[Jean is very glad this isn't in person, since he's getting emotional. At the same time, he kind of just wants to give Reiner a hug? But he shouldn't. He's the reason Reiner is hurting.
He knows how Reiner feels, though. Knowing how Marco died didn't change the fact that it did. Yet being kept in the dark about what happened also hurt. The moment he learned about it hit so hard. It carried to the moment he met Reiner again.
Nothing changed how powerless they felt about their best friends' dead. Best friends and more, for Reiner. The one he loves and wanted to even marry.
They both were involved in taking someone they loved dearly away. Of course they'd end up like this. It was just a matter of time.]
Maybe it doesn't change anything, but it wasn't my place to decide for you if you hear about it or not.
[He hesitates on another message, but sends one, in the end.]
I'm sorry, Reiner. Even if I don't expect you to forgive me, I really mean it.
[ Too late, indeed. What would Reiner have said, had he been given the chance to choose? He thinks he would've sought answers, but he'll never truly know.
Reiner could respond any number of ways. He could ask precisely what Jean means by "bother"; he could skip that and assure Jean that he isn't a bother at all. Instead, he types, ]
I don't want you to get hurt.
I wasn't here last time. I couldn't help you. I
[ —failed.
Bertholdt, crying for help. Reiner, somehow failing to save Bertholdt when he was needed most. ]
[ "Stop," Jean writes. And for a long moment, Reiner does so. He sits still, his head bowed, a hand half-covering his face. He reads Jean's next message as it arrives, clinging to the words. They're logical; they make sense. Yet it takes effort for Reiner to process them—and a part of him simply can't.
Because Reiner will always shoulder the blame, whether it's logical or not. He will pile one burden after another upon his back, trudging forward as the weight of the entire world bears down, slowly crushing him.
He doesn't know how to be any other way.
But he wants to believe that Jean will be safe. He wants to believe that nothing will happen to his friend. He wants to. ]
I'll be right there. [ This time. ] If there's something you can't face, call to me.
[ Reiner will protect Jean. This time.
A moment later: ]
If you're wrong, I'm wrapping you head to toe in that Protective Wrap from Riki's, whether you like it or not.
[It's very reassuring. He really did think they'd have difficulties from now on, but it seems like he was being stupid, avoiding Reiner without needing to. Losing precious time with a friend.
(How about you listen to Marco sometimes.)
Jean can't help but laugh a bit at the last remark. Mostly through the mental image. It's a much needed laugh though, to counter the heavy feeling.]
Piss off. You'd need to catch me first.
[Catch, because he wouldn't be able to fight Reiner off and he knows that.
But, he does need to comment on something a little more seriously.]
I want to see you before the mission, though. To hang out.
If you're really fine with that.
["I miss hanging out with you" is left unsaid, but is implied.]
[Anna, the queen of Awkwardness is looking totally awkward once again.]
You're used to all of these--- weird, no not weird situations, that's rude, but all of these... all sorts of situations with more people from your original home world suddenly arriving here, right?
Time's always doing these weird things in these worlds, not that I have much experience with it myself aside from me being from Elsa's past all the time because she's already been in my coronation and all that...!
[The change from so excited and happy to awkward is kind of amusing to see. And a relief, as he was worried it would be something more serious than that.
Well, this is serious, but not a "horrible villain has arrived" kind of serious.]
So now you're not sure what to do, I'm guessing?
[Sorry, he even sounds amused.]
Which one of you proposed? If it was the guy then at least he's aware he's gonna do it.... hopefully. So saying you already went through that would be fine. Just waiting for him to do it again would be fine, too. Either way, letting him know he managed to propose you back home will do him more good than bad.
If it was you... congratulations, you get to propose again!
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