Cooper

‘Well, I enjoy a healthy workout regimen 5 days a week; when I started out it was less, but now I don’t feel the burn unless I keep challenging myself.’ Raymond paused while he thought about how many pullups he’d done while he spoke to the guy. Whoops, he’d lost count. He wasn’t sure if he’d quite made it to 80, so he started his count at 75 to be safe. He kept the count in his head though, not wanting to embarrass himself in front of the other guy. He was only able to do five more before the guy finished speaking again.

He certainly didn’t want to ignore the guy as that would just be downright rude, but he also didn’t want to lose count again; his response was a bit delayed in parts as he spoke for two pullups and paused for one. ‘Well, I do try to do … at least a hundred … on arm day.’ One extra pullup to get him to 90. ‘When I’m finished here… I can always lend a hand … and spot you.’ Once he’d gotten to a hundred, he let himself down gently, rolling his shoulders to relax the tension.

‘So, have you decided whether you want to do cardio? Or weights?’

He had a point, anyone who knew a good work out wouldn’t gain anything if there was no pain involved. As the saying went No pain, no gain right? As the other continued doing his pull ups, Chris couldn’t help but stare-- something he should have stopped. But it was impressive, because he knew many men who couldn’t keep up. Hell, he wasn’t sure if he could keep up, which was a big blow to his own ego. 

“That’s nice, I used to be able to do as many, but I feel like old age is hitting me and I just simply suck.” Alright, so he could continue being his egotistic self or admit to the fact that he wasn’t as good as he used to be. The last thing he wanted to do was make a fool of himself while trying to impress someone here. “I’d appreciate it, yeah.” he was glad the other would be able to help him out, not that he right out needed it. 

The world was a small place. Perhaps smaller than Arthur would like to think. Sometimes – that was a bad thing. It meant that he could cross paths in the most surprising of places with people that he would rather see dead and buried than… pretending to be all friendly and cozy. Those times were indeed the worse. The moments where he would have to pull his best fake smile because appearances were everything and everyone knew everyone. But it wasn’t all a Greek tragedy setting. There were moments where the world is a small little shitty pea came with perks and advantages.

Like this particular moment for instance.

Arthur had met the other man in the past – when his oil company moved to a small town under the rumors that there was oil underneath the ground. Somehow, the two became sexually involved. It had started with a few drinks that became a lot of drinks – and before any of them could truly grasp the full extent of what the fuck was happening – whenever they would find himself in the same city, chances of them hooking up were pretty much set in stone. Which Arthur was okay with. Christopher was a handsome man and he knew how to value privacy, something that the blond held like a treasure.

“What are the odds?” One eyebrow rose and Arthur quickly dismissed the staff member that was trying to woo him, devoting all of his attention to someone he knew quite well in the Biblical sense. “I don’t have a twin brother, mate. When God made me, he made sure that I was one of a kind. No fake, cheap, Chinese copies, I’m afraid. I’m the genuine product.”

He wasn’t sorry for interrupting the conversation between him and one of the staff members -- he could only presume. If it were under any other circumstances then he’d have apologized, but not now. Not with him; For Chris, he was different. He helped him realize something important about himself and while he wasn’t completely open about it, the other never pushed him away or forced him into anything outside his comfort zone.

A smile played across his lips in response. Honestly though what are the odds of these two running into each other here of all places. The man was still as handsome as ever and he hated how much he had an affect over him. He remembered when he had first walked into his bar, his eyes had literally caught his attention. He remembered thinking no one could compare. Hell, he almost cursed himself for sounding like a wannabe Shakespeare.

“You know, i’m glad God didn’t make another you. Imagine how awkward it would trying to explain what i’m doing, approaching you in such a manner.” he added in a playful manner. “It’s good to see you, Arthur. I admit, i’ve missed you.” 

He didn’t do this -- search for others, that is. No, he usually waited or he was the one approached. Not here, not at Haus though because everything seemed to work differently for him. He was holding on to his drink in hand, much too nervous to actually make a move. In fact, Christopher found himself avoiding direct contact with anyone that was interested and he didn’t understand why. Isn’t this what he wanted? Or was it just an experimental thing? Perhaps it was the guilt; Subconsciously he he’d use his thumb to rub over his ring finger only to remember that he had taken it off. It was the guilt; 

That’s when his eyes landed on an all too familiar face. He wasn’t sure if this was fate’s way of laughing at him, or if the man just had a twin brother. But, all nerves had left upon seeing his familiar face. Instead, Christopher chugged down his glass of scotch and walked over to Arthur. 

“Well i’ll be damned.” he greeted as he pushed through the crowd to get to him at the bar. “--Tell me, are you following me or do you have a twin brother by chance?” he was joking; If anything, he was glad to see his face. If anything, he had missed him. Maybe that was the other situation, he had grown accustomed to him to even start with someone else. 

Well, he might as well give this a try right? As the bartender fixed the other a drink, Christopher raised his glass when the bartender pointed back at him as his way of explaining the mysterious drink. Now he’d just wait; If the other was interested, he would approach him, and if not, then he was just going to have to accept that embarrassing rejection.

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