Work Text:
Andy hit herself in the face with the pencil in frustration.
"You have always hated math, so why did you buy a gym where you have to do accounting?" Andy thought to herself. "Next year, I am getting an accountant."
Then Andy remembered what Quynh had promised her if she did the accounting without any complaints: a week in Mexico where Quynh would wear the red bikini Andy loved so much. And that was so much better than a week in cold Amsterdam, where Quynh's amazing body was hidden behind thick clothing.
"Not now, Milla," Andy said when the leader of the spinning team knocked on the door. "Very busy here, so ask Travis for help if there is a problem."
Andy looked at an invoice and wondered who had ordered 100 rubber bands.
"Not a problem as such," Milla replied. "I just wanted to let you know Nicky is here."
That made Andy look at Milla.
"You need glasses," Andy said. "Nicky would never set foot in a gym. It isn't his thing because he likes to run."
"Well, then it must be another Italian who looks a lot like Nicky because he is trying out the kettlebells," Milla replied. "I just wanted to give you a heads up before he ends up hurting himself because he has no idea what he is doing."
Andy almost ran past Milla towards the big room, where Andy saw Nicky trying out the kettlebells.
"Told you so," Milla said. "See you."
Andy took a deep breath before she walked as calmly as she could over to Nicky, who was swinging a ten-pound kettlebell back and forth.
"Hi, Andy," Nicky said. "I thought you were on your way to Mexico."
"Once work is done and after the Christmas party tomorrow," Andy replied. "Nicky, I say this with love. Could you please put the kettlebell down before you break something or hurt yourself? Quynh will never forgive me if you end up in hospital."
"Why?" Nicky asked. "I got this under…"
At that moment, Nicky threw the kettlebell through the window.
"I'm SO sorry, Andy. I didn't mean to do it," Nicky said, looking really sorry. "I'll pay for the window."
Nicky looked out of the window where he saw that the kettlebell had landed on a half roof. It made Nicky happy that he hadn't killed anyone with the kettlebell. Then Nicky saw Andy taking a deep breath before she turned around and looked at the crowd of people looking at them.
"I swear I'll get the hose if you don't move along," Andy said, which made people move on. Then she looked at Nicky. "And you, wait in my office."
When Nicky stood in Andy's office, he felt like a kid who knew he had done something wrong and would soon be yelled at.
"Instead of standing," Andy ordered when she came into the office. "Sit down on the sofa."
Nicky did as he was told to do, while Andy took a stool and turned it around, as she always did before sitting down.
"Besides breaking my gym," Andy said. "What brings you here today?"
"I promise I'll pay for the window and the kettlebell if I broke that, too," Nicky replied. "I am SO sorry…"
Andy held up a finger to stop Nicky from talking.
"We will deal with the window later," Andy said. "Right now, answer my question."
Nicky looked down at his hands with a blush.
"Well," Andy said. "That answers my question."
Nicky looked at Andy.
"How?" Nicky asked. "I didn't say anything."
"Your body language gave you away," Andy replied. "Please don't tell me you have fallen in love or have started dating a beefcake who asked you to work out because there is nothing wrong with you."
"What?" Nicky asked. "It isn't like that."
"Then tell me what this is all about before I call my wife," Andy replied. "We both know her methods for getting answers out of people."
Nicky took a deep breath.
"Last week, while I was out running, I saw this guy who also was out of running. He was wearing a T-shirt with your gym logo," Nicky said. "I didn't have the nerve to speak with him, well, for the same reasons you didn't dare speak with Quynh back when you first met her."
Andy had never forgotten that it was thanks to Nicky that she had ended up with a wife.
"I just wanted to see him again, Andy," Nicky said. "Not in a creepy way; that's not me, and you know it."
"I know it," Andy replied. "So, what was your big master plan today?"
"Pretending that I was working out," Nicky replied. "I'm still sorry about the window. And I'm glad that I hit the half roof and not a person."
"According to Quynh," Andy replied. "When I built the gym, I were clever enough to place the kettlebells next to a window not leading out to the main street in case someone threw one through the window."
They both laughed.
"Back to the guy you saw," Andy said. "Did you find him here?"
"No," Nicky replied. "I better leave."
Nicky tried to get up, but Andy pushed him down on the sofa again.
"I didn't say you could leave," Andy said. "Tell me more about that guy you saw because Quynh will never forgive me if you end up with a guy she doesn't like."
Nicky looked briefly out onto the hallway before he looked down at his hands while blushing. Andy had seen what Nicky saw.
"Thanks for telling me," Andy said. "Stay."
Before Nicky could stop Andy, she called for a man.
"Joe, this is Nicky," Andy said. "Could you give him a lesson in how to use the kettlebells before he breaks more windows while I figure out who buys rubberbands?"
"Sure thing," Joe replied. "Come, Nicky."
Nicky wanted to follow Joe, but somehow, his legs had suddenly stopped working. It made Andy pull Nicky to his feet.
"He is just being a bit shy," Andy said. "Did I mention he is the nicest gay guy you would ever meet in your entire life, Joe?"
Nicky wished Andy would stop talking.
"No, you didn't," Joe replied with a big smile. "Can't wait to find it out myself."
Andy pushed Nicky in front of Joe. Nicky wished Joe wasn't wearing a tank top showing off his muscles and that he didn't smell so good because both things did something to Nicky's neglected libido.
"Now, kids, go and have fun," Andy said. "And remember, you can kiss, but no sex in my gym."
To prevent Andy from saying more stupid things, Nicky was sure didn't help him, he left Andy's office with Joe after him.
"Nicky," Joe said. "Wait a second."
Nicky turned around and tilted his head.
"You can't train in boots and jeans," Joe said. "Do you have something else you can wear?"
"No," Nicky replied. "It was a spontaneous idea with the kettlebells."
"Okay," Joe replied. "Come, let's find you something you can wear."
Five minutes later, Nicky was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of very short and too-small shorts showing Nicky's ass and thighs.
"Okay, kettlebells," Joe said. "Do you know how much you can lift in total?"
Nicky shook his head.
"Sometimes at work," Nicky replied. "I lift fifty kilos of dough at a time."
"Wow, impressive," Joe replied. "Are you a baker?"
"Yes," Nicky replied. "I love my sourdough."
Joe smiled.
"So," Nicky said. "Do you work here?"
"Filling in a gap while a common friend of Andy and mine who is on maternity leave," Joe replied. "I am an artist. I love my sculptures."
Joe walked over to Nicky with one of the kettlebells.
"Just a moment, Joe," Nicky said. "I need to tie my shoelaces."
Nicky got down on one knee so he could tie his shoelaces. While kneeling, Nicky could feel Joe's eyes on his ass which Nicky didn't mind at all, but before Nicky could say something, he heard a noise behind him.
"Did you..." Nicky asked while he gestured towards the window. "Do that?"
Joe looked down at his hand and saw the missing kettlebell he held seconds before. Before Joe could say anything, Andy stood in front of them.
"Incredible," Andy said. "And what is your excuse for breaking my windows, Joe?"
"I was hit by inspiration when I saw a divine ass," Joe replied before he winked at Nicky, who blushed. "I promise to pay for the window."
Andy facepalmed herself before she looked at the crowd of people looking at them.
"I will get the hose if you don't stop staring," Andy said. It made people move on. Then she looked at Joe and Nicky. "Clean this mess up."
Andy walked back to her office.
"I know a way to get back in her good book," Nicky said. "I will show you once we have cleaned up."
It didn't take them long before they had swept the floor for glass shards and changed into some warm clothes. While walking down the streets, Joe and Nicky's shoulders touched each other because there wasn't much space left, thanks to the people doing their Christmas shopping—something they didn't mind.
"So," Nicky said. "Did you like the divine ass you saw?"
"Sorry to put it so bluntly, but I bloody loved it," Joe replied. "Hope you don't mind me saying that."
"I don't mind it," Nicky replied. "You seem to be the first one who appreciates my ass."
Joe looked at Nicky.
"I need to know," Joe said. "Have every guy you met been blind or something when they didn't notice your divine ass?"
"Beats me," Nicky replied. "But before we talk more about my ass, or your ass, for that matter, we should buy some baklava. It will improve Andy's mood and earn us her forgiveness."
"Okay, I didn't know that," Joe asked. "So tell me, where will you find baklava in Amsterdam?"
"At my bakery," Nicky replied. "It's around the corner."
It didn't take long before they stood in Nicky's bakery, which was filled with people.
"I have to admit I absolutely love this bakery," Joe said. "But I have never seen you here before."
"Maybe because it has to do with that I work four nights at the time, so when the bakery opens, I normally sleep," Nicky replied. "This way."
Nicky led Joe through the bakery.
"It smells so good here," Joe said. "I think I would have a hard time working as a baker because I would eat everything I bake."
Nicky laughed.
"Those bakers who say they don't eat their own baked goods are lying," Nicky replied. "Wait here."
Nicky walked over to one of the big freezers before opening the door. It didn't take long before Nicky returned with a tray.
"One tray with baklava for Andy," Nicky said. "I just need to find a box for it."
"Okay," Joe replied. "Let me at least pay half of it since I also broke a window."
Nicky smiled. Joe already loved that smile.
"Instead of paying for half of the baklava, I have an idea," Nicky replied. "Do you want to hear it?"
"Yes," Joe replied. "Please."
Nicky took a box for the baklava.
"Okay," Nicky replied. He took a deep breath before telling his idea. "Have you heard about the big Christmas party at the club tomorrow?"
"Yes, it's one of the biggest parties in Amsterdam of the year," Joe replied. "I wasn't fast enough to get a ticket."
Nicky placed the baklava in the box.
"I have two tickets," Nicky said. "So, would you like to be my plus one?"
It was Quynh who had given Nicky the two tickets in the hope of doing something about his non-existent love life.
"Is that a question?" Joe asked. "Of course, I would love to be your plus one as long as you bring your divine ass with you."
Joe smiled. Nicky already loved that smile.
"I will make sure it shows up," Nicky replied. "Remember, you have to wear something red, or else they won't let you into the club."
"I come up with something," Joe replied. "Let's meet at 7 PM at the club."
"Deal," Nicky replied. "Can't wait."
"Me neither," Joe replied. "I promise you and your divine ass your lives best evening."
"We will both keep you to that promise," Nicky replied. "Come, let's give Andy the baklava."
It didn't take long before they were back at the gym again, where they saw a glazier fixing the broken windows.
"Remember to look really sorry," Nicky said. Joe made a sad face. "That will do it."
Nicky knocked on the door before entering the room with Joe after him.
"For you, Andy," Nicky said. "I hope you can forgive us for the windows."
Nicky placed the box on the desk in front of Andy. When Andy opened the box, she smiled.
"You are forgiven, but you are both banned from using the kettlebells forever," Andy said. "Got it?"
Joe and Nicky promised it just as Quynh showed up.
"I knew it. Instead of doing the accounting, you are eating baklava," Quynh said. "And where did you get an entire box from?"
Andy, who had her mouth filled with baklava, pointed at Joe and Nicky.
"It is our fault," Nicky said. "We broke Andy's windows."
Nicky told Quynh what had happened. It made Quynh laugh.
"Tell me," Joe said. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because you all are hopeless," Quynh replied. "And you have had enough baklava for now."
Quynh took the box with baklava with a look on her face that made Andy say nothing.
"I'm sure your staff will be grateful for the rest of the baklava," Quynh said. "Or am I wrong about that, Andromache?"
Andy just nodded, not taking her eyes off the box with baklava.
"Joe, Nicky, please leave, Andy still has work to do," Quynh said. "See you soon."
Joe and Nicky knew they should leave because of the way Quynh said the last bit. Outside the gym, Joe and Nicky looked at each other with shy smiles.
"Know this, Nicky," Joe said. "I will count every second until tomorrow evening."
"Incurable romantic," Nicky replied. "Is it okay if I call you that?"
"More than fine," Joe replied. "If you give me your phone number, I can text you so time goes by faster."
Joe held his phone out with a nervous smile.
"I like that idea," Nicky replied. "Very much."
Nicky took Joe's phone before adding his phone number to the contacts.
"You can find me under "Divine Ass"," Nicky said. "And I expect the first text twenty seconds after we have parted."
"It will take less than that," Joe replied. "I promise."
Nicky handed Joe his phone back.
"I will keep you to that promise," Nicky replied. "I can't wait to see you at the Christmas party tomorrow."
"Neither can I," Joe replied. "It will be great fun."
They parted for now, and twelve seconds later, Nicky got the first text from Joe.