Dun, dun, dun! MORE FLUFF… in fact it's a little sexual. No, nothing big but a lot of sexual tension in there. I can't wait to do lemon scenes with these two! I enjoyed writing this chapter so much. It didn't take me long to write at all compared to the earlier chapters. Goodness, I may have to change the genre eventually to romance. Enjoy!

Levi stirred from his sleep, groggy and his chest and left side throbbing. Dazed and confused he pieced the broken segments of yesterday's events in his mind. He forlornly remembered his desire to die, jumping off the Maria to spare him the fate of hanging at the gallows or dying by that good for nothing Commodore's hands. He tried to remember the face of the saviour that spared him from drowning. He could vaguely remember chestnut brown hair, skin that was tanned from being in the sun, clear turquoise eyes… and his hypnotic voice that lulled him into that peaceful slumber.

He moved slightly and sensed slight warmth and weight on his stomach. Disorientated he looked down to find a young man asleep. Astonished and now fully awake he looked closer, curious. This boy couldn't be no more than fifteen. He was an incredibly handsome boy. Although he still had the traces of youth, he had a clear and distinct facial structure. When he grew up, he would most certainly be one of the most striking people you would ever come across. He looked so peaceful sleeping. Levi's eyes slowly travelled to the man's torso lean and muscled. His eyes widened a fraction shocked when he discovered the young man who slept didn't have legs, but a fish's tail. He had an elegant, fish tail of silver and blue scales. His saviour was a merman. That must explain the haunting song that lulled him to sleep last night.

Levi bit his lip and kept his body absolutely still when the merman stirred from his slumber. Gingerly, he touched the boy's hair, brushing the stray pieces that fell across his face. The affectionate gesture surprised the merman. Eren's eyes flew open in shock and immediately locked with Levi's own. For a brief moment, the Captain managed to appreciate the colour of this merman's eyes. They were such an alluring and fascinating turquoise. No. This was not the first time he had be attracted to someone of the same gender. He had bedded men and women alike… but he had never thought of having a romantic or sexual attraction towards a merman.

Suddenly overcome with fright having the eyes of a human on him, Eren frantically pulled himself away from Captain Levi and began to drag himself back to open water.

"Wait!" Levi called out to the young merman, cursing loudly as he struggled to heave himself up.

With slight difficulty, he managed to crawl towards the terrified creature of the sea and took a firm hold of his arm. Eren tried to fight him off but the Captain was abnormally strong for someone who was recovering from battle wounds.

Eren found himself underneath Levi, his arms pinned by the sides of his head, the Captain's legs braced firmly against his waist in order for him to stop moving. What had Eren gotten himself into? He should have left the man to heal alone. The bright morning sun was surprisingly high and Eren had to squint so he could see the Captain's facial expression clearly. Levi's face was cast in shadow yet his slate eyes gleamed, studying the boy with an intense curiosity. Eren had never felt so vulnerable ad exposed before in his life. What did this man want from him?

Panicking Eren spoke out-loud, "You don't owe me anything, please let me go… I have to get back"

"Keep quiet brat… you'll speak when you're spoken to boy. At the moment just let me look at you"

Eren was stunned by this man's orders. This man called Levi's voice was deep, commanding respect and regard but it wasn't cold or berating. In fact, it was ironically, trustworthy considering his position as a Captain of a band of pirates. He complied this man's orders without question and let his penetrating silver grey eyes study him. Turquoise met grey. Their faces were so close, Eren could see the reflection of his terrified facial expression the Captain's eyes.

"Your name boy. What is it?" Captain Levi spoke.

"… I… that is, my name is Eren Jaeger, Captain Levi sir" Eren replied softly.

Levi raised an eyebrow. Although he was impressed by the name this young merman possessed, he was unsure how the merman learnt his own.

"Jaeger, Eren the hunter… It is fine name Eren. How did you come to learn my name Eren Jaeger?"

Eren gulped.

"I… I saw you during the battle. I-I watched you fight that man from the navy. He said your name was Captain Levi" Eren explained.

Levi nodded remembering the battle.

"I see. Well Eren, I thank you for saving my life but I was expecting to die peacefully and honourably. Now I have to deal with that no good Commodore Erwin Smith and face the wrath of his navy thanks to you. Why did you save me? I usually hear tales of merfolk leading men like me to their deaths" Levi stated coolly.

Eren grimaced, unable to form a sensible answer.

"I… I don't know why sir. I just had to save you… I can't explain it sir".

Levi fell silent. This merman didn't seem to have an ulterior motive for saving him. Judging by his flustered, confused facial expression and his answers, it appeared he generally wanted to save the Captain from drowning and dying from his injuries.

Levi softened his vice like grip around the merman's wrists.

"Well then. If that's the case, I thank you again Eren for saving my life"

"You're welcome Captain. Can… can you let me go now?" Eren asked.

Levi was silent for a moment then at last, he spoke.

"No. Not yet"

Eren frowned.

"Why not?"

"Quiet brat. I told you, speak when you are spoken too. No idle chat"

Before he knew what was happening, Eren found himself being carried by Captain Levi, despite his injuries.

"Hey! What are you doing? Let me down!" Eren cried out, struggling.

"Quit squirming brat" Levi replied.

Finding a large tide pool that looked as if the stone had purposely been cut away in the shape a shallow open rectangle, the Captain still carrying Eren managed to climb down. Gasping from slight pain when the salt made contact with his wound, he wrapped his arms around the merman's waist and sat him on his lap.

Eren gave up with trying to free himself. Firstly, the grip around him was too strong and possessive to fight off. Secondly, even if he did manage to free himself, he wouldn't have been able to hoist himself up onto the ledge stone without someone pulling him up. That was the disadvantages of having a tail.

Eren felt extremely uncomfortable, his face flushed with embarrassment and deep confusion.

"Why are you so embarrassed brat? There's nothing to be ashamed of" Levi commented bored, leaning on the ledge.

"I… I just don't understand. What do you want from me?"

"I'd like some company that's all"

Eren pouted like a child, not liking this situation at all.

"I don't know why you're acting like a child. Have I made any indication to hurt you?" Levi asked the merman on his lap.

Eren shook his head.

"I just don't know what you want from me. What do you want me to do?"

Levi sat quietly for a moment, pondering. A small and amused smile crossed his face, clearly enjoying the discomfort and embarrassment of Eren.

"That lullaby you sang last night. Sing for me Eren" Levi said finally, never breaking his gaze off the merman.

Eren gave him a surprised smile at such a strange request yet he had no desire to disappoint Captain Levi.

"Y-Yes sir" he said.

"Sleep my love my only

Let the ocean sing her shanty

Of pearls, coral and sunken treasure

And the merfolk of the seas"

Dream on my love, my only

Sail far beyond the horizon

Far across the spangled stars

And to your dreaming

'If only, If only' my love replies

Watching all that has gone by

Be strong my love, stand boldly

My love, my angel, my only

So, sleep my love my only

Let the ocean sing her shanty

Of pearls, coral and sunken treasure

And the merfolk of the seas"

Levi sat silently, letting Eren's tenor melodic voice invade his most trivial thoughts. Deep within the very depths of his corrupt soul, the Captain felt an unfamiliar need stir. He wasn't sure if this sensation was caused by the lullaby's mournful, soft melody or if it was the passionate and emotional way Eren sang. Whatever the cause was, Levi had this urge to cry, to laugh, to scream with anguish… emotions flooded deep within him. This boy truly had a gift, a gift to reveal a man's secrets, hidden yearnings and desires. This voice was not evil, bearing no malice or ill intent but that powerful enough to make a man like Levi feel such emotion.

Levi touched Eren's hair softly, trailing his calloused fingertips down the side of the boy's face, the column of his neck and rested them at the small dip at the base of his throat. Eren sat completely still, his eyes downcast unable to look into the Captain's intense gaze. He somehow enjoyed these light inquisitive caresses but his body didn't betray his emotions.

Levi leant forward slowly, not to alarm Eren and rested his head against his shoulder, his face buried in the crook of his neck. He inhaled and smelt the strong scent of seawater, tropical flowers and kelp, the exotic fragrance of the sea.

Eren clenched his eyes shut, feeling his face burn with this strange and incredible intimate physical contact. Never in his life had anyone, let alone a human made such advances on him. It both excited and terrified him.

"Captain… what are-"

"Shh…" The Captain hushed him. He moved his head slightly and kissed the small hollow at the base of his neck. Levi's breath was warm and moist. Eren was somewhat thankful Levi was unable to see his reddened and flustered face, which was now hidden in Levi's dark hair.

"You truly have a marvelous gift Eren" Levi said softly, his mouth brushing against Eren's skin ever so slightly. Eren was unable to thank him properly and somehow, his own palms were resting on the Captain's shoulders.

Eren unsuccessfully tried to hide his disappointment when Levi removed himself from the intimate embrace. The Captain chuckled gently at the boy's dismayed look.

"What's wrong brat? Did you want more?" Levi teased.

Eren's body seemed to defy logic, his face flushing a darker shade of red then before. He tried to look as if he didn't care, turning his head away from the Captain in defiance but in truth, he just didn't want the Captain to see his blush.

"As if! You don't even know me! All I did was save you from drowning and from bleeding to death!" Eren said childishly.

Levi laughed for the first time in years, surprising Eren and himself. This boy was certainly a feisty little character, full of life and inner strength. He liked that quality.

"Yes… I should probably reward you for saving me. A 'thank you' isn't enough" Levi replied casually, his grey eyes flashing with mischief.

Eren innocently tilted his head slightly, bewildered.

"You want to give me a reward?"

Levi felt the corners of his mouth turn up into a soft smile. He gently gripped Eren's chin with his thumb and forefinger, turning the boy's face so he could look at Eren's mystified face directly. Levi leant forward slightly, their noses brushing lightly against one another. The Captain's own eyes were lidded with longing.

"Yes, a reward" Levi said before closing the gap between their mouths.

Eren's eyes widened, stunned and tried to pull away but the Captain's grip around his body was tight and possessive. It wasn't long before the young merman began to submit to Levi's will. The kiss wasn't forced. Quite the contrary, it was tender and reassuring to Eren. He wrapped his arms around his neck and Levi took the opportunity to close the space between their torsos, increasing Eren's flush and earning a slight squeak of surprise from him. Levi's hot, moist tongue slyly licked his partner's lips slowly compelling him to open his mouth. Unsure what to do, Eren opened his own and felt Levi's tongue touch his own persuasively. Eren in turn could only tentatively touch Levi's, shy and timid. For this reason, Levi took it slow for Eren's sake.

Levi broke the kiss finally, a small and thin trail of saliva following him. He would have laughed at Eren's dazed, reddened face and how his eyes were lidded with desire if it weren't for the soft and trusting look in them. He wiped away the excess saliva that wet his lips with his thumb, resting his hand on the boy's cheek.

"Well I can tell you've never kissed anyone before… you need practice brat"

Eren buried his face in Levi's chest, mortified not because of the Captain suddenly kissing him but the fact he was extremely inexperienced.

Levi rested his hand on top of Eren's head, kissing his hair fondly. He sighed. It would be hard to part from this young merman. He didn't want to. Unlike the other men and women he had bedded, Eren was different from the others. He knew, deep within those tantalizing aquamarine eyes, there was a nature so unique, mysterious and determined Levi had to know more about him. He wanted to be near this boy no matter what the consequences.

"Captain Levi?"

"What is it Eren?"

"Can… can we stay like this… just for a little longer?" Eren asked quietly.

Eren's request made Levi's heart ache slightly. How could he say no?

"Of course Eren"

For once in his life, Levi didn't care about the horrors that were to come, nor did he care about his position as a Captain. All that mattered now was fulfilling this boy's desperate wishes. It was the first time Levi felt anything for anyone in a long time.

How I wish I could just get to the smut section… but what's the point of writing smut without a storyline?

Love Evening Falls.