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She wasn't here today either.

Nothing but an odd coincidence, is what you guess. Maybe you were looking too into things. People at the studio began giving you strange looks now and then, but could you blame them?

It wasn't a brilliant rivalry, rather; Annie's art was seen more than yours. Aside the occasional bitterness you felt, it wasn't that horrible. She's a passionate person, despite her cool exterior. You know that. But even with this fact, a few co-workers of yours were beginning to tease you. Even going as far as to make ridiculous accusations.

Only for you to roll your eyes, and give a snarky response. That was all you could do. The co-workers you do have fabricate this nonexistent "competition" between you and the blonde - since you're always second to her.

But you wouldn't hurt her. It's art, after all. You are content with the small audience that you have. Never once do you feel the need to expand your exposure - especially not if it meant hurting someone else.

As you twirl a pen in your hand absentmindedly, you try to drone out your co-workers talking. It shifts from a topic about sports to Annie once again, much to your displeasure.

"It's only normal to think something happened to her, you know?" Jean declares with a shrug. He side glances you, only to catch your weary expression.

"Jean," you begin, voice echoing your worn out state. "If Armin sneezes, will you blame it on me because he accidentally spilt paint on my canvas? And I got mad at him? No, I didn't think so." A huff leaves your lips, and luckily, he doesn't say much else.

After a few seconds, he pipes up again, "I'm only joking, [First]."

"You've been saying that for the past three days," your eyes narrow. "Has your sense of humor gone to shit then, Kirschtein?"

Jean's eyebrow twitches. "I-"

"Shut the hell up." a new voice interrupts. You're unsure whether to sigh in relief or not upon recognizing the voice. Eren enters the room, turquoise eyes blazing with irritation. Much like you, except you can't hold passionate anger as long as him. Eren has a talent for holding grudges, regardless of how much sleep he has.

Jean clicks his tongue. "I'm out of this snooze fest."

He then proceeds to exit the room, but not before sneaking an almost unnoticeable middle finger at Eren. Eren -- of course -- takes notice. You tug on his sleeve before he can go argue some more.

"It's not worth the effort," you yawn. "He's an ass at times, yeah, but it's only natural. He'll become less of an asshole someday, probably."

"That day couldn't come sooner." he replies, sitting down next to you. Eren never was one for personal space, but for an unknown reason, he backs away from you. You raise an eyebrow, but he doesn't say anything.

"Well, regardless," you clear your throat. "Thanks for helping me out back there. You're right, honestly. I can't wait for the day in which Jean stops being a total ass."

Eren's unease melts as he cackles at the thought. "No problem. I'll help you out anytime."

There's a strange grin on his face once he finishes speaking - but you don't comment on it.

"How's your new project going?" he inquires curiously, scooting closer to you. Looks like his issue with personal space went away. You sigh, remembering your latest project. It was a painting on a large canvas. You've lost all of your motivation to continue it - but with Annie missing - your gallery needs more paintings to sell. But, you couldn't even force yourself to continue at this point.

"Not the best," you admit. "It's... strange. Mm, maybe I shouldn't talk about it..." After trailing off, Eren's palm overlaps the top of your hand. Your eyes widen at the supposedly comforting action. His hands, they were chilly. The comfort that he intends isn't sinking it, rather, goosebumps dot your skin.

You ignore your random unease, and decide to continue what you were saying beforehand. Eren was a trustworthy guy, after all. All throughout your career, he continues to support your art. Even at the beginning, and even now.

You begin to gnaw on your lip. Eren's eyes glance down, before glancing back up gain.

"So, like I was saying, it's strange," you look to the side. "Annie's art, it inspires me. It always has. I feel like, ever since she's gone 'missing', I've lost a challenge. They say iron sharpens iron, right? If I'm to be honest, in the slight envy I've felt of her attention, I like her works. They're colorful, unique; and, just amazing. Not seeing her passion as of late has gotten to me, I guess. You can laugh or whatever, I often laugh at myself."

Eren tenses immediately after your words, and grimaces. You're unsure why, but you guess it's because he thinks your weird.

"You're saying that... you don't hate her? You never thought that she's, uh, how should I word this... a roadblock that's in the way of your success?"

You crinkle your nose, "Nope, never. I admit that I can get envious of her talent like I said before, but, she's an inspiration."

His mouth is agape, eyes widened, and body unmoving.

"Eren...?"

He clears his throat, and abruptly stands up. Eren's murmuring things you can't hope to hear entirely. You only catch the word "mistake."

"I'm sorry, I, I- I have to go." he gulps, his palms sweating. After running a hand through his chocolate locks, he doesn't wait for a response; before he dashes off.

You can only stare, confusion lacing your expression. Your eyes flutter shut, and you lean back in your chair.

'What was that all about?'
Eren stares at a wall. The wall itself is a pale color, as it has always been. Only now has bits of vermillion dotted across it.

'It's getting late,' he thinks. His eyes are blank, almost as lifeless as the ones beneath him.

"I... messed up, didn't I?" he laughs humorlessly. Eren stops his chuckling, only to frown again. There's a lump on the floor; one that he rather not look at. Even with trying his best to ignore his failure, it's impossible to escape the reality.

It's a heavy weight to carry. The act of murder isn't one that deserves forgiveness, Eren is aware of that. Yet, guilt is an emotion he was devoid of before.

Until he learns how you feel about her.

Eren grits his teeth, "I don't know what I'll do if they never create art again."

His previous thinking was that of a psychopath. The first draft of his plan was to help expand your art, it was innocent enough. It wasn't a all that evil when he silenced her. It was only to help you, right? He was going to give you more breathing room, right?

But no. If anything, he took a sole piece of what inspires you to begin with.

'All I want is for you to be happy.'

He is failing quite miserably at that. Eren's eyes suddenly light up when a thought comes to mind. Was it farfetched? Only in the slightest, but most ideas are. He's sure it will do the necessary trick.

"Maybe if," he whispers. "Maybe if I... give them a gift."

Eren smiles. Once again, he acknowledges the lifeless lump of flesh strewn lazily on the ground.

'I'll give Annie to them! They'll feel motivation again; I'm sure of it.'

He gets up, and steps towards the object of his thoughts. His lips jolt into a chilling smile.

"No matter what I need to do," he murmurs while looking at the blonde's once terror-stricken face:

"I'll make sure you're happy."

Description
She wasn't here today either.

Nothing but an odd coincidence, is what you guess. Maybe you were looking too into things. People at the studio began giving you strange looks now and then, but could you blame them?

It wasn't a brilliant rivalry, rather; Annie's art was seen more than yours. Aside the occasional bitterness you felt, it wasn't that horrible. She's a passionate person, despite her cool exterior. You know that. But even with this fact, a few co-workers of yours were beginning to tease you. Even going as far as to make ridiculous accusations.

Only for you to roll your eyes, and give a snarky response. That was all you could do. The co-workers you do have fabricate this nonexistent "competition" between you and the blonde - since you're always second to her.

But you wouldn't hurt her. It's art, after all. You are content with the small audience that you have. Never once do you feel the need to expand your exposure - especially not if it meant hurting someone else.

As you twirl a pen in your hand absentmindedly, you try to drone out your co-workers talking. It shifts from a topic about sports to Annie once again, much to your displeasure.

"It's only normal to think something happened to her, you know?" Jean declares with a shrug. He side glances you, only to catch your weary expression.

"Jean," you begin, voice echoing your worn out state. "If Armin sneezes, will you blame it on me because he accidentally spilt paint on my canvas? And I got mad at him? No, I didn't think so." A huff leaves your lips, and luckily, he doesn't say much else.

After a few seconds, he pipes up again, "I'm only joking, [First]."

"You've been saying that for the past three days," your eyes narrow. "Has your sense of humor gone to shit then, Kirschtein?"

Jean's eyebrow twitches. "I-"

"Shut the hell up." a new voice interrupts. You're unsure whether to sigh in relief or not upon recognizing the voice. Eren enters the room, turquoise eyes blazing with irritation. Much like you, except you can't hold passionate anger as long as him. Eren has a talent for holding grudges, regardless of how much sleep he has.

Jean clicks his tongue. "I'm out of this snooze fest."

He then proceeds to exit the room, but not before sneaking an almost unnoticeable middle finger at Eren. Eren -- of course -- takes notice. You tug on his sleeve before he can go argue some more.

"It's not worth the effort," you yawn. "He's an ass at times, yeah, but it's only natural. He'll become less of an asshole someday, probably."

"That day couldn't come sooner." he replies, sitting down next to you. Eren never was one for personal space, but for an unknown reason, he backs away from you. You raise an eyebrow, but he doesn't say anything.

"Well, regardless," you clear your throat. "Thanks for helping me out back there. You're right, honestly. I can't wait for the day in which Jean stops being a total ass."

Eren's unease melts as he cackles at the thought. "No problem. I'll help you out anytime."

There's a strange grin on his face once he finishes speaking - but you don't comment on it.

"How's your new project going?" he inquires curiously, scooting closer to you. Looks like his issue with personal space went away. You sigh, remembering your latest project. It was a painting on a large canvas. You've lost all of your motivation to continue it - but with Annie missing - your gallery needs more paintings to sell. But, you couldn't even force yourself to continue at this point.

"Not the best," you admit. "It's... strange. Mm, maybe I shouldn't talk about it..." After trailing off, Eren's palm overlaps the top of your hand. Your eyes widen at the supposedly comforting action. His hands, they were chilly. The comfort that he intends isn't sinking it, rather, goosebumps dot your skin.

You ignore your random unease, and decide to continue what you were saying beforehand. Eren was a trustworthy guy, after all. All throughout your career, he continues to support your art. Even at the beginning, and even now.

You begin to gnaw on your lip. Eren's eyes glance down, before glancing back up gain.

"So, like I was saying, it's strange," you look to the side. "Annie's art, it inspires me. It always has. I feel like, ever since she's gone 'missing', I've lost a challenge. They say iron sharpens iron, right? If I'm to be honest, in the slight envy I've felt of her attention, I like her works. They're colorful, unique; and, just amazing. Not seeing her passion as of late has gotten to me, I guess. You can laugh or whatever, I often laugh at myself."

Eren tenses immediately after your words, and grimaces. You're unsure why, but you guess it's because he thinks your weird.

"You're saying that... you don't hate her? You never thought that she's, uh, how should I word this... a roadblock that's in the way of your success?"

You crinkle your nose, "Nope, never. I admit that I can get envious of her talent like I said before, but, she's an inspiration."

His mouth is agape, eyes widened, and body unmoving.

"Eren...?"

He clears his throat, and abruptly stands up. Eren's murmuring things you can't hope to hear entirely. You only catch the word "mistake."

"I'm sorry, I, I- I have to go." he gulps, his palms sweating. After running a hand through his chocolate locks, he doesn't wait for a response; before he dashes off.

You can only stare, confusion lacing your expression. Your eyes flutter shut, and you lean back in your chair.

'What was that all about?'
Eren stares at a wall. The wall itself is a pale color, as it has always been. Only now has bits of vermillion dotted across it.

'It's getting late,' he thinks. His eyes are blank, almost as lifeless as the ones beneath him.

"I... messed up, didn't I?" he laughs humorlessly. Eren stops his chuckling, only to frown again. There's a lump on the floor; one that he rather not look at. Even with trying his best to ignore his failure, it's impossible to escape the reality.

It's a heavy weight to carry. The act of murder isn't one that deserves forgiveness, Eren is aware of that. Yet, guilt is an emotion he was devoid of before.

Until he learns how you feel about her.

Eren grits his teeth, "I don't know what I'll do if they never create art again."

His previous thinking was that of a psychopath. The first draft of his plan was to help expand your art, it was innocent enough. It wasn't a all that evil when he silenced her. It was only to help you, right? He was going to give you more breathing room, right?

But no. If anything, he took a sole piece of what inspires you to begin with.

'All I want is for you to be happy.'

He is failing quite miserably at that. Eren's eyes suddenly light up when a thought comes to mind. Was it farfetched? Only in the slightest, but most ideas are. He's sure it will do the necessary trick.

"Maybe if," he whispers. "Maybe if I... give them a gift."

Eren smiles. Once again, he acknowledges the lifeless lump of flesh strewn lazily on the ground.

'I'll give Annie to them! They'll feel motivation again; I'm sure of it.'

He gets up, and steps towards the object of his thoughts. His lips jolt into a chilling smile.

"No matter what I need to do," he murmurs while looking at the blonde's once terror-stricken face:

"I'll make sure you're happy."