Chapter Text
The setting sun warmed Jean’s face. He leaned against the desk in his back and closed his eyes for a short moment, while a soundless sigh escaped his lips. All around Jean prevailed bustling activity and yet he seemed to be calm – that was, until he’s going to hear the scream of a very special someone. They had had dinner and the ones who were tasked with the kitchen today did their duty. The rest of their group lost themselves in scattered conversations. On the brink of his attention Jean heard Armin telling Connie, Annie and Levi about a book he had been currently reading. It contained reports of the rain forest, that nobody of them had actually ever seen. Jean smiled faintly. Maybe they would do that someday. On the other hand, he grew suspicious and hesitant when he was hearing of the palm-sized spiders. He furrowed his brows and blinked towards Armin, who still sounded way too excited. If Jean was going to tag along, Reiner needed to join too. Jean needed him to keep the spiders away from him. Or maybe he could get Annie to squish them.
Little white sparkles danced in front of Jean’s inner eye, as he was blinking again and opened his eyes completely. He needed some seconds to adjust to the lightness, then he spotted Reiner leaving the kitchen tent, carrying a big bowl in his hands. Gabi was on his heels, jumping around him while Falco followed deliberately.
“Have you seen them, Reiner? They’re just the perfect shade of red and so big, oh, they must taste so sweet.”, shrieked Gabi and Jean was pretty sure Levi was totally right that he was going to lose his sense of hearing if that girl spoke right into his ear.
That Reiner’s ears were still perfectly fine was some weird coincidence.
And yet Jean didn’t look unnerved or disturbed at all. There was just a mild smile drawn on his facial expression as Gabi was grinning and jumping and bustling with anticipation and Falco had joyful and hopeful sparks glistering in his eyes. They both had grown so much, and yet they had preserved some infantile and innocent light-heartedness in themselves. Despite everything they had encountered and done. Jean was relieved about that. Reiner too. He caught his gaze and his heart jumped stupidly in his chest, which could have been in adequate competition to Gabi’s fuss. Jean smiled slightly and Reiner reciprocated it. The sunset was nothing in comparison to that tiny smirk of his.
Well, yes, he had to be a romantic, why the fuck not.
“Of course I’ve seen them, I washed them earlier.”, Reiner stated the obvious and gifted Gabi and Falco a smile, “and I know you’re longing for the dessert, but I’ll have to remind you that there are people here that do so too. Have you washed your hands?”
It was nice, seeing Reiner with the kids. They made him smile. Jean knew they meant so much to him. He understood that they were support as well as help and orientation. A light in his darkness, that guided him out of it. Jean remembered all too well a night many months ago when Reiner had told him about the years after he had returned to Marley. He kind of knew how deep Reiner’s hopelessness had run and to what extent it had nearly driven him. How deep his guilt had dragged him all the way into the abyss of the hells. Jean often joked about Reiner’s new unexpected chance on life, but... he was glad Reiner was still with them. He couldn’t quite put it into words how glad he was. He hadn’t saved so many of their former comrades and friends.
But he had saved him. And Gabi and Falco seemed to have saved him before. Jean owed them much in the end.
Jean crossed his arms in front of his chest and watched Connie join up to him. The grey-haired man leaned on the desk behind them as well; Connie’s shoulder crashed into Jean’s upper body.
“Somehow, she’s making Sasha competition. It’s kinda… comforting? I know, it’s weird.”
“No, I was thinking the same thing. As if her spirit is living on in her. I don’t know. I’m becoming shitty sentimental. Though these are strawberries and no meat. Maybe she would have shown some restraint.”
“Sasha and restraint?”
“Huh, true, that was never a possible combination.”
They both grinned and although the saddening memory was weighing on their shoulders heavily, the shared memento uplifted their hearts all the same. As if she was still with them. She lived on in their hearts and memories.
“Strawberry-girl would have been so nicer than potato-girl. It’s kinda unfair that you and her got your nicknames and I was always just Connie.”, Connie thought aloud, which gifted him an amused and critical gaze from Jean.
“Do you want to be horseface for now on?”
“Nah, that’s your burden.”
“I would be incredibly sad if I could never call you horseface again. Or Jeanbo.”, Reiner engaged himself in their conversation and appeared in front of the two best friends. Jean didn’t see him coming and for a short moment surprise glistered in his eyes. It was replaced by indignation soon enough. Reiner’s expression displaced audacious impertinence. When did Braun discover his big mouth?
Jean liked it.
Not that he would admit that in this peculiar moment.
“Excuse me?”, Jean said and rolled his eyes, eyebrows lifted up high.
“Jeanbo is my all-time favourite.”, Connie snickered and Jean dumped his elbow in his side. “Fuck you both.”, he cursed. The faint smile on his face exposed his huff as a lie. He looked over to Reiner. “Didn’t Shadis call you ox-face, you moron?”
Reiner showed a faint smile and shrugged. “We can share a meadow, if you like.”
Connie bickered like a horse. He deserved that cursed nickname. Instead, Jean had gotten it. Tze. “Aw, that’s so cu-“, Connie teased and Jean stepped on his foot, before the dumbass could say anything more humiliating and exposing. Reiner looked irritated for a moment, then he held up the bowl to them, while Connie was muttering about his pain to himself.
“I would say you take your pick before the lion cubs throw themselves on its prey.”, Reiner granted them an important tip, which was well appreciated and Connie and Jean took their pick.
“I think you’re not an ox, but the lion mother.”, Jean shared an impression and Reiner laughed quietly. He shook his head, gave Jean a long gaze, which the scout reciprocated. And yet it didn’t last long enough. Jean would have liked to drown in these golden eyes of his. Maybe later.
Reiner went on and Connie chuckled again. “Man, it’s so hard to bite my tongue. He couldn’t stop smiling while looking at you.”, Connie whispered and threw a strawberry with its greens in his mouth.
“What? No, that’s Gabi’s and Falco’s presence. He’s always so detached when they’re around.”
“Yes and no, he was staring at you, Jeanbo. Even I see that.”, Connie munched and swallowed only, when he stopped talking. How Connie had survived until now was a mystery to Jean.
“Learn some decent table manners, dumbass.”, Jean scolded and rolled his eyes, enjoyed his own strawberry and gazed over to Reiner. He liked the thought of him making that idiot smile. It made him happy himself.
*****
Reiner ran his fingertips gently over the black carbon lines that were eternalized on the thick drawing paper. Clear edges formed a hard facial expression and yet, there was softness in the lines and in sparkling eyes, that he wouldn’t have expected. Reiner had always seen himself as a man with a striking and ridged expression. Jean had detected something more in him and had brought it onto paper. A certain gentleness beyond the distinctive features, that shined through. He was astonished.
Reiner didn’t know when Jean had drawn him. It must have been when Reiner hadn’t been aware of it. He had produced something beautiful. He looked kind of beautiful. Which was a weird thought. Reiner wasn’t sure if Jean pictured him like this and it seemed too good to be true. And yet it was tempting to do so. Just for a moment.
He put the drawing on the table next to him, laid himself back on the chair and stretched his legs. A quiet sigh left his lips. It had been an exhausting day full of physical labour and he felt the consequences of that aching in his body. He wouldn’t lie down though; his body would yearn for rest at times like these and yet Reiner knew all too well sleep wouldn’t find him that easily. And he hoped Jean would find his way into his tent. In the last week they had spent so much time together but still Reiner missed his damn cocky smile and the warmth of his body as well as the pure arrogance of his words as well as the softer sentences spoken.
There was a yearning inside of him he hadn’t been aware of for a long time. Not just for the presence of someone, but for the presence of especially the other scout. Jean had touched a dark and lonely place in his heart, had filled it with hope and assurance. Reiner had neatly tucked this longing away. And it would have worked out for quite some more time if Annie hadn’t shown the decency to give him a little push (he was relieved she didn’t kick him, her kicks were groundbreaking).
In the ambient volume of their tented village, he nonetheless still heard the footsteps that directed their human to his tent. He opened his eyes and perceived a whisper.
“Come in.”, he demanded and couldn’t control his joyful skipping heartbeat in his chest, while Jean pushed himself into the interior of Reiner’s tent. Jean grinned mischievous.
“Are you now sleeping on a chair, old man?”, he greeted him and Reiner lifted his eyebrows. He considered him with an uninterpretable stare before he reached out to Jean’s hand and dragged him close to him. Jean landed on Reiner’s lap, his legs to the left and right sides of Braun, while Jean’s hands wandered up to his jaw. He cupped his face and pulled him up into a kiss. Jean’s warm body on his, his lips onto his, his whole presence so near to him felt so damn good. He couldn't get enough of it.
Only slowly he released him from his kiss. Jean’s gaze wandered to the side, to the table where Reiner had placed his drawing carefully. Jean had dropped it in his tent when Braun had been away for the day.
“I see you found my drawing of yours.”
“I knew you still are good.”
Jean shrugged and it was obvious that he didn’t know how to deal with a compliment. Kirstein had problems dealing with compliments as well as with honest expressions of affection. Most of the time he answered with an ironic or arrogant comment to cover up the emotions he was obviously feeling. But Reiner knew how to understand the boastful behaviour. And he knew, Jean was touched.
“But I would prefer it, if you would draw me a picture of yourself.”, Reiner made a suggestion and looked up to Jean, who laughed dryly. He gazed at him critically and pondering.
“Ha. It’s weird drawing myself.”, Jean answered and eyed Reiner thoughtfully. He wondered what he might actually see in him – surely not the puppy eyes, which convinced Jean from his very perspective. “Okay. For you I’d do it. But just for you, dumbass.”, Kirstein sighed and Reiner began to grin. He pulled Jean even closer to him and tasted Jean’s gentle chuckle on his lips as he was drawing him in for a kiss. Then he buried his face in Jean’s chest, breathed in deeply as the familiar scent of him got in his nose. Reiner laid the side of his face against the fabric of his shirt, closed his eyes and listened to Jean’s heartbeat in his chest. A moment of silence stretched between them before the former Armored Titan lifted his face once more and looked up to Jean who seemed to be deep in thought.
“What are you thinking?”, the blonde man asked and his hands wandered to Jean’s shirt, lifted it up only a bit. His fingertips brushed hot skin. Yet his focus laid entirely on Jean’s words and facial expression that showed hesitation. A steep wrinkle on his forehead established itself. “I talked to Levi.”, he announced.
“Oh? Was there a problem?”
“It was quite embarrassing, thank you very much, you ignorant bastard, I will hopefully never ever be in such a cringey position ever again. But it was a good talk - if I ignore the awkward part which I definitely will.”, Jean opened up about that bygone conversation and Reiner rolled his eyes, began to massage his lower back. “I’m pretty sure you’re exaggerating.”, he said, which earned him a deadly glare from Jean. It was really funny to challenge Kirstein. His fuse was so short, no wonder he had been constantly quarrelling with Eren.
“I also talked to Connie. He saw some of my drawings of you and he proved some serious cleverness. I’m mildly concerned.”
“Oh. Is he...”, Reiner cleared his throat before speaking further on, “is he thinking that you and me aren’t supposed to...”
“What? No. No, he’s not. I’m concerned because he’s getting cleverer as ever. What should I do with him now? Conduct deep talk?”
Reiner chuckled nervously. He was pretty sure Jean was joking and Connie and him are speaking about serious topics. So he hoped, at least. He had to admit, he was a little overwhelmed with this new information. Annie was one to know, but Levi and Connie were two and three and then there was Pieck who looked very weirdly at him lately...
He had kinda thought Jean and him shared a secret.
Maybe he had been disillusioned.
“We’re really bad at keeping a low profile.”, Jean stated and Reiner blinked.
“Yeah, well. Was that our goal?”
“I don’t know, was it?”
Maybe Annie was right and they both were shitheads.
Reiner bit on his lip, staired at Jean’s torso, but before he could dive off into deep thoughts, Jean cut him off. Slim fingers reached under his chin and lifted his face up again. For a moment he got lost in those sweet light brown eyes instead. He had meant his words from last week. And he wanted Jean. He wanted him so much that it took his breath away, that it let his heart race in his chest, that it whirled his thoughts around in a great tumult.
“Levi and Connie had some input regarding you and me and I was thinking.”, Jean spoke up and for a brief moment Reiner felt fear clutching his heart. Fear that Jean finally discovered that Reiner wasn’t worth the fuss, that all this had been a dumb idea. It didn’t matter for that brief moment, that Jean was practically sitting upon him. His fear of loss never bothered with logical facts.
“What did they say?”, he asked Jean and though his voice seemed to be steady, he didn’t feel that way. He felt like he was on the edge of a high cliff, ready to collapse down into the deep ocean. Down to where the cold and numbing environment outmatched iron and sharp thoughts and feelings in his mind and heart.
“That you often do look like a little puppy that wants a hug and that I was right about that indeed.”, Jean teased him, which earned him a confused look from Reiner, wherefore Jean sighed. A faint smile appeared on his face. “The gist was that they think we harmonise together and shouldn’t think too much about everything. So… I know you wanted to take slow steps and it’s okay for me this way. We don’t need to do anything that you don’t want to. Just... when you put your doubts and hesitation aside. No guilt. No fear. No self-hate. When we silence that fearful part of you for just a moment. What does your heart tell you?”
Reiner stared at Jean, processing all his words that dripped on him like warm rain in those hot summer days. So, this was clearly no ending. Was it? It didn’t sound like it. Reiner breathed again, didn’t register until now that he has held it in. “So, you don’t want to... oh.”, he muttered to himself. Breath by breath his strain flooded away.
Out of nowhere, Jean bumped his fist at his chest.
“You didn’t just think I was going to leave you, weren’t you? You’re such an idiot. Braun. I literally just said no doubts, that also counts for my feelings towards you, dumbass.”
Reiner laughed softly. It grew bigger the longer he stayed silent and was thinking about his feelings for Jean. About the feelings Jean apparently had for him. It didn’t take him long to find words for what he was absolutely sure of.
“Jean. My dumb heart wants you.”
He meant it. Of course he didn’t just want his body; he wanted everything of Jean. Every dumb joke, every insult, every smile.
“It must be really clever for that, I’m annoying, but also amazing.”
A deep-throated laugh escaped Reiner’s lungs. He shook his head and pushed his hands under Jean’s shirt, touching his back. “I’ve been witness to that annoyance countless times now. Sometimes I do wonder where you get your ego boosts.”
“You could use some of them too.” Jean was quiet for a few seconds, then he requited his smile. “I want to be with you, too, Reiner.”
In this moment he couldn’t have heard more beautiful words. His heart flapped like the wings of a little bird, off into the distant sky. He drew Jean closer to him. A little laugh escaped his lips. Reiner had never thought it was possible or adequate for him to give and receive such feelings and yet he was here, giving and receiving. It seemed like a beautiful dream and yet he was quite sure this was reality. After all the pain of the bygone years it was so wonderful.
“To get back to the previous topic. Well… it’s a really nice coincidence, that my dumb heart wants your dumb heart too. And now that we’ve decided you let your guilt, self-hate and fear aside for the moment, I was wondering… if you’re cool if we take this between you and me to the next level?”
Reiner blinked.
Of all the places this was going he would have never expected this. Jean was literally asking him to be his partner.
Of course, Jean was right, he was scared as hell and also, he was pretty convinced he didn’t deserve any of this, let alone live. Of all the crimes he committed, all the people he had killed… he tried to atone, but how do you atone in the unforgivable shadow of this sheer atrocity? He would have deserved to die many times.
But here he was with a blasting opportunity for… love. And when he thought of Annie’s words to him, well… why not take the chance? Jean wanted him. Him. And he wanted him so much too. He didn’t know if it was okay. But he knew he wanted this.
His heart pondered against his chest, he felt so warm suddenly and nervous too, but still there was a little smile being summoned on his face. Jean made him smile so many times over.
“Jean Kirstein, are you asking me to be your boyfriend?”
The little smile mutated to a grin as realization kicked in, was filling his heart and soul with so much luck that he didn’t know if he could bear it. Jean exhaled loudly, his cheeks red and that awkwardness he was feeling was so lovely and funny to see. Reiner just couldn’t help himself but to tease. Jean just seemed to nonverbally and unintentionally ask for it.
“I genuinely hate you right now for keeping me in this awkward spot waiting for an answer.”, Jean complained.
Reiner laughed and pulled the other one closer, grabbed him by his neck and dragged him near his face, though he hovered with his lips over Jean’s.
“Yes. Yes, I want to be your boyfriend.”, he was giving him an answer that was so hoped for. Now it was up to Jean to let his strain go, he sighed and let his forehead rest on Reiner’s. “For a brief moment you had me worried.”, he confessed and chuckled.
“The no doubts part counts for you too, idiot. I’m pretty much in love with you.”
“Ha. Touché. And... guess I’m in love with you, too, Reiner.”
They both laughed and looked upon each other. Reiner loved these little sparkles in his amber eyes, that matched so well with this detached and confident smile of his right now. Finally, Jean bowed down to him and kissed him so spurred and sweet and longingly that Reiner did indeed forget the strings that held him back for now. He tasted Jean’s lips on his, the faint taste of strawberries on his own, combined with the alluring smell of fir, pepper and paper. He felt his warm breath on his face, his lips on his lips, his body on his body and a well-known tingle and pull started to arise in Reiner’s lower body, letting his vocal cords emerge a groan against Jean’s lips.
And as they went on into the night, he inhaled every part of Jean where he could lay a finger upon, tasting love and happiness in such a full manner of perfection, he would not want to change a single thing.
Jean. How he loved that beautiful bastard.
*****
“Which one of you dipshits packed the bags? Everything’s just tossed in, for fuck’s sake, how am I supposed to find sunscreen, jeez…”, Jean swore under his breath as he was rummaging the bags, searching desperately what could be sunscreen. He would never ever make the mistake again to let Reiner and Gabi pack bags for a trip to the beach. Jean found many other things while searching; like towels, changing clothes, an inflatable ball, which he tossed to Connie and Falco, something that looked suspiciously like a box full of strawberries, that were supposed to stay in the kitchen ... He sighed and looked up, as Reiner was throwing a shadow over him, blocking out the sun itself.
“Language, love. The kids are around.”, he mused and Jean gazed at him with a judgmental look. He didn't need to speak up. Gabi did it for him.
“We’re not kids anymore, Reiner!”, Gabi protested in her shrieking manner that earned her a death-glare from Levi. But Gabi was clever enough to always have a safe distance between her and him or enough distance to run away. That she still was alive was a mystery, though, Jean could not quite understand it.
“I highly doubt that, giving your lacking sense of reasonability and capability to evaluate situations correctly.”, Levi muttered and let him finally be helped by Onyankopon. Sand dunes were just not suited for a wheelchair.
“Jean is cursing in front of us all the time.”, Falco told Reiner and Connie laughed loudly, before Falco gave the still flat ball to Connie, who took on the responsibility deliberately. Though it wouldn’t stop him from teasing Jean beforehand.
“That’s his love language, I guess.”, Connie chuckled and grinned even wider, as Jean stuck out his tongue in the direction of his best friend. He couldn’t speak up and protest, because Reiner was interrupting him.
”Jean, for real?”, Reiner asked and now it was onto him to send him a warning look.
“What can I say, life with you is just that hard to bear, I have to cope in some manner.”, Jean told him, grinned cheekily and Reiner rolled his eyes, though the soft smile on his face told him he thought him unbearably lovable. Jean’s grin grew even wider. Then he found a tube inside the large bag und cried out a “Ha!”, as he finally found the sunscreen. He threw it over to Gabi. “Apply some. You had a horrible sunburn a week ago, I will not see this again.”, he scolded her and fell on his ass in the sand.
“Jean has always had a big mouth, if he’s saying otherwise, he’s lying.”, Armin told them deliberately, putting up folding chairs. Jean shot an incredulous gaze over to him.
“What the fuck, Armin, I thought you were my friend. Why is everyone stabbing me in the back?”
“I am. Friends don’t lie to and about each other.”, Armin shared his wisdom.
“You are all dipshits. And I’m going to speak like I want. As if I’m the only one swearing.”
“You definitely are the only one who uses such a colorful language in such a big amount.”, Reiner engaged himself in the conversation again and fell next to Jean into the sand. Jean sighed.
“Is this how it is to have kids? I’m definitely too young for all of that. Am I already sprouting grey hairs?”, he asked Reiner and showed him his parting of hair. That seemed to amuse Reiner, as he was laughing.
“You look attractive as ever.”
“That’s not an answer to my question. Now you got me worried. Did I pack a pocket mirror?”
Jean rummages through their bag again, but didn’t get what he was actually looking for. He looked back to Reiner, gifted him a broad grin, then he placed his sunhat on his head and caught the sunscreen Gabi was tossing back to him. “Did you give it to Falco?”, Reiner asked and Gabi screamed something that sounded like a confirmation, already running off to the waves, chased by Falco and Connie. It somehow really felt like he was now part of Reiner’s family, to which Falco was no blood relative, but nobody seemed to care about that. Falco and Gabi hanged with Jean and Connie as much as they were pestering Levi or Reiner or Pieck. Jean was kinda astonished how much time they had to keep everyone occupied. And energy. Mostly energy.
Jean got rid of his shoes, kicked them away and dug his toes into the sand. He got rid of his shirt as well and Reiner did the same, presented him his beautiful body. He searched for Reiner’s hand and intertwined their fingers. He looked over to his boyfriend and smiled. The others had just accepted their relationship; even Falco and Gabi were so cheerful. Jean had the slight feeling, everyone already somehow knew. Maybe Connie did really talk. Or they were catastrophically bad at hiding their feelings in front of everybody and catastrophically good in keeping them disillusioned from themselves. Seemed like a real talent.
Jean had still problems in getting warm with Reiner’s mom and she also had some trouble, but she tried to overcome her issues – probably for the sake of her son. Not that Jean would make it easy for her.
A sigh left his lips, while he was letting his gaze wander, over to Armin and Annie, who built up their own private parasol where they would soon shyly kiss each other when they thought nobody was watching. The two lovebirds were so awkward sometimes that Jean couldn’t stop teasing them. He was sure Annie would murder him some night in his sleep.
Maybe Reiner could save him from that tragic fate.
Jean leaned his body against Reiner’s, looked over to him, into the gaze of his golden eyes that competed with the sun. “I’m happy we could finally take the trip. Gabi and Falco were so unnerving lately, I hope they remember our kindness.”, Jean spoke up. Reiner lifted a single eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure you wanted to take this trip as badly as them.”, he reminded him and Jean grinned and shrugged. “The ocean is nice, what can I say. I’m eager to do some drawing here.”, he told Reiner and let his gaze wander to the waves of the sea. He loved the sound of the waves crushing on the beach, as well as the view of the sun glistening in the surface of the water.
“How had it been? Seeing the ocean for the first time? I bet it must have been quite a sight.”, Reiner asked him.
“It was breathtaking. Amazing. Really indescribable. We couldn’t wrap our heads around all of it. Even Mikasa was visibly amazed. Connie, Sasha and me were bathing in the waves, it was so insane. Sasha threw salty water in her eyes and I drank it.”
Reiner looked at him unbelievingly. Then he laughed loudly.
“What the fuck, Jean? I had thought you were the smart one out of the three of you until now.”
“I have to admit, it wasn’t my brightest moment. But hey! It was hard picturing a sea full of salt water. We hadn’t had that huge source of salt in Paradis, okay?”
“I really wish I would have seen you all. Had to be funny as hell.”, Reiner still chuckled and Jean shook his head while grinning. It had been incredible. And of course he had to check if the water really was salty. Armin could have told them anything!
“Dumbass. You know, I’m also not just eager to draw, but also to throw my cheeky boyfriend into the ocean.”, Jean announced and didn’t realise into what trouble he was getting himself into.
“Mhm. And you’re convinced that you’re the one who’s going to get thrown in there?”, Reiner teased him and grinned widely. It was a sight to see.
“Pretty much, yes. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m bigger than you now and-”, the scout answered, but never had the chance to finish his sentence.
Jean had been pretty sure he was too heavy for Reiner to be that easily lifted into the air.
How wrong he was with his evaluation.
Reiner lifted him up from the ground and before Jean could kick him somewhere where it hurt, he carried him bridal-style over to the water and threw him into the waves.
Bastard.
Falco, Gabi and Connie snickered and before Jean could stand up properly, they all splashed themselves with water and he was wet from head to toe and gulping salty water again. Jean grabbed Reiner’s hand, dragged him into the waves, which lead to Reiner releasing a loud laugh. They fought their water splashing battle for several minutes, until Reiner demanded a pause and mercy upon them, which was generously granted. Jean took Reiner’s hand and dragged him with him, out of the water and onto the sand, which began to stick to his feet – all the way muttering colourful insults and swearing endless payback. They fell on the ground again and Reiner laid a towel over their shoulders. Jean boxed him in his side and smiled slightly. He laid his head on Reiner’s shoulder, felt the coolness of his skin and the warmth of his body.
“I love you, you bastard.”, Jean spoke silent words and heard Reiner’s soft laugh, didn’t need to see his smile to know it was there. He felt confident. Happy. Being here with Reiner, being at his side. It was just right. It was good. It felt so damn good.
“I love you, too.”, Reiner said.
And it was just a perfect moment.