Far from equal, indeed. Reiner is a Warrior, one of Marley's most prized possessions. Yet even he had to bow his head and apologize for an almost-collision with Jean, thinking Jean was Marleyan. Even he has to cast his eyes down and speak deferentially to those who spit on him.

So it's no wonder that, as soon as Jean mentions someone listening, Reiner snaps his mouth shut. Fresh fear crosses his face, mingling with the panic already there. What would happen if someone heard them? What would happen to Gabi? To his mother?

Jean's hand lays atop his own. Reiner tries (and fails) to ignore how good the contact feels.

"If I let you go, then what?" he asks, voice low. "You keep skulking around buying newspapers?"