Here are some of my favorite jearmin fics of all time!
1) Thought-Provoking by cherrybubblegum
Jean makes an unlikely companion after the disaster in Trost. A look at how the implied friendship between Jean and Armin may have developed, with a romantic twist. (72k words)
the characterization of the Armin and Jean is so spot on, and I could imagine all these events occurring in the story on the pages we don’t see, i love the slowburn and watching their relationship develop from a more centralized point of view though still keeping the main events and canon storyline
2) A Life Within Walls by GoodGuyJean
Armin Arlert grew up a “heretic” in Shiganshina; always questioning the status questioning the status quo and adept at keeping secrets. Determined to see the world outside the Walls and prepared to make terrible sacrifices to do so, Armin stumbles when he falls in love with another soldier, the uncomfortably honest Jean Kirstein. As Armin and Jean continue to fight side by side in a war long before their time, Armin struggles to open up, fearful of his own feelings and their consequences. (37k words)
this fic literally made me cry! warning: lots of angst. it’s beautifully written and Armin and Jeans dynamic is so authentic. I also love me some time jump (s4) jearmin, and the possibility of what occurred during that long period of time and if you’re going to read any of the fics from this list, this should definitely be one of them!
Pre-season 4 in Marley. Mikasa is asked to a dance club/party, the rest of the gang decide to go and Armin and Jean are decided as partners. (4.6k words)
ive reread this fic like 6 times already it’s just so dang cute! jean and armin have to learn how to ballroom dance together in Marley after everyone else has been partnered up. literally was smiling and squealing all the way through this read!!
4) Bottle It Up: Or, Of Ice Cream and Wine by GoodGuyJean
It’s the first Paradisan Eldian expedition back to the mainland and things are … weird, between the young members of Squad Levi. Much to Jean’s confusion, his ex-lover Armin, who has been giving him the cold shoulder for years after ending their brief but intense relationship, begins flirting with him once they set foot in Marley. Or is that Jean’s desperate imagination? Drunkenly confronting Armin at a party (started by the perpetually broody Eren, of all people), Jean may get more than he bargained for. (5.5k words)
this fic is an addition to A Life Within Walls where it gives more insight to their relationship and the events prior to the main fic. you absolutely have to read this one if you’ve read a life within walls, it’s heartbreakingly beautiful!
5) A Bright Nowhere by corbaccio
Jean was silent for a moment, and then spoke with obvious awe: “Wow. I can’t remember the last time I saw so many stars.” Armin felt something warm settle in his chest. He knew, of course—he’d been watching this same sky for long enough—but still he lifted his gaze upwards, the glory of it filling him, charging him. (3.6k words)
i can’t talk enough about this fic! jearmin stargazing one last time before the world falls apart. the dialogue between them feels so incredibly natural and the writing itself is gorgeous. this fic holds a big place in my heart!
Jean’s stare did not waver. Armin wondered what he saw, when he looked at him; if it was anything at all like what he saw looking at Jean. He let that thought fill him with sad hope. (3.2k words)
another incredible fic with beautiful dialogue! this author grasps their dynamic so well, so I just have to add more of their work on this list.
7) Golden by TheIndifferentVoid
The mission leaves Armin changed forever. In the immediate aftermath, Jean has to deal with how it changed him, too.
really lovely fic about jean coming to terms with his feelings for armin after he thought that armin had died. this is canon to me.
8) Four Years by wordsforjearmin
Young Commander Armin Arlert has only four years left in his term as the Colossal titan, and in turn, only four years left of his life. Jean Kirstein, skilled Squad Leader and Armin’s partner, is grappling with the knowledge that he’ll be losing him so soon. Haunted by their shrinking amount of time together and his love for Armin that only seems to grow stronger, Jean tries to hide how hurt he is at the expense of Armin’s own guilt. (13k words)
i haven’t read this fic in a while, but i definitely remember it pulling on my heart strings! it takes place after the story of attack on titan ends, and how jean and armin would deal with their relationship if the curse of ymir had not been broken.
Updating to add a few more!! (3/8/22)
9) Paint Tomorrow Blue by batwake
Usually patient, Armin feels himself getting somewhat annoyed. Eren’s disappearance has already unsettled him, putting him on uneven footing. Jean’s inability to find words makes him feel worse; it’s unlike the other scout to speak without being sure of what he is about to say. It makes something within Armin crackle, like a titan just as it forms. As if sensing his irritation— perhaps something in the air had changed— Jean finally manages, “Are you okay, Armin?” Or, they lose Eren in Marley, but Jean and Armin find each other. (42k words)
Genuinely a masterpiece. the characterization, tension, tenderness, everything about this fic was incredible. i also take this as canon.
10) The Way We Were by wordsforjearmin
“I don’t think you’re allowed to get jealous if we’re not together.” Armin’s hand slid down and twisted in the fabric at the hem of Jean’s shirt. Their faces were so close now that their noses were practically knocking together. “Doesn’t seem very fair.” Jean swallowed, his heart rate thumping and his blood running hot. “Yea,” he muttered, eyes darting back and forth to take in whatever it was lurking behind Armin’s. “And remind me why we’re not together again?” (3.8k)
HOOOOLY. this fic. the sexual tension and pining is god tier. i love the angst and how versatile their dynamic and relationship can be presented!
Other canonverse must reads!
the truth about the flower boys by sodas
The Human Dress by Flesner
Auguries of Innocence by Flesner
teeth in the grass by billionairevolleyballboysclub
The Sun Hasn’t Risen Yet by vidnyia
For The Hearts That Break Under The Weeping Willow by cunttwatula
A Page in the Wrong Direction by Aespren
To Be Human by firegrilled
Letters and Lovers by wordsforjearmin
i have a bias toward canonverse fics and am very picky when it comes to reading au fics, but here are my favorites!
1) It Might as Well Be Spring by vidnyia
When moving across the country to the house he inherited from his deceased grandfather, Armin expects to find the same old boring grey he grew up surrounded by. Before long, he meets Jean Kirstein, the leader of the jazz band that used to rehearse in his grandfather’s cellar - and suddenly, there’s colour in his life. [70s AU] (100k words)
i absolutely adore this fic! it’s a slowburn and definitely worth the build up. I love the complexity that the author adds to both Armin and Jean, as well as the other cast of characters. the storyline is well thought out, and definitely had me hooked with all the twists and turns. the way the author describes music and art feels like they are speaking from their soul. just amazing
2) Feeling This by cunttwatula
Sleepless nights and city lights bring together two broken boys in a suburban park. It’s only when they’re together that they realize how desperately they’ve needed one another. (67k words)
by far one of the most incredible pieces of fan fic I’ve ever read. the writing is superb and the story itself is so well done. this could honestly be something of a published piece of work or a short novel. the plot is so intricate and delicate, and I could not stop reading it. be warned, there are mentions/actions of sexual assault, trauma, death, teen pregnancy, etc.
Jearmin 1960s AU. When Armin Arlert moves from Seattle to a tiny seaside town in France to pursue his dream of writing, he is given the task of caring for his dying grandfather. He soon meets Jean Kirstein, an aspiring photographer who works as a milkman for the local farm. Jean promises to teach Armin French, and as the summer progresses, they realise they might be more than just friends. (34k words)
ahh the first jearmin au fic i ever read! everything about this fic is adorable. I love the setting in France and just the vibes of it all. the progression of their relationship is just so tender and thoughtful. give this one a read!
4) A Light in the Fog by VioletteMoon
Armin is beside himself grieving over his hospitalized grandfather. With the distraction of sadness, he doesn’t anticipate the chance encounter with Jean Kirschstein – the genetically-blessed football player at his school with a face seemingly made for cocky grins. Armin also doesn’t anticipate the flurry of emotions that follow their subsequent meetings. (19k words)
i can’t talk enough about this fic omg. jean is whipped and armin’s basically oblivious to it because he’s perceived as the quiet new kid by almost everyone else and doesn’t understand why jean wants to get to know him. their interactions are so cute, and the writing and setting feels very cozy.
5) My Boyfriend’s Boyfriend by Endymien, lucabee
“Need a date for Christmas? Want to make your dad mad?” Eren Jaeger wants to piss off his parents so he does what any perfectly sane individual would do and finds a fake boyfriend on Craigslist to bring him home for Christmas.Jean Kirstein quickly realizes that agreeing to fake date Eren Jaeger may have been the craziest decision he ever made.Armin Arlert just wants this whole ridiculous fake boyfriend ordeal to be over–only partially because he finds himself increasingly enamored of Eren’s “boyfriend.” (62.5k words)
this fic had me laughing out loud so many times, the humor is immaculate. honesty, if you’re looking for a more lighthearted fic that’s could fall under the category of a romcom, this one is perfect for you. the dialogue between eren and jean when trying to act even the tiniest bit couple-like always has me on the floor. the relationship between Jean and Armin feels more secondary to the main plot, but either way this is just an amazing read.
6) In Corpo by Violetta Jones
Jean is sometimes awkwardly embarrassing, and Armin feels embarrassingly awkward most of the time. Working together on a school project might just serve to show that they’re not too bad of a match for each other. (7.5k words)
another really cute academia-based fic!
7) Never Have I Ever by orphan_account
An awkward party game outs Armin as a virgin. Jean decides to change that. (3.8k words)
smut. very well written smut. I love it.
8) Arms Unfolding by vidnyia
Jean and Armin were best friends growing up, talking of nothing but escaping their small town and exploring the world together. Four years have passed since Armin left for college, and he is finally coming home for reasons he doesn’t really understand. Jean made plans to leave long ago, but life got in the way. [80s AU] (90k words)
another incredible fic that made me depressed after finishing it. i love how this fic incorporates not just the one storyline focusing on jean and armin’s relationship, but multiple storylines featuring other characters like Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie which intertwine. be warned of mentions/actions of sexual assault and trauma.
blakekathryn
turnnoffyourmind
ellievsbear
vaporwave
stormborns
annaxmalina
romaincrisis
