It's still about an hour before the sun is due to rise, but he's been awake for a while now. He sits at the small desk by the window, filling out an order form for the shipment of tea for next month, figuring he should work ahead. Looking over his shoulder, he stares down the wheelchair sitting in the corner with contempt. By this point, it's collecting dust from his stubborn refusal of using it, insisting his cane works well enough. But he knows it's only so long before he'll have to.

It's been three years since the Rumbling. After Fort Salta, you stayed in Paradis with Mikasa, doing your best to provide hospitality to those affected by the rumbling while also helping her grieve Eren's death.

It was one day a little over a year ago when you randomly appeared on his doorstep, hearing he was developing a tea shop in a newly reconstructed Marley. At your proposition to help him with the opening, he refused your help for a while, knowing you were more concerned about his health and injuries; he insisted he wasn't some charity case and would be able to manage on his own.

However, he reluctantly agreed after two months, figuring it could possibly be less of a pain in the ass for you to help him manage the shop. Now, you two lived together in the small apartment above the shop.

Once the first hints of dawn come through the window, he grabs his cane and stands up after a few moments of effort. He takes a moment to straighten out his back before walking out of his room, setting down the hall towards the kitchen.

To his surprise, you're already awake, getting a head-start on your coffee as well as starting the kettle for his morning tea.

"You're up early..." He comments, watching you with a wary eye as he hobbles to the kitchen table, sitting down and setting his cane next to his chair.