Chapter 3 Eren

Eren followed behind Levi as he climbed the last few stairs. The door to freedom was only a few feet ahead of them and Eren felt a swell of nervous anticipation flow through him. He realized that for the first time since he had been captured along with Mikasa and Armin he would actually be coming face to face with them. Eren paused suddenly as Levi and Connie continued walking not noticing his sudden stop. What would his friends think of him? He had been so focused on escaping safely with them he had not thought of their reunion. Mikasa and Armin may have not been able to see what was happening to him but they had definitely heard.

The same burning feeling he had felt with Levi earlier started building up inside him. The shame and embarrassment started to burn in his gut. Suddenly he felt as though the boat was rocking harder and the room around him started pulsing. What if they found him revolting? They had traveled so long together. They had so many close calls but it had always ended in their favor. They had simply just laughed it off. They had so many nights around the campfire talking enthusiastically about their adventures and how close they had come to capture. They had endless tales of miraculous escapes and terrifying yet incredible confrontations with monsters and men alike. But they had all ended with them safe.

Eren had loved the trills of adventure. If he was being honest that despite what had happened, he would not want to live his life any other way. The idea of being permanently hauled up on some forsaken island made his heart sink. What if Armin and Mikasa no longer wanted the chore of having to "protect" him? What if they had always wanted to settle down somewhere free of the worry of pursuit because of what Eren was? Eren felt sweat start trickling down his face. His breathing became tight and he lost feeling in his legs.

As sudden as the panic attack started, a strong hand caught him from falling. His breath caught in his throat. He wanted to scream, to be let go but couldn't find the air to fill his lungs. A calm voice and sensation started flowing out around him. "Eren, you are ok. Just breath." Eren tried to take a breath feeling only small flows of air entering and exiting his lungs. Again he heard the voice quiet and calm. "Breath, Eren. Come on. In and out slowly. Can you do that for me? In and out." As the calm voice filled his ears Eren felt the same calming feeling surrounded him.

Levi was releasing a calming scent that Eren slowly breathed in and out, in and out, in and out. "Good Eren. Just like that. Are you ok? Can you stand?" Eren felt as the world around him seemed to stop spinning and decided to test his legs a bit. He could stand…probably. Eren felt as Levi stood up from beside him and watched as he reached out a hand to help Eren up. Eren stared momentarily at Levi's hand. If he took it, it would be the first physical contact between them Eren would initiate. Levi was giving Eren the choice to touch him if he was comfortable enough for the physical contact. Eren took Levi's hand which gripped tightly as Levi helped Eren back to his feet.

"Thank you," Eren whispered. Levi glanced at him, the same stoic face he always had but all the emotion he was feeling burning in his eyes. "No problem, Brat" Levi replied with just a bit of endearment in his voice. "Levi?" Eren began. "Do you think Armin and Mikasa will still want to stay with me despite having a perfectly good reason to not want anything to do with me and my… predicament anymore?" Eren paused but continued on. "I mean if and I mean if I decide to stay because I would have to talk to them about it first, they would have the perfect excuse to finally be able to get rid of me and move on with their own lives." Eren didn't know why he was voicing all his concerns with the man he had just met. He didn't know if it was because the world and universe had literally made them for each other with the whole True Mate thing or the fact that Levi had been Eren's hero for almost his entire life. Whatever the reason, he wanted to hear Levi's opinion on it.

Levi looked silently back at Eren. His eyes showing a slight surprise that Eren had decided to open up to him a little. Eren watched as his eyes glanced between Eren and the door leading back to his friends. It was as if Levi was putting two and two together. He understood why Eren had a panic attack so close to the freedom he was about to obtain. He was figuring out why Eren had been so afraid of leaving the inside of the ship to see his friends just on the other side of the door. Eren was afraid his friends would reject him the same way he had feared Levi would. He was so goddamn perceptive he could give Armin a run for his money.

Eren broke the eye contact looking down to the ground. He always wore his heart on his sleeve. He never meant to but his emotions were always apparent to those around him. If Eren was happy or excited, angry or nervous, people always seemed to know. "Eren," Levi began. Eren's head sparked toward Levi. "I have never in my life seen a crew so devoted to one another. I don't think for a moment they have even had the thought of not being with you." Eren nodded his head. Levi's words made him feel slightly better. His words reminded Eren that their friendship was more than just Mikasa and Armin traveling to protect Eren from the Hunt. They developed a strong bond. It was a lifetime devotion to keep each other safe. It was a lifetime filled with adventure, thrills, treasure and traveling the world. Eren nodded his head again. He wanted to see them again, no he needed to see them again and he walked right to the door leading outside and opened it.

Moonlight immediately filled Eren's vision as he looked up at the incredible night sky. "Eren!" Mikasa and Armin yelled together. Eren snapped his eyes back down to see his two friends running up to him. Armin grabbed him first pulling Eren into a bone crushing hug. Armin may have been the brains of their operation but in no way had he neglected his training. "I am so happy you are ok. KI was worried about us for a while there. I had no Idea how we were going to get out of this one." Armin paused with a slight hitch in his throat. "Eren, thank you for being so strong even when I felt hopeless."

Eren felt tears suddenly on his back. "I thought when the pirates first started attacking that was truly going to be the end for us. Sure the RMP may have been keeping us alive because of some higher up orders to deliver you to wherever they where taking us." Armin paused for a moment but continued on. "But when pirates attacked and then proceeded to finish them off I was convinced we had all reached the end of the line. But you, Eren you stayed strong, you made a plan, you hadn't given up." Armin's shoulders were shaking slightly and Eren felt a surge of happiness flow through him. They where safe. Him, Mikasa and Armin, they where going to be okay. When Armin finally released Eren, Mikasa grabbed hold of him. Eren felt the Alpha pheromones surging up with relief and a new sense of protectiveness. Eren glanced up at Levi to see his face still with the same stoic look despite Eren being wrapped in the arms of another Alpha. He swore he saw a flash of storminess in his eyes. "I am so glad you're safe, Eren," Mikasa whispered to him. Mikasa had never been a woman of many words but Eren could feel her concern for him swelling inside of her.

Mikasa finally released he grip on Eren and the trio looked back towards the captain. Captain Levi looked up and down at them and Eren watched as he looked at the dirt and muck caked on their skin with a look of repugnance. "Ok you three listen up. My name is Captain Levi. I am the Captain of the Survey Core. I am not afraid to admit that I am very impressed that the three of you have survived this long on your own running and battling not only the RMP but the whole world. That I have deducted that you all contain the fire and fight I call on for anyone I have in my crew. I already opened this invitation to Eren down below but I am opening an invite to all three of you to join my crew." Mikasa and Armin looked back suddenly at Eren who nodded in his head to confirm that Levi had indeed asked him.

Eren watched as Armin looked back at Levi who was eyeing them carefully. He watched as Armin bit his lip. Armin had something he wanted to say but he didn't want the current extra company to hear it. Eren watched as Armin signed him their secret language. **I…Think…we…need…to...be…able…to…discuss…this…in…private…first...before…we…make…a…decision** Eren watched as Levi glanced curiously between Armin and Eren and their weird sign gestures. Armin was right of course to be cautious. Never in their travels had they come across a very trustworthy person who didn't have some kind of ulterior motive. But Armin did not yet know about the intricate soul matching marks that both Eren and Levi had obtained down below. He didn't know that Eren and Levi had discovered they where True Mates.

Eren agreed with Armin's decision though. It would truly be a life changing decision and they should all at least discuss amongst themselves before agreeing. Eren snapped his attention back up to Levi. "Um Captain Levi… sir? We would really appreciate if we could have at least until morning to discuss it between ourselves before we give you an answer." Levi looked again between the trio and gave a curt nod before proceeding onward. "That is completely acceptable. I understand that it would be quite the life changing choice and you might want to sleep on it. But understand that I have no intention to rush you into a decision. We have at least 2 weeks at sea before we make it into a port again. I am willing to give you the time you need to decide. Until you decide you will be treated as guests on my ship."

Levi paused a moment before continuing. "Although I have never had "guests" on my ship before so I don't want to make any promises that my insane crew wont be a bit... odd." Levi looked at them again before continuing, "In my private quarters I have an extra room you three can share as well as my private shower. I am the only on who has access to it. I will allow you three to occupy it as my guests and you guys will be able to have some much needed privacy." The trio beamed at Levi. The thought of a shower was heavenly after who knows how long they had been locked up. "A quick word of caution" Levi began which broke the trio out of their quite fantasies of actually taking a shower. "I have a certain standard for my crew…" Levi paused "I treat you all now in a matter of how one would treat a guest but while you make your decision, know that the minute you become part of my crew you will be expected to work in the capacity I get from the rest of my crew." Levi's voice was stern and strong his alpha starting to leak out.

Eren watched as Armin and Mikasa seemed to flinch at his words but Eren stayed still allowing Levi's Alpha to dance again with his Omega in the air protecting Armin and Mikasa from the overpowering scent. Levi suddenly seemed to realize his release of powerful pheromones and started again. "Ok follow me. We are heading back to our ship." He watched as Levi began walking towards the giant ship docked next to theirs.

Levi's ship was incredible. Every surface seemed to shine. The deck was cleaner than any deck Eren had ever seen in his entire life. Even the sails seemed to glow in the moonlight. The trio followed Levi through the ship and up to the captain quarters receiving sideways glances from a lot of Levi's crew. Eren felt a slight ting of nervousness as he walked passed the other Alphas in Levi's crew. He felt as Mikasa and Armin moved in close to his side. They had traveled together long enough to be able to read Eren's emotions and know when he was feeling uncomfortable. He felt himself relax as their shoulders gently brushed his as they walked.

As they reached the captain's cabin, Levi opened the door and their jaws almost fell to the ground. The room was immaculate. Everything in the room seemed to shine. Although being captain of a pirate ship, Levi didn't seem to own much of his own treasure. Instead he had a few key items in the room that stood out and as well as his bed. The first item that stood out was a crystal-like glass ball that hung from a silver chain by the window. Inside was a mixture of what looked like water and frozen crystals. Second was a mural that hung across the back room. It was a map; a map of the world. It was more detailed and beautiful than any map Eren had ever seen.

Sitting behind Levi's desk that was covered neatly in an assortment of maps and other navigating tools stood a large black wooden and leather chair. The chair seemed as though it could have been in the throne room of some great king. Every part of wood on the chair was beautifully carved with beautiful designs and the leather was so shiny and clean it looked as though no one had ever even sat in it. Lastly on the wall next to Levi's bed was the most incredible assortment of weapons Eren could imagine. There was an incredible assortment of knives, swords and guns some of which Eren had no idea where they had come from.

"Well, if you three are done gawking at the contents of my cabin I'll show you to your room and to the showers." The three of them snapped their heads back up to look at Levi and nodded. Levi walked over to a small door that lead to a side room. The room was considerably smaller than The captain's quarters but it contained a bed, couch and bookshelf. It was very lightly decorated but to Eren, Mikasa and Armin it may as well been a castle. Levi left them for a moment to fetch clean clothes and towels for all of them. Eren broke the silence. "We are either the unluckiest shits in the world or the luckiest sons of a bitches in the entire sea." The other two stared at him for a moment until Armin started to chuckle. Eren and Mikasa joined in and all of a sudden they where having a small fit of laughter.

A small knock on the door brought them back to their senses. Armin opened the door to see Levi with a stack of clean clothes and linens. His eyes passed over them lingering slightly longer on Eren's until he spoke up. "Showers this way, brats. Let's go. You reek." Levi walked escorted the trio to the showers and proceeded to show them how to use the water. "We are going to raid the RMP ship for goods and supplies. I will be back to check on you later." They all nodded their heads. "Thank you, Levi," Eren said with a small smile. Eren watched as a flicker of emotion swam in Levi's eyes again that looked like tenderness that disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Levi nodded again at them, turned and then quickly walked back out of the captain's quarters.

POV-LEVI

Levi made his way quickly back towards his cabin. In his hands he had the clean clothes and linens so the brats that seemed to have dirt caked on every part of their bodies could take a much needed shower. He was also startled by his desire to return to where Eren was. He had known the brat for only about an hour or so but he felt an incredible urge to protect and be with him at all times. He wouldn't let himself act on these impulses though. He knew Eren, True Mate or not, did not want to be smothered by some new Alpha he had just met. Levi knew that Eren, after what he had survived would not be keen to an aggressive alpha pursuing him.

It took much of Levi's control to not pull Eren out of the embrace he had shared with Mikasa when they had been reunited. Levi had not realized how possessive his Alpha had become of Eren. Seeing Eren in the arms of another Alpha had made Levi momentarily seethe. But Levi was no animal. He would not be like those savages that gave into instinct. Levi would protect Eren but he would let Eren take the steps to whatever this was going to be if he ever wanted this to be anything. Levi would wait for Eren no matter how long it took.

It was beautiful. Levi had walked back into the cabin relatively unnoticed by the trio of brats. They were laughing. Eren was laughing. It was the most breathtaking noise Levi had ever heard. The honey-sounding laugh was so overwhelmingly divine. Levi at that moment decided it was worth more then all the treasure in the world and he would do anything to hear it again. Levi broke their little party with a small knock on the door. Their eyes popped back up to him. "Shower's this way, brats. Let's go. You reek," Levi said as he walked them to the showers and proceeded to show them how to use the water.

After they seemed to understand the gist of how the showers work, Levi decided it was a good time to make his exit and allow them to finally get cleaned up. "We are going to raid the RMP ship for goods and supplies. I will be back to check on you later," he added before he left. They all nodded their heads. "Thank you, Levi," Eren said with a small smile. Levi stared for only a second. The world seemed to momentarily stand still. Eren had smiled; smiled at Levi. He nodded at them quickly and abruptly turned to leave. Levi felt like his face had heated up slightly and he would not let his possible future crew member see him, Levi: Humanities strongest Pirate blushing.