Erwin listens, carefully attentive. They've both seen the horrors of comrades killed in terrible, sudden ways, probably more times than either of them would like to count. Even so, it doesn't mean that Erwin can listen to Jean recounting the story himself completely stoically, especially not as the young man's voice and countenance waver.

His eyes widen at the mention of those creatures, and then -- an earthquake and a fall, on top of it. It seems insult to injury.

Erwin gently sets his hand on Jean's shoulder, giving it a careful, steadying squeeze.

"I see. I'm sorry you went through that. It must have been terrifying." Because no matter what, dying in battle is terrifying. Erwin still has nightmares on occasion, of that last, terrible ride toward the Beast Titan, of rocks pelting soldiers and horses around him, of the one that finally came for him.

"Are you worried about something like that happening again?"