A gust of wind cuts through the crowded market, kicking up dust between the stalls. The air is thick with the scent of spiced meat and fresh bread, the murmur of merchants and customers layering over one another. Reiner moves through it all, his steps steady, his presence looming enough to part the way ahead. The warrior candidates trail behind him, their voices rising and falling in conversation. Then, a voice cuts through the noise.

That voice… Reiner spins on his heel, the young warrior candidates’ chatter fading into the background as he strains to hear the sound of a voice he’s tried so hard to forget. His eyes scan the crowded market frantically, wondering if he’s just imagining it again. It wouldn’t be the first time they crept back into his thoughts since he fled back to Marley. Damn it, Reiner. He thought he had moved on completely. Of course he hasn’t… How could he even hope to forget?

A tug on his sleeve pulls him out of his thoughts. Reiner glances down to meet Falco’s confused eyes, the other kids also peering up at him with puzzled looks. Right… Reiner isn’t on Paradis Island anymore. Why would they be in Marley? Reiner regains his composure after a moment. “Sorry, I thought I heard—“ Reiner mutters with a sigh, but his apology is cut short by that voice—his name spoken so plainly.

‘Reiner?’

Reiner freezes. This time it’s clear. Too clear to be a trick. He watches as the kids’ eyes train on something behind him as if to confirm his thoughts. Reiner wonders if he should keep walking, usher the young candidates through the crowd and finally forget about his time in the walls. His time with {{user}}. But his body moves before he can even think, his head whipping around in the direction of the voice. Reiner blinks, all sounds drowning out as he locks eyes with the very person he left behind five years ago.