You And Me - A Collection of Les Twins One Shots

Airborne

The moment Laurent first laid eyes on the two metal rods that were hinged together so they extended a good two meters above the stage, he knew that it had to do with them somehow.

The dark stainless steel loomed above them dauntingly, as Beyoncé called them both over.

"We figured you'd like a little extra attention," she said, wrapping her fingers around the pole. "You ever seen one of these before?"

Instead of answering, they exchanged a look.

They had seen something similar before. Back in Vegas, during their time with Cirque du Soleil. They had worked with enough aerial acrobats back then to have come across similar constructions.

"We have to dance on it?" Larry asked, not liking the idea of being stuck on a metal pole.

Laurent cast him a side-eye. "It's not for dancing, Larry."

"No it's not. Let me show you," Beyoncé said before lifting her foot onto the small metal latch and pulling herself up.

They both took an instinctive step forward, hovering protectively as though she might fall, but they should have known better than that. She climbed the pole as though she had never done anything else in her life and made it to the top at record speed. The pole started swaying dangerously and Larry edged a little closer as they looked up and watched her swing her legs over what looked like a saddle. "This will be one of the highlights of the show. I want your full energy. Running jumps and a fast climb to the top. Once you're buckled in, you lean forward until the pole tilts."

She demonstrated it, leaning her full body weight forward and they both watched in awe as she repeated the same motion backward, picking up speed and energy as she arched her back. Her little demonstration was over as quickly as it had started and then she climbed back down, a little winded but beaming as though she'd had fun. "Forty seconds for both of you on each show. What do you say?"

They looked at each other once more, letting the information sink. What was there to say? She was one of the greatest pop stars alive and she was offering close to a minute of spotlight in EVERY show. She was treating them like they were artists, she was dedicating time, effort, and money into how they were perceived by the audience. And it was an honor to work with her and be able to share her spotlight.

"Of course," Laurent returned, leaning in to hug her and Larry joined in as well, even when Laurent sensed his nervousness at the prospect of having to climb up that thing. "Thank you."

She pulled back and smiled at them. "You deserve it. Otherwise, I wouldn't offer."

Laurent returned her smile easily before looking up at the pole in anticipation.

He was about to start climbing, testing if it could carry his weight when Larry's hand shot out to circle his wrist.

"Lau, wait," Larry blurted out and Laurent halted his movements. There was an undercurrent of panic in Larry's voice that set off his protective streak as easily as pressing a button.

Laurent sought out his twin's eyes, who looked at him imploring and Beyoncé grew more aware of the silent conversation that she wasn't part of.

"I'm gonna give you some time to get familiar with it, okay?" she said, squeezing Larry's shoulder in passing. She flung her wild mane over her shoulder and then left, walking back to the main part of the stage where the rest of the crew was waiting for her.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Laurent looked at Larry. "You've seen how quickly she climbed it. It's probably nothing."

"Those are easily two meters. It's not nothing."