Oh my lord what is wrong with me!? Why haven't I updated for so long? I apologise to everyone for the hiatus status. Since I'm in England for the holidays I have had little time to myself. I've been so busy spending my days with the extended family, a friend of mine who's also here for the holidays and spending time with my own immediate family that I've had no time to myself. My parents have gone out for grocery shopping so I have a rare moment to myself to update. I'm sitting in my bedroom, drinking a cup of hot black tea with milk and ginger biscuits with my lap top on my lap.

It's been so long I don't even remember half the stuff I've written. I need to push this story forward. Some of you have asked when I'm going to mention Erwin x Levi as I've already included the Ereri in my story. I will try and include that soon although it's not going to be as smutty or sexual as my wonderful OTP… just to warn the Eruri fans. Okay. On with the story.

Day 2

The weather in the Utopian borders had changed radically, temperatures dropping to under ten degrees from the usual mid thirties. A strong and frigid gale blew in from the North, bringing in dark looking clouds that pelted an icy rain and hail the size of golf balls destroying weaker sections and few of the elaborate carvings that decorated Captain Levi's ship. The ship groaned and heaved in the rough grey waters, waves the size of small mountains towering over the large ship before crashing onto the deck and the unsuspecting crew that were present on board. It had been two days since Levi had set out to look for recruits to fight for freedom and revenge against his nemesis, Commodore Erwin Smith… but now, they were thrown at the mercy and cruelty of mother nature. If the Commodore and his men weren't going to kill them, the hurricane certainly would.

A strong life line tied to him, Captain Levi gritted his teeth at the helm as he battled and steered the Maria through the storm of rain, wind and ice. Icy rain water ran steadily down his now drenched figure and he was utterly cold and miserable. His lover Eren, clung tightly around his waist sitting on the wet wood of the deck petrified his eyes shut tight, equally as soaked and cold as his superior and did his best to hold whatever contents was in his stomach. The ship lurched up then suddenly down and tossed from side to side like a rag doll. Eren was so afraid he'd get thrown aboard. He couldn't swim now he had lost his merman abilities. With a free hand, Levi comfortingly patted Eren's wet brown locks of hair.

Frightened aquamarine eyes met kind silver grey ones.

"Don't worry Eren. We'll get through this"

Eren nodded but he wasn't comforted. The storm seemed to rage on forever. Eren's life line rope chafed and burned his raw and tender skin at his waist. He was shuddering from the rain and the ice pellets bruised his body. How much longer was this hell going to last?

"Eren go back inside. You'll be safer in my cabin!" Levi shouted through the howling wind, the ship lurching to the left.

Eren adamantly shook his head, much safer with Levi.

"Captain Levi! This deluge is far to strong for you to handle on your own!" Petra called out to her captain, tightly hanging onto the wooden railing of one of the steps leading up to the helm.

"Petra! Get back inside! Take Eren with you and bring him back to my cabin!" he ordered the young woman.

Hearing Levi's order to Petra, he clung onto Levi's waist tighter, shaking his head and he tried to fight off the young woman's persistent grasp around him as she tried to pull him away from the Captain.

'No I want to stay with you!'

With great difficulty Levi held the helm with one hand and hugged the top of Eren's head, kissing his forehead.

"Eren please go back to the cabin. I'll feel better knowing your safe inside. I'll be alright. I have two life lines tied around my waist attached to the main mast. I'm not going anywhere" Levi said gently.

Reluctantly, Eren released his firm grip around the Captain. Helping the youth upright, Petra had trouble guiding him across the deck, the force of the waves knowing them off their feet and tossing them from side to side. It took them over fifteen minutes for the pair to safely cross the slippery deck to safety but it took another long ten minutes to get a struggling and stubborn Eren down the stairs and into the Captain's warm and dry private quarters.

Like a mother hen fussing over one chick, she rushed past Eren trying to find clean soft towels to dry the soaking wet boy despite the fact a storm raged outside. She removed his wet clothes, covering him in sheets trying to heat his shivering body. Eren was made to sit on the Captain's bed. With a spare towel and much to his annoyance, Petra began to vigorously dry his hair. The fifteen year old's face was as red as a ripe tomato having to sit there completely naked save for the towels wrapped around his body. He held onto the bed head to stop him from toppling over due to the waves.

"You'll have to wear a spare set of clothes belonging to the Captain. Your clothes will take ages to dry"

Petra handed the young man a long dress shirt that reached to mid thigh.

"You'll just have to use Captain Levi's spare night shirt I'm afraid"

Eren looked at the shirt briefly the slipped it on. The Captain was so short.

A wave of terror swept across Eren as he thought of Levi, alone at the helm, steering the Maria with all his might and will power through the monsoon. He pictured him, alone and helpless yet eyes steely with determination to get his crew and ship to safety, the large mountains of salt water towering over him and his ship before crashing back down on him. The boy shook with fright, his arms wrapped around himself as if he were cold.

Petra kindly encircled her arms around him, comforting him.

"The Captain will be alright Eren. He is a lot more tough and resilient then you think he is. I've seen him battle storms like this since I was a little girl. He will be perfectly alright" Petra said softly, rocking the boy in her arms.

Eren snuggled into her motherly embrace, thankful for her company. As the storm continued, the pair held onto one another tightly in the small secluded room, praying to make it out alive. Waves tossed them from one side of the room to another, the force knocking off brass nautical equipment, maps and heavy bound books off the shelves and tables. Hail had broken and smashed the beautiful tinted window glass, spraying Petra and Eren with tiny fragments of coloured glass, cutting their faces and arms but narrowly missing their covered eyes.

What seemed like eternity, the storm finally settled around 4:30am in the morning. The supercell storm that viciously pelted rain and hail on Captain's Levi's ship had receded, the waves calm and the breeze light. Overhead, the remnant mammatus clouds of the supercell hung low, the strange rounded and undulating underside cast shadows a dark foreboding grey, blocking the much needed sun. Captain Levi hung limply at the helm, freezing and shuddering from exhaustion and nausea. His vision kept fading into and out of darkness, his strength gone. Blindly, he held himself up with the railing making his way through the storm wreckage of his ship. He'll let the ship drift for the time being. Below the deck, he could hear the panic and flurry of the voices from his men, trying to repair damage inside and stopping leaks so his ship wouldn't fill with sea water.

Gunther appeared from below the deck and his eyes filled with horror to see his Captain in such a weakened state.

"Gunther, take the helm… I need to rest" Levi ordered tiredly.

"Yes sir" Gunther saluted.

As the Captain made his way down to his cabin, shocked at the damage caused by the storm. He didn't even want to think about the men or arms lost from the storm. For now, his body craved rest. His cabin was in shambles. Torn pieces of parchment of important documents and records, charted maps, nautical equipment and displayed treasures were strewn in a chaotic mess across the floor. Coloured glass pieces and hair glinted brightly in the forming sunlight. He looked at his bed to find Eren fast asleep wrapped in the confines and protection of his sheets. Petra knelt at the floor, her head resting on her arms and the edge of the bed.

Captain Levi breathed a sigh of relief finding them safe and carefully lay down next to Eren, holding him in his arms.

Eren gave a muffled murmur before nestling up in Levi's embrace, a smile gracing his lips. Levi smiled gently then let slumber take a hold of his body.

[Late morning]

The sun shone brightly in the clear sky, a slight breeze cooling the air. The day would have been perfect if it weren't for the destruction the last night storm had caused. The Maria's wreckage was indescribable for the Captain and his crew. The deck and carvings were broken, leaving splinters on the slippery deck. The foremast had been damaged by canons that had torn away from their anchor lines. Luckily, the mast was not broken however the gale force winds had blown two of the mast's sails. Although the Captain hadn't lost any of his men, their were many serious casualties. If they were lucky, they would reach the Southern port of Hermiha in at least two to three days. He didn't have the proper facilities he needed nor the equipment to repair the ship. What was worse, his judgement day was upon him. There was little time to waste.

Captain Levi watched the remaining able men, including Petra and Eren clean the deck and trying to repair and parts of the ship to the best of their ability. They could do nothing about the sail… Levi would have to buy another one. He grimaced. He was fortunate he had not lost the stolen treasures from his previous raids. The cost for repairs, weapons and canons and treatment for his subordinates was enormous. He would need every penny he had to replace what he had lost.

"Mr. Schuitz? What's out progress?" Levi asked Gunther, still at the helm and not showing any signs of tiredness.

"It will take us at least two days to get to Hermiha. If we're lucky, a day and a half. If we hadn't lost the front sails, we would have reached the port by now"

"I'm well aware of that Gunther. Bozado! Once you finish with mending the stair rail and collecting the stray wood, mend the remaining torn sails!"

Bozado somewhat moodily dumped scrap pieces of wood back onto the deck to fetch sewing and netting equipment below the deck. Levi frowned a his attitude but was disheartened to punish him for lack of discipline.

Instead he turned his gaze to Eren. White cotton bandages and plasters covered his arms and the left side of his face from glass cuts, his body covered in bruises yet the youth continued to help clean the deck and mend the banister railing, watching his superiors with interest, learning from them. Levi smiled, proud at his persistence and eagerness to contribute.

"Mr. Schuitz, I'll take the helm. You get some rest" Levi said, taking the wheel.

Gunther saluted gratefully before joining Bozado below the deck.

"Thank you Captain"

Levi turned back to Eren.

"Eren Jaeger, come here!" Levi ordered.

Stopping his actions, Eren obeyed immediately walking up to the helm.

"I want you at the helm for an hour. I trust you won't destroy what's left of my ship?" Levi asked casually.

Eren's eyes lit up with excitement, the thought of steering the Maria overwhelming the young boy. Tentatively he took the worn away wood in his hands, not knowing what to do or expect. Even though the deep blue sea appeared to be calm, the current was surprisingly stronger than Eren anticipated. He nearly lost his grip and had to use every ounce of his strength to keep the ship from straying off her course.

"Like this Eren"

Placing his gloved hands over Eren's, he guided and instructed him how to steer the ship correctly.

"That's it Eren. Remember when you're steering the Maria, she is yours. You are in control … but remember, she can't be taken lightly. Sooner or later she will confuse you and veer off course. As a sailor, you can't let her do that. The sea is her partner, as cruel as the ship"

Eren nodded, gripping the wood tighter when Levi stopped guiding him. Slightly shaky at first, he began to steer Levi's ship through the abnormally strong currents that battled against the ship's rudder. It was difficult. He always though steering the Maria would be easy but he was completely wrong. After an hour, Eren's arms were surprisingly sore.

"You still need more experience… but I'll make a sailor of you yet. I'm more interested about your swordsmanship. But I'll worry about that once we get to Port" Levi said but his eyes were laughing.

Eren flushed, feeling his heart fill with gratitude and love like melted gold. Hearing Levi's compliments as well as teaching him gave him the confidence he needed.

"Well then Mr. Jaeger, wash up. You're filthy from head to toe with grime and soot"

Eren blushed further at his bedraggled appearance.

Levi suddenly leant forward, tucking his face in the crook of the boy's neck.

"I want you washed for this evening… do you understand me Eren?" Levi whispered huskily then pulled away from the stunned teen. Eren clenched his fists together, his face a fetching shade of fire engine red, feeling hot and flustered. Why did the Captain have to tease him so?

[A little off the Utopian border]

In the cover of a darkened and slime ridden alleyway near Port Trost and joined by Lieutenant Nanaba and Commodore Dietrich, Erwin Smith sniffed with disgust and loathing at the figure before him. For three days they had mingled with the dregs of society within their own borders, including the prison and detention centre camps to find a spy and negotiated they could trust. They had found another southerner, a former black market dealer and pirate before being taken by the Commodore's men. He had only been spared death due to a deal, keeping him alive in exchange for information about sieges and illegal uprisings in Utopia. Now he was ordered to spy on the Captain of the Maria.

The criminal preferred to hide in the shadows sickened the Commodore. He called himself 'Beast'… and rightly so. He was very tall, at least six foot three in height but had the strength and build of a vicious ape. Ears slightly pointed, and a face lined with animalistic like features, large claw like hands and a savage mouth set with sharp canines. His arms, legs and chest were covered with thick dark hair and his head seemed too small for his gigantic body. He was more of an animal then and man in appearance. The only thing that separated him from the animalistic world was his intelligence and his cunning way to manipulate people.

"What do you know about Captain Levi Rivaille of the Maria? Do you know where he would go to achieve his goals?"

The sound of the Captain's name made the ape like man utter a ferocious and terrifying growl at the back of his throat, intimidating the Commodore. His red eyes flashed with anger.

"Well speak up man! You're from the South" The Commodore persisted.

The Beast then patted his pocket, gesturing the Commodore for money.

The Commodore glared having to pay a common criminal but passed a small bag of gold coins to him.

Testing the weight and smiling, Beast finally spoke in a low and gnarly voice.

"Captain Levi… well he's certainly caused trouble for you" he said goading the Commodore further.

The Commodore cleared his throat with annoyance.

"Captain Levi Rivaille. Aye I've seen him a few times down South. Everyone knew him… " Beast said.

"He's planning an attack against Utopia. He needs arms and men. Where will he find them?"

Beast scratched his flea ridden dark hair much to the Commodore's disgust.

"Well most likely Hermiha. It's like the hand me down of Utopia it is. Full of pirates and cut-throats, whores, the black market and the central drug supplier… you name it. Ah wonderful Hermiha" Beast chuckled to himself.

"I want you to gather a few of your men, sail to Hermiha and get yourself employed by the Captain. He has something of great value to me. I want you to obtain it and bring it back"

Beast sniffed.

"What makes you think I'd do anything for you bastards?"

"The reason why you're alive is because of me. You work for us now… I can easily take your life away just as easily… you're life belongs to me" The Commodore threatened.

"I know… you don't have to remind me...What is it that you need?" he asked, spitting at his feet.

The Commodore quickly looked from left to right then whispered in a low voice.

"You are well aware by now that the merfolk exist. Surely you're heard the haunting song several days ago"

The Beast shuddered, remembering that hypnotic voice.

"Yes… what of it?"

"I've met that merman… he was supposed to give his powers and voice to me. Unfortunately that sea dog Captain Levi has gotten a hold of it. I need you to get it back. It is our ultimate weapon against that man. Having a merman's powers will surely secure out glory and victory"

Beast laughed at the Commodore's foolishness.

"Do you really think I'd risk my life just to help you win against Captain Levi? You'll never defeat him… I've realised that a long time ago"

Erwin smiled, his blue eyes gleaming slyly.

"Beast. You and I are partners. We both share a mutual hatred towards the Captain. I know what he did to you. He robbed you of your ship and crew and left you to face the law. He swindled you just as he swindled me. Don't you want to wring his skinny little neck?"

Beast snarled, baring his yellow fangs.

"This is an opportunity for you to take revenge. Get me the merman's voice and powers and I will not only reward you with a fortune, but give you liberty for revenge. Take the Maria and its treasures, even kill Captain Levi for me once you deliver the prize. It will save me time from killing him myself"

Beast looked skeptical.

"What if I take these abilities for myself… what will you do?"

Erwin smiled complacently.

"Beast stealing those abilities won't guarantee your revenge. That's not what you want… besides if I hear you've taken them yourself, the deal is off. You will be cut off, hung drawn and quartered. It's as simple as that"

Beast glared at Erwin cornered. He should have died long ago. Being hanged would have been better than serving this good for nothing and manipulating bastard. At least he would have died honourably, his men avenging his death… but now he served Utopia and was the Commodore's personal dog and servant. He had lost his remaining allies, shunned from the world he once thrived. He was nothing to both the navy and the pirate world.

Erwin Smith offered his hand, holding back a shudder when Beast extended a hairy and smelly palm and shook it.

"Good we have an agreement. I expect you gone by tonight. Do I make myself clear?" Erwin said.

Beast gave a grunt in response.

The three officers walked away from Beast relieved. Erwin wiped his dirtied hand with his handkerchief.

"Will he do it? How can we trust him sir?" Nanaba asked.

"Oh Beast will do it. I'll make sure of it… If he returns here empty handed or has vanished from our sight, I will hunt him and Captain Levi down… it's now a matter of pride and power Lieutenant Nanaba. I need everything in order to defeat this degenerate… Even if I resort to the most forbidden methods…"

AND CHAPTER DONE! [Cries in a corner]

Again I apologise for my lack of dedication. Sorry no smut in this chapter. Things might be a little slow in the next chapters but exciting parts of the story are usually followed by boring sections that move the plot forward. It can't just all be smut as much as I'd love all smut chapters. Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll try and upload another chapter as soon as possible. Since I'm in England visiting relatives and seeing the sights it's hard to fit in time for myself. When I get back to Singapore I'll probably be more frequent… Urgh dreading that fourteen hour flight in several days time.

Lot's of love,

Evening Falls