[ Eren pushes back enough to look into Armin's eyes again. ]

Don’t. Don’t even start that. You can't go into that arena thinking about how you're gonna die to save me.

[ He just knows that's what's going on. Seems like a good way to end up dead right away. And without Armin to strategise, Eren himself is likely to get killed too. He doesn't stand a chance against the Careers without a plan. And he's likely to run off half-cocked like always. He's self-aware enough to realise that much. ]

I can't change the world alone. You're the smartest person I know. If anyone can figure out how to game the Games, it's you.

[ He drops his gaze and his hands at the same time, finally. Those tears he tried to stop slide down his cheeks and he doesn't even wipe them away yet. ]

Besides, you're my...

[ But he's not even sure how to finish that. Anything he comes up with seems inadequate, or like a truth he can't yet confess. ]