Small thread about Eren and Mikasa and how their relationship will be important for the finale.
(I'm far from an expert on the topic, shippers spare my ass)

So I'll start by saying that I don't expect those two to walk into the sunset by the end, I expect Eren to die. Also it's important to note that I view Eren's character as someone whose world view was always a bit off, by a lot, and Mikasa will be the one to help him realize it.

One of the themes around Mikasa's character is that she views the world as ''cruel'' but also ''beautiful''. Eren only sees the ''cruel'' part and feels like he has to fight against what he sees as injustice, never focusing on the ''beautiful'' part.

Mikasa sees something in Eren, and she loves him. Now that love isn't only romantic, it's deep and honest. She even puts aside his flaws because he matters to her on a much deeper level. He is the ''beautiful'' in the world that she looks for.

On the other hand his wish for freedom is nothing more than him chasing and focusing on something he can't have, instead of looking around him for all the things he already has. It's opposite of Mikasa giving everything to protect what she holds dear and nothing else.

Eren is somebody who hates himself deeply, for various reasons, and it just doesn't reach him that Mikasa could love him for what he is. That's why he asks her ''What am I to you?''. He genuinely doesn't understand why Mikasa is so attached to him.

That question was never about him wanting to stay, it was him trying to see if others hold any value in him, based on what he is, not what he has done. He even asks her ''Is it because I saved you?''. He left that night, with the wrong answer and Mikasa realized it by the end.

So what does that make for the finale? I think Mikasa will learn to let go of Eren just enough not to stand on his side and defend him. She'll walk away from his final fight with Reiner, allowing for his defeat. She will be torn apart for a long time, but still make that choice.

The moment will mimic the scene from their childhood where he tells her to ''Fight if she wants to win'', only this time she'll refuse. She keeps repeating the line post time skip, as if she's trying to convince herself it's the only way, but will learn to let go.

I expect dying Eren to have his last moments with Mikasa, realizing he was always loved, realizing that he was always full of hate for no reason and will regret allowing himself to be consumed by it. It's a bittersweet ending by all means.

Also there is a chance that her Ackerman bloodline plays a big role, considering that the Founder can't control her because of it, thus making her the most free out of all the other Eldians and not a slave at all. Which also ties up nicely with the whole Ackerman thing from 112.