It's a side of Erwin very few people get to see. Even though he's closest to rarely see him like this: when a question he's had gets answered, and he's enjoying the simple pleasure of discovery. He can be almost childlike in those moments, and he knows it. Hence, he normally keeps himself in tighter check, his emotional reins in a rigid grip, lest anyone think he's foolish.

But here, for whatever reason, the warm water, black sand, and little silver fish stir up something in Erwin's chest and bring out that boyish side. Maybe it's relief from the crushing weight of what they're about to do back home, relief from the knowledge that he's likely riding to his own death. Maybe it's discovering an ocean for the first time, and finding it friendly.

Maybe it's that Levi is here with him.

In any case, Erwin watches and smiles as Levi pads over, then bends down with him to examine the fish.

"I wonder what else is out there. There must be bigger fish than these."