money for the dry-cleaning bill or something... yeah, I get that too.”
To Kirk’s surprise, Lance started to laugh. And not in mockery, but in jest. He threw his head back and roared a full belly laugh before crossing to where Kirk sat, sitting beside him and then putting his arm over his shoulder. Kirk literally shuddered when he did.
“Is that seriously why you quit?” Lance asked softly.
“Well... yeah.”
“God damn, you’re an idiot.”
“Huh?” Kirk lifted his head from his hands.
“Why are you the one that’s embarrassed – I'm the one that should be.”
Kirk frowned, sure that Lance was having him on. “Why would you be – you didn’t do anything to me while I was asleep, did you?” he joked.
“Unfortunately, not,” Lance winked. He then sighed, shook his head to himself and stood up. “That drink I poured you – and then made you finish. It was a double shot. Nothing crazy I know, but you were already drunk and... and I basically was responsible for what happened – fuck, I pushed the thing down your throat.”
“No.” Kirk stood up. His head spun, but he ignored it. “Don’t say – it had nothing to do with you. It was all me.”
“I’m going to have to disagree.”
“Well... I am too...” Kirk crossed his arms over his chest, although he wasn’t sure why. Were they arguing right now? And about who was at fault for his throwing up? How very strange.
“So, we’re at an... what’s it called? Like when two people can’t come to an agreement?”
“An impasse,” Kirk said with a smile.
Lance smiled and clapped his hands together. “That’s it. We’re at an impasse. So, in honor of said impasse, I have a proposal to make.” Lance ran his eyes over the apartment. “Nice place, by the way. I think your living room is as big as my entire apartment.”
“Oh... I got lucky with the rent,” Kirk blushed.
“Come back to the gym,” Lance then said suddenly. “Seriously, don’t quit because I’m a dickhead. Your training was going so well – like you are seriously in a spot where a few more weeks will see some serious improvement. You quitting now is like... it’s like – well, it’s like something,” he laughed. “If I were better with words, I’d have a great example for you too.”
Kirk pressed his lips together to stop the smile breaking out across his face. “You really think I should come back?”
“Yes.” Lance rested his hands on Kirk’s shoulders so he could look into his eyes. He stared into them, serious now. “But only on one condition.”
“Which is...?”
“That we stick to the agreement from last night. You keep helping me with my business, and I help you with your body. I need you, Kirk. I really do.”
Kirk had completely forgotten all about what he had promised. Every time he had thought back to that dinner, he’d focused on the little things like the way that Lance smiled, the sound of his laugh, the shine in his eyes. The actual conversation they’d had, had completely slipped his mind.
“Please,” Lance then tried again.
“All right...” Kirk said slowly, as if he actually had to think about it. Really though, he didn’t. “I’ll still help you.”
“And the gym?” Lance pressed.
“That too,” Kirk agreed with a smile. Seriously, now that the moment had passed, his quitting the gym really was a silly thing to do. And childish. And immature. Again, Kirk had managed to make a fool of himself.
"Perfect!” Lance clapped his hands together and spun on the spot to face the door. “That’s all I wanted.” He strode to the door and threw it open. “Tomorrow morning, Kirk. Same time as always. Don’t even think about not coming in.”
“And if I don’t?” Kirk asked playfully.
“You don’t want to know.” Lance then winked at Kirk, chuckled to himself and strode through the door and down the hall without looking back. What an exit.
Kirk hurried to the open door and poked his head out, watching Lance disappear down the hall and around the corner. He hadn’t noticed at the time, but his heart was beating so darn hard against his chest that it actually hurt. Now though, it was starting to return to normal function. As was his breathing. As was his body temperature.
He could relax now... but only kind of.
Lance coming to speak to him was huge. Lance didn’t care about what had happened the previous night. All he cared about was his business and seeing Kirk again— that was what Kirk chose to focus