Tally tucked in with glee. Acting like Sam was an award winning chef, and making little happy noises that did things to Sam’s insides. He didn’t think Tally was doing it on purpose.
Sam coughed. “I’m going to the gym.”
Tally looked up at him. “Can I come?”
The idea startled Sam. Was Tally really intent on following him everywhere like a little shadow? The thought was strangely pleasing. As odd as Tally was, Sam really enjoyed his company. He wanted to be close to him too.
“Sure,” he said with a grin.
Tally beamed at him and scurried off into the bedroom, presumably to rummage in Danny’s things for some gym clothes.
Sam grabbed his gym bag, and they headed off. The gym was only down the street, so it was a short stroll. The sun was out again, but the early spring air still held winter’s chill. Sam was glad to get back inside. He paid for a day pass for Tally but caught himself fondly imagining changing his membership to a joint one and Tally coming here every day with him. He shook his head to clear it of his stupid day dreams.
In the changing rooms, Tally unashamedly stripped off his clothes, standing naked whilst he fished the gym clothes out of his borrowed bag. Sam tore his eyes away. Feeling wildly uncomfortable about the other men seeing Tally’s naked body. He had to fight the urge to step in front of him and block him from view. Even though no one was paying the slightest bit of attention. Sam hoped it was merely because Tally looked so vulnerable with all his cuts, and it wasn’t because he was turning into a possessive asshole.
Once changed, they headed out to the main floor. Sam made Tally go on the treadmill for a warmup. Once he was satisfied, he let Tally choose, and the young man opted for the rowing machine. Sam set him up and left him to it.
The familiarity of his workout routine was comforting. Sam lost himself to it, it felt so good to use his muscles and drive out the stress. Exercise felt like a cleanser for the mind, and Sam relished it. He needed this.
After a while, his mind began to wonder, and he questioned why Tally had asked to come. Thinking about it, Sam realized Tally probably wasn’t well enough yet, and he felt guilty for agreeing. Was the young man really that desperate to be in his company? Or maybe Sam was just being big-headed. Tally could just enjoy going to the gym. It could be nothing to do with him.
He mused that thought over for a moment before dismissing it. Tally really didn’t seem to be the gym bunny type, which was understandable, homeless people could rarely afford the money or the calories. Then a thought struck him, perhaps Tally was looking for an opportunity to seduce him? Maybe he was going to work out in a sexy way? Sticking his ass out, flicking his hair, making suggestive noises?
Sam groaned. It would be very hard to resist any of those things. It was a good thing he was facing away from Tally. Though as soon as he thought that, the urge to turn around was strong. Sam tried to fight it for as long as he could, but it was hopeless. He put down the weights he had been lifting and slowly turned around.
Tally was still on the rowing machine, really going for it. His face bright red and his tee shirt soaked in sweat.
Sam ran up to him. “What are you doing?”
Tally looked up but kept going. Sam snatched the pull rope out of his hands, forcing him to stop. Tally panted breathlessly.
“What the hell are you doing?” repeated Sam as he handed him his water bottle.
Tally took it and gulped down the water like he was dying. Sam eyed him in concern, cursing himself for not keeping a closer eye.
“I’m going to make this body one you want!” Tally gasped at him proudly, his blue eyes sparkling happily.
Sam could only stare for a long, helpless moment. This was crazy, completely crazy. How could this young man want him so much? It was bonkers, but extremely flattering.
“I don’t like muscly men.” he heard himself say weakly.
Tally stared at him intensely, clearly processing this information and calculating what to do with it. “Shall I wear a dress instead?” he asked innocently.
Sam choked on nothing. His own body betraying him. The mental image of Tally in a tight fitting dress was doing all sorts of things to him. The young man certainly had the figure to pull it off. Pull it off very well indeed.
Tally was watching him closely, taking in all of Sam’s reactions. Suddenly Tally’s blue eyes widened. “Oh! Do you like girls now? I shouldn’t have assumed. That’s okay, I can see from Benji’s memories that now surgery can change your body. I’ll go find a doctor and tell him I’m a girl!” And he got up and started heading for the changing rooms. Sam grabbed his arm to stop him.
“That is ridiculous! And insulting, being trans is not a flipping whim!”
Tally stared at him, looking confused and dismayed, as well as a little ashamed.
Sam shook his head and decided on an easier route. “I don’t like girls.”
“Oh!” said Tally, and his face lit up. “So, what should I change about this body?”
Sam couldn’t help casting his gaze over Tally, his tousled, messy pink hair. His deep, expressive eyes. His beautiful body. “Nothing, you are perfect,” he breathed.
Next thing he knew, Tally was in his arms. His legs around his waist and his arms around his neck. Exactly how they had met. Sam closed his arms around him and couldn’t stop his delighted chuckle. It made no sense at all, but having Tally close to him made him happy.
