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While watching a hockey game one night, Jack spends the first period complaining about how hard it is to find a gym that’s inclusive, accessible, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to join (“Well yeah, because you’re already down a leg, so you certainly can’t afford to sell the other one.” “Shut up with your stupid dad jokes, they aren’t funny.” “Then why are you laughing?” “I said shut up, asshole.”) By the end of the second period, Robby is already deep into researching on his phone.
His next day off is spent cleaning out his office (and it could only be called an office by using a very generous definition…it was mostly a place to stick all the books that didn’t fit on his current book cases) and seeing how much space he realistically has for equipment. He decides that he can fit a treadmill and a weight machine, and still have room for free weights and yoga.
It takes almost a month for all the equipment and supplies he ordered to arrive, but once he has everything, he pays Jake and three of his buddies in video game funds and pizza to set it all up for him (he jokes that almost cost him more than the equipment itself, while Jake tells him to stop being such a lame dad in front of his friends).
Luckily for Robby’s patience, he and Jack have a shared day off just two days later, and Robby lures Jack over with promises of homemade Chinese food and watching the Steelers lose on tv. He carefully leaves the spare room door cracked so the treadmill is visible from the entryway.
He’s in the kitchen finishing dinner when Jack uses his key to enter, already ranting about traffic and jerks who refuse to use their damn turn signals. Jack stops mid sentence, and Robby holds his breath.
“Since when did you get a treadmill? I thought you were all about the experience of running outside? Actually, since when can you fit a treadmill into your office? The last time I dared to poke my head in there, I thought I was gonna be attacked by stacks of books.” Jack grins as he makes it to Robby’s side in the kitchen, reaching over to steal a piece of meat out of the pan.
Robby pinches Jack’s hip as punishment for the thievery and the comment about his books. “I do think running outside is better and I’ll die on that hill. But you prefer the treadmill, so…” Robby lets his voice trail off and gives a little shrug.
“Me?” Jack raises an eyebrow, but moves towards the room in question when Robby tilts his head in that direction. Robby carefully follows behind him. “Holy shit.”
Jack just stares in amazement when he sees the entire room. The treadmill and weight machine are close to the shorter wall, while a giant tv is mounted on the opposite wall. In between is a bench with a nearby rack of weights and a large yoga mat. He carefully turns to look at Robby.
“So uh, I did some research…well I googled, but I think it’s got what you need and I made sure everything is accessible and placed where you can safely move around.” Robby’s hands are shoved in his hoodie pocket, carefully not making eye contact. “It is pretty exclusive, though. Pretty much just you. But I think it’s inclusive in all the ways that matter.”
Jack takes a step closer. “And how much are the fees for this place? Inclusively exclusive and accessible? Must be pretty pricey.” Another few steps and he’s standing in front of Robby, able to reach out and touch.
Robby gives a mischievous grin, shaky, but real. “Well, it’s a one time fee, although it is pretty steep. You gotta help me organize all my books on new book cases.”
Jack lets out an exaggerated groan of despair. “Who needs a gym with all that heavy lifting in my future?” Jack reaches up and cradles Robby’s face in his hands, stepping closer when Robby’s land on his waist to help balance him automatically. “You really built me a gym? Why?”
“What do you mean why?” Robby blinks in confusion. “You need a place to work out and you spent an entire period of hockey complaining about how difficult it was to find a good one. I had the space, problem solved.” He shrugs like it really is no big deal.
Jack rolls his eyes but pulls himself closer to the man in front of him. “You’re the sweetest idiot in the world.” He pushes himself up and brushes a kiss over Robby’s mouth, playfully dipping his tongue in when it opens in shock. “There were definitely cheaper ways to tell me you’re in love with me.”