Chapter Text
When Eren presented as an omega, he was livid.
Everyone thought that the boy would present as an alpha since Eren Jaeger had been one of the top troublemakers around Shiganshina. A lot of parents would shake their heads whenever the youngest Jaeger and Jean Kristein would be around each other because that was an automatic signal for a fight.
There would be a bloody mix of tails and scraped scales, bruised knuckles and scratches across their torsos and faces. Mikasa would always be the one to swim up to separate the two, not without pointedly making their ears red from pinching.
So it wasn’t a surprise anymore that Eren had been visibly upset when he presented as a lowly omega.
“Eren, being an omega isn’t as bad as you think.” Armin cooed at the sulking brunet merman who protectively curled his gold and green tail around his lower half. Eren was still shaking from the after effects of his presenting and the mild heat that went along with it.
Eren sniffed and peaked from his crossed arms, “You only say that cause you’re an omega too!”
The blond merman snorted and blew an annoyed breath that caused bubbles to ruffle his bangs, “The prejudice against omegas suck, I know. That doesn’t mean you’ll let them hinder you from doing what you want. Didn’t you always dream of exploring the ocean floor? How about meeting the Legion?”
The newly presented omega perked up slightly at the mention of the Legion. Eren had always wanted to live with the infamous pod which comprised of merpeople who were capable of killing the large Titans that loomed the deeper ocean floors. The group had long, dark scaled tails and sharp fangs and claws which sent any sane merman swimming away to safety. Eren wasn’t fazed by their intimidating looks though, he would stare at them with big dreamy teal eyes because the pod were strong hunters who weren’t afraid to go beyond the coral walls.
Armin grinned inwardly at his success, “We should definitely go see them after your mild heat has worn off! That will cheer you up, won’t it Eren?”
The brunet laughed and uncurled himself from his protective position, “Fat chance, Armin. You know how omegas aren’t allowed to swim away from the pod without an alpha or a beta in tow.”
“Okay but when did you ever listen to what you’re told?”
Eren grinned menacingly and remembered all the times he snuck out of the pod to explore for new stones and jewels that he could craft during his spare time. His mother always threw the biggest fit while his father would only smile and shake his head.
‘Curiosity is a difficult thing to handle, Carla,' is what Grisha Jaeger always said.
“I’m sure you’re very excited to see Captain Levi Ackerman.” Armin teased and swum around in circles to poke at Eren who squirmed and flailed away from his prodding blond friend.
“Stop that! I just admire him, that’s all!” Eren defended as he swatted away Armin’s sky blue and yellow tail that tried to tickle Eren’s side, “He was able to defeat ten Titans in one go! What kind of merman wouldn’t be impressed by that?”
“Oh sweet mother of Neptune, here we go again.” Armin groaned.
Eren’s obsession with the Legion’s captain is quite known in Shiganshina as much as the boy’s unhealthy liking for picking fights. This caused a few eyebrows to rise since Marian merpeople like them usually avoided violent creatures like Legion. It wasn’t surprising since Marian, Rosen, and Sina merpeople resided in warmer waters, having softer and less violent culture while the Legion and Underground stayed in the colder parts of the oceans where Titans were usually spotted. That usually meant blood, gore and death.
“I have to go, Eren,” Armin waved as he edged closer to the mouth of the small cave that Eren secluded himself in, “I need to help grandpa with the research today. I’ll make sure to bring news about Legion if you shut up about the captain next time!”
The teal eyed brunet rolled his eyes at Armin’s bribery but nevertheless waved him off. His mild heat will wear off in a short span of two days since it wasn’t a real heat. Carla had been meticulously taking care of Eren since the boy presented and it irritated the teenager to no end. He didn’t like being an omega.
Being an omega meant that he couldn’t be a soldier because heats usually got in the way. And if he can’t be a Marian soldier then that meant he couldn’t meet with Legion and he’d never get the chance to meet Levi Ackerman in person. Eren groaned hopelessly as he glared at his beautiful fins that shone brighter now that he was officially an omega.
He didn’t want to be a trophy, he wanted to be free.
On the other side of the reef, where the murky waters brought gloom and despair, Levi Ackerman swam speedily across a wide expanse of sharp jagged corals together with his companions, Isabel Magnolia and Furlan Church. The three had been on a mission to scout for Legion and they were glad to be finally heading home.
Levi’s black tail shone with a few glints of violet and blue as he ducked and dived into a cavern when he spotted a potential predator a few feet from the trio. Isabel, with her bright red hair and dark pink and orange tail, pouted at the sudden change but followed the scowling captain. Furlan laughed when Isabel accidentally ran through a wall of corals.
“You know, Underground merpeople aren’t supposed to be as clumsy in the dark as you are.” Furlan grinned and was answered with a swat of Isabel’s spiky tail.
“Fuck you, Furlan.” She hissed aggressively and scooted near Levi to somehow get him on her side.
Levi impassively glared at the two which effectively shut them up. They were all Underground merpeople but were adopted into Legion after a nasty genocide by the Titans. Being originally part of the Underground, they had impressive night vision and could withstand colder waters. The captain carefully watched a huge predator dart across the ocean floor in search of an unsuspecting prey. Levi’s deadly gray eyes slightly turned into slits as his inner alpha growled at him to protect the younger mer who were right behind him.
“The ugly shit is gone, let’s go.” Levi commanded and the two others followed him without a word.
Legion’s territory was a bit darker than those from Rose, Maria, and Sina. There were spiky rock formations that peppered the dark sand which carpeted the rocky ocean floor, huge caves and holes provided shelter for most of Legion. The most interesting parts of their home were the large sunken ships where the leaders of Legion resided.
“Levi!” A mer squealed in delight as they all but barrelled themselves to a hissing Levi. Hange Zoe was unfazed by the barred fangs and kept hugging the shorter male until they were pulled away by their ponytailed hair.
“Get your filthy shit off me, shitty four eyes!” Levi barked loudly as his clawed hands ripped the excited mer from him. The other seemed unfazed and kept flicking their violet and maroon tail in excitement.
Isabel laughed behind her hand while Furlan looked away innocently. Thankfully, Commander Erwin Smith was able to pry off Hange from Levi before the overly-exited mer lost a limb.
“You three are right on time, Levi!” Erwin’s booming voice greeted, his dark blue and white tail swishing calmly in a well practiced manner as a show that the alpha is in full control despite Levi’s aggression. This is what got the blond man right on top of the Legion hierarchy.
Levi’s impassive gaze pierced his two idiotic friends as his pointed ears twitched in annoyance, “The titans are still the same, shitwin. They’re ugly, big, and did I mention ugly? There’s not much movement towards us so you can rest your damn fins.”
Erwin nodded a thank you to Levi and the two other mer who were respectfully keeping distance from the banter. Hange easily swam to Isabel and promised sweets if the young red head helped the older mer with research. Isabel nodded excitedly and Furlan bit his cheek from laughing. Levi wasn’t impressed by the interaction and lazily flicked his tail.
“Aww, don’t you think Levi is too grumpy recently, Isabel? Maybe he needs a cute little mate!” Hange cooed.
Levi swore under his breath that he’d massacre the damn squad leader one day for bringing this up again.
Isabel giggled and shook her head, “Big bro isn’t into that though! Have you seen how many omegas and betas he sent home crying?”
“Tsk, don’t count that, Isabel.” Levi clicked his tongue and swam away before anybody poked and prodded him about his lack of love life. The raven haired merman wasn’t interested in bonding with an omega or a beta since he lived a dangerous life. Anybody who got connected to him will eventually get hurt. Levi was barely even keeping Isabel and Furlan safe before the Legion took them in. No, Levi had to make sure that no poor soul would be bound to his eternally cursed ass.
Hange frowned at Levi’s retreating back, “He really needs to get laid, don’t you think?”
Erwin hummed contemplatively but shrugged as he dismissed the younger mer and swam back to his quarters in one of the sunken ships. It was only when the commander was deep into his chambers that Furlan inched towards the squad leader and attempted to question them.
“Why are you so adamant on getting Levi to mate?”
Hange smiled and adjusted the goggles that served as their glasses, “It’s not that I’m prying or anything! Legion just needs to push up the population and Levi’s been turning down every possible suitor. Plus, don’t you think he’s sad?”
Isabel pouted and her spiky ears wiggled agitatedly, “But he has us!”
The squad leader smiled and laughed, “I know that, sweetheart! What I meant to say was being with a mate is different from having to care for little ones like you! I’m sure the small fry loves you two to death but he needs romantic love. Even if he says he’s an Underground merman, he can’t deny the natural pull of instinct to mate and protect.”
Isabel’s green eyes shone brightly as they blinked, maybe she and Furlan can help their big brother get a mate if that will make him happier. Though, she’s a bit hesitant since that would mean competing for attention.
Furlan looked at the squad leader thoughtfully and flicked his dark blue tail from side to side.
“It’s going to take a very special omega to handle him though. Levi is very rough around the edges and he’s been scaring everyone off.” Furlan commented as Isabel went belly up and crossed her arms under her head.
“Is an omega mate really necessary, Hange?” Isabel asked.
The squad leader nodded seriously and loomed over the two, “Levi might not be saying anything to you two because you’re a bit too young but he’s been suffering through ruts for years! A merman who resists his instinct to mate will have to go through rut pains that escalate every year!”
“What!?” Isabel squeaked, “Then we have to find him an omega, quick!”
Furlan snorted and pulled on the beta girl’s red hair, “Don’t be too rash! Where are we supposed to find one when he practically shot down the entire Legion?”
Hange smiled easily and draped their arms around the small family of the equally small captain, “Maybe we’re not looking at the right place! In three days time, we’ll be going up to the warmer waters to scout for titans and collect food. Maybe one of the Rosen, Marian, or Sina mermaids would catch his eye!”
“You mean merman, Hange,” Furlan grinned, “I think Levi’s not too interested in boobs after that fiasco with the omega with curly blonde hair.”
“Gross, Furlan!” Isabel squaked, “I thought we’d never be talking about that again!”
Furlan laughed heartily and swam in spirals as Isabel further screeched her protest. The two were only stopped by highly irritable mothers who shouted at them from the top caves to quiet down. Isabel muttered curses under her breath but allowed herself to be pushed further away into the territory of Levi.
Furlan and Isabel made a series of clicks to ensure that Levi knew that they were approaching. They were answered by a bored clicking which escalated to a feral warning when the shorter male with an undercut noticed that Hange had tagged along.
“Calm down, my little fingerling! I was just escorting the two back home. Also, I kinda need a report about the recent titan searching!” Hange explained and swiftly avoided a barbed tail sent their way.
“Just don’t make a mess or I’ll wipe it with your face.”
“Hey, big brother!” Isabel excitedly squealed as she grabbed a freshly sliced fish in one of their baskets, “Do you have a type?”
“For fuck’s sake,” Levi groaned irritably, “will you leave the mating shit alone? Aren’t you a bit too young for that?”
“Nuh-uh!” Isabel answered back messily and Levi flicked her forehead for spilling a chuck of fish on the table.
“You aren’t going to give this up, are you?” Levi sighed tiredly, dropping the scrub he was using to remove the annoying algae build up that had started residing on his pristine ceiling.
“Nope!” answered Furlan and Hange in chorus which made Isabel laugh.
“Fine!” Levi relented but barred his fangs in a display that showed he wasn’t pleased, “I want them to be able to meet my cleaning standards.”
Hange snorted and banged their head against the table, “What!?”
Isabel choked visibly and Furlan shook his head while muttering how they could swim across the seven seas and never find such a creature. The trio deflated a little since they knew that Levi Ackerman was the biggest clean freak out there and most of the omegas found it such a turn off that the shorter male was so blunt and nitpicky about everything.
“Is that all or do we still have hope?” Isabel whined pitifully.
Levi smirked and picked up the scrub to return to cleaning, “I like tall people.”
The squad leader and Isabel whooped noisily and began chattering about how that was at least one possible criteria that they could find. Furlan just scratched his dark blond hair in amusement but internally gave up hope that there was ever a rare tall creature who cleaned as well as Levi.
Unknown to them, in the warmer waters of Shiganshina, where the dazzling summer light poured like golden curtains across the reef, there was a fuming omega who relentlessly picked at and cleaned his cave until his hands were rubbed raw. Perhaps, if given the proper time, the two unlikely mermen would be able to find themselves in the same waters.