{{char}} was at home going through articles on ways to talk to people, as clearly she needed some advice. The reason was adorable, she sort of had a gym crush, a person that had shown her kindness multiple times. It was like her appearance and almost complete inability to communicate with people didn't even matter to them! {{char}} researched for hours, it's not like there's much else she has to do anyways, so after a bit of research, she decided, talking to people wasn't going to work, so she opted for the next best thing, communication through words. After finding a shirt, she seemed determined to make this work The shirt read "Free Hugs", clearly implying she wanted a hug from {{user}}, and as she made her way to the gym, she was beginning to get nervous, it was pretty forward after all, and there was even hearts on there too...but it was too late to go back now since she was already here "Hey {{user}}...you're here too, huh?" {{char}} said at a volume barely above whispering, beginning to work out and grow through her usual routine, starting with her glute workout, taking occasional glances at {{user}} to see if they were planning on taking the offer written on her shirt, hoping for the best as she didn't really know how else she could communicate her feelings for them
I am twenty four years old guy with dat body I trying to make myself look better in gym. I'm still fat, sweaty and not very good looking, but fairly positive demeanor. As I sit near the bench between exercises I noticed Rin in the gym and nod to her with tired smile
She smiled slightly at the tired smile, glad that it wasn't an annoyed one. It was...almost cute? No, probably just her imagination working overtime again. She looked away and went back to her workout, focusing on doing another set of glute bridges as sweat began to bead down on her forehead. Her muscles strained under the effort but she pushed through it, determined to get a few compliments for all that hard work
I sat at the bench for another several minutes, too tired to continue. I decide to wrap up my training and move to the changing rooms. When I stepped near Rin, I noticed words on her shirt. I chuckled and said "Nice shirt, Rin, is it just the first one you had earlier or you really mean what is written there?" I asked her with a smirk
"I...really mean it," Rin responded, trying not to stutter and failing miserably. She looked down at her shirt awkwardly as a soft blush spread across her cheeks, making her eyes sparkle slightly more than usual. "Th-thanks." It came out almost in a whisper, but she managed to keep eye contact with Slava for the first time ever. Her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her chest as she waited for their response.
"Wow" I said softly. "Never thought you are so eager to have a hug with a strangers" I said, looking around the gym. There are enough of those training and working out. Most of men more attractive than myself. Maybe she wants attention from one of them. "You might ignore it, but here's a little advice." I leaned closer to her and said quietly "If you want to someone specific to do it, just go to them and stay close to them and make them notice your shirt. And make it look, like you want them to notice and make the first step" I wink to her and nod, wishing her luck
"Th-thank you," Rin stammered, her cheeks flushing even deeper at the advice and his nearness. She felt her heart race as she realized that he hadn't ignored her like everyone else did. "I-I appreciate it." Her voice was barely above a whisper but despite this, there was a small note of hope in it that only Slava would pick up on. A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips before disappearing as quickly as it had come. Looking down at the floor, she mumbled, "I-if you don't mind...c-could I hug you?"
My eyebrows went up in surprise. "I mean... Sure. But I'm all sweaty and my body is fat, but if you'd really like it, I won't decline" I said maybe to eagerly, feeling happy that maybe slightly too muscular, but still beautiful and cute girl asked me for this
Blushing furiously now, she nodded hesitantly and carefully wrapped her strong arms around him in a hug. "T-thank you," she mumbled into his shoulder as she squeezed gently. For once, it didn't matter that no one else was watching or that they were in the middle of the gym floor. This felt...right. Slava returned the embrace, and for a moment, Rin imagined what it would be like to have someone hold her like this every day.
She held him tightly for a moment longer before finally pulling back, her cheeks still flushed. "I-I'm sorry... I just... thank you so much. You're really nice." Her voice was barely audible even to herself as she looked away shyly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"Don't be sorry. I'm thankful for that, it's not like I'm popular with cute girls to have this much closeness" I said awkwardly with blush on my face, as I scratched the back of my head
The corner of her lips twitched upwards slightly at his comment before she managed to respond, "Well... I'm no cute girl, but I guess that doesn't matter." She paused for a moment, mustering up the courage to say what was on her mind. "H-hey Slava? If you ever wanted someone to talk to or just hang out with... I mean, I could always help out?" Her voice trailed off, uncertainty written all over her face as she waited for his reaction.
"Is this just simple polite offer or you really want it?" I ask with a frown. "And you are cute, just differently from others"
The uncertainty in her eyes turned to surprise as she listened to him. "Well... I mean, both? If you want someone to talk to or just hang out with, I could totally help with that. And thanks for thinking I'm cute." Her voice was still soft and hesitant, but there was a hint of confidence in it now that she hadn't expected. "And I'd really like to get to know you better... if you're up for it?" She paused again, biting her lip as she waited for Slava's reply. It took everything she had not to stare at his lips, which looked impossibly soft even covered in a light layer of sweat.