𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝
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✿𝐄𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐀𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧✿
(compilation and development throughout the years)

Boy met a girl. They became friends, and fell in love. Nope. This is not how their story started. It wasn't a beautiful fairytale. It is full of angst and if they are not your cup of tea, I suggest you stop reading here.

•Mikasa's parents died, before her eyes. She was about to be send as a sex slave, but a nine yr old boy appeared who killed her kidnappers and saved her.
•Saved her freedom from being stolen.
•How many strangers; heck a kid would do that for you?

•He encouraged her to fight, and herein was born the quote which became both of their motivation in the life.
•He didn't care if he died in the process, all he wanted was to save her, grisha. It's as simple as that.

•Mikasa was more so referring to the cold & numbness of her heart at that moment.
•Eren wrapping her scarf and providing her warmth was a huge gesture for her. It was here, when he actually 'saved' her. Saved her from the pain & loneliness which was too much for a young girl.

•And then comes the climax of their meeting. He didn't hesitate a second in taking her his home.
•For him it might not be a big deal, but it was everything for a girl who lost her family and home.
•Eren could have chosen to stay quiet but he gave her these kind gestures.

•When Eren first saved her, he thought he would continue to protect her, & take care of her.
•She was someone he felt responsible for, but he didn't realise that she would grow to become more stronger than him.
•And here in came the ugly feeling: Jealousy.

•Eren was a 15 yr old teen boy, & insecurity & jealousy was bound to happen when someone he 'saved' & wanted to protect grew stronger than him.
•Mikasa was naturally gifted and he hated that she always had to save his ass. He didn't want looking after.

But even then he was concerned for her safety. He didn't want her to join survey corp & risk her life.
•He chastised Jean for dream of wanting to live comfortable life in military police, but when it came to Mikasa, he was quick to tell her she should stay in military police.

•Still to this day people wonder if he told her to cut her hairs out of concern solely or was there jealousy, coz he heard Jean.
•And him chastising her to focus on fight, not him also led to Mikasa doing same later on to scouts when she learns he died
He always inspired her

•When he learned that he tried to kill her, he went in shock. Because it was the last thing he could ever do.
•He was ready to be called a monster & bear consequences alone for it than let them hurt her.

•Just like he taught her to fight when they met, Mikasa did the same.
•And her simple words were enough for Eren to snap out of it, and fight. Her words really meant a lot to him.

•Eren was at his lowest, he had given up, all odds were against them & yet Mikasa's words pulled him out. He could have accepted everything but not Mikasa giving up.
•And herein he made her the promise of forever. The only person he has ever promised to be with forever is her.

•He was so fuelled by his promise, that he punched a Titan with bare hands! If it was normal titan they could have died! But Eren would rather die, then let Mikasa give up.
•It was also here when he realised she wasn't as invincible, and hence the biggest development came.

•From here on Eren grew soft for her, and let go of his jealousy.
Jean even refered to her as his precious, and he didn't object.
•Look how concerned he was for her injury. He had come so close to losing her, that he stopped taking her strength for granted.

•This moment is so underrated. He stopped bcz he knew his words were hurting Mika too. He didn't waste a second in apologizing.
•And the big admittance. I was jealous. Simple as that. But he realised that they needed to be there for each other. No one was strong enough alone

•After Carla's death we see Eren crying & saying he won't ever be able to go home. But five years later?
Meaning of home changed. As long as Mikasa was still there with him, he has a home to return to. We talk about Mikasa wanting to be with him, but eren wanted it just as much

•He didn't hesitate in relying on Mikasa and showing his gratitude from then on. He knew he needed her help as did she. They were a team.
•Once again Mikasa assures him to believe in himself more, and look at his surprised face. Her words always gave him motivation.

•Mikasa's touch always calmed his nerves. And he got the courage to open it.
•He just learned he was dying but his concern was how she lost weight. Always observant with her.
•He was hesitant to tell her about dina killing carla bcz he didn't want to cause her more pain.

From here on comes the timeskip. And you can see, the drastic change their relationship went through.
And their bond becomes much more interesting.

•Can we talk about eren staying with Mikasa throughout the meeting? Hizuru stuff didn't concern him but they were glued together here.
•And the way he kept sneaking glances at her when they discussed about her clan.
This was underated moment.

•Next we see them together at rail road construction, where eren tells how important they are all to him. •And then looks at Mikasa after that, while blushing. It may not be much and it included all of them but isayama drew their panel side by side on purpose.

•And lo behold after 131, we know how important this scene is. He turned to Mikasa bcz her words always seemed to have an affect on him.
•He wanted a reply like 50. He wanted her to show him he was more than a monster. He wanted one last chance to feel he was loved.

Since it's a fact, that eren is a heavy weight drinker, it's safe to say he chose to lie beside her. One last moment to be with her Armin in peace, and even let her snuggle to him.

•Did her answer in 123, led him to think if her loyalty was only gene related? He was still hung up over it months later!
But no, it was love.
•When Zeke asked him what will he say to her, eren just said he will die soon, not that idea of relationship with her is preposterous.

•In 101, they meet again after months, and Mikasa's tears and words were too much for him. Look how hard he tries to repress his feelings, that a vein pops up!
•He must have also remembered how he hurt the person who loves him so much.

•Sasha's death led him to let go of his emotions, & he knew he had to push his frds away. But in midst of all those cruel words his face have away his real feelings twice!
•And it was when it concerned Mikasa!

•He let Armin lunch him bcz he knew he deserved it for hurting her. He wasn't even gonna fight back if yeagerist hadn't shown up.
•He wanted Louise to throw scarf away bcz he knew he won't have forever with her. He can't keep his promise. Look at his face. He was dead inside.

Even after his horrible words, Mikasa came to his rescue and he was shocked so much that he stood there motionless until Zeke got hurt.
Why? Why won't she just give up on me?

Memories! Memories! Memories!
Mikasa occupies most of his head, not leaving much place for anyone else. And I don't think I need to talk about how she appears so beautiful and innocent from his eyes.

What were you thinking here Eren, that you stopped listening to Zeke altogether. Were you thinking it might be the last time you see her? Or regretting hurting her?

Mikasa appeared first here. The most important person in his life. He loves Mikasa, Armin so much that he made their names travel through past!!

I will add more moments here as the manga proceeds. I am sure the best ones are yet to come. But hopefully this was almost all important ones till date. If I missed any, please reply it in the comment below.
Thank you for reading!

Bonus: @Vignesh42922364 pointed it out.
This is also interesting how he referred to Mikasa's freedom as his as well. And they were talking when this scene took place, so it just shows how important she is to him. He stated it as if it was a casual thing. Underated.

How did I forget these scene???
Thank you for reminding @etoiled18180587 .
At the words talented candidate, he immediately asked it was a girl. Just like he was weak to protect Mikasa, he related to Falco here.
He couldn't face his family aka Mikasa bcz he would fall so low.

@_Dilo__ thanks for first one.
•Even Jean knew how Eren always wanted her to stay away from battlefield. I referenced this above by him not wanting her to join sc too.
•And again Jean points out, Eren won't ever hurt Mikasa without a reason.
Fandom should learn from him.