Work Text:
Armin’s Letter to Eren
Eren,
I’ve written this letter so many times, yet the words never seem right. How do I say goodbye to the boy who wanted to see the ocean with me? The one who dreamed of a world without walls? I keep thinking about the days when we’d sit on the hill near Shiganshina, the grass swaying around us like waves, and you’d tell me we were meant for something bigger. Back then, you were my anchor, the one who never let me sink into fear or doubt.
But now you’re gone, and the world feels so heavy without you.
Eren, why did it have to end like this? You carried the weight of the world on your shoulders, but you never let us share the burden. I keep asking myself if I could have done more, if I could’ve stopped you from walking this path. We’ve lost so much, and yet, in your own way, you gave us everything. Was this the freedom you always wanted?
I miss the boy who fought bullies for me, who dreamed of freedom with such fire in his eyes it could light up the night. But you became a man who burned brighter than any of us could follow. You left us to pick up the pieces of a world you broke just to make it whole again.
I wish I could be angry with you. I wish I could hate you for what you’ve done. But I can’t. All I feel is the ache of missing my best friend, the one who wanted to see the world’s beauty. I hope you’ve found peace, wherever you are.
We saw the ocean, Eren. I wish you could’ve stayed to see the rest.
Your friend,
Armin
Mikasa’s Letter to Eren
Eren,
How do I even begin? You’ve always been my world. My reason to keep moving forward. From the moment you wrapped that scarf around me, I believed we would always be together. I never imagined a life without you. Now, I’m living in a world you dreamed of, but it feels empty without you here.
I keep thinking about our childhood, those fleeting moments of happiness. The way you’d charge ahead, fearless and determined, while I stayed by your side, ready to protect you. But in the end, I couldn’t protect you, could I? You were always the one protecting me, protecting everyone, no matter the cost.
I loved you, Eren. I still do. I always will. But you shut me out, time and time again. I wanted so desperately to share your pain, your burdens. I wanted to be the one you turned to. Instead, you carried everything alone, and it broke you.
I dreamed of a future with you, a quiet life, far from the fighting and the blood. A home where we could finally be free. But that dream is gone now. All I have left is the scarf you gave me and the memories of a boy who fought for freedom, even when it meant sacrificing everything.
Do you know how much you meant to me? How much you still mean? I hope, wherever you are, you’ve found the peace you were searching for. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll wait for me in that quiet place beyond this life.
Thank you for the scarf, Eren. I’ll wear it until the end.
Always,
Mikasa
Jean’s Letter to Eren
Eren,
I didn’t think I’d write this. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d have anything to say. But here I am, staring at this stupid piece of paper, wondering how to put everything into words. You’re gone now, and I’m still trying to make sense of it all.
We were never the closest, were we? Half the time, I felt like punching you. You were so reckless, so stubborn, always charging ahead without thinking about the rest of us. But the truth is, I admired you, Eren. You had this fire, this drive to change the world, and maybe that’s what scared me. You were always one step ahead of the rest of us, even when it meant leaving us behind.
I’m still angry, you know. Angry that you shouldered everything alone, that you didn’t trust us enough to share the weight. We fought together, bled together, and yet you decided the end of the road was yours to face alone. You didn’t just leave us; you left me with questions I’ll never get answers to.
But I can’t ignore what you’ve done for us, for everyone. You gave us a chance at a future, even if it meant destroying yourself. And damn it, Eren, I hate that I understand why you did it.
You were a pain in the ass, but you were our pain in the ass. And no matter how complicated things were between us, I wish you were still here. Maybe I’d get the chance to say all of this to your face instead of writing it down like some idiot.
Rest easy, Eren. You earned it.
Jean
Levi’s Letter to Eren
Eren,
I’ve never been good at this, talking about feelings, putting thoughts into words. But if anyone deserves something, it’s you. Even after everything, I owe you that much.
When I first met you, you were just some loudmouthed brat with more fire than sense. I didn’t think much of you back then. But over time, you proved me wrong. You weren’t just a kid playing soldier. You had something the rest of us lost along the way, a belief that things could be better. That belief kept us going more times than I care to admit.
I can’t stop thinking about where it all went wrong. Did we push you too hard? Expect too much? You carried the hopes of humanity on your shoulders, and we let you. Maybe I let you. I should’ve seen it, the weight was crushing you, but you never said a damn thing. You just kept moving forward, no matter what it cost you.
And look at where it led.
I hate that you ended up this way. That the boy who dreamed of freedom became a man who had to sacrifice everything to make it happen. You deserved better, Eren. A life where you could’ve been just a kid, not humanity’s savior.
You’re not here to hear this, but I need to say it anyway: I’m sorry. Sorry I couldn’t stop you. Sorry I didn’t see what it was doing to you until it was too late. I hope, wherever you are, you’ve found the peace you couldn’t find here.
We’ll take care of the world you left behind. That’s the least we can do.
Levi