Metamorphosis

Chapter 15

I was happy to discover that I was a natural at pole dancing. I picked it up faster than most beginners, and even managed to master several advanced moves within three months. Now Armin was helping me work on a routine that I wanted to nail down in time for Eren's birthday next month. So, on this Saturday morning, he met up with me at a dance studio Mikasa had rented out a couple of weeks ago. I was already inside practicing when he came barging in announcing that he wouldn't be able to put in any work, because his ass was hurting something fierce. I almost fell off the pole because of that one. As it was, I started laughing so hard that I skidded down the pole until I crash landed on the hardwood flooring.

        After he all but flung his duffel bag beside my stuff, he said, "Oh, you better shut up right now. Don't tell me that you've never ridden Eren like he was a bucking bronco, because I know you have. You were limping like an old man with arthritis last week."

        My laughter died away faster than humanly possible. "Okay, truce. Do you want some Tylenol? I have some in my bag."

        "No, I just took something before coming here. Hopefully it kicks in soon. But in the meantime, let's drill you on some moves, shall we? Also, I approve of your outfit today. Hot damn."

        I was in a pair of carbon-black crisscross Brazil dance shorts. They had been a gift from Mikasa, and I was surprised to find that they were a lot more comfortable than they looked. "Thank you," I said. "So what moves are you going to drill me on?"

        "Let's start off with the Allegra, because I still can't believe that you can wrap your body around the pole like it's nothing. You're like a damn pretzel."

        "Being flexible pays off, my friend." I grabbed hold of the pole with both hands and pulled myself up before spreading my legs into a center split. I spun around, wrapped my right leg around the pole, and leaned back so that I could grab the calf of my left leg, all while still spinning.

        "Beautifully executed," Armin said, "which makes me question why you haven't showed Eren any of these moves yet."

        I leaned up and slid down to the floor. "Because I want to give him a personal dance on his birthday."

        "You sure about that?"

        I narrowed my eyes at him. "There's something you're not telling me. What is it?"

        "Well, I might've called Eren up and asked him to meet us here." He raised his hands before I could start yelling, which I was about to do in five seconds. "Levi, you're an amazing pole dancer. I think you should give him a preview of what's yet to come. You know that small routine you learned already? What's the harm in showing him that today? Come on! He's been begging to come and see you. He's practically on his knees."

        It's true that I hadn't let Eren catch a glimpse of me on the pole since I started practicing, but there was a reason behind that. I wasn't ready. Even when I'd managed to accomplish a lot in such a short amount of time, I wasn't anywhere near the level I would have to be at in order to show off. With my luck, I would fall off the pole in a very unattractive way and ruin the whole exotic dancer allure. Eren would never look at me the same. From that point on, he would muffle laughter whenever he saw me near or around a pole. Then, when his birthday came, there would be no impressing him with my moves.

        "Earth to Levi," Armin said as he flicked my forehead. "You look like someone just ran over your dick."

        "You might as well, if you let Eren see me before I'm ready!"

        He put his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eye. "Levi, you're literally one of the sexiest people I have ever seen in my life, and you can work a pole like you were born to do it. Stop doubting yourself. Eren will love anything you do. When you walk into a room, you're all he sees. The boy has got it bad, if you haven't noticed. And he won't do anything that will make you feel uncomfortable. You know that better than anyone. Even if you mess up, all he's going to do is help you get back up there, and coddle you for the rest of the day. He cares about you a lot, so stop acting like he's going to judge you on every little thing."