[He nods, still smiling. Has he ever smiled this much in his life? With Aubrey, maybe. He squeezes her hand, grip weak. Fall air has chilled his fingers, a sudden wind rustling through the leaves. Overhead, a bird caws as it circles.]
That's it. I'm happy now. Right here.
And it didn't hurt at all. Everything is going to be okay.
[His other hand comes to rest over hers, gentle as the white feather floating down from the sky. He opens his eyes, but his lids are heavy. He's still smiling at her. How can he help it? She's so beautiful.]
I'll always come back to you. So you don't need to say sorry anymore.
Just don't wake up yet. We've got a little more time.
[He reaches up for her, taking her face, trying to guide her head down to rest it in his lap.]
You know...I don't want to say goodbye either. Just had to is all...
[She lets him take her face, but her other hand holds it there, thumbing at his wrist where his pulse should be. She wants him to smother her. She’s not ready to stop seeing him yet.]
[She's a liar, but for once, Eren doesn't seem to realize that. He drops his hands from her face, and they fall limp into his lap. His head tilts forward without the strength to keep it upright. He murmurs something, but it can't quite be heard.
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That's it. I'm happy now. Right here.
And it didn't hurt at all. Everything is going to be okay.
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[Oh, Basil says that, too. He looked like he hurt a lot, though… She hopes what he says is true.]
I just want you to be happy, Eren. [She kisses his forehead, lightly as though he’s fallen ill. The bird, you see. He’ll be free soon.]
That’s all I’ve ever wanted, no matter what I said. I know I’ve been mean. And I know it’s selfish, but… I hope you’ll forgive me.
[Caw, caw, says the bird. The wind is cold. The day is short.]
[Is it really that easy?]
I don’t want to say goodbye.
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[His other hand comes to rest over hers, gentle as the white feather floating down from the sky. He opens his eyes, but his lids are heavy. He's still smiling at her. How can he help it? She's so beautiful.]
I'll always come back to you. So you don't need to say sorry anymore.
Just don't wake up yet. We've got a little more time.
[He reaches up for her, taking her face, trying to guide her head down to rest it in his lap.]
You know...I don't want to say goodbye either. Just had to is all...
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Is that really how it works?
[She lets him take her face, but her other hand holds it there, thumbing at his wrist where his pulse should be. She wants him to smother her. She’s not ready to stop seeing him yet.]
I’m scared, Eren. Do you really have to go?
What if I can’t reach you again?
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I already told you, Bow. I'll always come back to you.
Always.
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[Only here can she believe it.]
[She kisses him, lingering just a breath away. He sounds hurt… He doesn’t have to talk anymore.]
I love you, Eren.
Always.
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Can you forgive me too...?
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[Never.]
I will.
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[And he's gone.]
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[What did he say?]
[It ends like this. He falls. She holds him. He’s gone. She wonders what she didn’t hear, everything he never told her.]
[They never forgive. They never say goodbye.]
[Aubrey wakes up, and the nightmare begins again.]