Hellsfire

Chapter Fourteen

"Shit." Well, he's fucked now, isn't he? Bantam's gone off to find Shep and presumably spill the tea on Levi's entire tragic backstory while Levi sits and waits and suffers while Shep unfriends him on Facebook. "Shit."

He's trying to be funny but actually he's terrified, he's fucking terrified, and he doesn't know what to do. Maybe if he can get to Shep before Bantam gets to him, he might be able to- he doesn't know. Do something.

He has to tell Shep. He's gotta tell him sometime, on his own terms instead of some angel's. He has to tell Shep because Shep deserves to know and the longer he hides it the worse it will be when Shep finds out.

He just wants Shep to accept him for who he is.

Funny, he usually has to go through this shit for being trans, he had to risk it with his parents and family and anyone he's ever loved ever but that bit was easy with Shep. He's doing the same thing he's always done, just for a totally different reason.

This fucking sucks why did any of this have to happen why couldn't Shep just know or figure it out or some shit that people do when he comes out as trans? Why can't Shep just bring it up at a convenient moment and then make it chill?

The reason why is because Shep doesn't know. Levi has gone to such an extent to hide it that Shep doesn't have a clue, and judging by the weight Bantam is putting on it, she hasn't told him either.

So long story short he's fucked and he's going to die alone and sad and crying in a muddy ditch like he always does.

Levi paces around his room trying to solve a problem he knows he can't fix.

With every step he takes he has less and less hope that he'll find a solution other than telling Shep himself. Of course there's that thing he could do where he murders Bantam but that's not going to solve the problem of he is going to lose Shep. His only friend.

Levi doesn't want to give Bantam the satisfaction of telling Shep. If Shep is going to find out, Levi is going to do it on his own terms. At least then he'll know how Shep reacts.

He pulls his phone out. He's going to message Shep, get him over here and then Levi is just going to tell him. At least Shep will be able to murder him in person.

When he turns on his screen, there's already a message from Shep.

Levi, I just heard from Bantam that-

Convenient. Great. So he knows already. Levi opens his phone to see the rest of the message, and though it is entirely the opposite of what he expected it might actually be worse.

Levi, I just heard from Bantam that there's an assassin after you. I don't know why or how but please text me so I know you're safe and let's find somewhere where they won't find you because I'm still your guardian angel and I don't want to get fired forever.

Ah, back on that bullshit again. It's alright, it won't last long, Levi is either going to die or be abandoned soon anyway. And also there's an assassin after him.

Fucking great.

Levi waits outside his apartment, even though apparently there's someone out to kill him. Honestly he'd kind of prefer that at this stage. It'd save him from doing this shit with Shep.

"Levi!" Shep calls from outside the gate.

Fuck, is he already out of time? No, he wouldn't be, because if Shep knew then he most definitely would not still be calling him Levi. He'd probably be calling him 'fuckface' or something.

Shep runs up to him and grabs his shoulders. "I have to take you somewhere safe."

Right.

There probably wasn't even an assassin. Bantam had probably been talking about Levi in some cryptic way. Anyway, it's bought Levi time and that's what he needs. Time. He just needs a few minutes and somewhere safe where some angelic motherfucker won't bother him.