[Eren bristles a bit at that "adorable" comment. And also starts blushing slightly. At least he doesn't start yelling again?] ...What's that supposed to mean?
[She doesn't actually have to answer that though, as soon as she starts explaining what Armin can do Eren completely forgets about that question.] Mind reading? Like being able to tell what people are thinking!? That's not something just anyone can learn, is it? [Yeah, it's clear that that's kind of a scary thought. Not because Armin can do it - he trusts Armin, always has and always will - but because he definitely doesn't like the idea of random strangers pulling things out of his brain.]
[The more things Thorne rambles off, the wider Eren's eyes get. Eventually his jaw drops and he's just left looking completely dumbfounded. Armin could do all of that? He had no idea... Then Armin speaks up and Eren shakes himself out of it.]
Ah, no, that's not what-! [He didn't want this. He just wanted to understand, for Armin to talk to him instead of needing Thorne to explain. Eren reaches a hand out like he was going to place it on his friend's shoulder. But then stops, hesitating in place, before pulling his hand back. He looks down, not able to make eye contact as he speaks.] Why didn't you tell me about this? Don't you...? [No, he can't finish asking that question. Don't you still trust me? He's not sure he wants to hear the answer. Why else would Armin have kept this a secret?]
[Sorry, Thorne, but that wasn't a very good explanation and with him already becoming more and more worried about how much younger he is than Armin now, and how much of an idiot he must seem to all the people here that weren't born into worlds that were backwards, war-torn cages like his. Saying he was too young, without even explaining why that was an issue? It felt like salt in a wound. He very carefully keeps looking down, and now that he was done realigning the bones in her leg he let his hands clench into fists so hard his knuckles turned white. Speaking to her again now his tone was pissed. ...And also pretty damn hurt.]
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[She doesn't actually have to answer that though, as soon as she starts explaining what Armin can do Eren completely forgets about that question.] Mind reading? Like being able to tell what people are thinking!? That's not something just anyone can learn, is it? [Yeah, it's clear that that's kind of a scary thought. Not because Armin can do it - he trusts Armin, always has and always will - but because he definitely doesn't like the idea of random strangers pulling things out of his brain.]
[The more things Thorne rambles off, the wider Eren's eyes get. Eventually his jaw drops and he's just left looking completely dumbfounded. Armin could do all of that? He had no idea... Then Armin speaks up and Eren shakes himself out of it.]
Ah, no, that's not what-! [He didn't want this. He just wanted to understand, for Armin to talk to him instead of needing Thorne to explain. Eren reaches a hand out like he was going to place it on his friend's shoulder. But then stops, hesitating in place, before pulling his hand back. He looks down, not able to make eye contact as he speaks.] Why didn't you tell me about this? Don't you...? [No, he can't finish asking that question. Don't you still trust me? He's not sure he wants to hear the answer. Why else would Armin have kept this a secret?]
[Sorry, Thorne, but that wasn't a very good explanation and with him already becoming more and more worried about how much younger he is than Armin now, and how much of an idiot he must seem to all the people here that weren't born into worlds that were backwards, war-torn cages like his. Saying he was too young, without even explaining why that was an issue? It felt like salt in a wound. He very carefully keeps looking down, and now that he was done realigning the bones in her leg he let his hands clench into fists so hard his knuckles turned white. Speaking to her again now his tone was pissed. ...And also pretty damn hurt.]
I am not just some dumb kid!