usurpers | ic contact 💥 recollé (v2)

[Crow steps out, immediately ruffling Kaiser's ears a moment before leaving him to try and coax him into being a playmate. When that ends up fruitless, and he goes back inside, Crow's one free hand brushes against Titan's back before he heads out to the grass. Maybe it's to give them a little space at first, some breathing room from the awkward moment that just happened.

But it's even worse to kind of wait just out of earshot, almost like he's eavesdropping on the conversation despite knowing exactly what's going on.

No sir, Crow's not gonna leave it at that awkwardness. he walks over, his glass of water from the table in his occupied hand.

...

He seems to walk up the moment Elliot gets those words out, freezing in place.

Uh.]

Hey. Thought you could at least use this.

[He'll just hold out the water for him, in case Eren needed to clear his head.]

[ crow has had enough awkward for one life, but before he replies verbally to elliot, he’ll keep an arm around him for a supporting half hug. even if he’s sort of using this as more of a crutch than an actual hug, sorry about that! ]

It . . . Might be.

[ he hasn’t let things slip out like that in months. maybe he’s had less sleep than he should, staying up to theorize and investigate and talk about pokémon. eren, at least, has his last conversation with elliot in mind when crow comes over, and considering everything, he’s— gentle, about taking the water. he’s quiet when he bows his head in thanks. he doesn’t push him away in the slightest. he pulls a chair over for elliot on one side, and for crow on the other. he didn’t want to crush his fiancé and he didn’t want crow to leave.

just give it a minute, and he sort of. gestures to elliot without saying anything. he’ll get there. he didn’t really have much to say other than it didn’t particularly bother him the way it used to. it’s only a problem because this wasn’t really acceptable table etiquette and hell if he ever wants it to be.

not that he wanted him to listen because this is some nasty stuff, but he prefers now over later. he also appreciates the concern, he knows it’s real. ]

Spoil your appetite?

[ he wishes he were joking, but he’s not when he asks this to crow, and takes a spoon of cranberry to sweeten up his mouth and wash it down with water. ]

[Elliot will sit down in the chair next to Eren, still keeping an eye on him. He does give Crow another glance and doesn't seem against the idea of him sitting down if Eren is okay with it.

But he'll let them talk, it's not his memory after all. ]

[There's some relief when Eren takes that water, the hints of a smile tugging at his lips. He doesn't make a comment on it other than a sight of relief, glad that Eren seems to have at least collected himself. Weird topic or not, he'd looked pretty pale when they'd sat down with him.]

Makes sense that there'd be a lot on your mind...holidays aside, a lot's happened in the past few weeks. [And that's not even counting Crow's interaction with Titan!Eren. He doesn't even know that was Eren.

He will take that option to sit down, though, slumping in the chair and folding his hands across his knees. Crow could be a class clown by trade, but when it came to people's well-being, he's more than serious.]

Not as bad as you might think. My plate's put up in case your two little rascals go snoopin' for a snack, so I'll return to it eventually.

[He won't make Eren talk about the memory, and if it's something these two want to discuss in private, he's more than okay with giving them that privacy.]

[ while eren doesn’t smile, there’s still something of a huffed laugh-thing that makes his shoulders lift and drop while he takes another sip of water. his two little monsters, yes. ]

Worry about Kaiser.

[ he’s the less behaved out of both of them. you put the plate up? somehow, he’ll find a way to get there. ninja dog. either way, he’s not about to just jump to “well I ate people”, so let’s slip into the topic of memories. ]

Do you guys share memories yet?

[ this goes to both of them. ]

We can always get you a new plate if Kaiser reaches it.

[Elliot isn't even thinking about his own dinner at this point. He can eat leftovers later, it's fine. He knows where this discussion is going to head, so it's not like he's too fussed about an appetite.

The question gets a glance at Crow. ]

...Just one so far, that I know of.

[Honestly, other than sharing classmate names, he hasn't really spoken much about memories to Crow. He wouldn't know where to begin and it just...didn't feel relevant just yet. ]

[One can never stop a determined pup...

But Crow smiles for him, his demeanor as calm as ever when the time called for it, although his brows raise at Eren's question.

Eyes lock with Elliot momentarily, letting him answer first before adding on.]

Not too much...to tell ya the truth I've only gotten one or two things so far, and they're usually just confirming what Elliot already knew.

[ hey, same. and telling someone about your rpg life is going to take like a month if you don’t take nap breaks. ]

It’s the same for Levi and me. [ well. in the sense that he confirms much of the memories levi gets and adds a few foot notes to them. it’s always good to be prepared for pain when you’re involved in the aot life. ] It’s good to have someone to share things with.

[ even if eren smiles— the look in his eyes is so apologetic, especially to elliot, that it breaks the intent his lips had and says sorry, sorry, sorry without having to use the word. he has to admit it. ]

Even if we share memories I still feel like I can’t tell him everything.

...Yeah. It is.

[Feeling a little called out here guys!! He's sorry he doesn't have a powerpoint ready--

-- Oh. Eren's admitting there's things he hasn't shared with Levi. Maybe it's not a call out. He notices that apologetic look in his eye ]

Well...I mean, considering Levi that's...that's not too surprising. He's pretty...um, intimidating despite his size. I feel like it'd almost be like opening up to Gordon Ramsay...

[That's right, Crow. Take heed. There is someone SCARIER than Eren out there.]

[Wait, what? Crow's head tilts curiously, not unlike a dog himself as he listens to these two talk. It's not so much the shared memories part he doesn't get, because believe him, he's gotten a few he hasn't necessarily brought up to Elliot just yet (lack of a good ice breaker, honestly).

No, it's something else that piques Crow's curiosity, although he's not sure if now's the right time to bring it up...

He'll start slow.]

I didn't know Eren had someone from his previous life here...

[It's a little relieving in a way, knowing Eren isn't getting these weird ass memories on his own...but this description of 'Levi' isn't exactly a comforting one.]

Is he a hardass or something?

[Blunt.]

He used to be my captain when I was younger in the past life.

[ that doesn’t define levi now, at least, and the fact that eren didn’t have a captain when he got older. no, eren turned into captain freedom himself. ]

—He was scary, I used to be afraid of him, but he was really respected. [ of course you’ll be rather cautious of someone who steps on you until you throw up but ] He’s good, though, you’d make good friends with him.

[ he says the last part to crow, and let’s be real, he’s telling him to go play with a coiled up rattlesnake. rubbing his hands and fingers together to keep the chill away though! ]

He’s just a little distant. Not that I blame him.

...Somehow, even I'm having trouble buying that, Eren.

[Don't send his friend to his doom with false claims like that??]

Why don't you blame him?

Yeahhhh doubt it. [Crow's a jokester, not stupid.

His face says it all, from the way his lip curls to the one eye closing to the brows knit in frustration. He knows Eren's doing it because the man gets some weird sick pleasure out of seeing him in pain.

Sadist? Maybe. Just another thing to tack onto masochist.]

And you're just a little 'enthusiastic.'

—I’m being serious. He could use more friends, and his humor kills Crow’s.

[ that’s saying something! and he’s actually telling the truth! levi doesn’t even have muscles yet. you’ll be fine. but either way . . . ]

He doesn’t have much family around. Our memories don’t really help either, Paradis wasn’t a good place.

[UNSURE, BUT...]

Well, up to you Crow if you wanna meet him...

[it's ultimately up to Crow how much he's willing to gamble with this. He wouldn't say Levi is a terrible person but...yeah. he scares him a little]

The only thing you're being serious about is wanting to see me in pain.

[He swears, Eren gets off on it or something. His eyes close, breathing in the cold winter air as he tries to collect his thoughts.]

But you know what? Fine, I'll meet your buddy. Get a time and a place and I'll be there.

[He may or may not act like the most polite, responsible little shit in front of Levi just to piss Eren off. Blue ball his sadism.]

[ oh my god ]

I don’t want to see you in pain. [ elliot, help him out here. he turns to his fiancé. ] Do I want to see him in pain?

[Oh no. Oh no that sure was a question meant to have him take a side in this weird relationship. The exact thing he wanted to avoid.]

Uh....

[Hello darkness my old friend.
I've come to talk to you again.

Okay think of something]

N-No, I don't...think you do, but...

[God help him.]

W-Well, you two seem to have a different definition of pain, you know?

[The awkward is as plain as day on Elliot's face...and Crow would be lying if he said he didn't feel slightly responsible for that. Having to choose a side when you clearly just wanted to be a neutral party...

Well...

Elliot did tell him to be nicer.]

Heh...okay, okay, not /that/ bad.

Besides, you can't put your fiance up against me, that's not playing fair!

His opinions still count.

[ plus!!! elliot knows the truth!!! without it getting too mushy and close to the truth, just know that eren doesn’t want to see your pain. he wants to see your success!! success just takes pain to get to.

and, either way— ]

It’s not like I want to eat you or something either.

[Ohhh boy. Eren just had to make an eating crack and insist that his opinion on this matters. ]

Really, Eren?

[He has such a look of disapproval right now.]

...Fine. I was trying to stay out of it, but my opinion is you act like a dick to Crow and I can't blame him for not trusting you.

[For a moment, Crow's not sure if he heard everything correctly. Eren's response was pretty run-of-the-mill to start. Contrary, but not to the point of pure agony. Insisting that Elliot have his opinion heard...

Crow's eyebrows do raise a bit at the eating bit, which was still kind of weird to think about...he'd rather not be considered a meal at all...

Then Elliot speaks, and if anything was going to shock him, it's what came out of his mouth. He'd expected Elliot to not want to take sides, but turns out, when you unleash the soft boy you gotta be prepared for sharp edges.

He can only just watch in slight awe.

ELLIOT SAID DICK.]

[ FOG HORN WAILING ELLIOT SAID DICK.

so much for using his own personal pain as a joke— and a poorly placed joke, looks like. elliot’s call out has eren’s mouth hanging, just as silent as crow and staring, staring, staring.

his face goes bright red to purple in a matter of seconds, eyes glued to him. what beautiful honesty. that’s his man. he’s not embarrassed, no, he’s— listen, eren jaeger’s feelings about these things are not even complicated. they’re simple. ]

Y. Yem. Been.

[ what did he even say HE DOESNT KNOW

]

[oh my god you two. He feels so awkward right now. Sitting here with those two staring at him, Eren saying gibberish as he changes colors.

His cheeks turn a little red himself, but more out of embarrassment then...well, whatever Eren's doing]

W-What?

[SOMEONE PLEASE SAY WORDS]

...

[What do you even say, Elliot? WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO SAY?

Crow just...clears his throat, obviously having to be the most socially functioning one this evening.]

Heh, well this just became a pretty interesting Thanksgiving. Think I'll go check on your pups--they're...[Titan, Kaiser, please be somewhere not here so he can go check on you.]

Probably doing something.

[Eren looks like he's ready to explode so he'll just--]

Keep the glass in case you need a refill or something.

[He'll give a cheerful pat to Elliot's head before starting to make his way back to the house.]

ic contact 💥 recollé (v2)

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