#erearu

At some point Eren is too far gone into his depression for such a small gesture to help much.

neuron activation

Bad news: it’s going to break your (and my) heart

hmm. I made a post about this some time ago, but it does bother me when only one of the character's mental struggles is addressed and the other exists primarily as support. and I don't mean in a short fic where Armin is helping Eren through his depression or something like that. I mean when Armin's entire characterization is being a meek, anxious mess and Eren is his overbearing protector alpha type. or when only Eren's angst and poor coping habits are featured and Armin exists as his emotional support and little else.

actually, I think a big part of their divide in season 4 is Eren realizing he can't look to Armin as a beacon to fix everything anymore because the world isn't as they imagined it. Eren felt a severe loss of hope, and perhaps even a sense of betrayal upon that revelation. In contrast, Armin's admission in the finale that he's felt the same way as Eren does is what brings them back together for their final farewell.

a key aspect of Armin and Eren's relationship is how reciprocal it is. Armin and Eren are mentally ill in similar ways: frustration at their lack of usefulness resulting in a willingness to sacrifice themselves. Armin's ability to push back and truly empathize with Eren's struggles, instead of being a mere sponge for Eren's pain, is half of what makes their dynamic so special. the other half is Eren's ability to draw Armin out from his anxious spirals by seeing and putting his faith in Armin's strengths; not by babying him.

and then Armin's reaction; his self-doubt falling away as the titan skeleton crumbles behind him