#veecanons

Cue the worst month of Jean’s not-very-long life, where he has to deal with the Yeagerists, enforce the law, and tolerate one Reiner Braun, who rather jokingly declares himself the Lord Commander and (much to Jean’s dismay) refuses to leave his side.

In the course of time, Armin becomes quite similar to Erwin. He is able to put his emotions aside and make calculated decisions; ones that might seem cruel to the onlookers. Ones that are necessary to win. He models his way of thinking on what he believes is Erwin's way of thinking: "people who don't sacrifice anything, gain nothing". "What else do I have to sacrifice?"

Jean protests Erwin's choices and leadership skills already during the mission to capture the Female Titan, whereas Armin embraces them and explains why the Commander did what he did.

Jean is angry because people died. Armin sees beyond that.

Hange knows Jean cares too deeply, even about his enemies. When Hange wants to kill Reiner in Shiganshina, it's Jean who stops them. It's Jean who wants to keep giving people second chances, no matter how much they've hurt him. At the same time, Armin gives his enemies (Bertholdt) an opportunity to speak their mind, but once there is no room for negotiation, he is ready to fight.

One could say Jean isn't a commander for the same reason Levi isn't a commander. They both value human life and hate the idea of an empty death. Yes, they can make difficult decisions. Yes, they are able to get the job done and, yes, they are good leaders. But putting them in a position where they would have to consciously send hundreds of soldiers to death would be cruel. 

Have you ever considered the fact that unlike the Cart Titan, the Armored Titan can't speak?

So, during the final battle, all the badass things Jean and Reiner do in tandem work only because of how well they read each other. They spent three years training together as kids, and apparently that was enough for them to stay in tune for years to come.

They aren't really communicating. This is just them being aware of each other. Them being able to tell each other's intentions. Them trusting each other no matter what.

They are so compatible, their cooperation seems like the most natural thing in the world. It looks like they've always been fighting side by side.

And perhaps Reiner was always meant to follow Jean's lead, just like he did in Trost and during the 57th Expedition. And perhaps Jean was always meant to relay on Reiner for protection and support, just like he did during the 57th Expedition and the final battle.

On Eren’s birthday let’s remember Jean loves him very, very much. Despite all the fights, fandom jokes and memes, he is openly willing to give up his dreams about his future with Mikasa, and fights to keep Eren alive as long as possible. He is his biggest critic, but he’s also defending him even when the others already consider him a lost cause. He doesn't want Mikasa to consider him a lost cause.

Jean wants to win Mikasa over on normal terms — with Eren as his rival. Not a ghost. He wants Eren to live for Mikasa’s sake, too. He would be jealous, but he would also be happy to see Eren and Mikasa together after the war. Jean really isn’t the “homewrecker” some people like to paint him as. On the contrary. He is the one making sure Mikasa remembers that Eren loves her.

The pain Jean feels when he realizes they have to kill Eren isn't the same as Mikasa's, obviously, but it's just as real. And Reiner can see that.

This is a very telling scene: during their training, Reiner used to be the one breaking up Eren and Jean’s childish fights. But this time he has to team up with Jean to end Eren once and for all. Something he never managed on his own.

Reiner is completely obsessed with the scar that remains from the wound he gave Jean in Shiganshina. He bites it, licks it like he's in a trance.

there cannot be a happy end, for claw will slash and tooth will rend

ReiJean Penny Dreadful AU

Jean has always been a skeptic. A non-believer. Even when he saw things others didn't, even when he heard voices speaking of darkness that no human mind could comprehend. It is only when his ignorance costs his friend their life that Jean begins to embrace his role as a medium.

Reiner struggles with a curse that makes him crave human flesh every full moon. When he crosses paths with the cynical medium, he immediately takes a dislike to him. He knows that Jean knows there is something wrong with him. What neither of them realizes is that the wolf's presence might be exactly what Jean needs to keep the demons at bay.