[ Her words are a warning against what seems like the inevitable. That he might never know what it is to be cared for by others if he doesn't let them. But the reality of his isolation is different. He knows what it's like for others to care for you, because he's been the one who cared for others the most. But they weren't here now, and he didn't know what to do without them.

Eren was lost. He thought he had done a good enough job of living in their absence. But if it that obvious to Ophilia, who he hardly even knew, then what did that say for the many others he's come to know over the course of his stay here? Had he merely been keeping them at arm's length this whole time? The truth of it was that he was ready and willing to keep on going like that until the day he made it back home. Because he was never going to accept living somewhere he didn't choose to.

But if that meant he would never let his guard down around others, even if they meant well, was it really worth it? It's a question he thought he knew the answer to. Eren stares blankly at Ophilia as she comes to his side. He wonders if what he wants and what he needs are truly one and the same. It practically hurts him to talk, but he forces himself to. For Ophilia's sake more than his own. ]

It doesn't sound very pleasant, I'll admit.

[ His head turns to face her more. This close up, at this angle, it's easy to see the emotions he tries so hard to hide slip through the cracks. The way he clenches his jaw every time he has to say something difficult. The way his eyes flit between hers as if he's unsure what to look at. ]

But the people that cared for me haven't been a part of my life in a very long time. Be it my family, or my friends - none of them are here. And although I miss them very much, nothing is going to change that. It's...

[ Their eye contact is broken. He feels vulnerable, and tries so very hard to not let it show. But it's plain as day. ]

It's difficult to move on all on my own.