The wave pushed Armin's board over its lip and he took two more strokes to catch up to its speed.

"Shit, it's a close-out! Back the hell..."

Levi's command got swallowed by Armin's own heartbeat pounding in his ears and the roar of the colossal mass of water closing over him. The crest just broke with an overwhelming thump, dumping its whole salty weight over the surface, taking Armin down with its impact. The pressure slammed over him, knocking the air out of his lungs; his body folded in half. He just curled up, covered his head instinctively with his arms, letting the powerful whirlpool of foam and bubbles take him under into the deep of the darkness.

The raging ocean rolled over. He came up for the air and a second wave almost immediately broke on him.

Two-wave hold down. The badge of honor.

Whitewater washed over him again. He started swimming with chaotic strokes, unable to distinguish directions. His hand reached up, just barely above the water, and his eyes followed the glimpse of light cutting through the spume. His heart hammered and his veins, on the verge of bursting, pulsed impossibly in his temple.

Calm down, Armin. You can make it. One more stroke.

His muscles clenched, and he extended his arms over the water, focused on pulling up. Finally, his face broke through the surface. He gasped, trying to catch a breath, but he inhaled half foam and half air instead. His chest tightened painfully, and he coughed, spitting the saline liquid.

"Good, you survived," Levi's emotionless bark sounded somewhere over him, "but going for this wave was a really shitty decision. Here…"

Levi pushed Armin's board nose in his direction. His voice softened just for a second.

"You got pounded really good out there, rag-doll."

Hoarse timbre hardened again.

"Now back in the line-up, catch up to Eren," Levi turned on his board with a swift move and paddled away.

Armin shook his head, tears of exhaustion burning in his eyes, and a bunch of stray wet strands of his hair fell over his forehead. He brushed them off hastily and followed Levi into the ocean, letting out a deep sigh.

Erwin watched with relief as the door of his new luxury beachfront house closed behind a chatty real estate agent. The property overlooking the Ditch Plains from the steep cliffs was move-in ready. Fully furnished; classic beach-house interior design provided comfort he had expected from this place.

He walked over to the open kitchen, wooden cabinets contrasted with stainless steel shine of appliances, high stools lining up against the kitchen island. The bar was fully stocked, and Erwin helped himself to a finger of bourbon, neat. He took a slow sip. The thick, amber liquid went smoothly down his throat.

He pushed a glass sliding door separating him from the ample wooden terrace and stepped outside. The warm rays of sunset gently grazed his face, the sun sinking into the ocean at the horizon painted over the cloud-streaked sky. The salty breeze cooled his cheeks as the light of the day faded away.

Erwin leaned in over the wooden railing on top of the stairs leading down straight to the pristine beach. Burned-orange of the cliffs and dusty yellow of the grainy sand basked in the last glare of the afternoon.

His gaze drifted to the open ocean, and he noticed three surfers, two teenage boys, and an older man, catching wave after wave with practiced grace. Erwin watched the compact, agile man hypnotized. Black silhouette slid down the wave, turned at its bottom, and went up again, then hit the crest and went straight up over it, flying in the air.

Erwin had never seen such precision of body movements. He shook his head in awe and he downed the rest of his bourbon in a silent cheer to the gifted stranger.

A sudden gust of the on-shore wind made him shiver, and his stomach let out a loud gurgle. He headed back inside.

He started opening the kitchen cabinets, looking for some snacks. But unlike the fully stocked bar, the cabinets and the fridge were empty. A trip to the town seemed necessary. Erwin sighed with resignation and grabbed his car keys from the kitchen counter. He hesitated as the corner of his eye spotted the empty glass. He could just walk through the Shadmoor park, it was not so far.

Fresh catch of the day with fries and coleslaw was a delightful choice. A tall, black-haired girl cleaned his empty plate, and Erwin ordered another glass of a crispy local Pinot Grigio.

He always liked people watching, and the place he chose for dinner, one of Montauk's many seafood restaurants, was a perfect location for entertaining his hobby. Over the brim of his wineglass, he observed the interior of the restaurant and the long wooden bar. There were only a few clients, local surfers sitting at the opposite side high barstools sipping their beers in the lazy atmosphere of the out of season beach town.

A petite blonde came in, strolled past him, and climbed on her toes, leaning over the bar. Short butt-hugging jeans shorts, thin hooded sweater barely covering the tiniest bikini Erwin had ever seen underneath it. Long blond hair pulled in the loose ponytail reached over her shoulder blades. He could see her sweet tanned profile, small nose, and aquamarine eyes, but couldn't quite figure out her age. She might as well be 18 or 22, maybe even older. But so cute.

The same black-haired bartender who served his food earlier came out from the back of the bar carrying several takeout containers.

"Lobster Mac and Cheese, as you ordered," said the bartender handing the containers over to the blonde, "I've packed you some lobster rolls and the chowder of the day that we have left over. Should be enough for the kids."

"Thanks, Mikasa."

Her voice was as sweet as Erwin would have expected.

"Appreciate it," another woman's emotionless voice sounded from the back, "and tell Levi Kenny wants to talk to him about a job, Historia."

"I will, Traute."

Historia, what an interesting nickname.

"Historia?" Erwin asked the girl, leaning towards her. The height difference between them seemed almost inhuman. "Sounds like a story behind it."

"Oh, there is," the bartender called Mikasa sniggered.

"My actual name is Krista, but they call me Historia, yes."

What a sweet smile.

"I am Erwin. I would very much like to hear your story Historia, will you let me invite you for a drink?"

"Maybe tomorrow," she said, pointing her little chin on the takeout ready on the counter, and she winked, "give me your phone."

Erwin handed her his phone and watched her fingers typing in her number.

"Do you want me to help you with these?" he put his hand on the takeout.

"Oh, that would be so kind of you."

The corners of her eyes creased with another smile she cast him when he accompanied her to her car. He was so lost.

"Eren take out the trash! Armin, you are on laundry duty. Isabel, help him, will you?" Levi distributed house chores, meticulously arranging piling dishes in the dishwasher. "And you, Connie, take the wetsuits and the boards in for the night."

Historia was putting the leftovers in the fridge. He straightened and moved closer to her.

"Hey, wanna fuck later?" he asked, lowering his voice so the kids couldn't hear him.

"How romantic, Levi," she giggled, but rested her palm on his arm and stroked it, "come over in half an hour. By the way, Kenny wants to see you about a job."

Levi's face darkened, and his mouth turned into a tense scowl.

Historia relaxed into her bed, closing her eyes, almost drifting off to sleep when a knock on the door woke her up.

"Come in."

Levi sneaked in, closing the door behind him with a kick. He pulled his t-shirt over his head while he crawled onto the bed. She reached out and pulled him in, tight muscles of his chest pushing her into the bed and pinning her down.

/.../

"I am going for a night session," he hissed, climbing off her.

"Take the condom to the trash with you, please," Historia said with a tired voice.

Levi turned and looked at her from over his shoulder.

"You know I always do."