[ good. in the sense that, he told him not ready to talk about it instead of going with his first option, it’s nothing. eren’s head dips, acknowledging the choice in a curt but slowly placed nod, before his attention drifts to his hands, fingers covering fingers.

so, reciprocated feelings, and if he read right, reciprocated interest to feed their fondness if it feels correct to. eren pulls his chair closer to elliot in a rattle, sitting in front of him for better proximity. he’s just— unsure, about words and feelings adding up. there was still worry, regardless of overthinking. ]

Do what you’ll regret less, or not at all, from here on out.

[ not just counting the night they had, but— you, know, everything forward. taking care of the bond itself, which grows strong when given heart, contact, everything they need to stand, survive, and not lose themselves. it’s not as if he’ll want to end their bond if they won’t have intimacy, but, boundaries, and that’ll reflect easily on the relationship until it wanes. especially if they deny themselves. alas, this was a tough subject to tread across, because he knew what it was.

he’s firm in his choice, but respectable to the other’s. ]

I’ll be alright, either way. That’s what Bonds are for me. [ he holds his hand out, palm up. it’s a small gesture, chaste and probably rather generic to anything that could be intimate— but that’s exactly the point. he won’t push for anything that leaves a strain. his vows are . . . really loud, here. he knows he doesn’t have to repeat them, but the energy is still the same. ] Accepting each other for who we are.

[ i wasn’t going to say it, but i will: you are free. ]