Work Text:
"Hyung, do you think my ass is flat?" Jongin asks his roommate Baekhyun as they eat the fried chicken they got delivered. Baekhyun is sitting on the floor staring at the TV screen, but he gives a wary glance back at Jongin on the couch, who has twisted around to pat his butt demonstratively.
"Uhm." Baekhyun takes a bite of chicken and spends a good minute chewing it, way longer than he normally does. He seems to be contemplating how he wants to answer this. Finally he blurts out, "Yeah, you got a flat ass pancake."
Jongin glares. "Fuck you!" He picks up a throw pillow and hurls it at his face.
"Thought you would appreciate my honesty!" Baekhyun yells as he swiftly evades the pillow attack.
Jongin pouts, shoulders slumping. "I do, I needed that wakeup call." He lets out a sigh. "I need to start going to the gym, for real this time. Wanna be my gym buddy?"
Baekhyun pats his own ass with pride. "This is au naturel, baby. No need for the gym."
"Well some of us aren't blessed with your genetics!" Jongin whines. He continues to try to convince Baekhyun to be his gym buddy, but Baekhyun makes some lame ass excuse that Jongin interprets to mean he'd rather chill at home or spend more time with his girlfriend. That gym life is not on his agenda.
Which is fine, Jongin won't force him if he doesn't want to. But his social circle has gotten even smaller ever since he had to move for work, and he hasn't figured out how to make new friends yet. No one ever told him about this part of adulting, how hard it would be to find like-minded people in his age group. It was so much easier in college.
But fuck that, Jongin won't let the lack of a gym buddy stop him from his ass goals. By the time summer rolls around, he wants to be ready.
Later that evening, Jongin looks up a bunch of videos on how to finally get an ass. He's been tragically flat all his life, to the point that sitting down for extended periods hurts. Not that there's anything wrong with having a flat ass... it works for some people, but Jongin has decided his flat ass days are numbered.
He's no beginner at the gym or staying active in general, as he's been a dancer his whole life. Jongin knows all the main exercises like how to squat, how to use the row machine, and other typical gym bro shit. He's lifted, a bit. He never got a personal trainer or did anything legit like that, but he at least knows 70% of his way around the gym.
The problem is he never focused on butt gains before. Back in college he was more about cardio and general strength training, nothing too specific. But after 3 hours of YouTube, Jongin successfully devises a whole glute-focused workout plan, and he's pumped to head to the gym early tomorrow on a Saturday morning.
Walking into a new gym for the first time is always a stressful experience, no matter how much anyone preps themselves. Jongin decides on the cheapest gym chain in his city, not wanting to commit to a more expensive one in case his plans fall through. He did the virtual tour online so he kind of knows the format of the place, but it still feels weird.
He decides to come in the morning when less people are supposed to be there compared to later on in the day, but there's still a good handful of people already here getting their workout in.
Jongin does a quick walkaround to get himself situated, mentally taking note of which machines he plans on using today. Then he finds the stretching corner, grabs a mat, and gets to work on the dynamic stretch routines he's familiar with from dancing.
While stretching his hip flexors, Jongin looks up to find a tall, good-looking guy with pale skin and jet black hair start setting up at the squat rack at the other end of the room. It's across from where Jongin is stretching so he has the perfect view while the guy starts doing his squats. But the guy is facing the mirror, so Jongin has to be really stealth about checking him out-- good thing Jongin thought to wear a cap today to help shield his vision from awkward eye contact. Now the guy can't actually tell if Jongin is staring at him... or so he hopes.
He finishes up the rest of his stretching routine while casually stealing glances at the guy completing his first set of squats. The three other guys here at the gym are the super buff gym bro types, but this guy is fit as hell but more lean muscle. Except for his bubble butt, which he's apparently still working on. It's commendable. Jongin can't help but lament, looking back at his own ass.
With renewed focus, Jongin gets to work on the hip thrust, leg press, and hip abductor machines. When he gets to the hamstring curl machine, he finds himself working out across from the hot guy with the perfect peach again. They make brief eye contact which gives Jongin a thrill, and it's all the energy he needs to finish the rest of his workout.
Two days later, Jongin returns to the gym for leg day #2. He was actually pumped to go again yesterday because he felt good after his first workout in months, but he knows it's important to let his muscles rest so they can grow.
Just like he was hoping, the same hot guy from the other day is here. Jongin thought about switching to the evening to see what the vibe was like, but he ends up sticking to morning out of familiarity... and fine, it's also because he wanted to see this guy again.
This time he's wearing a white t-shirt and pink athletic shorts, and every time he gets low in his squat Jongin's eyes are glued to his ass. The things he'd do to cop a feel, because damn. He'd feel more embarrassed about his thirst but he isn't the only one making eyes at Peach Boy (yes he's calling him that in his head now). At least two other guys here practically snap their neck as they walk past his squat rack, and the girl doing deadlifts next to Jongin is definitely looking no matter how much she tries to hide it. Jongin isn't judging her, of course.
They make eye contact again while Jongin is on the leg press, and Peach Boy walks up next to him to use the hamstring curl machine. For a second Jongin thinks they're gonna keep ignoring each other, but the guy gives him a quick nod of acknowledgement and a bare hint of a smile. Jongin nods back, relieved, but now his heart is beating like crazy. If he's blushing, which he probably is, Jongin is thankful it's likely hidden by the fact that his face is already red from the physical exertion he's put his body through for the past 20 minutes.
On week 2, Jongin gets to the gym late and runs into Peach Boy walking out of the locker room. Literally, because the way the hallway is set up is so narrow, it creates a blind spot and they almost crash into one other.
"Sorry bro," Jongin apologizes first, stepping to the side so he can pass. With such close proximity, Jongin can't help but give him a quick once-over, that hopefully the other man doesn't notice. Today Peach Boy is wearing a heather gray shirt that's doing an excellent job of outlining his toned chest. No pink shorts today, just black, but there's no hiding how thick his ass is. Jongin has to swallow before he starts drooling and outs himself.
"No worries," he responds with a smile, briefly patting Jongin's arm before brushing past him.
Jongin is completely charmed by his voice. And that touch of skin? He's so fucked.
Jongin finds his crush in the locker room again two days later. He's busy shaking his bottle of pre-workout but looks up when Jongin walks in.
"Yo," Peach Boy greets him with an eye smile.
Play it cool, Jongin, he chants in his head to avoid making a fool of himself. "Hey," Jongin replies in his chill as fuck voice as the other man shuts his locker. "Have a good workout," Jongin adds, shocked at his own bravado.
"Thanks, bro. You, too."
Pleased, Jongin hides his smile behind his locker door.
On week 3, Jongin finds he's unintentionally managed to sync his schedule with Peach Boy completely. He didn't plan this, alright! It just happened organically. He swears there were more days he'd be walking in just as the other man finished his workout and feel all disappointed, but now they're always at the gym at the same time. And it's not like Jongin did much to change his schedule. He did try going to the evening once, but it was insanely packed around 6pm when everyone was hitting the gym right after work. Plus, morning workouts give him energy lasting the whole day. Usually he'd be dead by 2pm, but now he doesn't need a second iced latte.
Jongin makes his way towards the squat rack, having finally built up the courage to squat with Peach Boy around (yes he was too nervous to do it the last two weeks). Jongin walks by him while he's on the shoulder press lifting a good amount of weight, and he's already distracted watching the way his muscles ripple underneath his shirt. Jongin averts his eyes before he crashes into something.
"Yo," Peach Boy says first when they make eye contact, pausing his reps so he can extend his hand towards Jongin.
Jongin returns his fist bump, and he can't help but grin. "Shoulders today?"
"Yup. Well, upper body. I split my workout upper and lower."
"Cool, cool," Jongin says.
"What about you?"
"Leg day for me," Jongin replies, pointing his thumb towards to the squat rack. "About to do some squats."
"Nice. Well have a good workout, bro."
"Thanks bro. You, too."
Jongin is about to turn and walk away when Peach Boy calls out, "Hold up, what's your name by the way? I'm Sehun."
"I'm Jongin," Jongin replies casually, although his heart is beating overtime as usual whenever he interacts with Peach Boy (Sehun! he knows his name now) for 0.2 seconds.
"Cool. See you around Jongin."
Jongin only manages to squat 2 sets of 10 with 2 light plates on the barbell, feeling too nervous that Sehun might be watching him fail pathetically from somewhere in the room. Still, he's glad he pushed himself to try something new this week. He can't make any gains without challenging his muscles.
At the end of week 3, Jongin is in the empty locker room in front of the full length mirror twisting his body in all sorts of angles to check if his ass has grown even just a tiny bit. Sadly there's no visible progress, which he's disappointed by even though his legs, especially his thighs, feel so much stronger than before. Cupping one of his asscheeks in his palm, he tries to feel for any hidden muscle growth there.
Unfortunately, this is the precise moment when Sehun walks in.
Jongin lets go of his butt like he's been burned, and tries to act normal even though he knows for sure Sehun saw him checking himself out. This shit is so embarrassing, Jongin wants to go hide in a bathroom stall.
Sehun lets out a small laugh that he cuts short, aware that his laughing could embarrass Jongin further (it is).
"You should use a measuring tape," Sehun suggests in a super friendly tone. "When I first started I couldn't tell if my glutes were growing just by looking, but the tape measure will prove you're doing something right."
The shame Jongin was feeling easily dissipates with Sehun's words. It's good to know Sehun wasn't mocking him, he just found him relatable and wanted to help. "Thanks for the tip." Jongin coughs, clearing his throat. "So it isn't all genetics for you, huh?"
Sehun barks out a laugh. "No, I still gotta work for it."
"I'm trying to get like you," Jongin adds, vaguely gesturing at Sehun's behind. Damn, he really just admitted that to his face.
"Bro... you already look good though." Sehun says, glancing at Jongin's ass, but Jongin knows he's just being nice. "But we should hit a workout together! I'll help you out."
That's how Jongin finds himself working out with Sehun on the reg as certified gym bros. Who would've thought? Not Jongin.
Sehun is his spotter whenever he's squatting, and helps correct his form with gentle touches on Jongin's hips and lower back. It's sadly always a professional kind of touch, though. There were a few times he got the sneaking suspicion Sehun might actually be attracted to him... especially when he catches Sehun staring at his ass, which has happened more than once. But Sehun never crosses the line, and plus he keeps calling him bro (Jongin did start it though, fuck) so it's probably no homo.
They meet all weekend now to get an extra leg day in for Jongin's benefit. Of course Jongin is hyped to see his crush more, but it also means more sexual frustration to deal with when he gets home.
"Made any progress yet?" Baekhyun calls out from the living room.
"Yeah, can't you tell?" Jongin turns around to show off his new butt. It's only a slight curve, nowhere near as full as Sehun's, but it's a huge improvement from before.
"Okay that's great and all but I was talking about with your gym bro."
Jongin flops down on the couch. "Nope. With my luck he's probably straight."
"He is not straight. Dude wants to rail your ass," Baekhyun scoffs.
"Yeah right." Jongin rolls his eyes. "How do you know, you've never even met him."
"In case you forgot, I was in a frat, Jongin. Which means, I know my fair share of gym bros. And he is the type of gym bro that is gay as fuck. The fact that he volunteered to basically be your personal trainer for free, knowing you wanna grow your ass? C'mon now."
Jongin taps his chin, pondering over this theory.
"If you don't believe me, invite him over next Sunday. I'll make myself scarce. Tell him you want to work on cardio!" Baekhyun cackles at his own genius.
"Wow. I'd rather die."
"I dare you to say it!" Baekhyun shakes Jongin's shoulders like it'll convince him. "I'll bet you 100000₩ if he says no. You have nothing to lose here," he points out.
"Fine," Jongin sighs. "I look forward to collecting my 100000₩." It'll suck being turned down, and the worst part is that also means he'll lose the best gym bro he's ever had. The only gym bro he's ever had, but the point still stands. Damn, he'll have to switch gyms too.
Be that as it may, Jongin can't deny the hope he feels that his roommate might be right.
When Sunday rolls around, Jongin is a bundle of nerves. Literally, because he also worked out with Sehun yesterday and his legs were still sore as fuck. In a satisfying way.
They train as usual, with Jongin taking breaks to spot Sehun so he can get his sets in. They have a good routine down, taking turns sharing machines now that they've synced up their workout split.
Somehow Sehun can tell he's nervous, and suggests they end earlier than usual so that Jongin doesn't injure himself. The way he says it all full of concern makes Jongin want to drop down to his knees and suck his cock.
Later in the locker room, Sehun randomly brings up how he wants to change up their routine by adding in some cardio for their upper body day. It's the segue Jongin was looking for, a sign to push things forward.
"Hey, uh, if you're not doing anything later..." Jongin starts to mumble.
Sehun stops what he's doing to give him his full attention.
Well, it's now or never. It's gonna be fucking cringe to say it, but he'll shoot his shot. "Wanna do some cardio back at my place?"
Jongin feels the tips of his ears burning, because he actually said that shit out loud.
Good thing he doesn't have time to take it back, though. Because the next thing he knows, Sehun has him pinned against the lockers, holding both his wrists down at his sides in a strong grip. Getting manhandled is a turn-on he's just now discovered, because Jongin is tenting his shorts in record time.
"Jongin... you can't just say shit like that," Sehun says, face so close their lips almost touch.
"Is that a no?" Jongin asks, shifting his weight to his right leg. In the process he ends up straddling Sehun's thigh, and they both groan in unison.
Their moment is interrupted when the female janitor walks in, and upon seeing their compromised position, she says, "I'll uh, do the women's room first," and awkwardly retreats.
Once she's gone they burst out laughing. Worried now that the tension is broken, Jongin looks at Sehun for an answer.
"I've been dying to do some cardio with you," Sehun admits. "I wasn't sure if you were interested like that."
"You mean like running, or..." Jongin starts to ask. He just wants to be crystal clear, okay?
"No, like this." Sehun grabs Jongin's ass, pressing closer so they're grinding, then tilts his head to capture Jongin's mouth in a filthy first kiss.
When Sehun finally draws back, he looks pleased by Jongin's now-swollen lips.
"Oh," Jongin pants out. "Good, because I'm liking this new workout plan already."