22.

Harlow walked into the classroom a few minutes later so it didn't look like her and Levi were together. She got a sharp glare from the teacher but luckily, he didn't say anything about her being late and she made her way to the back of the classroom, taking her seat next to Farlan. She had to force herself not to look at Levi, and it was pretty damn hard. He looked really good today, dressed in black skinny jeans and a maroon V-neck. He didn't wear colour often, Harlow thought it suited him. It was then that she realised at some point she had started staring at Levi subconsciously. She quickly turned her gaze to the window and forced a blush down.

"Hey, are you feeling alright? You look hot." Farlan asked kindly. Harlow felt a twinge of guilt in her stomach. She felt like she was lying to him and while she had lied to him before this felt different. More personal. Now that Levi pointed out, Harlow could see the affection in his eyes when he looked at her. She felt like she was stabbing him in the back. Which was weird because she had no loyalties to him when it came to who she was allowed to date. So now she felt confused, frustrated and guilty at the same time. She was brought out of her own little world by Farlan putting a hand on her shoulder. "Harlow?" Farlan asked again. Harlow forced a smile and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks. Don't worry." Harlow replied quickly. Farlan looked unconvinced but removed the hand anyway and focused on the whatever Erwin was saying since he needed to pay attention. Harlow caught Levi's eyes and she calmed down a bit, looking into the blue-grey swirls. He gave her a 'you alright?' look. Harlow smiled and gave a slight nod. They broke the eye contact and Harlow got out her notebook. Doodling would help distract her until lunch.

She sighed quietly, looking out the window and spotted a statue in the foyer. It was as good a thing to draw as any, so she cleared her mind and started the construction lines.

Harlow blinked as the bell went and snapped her out of her daze. She looked down to find she had finished drawing the statue as well as plenty of other random things. An apple, a pencil, her pencil case etc. Harlow observed them all with fascination before landing on the best doodle, it being a very detailed eye. Harlow only needed to glance at it for a second to realise it was Levi's. Shit. Harlow snapped the book shut before Farlan could see and packed it in her bag. She didn't know if he would recognise Levi from an eye, since he didn't spend 10 hours bent over a desk trying to finish a portrait of him where the eyes were a heavy focus. Still she didn't want to risk it.

"Ready?" Farlan asked with a smile. Harlow nodded and stood up with him, joining up with Izzy and Levi and proceeding towards the outside.

When they got to their bench Harlow sat down and Farlan made sure he sat next to her. This wasn't new, Farlan always sat next to her at lunch but now she knew the reason why, she was feeling a bit awkward. At least Levi was opposite her this time. They all got out their meals. Izzy and Farlan's were properly lunches while Harlow and Levi opted for just a breakfast bar each. This was common and no one had ever questioned it before, but it seemed today Izzy noticed.

"Hey Harlow? Why don't you ever each much? Levi's the same but he has never told me why." Izzy finished in a mocking voice, poking his tongue out at Levi. Levi glared at her but didn't say anything. Harlow shrugged, opening her packet.

"I don't know. There's no exact reason, I guess, I just think it's a waste of time." Harlow replied casually. Levi gave her a small smirk which told her he thought the same. Izzy frowned and shook her head.

"You need to eat more, both of you. You'll be as skinny as twigs at this rate." Izzy replied in a mothering tone. Both Harlow and Levi rolled their eyes at the same time. Izzy laughed in at their synchronisation while Farlan just looked a little creeped out. "Sometimes I think you guys are way too similar." Izzy mumbled. Harlow felt her cheeks heat up while Levi choked on his protein bar. On an instinct Harlow reached into her bag and passed him a water bottle. Levi took it eagerly and downed some. He gave Harlow a thankful look before smacking Izzy round the side of the head.

"Stop talking shit and eat your food." Levi hissed, Izzy flinched and did as she was told. Harlow noticed Farlan was balking at the raven. It seemed Levi noticed too as he stopped eating to address the blonde. "Oi, what are you looking at? Close your mouth it's disgusting." Levi ordered harshly. Farlan snapped his jaw shut and Harlow had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She always found it funny watching Levi order his friends around like subordinates. He did it so naturally. Farlan continued to stare at Levi with wide eyes before talking.

"Levi..." Farlan began. Levi gave him an annoyed 'continue' look. "You do realise... you just drank from somebody else's water bottle. Right?" Farlan asked in disbelief. Izzy stopped eating to balk at him as well, just noticing what Farlan did.

"OH, MY FUCKING GOD, HE DID DIDN'T HE!?" Izzy yelled through a mouthful of food. Levi didn't answer and just plastered a bored look on his face. Izzy and Farlan continued to stare at him in silence. Harlow didn't feel like she should ask... but her curiosity got the better of her.

"So?" She asked simply. Levi sighed which told Harlow she had just made a very big mistake as both Izzy and Farlan snapped their heads round to face her.

"Levi is the biggest clean freak on this PLANET! He can't handle any mess whatsoever and don't even get me started on germs." Izzy explained dramatically. Farlan nodded in agreement to what she said before continuing.

"He never shares food with anyone. He never eats anything if he is even a smidge concerned about it giving him food poisoning. And he certainly never fucking drinks out of other people's water bottles. I have never, in my 10 years of knowing him, seen him do what he just did." Farlan finished, and both of them turned to look back at Levi who looked thoroughly irritated right now. Harlow felt rather awkward. If that was true, then she figured the reason he was alright with her drink was because they already made out. If Levi was going to catch a germ from her, he would already have it by now. She stayed silent after realising that, feeling even more awkward.

"Will you too fucking stop talking about me like I'm not here? I'm not mentally deranged. If I'm choking, I will drink whatever is available." Levi replied in an irritated tone. Farlan raised an eyebrow at him before leaning down and passing him his water bottle.

"Then drink this." Farlan challenged. Harlow saw Levi grimace at the bottle slightly before straightening his face and looking Farlan in the eyes.

"I'm not choking." Levi deadpanned. Farlan kept his stare for a minute before shrugging and letting it go. Izzy and Farlan started talking about how big Erwin's eyebrows were and laughing. Harlow let out a silent breath of relief, giving Levi a 'fuck, that was close look' which he returned before they both fell back into silence and finished eating their meal.

The rest of the day passed rather quickly, and Harlow was sitting in her dorm reading. It was late, almost midnight and Izzy had been asleep for a while. Harlow was starting to tire herself before she got a text from Levi and her heart did a summersault. For once she didn't scold herself for such a reaction and smiled happily, putting down her book and opening the text.

(23:55) Grumpy Model: Meet down at the forest in 5.

The text said simply. Harlow smiled to herself, jumping up and quickly putting on her shoes. She shivered a bit, now out from under her covers, deciding she would need a jumper. Harlow cringed to herself as she opened up her wardrobe, flinching at the creaking noise and checking to see if her redhaired roommate woke up. Izzy stirred but made no moves to rise. Harlow let out a silent breath of relief before scanning her wardrobe and smirking as she saw the black hoodie Levi gave her. Perhaps it did mean something more.

Harlow put it on, sniggering lightly at how big it looked on her even though Levi was only a few inches taller than her and left the dorm room, flying down the stairs and into the forest. She knew she was way too eager to see the raven, but in the moment she didn't care. The moon was bright tonight and illuminated the path to the waterfall where she knew Levi would be. Although she didn't need much light to know how to get there, she had made the trek enough times for that now. Plus, she had always had a good sense of direction.

When she came across the waterfall she smiled, instantly spotting the darkly dressed figure leaning against the tree. His eyes were closed but Harlow didn't think he was sleeping, regardless he hadn't noticed her arrival yet. Harlow took a moment to marvel at the man. He really was the most attractive person she had ever seen. Harlow smirked, knowing he was all hers. Not being able to contain herself anymore Harlow quietly closed the gap between them and kneeled down in between his legs. Levi opened his eyes just in time for Harlow to smirk at him before capturing his lips in a kiss. Levi kissed her back and it soon turned desperate, especially after holding themselves back all day.

They broke apart eventually, the need for air becoming too great. Harlow lent their foreheads together and tried to get her breathing under control. Levi did the same and smiled at her, moving some midnight blue hair out of her eye and smirking at what she was wearing.

"That's mine." Levi whispered teasingly. Harlow shook her head and chuckled.

"Nope, I am pretty sure I remember you saying I could have it." Harlow replied confidently. Levi smirked.

"That so?" Levi asked, pulling the hood over Harlow's head.

"Yup." Harlow smiled. She pressed one last quick kiss to his lips before turning around and getting comfy resting her back to his chest, his legs resting either side of her. Levi let out a small laugh and wrapped his arms around her. Harlow smiled; this was way better than how they used to sit. A lot warmer too. They fell into a comfortable silence for a bit like they always did, just enjoying the others company. They both needed it after being apart for so long. At some point, Harlow had taken Levi's hand and was currently tracing her finger over the creases on his palm. "It was a close call at lunch today." Harlow said softly out of nowhere. Levi hummed in agreement. Harlow laughed to herself, "You're really that big of a clean freak huh?" Harlow asked teasingly, tilting her head upwards to look at him. Levi frowned and flicked her on the knuckle. Harlow giggled in response.

"Yeah, so you better not give me any germs, brat." Levi retorted sternly. Harlow laughed and leaned her head back down against him.

"I'll try my best." Harlow sighed in relaxation. "I think you should tell him soon though, Levi. The longer you wait the more its going to hurt him." Harlow added carefully. She felt Levi tense up slightly, so she squeezed his hand for support and smiled in satisfaction when she felt the tension drip out of him.

"I know. I just don't know where to start." Levi sighed. Harlow hated hearing him sound so depressed, especially since it was basically because of her.

"Hey, you'll be fine. I can be there with you when you tell him if you want?" Harlow offered. Levi smiled down at her.

"Thanks, but I think it will be easier if I talk to him alone. Even though I would prefer it if you were there." Levi mumbled the last part. Harlow smiled at his embarrassment.

"Okay. Hey, what exactly are you telling him?" Harlow asked, turning to face Levi. Levi scrunched his face up in confusion.

"What do you mean, 'what am I telling him'?" Harlow let out a laugh and rolled her eyes.

"Fine, I'll dumb this down for you." Harlow started, ignoring Levi's death glare, "What am I to you?" Harlow asked seriously.

"What do you want to be to me?" Levi asked, equally as serious. Harlow huffed in frustration and averted her eyes, feeling a light blush come to her cheeks. Levi smiled and cupped her face making their eyes meet. "Harlow?" Levi asked softly. Harlow found herself melting under his gaze.

"Yes?" Harlow managed to choke out, her heart beating ridiculously fast.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Levi asked with a straight face. Harlow searched for any signs that he was joking. She found none. The biggest smile came to her face and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling them closer together.

"Yes." Harlow whispered, kissing him softly.