[Eren doesn't quite realize it, but he's eager for comfort, for touch. When Erin takes his hand, he squeezes it back immediately, his grip weak. His arm drops from his face, free hand futilely wiping away tears as more replace them.]
All the way across the country. [There's a miserable sniffle, and then he's coughing again, bringing his hand back to his face. He'll be in the hospital a while yet with the way his lungs sound.]
What if he takes me back with him? Then I won't ever see them again.
[ So it'll take him a while to get here, then. Days at minimum, especially if he's driving, what with the closed roads, the quarantine orders, the curfews...
[ Eren will be here alone until the end of week, if not longer. ]
Don't worry about that right now. All you should be focusing on is resting, getting better.
[ Oddly, Erin doesn't think twice about the natural decision she comes to. ]
It'll work out okay, we just need to talk to your brother when he gets here. I'll stay with you until he does.
[Whether or not it's a promise Eren should believe, he isn't sure. He doesn't know this woman. Their only connection is resting in the morgue right now. The thought makes Eren feel nauseated, and all at once, he's breathing quick, nearly gasping. He covers his face with both hands, releasing hers. And he starts to sob, breaking only to cough until it sounds like his lungs are going to come loose. It seems that "little something to calm you down" is starting to wear off.]
It's my fault. [The words are broken, strangled, cracking.] I got sick. They brought me here. They're dead and it's all my fault.
[ In lieu of holding his hand, she gives his forearm a squeeze. ]
It isn't your fault. It isn't anyone's. People can be sick without even realizing it, without having symptoms. You can only control viruses so well outside of a lab...
[ You sound like a doctor right now. The kid needs comfort, not facts-
[ Erin's just as quick to remind herself that she finds facts rather comforting, but that's neither here nor there. ]
...Do you want to talk about it..? About them? Or just be quiet for a while..? I won't go anywhere either way.
[His response is as unhelpful as it is heartbreaking, simple, instinctual. He doesn't even mean to say it. It bursts out of him, entirely beyond his control - a craving, aching need that Erin can't satisfy.]
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All the way across the country. [There's a miserable sniffle, and then he's coughing again, bringing his hand back to his face. He'll be in the hospital a while yet with the way his lungs sound.]
What if he takes me back with him? Then I won't ever see them again.
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[ Eren will be here alone until the end of week, if not longer. ]
Don't worry about that right now. All you should be focusing on is resting, getting better.
[ Oddly, Erin doesn't think twice about the natural decision she comes to. ]
It'll work out okay, we just need to talk to your brother when he gets here. I'll stay with you until he does.
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[Eren doesn't realize that his eyes are pleading.]
Really?
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[ She smiles, and it's one of the few times it doesn't feel
maskedpretend. ]I can't promise I'll be all that exciting to have around, but I'll be here, okay?
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It's my fault. [The words are broken, strangled, cracking.] I got sick. They brought me here. They're dead and it's all my fault.
no subject
[ In lieu of holding his hand, she gives his forearm a squeeze. ]
It isn't your fault. It isn't anyone's. People can be sick without even realizing it, without having symptoms. You can only control viruses so well outside of a lab...
[ You sound like a doctor right now. The kid needs comfort, not facts-
[ Erin's just as quick to remind herself that she finds facts rather comforting, but that's neither here nor there. ]
...Do you want to talk about it..? About them? Or just be quiet for a while..? I won't go anywhere either way.
just attacking you with this one
I w-want my m-mom.
[He sounds so young.]