Disclaimer: I own none of the characters!

Notes: So...this chapter has some smut I didn't plan on including until two fairytales later. But with the upcoming chapters, I felt like this was necessary. It's not explicit (sorry!) because I felt the light smut would just slow better with the story. Also: the lantern scenes and everything were inspired by a conversation I had with a tumblr friend (we were talking about a Tangled! Ereri AU and well...just read, you'll see!) Next chapter will introduce our kidnapping aristocrat!

Also: I received some BEAUTIFUL fanart from this wonderful artist 3 *prays the link isn't screwy* There are dashes in the link because of how likes to not let links in 3 But check it out if you have a tumblr because it's gorgeous!

: / / hisuiironotori. tumblr post / 75080834757 / so-i-drew-fan-art-for-a-fanfiction-threads-of

It took some convincing, some long serious convincing, but after a few strenuous days of tears and whining and refusals give kisses, Eren managed to get Levi to agree to going to Sina with him. It was only a matter of actually dragging the prince into a carriage.

Tests had been run throughout the month to examine Levi's sudden "ailment" of being human. Completely human without changing into the demonic monster in the morning. Levi did not change, at any time; neither during the day or night.

So Eren took his new transformation as a chance to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than to get out of the castle and go to the beautiful city of Stohess, Sina's largest, glittering post. As much as Levi protested, claiming his change was unstable, Eren was sure of his decision to go.

He was positive Levi was fine and he didn't want to waste any more time with what-ifs. So they packed their trunks and left for the city.

Petra, Irwin and Mike stayed behind, claiming they did not want to encroach on the short trip. However, Levi did not want to travel completely alone. He dragged along Hanji, in case the curse resurfaced and he needed a very quick enchantment.

Eren didn't mind. He enjoyed Hanji's company after all. Even if she was a little curious about their plans for the short trip.

"For the last time, witch, I don't know," Levi hissed. "We'll eat whatever the fuck Eren wants to eat!"

Hanji turned her wide eyes to Eren, awaiting a response. The carriage shook and the horses clip-clopped on the stone paved roads. Eren shrugged.

"I…I don't know yet."

Hanji threw her hands up and slumped against the carriage cushion, groaning at the lack of food plans. The horses came to a slow stop and Levi lunged for the door.

"We're finally here."

He stepped into the bright light and turned, extending a hand to Eren. With a smile, Eren took his hand and gently stepped from the carriage, looking up at the grand inn before him.

"I would have asked Nile for a room in his castle, but I didn't really want to be questioned or bothered with royal affairs," Levi sighed, rubbing a circle in the small of Eren's back. "And I didn't want any pressure on you, either. Besides, this one is nice, from what she told me."

Levi lowered his voice and motioned towards Hanji with his eyes. She stumbled behind him, leaning against her broom and adjusting her wide-brimmed hat.

"It's perfect," Eren said with a smile. "I don't care where we stay."

Eren caught Levi grinning and he suddenly felt giddy. He slid closer to Levi when Hanji waved her hands excitedly.

"Levi, look!" she cried, pointing. Levi rolled his eyes, staring at her. Eren looked up, to see what she was pointing at.

Banners hung from the buildings, bright streamers blowing in the wind. Flower sellers had their stands set up, handing out flowers to small children who ran around on the streets. Music played in the distance, somewhere down another street or two. There was the sweet scent of apples being cooked and sugared and Eren's mouth watered for them.

"Levi! Leviiiiiiii can we—"

"We can go exploring after we're settled in our rooms."

Eren didn't care much for the room or the view it provided. To him it was just a room and he was ready to explore the new city. He grabbed Levi by the hand and wouldn't let go, even once they were on the street.

Hanji kindly strayed away, to allow them some time to themselves.

Eren followed the music as soon as they walked outside, which lead to the main source of the scent of apples too. It was all in a town center, which was not too far from the inn. There were stands, selling scarves and foods and handmaid jewelries. A band was playing, the music absolutely beautiful. There were even more streamers and banners and lanterns hung in the town center too.

Green eyes watched in excitement while grey ones looked on, unimpressed.

"You're loving this, aren't you?" Levi asked. There was no immediate reply so he looked around.

Eren was sitting down by a flower stand, a small group of little girls standing around him and decorating his hair with flower crowns. Levi groaned, shaking his head as there was a tug on his hand.

He looked down to see one of the little girls pulling him over. Eren was smiling big, patting the stone ground where he was sitting.

"Come on, Levi!" Eren called.

"Come on, Levi! Come on, Levi!" The little girls all started to chant it with him. Given any other day, Levi would have left, not caring if the small girls cried or not. But he couldn't say no to Eren. So he shuffled over and flopped on to the ground, sitting in front of a flowered Eren.

Immediately, the girls started to put flowers in his hair and throw flower necklaces around his shoulders. Levi pouted, watching Eren's big eyes and the thrilled expression on his face.

Eren was laughing, excited and happy; really happy. He was smiling and it was beautiful. Pure and happy and innocent. White flower petals fell around his warm face and something about the image made it hard for Levi to breathe. He was completely transfixed, unable to think of anything else. Nothing around him mattered. He didn't care about how many flowers the little girls put in his hair or how many flower wreathes he had on his neck or even how many flowers were shoved into his pockets.

There was only Eren, smiling and so happy, with white petals falling from the flowers adorning his head.

He wanted to kiss Eren right then. To claim those round lips and taste their sweetness. However, he didn't want to disrupt the innocent image either. He wanted to keep staring, to preserve the purity before him, so he took Eren's hand in his own and placed a kiss to the warm palm.

Eren flushed and the little girls stopped decorating to giggle. One even muttered about how romantic it was.

"You two have to dance now!" cried one of the girls, tugging on Eren's shoulder. "He kissed you!"

"Oh, he doesn't like to dance much, though," Eren laughed. Levi's lips thinned and he squeezed Eren's hand, catching the brunet's attention.

"No," Levi said, "I don't like dancing but I like dancing with you. Let's go."

Eren gasped as he was pulled to his feet. Levi shook a few loose flowers from his face as he guided Eren to where the band played. His own fingers shook but he kept them locked with Eren's.

"We don't have to."

"I know that, brat, but I already told you that I like to dance with you," Levi said, spinning Eren around and pulling him to his chest. "So let's dance."

Eren nodded, draping his arms over Levi's shoulders as Levi let his hands rest on Eren's waist.

By the time the sun was setting, Eren had his cup of sugary sweet apples (along with every other sweet thing he saw, Levi bought him whatever he wanted). He was still decorated in brilliant flowers, smelling like a freshly picked blossom. Levi had long since lost his flowers, not caring to wear them, and the ones that didn't fall were placed in Eren's hair.

"Every year here, at the beginning of spring, Sina has this festival," Levi explained, walking through the city. He carried a lantern in his hands, one that had yet to be lit and lifted into the air.

"I've heard of it," Eren said, "but I never once thought I'd get the chance to see it."

"I know…what you mean. Save for the lantern lighting, because it's at night. But I never even cared to see that. It didn't matter to me."

"So this will be your first time actually seeing it too?"

Levi smiled, nodding. "Yes."

Eren hugged his lantern to his chest. "I'm really glad. We get to do this together…Umm, where are we going though? Isn't the lantern festival in the town center?"

"For the most part, yes. But I heard the lanterns always float over the ocean."

Eren froze, a gasp leaving his lips. "The o-ocean?"

"Yes," Levi replied, stopping. "Why? What the fuck, why are you so stunned?"

"I've never seen the ocean…I've always wanted to. I've always wanted to leave Shiganshina and go see the ocean and I always knew I would but I never thought that…that…"

Levi walked back to him, running his hand over Eren's cheek as to not shake the flowers in his hair.

"Is that alright?"

"It's perfect, Levi," Eren breathed, leaning into Levi's gentle touch. He pressed his lips to Levi's wrist. "Take me. Levi, I want to see it."

Levi took Eren's hand again, this time not letting go. He led Eren to the docks, the smell of fish strong and overwhelming the sweet scent of the flowers. But it did not bother Eren; the sight before him was too breathtaking.

Soft waves rippled across the water, the wind blowing the salt into their faces. The sun cast an orange and yellow glow over the water's surface. It glittered with every rise and fall of the waves, like thousands of diamonds dancing across the water.

Eren exhaled, his eyes suddenly glassy at the sight before him.

"Oh Levi…"

"Is it…what you were expecting? I know you wanted to see the world and—"

"It's beautiful, Levi, yes. I never knew it was this…stunning."

Levi tugged on his hand. "Let's get closer."

"Closer!?"

"Yes," Levi said. "I told you that the lanterns float over the ocean. So…what better view of the lanterns than one from the ocean?"

Levi tilted his head at the docks and Eren looked. Hanji was sitting on the edge, overlooking a small boat. Eren looked back to Levi and he became all smiles. He threw his arm around Levi's neck, kissing him hard. When he pulled away, he excitedly bounced on the heels of his feet.

"Let's go! Let's go!" Eren cried.

Levi took Eren's hand and pulled him down to the docks. Eren tried jumping into the boat, but even as Hanji held it the small boat rocked around under his weight.

"Go slow!" Levi snapped. "Fuck, you're going to tip the damn boat over and fall in."

Eren managed to settle into the boat and looked up at Levi, sticking his tongue out. "I can swim! I'll be fine if I fall in!"

Levi stepped into the boat, sitting across from Eren.

"But you'll be all wet and cold. And I won't share by cloak with you."

"He'd share with you," Hanji whispered to Eren, pushing the boat from the dock. "Don't worry."

Eren laughed, setting his lantern down, as Levi picked up the wooden oars. He shot a look to Hanji, who was still all smiles and waves, and shook his head. Eren was too busy looking around and admiring everything to really notice.

He loved the salty taste of the ocean's mist on his tongue. And he was amazed by how bright the sun was against the ocean. He let his hand fall experimentally into the cool water, feeling the waves splash up onto his arm. His sleeve got wet and he shook his hand, splashing more water everywhere. Levi gave him a look as he pulled the oars into the boat.

"Sorry!"

"Brat," Levi teased. He held out his arms. "Come here."

Eren moved the lanterns around, careful not to drop them or shake the boat too much. He snuggled between Levi's legs, pressing his back to Levi's chest. He could no longer see the sun over the horizon, but he did have a better view of Stohess.

He sighed, relaxed and content, and rested his head against Levi's chest. Levi kissed his head, lazily stroking his hair. More flowers fell onto Eren's lap, their fragrance a little stronger around them now that they were away from the docks. Eren slowly picked up each fallen flower and placed them in the water, watching them float away until there was a gorgeous white trail of petals around the boat. Even though the sun had set, leaving them in near complete darkness, Eren could still see the white flowers in the rising moon's reflection.

There was nothing more he wanted.

Until the first lantern appeared over the city. Eren's eyes widened and he sat up straight. More lanterns started to rise, all glowing against the dark sky. They illuminated the rooftops of the buildings and as they floated over the ocean, Eren could see their reflection on the water's ripples.

He grabbed Levi's lantern and then his own. "We have to light them!"

"Be careful, don't fall out!" Levi cried, catching Eren by the shoulder. "Hold still so I can light them."

Levi pulled out a box of matches from his pocket and Eren held the lanterns, letting him light them. Levi put away the matches and took his lantern. Eren held his excitedly, looking up at the lanterns now flying over their heads. He smiled back at Levi.

At the same time, they pushed their lanterns up, letting them float high until they mixed with the other lanterns. Eren watched them until he felt Levi's hand gently brush against his cheek. He looked at Levi as he was pulled in close.

Levi lightly kissed him and lingered as he sat back. Eren pressed against him, kissing him again and letting his eyes flutter closed.

"Oi, watch your lanterns," Levi whispered, nudging Eren in the side.

"But I like kissing!"

"We can kiss later," Levi taunted.

Eren stole a last, quick kiss and turned back around, falling against Levi's chest again. This time, Levi wrapped his arms around Eren's shoulders, keeping him still so that he wouldn't rock the boat again.

But really, just to have the wide-eyed boy in his arms.

Eren and Levi walked back to the inn, Eren leaving a dripping trail of water behind him. He had managed to fall into the water, just as they were getting out of the boat. Thankfully, he really could swim and Levi pulled him back onto the dock.

Eren walked with Levi's cloak around his shoulders, since his own was all wet now, to keep the chill of the air off. Levi carried his wet cloak, still trying to stifle his laughter.

Once settled in the inn, Levi had Eren's clothes washed and dried (taking extra special care to treat Eren's red cloak so it kept its shape and vibrant color) and set out for him. Eren sat on the bed, bathed and dressed in his pajamas, and watched Levi fold the last of his clothes and place them on a chair.

"Thank you," Eren hummed, rubbing his eyes.

"You're welcome," Levi replied. He shuffled over to the bed and cupped Eren's face in his hands, kissing him on the head. "Is the room warm enough?"

"It's perfect."

"Good."

Levi let him go to better kiss Eren on the lips. And Eren wrapped his arms around Levi, his heart fluttering with each soft kiss and light suckle left on his lips.

"Get some rest," Levi said. "If you need me, I'll be in the next room, alright?"

"Oh…alright…"

"What?"

"It's nothing."

Levi flopped on the bed with a sigh. "What?"

"I don't want to sleep apart from you. At least for tonight," Eren said. He gasped at the sudden distressed look on Levi's face. "Everything has just been so perfect and I don't want it to end yet. I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up next to you…"

"Eren…it's not that I don't want you to," Levi said, "I do. I have for months now…"

"Months? Really?" Eren asked with a slight smug grin.

"I've liked you for a while, don't be a little shit about," Levi snapped, a rosy color coming across his cheeks. "It's just..I'm just worried. What if—"

Eren firmly grabbed his hand. "No. You won't. You're not going to spontaneously change back."

"You don't fucking know that—"

"I know. I don't know a lot of things, but I know you're not going to transform in the middle of the night and kill me," Eren firmly said. He scooted closer to Levi, leaning his head on the black haired man's shoulder. "Besides, you said we'd kiss more and we can't do that unless we're sharing a bed."

Levi grumbled and got off the bed, letting Eren fall against the soft mattress. He turned, however, and scooped Eren into his arms. Eren clung to Levi's shoulders as the prince blew out the candle on the nightstand and walked to the door, leaving the dark room.

"You're such a little brat," Levi said, pushing the door to his own room open. "We're staying in my room, though. The sun's going to shine in our faces with the way your fucking bed is. My bed is better and a little bigger."

Levi dropped Eren on his bed. Eren was still trying to wrap his mind around what had happened; that Levi was actually agreeing to letting him share a bed. He threw back the comforter and sheets, crawling under them and nestling against a pillow. Eren watched Levi leave the room (to close the door to the other room) and come back, locking his door and then blow out the candles in the room.

Eren moved over, making room for Levi as he slipped into the bed. But Levi pulled Eren close, pushing his hand under Eren's shirt to feel the smoothness of his back.

"So about this kissing…"

"We should do something about it," Eren breathed, wrapping his arms around Levi's neck and pulling him into a long, slow kiss. Levi's grip on Eren tightened and he explored more of Eren's tan skin as his shirt rose up.

That one, long kiss turned messy when Eren opened his mouth, allowing Levi to slip his tongue inside. Eren gripped Levi's shoulders tighter, pressing his body flush against Levi's to get as close as he could. Levi dropped his hand to Eren's thigh, pulling his long leg around his waist to slowly grind his hips into Eren's.

A quick whine of pleasure escaped from Eren's mouth and he squirmed under Levi before settling against the pillows. He gasped when he felt the hard length between Levi's legs press against him and he dug his nails into Levi's shoulders, shaking all over.

"L-Levi…"

"Hm?" Levi hummed, sucking lightly on Eren's neck, eliciting another moan. He pulled away slowly to look down at Eren, checking his expression. "Should I stop?"

Eren let his hand slip from Levi's hair, letting it fall against the pillow. He curled his finger into the soft material, a warm blush on his cheeks. He shook his head and whispered "don't", opening his mouth to Levi for another impassioned kiss. Eren threaded his fingers through Levi's hair, pulling him closer and kissing him harder.

His heart was racing against his chest, making his hands tremble and unable to hold on to Levi's shoulders. He let Levi lead, listening to his reassuring words of affection. He let his passion override his nervousness and simply trusted that Levi would take care of him through the night.

Shared whispers of "I love you" filled the door room with heavy panting and the slight rocking of the bed. Nails dragged against skin—along Levi's back in pleasure; along Eren's thighs to gain leverage. Sweat beads and tears pooled onto the pillows until they couldn't find the strength to move again.

Eren stared at Levi with tired eyes, a smile on his face. And Levi stared back at Eren with the same expression. Eren curled against Levi and the prince wrapped his arm back around Eren to keep him close. No more words were needed; their smiles spoke for them.

I love you.

I love you, too.