❝ He's dangerous. ❞ He picks up where she trails off, biting his lower lip in contemplation, eyes cast downward. Many had been the nights spent in the boy's company, discussing literary choices, the little, insignificant events that had constituted their quiet friendship. And to think he would throw all of it away... His fingers uncurl themselves, slowly, and his voice is a low murmur as he speaks. ❝ Because to him, we're not human. To everyone, we'll never be anything more than— ❞
❝ ...Monsters, you know? ❞ His words linger thickly in the air, as he lets out a soft exhale, trying to quell the slight tremor in his voice. He knows he states the truth, from the way former comrades have greeted him with hostility, and presumably her, as well. He dwells on what she says, shaking his head gently in disagreement. ❝ It doesn't matter if you've killed him back then or not. Keeping us safe, things like that... we won't ever have to go back to that world, Annie. The mission was more important to us than our own lives, but in this city... There's no one here to tell us that we still have to continue doing what we did there. ❞
He turns his head, to look at her, and for a moment, as his gaze falls upon her expression, he almost forgets to inhale, green hues widening in wonder. But his tone is regretful, as he catches himself and glances away. To even be able to admire her, to be grateful that she was here and alive and with... him. Did someone like him, the face of humanity's hatred, deserve someone like her? ❝ I may never be important enough to be considered as a part of your world— and that's okay— but I... don't hate you. ❞ He feels his cheeks begin to heat uncomfortably, but he continues, trying his best not to embarrass himself in front of her, bringing his knees up and wrapping his arms around them. ❝ I could never hate you, even if you asked me to. ❞
❝ So for as long as we're here... I... Um... Uh— Oh, god, sorry... ❞ He gulps, instantly burying his face in his hands, and as he sits that way for several seconds, the sound of his heartbeat thrumming through his ears is the loudest thing that he can hear.
He gets up onto his feet, and offers her a hand in assistance, slowly pulling her up, though he doesn't let go, moving instead to hold her hand with both of his. He beams at her, and he doesn't recall the last time he's felt so happy, in his seventeen years of existence. He inhales, musters up one final bit of courage, and asks. ❝ Like I was saying... as long as we exist here, and not there... would you spend your time with me? Not just as an acquaintance, or as a friend... but like... a-as something more? ❞
