[Aubrey’s sudden intensity strikes Reiner before the question does. One feels like an alarm, the other an explosion. Reiner’s struck with the realization that Aubrey understands; understands something that only he and Eren ever could. It feels exposing. It feels like…relief.]

You get it.

[It’s a million times worse. It’s loving someone whose destruction is your responsibility. It’s mourning someone that just won’t die. It’s longing for something that never truly existed, so painfully and all-consuming that you can’t deny it was real.

[Reiner doesn’t know how to say it all so plainly…So, the universe does him a favor; whispers the words above directly into Aubrey’s ears. Reiner doesn’t notice; he continues.]

It is worse. It’s a worse Hell than I can describe. I’m sure Eren feels the same.

[He keeps his gaze on Aubrey, searching.]

You two are the same way. Is that it?