Levi had no idea what this brat was trying to accomplish with this buddy buddy act. However, he did really enjoy his tea and his curiosity was caught over the elven tea. He scowled slightly when he saw Petra out of the corner of his eyes hiding a smile behind her hand. The scowl was also caused by how damn smiley this jade eyed man was. That damn dimple shouldn't be allowed to exist. Levi avoided providing any further comments as he took a sip of the tea. It was surprisingly good. It had a somewhat fruity flavor mixed in with bitter taste. Eren's eager eyes watched him closely and Levi refused to shift in his uneasiness. He simply glanced away.

"Do you like it?" Eren's voice drew Levi's eyes to him again. He just couldn't read Levi. His face was always stuck in that indifferent 'I don't give a shit' state. He was hoping for at least a twinge of interest. Something. Anything.

"It's alright. Thanks" Levi said blandly as he took another sip. He watched as Eren's smile grew larger.

"I have more if you want it." Eren counted it as a win. He would definitely give Levi all the tea in the world if the man wanted it. He wasn't sure why he wanted to please this man so much, but he did. Levi was just so cool.

Levi shrugged. "Sure. If you don't mind."

"Not at all" Eren beamed as he rocked slightly where he was sitting. He grabbed some of his own food that he had brought over and started eating. Internally he was still congratulating himself for giving Levi something he liked.

Levi wasn't that surprised when Eren walked up to him that night. It seemed that every time Levi took first watch, the little punk would find his way to him. They sat in silence for a while before Eren started asking mild questions. They talked about their respective homes. Eren lived behind Wall Maria like the humans lived behind Wall Rose. Levi wasn't too surprised by that either. With the rise of the titans, hiding behind walls was the most logical course of action. Elves didn't seem too different from humans in the grand scheme of things. Problems arose living behind a wall though like over population and famine. That's why the Survey Corps ventured outside it trying to solve the many woes of the world.

Eren listened eagerly to everything that Levi said. Not that it was a lot as Levi was a man of few words. He also couldn't help to notice the underlying sadness that seemed to plague Levi. It was pretty well hidden, but there would be an occasional slip either by what he said or how he said it. The dark circles under his eyes also revealed more than Levi would ever admit out loud. He was always so damn composed. Eren just couldn't fathom it and it frustrated him. He had never met someone like Levi and soon enough all his thoughts were consumed with the short gruff man.

The next couple of days and nights passed in a similar manner. It unnerved Levi to have Eren riding behind him on his horse. He could literally feel the heat radiating off the elf's body in the close proximity. The nights were alright he supposed. Well he didn't hate their little talks anyways. Oh and the brat still provided that tea. Levi didn't mind that either. In fact he actually enjoyed it. What he didn't enjoy though was that he hadn't had a proper chance to thoroughly clean himself for about two weeks. Pretty much right before they were joined by their unlikely companions. He could feel the grime coating him. It left his skin crawling and his mood even moodier. Not that it deterred Eren. Levi wasn't sure why the brat so was intent on getting to know him. It was a thin line between being annoying and enjoyable and Levi didn't want to dwell on the latter. Eren just seemed to be burrowing his way past the walls that Levi had spent years building up around himself like they didn't exist. Every glare or scathing remark was brushed off. It left him unnerved and uncomfortable.

When they came upon a little forest with normal trees and stumbled across a little forest lake, Levi felt relief wash over him. He would finally be able to wash himself. He chose to ignore the thought of all the things that were living in the water. All the bacteria and fish feces. All that mattered was he would be able to scrub himself off with water. He would be able to feel it lapping and caressing against his skin. Levi didn't look forward to a lot of things, but being clean was definitely one of them.

The women decided to stand watch first, so the men could clean themselves. Levi was grateful that it seemed to be an unspoken agreement to leave on undergarments this time. He was actually feeling self-conscious because he could literally feel a green gaze watching him as he stripped off his clothes. Levi chose to ignore it like most everything else and he washed his clothes. Right before wading into the water to wash himself, he glanced back towards the shore and now it was his turn to be sucked into watching a brunette elf talk cheerfully with his blonde friend as he took his clothes off. Levi swore to himself as he watched more tan unblemished skin being exposed by the second. Eren really was beautiful and he had lean muscles and long as fuck legs. His ass was practically illegal. Levi quickly tore his eyes away when he saw Eren start to look his way.

Eren most definitely watched as Levi undressed. It didn't even cross his mind that he was totally being a creeper. He was just too curious as to what Levi looked like under his clothes. He seemed strong, so Eren had imagined that he would have muscles everywhere. The sight was not disappointing. Levi might be short, but he was not weak. His muscles were hard and defined and Eren felt inferior compared to such a display. He also noticed the scars that littered his pale body. He could see where the human's flying contraption cut into his skin. Eren blinked in shock when the thought crossed his mind that he wanted to trace the areas with his fingers and soothe them. He quickly looked away and went about talking to Armin trying to push thoughts of touching Levi's body out of his mind. His gaze did flitter back towards Levi in the water though. He watched as Levi quickly looked away and started scrubbing himself. Eren smiled slightly at the tiny pink blush on the pale cheeks.

Levi quickly went about starting to scrub down his arms. He did not need to stare like some old pervert. He was 32 and looking at teenager just felt wrong. He sighed in defeat when Eren swam up closer to him with that damn dimpled smile and shiny jewel eyes. He dunked under the water and when came back up his entire body was running with trails of water. He ran his fingers through his hair and Levi couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight. Fuck. This elf was too fucking attractive. Dammit. He frowned and quickly dunked his own head under the water hoping it would alleviate the growing heat on his cheeks. He stayed under for a couple of moments trying to reign in his thoughts. When he realized however that his face was submerged in bacteria filled water, he shot back up with disgust. He grimaced as he tried to wipe as much water as he could from his face.

Eren laughed at the disgusted look on Levi's face and drew Levi's attention back to him. Glimmering eyes were staring at him and Levi frowned. "What's so funny annoying brat?"

"Oh nothing too much. You just looked really disgusted for a moment. I thought you were looking forward to getting clean." Eren couldn't stop the little shit eating grin that graced his face.

Levi watched as Eren rubbed off the grime of the road from his chest. Long fingers trailed over pert nipples and Levi felt a stirring in his nether region that he hadn't felt for years. Shit. "This water isn't clean to begin with. Of course I'm disgusted that it's all over my face" he grumbled in reply.

"Then why did you put your head under?" Eren tilted his head to the side slightly.

Dammit why is this brat so damn adorable? Levi didn't want to continue down that train of thought. "Because my hair was greasy as fuck and needs to be somewhat cleaned."

"Well you're not doing a very good job cleaning it. Here let me help" Eren trailed off innocently and cupped his hands full of water before dumping it on Levi's head and ruffling his hands through the black strands. Nails lightly ran over his scalp.

Levi's breath caught in his throat and his whole body froze. It took a moment for him to process what had just happened. When it finally sunk in that Eren not only dumped water on him, but also ran his hands through his hair, Levi was very uncomfortable. No one fucking touched him like that. He was about to scold the brat when Connie swam closer and splashed Eren. Unfortunately the wave of water also hit Levi straight on when his mouth was open. Levi quickly started sputtering and spitting out the lake water. Gross. So fucking gross. That damn shaved elf was going to pay for that. Hopefully the other elves wouldn't mind being an elf short on the rest of their journey.

He glared at Eren who was laughing joyfully at his expense. His patience snapped and he grabbed hold of Eren's shoulders before plunging him into the water. Eren squeaked adorably as he was pushed forcibly under the surface. Levi let go after a moment and while Eren sputtered, he scanned the area for that damn elf. He paused when he realized that Erwin was watching him with an amused smile. In fact a few other of the Survey Corps were watching him and he instantly felt self-conscious again. He put on his best scowl and decided to head for the shore. He was clean enough and didn't want to spend any more time in the company of a certain wet slippery tan elf.

He turned around to leave, but froze again when he felt Eren's long fingers grip at his hips. It instantly left a feeling of static running through his skin. Eren moved in front of him and looked up at him sheepishly. He was about to ask what the fuck the elf thought he was doing when his back was hit with a new wave of water. He turned to glare at whoever just dared to fucking splash him and Erwin grinned with a raised eyebrow in challenge.

Levi wasn't sure how the hell he got dragged into a fucking splashing and dunking fest, but he was. Well more like he grumbled and tried to escape, but every time he headed for the shore that annoying little shit would grab him. It was so fucking juvenile. Levi tried to avoid the stupid elf the rest of the day, but it was truly a pointless effort. Everywhere Levi looked or went, Eren was close by. Those piercing jade eyes occasionally watching him with an intensity that Levi tried to ignore. He could still hear Eren's laughter ringing in his ears. He could still feel his fingers lingering on his skin. For fucks sake, he could still feel Eren's back pressed up against his chest when the elf slipped in the water and Levi caught him. He was so freaking hot despite the cold slippery water that coated his soft yet firm body.

Levi groaned internally as he sat on a tree branch that night. He groaned because thinking of a tan wet lean muscled elf was making his pants feel uncomfortable. He couldn't even remember the last time he had experienced a physical reaction to someone. He ran his fingers through his hair in annoyance, clicked his tongue and chose to ignore the stirring in his pants. Instead he focused back on the stars in the sky. He had heard that different star groups have names and stories not that he knew any of them. He never took the time to learn. There was more important things like staying alive. Levi wondered if the elves had different names or stories.

It was quite a bit later than normal when he heard the rustling coming from behind him. He assumed it was Eren and when the elf joined him on the same branch, he let out a sigh. "You're later than normal."

Eren gave him a sheepish smile and let his legs dangle off the edge of the branch. "Yeah I had to wait until Mikasa fell asleep. Sorry…"

Levi raised an eyebrow. "Really? You're girlfriend doesn't approve of you hanging out with me?" Levi asked with some sarcasm.

"Mikasa is not my girlfriend!" Eren choked out in a high pitched voice. "That's just wrong. She's my sister!"

Levi couldn't help the corner of his mouth twitching up slightly. "I didn't know she was your sister. You two look nothing alike and don't you have different last names?"

"Oh…well she's adopted…" Eren conceded. "But it doesn't really matter. She's my sister despite the difference in our blood." Eren wouldn't know what he would do without Mikasa. Yeah she was a pain in the ass, but they were inseparable. She had also stuck with him through his worst moments.

"She still doesn't like us hanging out together though does she?"

"Mikasa is just always way to overprotective sometimes. It's annoying" Eren said petulantly.

"So she thinks you need to be protected from me?" Levi asked with bland amusement. "Why would she think that?"

Eren fidgeted nervously. "I don't know. Never mind…" There was no way in hell that Eren was going to admit that Mikasa was worried about Eren getting too attached to Levi. She didn't want him to get hurt and she didn't trust the human's necessarily. Especially Levi.

Levi let it drop. He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer anyways. Instead he asked Eren about the stars and spent the remainder of their time listening to Eren's excited babbling. He also spent some time watching Eren. The green eyes shimmered in the moonlight and he couldn't stop the thought that Eren was truly breathtaking. He was untainted and pure. Innocent. Levi felt that he shouldn't be allowed to be around Eren. His sister was probably right about Eren not spending time with him. He would ruin this boy.