𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 |𝐒𝐍𝐊/𝐀𝐎𝐓|

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟗

I almost smiled to myself as I adjusted my white skirt, the grass comforting under my feet. To wear shoes was uncomfortable. I was seriously considering asking Historia if it was okay to ditch them.

In any case, this moment to myself made me so happy. Still, the water within the lake was so enticing. I turned to my left and to my right, making sure no was around and listening for any snaps of sticks. I was so deep into the forest, I was positive no one was around.

I pulled at my black belt, pulling apart the fabric and folding it to the side. Before I could stop myself, I was out of my skirt too, the idea of swimming so close to my fingers and so delicious in my head.

I unbuttoned my white top and folded it atop my big red skirt. I turned one last time and dove into the water.

I grinned, the clean and cool feeling of the water comforting. I closed my eyes, my braided hair (for the spar) coming undone now floating around me. As I was officially surrounded by water for more than 30 seconds, I allowed the transformation to take place putting down all walls in my mind.

My legs stitched together, not as painful as the first time many years ago. I relaxed as my chest became heavier, the familiar shells I was used to replacing my normal black bra. I looked to my tail having missed the soft pink scales I used to hate when I was younger.

The lake wasn't as deep as I would have hoped, but it was cleaner and wider than I thought. I finally moved, waving my tail as I swam a bit deeper, my eyes scanning the ground as I got closer and closer. It felt so much better to be here, underwater. It made more sense.

I turned on my back, finding myself stopping as I laid on the ground, my tail rising a bit as I stared at the sky from above. It was a bit murky, but I could still see the sun.

I opened my mouth forgetting I was holding my breath and inhaled the freshwater. Different from saltwater, not as tasty either, but comforting nonetheless.

I turned to my right, noticing a few fish swim by almost nervously. Maybe my entrance had scared them. I smiled gently and waved causing it to bow in my direction. I was surprised, but then remembered my crown that always found its way to my head in the midst of transformation. The diamonds reflected against the strays of the sun that made it through.

Getting used to the feeling of the water, I turned over yet again flapping my tail to rise to the surface. I sighed happily, laying on a rock, my hair fanning out behind me. I closed my eyes and relaxed.

However interrupting my thoughts, I was met with the rustling of leaves. I looked up in alert, looking down at my form. I really hope that's just my new friends.

I dipped into the water barely looking over the rock, only to see something shake one of the bushes. A rabbit appeared, making me sigh in relief. I pulled myself higher, folding my arms as the white rabbit jumped around the lake causing me to softly smile at its innocent features. If only all those kids had enjoyed that innocence a bit longer, before finding themselves in this war.

I shook my head.

"Well this is a lovely surprise," a voice startled my thoughts, causing me to look up in alarm.

However, I was quite surprised to see it was just Levi. As usual, he was holding a teacup, along with a bag at his side, which I assumed was filled with tea.

His eyes scanned the top of what I allowed him to see. I could tell he was curious and seeming unfazed he sat on the gross, folding his legs comfortable as he leaned against a tall rock. My clothes to his right.

He looked from the Lake to the sky, the sun slowly setting but not fast enough to warrant a rush.

I was waiting for him to scream and call me a monster, maybe even stare at me disgusted. Except any time he made eye contact with me, I was only met with a curiosity hidden by a certain shyness I didn't know he possessed.

He always seemed so confident and sure of himself. But now, he was quiet.

I took this as a moment to come forward. Hesitantly and slowly, I dove underwater, my eye-catching something on the lake floor. I dove down, flapping my tail louder than I intended.

As I grabbed it and pushed myself up, I was met with a stunned Levi. His eyes were wide, his mouth slightly open as I pulled myself onto the grass, my tail still suspended underwater.

I smiled sheepishly, as his eyes finally left my tail and ran up to my face, "Sorry, it's a bit much," I gestured to my head, "It's an automatic part of the transformation," I looked down suddenly embarrassed.

He shook his head as if trying to make sense of it, "it's... it's uh," he cleared his throat, "I-it...it's pretty," he attempted to say fumbling over his words, causing him to look down.

I shrugged, as his eyes fell on what was in my hand.

"Oh, yeah, uh I found this, since you gave yours to Mikasa," I explained giving him the rock. It wasn't exactly a shell, in fact, I think it looked like many rocks I've come across, "I'm sorry," I apologized immediately, pulling the rock away from his sight, "it's not a seashell, nor is it special."

His indifferent appearance returned, "Hey, brat, I didn't say I didn't want it. In fact, you barely gave me a second to respond," he pulled my hand forward, the smooth black rock finding its way into his hand. He closed his hand around it, pulling it close and not letting go of my hand.

I felt myself blush as I looked away and we stayed like that for a moment. I lean back on the rock, my eyes moving to the sky, not having yet noticed the newly accounted clouds.

"It's going to rain soon," I sighed smelling the thick scent of rain, the smell so comfortingly. Almost feeling like home.

Levi sighed, I couldn't tell if his eyes were open but I could tell he was leaning on something, "how do you know?"

I opened my eyes, "do you really want to know?" Only to find him already looking at me.

I was surprised, but not as surprised as when he relaxed completely, closed his eyes, and muttered the word: yes.

I decided it was my turn to watch him, folding my tail up as I would legs leaning on the rock, "When we first came in here, I could tell your entire squad was dehydrated, however, the more I paid attention to your kingdom, the more I took notice of how your dirt was completely depleted of water as well. One of my abilities is being able to sense how much water there is around me in case I need to use it. I could tell there was a bunch of water in the clouds and it rained that night, but it's not done."

Knowing it would take a lot to change back in the rain, I squeezed my fist, evaporating the water easily. I was thankful Levi's eyes were still closed as I finished putting myself together, tying the belt as I slumped on the rock, my head rolling to the side as the transformation took a bit of energy.

I couldn't stop myself from falling asleep, the crickets, the warm sun, and water comforting to me.

𝐚/𝐧:

so i finished 11th grade and my summer break has started and that week of doing nothing but gardening, catching up on music and swimming/ playing volleyball (beating my mother and sister obviously) was much needed.

now I'm ready to write some more and update a lot more as well. i hope you liked this chapter.