levi---mccoy

[levi---mccoy]

[levi---mccoy]

"I mean I like it but the moms might think you're talking about weed. Which you know, could go either way. I'm convinced George's mom is totally an edible lady." Levi smiled to himself, feeling touched that she'd look so forward to something like his teams basketball game. "Mm, exciting? A couple of things, yeah. One of our kids got this job she's been really hoping for. Veronica, you remember her? Smart kid, Silas and I are gonna find a way to get her a car so she can actually make it to work on time but we'll see. The culinary club is focused on pasta this week so you're definitely gonna want to stop by and try some of that goodness." He opened his mouth to tell her about the new classes they'd be offering then remembered that would include Georgie's class. But the pause made him feel even more guilty so he spoke up anyway as the drive thru came into view. "We're offering some new classes this week, and found someone to help the theater's production this year. Actually a kind of blast from the past for me," he admitted as they pulled into the next lot to get in line for the drive thru. "You want anything other than fries? Now that we're here I kind of think I'm gonna get a burger. We won, why not, I deserve it."

“So full,” she responded a little dramatically as she sighed, her grin widening soon after as she chuckled. Taking Levi’s hand she followed his lead as they made the move towards his car, her free hand coming up just to rest on his arm. “They don’t even have to blackmail me at this point, I’ll be there - think I’m already so invested and we’re only just getting started. What’d you think of an ‘waiting for that all time high’ sign, or is that too much?” She joked, laughing softly afterwards. While she was joking with the wording, signs of support wasn’t exactly a bad idea - or at least she didn’t personally think so. Sitting in the familiar comfort of the passenger seat she smiled as he kissed her hand - it was the little actions that made her admire Levi, ones that she had become accustom to over the last year, and in all honesty they made her feel more connected to him. “Same as usual today, dragged a little towards the end but I think that’s because I’ve been looking forward to this,” she admits as she look in his direction, “Anything exciting happen to you?”

[levi---mccoy]

"Jodie finished that grant proposal, she sent it over for us to read. Needs feedback by tomorrow." Levi took his usual morning seat next to Silas in the garden on top of the student center. It was where they started every morning, or at least tried to before the day got away from them. Levi was a strong believer that they had gotten where they were because they had done it together and built a strong friendship. He reached for his mug of coffee and took in a deep breath. "Then we've gotta get ready for the Halloween party planning committee. I'm kind of afraid Donnie's mom is gonna try to convince us to do a haunted house again but I'll only be persuaded if she brings us some of her pignoli cookies." @silas-decker

[levi---mccoy]

Levi had tried hard to keep himself focused all day but there was no way to avoid the nervous energy radiating through him at the idea of Georgie visiting today. He hadn't talked to anyone about it and had chosen to ignore the guilty creeping into his mind at the undercurrent of excitement within the nerves. He was already near the stairs when one of the kids came looking for him and he was careful not to trip as he made his way towards her in the waiting area. "Kind of surreal to see you here," he admitted right away as he stood in front of her. "But really happy you're here." And that was the honest truth. "Come on, we have lots to see, I'm gonna quiz you on it later," he joked, still nervous as he started walk with her through the ground floor of the building they were in. "So this is kind of the heart of our community here. The first building we owned and worked on. It was a mess when Silas and I got it but we made it work. We have a lot of classroom space here, part of the clinic. Lot's of chill space to get what you need, charge your phone, write your papers. But we're heading to the auditorium so we can see the rest later." He paused and cleared his throat a bit. "Sorry, I just totally went into my little elevator speech, hi, how are you? how's your day going?"

WHO: @levi---mccoy LOCATION: The Village Community Center

Georgie was full of jitters as she stepped out of the rental car, staring at the front of the main building. As she made her way through town to the more isolated neighborhood of Webster Village, she wasn't sure what to expect. Levi had spoken so highly of what he had built, and she had seen a few pictures online of the building, but there was nothing that could have truly prepared her for the expanse of the campus coming up over the horizon.

"Wow..." she murmured to herself, taking it in for a few moments before heading towards the entrance. Levi had promised her a guided tour of the campus, and with things finally being a little calmer for him, they had arranged to meet up today so she could finally sate her curiosity at what all he'd been up to since he'd left California. "Excuse me, I'm supposed to be meeting Levi McCoy here," she spoke to a young man behind a reception desk with a smile. "Could you let him know Georgie's here, please?" She made her way to one of the armchairs to wait, hoping to avoid drawing attention to herself before he arrived.

[levi---mccoy]

"Yeah but I'm not just teaching 'em to get free labor. Can't let myself get lazy, man. It's how I stay young and pretty," he joked. Levi was usually more reserved but around Chase he probably joked the most. "Yeah I don't know why someone would get a tattoo if they can't take it. Seems kind of like torture. Healthy side of what? You wanna split a salad we can split a salad." And Levi would just to commit to the bit but the mention of a root beer float had his eyes lighting up and he was in immediate agreement. "Deal. Let's go for it. I deserve it. We're teaching kids all about affirmations, might as well practice them myself," he joked. "But when are we gonna put your skills to real good use and have you teach some kids about tattooing. We've got some real artists." As the waiter came back, Levi held up his hands. "Okay, enough about work, promise. How about...sports. You seen the way the Lions kicked the Cowboys ass the other day? Made my week."

"Ain't that the point of havin' those shop classes to get them to do stuff like that?" Chase replied with a snort of laughter. Chase would be the first to admit he hadn't expected the community center Levi put together to become as big as it had up to that point, but seeing how successful and fulfilled his little brother had become because of it made him prouder than he could ever verbalize. "Just about, but they weren't a squirmer which made it easier to get it done. Hate gettin' someone with a low pain tolerance in my chair 'cause it ends up takin' so much longer to get through it." He looked over the menu before nodding. "Pancakes sound good. Should probably get a healthy side or somethin', but I'd rather do a root beer float. What d'you say?"

[levi---mccoy]

"A granola bar? Yeah so you must be so full already," he joked, feeling his body relax as he enjoyed the comfort of her company. "Car fries it is," he told her as he picked up his bag and held out his other hand for her to take. "The kids would like to know if you're coming to our away game next week. They said if you do they'll score an all time high for three pointers. I told them that might be blackmail but that I'd pass on the message anyway." As they stepped outside and the cool air of the night hit them, he leaned into her more. Georgie's arrival in Tonopah and Chase's increased involvement had him feeling on edge. Everything was changing and he was even seeing it with the young people he worked with. The new temptations, the new players peddling the same bad choices. He was stressed without a doubt. But in the stillness of the evening, holding her hand through the parking lot, Levi felt grounded in a way he wasn't used to. Once they were in the car, he reached for her hand to bring it to his lips before starting up and pulling out of the school parking lot. "How was the shop today? Same as usual or any special orders?"

Hearing Levi her smile grew wider the closer he got, "I could consider it..." Freya was very much a sporty person and so it was easy for her to get suckered into each and every game. More importantly, her passion for a certain coach's basketball team was entirely connected to the feelings she had for the man now leaning in to kiss her. "Hi." she returned softly; now welcoming his lips once more. As he leaned back she held his gaze, happily able to get lost just there, "Do you even have to ask?" she chuckled lightly, "Definitely comes with the Beetlejuice clause." considering she had recently watched the newest movie that had been released. "Fries do sound amazing though, I had a granola bar half an hour ago, did nothing, obviously."

[levi---mccoy]

"I hope you don't think you're leaving without some cookies, your honor." Levi knew she wasn't a judge but he still laughed at his joke as he came down the stairs as she finished up her meeting "How'd it go today? He was really nervous about the meeting but I figured you could maybe have some good news. He's a good kid. Made a mistake. I know that sounds cliche but it's true more often than not." Not that he needed to advocate, he knew Ava would do her best to help any of the kids there. "Anyway, one of the ladies who leads our biweekly baking workshops left us a bunch of cookies and I promise you're not gonna want to miss 'em," he told her and motioned towards one of the classrooms down the hall. "You got time?" @avaxbest

[levi---mccoy]

"You know, I might have to ask them if they have any money to pay you as our official cheerleader. How do you feel about mascot suits?" Levis smile grew as he walked over to the bleachers after the basketball teams first game of the season to find Freya waiting there. "I swear there's no winning if you're not yelling at the refs," he added, leaning in to kiss her as soon as he was close enough. "Hi," he mumbled against her lips before kissing her again. "Please tell me you want to get a bag of fries to eat on the way home as badly as I do." He finally pulled away to meet her eyes but still stayed close. "Assuming you'll let me come over and take up space in your bed tonight. I was thinking we could watch whatever Halloween movie is next on your list." @freya-hudson

[levi---mccoy]

"Ah man it's nothing, just got into it with a fence on the football field. Silas said we could get someone to fix it but it was pretty easy." Levi explained the cut on his face as he sat down to join Chase for dinner at the diner. "What about you? That four hour piece actually take four hours or what?" He grabbed the menu despite knowing exactly what he was gonna order and smiled at all of the familiar faces there. "What you thinking? Same shit as always or you wanna try something new? I'm thinking we should split a stack of strawberry pancakes." @chasemmccoy

[levi---mccoy]

“I spent the whole day in my head, do a little spring cleaning, I'm always too busy dreaming.” -Mac Miller 

From a very young age, all Levi Petroski knew was heartbreak. The only good thing his parents did for him was make sure he had a brother to look out for him. Levi barely has memory of his parents, much of his first memories being from when they were already living with their grandmother in New Orleans. And Levi was a happy child. Quiet and sweet and willing to do whatever he could to make sure he and Chase didn’t get in trouble. Despite only being two years apart, Chase was often the only real person Levi could rely on and when their grandmother passed away, Levi felt another heartbreak that only brought them closer. 

The years of survival and the years of being back in foster care are memories that have never left Levi’s heart and mind and are a big reason why he does what he does today. Watching Chase do whatever he needed so they could eat or have money for school supplies, all while being insistent that Levi not fall into the same patterns, changed something deeply within him. He felt helpless and like a burden but Chase always assured him that his only job was to go to school and do well. So that’s what he did. Kept his head down, got his work done and occasionally got random jobs around town to help contribute to the care of the two of them. 

Once they were old enough to leave New Orleans, Levi hopped on the back of Chase’s bike and they went west until they ended up in Tonopah Valley where Levi would finish out his last two years of high school under a new last name: McCoy. Levi McCoy, unlike Levi Petroski, was more outgoing. Still flying under the radar but a little less afraid to have fun, now that there was distance between him and his past life. He came out of his shell a bit, made friends and actually enjoyed his last two years of high school before heading off to college. Levi had wanted to stay closer to Tonopah but Chase had insisted that he go for the best opportunity. Which is how he ended up at USC pursuing a degree in English while his brother only got more deeply embedded into cartel life. 

It was during his time in California that he first met Georgie Banks. It was a shock to him to find that a star on the rise such as her could give him the time of day but it was clear to both of them that they had a connection that was deeper than just some summer fling. And so Levi fell in love for the first time, feeling so far removed from the scared kid he had used to be. But heartbreak found him again as graduation came closer and his main goal was to get back home to his brother. And Georgie was Georgie, a star in high demand who couldn’t just settle down with some guy in Tonopah Valley. So they let each other go, with the hope that maybe one day their paths would cross again. 

And Levi came home, eventually pursuing his Masters in business administration while trying to make sure Chase stayed out of prison. Upon his return he also reconnected with his best friend SIlas Decker and after many days of talking, they decided to bring their dream to life. And so The Village Community Center was born. Originally intended to serve at risk youth, the center has grown to be even more and serves people all over Tonopah but still sits in the heart of Webster Village where Levi still lives to this day. 

The years Chase was in prison was especially hard on him and though he went to visit him every week, it took a toll on him. Chase’s release date was one of the happiest of Levi’s life, always feeling more steady when the two of them were side by side. And he’s been hoping since that his brother can get back on track and find a job that won’t put him in danger, though that doesn’t seem to be the case with the deal he cut with Valentina Ricci. 

These are the things that keep him up at night in partnership with all the daily worries that come up at the center. But there’s no doubt that Tonopah Valley is his home. He has a solid house in Webster Village, his brother is a relatively free man, he has a healthy and sweet relationship with Freya Hudson, his girlfriend for the past year and he’s happy. Even when he’s worried, he’s happy. 

But that doesn’t mean heartbreak isn’t around the corner. 

Headcanons:

Coaches the center's grade school basketball and soccer teams for boys and girls. Truly a passion of his and he definitely takes the coach title very seriously. 

The center has definitely become his life since he lives close and has poured all his heart and time into it. But he does try his best to have a life outside of it. When he’s not working he can often be found hanging out downtown. With Chase’s tattoo shop, Freya’s flower shop, a bookstore and good food around, it’s one of his favorite places to be.

Very much does not like the gangs and has focused much of his work on helping youth stay out of them so he’s had his fair share of scuffles protecting his young people but he’s been generally successful, just not with his own brother. 

Definitely a community man, happy to talk to anyone and help them out and has deep love for Webster Village and kind of a bit of resentment towards Glenn Estates. 

Doesn’t mind driving but he also rides his bicycle most places and focuses a lot of time on making sure his bike is taken care of even if the kids clown him for it.

[levi---mccoy]

random jay halstead gifs bc i miss him and fancy the pants off him