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[Eren looks like a man possessed coming up to him. He'll move to meet him halfway, stopping just before as Eren holds up that phone to show the message. he reads it, his eyes wide]

T-they're gonna help?

[ the anxiety rush begins to shake into a delayed sensation of— man, so many things. relief, euphoric enough to only now begin to smile and shake and take elliot’s hand into a crushing grip (i day crushing but it doesn’t hurt, it’s just tight), because he feels like he needs to sit somewhere before he loses his footing.

his lips are dry. he’s having a hard time pulling the words together because he can say so much now, his plans, their future, their dreams— ]

—They’re gonna stop it.

[ he just sort of. shakes elliot with a grin and eyes that are still in disbelief. ]

They're gonna...

[It sinks in for Elliot. Retrospec was going to try to stop it. Make an active attempt rather than giving some vague hints. And if anyone could stop it, it'd be...

They might have a real cure on their hands. Their dreams, their future...they might not have to say goodbye to them.

He makes an excited gasp as he grabs onto that hand holding his with his other one. He jumps a little on the heels of his feets]

Eren! That's wonderful news!

[ if zee would keep to his word, then it wasn’t some odd handed possibility. and from what he said, it was an active action to take, because none of them should be in the range of dying so easily. why bring someone with a power who would just cease to exist–? it had less to do with eren’s entire wellbeing and more their own plans being thrown off the loop if eren’s time ran out— but it linked together in a way to benifit both sides. eren could care less about it though, and more about what it involved as a whole.

he’d be free from the cycle he never chose, and he’d be able to follow his own way. he’d be able to leave it behind. bend be able to step out of a bird cage so vast he was nearly stuck in it for two lives, not just one. he wants to take elliot and run away with him, lift him up in his arms in a tightened hug and take him off his feet (which he does, only leaving his toes skimming the ground. ]

You don’t make empty promises with these things. [ from the context of the conversation— he believes it from front to back. ] He said it’s not his work area, but he’ll send it to the right team.

[ Elliot lets himself get lifted up, his arms moving around Eren's neck to have a good hold on him. Eren's expression was a powerful one, it was full of hope. Eren truly believed that Zee would keep to his word. That sincerity in his belief made Elliot feel a bit easier about believing it too.

He knows that caution is safer, but god did he want to believe. He could feel himself getting teary eyed just at the thought. ]

I'm so glad....

[Even though he had said he refused to let it happen, the fear was still very much there. It was impossible for it not to be. ]

Hey...when it's all a done deal? We should go somewhere. Just the two of us.

[ eren knows better than to ride with zero caution— his possibilities had to be realistic. he usually was realistic to predict and completely unrealistic to press through them. his gut feeling that the truth was being said speaks so much louder than anything else, it wasn’t just hope— his life was within reach again.

once, he had scolded others for wanting their whim with comfort at their heels and still calling themselves soldiers; today, eren was aware enough to give value to that very lack of choice, and give himself a chance to leave that very life for once.

when hope was there, he knew that he had to reach for it. they could even take his power away, as he mentioned, he didn’t care— as long as he could live. there was a way out and that’s all that mattered. once he puts elliot down, he takes his hand and pushes the hair out of his face, a smile that’s found so much warmth it could melt the vicinity. he wouldn’t mind a trip for two, but— ]

What if we go somewhere now, too?

[ it’s the weekend. they have all day. the city might need some painting but progress has been made!!! he wants a date, asap. ]

[ He'll still hold onto Eren as he gets lowered to his feet, looking up at Eren with such love and fondness. He could stare at that smile all day ]

Haha, sure! I have the day free.

[And after this news? He had zero intention of doing anything but spend time with Eren]

Where should we go though? I don't know what hasn't been painted yet...

[ that is. a very good idea but luckily, because I said so— ]

How about some breakfast? [ gps will save them, yet again and just in case—! he’ll track a little quaint cafe close by and lead them there. ] You’re probably starving.

[ if eren himself was already anything to go by: gurgle i probably haven’t eaten in hours thanks anxiety. that gurgle was exceptionally loud though, so, it gets a subtle punch. shut up. ]

[He'll giggle at the stomach growl. He's not surprise Eren's hungry. It's been hard to eat with how anxious the past few days have been]

Hehe, yeah! I'd love some food, actually.

[ then food it is. eren continues to lead the way through half painted streets and tiny groups of busy eraser creatures sweeping up the errors. maybe they could help some, too, whenever they get to the quaint café that serves a good breakfast, a sweet bonjour. at least it’s more or less painted once they get there, so they don’t have to do much to get their hands on the ringing door and get inside to find a seat.

eren hasn’t let go of elliot’s hand for a second, from start of the walk to finish, and pulls a chair out for him to sit once he’s found a good spot for talking. the places eren always picked when he didn’t want to be bothered much: a corner spot with funny colored lighting (not in his plans, but people don’t always have their wanted paints in hand!) and less movement. ]

Let’s just hope the food isn’t missing either.

[ He lets Eren lead the way, not the least bit inclined to let go of Eren's hand as they walk. It's still hard to get used to this painted scenery. He misses the sights of the beach and all the different colors and textures that went into the world. Even with things painted, everything has a sense of missing something.

At least the people are still in full color. After awhile he opts to keep his eyes on Eren when he's not watching where he's going. He'll sit down in the chair Eren pulls out for him, with a thank you, then reaches out to nudge out the chair next to his with his foot. ]

Haha, or it doesn't taste like paint, yeah.

—Would it?

[ that’s— actually a good question. but before he goes over to his own kicked out seat, eren’s palm caresses the back of elliot’s neck through his hair, a gentle thank you before he parts ways to sit opposite of him.

a waitress already comes to take their orders, and eren goes for a big one— bacon and pancakes and scrambled eggs with a side of

you get it he’s eating for the entire room ]

Dunno. Hope not.

[But he has no idea really if it would or not. And while Eren orders for the whole room, Elliot will just order an omelet with a side of hash browns and some orange juice. He does not have Eren's intense appetite.]

Haha...not often we get to go out breakfast together.

[ it’s even more relieving at least, that he’s feeling more like himself. a lot more like himself, for someone who’s been cherry picking at food for these last handful of rather bad days. he might’ve even gotten slightly thinner—? nothing the food and activity he’ll be getting back into now wouldn’t fix it. it’s hardly noticeable. ]

It’s a good change. [ they always went out for occasional lunches, mostly dinners. breakfast was a luxury, with eren’s schedule . . . ] Air Force training always started so early.

[ . . . he liked breakfast with elliot. a lot (what didn’t he like with elliot). he eyes elliot a little and lifts his brows with a smile as a started tea is served to them. ]

I still want to make it for you.

[Elliot gives him a smile. That's right, he remembers Eren mentioning wanting to make breakfast for him too]

I still want to eat what you make too.

[he likes cooking breakfast, and he was good at it. But he wasn't so set on it that he wouldn't love to take a morning off and have Eren cook it for him.

But the air force...right. He remembered how early Eren would have to leave to go, the few times he stayed over]

Have you...given much thought to...you know? [that's vague] Leaving the air force?

[ the same way he loved elliot’s breakfasts and the thought of waking up to those were beauties—he wants to give just as much as he indulges, also because cooking for elliot was also incredibly indulging. he’ll never forget the first time!!

but, yes, the matters. ]

. . . Constantly. [ especially to keep his mind off the problem. if he was going to get through it, he needed a plan, and he’s glad he did. even before it showed up. ] —I talked to Andrew about it a while back, before all this. I only wanted to tell you when I was sure of it.

And I’m sure of it. My contract ends after August.

[ bomb dropped. like, the real one. ]

After August...that's not that far away.

[Only a few months. Sure, it would probably feel like a lot longer- but it's better than years. And one good part of communication being cut off is it meant he was way less likely to be deployed in that time.

But Elliot knows one thing.]

If you're sure of it, and you've given it hard thought ... you know I'll back you up with whatever you decide.

[ eren’s smile lengthens, as soft and sweet as it was, but he holds both hands out, palms up and asking for elliot’s hands to fill them. ]

You can say it, you know.

[ he’s implying, smile turning a little (just a little) more sly to it. elliot’s orange juice also gets served, along with eren’s giant cup of milk. food’s thenext one on the way! ]

[He'll immediately reach out to take Eren's hands, his palms facing down to touch Eren's as he wraps his fingers around]

Say what?

[Aw yaais orange juice. He'll let go of one of Eren's hands so he can get a straw into his juice, but he's still holding onto the other]

[ he needs to chug more of his share as well, and takes advantage of the free hand to do just that. ]

That you like it.

[ it’s absolutely great to be supportive about anything he does!! but!! he has a feeling . . . it’d also make elliot a happier person in the long run. ]

[Ah. He sighs and lets his shoulders relax, offering him a small smile]

Guess I should've known I couldn't hide things from you.

[Eren knew him well, and he was very perceptive. Moreso than most gave him credit for.]

...Yeah. I like it. A lot. I never wanted to say anything because I didn't want to get in the way of your dream, but... [Might as well confess] I always hated the idea of you being deployed.

Edited 2018-05-15 01:30 (UTC)

[ and— just when their food arrives! the table receives an extreme make over, complete with plates and food that. luckily, have been painted! in very odd colors but thank you unnamed stranger somewhere in recollé so we don’t have to paint these ourselves. ]

Just like I can’t hide things from you. [ whether it was for a greater good, eren just— couldn’t. he breaks. this whole fiasco is proof that sooner or later, elliot knows. eren’s hungry, and he already has a fork and knife in each hand, but . . . he stares quietly at his plates with a softened smile that extends back to elliot. ] I didn’t realize how much of a duty it was then. I didn’t even realize what deployment would actually mean. It was all—

[ what’s a good word . . . he slouches back some and places his silverware back on top of his main plate. ] Romantic. It wasn’t realistic at all.

[He'll thank the waiter as the food gets brought out. Thank goodness they don't have to paint anything. The omelette even looks edible, strange coloring aside.

But oh no, there's Eren's self-deprecation. ]

The romantic view wasn't a bad thing, you know. I mean...maybe you were a little naive, but...

[He offers him a small, reassuring smile]

Your passion, romantic as it was, it's what drew me to you in the first place.

[ . . . smile to smile, eren’s eyes light up. ]

You won’t lose that.

[ eren still plans to continue being as passionate about what he does as he had been in the past with the air force. he’s changed, but not so drastically. there was still eren in him that he wanted to police himself to keep and never lose over time. at least, he didn’t want to go down paths that would bring about that risk all over again. cutting into pancakes and whisking syrup over his bacon, eren starts eating. even if blue and orange gets him to side eye a little. pretend it’s food coloring, because the rest is really delicious! ]

Not even next semester.

[ although next semester is technically in september, and that means RU, and that also means . . .

:) ]

Next...semester?

[that's a very specific choice of words. Elliot will take a bite out of his omelet, chewing and swallowing before continuing. It'd be a shame to let the eggs get cold after all]

What are you hinting at, Eren...?

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