I am truly shocked that many seem infuriated at the supposed “selfishness” of any of the characters faced with the absolutely devastating situation that is SnK chapter 83.

Ultimately, everyone’s instinct is to save the ones they love the most. That instinct will not change no matter who our personal favorites are and who we, complete outsiders, “think” the choice should have been.

How can we possibly be angry at ANY of them? How can we question ANY of their motives when no one wins in the end? When someone they love and respect will be lost to them forever? This is an unimaginable tragedy for everyone involved.

A short Reibert thing. Set around chapter 72 where Bert and Reiner were on the wall looking suspicious af. 

I listened to this while writing.  

XxxxX

Looking out over the remains of Shinganshina, Reiner felt oddly at peace. The calm before the storm as it were. The brief moment of quiet before the world went to shit one last time. All because of him. It was satisfying in a way to know Bertholdt and himself caused this, the upheaval of the human race. They deserved it.  

Quiet footsteps approached from behind and Bertholdt was at his side, silent as always.  His bottom lip was caught between his teeth, gnawing at the flesh, a sign of anxiety.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ll have them all killed before you even get there,” Reiner stated confidently.

“It’s not that,” Bertholdt glanced at the blonde, chewing becoming more insistent before he cast his gaze back out over the remains of the city. “I don’t want anyone else to go through hell because of us.”

“Marco had it coming,” Reiner scoffed, “He would have revealed our true identities. He was a liability. His death was inevitable.”

“We end it today. One way or another, we end it. I don’t… I don’t want them to continue living in this disgusting world any longer than they have to.”

Reiner looked up at Bertholdt, anxiousness clawing its way into his heart. Bertholdt was always prone to bouts of guilt over everything he’s done. Marco’s and Annie’s fates most of all. His guilt was unnecessary as neither deserved to be pitied; their fates were the result of their own foolishness.

Reiner leaned his forehead against Bertholdt’s shoulder, heaving in air only to let it all out in a resigned sigh. “Whatever happens, just remember that I love you. Whatever you do, I’ll still love you, okay? So stop with the guilt complex, it’s unnecessary.”

Bertholdt merely made an affirmative noise, gaze still trained on the horizon. The sunrise bathed the city in hues of orange and gold, the buildings silhouettes against the rejuvenating light. They’d survive this day, one way or another.

They parted reluctantly with lingering touches and longing in their eyes. They had to move out. The Survey Corps wouldn’t wait for heartfelt farewell.

With Reiner about to climb into his hideout inside the wall, Bertholdt called out to him, halting the blonde’s moments before he disappeared.

“I love you,” Bertholdt called. It wasn’t a goodbye. No, goodbyes were permanent and fickle things. It was a promise. A promise to return to one another, to make this world better.