Levi parked his car a few minutes away from the Parlor. He leaned against the seat and let out a slow breath.

Adrenaline was still running through his veins. He was not prepared to see them again. It was too sudden.

He was angry at them. They shouldn't be here or anywhere around him.

They were friends for as long as he could remember. Always together, always there for each other.

They followed him anywhere he would go because they cared and put their trust in him. From living on the streets, to trying to get decent jobs, then stealing, even attacking some people for money and selling drugs at the side. It didn't sound like it , but for them, this life was good. They had each other, had money, home and a dangerous amount of courage to get anything they wanted.

He'd do whatever he had to in order to protect them.

One night was enough to destroy it all.

It was one of those nights when he felt helpless. His life was stable, but he couldn't find happiness, a purpose to keep going. He hated that feeling, yet he couldn't do anything about it.

He decided to try some of the new stuff they were supposed to sell soon. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Just to stop the mental pain he couldn't stand anymore.

When his friends joined him, he didn't mind. It was not the first time they'd get high together. It was actually easier that way.

And it was, it was great and life felt easy again, they laughed, and he was sure this is how it feels to be at peace.

Then the morning would come and Farlan did not wake up.

Levi remembered this like a set of short scenes cut from the movie.

They carried him to the car, and he ordered Isabel to stay.

He ran to the hospital and basically forced one of the doctors to check him in right away.

Farlan spent another 12 hours unconscious and Levi could do nothing but wait because he had no idea what the thing they had tried was made of. Vague answers weren't very helpful to the doctors.

The moment his friend woke up was the biggest relief he had ever known.

They came back home the same day at midnight, and he decided right there, and then they were done with this life.

However, he was quickly reminded that it was easier said than done.

Levi decided that they would focus on them first, while he carried on their unfinished businesses.

They were able to find some decent jobs pretty quickly as both of them were great at all the social stuff he sucked at.

He was sure that it would fix everything, but the guilt was still there. He couldn't quite give up on his underground life, as it was the only life he had known. He saw how much better his friends life's had become but each time he tried to follow them, he felt that he didn't deserve it. Not after all that he put them through. It was painful and it was eating him alive. They were worried about him, and it only made his guilt worse.

It's been 3 years since he had told them to cut all ties and never contact him again.

On one hand, he felt like a coward. Instead of getting his ass together and joining them in this new way of living, he ran away.

On the other, however, it was a relief. He knew they were fully capable of living a good life now. They didn't need him anymore, and it was better for them.

It took him a year to find himself a new direction in life, far away from the city he grew up in and with people who had no idea who he was and what he'd done.


Seeing them now was painful. He'd panicked and didn't know how to react. But it was too late to run away again, and he knew that he had to deal with it.

This was his price for getting famous.

He got out of the car.


Just as he thought, Farlan was still there, sitting on the curb in front of the building. He looked casual yet the sight looked impossible in Levi's eyes.

He slowly approached him and sat a few feet away.

Farlan was aware of his presence now but didn't look at him. He was just biting on his chocolate bar with a bored expression on his face.

They sat there in silence until he finished. Levi was the first one to speak.

"I've told you two not to look for me." He started, looking at the road in front of him.

"And yet here we are." The blonde pointed out slowly.

"Why now?"

There was a sigh before Farlan responded.

"Isa wanted a tattoo, and not a shitty one. You should be able to figure out the rest."

"Where is the money for that coming from?"

"You really want me to punch you, don't you?" the blonde finally looked at him.

Levi rolled his eyes.

"Just to be clear, she was the one who wanted to find you." Farlan said and somehow, it hurt Levi more than he'd expected after all that he'd done. "She was nervous, yeah, but excited. You're like a brother to her, you know. And when she finally could see you again, you told her to fuck off, basically."

"Yeah, I'm a dick."

"That's nothing new. You don't even know what we've been through after you left."

"I don't" he agreed. "Are you together now, or something?"

"She's a lesbian, Levi."

"That kinda makes sense."


Petra run into the coffee shop and looked around. She was so happy she couldn't even be mad at herself for being late.

"Here!" She heard a familiar voice calling her and headed right to the table where Nifa and Rico were already waiting for her.

"There she is." commented the blonde watching her in her usual flat tone.

"Hi! I'm sorry, I had kind of an unusual day and I totally forgot about our meeting." responded Petra smiling widely. "As my humble apology, I will pay for your drinks."

"So, what was that 'unusual day' about?" asked Nifa and rested her head on her hand.

"Ah-" Petra started but suddenly went silent. "It was...actually…"

The couple in front of her was looking at her waiting for an answer.

"Haha...I spent the night at the parlor. Actually at my boss's flat upstairs."

"...say what now?" said Rico after a short pause.

"I mean, not like that. There was nothing between us, I mean, maybe a bit-"

"I can't believe you're falling for another man." the blonde rolled her eyes and Nifa laughed placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't listen to her! It's great that you're finally over that jerk."

"Yeah, I guess." Petra agreed and brushed her hair behind her ear a little awkwardly. "But really, it's nothing. Yeah, he is amazing, and intimidating, and talente-"

"Petra, get to the point, don't make me listen about a man." Rico hurried her.

"Yes, yes, ukhm… I fell asleep when we were talking at night, and he just let me stay there. And later I was too embarrassed to get out of there in front of the guys, so he let me stay even longer. He even borrowed me some fresh clothes. Like the clean freak he is. " she laughed. "And later he got me a ride back home and invited me to go to our friend's wedding together." she said with a dreamy look on her face.

"Ahh, this is awful."

"No! That sounds great, Petra." Nifa quickly added, patting her girlfriend's arm. "But you know, this time, if a man tries to do something bad to you, tell us. You understand? I'm sorry to say this but... You're a magnet to toxic men."

"Yes, I know. I've learned my lesson." Petra sighed and her smile decreased a bit. "Don't worry, guys, he is a bit grumpy, but he's a good man, I'm sure."


"You should get yourself one, if you like it so much."

Levi stopped staring at Farlan's motorcycle and scowled at him. The other man sent him a sour smile. They just stopped in front of a bar in the city center. Levi refused to ride with him, so he just followed him in his car.

Isabel was sitting at the bar with a colorful drink in her hand and a gloomy look on her face.

They stopped just a few feet behind the entrance.

"If you want to talk to her, go alone. I'm not dealing with your shit." said Farlan while stretching his arms.

Levi exhaled and went in her direction. He sat on the stool beside her and picked his hand to get the barman's attention.

"Just the usual." he ordered in a low tone. Isabelle's head perked up, and she looked at him. She frowned and turned her head to the other direction.

They were sitting in silence, both too stubborn to start the conversation. Levi decided it's time, when he got his beer and paid.

"Nice jacket, I like the spikes."

"Oh, shut up."

He took a sip of his drink.

"Listen." he started, and it took him a moment to find the proper words. He was not good with those, but he wanted to be honest with her. "I'm sorry for today. But still, I cannot say I regret my decision."

"Like I care…" she snickered.

"You don't?" he turned his head towards her to examine the look on her face. She was biting her lips with a furrow between her brows. Her eyes were glossy, he could tell.

"I don't, you're an asshole, and I'm glad I don't have to see you every day." she said, but her voice betrayed her with the shakiness.

He closed his eyes and surrendered to her stupid act. When his hand ruffled her hair, she lowered her head.

"I hate you...you ass…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know." he responded and after a moment took his hand back down.

She sniffed loudly and raised her head to drink all of her drink at once.

"I want to punch you so bad!" she said turning to him but then froze at the sight of his tired smile.


The Next morning, Petra came to work with a smile on her face. She greeted everyone by giving them their favorite coffees. She even bought some fresh snacks for their clients on her way to the studio.

"Where is our dear captain?" she asked Auruo after giving him his latte.

He pointed at Levi's office. "He's gonna tattoo today."

"Seriously?" she asked, surprised. It was a rare occurrence lately, and what was even weirder is that she didn't hear about it.

"You know, as I am obviously his favorite, he agreed to teach me the art of piercing but-"

"Yeah, yeah, we know." she shushed him, tired of listening to that for the 5th time.

"We know, you almost shit your pants before you got the courage to ask him." Gunther added, sending him a smile. Auruo huffed, unbothered by their behavior while Eld let out a short laugh. They all knew his ego was colossal and never actually tried to insult his work, since it was actually really good.

Petra, still in her coat, headed to the closed doors at the other part of the studio. She knocked and waited until she heard his permission to enter.

"Hi Levi, I've got your favorite tea." she announced coming in but stopped in her tracks at the sight of the girl she met yesterday. "Hi! I'm sorry, if I'd known you would be there too, I'd bring you something too. But I've got some cookies if you want." she said happily. Even though she had no idea what their relationship was, she felt better knowing that whatever happened the day before was resolved.

"Yeah, you will earn one if you decide on the fucking place already." The dark-haired man said to the girl which pouted at him. Levi came closer to Petra and took the tea she brought him.

"Thanks. You can send me an invoice for that."

"Stop, take it as a gift." she ensured him and looked back at the pink haired girl. "Is it your first tattoo?"

"Yeah! And I want it big, but I don't know where yet." the girl responded loudly. She had the happiest expression Petra had ever seen.

"Ah, that's exciting! I'm sure you won't regret it. I'll bring you something to eat too then."

And with that, she left. Levi went back to Isabel sipping on his tea.

"Your girlfriend is pretty cute, you know?" she pointed out, and he almost choked on his drink.

"She's not my girlfriend." he responded shortly.

"Huh? Maybe she will be mine then."

"Stop blabbering and pick the placement." he grunted.

She laughed at him knowing what his reaction meant.


I said I will make this one longer, but I already had to cut the angst short, so it's just like the other ones ;D

I have so many ideas for subplots...
I mean, this is a slice of life fic, so there isn't really a main plot aside us waiting for Levi and Petra to get together-

I loved writing Farlan and Isabelle! They deserve the best.

Fun Fact:
I'm implementing at least one low-key vine (or tiktok sound) reference in every chapter. I'm not even doing it on purpose, it's just engraved in my mind.