What Am I to You?

First Encounter

Taehyung ran. He didn't have much gym experience, but he could run. He rarely ever used weight machines, the bench press, dumbells, and whatever else was available. He just ran. And, while he loved to run outside, thunderstorms robbed the experience of any enjoyment. So, here he was in the gym, feet pounding away on a treadmill. Taehyung could be too self-aware at times, causing his anxiety to flare up, but once he got going, he was in his own world. That's not to say he wouldn't prefer a treadmill at home for rainy days, but there was no way to fit one in his tiny apartment.

He was currently stressed and tired - mentally - but insisted on running because he believed he'd thank himself for it later. Plus, Taehyung was aware of the effect running had on his brain. The chemical release would combat the stormy and gray day and hopefully help him keep a neutral, if not an entirely positive attitude.

The treadmill emitted two beeps Taehyung could hear faintly over the music blasting in his ears. The treadmill's pace slowed to a brisk walk as part of the preprogrammed workout he'd chosen, and Taehyung swiped a forearm across his face, trying to rid it of the dripping beads of sweat. He could feel his heart thundering in his chest now that his feet were no longer stomping against the rolling mat. Out the windows before him, lightning arced across the dismal, gray morning sky. Taehyung took his water bottle from the holder in front of him and took a few lengthy swigs. He focused on the reflections in the windows and happened to observe a guy using one of the chest press machines behind him.

The guy had a beanie on, pulled down low, covering any hair, and his mouth was pressed into a thin, straight line as he focused on the weight, extending his arms forward. Taehyung wasn't in the gym often, but he was sure he'd seen him before; probably a regular. Just then, the stranger locked on to Taehyung's gaze in the reflective window. Taehyung fumbled his water bottle as he glanced away to break eye contact and dropped it. It landed on the treadmill and was propelled right off the back before Taehyung could grab it, and it continued to roll along the gym floor.

Mumbling to himself, Taehyung shut the machine off, ending his 45-minute workout, grabbed his towel, and hopped off. He faltered in his step as he saw his water bottle had rolled to a stop near the guy getting his chest pump on. As Taehyung went over, he removed his earbuds to put them back in their case. Taehyung kept his eyes trained on the ground as he approached, and right before he stooped down to recover his water, the guy that had just finished with the chest press machine snatched it and held it out to Taehyung.

"Hey, there you go," he said with a slow, deep voice.

Taehyung looked at the large hand holding his water, noticing the wristband that read "I ♡ Big Tiddies" and then took his water back.

"Thanks. Sorry about that," Taehyung said, looking up at him. He'd definitely seen him here before. The other guy was taller than Taehyung, and his muscular arms were evident because of the sleeveless shirt he was wearing.

"No problem," the other guy replied. "Haven't seen you lately. Figured you gave up or found a new gym."

Taehyung forced a timid laugh and wiped his face with his towel. "I'm only here when I need to be," Taehyung said, gesturing to the storm outside.

The other young man looked out the windows at the storm. "Yeah, wouldn't want to be out in that," the guy's voice rumbled as a roll of thunder rang out from above.

"Yeah. Well, I have to hit the shower and get going. Thanks," Taehyung said again, raising the water bottle and nodding at it.

"Don't mention it," the stranger said.

Taehyung turned and took two steps in the direction of the men's locker room when the other guy called from behind him.

"You ever need a spot or a workout partner, let me know!"

Taehyung turned back to face him, walking backward slowly. "Sure, maybe I will," Taehyung said. The other man nodded with a smile.

"Matthew, give me a spot, will you?" a guy lying on a bench press called from another row of equipment.

"I got you," the guy Taehyung had just spoken to responded.

Matthew worked his way through the different machines, and Taehyung turned once more to make his way to the shower.

So, that was Matthew. Taehyung had seen him before but never expected to be recognized in return. Taehyung grabbed a fresh towel and body wash from his locker, stripped down, and headed to the showers, where only two older men were cleaning up. As Taehyung washed, he noted that Matthew was one of the few people around his age at the gym this early in the morning. It was mostly old men since they were more willing to be up early as opposed to staying up late. The few times Taehyung had seen Matthew in the past, he'd always been with a few other guys. They must be dedicated to whatever fitness regiment they were following.

The locker room door banged open in the distance as Taehyung scrubbed his pits and lathered soap over his arms, torso, and down his legs.

"That was a good pump," Taehyung could hear as metal lockers clanged open and closed on the other side of the half-wall dividing the showers from the lockers.

"You better feel it, or you didn't push enough. Have to get that pump if we're really the big tiddie committee." This was met with some laughter, and Taehyung was pretty sure he could identify that voice as Matthew's.

Taehyung worked on rinsing off the suds and, turning his back to the now steaming water, swiped a hand through his ass crack. He glanced down and saw a surge of white bubbles rush down the backs of his legs after being set loose.

He shut off the shower he was using and turned back to grab his towel as Matthew waltzed into the showers, light brown hair sticking up at random due to all the sweat that must have been gathering under the beanie he was previously wearing. He didn't even bother covering up with a towel right now; the only thing on his body was that big tiddies wristband. Taehyung had to admit Matthew's chest was impressive. The few muscles Taehyung had that he was proud of were in his legs and ass.

Matthew nodded casually at Taehyung and called back over his shoulder.

"If you're gonna clean up, be quick. I got that big meeting at work. I'll leave you behind if I have to!" Whatever the meeting entailed, it sounded important.

Taehyung finished drying off and slung his towel over his left shoulder. Body wash in hand, he headed back toward the doorway, and Matthew spoke.

"Hey, uh...?" The question hung there between them.

"Taehyung," Taehyung offered.

They looked at each other, neither really afraid to look  or be seen.

"Taehyung, see you next time," Matthew said, turning the faucet to the shower he'd chosen. It always blasted you with ice cold water for a few seconds, and Matthew hissed through his teeth. Taehyung could see the goose bumps rise on Matthew's skin, his hairy balls morph from a full-on sag to shriveled up between his thick legs as the frigid water hit his body.

"Next time," Taehyung said, walking to his locker and changing for the day. He had to get to work, too. While Matthew apparently had some sort of meeting, Taehyun was a candidate for a promotion at his job and had a special interview. Taehyung figured Matthew would just be the stereotypical meat head or gym rat based on appearance, not a career-driven guy. Maybe they had more in common than Taehyung gave them credit for. People managed to surprise him now and then.