[ the soup slides down, warm and welcoming with every tentative sip becoming gulps, then spoons for thicker chunks (and maybe just some practice to familiarize himself with spoons again). when jun asks at last, nearly done with his bowl, it’s in his lap— and he’s looking at the remains. ]

It’s not . . .

[ hard, that is. he knows full well what it is. what had always been difficult was the reaction. it would always break his heart.

but maybe saying something now meant there was a way later. so slowly, quietly, he starts: ]

It’s called “The Curse of Ymir”. The first titan died thirteen years after her ability appeared. [ he keeps his head down, but his eyes eventually trail up. ] No one after her have ever lived more than that.