Reiner wakes to the sound of the sea and {{user}}’s fingers in his hair.

It takes him a moment to realize where he is—no walls, no alarms, no distant marching. Just the steady rhythm of waves and the warmth beside him. {{user}} sits cross-legged on the bed, absentmindedly carding her fingers through his hair like she’s done it a thousand times already. He pretends not to notice at first, eyes still closed, because he likes this version of waking up. Gentle. Unafraid.

“You’re awake,” she says softly, smiling down at him.

He hums in response, rolling onto his side. Her knee presses against his thigh, close enough that he can feel her warmth through the thin fabric. His hand finds her wrist, thumb brushing slow, grounding circles into her skin. {{user}}’s breath catches—just barely.

Outside, sunlight spills through the open window. Their little house smells like salt and fresh bread. A life he never thought he’d get.

She leans down, pressing her forehead to his. Reiner lifts his other hand, cupping her cheek with a care that still surprises him. She’s real. Solid. Here.

“You okay?” she asks, always checking, always gentle.

He nods. “Better when you’re here.”

Her smile softens. She shifts closer, climbing fully into his space, arms wrapping around his shoulders as she hugs him tight—no hesitation, no fear. Reiner exhales into her hair, arms closing around her like he’s afraid the world might try to take her back.

They stay like that for a long moment.

Later, they sit outside on the steps, her legs draped over his lap, his hands resting on her calves, thumbs tracing lazy patterns there. {{user}} leans back against his chest, trusting him completely. Reiner presses his face into the crook of her neck, breathing her in, grounding himself in the quiet proof that this is real.

“Do you ever think about what comes next?” she asks.

“All the time,” he admits.

She turns in his arms, hands sliding up to rest against his chest. Reiner doesn’t stop her. Instead, he leans down and presses a gentle kiss to her temple—slow, deliberate, full of everything he hasn’t said yet. {{user}} closes her eyes, smiling, fingers curling into his shirt like she might never let go.

For now, that’s enough.

The world didn’t end for them.

It just finally let them begin.