Precious Gift

Chapter 1

Levi sat by the wall-sized third floor window, staring down at the large willow tree in the courtyard, its leaves flowing about in the breeze. Bored, he then turned his attention back to his book, turning a page idly. With most of the titans wiped out, his days had become longer and much less exciting. He sighed and crossed one leg over the other, leaning back and closing his eyes. Who was he supposed to release his aggression on if not those stupid beasts?

The captain was snapped out of his reverie however, when the loud clang of the doorbell rang throughout the mansion. Levi got up wearily and made his way down to the heavy oak front door. He heaved it open, still getting used to its size, and was greeted by an old man in fine clothing, presumably a servant of the king. He also spied someone kneeling shyly behind the man, but he couldn't make out much else. The figure was silent, hidden behind the servant's flamboyant coat.

Levi narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

"Honorable Lance Corporal Levi, for your service to humanity, I bear a gift from his majesty," the man said, bowing deeply.

The captain crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "And what might this gift be?"

The servant straightened back up and tugged on a leather cord wrapped around his wrist, causing the figure to reveal itself from behind the man. Levi's eyes widened as he beheld the boy kneeling at his feet, his hands shackled in front of him. "Now raise your pretty face up so the nice captain can get a good look at you."

The boy reluctantly did as the servant instructed and gazed up at Levi with large blue eyes, his cheeks rosy pink and his brown hair soft and shining in the sunlight.

Levi reached under the boy's chin and ran his fingers along the fine leather collar around his neck. He looked at the bronze tag attached to it and read the boy's name. Eren. Hmmm, a lovely little name for a lovely little gift. The captain examined the boy's long lean body and looked up at the old man. "How old is he?"

The servant grinned and untangled the leash from his hand. "This beauty's only fifteen. He's still fresh if you know what I mean," he chuckled.

Levi's eyes flashed in a bout of momentary desire. "I see, and how's his temperament?"

The servant pulled the key to Eren's shackles from his pocket and handed it to the captain. "He's a good boy, but he's got enough fire in him to keep things interesting."

Levi smirked, taking both the key and the leash in his hand, "Well then, aren't I lucky?" he breathed, gazing down at the boy. "Send his majesty my regards and tell him just how much I appreciate this precious little gift he's given me."

The old man bowed once more and tipped his hat to Levi. "This one is a real gem. Enjoy him, Corporal."

With that, the servant strutted off, happy to have fulfilled his duty. Levi watched the man's retreating form and held the leash tightly. "Oh, I will." He looked down his nose at the boy. "Come, Eren," he ordered, turning back into the house, pulling on the leash. The boy stood and walked behind the captain into the grand dining room.