Jean's expression changes almost instantly - going from cautious to something sadder, his gaze falling down to the floor. It's not that he can't meet Levi's gaze, it's that it's hard to look at him and realize how much Eren really hasn't changed.

".... He's more like he was before the rumbling happened than he is where he came from," Jean says somberly, looking up at Levi. "At this point, the only real difference is in their physical age - he has the same withdrawn look, the same pain around him. I..."

Jean holds Levi's gaze, hoping he understands how painful it is for him to admit this.

"... I think he's always going to end up that way," he finally admits, the words like grit in his mouth. "Raging against an imaginary cage, and unhappy. Finding enemies in the darkness and placing himself against the world to defeat them."