The weather today could only be described as sweltering, which was odd if one lived by the coastline. Levi sneaked out of his beach house, offering a sleeping Mikasa nothing but a second glance.

Outside, Armin and Eren waved at him upon seeing him early in the morning. Levi raised his pointer finger to his lips, signaling them to think twice from uttering an auditory greeting. The boys tilted their heads, unsure of the reason for his secretive behavior, but respected his request.

They resumed kicking around a red beach ball. Pretty soon Jean joined in, followed by a shy Marco. The younger boys forgot Levi's existence entirely, engrossed in their game.

Levi speed walked briskly out of the beach, bee lining across a pathway that led to Shinganshina Town. He rented a stallion there, glad that he was able to horseback ride once more.

The stableman tipped his hat at him. Levi nodded in acknowledgement, tossing him a few gold coins as a friendly tip.

The library was Levi's first destination. He yanked on the horses reins, directing the neighing animal to the high end part of town. If he could just get his hands any type of information, or a lead then maybe he would be able to understand his fiancé better.

The way she carried herself just didn't add up. A different eye color? Flawless skin? Levi was onto something. He could feel it. Finally reaching the place he was traveling to, Levi got off his horse. He tied a rope to a sturdy tree, checking twice to make sure the horse's rein was connected to it.

Levi soothed out his attire, fluffing his cravat a bit. He entered the Victorian building, welcoming in the smell of pine and oak.

Books aligned tall shelves everywhere. Two giant chandeliers hung on the painted ceiling of the extravagant building. A globe of the world stood in the center, an impressive shine reflecting off titles of novels.

Levi skimmed his fingers on the spine of a thick book, frowning at the gathered dust that lay the tip.

"Excuse me young lad, are you looking for something in particular?" An old man wearing spectacles queried.

Levi regarded him."Yes, actually. The mythology section?"

"Ah yes, mythology," the geezer repeated, "right this way, son. Call me Pixis is you can."

The stout man trailed behind him, arms folded in front of his broad chest. This was stupid. What chance did Levi have in finding what he was searching for? He didn't even know what she was.

He sniffed the air, coming across of what smelled like alcohol.

Pixis turned his head a little. "What type of creature are you searching up?"

"I don't know," Levi stated bluntly.

"Well, let's narrow down your search, then," Pixis amplified, "is what you're looking for a land or water creature?"

"Tch, water."

Pixis walked him into a wide section of encyclopedias. He pulled out a dark blue one, flipping the pages to a specific topic.

"These are the most earliest recorded sea creatures. Do you think you could describe…?"

"Of course. The sea animal I'm thinking of can walk on land," Levi described.

Pixis rubbed his beard, a troubled expression painting itself on his features. "Lad, if your thinking of an undine, then I sincerely hope you never come across the actual thing."

"Why? What's an undine?" Levi cajoled, eyebrows narrowing.

The alcoholic resumed flipping more yellowing pages. "Ah, here it is. Would you like me to read it for you?"

Levi pulled out a chair. "Gladly."

"Undines are seen as females, and usually live in lagoons and other fresh bodies of water. The

species contains many branches, including water spirits and sirens. Although resembling

humans in form, they lack a human soul, so to achieve immortality they must acquire one by

marrying a human. Such a union is not without risk for the man, because if he is unfaithful he is

fated to die."

"But they come from freshwater, and I'm a sailor, so they shouldn't be a problem to me," Levi alerted, brow creased in frustration.

Pixis shut the book. He rifled through many others, scavenging a red, newer looking encyclopedia

"Try to keep an open mind, son," he accosted gently, skimming the textbook.

"Allegedly there have been recent discoveries of a new type of undine. This particular sea

nymph inhabits bodies of saltwater rather than fresh water. They have been documented as near

extinction ever since the theory of The Ice Age had been researched. Their intentions are not of

just accommodating a soul, but pose a deeper goal. Considering that saltwater

undines are prehistoric with a low chance any surviving few, they strive for a grander

population. Though world domination is out of the question, these nymphs have multiple

methods of reproducing more of their own kind."

"I must be boring you," Pixis cut in.

"No, no, keep reading," Levi assured him.

"The first method is sexual intercourse. The second is through shape shifting into a human, and

luring other humans into the ocean, where the undines can transform them."

Levi shifted from his seat, becoming more alert.

"…And lastly, a saltwater undine can have the ability to use the skin of an actual human to walk

on land while seducing human beings. Though lacking a soul, these creatures may or may not

have a malevolent streak."

Pixis stopped reading. "Here is a picture of a saltwater undine."

Levi leaned in, his eye raking over a woman who had black hair. Her skin texture resembled a seal's, and more importantly, instead of legs she posed a strong, serpent tale. A wide fin rested at the end.

Pixis turned the page. "And here is a picture of a map locating their early settlement. No man has been able to find it."

Levi squinted at the detailed, intricate map. What he focused on the most was an island that bore the appearance of a skull.

Pixis heaved a sigh. "I hope this lesson helped. Is there anything else you need?"

"No, that is all," Levi informed, "thank you. You've educated me."

"Music to my ears, lad. I'll be at the front if you need me," the geezer chimed, standing up.

Levi put his hands in his worried face. Fuck. And to think he had had sexual intercourse with an alleged sea witch. The possibility of a pregnancy gnawed ferociously at the back of his notions. What if something happened to him? Levi would not be the father of a monster. He refused to picture it.

The captain spent the entire day in the library reading up on sea animals. He failed to notice how late it was getting in prior to the sky outside. When no prying eyes were evident, Levi tore the map from the crimson wiki. He folded the paper, slipping it into his back pocket.

"Have a good night," a girl with black hair in two loose pigtailed bid him. Pixis was nowhere to be seen.

"G'night," Levi mumbled, leaving the domicile.

He rode the horse back to the stables, offering the hostler a sorry excuse for his lateness.

Levi kicked at the sand as he trudged back to his home, fists in pockets and his mind deep in thought. There was still no hard evidence of his sensible assumption. If that was the matter, then the chance of Mikasa being human and only a human was possible. He didn't want to believe what was in his pocket. What he read. Levi loved Mikasa.

He entered his flat, bending down to take off his leather boots.

"Levi?" A feminine voice chirped.

"Oh Mikasa, hey," he breathed.

"Where were you?" she said.

"Huh?"

"I asked where you were."

"I was—getting some rope."

"Where is it? You never make night trips to the ship."

"-I ran some similar errands and forgot it at a shop."

"That's not like you," Mikasa claimed

I could say the damn same thing about you.

"It happens," Levi grunted.

He went into the bedroom. Mikasa tailed closely behind him.

"You look pale," she observed, "are you okay?"

"I'm just tired," Levi stressed, realizing how she wasn't getting mad like she normally would when he wouldn't tell her something.

"Would you like a massage?" she offered.

"Later."

She pouted.

"Tch, fine," he gave in.

Levi clambered on the bed, laying on his stomach and crossing his wrists in front of him. He sighed in anticipation when feeling Mikasa straddle his lower back.

"Would you like some coconut oil?"

"Yes, please," he muttered, closing his eye.

He heard a container open, and then relaxed as she pressed her coated fingers on the base of his spine. Levi moaned into the mattress at the force of her movements. She cupped his shoulders, squeezing firmly, pulling the supple muscle downward. Her thumbs expertly jabbed his sides, massaging the scarred skin there.

"You're so tense," she whispered in his ear.

"Mmmph."

Mikasa rubbed his upper back muscles, releasing the tension built in them. Her hand went for his nape, kneading it softly. Levi melted.

"You know what would be even more relaxing?" She conversed.

"Mn, what?"

"Skinny dipping!"