Birthdays are complicated. That's true for anyone who holds the power of a Titan, no matter how long or short a time it's been. In the beginning, it was easy for Reiner to ignore the passing of years, so focused was he on his mission. As time wore on, that became more difficult.
Is it the same for Eren? Reiner hasn't asked. Not in so many words. It isn't as though Eren understood the gravity of each year—at least not until later. Not until Eren has already said farewell to a decent chunk of thirteen.
Here in Ellipsa, they've been assured that the Curse of Ymir is absent or dormant. They're supposed to have time here. They should have time.
Still, birthdays remain complicated for Reiner. So he does what he can to make Eren's birthday something good. (Just in case? Or just because he wants to? It amounts to the same thing in the end, doesn't it?)
Food features prominently in Reiner's plans for the day. ("Plans" being a generous description; he hasn't planned much beyond "food" and Eren's gift.) He cooks things he thinks Eren would like, trying recipes new and old. Some probably go over better than others; some simply taste better with the (frankly ludicrous) amount of spices Reiner dumps in, well aware of his Eren's preference for heat.
It's late in the day when Reiner decides to give Eren his gift. Late, because Reiner couldn't figure out precisely how to do so earlier. He still doesn't know—but time is a luxury they may or may not have. And even if Reiner isn't sure how to present it, this was the most meaningful gift Reiner could think to give.
"Hey, Eren," he says, a hand reaching out to touch Eren's elbow. They're in private, or at least private enough as far as Reiner is concerned. No eavesdroppers, at least. (Not that Reiner is good at spotting those.) "I have something for you."
In his other hand, Reiner holds a crystal that Eren may or may not recognize. Reiner won it back in October during the so-called "Renewed Test of Courage" quest. It holds the power to share a memory with someone else, but only one and only once.
backdated allll the way to eren's bday (weeps i'm sorry this took so long)
Is it the same for Eren? Reiner hasn't asked. Not in so many words. It isn't as though Eren understood the gravity of each year—at least not until later. Not until Eren has already said farewell to a decent chunk of thirteen.
Here in Ellipsa, they've been assured that the Curse of Ymir is absent or dormant. They're supposed to have time here. They should have time.
Still, birthdays remain complicated for Reiner. So he does what he can to make Eren's birthday something good. (Just in case? Or just because he wants to? It amounts to the same thing in the end, doesn't it?)
Food features prominently in Reiner's plans for the day. ("Plans" being a generous description; he hasn't planned much beyond "food" and Eren's gift.) He cooks things he thinks Eren would like, trying recipes new and old. Some probably go over better than others; some simply taste better with the (frankly ludicrous) amount of spices Reiner dumps in, well aware of his Eren's preference for heat.
It's late in the day when Reiner decides to give Eren his gift. Late, because Reiner couldn't figure out precisely how to do so earlier. He still doesn't know—but time is a luxury they may or may not have. And even if Reiner isn't sure how to present it, this was the most meaningful gift Reiner could think to give.
"Hey, Eren," he says, a hand reaching out to touch Eren's elbow. They're in private, or at least private enough as far as Reiner is concerned. No eavesdroppers, at least. (Not that Reiner is good at spotting those.) "I have something for you."
In his other hand, Reiner holds a crystal that Eren may or may not recognize. Reiner won it back in October during the so-called "Renewed Test of Courage" quest. It holds the power to share a memory with someone else, but only one and only once.