[ Annie was raised on violence; Reiner, progaganda; and Bertholdt, a quiet miserable acceptance of his choices. Knowing his lot in life had nowhere to go but a slow death. His anger at how Eldians were treated remains buried deep in his soul, simply to survive their day to day.
In a sense, Paradis had been what it was named after. In another, it was a living hell, a reminder of all their sins and of the people they killed, they people they would kill in the future. Far from family and only with each other to rely on, one of them already shattered mentally.
That is to say, Bertholdt is prepared for her to hit him about dying, more than he's prepared for the hug.
He goes tense when she throws her arms around him, but the moment he's not yanked or pushed; the moment he realizes she's turning her head to hide tears, he relaxes and moves. He wraps his arms around her, supporting her in case she might slide off that bench. His cheeks are still red - almost tomato-like, now - but no one could make him let her go now, except for Annie herself. ]
We were.
[ He agrees with her; he knew even at the time it wasn't fair to send a bunch of children to war. At the same time, what choice did any of them have? Whether their own drive or their parents desires, they had been made to do it.
He smiles sadly, lowering his head to rest his cheek on top of her head, in her hair. ]
I couldn't let them hurt you - either of you. I didn't want to die.
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In a sense, Paradis had been what it was named after. In another, it was a living hell, a reminder of all their sins and of the people they killed, they people they would kill in the future. Far from family and only with each other to rely on, one of them already shattered mentally.
That is to say, Bertholdt is prepared for her to hit him about dying, more than he's prepared for the hug.
He goes tense when she throws her arms around him, but the moment he's not yanked or pushed; the moment he realizes she's turning her head to hide tears, he relaxes and moves. He wraps his arms around her, supporting her in case she might slide off that bench. His cheeks are still red - almost tomato-like, now - but no one could make him let her go now, except for Annie herself. ]
We were.
[ He agrees with her; he knew even at the time it wasn't fair to send a bunch of children to war. At the same time, what choice did any of them have? Whether their own drive or their parents desires, they had been made to do it.
He smiles sadly, lowering his head to rest his cheek on top of her head, in her hair. ]
I couldn't let them hurt you - either of you. I didn't want to die.
[ He can admit that. ]
It was better me than anyone else.