Reiner doesn’t want to do this. Not to you, not to you out of everyone on this God forsaken island that you were born into. What should he do? What should he do without you?

It would’ve been better to live without knowing you at all.

His face scrunches up, a flurry of emotion etched into the corners of his eyes. His brows are angrily furrowed together, gritting his teeth as he stares at you.

This is how it was going to be and one day he’ll forget any of this ever happened. How was he to know this sadness would drive him crazy? To hell with it—

He loves you.

Reiner grabs hold of your shoulders tightly, muttering ‘I’m sorry’s over and over again. He’s shaking so hard, he’s sobbing. What a mess of a warrior he is. What a mess of a ‘soldier’ he is.

“Reiner,” You choke out, words coming out like it hurts you. And it does. “How are you trying to leave me? It’s— merciless to say something such as goodbye.”

He stares at you with his tear stained eyes, mouth cracking open. He wants to reply, he wants to say he doesn’t want to leave you here.

“I resent you for leaving me,” You sob, your hands flying to grab Reiner’s shirt. “Don’t— Don’t leave me, Reiner.”

That little sentence is all it takes for Reiner to fall into his knees, holding onto you like you’re his lifeline. Why did it have to turn out this way? Why couldn’t you have gotten killed by a titan? He wouldn’t have fallen in love with you— No, you wouldn’t have fallen in love with him.