Lavashipping Oneshots!!

Gym Crush

Kai didn't do gyms.

Too many mirrors. Too many grunts. Too much sweat and not the kind he enjoyed.

But after a well meaning intervention from Nya ("You can't live off instant noodles and punching bags, Kai"), here he was. Fresh membership card. Cheap water bottle. Zero motivation.

He entered the gym in a hoodie two sizes too big and joggers, hoping to blend in, and walked toward the less crowded corner with the weights. He figured he'd mess around with some dumbbells, maybe fake a stretch or two, and then go home and say he "tried".

Then he saw him.

Tall. Broad. Sweaty. Muscles moving beneath a black tank top as he lifted a barbell like it was nothing. Calm, focused expression. Thick arms. Sharp jawline. A bead of sweat rolling down his temple. The man was art.

Kai stared like an idiot for three full seconds before realizing his mouth was slightly open.

Oh boy.

He spun around, nearly knocking into a yoga mat someone had left on the floor.

"Oh my god," he muttered under his breath, cheeks burning. "Damn I literally just saw him...but he is so fine.." he thought.

He was just about to escape to the water station and pretend this never happened when a voice behind him said.

"Hey. You new here?"

Kai froze.

That voice was warm. Deep. Friendly.

He turned slowly and yup, there he was. Gym Adonis. Gorgeous and glowing. Close enough now that Kai could smell his cologne through the post workout musk.

"Uh, yeah," Kai managed. "First day. I... I don't really gym."

The guy chuckled. "That's okay. Everyone starts somewhere. I'm Cole."

Kai blinked. "Kai."

Cole offered a hand, and when Kai shook it, he swore he felt a jolt. Maybe it was nerves. Or maybe it was the sheer size of Cole's palm practically engulfing his own.

Cole smiled. "Need a hand with anything?"

Kai didn't trust his voice, so he nodded.

"Alright," Cole said, walking over to the weights. "Why don't we start simple?"

They did.

Or rather, Cole guided him patiently while Kai pretended not to melt every time Cole adjusted his form with those huge, steady hands. Kai would be lying if he said he absorbed a single thing about proper posture or lifting safety. His brain was fried halfway through Cole saying "triceps."

"You're doing great," Cole said, handing him a smaller weight after Kai almost dropped the last one.

Kai managed a breathless, "Thanks. You, uh... work here?"

Cole chuckled. "Nah, just a regular. But I don't mind helping out."

He's nice. And hot. Dangerous combo.

After an hour of fumbling through a routine he'd never remember, Kai was sore, slightly dizzy, and definitely in love.

As they wiped down the equipment, Cole tossed him a towel. "You coming back tomorrow?"

Kai shrugged, trying to look casual and not completely obsessed. "Maybe. If I'm not dead by then."

Cole grinned. "Let me know. I'll spot you."

Kai's stomach fluttered.

As they walked to the exit together, Cole pulled out his phone. "Here. In case you need help with your form. Or, you know... want a gym partner."

Kai blinked. Was he flirting? Oh my god, he was flirting.

He handed over his phone with shaking fingers. "Yeah. Sure. Totally."

As they exchanged numbers, Cole looked him over one more time with that warm smile.

"See you around, Kai."

Kai nodded dumbly, heart pounding.

As soon as Cole turned the corner, Kai pressed a hand to his face.

"I'm going to the gym every day for the rest of my life."