18.

Harlow smiled as they both sat down on the bus stop bench. They had 10 minutes before the next bus arrived, but Harlow didn't mind. She was too happy to care about anything right now. It had been an amazing day out and Levi had opened up to her, as well as smiling multiple times throughout the day. It warmed her heart. He looked so free and youthful when he smiled, Harlow wished he would do it more.

Harlow leaned her head on the back of the shelter and closed her eyes. She heard a familiar "Tch" from Levi which made her laugh. It was probably because of the unknown cleanliness of the bus stop. He would probably be right as well, but she was so tired she didn't give a single flying fuck. Harlow snapped her eyes open and bolted up right when she heard the rumbling of thunder above her. The biggest smile came to her face when a few drops fell before the whole sky opened and rain came pouring down.

"Levi, it's raining!" Harlow exclaimed, standing up and squirming on the spot in pure happiness, watching the rain cover everything it touched and enjoying the sound it made as it hit the top of the shelter her and Levi were under. Levi let out a puff of amusement next to her.

"You never seen rain before, brat?" Levi asked with a blank face. Harlow frowned and poked her tongue out at him. He was missing the point. She smirked at him before stepping out of the shelter and smiling as the rain drenched her clothes. Levi stood up and looked at her with both amusement and annoyance.

"Brat, get back under here!" Levi had to raise his voice over the rain and thunder. Luckily there was no one around so there was no one to see their little escapades. Harlow smirked at him and shook her head before stepping further away and leaning her head back closing her eyes and enjoying the rain on her face.

"It hasn't rained in this shitty country since I got here!" Harlow explained, laughed as the thunder got louder and held out her arms. She opened one eye to look at Levi. He looked conflicted. He probably just realised he hadn't seen much rain either but wanted to keep his clothed dry. Harlow smirked, stepping closer to him, she will just have to solve his mental dilemma for him won't she. Harlow grabbed onto Levi's arm while he wasn't looking and dragged him out into the rain. His eyes widened and he tried to escape back into the shelter, but Harlow held him back until he was properly drenched. He turned to frown at her. Harlow's burst out laughing. She saw Levi holding back before he couldn't anymore, and he laughed along with her. They both looked ridiculous standing out in the rain, crying with laughter, thunder and lightning booming around them. Especially since there was a shelter less than a few steps away. Harlow had to grip onto Levi for support she was laughing so much. Eventually she managed to compose herself and turned to him. He had a wide smile on his face.

"You really are a shitty brat, you know that?" Levi chuckled. Harlow laughed and looked up to him, suddenly realising how close they were. Her heart started beating faster and her expression fell serious. Levi's did the same, but neither of them moved to be further away. Harlow felt her breath hitch when Levi reached out to gently move some wet blue hair behind her ear. She blinked, looking up into his stormy grey eyes, her mind went blank. Her hand moved on instinct, cupping the side of his face and stroking his cheekbone with her thumb. Her gaze flicked between his eyes and his lips as she edged closer. She thought she might stop breathing at any moment, especially when Levi placed a hand on her back and brought them closer together, so their chests were touching. Harlow didn't know anything anymore. Only one thing circled in her mind. The thing being how much she needed Levi. How much she needed him now.

Harlow looked into Levi's eyes one last time, the only thing she needed to tell her he wanted the same thing and closed the gap between them, pressing their lips together. She felt everything in her life fall into place when Levi kissed her back. He was so kind, so sincere, yeah, he had scars but who didn't. He accepted her without needing to know her past. He was everything she ever wanted. In the moment Harlow was struggling to remember why she had pushed her feelings down in the first place. Harlow snaked her arms around his neck and ran her hands through his wet jet-black hair. In response Levi bent down, their lips never leaving each other's for a second and picked Harlow up so they were at the same height. Harlow gasped in surprise, not that it was an unwelcome surprise, and wrapped her legs around his waist. She wasn't worried she would fall in the slightest. She trusted the raven whole-heartedly. The pair seemed to become oblivious to the world, getting lost in each other. The kiss was desperate and passionate. It was clear Levi had been holding back as much as she was. Levi licked her bottom lip, demanding entry and Harlow was way too eager to comply. Opening her mouth and letting Levi lead the kiss. Harlow's lungs were screaming for air, but she ignored them. Only Levi mattered in that moment. Nothing else.

The pair were pulled out of there little world by the sound of a loud honk. Harlow opened her eyes in surprised and was absolutely mortified to find the bus waiting for them, the bus driving giving them an unamused look. Luckily the rest of the bus looked empty, but that fact didn't stop the embarrassment rising to her cheeks. Harlow quickly broke the kiss and buried her face in Levi's shoulder. She heard a light laugh in response from the man before he gently put her back on the ground. Harlow stared at the floor in embarrassment, not really understanding what was supposed to happen now or what any of this meant. She heard a light-hearted "Tch." From Levi before she felt a warm hand take hers and lead her onto the bus. Harlow did everything to avoid the drivers sharp glare and followed Levi to the back of the bus, her hand still in his.

Harlow sat down and desperately tried to get her breath back. She stared straight ahead, too scared to look at Levi, even though the interlocked hands between them was helping her from completely freaking out. After the bus started moving, she chanced a glance at the raven. He looked slightly flustered and was still breathing heavily like Harlow, but he still looked calm and collected as usual. When he caught her staring at him he smirked. Harlow blushed and averted her eyes. Levi let out a small laugh and edged closer, rubbing a thumb over her knuckles soothingly. Harlow let out a sigh of relief and leant her head on his shoulder. What she was relieved about, she didn't know, but she did know that the relief was strong.

"So... that happened." Levi said finally after a few minutes. Harlow laughed and hummed in agreement.

"Indeed, it did... can I ask you something? You have to answer honestly though." Harlow asked hesitantly, looking up at the raven. He nodded seriously. "Did that mean something to you? Because I need to know if it didn't." Harlow said firmly, not letting on to her absolute dread at the answer. Levi rolled his eyes and smiled at her. A real genuine smile.

"It did. Did it mean something to you?" Levi asked. Harlow smiled and nodded, happiness filling up her chest. She sighed in relief once again, leaning her head back on Levi's shoulder. "The day at the forest when you drew me. That's when I realised." Levi said, his tone slightly embarrassed. Harlow smiled; he was so cute when he was embarrassed. Harlow decided to make him squirm a bit.

"Realised what?" Harlow asked innocently. Levi frowned and flicked her between the eyes. "Ow." Harlow giggled.

"You know what, brat." Levi retorted, in an irritated tone. Harlow laughed and nodded.

"Yes, but I would prefer it if you said it." Harlow replied in a cheeky tone. Levi sighed in annoyance and ran his free hand through his ebony hair, grimacing at the amount of water in it. He took a deep breath.

"Realised... I like you." Levi said genuinely. Harlow sat up to face him with a smile. She thought her heart might just burst with happiness. She pressed their foreheads together and draped her arms around his neck.

"I like you too." Harlow whispered before pressing their lips together once more. Although their kiss was cut short as the bus driver produced a loud cough in disapproval. Harlow laughed and buried her face in Levi's neck. Levi also let out a light laugh and hugged Harlow closely. She felt at peace. She felt safe, in the raven's arms.