[ Armin's expression, his words, touch something so wonderful and deeply bittersweet in Erwin's heart. So many of his soldiers he'd doomed to die. Armin's friends, his own comrades, all the others of the Survey Corps who followed him to an early grave. His real motives had been selfish, and in a way he had exploited the very same spark of interest, of hope and pride, that Armin wears now, just for his own means.
But it had been more in the end, hadn't it? Erwin had wanted to vilify his father, but he, too, so desired to know more about the rest of the world. None of those who'd gone to their deaths had done so in vain; those that had continued after him had seen to that. All of them. Armin is their future.
It hurts a little, but it's nothing.
His eyes soften to something closer to an ache, careful to let only so much emotion show, even now, but he's still obviously very, very touched. ]
Thank you, Armin. That means a great deal to me. I'm sorry we didn't have more time together.
[ And for everything that is eventually on his shoulders, later. ]
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But it had been more in the end, hadn't it? Erwin had wanted to vilify his father, but he, too, so desired to know more about the rest of the world. None of those who'd gone to their deaths had done so in vain; those that had continued after him had seen to that. All of them. Armin is their future.
It hurts a little, but it's nothing.
His eyes soften to something closer to an ache, careful to let only so much emotion show, even now, but he's still obviously very, very touched. ]
Thank you, Armin. That means a great deal to me. I'm sorry we didn't have more time together.
[ And for everything that is eventually on his shoulders, later. ]