[ Months ago, Reiner might have reacted with more restraint. Hell, he might've done so only weeks ago, back before the future fucked up his sense of the present. As it stands, the sheer joy of finally seeing Annie in the flesh overrides all else. It takes her glaring down at him for Reiner to finally start getting his metaphorical shit together, if only because he's worried that if he doesn't, she'll just walk off.

He can't let her walk off. He can't let her leave without telling her about this place. She has to know what's going on. He has to take care of her.

He failed to do that back in their world. He failed to be the leader Marcel would've been. And they both know it.

Reiner shakes his head, then presses the back of a hand to his lip. Simultaneously wiping away traces of blood and forcibly smothering his laughter. ]

I know. I… [ How does he explain? ] … I haven't seen you in almost a year. Six months here, three back home. Bertholdt and I believed you were being tortured. We tried to go back for you; War Chief Zeke wouldn't allow it.

[ Realizing he's rambling, Reiner takes a breath. Bites the edge of his lip so he doesn't start grinning, which would likely earn him another kick to the face. ]

It's just really good to see you, Annie.

[ … He says, still lying on the ground with steam rising from his bloody mouth. ]