19.
Levi sighed in content, Harlow, still in his embrace. He watched the world pass by them as the sky grew dark. He didn't intend on this happening. But it had. He wouldn't regret it but that didn't stop the guilt from swarming him after he realised who they were returning to.
"Shit." Levi whispered to himself, but apparently Harlow heard, as she looked up at him quizzically, moving some hair out of his face. Levi lent into the touch, immediately calming down but the guilt somehow got stronger.
"What's wrong?" Harlow asked, concerned. Levi could see the panic in her eyes. She probably thought Levi was having regrets or something. Levi hated seeing her panic so on instinct he lent down and captured her lips in a short but passionate kiss, pulling back and smirking with satisfaction at her very flustered but relieved face. Levi took her hand and laced the fingers again, so it was sitting between them before he started trying to organise his thoughts.
"There is a reason... why I waited so long to tell you." Levi mumbled quietly, the guilt hitting him tenfold. Harlow cocked her head in confusion and waited for him to continue. Levi sighed, there was no other way to say this. "Farlan likes you." Harlow blinked in surprised and took a moment.
"And your worried since I chose you over him, he's going to hold it against you." Harlow replied, more of a statement than a question but Levi nodded anyway. He was glad the blue-haired brat could read him so well. It made this a lot easier. "Levi... I hate to say this but firstly I am not his. He doesn't own me, so he doesn't have the right to go off on a strop if he doesn't get his way. Secondly if he's really your friend he will step aside to make you happy, just like you were stepping aside for him. The only difference is I like you, not him. Farlan's a reasonable person, I'm sure if you explained the situation calmly, he would understand. Plus, you don't seem the player type. He'll understand how much this means to you." Harlow stated logically. Levi sighed, knowing she was right, but still worried about it. Harlow squeezed his hand for support. Levi turned to give her a small smile.
"Your right... I know your right, I just... I'd like some time to think about what I'm going to say to him. Can you give me that?" Levi asked carefully, he was essentially asking her to lie to both their friends until Levi built up the nerve. Harlow thought about his request before smiling and nodding. "Are you sure?" Levi asked with narrowed eyes. Harlow laughed.
"I know how important he is to you. Take all the time you need." Harlow reassured. Levi smiled at her and nodded, feeling a lot better about the whole situation. He had his brat, that's all that mattered right now. He would deal with Farlan later.
