Day 7

It was finally Sunday of the first week. Eren shivered. Like the oppressive feeling of an incoming sea storm, the day warned him of impending battle between his Captain and the deadly enemy. The same time next week, the Maria's crew will once again hoist her sails and journey to Utopia. To death or glory. If fate had her cruel way, she could easily take Captain Levi away from him. No, more then that. She would steal his lover, his family and friends. Everything he held dear and close to his heart until there was nothing left. So how is it that sun shone brightly, high in the sky emitting its yellow blaze, warming every surface it touched? The sky was a brilliant light blue, speckled with cotton white clouds, which cast blurred shadows of teal across the water. The gulls with their pure white wings tipped with black crooned overhead. The ocean surface rippled gently, daubed with crystalline whites and silvers from the sunlight. Everything was too serene! Eren absolutely hated it.

"Oi! Jaeger, help me carry these barrels of gunpowder down to the lower deck will you" Gin ordered him.

Eren happily complied, wanting very much to push the dreaded thought of what was coming in the back of his mind. One by one he rolled and hoisted each of the twelve barrels down to the coolness of the lower deck. Usually, he would screw his nose up or mouth a curse or two at the thought of carrying heavy goods but his mouth was set in a thin line of deep worry and foreboding even when warm sweat had started to drip down his face. Once he had completed his duty, he busied himself sharpening old spare rapiers and swords for the crew. After that, he even started swabbing the deck clean, not caring about the unbearable heat. The crew noticed his reserved behaviour completely unnerved, so used to seeing the impulsive, hotheaded young man whom they accepted as one of their own. The men asked him to stop but he ignored them, determined to keep his mind occupied.

"If that boy doesn't get rest, he's going to wear me out. I'm exhausted just from watching him work!" Gin admitted to Petra.

Petra nodded gently. She understood Eren more than the others.

"Eren! You've done enough work for today. You should rest. You're already dehydrated enough" Petra ordered firmly. She watched Eren freeze for a few seconds, his turquoise eyes widening slightly before dread crossed his face as the thought of Levi dying came back to haunt him. He threw the mop to the floor roughly and began to climb up the foremast.

"What's with his attitude?" Gin asked, scratching his head.

Petra sighed understandingly. She knew that Eren wanted to forget the inevitable and wanting some mundane activity distract him. Ever since he came on board, she took him under her wing and acted as a mother figure towards the boy. Aside from his sister, she was the only female companion that he could rely on for the time being.

"I'll go talk to him. Men get back to your duties"

She called to Eren who sat up in the rigging staring out to sea.

"Eren, can you come down?" Petra asked.

Eren ignored her, completely oblivious and lost in his own thoughts.

"Eren come down now!" she ordered in a somewhat motherly way.

Eren continued to take no notice.

Petra groaned with annoyance and began to climb up the rigging herself.

"Eren… You've been acting strange all morning. It isn't like you to be so caught up in duties" Petra said, sitting next to Eren on the wide mast. Eren sighed and looked at his hands.

Comfortingly but careful not to lose her balance, she wrapped an arm around the boy's head and held him.

"Eren. I know you're afraid of what's to come and I know how much you want the Captain to run away with you… but he has his pride. Furthermore, he could never forgive the Commodore for what he did to you when you were captured"

Eren felt so helpless, so afraid at that moment.

"The inevitable will happen… but like I said, the Captain is a lot stronger then he looks. He has fought many battles and won… and I am certain he will win this one"

Eren looked at her unconvinced.

"Oh Eren, the Captain I knew once fought for glory and conquest. He didn't care about dying as long as he left his mark on the world…That was his philosophy of living. It's different now. He has a entirely different meaning of living and what to fight for. You made him realise that. You are the reason he is alive now and he will do anything to repay those he's indebted to. If the only way for him to repay you for saving his life is to keep alive, then he'll do anything in his power to avoid death"

Eren sighed despite Petra's kind words. He traced a message on her hand.

"I wish I could do something. As his lover I feel so useless! And I'm making everyone worry!"

"Look I understand. It must be hard for you. But the only thing you have to do is to stay strong, support and love the Captain with all your might. That is what the Captain needs the most. Although he may not look it, in truth he's terrified on what's to come. I know him. He's never faced anyone like the Commodore. Do you understand Eren" Petra advised.

Eren nodded, understanding her point of view.

"Good. Now come down to the galley. I expect your hungry after all that hard work. After lunch, stay by the Captain's side. He seems more at ease when he knows your close by"

Eren nodded once more and proceeded to climb down the rigging, Petra following close behind him.

Jean Kirschtein slept badly after his unfortunately escapade during last night's espionage mission. He was completely ridden with remorse, that haunting voice he had discovered invading his dreams. He had a very narrow but lucky escape once Captain Levi and Eren had left him alone in the darkened cupboard. Although it was just last night, the memory of it was faded. He barely remembered slipping out and hiding in the shadows of the masts, completely unnoticed. He had collapsed with exhaustion on his hammock, letting the torn woollen blanket and the stretched canvas wrap around his entire body as a makeshift cocoon to shield him from whatever troubles he faced.

Due to his lack of sleep, black and purple circles hung underneath his eyes, his appearance haggard as he helped the crew load goods onto the deck. A few asked about his health but whenever he made an excuse for his appearance, his heart would be overcome with guilt and Eren's voice would once again fill his mind. He was thankful when his superiors relieved him from his duties to eat in the galley. He was hungry and he had hoped his worries and this thing called 'emotion' would gradually disappear once he had his fill of food.

The galley unusually but wonderfully cool despite the heat of today. The elderly cook merely nodded at his entry then turned his back to jean, continuing to stir the beef and vegetable stew that he was preparing over the black iron stove. Jean licked his lips at the glorious smell.

"Stew's almost done lad. Give me a few"

Jean just nodded, not wanting to make conversation with anyone that day.

The few minutes went quietly. Soon, Jean was enjoying a much need lunch.

"Eat your fill Eren. That Captain ordered me to tell you that once you've eaten, you're to accompany him to town today"

Jean paused his ministrations, when he heard Petra's voice. Jean almost choked on the mouthful of stew and bread that was in his mouth, swallowing it with great difficulty when he discovered that Eren was with her. When Eren spotted Jean eating alone in the corner, his dark eyebrows knitted into a deep frown, flashing Jean a resentful look. Jean quickly turned his gaze back to his unfinished food unable to look at the other boy. He tried to continue eating, but the food now tasted sour.

"Eren leave Kirschtein alone. Let him eat his lunch. He has a right to be here like you" Petra chided Eren.

Eren sighed and sat down on the stool farthest away from Jean.

"How is your eye today Kirschtein?"

Jean was in no mood to speak but he had no choice.

"It's much better thanks to you Miss. Petra. Uh… how is Eren's jaw?"

Eren looked at him incredulously, not believing what he just heard. Was 'horse-face' seriously asking about his well being?"

"Uh… hey Eren, I want to say that I'm sorry for punching you the day before" Jean said, scratching his head embarrassed. Why the hell was he apologising to the good for nothing brat?

Eren looked at Jean in disbelief. He didn't believe in the sincerity in his voice. Even Petra was astonished. She didn't take Jean to be the serious and apologetic type. She deemed him too proud for that.

"I mean it… I'm sorry Eren" Jean said, suddenly feeling extremely nauseous. Here this boy, this beautiful boy who had lost the most exquisite voice that plagued his thoughts even minute sat only a few feet away from him. And he belonged to someone else. He could never have him. This fact overwhelmed him.

Eren looked at him with disdain.

Petra frowned at Eren's lack of respect.

"Eren, he's apologising sincerely. You should apologise to. After all you were the one who gave him the black eye" Petra scolded.

Eren huffed and looked away. He still didn't trust Jean and he had no intention to.

Jean looked away disheartened at all this although he wasn't surprised to the least. If he was in Eren's position, he wouldn't trust himself either. He was was on board the Maria for a reason… yet he was willingly allowing his feelings to lead him astray from his mission.

"Never mind. Forget it Jaeger. I've got to get back to work" Jean said softly. He left quickly, covering his mouth and holding his stomach tightly, trying not to be sick.

The fresh salty sea air was a welcome relief for Jean, easing his churning stomach and allowing himself to think and calm down. He leant on the freshly polished banister railing, still sticky from wood oil. At that moment, he had never hated himself as much as he did now. For the past years, he refused to get close to anyone whether it be a close friendship or a romantic involvement. He feared it. He had been successful, putting up a barrier between himself and everyone else, constantly looking down on people, laughing at them and their faults.

Then Eren Jaeger entered his life. He had completely turned his world upside down. Enigmatic and secretive yet so impulsive and hot headed. He had never met anyone like him. Besides his attractive and alluring nature, there was not one thing that stirred his very soul. His emotions were in complete turmoil, anguish, frustration, annoyance, yearning, desire. Every emotion that made his very core ache. Those tranquil, yet dismissive feelings that took many years to build and perfect had been completely disappeared, completely disrupted because of that one boy - Eren Jaeger.

Eren's handsome face flashed in Jean's mind and felt the corners of his mouth turn up into a slight smile. He released a small chuckle and it gradually became heartfelt laughter. The few that were present on board looked at him questioningly, bewildered by his sudden laughter but he didn't care. It felt good to laugh, to let free of his emotions. His joyous laughter subsided and he rested his weary head in his hands. When he removed them, fresh salty tears wet the palms.

He looked at them briefly, confused. Then realisation struck him… and it was painful. Excruciatingly painful.

"Ah… I understand. I like him"

Hi everyone. Sorry for the long wait. Poor Jean has a crush! I've been very busy with uni, especially assessments. I still am… so bear with my tardiness!

Love Evening Falls.