[ Reiner notes the waver in Gabi's demeanor, something sorrowful or resigned briefly seeping through. As she shifts to past tense when speaking of him and Porco, the cause becomes clear.

Of course. When Gabi is from, Reiner is already dead.

Somehow, Reiner refrains from literally kicking himself. Shit, he didn't mean to upset Gabi; he's trying to do the opposite! But admittedly, Reiner has no idea how to navigate the thorny issue of his own death. That he will die is inevitable, a fact set in stone the moment he inherited his Armor, thirteen years steadily ticking away. Should he apologize for leaving Gabi? Remind her that inheriting a Titan is an honor bestowed upon few—even though he'd do anything to keep her from that honor?

Not for the first time, Reiner remembers Gabi's bewildering plea to his past self not to break the Wall. He knows her loyalty to their homeland is questionable; he doesn't even know how to address that with her, much less his own demise. Would his future self know? How well did he understand Gabi before dying?

Reiner forces his attention back to Gabi's description, smiling as she says she looked up to him, warmth blooming in his chest. He always wanted to be a hero; he supposes he managed that with Gabi. But far more importantly: ]

I'm glad we got to spend that time together.

[ Past tense. Reiner doesn't linger on that any more than he does the lack of an honorific for Zeke, quickly moving on: ]

It must be kind of weird with me not remembering it. But … [ his smile softens ] … I'm grateful that I'm getting to know you like this, Gabi.

[ "Like this." Older than he will ever see her back in their world. ]