[ it had been a question more to gauge viren than to truly wonder— and at least, he sees someone who doesn’t live off of a faraway fantasy (or, who knew— maybe eren was wrong to think the way he did, but he didn’t think so). he allows emotion to pass, and sees the man, the dragon before him, simply be who he was. human. he was only human with his own priorities as everyone else did.

it isn’t too heavy, but after a moment, eren’s palm finds viren’s shoulder, and gives it an understanding squeeze. ]

I don’t know what I’d do if Historia was killed. [ he considers continuing, but before that. ] My island’s Queen. But before that, she’s my friend.

[ a very. very good friend. once his hand has had enough, eren slips it back to himself. if the enemy killed historia . . . hah, everything would’ve been for nothing. absolutely nothing. all those deaths, those innocents, the sacrifices, comrades and even more friends lost along the way— it would shatter him into pieces that he probably wouldn’t be able to put back together again. eren was abominably strong, both of spirit and mind, but there was so much someone, anyone, could take before completely losing it.

he doesn’t even want to think about it. it’s possible for him to know the outcome of his events, but not the in-betweens. ]

It’d put everything done until now to waste. [ so, hm— ] It’s not always the strongest who survive. It’s the most persistent, and the most monstrous.

[ his bias now would say that he hopes viren’s side survives— but that’s so damn unfair. he doesn’t say it. only nods, with solidarity. ]