-Mason-

I'd most definitely plunged into this training situation out of sheer impulse, spewing out the suggestion before my brain could truly filter through any possibly ramifications; still, my unexpected bout of spontaneity was turning out to be kind of a gift in disguise. I'd already spent quite a few days spiraling while trying to mentally prepare for the worst case-scenario, so I felt hopeful and ready. As long as I didn't shove my foot in my mouth again, we'd be golden.

Well, hopefully.

In all honesty, I had nothing to complain about. Not only did I have an excuse to spend some quality one-on-one time with Bennett, who was quickly becoming my favorite person to be around, but I could indirectly rope him into becoming my gym buddy on top of that. And, uhhh, maybe more? Eventually? Maybe? Please?

That wasn't even the point, though. Or not the whole point, anyways. Did I have shameless ulterior motives tied to my inexplicable longing for this short, though absolutely inestimable, dude? Yeah, sure, I was smitten. But who wouldn't be?

Perhaps it was foolish to assume that spending more time together would somehow lead to him organically falling for me, but maybe I could at least figure out what the hell his sexuality was as a starting point. If he was even remotely into guys, then perhaps I'd muster up the courage to do anything past ogling him.

Because this whole guessing game was just... not working for me.

And that wasn't even the only perk, though it was certainly an appreciated detail. This was already great in general, but even more so whenever I recalled my other possibility for a gym partner; Eric, said option, had insisted that we get matching shorts with "swolemates" embroidered across the back, right on our asses.

I'd vetoed it, of course.

To which he'd suggested matching tramp stamps instead. Which I'd also vetoed. I'd also made him promise to stop trying to match my outfits whenever he tagged along, even if he was just doing it ironically. Whatever that even meant.

But all that nonsense aside, this was definitely a win-win situation all around. I got a gym buddy that wasn't quite so disastrously chaotic, and I could keep an eye on Bennett, who was surprisingly accident prone. The last thing I needed was for him to accidentally decapitate himself while trying to bench press without a spotter.

Besides, as unexpectedly as this had all come about, I had every intention to put my best foot forward, which involved spending far too many hours coming up with a concise schedule, personalized workout routine (which I still needed to modify based on Bennett's goals), and making sure I actually brushed up on the proper names and uses for all the equipment and exercises at our disposal... just in case.

After frequenting the gym alone for so long, typically only quietly signaling towards machines during any brief interactions with strangers, it was almost a bit intimidating to be working out with someone else. Especially Bennett.

More than anything, there was no way I was willing to half-ass this. I couldn't. Not when it came to him.

And while I was still trying to wrap my head around what exactly was going on, I did know a few things, with the most important one being that I needed to make this worth his time. If I couldn't help him in some way, then what the hell was the point of this in the first place?

So, I was roaring to go, even though I was trying to be casual about it. I was somewhat unsure about whether I wanted to convey how deeply I'd considered this at all, lest I overwhelm him with my eagerness.

At the very least, I was probably better off waiting until after today to see how he felt about it.

"C'mon. We should hurry," I coaxed Bennett, watching in amusement as he jolted in response, ever so jumpy. "Unless you're backing out?"

He pouted up at me. "I'm not."

I grinned in response, pleased to see the determination in his eyes as our gazes locked. His deep brown eyes, expressive as ever, flickered with heat; however, that intensity was quite abruptly replaced with puzzlement as we exited and I started heading across the lobby, in the direction of the opposite hall.

Bennett frowned up at me while signaling towards the right, slowing down to a halt. "The weight room's that way," he reminded me, though he sounded slightly unsure even as he turned and glanced through the open doors full of equipment.

I couldn't help but chuckle, wondering how someone who knew the gym's layout so well could so easily distrust his own judgment upon the slightest of doubt. "Yeah, it is," I agreed, though I didn't turn to head that way. "So, you coming?"

"But... it's that way," he grumbled under his breath, and I could see the slightest glimmer of defiance in his expression. It was nearly impossible not to chuckle at that, but I managed somehow. He was damn lucky I couldn't freely kiss that pout away, or we'd be too busy doing that to get anything else done.

"We're not going there yet," I explained while tilting my head, signaling for him to follow along. Time was of the essence.

"We're not?" Bennett questioned, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. And boy did he look adorable when he was thinking so deeply, the gears in his head probably working overtime to figure out what the hell I was up to. Hell, I probably looked lost.

"Still waiting."

Bennett obliged, though somewhat begrudgingly. And as if on cue, there was that cute pout once again.

"Attaboy," I praised, placing a hand on his lower back and guiding him along when I realized he'd need the encouragement, especially since he was already overthinking.

He still didn't seem very pleased by our sudden detour, but I didn't bother elaborating. In fact, it wasn't until we made it to the gym's juice bar and I guided us to the small line that realization dawned on his face. He frowned almost immediately, not very pleased with me.

"I already ate," he explained right away. "Just a bit ago, actually."

I'd had a sneaking suspicion he'd say that.

"A smoothie and a light snack would still be nice," I replied in earnest, shrugging casually when the frown was then directed up at me. That meant we'd need to wait a bit before working out, but it was nothing unreasonable. If anything, I could take that time to ask Bennett about his gym goals and determine how I could best help get him there.

Bennett opened his mouth to object, but I just leaned closer, giving a hopeful grin. "Please... my treat?"

I even fired back with a pout of my own, wondering if that would make any difference. And sure, I could've gone on a lecture about how it's always a smart idea to avoid working out on an empty stomach, or even question how he could've possibly eaten recently when I could hear his stomach growling in protest. But I didn't do any of that. It likely wouldn't help, or do anything other than make him feel bad. And that was the last thing we needed.

I just watched him, patiently waiting for his response, knowing he'd come around.

Or perhaps just hoping.

Bennett at least mulled it over, chewing on his bottom lip while gazing up towards the chalk-riddled sign that displayed the options of the day, seemingly wanting to say something before releasing a weary sigh. "I guess."

"You sure, right?" I asked just in case, which was potentially a risk.

He mulled it over some more before rolling his eyes, nodding in agreement. "If I can pay you back for it later."

"No deal. It's on me," I replied before turning to glance through the options, not giving him the chance to debate me on that.

"Mason."

"That's my name, yes."

"Mason."

"Like the jar, yes."

"Maaason," he whined.

"Do you even have your wallet?" I retorted shakily, actively ignoring how obscene he'd sounded whining my name like that. God... I was going to hell.

"I can go get it."

"Nah."

He groaned, though not in surrender.

"You can treat me next time," I finally offered, quickly realizing that we had reached an impasse. Either I gave an inch, or we'd stand here until the juice bar closed for the day. And if the cashier's exhausted expression was anything to go by, they were not willing to wait that long. "Now, fancy anything in particular? Or should I pick?"

Bennett cringed all of a sudden, shaking his head rather profusely. "W-wait. Eric told me you like drinking those nasty green smoothies," he mentioned, looking downright appalled by the idea. "You're not planning to make me drink that, right?"

Ah.

I chuckled under my breath, somewhat in disbelief. Even when he wasn't around, Eric found a way to get involved. Perhaps I ought to be counting my lucky stars that he hadn't told Bennett anything more incriminating. Or embarrassing.

And luckily for Bennett, I wasn't cruel enough to impose my own preferences on others. Well, most of the time, anyways.

"When did he even have time to tell you that?" I wondered aloud, turning to glance up. "Strawberry's pretty good. So is the watermelon one."

Bennett muttered under his breath while reading the ingredients, squinting before turning towards me. "Which one are you getting?"

I snorted. "A green smoothie, probably. But Eric likes the pineapple-coconut one... said it's good."

He ended up going for that one after a few more minutes of indecisively skimming through the board for something else, and then I shooed him off to one of the tables while I ordered our drinks, opting to include the supplemental powders they offered, including whey protein. I also grabbed a few light snacks; however, I was still slightly annoyed that there wasn't enough time for anything more. Not if we wanted to work out anytime soon.

But hey, there was always later.

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A/N: Thank you for reading. Consider leaving a comment and like; they're kind of my life source. They're also just very fun to read.