"Come on, precious, up we go."

"Yes, sir," Eren nodded and trailed behind Levi up the stairs, his hands and knees moving lazily, until he found himself following the captain right into his study. Levi strode over to his desk and pulled out the high backed chair to sit down before he pointed under his desk at the large wicker basket on the floor. The boy wasted no time and wagged his new tail, scuttling quickly into the expanse of plush within the basket to curl up contentedly in it, ready to relax after a heavy lunch. Eren rested his chin in his arms and shut his eyes, his knees drawing up against his belly as his body sank comfortably into his little bed, happy to remain at Levi's feet while the captain worked at his desk.

"Sir?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you think it's going to rain today?" Eren mumbled into his arms, his eyes still peacefully closed.

"It seems so, pup," Levi said absentmindedly, his fountain pen scratching hurriedly away as he poured over the open book before him, "the clouds have been gathering since last night."

Eren's eyes snapped open in an instant. It was almost here then, the first rain of the year, and with it would come the prime opportunity to truly experience it for the first time in his life. Eren had never been allowed to run around in the rain when he had lived in the palace; the servants had threatened to skin Eren alive if he dragged in so much as a speck of mud. But today was his chance, today Eren would fulfill this little dream, as insignificant as it was. And who knew, the boy mused, shifting to rest his chin on the toe of Levi's boot, the captain might even find it in his heart to join him. Nevertheless, Eren shook himself out of his thoughts and shifted his eyes to stare expectantly from under the table at the large window by the bookshelf. All he needed to do now was be patient.

Though, he couldn't deny that the clouds had been getting darker, swelling and graying angrily while they accumulated in the sky. Eren dragged his tongue along his lips and kept close watch on the window, urging on the clouds with his mind. The boy counted the seconds, the minutes, as they passed by. He could feel it in his bones, the rain would come today, just like the captain said, Eren just knew it.

And come it did. Eren's entire body tensed and became rigid at the first heavy raindrop that splattered on the window, his muscles starting to coil up, ready to spring. But then another drop came, and another. The boy's lips curled slowly into a wide grin, his bottom swaying eagerly when small lines of water raced down the glass pane, excitement bubbling up in Eren from the pit of his belly all the way up into his throat.

Eren shook out his hair, the plan forming in his mind. He would simply find a way to slip out of the study unnoticed by the captain, and out into the rain he had been so desperately waiting for. The boy rose up out from the warmth of the blankets and nudged his way between Levi's legs, his chin resting on the captain's lap as he stared at him from beneath the desk.

"Daddy!"

Levi put down his pen and reached down to scratch under Eren's chin, his brow quirking as he looked down his nose at the boy.

"What is it, pup?"

"Play with me!"

"No, Eren, I can't now, I have a lot to finish," Levi shook his head, pointing back to the wicker basket the boy was kneeling in before his attention focused back on the slew of books strewn about his desk.

Eren's nostrils flared. This would be much easier to carry out than he had thought, considering how busy Levi seemed to be. The boy simply grinned to himself, sinking down from Levi's lap and curling back up in the blankets, only to spring right back up just minutes later.

"Daddy!"

The captain dropped his pen with a sigh and rubbed his temples in exasperation, Eren rolling his chin happily along Levi's knee cap.

"What is it, Eren?"

"I need to use the bathroom!"

"Then go use it, pup. Let daddy finish so he can enjoy you later on."

Eren straightened up and nodded dutifully, a giddy smile creeping along his lips. The boy wasted not a second, scampering on all fours out the door, down the stairs, and finally into the kitchen. Eren padded cautiously along the wooden floor until he stopped to kneel at the great oak door by the pantry, the storm from outside beating steadily against it.

Now was Eren's chance. The boy let his fingers ghost onto the knob, cracking the heavy door open just so, before a swish of wind and water harshly greeted his face. Eren's teeth positively chattered with excitement as he beheld the garden, now a changed world before him, no longer serene and sunny. Eren crawled hesitantly forward, watching in awe as the towering willow's branches whipped about in the wind, the leaves and petals of the flowers around it no match against the persistent rain drops that assaulted them.

But before the boy could proceed, one last thing needed to be in order, much to his dismay. Eren turned his head and spread his legs, his hand reaching back towards his bottom to grasp at the bushy tail poking out from between his cheeks. Eren swallowed a breath and set his jaw, his opening stretching around the glass plug as he wiggled it out slowly. The puckered skin was pulled taught against the circumference of the piece, a small whine ringing through the kitchen until the tail had finally found its way out with a small pop. It was true, Eren would have left Levi's gift inside him if he could have, but he knew very well that the captain would have his hide should he get his tail dirty in any way at all. Either way, Eren placed the expanse of fur carefully aside and turned to face the barrier standing between him and the storm he so desperately wished to experience.

Before he could lose any of his nerve, Eren threw the door wide open and dashed out quickly into the gale, delighting in the barrage of water and wind that chilled him to his very bones. There was no other feeling like this, Eren had always been kept in the palace, safe and warm and clean, but this, this was feeling alive. The icy rain stinging his back, the pools of muddy grass numbing his fingers and toes, it was this, a swirl of new sensations that drove the boy into an almost manic euphoria.

Eren immediately sprang forth, bounding through the garden as fast as his hands and knees would allow, squealing and crying out with glee as he sloshed around in the puddles checkering the grass. The boy splashed and rolled about in the muddy water, his happy screams melting away with the roar of the storm.

But not completely, at least not to Levi. The captain's pen halted at the sound of a shrill noise coming from outside. Levi's eyes narrowed as they traveled slowly from the pages beneath his fingers to the window on the far wall. Now that he really entertained the idea, Eren hadn't returned from the bathroom, seeing as the boy definitely should have by now. He would have to go and find out what that little hoodlum was up to in there. But for now, Levi rose to his feet and crept towards the window, his thin brows furrowing with curiosity as he registered more of what sounded like ecstatic shrieks amidst the rumbling of the thunder.

The captain inched closer to the glass, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets and his knuckles growing white as he gripped the window sill. There it was, the reason Levi's face grew pale, his Eren, outside in the middle of the yard, soaking wet and splattered all over with mud and leaves and bits of grass.

"Eren…? EREN!"

Levi wasted not a second, spitting out a multitude of curses as he sprinted out of his study, flew down the grand staircase, and charged out into the yard through the kitchen. "EREN, WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

The boy paused for a moment, interrupting a nice romp in a puddle he had currently been enjoying, to look up and flash a smile in Levi's direction, a smile that was pure and genuine, without a care in the world. "Captain, look!" Eren knelt up and waved eagerly in Levi's direction, "I'm playing in the rain!"

Levi's right eye twitched and a vein in his temple began to throb at the sight of Eren's sopping hair and his shivering form, at the sight of rain water pouring down the boy's body in torrents. But Eren merely giggled and scurried away on his hands and knees, darting between hydrangea bushes as the captain stood fuming on the cobblestone path near the kitchen door.

"Damn it, Eren, you get over here right now!"

"But, sir!" Eren called out, his head popping almost comically up from behind some leaves, "I'm having fun! I want to stay outside for a little while more!"

"Like hell you will!" Levi barked, his patience dwindling before he finally stomped furiously out into the garden, the wet grass squelching beneath his boots with every step he took. The captain growled in frustration as Eren made to dart away, his laughter ringing merrily while Levi chased him through the bushes, the captain stepping awkwardly here and there as he worked to avoid stray patches of mud. "Eren, I swear to God, if you don't get your ass inside this instant—!"

"Wait, wait, okay, I'm coming, daddy, I'm coming!" the boy squealed, crawling hastily toward Levi until the captain seized the opportunity to snatch Eren up off the ground and dash like a mad man back inside.

"Sir—," Eren panted, breathless and reeling from all of the exhilaration currently coursing through his body, "that was—the best—time ev—."

"I don't want to hear it!" Levi hissed, marching up the stairs to the master bathroom, "If you think your little behind is going to be anywhere near outside when the next storm comes, I have news for you."

The captain grunted and bent down to turn the faucet of the bathtub, scowling as he felt Eren's goose bumps under his fingers now that the boy's adrenaline was gone and the feeling of cold set in. But nonetheless, Eren wriggled happily in Levi's arms, effectively coating the captain's uniform with a healthy layer of mud and stray leaves before he slipped free and splashed down into the hot bath water.

Levi huffed and sank down onto his knees, his hands resting on the tub's porcelain edge. "Eren," the captain sighed, his eyes closing tiredly, "you cannot just go out into the rain like that," Levi paused, his thumb moving up to wipe a smudge of filth off of Eren's nose, "daddy doesn't want you to fall ill. That would make daddy very upset. Do you want that to happen?"

Eren's eyes immediately grew worried, the smile on his lips sliding off quickly. He stared sheepishly up at Levi, the captain's sharp face a painting of disappointment. Eren shook his head in reply and lowered his gaze demurely, his hands clasped tightly on his knees. He had been so selfish not to consider how Levi would feel, how Levi worried for him. Eren's lip trembled, his eyes beginning to swim. He was always being selfish.

"I'm sorry, sir. It was my first time," Eren mumbled, his voice small and almost silent, "I just wanted to play…"

Levi pursed his lips and let a puff of air out through his nose, his face suddenly looking older and more fatigued than it had in a while. It really was no small feat dealing with such a rambunctious child, but nevertheless, his hand reached out slowly until it rested on the back of Eren's neck, the boy's eyes closing when Levi pulled him forward to place a gentle peck on his forehead. Well, the least dirty part of it, anyway.

"Alright, alright pup…" Levi huffed, taking a washcloth in hand and beginning to scrub away at the grime on Eren's skin, "let's just get you clean. Then we can turn on the fireplace and enjoy a small treat before dinner. How does that sound?"

Eren blinked for a moment before his face regained its light. "That sounds like the best!"

"Well then, let's get going," the captain nodded, his hands moving with purpose all over Eren's body. Levi worked silently, dragging the cloth along Eren's form in a quick once over, all of the mud and twigs and leaves sliding off as the captain rinsed them away. Though, the man's nose soon crinkled in distaste as he regarded the absolute filthiness of the water Eren was now sitting in. But it was no matter, seeing as Levi promptly pulled the plug from the bottom of the tub, letting it all drain away within seconds.

"You know, it seems to me like you're more of a dirty little piglet rather than a puppy."

Eren's cheeks grew plump, his lips curving up to give Levi a bashful smile. "Sorry, daddy, I didn't mean to get so messy…"

"Right," the captain rolled his eyes and dumped a small bowl full of water over Eren's head as he waited for the tub to fill once again, "that's what they all say. Now come here."

Eren bowed his head and let his eyes slip shut when Levi pulled him close and dug his hands in the boy's hair. Eren couldn't help but let out a tiny giggle at the sound of Levi tutting in annoyance while he worked up a lather in Eren's locks, his fingers stern as they kneaded the boy's scalp.

"Don't think you'll get off so easily next time, piglet," the captain warned lazily, another torrent of water splashing down on Eren from the bowl Levi was brandishing above the boy's head, "I can guarantee that ass of yours will get much more than just a bath…"

Eren hummed in content, not really registering the captain's voice, his words seeming to float away with the steam that was clouding up the bathroom ceiling. In all honesty, Eren felt in this very moment, content with the world. He had everything he could ever ask for.

Eren had a home now, not a palace, where all that was expected of him was silence and discipline. He had a home with memories, one where he was loved and cared for, no matter his misdeeds. Eren's cheeks soon dusted over with pink as he grew conscious of his thoughts, his eyes traveling shyly towards Levi's face. It always came down to him, even now as Levi washed him, Eren's heart was flitting madly in his chest as warmth crawled through his veins. It was those hands working along Eren's soapy skin, firm when they needed to be, but loving all the while, that never failed to turn the boy inside out.

"Come now, Eren," Levi ordered gently, holding open a towel he had fetched from the cabinet when Eren had been too immersed in his musings to notice.

"Yes, captain!" Eren quipped, climbing out of the tub and into Levi's arms, the man taking care to dry him well.

"Now," Levi stood, making sure the towel was wrapped securely around Eren before he shed his own clothes, "it's my turn for a bath. Seeing as you just couldn't keep your filth to yourself, thank you."

Eren couldn't help but grin widely, his body shaking off the towel just before he clambered quickly back into the tub and onto Levi's lap, much to the captain's horror.

"Oi, goddamnit, Eren! I just got you clean!"

The boy squirmed and chortled, his arms immediately wrapping tightly around Levi's shoulders when he made to swat at Eren's backside. The captain could only groan in exasperation and slump back against the bath tub, his palm dragging tiredly across his face as he closed his eyes. "You're going to be the death of me, pup, I just know it."

"Sorry, daaaaddy," Eren teased, his eyes angelic as he batted his thick lashes up at Levi, "I just want to be close to you is all…"

"Well I want you to get out of this damn tub so I can finish and relax," the captain snapped, his tone sharp and his face devoid of any more patience for Eren's antics.

But the boy merely smiled, his lips touching Levi's cheek before he slinked out of the tub and back into the towel. "Yes, sir!"

"Oi."

Eren lifted his head up out of his arms, his eyes darting from the fire in the hearth he had been entranced with to the thing that was now invading his peripheral. He rose up slightly from the heap of blankets at Levi's feet to face the captain head on, a length of braided leather dangling in the man's fingers.

Levi leaned forward, his eyes twinkling knowingly. "Do you want to play with Captain?"

Eren's tongue lolled out and his gaze followed the toy as it wagged back and forth, teasing him, just inches from his lips, until he crept forward stealthily and caught it with his teeth. The sudden tension on the leather prompted Levi to pull back against it, Eren playfully tugging at the braid just as hard, a happy growl bubbling up in his throat. The boy clamped down on the leather and shook his head wildly from side to side, snarling in between giggles as he fought against Levi, the captain's hold strong and unwavering despite Eren's efforts. Nevertheless, he sank his teeth down further into the braid, huffing and puffing out through his nose as he pulled and gnawed furiously at the toy in Levi's hand.

"Oh my, such a strong boy, " Levi mused stonily, his muscles flexing as he drew his arm back, Eren only growing more persistent. The boy knelt up, his hands gripping the captain's knees, his teeth clenching on the leather with the extra fervor that came with Levi's praise. Eren grunted and growled, his bottom, full once again with his new tail, wiggling excitedly when Levi's fingers finally loosened.

"Looks like you got me, Eren," Levi conceded in mock disappointment, his hand relinquishing the leather braid.

"Yes, I did!" Eren cried between pants, the toy dropping from his mouth before he clambered hastily up onto Levi's lap. "I want to do it again! It was fun!"

"Well, you've definitely been having a lot of that today, haven't you?" Levi murmured, stretching his arms back behind his head. "All sorts of naughty fun, I'd say."

Eren nodded eagerly and nuzzled his nose into the captain's jaw, the fur of his tail draping over Levi's legs.

"Even though you know much better than to pull those kinds of shenanigans," Levi breathed, his brows raising when Eren gave him a bratty pout. "Do you think you need a spanking for all the trouble you've given me today?"

Eren shook his head quickly, his heart skipping in his chest and his bottom seeming to tingle already.

"Oh?" Levi murmured low and smooth in Eren's ear, his lips pressing to the boy's furrowed brow as he stroked his hair, "What do you think then?"

Eren paused a moment, his eyes closing against Levi's neck, the crackling of the fire and the warmth of the captain's embrace calming him once again. "I think no punishment at all. I eat one of my Christmas chocolates now! Especially because I beat you," Eren added, bouncing up and down on Levi's lap.

"Hmmm?" Levi ran his hand leisurely along the furry expanse of Eren's tail, "I can't say that I agree with that. But," the captain paused, his voice lowering against Eren's ear, "if you can make it up to daddy in some way, he will consider your proposal."

Eren failed to suppress a shudder when Levi's fingers snaked down his lower back and gently pumped the glass plug between his legs. "What…can I do, sir…?"

Levi's gaze shifted down, his eyes appraising Eren's supple body.

"Surprise me."