[ it's just another day. or, well, it would be save there being new arrivals, more people stuck here to 'compliment' their own current numbers. erwin spends time helping newcomers, trying to help them get acclimated.
it's later in the night when erwin starts to feel strange, a bone-deep ache he can't explain. he doesn't say anything about it: he's had mystery pains before, they always resolve themselves. perhaps he overexerted while making his assistance rounds earlier, or he just needs a good rest.
the timing of it is bad, when it finally happens. when they're alone, truly alone, and it feels like midnight no matter the time it is. inside, safe, together. it feels... their situation isn't ideal, but being together makes up for much of it even if there are deeply horrible aspects of the whole thing. they can just... sit, and talk, and spend time with each other, touch each other reverently and remind themselves that they're both really there.
it's then that the pain hits erwin so hard all at once that he has to hunch over and dry heave, his entire body tensing. for all the times he's been wounded (or even when he died), it hadn't hurt this badly, which is impressive seeing as he's had his entire arm ripped off and also had a giant rock thrown through him.
anyway, the point is, he's shaking and clenching his teeth so hard it's like he can't even drag his jaw open to speak. ]
dec 2023 tdm prompt: changelings
it's later in the night when erwin starts to feel strange, a bone-deep ache he can't explain. he doesn't say anything about it: he's had mystery pains before, they always resolve themselves. perhaps he overexerted while making his assistance rounds earlier, or he just needs a good rest.
the timing of it is bad, when it finally happens. when they're alone, truly alone, and it feels like midnight no matter the time it is. inside, safe, together. it feels... their situation isn't ideal, but being together makes up for much of it even if there are deeply horrible aspects of the whole thing. they can just... sit, and talk, and spend time with each other, touch each other reverently and remind themselves that they're both really there.
it's then that the pain hits erwin so hard all at once that he has to hunch over and dry heave, his entire body tensing. for all the times he's been wounded (or even when he died), it hadn't hurt this badly, which is impressive seeing as he's had his entire arm ripped off and also had a giant rock thrown through him.
anyway, the point is, he's shaking and clenching his teeth so hard it's like he can't even drag his jaw open to speak. ]