17.
Levi sighed in relaxation. He didn't know how long they had been here, but they were on their 3rd or 4th cup of tea. They had fallen into a comfortable silence, sipping their drinks, Harlow quietly sketching. Levi had given in and let her draw him again. He didn't really mind it that much, plus, it was his way of thanking her from saving him from the boring day that was going to be teaching Izzy and Farlan English and maths. Levi couldn't remember a time where he had been this relaxed, especially since he was in an unknown place in public. He was so relaxed every now and then he caught himself drifting to sleep. He was normally so high strung in public, eyeing all the dirt and the noise, that he would never in a million years even begin to think about falling asleep. Yet here he was. It probably helped that the store they were in was quiet and didn't get much traffic. There wasn't even any quiet music playing in the background, unlike other annoying stores, which calmed him. He liked the quiet. Only one other customer had come into the store during their stay and she quickly left after buying a packet to take away.
Levi turned away from the street for a second to find Harlow smiling at him. He expected her to look away, but she didn't, continuing to look at him shamelessly. Levi expected it was due to her sketch so was surprised to find her sketch book closed on her lap. He brought his gaze back up to her sea-green eyes and raised an eyebrow at her. Harlow giggled in response and lent on her elbow, still looking at him.
"I have a question for you." Harlow said, sounding as relaxed as he felt.
"Ask away." Levi replied, too tired and happy to keep up his bored façade for the moment. Harlow smiled at his response.
"What is your favourite tea memory?" Harlow asked seriously. Levi furrowed his brows in confusion. Harlow laughed before explaining, "Anyone who loves tea as much as you, has to have an emotional connection to it somehow. So, go on." Harlow encourages. Levi narrowed his eyes but sighed in defeat. The brat was right as always, and he felt like he could be honest with her. Maybe it was his relaxed state making him more open and less guarded, but he knew it was probably just the brat.
"I guess... when I was younger, we didn't have much. It was just me and my mother. I didn't get to see her much since she was always working hard to put food on the table. She'd always leave before I woke up and came home after I went to bed. There was this time where I hadn't talked to her in a month. It was towards the end of that month, on my birthday, that my mother got home from work and woke me up. She explained she was sorry for not spending much time with me recently but it was so she could buy me a birthday present which was a box of earl grey tea like this. We sat up that night just drinking tea and talking. Its one of the best memories I have with my mother." Levi explained, a slight smile on his lips in remembrance. He was surprised at his openness; it was probably the longest he'd spoken in a while. He'd gotten so used to reply to people in short blunt responses. It was a nice change of pace. He looked up to Harlow, not surprised to find her smiling warmly at him. Levi couldn't help but smile back. He didn't know how, but this girl was pulling all the emotions out of him without even trying.
"She seems amazing." Harlow replied genuinely. Levi nodded.
"She was." He added quietly. He hadn't meant to, but it just slipped out. Still he had no regrets, he trusted Harlow with the new information. She smiled sadly in understanding and let the words rest between them. Levi couldn't have asked for a better response. She didn't try to offer any stupid condolences or changed the topic, she just acknowledged what happened accepted it. This girl really was too amazing sometimes. "And what about you?" Levi asked after a moments silence.
"Me?" Harlow cocked her head in confusion. Levi let out a puff of amusement at her response.
"What's your favourite tea memory?" Levi clarified; Harlow smiled in recognition.
"I told you my brother had insomnia." Harlow started; Levi nodded in remembrance. "Well when we were younger, we used to share a room, he was a few years younger than me. He would toss and turn all night and it would really break my heart. All he wanted was some sleep. I tried everything to help him. I read to him, I sang to him, I talked to him, but nothing seemed to work. Then one night it was really bad, he started crying in frustration. Our mother and father weren't in, so I had to comfort him. On an instinct I went into the kitchen to get him something to drink and I saw some tea. I thought it couldn't hurt so I boiled it and gave it to him. 20 minutes later he was out like a light. I can't tell you how happy I was, but I can tell you I thanked every fucking tea god in existence." Harlow finished with a light chuckle. Levi smiled at her kindness. Plus, he was happy she was starting to open up to him, she didn't panic once talking about her brother. Levi wondered what happened to him, but he didn't want to ask and ruin the moment. She would tell him if/when she's ready.
"It was nice of you to help him out like that. I know how brutal it is. Luckily, I didn't have it as a child, it must have been frustrating for him." Levi said in response. Harlow sighed and nodded. "You asked me before, why I had insomnia. I thought it was an odd question, no bodies ever asked me that before. Am I right assuming your brother had a reason for his as well?" Levi asked carefully. Harlow tensed slightly and looked hesitant. Levi waited for her to talk next, making it clear she could respond however she wanted. After a few minutes she sighed.
"Sorry, I don't think I'm ready to tell you about that yet." Harlow looked down at her tea, fiddling with the spoon. Levi didn't like her looking so depressed. Although he did like the sound of the word 'yet', maybe she thought she could open up to him in the future.
"Hey, don't worry about it. You know I'm not one to judge. They're your memories, not anyone else's, only you have the right to share them. You shouldn't apologise." Levi comforted. Harlow looked up and smiled at him warmly, the sadness in her eyes disappearing. Levi felt his heart skip a beat. She was so beautiful.
"Your pretty great, you know that." Harlow replied, her words causing Levi's cheeks to heat up. Levi looked away but was pretty sure it was too late as Harlow giggled. "Aw, you look so cute, embarrassed." Harlow cooed. Levi looked up at her to send her a death glare but apparently, they didn't faze her anymore as she just laughed.
"Tch, you are such a brat." Levi scowled, putting enough emphasis on the word 'such' and 'brat' to get his point across. Harlow gasped dramatically and held a hand over her heart.
"Am not!" Harlow exclaimed in disbelief. Levi almost laughed at her childish antics. She was doing this on purpose. Yet, he wouldn't give in. He looked at her blankly.
"Are too." He deadpanned. He saw a slight tweak in Harlow's lips, but she also remained strong.
"Am not!" Harlow pronounced. Levi opened his mouth to reply before a giggle from Krysta interrupted them. Levi looked to see her standing next to them. How long had she been there?
"All finished?" Krysta asked with a smile. Levi wanted to say no, but they had been here for a while and unfortunately you can't live in a tea shop. He looked to Harlow who shrugged a 'yeah?' so Levi nodded to the girl. She smiled and started collecting their cups. "You know, you guys make a really cute couple." Krysta said sweetly. Levi felt his eyes widen at her words and the blush come back to his cheeks, while Harlow went beat red and looked about as shocked as if someone just told her she was a descendent of Jesus.
"No! No, we're not!" Harlow blurted out quickly, waving her hands for emphasis. Levi frowned at her reaction. Was the thought of being in a relationship with him really that horrible? Or was the brat hiding something? Levi wasn't sure. Krysta let out a light laugh.
"I see, sorry, my mistake." Krysta replied with a smile before leaving the bill and going back to the counter with the dirty china. Although Levi didn't think she sounded very sorry at all. Harlow sighed and shook her head before turning back into her regular tanned shade and reaching for the bill. Levi was too quick though and grabbed it first. Harlow frowned at him.
"Levi, give me that. Today was my idea, I will pay!" Harlow whined. Levi smirked and shook his head. She was such a brat. "Please!" Harlow begged, starting to pack up her things. Levi rolled his eyes but gave in to the idea of a compromise after looking at the bill. He didn't have much to his name, he'd need help with this. Plus, he wasn't the brat's boyfriend he needed to remember that.
"Split it." Levi said firmly. Harlow looked conflicted but nodded anyway. They split the bill, and both decided they should use the toilet before starting to head back, considering how many drinks they had.
When Levi came back out, he saw Harlow putting something in her bag.
"What are you doing?" Levi asked suspiciously, Harlow snapped her head round and laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head.
"Nothing." Harlow replied. Levi narrowed his eyes at, enjoying her squirm before he adopted a more neutral expression and letting it go. He saw Harlow sigh in relief. He would find out what she was hiding eventually. They both said goodbye to Krysta, after thanking her and leaving a tip they started their walk back towards the bus stop. Levi smiled internally. It had been a good day. He wished he could spend more time with the blue-haired brat like this. Who knows, maybe he would in the future. "Hey Levi, when's your birthday?" Harlow asked casually. Levi raised an eyebrow and hesitated before answering. People always made a big real out it, but he had a feeling she wouldn't.
"25th of December." Levi said, looking straight forward.
"Okay." Harlow replied. Levi smiled, the brat was just so perfect, everyone else always made a fuss about his birthday being on the same day as Christmas. Telling him things like he's so lucky and all that bullshit. He never cared for his birthday though, it's not like he got any presents it was just another day to him. Christmas was the same. From Harlow's reaction Levi assumed she felt similarly. The brat kept surprising him.
