[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’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.]
[With a cursory glance at their hands, Armin taking Aubrey's when she takes his:]
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.]
[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.]
[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…?
[When Eren looks at Aubrey, his expression is pained. That should be answer enough itself, but still, the reluctance frustrates him. He can have Armin. He can have Aubrey. It should be enough, but of course, it never is. Nothing is - not for Eren.]
But I do want this. [He does. He doesn't want her - them - to take it back.]
[Is this Aubrey's permission? Have Armin, have her, go after Mikasa too? It's no wonder it's hard to look her in the eye. It feels gluttonous; more so than that, it feels like something his mother would scold him for. Running around with other women as a married man? He just can't wrap his head around it.
[Then again, growing up in the barracks, didn't all of them have their little individual bonds? Significant, but not discriminatory. It wouldn't be the first time Eren kissed three people in the same day and thought nothing of it.]
[It’s not as though Aubrey hasn’t had her own doubts. But with her hands in theirs, squeezing and reassuring, and having seen Eren so soft with all of them… it’s impossible to feel that it’s wrong. She meant what she said, just as much as Eren means his vow.
[This… this can work. When Aubrey catches Armin’s smile, she echoes it.] Yeah. It’s an option.
[Not unlike the world itself…] It’s what we make of it.
[How… does this work? In practice? She doesn’t want to let go of Armin, leave him out; so when Eren tugs on her hand, Aubrey mirrors with the other, an invitation. Time to find out.
[But there’s no hesitation. Aubrey missed Eren desperately. She raises their locked hand to his face, both of theirs, as she leans for their lips to finally meet.
[Aubrey’s learned a bit since they last kissed. A small sigh escapes her; I missed you; I need you; you’re back.
[Aubrey doesn't let go of Armin's hand, and neither does Eren. The blond is forced to lean in when Aubrey does, and Eren can hear that it makes him laugh; thank God he's laughing after all of that.
[Eren kisses his wife. He holds their interlocked hands up there by his cheek, and he kisses her. It never gets old. He never stops wanting for it, craving. He could kiss her like this for a thousand years, held up in The Paths for a makeshift eternity, and never get tired of it.
[If he could create a reality for Aubrey, he wonders, what would it look like?]
[Eren is here. Eren is close, and awake, and Aubrey will never, ever tire of it. She thought she might restrain herself for Armin’s sake, and his laugh is beautiful to hear, but… well, once they’re together, Aubrey’s in no rush to part, either.
[This is their makeshift eternity, after all. There’s no rush. Eren, Eren, Eren; her Detriment, her husband, her vow. When they’re like this, she’s certain anything the world could throw at them doesn’t compare. It’s only brought them closer, after all.
[When they finally do part, it’s not without a trace of sheepishness that Aubrey turns to Armin, as Eren directs. They just talked and all, but… it’s real, now. It’s happening, and he’s laughing, and Aubrey wants it, too.
[Her answer is a breathless laugh and, without letting go of either hand, kisses Armin in turn. Makes Aubrey feel just a tad spoiled, having not one but two of her favorite people in the world like this.
[Somehow, it's not at all like the first kiss. Warmth blooms in Armin's chest. His hand doesn't leave hers, but like she with Eren before, he brings them both, intertwined, up to her cheek. When he breaks away, he's laughing breathlessly. And then, he's just grinning - genuine, real.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
2/2
[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.
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[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.]
1/2
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.]
2/3 jk
[Please don't hate me for this.]
3/3
And I want to know what you think.
You first.
[And that's that. He looks at Aubrey, expectant.]
no subject
[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.
1/2
[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.]
2/2
[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...
no subject
[—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…?
1/1
But I do want this. [He does. He doesn't want her - them - to take it back.]
I'm not-- [Cheating on her? That's how it feels.]
You are my wife. ["Behold my vow."]
no subject
[She moves to raise his hand to her heart. If he doesn’t follow, she’ll complete it on her own. “And behold mine.”
[Her other hand stays in Armin’s.]
I didn’t say to take another wife… [Although it stings, a bit, as she says it. That stiff “Congratulations, then.”]
You love her, too. I’m not mad.
no subject
[His eyes drop to his lap again.]
I do.
[Very quietly - almost difficult to hear:] All of you.
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[Her heart beats just a bit more with his hand over it. It’s a comfort while it lasts. She just… wishes he wouldn’t keep looking away.
[But she hears, despite the quiet. It’s as if that’s the only sound—their words, their heartbeats.]
And I—we, we all want you to be loved. [Aubrey squeezes both their hands.] That won’t change, either.
1/2
[Then again, growing up in the barracks, didn't all of them have their little individual bonds? Significant, but not discriminatory. It wouldn't be the first time Eren kissed three people in the same day and thought nothing of it.]
Mikasa should have what she wants too...
[He squeezes their hands.]
If that's an option...
All of us, and then...her.
2/2
[At this, Armin's thumb drifts affectionately over Aubrey's knuckles. His smile is reassuring.]
I'd have to agree with that too.
no subject
[It’s not as though Aubrey hasn’t had her own doubts. But with her hands in theirs, squeezing and reassuring, and having seen Eren so soft with all of them… it’s impossible to feel that it’s wrong. She meant what she said, just as much as Eren means his vow.
[This… this can work. When Aubrey catches Armin’s smile, she echoes it.] Yeah. It’s an option.
[Not unlike the world itself…] It’s what we make of it.
1/1
[He looks at Aubrey. His hand is in hers. For days, she held him while he dreamed.
[He's desperately in love with her.]
Come here...
[He tugs on her hand. Come closer. Kiss me. Enough distance. I missed you.]
no subject
[How… does this work? In practice? She doesn’t want to let go of Armin, leave him out; so when Eren tugs on her hand, Aubrey mirrors with the other, an invitation. Time to find out.
[But there’s no hesitation. Aubrey missed Eren desperately. She raises their locked hand to his face, both of theirs, as she leans for their lips to finally meet.
[Aubrey’s learned a bit since they last kissed. A small sigh escapes her; I missed you; I need you; you’re back.
[You’re finally back....]
1/4 ICON ICON GOT TO USE THE ICON THE ICON THE--
[Eren kisses his wife. He holds their interlocked hands up there by his cheek, and he kisses her. It never gets old. He never stops wanting for it, craving. He could kiss her like this for a thousand years, held up in The Paths for a makeshift eternity, and never get tired of it.
[If he could create a reality for Aubrey, he wonders, what would it look like?]
2/4
[And he can, can't he?]
3/4 eren decreeth the polycule THUSLY
[Oddly enough, Hell has its perks.
[Once they've finally parted ("finally" because he is not eager to do so), he glances between her and Armin.]
So, then...
You should also.
[That's how this works, right?]
4/4 ARMIN BLAST
Kiss? You mean? Do--
[Well. He looks at Aubrey, laughing again.]
If you want to, yes.
I'd like to.
1/2 THE ICONNNN we a little split but tis the spirit
[Eren is here. Eren is close, and awake, and Aubrey will never, ever tire of it. She thought she might restrain herself for Armin’s sake, and his laugh is beautiful to hear, but… well, once they’re together, Aubrey’s in no rush to part, either.
[This is their makeshift eternity, after all. There’s no rush. Eren, Eren, Eren; her Detriment, her husband, her vow. When they’re like this, she’s certain anything the world could throw at them doesn’t compare. It’s only brought them closer, after all.
[She’s smitten.]
2/2 aubreremin REAL
[When they finally do part, it’s not without a trace of sheepishness that Aubrey turns to Armin, as Eren directs. They just talked and all, but… it’s real, now. It’s happening, and he’s laughing, and Aubrey wants it, too.
[Her answer is a breathless laugh and, without letting go of either hand, kisses Armin in turn. Makes Aubrey feel just a tad spoiled, having not one but two of her favorite people in the world like this.
[She’s not complaining.]
1/2
[He turns to Eren.]
2/2