I'm only putting this in your ask because I don't blog spoilers, but you're absolutely 100% correct that this is all a carefully thought out plan...I just don't think anyone planned for the sexual element. Those are probably real tears we're seeing. Levi and Mikasa will probably swoop in any minute now, but a lot can happen before then. I think it's right to worry. : /
Yeah, no, I definitely feel that. The kidnapper feeling up on “Historia” like that could also mean that they were just planning to kill her before she could talk, since they aren’t treating “her” like something that’s valuable intact, and that Armin is in way over his head. And considering the amount of bullying he received as a child, willingly putting himself back into a situation like that is the bravest thing I think we’ve seen him do. Not objectively brave, like defending unconscious Jean a few chapters ago, but personally brave, facing all of his own past and demons. It doesn’t help that his only experience with kidnappers from the inner walls is Mikasa’s kidnappers, who were going to sell her into sexual slavery. I’m sure he’s heard about that. Just. Armin’s got some balls of steel. And Jean helplessly watching all of that? If anyone is clever enough to get out of it, though, it’s those two.