hello!! long time no see tiff!! i am back from the dead - how have you been??? sending you so much love!!
omg hello!! welcome back!! 🥰💗
i've been good! suuuuper busy, but i've figured out a good routine for myself, and i'm really enjoying the work i'm doing right now, so i've been really happy every day lol
how have you been!! tell me everything!! how's school going, writing, life, etc. last i remember, you had a raccoon problem?? have you managed to chase them away, or are you co-existing peacefully with them lmao
💕 the unofficial, unedited, and incomplete tbaw epilogue. proceed with caution.
“Happy birthday, asshole.”
“Hello to you, too, sunshine.”
Eren laughs, leaning back against the outer wall of the house as he pulls the vape from his pocket. He thumbs the button, watching the red ring flicker to life, then brings it to his lips for a slow drag. The once-familiar burn of vapour scratches down his throat as he inhales—and he clears the pain with a sharp cough.
“How’s things?” Eren asks, voice strained.
“Fine.” The voice crackles over the phone. “I didn’t call to chat. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
“Sure.” Eren takes another drag. “Things have been good with me since I left Titan. Finally got that whole work-life balance thing figured out after I started working remotely full-time. You’ve probably seen me on IG. We do social media for local businesses.”
“Don’t care.”
“The gang pulled together to throw a little surprise party for me at Sash and Nic’s new place,” Eren continues, “and Nic’s a baker—you know that—but Connie fuckin’ insisted on making the cake. Not even Sasha wants to eat that shit. Armin took a slice to be polite, but he’s just pushing the pieces around on his plate. Hasn't got the nerve to actually try it.”
“And what about…” they trail off, pausing for Eren to fill the silence. When Eren doesn’t, they spit out your name like it hurts to say, but Eren can hear the voice soften even with the strain.
“She’s good, too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Eren says. “She’s still working lots, but it’s been so much better for her. She loves her job and she’s good at it, too. She’s finally happy again.”
“That’s… I’m happy to hear that.”
Eren hums, taking a final pull from his vape before stuffing it back in his pocket. His head already feels woozy—he doesn’t smoke the way he used to, not anymore—and he doesn’t want to go back to the party on his ass after a ten-minute phone call. The few puffs he had are enough to settle the nerves coiling in his gut.
Eren figured this call was coming today, but that doesn’t make it easier. Things are still awkward—still tense. And with these calls being few and far between, Eren knows it’ll be a long time before things are back to the way they once were, but he’s optimistic.
“What about you? I saw you on a magazine the other day: Top Thirty Under Thirty.”
“Fuck off.”
“Nah, man, come on. That’s really cool.” Eren laughs. “Jean Kirstein, the new King of Titan. Following under Erwin’s lead, this young bachelor has been rising the ranks of the corporate world—”
“Ok, ok, fucking stop it.” Eren can practically hear the scrunch of Jean’s brows as he groans. “Do you have it in front of you right now?”
“I’m a big fan of your work, that's all. I’m surprised you’re still working there after the rest of us left.”
“Nowhere else will take me.”
That’s a lie, but Eren doesn’t push it. If Jean wants to keep living in his weird fantasy world, Eren’s not going to bothing wasting his breath trying to change his mind. He’s done enough of that already.
Eren rests his head against the house as he looks up at the sky. He feels a dull ache in his chest and a sense of nostalgia wash over him, longing for a time when he’d be sitting out here on the porch with his best friend. Instead, he’s on the phone with someone who feels like a stranger.
“You should be here,” Eren says. He rolls his tongue against his cheek during the silence, regretting the words after speaking them outloud, but then—fuck it—he doubles down. “I miss you. We all do.”
“I want to,” Jean sighs, “but you know I can’t. I’m not even in town right now. I’ve been working crazy hours. I’m out on a job in—”
“In fucking Marley, or wherever… yeah, I know, Jean. You always have an excuse.”
“Things are better when I’m not around.”
“Whatever.” Eren won’t argue with him. “Are you still seeing that girl? What’s her name—”
“That girl? Eren, don’t call her that, Jesus.”
“—what am I supposed to call her when you won’t tell me her name—”
“My therapist?” Jean groans. It’s so easy to picture him sitting on the edge of his bed in some hotel room on the other side of town, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance like talking to Eren is giving him a headache. “Yeah, yeah. I’m still seeing her. She’s been helping me with… well, you know.”
“And? Are you better?”
“You don’t just get better. I gotta unpack all the damage from my shitty upbringing and figure out coping mechanisms and—”
“Sounds like she’s helping.”
Jean sighs. “We’re getting there.”
“And when you’re finally there… then we’ll see you, right?”
“Eren, come on, man. Do you really want me hanging around when I'm the guy that fucked your girlfriend?”
“Nobody told you to say it like that, Jean.” Eren snorts, and the two boys break out in laughter.
Back when he and Jean were fighting over you—yeah, he hated seeing Jean around—but now you live with Eren at his apartment. You kiss him good morning every day before going to work, and Eren gets to hear you say his favourite three words every day for the rest of his life.
So yeah, it doesn’t bother him anymore that you and Jean had a… thing. It's water under the bridge.
“Hey, I’ll let you go, ok?” Jean says, his tone lighter. “Go have fun. I don’t wanna hold you up.”
“It’s good talking to you, Jean. You know you can call me any time, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. Have a good one, man.”
“Yeah, you too.”
Eren brings the phone down from his ear and looks down at his lockscreen as the call disconnects. It’s a photo of you and Eren together—not the one from the Point—this one’s new. You’re grinning so hard at the camera. Eren has his arm wrapped around your waist and his lips pressed to your cheek.
Looking at this photo always makes his chest feel warm. Today especially.
“Eren?”
The sound of your voice snaps him out of his thoughts, and he glances over to see you peeking your head from the sliding door. He doesn't even need to think about smiling when he sees your face, it just comes naturally.
“I thought you were on the phone?”
“Yeah, I was.” He shoves his phone back into his pocket. “Come ‘ere for a sec.”
Eren opens his arms for you to walk into, and with a grin, you step outside, sliding the door shut behind you before rushing into Eren’s arms. You squeeze him tight around the middle, pressing your cheek into his chest.
“Were you talking to Jean?” you ask quietly, like you don’t want to be heard.
“Yeah, he wanted to wish me a happy birthday.”
“How is he?”
“Same ol’ Jean.” Eren sighs, and he feels you sink into his arms.
“Did you tell him we miss him?”
“Every time.” He presses a kiss to your temple. “Jean’ll be ok, don’t worry about him.”
“I know, I just feel like it’s my fault everything's weird between us.”
He cups your face in his hands, tilting you up to look at him, and he can already see the waver in your eyes as you blink up at him. “It’s not your fault—it’s him, ok? He doesn’t try. Never has.”
You nod and pout up at Eren. “I’m glad the two of you are talking again… even after how messy everything got.”
“We’re not kids anymore.” Eren laughs, kissing you on the forehead. “He’s like a brother to me—better than my real one, but that’s not saying much—and I don’t want to lose him.”
You sigh in response, but it quickly turns into giggles as Eren starts peppering your face with more kisses. “Eren!” He presses you into the wall, one hand resting on your lower back to pull you into him. The other cups your face.
“Stop being so grumpy on my birthday,” he says in between kisses, and you giggle against his lips. “Are you mad I’m not giving you enough attention? Huh? Jealous that today is all about me?”
“Eren, there you—oh, god!” Both of you turn to look as Sasha steps out on the desk, covering her eyes with a squeal. “What did I just walk into?”
“Nothing!” you insist, struggling to push Eren away. “We were just coming inside.”
“Coming inside? Gross, guys.” Sasha groans, peeking at the two of you between her fingers.
Eren grins, nipping your earlobe gently before returning to his full height. “Nah, that was earlier.”
“Jesus, you two are like a couple of teenagers.” Sasha sighs, but she’s smiling. “Let’s go back inside, everyone’s wondering where the birthday boy ran off to.”
“We’ll be there in a sec, Sash,” Eren says dismissively, and she takes that as her cue to leave.
“Eren,” you scold, looking up at him. But there’s no bite to your tone when you’re smiling at him like this, and Eren feels warmth growing in his chest from the sight of you.
Your eyes flutter shut as you press up on your toes, already pursing your lips for a kiss, and Eren closes the gap. He kisses you soft and slow, lips moving against yours as your arms come up to circle his neck.
“I love you.” He can feel you smiling against his lips.
I am writing here because it seems that Tumblr and X are the main points of contact (I legit had to pull up on my old Tumblr for this haha).
I discovered your work recently on my AOT brain rot BS and am a HUGE fan! Like, I am dying... I got flashbacks when I read a lot of the scenes which make me think you're either a God that has somehow peered into my mind (Ok, Ymir, pop off) or a fucking Saint for the girls - I believe it is both!!!
I also see what you're doing when you keep Jean from us in any love triangle sitch... You keeping him to yourself?!! That's the only explanation I have that gives me solace and prevents me from banging my head against the wall. I just want to let you know that my experience reading TBAW was akin to a riled up football fan watching a game - I was hollering and had to step away several times to ensure I wasn't going to go too ape. You are good, sis. You are too good!!
I am an independent musician/artist, MUNGMUNG. Here is a link to my socials and other fun stuff for your reference: https://linktr.ee/MUNGMUNG
I have a new music project on the way and was wondering if you would be keen to collaborate for it in any way, shape or form? If you're interested, would love to discuss further details, share some ideas with you, bounce ideas around or would just love to chat.
Would just love to champion your work and be in your orbit because I just. Can. Not.
If there is another form of contact that is better suited such as email, etc, please let me know!
aw, this is such a lovely message, thank you so much!! i'm glad you enjoyed tbaw (and yes, i am 100% keeping jean for myself haha)
i don't know how i'd be able to help you with your new music, but i'm happy to connect with you 🥰 feel free to DM me and we can exchange contact info
wait since u didnt like haymitch's prequel..... what r ur thoughts on it..... need ur #review
i wanted to like it 😭 right before it came out, i read Red Rising, and i was like "wow this is like a shit version of Hunger Games. good thing i have Sunrise on the Reaping as a palate cleanser!!" and i was disappointed.
my review might be impacted by the fact that haymitch was a nothing-burger character to me in the og trilogy, so i already went into the novel feeling meh about it.
sry in advance, this is long.
major Sunrise on the Reaping spoilers
it felt like fanfiction, and not in a good way. there were so many character cameos that felt shoehorned in so we'd be like, omg it's x!! instead of actually adding to the plot. haymitch is katniss's dad's bff??? ok cool. anyway.
we KNOW snow is bad. this is clear from the og trilogy and the snow prequel. there's no need for his cartoon villainy to continually smash us over the head in another book. beetee's son. haymitch's gf. haymitch's family lol. enough, i get it.
i felt like this story didn't add anything to the hg universe. it's basically the same plot as catching fire, but they fail instead of succeed. prequels are tricky because we already know what happens, but i felt like the snow prequel added depth and a new perspective. this... not so much.
like i get the point is to show the rebellion has been in the works for years and years, but i feel like we already knew that. we knew haymitch had connections w the other victors. we know everything there is to know about district 12 at this point.
i loved maysilee tho!!! and i loved seeing how much of a disaster the capitol and the games were back in those times.
if sc is gonna keep writing in the hg universe, i'd love to see her write a book from someone who dies in the area. someone we've never met before so we can be lulled into a false sense of security before they're killed.
or maybe a book with multiple povs so we don't know who to root for? idk that'd be cool. but she generally tries to make a statement with all her books, so idk what statement she could make from that that hasn't already been said.
a finnick story would be cool too, and he's a very popular character. maybe during and post-games, so we can see how the capitol treated him after winning.
there's so many cool ways to explore the hg universe that doesn't involve district 12 😭
Heyyyy! I've been re reading TBAW since I had my first job experience after college and... Felt just like the main character. I was still in college when the fic was ongoing so now that I left my job I felt so much support with Levi's dialogue where he asks what makes her happy and that she won't be able to do all that in a such demanding job. Thank you so much for writting this story 🫶🏻
Sad stuff besides haha I kinda got a small question while reading. If the MC would've have agreed to give a serious chance with Eren and leave Jean while she was on her stress leave, Eren's development would've been the same or he would've become dependent on his relationship with her?
P.D: I hope that life is treating you kindly, and if not, I hope it does soon 😊
ahh, i'm so sorry to hear you had a similar experience!! i'm glad you're out of it and that the story resonated with you!!
tbaw spoilers lol
if MC and Eren had gotten together before the time skip, they would've crashed and burned. neither of them were ready to be in a legit relationship together, and it would've just fucked them up even worse.
eren would've grown to be very insecure in his relationship. he would feel like she wanted to be with jean but settled for him. he'd constantly feel like he had to be The Perfect Boyfriend to keep her, and it would cause him a lot of stress and anxiety. he'd end up becoming really jealous and controlling because he'd be so afraid of losing her, it would turn him into a monster.
eren needed to be free of MC to grow, but if she had insisted she wanted to be with him, he wouldn't have been able to say no.
MC would've had one foot out the door with eren. without her growth, she still wouldn't understand the difference between loving a Person and loving the Idea of a Person. she would wonder if her feelings for eren were genuine, and she'd lash out at any mistake Eren made and claim that "he never really changed, he's still the same asshole he was before". she'd constantly be hurting him and taking advantage of his forgiveness, and all that pain would turn him into a very angry person.
they would have a really toxic on-again-off-again relationship with one another. MC would eventually run back to jean at some point, and things would be even messier than before lol
although MC's impact on eren's life ended up being good for him, things could've turned out really badly. she was too villainous throughout tbaw and took advantage of all the people around her. she needed to learn how to not be like that in order to cherish eren's feelings for her and return them in earnest.
HI!!! I hope you're doing well and sorry to be bothering you but I HAVE TO ASK u this: do u somehow have some extra chapter showing how both eren and reader are living? I fear i already know the answer but i thought i shoud ask anyway bc I really loved their chemistry and scenes together, an epilogue abt that would mean to me one more reason to keep living 😞🩷
i have an unfinished epilogue chapter that i was gonna post to ao3 on the 1yr anniversary of the ending of tbaw, but i never finished the chapter, and then i kinda lost the motivation for it altogether.
i still haven't finished after all these years lol but i'll share it with you guys today at some point. it's unedited!!! and incomplete!!! but i think you'll enjoy it regardless.
feels weird to be dragging tbaw back from the dead like this after so long lol so it'll just be a lowkey post on tumblr, not like A Whole Thing.
do you have any hcs for miche 😭 you characterize the characters so well esp in a modern setting and im wondering if you have any thoughts bc that man has me in a chokehold
ahhh, i'm sorry but miche and the other veterans really don't interest me that much 😭 so i don't have any headcanons for him. to me, he's just Some Guy.
Since you like The Hunger Games, are you going to watch the prequel? Lol
yes!!! this ask is so old lol but ya, i read the snow prequel and i watched it in theatres. i really liked both the book and the movie. snow has a lot of internal dialogue that gets missed in movie format, but i think they did a good job of it.
the haymitch prequel tho................. i was not a fan, unfortunately. i'll still watch the movie tho when it comes out.
Hey, I've been really enjoying your AoT fics, great work! I was wondering how much of the work-related situations in the Boys At Work happened in real life to you? I worked at an advertising agency for 3 years and similar stuff happened to me too - the work overload, the management, the constant dread of not being good enough and afraid of being fired...
sorry it took me literal years to respond to this lol i swear i never saw this ask until just now!!
a lot of the work-related issues that the characters have were based on things that happened to me or my friends irl. i worked in a big 4 accounting firm for 5 years after i graduated from university, and it was awful. none of the people that got hired with me at the same time are still working there either lol we all left.
i think there's a big disconnect between what you learn in school and what the real world is like, and that can be really jarring for people. especially when you're able to quantify your capabilities based on your GPA or your grades or whatever. even at my big age, i still see a lot of my friends tying their self-worth to their career success, and that often leads to burnout.
tbaw was very cathartic for me to write because i was able to process all the hatred i had for my former workplace by having my favourite aot boys there to comfort "me" while i struggled at work.
i'm sorry to hear that you had a similar experience! i hope you've found somewhere new that doesn't give you the sunday scaries or trigger your fight/flight response every time you get an email 😭
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