[Finnick loves to ask questions that Eren can't quite answer; it's terribly loaded. Eren wonders if Finnick knows. Maybe he's trying to get under his skin - to decipher something that he thinks he sees, but can't quite figure out, or--
[Or...maybe he just wants to know how Eren's feeling. Unfortunately for Finnick, Eren's never been good at articulating that sort of thing. His stare endures as he tries to work through a response in his kiss-foggy mind.]
Tired. [An honest answer. He really doesn't like to lie to him; just tired of lying in general, maybe. He didn't used to be all too good at that either; maybe he still isn't.
[Can Finnick tell that he hasn't slept...?
[Has Finnick?
[Eren shifts where he lies.] Come here...[A murmur. He pushes himself up a couple of inches on the mattress, then guides Finnick's head to his chest. He can fall asleep to a heartbeat tonight; Eren's personal favorite.
[Finnick's been in charge of quite enough tonight (belatedly, Eren is realizing that his blond-haired companion had him completely wrapped around his finger with that wine errand). Eren rests a hand over the nape of Finnick's neck, the other resting on the man's hip.]
I ought to tell you what it means...[Another murmur. Eren's curls more firmly around Finnick's nape.]
[Of course Finnick hasn't slept well, but that's not news since he never does, so he doesn't mention it. As Eren says he's tired, he kisses his forehead. Finnick is tired too; he always is.
He allows himself to be laid on Eren's chest, to be held. It's such a gentle, intimate act for such an... Angry person. But his breathing is steady, his heart is thumping slowly in Finnick's ear, and his hands weigh him down gently. Finnick closes his eyes. He feels cared for.]
Mmm?
[Finnick's too tired and relaxed to really form words, so gives just this soft questioning hum to the cryptic words from Eren. His hand lays flat on Eren's stomach, rubbing slow circles on it with his palm.]
[Finnick's touch is both surprising and disarming, as it tends to be, though the location is new, and Eren feels his muscles twitch and jump. It feels nice. But he had something to say, and if he doesn't now, then he probably won't at all. He can't lose his nerve. The moment will slip away; he'll remember that he's not supposed to be so honest.
[Finnick sounds half-asleep. Maybe he won't be listening. Eren wouldn't mind. The idea makes it a little easier to continue, so he does.
The only way to kill a titan...[Eren's voice is soft - quiet, very quiet, as if Finnick really is sleeping, and he might wake him.] Is a cut...to the nape of the neck...
[The hand on Finnick's nape lifts up, and Eren trails a slow fingernail over just the right spot...]
One meter and ten centimeters deep. [The nail traces back over Finnick's nape.] Even cutting off their head won't work, but this spot...is vulnerable.
[Eren's hand flattens out again. His palm cups the area once again, resting heavily.]
This is true for titan shifters, as well...
Even like this, I can feel it in my body. [He takes Finnick's hand, silently apologetic for disturbing his comfort. He guides it to the nape of his own neck, trying to fold it over the vulnerable spot.]
It's an instinct. When there's danger, we protect the nape...
[Does Finnick understand? Eren's hand presses down heavier, though not oppressive; gentle, protective - his palm covers the whole surface.
[Finnick knows sea glass. This is what Eren has to offer...
[Though he's drifting a little, his ears are trained to pick up on the quietest of sounds, even asleep. Eren's heart thumps solidly in one ear, his soft voice tickling the other.
The content of his words brings Finnick back to alertness. It isn't sweet nothings. That gentle voice that sounds so strange coming from Eren's mouth tells him of his one fatal weakness. A deep secret that's likely terrifying and unwise to reveal to anyone, especially for someone as guarded as Eren.
Then, an almost inaudible pledge of protection.
With the way Eren reacted to Finnick's death and return so callously, he'd thought maybe... Eren didn't give a shit about what happened to him. Death and injury don't seem to be things that bother or scare Eren, which makes sense if you're used to it, so Finnick assumed his own death and the loss of his arm was something he was able to brush off easily.
That's why this conviction takes him so off-guard, and there's silence for a few moments.
He could decide not to react. To pretend he's actually fallen asleep, so that Eren wouldn't feel scared or regretful about revealing all of this.
But protection, survival, fatal weaknesses, none of it is anything Finnick takes lightly. Especially since they have no idea what could happen in either arena; the amplitheater or the city. And if Eren is going to reveal something so vulnerable, Finnick isn't going to leave him hanging and wondering whether he even heard it.
He presses his hand gently into the back of Eren's neck, using it as leverage to pull himself up off his chest so he can face him, look him in the eyes. He then spreads his hand more evenly over Eren's nape, ensuring it's covered fully, and applies even, soft pressure. He wants Eren to feel safe. He wonders if either of them have ever felt safe in their lives. It might not even be possible for people like them. But just like with Eren's laugh, he's not going to let that impossibility stop him from trying, not ever.]
I won't see you hurt either.
[He kisses Eren firmly to seal his promise, to let him know he understands the seriousness of this, the trust he's gone on a limb to put in Finnick. He looks into his green eyes again.]
Thank you for telling me.
[Not only will this be crucial to know if he needs to protect Eren and keep him alive, but it's also integral to his ability to help Eren feel as secure as he can. Now Finnick knows where to put his hands to offer Eren a little bit of comfort, and that information is as pure as gold to him.]
[It's true that Eren has just given Finnick something precious. It would be difficult to express to his companion just how intimate that information is coming from a titan shifter. Finnick seems to understand regardless. He protects Eren with his hand, and Eren protects Finnick with his; it's a silent promise.
[Things like this happen quickly for Eren. That's always been the case. It's why he rebelled so strongly against giving Finnick anything when they first met. Once he cares about someone, it's not a matter of accepting or rejecting it; it just is.
[He's here, and they're not, and Finnick is, and he's so, so tired of being alone. He doesn't feel happy, he doesn't feel safe; he never has, never can. He still wants Finnick close to him. He needs it. They haven't even fallen asleep yet, and already he's wondering when he'll be kicked out tomorrow, or if he'll end up sleeping in this bed again...
[He thinks again of the Paths. If he could make it so that nothing in the world existed other than this bed, and this boy, then he would, he would, he would.
[Maybe one day. Somehow.]
Sleep. [He kisses the top of Finnick's head. It's an exceptionally affectionate gesture, seemingly unfitting; but that's just what Finnick brings out in Eren.
[He's not sure how it happened, and it might be the worst possible thing that could have, but despite it all, Eren trusts Finnick, who picked him like red sea glass.]
[Maybe he should feel guilty, getting so close to someone so soon after losing his wife. Part of him does. But... He's dead. There's no going back. The way he sees it, it's "misery loves company." He and Eren are stuck in similar situations, both grieving for what's back home, and finding comfort in each other, however temporary it might be.
The first time Finnick lost Annie, he went completely insane and was hospitalized. It's a miracle that all that transpired this time was worsened drinking habits, crying, and... Well, a good bit of despair. A few slips into thinking of ending things. But he's holding onto his sanity, and that's because of people like Eren, Sebastian, and Hythlodaeus, pulling him up from the darkness, reminding him who he is.
Finnick smiles at the sweet kiss to his head. Eren is really transforming before his eyes, and it's more than he ever expected.
He lowers himself back onto Eren's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart again, but this time he keeps his hand at the nape of Eren's neck.
Finnick will do everything in his power to keep him safe at all times, even asleep.]
Goodnight... [He murmurs. He wants to call him something, but there's no term of endearment that fits yet, and Eren would probably hate it anyway. He lets Eren's radiating heat relax his muscles, sleep soon pulling him under. He doesn't even have a chance to wonder if there will be nightmares.]
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no subject
[Or...maybe he just wants to know how Eren's feeling. Unfortunately for Finnick, Eren's never been good at articulating that sort of thing. His stare endures as he tries to work through a response in his kiss-foggy mind.]
Tired. [An honest answer. He really doesn't like to lie to him; just tired of lying in general, maybe. He didn't used to be all too good at that either; maybe he still isn't.
[Can Finnick tell that he hasn't slept...?
[Has Finnick?
[Eren shifts where he lies.] Come here...[A murmur. He pushes himself up a couple of inches on the mattress, then guides Finnick's head to his chest. He can fall asleep to a heartbeat tonight; Eren's personal favorite.
[Finnick's been in charge of quite enough tonight (belatedly, Eren is realizing that his blond-haired companion had him completely wrapped around his finger with that wine errand). Eren rests a hand over the nape of Finnick's neck, the other resting on the man's hip.]
I ought to tell you what it means...[Another murmur. Eren's curls more firmly around Finnick's nape.]
no subject
He allows himself to be laid on Eren's chest, to be held. It's such a gentle, intimate act for such an... Angry person. But his breathing is steady, his heart is thumping slowly in Finnick's ear, and his hands weigh him down gently. Finnick closes his eyes. He feels cared for.]
Mmm?
[Finnick's too tired and relaxed to really form words, so gives just this soft questioning hum to the cryptic words from Eren. His hand lays flat on Eren's stomach, rubbing slow circles on it with his palm.]
no subject
[Finnick sounds half-asleep. Maybe he won't be listening. Eren wouldn't mind. The idea makes it a little easier to continue, so he does.
The only way to kill a titan...[Eren's voice is soft - quiet, very quiet, as if Finnick really is sleeping, and he might wake him.] Is a cut...to the nape of the neck...
[The hand on Finnick's nape lifts up, and Eren trails a slow fingernail over just the right spot...]
One meter and ten centimeters deep. [The nail traces back over Finnick's nape.] Even cutting off their head won't work, but this spot...is vulnerable.
[Eren's hand flattens out again. His palm cups the area once again, resting heavily.]
This is true for titan shifters, as well...
Even like this, I can feel it in my body. [He takes Finnick's hand, silently apologetic for disturbing his comfort. He guides it to the nape of his own neck, trying to fold it over the vulnerable spot.]
It's an instinct. When there's danger, we protect the nape...
[Does Finnick understand? Eren's hand presses down heavier, though not oppressive; gentle, protective - his palm covers the whole surface.
[Finnick knows sea glass. This is what Eren has to offer...
[Now, very quiet, very quiet...]
I won't see you hurt again.
no subject
The content of his words brings Finnick back to alertness. It isn't sweet nothings. That gentle voice that sounds so strange coming from Eren's mouth tells him of his one fatal weakness. A deep secret that's likely terrifying and unwise to reveal to anyone, especially for someone as guarded as Eren.
Then, an almost inaudible pledge of protection.
With the way Eren reacted to Finnick's death and return so callously, he'd thought maybe... Eren didn't give a shit about what happened to him. Death and injury don't seem to be things that bother or scare Eren, which makes sense if you're used to it, so Finnick assumed his own death and the loss of his arm was something he was able to brush off easily.
That's why this conviction takes him so off-guard, and there's silence for a few moments.
He could decide not to react. To pretend he's actually fallen asleep, so that Eren wouldn't feel scared or regretful about revealing all of this.
But protection, survival, fatal weaknesses, none of it is anything Finnick takes lightly. Especially since they have no idea what could happen in either arena; the amplitheater or the city. And if Eren is going to reveal something so vulnerable, Finnick isn't going to leave him hanging and wondering whether he even heard it.
He presses his hand gently into the back of Eren's neck, using it as leverage to pull himself up off his chest so he can face him, look him in the eyes. He then spreads his hand more evenly over Eren's nape, ensuring it's covered fully, and applies even, soft pressure. He wants Eren to feel safe. He wonders if either of them have ever felt safe in their lives. It might not even be possible for people like them. But just like with Eren's laugh, he's not going to let that impossibility stop him from trying, not ever.]
I won't see you hurt either.
[He kisses Eren firmly to seal his promise, to let him know he understands the seriousness of this, the trust he's gone on a limb to put in Finnick. He looks into his green eyes again.]
Thank you for telling me.
[Not only will this be crucial to know if he needs to protect Eren and keep him alive, but it's also integral to his ability to help Eren feel as secure as he can. Now Finnick knows where to put his hands to offer Eren a little bit of comfort, and that information is as pure as gold to him.]
no subject
[Things like this happen quickly for Eren. That's always been the case. It's why he rebelled so strongly against giving Finnick anything when they first met. Once he cares about someone, it's not a matter of accepting or rejecting it; it just is.
[He's here, and they're not, and Finnick is, and he's so, so tired of being alone. He doesn't feel happy, he doesn't feel safe; he never has, never can. He still wants Finnick close to him. He needs it. They haven't even fallen asleep yet, and already he's wondering when he'll be kicked out tomorrow, or if he'll end up sleeping in this bed again...
[He thinks again of the Paths. If he could make it so that nothing in the world existed other than this bed, and this boy, then he would, he would, he would.
[Maybe one day. Somehow.]
Sleep. [He kisses the top of Finnick's head. It's an exceptionally affectionate gesture, seemingly unfitting; but that's just what Finnick brings out in Eren.
[He's not sure how it happened, and it might be the worst possible thing that could have, but despite it all, Eren trusts Finnick, who picked him like red sea glass.]
cw hospitalization,suicidal thoughts
The first time Finnick lost Annie, he went completely insane and was hospitalized. It's a miracle that all that transpired this time was worsened drinking habits, crying, and... Well, a good bit of despair. A few slips into thinking of ending things. But he's holding onto his sanity, and that's because of people like Eren, Sebastian, and Hythlodaeus, pulling him up from the darkness, reminding him who he is.
Finnick smiles at the sweet kiss to his head. Eren is really transforming before his eyes, and it's more than he ever expected.
He lowers himself back onto Eren's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart again, but this time he keeps his hand at the nape of Eren's neck.
Finnick will do everything in his power to keep him safe at all times, even asleep.]
Goodnight... [He murmurs. He wants to call him something, but there's no term of endearment that fits yet, and Eren would probably hate it anyway. He lets Eren's radiating heat relax his muscles, sleep soon pulling him under. He doesn't even have a chance to wonder if there will be nightmares.]