[Elliot has long gotten used to Eren's intensity, so he doesn't wince. He knows the anger isn't directed at him, and that it's not really anger at all. It was determination and strength, a fire that burned inside of Eren and kept him going, no matter what. Elliot had no doubt in his mind that Eren completely meant that vow. If there was a wall blocking Eren from where he wanted to go, Elliot was sure he wouldn't stop punching it until he got through.
Instead, there's a bit of a contemplative expression on Elliot's face, before he seems to decide on something. He slides his chair over to nearby Eren. When he's close enough, he'll get out and...yep, pull Eren into a hug, arms wrapped around the other's neck, head resting on his shoulder.]
H-hey...it's alright. It was just a thought, okay? I know you wouldn't let anything happen to us...
[He can't see the other's face in this position, but that's probably for the best, since his face is pretty red just doing this. But he doesn't regret it. Mostly because this way? Eren can't read more of his thoughts. Thoughts that he's sure would upset him.
[You can't keep a promise like that. No one can. ...I'm still happy to hear it though. Ha, I'm hopeless. ]
[ He watches the approach until he can't really react properly. You've probably seen just how stunned an animal could get with lights in its face, and once arms are settled snug around his neck, his face that close to hisā Eren freezes, he even catches himself holding his breath as his heart goes wild, from banging in his chest to drumming in his ears.
Maybe it is a good thing, that he doesn't see Elliot's thought, or his face, or even anything from his own part; Eren's ears are that plump shade of cherry, spreading over his nose and burning his face as slightly shaking hands settle over his back in return. This is . . . The toughest battle of all. It's even more frightening than going up against a monster, go figure. He's as tense as a wire, thousands of things going through his mind that go unvoiced, and from the position, unseen, thank god: I don't want to lose this, You think I'll let us die or something?, I'll protect him, He's really close, His hair smells nice, Christ what the fuckā
His throat is dry and his voice cracks, but he speaks up to fill his silence, low and half-muffled into clothes, rather larger arms around Elliot's smaller frame and settling better into the hug. Still tense, you can feel it on his shoulders, but he doesn't want to let go, if the squeeze is anything to go by. ]
[ He can feel how tense Eren is in the hug, and he's not at all surprised. Doing this wasn't exactly Elliot's first choice either. His own heart is racing, and his face matches his hair in color. ]
Aha, s-sorry. I know this is weird, buuut its the only way I could think of to avoid seeing each other's thoughts.
[It didn't feel right to have Eren reading off his thoughts. It made him way too self-conscious, too scared to think. He knows Eren didn't want that. In return, he wanted to respect his friend's own privacy too.
But at least Eren wasn't shoving him off. He thought he felt a squeeze...but he probably was just imagining that. ]
I know you'll keep it. You did get me through camp with my skin attached. [I just wish I could promise you the same. Some Craig I am.]
[ He kept . . . Reading his thoughts, againā he didn't mean to intrude on them, it was more a thing that was there and he reacted to it. Guilt sweeps his features and he's glad that Elliot doesn't see it, even if his tone gives him away rather horribly. You done fucked up, again, Eren. ]
. . . Sorry, for reading them like that. [ They're still. Hugging. He doesn't know what to do with his arms if it wasn't to keep them where they were and sit there as rigid as a bamboo stick, but he's heating up so bad he's probably sweating already. He really didn't know how to hide things. Maybe I should go, he considers; He came to check on him, and make sure he was okay with everything, not intrude on his privacy, accidentally or not.
But he didn't want to just leave either, what shitty friend levels are those. Turning his face sideways, carefully away from being too close to Elliot's everything, scent included: ] . . . You okay?
I-it's okay! I'm not mad at you. Really. I was reading your thoughts too, I know it's a little hard not to when they're just floating there. [It wasn't Eren's fault, it was whatever caused this to happen's fault. Retrospec? The app? Some Unreality issue? He has no idea, really.
But as far as he was concerned, Eren had done a really kind thing. He'd come all this way to check on him, to make sure he's okay. He didn't want him feeling like he messed up.]
Haha, well, this isn't exactly how I envisioned this going... [Sitting on the floor of his room, hugging Eren to keep his thoughts private. It's really a good thing his roommates weren't prone to walk into his room.
...Ah. Right. His roommates. Now there was a sobering thought. Sooner or later, he'd have to face them. He actually liked his roommates a lot, but after finding out they were possibly covering a death up from him, well, suddenly seeing them seemed more than a little awkward. ]
....I'm sorry, but would you mind...staying here for awhile? At least until I can think of how to face my roommates. I think they'll leave me alone if I have company.
[ And from the looks of things, nothing weird enough to react oddly came from his head. Good. At least now he doesn't has to worry about the ones that are hanging around now. There goes his plans to leave, not that he really wanted to, butā he's only worried that this could be awkward af. But if Elliot wanted him to stay some more, then . . . No red flags yet.
As far as he could tell, which isn't entirely accurate, but. ]
Iā sure I will. [ Gently and obviously! At least he's not holding him in his lap or something. This sideways sort of hug is alright, it was okay (it was good); Eren only adjusts himself a tad, to keep the positioning a little more comfortable for the both of them. Is it hot in here, or is it just him. ] If you want to, uh . . . [ Stay like thisā No, wait, not stay like this, exactlyā ] Breathe, or, sit better or somethingā Promise I won't look up.
[Whoa, Eren actually agreed to stay? He'd been half-expecting him to tell him no way, since this was more than a little weird. But the thought that he agreed to stay...well, it makes him feel a little giddy inside, he has to admit.
Also nervous, because this is a weird situation and he's worried about screwing things up. But, giddy!]
T-Thanks. [That might have been an affectionate squeeze of Elliot's arms before he thinks better of it and loosens back up. Right. No. Keep your head on straight Craig. ] Yeah, just let me-
[He'll try to shift a little, to make himself more comfortable, being careful to make sure Eren doesn't have to let go-- I mean, to make sure Eren's not uncomfortable either. Jeez. He's a mess. And also feeling really hot-]
The squeeze is felt, making Eren give an unthought pat of reassurance just over Elliot's shoulder, where one of his arms still hung across. This isn't gay. If it were gay, Elliot would be super uncomfortable. And so would he, right? Like, too close for comfort! Eren knew he wasn't into guys. He was never really attracted to anyone! Except, in some weird way, for this guy, and he can't seem to get away from it.
If he can't say it, then he can just, perhaps, accept it a little more each second he wasn't getting thrown out. It didn't mean he was going to blurt something by word of mouth any time soon, or maybe neverā alright, never is pretty drastic, but let's say Eren's not ready to get on his bike. He prefers just watching it and acknowledging it's there. He doesn't want to fall and break it.
Ohh, there, he's trying to move, and if Eren kept to his swimming thoughts he would've crammed Elliot under his weight. With sudden surprise, as if he had just noticed, his arms are quick to loosen up and hover over him. A quiet choke of a laugh comes, that awkward and nervous sort you make at a comedy bar when no one laughs at your jokes. Ah, shit, the window, er. ]
[Elliot will look to make sure his eyes are closed and- yep. Can always count on Eren to be true to his word. He'll look away and pull himself up-- taking caution not to look over at his friend. He rather not invade his privacy either.
A quick walk across the room brings him to the window, he draws back the curtain and unlatches the window. It's evening now, so a cool September breeze comes gently blowing into the room. Elliot takes a moment to enjoy the cool air against his hot skin.]
[ It really did feel good. Eren makes an animal-like sound of relief, slumping back against the bed's foot with his neck tipping back onto the mattress. He needs to breeze to get his neck, get everything. Of course, if Elliot looks backā his eyes are still nice and shut.
He was thinking about speaking to Ryoji himself, but that'll have to wait a bit. For one, he's here, and he he still needs to carry out a duty in making sure Elliot's alright until his departure.
Ah he grunts, remembering a thing he saw when he came in. ]
Hm? [He looks puzzled for a moment before it clicks- oh, Eren must've seen his music stand] - Aha, yeah. Well, trying to.
[As good as the breeze feels though, he supposes it's not fair to just leave Eren hanging there. So he'll walk back, doing his best to look down at the ground so he can't see Eren's thoughts. When he gets close enough, he'll shut his eyes and kneel down- trying his best to hug like before but with his eyes closed.
It's semi-successful, his hands and knees bump into Eren (with him squeaking "sorry!" as it happens). Eventually though, he's back to more or less the sideway hug they were in before. He'll try to keep the conversation going as normal, to cut down on the awkward.]
I keep getting writer's block. Everything going on makes it a little hard to focus.
[College, the app, living in the same town as your crush, the weird anomalies, roommates dying...stuff like that]
[ He was half expecting him to either sit by him again with his eyes closed or stay a little more by the window for some air. When it occurs to him that he's coming back for hugging position, Eren hurriedly jolts upright, his own limbs bumping around those that weren't his. S-sorry, Iā he mutters, perhaps one of the few times he stutters and lifts his arm to accommodate him back, resting over the entirety of Elliot's shoulder and folding by his neck.
Please don't look at him, he's still a tomato-faced mess, teetering around the "is this okay, is this not okay" line. He's still glaringly not used to many hugs, or really giving them, butā He had to admit, this was pleasant. And it wasn't because hugs were generally pleasant! It was this one that was pleasant. Just this one.
Their professional lives, resurrection, glitches, and . . . yeah, a crush, is a lot to think of at once. It's what he's afraid of (some quickie crush this was, it got worse the minute Elliot embraced him. Soleil, you betray him). ]
Maybe you just need some inspiration.
[ But he tries not to let the ball drop. Acting like something's wrong would only make the both of them nervous, more nervous, and trying not to let the subtle giddiness show like fireworks was a tough feat to accomplish. He has to keep this going. ]
ā Name your favorite places to go to around here.
[The thought of keeping his eyes closed had crossed his mind, but...it was too easy for one of them to slip up that way. All it took was something to catch them by surprise, or a moment of forgetfulness- and their eyes might open. At least with a hug, you were holding onto another person and therefore kept in better check.
And well...honestly, deep down? There was a small bit of him that wanted to indulge. This was in many ways embarrassing and he plans never to breathe of this to another soul .... but it was also nice. Nice to indulge, just a little. ]
My favorite places? [He gives a soft laugh] Well, the beach was really nice. A lot cleaner than what you get back home. But I haven't much chance to really explore the city enough to have a favorite place yet.
[Has he seen stuff? Sure. A number of places now. But it's not like there was one place he had in mind as a favorite- not like the places he could name back in NYC. It was too soon for that]
What about you? You've lived here a lot longer than me. Tell me about your favorite spots.
[ It was worth the shot— and mission accomplished. He can feel Elliot smiling, and peeks his head up just a bit to see it in action. Nothing above that, just . . . Just enough of an eye swerve to see some of him, no thought bubbles included.
He starts thinking back on what everyone's said already, and, honestly, they had something of a point. Why was there anything wrong with something good? Sure, he might have to take this at molasses pace to figure himself out, butā maybe he did like him.
And maybe he could let himself explore it a bit more, just to be sure. He didn't want to break his face, and natural worries still remained. Ask him out? Nooo no way. Too much. Too sudden. Too weird on his part, and it might be for his friend, too. They were still friends, above all. That came above everything for Eren.
It's time for him to give a smile of his own, a propped up knee falling sideways. ]
Honestly? The beach, when it's empty. [ That's. Not helpful. Memories and the marathon that earned him a new nickname aside, he really had enjoyed the beach, the ocean view, that massive straight road he can speed downā and the last time, with the violin. ] And there's a road you can speed nearby, with a view like that . . . Last time wasā really great, too. [ Speaking of his car! ] Guess I gotta show you around more?
[ Eren would see a smile on Elliot's face. It's not a huge smile, but it's clear enough to tell that Elliot is at least a little happy - entirely thanks to Eren. Not only that, but he's still got a pretty prominent blush on his cheeks. Though with his eyes shut right at the moment, he doesn't catch Eren looking at him.
And even if Eren doesn't think it's helpful, Elliot does. With his eyes shut, he tries to visualize the beach the way Eren might see it, and what melody that might sound like.]
Heehee, I thought last time was great too. [Aside from the whole...sudden memories coming back. The rest of it was perfect. A memory to cherish.] I'd really it if you showed me around. You can even take me speeding on that road.
[ He'sā he's all red . . . Well, he was too. Hard not to be (and on that day, Eren still didn't get it). This airman is also grateful for eyes being closedā having them open up to a guy staring at you might be a little more than ungraceful. Time to look ahead, into nothing as the doof smile stretches. ]
It's a dā [ When you quite verbally go kjhgfd. Mind, no. It's not a date. ] Deal.
There's the woods, too. I used to go hiking with Titan around there all the time.
[ God did he just suggest that uHRM. Backpedal, backpedal all the way. Sure, the stars are beautiful when there isn't too much city light taking the thunder, but, wow, geez, he doesn't want to give Elliot the wrong idea, not that it was a wrong idea, but he swears there is a mOVIE ABOUT THIS. ]
Nā nah, I mean, not, uhā maybe just, hiking around, y'know? [ Does this still sound suspicious, or is it just him. ]
[Hilariously what Eren is thinking about giving the wrong idea didn't even cross Elliot's mind. He's not even near that ballpark. He's just worried about exerting that much physical activity because he's a total weakling.]
Hiking? W-Well, okay. I guess I should try to get some exercise.
Hope you like trail mix and bug spray. [ And the rather hilarious image of Eren stuffing his pockets with jerky and creating some sort of scenario. It's a true fact, he reincarnates as Bear Grylles. ] You don't see that many trees in New York City, right?
[ Hah, marching songs? Never. What goes on at the fort stays at the fort. ]
You've been missing out. The woods, not the marching songs. [ One thing's for certain, during this whole sit aroundā Eren's losing that tense edge to him. He's . . . Actually what a calm and soothed Eren would look like. It was good. It was nice. He's not moving at all, and if you let it he might even stay past his hour. ] Promise we'll take it easy.
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Instead, there's a bit of a contemplative expression on Elliot's face, before he seems to decide on something. He slides his chair over to nearby Eren. When he's close enough, he'll get out and...yep, pull Eren into a hug, arms wrapped around the other's neck, head resting on his shoulder.]
H-hey...it's alright. It was just a thought, okay? I know you wouldn't let anything happen to us...
[He can't see the other's face in this position, but that's probably for the best, since his face is pretty red just doing this. But he doesn't regret it. Mostly because this way? Eren can't read more of his thoughts. Thoughts that he's sure would upset him.
[You can't keep a promise like that. No one can. ...I'm still happy to hear it though. Ha, I'm hopeless. ]
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Maybe it is a good thing, that he doesn't see Elliot's thought, or his face, or even anything from his own part; Eren's ears are that plump shade of cherry, spreading over his nose and burning his face as slightly shaking hands settle over his back in return. This is . . . The toughest battle of all. It's even more frightening than going up against a monster, go figure. He's as tense as a wire, thousands of things going through his mind that go unvoiced, and from the position, unseen, thank god: I don't want to lose this, You think I'll let us die or something?, I'll protect him, He's really close, His hair smells nice, Christ what the fuckā
His throat is dry and his voice cracks, but he speaks up to fill his silence, low and half-muffled into clothes, rather larger arms around Elliot's smaller frame and settling better into the hug. Still tense, you can feel it on his shoulders, but he doesn't want to let go, if the squeeze is anything to go by. ]
That's a promise.
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Aha, s-sorry. I know this is weird, buuut its the only way I could think of to avoid seeing each other's thoughts.
[It didn't feel right to have Eren reading off his thoughts. It made him way too self-conscious, too scared to think. He knows Eren didn't want that. In return, he wanted to respect his friend's own privacy too.
But at least Eren wasn't shoving him off. He thought he felt a squeeze...but he probably was just imagining that. ]
I know you'll keep it. You did get me through camp with my skin attached. [I just wish I could promise you the same. Some Craig I am.]
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. . . Sorry, for reading them like that. [ They're still. Hugging. He doesn't know what to do with his arms if it wasn't to keep them where they were and sit there as rigid as a bamboo stick, but he's heating up so bad he's probably sweating already. He really didn't know how to hide things. Maybe I should go, he considers; He came to check on him, and make sure he was okay with everything, not intrude on his privacy, accidentally or not.
But he didn't want to just leave either, what shitty friend levels are those. Turning his face sideways, carefully away from being too close to Elliot's everything, scent included: ] . . . You okay?
[ With this? ]
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But as far as he was concerned, Eren had done a really kind thing. He'd come all this way to check on him, to make sure he's okay. He didn't want him feeling like he messed up.]
Haha, well, this isn't exactly how I envisioned this going... [Sitting on the floor of his room, hugging Eren to keep his thoughts private. It's really a good thing his roommates weren't prone to walk into his room.
...Ah. Right. His roommates. Now there was a sobering thought. Sooner or later, he'd have to face them. He actually liked his roommates a lot, but after finding out they were possibly covering a death up from him, well, suddenly seeing them seemed more than a little awkward. ]
....I'm sorry, but would you mind...staying here for awhile? At least until I can think of how to face my roommates. I think they'll leave me alone if I have company.
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As far as he could tell, which isn't entirely accurate, but. ]
Iā sure I will. [ Gently and obviously! At least he's not holding him in his lap or something. This sideways sort of hug is alright, it was okay (it was good); Eren only adjusts himself a tad, to keep the positioning a little more comfortable for the both of them. Is it hot in here, or is it just him. ] If you want to, uh . . . [ Stay like thisā No, wait, not stay like this, exactlyā ] Breathe, or, sit better or somethingā Promise I won't look up.
[ Just don't mind his palpable nervousness. ]
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Also nervous, because this is a weird situation and he's worried about screwing things up. But, giddy!]
T-Thanks. [That might have been an affectionate squeeze of Elliot's arms before he thinks better of it and loosens back up. Right. No. Keep your head on straight Craig. ] Yeah, just let me-
[He'll try to shift a little, to make himself more comfortable, being careful to make sure Eren doesn't have to let go-- I mean, to make sure Eren's not uncomfortable either. Jeez. He's a mess. And also feeling really hot-]
...T-Think we should open a window?
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The squeeze is felt, making Eren give an unthought pat of reassurance just over Elliot's shoulder, where one of his arms still hung across. This isn't gay. If it were gay, Elliot would be super uncomfortable. And so would he, right? Like, too close for comfort! Eren knew he wasn't into guys. He was never really attracted to anyone! Except, in some weird way, for this guy, and he can't seem to get away from it.
If he can't say it, then he can just, perhaps, accept it a little more each second he wasn't getting thrown out. It didn't mean he was going to blurt something by word of mouth any time soon, or maybe neverā alright, never is pretty drastic, but let's say Eren's not ready to get on his bike. He prefers just watching it and acknowledging it's there. He doesn't want to fall and break it.
Ohh, there, he's trying to move, and if Eren kept to his swimming thoughts he would've crammed Elliot under his weight. With sudden surprise, as if he had just noticed, his arms are quick to loosen up and hover over him. A quiet choke of a laugh comes, that awkward and nervous sort you make at a comedy bar when no one laughs at your jokes. Ah, shit, the window, er. ]
It'sā hot, right. [ eren ] Want me to get it?
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N-No, that's okay. I can get it. Just- close your eyes?
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But, if he says so; Eren closes his eyes and ducks his head down a little, just an extra precaution. You can trust him on this! ]
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A quick walk across the room brings him to the window, he draws back the curtain and unlatches the window. It's evening now, so a cool September breeze comes gently blowing into the room. Elliot takes a moment to enjoy the cool air against his hot skin.]
Ahh...that feels good.
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He was thinking about speaking to Ryoji himself, but that'll have to wait a bit. For one, he's here, and he he still needs to carry out a duty in making sure Elliot's alright until his departure.
Ah he grunts, remembering a thing he saw when he came in. ]
You're writing something new?
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[As good as the breeze feels though, he supposes it's not fair to just leave Eren hanging there. So he'll walk back, doing his best to look down at the ground so he can't see Eren's thoughts. When he gets close enough, he'll shut his eyes and kneel down- trying his best to hug like before but with his eyes closed.
It's semi-successful, his hands and knees bump into Eren (with him squeaking "sorry!" as it happens). Eventually though, he's back to more or less the sideway hug they were in before. He'll try to keep the conversation going as normal, to cut down on the awkward.]
I keep getting writer's block. Everything going on makes it a little hard to focus.
[College, the app, living in the same town as your crush, the weird anomalies, roommates dying...stuff like that]
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Please don't look at him, he's still a tomato-faced mess, teetering around the "is this okay, is this not okay" line. He's still glaringly not used to many hugs, or really giving them, butā He had to admit, this was pleasant. And it wasn't because hugs were generally pleasant! It was this one that was pleasant. Just this one.
Their professional lives, resurrection, glitches, and . . . yeah, a crush, is a lot to think of at once. It's what he's afraid of (some quickie crush this was, it got worse the minute Elliot embraced him. Soleil, you betray him). ]
Maybe you just need some inspiration.
[ But he tries not to let the ball drop. Acting like something's wrong would only make the both of them nervous, more nervous, and trying not to let the subtle giddiness show like fireworks was a tough feat to accomplish. He has to keep this going. ]
ā Name your favorite places to go to around here.
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And well...honestly, deep down? There was a small bit of him that wanted to indulge. This was in many ways embarrassing and he plans never to breathe of this to another soul .... but it was also nice. Nice to indulge, just a little. ]
My favorite places? [He gives a soft laugh] Well, the beach was really nice. A lot cleaner than what you get back home. But I haven't much chance to really explore the city enough to have a favorite place yet.
[Has he seen stuff? Sure. A number of places now. But it's not like there was one place he had in mind as a favorite- not like the places he could name back in NYC. It was too soon for that]
What about you? You've lived here a lot longer than me. Tell me about your favorite spots.
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He starts thinking back on what everyone's said already, and, honestly, they had something of a point. Why was there anything wrong with something good? Sure, he might have to take this at molasses pace to figure himself out, butā maybe he did like him.
And maybe he could let himself explore it a bit more, just to be sure. He didn't want to break his face, and natural worries still remained. Ask him out? Nooo no way. Too much. Too sudden. Too weird on his part, and it might be for his friend, too. They were still friends, above all. That came above everything for Eren.
It's time for him to give a smile of his own, a propped up knee falling sideways. ]
Honestly? The beach, when it's empty. [ That's. Not helpful. Memories and the marathon that earned him a new nickname aside, he really had enjoyed the beach, the ocean view, that massive straight road he can speed downā and the last time, with the violin. ] And there's a road you can speed nearby, with a view like that . . . Last time wasā really great, too. [ Speaking of his car! ] Guess I gotta show you around more?
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And even if Eren doesn't think it's helpful, Elliot does. With his eyes shut, he tries to visualize the beach the way Eren might see it, and what melody that might sound like.]
Heehee, I thought last time was great too. [Aside from the whole...sudden memories coming back. The rest of it was perfect. A memory to cherish.] I'd really it if you showed me around. You can even take me speeding on that road.
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It's a dā [ When you quite verbally go kjhgfd. Mind, no. It's not a date. ] Deal.
There's the woods, too. I used to go hiking with Titan around there all the time.
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Heehee, okay.
The woods huh? Haven't been there. [What a surprise] - You're not suggesting camping, right?
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Nā nah, I mean, not, uhā maybe just, hiking around, y'know? [ Does this still sound suspicious, or is it just him. ]
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Hiking? W-Well, okay. I guess I should try to get some exercise.
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Hope you like trail mix and bug spray. [ And the rather hilarious image of Eren stuffing his pockets with jerky and creating some sort of scenario. It's a true fact, he reincarnates as Bear Grylles. ] You don't see that many trees in New York City, right?
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[Because eff marching songs tbh. Marching songs take something he loves and twists it into a sickening form.]
Not really. I mean there's parks and Central Park, but I don't think that really counts for "woods".
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You've been missing out. The woods, not the marching songs. [ One thing's for certain, during this whole sit aroundā Eren's losing that tense edge to him. He's . . . Actually what a calm and soothed Eren would look like. It was good. It was nice. He's not moving at all, and if you let it he might even stay past his hour. ] Promise we'll take it easy.
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Okay then, I'll look forward to it. Just try to make sure I don't walk into a poisonous thicket or get eaten by a wolf, okay?
[.....Elliot might have no real idea what actually happens in regular woods]