A light rain is falling over Amberfall when Reiner returns home in the evening. It's been a long, emotionally charged day. He didn't expect to see Annie again. He certainly didn't expect even a fraction of what she revealed to him. Now, with a bit of distance between him and all that she told him, it's starting to sink in.

Falco and the Jaw. Porco's death. His mother's survival. Getting people out of Liberio. A final fight. The end of Titans. Building a better future.

'Stopping' Eren. Eren lying.

He finds Eren in the house they share. Stands there for a long moment, just watching him: a beautiful storm in the form of a boy. How much of what Eren didn't tell him was intentional? How much was because of how Eren experiences reality?

He remembers how betrayed he felt after Armin told him about Bertholdt. Betrayed by Armin, yes, but also by Eren for not telling him. He remembers how he wondered if Eren had done so to hurt him. If it had all been part of some elaborate revenge.

Reiner doesn't feel betrayed this time. He knows better. Knows that Eren wants what they have, always. Knows that Eren only kept Bertholdt's death from him because he didn't want to hurt Reiner even worse.

Did he do the same thing this time…? How much hasn't Eren shared?

Maybe Reiner is watching Eren unobserved. Maybe Eren is staring back. Either way, Reiner folds his arms. Speaks into the silence.

"I ran into Annie. She had a lot to say."