[Oh. Oh now that his moment of encouragement and projection was over, he realizes what he's done. Now Eren was holding onto his hand and smiling at him, those scales bright. This is a much closer position than the horn rubbing was. His cheeks turn a shade of pink as this realization dawns on him.]

I-

[He gulps a little. Eren was definitely still picking up on his nerves. He can't dance around it, or Eren might think he doesn't trust him. And he doesn't want that. Combat links break if the partners have trouble trusting each other. Who knows if bonds react the same way]

I-It's not that. I mean, I always feel worry, but I trust you. You'll look out for me too. I-It's more-

[Nngh, just get out with it]

Combat Links never really...had this much...touching? S-So I'm still getting used to it. [Quickly] Not that it's a bad thing!