[All that… and Reiner walked away. For a moment it’s almost as though the emotions were shared once more; how can he just…?! At least face what you’ve made. Coward. Bastard. Aubrey almost can’t believe she commiserated with—

[Almost. Mikasa’s voice reminds her where they are, what’s happening. And ultimately, it’s heartbreak, all the way down.]

[Aubrey doesn’t let go of Eren, but her grip lowers, loosens; a hug, now. A quick squeeze, and then her left arm runs down his, trailing gently until her fingers run around the shackle’s edge. There’s nothing Aubrey can say that Mikasa hasn’t. But maybe, just as Armin did before, these chains too can fall away.]