Another theme is the exploration of their contrasting personalities. Armin is often seen as the intelligent and more reserved one, while Reiner is the strong - willed and sometimes conflicted. Fanfics play around with how these differences can create an interesting dynamic between them, like in 'The Opposites Attract' fanfic where their differences actually draw them closer.
One common theme is loyalty. Given their long - standing partnership in the series, fanfics often explore how deeply they are loyal to each other, even in the face of difficult choices. For example, they might be loyal to the mission but also to their friendship.
Love and acceptance are also big themes. They come from different backgrounds and have different personalities. So, their journey to accept each other and fall in love is often explored. A lot of fanfics show how they break down the barriers between them to be together.
Another theme is trust. Given their different backgrounds and personalities, building trust between them is a big part of many fanfics. It's interesting to see how they overcome their initial doubts and form a strong bond. Usually, they start off not fully understanding each other, but as the story progresses, they learn to trust one another completely.
Some fanfics also focus on the psychological aspect of their relationship. Reiner and Bertholdt both have complex personalities and backstories. Fanfics might explore how they understand and support each other on a psychological level, perhaps dealing with their inner demons together.
One popular Armin x Reiner fanfic is 'The Unlikely Bond'. It delves deep into their relationship, exploring how their different personalities complement each other. The story starts with them having to work together on a mission and gradually realizing their mutual respect and growing feelings.
Power dynamics is a frequent theme. The Female Titan has great physical power, while Armin has intellectual power. Fanfics often play with how these two types of power interact in their relationship. Another theme could be redemption. Maybe the Female Titan is seeking redemption through her connection with Armin. It could also be about understanding the 'other'. Armin tries to understand the Female Titan, who is different from him in many ways, and vice versa.
One common theme is self - discovery. As they interact, both Annie and Armin often discover new things about themselves. Another theme is the power of friendship. Their relationship, whether it's a budding romance or a deep friendship, is often shown to have a strong impact on their lives.
Another theme is his relationships. His friendship with Eren and Mikasa is frequently explored in different ways. Some fanfics might focus on how his relationship with them changes as they all grow older and face different challenges.
One common theme is loyalty. Armin and Erwin are both extremely loyal to their comrades and to each other. In fanfics, this loyalty often becomes a central aspect of their relationship. Another theme is leadership. They are both leaders in their own ways, and fanfics might explore how they lead together or support each other's leadership.
One common theme is redemption. Annie has done some pretty bad things in the series, and in many fanfics, Armin is a key figure in her journey towards redemption. Another theme is love in the face of chaos. Given the world they live in, filled with Titans and danger, their love is often portrayed as something that can survive and even thrive in such a harsh environment. Also, the theme of understanding each other's pasts is quite common. They both have complex backstories, and fanfics often explore how they come to understand and accept each other's past traumas.