[ Alright. He can do this. He's gotten the talks, the walks, and after one week of this all getting worse than any better, it's too long for his tastes. Time to step up. Was he some coward to have gotten this far, days away from graduation? No way in this world, and he'll stop applying that to this right here.
He's a man, and he'll figure this out. Like a wise monk once said: SIE SIND DAS ESSEN UND WIR SIND DIE JÄGER ]
[ Okay, so Ryoji can be a super responsible shopper, okay? Noah would remember the time he kept three dozen eggs in the fridge because there was a sale, so it can't be said that he isn't entirely price conscious. He just also shops on an empty stomach and is easily swayed by samples and bright, colorful advertising.
That's why he can't shop alone, I guess... even though he's one of the only ones in the house with transportation. ]
Bus or motorbike?
[ There might be enough space on the bike for three people? Cleo picked this out for Ryoji like four months ago, but idk which is more trustworthy, Ryoji's driving or his shopping. ]
[Well you know, three dozen eggs would actually come in handy in this household with how often omelets get made. So go you Ryoji.
Elliot meanwhile has written up a list of the ingredients of the things needed for the Finnish recipes, and even brought a backpack to store stuff in later. ]
[ Eren's graduation ceremony was nothing less than expected, the whole big bang and honorable speeches, flags and marches; family and friends gathered to attend— Elliot, be prepared, because Mrs. Jaeger is very interested in you and asks you to sit with her and Mr. Jaeger, tells you how much of a sweetie you are in person and that she'd love to invite you for coffee and apfelstrudel and, don't tell him she showed you, but look how cute Eren was when he was two months old—
Anyway! It was clear that Eren was gushing with pride from start to finish, from the minute he sported his navy blue uniform up to the call of his name, wearing his new rank as the greatest accomplishment of his life. Not even airman basic, he's skipped straight to airman with his enlistment promotion. He's really, really happy, and beyond happy was the minute he caught sight of Elliot there to see him.
With all this emotion, he can't help but to feel a little sting in his eyes at some point. His wingmen and officials probably jostle some fun at him as they give their congrats, his mother probably frets and embarrasses him even further as she tries to wipe his face (mom, please), and dad, well. Dad says something about him as a doctor, but let's just leave that be.
The most important thing that he wanted to do here was when he was finally free from everything, he beelines toward Elliot with zero formalities and enough speed to get an oof out of anyone, his arms gathering him into a tight and emotive hug he's probably never given to anyone in his lifetime. He's almost picking him up off the ground, and just— pours all that emotion right into him. Good emotion, to start a good day. ]
[Going to Eren's graduation was never a question. He showed up right on time, and quickly found himself being brought over to sit with the Jaegers. Eren's mother was extremely nice, though Elliot couldn't shake the constant fear that she might try to pinch his cheek at some point. Still, it was easier to talk to her than Eren's father, who reminded him just a bit too much of his own aunt and uncle. His conversations with Mr. Jaeger were kept polite and short.
His focus for the most part was on Eren. He was so proud to see him finally achieving his dreams after all the years of work. Eren looked so happy too, as he should. Elliot smiled and teared up through the ceremony (Mrs. Jaeger was quick to offer a tissue and fuss about what a sweet boy he was). After the ceremony, he tried to keep a polite distance - it was his family's day after all.
But next thing he knows, there's Eren making a bee-line right for him. Before he can react, he's scoop up into a tight hug (there was an oof out of him). Were it anyone else or any other time, he'd probably flail and try to get out of it? But right now, he's just too happy and proud of Eren to care. So he's getting a tight hug right back]
[When Eren pulls up, Elliot will be sitting on the front-step of the house. He's got that staff from earlier with him, his backpack (he really has to find an easy way to carry the ARCUS), and a bouquet of a dozen roses. Also a fresh change of clothes from what he was wearing in the phonecall -- it turns out water magic is wet. Who would've thought?
Unsurprisingly, he was occupying himself by listening to music through headphones. But when Eren pulls up, he'll pull the headphones off his head and let them rest around his neck, and gives Eren a big wave]
[ there was no time to make an entire run back to his car, considering the distance he had trekked from the start of the patrol to actually running a second time from a second monster in the fog. with arion home safe, eren had to make a choice: run the risk of sprinting double the time needed to get on wheels, avoid more fog— or run half the time and double the chances of titan still being alive when he got there. it was in the same area, it wasn’t far.
eren makes the choice and runs, his partner strapped to him the way the uniform allows in time of emergency. he’s done what he can of first aid, and eren keeps checking titan’s mouth for color. pale, heavy and desperate breathing— he ignores the gashes on his own arms, flesh, deep and bleeding for titan, who’s worse. much worse. adrenaline allows him to lift the extra eighty pounds as trained to, and by the time he gets to the parking lot, he’s drenched in sweat, uniform profusely bloody. some of it is his, but most is titan’s, weak, but still conscious.
in a huffing rush, despite how much his legs and back seem to burn, he pays no attention to it. he didn’t care. he bolts a final sprint to the main door and bangs on it desperately until it opened. be home be home be home please be home— ]
Come on—!
[ the dog is whimpering through his breaths, his chest doing so much work to inflate that eren pauses only to begin unstrapping him. he didn’t know what else to do if not bring him here, he didn’t. ]
[Luckily, Elliot had been home tonight. Unless he had things to do with ReVA or Club Sunshine, he tried very hard to stay home and avoid the fog. There were too many dangerous things lurking out there, and Elliot was actually a pretty cautious dude.
So about a minute after the knocking, Elliot will approach the door and check the peep hole. The second he sees who it is, he'll swing open the door- looking worried and confused]
Eren?
[Without questioning it, he'll step aside to let Eren in. He did not want him lingering out in the fog-- and oh no, Titan was here and not looking good]
[ that dump of retrospec information nearly made him derail, but. trying not to. too much. every time things felt heavy, talking to elliot always did the trick. you’ll get a link at first, then: ]
[Okay this invite? Catches him by surprise. He's only talked to these two a few times, that was enough to get a wedding invite????? Wow, these two really were the nicest and cutest couple.....
He'll send both Mikleo and Sorey at group text back]
Aw, thank you for the invitation! I would be delighted to come to your wedding! Congratulations to both of you!
I don't know what you have planned, but if you happen to need a violinist or a pianist, don't be afraid to ask!
[ november 18th— the day hollywood would be in recollé, and probably one of the coldest days of the month until now. frost, seriously? it wasn’t even thanksgiving yet! eren promptly curses the early cold and the fact that his car was still in shop until . . . probably the end of the month, with all the damages it took. thanks, bec noir, courtesy of john.
anyway, with the winter season right around the corner and their very first flurry in months, by the time eren leaves to pick elliot up, there’s quite the nippy chill in the air! if you’re warm, though, there’s no problem— eren actually liked the cold much more than he did the heat. he just wished he could provide more comfort from the weather than his motorcycle did (a bulky, muddy blue bmw, but still pretty snazzy).
formal occasions also called for formal dress, and in eren’s case, underneath his jacket was his mess dress uniform. he’s no longer a civilian, after all, so he has to wear his shoulder boards, his insignia and his wings— satin blue bow tie (even if he’s not a fan of bow ties), mess jacket and trousers. he’s quite handsome in his silver buttons, and pool-aqua eyes stick out like a sore thumb against air force blue.
he’s just excited to see elliot, though. as he pulls up, he beeps twice in sequence to let him know he’s here and promptly . . . stares blatantly at his bike when the BEEPBEEP shortly after devolves into a sound.
he takes his helmet off, steps off the parked bike, and stares. leo . . . . . . .
he’s not even surprised, nor really mad, that his horn now sounds like chewbacca ]
[Yes snow on November 18th. Recolle is clearly set in Minnesota. The ocean was Lake Superior all along. It's the most logical explanation. Hope you like water tornadoes.
Elliot wasn't at all fond of the cold. Cold and snow made it harder to do street performances. He had been hoping the snow wouldn't come so early- but here we are. It doesn't matter that much, he's still excited to go out with Eren. To see an orchestra, no less. Eren was too good to him, honestly.
He spent the afternoon getting ready. He left a note on the fridge that he'd be going out, he packed a small overnight backpack (change of clothes, hygiene, his staff folded up- what?), and he dressed in his best (see: only) suit. By the time Eren shows up, he's all ready to go.
He's stepping outside, wearing a coat and hat when the bike makes the chewbacca sounds. He can't help but laugh]
[ So she's... actually going to be calling Elliot rather than texting him. Ring, ring, sometime around one, so before her shift starts at the casino and when she really ought to be studying. ]
[Elliot was in the middle of his own studies when he gets the call. He pulls out the phone from his pocket, half-expecting it to be Zack with another question he could've easily googled if he had a smart phone instead of that archaic flip-phone. But when he sees it's Natalia? Well, he answers right away]
[ AFTER THEY DISCUSSED OVER THE NETWORK on souji eating very questionable foods that elliot makes... he heads over to the address that elliot gave him and rings the doorbell! he's right on time so he's ready. he can't wait to Die ]
Elliot meanwhile has been working hard to prepare all the food on time. He received a lot more interest in the food than he thought he would- it was both good and a little worrying. He's just finished setting down the last plate when Souji rings.
Welp, here goes nothing. He'll head over to answer the door.]
I'm alright. Little worried about my family who don't live in town. And I really miss food that tastes like something. But I'm sure that's the same for everyone.
[ coming up with a stay at home date plan for the cold december days to come was a good plan— today, eren would be doing the honors of providing chocolate fondu and strawberries (fruit!! they got fruit back!!) while elliot was on puffed rice cake duty and whatever other recipe he’d like to bring (mrs jaeger sent some good ones too). cooking together would be nice, and finishing the personal touches for setting eren’s tree up at long last (decorating wasn’t a forté but it was still fun, moreso with elliot). good music and video games, some movie rentals he knows elliot enjoys or wanted to see, even the electric fireplace is up and running.
it should be good, eren wants it to be, as any date they’ve had. he’d never want to fuck it up. but, he rings him up earlier than the planned time, a few hours before. he needs help. he had other friends to talk to it about, but no other knew how to soothe him like elliot did. plus, weirdly— it’s been a while since eren’s mentioned anything about his memories. ]
you think you can come a little earlier? and stay over tonight
[Elliot gets the text while he's in the midst of gathering things for the day, as well as prepping any cooking that'd take too long to do during a date. ]
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