Eren was happy to return to his regular duties. Even more happy with having his breaks again. And he ships morale increased significantly. Everyone seemed happy to see Eren up and about after being down for a week. Levi's popularity, however, dropped a bit.
"I can't believe the captain worked you to fainting all because you pissed off some assholes at a port." Mikasa said a week later as she came down from the main mast. Eren shrugged.
"I banned us from a port." Eren reasoned.
"So hasn't Ymir. The most she got was a slap on the wrist." Mikasa said, crossing her arms.
"I had bathroom duty for two months." Ymir yelled down from where she had climbed into the Crow's nest. "And don't forget that Hanji's banned us from like what, five?"
"Yeah, and Captain Levi had her swabbing the deck for the rest of the voyage." Reiner yelled from where he was on the starboard end of the mizzen mast.
"Not to mention that Big Bro gets us kicked out of most ports." Isabel said as she walked by with a beam she hollowed out for test runs of the message delivery system. "And all he does afterwards is shrug as he flicks the port off while we sail away." Eren sighed.
"Not to mention that you managed to get us all our rum for one gold coin." Ymir yelled down again. At that moment, the cabin door opened, and Levi walked out. Everyone turned away from him, but glared from the corners of their eyes. Levi noticed, how could he not, but he ignored it for now, approaching Eren.
"How are you doing brat?" Levi asked. Eren smiled lightly as he gently leaned against his mop.
"I'm doing well Captain, thank you for asking." Eren said as he smiled lightly and gently leaned against his mop.
"Good. Because I don't need a fucking munity right now." Levi's eyes snapped to the rest of the crew. Eren laughed.
"I'm sure they won't. You're a great captain, none of them to deny that. Not many pirate's can say that their captain cares about them as much as you care for us." Eren's eye softened. "You're kind, even though you're very rough around the edges." Levi blushed a very light pink. He crossed his arms and cocked his eyebrow.
"I think you hit your head harder than I thought." Levi said. Eren chuckled.
"I've been knocking my head off the deck boards for a month or two, one more isn't going to do much." Eren replied.
"You really are a clumsy fuck." Levi said with a light smirk. Eren's heart fluttered at the expression. But he managed a pout at the comment.
"Is that the only reason you came out captain? To insult me?" Eren asked.
"I actually came to make sure you were okay and to tell everyone that I can hear you screaming across the deck over the waves, so quiet the fuck down." Levi's eye flicked to everyone else on the deck. "I'm an asshole, not deaf or apathetic, contrary to what my face defaults as." Eren couldn't help but snicker a little. Levi had made a joke, and it was actually quiet funny. Soon, Isabel joined in, their laughs increasing in volume, contagious to everyone until everyone deck side was laughing.
"I'm glad my lack of facial expressions is entertaining you shits." Levi said, he looked bored, but Eren saw the small spark in his eye. Levi was glad that they didn't resent him, didn't hate him. And it made Eren's laugh die out as a fond look settled on his features. Levi noticed, and his heart almost stopped. He just turned then and left his laughing crew, returning to the safety of his quarters.
"I'm such a fucking girl." Levi groaned as he leaned against his closed door, grabbing his shirt over his heart, relishing in the pleasant tingle under his eyepatch.
The next few weeks passed smoothly after that, besides that one storm, and then the second island was spotted off the starboard bow. After the needed corrections to the ships directions were made, the crew was getting ready for going ashore.
"We'll be at the island in about two days time if the waters agree with us." Levi announced loudly. "I'll be taking the same group I did last time, so those fucker's better be prepared. And Eren, I want to talk to you in my cabin." Levi went back into his cabin as everyone went back to work.
"Yes Captain?" Eren asked as he came in. Erwin was already in the room, leaning against the wall as Levi sat behind his desk.
"You're coming with us to the island." Levi said. Eren stared at Levi, completely dumbfounded. "If this treasure is hidden just like last time, we'll probably need your dumb luck." Levi explained. "That, and I don't want you pulling another stupid ass stunt like last time." Eren smiled lightly and nodded.
"Yes, thank you captain." Eren said happily, ignoring the comments about last time. Levi nodded.
"That's all. Go clean whatever the fuck it was you were cleaning." Levi said.
"Fucking bathrooms." Eren groaned. And out he went. Erwin hummed and Levi released his own groan.
"Whatever the fuck you're thinking Eyebrows-"
"You want him close." Erwin cut in. "Not just because of what happened at the other island. And not just because of what happened a few weeks ago. You're thinking of listening to my advice." Levi blushed glaring daggers at his Quartermaster.
"I fucking hate you sometimes." Levi said. Erwin just smirked his knowing smirk.
I'm cutting it here! Next chapter, they'll go to the island!