21.

Levi ran the rest of the way to his dorm. He had seen the sadness in Harlow's eyes, and he was worried if he moved any slower, he would change directions and turn back to comfort her. But he had Farlan to worry about right now. He may not be telling the blonde the truth tonight, but he still had to calm him down as he was probably pissed Levi had taking off with Harlow without telling him. Understandable but Levi promised himself he wouldn't feel guilty about it. Harlow was right, she wasn't Farlan's and he had no right to act like that because of her.

Levi took in a deep breath and knocked on his door. It took a few moments but a pissed looking Farlan opened the door and let him in. Well that was a start. It wasn't a very good one, but it was a start. Levi watched as Farlan sat down on the bed and glared at him. He would talk to the blonde in a second, but he had to get read of these waterlogged clothes first. Levi stripped himself down to his boxers and threw the dirty clothes in the washing basket. He changed into fresher clothes and rubbed his head with a towel before plopping himself down on the bed and turning to the blonde. He would have a shower later, the more time Farlan had to wait the more pissed he would become.

"So..." Levi started, not really knowing where to go with this. He wished the brat was here, she would know what to say.

"Is that all you have to fucking say for yourself?" Farlan spat angrily. Levi didn't like his tone.

"What exactly are you mad about Farlan. Because I for one don't think me or Harlow did anything wrong. You dragged us to a library at who-knows-a-fuck in the morning on an hour sleep and expected us to what? Watch you work? You're not idiots you can study by yourselves. Me and Harlow are friends, we don't have to run everything by you guys. Sure, maybe the way we left was a bit childish, but we only did it because we knew you wouldn't have let us go without a fight." Levi spat back. Farlan scowled and hesitated before he sighed and crossed his arms, leaning back on the wall. Levi did the same waiting for his friends' response. At least he looked calmer, that was something.

"It's not any of that stuff, man. I just... I specifically asked you for help getting closer with her this morning so when you disappeared together it just felt like a stab in the back." Farlan explained with a sigh. Levi gulped silently, he wondered what the blonde would do if he found out what really happened. "But your right. As much as it weirds me out, you guys are friends and you should be allowed to hang out with her as much as you want too." Farlan added with a smile. Levi let out a breath of relief and nodded his thanks.

"I'm am sorry for leaving without telling you. It was a dick move." Levi mumbled. Farlan laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

"It's cool man. You deserved some fun today. Just because me and Iz are stupid and need to study doesn't mean you and Harlow should have to sacrifice your Saturdays. But going out to town is very unlike you. I'm surprised Harlow managed to convince you into it. She really is amazing." Farlan sighed dreamily, laying down on the bed. Levi felt the guilt pool in his stomach again. He chose not to respond, not really knowing what to say to that. "So, what'd you do today?"

"Went and got some tea." Levi shrugged, laying down on his bed too, glad the conflict part of the talk was over. Farlan laughed.

"Ah, yes, the text. What so you just sat and drank tea? Wasn't it awkward, neither of you talk that much?" Farlan questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Nah. It was fine. We were both mostly interested in the tea anyway." Levi replied nonchalantly. Farlan chuckled.

"You guys are weird but alright." Farlan said and they fell into a comfortable silence. Levi sighed once Farlan went to sleep and pulled out his phone.

(23:17) Levi: How'd your talk with Iz go?

Levi pressed send and eagerly waited for the response. He wasn't going to get any sleep until he knew the brat was alright.

(23:19) Brat: Great. She didn't suspect anything, how 'bout you?

(23:20) Levi: Fine. He was pissed at first, but I handled it.

(23:22) Brat: Good. I wish I could see you.

Levi smiled at that, a warmness filling his chest. He had to keep reminding himself that what happened today was real. It seemed too good to be true.

(23:23) Levi: Me too, brat. But we should try and get some sleep tonight. We're only working on an hour.

(23:24) Brat: I'll try if you try.

Levi bit his lip to stifle a laugh.

(23:24) Levi: Stubborn brat.

(23:25) Brat: Your stubborn brat.

Levi smiled. He liked the sound of that.

(23:25) Levi: Damn straight. Now get some sleep, I promise to try too.

Levi gave in, knowing she would worry if he didn't get some sleep.

(23:26) Brat: Alright. See you tomorrow, yeah?

(23:26) Levi: Yeah. See you tomorrow.

Levi turned off his phone and placed it back on his bedside table. He sighed in content, knowing his brat was fine. He smiled thinking of her as his brat. He probably smiled more today than he had in the past year. And he knew for certain, that today in the rain, he hadn't laughed that hard since his before mother died. He was only 8 years old. That was more than 10 years ago. He hadn't spoken about her until today either, not even to Izzy or Farlan. He met them the same year she died, he had only told them bits of pieces of his past and only after being heavily provoked. He spilled a memory about his mother so easily today. That brat really was something. With that last thought Levi drifted into an easy sleep.

Levi woke up naturally to the buzz of his alarm. He leant over and turned it off, sighing in annoyance before realisation hit him. He'd never woken up to the sound of his alarm before. Like, never ever. He normally woke up a few hours before. The alarm was only there to tell himself when to start getting ready. Levi had slept through the whole night. The whole fucking night. He hadn't felt this well rested in years. Yes, the nightmare had still been present, but it was distant and blurry like a bad dream should be, he barely remembered it upon waking.

Levi sat up and wracked his brain for reasons to why he slept for 9 hours straight but could only come up with one. The reason being a certain blue-haired brat. Levi smiled to himself getting out of bed and getting ready for the day. He couldn't wait to see her again. Yesterday actually happened, he had really kissed Harlow, something he had wanted to do for ages. And it was a great kiss as well, in a word perfect. Certainly, the best kiss he had ever had, not that there had been that many. Harlow was right in her assessment yesterday, even though he could if he wanted to be, Levi was not a player. He'd had a few short relationships but that was it. They didn't last long, and he had only ever slept with one of them. Not that he remembered much of it anyway, it had happened when he was drunk. He really needed to get someone to watch him when he was under the influence of alcohol. Levi smirked stepping into the shower. Maybe Harlow could watch him from now on.

When Levi and Farlan were both ready for the day they walked down towards their first lesson. They had Shaddis then Erwin, lunch and English filler. Levi blocked Farlan out most of the way there, he was rambling about something Levi deemed unimportant. He only caught a few words, too deep in his own thoughts and before he knew it, they were sitting down in the lecture hall, Shaddis' yelling for their attentions. Although Levi knew his attentions couldn't be further away. They were solely focused on a certain blue-haired brat. He didn't even care he was daydreaming like a high-school girl. He was too happy to think about things like that.

Shaddis' class seemed to take days to finish but finally the bell rang, signalling for their next lessons. However, for Levi it signalled him being able to see Harlow. He practically jumped out of his seat, snatching his bag from under his desk and pulling a confused Farlan too his feet. They were the first out of the hall and practically speed walking to Erwin's classroom. Levi didn't even realise he still had Farlan's arm in his grip until the blonde ripped it out and stared at him in utter confusion.

"What is with you today? You almost seem... dare I even say it. Happy?" Farlan asked. Levi normally could have given him a death glare and a sharp smack up the head, but he couldn't be bothered today. The blonde was right. He was happy. So, he simply just shrugged, leaving the balking Farlan frozen to the spot he was on before turning the corner and seeing the person he had wanted to all morning. She was waiting outside Erwin's classroom, talking to Izzy, a light smile on her face. She looked breath-taking as always, dressed in a short- checked pinafore-styled dress with a long-sleeved black t-shirt underneath, with tights and Doc martin boots. Her blue hair combed out of her face in a high ponytail, only a few strands dangling down. For a second, Levi felt he forgot how to breathe, mesmerised by her beauty before Harlow caught his eye and brought him back down to earth. Her eyes widened in delight and she smiled at him subtly before Farlan came around the corner and they both walked up to their friends. Izzy glared at him and punched him on the shoulder.

"Izzy, what the fuck?" Levi snapped. Harlow stifled a laugh and Farlan sniggered. Izzy scoffed and crossed her arms.

"For ditching us yesterday. I may have gotten an apology from Harlow, but I want one from you too." Izzy said firmly. Levi sighed and pinched the brim of his nose, but he supposed that was fair.

"Fine. I'm sorry. There, we good?" Levi replied in a monotoned voice. Izzy eyed him curiously before nodding, clearly, she was expecting more of an argument to get her way. Harlow turned to Farlan.

"I'm sorry too, for leaving the way we did." Harlow apologised; Levi could tell deep down she wasn't just apologising for leaving though. Farlan blushed and scratched the back of his head.

"Don't worry about it, really." Farlan said casually. Harlow smiled and nodded. It was then that the door to the class was opened and students started filing in. Harlow sent Levi a look before turning to their friends.

"I'm going to go to the toilet quickly. I'll catch you guys up." Harlow smiled and the others nodded.

"I'll save you a seat." Farlan called before walking towards the classroom. Levi bent down and untied his shoelace before starting to tie it and giving his friends a 'go on' look. They nodded and entered the classroom. When the last student was in and the door was closed Levi stood up and started walking in the direction Harlow went. Suddenly he was pulled into a hallway and eagerly kissed by a certain blue-haired brat. Levi smirked into the kiss before pulling away, they couldn't be too long, or the others would get suspicious.

"Hi." Harlow smiled widely.

"Hi, brat." Levi offered a small smile back. Harlow grinned and kissed him again but pulling back before it got too heated. She lent her head against his chest; Levi wrapped his arms around her.

"I wish I could sit with you." Harlow mumbled; her voice muffled due to his t-shirt. Levi hummed in agreement. He knew it was going to be hard seeing them together, but it would be slightly less hard this time knowing where they brat's affections lied. Even if he did feel bad for Farlan. But it's not like they could just switch up the seating plan now, that would look suspicious.

"I know, but its only for a bit, okay." Harlow sighed but nodded. Levi smirked, pulling her into another kiss. Harlow was smiling widely when they broke apart.

"Go on then, before they think you choked on your laces." Harlow joked. Levi chuckled in response; this girl's humour might even be darker than his. And he loved it. He pulled her into one last passionate kiss, smirking proudly at her flustered face before turning to leave and hope his friends didn't have any questions on what took him so long.