Annie was crying when she got sent on the mission on Paradis and then came back with a boyfriend in front of her father and that boyfriend is known as the hero how funny 😭😭
Hi anon! Sorry I took so long to reply to this- I was traveling for work and then I was sick- but I’m back on the mend now!
The whiplash Mr Leonhart must have experienced- when he last saw Annie she was a smol little child, with big sad blue eyes.
And when he sees her again, she’s a woman now (still smol and sad though)
Even if he had a concept and expectations that she would age, I’m sure seeing it in person would have still taken him aback. The same way it does for her- her Dad used to be this towering, imposing figure in her life. Now he’s old and hunched over a cane.
But more so than their change in appearances, I’m sure Mr Leonhart never imagined her growth or change as a person.
The little Annie he sent away was quiet and moody and struggled with conversation and making friends. Now you’re telling him she not only has all these allies who respect her, but the commander of these elite soldiers clearly has feelings for her.
I’m sure at first with next to no context he would question how this all happened. And then I think he would be slightly relieved- better to be on their side and defended than make enemies of these other Eldians who can fly through the air and slice people open (wait, his daughter can do that too? He didn’t teach her that), and then he might circle all these way back around to pride and satisfaction.
Because he originally wanted Annie to be a Warrior so that he could reap the social status benefits. He had his moment where he seemed to regret this, but this was still his goal and he still achieved it.
Now- Marley is obsolete and he once again has no power in the world. And yet, his dutiful and intelligent daughter somehow found a way to win him influence again. This young commander is clearly going to be an important figure in the world moving forward- and his daughter won his affection. He can make this work.
I think he would see it through the lens of his own benefit at first.
Honestly, Mr Leonhart is a complex character who is not always easy to understand. I think he absolutely should be held accountable for his behavior towards Annie as a child, and I think him wanting her to come back safely had more to do with his feelings towards himself and his own reckoning with guilt and morality than it does with him actually feeling compassion or affection towards Annie.
I think her relationship with Armin gives him something to feel satisfied about- but it also is beneficial in creating a degree of separation between him and Annie.
She has someone now who can show her that devotion and care in a healthy way- so she doesn’t have to fall into hurt wanting it from her father.
It’s definitely an awkward moment at first though- how could it not be!
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