Naturally, Eren doesn't do the sensible thing and get a damn life jacket. Reiner can't quite suppress the tiny sigh that escapes him, traces of disgruntlement and fond amusement warring on his face. After all this time, Eren is still Eren, even in a brand new world. It seems a few years didn't change much.
(That's not true. Some part of Reiner knows it's not true. He knows how much Eren's apathy irritates him; he knows how he'll push for Eren's hatred over indifference; he knows the foolish concern that claws at him, demanding to know what the fuck happened to sap Eren of that inner fire. He knows what Eren feels like clinging to him in the dark; he knows that nightmares plague Eren's dreams. He knows how dangerous it is to care.)
Reiner swallows a lecture about responsibility. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by getting thrown on your ass a few times. Or, in this case, thrown into the water. Besides, it's not like Reiner will let Eren get seriously hurt. He cares about Eren too much; he would never do anything like that.
"Brace yourself," Reiner warns. Then he closes in. It's not a full charge—the undulating beam won't allow for that, and he's careful not to lose his footing. But he moves quick, striking with that same swing: starting low, swinging the end of the stick rapidly upward, aiming at Eren's ribs.
There's only slightly less power behind it this time. Muscle memory is hard to overrule, even like this.
no subject
(That's not true. Some part of Reiner knows it's not true. He knows how much Eren's apathy irritates him; he knows how he'll push for Eren's hatred over indifference; he knows the foolish concern that claws at him, demanding to know what the fuck happened to sap Eren of that inner fire. He knows what Eren feels like clinging to him in the dark; he knows that nightmares plague Eren's dreams. He knows how dangerous it is to care.)
Reiner swallows a lecture about responsibility. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by getting thrown on your ass a few times. Or, in this case, thrown into the water. Besides, it's not like Reiner will let Eren get seriously hurt. He cares about Eren too much; he would never do anything like that.
"Brace yourself," Reiner warns. Then he closes in. It's not a full charge—the undulating beam won't allow for that, and he's careful not to lose his footing. But he moves quick, striking with that same swing: starting low, swinging the end of the stick rapidly upward, aiming at Eren's ribs.
There's only slightly less power behind it this time. Muscle memory is hard to overrule, even like this.