Chapter 9 - Trost Island
POV – Eren
Eren sat up in the crows nest as he always did as the morning sun started to peak over the horizon. This usual spot of calming was not helping the knots in his stomach unfortunately. His nerves were shot. Today they would reach Levi's home Island and soon after that the trials would begin. Eren had not given much thought to the first two trials but what had him most nervous was his final trial. He seemed to be fighting an inner battle with himself. His battle with Levi would end only one of two ways. He would either have to fight Levi with the intent to take him down or in the end be defeated and submit to him.
Eren felt his insides leap up and he swallowed the bile that made its way up with it. Eren knew he didn't ever want to hurt Levi; he would do whatever necessary to keep Levi safe but Eren also knew he never wanted to submit to another person again, Levi or otherwise. "Laaaaaand Hooooo!" Eren was startled out of his thoughts as the voice of Connie boomed over the ship. Eren stood up and peered out to the ocean watching as the outline of the island came into view. Eren swallowed his nerves one last time as he made his way down to the deck.
Having never learned how to dock a ship, Eren, Armin and Mikasa stood next to some other crewmates as they showed them the ropes. There was an exciting energy buzzing through the entire crew. Apparently they had not sailed home in a long time and while some of the crew on board were with their mates or current courting partners, some of them had to leave their significant others on the home island. Eren felt that same discomfort he had originally felt when he first started living on the ship. The prospect of being on an island surrounded by unknown Alpha's started making him sweat.
Eren knew most of them had probably never even seen an omega in their lives let alone a fully-grown omega that is now supposedly the true mate of their beloved captain. Eren had no doubt Levi probably had his own group of willing mates. Eren's inner omega growled suddenly at the idea of Levi being romantically involved with another person, but then again Levi had no way of knowing he had a "true mate". For all Eren knew, Levi could already be married to someone and Eren had never even thought to ask. As Eren felt that familiar bile make its way up his throat, he was startled suddenly as a hand squeezed his shoulder.
Eren's head shot up to meet the eyes of a concerned Levi. "Hey brat… you ok? You started sending out some distressed pheromones into the air." Eren glanced around to see most of the crew giving him a concerned glance having paused in their work. Eren felt as his face heated up, He hadn't even noticed he was sending out distressed scent. "Uh… uh… Y-yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, just a bit nervous to meet the rest of the crew. Sorry, Captain Levi." Eren started mumbling out completely embarrassed. Levi simply arched his eyebrow before turning to the rest of the crew. "You heard him you lazy bunch. Get yer asses back to work and get this ship properly docked! I don't want a strand of rope outta place, understood?!" Eren watched as the rest of the crew went back to work and Mikasa and Armin gave him a concerned glance. Armin simply signed quickly to Eren. *Everything okay?* Eren nodded his head quickly signing back *Yeah, just the nerves of meeting more Alpha's started making me nervous.* Armin simply nodded his head in understanding and the trio resumed taking instruction from Jean who was showing them the proper way to tie the sails into place.
The Island was beautiful. Eren, Levi and the rest of the crew had been met at the dock only by Moblit who keeps guard of the pier most days. He was Hanji's mate and was leading the group through a beautiful forest path that led to the main village on Levi's Island: Trost. The village Eren had heard from Moblit talking to Armin was named Dauper. It was the biggest of 3 settlements created on the island. Most of Levi's main crew lived there. The other two towns laid on opposite sides of the Island served more as lookouts than full functioning towns. Eren learned also that people living on the island were not all necessarily members of Levi's crew but people who were families of crew mates or people rescued from RMP ships. Eren's stomach turned again from the thought. That was a lot more people than he anticipated living here but he had to believe that if these people were loyal to Levi then no harm would come to him or his friends.
"Leeeeeeeviiiii Brooo!" Eren snapped his eyes up to see the entrance of the exceptionally large village gates. He saw a young girl maybe slightly older than himself jumping up and down excitedly. He felt a pang of jealously swim through him as he watched her run down the path to them and leap into Levi's arms. "Levi bro! You have been gone sooo long!" she whined as she continued to hug him. "Farlan and I had begun to worry. You haven't even sent a raven to tell us you were safe." Eren's breath hitched again seeing the closeness of them.
He watched anticipating Levi to shake the overly excited girl off knowing that Levi didn't normally allow people so close into his personal space and the fact that most people couldn't withstand Levis overpowering pheromones whether he was on his medication or not. But Eren felt punched in the gut as he watched Levi not push her away but in fact begin to ruffle the hair on top of her head. "I'm sorry, Isabelle, There was some complications and I couldn't risk a RMP ship intercepting the message." Eren continued feeling tense until he watched as they finally released each other but tensed again as Isabelle's eyes landed on the Trio. "Levi bro! Who are the newcomers?!" Eren watched her exclaim excitedly. "I will announce their presence tonight. I want you to arrange a town meeting and banquet. The crew is tired and deserve a feast after the events of this past voyage and I have an important announcement to make." Levi responded in a much gentler tone he usually uses on other crewmembers.
Eren felt his omega start to get mad at the closeness Levi had to another person but knew he was being completely ridiculous. "She's calling him 'Levi 'bro' for goodness sake. Eren, get your shit together," Eren said quietly to himself and his omega. "For all you know they are adopted siblings like you and Mikasa." Eren said to himself again. He looked up as the crew began making their way into the village gate, which was now surrounded by many more people Alphas and Betas alike. Eren felt himself break into a cold sweat again while he did everything in his power to not secrete distress pheromones. He didn't want to alert the whole village by accident that they now had an omega walking through their gates.
Eren felt the pressure of both Armin and Mikasa next to him as they tried to assure him he was safe with them. He felt himself starting to calm down with their reassuring touch. Eren followed the rest of the crew into the main village where they were led to a bathhouse where they would be able to bathe and freshen up before the meal. The idea of a bath momentarily made Eren excited until he noticed that all the men and women began splitting into two separate entrances. It was a public bath, and in no way was Eren ready to be naked in front of an entire crew of both Betas and Alpha's. At the same time Eren did not want to look weak in front of the new townsfolk or bring attention to himself.
Eren started to feel his feet stepping back towards the entrance until he felt himself slam into a person behind him. He turned suddenly to see Levi behind him. "Armin, Mikasa…" Levi began. "Are you two okay with the public baths?" Eren watched as Armin and Mikasa nodded their heads. "Okay then you two make your way in there and wash yourselves off. Eren, you come with me." Eren glanced over to Armin and Mikasa who quickly signed *we will be fine. Don't worry. Just go on ahead and we'll meet up with you later.* Eren simply watched them turn back to the showers and turned to follow Levi. "Eren, I have a private bath in my house that only I ever use so I think given the nature of your dynamic it's probably not safe for anyone if you go stark naked into a public bath of Alphas." Eren simply nodded accepting Levi's suggestions swearing the end of it came out like a growl. Levi reached over to grab Eren's hand softly gently pulling him in another direction and without letting go began leading them to his home.
The walk to Levi's home was quiet and comfortable. Eren took the peace and quiet time to look at his surroundings. The island was full of wild plants and life. These plants and trees Eren had never even seen ran along the sides of the path. Eren made a mental note to show them to Armin and learn what they actually were. Eren had always enjoyed learning about wild plants and animals from the books Armin would trade for in towns. The two of them would make games on their travels finding certain plants or animals on their journey that they had read about. The world was so vast and yet although Eren never liked the reason why they had to constantly travel place to place, he loved learning and discovering new things in the world.
"Well then, here we are." Eren was once again jolted from his thoughts as he looked up at a stunning castle. The castle was in no way exceptionally huge but the walls stood tall and proud. The bricks were a mixture of white and tan with beautiful windows that where scattered along the walls. The top of the towers stood tall blue peaks with one large red chimney peaking out of the top. "Wow… Levi, your home is beautiful…" Eren stood momentarily awe struck. Eren finally looked to Levi who had his normal emotionless face on but pride seemed to be swimming in his eyes. "Well, brat, don't just stand there all day. Let's go get cleaned up. I feel filthy after all that time at sea." Eren smiled and nodded his head. "Yes sir." And the two of them made their way inside.
-Time skip to the feast! (Because Eren is not ready just yet for a smutty shower scene)-
Eren followed Levi back down towards the main village. They had spent the remainder of the morning and most of the afternoon cleaning up and resting. Levi had told Eren that Armin and Mikasa would receive their resting quarters from Hanji. Levi explained to Eren that other than Hanji, Erwin, Farlan and Isabelle, no one else on the island ever entered Levi's private quarters so he did not want to gain too much attention of the other islanders having not only 1 but 3 outsiders come to his home. Levi had also told Eren if he was not comfortable on his own he could stay with Mikasa and Armin instead. Eren had extremely appreciated the thought but he knew on an island full of alphas with no way off he probably would not be able to sleep if Levi was not around.
As they made their way up to the main hall, Armin and Mikasa had joined their group. Before entering, Levi released Eren's hand and turned to them. "Alright, brats listen up. When we go inside you three can make your way to the table with my main ship crew. They will have left you some room on the end of the table. I have a table at the front of the room where I sit with my top crew and generals. I will announce the commencement of the trials tomorrow and that the three of you will be trying to join my crew." Levi paused for a moment and turned to Eren. "Eren, I will wait until after the trials to announce our courtship and your…dynamic. The townsfolk will be riled up with the announcement of trials and I don't want to overwhelm everyone." Eren simply nodded his head in agreement. "Alright, brats get in there. I will see you soon." Levi finished. Levi turned from them making his way inside and to the head table while the trio walked over and sat with the rest of the crew.
Eren sat at his table and found he was already drooling. A spread of more food than he had seen in his entire life was on the table. When they had made their way in, Levi had sat down at the main table that seemed to give everyone the okay to begin eating. Although Eren had initially feared the stares of people around him, most of the townsfolk seemed too invested in their own tables and food to give much of their attention to the three new strangers. Except for the few curious gazes, most of the town seemed to accept the fact that Levi brought new people to the island more often than not either to try to join the crew or to simply live on Levi's home island.
Eren himself seemed to be the only person actually glancing up from his food and conversations to glance around the room. Mikasa and Armin seemed to be in pleasant conversation with some of the other crewmates including, Jean, Connie, Sasha and the occasional head nod from Annie. Eren couldn't seem to keep his gaze from Levi and the red head sitting a bit too close to him though. Eren felt that jealously burn in his stomach. Who was she to Levi? Out of all the people up at the table, she seemed to be sitting the closest to him. Eren knew that he was probably being stupid but when he thought about it rationally he really didn't know anything about Levi's personal life. Obviously most people who came up in upstanding household or comfortable lives didn't normally become pirates who seem to want to take down the entire RMP so Eren was sure Levi had his own battle scars and stories. But it all came boiling back to who was this girl sitting next to him looking at him with shinning eyes who obviously had no sense of personal space.
"Eren?" Eren jolted back and looked to the group looking at him. "Uh yeah what's up?" "Ha the idiot wasn't even listening", Jean had started chuckling looking between Eren and Mikasa. Eren shot Jean a nasty glare and looked back to Mikasa. "Sorry, Kasa, what's up?" Mikasa simply shook her head and rolled her eyes amusingly. She asked her question again. "So does Levi have an actual spring in his house or is that just the public baths?" Eren shook his head "No, he just has a regular bath, but man If I could get a private moment in there I would love to take a dip in it." Eren felt momentarily jealous of his friend who had gotten to experience actual hot springs which were incredibly rare in the world but found himself smiling at the grins on Armin and Mikasa's faces as they talked about their hot spring experience. All too suddenly their conversation was halted by the sound of Levi calling for everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone listen up. I'm only making this announcement once." Levi's voice seemed to boom over the room and everyone immediately seemed to fall into attention to the captain's words. "As you have noticed no doubt there are some new faces amongst us tonight" Levi paused. Everyone seemed to glance over at the trio and back to him again. "We came upon this trio on our travels as prisoners of an RMP military ship. Upon release we were attacked once again in a surprise attack and the three of them fought valiantly and helped us to come out of the attack alive. I have offered them a chance to take part in the trials and join my crew. They have accepted the challenge. Tomorrow the first of them will commence in the first Trial and their Trials will begin."
The room seemed to explode in a mixture of excited and shocked pheromones as everyone began to whisper to one another sending sideward glances to the trio. Hanji was the next to speak as she rose from her seat holding a small bowl with three pieces of paper in them as Levi sat down. "Alllrighhtt! I will be choosing the order for the first Trial. Seeing as how we uuusssually only have 1 person joining at a time, we have never had 3 candidates at the same time sooooooo we will select a random order and over the next 6 days the three of them will work to complete the 1st Task. As each one of them returns the next person will set out on the Trail. So, without further adieu!" Eren gulped down as Hanji dipped her hand in the bowl and grabbed a name out. "The first one to set out on the first trial is... Eren!"
Eren felt all his nerves bundle up but he simply got up from his seat nodded his head locking eyes momentarily with Levi and sat down again. Hanji continued on, "Next will be Armin and lastly Mikasa." Both Armin and Mikasa stood and nodded in understanding before sitting back down.
After the announcements, the room was now full of excitement and people all around were talking of the trials and the festival that came after when a new crewmember joined the crew. The prospect of three people joining seemed to ignite the idea of a rather grand Festival. People from all different tables now came and went from table to table talking to all different members of the crew asking about stories of their battles and triumphs. Some people even came up to the Trio wishing them luck in the trials and requesting stories from their own travels.
Eren, Mikasa and Armin kept to the more exciting adventures, invigorating stories and various heists they had had over the years, shying away from the more dark and life threatening ones. Most of the people in the village seemed to be from various different regions of the world and a whole different range of social classes but they all seemed to live together quite harmoniously. But they all seemed to have one thing very in common: a very high dislike of the royal crown and the RMP. All the people who had come to talk to them seemed to have their own intense or heart breaking story on how the RMP seemed to take everything from them. They all seemed to have a story of how Levi had saved them as well. Eren couldn't help but smile every time someone spoke highly of Levi.
Eren was exhausted. Emotionally, physically and mentally his body and mind felt like they would collapse at any second. Group after group seemed to want to have a moment to talk to the newcomers and Eren had been going on a roller coaster of emotions since the announcement of the trials. Feeling the walls start to come in on him, Eren decided he needed air. He looked briefly up to the main table to see Levi still conversing with an incredibly hyper and enthusiastic Isabelle and Levi's other high-ranking crewmember that Eren remembered his name was Farlan. Eren stayed looking up to try to give Levi a heads up he was going outside for some air but Levi seemed to be engrossed in his conversation. All of a sudden Levi got up and pulled the two of them into an embrace and Eren felt again a intense pang of jealously but simply shook his head telling himself he was just being stupid and walked outside.
Levi POV
Levi was listening as Isabelle was talking about all the updates of what was happening on the island while he was away. It was good to see both of his childhood friends again. Levi knew he didn't keep that many people too close to his heart but the two of them had been part of his life longer than he could remember. Levi had become so happy when Farlan had decided to court Isabelle and Levi had married them only 2 years earlier. Being Levi's most trusted friends and crew he had left them in charge of the island while he was away. Both of them being extremely gifted in different types of fighting forms, Levi knew his home would be safe with them.
"Leeevvvii bro! Are you listening? We have some more excellent news!" Levi quickly gave a glance over to Eren feeling his pheromones although slight constantly alternating between excitement and nervousness and making sure he was okay before returning his full attention to Isabelle. "I'm listening," Levi responded. Levi looked to Farlan and Isabelle as they seemed to be bursting with excitement. He looked between the two of them curiously and Isabelle opened her mouth again. "I'm pregnant, Levi Bro." Levi stood up and immediately grabbed the two of them pulling them into a group hug. Thinking back on their terrible life they lived in the slums and the shit they had to do to survive, Levi swelled with pride knowing he had helped build a place that not only were some of the most important people in his life free from the Crown and the RMP but a place they could build a real family together.
Levi continued for a few minutes chatting with Isabelle and Farlan before peaking his head back up to now see a very empty seat where a certain brunette was once sitting. Levi suddenly snapped his full attention up and checked the rest of the room. Mikasa and Armin seemed to still be mingling with the crew but Eren was nowhere to be found. "Hey guys I have to go check on something," Levi abruptly said between Farlan and Isabelle's excited banter. "Alright boss no problem," Farlan responded continuing his conversation with Isabelle. Levi feeling suddenly nervous picked up his pace as he walked through the crowd to where Mikasa and Armin were talking with other crewmembers.
"Hey, Brats," Levi said trying to hide the worry in his tone to not start anyone panicking. "Yes, captain." Armin had responded. "I uh… just had something to tell Eren. Has either of you two seen him? I figured he would be glued to you two." Levi responded again trying to sound nonchalant, not wanting to cause panic just yet. "Oh!" Armin had responded. "He just stepped outside for some fresh air. We asked if he wanted us to come but he said he was just going to be outside the door." Levi felt his heart rate calm down once more. He thanked Armin and made his way to the door leading outside.
Levi walked out to see Eren sitting on a boulder that sat next to the entrance to the hall looking up at the stars. "Hey brat, room for two up there?" Levi asked trying to not startle Eren but noticed that Eren seemed to jump a little in place. "Oh, uh Levi… Goodness you startled me. Sorry I was just thinking but uh… yeah sure plenty of room." Levi climbed easily to the top of the boulder and sat next to Eren. "Nervous?" Levi began. "haha… that obvious huh?" Eren chuckled out nervously. "Yeah…" Levi began. The last thing Levi wanted to do was make Eren more nervous about the trial but he knew Eren needed to be prepared in case his theory on a spy in his crew was correct. Levi knew that Eren's first trial would be a prime time to go after him. Eren would be on his own with none of his friends and without Levi's protection. Levi didn't want Eren to have too much of a false sense of security just because Eren was on his home island. "So..." "So…" Both Eren and Levi had begun together. "You go first brat." Levi said.
Eren looked momentarily conflicted as though he didn't know if he wanted to ask Levi something or not but began anyway cautiously. "So… um Isabelle right? What is like your relationship with her? You seem very close with her and Farlan. I mean um… I just mean that it looks like you have a close relationship with them. I mean I don't want to pry or anything like it was only an observation…" Eren seemed to trail off and Levi found himself chuckle a little bit. "Isabelle and Farlan are childhood friends of mine." Levi began seeming to have Eren's full attention. "We grew up together in the slums and have had each other's backs as long as I can remember. We started the Survey Core crew together and discovered and built this Island village together as well. I guess you could say I see them like siblings the way you see Armin and Mikasa. A few years back Farlan had courted Isabelle and they had actually just told me that Isabelle is pregnant."
Levi watched humorously as a flash of emotions passed through Eren's face and emerald eyes all ending with Eren's face in his hands. "haha... I'm such an idiot… and here I was stupidly jealous…" Levi heard Eren mumble to himself unbeknownst to himself out loud. Levi chuckled again and reached over to grab Eren's hand. "Don't worry yourself, bright eyes, I am not currently or have been in a very, very long time with anyone but you." Levi squeezed Eren's hand and Eren looked back up with a bashful smile and nodded. Levi looked down to their intertwining hands. He was holding Eren's marked hand and began to trace the outline with his finger.
"Listen Eren." Levi began. "As much as I truly believe that these trials are really not necessary for any of you three, I believe it is necessary for the rest of the crew. The last thing I want to do is make you more nervous but I must tell you something." Levi watched as flash of nervousness washed over Eren's face before continuing. "Eren, I want to and will do everything I must to keep you safe but the 2 days you are on your first trial I must remain here… but I must tell you based on the speed the second RMP found us after I rescued you, both me and Erwin have come to the conclusion that there is a spy among us… during your 2 days away from everyone else you must promise me to stay on your guard. It will be an incredible window to get you on your own and I fear the spy might use it to their advantage. I am not supposed to tell you anything to help you before you begin your trials but Eren… I don't want you for even a minute to let your guard down." Levi watched as slight panic seemed to fill Eren's face again but it quickly disappeared and Eren took a deep breath.
"Thank you for warning me, Levi. I promise to keep my guard up out there." Levi lifted his hand to caress Eren's face and Eren leaned in connecting their lips together. The kiss was small and sweet and lasted only a minute but it sealed a promise of return. "We better get to bed…" Levi began. "You have a long next couple of days." Eren simply nodded his head in agreement. Levi quickly walked inside to tell everyone they he was retiring for the evening and came back. Levi grabbed Eren's hand and they walked quietly back to Levi's home.