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Kaoru saw him nearly every day when he passed by the local gym along the busy city street. He walks along the street at the exact time every weekday and passes the gym on his way home after his classes. It was nearly two months ago when he first saw him .
Golden brown, sweat covered skin, glistening in sunlight that shines through the large windows lining the building. Emerald green hair slicked back in a headband, falling just past the nape of his neck. A masculine, attractive face sprinkled with just a hint of freckles below his maroon, kind eyes. Muscular arms and thick thighs moving in tandem below his tank top and shorts as he runs at a steady pace on the treadmill that faces the window.
The man was there every single time Kaoru walked past, like clockwork. Kaoru found himself lingering longer and longer while walking past the gym to watch the ridiculously attractive stranger. He would pretend to be preoccupied with something on his phone as he would slowly walk past, taking his time to really observe the green-haired man. Sometimes he'd rest on a nearby bench that had a good view of the gym window, pulling out a book for one of his classes and pretending to do homework while subtly glancing at the man through the window. There was even one time when he faked a conversation on the phone with absolutely no one so he could watch the very sweaty and very shirtless man running quickly on the treadmill. He couldn't get the image of the man's abs and pecs out of his head for weeks, not that he wanted to. Needless to say, Kaoru was infatuated with the green-haired, handsome stranger.
One day, Kaoru walks up to the gym just like he does everyday after his final class of the day. He has his favorite iced coffee in one hand and his phone in the other. He slows his walk as he approaches the gym and pretends to browse through his phone while sneaking a peek through the windows to find the man he's been obsessing over for the past two months. He scans the patrons exercising along the windows a few times but doesn't see the green-haired man. He feels himself immediately panic, even though he knows the reaction is completely irrational, especially towards a man who is a complete stranger to him.
Maybe he's using another piece of equipment farther back, away from the window? The man clearly has to have a more extensive workout routine besides cardio, with muscles and abs like that. Maybe he decided to skip his workout today? Unlikely, seeing that the man had been at the gym every weekday at the same exact time for the last two months. Maybe something bad happened to him? Maybe he was in an accident and-
"Looking for someone?"
A voice interrupts Kaoru's spiraling thoughts and he looks over to where the voice came from near the entrance to the gym. And there he is. The green-haired man, bookbag on his shoulder, wearing his usual shorts and tank top, and looking back at Kaoru with a cocky grin.
"E-excuse me?" Kaoru asks, making eye contact with the man for the first time ever.
"You're not very subtle, you know," the man says, his grin getting even wider. "I see you practically drooling over me every time you pass by."
"I most certainly do not drool over you," Kaoru replies after a moment with a huff, crossing his arms and turning his head. He feels his cheeks start to flush in embarrassment from having his favorite secret hobby aired out in the open.
"You sure about that?" Movement catches Kaoru's attention and he turns his head back as the man slowly saunters towards him. "I don't mind you checking me out. It's not like I didn't do the same every time I see you walk by."
Kaoru stares back at the green-haired man for a moment before closing his mouth that he didn't realize was hanging open because of the confession he just heard. Before he can respond, the man continues.
"My name is Kojiro," he says, the cockiness replaced with a friendly smile. He holds out a hand for Kaoru to shake.
Kaoru lets out a quick laugh at the gesture and grabs onto the bigger, tanned hand in front of him. "I'm Kaoru."
Their hands linger for a moment too long but Kaoru doesn't want to let go, loving the feeling of his smaller hand enclosed in Kojiro's bigger one. Kojiro eventually does let go, but not before gently rubbing his thumb along Kaoru's own thumb a few times.
"Kaoru…" he hears Kojiro say softly, like he's committing the name to memory. "It's nice to properly meet you."
Instead of responding with a polite agreement like he knows Kojiro expects, he decides to ask what's been on his mind since he first laid eyes on the other man today. "Why are you late today?"
Kojiro looks taken aback for a second at Kaoru's bluntness but responds nonetheless.
"One of my classes ran late and then I had a short meeting with one of my professors. Sorry for the tardiness, your highness ."
The nickname takes Kaoru by surprise and he lets out a laugh that sounds more like a squeak. Kojiro chuckles at Kaoru’s response before slowly backing towards the gym doors.
"I better get to it. Same time tomorrow, yeah?"
"Don't be late again." Kaoru sends a glare in the other man’s direction.
"Wouldn't dream of it. Wear your hair up in a high ponytail for me, yeah? It’s a good look on you.” The cocky grin that Kaoru was first greeted with is back on Kojiro’s face.
“Only if you forget your shirt while running,” Kaoru responds simply, trying to ignore the blush he feels forming on his cheeks.
“Deal. See you tomorrow, princess.” Kojiro throws a wink over his shoulder before opening the door and disappearing into the gym.
Kaoru knows his face is fully flushed now from the nickname as he slowly starts walking away from the gym. He glances back after a few steps and sees Kojiro on the treadmill, beginning his workout with a slow jog. Kojiro meets Kaoru’s gaze and gives him a little salute and another wink.
Kaoru decides, right then and there, that he doesn’t want to leave just yet. He finds his usual bench by the gym windows and sits down, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the bench. Kaoru takes a sip of his iced coffee, drinking his favorite caffeinated beverage as well as drinking in the sight of Kojiro in front of him, who still has his eyes on Kaoru.
Well, he might as well enjoy the show since he’s already here.