Eren decided that he didn't mind staying with the captain, three days after living with him. Eren was put through a strict schedule, up before dawn, making tea the way Levi liked, and learning to clean by Levi's standards. He was also indirectly forced to learn how to cook, or else he and the captain wouldn't have eaten anything.
But after that third day, he was sort of use to it. He was also used to the captain's mouth and habits. And he liked to believe Levi got used to his quirks too. Only problem Eren found was when his eye would begin to tingle and feel funny.
Levi spent his time at his desk or in one of his chairs, going over charts and maps. Krista and Erwin visited frequently, discussing their next trip and who would possibly be coming. Shadis and Isabel would come sometimes to discuss where everything was with the barracks and ship respectively, and Pixis would come in to talk money with Levi and Erwin. But Eren couldn't leave the house for long, so he couldn't go see the friends he had made on the ship.
"Boy looks bored, Captain." Pixis said when he stopped in on the fifth day. "Why not let him go out and spend time with the younger crew, I'm sure he had befriended some, and staying with someone as intimidating as you can be must be tiring." Levi clicked his tongue as he started using the abacus to find out their balances, sighing when he couldn't get the right numbers and handing the thing to Erwin.
"Oi, Eren." Levi called out, Eren hurrying over from where he was sitting on the day bed, looking out the window and watching a rabbit sniff at the ground.
"Captain?" Eren asked. He had also grown to respect Levi a little more. He'd at least knock and wait a few seconds on the ship now at least before entering, and was confident enough that he'd be able to clean the ship to Levi's standards finally.
"Go hang out with the other brats." Levi said, motioning to the door. "But Neptune help you if you get back here after sun set. I will not have an issue locking you out of my damn house and have you sleep on the fucking door step."
"Aye Aye." Eren said as he smiled and hurried to the door, before turning back. "And I think spending ten gold pieces for rum is a little much, haggle it a bit." And Eren was gone as the three older men watched him leave.
"I like him." Pixis said as he took a sip from his flask.
"Then you can keep him." Levi said, dry rubbing his face slightly. Erwin made a disappointed noise. "What the fuck is it Eyebrows?"
"We're taking him on our next expedition." Erwin said firmly.
"Who gave you the authori-" Levi began, but Erwin cut him off.
"As Quarter Master, it's my job to make sure the crew is happy. Eren makes the crew happy. Everyone's a little more eager to work when watching how much determination he puts into his work."
"He's swabbing the damn shit deck! And he could barely do that at first." Levi spat.
"He improved though." Erwin pointed out.
"And after living with your strict ass for a week, he'll be able to clean to your standards, or at least finally understand what they are." Pixis added with a laugh. Levi mumbled profanities under his breath.
"And you don't chose the crew, I do." Erwin said with a satisfied smile. Levi groaned as he dry rubbed his face again.
"Can we just get these fucking numbers done? We need to be able to make sure we can provided for the island and actually brought an income back this time." And so the three returned to work.
Eren, meanwhile, had made it to the village and found Armin. The two walked around happily, Armin introducing the newbie to some of the other villagers and pointing out where everything was on his new land-home.
"So, does everyone live in the barracks?" Eren asked. Armin shook his head.
"No, Erwin lives by himself, Hanji lives with Mike, Petra lives with her father, Gunther and Eld have their own families, Farlan and Isabel live together, and that's pretty much it. Though Shadis is building a house for Ymir and Krista for when they finally marry." Armin explained. Eren hummed in acknowledgement.
"Anyone else on the ship a thing, or...?" Eren trailed off. No one, besides Hanji, really acted like a couple. Well, Isabel and Farlan did, but it wasn't anything more than a quick kiss or passing 'I love you'. Armin nodded then.
"Yeah. I think Sasha and Mikasa are together, they're rooming together as well. Jean has been flirting with Bert pretty hard core lately, and Bert seems to be returning some of the advances. I think Reiner said something about him and Annie." Eren smirked lightly.
"What about you?" Eren asked. Armin shrugged.
"Marco and I have been seeing each other for a few months." Armin said, not really embarrassed, but blushing lightly. Eren frowned slightly.
"Why aren't you two rooming then?" Eren asked. Armin shrugged again.
"We decided not to, in case things don't work out later down the road." Armin explained. Eren nodded as they continued walking around and talking. When Eren saw that the sun was beginning to set, he bid Armin farewell and ran back to Levi's cottage. He opened the door and almost hit Levi with in.
"What the fuck!" Levi barked.
"I'm here before sunset." Eren said with a smile. Levi rolled his eyes.
"Barely. I was just about to lock the damn door. Now get the fuck in here." Eren did as told and watched as Levi locked the door, like he did every night.
"Captain, why do you lock the door? Surely no one on the island would come here in the night."
"Old habits die hard." Levi said, leaving no other explanation as he returned to his desk. "I'd start dinner soon if I were you. And I need more tea." Eren rolled his eyes.
"Aye aye."