I am the epitome of evil. OH GOD THE ANGST! I'm sorry… I have to move this story forward. Don't worry, they'll be back together soon. I PROMISE! I would say enjoy this chapter but I think it's best to say, get tissues… you're in for a roller coaster of feels.

"Captain, why the boy?"

Levi stood silently at the sleeping boy before him, breathing even and a smile gracing his lips from pleasant dreams.

"I don't know… maybe I'm just afraid of being alone"

Petra was silent observing the Captain's unfamiliar soft and tender gaze directed towards the boy. She had never seen him like this, expressing such love and care towards a person before.

"You care about Eren don't you Captain?" Petra asked, placing an understanding and comforting hand on the Levi's shoulder.

Levi didn't answer but Petra didn't need him to. Just by looking at his face she knew the answer.

"If you care about the boy, wouldn't it be best to leave him here for his own safety?"

Levi knew this was true. Keeping Eren with him would only lead to the boy getting hurt whether it be physically or emotionally. The Captain sighed and pressed his forehead against Eren's.

"Yes… it's best for Eren to stay here with his family. Being with a degenerate and cutthroat like me would only endanger Eren's life. I know this boy's personality. He will do anything for me and he will do something reckless for my sake. I can't have him do that"

Petra looked at Eren sadly.

"The poor boy will get his heart broken. You've always been a heartbreaker Captain"

Levi flashed Petra a rueful smile.

"I'm well aware of that Petra. We'll let him sleep for now"

Touching Eren's hair one last time, the couple left the merman to sleep.

Two days later, on board the Maria safe in the Captain's cabin, Eren splashed his tail apprehensively in the large circular wooden tub filled with cool salt water that had been provided for him by Levi's subordinates. Extremely thankful that Levi had given him such a valuable necessity, he nevertheless felt an incredible amount of uneasiness not being by the Captain's side. Alone in the dimly lit cabin, Eren could do nothing but sit quietly or observe the various shining brass nautical equipment and treasures he collected from Levi's previous voyages that were displayed neatly on shelves lining against the cabin walls.

Turning his gaze to the open portholes and looking through the one of the many gateways of the world outside, the boy watched the white streamline bodies of sea gulls glide gracefully their cries permeating the silent din. Eren exhaled an agitated sigh he didn't realize he had been holding and submerged himself in the cool water, staring into the decorated ceiling. Raising his right hand above the water, he wanted to touch those whimsical delicate floral patterns of wisteria blossoms and honey suckle painted in gold and lilac blue. Instead, he traced the air, following the curves and willowing motifs at a leisurely pace his mind racing with worrisome thoughts.

The merman let his hand drop, resting it on his stomach and looked at his tail forlornly remembering Levi's words how he was perfect the way he was. Here he lying here doing nothing for the person he cared for. He felt more of a liability, holding his Captain back. If only he were human, maybe things would be different. He knew how to fight. Merman were taught similar skills in offense strength in both the sword and spear but his fighting talent would mean nothing on land.

Eren thought of his Captain. He was probably briefing his men about the final stand and battle, ordering them to scout and rally all the free and exiled men to fight alongside him for glory and honour. He was completely envious. He then thought of his sister Mikasa and Armin and groaned with guilt. Mikasa would be worried sick about him. His constant disappearances would certainly arouse suspicion amongst his people and if they ever found out about his romantic affair with Levi, they would kill the one he loved before his very eyes. A cold shudder ran down his spine at his grim depiction of his fate. Unless he sacrificed something, their possibility for happiness was slim.

A soft squeak of the Cabin door opening alerted the merman. He peeked from the side of the wooden tub and watched Levi enter holding a tray of food. Eren licked his lips hungrily when the smell of fresh crab-meat and white bread lay on a tray. Levi placed it next to him on the floor.

"Here. I suspect your hungry brat… but make sure you don't get crumbs and crab in the tub". Levi ordered reclining on his bed.

"Thank you Captain Levi" Eren said chewing the crab-meat and bread, filling his empty stomach.

Eren watched Levi polish his pistols until the dull brass gleamed in the feeble lighting.

"Did you talk to your men?"

"I did Eren. They understand their duties. We are sailing to Utopia again to gather a few supplies before we start rallying our own troups"

"Will you see the Commodore?"

Levi shook his head.

"As much as I want to stick a dagger right through his head I will not. We have made an agreement and it is sealed by blood. Due to code, I cannot break it" Levi replied casually but his eyes darkening with hatred at the thought of the Commodore.

There was a brief silence between them. Levi spoke softly.

"Eren… I don't think you should accompany me on my voyages. You will only end up getting hurt" Levi spoke in a low, hollow voice.

Eren sat stunned. Did he hear correctly? The food that he had previously eaten earlier suddenly churned in his stomach, his mouth tasting sour.

"No. I'll stay with you!" Eren said adamantly.

Levi gave him a sharp look.

"Eren. I'm saying this for your own safety. I live a very dangerous life… and I don't want you involved"

Eren cocked his head to one side in confusion, feeling extremely cold.

"What are you saying? I can fight!"

"It's not that Eren. There is a possibility I may not come out of this battle alive... and I don't want you to have to go through that emotional pain… nor do I want to see you die on the battle field" Levi said.

"But didn't you say that you wanted me to be by your side?" Eren said, feeling hot tears begin to form in his eyes.

"I have a new order for you brat. Stay away from me" Levi stated coldly.

Eren felt his entire world collapse around him, turning into a black hole. The air was suppressing, ice cold and his heart felt as if it had been ripped out of his very own rib cage. Eren felt the tears of desolation begin to fall, realizing he was a burden to Levi all along. He could do nothing to help him.

"You don't want me?"

"No. Leave and go back to Shinganshina"

Levi's eyes were obsidian black, frigid and hard. He really meant it.

Eren nodded, an uncomfortable lump stuck in his throat making it very difficult for him to breathe. He sighed, accepting Levi's words.

"Very well. I will follow your orders Captain Levi"

Levi turned his face away from the boy.

"I… I am not your Captain"

Levi stood alone at the helm, numb and frozen devoid of all feeling as he watched Eren swim away into the horizon. He could never forget that boy's heartbroken face. No it was more than that. It was the look of disappointment towards the one he loved. Regret surged through the Captain's veins and he wished with all his heart that he could take back the hurtful words he said to Eren. When Eren left, it felt as if all emotion of love, deep affection and tenderness had gone with him. Now he was left with a cold, empty hole deep within his soul… something Eren had mended when they had first met. Letting him go, was for his own good. Eren was a merman, meant to roam free and live life happily. He didn't want to keep Eren hidden in his cabin locked from a world. It was the same as keeping an animal in a cage. Eren was a true prince of the seas. The sea was his realm and he had every right to govern and rule over such a large territory. It wasn't right to keep him from his people. As much as he wanted Eren by his side, he knew deep down the boy would do something reckless for him. He had thought long and hard about the forbidden relationship they had together. If that were true, then it was best for Levi to let him go, no matter how hard he hurt him it was for Eren. For many years, Levi had forgotten how to treasure the most important thing. Now he had lost it. It was gone forever. He would ever see Eren again.

"Forgive me Eren… forgive me" Levi said softly. He felt something warm and wet trickle down his cheeks. He touched the strange wetness that fell from his eyes and saw his fingertips coated with tears.

Levi smiled tenderly.

"You've changed me Eren Jaeger. Thank you"

At the edge of the Utopian wall, a lonesome merman sat forlornly on a kelp covered rock. The day was unusually cold, a thick white mist hung low and heavy on the destroyed harbour making everything damp. The pungent smell of mildew filled the merman's nostrils.

His heart broken, filled with sorrow and lonely than before, Eren wished with all his might that this loneliness was a dream, a nightmare. He wanted to wake up in shock then be comforted by Levi, feeling his tender kisses caress his skin and then make love to him. For the past few days, he had seen the world in a new light. His life had a new meaning… and now he had nothing. He would never see Levi again.

Eren let out an ear-splitting wail of despair, filling the silence and not caring if anyone heard him. He cried for what he had lost and the fact he would never have it ever again, clutching the golden earring that Levi gave him. The only thing left of him. His memories of Levi tormented him, his face, voice, touches… everything about Levi tore his very soul. What went wrong? They were so happy together.

Subconsciously, the boy began to sing. For the first time in his life, he began to sing not from happiness but from a sadness and hurt that was impossible to mend. His voice echoed, carrying over wall Trost and through the thick mist the desolate crooning alerting the attention of the guards on duty. The eerie and despondent voice was so penetrating, every naval private had faltered from his, duty enraptured by this magical tenor voice.

The Commodore Erwin Smith happened to be on duty at the time, surveying the open water dreading for what was to come but were interrupted by that haunting voice. Never in his life had he heard anything so beautiful yet so evocative. It stirred his very soul and very soon, his eyes had filled with tears. Inside him surged every foreboding emotion within him, screaming to be let out and heard to the world. Anguish and pain tore at him like claws his body shook from the reaction, scaring him.

Gritting his teeth, trying to hold himself together he tried to block his ears with his gloved hands. Whoever was singing this lullaby had to be some evil sea spirit wanting to devour on his tormented soul… but what a voice. It was that powerful enough to stir such emotions of turmoil within him. This dark sorcery was enough to tear a man like him into two. If only he had such power, he could use it against a monster like Captain Levi, a man who never felt emotion. To be overwhelmed by every desire and feeling known to man would surely weaken him… but he had other things to worry about. His men were absolutely besotted with this voice.

"Commodore Smith was the hell is that?" Commodore Dietrich shouted over the hypnotic voice.

"I have no idea. Scout the area. We don't want men jumping from the Wall and falling to their deaths! This has to be the work of sirens" Erwin replied, blocking his ears more tightly.

The Commodore peered through the telescope with his companion.

"Drat this weather. I can't see a bloody thing!" Dietrich cried out aggravated.

"This is a bad omen. A very bad omen…" a private muttered under his breath before crossing himself.

"Keep quiet man. Don't talk like that, you'll set the others off!" Dietrich said harshly, clouting the boy in the back of the head.

Erwin surveyed the large drop at the bottom of the wall, seeing the blue-black waves that crashed every few seconds into the stone. It was then he saw a lone figure sitting on one of the large granite boulders, supporting the Wall's massive structure. Erwin nearly dropped his telescope with utter disbelief, feeling his heart thump painfully against his rib cage when he discovered the source of haunting lullaby that hung in the air like a disease.

"MERMAN!" Erwin shouted alerting his men.

Dietrich looked at him incredulously.

"Not you too Smith!"

"Look down there!" He passed the telescope to Dietrich. Dietrich paled when he found out Erwin's claims were true.

"They exist. They truly exist!"

Erwin looked through the telescope once more and his eyes widened further. The merman was very young, no more than a youth and he was incredibly handsome. However, he had never seen such a creature in emotional torment or pain before. His eyes were red from crying, his arms clutched around him as if he were cold. Erwin peered closer and saw he was holding something in his hands. Adjusting his telescope further, he saw the boy was holding a golden earring with a single ruby stud. Erwin choked a breath.

There was only one man he knew who wore a golden earring with a ruby gem inlaid into it. That was Captain Levi. Erwin remembered the conversation and the truce he held with the Captain and he noted that one earring was missing from his earlobe ... there it was, clutched in that young merman's hand, crying from loss.

Erwin felt the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile, beginning to grasp the situation at hand. Plans began to form within his brain… maybe God was smiling down on him after all.

"Commodore Dietrich?"

"Yes Commodore Smith?"

"Get that merman… bring him to me. I have a few questions I'd like to ask him"

Dietrich looked at Erwin as if he swallowed a toffee apple in one go.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"DO IT! We're wasting time!" Erwin roared.

Stunned at the outburst, Dietrich merely nodded and saluted.

"Yes sir. It will be done"

"Don't hurt him in any way. I just want to question him"

"Yes sir"

More angst, action and drama begins once again… oh god my heart tore in two when I wrote this chapter. In the process of writing the next one. I warn you, Eren is going to do something very reckless just so he could be with Levi in the next Chapter. So I suggest you buy more tissues.

Love,

Evening Falls