Chapter 26: Instinct, Loyalty, and Love
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the night sky was now dotted with stars.
The air was cool, and the camp had quieted down after a long day of strategizing and
patrols. Inside Eren and Luna's quarters, however, things were far from quiet.
Luna, ever the organized leader, had arranged for a girls-only sleepover for the
sirens—a rare opportunity for them to bond and relax together. The room was filled with
the sound of laughter and playful banter, a stark contrast to the usual tension at HQ.
Aria, Solara, Rue, Bria, Melody, Caspia, and Sera were all sprawled around the room on
makeshift beds of blankets and pillows. Their hair down, relaxed, and in high spirits, the
sirens chatted freely, enjoying the rare break from the intensity of their duties.
"Out," Luna had said earlier, smiling sweetly but firmly as she gave Eren a gentle nudge
toward the door.
Eren had protested—only half-heartedly—before reluctantly being ushered out into the
cool night air. Now, he sat in the common room, looking more than a little put out. He
wasn't used to being kicked out of his own quarters, especially not for a sleepover. And
while he tried to keep his face impassive, it was clear that the absence of Luna stung a
bit.
He wasn't alone, though. Across the room, the rest of the scouts—Jean, Connie, Armin,
Bertholdt, Floch, Reiner, and Levi—sat in various states of discomfort. They were all
trying to act like it didn't bother them, like they didn't miss their siren mates, but it was
obvious that the mood in the room had taken a hit. Even Levi, who sat in the corner with
his arms crossed, wore a slightly irritated expression, though he'd never admit that he
missed Aria's presence beside him.
Jean sighed, leaning back in his chair and running a hand through his hair. "I can't
believe they kicked us out," he muttered, glancing at the ceiling as if he could hear the
laughter from above. "It's too quiet without them."
Connie, sprawled out on a couch with his arms behind his head, nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, it's weird. I thought I'd enjoy the peace and quiet, but… I don't."
Eren, who had been sitting quietly, glanced toward the ceiling as well, his eyes
narrowing. "They're having too much fun up there," he muttered, half to himself.
Armin, always the voice of reason, tried to maintain his composure. "It's just for one
night," he said, though even he sounded a little forlorn. "They deserve some time to
themselves."
Floch, ever the dramatic one, groaned loudly. "One night? It feels like an eternity." He
crossed his arms, looking more like a sulking child than the fierce warrior he often tried
to be. "Bria's up there, laughing and probably making fun of me. I just know it."
Reiner, who had been staring at the fire quietly, let out a low chuckle. "You sound
ridiculous, Floch."
Floch shot him a glare. "You're one to talk. I bet Rue's up there giving them all the
details about you."
Reiner turned a bit red but didn't respond.
Jean leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What do you think they're talking about?"
Connie perked up, sitting up straighter. "Probably us."
Levi, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke up. "It doesn't matter what
they're talking about," he said, his voice its usual calm and clipped tone. "They kicked
us out, so we leave them alone."
Eren, however, wasn't so easily swayed. He glanced at Levi, then back toward the
ceiling. "It's too quiet," he said again, his voice more thoughtful now. "I want to know
what's going on."
Jean raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the idea. "Are you saying we should—?"
"Spy on them?" Connie finished, grinning.
Armin's eyes widened. "Eren, I don't think that's a good idea."
But Eren was already standing up, his mind clearly made up. "We're not going to
interrupt," he clarified, his tone firm. "We're just going to… listen."
Levi shot him a sharp look. "This is stupid," he muttered, though he didn't make a move
to stop them. His arms were still crossed, but there was a faint glint of something in his
eyes—curiosity, perhaps, or maybe just an excuse to be near Aria again.
Jean, Connie, and Floch were already on their feet, clearly excited by the idea. Even
Reiner, though hesitant, stood up, not wanting to be left behind.
Armin sighed, shaking his head. "You're all going to get caught."
"Not if we're careful," Eren said, already heading toward the door.
The group, with Levi trailing reluctantly behind, made their way up toward Eren and
Luna's quarters where the sirens were gathered. The laughter and chatter were louder
now, drifting down the hallway and fueling the scouts'
curiosity.
As they reached the door, they all paused, exchanging glances. Eren crouched down,
pressing his ear to the door as Jean and Connie followed suit. Even Levi, though trying
to maintain his usual air of disinterest, stood close enough to hear.
Inside the room, the sirens were relaxed, their guards down as they lounged on pillows,
their laughter echoing through the room. They had begun talking about their time with
their mates, and the scouts outside could already feel their cheeks heating up as the
conversation continued.
"So, how was everyone's honeymoon?" Solara asked with a teasing grin, her golden
hair spilling over her shoulders as she leaned back on a cushion. "I'm dying to hear all
the juicy details."
Rue was the first to jump in, her fiery red hair bouncing as she sat up with a wicked grin.
"Well, I'll tell you this—Reiner tries to act all tough and stoic, but when we're alone…
let's just say I've never seen a man blush so hard."
Reiner, who was pressed up against the door, went rigid. His eyes widened in shock,
and his entire face turned bright red. Connie, standing next to him, bit his lip to keep
from laughing out loud.
"Reiner?" Caspia giggled, her orange eyes sparkling. "I thought he was the unshakeable
warrior type."
Rue waved a hand dismissively, her grin widening. "Oh, he's tough, alright. But I know
exactly how to make him lose it." She winked, and Reiner, who was already blushing
furiously, groaned inwardly.
Beside him, Floch stifled a snicker. "Unshakeable, huh?" he muttered under his breath,
glancing at the towering man who now looked more flustered than he'd ever seen him.
Inside, Aria, ever the bold one, chimed in next, and Levi, who had been trying to
maintain his composure, tensed.
"Levi?" Aria started, a playful smirk on her lips. "Oh, you should have seen him during
our honeymoon. For all his 'humanity's strongest soldier' act, I've never seen someone
try so hard to keep his composure while I was…testing him."
Levi's eyes widened ever so slightly, and he felt the heat rise in his cheeks. He could
practically feel all the eyes of the other scouts shifting toward him, but he refused to
react.
Jean, crouched just beside Levi, raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Oh, this is good."
Aria continued, her voice taking on a more affectionate tone. "But honestly? He's the
most caring man I've ever met. He tries to act like nothing gets to him, but I can tell.
Underneath all that discipline and toughness, there's a softness there—something I
wouldn't trade for the world."
Levi clenched his jaw, his face burning red now. He glanced at Eren, who was trying his
best to keep a straight face, and shot him a glare. "Not a word," Levi muttered under his
breath.
Eren, despite himself, smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Inside, the conversation shifted to Luna, and Eren stiffened slightly as he leaned in
closer to the door.
Solara was the one who asked, "And Luna, what about you? How's it been with the
Devil of Paradis?"
Luna chuckled softly, her voice filled with warmth. "Eren… well, he's intense, that's for
sure. But he's also thoughtful in ways that most people wouldn't expect. Our
honeymoon was... powerful. I don't think either of us expected to connect the way we
did. He tries to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, but when we're alone, he
lets me share that burden."
Eren's breath caught in his throat, and his heart pounded. He hadn't realized how much
Luna had noticed about him—how deeply she understood him. His face flushed, and he
swallowed hard, trying to shake off the overwhelming feeling that her words stirred in
him.
"That sounds like Eren," Rue teased. "Always serious. Did he at least let loose a little?"
Luna laughed softly. "Oh, trust me, he's got a wild side."
Eren, now burning with embarrassment, turned away from the door, his hands covering
his face. Jean, noticing Eren's state, snickered quietly. "Wild side, huh?" he whispered,
elbowing Connie, who could barely hold in his laughter.
Armin, who had been trying to stay out of the conversation, suddenly froze when
Melody spoke up.
"Well, Armin's… different," Melody said quietly, though her voice was filled with
affection. "He's thoughtful, so sweet, and always gentle. He's not one to rush into
anything. Honestly, it made everything so much more… special."
Armin's face went from pale to crimson in seconds. He could feel everyone's eyes on
him now, and he ducked his head, wishing he could disappear into the shadows.
Connie, barely able to contain himself, whispered, "Gentle, huh?"
The conversation inside continued, the sirens sharing more about their honeymoons,
each scout outside getting more flustered by the second.
"Jean's always trying to impress me," Solara said with a grin. "But I've got him wrapped
around my finger. He doesn't know what to do with himself half the time, but he's always
eager to please."
Jean, wide-eyed and red-faced, groaned softly. "Great. Now they all know."
Caspia added her own story, laughing as she described Connie's antics. "He's such a
jokester, but when we're alone, he gets so shy. You wouldn't believe how cute he can be
when he's not trying to be the class clown."
Connie, now burning with embarrassment, shot a glare at Jean. "Don't say a word."
Floch, meanwhile, was barely holding it together as Bria chimed in next.
"Floch? Oh, he's got a tough guy act," Bria said with a smirk, "but he melts the second I
give him that look. Honestly, it's adorable."
Floch turned red, his hands clenched at his sides. "I am not adorable," he muttered.
As the sirens continued to talk about their mates, the scouts outside were slowly turning
various shades of red. Every word seemed to dig deeper, making it clear that their siren
mates knew them far better than they wanted to admit. And yet, despite the
embarrassment, none of them could bring themselves to pull away from the door.
Levi, ever the stoic one, finally muttered under his breath, "We're done here."
But despite his words, he didn't move—and neither did the rest of them.
As the hours dragged on, the atmosphere inside Eren and Luna's quarters became
more relaxed, the laughter of the sirens growing louder and more unrestrained. The
faint clinking of glasses and giggles could be heard through the door as the sirens
indulged in some of the drinks they'd brought with them. Their usual grace and
composure had begun to melt away, replaced with a carefree, almost wild energy.
Outside, the scouts were still huddled by the door, exchanging wide-eyed glances as
the noise from inside grew louder and more chaotic. They had thought the sirens'
gossip was bad enough, but now the sounds of thudding footsteps, laughter, and
something that sounded suspiciously like singing echoed through the walls.
Jean glanced at Eren, his brow furrowing. "Are they… are they dancing in there?"
Connie, his curiosity piqued, pressed his ear harder against the door. "I think so.
Sounds like they're having a full-blown party."
Floch, still reeling from the earlier gossip about him, shifted uncomfortably. "They're
drunk," he muttered, as though trying to convince himself. "What could they possibly be
doing now?"
Reiner, who had been mostly quiet up to this point, looked uneasy. "They're sirens.
They could be doing anything."
Levi, who was standing a little ways back from the door, his arms crossed and a scowl
on his face, narrowed his eyes. "This is a waste of time. They're probably just…" But
before he could finish, a loud crash from inside the room made everyone freeze.
The sirens had become a whirlwind of activity. Solara and Caspia were laughing
uncontrollably, spinning each other around the room as their golden and orange hair
flew wildly about. Rue, with her usual fiery energy, had jumped onto a pile of blankets,
dramatically belting out a song in a drunken attempt at a melody, while Aria and Sera
were swaying with drinks in hand, giggling as they watched the chaos unfold. Even the
usually shy Melody was dancing with Luna, their faces flushed as they moved with the
carefree abandon of the heavily intoxicated.
It was pure chaos, but the sirens were having the time of their lives.
Outside, the scouts were trying to piece together what was going on, but the
noises—thumps, laughter, and Rue's off-key singing—only deepened the mystery.
Levi's scowl deepened, his patience wearing thin, while Eren and Jean exchanged
uncertain glances.
"What in the hell is happening in there?" Eren muttered, his usual cool demeanor
faltering.
Armin, still blushing from Melody's earlier comments, cleared his throat nervously.
"Maybe we should just leave them to it…"
But before anyone could act, the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, and in an
instant, everything went haywire.
The sirens, drunk and in high spirits, stumbled out of the room in a chaotic rush,
crashing straight into the unsuspecting scouts. The next few moments were a blur of
tangled limbs, drunken laughter, and startled yelps as the sirens collided with their
mates in a whirlwind of movement.
Rue, ever the little firecracker, was the first to go down, crashing right into Reiner with
so much force that she practically knocked the towering man off his feet. "Reiner!" she
giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck as she clung to him, clearly far too drunk to
stand on her own. "You missed the party!"
Reiner, wide-eyed and completely flustered, caught her before she could fall, his face
bright red as he tried to balance them both. "Rue… you're drunk," he muttered, though
there was a softness in his voice as he tried to steady her.
Next to them, Aria came stumbling out, her lavender hair a wild mess as she giggled
uncontrollably. She spotted Levi standing a few feet back, his arms still crossed, though
his eyes had widened slightly at the sight of the drunken chaos unfolding before him.
Aria, with a grin that could only be described as mischievous, made a beeline straight
for him. "Captain," she teased, her words slurring slightly as she swayed on her feet.
"You're always so serious."
Before Levi could react, Aria had thrown her arms around him, pulling him into a sloppy,
drunken hug. Levi stiffened, his face flushing crimson as Aria pressed herself against
him, her lavender eyes twinkling with drunken affection.
"Let go," Levi muttered under his breath, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the
corner of his lips. But Aria wasn't letting him off that easily. She giggled again, planting a
quick, sloppy kiss on his cheek before letting out another round of uncontrollable
laughter.
Jean and Connie, meanwhile, were struggling to stay upright as Solara and Caspia
barreled into them, their laughter infectious as they clung to their mates. Solara, her
golden hair spilling over Jean's shoulders, leaned in close and whispered something in
his ear, sending the usually confident Jean into a blushing, stammering mess.
Connie wasn't faring much better. Caspia, giggling like a madwoman, had practically
tackled him, her arms wrapped around his waist as she leaned against him for balance.
"You've gotta keep up with me, Connie!" she teased, her voice breathless with laughter.
Floch, for his part, found himself nearly bowled over by Bria, who had emerged from the
room with a confident, slightly tipsy smirk. She crashed into him, wrapping her arms
around his neck as she stared up at him with her half-lidded burgundy eyes. "You
missed all the fun," she whispered, her voice low and teasing. Floch, his face bright red,
could only stammer in response.
Eren, meanwhile, stood frozen as Luna stumbled out last, a knowing smile on her face
as she approached him. "Eren," she purred, her voice soft but playful. "You should've
been inside with me."
Eren's face flushed as Luna leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, her lips lingering
just a little too long. "Luna…" he began, but his voice faltered as her lips brushed
against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
Armin, watching the chaos unfold, could only stand there, wide-eyed and speechless,
as Melody stumbled into him, her face flushed and her normally shy demeanor replaced
by an unexpected boldness. "Armin," she whispered, her voice soft and slurred, "you're
adorable when you're embarrassed."
Armin's entire face turned bright red as Melody giggled softly, her fingers lightly tracing
the edge of his jaw.
The hallway, once quiet and peaceful, was now filled with the drunken laughter of sirens
and the flustered reactions of their mates. The scouts, who had come to spy on their
siren mates, had gotten far more than they'd bargained for—and now, caught in the
whirlwind of their tipsy partners, there was no escape.
Levi, despite himself, couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at his lips as Aria
clung to him, her laughter contagious. And though none of them would admit it, the
scouts—each of them red-faced and flustered—couldn't deny the warmth that spread
through them as they held their siren mates close.
As the night continued, the sirens, now fully intoxicated and filled with unrestrained
energy, suddenly got a wild idea. Laughing uncontrollably, they all exchanged glances
before sprinting outside, making a beeline toward the beach. The scouts could only
chase after their mates as they watched their feet kicking up sand as they headed for
the ocean. Their laughter echoed through the night, a carefree sound that filled the air
as they reached the shore.
The scouts, who had barely recovered from the earlier chaos, watched in stunned
silence as their siren mates charged toward the water. Jean, Bertholtdt, Reiner, Floch,
Connie, Eren, Armin, and even Levi exchanged bewildered glances before they quickly
followed.
"What the hell are they doing now?" Eren muttered under his breath as he jogged after
Luna, who had already dashed ahead of the group.
"I don't know, but this doesn't look good," Jean said, picking up his pace.
Connie, his face filled with worry, ran alongside them, his eyes wide with panic as
Caspia, laughing wildly, dove into the water without a second thought. "Caspia, wait!" he
shouted, his voice filled with concern. "You're gonna—"
But before he could finish, all eight of the sirens reached the water, diving gracefully into
the waves as they transformed mid-leap. Their legs shifted, scales shimmering under
the moonlight, and in an instant, they were fully in their siren forms. Tails splashed as
they swam beneath the surface, disappearing into the depths with effortless grace.
The scouts skidded to a halt at the edge of the shore, their jaws practically dropping as
they watched the sirens disappear underwater. The only sound that remained was the
gentle lapping of the waves.
Connie stood at the shoreline, his heart pounding. "They—they just—"
Jean, ever the practical one, shot him a glance, raising an eyebrow. "Connie, they're
sirens. They can breathe underwater."
Connie blinked, the panic still visible on his face. "But—what if Caspia's too drunk?
What if she—"
"She's a siren, Connie," Jean repeated with a smirk, though he looked just as
flabbergasted as the others. "They're literally made for this."
Still, Connie couldn't shake his worry, his eyes glued to the spot where Caspia had
vanished beneath the waves. "I just… I just wanna make sure she's okay."
Eren, who stood beside him, crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I've
never seen them like this. They're usually so… controlled."
Armin, slightly out of breath from chasing after Melody, wiped a hand over his face. "I
guess even sirens let loose sometimes."
The scouts all stood at the edge of the shore, watching the dark, rippling water with
wide eyes, unable to wrap their heads around what had just happened. Levi, standing
just behind the group, remained stoic, though there was a flicker of something in his
eyes—something torn between confusion and amusement.
Aria, Luna, and the rest of the sirens were still nowhere to be seen, having fully
submerged themselves beneath the water, their tails flicking through the depths as they
swam gracefully under the surface. The moonlight shimmered on the ocean's surface,
casting an almost magical glow over the scene.
"I think they're fine," Eren said after a long moment, though there was still a trace of
bewilderment in his voice. He glanced at Luna's silhouette moving beneath the waves,
the glow of her white hair barely visible through the water. "They're probably just…
letting off steam."
Jean ran a hand through his hair, still shaking his head in disbelief. "Letting off steam by
swimming drunk in the ocean?"
"That's the least crazy thing that's happened tonight," Floch muttered, still staring at the
water as Bria's shadowy figure darted through the waves.
Connie, still pacing at the edge of the water, finally let out a frustrated groan. "I'm going
in."
Before anyone could stop him, he had already waded waist-deep into the ocean, his
eyes scanning the water for any sign of Caspia. "Caspia!" he shouted, his voice filled
with worry. "Come back!"
Jean rolled his eyes, though there was a hint of affection in his voice as he called after
him. "Connie, you're being an idiot! They're fine!"
Just then, a loud splash echoed from the deeper part of the ocean, and a figure shot out
of the water like a dolphin—Caspia, her orange scales glistening as she burst through
the waves, laughing hysterically. Her bright eyes sparkled with mischief as she flipped in
the air, sending water flying everywhere before diving back down beneath the surface
with a graceful flick of her tail.
Connie, still standing in the shallow water, watched in stunned silence, his mouth
hanging open. "Caspia…" he muttered, though he couldn't help but laugh. "She's
showing off!"
"I told you," Jean said, crossing his arms as he smirked. "She's a siren. Relax."
Levi, standing back with his arms crossed, let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. "This is
ridiculous," he muttered, though his eyes never left Aria's silhouette beneath the water,
watching as she darted through the waves with the other sirens.
Aria, sensing his gaze, suddenly shot up from the water, her lavender tail shimmering as
she emerged with a gleeful laugh. Her eyes locked onto Levi's, and with a playful grin,
she waved him over.
"Come in, Captain!" she called out, her voice filled with drunken joy. "The water's
amazing!"
Levi's expression remained stoic, though his lips twitched ever so slightly. "I think I'll
pass."
Aria pouted, flicking water toward him with her tail. "Come on! You've faced Titans.
Surely a little water doesn't scare you."
The other sirens, hearing Aria's challenge, began to join in, splashing the water playfully
and calling out to their mates.
"Jean!" Solara shouted, her golden tail flicking beneath the surface. "Are you too
scared?"
Jean, unable to resist the challenge, grinned and began pulling off his boots. "Alright,
alright, I'm coming."
Soon enough, Jean, Connie, Eren, Armin, Reiner, Bertholtdt and Floch had waded into
the water, their mates splashing them playfully as they tried to join in. The sirens,
though still drunk and uncoordinated, swam circles around the scouts, their laughter and
splashing filling the night.
Levi, still standing on the shore, watched the chaos unfold with a raised eyebrow. He
could hear Aria's laughter echoing through the night, her joy infectious even from a
distance.
After a long moment, Levi let out a quiet sigh, finally taking a step toward the water.
"This is stupid," he muttered again, though this time, there was the faintest trace of a
smile on his face.
And as he waded into the water, Aria's delighted laughter rang out louder than ever, the
sound of pure happiness filling the air.
The moonlight shimmered across the ocean as the scouts waded further into the water,
the cool waves lapping at their legs. The air was filled with the faint sound of the ocean's
rhythm, but it was quickly overtaken by the joyous, drunken laughter of the sirens as
they moved through the water with effortless grace. Their scales glistened, catching the
light and turning the scene into something almost magical.
Luna, Aria, Melody, Solara, Caspia, Rue, Sera, and Bria each exchanged mischievous
glances, their excitement bubbling over as they dove beneath the surface of the water.
Without warning, each siren darted toward their mate with lightning speed, their tails
cutting through the waves with precision.
Eren barely had time to react before he felt Luna's cool hand grab his arm. In one swift
motion, she pulled him deeper into the ocean. Eren's eyes widened, caught off guard by
Luna's strength and speed. His body was dragged through the water, but as he looked
down at her, the corner of his lips twitched into a rare smile.
"Relax, Eren," Luna said with a chuckle, her white hair billowing around her like a halo
as she led him through the water. "I've got you."
Eren nodded, his usual seriousness giving way to a quiet sense of trust. He felt the
current around him as Luna swam effortlessly, her glowing blue eyes reflecting the
moonlight above. "I know," he murmured, his voice softer than usual. "I'm not worried."
Nearby, Aria swam toward Levi with a burst of energy, her lavender tail flicking through
the water. Levi, ever the stoic one, watched her approach with his usual composed
expression, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something like
anticipation.
"You're not escaping me this time, Captain," Aria teased, a grin playing on her lips. She
wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him with her, her laughter ringing through
the night air.
Levi, caught off guard by her boldness, felt himself being pulled into the deeper water,
his usual protests lost to the sound of Aria's joy. Despite himself, he let out a small sigh,
though there was no denying the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're
relentless," he muttered, though he didn't pull away from her.
Aria just smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "And you love it."
Melody, ever the shy one, hesitated for a moment before gently taking Armin's hand in
hers. Her sky-blue hair floated around her, and her soft smile made Armin's heart skip a
beat. "I hope you're okay with this," she said quietly, her voice just loud enough to be
heard over the sound of the waves.
Armin, still flustered from everything that had happened, nodded quickly, his face bright
red. "Y-Yeah, of course!" he stammered, though his voice betrayed just how nervous he
was. Despite his nerves, he allowed Melody to pull him into the water, her gentle touch
calming him as they swam together.
"Good," Melody whispered, her cheeks slightly pink as she guided him through the
water, her tail shimmering beneath the surface.
Jean, ever the showman, was already chest-deep in the water when Solara appeared in
front of him, her golden hair glowing in the moonlight. She grinned at him, her playful
energy infectious. "What's wrong, Jean? Scared of a little swim?" she teased, splashing
him lightly.
Jean smirked back, his usual bravado kicking in. "Scared? You wish." He took a step
closer to her, his eyes gleaming with challenge.
Without warning, Solara grabbed his wrist and yanked him into the deeper water, her
laughter echoing around them. "We'll see about that!" she shouted as she pulled him
beneath the waves, her tail flicking powerfully as they swam together. Jean, still trying to
keep his cool, found himself grinning as he was pulled along, the exhilaration of the
moment taking over.
Caspia, meanwhile, had already grabbed Connie, pulling him further out into the ocean
with a burst of speed. Connie, ever the joker, was laughing loudly as he tried to keep up
with her.
"Caspia!" he shouted between fits of laughter. "You're too fast!"
Caspia giggled, her orange tail flashing beneath the water. "That's the point, Connie!
You've gotta catch me!" She swam in circles around him, her energy boundless as she
splashed him with water, clearly enjoying the game.
Rue, with her fiery red hair and bold personality, wasted no time grabbing Reiner by the
wrist and pulling him with her into the water. Reiner, though always the stoic warrior,
was caught off guard by the sheer force of her pull. He was used to being the strong
one, but Rue was relentless, her smaller form moving through the water with incredible
speed.
"Hold on tight!" Rue called out, her eyes flashing with excitement as she dragged Reiner
along with her.
Reiner, for all his strength and size, couldn't help but smile, his usual stoicism melting
away in the face of Rue's unrelenting energy. "I think I'll leave the swimming to you," he
muttered, though the faint grin on his face betrayed his amusement.
Sera, ever the quiet and shy one, gently led Bertholdt into the water, her teal hair
flowing around her like waves. Bertholdt, always nervous, followed her lead with a soft
smile, his eyes filled with admiration for her grace.
"You don't have to be nervous," Sera said softly, her hand resting lightly on his arm as
they moved through the water together. "I'll take care of you."
Bertholdt, blushing furiously, nodded, his voice barely audible over the sound of the
ocean. "I know… thank you."
Finally, Bria, with her bold and seductive nature, had already grabbed Floch by the
waist, pulling him deeper into the ocean with a sultry grin. Floch, completely smitten,
could only follow along as Bria led him through the water with ease.
"Don't fall behind," Bria teased, her voice low and playful as she swam circles around
him, her burgundy hair flowing like silk.
Floch, his face flushed with both embarrassment and excitement, nodded eagerly. "I'm
right behind you."
The scouts, now fully immersed in the water, swam alongside their siren mates, each of
them caught in the magic of the moment. The ocean was vast, but with their mates
guiding them, none of them felt lost. Instead, they felt the bond between them grow
stronger, each pull of the water binding them closer together.
And as the moonlight shimmered on the surface of the ocean, the scouts realized
something—they weren't just soldiers or fighters anymore. They were something more,
something deeper. They were partners, bonded to their siren mates not just by
circumstance, but by love, trust, and the magic of the sea.
As the sirens swam gracefully through the water, their mates trailing behind them, the
world around them seemed to disappear. The cool embrace of the ocean wrapped
around them, the flickering moonlight creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The
scouts were still adjusting to being submerged in the water, but with their siren mates
guiding them, everything felt natural—effortless.
Luna swam ahead of the group, Eren close by her side, her hand resting on his arm as
they cut through the water. But just as the group began to settle into the peaceful
rhythm of the ocean, Luna's sharp eyes caught something in the distance—a flicker of
movement beneath the waves. She slowed down, her eyes narrowing as she gestured
for the others to stop.
The other sirens, sensing the change in Luna's demeanor, quickly noticed it too. A pod
of sirens, unfamiliar and unmated, was approaching from the darker waters. Their
shimmering scales glinted in the moonlight, and their eyes—bright and curious—were
locked onto the scouts.
The new sirens swam toward the group with smooth, fluid movements, their interest
clear. They were all beautiful, each with striking features and tails that shimmered with
colors that rivaled those of the mated sirens. But there was something different about
them—the way they moved, the way their eyes lingered on the men swimming beside
the sirens. It was as if they were sizing them up, intrigued by the presence of such
strong, capable warriors.
Luna, Aria, Rue, and the other mated sirens immediately felt the shift in the water. Their
playful, carefree energy vanished, replaced by a tense, protective instinct that flared up
in each of them. A low growl escaped Aria's lips as she swam closer to Levi, her
lavender eyes narrowing at the newcomers.
One of the unmated sirens, a striking figure with long, indigo hair and scales, swam
forward. Her gaze lingered on Eren, clearly drawn to his powerful presence. "These
men," she said, her voice a soft but commanding ripple through the water. "They're
strong. We can feel it."
Another siren, her scales and hair a deep emerald green, circled around Jean and
Solara, her eyes gleaming with interest. "We haven't seen men like them before."
Immediately, Luna positioned herself in front of Eren, her blue eyes flashing with
warning. "Back off," she growled, her usually calm voice filled with an edge that sent a
shiver through the water. "These men are ours."
The other mated sirens quickly followed suit, moving in front of their mates with fierce
protectiveness. Aria tightened her grip on Levi's arm, her tail flicking aggressively
through the water as she glared at the approaching sirens. "We don't share," she said
coldly, her playful demeanor from earlier completely gone.
Rue, was already bristling with anger, her red curls floating wildly around her as she
swam protectively in front of Reiner. "Get lost," she spat, her sharp eyes locked on the
siren who had been eyeing Reiner. "Or we'll make you."
Caspia, her usual playful energy replaced with something far more dangerous, swam in
front of Connie, her orange scales glowing in the moonlight. "We can sense what you're
trying to do," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Don't even think about it."
The unmated sirens exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by the intensity of the
mated sirens' reactions. They hadn't expected such a strong territorial response, but the
tension in the water was undeniable now. They could feel the primal instinct radiating
from the mated sirens, and they understood what was at stake.
Luna, ever the leader, was the first to speak again. Her voice was calm, but there was
an unmistakable warning in her tone. "We've already chosen our mates," she said, her
blue eyes locked onto the newcomers. "And we'll fight to protect them. If you know
what's good for you, you'll swim away. Now."
The other sirens, realizing that they were outmatched by the sheer force of will and
determination radiating from Luna and the others, hesitated. The tension between the
two groups was palpable, the water charged with unspoken threats.
Eren, sensing the danger, instinctively moved closer to Luna, his eyes flicking between
the unfamiliar sirens and his mate. He could feel the intensity rolling off of Luna, and he
knew better than to interfere. This was her fight—her territory. The same was true for
the other scouts, each of them staying close to their sirens but letting them take the
lead.
Aria, her voice laced with barely contained anger, leaned closer to the siren who had
been eyeing Levi. "If you even think about getting near him," she whispered, her voice
dripping with venom, "you'll regret it."
The other siren's eyes widened, and she quickly backed away, sensing just how serious
Aria was. It was clear now that the mated sirens were ready to fight—to the death if
necessary. It was instinctual, primal, and undeniable. Sirens didn't just choose
mates—they bonded for life. And they would defend that bond with everything they had.
Seeing that the situation was rapidly turning against them, the unmated sirens finally
began to retreat, their eyes still lingering on the scouts for a brief moment before they
swam away into the darkness of the ocean. The tension in the water slowly began to
dissipate as the mated sirens watched them go, their protective instincts still on high
alert.
As the newcomers disappeared into the depths, Aria let out a breath she hadn't realized
she was holding. She turned to Levi, her expression softening as she met his eyes.
"You're safe with me," she whispered, her voice filled with both love and determination.
Levi, ever stoic, nodded but didn't pull away from her. He understood now—more than
ever—that Aria would fight for him. And as much as he hated to admit it, the thought of
her protectiveness gave him a sense of comfort.
Luna, who had been watching the water closely, finally relaxed her posture, turning to
Eren with a soft smile. "I told you," she said quietly, her voice gentle again. "I'll always
protect you."
Eren, his gaze steady, nodded. "I know."
The other scouts, who had been caught off guard by the entire encounter, exchanged
glances, still processing what had just happened. They hadn't fully understood just how
deep the bond between a siren and her mate was until now. But seeing the fierce
protectiveness of their siren mates, they understood that they weren't just partners.
They were bound by something far stronger.
And as the water around them calmed once more, the mated sirens moved closer to
their mates, their territorial instincts slowly ebbing away. They had defended what was
theirs, and they would do it again if they had to.
But for now, at least, their bond—unbreakable and eternal—was safe.
….
The moonlight bathed the beach in a soft, silvery glow as the scouts trudged back onto
the sand, the weight of the encounter with the unmated sirens still heavy on their minds.
The rhythmic sound of the waves was a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that
lingered in the air, and for the first time in what felt like hours, they were out of the water,
back on dry land.
The sirens, now back in their human forms, stood by their mates, each of them quiet but
alert, their protective instincts still simmering just beneath the surface. Luna, Aria, Rue,
Solara, Caspia, Sera, Melody, and Bria had each stood between their mates and the
unmated sirens with an intensity that left the scouts speechless. Now, back on the
beach, the weight of it all was starting to sink in.
Jean was the first to break the silence, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared at
the ocean with wide eyes. "Okay, seriously, what just happened?" he muttered, his voice
filled with disbelief. "That was… something else."
Connie, standing next to him, shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around the
situation. "Yeah, man, I mean… those other sirens… they were looking at us like we
were—" He hesitated, searching for the right word. "Like we were prey or something."
Caspia, standing beside Connie, scoffed lightly, her orange hair falling over her
shoulders as she glanced at him. "They weren't looking at you like prey," she said, her
voice teasing but sharp. "They were sizing you up. They saw strength and wanted it for
themselves."
Connie's face turned red at the comment, but he quickly shook his head. "But you
guys—" He glanced at Caspia, his expression softening with confusion and awe. "You
guys were ready to fight them. Over us."
Aria, leaning against Levi's side with her usual playful grin, spoke up next. "Of course
we were," she said casually, her lavender eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "They came
after what's ours."
Levi, ever the stoic one, raised an eyebrow at her but didn't say a word. He was still
processing everything himself, though his expression remained calm. Despite himself,
he knew that the moment Aria swam in front of him, something deeper had clicked.
There was an unspoken understanding now—that she would protect him just as fiercely
as he would protect her.
Eren, standing with Luna by his side, crossed his arms as he looked out at the water.
His expression was pensive, his thoughts swirling in his head. "I didn't expect that," he
said quietly, his voice firm but thoughtful. "The way they looked at us… the way you
looked at them." He glanced at Luna, his brow furrowed. "It's more than just loyalty, isn't
it?"
Luna, her white hair catching the light of the moon, nodded slowly. "It is," she said softly,
her voice gentle but filled with conviction. "When we choose our mates, it's for life. It's
not something we take lightly. And if anyone threatens that bond, we will fight to the
death to protect it."
The scouts exchanged uneasy glances, still trying to comprehend the gravity of what
had just happened. The sirens weren't just partners—they were something far more
intense, more instinctive. The bond they shared with their mates wasn't just about love
or companionship—it was about survival, about protection, about claiming something
that couldn't be taken away.
Reiner, who had been silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke up, his deep
voice rumbling in the quiet night. "Rue," he began, glancing down at the fiery redhead
beside him, "you were ready to take them on. Even if it meant… you know."
Rue, ever the bold one, snorted and crossed her arms over her chest, her fiery curls
bouncing with the motion. "Of course I was. You're mine," she said, as if it were the
most obvious thing in the world. "I don't care how strong those other sirens are. I'll fight
anyone who tries to take you from me."
Reiner blinked, clearly taken aback by the fierceness in her voice, but he didn't argue.
Instead, he nodded, his expression softening with a quiet understanding.
Melody, who had been quietly standing next to Armin, finally found her voice. "We didn't
want to scare you," she said softly, her sky-blue eyes flicking up to meet his. "But it's
part of who we are. We can't control that instinct when we feel our bond is threatened."
Armin, still flustered but clearly moved, nodded slowly. "I-I get it," he said, though his
voice was still tinged with uncertainty. "I just… didn't realize how deep it went."
Solara, ever the bold one, let out a sigh as she tossed her golden hair over her
shoulder. "That's because you humans are too practical," she said with a playful grin.
"You think everything's about logic and strategy. But for us? It's instinct. It's in our blood.
We protect what's ours."
Jean, ever the skeptic, scratched the back of his head, his expression a mix of awe and
confusion. "I guess that makes sense," he muttered, glancing at Solara. "But still… I
didn't expect it to be so intense."
Floch, who had been relatively quiet throughout the conversation, finally spoke up, his
voice filled with both pride and a hint of disbelief. "Bria was ready to tear those other
sirens apart," he said, glancing at his mate with wide eyes. "I've never seen anything
like it."
Bria, standing beside him with a sly smile, shrugged casually. "Like I said," she
murmured, her burgundy eyes gleaming in the moonlight, "I don't share."
Levi, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally stepped forward, his
sharp gaze sweeping over the group. "It's clear now," he said, his voice calm but
commanding. "This isn't just about us or them. It's about the bond we share." He
glanced down at Aria, who stood beside him, her eyes filled with unwavering
confidence. "And that bond is not something to take lightly."
The scouts nodded, each of them processing the weight of Levi's words. They had
entered this partnership with the sirens not fully understanding what it meant for their
sirens, but now, after the night's events, they understood. It wasn't just a connection—it
was a vow. A bond forged in something deeper than they'd ever realized.
As the waves continued to lap gently at the shore, Eren finally let out a quiet breath.
"We protect each other," he said, his voice steady but thoughtful. "That's what this is."
Luna, standing close to him, nodded in agreement, her blue eyes soft as she looked at
him. "Yes," she whispered. "Always."
The scouts, now standing alongside their siren mates, knew that this was more than just
another night on the beach. It was a turning point—one that cemented the bond
between them and their mates in a way that went beyond words.
And as they stood together, the moonlight casting long shadows over the beach, they
knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
Bound by instinct, by loyalty, and by something far deeper than any of them had ever
imagined.
….
As the night deepened, the sirens, exhausted from the events of the evening and their
swim through the ocean, finally succumbed to sleep. The soft sound of their breathing
blended with the gentle rhythm of the waves crashing against the shore. Their human
forms were sprawled across the sand, nestled beside their mates or curled up in small,
comfortable piles, their faces peaceful in the moonlight.
The scouts sat nearby, just out of earshot, gathered around a low-burning fire. The
flickering flames cast long shadows over their faces, highlighting the quiet intensity of
their expressions as they stared out at the sleeping sirens. The weight of the night's
events still hung heavily over them, and for a while, no one spoke.
Jean was the first to break the silence, his voice quiet but thoughtful. "I don't think I've
ever seen anything like that before. I mean, we've fought Titans, we've faced death,
but… the way they were ready to fight for us, to protect us…" He trailed off, shaking his
head. "It's different. It's personal."
Connie, sitting next to him with his hands resting on his knees, nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. It's more than just, you know, them loving us. It's like… they're bonded to us in a
way I don't fully get yet. It's deep…really deep."
Eren sat across from them, his gaze fixed on Luna's sleeping form. She was curled up a
short distance away, her white hair glowing faintly in the moonlight. His expression was
serious, as always, but there was something different in his eyes—a sense of awe, of
realization. "It's not just love," he said quietly. "It's loyalty. It's in their nature to protect us.
Like it's not even a choice for them."
Armin, who had been quietly contemplating everything that had happened, glanced up
from the fire. "It's almost instinctual," he added softly. "They weren't just defending us
because they wanted to. They were defending us because they had to. Like it's part of
who they are."
Floch, who had been leaning back on his hands, glanced over at Bria, who lay nearby,
her face serene in sleep. "Bria looked like she was ready to kill those other sirens," he
muttered, still slightly in shock. "And she barely knew them. It was just because of me."
Reiner, ever the quiet one, nodded. "Rue was the same. It's like the idea of losing us
wasn't even an option. It's more than just them choosing us—it's like we're a part of
them now."
Levi, sitting off to the side, his arms crossed over his chest, remained silent for a
moment. His sharp gaze flicked over to Aria, who was resting close to him, her lavender
hair spread out around her like a halo. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but
there was a faint softness in his eyes as he watched her sleep.
"I didn't think it would be like this," Levi finally said, his voice quiet but firm. "When we
first met them, I thought it was just a matter of convenience. We needed their powers,
and they needed protection. But it's more than that."
Jean nodded, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Yeah. It's like… they chose
us, but we didn't realize how deep that choice went."
Connie let out a low sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Caspia was ready to fight for
me, like, really fight. I've never had anyone look at me like that before." He paused,
glancing over at where Caspia lay sleeping. "It's intense."
Armin, still processing everything, rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know if we're
ready for it. I mean, we're used to fighting for each other, but… I don't think we're used
to someone fighting for us like that."
Eren, his gaze still fixed on Luna, spoke again, his voice quieter now. "It's almost like
they live by a different set of rules. We've always fought for freedom, for survival. But
they fight for something… deeper. It's like their love isn't just a feeling. It's a duty. A
bond they can't break."
Levi's eyes flicked to Eren, and for a moment, the two locked gazes, an unspoken
understanding passing between them. Levi's face softened ever so slightly. "It's more
than duty," he said, his voice low. "It's instinct. And that's what makes it powerful."
The group fell silent again, each of them lost in their own thoughts as they reflected on
the bond they now shared with their siren mates. It wasn't just about the physical
attraction or even the affection. It was something primal, something that went beyond
what they had ever experienced before.
Jean let out a low chuckle, breaking the silence once more. "I guess that's why they call
sirens dangerous, huh? Not just because of their powers, but because when they love
you, they love you completely."
Connie nodded, a faint grin on his face. "Yeah. And once they've got you, there's no
going back."
Armin, still blushing slightly from Melody's earlier protectiveness, smiled softly. "I don't
think I'd want to go back."
Reiner glanced down at the fire, his deep voice rumbling as he spoke. "Neither would I."
Eren, after a long pause, finally let out a quiet sigh. "We're in this now. Completely."
Levi, his gaze never leaving Aria's sleeping form, nodded in agreement. "Yeah. We are."
As the fire crackled softly in the background, the scouts sat in a comfortable silence,
each of them feeling the weight of the bond they had formed with their siren mates. It
wasn't just love, or even loyalty. It was something deeper. Something primal.
And for the first time in a long time, they didn't feel alone.
They had their sirens—and they knew, without a doubt, that their sirens would fight for
them, protect them, and love them fiercely, no matter what came next.
And in that moment, the scouts realized that they were bound to their siren mates not
just by circumstance, but by something unbreakable.
Something that would last a lifetime.