[Mikleo welcomes the tightening grip. He's cold and hungry and exhausted, too much so to put up a fight even for the sake of his pride. Pushing Eren away won't change or obscure the truth, and Mikleo isn't the type to bury his head in the sand either.]
We'll see each other again. I have to-- I believe that, I do, I just... miss him.
[He falls silent. After a moment the reason becomes fairly obvious: Mikleo sniffles surreptitiously. If he can get away with cuddling into Eren's chest then he absolutely will because he's just so done with everything.]
Five Lords, it's not like I'm immortal or anything. [A delicate pause. The wryness is all in his voice.] I'm too damn impatient.
[ it almost (more than almost) feels like he’s trying to hide something that’s impossible to hide now. a lingering emptiness, mild in eren’s chest but not disregardable, is acknowledged, but with the display from mikleo’s end— he manages to smile at it, small and placid.
he messes with the seraph’s hair, a large hand on top of it and rolling over white locks messily, his other arm there to steady him. and maybe trap him for a few seconds. ]
You’re forgetting why I felt restless all day. [ said with a bit of a huff of what could’ve become a chuckle, and if resistance is felt, he’ll readily let go. after a few extra seconds. you can’t hide from him??? it’s like wearing a mustache to his burrow and saying this isn’t mikleo....... this is evil mikleo. ] But I just realized why now.
[ . . . ]
I hope you see him again. It can be better than the last.
[Mikleo makes a noise of distress as his hair is suddenly attacked. He flails ineffectually, trying to push Eren's hand away, but he's trapped in Eren's hold for those few seconds. Let him cuddle in peace! Jeez! When he's finally free, he drags his hands down his hair to try to smooth it; the damage is done, though, and it's curling however the hell it wants on the back edges especially.
The glare Mikleo gives him is hot but it's not... sharp, exactly, more of an annoyed pout when taken with the pink dusting his cheeks and nose.]
What are you talking about?
[For once, he's the emotionally dumb one. He's been so wrapped up in himself and looking for Sorey that he hasn't been able to separate what's his and what's Eren's. He huffs at that last part, more of a sigh than a scoff. He rubs his sleeve over his eyes to catch any lingering tears; he doesn't want those.]
... Thanks. And... thank you for listening, [he murmurs, not quite meeting Eren's eyes.] Izuku's going to be so upset. I promised I'd introduce them-- they're so much alike.
[ you’re attempting a farce betrayal, he can’t let you get away with that. hand clapping mikleo’s shoulder now (and wetting his lips, doing that thing with his mouth again) eren’s scales turn a tint deeper at what he sees (eren’s endeared), hears (the thank you) and what he savors (???). once returning his hands to his lap, eren lets his head dip back against the wall and hums in concession. he’s met him at the stables when they were under house arrest, but he did want to get to know him better. ]
He’s a great guy.
[ and he knows sorey is!! after a pause, now, eren’s lips remain tepidly curved. ]
. . . I’ve been feeling what you’re feeling. Some of it. On top of everything— you’re hungry. [ pause. ] But you’re a little better now.
[ unless it’s eren that’s uplifting things, or if he’s feeling better, or. emotions are complicated, but he simplifies. eren . . . feels content, if mikleo’s face is less upset than it was. he had the right to be upset, but. he’s keeping to his word, and he’s here. as any concerned friend would, eren doesn’t want to see him down. ]
[With that assault over, Mikleo is still not inclined to actually move. And so he sighs and rests his head against the warm shoulder he was smothered with earlier.
... Only to sit up again when Eren brings that up.]
Oh no. Ugh, I'm sorry. [Shit. That's right. He'd completely forgotten about that part of the Bond. Mikleo drags his hands down his face in frustration.] I forgot-- I don't remember the last time I ate. I didn't realize you could feel that in addition to everything else.
[Poor Eren. He's probably been going crazy all day. Mikleo is going to need to make it up to him.
His tone is wry. It's rare for him to be so freaking undone but this place has tested him daily.]
[ the drape that had been over mikleo’s shoulders earlier is now reemerging as a sideways embrace, following a hushed sound past his pointed teeth— a not-so-hardy-laugh that shares in his exhaustion. ]
I could taste it, too.
[ not hunger, but nervousness, a different sort of taste (that came when mikleo’s face turned another shade, but he has yet to see the pattern) . . . never mind that he actually just said taste and meant it, with an added tone that implied the question you too, right?.
i mean, he’s tasting him as they speak. ozone when there was no rain in sight, and the faint sweetness of confection that he probably made up to 24 hours ago. well. not that it actually is taste, but it’s the closest thing to it. the physical contact even, isn’t only from the bond itself. it certainly plays a tremendous roll in wanting to, but. he’s being a receptive lizard and not entirely realizing it. ]
[Mikleo turns his head to look at Eren, brow furrowed in confusion.] Taste? What do you mean? I don't... taste anything? [If he concentrates for a moment, he can kind of separate his emotions. There's some fondness that he thinks might be from Eren. No taste.
But he's reminded of something.]
I read once that snakes can taste the air, and that's why they stick their tongues out all the time. Maybe it's like that.
[ you bet ur ice booty it’s fondness. that, and certain comfort in his presence.
and just as he speaks, without meaning to be on cue or anything, is what. he’s been doing with his tongue since the moment he sat down. it slides across his lips, goes back in, and adjusts like he would after taking a drop of juice to sample. ]
It . . . Doesn’t bother me. Not all of it. [ the only thing he has a problem with is the aggression, and ferocity, and blips of concern may seem to pop up where emotion is concerned. but being subjected to change not so much, once they happen. when it’s happening is where it sort of. even he panics a little. ] Just takes some getting used to.
[ you don’t know how many times he’s cut his tongue, lips, gums, all on himself already? until he’s adjusted the way he rests is jaws, and even then he’s forgetful. ]
[Mikleo watches him do this and he can connect the dots. He's a little embarrassed by how closely he watches that tongue, so he looks at Eren's eyes instead. Hopefully he's not blushing too much.]
That's good at least. [His expression softens.] I know it's not the same as what you could do before, but you can protect people like this. Like you protected me in the dream.
[He can't help his curiosity. He reaches up and pokes harmlessly at the corner of Eren's mouth.]
... And I've said it before, but... regardless of what dragons are on my world, I'm not afraid of you at all. Whatever happens.
[ new thing is, beyond tame emotional sharing, he can taste your pheromones from here. eren’s own expression seems to relent, because it’s true. he’d use the new ability to continue doing what he did— maybe that’s why not too much has changed. especially when there’s a possible way back that certainly needs some looking into. there wasn’t a time in the day he didn’t think about the duties he left on hold.
eren displays his scale colors with deep saturation even before his mouth is touched— something a little more primal wants to show the seraph that he isn’t wildly angry, or territorial, or exceedingly happy, but moreso that he’s the most colorful of dragons, what could be translated into likeness, but . . . not exactly (the earliest stages of wanting to show off, it seems).
that’s what eren decides to label it as, at least. simple and what makes the most sense to him. ]
Hey— [ he says, with some surprise at the poke, and without thinking, there went his tongue again, a sharper smell of rain and human filling his nostrils and spreading across his tastebuds. it’s sort of crazy. when he smiles at him again, it’s a little tapped, in good humor. he almost doesn’t know what to say, but for a moment . . . with eyes like two blue embers, and lips that curl, his feelings say thank you. they say i’m glad. he’ll fight with him until he couldn’t, until it’s time to part, but until then, he won’t lose focus. he’ll care for what grounds him and plant what he must to rise. and that’s what burns in eren jaeger’s heart right now.
a melting pot of warmth, protection, responsibility and more. also, “this taste/smell is nice” sort of feeling. ]
Let’s get you something to eat.
[ eren has plans . . . it involves making potato stew. the only thing he ever watched his mother make. rising to his feet, eren holds out his arm to lift mikleo up. ]
[Mikleo's eyes flicker to the technicolor scales happening over Eren's skin. He's curious but mostly amused, and as he pulls his hand away, he gently runs his fingernails over Eren's neck. Then he catches himself and looks elsewhere, at least until he's trapped by those big eyes and a mysterious smile.
Mikleo can feel that fondness and gratitude as much as he can see it. The heat rises to his cheeks more persistently. Everything about the way Eren looks at him feels like being swept up into a hug. Mikleo is terribly fond of him too, enough that his breath catches and his heart thumps awkwardly in his chest in a rhythm he can't name.]
R-- right.
[Still, he takes that hand and stands up... though he doesn't let go right away. Shyly, hesitantly, he twines their fingers together.]
... If you come back with me, I can feed both of us.
[He's not interested in sleeping in an empty house again. He's done it for eighty years but the silence is honestly worse than the feeling of losing something important.]
[ he’s held hands with people, he has. historia, to get memory triggers, mikasa, when she’d sit at his bedside, and armin when they were kids— he’d walk with his fingers curling into his palm and chattering about how shitty bullies are, comforting him with valiant words as the blond would dry tears at the corners of his eyes. that was . . . a really long time ago. yet, he isn’t quick to let the hold slide away on its own now when their fingers go tangled. in fact, eren’s digits curve back a moment or so after the contact is made, the same sort of responsive crook expressive on his lips and welcoming.
he doesn’t mind it, even though a small part of him felt the oddest hint of nostalgia— like, “wow, i only watched x when i was nine”. it was different this time though, there was no end result he was looking for beyond . . . wanting to be around him, which was a contrasting way to go about it, he never really felt the need to extend his contact more than something brief. there was no time or space for the thought to bud, until a bond had made some wiggle room for it.
a pause, and he adds while they walk, feeling warm tumbles in his middle that’s nothing short of contented. ]
I’m already ahead of you. [ he knows mikleo has an entire cottage to himself now, and he remembers a short bit of insight on his solitude. he wasn’t about to leave him alone, even if he had to move his hole. those were the smallest of his problems. ] You just won’t be cooking alone.
[Eren doesn't pull away from the contact, which is somehow a miracle after the way Mikleo's been clinging to him since he got here. It... makes Mikleo happy. The Eren he'd met was-- struggling, wanting to reach out, not always knowing how. He's been through so much. But just in these few weeks, these little meetings, Mikleo's seen the difference.
He ducks his head and the shy smile with it, and gives the brunet's hand a reassuring squeeze. He's sad and still a bit wiggly inside from earlier, but having someone left to ground him helps so much. This isn't just for Eren, it's for Mikleo too, who lets his emotions simmer beneath the surface until it's too late to do anything but regret. He's... trying to be better about that. He really is.]
Oh? You're going to help me?
[His lips curl, eyes sparkling once more.]
Well then, Chef Eren, what are we making tonight? I probably have the ingredients, I've been stocking the pantry since I got the house.
[ yes, he’s going to help you. he almost has half the worry to say not we, me, you need rest, but mikleo knows his limits. he’s just as free and does what he wants. or, eren would like him to feel such. his fingers twine further with the squeeze, satisfied the the mutual contentment. but “chef eren” is hilarious, and he huffs quietly before his words, sounding much like “hah”, although his his expression doesn’t add up. he’s only willing to try, with a little extra confidence because he and the 104th would do it all the time when they had to camp out— ]
Potato leek stew. [ it’s actually bland af because they didn’t have condiments readily available on paradis for a really long time, and therefore doesn’t know how to use them, but, he is trying his sincere best. ] And— whatever tastes good with potato?
[Mikleo wants to get him to laugh at some point, but the night is somber enough and he's far too tired to try.]
That sounds pretty good, actually. I have some bread we can serve with it, and we can put bacon on top. [Mikleo thinks on this while they walk.] Potatoes don't take long to cook in soups, so roast chicken would take too long-- especially this late. But I could reheat what I made yesterday... but would cheese taste good in the soup or should we just stick with cream?
[... Sorry, Eren, he's off in his own little world now.]
[ when you get eren jaeger to laugh you will win a Medal of Honor.
“what’s bacon?”
“roast chicken?”
he knows what a chicken is, but imagine roasting it? cheese or cream? why not cheese and cream? although the options have created a swirl of questions and curiosities for eren, eyes big and nearly bulging while he’s unknowingly tasting the air for answers. ]
—Yeah.
[ that’s his. answer?? actually he’s just really confused but in a good way and wants to try everything. he wasn’t hungry before, and perhaps mikleo played a significant roll in it, but. now he’s practically starving. ]
[Eren's confused but enthusiastic answer snaps Mikleo out of it. He glances up at the brunet and sees him trying to taste the air. It's really... terribly cute.]
We'll try all of that, then. I hope you're ready for the stew of a lifetime.
[A pause, and he drops his voice conspiratorially.]
I made ice cream, so you can try that after. I'm sure Sorey would have liked you to have it. I certainly can't eat it all.
[ ice cream sounds nice, except for the ice part. ]
It might make me tired now. [ like how people drink hot chocolate before bed, but!! mulling it over, it could work. ] But— it’s late enough for that.
[ getting closer to the house and seeing it, crisp in his line of vision from afar, makes eren wants to walk a little bit faster, beginning to drag mikleo along if he doesn’t keep up. ]
[Mikleo squeezes his hand again. He's having trouble staying awake but he doesn't want to be a burden either. Potato soup only takes like a half hour to make including chopping things up. It's fine.]
Are you nocturnal now?
[Whoa. Eren's picking up the pace. Mikleo makes a noise of annoyance and has to shuffle to keep up.]
[ eren shakes his head briefly, deciding to ignore the annoyance on purpose to give him a proper answer. but hold tight, he has a plan. ]
I just don’t want to fall asleep yet. [ believe it or not, he’s ten times more active when the sun is out. sweet, sweet heat. he also doesn’t want to, like, leave him alone or something and forget to help feed them. ] Just say “I’m tired”—
[ you can’t . . . hide from him. you’ve been running all day. he’s picking him up? he’s letting go of his hand, only to pick him up and getting there in a click of time. ]
[Mikleo's heard the same thing countless times, either said by Mikleo himself or Sorey as he whined about being forced into bed. They always did burn the midnight oil when there was a new discovery involved. What he's not expecting is that little bit of gentle chiding (gentle for Eren anyway), and Mikleo--
-- well, he's suddenly swept up over Eren's shoulders and that's a surprise.]
Gah! H-hey! You can't just--
[But he can. And did. And now they are standing just before the steps to his house. The speed is dizzying, and it leaves Mikleo grabbing Eren's back a little uncertainly when they stop.]
[ consider this step two towards lizard brain showing off— look how physically fit he is on top of colorful. he could’ve left you in the dust! but he can carry you when your legs can’t keep up.
eren puts him down on his own time, though, not quite heeding words until he’s climbing stairs. it’s easy enough when he does, though, an arm fully around his waist while the other steadies mikleo’s descent back to the ground just above the steps that lead into the cottage. you see, your glicose is a little
low
(he tasted that too)
—mikleo’s hair is a mess just from nearly flipping him upside down. he watches him fondly with a passing glance up and down his face, before deciding against fixing any of the curly ends. it was suitable. prodding at the other’s side (not lacking in gentleness but certainly more brazen as his nature was), eren waits for him to get comfortable in balance before walking with him. ]
[Mikleo squints and holds his head for a moment as the world tilts, stops, and then tilts back into something resembling normal. He's definitely a little dizzy, but tea will help with that. He looks every bit as disgruntled as one would expect, even if he's grateful that Eren is helping him along.]
You're right, I probably would. You're way faster than I am-- even if I could windstep still.
[There's probably a spell for that, but it's not on his list of priorities at the moment. He smooths his hair down and unlocks his door, then motions for Eren to follow him.
The house is a little different from the full moon two weeks ago-- notably in the amount of plants. It appears the way Mikleo has been coping with stress is by acquiring a small garden. There are neatly-labeled flowers and herbs packed into every available bit of windowsill real estate, and there are vines crawling all up the outsides of the cottage, and of course the lofty outside floor is stunning with its own roses. Eren can probably smell them from down here, from the sweet and full-bodied yellow to the reticent white tinged with green. There are several kinds of roses in all, but Mikleo will show them later.
He goes straight to the kitchen and immediately begins pulling things out of the pantry. Potatoes from a bag, and he dumps them straight into the sink. Leeks from what appears to be some kind of enchanted icebox. He dumps those into the sink, too.]
Do you think you could wash those and peel them for me?
[He continues his whirlwind about the kitchen. And then there is the cream, and a block of cheddar, and an array of garlic and other spices all lined up on the counter beside a big metal stew pot. He's very much in his element.
But before anything else, he needs a pat of butter. As he chips a chunk off the block to help oil the pan, his fingers tremble and he very nearly drops the whole thing in. For a moment, Mikleo forgets he's not alone in the kitchen, as he just stares at his fingers with a look of betrayal.
[ a friendly reminder. but! there’s something else that’s quick to get his attention. tongue flicking and lip wetting escalates rather quickly with leaves, petals and dirt in the cooking fray. his brain is telling him look at this smell no wait look at this one, no wait—, unable to divide his attention as readily as he would’ve liked (no, thank god he doesn’t have chameleon eyes).
he’s quick, at least. quick and eager to put himself into the task once asked, lips parted a little further to speak once washing is done and peeling is to be had. knives, bless. he gets the sharpest one from the drawer.
but the drop in mood, rather, it’s return, makes eren stop mid peel, potato skin into a rather quick spiral with hands that have grown used to the task for years. he can’t expect mikleo to pretend he’s okay, when he’s not, of course not— but he won’t leave him alone. he won’t force him to repeat himself, or voice the clench in his chest or the weariness that loads onto his bones.
he can share what he had to offer instead: a constant wave of what he had the day they decided to bond that laps at the darker cloud of feeling. mikleo told him this, and he extends it as his own. a shimmer in a shadow: you’re not alone. ]
Sit a little. [ he’ll readily take over if he’s guided into what he had to do, nearly finished with his share (a master potato peeler), and dragging the closest chair over for the seraph. ] Just tell me where everything is and where it goes. [ a pause, more lip licking. ] —Consider it training for staying here.
[ he needs to know how to work these contraptions on his own and at least know how to not starve. he’s willing to learn. ]
[He thinks that'll change as soon as he smells the food cooking, but...
Things happen, and memories happen, and he's just helpless. Mikleo feels that wave of warmth and soft joy come from somewhere, and now that he knows the source, he can feel it even stronger. The trembling in his fingers doesn't stop. For once he doesn't struggle against Eren's suggestion, he just sets the butter on the counter and steps aside. He's afraid he'll cut himself with all this trembling.]
Sorry, [he mumbles, and sits down in the wooden chair.] I guess I'm more tired than I thought.
[He worries his fingers into the fabric bunched about his knees.]
You're right. If you're going to stay here, you should know where everything is.
[Did they even talk about Eren staying permanently? It doesn't matter. It's a given, and Mikleo's rolling with it. He doesn't want to be in this house alone-- not when he got it and lived in it with Sorey before.]
Everything you need is already out on the counter. We need to... slice up the leeks to get all the sand out. Then we chop the leeks, the garlic, and the potatoes. The leeks go into the pan with the garlic until they're soft, so a medium low heat.
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no subject
We'll see each other again. I have to-- I believe that, I do, I just... miss him.
[He falls silent. After a moment the reason becomes fairly obvious: Mikleo sniffles surreptitiously. If he can get away with cuddling into Eren's chest then he absolutely will because he's just so done with everything.]
Five Lords, it's not like I'm immortal or anything. [A delicate pause. The wryness is all in his voice.] I'm too damn impatient.
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he messes with the seraph’s hair, a large hand on top of it and rolling over white locks messily, his other arm there to steady him. and maybe trap him for a few seconds. ]
You’re forgetting why I felt restless all day. [ said with a bit of a huff of what could’ve become a chuckle, and if resistance is felt, he’ll readily let go. after a few extra seconds. you can’t hide from him??? it’s like wearing a mustache to his burrow and saying this isn’t mikleo....... this is evil mikleo. ] But I just realized why now.
[ . . . ]
I hope you see him again. It can be better than the last.
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The glare Mikleo gives him is hot but it's not... sharp, exactly, more of an annoyed pout when taken with the pink dusting his cheeks and nose.]
What are you talking about?
[For once, he's the emotionally dumb one. He's been so wrapped up in himself and looking for Sorey that he hasn't been able to separate what's his and what's Eren's. He huffs at that last part, more of a sigh than a scoff. He rubs his sleeve over his eyes to catch any lingering tears; he doesn't want those.]
... Thanks. And... thank you for listening, [he murmurs, not quite meeting Eren's eyes.] Izuku's going to be so upset. I promised I'd introduce them-- they're so much alike.
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He’s a great guy.
[ and he knows sorey is!! after a pause, now, eren’s lips remain tepidly curved. ]
. . . I’ve been feeling what you’re feeling. Some of it. On top of everything— you’re hungry. [ pause. ] But you’re a little better now.
[ unless it’s eren that’s uplifting things, or if he’s feeling better, or. emotions are complicated, but he simplifies. eren . . . feels content, if mikleo’s face is less upset than it was. he had the right to be upset, but. he’s keeping to his word, and he’s here. as any concerned friend would, eren doesn’t want to see him down. ]
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... Only to sit up again when Eren brings that up.]
Oh no. Ugh, I'm sorry. [Shit. That's right. He'd completely forgotten about that part of the Bond. Mikleo drags his hands down his face in frustration.] I forgot-- I don't remember the last time I ate. I didn't realize you could feel that in addition to everything else.
[Poor Eren. He's probably been going crazy all day. Mikleo is going to need to make it up to him.
His tone is wry. It's rare for him to be so freaking undone but this place has tested him daily.]
Well, it's official. I'm a mess.
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I could taste it, too.
[ not hunger, but nervousness, a different sort of taste (that came when mikleo’s face turned another shade, but he has yet to see the pattern) . . . never mind that he actually just said taste and meant it, with an added tone that implied the question you too, right?.
i mean, he’s tasting him as they speak. ozone when there was no rain in sight, and the faint sweetness of confection that he probably made up to 24 hours ago. well. not that it actually is taste, but it’s the closest thing to it. the physical contact even, isn’t only from the bond itself. it certainly plays a tremendous roll in wanting to, but. he’s being a receptive lizard and not entirely realizing it. ]
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But he's reminded of something.]
I read once that snakes can taste the air, and that's why they stick their tongues out all the time. Maybe it's like that.
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and just as he speaks, without meaning to be on cue or anything, is what. he’s been doing with his tongue since the moment he sat down. it slides across his lips, goes back in, and adjusts like he would after taking a drop of juice to sample. ]
It . . . Doesn’t bother me. Not all of it. [ the only thing he has a problem with is the aggression, and ferocity, and blips of concern may seem to pop up where emotion is concerned. but being subjected to change not so much, once they happen. when it’s happening is where it sort of. even he panics a little. ] Just takes some getting used to.
[ you don’t know how many times he’s cut his tongue, lips, gums, all on himself already? until he’s adjusted the way he rests is jaws, and even then he’s forgetful. ]
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That's good at least. [His expression softens.] I know it's not the same as what you could do before, but you can protect people like this. Like you protected me in the dream.
[He can't help his curiosity. He reaches up and pokes harmlessly at the corner of Eren's mouth.]
... And I've said it before, but... regardless of what dragons are on my world, I'm not afraid of you at all. Whatever happens.
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eren displays his scale colors with deep saturation even before his mouth is touched— something a little more primal wants to show the seraph that he isn’t wildly angry, or territorial, or exceedingly happy, but moreso that he’s the most colorful of dragons, what could be translated into likeness, but . . . not exactly (the earliest stages of wanting to show off, it seems).
that’s what eren decides to label it as, at least. simple and what makes the most sense to him. ]
Hey— [ he says, with some surprise at the poke, and without thinking, there went his tongue again, a sharper smell of rain and human filling his nostrils and spreading across his tastebuds. it’s sort of crazy. when he smiles at him again, it’s a little tapped, in good humor. he almost doesn’t know what to say, but for a moment . . . with eyes like two blue embers, and lips that curl, his feelings say thank you. they say i’m glad. he’ll fight with him until he couldn’t, until it’s time to part, but until then, he won’t lose focus. he’ll care for what grounds him and plant what he must to rise. and that’s what burns in eren jaeger’s heart right now.
a melting pot of warmth, protection, responsibility and more. also, “this taste/smell is nice” sort of feeling. ]
Let’s get you something to eat.
[ eren has plans . . . it involves making potato stew. the only thing he ever watched his mother make. rising to his feet, eren holds out his arm to lift mikleo up. ]
no subject
Mikleo can feel that fondness and gratitude as much as he can see it. The heat rises to his cheeks more persistently. Everything about the way Eren looks at him feels like being swept up into a hug. Mikleo is terribly fond of him too, enough that his breath catches and his heart thumps awkwardly in his chest in a rhythm he can't name.]
R-- right.
[Still, he takes that hand and stands up... though he doesn't let go right away. Shyly, hesitantly, he twines their fingers together.]
... If you come back with me, I can feed both of us.
[He's not interested in sleeping in an empty house again. He's done it for eighty years but the silence is honestly worse than the feeling of losing something important.]
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he doesn’t mind it, even though a small part of him felt the oddest hint of nostalgia— like, “wow, i only watched x when i was nine”. it was different this time though, there was no end result he was looking for beyond . . . wanting to be around him, which was a contrasting way to go about it, he never really felt the need to extend his contact more than something brief. there was no time or space for the thought to bud, until a bond had made some wiggle room for it.
a pause, and he adds while they walk, feeling warm tumbles in his middle that’s nothing short of contented. ]
I’m already ahead of you. [ he knows mikleo has an entire cottage to himself now, and he remembers a short bit of insight on his solitude. he wasn’t about to leave him alone, even if he had to move his hole. those were the smallest of his problems. ] You just won’t be cooking alone.
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He ducks his head and the shy smile with it, and gives the brunet's hand a reassuring squeeze. He's sad and still a bit wiggly inside from earlier, but having someone left to ground him helps so much. This isn't just for Eren, it's for Mikleo too, who lets his emotions simmer beneath the surface until it's too late to do anything but regret. He's... trying to be better about that. He really is.]
Oh? You're going to help me?
[His lips curl, eyes sparkling once more.]
Well then, Chef Eren, what are we making tonight? I probably have the ingredients, I've been stocking the pantry since I got the house.
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Potato leek stew. [ it’s actually bland af because they didn’t have condiments readily available on paradis for a really long time, and therefore doesn’t know how to use them, but, he is trying his sincere best. ] And— whatever tastes good with potato?
[ ALL HE’s EVER KNOWN ARE POTATOES ]
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That sounds pretty good, actually. I have some bread we can serve with it, and we can put bacon on top. [Mikleo thinks on this while they walk.] Potatoes don't take long to cook in soups, so roast chicken would take too long-- especially this late. But I could reheat what I made yesterday... but would cheese taste good in the soup or should we just stick with cream?
[... Sorry, Eren, he's off in his own little world now.]
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“what’s bacon?”
“roast chicken?”
he knows what a chicken is, but imagine roasting it? cheese or cream? why not cheese and cream? although the options have created a swirl of questions and curiosities for eren, eyes big and nearly bulging while he’s unknowingly tasting the air for answers. ]
—Yeah.
[ that’s his. answer?? actually he’s just really confused but in a good way and wants to try everything. he wasn’t hungry before, and perhaps mikleo played a significant roll in it, but. now he’s practically starving. ]
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We'll try all of that, then. I hope you're ready for the stew of a lifetime.
[A pause, and he drops his voice conspiratorially.]
I made ice cream, so you can try that after. I'm sure Sorey would have liked you to have it. I certainly can't eat it all.
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It might make me tired now. [ like how people drink hot chocolate before bed, but!! mulling it over, it could work. ] But— it’s late enough for that.
[ getting closer to the house and seeing it, crisp in his line of vision from afar, makes eren wants to walk a little bit faster, beginning to drag mikleo along if he doesn’t keep up. ]
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Are you nocturnal now?
[Whoa. Eren's picking up the pace. Mikleo makes a noise of annoyance and has to shuffle to keep up.]
Hey! Not everyone has long legs, you beanpole.
[Says the guy who is like 78 percent leg.]
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I just don’t want to fall asleep yet. [ believe it or not, he’s ten times more active when the sun is out. sweet, sweet heat. he also doesn’t want to, like, leave him alone or something and forget to help feed them. ] Just say “I’m tired”—
[ you can’t . . . hide from him. you’ve been running all day. he’s picking him up? he’s letting go of his hand, only to pick him up and getting there in a click of time. ]
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-- well, he's suddenly swept up over Eren's shoulders and that's a surprise.]
Gah! H-hey! You can't just--
[But he can. And did. And now they are standing just before the steps to his house. The speed is dizzying, and it leaves Mikleo grabbing Eren's back a little uncertainly when they stop.]
Okay, okay, we're here! Put me down!
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eren puts him down on his own time, though, not quite heeding words until he’s climbing stairs. it’s easy enough when he does, though, an arm fully around his waist while the other steadies mikleo’s descent back to the ground just above the steps that lead into the cottage. you see, your glicose is a little
low
(he tasted that too)
—mikleo’s hair is a mess just from nearly flipping him upside down. he watches him fondly with a passing glance up and down his face, before deciding against fixing any of the curly ends. it was suitable. prodding at the other’s side (not lacking in gentleness but certainly more brazen as his nature was), eren waits for him to get comfortable in balance before walking with him. ]
You’d pass out if you went my pace.
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You're right, I probably would. You're way faster than I am-- even if I could windstep still.
[There's probably a spell for that, but it's not on his list of priorities at the moment. He smooths his hair down and unlocks his door, then motions for Eren to follow him.
The house is a little different from the full moon two weeks ago-- notably in the amount of plants. It appears the way Mikleo has been coping with stress is by acquiring a small garden. There are neatly-labeled flowers and herbs packed into every available bit of windowsill real estate, and there are vines crawling all up the outsides of the cottage, and of course the lofty outside floor is stunning with its own roses. Eren can probably smell them from down here, from the sweet and full-bodied yellow to the reticent white tinged with green. There are several kinds of roses in all, but Mikleo will show them later.
He goes straight to the kitchen and immediately begins pulling things out of the pantry. Potatoes from a bag, and he dumps them straight into the sink. Leeks from what appears to be some kind of enchanted icebox. He dumps those into the sink, too.]
Do you think you could wash those and peel them for me?
[He continues his whirlwind about the kitchen. And then there is the cream, and a block of cheddar, and an array of garlic and other spices all lined up on the counter beside a big metal stew pot. He's very much in his element.
But before anything else, he needs a pat of butter. As he chips a chunk off the block to help oil the pan, his fingers tremble and he very nearly drops the whole thing in. For a moment, Mikleo forgets he's not alone in the kitchen, as he just stares at his fingers with a look of betrayal.
He is... not okay.]
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[ a friendly reminder. but! there’s something else that’s quick to get his attention. tongue flicking and lip wetting escalates rather quickly with leaves, petals and dirt in the cooking fray. his brain is telling him look at this smell no wait look at this one, no wait—, unable to divide his attention as readily as he would’ve liked (no, thank god he doesn’t have chameleon eyes).
he’s quick, at least. quick and eager to put himself into the task once asked, lips parted a little further to speak once washing is done and peeling is to be had. knives, bless. he gets the sharpest one from the drawer.
but the drop in mood, rather, it’s return, makes eren stop mid peel, potato skin into a rather quick spiral with hands that have grown used to the task for years. he can’t expect mikleo to pretend he’s okay, when he’s not, of course not— but he won’t leave him alone. he won’t force him to repeat himself, or voice the clench in his chest or the weariness that loads onto his bones.
he can share what he had to offer instead: a constant wave of what he had the day they decided to bond that laps at the darker cloud of feeling. mikleo told him this, and he extends it as his own. a shimmer in a shadow: you’re not alone. ]
Sit a little. [ he’ll readily take over if he’s guided into what he had to do, nearly finished with his share (a master potato peeler), and dragging the closest chair over for the seraph. ] Just tell me where everything is and where it goes. [ a pause, more lip licking. ] —Consider it training for staying here.
[ he needs to know how to work these contraptions on his own and at least know how to not starve. he’s willing to learn. ]
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[He thinks that'll change as soon as he smells the food cooking, but...
Things happen, and memories happen, and he's just helpless. Mikleo feels that wave of warmth and soft joy come from somewhere, and now that he knows the source, he can feel it even stronger. The trembling in his fingers doesn't stop. For once he doesn't struggle against Eren's suggestion, he just sets the butter on the counter and steps aside. He's afraid he'll cut himself with all this trembling.]
Sorry, [he mumbles, and sits down in the wooden chair.] I guess I'm more tired than I thought.
[He worries his fingers into the fabric bunched about his knees.]
You're right. If you're going to stay here, you should know where everything is.
[Did they even talk about Eren staying permanently? It doesn't matter. It's a given, and Mikleo's rolling with it. He doesn't want to be in this house alone-- not when he got it and lived in it with Sorey before.]
Everything you need is already out on the counter. We need to... slice up the leeks to get all the sand out. Then we chop the leeks, the garlic, and the potatoes. The leeks go into the pan with the garlic until they're soft, so a medium low heat.
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