AIN'T TALKIN' 'BOUT LOVE

CHAPTER 60 - NOVEMBER RAIN by GUNS 'N ROSES

The sky was grey in the circle of the arena. Already, throngs of people pushed and pulled to find their places. As for Levi's crew, they were safe, up above the crowd right at the lip of the stage. There were other people with them and across from them on the other end of the stage, but to Eren it felt like they were the only ones meant to be in front of Slash. It was so wrong that Levi wasn't there. It made him really sad. The whole crew was there: Erwin, Armin, Hange, Moblit, Mike, Nanaba, Farlan, Marco and Jean. They were jittery as fuck and chattered like squirrels to one another.

The air was electric and it was clear that things were about to begin. Eren lifted his phone and dialed once more. He and Levi had agreed that if Eren had cell service, he'd try to call during the show. They were both pretty sure they wouldn't be able to hear one another, but Eren just wanted to be connected. He let it dial one more time and slipped it into his back pocket when it went straight to voicemail.

Armin put his arms around Eren's neck and hung off of him. "E-rennnnn!" he whined. "You have to stop moping and try to be excited. Levi wouldn't want you to be so down in the dumps."

"Yeah," yelled Hange over the crowd. "He was so excited about you and the rest of us enjoying this show."

"It's just that all I'll think about while I'm watching Slash is Levi. It's hard not to feel sad."

"Eren, shut the fuck up and stop whining," said Jean. "You know how many people would give their left nut to be in these seats. Don't disrespect your boyfriend by not appreciating it."

Eren blinked and raised his eyebrows. "I hate to say it, dickweed, but you're right."

"Thank you!" said Jean.

"But that's what I said," said Armin.

"Yeah, but he wasn't distracted by your twinkiness."

Armin put his hands on his hips. "Fuck you, Jean Boy! Who's fucking

somebody's ass now?"

Erwin pulled his arm around Armin's chest and lifted him up, turning him around to face the stage, before Jean could respond.

Eren chuckled and wrapped his arm around Isabel. "You two excited about the 70's, 80's and 90's show? When do rehearsals start?"

Farlan grinned wickedly. "I can barely keep from dancing."

"As if," Isabel laughed. "All he does is dance around the house." She peered across at her boyfriend. "Most of the time he's dancing naked!"

"Awwww," said Eren. "What I wouldn't give to see that." They laughed.

Suddenly Eren's phone rang. Eren answered with a jump of excitement. He could barely hear Levi, but it was enough to have a quick conversation.

"How are you, babe? Do you like the seats?" asked Levi.

"Seats? We're practically sitting on the stage. I can lean against it and the edge is right where my armpits are. Everyone is so stoked. The only thing that's missing is you!"

"Honey, I know you're disappointed, but try to enjoy yourself. I'll want you to report back to me everything about the show. You have to pay attention,

okay?"

Eren's face fell. "Okay, I'll try."

Almost on cue, the strums of "Paradise City" started and the crowd exploded. Everyone around them screamed and jumped with ecstasy. Eren could hear Levi laugh and yell, "Yes! Fuck!" It wasn't long before he could only feel his breath leave him. The sound of the party enveloped him and he was carried away by the excitement around him. So much so that he forgot for a second that Levi was on the other side of the country working with people that would probably love to be there with them too. He let himself be happy and dance with his friends.