Hello! This chapter is for the unsung heroes that make up Levi's squad! Levi handpicked his squad mates and their incredibly strong bong made them practically invincible. So, with this in mind, we cannot deny that there was some history lined with great stories! Bonding moments, getting to know one another with deep mutual respect as well as trust. Throw their old-world vibes in with modernism and bam! We got ourselves this chapter…
Fidgeting and counting down from 10, Levi tried to calm himself for the millionth time as he stood outside a door.
All his moments of vulnerability seemed to happen in front of a door. What the hell does that mean? Was there some philosophical deep meaning to this shit? Was the door a representation of his twisted soul's yearning to overcome and face new obstacles? That by literally knocking the door down would open the pathway to new possibilities?
OR maybe, it was just a fucking door to a fucking townhouse and he was just buying his time before he actually knocked.
This idea seemed much better when he proposed it in the daytime, but now at night...when it was actually time to act on his plan…
Fucking holy shit Levi exhaled deeply as he pulled anxiously at his face. What the hell was he thinking?
Opening and closing his mouth, Levi half turned away from the door. Side eyeing the smooth surface of the door's wood, it seemed harmless enough. But uncertainty was winning out in his mind. Blowing out a puff of air and clicking his tongue, he turned fully on his heel and began the march down the walkway toward the street.
"Wow there!" Gunther called from the open door and jogged easily after Levi.
Levi threw him a disinterested glance as he stopped in his tracks.
"I saw you through the window and wondered how long it was going to take you to knock." Gunther pointed back at his stoop. "You lasted longer than I thought you would. I gave you eight minutes, but you clocked yourself at ten."
Levi exhaled and changed his focus from the man to the street before him. He was getting way over his head.
"Listen, you wanted this. Your new journey is just beginning, and I think this is a great idea! I'm surprised I didn't come up with it. You'll blow off some steam while pushing yourself out of your comfort zone! Don't turn chicken shit on me now!" Gunther placed his hand gently on Levi's shoulder giving him a reassuring squeeze. He gave Levi a knowing look before he leaned in to be eye level with Levi. "Unfuck yourself, Levi. You'll never go back to who you were before the heartbreak and damage, but embrace it and use it as a foundation to get yourself to where you want to go, who you want to be. And even who you want to be with."
Levi's eyes softened as Gunther removed his hand and gestured back to the house.
"Who would have known you were emotional and deep as shit, hmm?" Levi turned and followed Gunther.
Gunther grinned shyly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Nah, man. It's just all those damn rom-coms. I'll lend you a couple."
"No."
"Don't be like that! Some are actually pretty good. Have you ever seen –"
"No."
Gunther pouted and motioned for Levi to walk through the door first.
"I'm just going to put one on in the background, and you tell me how you feel afterwards. Hell, let's just do a whole fucking exorcism here and watch Hallmark!" he exclaimed excitedly, closing the door behind him.
"Drunk enough yet?"
Levi shook his head, disappointed it was taking this long for his liquid courage to kick in.
"Can't even get out of my head for a fucking –"
Gunther shoved his finger at Levi's lips silencing him. Eyes widen by the sudden motion, Levi pushed him roughly away and Gunther crossed his arms.
"That's enough of that, man. Come on, give yourself a break. So, we drink a lot more? Pffftt! No biggie, my house is fully stocked! Plus, I called in for some reinforcements!"
Levi felt his face freeze and he clutched the counter tightly, making a small dent on the marble from his fingers.
"What the fuck do you mean reinforcements?" He hissed leaning towards Gunther threateningly.
Just then the doorbell rang and Gunther held up a finger as the chime faded away.
"Trust me on this, yea?"
Walking over to the front door, Gunther opened the door dramatically to reveal the new arrivals.
"Ta-da!" he proudly exclaimed and new voices joined his.
Levi leaned over the kitchen's counter for a better view and squinted at the sight.
"Oh, fuck me" he muttered, running a frustrated hand through his raven hair. This is not what he had in mind!
Oluo, Erwin, Mike, and Eld filled the house with their loud banter and Levi growled internally.
"Levi!" Eld called stopping in front of the raven and started to dry hump the air. "Let's get our stripper dance on!"
Erwin walked forward and produced a box and pulled a stripper pole from the contents, moving to an open area of the living room. Levi watched him intently as Erwin began to screw the mechanism into place.
Levi turned slowly and caught Gunther's gaze.
Shrugging Gunther raised his hands up defensively, smilingly at the group. "What! I broke mine!"
"And you just happened to have one lying around?" Levi asked Erwin, casting him a side glance.
"Had the extra-long one on hand. Especially with these high ceilings…" Erwin grunted as he tested the pole's balance. Feeling the item wobble somewhat in his hand, he silently shook his head and put more concentration into his task.
Mike placed a plate of brownies in front of Levi and pulled back the plastic wrap. A delicious smell wafted up to his nose and Levi couldn't help but feel calmer and instinctively leaned into the heavenly aroma. Mike took one from the plate and inhaled it wantonly.
Levi scrunched up his face in disgust and leaned away from the filthy display.
Wiggling his eyebrows, Mike gave him a coy smile. "My girlfriend brought them. They were left over from work."
Oluo sat next to Levi and eyed him suspiciously. Attempting the same level of annoyance Levi was currently displaying, Oluo humped, shoulders rising and falling.
"He's currently dating some woman he met at that filthy club!"
Mike eyed Oluo evenly and slowly chewed the rest of the brownie, a silent warning passed between the two. Oluo gulped quickly and averted his gaze to the alcohol and began to make everyone drinks.
Eld appeared and clasped his hand on Mike's shoulder, giving him a small squeeze. Leaning over Mike and taking a brownie, Eld met Levi's eyes.
"Mike just gets a little defensive. She's a nice person. She's what, going through…?" Eld looked at Mike expectantly.
"Law school. Shit's expensive and she won't let me help pay for her finances. I told her that was fine and all for now, but if this relationship progresses, I'll end up paying for it anyway. I would want to take care of her."
Levi blinked and looked down at the brownies.
"Where there any cookies?" He asked softly.
Mike gave him a knowing smile. "No, she said the kid who usually makes them hasn't been in a baking mood for a while." Surveying the group, he leaned closer to Levi, knowing he'd be out of ear shot from the rest of the men. "Something like he got all butt-hurt over a client or something. She didn't know the details."
Levi felt heat rise to his cheeks and Mike let out a small chuckle as he tilted his head towards the dessert.
The night passed rapidly with more drinks being created for pleasure and shots were suddenly turned into curious experiments. Eld kept Googling shot trends and though everyone drank to his delight, not all were good.
Levi swallowed the pickleback shot and had to summon his inner strength to keep his signature jaded expression as he felt the liquid worm its way down his throat and enter his stomach. He could have sworn he heard a 'plop' as it hit its targeted area.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said of Oluo. His eyes bugged out and he ran to the bathroom, hand squished tightly against his mouth. The rest of the group snickered and they continued on, until only one was left; their own version of a pissing contest ensued.
Eld blinked rapidly, trying to bring the room into focus as he created two more shots for the remaining contestants, however he was starting to ween.
"Alright, alright, alrrriiigghhhttt peeps! let's do the…do of this!" Gunther called and waved the men over to the living room.
Sighing in relief, Levi finished his and was sure he would never enjoy a purple gecko the same way ever again. Erwin finished the remaining shot and headed over to the pole, still tinkering with the safety of the rod. Much to everyone's annoyance.
"Boo! Move away, awaaayyyy grand…fucking...grandpa!" Eld pushed Erwin away and stared at the pole like a bull. "I'll show yoouu! Watch the grandmaster!" Eld walked over to the pole and leaned into it suggestively. He started to caress it and began to move his body down and…down…
"Shit" Eld sagged onto the ground, hand firmly gripping the rod. Blinking with a confused expression he looked over to the group. "Guys…I can't" Eld suddenly burst into laughter. Tears began to swell in his eyes as he couldn't stop laughing "Get up!"
The room broke into laughter as the rest of the men took their turn at the pole. Gunther picked up Eld, and the two attempted to form a routine with the pretense they were firefighters. Gunther scrambled onto Eld's shoulders and hoisted himself onto his back and they both tried to climb the pole.
"You guys are idiots" Levi muttered sipping on his drink, laughter in his voice.
Levi appraised the room around him, was it truly just a couple of weeks that had passed since the club? So much had already changed. Levi was finding himself enjoying his co-workers, and they were dangerously crossing the line to friendships. What the hell, they were already there. This was nice. Levi wouldn't admit to it out loud, but this was something he would definitely get used to; his merry band of misfits.
"Do not question us!" Gunther bellowed pointing at Levi as he moved his foot to Eld's shoulder.
"Shit man, you gotta lay off the – humph!" Eld was silenced as Gunther's foot connected to his mouth.
Levi laughed full hardily as Eld moved to the couch and threw Gunther on the ground who responded with flipping him the bird.
Oluo stood and with a dignified air walked towards the pole, a side fist moving over his heart.
"Gentlemen, obviously you all need to be skilled on how to be graceful and tact when regarding such an object. It is your lover. Meant to be seduced by…" he turned and posed in a true hero fashion, hands on hips as he looked off to the side. "One such as I!"
Excitement erupted as they egged Oluo on which he welcomed whole heartedly. He walked over to the rod, moved as graceful as a duck around it and tripped on his feet landing face first on the ground.
The men laughed and Erwin leaned over, mirth shining from his eyes.
"You should sit this one out, if you continue to trip over yourself you'll bite your tongue clean off" Erwin taunted, raising his eyebrows.
Sitting up, Oluo smoothed out his hair and adjusted his clothing, oozing his usual self-confidence. Annoyed at Erwin's teasing tone, he straightened himself up.
"How dare you, Erwin! I did not trip. The floor looked sad, so I thought it needed a hug!" he replied sarcastically and moved over to the group as they continued to laugh.
Levi polished off the remaining liquid from his glass and stood. The group fell into a hushed silence as they watched him approach the pole. Turning to stand behind it, Levi meet the eyes of his friends.
"I'm not one for small talk. But when I asked Gunther to help me get over myself, I thought the best way to do so was to start where it all began. To pay homage to that, a stripper pole seemed to be the best way to go about it. Liberating, sexy as fuck, and completely idiotic." Levi began to slowly undress, removing his shoes and unbuckling his belt, the men seemed enraptured with the events unfolding.
"Holy shit, Levi" Erwin nodded his approval, eyes widening with surprise.
"Gotta set my man off right!" Gunther cheered playing I'm in love with a stripper from his phone.
Levi stopped and smirked.
"He's not a stripper! He's a mother fucking bartender!" Levi howled as he removed his shirt to reveal his ripped torso.
Gunther dropped his phone in surprise at Levi's body. "Holy shit, Levi…I feel fat now! Well scratch that, I'm chucky yet funky!"
"Fucking hell, that's what you look like under your clothes? I need to… get a gym membership. I'm not stripping!" Eld's face betrayed a horrified look and he promptly crossed his arms, shielding any on lookers.
"Your John Wick" Oluo whispered, fangirling hard. Levi could have sworn he saw his nosebleed.
"In love with a bartender! I'm sure there's a song we can find that'll do justice!" Mike laughed and found a pulsing club song.
Levi let the music flow through him as he fell to his knees and slowly unzipped his pants, pumping his hips in the air to the shouts of his friends, he removed them. Twirling them high above his head, he threw them into the crowd and Oluo wrested them from Erwin's grasp.
Levi grasped onto the pole and lifted himself up sideways. Holding his position, he moved one leg behind him and extended the other high into the sky. The men cheered Levi on and began to throw bills at him.
Feeling his muscles tense, Levi propelled his body to the side, encircling the pole dramatically in three graceful loops.
Adrenaline and alcohol pulsed through his veins making him dizzy, but Levi felt incredible. He began to climb the pole using only his hands and his legs curled upwards behind him. As he reached the ceiling, he felt the pole shift and he stilled.
Fuck me sideways! If this thing falls over…
"Can't be out done by you!" Mike shouted over the drunken debauchery. Discarding his clothing haphazardly, he wrapped his legs around the pole and leaned back, arching himself slightly.
Catching Mike's eyes, Levi grinned and arched himself the opposite way. Both men continued to use the pole in a synchronized fashion. Legs stretched, muscles flexing, grips tightening, both were exhausted from using their bodies in ways they'd never used before. Their breathing became heavier, but both were determined to finish out the song. Using one another as their source of power, they moved as one until Mike pulled his body upside down and began to slide down the pole slowly. Levi's eyes narrowed at the bold move, and mimicked the process.
Levi groaned inwardly as he felt his grip become slippery ever inch he moved himself down. Mike's hands hit the end of the pole and without missing a beat, he planted his hands firmly on the ground and bridged his body by moving his legs above him until they touched the floor.
"Perfect dismount!" Eld shouted and pumped his hands in the air.
"I give it a 10!" Eriwn raised his glass and hooted.
Determination, exhaustion, and rivalry coursed through Levi's veins. He was about a foot from the ground when he paused thoughtfully. Straining his muscles, he brought his feet to the pole and propelled his body forward. Flying off the rod, Levi sailed into the air.
Everything happened in slow motion.
Eyeing the coffee table, Levi's hands ran over the smooth surface as his head was brought close to the top. With the continued momentum, he thrusted himself off the table and landed on the ground in a three-point landing.
"AHHH superhero landing!" Oluo clasped his hands against his face in awe.
Gunther blinked and slapped his knee snorting loudly. "Well, mark me down as scared and horny!"
"What the fuck, Levi! You get bit by a radioactive spider, too?!" Eld asked, his mouth gapping at the sight.
Levi stood and stretched his sore muscles and felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Nice one, Levi" Mike grinned extending a hand in respect.
Levi eyed the hand and felt a wave of appreciation overcome him at the sportsman like conduct. Giving Mike a small smile, Levi extended his hand and returned the firm grip.
"I hate you all. I need non-hot friends who don't know the difference between their asshole and mouth hole" Eld commented grinning uncontrollably. "I mean look at you two in your underwear! I don't know whether I should spank you guys or throw a cow at you!"
"Gentlemen, you are forgetting the main act" Erwin boomed, standing in front of the pole eyeing the room commanding their attention.
Everyone quickly found seats and Eld nudged Mike gleefully. "It's like we're about to see Captain America do a pole dance!"
"20 bucks says he's actually wearing Captain America underwear" Levi muttered rolling his eyes.
"You got yourself a bet!" Mike leaned over to shake his hand.
Erwin ignored them all and stripped. His intoxicated state left him somewhat unbalanced as he unbuttoned his clothes and struggled with the garment. Leaving him with no other option and thinning patience, he ripped off the garment and the buttons exploded around him. He unbuckled his pants sloppily and almost fell over when he leaned forward to remove his feet from the pants.
Eld snorted and Oluo whispered hurriedly, "Historia is a lucky lady!"
Erwin glared at the men and stood, reveling himself in nothing but a dark pair of briefs.
Mike raised his brows and lifted his chin to Levi who clicked his tongue in annoyance and fished out a 20-dollar bill.
Gunther nodded, "Truly disappointing to know his style is boring."
Erwin placed his hand on the metal pole and struggled to hoist himself up. Though Erwin was blessed in appearance and stature, he was neither graceful nor seemed to possess upper body strength. The group watched in pained silence at seeing their comrade try and fail to get any type of footing or traction against the pole.
Erwin stepped back and eyed the rod disdainfully before casting a glance to the room.
An enraged yell left Erwin's lips as he charged towards the rod and flung his body against it. Only instead of holding himself up, Erwin brought the pole crashing down from the ceiling. The metal rod wheezed loudly against the ceiling spewing chucks of debris amongst the group.
The men brought up their hands instinctively shielding themselves. Silence crept into the atmosphere before they called to Erwin who never moved from the ground. Glancing at one another they made their way over to Erwin's body, staring down at their friend, heads leaning forward in anticipation.
Mike knelt before the man and took his pulse.
"Is he dead?" Gunther asked, owl eyes blinking in amusement.
"Knocked out cold. The pole probably gave him a good conk to the noggin" Mike evaluated, throwing Erwin's arm back against the man's own face.
Eld nodded silently as he knelt next to Mike and placed a full glass of water by the unconscious male specimen. Reaching for Erwin's free arm, he decisively dropped Erwin's large hand into the glass drenching the carpet beneath it. He readjusted the hand in the glass further in and nodded his head with a hum of approval.
"That'll cool his ego off a bit" Oluo chuckled, moving back to his seat.
Levi tsked under his breath and moved back along with the rest of the group. Eld began making new drinks and Gunther flipped a DVD into his console. Mike brought the plate of remaining brownies into the living room and flicked off the lights. Once everyone was situated, Gunther hit play and the screen bathed the room in a soft glow revealing the name of the featured film, The Princess Bride.
"Oh, holy shit" Levi muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes. Repositioning his legs against the armrest he had now claimed, he leaned coolly into the opposite side of the chair.
"It's one of my favorites!" Gunther grinned, bouncing excitedly in his seat as Eld beamed in Levi's direction passing out more drinks.
"As you wish!" Mike raised his glass in the air, turning in appreciation to each of his comrades.
"As you wish!" They chimed in return.
Levi stared at all of them in disbelief.
"Idiots" He muttered quietly to himself, a ghost of a smile on his face.