["That’s been in you all along."]

I was different once? Is that what you’re trying to say?

[As cold as ever:]

Of course I was.

[Of course some of that would still flicker through, try as he might to control it. Try as he might…]

I was there in the barracks too, Aubrey. I’m not stupid. I’m not trying to convince you that what happened wasn’t real.

[He might have been trying to convince her of that - until he saw it wasn’t working.]

That conflicts you. I can understand that.

But you’re right. It doesn’t change anything - not in a way that matters.

All of this? [He makes just a small gesture to the space surrounding them.]

It’s temporary.

[They are temporary.

[Makes this all the more dangerous, honestly. Eren’s heart beats just a little faster at some realization he hasn’t fully processed yet.]