Another time, with some sort of established level of comfort, Eren might even agree to Reiner's desire, wrists tied to bedposts or tied behind his back or who knows what, pressed against green sheets. Eren so rarely thinks of any of this taking place in his own space, his own bed. He doesn't consider any space he inhabits his so it doesn't really matter to him. Someday maybe he'll get over his transient thinking, but he's not there yet.

Today, the neutrality seems necessary. It's not loaded like this, at least not any more than it has to be.

Eren is fairly self-aware but he's not quite so self-aware that he can properly assess why he wants to do this. It's not about the unburdening bit; he doesn't really give a shit about that. Is it about loss of control? Is it some sick sort of familiarity, rope against his skin, in another context than he's had it done before? It's surely more than base curiosity.

He tilts his head and meets Reiner's eyes.

"You think so?"

Predictably, he doesn't smile back, but that teasing sort of smirk works its way onto his face.

"You gonna be able to be patient enough to actually tie those knots, or you think you'll get too hard and have to give up halfway?"

It's the stupidest kind of challenge, but at least it's one that's safe. This isn't the kind of challenge with teeth, not the kind at the water joust. Eren's fine about saying things like this when he still has his clothes on. It's when he gets flustered that he stumbles.