Eddie froze in his muscles for half a minute, staring at Eridan with that plastic smile of his. It was a facial feature well practiced and worn so often before the Establishment's company. That static, buzzing smile. Twitching only in the corners.

Winston Smith, he had alluded.

The next half of that minute was spent violently, Eddie's hands seeking to tear at Eridan's once-gill scars. Thumbs pressing into larynx. His body pressing against Eridan's, pulling them both down, using the advantage of surprise to angle a pinning.

He took pains not to bash Eridan's skull against the stovetop. He wondered if the Alternian had noticed.

"It must be s-so hard," Eddie whispered against and ear. "So hard for you. Still desperately hating someone you admire -- hate to admire. Afraid to invest lest I d-disappear again. Afraid that I judge you for choosing the easy route."

Lips touching aural cartilage.

"So hard for you."