this reality. Aubrey doesn’t know her as well, and Armin never suggested anything, but just because it’s not mutual for them…]
[Aubrey looks to Eren, and somehow she’s not surprised by his frown. It’s… harder to be enthusiastic when the smiles are weak. If she’s learned anything about love, it’s that it doesn’t have to feel like defeat; and that she doesn’t want it to.
[She squeezes their hands back, but her eyes stay with Eren. Softly:] It’s not just us, is it…?
Page 28 of 33