The return to reality is dizzying, the tranquil shooting range suddenly replaced by flashing lights vying for Reiner's attention. His eyes automatically squint in protest, lips twitching in the shadow of a grimace. He'll adjust to this place—he always adjusts, bludgeoning his brain until it accepts whatever the new "normal" may be—but still. He's starting to think he prefers the countryside. Or maybe that's just all his years in Paradis talking. Maybe he'll grow to love Nightwake's obnoxious sights and sounds as much as Liberio's gray streets.

He gives a quiet huff at that thought. Yeah, and maybe Jean will quit thinking he's a traitorous bastard, too. Ridiculous.

Then the sound of his name hits Reiner's ears, that voice registering in his body before his mind catches up. His back straightens, lightning dancing up his spine, stomach swooping with some emotion he can't immediately identify. (Dread? Lust?) A split-second later, he turns his head to the side, finding—

"Eren."

Still older than he should be. Still carelessly gorgeous. Still someone who wants Reiner dead, actions in a certain alleyway aside.

(To his credit, Reiner's eyes don't immediately dip to Eren's lips, but it's a near thing. That way lies madness, and Reiner already has plenty of that.)

How long has Eren been standing there watching him? The realization that he has no idea sends a slight chill through Reiner. He thought he'd maintained a better sense of his surroundings, even with his vision obscured. Apparently, the VR game is more immersive than he realized.

"For now," he says, giving a slight shrug to shake off the chill. Answering the question because that's safer than staring into Eren's eyes. "It said that I beat the 'level,' and it wants more coins to continue."

Which sounds like absolute nonsense, evidenced by the slightly stilted way Reiner says it. He's trying to adapt as quickly as possible, but even Reiner needs some time to adjust to his environment.