[ When he first arrived here, Reiner thought that fighting was the only way. He thought it was inevitable that the Scouts would come for him, attack him, attack his cousin for being related to him. It was for Gabi's sake that Reiner first pushed for a non-aggression pact. It was for her sake that he continued pushing, even after some of the Scouts vented their frustrations on him physically, striking despite him never striking back.
But it was his relationship with Eren that solidified things. It was for Reiner that Eren agreed not to attack any Warriors, knowing how much Reiner cared about them. Without their agreement not to be angry with each other, to try something else, who knows how things would have played out?
And it's because of his relationship with Eren that Reiner isn't afraid for Annie's safety. Concerned, yes, but not afraid. He knows Eren wouldn't attack her unprovoked. Reiner has, as Annie suspects, learned to trust Eren.
Maybe that's foolish of him, considering everything. But they've been as raw and honest with each other as they know how to be. Sometimes that hurts. Sometimes it drives Reiner to despair. But he's never fallen as low as he did in that future he hasn't lived.
The future that, it occurs to him, Annie has lived. She's seen him like that—worn and broken. What did she think of that Reiner…? ]
To be fair, he calls me out on mine, too.
[ Admitting that sometimes, he's full of shit, too.
He sobers when she talks about heroics, though. Picks at what remains of his food for a second. ]
… We really came from a messed up world, Annie. I mean, I know you know that. [ He meets her eyes. ] You've always known that, haven't you? But when you talk to some other people here, you start to realize exactly how messed up it was.
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But it was his relationship with Eren that solidified things. It was for Reiner that Eren agreed not to attack any Warriors, knowing how much Reiner cared about them. Without their agreement not to be angry with each other, to try something else, who knows how things would have played out?
And it's because of his relationship with Eren that Reiner isn't afraid for Annie's safety. Concerned, yes, but not afraid. He knows Eren wouldn't attack her unprovoked. Reiner has, as Annie suspects, learned to trust Eren.
Maybe that's foolish of him, considering everything. But they've been as raw and honest with each other as they know how to be. Sometimes that hurts. Sometimes it drives Reiner to despair. But he's never fallen as low as he did in that future he hasn't lived.
The future that, it occurs to him, Annie has lived. She's seen him like that—worn and broken. What did she think of that Reiner…? ]
To be fair, he calls me out on mine, too.
[ Admitting that sometimes, he's full of shit, too.
He sobers when she talks about heroics, though. Picks at what remains of his food for a second. ]
… We really came from a messed up world, Annie. I mean, I know you know that. [ He meets her eyes. ] You've always known that, haven't you? But when you talk to some other people here, you start to realize exactly how messed up it was.