[ Eren doesn't have anything to lose. He's already lost it, himself, his friends, his life.

The world, on the other hand, has everything to lose, all the lives he has condemned and all the burned earth left behind in the wake of millions of searing titan feet. As far as Eren knows, they've already lost, too.

But not yet, not today. ]

It doesn't matter what I want.

[ He thought it did, once, but in the end it had never mattered.

Levi says he's listening, though, and…well, fuck it. What's the worst thing that could really happen? Nothing will ever be as bad as that horrible future waiting for them. No matter what Levi says here, even if he laughs in Eren's face, it won't be as bad as that.

He doesn't really think Levi of all people would laugh at him, though. That's not his style. ]

But I…

[ What can he say? That he's been in love with Levi since before they met? That he wanted to be like him, back when he thought he actually could be? That even with scars he'll always be beautiful? That he's sorry?

At least when he finds words again, they're still the truth. ]

To stay by your side, Captain. To matter to you. That's what I've always wanted from you.