Cream light from the moon filtered in from between the slanted angles of the blinds, illuminating the tiny kitchen that Levi stood in the center of. It was closer to feeling ominous rather than comforting with deeper and darker shadows tucked in corners, seething and writhing. Levi had set foot in this kitchen several times during the day and at night. Why now were his instincts telling him to get away, run, hide? It didn't make any sense until he noticed the edges of his vision were a little grey like a blossoming camera filter, closing in to tunnel his vision. The panic that he was supposed to feel wasn't there. Nor the fear, helplessness, hopelessness. All he could feel was somnolence and confusion.

When his subconscious deigned to throw him back into the past, it angered him. Not just for the simple fact that it was in the past and that was where it belonged; that part of his past he had worked hard to overcome and even if some tidbits still tended to haunt him, he could overlook it when, overall, he was more or less okay.

In some distant part of his mind Wake up, wake up, wake up, was chanted. Levi did not want to be here. He hadn't been in so long and rightfully so. This was the past and Levi lived in the present.

All thoughts and knowledge fled from his mind the moment he started to move on autopilot, going around the kitchen and getting out things to make tea: Kettle and a couple of tea bags, the former of which he curled his lip at with it's brightly coloured floral decorations.

Knock-knock, knock-knock. Levi jumped when the knocks on the door startled him back into awareness. How long had he been staring at the kettle? Likely from the time he'd put it on the stove to bring it to a boil. Knock-knock. Glancing at the time on the stove, he scowled. Who the hell was at his door at two in the morning and why? Whatever. If he ignored them they'd go away. Simple as that.

With a hand hovering over the kettle's handle, Levi heard a faint noise beneath the too-loud music his partying neighbours were playing (the amount of complaints they received never did anything). Freezing, he strained his ears to listen to the noise for a second time, turning around on his heel to walk out of the kitchen and into the foyer. Directly ahead of him was his bedroom. To the left, a short hallway to the front door. The door had started to rattle on its hinges insistently. Hurrying over to the door, Levi's eyes were trained on the bolt and latch. The latch wasn't flipped over to keep the door from opening and the bolt wasn't locked. Farlan and Isabel had forgotten to lock/latch it again. He knew he should've gotten up to check earlier.

Rut. The smell wafted up from under the door to reach the Omega when he was inches away. Potent and alluring to willing mates. An unwilling mate such as Levi found it repulsive, skitters of annoyance shivering up his spine instead. Alphas and Betas in rut should not be at his door at nearly two-thirty in the morning. Many people - normal people - were asleep at this hour. Or, at the very least, settled down for the night. What almost stopped Levi in his tracks were the four distinguishable rutting scents that he was picking up. Four of them. Three Alphas and one Beta. With the weight of his irritation, he forced away the growing churning, twisting in his gut the closer he got to the door.

Such bullshit, he thought, hand lifting up towards the latch. Not once did it cross his mind to see who was knocking, and sure as hell not to see what they wanted. With the smell of rut it could only mean they wanted to mate. He did briefly wonder if he should go wake Farlan only to dismiss it just as fast. To have another Alpha stand against rutting ones - plus the Beta - it may as well end in bloodshed if the four didn't want to listen to reason.

Floom! From all the banging and rattling, the upper two hinges gave, and the door leaned in precariously. Levi's hand had been inches from the latch when it gave way. A hand reached out from the newly formed crack, seeking him out. The Omega in him cowed at the unwelcome touch, hand being snatched back, lip curling away from his teeth in a snarl directed to the intruders.

It was then he realized that whomever had knocked his door off it's hinges was probably bigger than him. Stronger than him. Backpedaling away just as that same hand reached out to brush against the collar of his sleep shirt, and recoiling with a whine at the touch of fingertips to his collarbone, his feet carried him into the kitchen as a shortcut needed to get to Farlan. Raucous laughter assaulted his ears along with the music, leaving them ringing. The smell of rut thicker than before; making him want to gag from its stench.

"Aren't you a pretty little thing?" The voice came from somewhere behind him, and then Levi felt hands grip his hips, bruising and unmerciful. A keen left him, the submissive creature within calling for help. Clamping his lips shut and ignoring the swell of fear manifesting in his chest and fluctuating in his scent, he reached out for something that might gain him time. His fingertips bumped something warm and he grasped it, whirling around with the kettle in hand, arm braced for impact. He didn't dare look up into a pair of brightly lit eyes mirroring the dominance pouring off the man. The lid to the kettle flew off when he swung it, scalding water going everywhere to the left. He was rewarded with a cry of surprise mixed with pain, a loosening grip that allowed him to scramble away from disgusting hands.

Shit, shit, shit. Now what? No time to rummage about in the cabinets or drawers, not with them descending on him. The one he'd hit had already begun to recover, anger tinting the air. A snarl cut through the small distance between them.

"Levi, get behind me." Farlan stood behind him, stance imposing, and a calm expression.

Relief washed through him, followed quickly by a sense of safety from having an Alpha he trusted come to his aid. One that would protect him even with lacerations marring his skin and breaks that ached through his bones with each and every movement made. Carefully backing away from the Alpha in front of him, he kept his muscles coiled loosely with the expectation of a fight. Farlan grabbed the collar of his shirt, yanking him back behind him. A snarl from his companion resonated through Levi's bones, shaking loose more of the fear that made his knees wobbly.

"What's going on?" Isabel's voice now. She stood behind him, one hand loosely fisted and rubbing at her eyes. Her eyes hadn't fully focused.

Levi was one shove away from tearing a chunk out of Farlan's arm. Until he realized that the three Alphas and single Beta were advancing from all sides. Things were seconds away from getting ugly, but it would only be Farlan who stood against all of them. Grabbing Isabel, he hauled her to the room she and Farlan shared. Her eyes were now wide, aware, and tears were making her eyes shine.

"I think you need to stay in here, Isabel," Levi whispered to her, gently pushing her back against the window. He grabbed the house phone and slapped it into her shaking hand.

"No. No. Don't leave!" Her breath hitched on the words and she lost the battle to keep her tears from overflowing. Her eyes darted from him to the door he slammed behind them. Door, him. Door, him. Her eyes were never still on one of them.

"I'm - I'm going to help Farlan. He's outnumbered." A wince left him when he heard the sounds of bodies colliding. Both of them jumped when someone hit the door they were currently hiding beyond. "He needs help. I won't leave him hanging. Call the police. Get to the fire escape. Stay out of sight,"

"But -"

"I know it's a bit of a drop once you get to the first floor if it comes to that, but just remember the dumpster in the alley. Or you can go up if you think anyone will let you in." Leaning forward, he dropped a kiss to the Beta's forehead before he turned to head out.

You can't help him. You aren't strong enough. You aren't made to be strong. Omegas weren't physically strong; seen as the weaker dynamic. Alphas were at the top of the pyramid, Betas taking up the middle, and Omegas were the lowest in it. Second to lowest if one brought mere humans into the mix. But being reminded that he was weak, his dynamic, made him pause at the door, hand lifted and subtly shaking.

"Grab him, grab him!"

"I'm trying. You try helping." Two voices were at ends with one another. Amidst the chaos Levi could hear Farlan hissing. Punches being landed.

Fuck this. With that thought, he threw open the door, closing it behind him as he launched himself at the nearest offender. It was the Beta, staggering under his sudden weight. Hands clawed at his back. Levi wasn't letting up. Baring his teeth instead and digging them into the delicate flesh under his nose. Snapping his head back to take a chunk with him before dropping to the floor and dancing out of the way. Farlan was there at his back, a familiar weight. Someone he had come to trust with every part of him. He was considered family as much as Isabel. It was their duty to look after her. To look after each other because they had no one else.

The Beta with a chunk of flesh missing had his hand over the wound, growling. He lowered himself to the ground and charged. Both Farlan and Levi moved in tandem, switching places as easy as breathing. Farlan went after the Beta, fists flying and body movements fluid. Fingers curled into claws and teeth showing when he snapped his jaws. He had the upper hand being smaller than his opponent, getting behind him was no problem. Tripping him when he went to turn, and pouncing on the Beta before he even hit the ground; he wouldn't last much longer under Farlan's assault.

Levi, much shorter than his brother in all but blood, bobbed and weaved around the Alpha in front of him. Elbows and fists jabbed in rapid succession to the torso. A couple of times he had to twist out of the Alpha's clutches. Pajama shirt torn in one corner near his hip. It wasn't easy trying to dodge two sets of hands, another Alpha joining in. He needed to maneuver around furniture, but he knew where everything was placed, having helped decorate it. Knew where the floor creaked under too much weight. Where that wire from the lamp ran that one of the Alphas tripped over was, forcing him to the ground on his elbows.

All it took to turn the tide was three gunshots. The first one found home in Levi's thigh, fire pulsing through his nerves. Clutching the wound, his leg buckled beneath him. His gasp of pain had Farlan coming over, hands grabbing at his arms to drag him Omeg A second shot rang out, and Farlan jerked, one hand going to his side. His face scrunched up. Levi scrambled around on his uninjured leg, and he'd looked up at Farlan when the third bullet smashed into his temple, blood splattering against the Omega's face. His head jerked to one side and his body fell.

"No!" Levi cried, lurching forward.

An arm went around his waist, a hand covering his mouth. As he weakly struggled, hands tugging at the one over his mouth, Levi couldn't tear his eyes away from Farlan's empty, vacant stare. He kicked out blindly with both legs, giving a muffled shout when pain flared up in his injured one. Levi was still thrashing around when he was dumped onto the couch, arms tugged up above his head, purposefully halfway sliding off of the couch. He jerked upward and dug his teeth into a hand enclosed around his wrist. And then, one of the Alphas slammed a hand down on his leg four times and he screamed into the cushion his face was pressed against. They flipped him over onto his stomach and an Alpha settled himself against Levi's back, huffing and puffing into his ear and down his neck. Hands fumbled with his pants, being torn in frustration.

Get away from me. Get away. Get away. He'd wanted to say the words, shout them, but his tongue refused to work for him. It sat dry and heavy in his mouth. This was supposed to be his choice. He didn't choose to have them as his. A sob rattled in his chest.

Isabel came out from the bedroom, picking up one of the fallen lamps - the only one that hadn't broken - and swung it at one of the Alphas behind him when she spotted him and Farlan. Crying all the while she swung with all her might. "Leave him alone! Get out of here!"

"Do something with her." It was the one that was holding him down.

She didn't stand a chance against one of the bulkier men, who just laughed her off afterwards. Picked her up and carried her off to the bedroom she exploded from. Her screams followed shortly after, begging and crying. Loud, heart-wrenching sobs reached his ears and Levi squirmed and writhed with renewed gusto to try to get to her. He was pushed down harder into the cushions and the one behind him lifted his hips up.

"No, no, no." Levi mumbled against the cushion, voice catching on the words. Cool air slid across his lower half with no fabricated barrier between him and his assailant. More weight pressed into his back, canines scraping across his neck -

Levi jolted up into a sitting position and was already twisting off to one side because he could move. All he knew was that there was fabric beneath him and that meant he couldn't stay; he had to move and act fast to get away.

Thu-bump. Levi collided hard with the ground, blankets wrapped around his lower half like a second skin. The impact should have jarred him - would have sent pain through his elbow and hip if he hadn't moved in a blind panic with adrenaline coursing through his veins. With relatively uncooperative eyes, it took him longer than it should have to recognize the quiet of his bedroom, and the waning moonlight that shone through the cracks in his ugly ass drapes. When Levi realized he wasn't there, trapped in a nightmare anymore, his breath hitched on an unbidden sob and he curled in around himself and felt a little like disappearing. Dug his nails into his upper arms so he could feel anything other than the nausea that churned his stomach and the dull aches he swore he could still feel from that night ten years ago.

He wasn't sure when the tears started to fall, and he hated himself for showing moments of weakness, but those images kept playing in front of his eyes. Rapid, gruesome imagery flashed, and was gone in an instant. Pulling his hands from his arms, he lifted them to his head and tugged on the strands hard enough that he thought he'd wind up with a headache later. Levi would do almost anything to rid himself of pants that were not his own, disembodied laughter that mocked him from the darkest corners of the room, and the feel of teeth in his neck, on his hips. Bruises that didn't go away for days. The scraping of the couch against the floor.

Bending forward until his forehead touched his knees he tried to think of other things other than honeyed whispers: Aren't you a pretty little thing? We're going to have lots of fun, honest, and if you're quiet . . . We'll go easy on you. Levi set his hands over his ears, rocked back and forth like that would stop him from imagining the screaming and the pleading and the laughter and the blood.

I just want it to stop. It needs to stop. Once he remembered that talking to someone when he had episodes this bad actually helped him, moving on autopilot was easy; ignoring his all over trembling and blurry vision was not. Forcing himself to his knees, Levi slapped rapid hands down on blankets in search of his phone to call the one person he knew might be awake at whatever hour it was. Throwing a pillow off the bed, he went to go grab his phone when a light cushy thing hit his thigh.

Abandoning his phone for it, Levi squished it into a chest that quaked each time it rose, sitting with his back pressed against his nightstand so hard the knobs were putting indents in his skin. But he couldn't bring himself to care and instead buried his face in the softness of the stuffed animal. Slowly, so slowly, his lungs started to expand the right way for an adequate supply of air, the shaking lessened, and his breath didn't rattle quite so bad. Lean, nimble fingers rubbed back and forth on its head, avoiding dampened patches from tears that now fell intermittently. Pulling away, Levi wiped his nose on his sleeve, sniffling as he looked down at the blue-ringed stingray that currently had only one beady eye glinting; the other smushed into his arm. It started to inflate, returning to its original size.

Such a stupid thing for him to have, but he'd had it for the past ten years. It wasn't a hard thing to forget the day he'd gotten it. After being poked and prodded repeatedly while he was being examined, had pictures snapped so often spots danced in front of him, but the line was crossed when he'd been questioned by the police and they didn't believe him when he'd said he couldn't remember what his assailants looked like; they kept insisting he provoked them in some way. Sent them nonverbal cues as invitation and then retracted it. Levi got so frustrated that he told them to go fuck themselves and then huddled under his blanket. His doctor was furious with finding out what they'd done and gave them a tongue lashing from what he'd heard from a gushing nurse. They were the one who came back into his room and handed him a stuffed animal, much to his confusion and astonishment.

What absolutely floored him was how much it did help. Of course he couldn't always carry around a stuffed animal, and while seeing someone had done some good, it just wasn't doing enough for him. Something felt wrong and out of place. After calling his doctor to see if they could help him out more, he wasn't expecting them to show up at his door with a Great Dane puppy.

"I've heard a lot of great things about pet therapy. I thought that maybe I should bring my puppy in to see you and see if he helps. If you don't feel as comfortable with an overly active puppy, you can choose an older dog, too. There's also cats, birds, hamsters. Do you like rats? Snakes? Because I can do something about that - there's a great pet shop around here . . ."

He'd agreed to try it. After all, Levi really couldn't say no once seeing the dog's dopey expression and long, gangly limbs that he hadn't known what to do with. He found that having the puppy around was actually pretty enjoyable, and being able to walk around without freezing up was an added bonus. So, after a few weeks of daily visits to his doctor (which wasn't needed) and their puppy (the real aim), Levi got himself his own companion. Unfortunately, a few years back the poor thing had died from cancer and he just didn't feel the need to get another one. He stopped seeing her as a guard dog after five years when his life felt more on track; after that she was his friend. Having a companion was great - it really was - until they became ill which left you with two choices: watch as they suffered and succumbed, or put them down. No matter the what way . . . They were still lost. And it still hurt.

Dragging sandpaper-filled eyes up to the clock, he squinted to make out the time: 4:53. Had he really only slept four hours? He needed to go to work later today. There was time to scrub himself clean of the last remnants of his nightmare. Perhaps a nice, long soak in the tub was in order. Catching glimpses of himself in the mirror after starting the water, Levi just stared at his reflection. Over the years the Omega had stopped looking so frail and delicate. His hair was longer then and now it was cut to brush the tops of his ears, shaved underneath. Because of work, he didn't have that pallor look to him anymore and instead it was replaced with a creamy fawn tone. Only his eyes were the same, grey as they always had been.

Eyes drifting down, he placed his fingers over the faded parallel marks on his throat. A matching set on his left side and over his hips from the scrape of sharp canines. The only place bereft of a mark were the insides of his wrists. Smooth and untouched. It would remain so until Levi decided to be with someone of his choice.

After stripping himself and settling into the tub - with his legs over the edge - Levi relaxed and let the change take over. Rather than stopping abruptly at his waist, his scales gradually faded upward towards his navel before disappearing completely. Most of his scales were black, creating a nice backdrop for all the others and allowing them to really stand out. Carmine reds, ruby pinks, shimmering metallic golds, cerulean, periwinkle and tangerine orange burst across his tail. Some colours stamped in the center of others to break up the shades, others streaking across. They meshed well together. His side fins, long and draping down half his tail, butterfly wing shaped ears, tiny pelvic fins, and wide petaled fluke were sheer, gossamer, and iridescent. His skin, while coloured like his tail, held more muted tones, and making them look more like birthmarks than anything.

A percentage of Omegas came into merfolk inheritances between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. Having come into his own inheritance had really been an unfortunate shock because of the pain; he never expected it to feel that excruciating. In fact, he never expected it to happen at all. Fortunately, since his first few changes the transformation no longer gave him grief.

Deciding to turn his attention to himself, Levi ran his fingers over the smooth scales. For a while he had been furious over the fact that his merman form made him look dainty and pretty damn close to feminine even with the amount of musculature he had put on. Of course he'd never been a vain person, but now when he looked at his scales and the colouring, even he could appreciate their beauty. Unfortunately that beauty, right at this moment, was marred by a dusty film covering his entire tail. There wasn't much that could be done until it was time for him to shed, sloughing off the old layer. Perhaps he'd be able to free himself in a couple days. Since he couldn't do anything about it, Levi looked over all eight gills (two on either side of his neck and ribs), watching them flutter delicately in the water as they breathed. There didn't seem to be any sensitivity, no discomfort, no shortness of breath.

An hour had come and gone by the time Levi decided to get out, but not after scrubbing a couple layers of skin off and enjoying the spray from the showerhead. Normally Levi wouldn't shower so early in the day, but it made him feel ten times better. Glancing at the time, he estimated there was still an hour and a half left before he needed to leave to be at work by eight. To save time Levi dressed in his work clothes: black jammer shorts with a single white stripe on the outside of his thighs with a red swim shirt. Both were skin tight. Scrawled in black were two curling, looping words: Reiss Rapids. He pinned his silver name tag emblazoned with only his first name below the two words. Keep Splashing On decorated the back of his shirt. At one time Levi would have been embarrassed wearing his work uniform out in public because he felt like he was on display. But by now a majority of the towns' population of Shiganshina and Maria had seen him and many others in outfits like this one and whatever embarrassment had been present dissipated over time.

Dressed and mostly ready, Levi filled a duffle bag with a change of clothes, socks, and sneakers. Sunscreen was also set in the bag because if he didn't apply it liberally he'd come home looking like a lobster and the accompanying discomfort wasn't worth it. Until he was ready to leave, that duffle bag's place was beside his low-cut water shoes by the front door. They could almost pass for socks if it wasn't for the mesh design on top and the padded underside.

With the remaining hour that he had, Levi had decided to pack up a few of his things. Clothes that wouldn't be needed. Pots, pans, and dishes were stacked carefully in their bubble wrap prisons to avoid breaks and cracks - at least for the dishes. Truth be told, living alone gave him the excuse that an excessive amount of dishes weren't needed. Close friends were the only ones who stopped by from time to time if they all had days off together, but most of the time, Levi would meet up with them at someone else's house. He'd been looking into other places for the past week with no luck. They were either too expensive or hours away from his job and while it normally wouldn't be such an issue, he preferred to stay in this area. Of course he could sign another two year lease or see about something shorter than that, but something was making him uneasy at the thought of staying here any longer. He just hoped he could find something.

At ten after seven Levi had his shoes on, bag over his left shoulder and was out the door heading for the stairs. With four flights of stairs to go down to reach the lobby it might've been easier to use the elevator and he might have if elevators didn't make him feel too trapped. Made him feel like an easy target. The one time the elevator was used was when Levi was given a tour of the place and he was pretty close to going elsewhere, but not because of the elevator. The lobby had been dingy, spider webs in corners and chandeliers, dust clung to other surfaces not often used. Torn wallpaper. Whoever cleaned the place was obviously not doing a good job at it; he'd told them so. And he also mentioned how, because it was filthy, Levi wouldn't even consider signing a lease. The apartment itself had been in better shape than the lobby. But who half-assed cleans a lobby when it's one of the first things you notice aside from a building's outward appearance? Levi went back the following week to see improvements being made as promised: they'd called in someone to redo the walls, ladders up so the cobwebs could be cleared, floor shining. New furniture had been brought it to give it a more homey feel along with plants stationed near windows. His complaints weren't the only ones they got - tenants were also a little annoyed with the lack of maintenance, but they weren't well received for whatever bullshit reason. Guess it does wonders when someone tells you you won't move in due to the appearance of something.

Giving the receptionist at the counter a greeting, he went out the side door that led to the back of the building, keys jingling together. He promptly stopped in his tracks when a shadow fell over him and an Alphan scent curled into his nose, laced with - Against his will, Levi inhaled sharply and took a step back out of range, muscles tensing. Eclipsing the sun with his large, bulky build was his "neighbour" from the floor below him. Blond hair combed back to perfection with a minimal amount of hair gel, blue eyes small and piercing in their intensity.

"Erwin," Levi greeted, one hand clutching his keys hard enough that the metal ridges bit into his palm. His only response was to growl quietly, taking a step closer. Levi mimicked him by taking a step back. "I'll be late for work if I don't leave now -"

Erwin closed the distance between them in a few short strides, arms encircling the Omega. A cold chill skittered up Levi's spine with the smell of rut thick in his nose, surging into the air the moment Levi was pressed to Erwin, who kept tightening his arms around Levi. The Omega wanted to gag and choke on the smell, twisting in his arms before he took his keys and jabbed them into Erwin's midsection as a reflex. When his arms loosened around him, Levi shoved backwards out of his arms and visibly shook himself. He couldn't control his scent, but he could show just how much he appreciated that hug with a scowl and hiss.

Levi edged around the Alpha, walking briskly to his car at the back of the building. On his way there, he closed his eyes briefly to get a handle on himself, ignoring the shaking of his hands and lingering smell of rut. That is not what he wanted to smell at this time. Erwin was too intense for the Omega's liking, lurking around corners on random days when he needed to leave to get shit done. Erwin hadn't ever acted on anything, just gave him hugs from time to time and always when he never expected them. But lately, the past couple months, Erwin lingered longer in doorways, hallways, and watched him more intensely. Coming near Levi while he was in rut was new and just as unsettling. If anything, it gave him more incentive to get the hell out of this building.

Every so often he threw a look over his shoulder to scan behind him, making sure Erwin wasn't following. It wasn't like he could actually miss the brute if he decided to come this way. When Levi spotted the dark silver of his car parked under a tree he all but ran to it. Taking a second to spare a glance to the backseat, ensuring it was clear of anything suspicious, Levi unlocked the driver's side and slid in, tossing his bag to the passenger's side and immediately locking the doors before he even got comfortable. By the time he started his car and left, the shaking had lessened considerably. He rolled down his windows in hopes that he could air himself and the car out, getting rid of the smell.

Focusing on the scenery had the tension bleeding out of him. Shiganshina was a nice, sprawling town depending on where you went. Beautiful Colonial homes out in the country side with rolling hills that the dusk and dawn lit up in vibrant/muted shades. Stars as clear and bright as a candle illuminating a dark room. It was something Levi liked to do on the nights he couldn't sleep - sit out on his porch and just watch the sky. He always tried to find constellations he was semi-familiar with on the nights they were more prominent. Where Levi lived apartment buildings lined either side, all of the cars parked on the sides or located somewhere in the back.

Downtown buildings were larger, clustered together in tight-knit quarters and only a few of those were apartments with fig vines growing along the patios and fire escapes. Annoyingly acute turns that were just an angle away from becoming outright U-turns. Cars lined up in front of restaurants, book stores, music stores, art stores. During this time of day though, there weren't many things open except for one café or two.

The Titan's Teacup was painted green in white trim, and it was already overflowing with people grabbing breakfast/coffee on their way to work. After pulling into a side street Levi rifled around in his bag for his wallet and took it with him when he got out of the car. The first thing he could smell when he pulled in a deep breath was coffee, followed by dozens of pastries that shouldn't have smelled so good together. Inside was a cacophony of noise: spoons clinking against cups, people talking, waitresses calling out numbers and bakers in the back giving orders, metal shelves being switched out once they were clear of pastries.

"Levi!" His name drew his attention to the back where a tall, kind of gangly Alpha stood in a dark blue apron, mustache decorated with what might have been sparkles. A blue-green gradient bag was held in his hand with the store front's name boldly on the front.

Levi maneuvered his way to the front and off to the side, out of the way of the customer line. "Mike," he said, and then he squinted at the man. "Why do you have glitter in your mustache?"

Mike's brows knit together before comprehension dawned on his face. "It's in celebration." His eyes lit up, giving them an unearthly look.

"Okay . . ." Levi trailed off and when Mike offered up nothing else, he prompted, "What are you celebrating?"

"Eleven years today! Didn't you see the store front?"

Now that Levi glanced around, he spotted silver balloons hanging out in corners, a contrast to the navy blue interior. Banners and streamers were placed here and there, hanging from the high ceiling. A rectangular board that he hadn't seen leaned against one of the far windows, too thick to make out any words from the back. "I missed them. Must've slipped my mind. Goddamn, eleven years today? That's some luck. Congratulations."

Mike preened, grinning so broadly the Omega was sure his cheeks would split. Him and Mike Zacharius - owner of The Titan's Teacup - were good friends despite their dynamics. Well, Levi had been coming in every morning for the past seven years. After six and a half months they got on a first name basis. After a year and a half he was comfortable enough to hang out with the man if others were around. Sometimes on the weekends when Levi didn't have to work they lounged around and chatted.

The café had such a cozy atmosphere that it was easy to relax in. Along one wall sat a line of booths, along the other were wide, cushioned chairs big enough to fit four people and they were situated around low round tables. (So, the four people in one chair thing might be a slight exaggeration.) Dotting the floor, while also giving enough room to walk around, were some more tables with high-backed cushioned chairs everyone sank into. Along the very back was an L-shaped counter; the smaller part had three registers. Above the other portion was a list of pastries/cakes/drinks/etc. That counter was made up of mostly glass to view what you wanted. A few abstract paintings here and there. The smell of baked goods seemed like an added bonus.

"Oh, right, and this is yours," Mike took a cup one of the workers gave him, sliding it across the counter.

Levi eyed it. "What happened to the normal ones? I know you're celebrating, but isn't this a little much?" He lifted the cup an inch to show off the party hats and confetti decorating it.

"It wasn't my doing. There was a mishap with what I ordered and what got delivered. The proper shipment comes in later today or early tomorrow." Mike informed him.

Levi took the bag offered to him and checked it's contents: one blueberry muffin and a bagel with cream cheese, wrapped separately thankfully. "Guess you should be thankful you don't have anything."

Mike wrinkled his nose. "I am. How the hell can you eat those two things and then wash it down with tea? Your taste buds aren't going to thank you."

"Don't knock it 'til you try it." Levi handed over the exact change needed for his things.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just take your weird breakfast and leave. You got here later than normal, so I'm assuming you aren't staying."

"You assume right." Levi tucked his wallet under his arm, balancing the bag carefully on his arm and chest before grabbing his cup. He kept a hand free to hold his keys. "See you later."

"Come again!" He said cheerfully, waving a dishtowel in farewell. He headed to the back after handing the money to one of the cashiers.

Who the hell puts glitter in their mustache for a celebration? Levi shook his head, sipping tea on his way out. Setting his cup on the hood, Levi opened his door while again peeking towards the backseat.

Since there was still a twenty-five minute drive to go before reaching his job, Levi polished off his bagel and muffin after setting a napkin in his lap to catch crumbs, periodically drinking tea between bites of food. He didn't think he'd have much of an appetite, but his food was gone before he knew it.

Seven years ago Levi had moved to Shiganshina and found himself looking for a job. He never thought that of all places he could be working in it would have been half a water park (the other half was roller coasters and some animal habitats). Being an Omegan merman he was inexplicably drawn to the water aspect of it; being around or in it. The pull wasn't the same as when he was near the ocean - undeniably hard to resist - because his creature wanted to explore the deep sea. Go down as far as he was allowed with no trouble. Swim alongside sharks, whales, stingrays. Whatever was close that wouldn't try to chase him away. But until he was comfortable enough to take his boss up on the offer to join her at the ocean, Reiss Rapids was as good as it was going to get. After-hours could be used for a little bit of fun and downtime.

Rose Avenue only held two roads: the guest and employee lot. Since the park didn't open until eight-thirty-ish only employees were around, either heading into the small building or bullshitting with each other. Levi could see Marco talking to Hanji, who didn't even work here. Hanji waved enthusiastically when he pulled in beside Marco, a bag slung over their shoulder. They waited until he got out of his car, duffle bag and garbage in tow before bombarding him.

Hanji, naturally, had to try to greet him in the weirdest way possible. They liked to leap up into the air to sit on shoulders, from the front or back. Sometimes this type of greeting failed and Hanji was left sliding down torsos looking like a koala, and usually taking victims to the ground. Levi managed to escape said greeting this time by stepping off to the side. His car, however, was not quite as lucky.

"Oi! Get your disgusting ass shoes off my hood."

"You're the one who dodged," Marco said.

"Because I don't want a face full of crotch."

"Aw, don't be that way to me. I'll sic Sonny on you." Hanji hopped down from the hood, clearing away the dirt left behind. How were their shoes that dirty?

"He wouldn't. Sonny loves me. And he isn't as fast as he used to be." Levi reminded them.

"Then I'll sic Bean on you."

"Wait, I thought you only had Sonny. Did you get another Great Dane?"

Levi gave Marco a look, telling him silently to keep up. But it was Hanji who answered, "What? No, Bean is a German Shepherd. Just as energetic as dear, old Sonny. Oh, and this is for you." Hanji threw the bag they'd been holding at Levi, who caught it with a frown.

Placing his empty bag under his arm, Levi pried open the ends so he could see what was inside. Just as suspected, it was a bunch of random clothes. T-shirts, sweaters, sweats. Marco leaned over to sneak his own peek before his nose wrinkled, taking several short sniffs at the Omega.

"Dude," Marco said. Even his human nose could pick up the undertones in his original scent.

"Thanks, Hanji." Levi placed the bag in his trunk after giving Marco an exasperated look. "Did you really need to sniff me like a dog?"

"Go home." Marco huffed. "Go back home and call Historia, tell her you need the week off."

"I'm already here and I'm not going back home until later."

"But your heat -"

"Doesn't start until tomorrow," Levi interrupted. "Really. It's not going to get bad until tomorrow anyway. There's time before it hits full force. Now, are you going to continue to lounge in the parking lot or are you actually going to work?"

Marco looked at him, unimpressed. "Fine, but only because if I didn't go in you'd be forced to handle my workload and yours at the same time. As funny as it would be watch you run around like a headless chicken, I really don't want you to kill me." Marco waved at Hanji and then made his way into the building, whistling a cheery tune.

Levi looked over to Hanji next, eyebrow raising.

"All right, all right. I'm leaving. There's a few people I have to see before going in to work anyway." Hanji stretched languidly.

"We all know you'll come around later, Hanji." Levi said.

"Oh, you know it. Hey, want me to bring Bean by? He whines when I come home and realizes you aren't with me. His priority list is: You, food, me."

"Who are you kidding? It goes: Me, food, Sonny, and then you."

"Fuck, you're right. He'll still be my cuddle buddy. He loves those." Hanji reached over to pat at Levi's head, who lifted a hand to swat at theirs. "Will the clothes I gave you be enough to last you?"

"They'll be fine." Levi was already walking backwards towards the building. "I'm not sure about having Bean over since I'll be moving soon, so what about after I get settled?"

Hanji started muttering about how Bean wasn't fond of moving, so they agreed. "See ya later, munchkin."

By the time Levi had gotten inside the warehouse the incident with Erwin was mostly gone, just a wisp in the back of his mind. He was already starting to imagine lounging around in Hanji's borrowed clothes. The first few days of a cycle were always the worst and kept him holed up in his bedroom, only venturing out for the bathroom, some water, and a bite of food. Right now the smell wasn't strong, staying close to the surface of his skin, and by tomorrow it would fill the room he was in and the symptoms would follow. And the borrowed clothes would help with keeping him relaxed and feeling safe. When times got exceptionally bad, he would find the safest spot in his apartment and create a nest in it.

"What's with the garbage bag Hanji brought you?" Marco asked while Levi slathered himself in sunscreen.

"Just a few things I would need for the week." Levi told him.

"Really?" Marco's brows knit. "Is this some weird Omegan thing I'm not going to understand?"

"Don't you have an Omegan roommate?"

"Well, yeah, but he goes away for his heats. Kind of like a rule to not ask about what happens during his heats. He doesn't like it."

"Sounds cheery." Levi muttered, closing his locker door.

"Look who's talking," Marco said. "About time to open the gates. People are gonna start flooding in."

Levi made a noise of agreement, walking out with him. It was a flood of black and red. Those that didn't need to work near the water wore regular black shorts and collared red shirts; most of them complained about standing in the heat and working the machines. Reiss Rapids wasn't separated - water half on one side, everything else to the other - and that led to a mix of shirts going in similar directions, scurrying about to prepare before guests were let in. Not only did some of the roller coasters spray passersby, but halfway through a couple rides an occasional animal was seen; depending on where the animals happen to be at that time. Levi personally liked to visit the animals after-hours purely for the fact that they were drowsy and more at peace with no large groups staring at them. As lovely as oohing and awwing was he was sure they appreciated the downtime until it started all over again.

He could already see a line beginning to form at the entrance on his way to Historia's office, just beyond the lost and found. Her office stayed up near the front just in case anyone needed her; to complain or gush about the fun they had - that type of thing typically ended with them promising to come back in the future. Even though Levi swore he saw a few familiar faces among groups, he couldn't be sure because of the amount of people who came here daily. Occasionally he'd be recognized by anyone he helped and they'd stop to chat with him if he had the time. He couldn't help the small smile at seeing kids bouncing in excitement, their parents trying to get them to settle down with promises of candy or having first pick with what they did.

Knocking on the door, Levi waited to enter until given the right to. Historia's office was oval shaped and decorated with brightly coloured things - trinkets, toys, drawings. He never quite understood where she got all of them. He could come into her office on Saturday morning and then by Sunday there were five more in random places.

"Hi, Levi! Nice to see you this morning." Historia grinned, seated behind her desk.

"Nice to be in," Levi said, approaching the desk. "I swung by to let you know that I'll need time off starting tomorrow. Upcoming cycle."

Historia nodded. "I'll see who's free to cover for you." She tapped a finger against her chin. "It's not a good idea to let Marco cover the dolphins no matter how much he pleads, right?"

"Not at all, they chased him out of their enclosure last time. The noises they made - well, Marco swore he wouldn't go back." Levi paused before adding, "Pretty sure he almost cried."

Historia's eyes twinkled briefly. "That's what that was for? I'd heard things about him being teary-eyed, but I didn't think the dolphins caused it."

"They did," Levi said. "I distinctly remember because he was holding onto me and wailing about how he loved them, but they didn't want him too close to them. He still tries to feed them from time to time and all they do is splash him."

Historia snickered behind one hand. "Not a surprise. They're a little temperamental. I'll keep an eye on them." She stood up from behind her desk, heading over to a filing cabinet. "Before you leave - I won't be able to see you later before I leave - do you want me to see if Ymir will give you something with her scent on it? I know that it isn't the same because we're mated -"

"She wasn't thrilled the last time you asked her."

"Guess she had a bad day at work," Historia pulled a few folders free, setting them on her desk. "But I don't think she'll have a problem with it if I promise her something she's been wanting . . ." She trailed off, a smirk in place.

Levi gave her a face. "Yeah, you keep that idea to yourself. I'll just ride it out."

Before leaving he swore he heard her giggle, whispering, "I'm gonna do it anyway."

Levi only had to wait about fifteen minutes stationed by one area he would cover the first part of his shift when he saw dozens of people milling around.

"Excuse me, young man." An elderly lady touched his arm lightly, drawing his attention. Levi fixed the scowl off of his face to look more friendly before he faced her.

"How may I help you, miss?"

"Could you direct me to the dolphins?" She set her free hand on one of four children clustered around her.

"Would you prefer me to escort you there?"

"Oh, no dear, I'll find my way once we get on that road." She smiled at one of the children, the oldest, who was perhaps about eleven. "Or they will."

Levi turned his body and he pointed ahead of him and to the left. "Go all the way to the front, turn left, and keep going until you see the lions and then you'll take that right. You'll be allowed to pet them if their caretakers give you the okay. If not, you will have to watch from a distance."

"Thank you much." And off she went with the children in tow. Halfway down the road an elderly man joined them, talking to the kids and making wild hand gestures.

The Omega was pestered several times by passing families. "What time do the restaurants open?" "How many animal exhibits are here?" "How many rides are here?" "Could do direct me to . . .?" This was a mostly everyday thing from people who hadn't been here in awhile, first-timers, or elderly people with grandkids who couldn't remember the layout (although the kids clearly did).

Throughout the entirety of the day he pulled around donuts for slides, helped kids out of the water, stood at the top of a few towers and dictated when the next guest would go through a tube, directed more people to where they needed/wanted to be, went by the infirmary to check on sick/injured animals - the lioness there still wasn't happy to see him and he wasn't sure why because he hadn't done anything to her; a baby capuchin monkey tried to nest in his hair; a ring-tailed lemur wound itself around his throat and tried to sleep there - and was pleasantly surprised to note they were all doing better. Some of the animals here had been injured when they were first brought in while others wouldn't be able to fully function in the wild and those that could were released. Whoever stayed was kept in the safety of their habitats and provided with (cautious) love and care. As wild animals they had their days, but that didn't mean they weren't cared for properly. Precautions were taken to avoid serious injury/death. Alphas took care of the more predatory animals and Omegas were in charge of the gentler creatures. Betas and humans bounced back and forth. Best of all, no one forced the animals to do tricks for entertainment or goaded them out in the open for people to look at. They came out when they wanted. On good days you might get to pet one, depending on the animal, or see them play around.

Lunch came and went, jokes being thrown around from colleague to colleague. Not long after that he was forced to wait out a few sheets of rain. Guests complained about the lying forecast since it was only a thirty-something percent chance of rain and everyone was also forced to wait it out. By the time it was over Levi was ready to tear out his hair after he had to entertain antsy people who kept asking when the rain would let up (did he look like the damn weatherman?) and when they could go back out. It was the parents who were the worst. Many kids waited patiently if properly entertained and teenagers kept themselves occupied.

At one point during his shift there was a little girl who got separated from her parents. Maybe seven or so. "Can you tell me what they look like? What's your name?"

"Daddy's tall. My name is Abigail."

"That's a start. Can you tell me their names?"

"Daddy and Mommy."

"Can you tell me eye colour? Hair colour?"

She tugged on her pigtails then pointed to her eyes. Levi almost slumped in defeat; she couldn't properly pronounce her own last name. They'd run into her rightfully mess of a mother on the verge of a panic attack when the little girl recognized and ran to her. Ten minutes later her father joined them. The Omega got squashed in a hug from the mother, a pat on the shoulder and four vehement thank-yous. Both parents had similar shades of hair and eye colour, so she hadn't been wrong in her clues. Abigail got a stern talking to about wandering off alone.

By seven-thirty everyone was starting to leave the park; sleeping children held in someone's arms, almost everyone was dragging their feet. One by one employees headed back to their lockers and Levi almost followed after them, work outfit dripping wet and bucket in hand (there had been puke in one of the bathrooms that a slew of guests had chosen to give a wide berth to, and Levi happened to see it) when he stopped. Something in the water had caught his eye. Edging closer to the lazy river he bent over to squint at it. Quivering and trembling some odd inches from the bottom a ring glinted.

Minus the few times it slipped from his grasp retrieving the ring had been easy; someone lost a wedding band. Using the walls to keep him anchored until he was back to where he'd placed his bucket was a must unless he wanted to be carried all around the park via river. Looking up, the Omega noticed that this part of the park was completely deserted. Biting his lip at the prickling feeling under his skin, Levi set the ring next to his bucket and let go of the wall to swim backwards through the river. As chilly as it was getting, he actually found it nice. He had to make sure he gave enough time for everyone to leave before he did what he wanted to.

When the park lights clicked off section by section and the only sounds that could be made out was hooting, chitters, and playful cries of animals, Levi stopped himself by one of the entrances to the river and divested himself of clothing carefully. No scent from a human, Beta, Omega, or Alpha was fresh, lifted away by the breeze gliding along the stilling waters he rested in. With nothing left clinging to his skin the transformation came as easy as it had earlier. Even if someone saw him in this form it wouldn't do much with everyone aware of the existence of merfolk. Right now no one was around to bother or question him about things they had no business knowing; sensitive things.

What prevented him from moving awkwardly in the water was the fact that Levi didn't have knees as a merman; he swam effortlessly on the water currents. Feeling like a bullet in the water, the Omega twirled around underwater, jumped up into the air before quietly splashing back down, veering from left to right and back again. He passed by the glass where the dolphins were moseying around behind it, playing a game of chase; some of them swam alongside him until reaching their end. A high wall kept someone from climbing over into the enclosure and putting the animals at risk. These animals liked to swim alongside those who seemed happy to see them, bobbing up and down in the water. A few hippos squinted at him before swimming away to go rest, clearly not all that interested in him or his antics.

Feeling the water slide over him as he swam all over the park was . . . freeing in a way he hadn't experienced in a while. It was only a small fraction compared to what he'd feel in the ocean. It wasn't that Levi was afraid of going to the beach, it was that something was missing. He yearned, desired, craved for something for the past year and whatever it was hadn't presented itself to him just yet. Until then he knew he wouldn't go near the ocean. Right now using his job as a means of freedom would have to do.

Three laps later, not including the shortcuts through the park, leaving it closer to four and a half, the merman was starting to tire. With the last quarter to go to get his clothes back those expeditious movements became a mosey, lids half shut with tranquility and contentment.

Resurfacing, Levi blinked water from his eyes and smoothed his hair back from his forehead to avoid having his eyes poked by stray strands. At the same time he looked up a scent registered and his heart jumped up into his throat then dropped to his stomach. Watching him, inches away from his discarded clothing, was Erwin. Levi didn't breathe for a solid minute and then Erwin smiled, slow and predatory, all sharp teeth and ill intent.

A merman's instincts rose up fierce and adamant. Few times had Levi ever acted purely on his instincts and this was such a time, kick-started when Erwin reached a hand toward him. Ducking under the water, Levi went ahead with his heart doing a marathon behind his ribs. A familiar tingle skating down his entire body told him he was turning the colour of the water; he stayed that way even when he stopped at the nearest set of stairs. Gaining his legs back, Levi took off through the park, scales covering up private spots. It was a risky thing to do with Erwin no doubt wandering the park right this very minute, but all Levi could think was, Safety, safety, safety. Don't let him catch you.

He didn't pay any attention to what attractions and rides he passed as they were all a blur to him, mind unwilling to process the images. Instead, his legs were what carried him, driven forward by instinct. He strained his ears to listen to approaching noises out of the ordinary.

In what felt like a record breaking amount of time he was inside the employee building with the door slamming shut behind him, locking it up tight and scrambling away as if his life depended on it. Lunging for his locker, it took three tries before he could get it open and two more to unzip his bag and yank out his phone. A few taps to the screen and Levi was holding the phone to his ear, body trembling and every nerve alight with vigilance.

Levi's legs gave out on him when the line connected.

"Hey there!" Hanji's voice rang out.

"Come get me, come get me, come get me," Levi expelled in one stuttering rush of air. "You have to come get me."

"Slow down. What's going on? Where are you?" A switch flipped. Their voice went from clear and joyous to hushed and taut.

"Erwin's here. He's here. I'm - I'm in the em - employees' building."

A rustling in the background. "I'm on my way. I'm ten minutes away. Are you safe there?"

"I think so," Levi jerked his bag close. "Hurry - You have to hurry."

"Is there anything around that can be used as a weapon?"

He went to shake his head only to remember Hanji couldn't see him. "Don't think so."

"Sit tight, munchkin." A pause and the revving of an engine. "I won't let him get you."

"Okay - Okay, I trust you. See you soon." Levi hung up the phone, words having left him before he could stop them. Hanji's nickname sent warmth through his chest that spread all throughout his limbs. Warm as it was, it wasn't enough to quell the emotions that surged up in him. Wasn't enough to stop the tremors.

Getting rid of the scales and pulling out his clothes, Levi dressed hastily. He tried to quiet his heart and regulate his breathing. Tried to ignore the terror rolling off of him in waves as he backed away toward the rear door, having already locked it as well. Levi's eyes never left that door opposite him in case it started to rattle, hands gripping both his bag and keys, the latter poised in front of him. The second that it rattled Levi was bolting out this door and hightailing it toward his car. He wouldn't take such a risk with not knowing where Erwin was exactly. At least if that door shifted, he knew the reason for it. Traces of Erwin still lingered in this room like he'd passed through who knows how long ago. A shudder ran through him and he prayed Hanji was safely speeding at this moment.

It wasn't until he heard a car screech to a halt in the parking lot that it dawned on him another voice had been present during the time Hanji paused during their phone call.